Official Azulaang Week

Her chest tightened at the sudden seriousness in her tone that contrasted so starkly with the rest of the evening. 

“I'm going to stay here in the Fire Nation.” Katara offered a small smile. 

Great. She’d have to stay here, probably cooped up in the palace for who knows how long. It wasn’t the kind of revelation she expected, but it served to put her significantly more at ease.

“How long will we be staying here? I’m sure it won’t–”

“No, Azula. Not us. Me. Just me.” Katara looked back at Zuko and squeezed his hand.

Realization dawned on her, and Azula sat up straighter before responding. “Is that allowed?” 

“We’ve been planning this for a few weeks. The judge who issued your original punishment allowed me to change the agreement if I saw fit. I never imagined I’d be able to say this, but I don’t think I need to watch over you anymore.” She paused and looked at Aang. “And I’ve taught you everything I can about waterbending. You could learn more from the swampbenders, but really, you’re a master at northern style and what southern style I know.”

“Really?” The smile in Aang’s voice was contagious, and Azula felt her lips tugging upward.

Katara continued, “I’ll send messenger hawks in the morning to let the council and judge know that we’re changing the agreement. You can stay here, or go elsewhere as long as you don’t cause trouble. We–” 

“Wait.” Azula interrupted her. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

“I’ve seen what you’re capable of, Azula. Both good and bad, and from what I’ve seen of you while we’ve travelled together, you’re not returning to the bad. You’ve helped more people than I can count. Saved lives. I–”

“Yeah, Azula.” Aang added, “I agree with Katara. You’ve done so much, and besides, I can find Jeong Jeong or Iroh or someone else to finish teaching me.”

They couldn’t seriously be about to do this. 

“Do I get a say in this?” Azula’s heart was pounding against her chest at the thought of leaving them, and it was equal parts confounding as it was terrifying. 

“Of course!” Aang was the first to answer, and quickly at that.

“I’m not leaving. Allowing you to take a different master now would be admitting my own failure. I cannot stand for that. Will not. I already promised myself that I’d make sure you’d at minimum reach the same level of bending prowess as me, and I absolutely will not–”

As she spoke, Azula noticed the knowing smirk on Katara’s face. “Oh, ha ha. I see. This was a test.”

“You’re free to choose, Azula.” She put her arm around Zuko. “I hoped you’d stay with Aang and Toph, but didn’t want to force that on you if you’d rather go elsewhere. We thought it might be a nice surprise for the solstice if we were to–”

“No.” The strength of her voice surprised Azula. “I don’t feel as if I’ve done enough to be considered free to choose. If you wish to inform them of a change, just tell them that I’m not enough of a concern to have both you and Toph as overseers.” 

Ahem. Aang cleared his throat next to her. “Toph was telling me that I’m not far off mastering seismic sense. When I do, she said she was planning to go her own way and try to start up a metal-bending school over by Yu Dao. You may want to say that it’ll be just me and Azula.”

She gulped. “You’re still a long way off mastering firebending.”

“In that case, it’s settled. Azula, I’ll still send messages in the morning, but I’ll let them know that you no longer need supervision beyond Aang.” 

“Avatar, is that agreement acceptable to you?” Azula asked Aang.

“Works for me. But wait, Katara. Are you not going to the North Pole to help with the oil spill?”

“I will, but Zuko is going too. We’ll be taking Fire Nation engineers with us to help them repair their wells.” 

“It’s settled then,” Azula stated matter-of-factly.

“Are you sure this is what you want, Azula?” Zuko asked. 

“I’m sure.” She replied with a smile. “I’ll be fine. And like I said, I have more to do to feel better about all this…”

Azula felt a growing excitement. She would travel with the Avatar and finish his training, then who knows? She had a future. At least, more of a future than she had rotting in that cell. She’d take it, even if it meant the punishment of spending more time with the Avatar. 

The horror.

“Well,” Katara stood and pulled Zuko with her. “I’m going to bed. I’ll let Toph and the others know about the change in the morning.”

Aang quickly jumped to his feet with a puff of air and left the room. Azula rose as well, and on her way to the door, she whispered a quiet ‘Thank you’ to Katara as she passed her. 

Katara smiled and returned, “Thank Aang,” and closed the door behind Azula.

