Ursa a worse parent (and a Firebender), Zuko's a better brother, he and Azula have a healthy-ish relationship post-war

cw: past child abuse, mentions of scars

Zuko's biggest accomplishment in his life wasn't he helped to end a century-long war. His biggest accomplishment was managing to rekindle his relationship with his sister.

As children, he remembered being close to her, somehow. Almost a normal pair of siblings with a small age gap.

Many of Zuko's memories about his childhood were hazy, a life of pain clouding them. However, in many of them, Azula was a presence he cherished. She was annoying and a little mean. But then, Mai and Ty Lee, Zuko himself, were all annoying and a little mean. Four noble children, entitled brats that enjoyed pranking each other. There was a time things felt normal.

The siblings had been tested as newborns, but there were a few years of something calm and quiet before Azula firebend, Zuko followed only weeks after. He couldn't remember how he felt, but if all his other interactions were a sign, he was proud of her before the envy monster bit him.

He couldn't tell the exact moment things fell apart, the exact moment Ozai sunk his claws into Azula and nobody even tried to pry them of the innocent prey. But he could remember frowning when she said things that didn't fit in the mouth of a child, when Mother would tell her off and then Zuko would try explain why it was wrong. Even when he was quite the oblivious child, he could still tell Azula responded much better to his clumsy explanations than to their Mother's harsh words.

He forgot, after, that it wasn't like Azula has been born with her morals set on stone.

(Maybe he needed her to tell him it wasn't your fault, when he understood everyone has failed to save her from Ozai.)

Lu Ten died, Azulon died, Mother left, and Azula changed.

She could be so cruel at times, speaking in a way that still didn't fit a child but didn't sound like she was repeating Ozai as much. She didn't miss the opportunity to call Zuko a bad child. Usually when he failed at katas, many times when he was upset and lashed out at a servant. He quickly learned her grip was much stronger than it should be for a child.

The Agni Kai happened, the war happened. The second Agni Kai happened. His biggest accomplisment happened.

A week after the Comet, Zuko strode around the palace in the slow pace his injuries allowed. He foond himself upon the slightly ajar door of Azula's bedchambers. He pushed it open and didn't try to hold a gasp.

A thin layer of dust would be expected, a small build up. He found it, and torn pillow, slashed matttress, ruined clothes. The mirror shattered, he stepped closer. Loooking closer at the shards, some edges had dried blood smeared across it. He tried to remember if he saw cuts, or bandages on her fingers, but she waa wearing gloves, he was almost sure of that. There were a few shards clinging to the ornated frame, just enough for him to see the unburned half of his face staring back at him.

In those few days before the Day of the Black Sun, he heard how nobles would comment on Azula's resemblance to their mother. She'd smile at them (she'd bare her teeth at them), and nod like she agreed to them. There was bitterness at the words on the back of her eyes, hidden behind the politeness in a way only few people could see – a surprise, he was sure, that he could still find those hidden emotions. People said she looked like Mother, she did more and more each day.

His reflection begged to disagree, she looked like him. And he had an epiphany.

They were Ozai's, all the way through.

He carved into his schedule to visit her at least once a week. He expected anger, he expected her to try to kill him at any cost. He found numbness. He kept finding numbness for weeks and didn't stop.

His refusal brought results. It took years for them to become something that resembled siblings, but they were somewhere close to what he wanted (she wasn't anywhere as plain as him about it, but they were somewhere close to what she wanted).

Maybe this was a test for this relationship they gave everything to build. The spirits were asking who he would choose. Years after the end of the war and the official lift of her banishment, he watched as his Mother approached. A half-step behind her, a man with the typical built and tan of a field worker, his hand holding the one of a girl not much older than five or so. (The war was over, people's celebration often resulted in children.)

They didn't open up about their personal experiences with their parents. Ozai was awful, that was a given. It took a little while for him to understand that just because Azula could easily cover the most visible scar he gave her, it didn't mean he was a better parent. It was tough to try to understand that as awful as he was, something in him made her see him as a better parent than Mother.

