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Footsteps echoed behind Zuko.
At first, he simply assumed it was his own. He barely even noticed the noise anyway. He had half a mind to collapse on the ground right then and there; his lack of sleep was impressive even for Fire Lord.
It wasn't until he halted in his steps that he realized someone was walking behind him. He whipped around so fast he was sure to cramp in his neck later on. There stood Azula, who looked a lot more composed than he did. A mischievous smirk played on her lips.
"Wake up, Zuzu!" Her fingers curled and pointed into the shape of a gun, flames bursting alive from her nails. Zuko had no time to react.
A small part of his hair caught fire.
He squirmed, scrambling to stuff all the scrolls onto one arm as he patted his hair, killing the fire off. He glared at his sister. "Azula!" He scowls, brows furrowing as he bent down to pick up a few pieces of paper that fell from his grasp.
"What? I woke you up." She shrugged innocently, pretending to stroke the burnt ends of his hair affectionately.
He grumbled about something under his breath, pushing past the doors and ignoring Azula's antics as she followed him around.
—————
"You are not touching my hair." Azula barks, baring her sharp teeth with a dangerous huff.
Ty Lee clasped her hands together, pleading desperately as Zuko awkwardly held the scissors.
"Pleaaasseeee, princess?" She flashes Azula with her puppy eyes, a pout forming on her—as Azula once described them—kissable lips. The princess stared, her resolve crumbling with every passing second. Her hands close into fists, like a child holding back from a tantrum. She shakes her head, frowning.
The acrobat doesn't give up. "C'mon! If it turns out bad, let's just take you to the barber or something!" She takes Azula's hands into hers, now on her knees.
Zuko cringed at the sight, pinching the bridge of his nose as he looked away. How much more awkward could the situation get with him around? Couldn't Ty Lee have convinced her before she brought HIM of all people here?
Eventually, Azula gives in.
"Fine." She hisses, reluctantly sitting down into a chair in front of a mirror. Ty Lee squeals and jumps in joy. "C'mon, Zuko! We've got work to do!" She squeaks, giggling as she pulled the Fire Lord closer.
—————
"You like it?" Zuko asked softly, almost afraid she'd burn both of them on the spot if it turned out worse than before.
Azula opens her eyes, pupils going wide from shock.
They didn't do that bad, she thinks. She could see both of them appearing from either side of her, mouths agape. She could've sworn Ty Lee was pinker on the face!
"I don't hate it." She shrugs her shoulders, trying to act nonchalant. Azula brushes the remaining hair off of her, but she had to admit she looked way better like this than whatever mess she managed to make of herself when she just snip-snapped on the spot.
It was a small gesture—cutting her hair—but it meant a lot more than Azula realized.