What did Aang have to do with– Wait. Did she just stay in Zuko’s chambers? 

She rolled her eyes at how audacious that was. The servants will talk. Oh well, not her problem. On her way to her room, she spotted Aang fidgeting with a marble statue not far from her door. 

He turned and smiled that dumb half-smile of his, and in the darkness of the hallway, his voice seemed to carry straight to her ears. “Hey, Azula. Have a minute?”

A silent nod was all she gave in response as he led her out of the palace and toward the gardens. It was hauntingly beautiful this time of night. With the moon high in the sky, it only served to enhance the pale blues from the lanterns. 

“How are you feeling?” He broke the silence. “You know, about all this? And everything?”

She thought for a moment before responding with, “I am content, Avatar.” She held her hands together tightly and hoped the twisting in her stomach would dissipate. “But you didn’t need to make all of this happen.”

“What?” Aang stopped in the path.

“You wrote about me to your friends. To my brother. I don't know how, but I know you had a hand in Katara’s decision-making.”

“Oh. Yeah, that. I just talked about what I saw, Azula.” He started walking again, leading them through the hedges. “I didn’t say anything untrue. You’ve become a good person, are a good person.” 

He offered his hand, and she took it. It was reassuring, and she felt a warmth blossom in her chest. It was tinged with a deeper worry, but it was warm and made her want to jump around. The more she felt, though, the more the worry grew with it.

“How can you be so sure that I won’t change back?” Azula asked, stopping them just in front of the turtle duck pond.

“Look, you did bad things. But we change. And you’re on the right path. And…and–” Aang’s eyes widened as he looked up.

She followed his gaze, vision settling on the moon-holly strung overhead.

“And- I think you know that too.” He faced her, and she could feel the heat of the blush on his cheeks.

Azula looked into his eyes and saw such certainty that it nearly took her breath away. How had this young man become just a strong influence on her? And how had she let it happen? How did she let herself fall into this trap of allowing hope to seep into her heart? Trepidation still lived in every ounce of her being, and she started to pull her hand from his.

“You don’t have to…” She looked up into his eyes, “I made a fool of myself tonight, and you’re putting your neck out for me. What if I disappoint everyone?”

“Azula, you won’t, and…” He paused and leaned closer to her. ”I’d like to.” His voice was only hers to hear.

Her breath caught at the intensity and the closeness. She shouldn’t be that nervous. She was Azula, the former Princess of the Fire Nation couldn’t be that nervous. 

She was that nervous.

“If you’re sure you know what you’re getting into.” She whispered, unsure she knew herself.

“I am.” He whispered back and leaned closer still.

In that one final instant where she could hesitate, she pushed her mind away and let herself lean forward, closing the distance. Azula’s lips moulded to his, and it was unlike anything she’d ever felt before. The kiss she’d shared with Chan was nothing compared to this – nerves weren’t even on her mind when that happened, not like now. Not with this release of months of worry and wonder and denial. Finally, there was this - this acceptance. 

She wrapped her arms around Aang’s neck and pressed against his chest before breaking contact and resting her forehead on his. She was so sure he didn’t feel the same way about her. Her legs could give out at any moment from relief. 

“I don’t know where this leaves us, Aang.” She let the words fall quietly between them. 

“It doesn’t matter.” He hugged her close, his hand cupping the back of her head. “We have time to figure it out.”

She smiled and squeezed him back, breathing in the smell of fresh herbs that lingered on his robes. Azula had imprisoned him once, set him free, and then he’d granted her freedom from a prison cell. Now, he’d done so again. Whatever vision he had of her, she’d try to live up to it.

