Azula looked better after being released from prison; Zuko was on the mend in the hospital. And she was forced to visit him, which she supposed would look good after she narrowly escaped a life in prison for a crime she did not commit. Zuko was glad to see her, to her surprise.

"You must be superhuman," Azula said as she sat down beside her brother's hospital bed. It felt like both a compliment and an insult, which would be a suitable conversation starter for Azula. "Most people don't survive that much poison."

Zuko stared at her for a moment. "I think I'm just lucky."

"Luck is a lie. It's a word cowardly people use to excuse their failures and downplay their successes," Azula replied coldly and Zuko slowly shook his head. "Now are you going to apologize for locking me in prison?"

"That wasn't me. That was the police," Zuko rasped before clearing his throat. Azula's eyebrows flashed with concern that she quickly concealed. He tried his best not to smile. "You're lucky to have that girl."

"What did I just tell you about luck?" Azula snapped, but her lips were creeping with a teensy smirk. "I love her."

"You better love her. She just saved you from a life in prison," Zuko replied, coughing again. Azula's fingers twitched towards him but she controlled herself. It was almost cute how much she tried to hide her love for her brother. He did not think she could hide her love for Ty Lee much longer.

"So, are you dying?" Azula asked calmly and Zuko shook his head. "She made me come visit you."

"She is a good thing. Don't let her leave you," Zuko said forcefully and Azula shrugged and averted her eyes. "Don't do that. I know you're terrified of letting people in, but you can't pass her up."

"I will keep that in mind, brother," Azula said with a surgical and sterile tone, and she quickly excused herself from the hospital room. It was heavily guarded, and the royal soldiers stared at her analytically as she left, as if they expected her to start burning down the hospital at any moment.

Azula thought maybe Zuko was right. Ty Lee was honestly the only person who did not look at her like she was about to combust or break down. She looked at her the same way she had always looked at her; with love.

Ty Lee was in the tea shop, analyzing two different cookies as the adolescent girl at the counter looked exasperated.

"Which of these has more frosting?" Ty Lee inquired slowly, expecting Azula to blow her off. But Azula squinted at the light red cookies and pointed to the one on the left. "This one, then!"

Ty Lee rummaged in her pocket for copper pieces and bought the cookie. She then leaned against the window as Azula stood beside her awkwardly. This was never remarkably easy for the princess, and she hated how much Zuko's words were resonating with her.

"Thank you for saving me," Azula said softly, having to force the words out of herself. Ty Lee grinned at her. The next step had to be taken. It had been long enough. More than long enough.

"Why wouldn't I? Thanks for not lying to me and getting me arrested too."

Ty Lee kissed her gently, leaving a residue of frosting on Azula's lips.

Azula decided she would take Zuko's advice.