It irked him, it bothered him, he didn't why, she wouldn't just tell him. The whole "my own mother thought I was a monster" couldn't possibly be the only reason he could see Azula so tense beside him. In her armor, one that have been recently fitted – again, thank you Toph for egging her on keeping up with an Earthbender's bulk. They had the same sharp jawline and a naturally intimidating face. (Ozai's children.)

He blinked at her stance. She was bracing for a hit. It didn't look intentional, it looked like an instinctual response to the approaching woman. They were surrounded by guards, and by friends, and Azula's body still screamed I'm expecting violence.

Mother didn't help it when she took larger steps and hugged her, a quick one and she whispered something. Zuko held back his desire to step in and separate them, stop her from making Azula even more uncomfortable. He didn't want to cause a scene, but he would if needed. Azula has come a long way, and she has always been better at controlling her emotions and temper than him, but she would still lash out when overwhelmed.

Thankfully, Mother came to him. The hug was longer, she whispered about how she missed him. Hugging her back felt weird, his memories were all of a child. Now he was taller and broader than her, she always seemed larger than life instead of just an average-sized woman.

Above her shoulder, he saw the man barely holding back the child from getting to close to Azula. After the involuntary hug, the woman didn't need any more physical contact. Even if it was from a girl that was looking up at her like she was deciding Azula was her new favorite person. It was adorable, he thought, she probably didn't hear anything quite positive about her older sister and still seemed to deem her new interest.

Mother released him and half turned to show him her companions.

"This is Ikem," the man bows as much as he could with a child contained by his hand. "And this is Kiyi."

Her bow is even clumsier. It looked like it was less from lack of practice and more because she seemed starstruck by Azula. Confirmed by how she was staring up at Azula the second she was uprighr. He decided to ignore Mother's frown. Her letter didn't mention their names, but mentioned them as her husband and daughter. Wouldn't it be good? That her younger daughter looked up at one of her older children?

Zuko didn't like the mounting evidences, he didn't like it at all.

At least Azula seemed a little amused by the child's reaction. Sure, she wasn't inherently a kids person. She could interact with them, knew how to be gentle, but she wouldn't choose to be the one handling the children. But Zuko wouldn't be surprised if Kiyi managed to worm away into Azula's heart and suddenly the Firebender had a mini-me.

He hoped their younger sister would make this situation less awful for Azula.

Maybe he was wrong.

Every meal together was tense, the air felt oppressing and Zuko couldn't fill his lungs. He was glad for their friends presence, even if it didn't stop Azula from being tense all the time. She didn't look ready to flee, it seemed, because Kiyi has attached herself to Azula's side and was talking to her at every possible moment.

It seemed to make Azula a little calmer, but made Mother send glares at her all the time. Glares that reminder him of Ozai's glares. Even with Sokka and Aang being their goofy, silly selves didn't help as much as it could. Katara watched worriedly, paying attention to every move.

He was happy Azula had found a place in the group, it usually was much more effective than this. But tonight's dinner was only the five of them, Zuko decided to forgo his usual sitting at the head of the table to be beside Azula. Mother in front of them, Ikem to her right and Kiyi between them, almost in front of Azula.

"Ikem said Kiyi is a Firebender," Zuko started. Of course she was, Mother's family, as far as he saw in the family tree, hasn't had a non-bender since Szeto times.

"Yes, she is," she sounded proud, like when she talked about him.

"Have she actually firebent?"

"Not yet. We don't think it'll take much longer."

"I'll be the best Firebender in the world!" The child exclaimed, throwing her hands up and Ikem leaned away from being accidentally punched by his child.

"Good thing we have the best Firebender in the world to help you," he said with a smile.

"Isn't Iroh in Ba Sing Se?"

"Not him."