Azula always wanted to change the world; this way, she could try again, only this time, she’d do it the right way.

~~~~

Bit of a different take on a standard 'proposal' piece, since the proposal in here is more a change of the status quo versus someone actually proposing, but I'm a fan of the idea - so I hope you are too!

@azulaangweek

They arrived in the Fire Nation Palace gardens late in the evening on the night before the official celebrations were to start taking place. There was a chill to the air that made her shiver as she dismounted Appa; she already hated it. But whatever negativity she felt immediately vanished as she looked throughout the garden and at the palace. 

All around her, small lanterns suffused every surface with a gentle blue glow. Ribbons were tied to the plants, matching the flowers still in bloom, and beads were strung from wall to wall. Tapestries were hung all around, depicting various spirits in fantastic environments. It was surreal, and she had never seen the palace look so– not like this.

In the distance, by the turtle duck pond, she spotted a section of moon-holly strung between the trees. An Earth Kingdom custom, Zuko must have thought to incorporate. In fact, almost everything she didn’t recognize she could attribute to other Nations. She didn’t even struggle to admit that it was beautiful, and more importantly, was tastefully presented.

The invitation to a Solstice celebration must have gone to many more than she expected. This place would be crawling with diplomats before long, and it would soon be insufferable. She was just here because she had to be. 

She walked beside Toph, describing what it all looked like as they passed draping fabric strung along the walls in reds and golds, mingling with blues, yellows, and greens. The atmosphere in the palace felt so different as they meandered through the halls. It was well-lit. The air smelled fresh, like the entire place had released a held breath, blowing away the past. Mostly, it just didn’t feel suffocating. 

They were soon led to individual rooms and informed that the Fire Lord would see them in his chambers in approximately an hour, and to prepare themselves for a small feast.

Never in Father’s day.

Azula bathed, applied her typical makeup, and put on a dress that was somehow perfect for her. The servants must have found some of her old clothing. She looked at herself in the mirror and shook her head. This was a waste of time. She should just go to sleep. They wouldn’t miss her anyway. Maybe she–

A knock at the door interrupted her spiralling, and before she could make it halfway there, it swung open, then immediately shut. “Figured you wouldn’t care if I came in. Not like I can see anything.”

Toph’s bluntness about her disability made Azula smile. She really did appreciate her more every day. Not that she'd ever admit that to the girl.

“No, I’m decent.” Azula replied, then added with sarcasm, “Thank you for waiting to come inside.”

“No problem! So are we going to this party? Or are we gonna just stay here? I heard there’s gonna be food, so I’m gonna be disappointed if we hide here all night, but I'm not leaving you to sulk alone.”

“Are you threatening me?” Azula asked, nearly joking.

“No, but if you don’t join me,” Toph threatened, “I’m going to tell everyone I kicked your butt in our last duel.”

Dryly, she responded, “You…did beat me in our last duel.”

“Yeah. But they don’t know that.”

Of course.

With a sigh the size of her companion, Azula grabbed Toph by the back of her dress and pushed her toward the door. “Let's get this over with.”

Azula was certain she allowed it because she knew that she had won.

~~~~

When they walked into the room, Azula’s mouth gaped at the change. It was a complete transformation. If the rest of the palace was simply decorated, then this was decadent. Color was everywhere. It was bright and warm, a fire roared in the hearth, and there were bookcases surrounding the room filled with tomes and scrolls and files. A long table in the back of the room was loaded with food, and gathered on piles of cushions not far from the fireplace were Zuko, the Avatar, and his friends. They had plates piled high and were laughing and carrying on conversations.

She shouldn’t have come here.

As Toph nearly dragged her toward the group, she forced Azula to lean over, and she whispered in her ear, “You must look good in whatever you chose to wear.”

“What?” Azula turned to glare at her. “Why would you say that?”

“Airhead’s heart just started beating like crazy.” She whispered back. 

“What does that matter?” 

With a snort, Toph walked away and called out loudly, “You’re hopeless.”

It was a small enough distraction to pull Azula out of her mind only for a moment, as she remembered where she was, and more importantly, who she was. She took a plate from a stack near the back-table, added a few pieces of interesting-looking desserts and meat to it, and found a chair away from the rest of the group. 

She sat in the corner, periodically taking small bites of her food, but mostly kept her eyes shut and listened to the cacophony around her.

It’s so good to see you guys again!

I proposed to Suki!

I said yes!

We’ve been so busy, but Aang finally mastered Waterbending!

I finally worked things out with my parents. 

“Azula?”

Her eyes slowly opened to see Aang standing in front of her.

“Why don’t you join us?” He asked tentatively. “There’s room.”

“I am perfectly content over here.” She said and closed her eyes again. “Now go. Enjoy yourself. Don’t let me detract from your good time.”

“Okay…” She heard him wander off. 

Was I too harsh?

