They had been placed at odds for almost their entire lives. Him the firstborn, and her the prodigy. He remembered EXACTLY when their sibling relationship had fractured and was reborn into something new, though he would only truly be able to realize it for what it was long after.

It had been a normal day at the palace, at least as normal as it got. He had finished his basic training for Firebending forms, wincing lightly at the bruises and welts from his instructors crop, smacking him where his stance and kata failed.

But now that that was over, he could finally take a break. Maybe mother would be free?

In an odd turn of events, his mother actually was busy, and didn't have time to play with him. He smiled and accepted her reasoning, assuring her he'd just find something else to do.

When he left her to go to the palace gardens however, his face fell.

If there was one thing Zuko didn't like… it was being alone. Father was… busy. He was a busy man, and he didn't have time for foolishness.

Mother was usually free but not today.

And Azula….

He frowned harder and crouched down next to the pond, hugging his knees to his chest.

Azula brought up all kinds of conflicting emotions. Even with her being 7 and him being 9 he was behind her on so much. History, politics, etiquette, and of course. Firebending.

He was supposed to be the older sibling. The one who would take care of the younger. But more and more, Father spent time with her, because he wasn't…. Wasting time with an inferior project.

He tried not to let that hurt. Father had his reasons. Zuko just needed to work harder, and Father would be proud.

"What are you doing out here Zuzu? Feeding the Turtle ducks again?"

The slightly sneering tone of his little sister was something that he REALLY didn't need to hear right now.

"Go away Azula."

"I'd be a terrible sister if I left my poor… lonely brother be all alone. Couldn't get mom to dote on you today?"

On another day, another life. Maybe he would have snapped at her.

Maybe he would have ran, and kept the dynamic going.

….not today.

"...no. she was busy."

"Wow. Maybe she finally realized you were hopeless, and decided to cut you loose."

Azula even as a child had a tongue that could flay a person alive. And the one who felt the lash the most was her brother.

But today he just didn't react.

"... Maybe. It probably would have been better if you'd been born first."

And just like that Azula was actually struck silent. For all of her poking and pinching at him, (as Father taught her of course, she was a good girl) she had never actually seen him like this before. Not moping per se. Just tired.

"... Do you ever wonder what that would be like?"

He asked her quietly, becoming more and more sunk into his own thoughts.

She recovered quickly, and tried to shake off the discomfort his question brought, and smirked, seeing a weakness.

"Obviously, I'd be father's heir, and you would be the spare. I'm sure I'd find some use for you. And…. "

Whatever madness came upon the both of them, Azula felt herself opening up to Zuko.

"Maybe mother would love me."

Zukos eyes widened.

"Azula! Of course mom loves you! Why would you think she doesn't?"

If there was one thing both siblings had it was firey tempers. It was something father had yet to… temper with her.

"Then why is she ALWAYS with you?! Why is it always, 'not now Azula, I'm helping your brother.' Why does she love you, and not me?!"

Azulas face was screwed up in a snarl, her eyes blazing with barely hidden frustration and longing.

Zuko had been restrained for most of this, but even his sudden calm had it's limits.

"Well what about Father Azula? Why is it no matter what I do, he is NEVER proud of me? He spends hours upon hours working with you, never once having time for me. He's ASHAMED of me while you… you keep getting better and better."

Azulas eyes got slightly glassy then. Her father's words in her ears.

Your brother hates you. He is jealous of your power. Your skill. The weak always envy the strong.

Your mother is afraid of you. She thinks you unnatural, and monstrous.

Maybe you are. But you will be MY monster.

You must rise above it, do not let yourself be attached.

And something In her believed him about her mother. But Zuzu… her Dum-dum of a brother…. She couldn't let go. Not now. Not...yet.

But this made her believe her father, and she lashed out.

"Father was right! You hate me for being BETTER than you! You always have!"

And here was where things would never be the same.

"Zula, I'm jealous of you but I have ALWAYS been so proud of you!"

He said, finally standing up, an inch or two taller than her.

Her heart stopped for a second before starting. It didn't make sense. Zuzu was supposed to hate her. Not be proud of her.

"... You're lying."

She said flatly. Emotionlessly.

Zuko frowned.

"... When have I ever lied to you Zula?"

She was halfway to extolling the many times he had lied to her when….

… crap. She actually couldn't remember any time he had lied to her. Held back information sometimes. Usually because of a surprise(usually for her) but… never lied. Not even just because he was a TERRIBLE liar.

"...you have to be lying."

She said quietly. He had to be. The only one who loved her was father. He was the only one who was proud of her.

"... LaLa….."

He said softly, his heart aching at the slightly fearful lost look on her face. It felt wrong to see her so unguarded and vulnerable, and he slowly gripped her shoulders, and leaned his forehead against her.

"... I have never been anything but so proud of you. I only wish that I could stand with you and not bring you down. "

Her eyes shone, but she was stubborn in not letting her tears fall.

"... You don't hate me?" She hates herself for how hopeful she sounds. Weak. Pathetic. Father would be disgusted.

"Azula no…. I love you. You're my little sister. I will ALWAYS love you. No matter what you do."

And that was the truth. As angry as Azula made him sometimes, he loved her. It was why he always fell for her little games and tricks. Why he always followed her around.

He loved her.

And Azula finally seemed to get that. And in a moment of weakness, she wrapped her arms around him, her arms tight crushing his ribs as her eyes leaked into his tunic. Azula did not cry.

For Zukos part, he bore the discomfort with not a sound of protest, just rubbing her back awkwardly, and then running his fingers through her hair like he'd seen his mother do years ago when Azula was even younger.

A few minutes passed and Azula let go as suddenly as she had held tight to him. Her eyes were suspiciously red, but he didn't bring attention to it.

"Well, it was good to see you're being as dumb as ever Zuzu. See you when you're not wasting time."

Her sudden shift into her usual cool superior tone might have thrown him off guard, but her eyes.

They crinkled slightly, and he knew that things had changed for them.

Azula almost didn't know how to process all this new information later when she went to bed. Zuzu loved her.

…. And she was self aware enough to know he didn't have a reason. Not like father. Their relationship was… simple In a way. He pushed her to her limit, she continued to show that she was a genius, and he showed her pride.

She…. Didn't know why mother didn't react the same. She was better at so many things than Zuko, but mother always preferred him. It was a wound that only now began to sting a little less.

Mother didn't love her.

Father put a price on his affection.

But Zuzu….. Zuzu loves her for who she is. She didn't have to fight for it.

It… was nice to not have to fight for once.

So she made a decision. Zuko was HERS. Not father's. Not mother's, though she supposed she would have to let her continue on so as not to upset him.

Maybe she couldn't admit it to him. Maybe she just couldn't admit that weakness.

But here at least she could admit it to herself.

…. "Love you too… Dum-dum"