The first thing Azula saw as she woke up was her brother sitting on a chair next to the bed - his bed. She decided against going back to her own bedroom so they could talk, but ended up falling asleep. Zuko didn't seem to be as stressed as he had been mere hours before, but it was very clear he was tired. And in a terrible mood.

"You look awful" she said.

"Thanks" his face softened for an instant "Did you have any nightmares?"

"No, but I'm still mad at you for not staying with me" Zuko had the decency to blush "Are you going to run away like a little kid again or can we actually talk?"

He sighed, then spoke up again "I'm sorry, it's just that you freaked me out when you said you could see us... that way. I never thought you'd think about something like that."

Azula had suppress a cruel smile. She had said she could understand why others could wrongfully believe they were sleeping together, not that she herself could see it actually happening, or that she had ever imagined what it would be like. She would have teased him mercilessly if he wasn't still a flight risk.

"I was joking, Zuzu" she tried her best to act innocent, but it was harder to pretend she didn't mean it now that she was sure that, deep down, he had already understood what exactly they had accidentally started "You know i like to make you uncomfortable every now and again."

"This is different, Azula. If people really think we are together, it could ruin our image and put us in danger."

"Look, you've gotta stop worrying about me. You're the Fire Lord, you're the one with actual power. I'm just your crazy sister. They'll make up stories about how I'm secretly still evil 'til the day I die. It's not ideal, but it is what it is, and at least that means I have nothing to lose. Forget my reputation and focus on yours."

That answer clearly had not pleased him.

"That is not an option. I won't let anyone disrespect you" he spoke in that unnecessarily serious tone he used way too often, making her smile.

"How lovely. My dear brother worried about my honor" she mocked "Now come here, you need to rest."

He didn't move.

"Come on, Zuko. I won't bite."

"We shouldn't do this anymore" he looked both guilty and disappointed "Chise and Mayu said spending so much time together wouldn't be good for us."

"That didn't stop you before" she said as she got up "And we are not the problem here. You said it yourself, they're overreacting."

"I'm not sure about that anymore. There's a reason everyone is weirded out by everything we do, Azula. It might not be what they're thinking, but that doesn't mean our relationship is normal."

"Since when has anything in our lives been normal, Zuzu?" Azula didn't even try to hide her anger "After everything we've been through it's obvious we'd never be like everyone else. And we both nearly ended up a lot worse than we are now" she paused for a moment, then put a hand on his shoulder "Zuko, I'm only doing better because you're always by my side, not in spite of it. And i know you don't want this to end. It doesn't matter if it's normal - it is what works for us."

He got up from the chair and pulled her in for a quick hug "I promise you I'll always be here for you. But I have to think about this" he looked at her with those sad eyes, and his hand instinctively caressed the spot in her arm where she lastly hurt herself.

Coward. That's all he's ever been. That's all he ever will be.

Azula ignored both the voice in her head and her brother's words. She was getting tired of playing nice.

"You shouldn't test me, brother. You know better than anyone that I always get what I want" she whispered in his ear, making his entire body shake. She kissed him on the cheek, then started to walk away.

Zuko stopped her by grabbing her wrist. When she looked at him, she saw how terrified he was, but the fire in his eyes made it clear there was something else hiding behind his fear.

"Let go, Zuzu" she commanded and he obeyed with a sheepish look on his face, making her grin as she left his room. There was no point in staying, because there was nothing left to say. He had run out of excuses for the things they did, and she was no longer willing to indulge him. If he wanted her - and Azula knew he did - he would have to actually do something about it.