It took a long time for Zuko to finally fall asleep, and when he woke up, he was tense. His uncle would be there at night. He'd have to tell him about him Azula. He wasn't sure whether he regretted making Azula promise not to be there when they were talking - though he knew she would listen to it all, hidden somewhere. On one hand, having her next to him, supporting him, would make him feel much better. On the other hand, he knew Azula and their uncle had never seen eye to eye, and that she definitively would try to pick up a fight.
He didn't have the time to change his mind, Iroh and the rest of the White Lotus made it there early, right after lunch. They exchanged polite greetings, and his uncle told a few jokes to try and light up the mood, but it was clear nothing would cheer him up. They probably assumed it was because of the traitors.
Uncle Iroh's happy attitude faltered for just a moment when he saw Azula.
"Uncle! It's so good to see you!" his sister said, a beautiful smile on her face.
"Somehow, I doubt that's true" he said, but still bowed to her respectfully.
You have no idea how wrong you are.
The servants showed them their rooms and helped them unpack, in just a few minutes they were all ready for the meeting. His uncle was happy to see his friends, especially Toph, but he, like the other four men seemed uncomfortable seeing Azula at his right hand. Zuko didn't even acknowledge it, they would have to get used to it eventually, might as well force them to do it right away. Even his friends didn't look that bothered by it anymore.
The young Fire Lord explained his sister's plan to them, seeing the obvious concern and fear at the thought of not only letting a traumatized, mentally disturbed 16-year-old have a say on how to deal with a possible war, but of also sending the person who had been most loyal to Ozai in the past interact with people who wanted him back on the throne.
But even though Zuko still had doubts about it himself, it was too late to change the plan now. Everything was practically ready now, and Azula was supposed to leave in just a few days. All of his detractors were constantly saying he was easily manipulated by his family - it wouldn't be wise to prove them right by suddenly changing everything because his uncle said so. He had made the mistake of accepting going along with this plan, and now he'd have to go along with it unless something drastic were to happen to Azula or anyone else.
"There's something you're not telling me" Iroh said "What is troubling you, nephew?"
Zuko's friends immediately looked at him as if expecting a show, which made Pakku, Jeong Jeong, Pindao and Bumi all look at him as well.
Thanks guys.
Before he could answer, he felt Azula taking his hand. Zuko looked at her, and for the first time that day she didn't have a cruel smirk on her face. The affection in her eyes was all he could see. He gave her hand a squeeze then turned back to Iroh, who was looking at them with a concerned, puzzled expression on his face.
"Once this is all over, Azula and I are getting married"
"WHAT?" Jeong Jeong and Pakku screamed at the said time, then just stared at them in horror like Piandao. Bumi's laugh was echoing through the room as Zuko could feel the weight of Iroh's angry glare almost suffocating him.
"Well, congratulations" the king of Omashu said, just like he would have done if Zuko had said he would marry anyone else.
"Come again?" Master Piandao asked his friend. Bumi's enthusiasm seemed to have snaped him out of his state of shock.
"They look like such a happy couple"
"Weirdly enough, they are" Aang answered his friend.
"What is the matter with you two?!" Pakku shouted.
"How did... how did this happen?" Jeong Jeong asked.
"Wait, you guys never noticed the weird vibe between these two?" Toph sounded shocked.
"I need a drink" Piandao said, and Katara went ahead and bended some wine from the jar and into everyone's cup.
Zuko got up and let his sister enjoy her moment, gesturing for his uncle to follow him to another room. The old man had not said a word, and that terrified Zuko much more than being yelled at would have.
Yet he could also feel himself becoming strangely and recklessly bold with every step. It was done. The only two people who didn't know it yet were Sokka and Suki, but since the others had come around, Zuko was sure they would do the same. Even his mother had found a way to make peace with it. His uncle would too.
And even if he didn't, his mind was made up.