Perks to Being Ruthless

Rating: T

Canon-Divergent

Azula had recently woken up from a long nap and was now sitting on a porcelain barrel in the treatment quarters, trying to dry the last drops of wetness from her messy, poorly cut hair with a towel.

When the servants alerted him that Azula had calmed and stabilized he walked in to talk to her.

He'd been made aware now of the strange way she'd been acting the last few days, possibly weeks. Banishing all the servants over small slights? A bit extreme, even for her.

Zuko: "Azula?"

Azula: *Turns to look at him while still drying her hair*

Azula: "Oh, greetings ZuZu. What brings you here?"

A very soft and casual way to address someone who just recovered from coming back from the brink of death, after being hit by your attack.

Zuko: "Well...do you remember anything at all from the past, I don't know, two days or so?"

Azula: "Hmm, let me think it over. The past two days...ah yes it's starting to come to me now."

Azula: *Seemingly sudden realization*

Azula: *Gasps*

Zuko: *Immediately becomes tense as he awaits her response*

Her next words sounded so mock-serious that she almost came across as cheerful.

Azula: "ZuZu, you didn't!"

Zuko: "Azula, I know you're probably really angry right now but just know that I'm—"

Azula: "Angry? Whyever would I be?"

Zuko: "—sorry...? You're not angry?"

Azula: "No! Not at all actually. I was and am...amazed. That was something to behold."

Zuko: *Suddenly very interested*

Zuko: "Come again?"

Azula: "I mean, the way you suddenly and without warning defected from your own nation knowing full well you could be slain for treason, just so you could come back on the day of what was supposed to be my coronation, slaughter me and take the crowning headpiece and throne for yourself, and all done with the help of one of the Nation's greatest enemies too, a more malicious version of what I had accomplished with the Dai Li? That's just incredible."

When she put it like that, it did sound pretty horrible. Maybe she was just being sarcastic and was indeed angry. Although killing her was never truly part of his agenda. He just wanted to one-up her for once in his pitiful life!

Zuko: "Azula, you can sto—"

Azula: "You were cruel, relentless, bloodthirsty, scheming, sneaky, opportunistic, undoubtedly ferocious, and best of all, whole-heartedly ruthless! You were going to stop for nothing and no one to attain that status and power! It was so impressive. You've greatly impressed me. Are you proud? Because you should be. I know I am."

Azula: And you also looked so handsome.

*Zuko's mouth is wide open, with the bottom half hanging down to his knees*

Zuko: "I...you—you're really..."

Azula: *Giggles*

Zuko: *Wonders if Azula is actually stable now*

Azula: "By the way, Firelord Zuko, have you taken a look at the firelord chambers yet? I heard the bed in there is close to three times the size of my own."

Zuko: *Oblivious*

Zuko: "Oh, really?"

Azula: "Indeed! But it's just what I've heard. Come on, let's go have ourselves a look! I want to see the expression on your face when you first come into contact with it!"

Azula: *Grabs Zuko's arm and quickly leads him towards the firelord chambers*

Zuko: Hm, she must be in a good mood today. She's also really excited to show me a bed of all things. I wonder why.

That same morning, Skin (by Rihanna) could be heard coming from the Firelord's bedroom, followed by I Just Had Sex (by TLI).

Note: If you want Azula to fall in love with you, just grow a backbone and fight for what you believe in, even if it's ridiculous! Even if it's contrary to what she's fighting for; she may just forgive you when all is said and done and still fall for you! Well, that's just one theory about her view of romance anyway.