"You're up early" Azula said after opening the door and seeing her brother ready go down stairs for breakfast "You must be pretty excited for the party tonight."
Zuko was about to answer her, but stopped when he saw what she brought with her. She smiled and walked up to him, handing him the swords.
"I bought them yesterday. It was really hard finding you something with so little time. Next year i'll do better."
Zuko couldn't think of anything better than this. He and Azula would only give each other gifts before their mother had been banished, and only birthday gifts. When Ursa was forced to leave there was no one trying to make them get along, since Ozai saw no problem with his kids being rivals, and Iroh had isolated himself after Lu Ten's death and would not return to the palace for a long time. Zuko had started giving Azula gifts again once she was at the hospital, as one of his many tactics to try and salvage the bond that was almost completely destroyed when they were children. He had been so focoused on making her feel loved, that it never occured to him that she would also try to act like a normal sister.
"So, what do you think of them?"
The swords themselves were pretty great. The blades looked impossibly sharp, and Zuko could see his own reflection in them. The red and yellow handles were comfortable, despite having precious stones in them.
"They're perfect" he answered before leaving them on his bed and hugging his sister "thank you."
"But don't think this mean i'm not mad at you anymore" she said as he let her go "I still want a rematch."
Zuko smirked. Azula was still as proud as ever. It didn't matter that she had won three of their matches - the fact that he had won one was unacceptable. Though he supposed he should be grateful for the fact that three draws had not bothered her. And that now they could actually joke about something that was once the most important thing in the world to them.
"You'll have your rematch, alright" he immitated her 'serious' tone "but it won't do you any good. I'm gonna win. Again."
Azula narrowed her eyes, and shot him an angry glare that would have scared him to death years ago "You like risking your neck, don't you, Zuzu?" Suddenly her expression softened and he could see a hint of a smile on her lips "Come on, your friends are waiting for you" she said and begun walking away.
Zuko started following her, then turned around to get his new swords "I have to show these to Sokka."
Azula simply sighed and rolled her eyes "Boys..."