"With your duties as Firelord…"

He smiled at Mother, allowed himself to sound condescending: "I'm an excellent Firebender indeed, Mother. But I don't have the hottest flames in recorded history, or bended lightning at thirteen, or was considered a master the day I turned fourteen," her knuckles turned white. "I believe the title of the best Firebender belongs to Azula. Do you disagree?"

"Who am I to disagree?"

"Thank you, I appreciate," he turned to Azula, that was looking between them and snapped her head towards him. "If you're willing to train her, it'd-"

"I don't think it's a good idea," Mother interrupted.

"It'll be supervised. Although Azula has a control beyond needed to teach children."

"That doesn't guarantee nothing will happen to my daughter."

"I'd say I'm a qualified Firebending instructor," Azula finally said something. "Seeing that's my job."

Zuko nodded with pride: "She recently went to Sei'naka island, very few non-natives are allowed to be taught in their academy."

"I don't think they'd deny the Princess of the Fire Nation a sit in there."

"Crown Princess of the Fire Nation," he smiled. Or bared his teeth. As per costume, Azula had the crown on her topknot, every Fire National worth their blood knew what that design meant.

Mother clearly didn't approve, but she couldn't dispute. Not even just because Zuko was the Firelord. He had read uncountable scrolls, the foundation for Azula's title was solid. No law forfeited it. Sure, in Agni Kais for the throne, the loser didn't retain a possible chance at the crown, but because the loser didn't retain life. Azula didn't loose her title as Crown Princess after the defeat, nor during the months in the asylum. Even if he just gave back the actual crown when she came back home.

And there was also the fact that he could name her his heir until he had sired children, well, he could even name her children his heirs if he didn't have any of his own.

"However this is about skill, not title. I can show you my rejection letter."

"There's no need," she said through gritten teeth. Has she always been this openly displeased by Azula?

"Good!" He smiled, almost genuinely. "If it's convenient for all parties involved, Azula can start Kiyi's lessons tomorrow."

Not a children's person by nature or not, Azula knew how to interact with them nonetheless.

She was still generally stoic and cold, but it seem to make her look cool to them. Firm and precise, but seeing her flames was an excellent motivation to want to be firm and precise too. Strict and thriving for perfection, but patient and not punishing you for needed two or a hundred tries. She wants the best version of the Firebender she's training, it doesn't quite matter if it takes weeks for them to master a kata.

(She taught him a few katas, back in the day, the one teacher that didn't punish him for taking more than one try to reach perfect form.

He didn't tell anyone how even when they were broken apart, he still thought she was a better firebending teacher than Uncle Iroh.)

Even now, when they've made quite the progress, Zuko still enjoyed taking time from his busy schedule to come and spend time just watching her. It was a little convenient that her current pupil lived in the palace with them. He allowed a couple of Imperial Firebenders to roam around them, just to sooth Mother and try to avoid unnecessary conflict.

He didn't need her to be aware that he could put the best of the best Firebenders he had available, if Azula wanted to hurt the kid, Azula would hurt the kid.

They were currently sitting in front of each other for a breathing exercises lesson, Azula with her perfect posture and Kiyi doing her best to copy. It was utterly adorable. Zuko could almost imagine Azula in a similar situation with her own children, but he was almost sure she didn't want any. And it wasn't even about rumors he heard – he wasn't as observant as she was, but he wasn't blind either, she had her situationships with noble women.

It would be a very nice afternoon break if it wasn't for the woman watching them with a gaze that was far from friendly. Or watched Azula, actually. Like she was ready to pounce and was doing a terrible job of hiding the hostility. Zuko really didn't like any of this, a mother should be joyful that her two daughters were doing something together. If he was in a similar situation, he'd be overjoyed about this (he was overjoyed, but just in a different context.)

Even with her eyes closed and her attention on the child, he knew Azula was aware of her audience. The line of her shoulders was too rigid, her breathing too careful, and her fingers twitched every now and then. He watched her giving this lessons times enough to know her standard was a perfect but still relaxed posture, a genuine calmness instead of this forced statue-like position but with the tension of who's about to sprint.

