"No words for your Aunt Iroh, niece?" she asks Azula.

"After I speak to my sister."

"...My cabin, then."

"After you." She follows.

It's not a big ship. Doesn't take long. Which is good and bad for Zuko's nerves: good because it means Azula won't be behind her too long, bad because it means that they're in an enclosed space alone very soon.

And as soon as the door closes - 

- Azula hugs her. (Zuko gets only a brief glimpse of her face, but she's never seen her little sister look so vulnerable.)

Hesitantly, after a brief delay, she hugs back.

"Azula?"

"Zuzu."

"...I missed you."

"It's been a long time."

"It has."

"...You're taller than me." Azula had been a weedy kid, often taller than her older sister. 

"I'm... sorry?"

"You don't have anything to apologize for, Zuko."

"I'm sorry I didn't protect you from father - and I'm sorry I haven't killed him yet."

She pulls back, startled. "You're- what? What?"

"He hurt you. I swore to kill him for that."

"I don't- Why?"

"Because I'll kill anyone who hurts you. You're my sister."

She could have said something earlier.

"...And I'm sorry I couldn't come with you."

"I was exiled."

"I know."

"I wasn't allowed to even say goodbye. And I couldn't defy Father and keep enough power to overthrow him smoothly."

"Oh."

"I thought you- agreed. With the sentence."

"Never."

Hug!

Hug!!!