Azula didn’t want any part of it. She knew he was only trying to include her to be nice, not because he wanted her there. It hurt. She couldn’t believe it, but it actually hurt because she knew why they didn’t want her here. It was because of who she was before the war ended. Who Father molded her into. Who she allowed herself to become. She frowned and held her breath. It wasn’t fair. She never stood a chance.

How are you doing, Zuko?

It’s been difficult. The council has been breathing down my neck.

How are things at home, Sokka?

With the Northerners’ help, we’ve built back a lot, and with Gran Gran’s help, we’ve been keeping them and Gran Pakku in line. No giant palace!

The conversations continued and flowed without end, and she wondered just how long she could take this. Her throat was starting to become painful, and she just wanted to be alone. 

Where are you going after the Solstice?

I think we’ll be going to the Northern Water Tribe for a few weeks; they kinda found oil and made a mess.

That’s a shame.

When’s the wedding?

She took a breath, stood up, and walked toward the door. Azula had had enough of their camaraderie. They stared at her as she was leaving – felt their eyes on her as she took each step. She knew where she wasn’t wanted, and she didn’t want to be here anyway, so–

“Azula, why don’t you join us?” Suki asked.

Because I don’t deserve it.

Because I have dreams where I kill Aang.

Because I nearly killed my brother.

Because I tried to imprison you all.

Because I did imprison some of you.

Because I let Father manipulate me.

Because I’m a failure.

“I can’t.” She whispered, not turning around, and shaking her head.

“Why not?” Aang’s voice now, closer. 

Her last vestige of restraint snapped, and she turned with a start, voice cracking as she spoke. “You truly don’t see what you’re asking of me? I know each of you despises me! Me. Princess Azula, the girl her mother hated.” She laughed bitterly, choking back the tears that threatened to fall. “Now, I have to go through every single day hating myself, knowing the rest of the world feels the exact same way. And I know it’s true, I know how they look at me. You’re all the best of friends, and you all think you can hide how you feel about me, but I know better. I know the truth!”

The room looked on at her in stunned silence.

“For Agni’s sake, I killed Zuko! And,” gesturing to Katara, “you’re the only reason he’s still alive! I tried to kill you!” She felt herself wavering. “You can all stop faking being nice to me.” She let the building tears fall, and her words were acid on her tongue, “It’ll fucking hurt less if you do.”

The Avatar’s arms were around her the moment her voice failed. She didn’t know why, because certainly he loathed her too. She’d resigned herself to that reality when she realized her developing feelings weren’t going away, because it didn’t matter. He’d resent her for them. 

“I–” The words flooded out of her unbidden. “I’m sorry, Katara. I’m sorry Zuko.” Her legs were giving way as she spoke, and in a moment she felt her brother hugging her, “I’m so sorry, all of you. So so sorry.” Her eyes clamped shut as she heard more movement, and felt the proximity of others around her, and more arms embraced her. 

It didn’t make any sense. None of this did.

“I don’t hate you.” Zuko’s voice in her ear. “I never did. I forgive you.”

She didn’t know how long she sobbed. How long they hugged her. How much of a fool she’d made of herself. All she remembered after Zuko’s words was the crackle of the fire and the silence of the room. And then she was being led away by the Kyoshi girl. Suki, her once-prisoner. 

She sat Azula down in her room in front of a mirror and wiped her face, concern in her eyes. For several minutes, they sat in an uncomfortable silence as Suki gently washed away her ruined makeup.

Azula had servants her entire life. She had been doted on since she was a child. This was different, and she didn’t know why. Couldn’t know why. Mai and Ty Lee didn’t treat her like this. Did she ever give them the chance to? To let them see her like this? No. She wasn’t allowed to be weak.

Suki dabbed her cheek and held it loosely, a small frown touching her lips.

“I won’t lie to you. What you did to me, to my girls, I struggle to forgive.”

Azula shook her head lightly from Suki’s grasp and turned her face away. She knew it was all a sick joke. 

“I understand.” Azula felt numb, and she just stared into the mirror.

“But the person who did that, I don’t think that’s you anymore. It’s who you were.” Suki paused for a moment, then continued with, “Listen. I’m willing to give this changed-you a second chance – if you can give yourself enough of a chance to be the person Aang writes about.”

