"Zula, can I ask you a question?"

His sister turned to face him and gave him a small nod, a sweet smile on her lips and a kindness and warmth on her golden eyes. He still wasn't used to that, seeing her being so affectionate towards him - seeing her on his bed, because she didn't feel safe sleeping alone and he was the only one she felt comfortable with.

"How do you... feel about me? About us?" he awkwardly asked, immediately regretting it. He was already taking a big risk. If Azula didn't love him that way, it could undo all the progress they made in their relationship, and if it did it was very likely they wouldn't be able to fix things again. He didn't have to make it worse by making a complete fool of himself.

"What do you mean?" she had a puzzled expression on her face as she got closer to him, and the proximity made his heart race.

Somehow, Zuko managed to find a way to speak up again "It's just that so much has changed since we were kids, for better and worse, and now that we're getting along again, I wanted to know if..."

He couldn't do this. He just couldn't.

"If what, Zuzu?" she started gently running her fingers through his hair, trying to soothe him like he had done to her many times before, but only making him even more anxious.

"If you only see me as your brother" he blurted out, being consumed by dread the second Azula instantly froze in place.

She offered him a fake, nervous smile "How else would I see you, dum-dum?"

Zuko couldn't hide his disappointment and bitterness "Yeah. You're right"

Before he could turn away from her completely, his sister put a hand on his shoulder "What's wrong? What did I say?"

"Nothing. Just forget about it."

"No" her stern tone let him know that this was a fight he couldn't win. Azula as just as stubborn as he was, and she wouldn't let him sleep until he talked to her honestly.

Why didn't he just keep his mouth shut?

"How do you want me to see you, Zuzu?" something in her voice sent shivers down his spine.

"I just wanted to be... more. So much more than that."

"You are" she said, making him look at her, then running her fingers through his hair again. He watched as she seemed to wonder whether she should really say what was on her mind "Zuko, you're my everything"

He grabbed her arms and pulled her close, his face mere inches away from hers "Do you love me? Do you want to be with me?"

She stared at him with wide eyes for a few instants before slowly, oh so slowly, leaning in to press a quick kiss to his cheek.

"Yes..." his sister whispered, kissing his jaw "I'm yours, Zuzu" she kissed his other cheek "I always have been"

When her lips brushed against his, he brought a hand to the back of her nape, bringing her closer and kissing her passionately. Azula wrapped her arms around him and allowed him to get on top of her.

"My Azula... my Lala" he said, gently caressing her face.

"My Zuzu" her loving eyes stared back at him "I love you."

"I love you too. So, so much. You're my whole world."

Without another word, Zuko kissed her again.