It was uncomfortable to watch Azula ready to run away from the woman who he thought was the only decent person in the whole nation. But Azula have mentioned it, didn't she? Zuko's Mother wasn't hers, even if the woman had the same face and inhabited the same body.

And oh how much it hurt.

He slid his way towards Mother, she glanced at his and he could feel the temperature drop beside him. Right, an excellent Firebender but one that still allowed her emotions to show more than Azula and Zuko were ever allowed. He learned how to keep his body heat in a normal range even as his blood boiled under his skin, and he thought that Azula knew how to do that on instinct.

(She was born in a pit of vipers, only survive because adapting, learning was a driving force.)

He didn't speak, just stayed there, beside her and unwilling to move. Imperial Firebenders around or not, he'd like to avoid direct conflict in front of a literal child. One that had the same mother he had and was too young to see the flaws. Azula didn't seem interested in fighting (she usually didn't), and paired with her usual reactions… Zuko didn't know how bad she'd get hurt before trying to fight back at all.

Unnerving, awful. An Azula that would take blows was just unnatural.

He stayed beside his Mother, and Azula's shoulders relaxed almost imperceivably, but relaxed all the same. He thought it was a win when her trust in him was visible, even when it was visible because he was paying attention to her.

He just wished she didn't need him to feel even slightly safe in the same vicinity as their mother.

Mother's voice sounded wrong like that, it sounded like Ozai did every time he scolded her and did she sound like this back then? She said something something your brother's face something something. He heard Azula respond with words in the lines of he's not my responsibility, he was never supposed to be – and she was right, of course. Azula was right more often than not, like she told the truth more often than not.

He turned the corner in time to hear and see the slap. Not even a proper slap, backhanded, curled fingers, almost a punch that cought the corner of her mouth. Anyone, anyone would get at least a burned wrist for daring to try and raise a hand at Azula.

She didn't look surprised and didn't react with more than adjusting her stance, waiting for the next hit, waiting for the harder hit. Straight back, chin raised, but with something like fear around her. Scared and strong. Defiance to make her look brave, barely concealing paralyzing fear.

(Knees on the floor, deep bow, shaking voice begging.

He still sworn there was a hint of resistance before a lit hand pressed over his face.)

Mother's hand shook, smoked, she curled her fingers in a proper fist.

(Playing in the beach, a miscalculated push and scrapped knees.

Azula smelled like burn salve for the rest of their stay, and didn't step a foot onto sand for the rest of it. For the few other family trips.)

Zuko didn't want to know where the next hit would hit – Father preferred stomach and chest, eventual slaps on the back and burns on upper arms, easily hidden by their usual clothes. Azula was uncharacteristically (as of Mother's recent presence in the palace) out of her armor.

"Am I interrupting something?"

Only Mother turned to him, Azula's eyes stayed focused on her, just waiting for her next move. Zuko knew of that, how many times his focus stayed on Ozai as things went on around them? Aware of everything, but watching the most dangerous predator in the room. It felt weird that for one of them, the most dangerous predator was Mother. He wondered if he thought enough about the very few memories where his mother and sisters were in them, would he notice how Azula was wary of mother?

"Zuko, darling, I was having a… conversation with your sister."

"A conversation," he glanced at her, the redness on her jaw, it'd be bruised soon. "I see," he didn't even try to be subtle as he made his way to stand between them, back facing Azula. "The conversation is over now."

She looked like she'd argue, he was the Firelord but she was still his mom. He was glad she didn't, he wasn't sure how he'd hold his temper if an argument broke right now. It was hard enough to hold back in the few moments it took to get her away from them, her away from his sister, to whom he turned as soon as Ursa was out of sight.

It was a little annoying when he noticed it at first, he got used to it. Zuko was smart, Azula was smarter. He was a good Firebender, she was better. And he was tall, she was taller. (But it was a little fun, actually, how Azula towered over generals and ministers and had one more thing to make her look quite intimidating. Then she'd be the same person that sat on the gardens with Drunk and turtleducks all over her.) When she was straighted-back like this, the fact that he only came up to her chin was more obvious than ever.

