It was the night before the invasion and Zuko couldn't sleep. After the fight with his sister, they had hardly spoken and perhaps that was for the best. He had come to a decision that would not only change his life but hers as well. He knew that this had to be done. There was no other choice.

Perhaps he should have just left it be.

Let it die so that it would be easier.

Except that he couldn't and he supposed after hearing the creak of his door that neither could she.

Zuko listened in tense silence as her footsteps seemed to glide over the marble floor. It was as if she wasn't really there. Maybe he had fallen asleep and was dreaming. She sat down beside him for a few moments. He then felt her hand gently cub his cheek. So tender was her touch and how deadly it could be but damn… how much he'd miss it.

Zuko opened his eyes to meet pale glowing amber. He didn't know what to expect from her at this point, having hurt her so badly with his ignorant words. Her gentle smile, however, reassured him that she was here on peaceful terms. That love in her eyes vanquished any fear or hesitation within him. "I missed you…" she whispered, rubbing her thumb along his cheek.

Zuko smiled, feeling his heart twist with pain. He took her hand in his "I missed you too." He forced himself to hold her gaze. While they held such affection he knew that they always took in every detail. Azula never stopped analyzing and reading the fear people tried to hide. He couldn't risk her finding out the truth.

Azula picked up on the shiver that ran through his body. That look of guilt was hard to miss. He had been acting weird as of late. Even though they had hardly spoken to one another, she had kept tabs on his behavior and it was no short of suspicious. She guessed he forgot how close they were and how much she could read him. "Zuzu…" she spoke gently, making sure her words were comforting "what's wrong?"

"I…" He didn't know what to say but all he could do was beg her for forgiveness "Azula…I'm sorry for what I said." He sat up against his bed frame, "You're not a monster. I was just angry… and scared." He laced his fingers with hers.

Azula tilted her head slightly "What are you scared of…?" her tone gave nothing away to what she was thinking. Something inside her screamed not to trust him but those thoughts were soon diminished. He had proven his loyalty and love to her time and time again. She trusted him to hold the heart she would never give to anyone else.

"I am scared that one day…you won't be here anymore. I am scared that I'll lose you." He spoke softly, once again seeing how their paths diverged in different directions.

Azula shook her head with faint affection at these childish fears. A scenario made up in your head that grows into a believable lie. She had had a number of those that were able to be conquered. "Dum-dum…I am not going anywhere." Her left hand slipped out of his and ran through his unruly hair, hoping that it would calm him. For some reason, she felt her throat constrict, causing her voice shake unwillingly "As long as you're here with me…I'll stay. I promise."

Zuko bit his tongue to prevent his betrayal from slipping past. Those words cut deeper than any flame dagger that could be stuck into his body. He pulled her into a kiss, glad to find that she welcomed it with hunger. It wasn't long before he had her under the covers, placing tender kisses along her body, feeling her nails dig into his skin. Azula welcomed every touch upon her body, desiring to be loved instead of feared.

Sweat, moaning, panting, fire, scars, anger, passion… demons and monsters. Everything that was exchanged between them was no secret. They knew that the other had their own darkness to face and light to tame. Their sinful lust had turned into something neither could have foreseen…a love so twisted and yet so pure. It was a connection that could not be broken…not even by Agni himself.

How ironic that they had been born in the same bloodline…and yet that didn't matter to either of them and never had from the start. Perhaps it was their insatiable thirst for something greater than themselves that had brought them together…or maybe it was fate.

Azula snuggled into his arms, taking deep breathes to calm herself down. She had not planned for this to happen but was strangely glad that it did. Her fingers lightly rubbed his chest, her amber eyes entranced by the glowing orange fire that seemed to have blue mixing in with it. She listened to her brother's heart that beat loud enough for her to hear. It was strong and reassuring that he was still with her. She hadn't admitted to it yet, but she feared losing him. She remembered their fight clearly and the dark hold of the monster that lived inside of her. Zuko was right to say what he had…it was in that moment she realized that she couldn't live without him. He kept the shadows at bay and the light within her alive. She couldn't lose him. Azula spoke up quietly "Zuzu…I need you to promise me something."

Zuko tensed beneath her, looking down at her steady gaze with his own "Anything…"

They both knew it was a lie but chose to believe the truth it hid behind.

"Promise…that you'll always be there for me. No matter how hard it may seem or how hopeless…don't abandon me."

Zuko kissed her forehead, hating the secrets growing between them. "I promise Az…I love you"

Azula looked away from him and laced her fingers with his.

I love you too…

Author's Note:

Thank you all so much for following, reviewing, and reading Sinful Sundays.

This is the last entry but there will be more writing challenges in the future.

Again, you guys are the best.

-Icewhisker