Always a Catch
"How are you, Zuzu?"
"What do you want, Azula?"
The seven year old Azula put a hand on her heart and opened her mouth in a way that made her look almost genuinely hurt.
"Can't a sister show a little concern for her older brother?"
Zuko looked up from his book to give her a suspicious look.
"Yeah, but you always do something mean when you talk to me."
"I never!"
Zuko frowned suspiciously again, but went back to his reading.
"I'm alright."
"Not a little… hungry?"
"What?"
"Not feeling upset that Daddy didn't invite you to the feast?"
"You didn't go either, Azula."
Azula gave a patronizing chuckle. "Oh, Zuzu, I beg differ."
Zuko looked concerned, now.
"You didn't- Azula, you didn't sneak in!?"
Azula raised her eyes to the ceiling and rocked back on her heels.
"Maybe."
"Father would be so mad at you if he'd caught you!"
"Concerned, Zuzu?"
Zuko pulled up his knees defensively.
"No."
"Besides," Azula laughed, "He doesn't get mad at me, only at you."
"Yeah, what's your point, Azula?"
Azula sighed, rolling her eyes.
"No need to be so defensive Zuzu, honestly."
She reached into a little drawstring bag she was carrying and rummaged for a few seconds.
"I just wanted to give you this." She said, pulling out a napkin full of crumbled chocolate cake. Zuko frowned.
"What have you done to it?"
"Dear me, always so suspicious. Look." She picked up some of the crumbs and put them in her mouth. "Perfectly edible."
"Um, okay." Zuko said, taking the napkin. "Thanks."
Azula smiled angelically as he ate some of the cake, and began to walk away. Then she turned around suddenly.
"I licked it."
And with that, she skipped away, giggling.
Zuko shrugged, and ate some more cake as he went back to his book.
End