"So, when are you moving in with uncle?" she asked, trying to sound indifferent and to keep her eyes on the TV.

"Three weeks"

"Finally. About time I get to be an only child" she said, not being amused by her own sarcastic comment for once.

Her brother chuckled "Love you too, sis"

Zuko was about to go to college, in a different state. He was nervous, but above all Azula knew he was excited. Their mom, uncle, and his friends were all proud of him, wishing him the best of luck, and ready to fully support him. Azula was doing her best to pretend she felt the same way.

But she didn't. Whenever she'd hear him talk about anything relating to it, all she could think about was how much she would miss him. How after years of healing together, supporting each other, and learning to be actually be siblings, she was just going to lose him all over again. She already didn't like having to share his attention with family, friends, and the occasional girlfriend. She was not looking forward to being completely left behind.

Sure, she could easily get into the same college later - two years later. More than enough time for Zuko to realize that maybe he didn't want her in his life at all. The fact that he'd be living with Iroh, who had never liked her in the first place and was constantly going on and on about how she was a bad influence, only made her more nervous.

Trying to push those thoughts away, Azula took solace in her brother's company, moving closer to him and resting her head on his shoulders as they continued watching the movie. Since it was a cold day, they were sharing a blanket and their mom had made some hot chocolate. Even though Azula had always prefered summer, she liked those comfy moments during winter.

The two siblings the entire afternoon together, watching TV, playing video games, getting on each other's nerves, teasing each other. Just the two of them having a good time, as if that inevitable separation wasn't looming above their heads - or at least, over Azula's head, as Zuko didn't seem to mind it much.

She almost managed to forget it, to focus solely on the here and now. But unfortunatelly that dreaded topic was all Zuko and Ursa could talk about during dinner. Neither of them seemed to notice that she wasn't saying a word - or that she was there at all. Azula hated it when they did that regardless of what they were talking about, but this time it was particularly awful.

It didn't matter that the rational side of her knew that Zuko was only being responsible for once, thinking about his future. It didn't matter how good it was that he actually excited for it. All Azula could hear was him saying how he couldn't wait to no longer have to see her.

"Honey, are you okay? You've barely touched your food" their mom said when she finally seemed to remember her existence.

"I'm just not hungry. And I'm a bit tired. Can I go to my room?"

"Are you sure there's nothing wrong?"

Like you actually care.

"I'm fine, mom, I promise"

With that, Azula left. She went to the bathroom to brush her teeth, then to her room, putting on a blacks shirt and pants - that she had stolen from Zuko's closet - turned off the lights and lay on her bed.

Why did he have to leave? Couldn't he just go to college where they lived? Or at least wait until she could go with him? It's not like he ever cared that much about his studies anyway, why did he start now? Had those five years they had spent actually learning to be siblings again after their dad was gone not meant nearly as much to him as they had to her? Was she just... not good enough?

Maybe that was it. Maybe she was the problem. After all, if she was self-centered enough to only think about how this change would affect her life, about her own wants and needs instead of Zuko's, then how could she have any hope of being a good sister? Of being someone Zuko would want in his life? Why would he want to be around her? How would anyone miss such an awful person?

She heard the sound of her door being opened, and turned around to see the very person who seemed to be all she could think about standing right there.

"Hey"

"Hey"

"I just wanted to check if you were doing okay"

"I am. You can leave now"

"I don't think so" he said, closing the door and walking up to her. When she turned away, obviously not wanting to talk, he wasn't affected at all, just pulling the covers up for a moment so he get under them as well "I had been looking for that shirt"

"It looks better on me"

He chuckled and wrapped on arm around her, trying to pull her closer, but Azula didn't let him "I don't get to hug you anymore?"

"I'm just not in the mood for it"

"Why is that? You had been fine with me getting all clingy earlier today, what changed?"

"I wasn't tired then. I am now"

"Why do you gotta be so difficult. I know something happened. Please just let me help" he pulled her close again, kissing the back of her head, and this time Azula didn't resist "Was it because mom and I left you out of the conversation? I didn't mean to do it. I'm sorry"

"Like I'd care about that"

"What is it then? Did you have a fight with your friends? Are you stressed about something?" he asked, but got no response "Did I do something that upset you? Come on, talk to me"

They both stayed silent for a long time, and Azula even thought that he had given up.

