Zuko watched as his sister dressed up for dinner after training on her own for a while. Azula looked more confident now, but he could tell there was something bothering her. Whenever Azula wasn't okay, she seemed to disconnect from the world around her, and her every action looked automatic, like she wasn't even fully aware of what she was doing. And that was how she looked at the moment - eyes distant, slower movements, and her mind clearly somewhere else.

He had realized something was off about her all day, despite her trying to act like nothing was wrong. Unfortunately, Zuko had seen her having more than enough bad days to let him know just how to recognize the signs. Whenever he tried to get her to take a break and talk to him or to her doctors, Azula would dismiss him and just continue explain her plans to him and his friends. She had made sure to sneak off to the Agni Kai room when he was busy with something else, so he wouldn't even be able to try to make her talk about what was bothering her.

Once she was ready, Azula turned to him "We can go now."

"Not yet" he walked up to her and she raised an eyebrow "Why are you so concerned?"

"I'm not concerned."

Her tone would have been enough to fool him years ago, but he had spent more than enough time by her side now to see the emotions she tried to hide. He couldn't read her as well she could always read him yet, but he would get there.

"Something is bothering you. Is it about your plan?"

"No. I'm just not feeling all that well today."

"Is it about your nightmare?"

"No" she seemed angry that he brought it up "I know you're going to be okay, because i won't let anything happen to you. Is just that this whole situation is stressful. You of all people should understand that."

"I do. But I know that's not the whole story. What aren't you telling me?"

"There's nothing to say, Zuko. You're blowing things out of proportion, as usual."

Azula started walking away, but he stopped her, grabbing her waist and pulling her close to him, embracing her from behind "I'm just worried" he controlled his anger and frustration to try and sound as kind as possible. He didn't want to fight.

His sister sighed, brought her hands to his, and leaned back against him "I know. And I know that it must be difficult to accept that I'm taking such a big risk to my health, but I have to do this" she turned to face him "We'll keep each other safe."

"We can't protect each other from everything" he reminded her.

"It will be okay" she pressed a quick kiss to his lips "We've gone through much worse and survived. Anyone who makes the mistake of trying to harm or separate us will be dealt with."

Zuko didn't like the way she said that, especially because he wasn't sure what she would do to people who opposed their relationship, but Azula didn't give him a chance to ask her, she simply took his hand and gently guided him through the hall. The conversation was over.

For that moment at least. He would make her talk soon enough. He wouldn't let her ignore her feelings just to pretend she no longer needed help - and she would get that help whether she wanted it or not, Zuko would make sure of it.

But first they had a family dinner to go to.