"Come on, Azula, admit it."
"There's nothing to admit, Zuzu" she said, trying to appear indiferent "The party was fun, and your friends are not as boring as i first thought, but it wasn't like one of your 'life changing field trips' with them. It just a conversation, don't read too much into it."
"Just a conversation that lasted three hours" he rebutted "I don't known what you're so embarassed about. It's nice that you want to be friends with them."
"I'm not embarassed, and they're your friends. I was just trying not to make things awkward for you on your birthday. That doesn't make them my friends."
"Not yet" he laughed "Give it time. Before you know it, you'll never be able to get rid of them."
"Keep dreaming" she scoffed "I'm telling you, this isn't gonna happen."
"You also told me you and i were never going to get along, yet here we are."
That made her stop. Zuko smiled when he realised she didn't know how to respond.
"Now, seriously, it's good to see you making an effort to get along with them. I know how hard it is to have to change so much about yourself, and how weird it is to realise you actually like people you used to see as enemies. I'm proud of you." he said, making her look at him with what he could only describe as a child like glimmer in her eyes "You're doing great, Azula."
She remained silent for a long time, before saying she was tired, and Zuko decided it was best to let her rest. They said goodnight to each other, and he started to walk away to go to his own room. He had made it to the door when he heard his sister speak up again.
"Zuko..."
He turned around to look at her.
"Thank you for not giving up on me."
Her words shook him to his very core. He walked towards her and pulled her into a tight embrace.
"You don't have to thank me for that. You were a child too, Azula. You deserved a second chance just like i did. You're my sister, and you needed me. And i need you" Zuko said, making her hold him even tighter.
He didn't care. He wasn't planning on letting go of her that soon anyway.
"I love you" he told her.
"I love you too."
Afterword
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