Azula’s eyes slowly met Suki’s, a question forming on her lips, but before she could open her mouth, she spoke. “He writes to us. Mostly to Sokka and Zuko, but I’ve heard everything. You’ve been busy. Saving dozens of people from a fire up north, keeping wild animals from harming people, working with Aang and Katara, and Toph to improve villages around the Earth Kingdom. And you’ve apparently been a very good teacher. He noticed how much effort you’ve put in to be better. To improve. To be good.”

An extended pause dominated the space of several seconds, and she wondered if Suki was done.

“Whether you like it or not, you’re one of us now.”

Azula opened her mouth to protest, but found Suki’s finger on her lips.

“You’re one of us. And that makes you one of my girls. And when my girls cry, mess up their makeup, and need girl time, I’ll always be there for them.” Suki’s welcoming half-smile was all it took to turn Azula’s iron resolve into a molten puddle, and she found herself hugging her.

Her whispered, “Thank you,” was all she could manage to say in response, but Suki’s words meant the world to her, and she could never convey that with language.

Before long, Azula had recovered enough to look in the mirror and could hardly stifle the breathy chuckle at her puffy eyes and the smeared paint. “Look at me. I’m a mess.”

“You’re fine,” Suki said with all the warmth she needed to hear. “And there’s nothing we can’t touch up. You’re very pretty without all the makeup, you know.” She added with a smile.

There wasn’t a hidden lie in her tone, and when Azula smiled back, it felt genuine. 

~~~~

Azula sat in silence with Suki for some time, letting her ‘work her magic’ as she said. She could still tell that she had been crying if she looked closely, but she had to give her…new friend?…credit. It was far less noticeable. 

When it came time for Suki to leave, she stood and squeezed Azula’s shoulder and said, “You’re welcome to join us back there, but I understand if you don’t. Just…for tonight, maybe it would be good for you to not spend time cooped up in your head.” Suki grimaced as she stepped away. “Nights alone in my head are the worst.”

Having said her piece, she stepped out and shut the door behind her. Finally alone, Azula looked in the mirror and found herself laughing quietly. She thought she understood them. 

How wrong she was.

Suki was right. Azula was through the door and walking down the hall before she could change her mind. She did need to be around more than the musings of her mind. 

Walking down the hallways, she heard the laughter and sound of camaraderie grow louder and louder, then, as she turned the corner to the Firelord’s chambers, she stopped dead in her tracks. She shouldn’t be seeing this. Her Brother and Katara were in a close embrace, eyes shut, kissing. Azula glanced above them, and sure enough, a sprig of moon holly was strung above the nearly closed door. 

She averted her eyes and cleared her throat. The startled gasp from the pair proved that they knew they were duly discovered, and her focus drifted back to them. Zuko’s hand was on his neck, and he muttered something in Katara’s ear before opening the door and returning to the party.

Azula walked forward as if to follow, but Katara held out her hand and spoke quietly. “I–” She sighed. “You were right.”

“I’m well aware.” Azula said haughtily, “But your secret is safe with me.”

Katara deflated slightly and smiled. “Thank you. We aren’t ready to tell everyone yet.”

She shared a smile with her, then pushed Katara gently toward the door. “You’re an idiot for choosing him, you know. He’s hopeless.” 

“Aren’t we all?” Katara shrugged and pushed into the room.

The fire roared in the corner, the food smelled heavenly, and the atmosphere felt entirely different than the first time Azula had walked in. She caught Suki’s eye as she grabbed a plate. When she pointed at the tray of sweets, Azula took a look at it, put the plate back on the pile, and grabbed the entire tray. It was piled high with fruit tarts, cookies, spiced fruits, and chocolate-coated fireflakes.

When she made her way back to the group’s cushion fortress, she placed it in the middle and took a seat on a throw next to Aang and leaned back on her hands, admiring how the others began picking their favorites from her delivery. 

Sokka looked at her, a fruit tart hanging in his mouth, and spoke, throwing crumbs on the floor. “Okay. Never thought I’d say this, but you’re officially my second favorite person of the evening.”

It was a compliment Azula wasn’t expecting. Definitely not from him, and she sat stunned for a second before nodding and smiling to herself. Before long, new conversations sprang forth, talking of childhood, training time, and future plans.

“Suki,” Azula broke into a silent pocket of conversation, “How did you and Sokka meet?”

“Sokka was a sexist idiot the first time he visited Kyoshi Island, and he thought he could beat me in a sparring contest.” She smirked, “You can guess how that went for him.”

“I beat you eventually!” He shrieked.

“I let you win eventually.” She leaned forward and whispered loudly, “I just stopped flipping him.”

“Admit it! I got better!”

“Maybe after we’re married.” Suki gave him a teasing kiss on his cheek.

The others began including Azula in their conversations. They learned that she had attempted to master archery as a way to one-up Zuko’s training with swords. Aang spoke of making pastries with the monks a hundred years ago. Toph regaled her with tales of her time as the Blind Bandit that Azula didn’t quite believe at first, but it was Toph, so she’d just have to let it slide. Katara shared a story of her brother getting two fish hooks stuck in his thumb.

And somewhere along the way, Aang’s hand found hers, his pinky curling around hers. The tiniest support that made her heart flutter with possibility. Possibility that Suki was right. That Azula wasn’t the outcast she thought she was. 

She curled her pinky around Aang’s, accepting her new reality and the possibility that she wasn't so alone.

