Katara purses her lips, "geeze, look at this."

Azula shifts awkwardly, little butterflies begin tingling in her tummy.

"How long has it been since you combed this!?"

Azula flushes as Katara works through the knots and tangles. "Sorry." She mutters. "Sometimes I just…" she falters. "Sometimes I just don't have the energy to do it. She finishes with a sigh.

It has been a bad month and she finds herself embarrassed by her lack of self care and poor hygiene.

She cringes and Katara apologizes. Azula shakes her head. "I didn't flinch because of you."

No, she had cringed because of her own introspection. She feels gross and unhealthy; how long has it been since she's bathed?

Brushed her teeth?

Changed her clothes?

She isn't sure how Katara can stand to be around her. She's filthy. A complete mess, emotionally and outwardly.

"What kind of person is too lazy to brush their own teeth?" She groans aloud, unshed tears prickle her eyes. It is the kind of deeply rooted sorrow and desperation that has her self-confined to her bed in the first place.

Katara sets the comb aside and pulls Azula into a tight hug. "You aren't lazy. You're just sad."

She is so much more than sad. Depressed. The diagnosis surfaces in her mind and she feels weepy all over again. "I can't even take care of myself. I should be able to…"

Katara squeezes her tighter. Maybe if she clings on tight enough, she can squeeze the misery out of her. "It's alright, you just need to give yourself some time. I don't mind combing your hair and helping you out until then."

Azula doesn't know what it is, but something about that compels her unshed tears to fall.

"Oh, Azula." Katara says softly. She cradles the crying princess in her arms.

"It's humiliating."

"I'm not judging." Katara assures.

"Everyone else is. I am." She wipes at her eyes with the back of her baggy sleeves. "I want to be able to take care of myself again. But I just don't have the drive."

Katara rubs her back in counseling circles. "I have an idea."

Azula peers up at her expectantly. Her eyes are bleary and tired.

"How about you don't do it alone." She gives Azula's hand another gentle squeeze. "How about I help you. I can find you a change of clothes and you can put them on. I can comb one side of your hair and you can finish the job." She elaborates. "Just until you can do it all alone again."

Azula swallows. It doesn't seem like a bad idea. At least if she does things halfway, she won't feel completely useless. "Alright." She agrees quietly. It is nearly as embarrassing to admit that she needs help doing such basic tasks. But, Agni, if she can barely force herself to eat then she can use the support.

"Do you want to start with a bath?" Katara asks with a small smile. She strokes the princess' hair. "Or should we start smaller."

It would seem that Katara knows her well. It is certainly the most daunting task. But, Agni, its completion would be the most rewarding.

She would feel clean again.

Like herself again.

"Yes, I would like that."

For the first time in days, Azula rises from her bed.

Katara grins, coaxing from Azula, her first smile in months. She takes the princess' hand. "Is rose scented soap fine?"