"Come, let's get Katara to take a look at it."

"There's nothing to take a look at, I'm fine."

It was a testimony to how bad things were right now, that Azula stayed in this cold persona after the mention of Katara. Zuko wasn't going to pretend he knew what was going on there, it was adorable and that was all that mattered. (He didn't quite understand many things about Azula, specially how well she got along with the Gaang, but he loved all of it). And her standard behavior was to perk up at the mention of a possible encounter with the Waterbender, her mood would improve even if marginally so.

But not now, she repeated she was fine before leaving the courtyard in a brisky pace.

His own mood was quit sour when he happened to walk into Katara in the garden. He seemed to have made all his friends enjoy feeding the turtleducks by accident – Azula didn't like feeding them, I wonder why, but liked to play with them. There was a bitter taste in his mouth, Mother would hold him in her lap, teach him how to throw bread and other drums to the adorable animals. It was always a peaceful moment, where he could forget Ozai's words and such. Azula was never with them. Even when she was nearby, she was with Mai and Ty Lee and not willing to join them.

Made him want to puke.

"Everthing alright?" Katara's voice brought him to the present, Katara's hand hovered near his arm and he shifted to allow her touch.

"Things are… tense between Mother and Azula."

"I see. I'd think you expected that."

"I did, but…" but I didn't expect mom to outright hit Azula with no sigh of remorse, at least Ozai would put up an act of how it was painful for him too. He didn't think Azula would appreciate the information being out. "I didn't expect them to be so tense."

"I could say to encourage them to talk to each other, but that won't work, will it?"

"I don't think so," not with how Mother looked ready to punch and burn his sister. "Azula has gotten so much better, recovery isn't linear and we both struggle more often than we'd like. She wouldn't force me to talk with Ozai, I won't force her to talk to Mother."

Katara's eyes widen for a second, Zuko almost facepalmed with what he managed to tell her with his last line. But thankfully, she didn't comment it, just squeezed his arms a little. They stayed in silence for a moment. It wasn't fair, his parents were supposed to love and protect their kids. Yet, all they did was damage them.

"I'll look for her."

He nodded, Katara wouldn't find her if she didn't want to be found. And if she did, it would end on Azula being rude in a way she usually wasn't. But it wasn't like a few rude words made Katara any less hard-headed.

Whatever was going between them, he thought it could bring Azula the happiness she deserved.

She tried, he thought, to not do that but Mother's eyes kept being drawn to the scar on his face. He got used to it, everyone did that until they got used to it. Even Azula barely managed to be subtle about it, something he only noticed when they started to reconcile and would hold one-on-one conversations. So Mother doing that didn't bother him too much, not even the way there was pity in her eyes and anger too.

It wasn't his only scar, far from it. And he didn't want her to see any of the other ones, much less the one on his chest. But he decided to show her one. She was summoned to his office, he'd rather this talk to be private. Three Kyoshi Warriors on his door, he asked Sokka to allure Azula away with whatever engineering he have been doing. Firebending and talking complicated mathematics, two effective ways of keeping Azula out of the way, the nerd.

"What's the matter, dear?" Dear. Did he ever heard her using any term of endearment towards Azula? Probably not.

"I want to show you something," he pulled back his left sleeve, the scar was almost faded. Old, shaped like a hand but one that wasn't large enough to wrap around his wrist. He's almost disgusted by how she immediately closes the space between them to dot over the old wound.

"Who did this?" There was a hint of venon, a I'll avenge it, nobody touches my baby son.

"It wasn't too long after you left, a couple of months at best. I don't remember why, what happened, but I was upset. Very upset and I was slashing out at servants, as we used to do," she frowned, like she didn't know who's we. "Azula caught almost setting fire to someone's robe and dragged me away, berating me all the way back to my room and burning my wrist pretty badly."