~~~~

@azulaangweek

>——-////———-////———-////———////———<

After Team Avatar’s hard-won victory over Ba Sing Se's advancing forces, the woodlands of the great Shoren Vale burst into wild celebration. To crush the city’s deadly ambitions, the gang had to team up with unlikely allies deep within the Hujiang province whose stealth, raids, and ambush had become legendary. Formerly known as the Freedom Fighters, these mercenaries had been reforged under Azula's merciless command, earning for them the name, Shadow Serpents.

In the aftermath, Avatar Aang has drawn a firm line on Ba Sing Se’s incursion. The Team and their allies pushed back against Ba Sing Se’s advancing forces. Their onslaught will remain within their broken walls. Tonight, the forest itself celebrates. Hundreds of paper lanterns shed a glow onto the gnarled boughs of the ancient trees. Beneath the high canopy, the rhythmic pulse of festival drums mingled with bright, unrestrained bursts of laughter. The air crisp with the scent of crackling boar-q-pine and moon peach ale.

Around a massive bonfire, the strangest of families in the world huddled together.

The rest of the old gang and what was once the Freedom Fighters sprawled on logs, trading war stories that get taller with every cup of cactus cider. Around them, the children chased fireflies while young benders try to outdo each other with ridiculous bending forms.

Aang slips away from the noise for a moment. He glides onto one of the rope-and-wood bridges high above the forest floor, the same kind the Freedom Fighters once used for ambushes. From here he can see everything: the fire, the children, the impossible web of people who found common ground.

Aang watched it all from the swaying bridge above the clearing, wind tugging at the edges of his robes. He smiles, this peace is real tonight; music, warmth, laughter, the clink of cups, but it’s the kind of peace built on fresh graves and fragile truces. It wouldn’t last.

Peace never did, not really. Tomorrow the nobles would scheme, the generals would bristle. Somewhere, someone would decide the world still owed them something. Tomorrow, someone will test the boundaries Aang has drawn. But tonight, the forest was full of unlikely allies who had chosen to sit at the same fire. And for one rare moment, the Avatar allows himself to believe that it might just be enough to keep the world from burning, even for tonight.

Aang turns around to observe the vast tree village from the other side. Their settlement glows softly in the distance; wooden walkways between the trees, low hanging lanterns light the path from one hut to another. A place where bender and non-bender, soldier and rebel, actually manage to live together. Something sparked inside of him. An inspiration.

Aang inhaled the lingering scents of woodsmoke and stale ale as faint laughter drifted to him. The forest canopy was thick enough to swallow sound, but Aang still heard her long before she stepped into view.

“Hello, Azula,” he said without turning, eyes fixed on the swaying rope bridge above.

A soft laugh, low and amused. “How do you know it’s me and not your wife?”

Aang’s mouth curved. “Toph doesn’t tread lightly.“

Azula smirked and steps beside him, boots silent on the wooden platform. Moonlight caught the faint scar that ran through her left eyebrow.

In the distance came Toph’s unmistakable half-scold, half-laughter at one of their kids. A sound that made Aang smile fondly. A moment later, cutting through the mist from another area of the camp, the sharp, practiced swoosh of Jet’s hooked swords carving the air in relentless drill.