"Is it because I'm moving away"

She broke free from his embrace and got up "If you already knew, why did you even bother asking?"

"I wasn't sure" he gets up as well "Why does that bother you so much?"

"Doesn't matter. It's my problem, not yours"

"Anything that upsets you is my problem" he said in a harsh tone "Azula, I promise this won't change anything"

"It will change everything, Zuko! You're moving to the other side of the country! I'll barely see you anymore, and whenever you come visit you'll want to spend time with our mom, with your friends. There'll be next to none left for me"

"That's not true. I'll stay in contact, and I'll try to save as much time for you as possible"

"Liar"

"Azula, this won't be forever. You could move there too once you graduate, and even if you don't I'll come back eventually"

"Oh, I'm sure you will"

"Can't you just trust me? You think this was an easy choice for me? I want to take this opportunity, yes, but that doesn't mean I'm not gonna miss you"

"You're leaving me! Just like everyone else!" she screamed, no longer able to hold back her tears. Once Zuko held her in his arms, she was full on sobbing.

She had not seen her dad in five years, since his trial, and he had stopped giving a damn about anyone long before that. He had refused any visits from her, and never replied to her letters.

Her mom had always preferred Zuko, and even now that their relationship had gotten much better, she still did. The favoritism was so obvious that sometimes Azula wondered if her mother regreted having her.

Uncle Iroh had never meant much to her, but it was still another name on the list of people that seemed to resent her no matter what she did. His wife had left many years ago, shortly after their son, Lu Ten died in an accident. She had lost her cousin and her aunt out of nowhere.

Grandpa had been a scary, unpleasant man for whom Azula not shed a single tear when she heard of his passing. And he had always made his distate for her, and for Ozai's whole family, very clear, then cutting off nearly all contact with them like they were nothing.

Even her friends didn't escape that pattern, as their friendship was unstableand and had ended many times - and everytime it had been Azula's fault.

And now her brother was distancing himself from her as well.

"What is so wrong about me? Why am I never enough for anyone?"

"You're enough for me" he pulls away to look her in the eyes "I'll stay here if that's what you need"

Her eyes widden and her heart starts beating fast.

No. She can't. She won't do this. Not to him. She can truly be this selfish.

"Azula, just say the words and I'll do it"

Think of him. For once in your life just think of him. Do what's right. Put him first.

"Please don't go" she says, despite herself "I couldn't stand to be away from you for so long."

Zuko nodded "I'll call uncle tomorrow morning to let him know I'm staying"

Without thinking, Azula got on her tippy-toes and pressed a sweet, tender kiss to her brother's lips. Somehow, she had thought that this was the perfect way of thanking him for the sacrifice he was making, of comforting him for it, of celebrating that they wouldn't have to be separated.

She pulled away just as quickly, cheeks turning red as she realized what she had just done.

"I-I'm sorry, I d-didn't mean... I don't know why I-"

Zuko cupped both of her cheeks and made her look at him. She could see the confusion - and happiness - in his eyes. He leaned down to kiss her her slowly, passionately. She wrapped her arms around him, wanting to keep him close even as she was still struggling to process what had just happened, how the hell had they ended up like this.

All rational thought seemed to fade for that moment. No concerns, no rules, no nothing. Just their love for each other finally being allowed to be something more.

When Zuko finally broke the kiss, he held her tightly against himself, in a way that felt both protective and possessive. It was so intense, it was almost frightening.

"You're the person I care about the most in this world, Azula. Don't ever forget that. Don't doubt it for even a second" his voice was filled with emotion. He sounded worried, sad - and even though he was trying to mask it, he was angry and hurt. Not because of the situation she was putting him, but for her reasons to do it. For her daring to question his affection for her, for assuming that just being away from her would in anyway diminish it.

She was a fool. A selfish, insecure, pathetic fool. But she was loved, and she'd never be lonely again.

She knew that now.