It was the first and only time she burned him like this, even if not the only time she did something similar. But then she leave a bruise, or his ear aching from being pulled. Later that night, she tiptoed into his room with a plate of mochis, burn salve and bandaged his wrist. The last time she so directly comforted, but also the last she harmed him enough to need medical attention until their Agni Kai.

(To this day he was glad she changed her mind in the last second.

It was a killshot.)

He didn't tell Mother, he only watched as the anger intensifies, almost incandescent in a way that shouldn't belong in there. She started to turn, to go after the daughter for something she did so long ago, something she apologized for even if it wasn't verbalized. She apologized and didn't do again.

He grabbed her arm, not too tight but firm enough to let her know he wasn't done.

"Zuko-"

"Leave Azula alone."

"She hurt you," Ikem said Ursa mellowed out, Zuko didn't want to know how she was when she was younger. Of course Azula thought Ozai was the better parent, he'd believe the same if the roles were reversed.

"She hurt someone you love, therefore you have to hurt her," the look in her eyes was confirmation enough. "Are you going to burn her wrist then?"

"She shouldn't have touched you."

"What was that slap for? The other day."

"She didn't protect you."

"What was she supposed to do? Fight Ozai? Stand up to her Father, to her Firelord. Azula, perfect little soldier girl. Azula, the poster girl of nationalistic pride. That Azula?"

"She should be so loyal to him."

"She was eleven years-old. She would have died if she tried anything," he moved her hand to her shoulder. "There's a hand-shaped scar on her shoulder, not large enough to be Ozai's . It isn't, is it?"

"Zuko…."

"Do you burn and hit Kiyi too?"

"You don't understand."

"No, I don't. She was a kid."

"She was Ozai's."

"We're both Ozai's."

"Not you."

"Yes, me. Talk to the servants, we were both the same type of entitled little brats. Annoying and mean. Cruel at times. Loyal to Father. Did you forget? I spent years hunting the Avatar, loyal to my Father. I hunted him and his team across the world, loyal to my Father. I sent an assassin after a twelve-year old, loyal to my Father."

"You wanted your honor, you fought for what you thought was right."

"So did Azula. A fourteen year-old sent to the war. You think she's evil. That's funny. The least loyal to Father thing she has done was bringing me back. She lied to his face to restore my honor and have me home."

"She killed the avatar."

"She killed an enemy that could have killed all of the people in the catacombs, including himself," he turned, not trusting himself to not try to burn her out of a temper. "I love you, and I'm sorry. I've arranged you a mansion in the city."

"You're kicking me out?"

"You can stay in the condition of having a Kyoshi Warrior always in the same room as you."

"Don't treat me like a criminal!"

"Bodily harm to a member of the royal family is a crime punishable by death. It's treason.. Congrats, you and Ty Lee are the only ones to not be punished in recent times."

"Ozai and-"

"Ozai and Azula are royal by blood and not by marriage. I'm royal by blood and not by marriage," he turned again. "I'll not punish you."

"Then why the warrior?"

"Azula has come a long way, she healed, she got better. You might hate it, but Azula finally gets to be happy. I won't let you ruin this."

"Zuko, my dear-"

"I love you, I do. Azula is my sister and I'll protect her. And I'll protect her from even you if it's needed," with all the authority given to him by his bloodline, "and if I even suspect you're hurting Kiyi in any way, I'll protect her too."

"You don't understand, Azula-"

"Did you ever loved her?"

"I love her."

"Would you have killed Azulon if it was her life he asked for?"

"He would never-"

"Would you have killed Azulon if it was her life he asked for?" He stepped closer. "Or would you let Ozai carry on the order?"

"Ozai wouldn't."

He nodded: "I'm glad you saved me. Saved me because Azula told you what was going to happen, don't forget that. I'm glad she saved my life. You would've let it happen if it was her. I don't want you anywhere near her."

"Zuko-"

"Stop it, Ursa," she started at him like he slapped her. "The blood that runs in our veins are the same. We are Ozai's children with your fire. And I'll choose Azula over everyone."