after sunset (the sun always rises) (гет)

“Mother always liked you better,” she says quietly. She looks away from Zuko, lip beginning to curl again. “No wonder you’re so determined to believe that she’s alive.”
“Mother loved you, too,” Zuko says, and even he knows how weak that sounds. Azula throws her head back and laughs, but it comes out all wrong and hoarse and raw as though she’s strained her throat.
“Oh, Zuzu.” Azula walks forward, abruptly throwing her hands up against the bars of the cell. Zuko refuses to flinch as she leans forward. “I don’t know how you’ve survived this long if you still believe that.”
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Post-canon rewrite intended to replace the comics. Explores Azula's redemption arc and Zuko's struggles (and successes) as the Fire Lord. Featuring politics, borderline international crises, Zuko and Azula desperately needing to learn basic self care, and too many assassination attempts to be healthy.