Aang glanced sideways. “So you let Jet do all the talking now?”

Azula’s voice was low, amused.

“For this treaty? Absolutely. He sounds like he actually likes people now. I sound like I’m barking orders.”

She tilted her head, the corner of her mouth curling. “Besides, look at him. Teaching your eldest how to dodge a hook-sword without losing a limb.”

Aang exhaled through his nose. A half laugh, and a half sigh. “Of course he is.”

“I’d have just demonstrated on your son myself, and called him an idiot.”

Aang snorted, half-horrified, half-charmed.

Azula’s eyes glinted gold under the lamp light.

“I guess some things never change.”

He looked back at Azula—at the woman who used to smile like a blade.

“Actually… some things change exactly as much as they’re supposed to.”

Azula’s smirk faltered for just a heartbeat. She folded her arms, studying him. “So tell me, you didn’t come all this way just to sight-see, Aang.”

“No,” he admitted. “But I figured if anyone would find me up here, alone, it’d be you. You used to chase us nonstop.”

“Flattered.” She paused, then softer, almost curious: “Do you ever miss it? When we were still trying to kill each other?”

He considered that for a long moment.

“Perhaps,” he said finally. “Life was much simpler back then, ironically.”

“So,” she said, tilting her head, “we’re good now, right? Ancient history and all that. Water under the bridge.” She gestured lazily at the actual bridge in front of them.

At twenty-six, Aang carried himself differently: taller, broader shoulders, a handful of kids’ worth of calm in his eyes.

“That depends,” he said, “on what you do next.”

Azula’s smile sharpened. “Relax, you’re a fully realized Avatar now. I’m no match.” She raises two hands. “Still, if it were up to me and I had that power? I would’ve burned Ba Sing Se to the ground, saving us all the trouble.”

“Would you, now?” Aang just shook his head, a hint of laughter in his voice as he met her gaze. “And that,” he said with a disarming grin, “is precisely why the universe looked at you and said, ‘Yeah… let’s not.’

Azula threw her head back and laughed. Elbows leaning on the rope of the bridge. She finally lowered her chin, she was grinning from ear to ear.

“Careful, Avatar,” she purred. “Keep talking like that and I might start to like you.”

“But speaking of which—” She lifted her hand lazily, blue-white sparks leaping and crackling between her fingers like living lightning. “Mastered all the elements, didn’t you? Even this one.”

“Lightning?” Aang echoed. He raised his own hand; electricity crackled to life, perfectly controlled, no wasted motion. “Your uncle is a great teacher.”

Azula rolled her eyes so hard it was practically audible. “Right. That guy.”

The lightning in both their palms winked out at the same moment.

Somewhere far below, a night-bird called. The bridge creaked in the wind.

“And your fire?” she asked, voice low. “Zuko taught you that, too? Or was it the dragons?”

“A bit of both,” Aang said, hands in his sleeves. “So you heard about the dragons.”

“I did.” She tilted her head. “They say the blue one was beautiful. Deadly.”

“Reminds me of someone,” Aang said, meeting her eyes without flinching,

Azula gave a soft huff of laughter. “Maybe if I was a little nicer back then… Do you think she would’ve let me climb on her back the way she let you? “

“Not a chance.” He said without missing a beat. “She would’ve swallowed you whole.”

For a moment the old violence crackled between them like static, then they both laughed, sharp, surprised, almost honest, as if none of it had ever happened. As if she had never tried to put lightning through his heart.

“Show me your fire,” Azula said abruptly, the laughter still clinging to the edges of her voice.

Aang was taken aback, “Azula,” he said teasingly, arching his brow. “I’m a married man!” He said in feigned shock. “Toph would pummel us both.”

“Oh, shut up. You know what I mean. Show me.”

He sighed theatrically and raised his palm. A small flame bloomed in his hand, warm, steady, sunset orange. It flickered almost at once.

Azula’s smile curved, slow and knowing. “As I thought. Orange.”

She opened her own hand. Blue fire roared to life, cold and perfect, licking the air like it was tasting it.

Aang stared, genuinely curious now. “Yes, I remember. You can bend lightning, and summon blue fire.”

“Why?” she asked, stepping closer, the blue light painting sharp shadows across her cheekbones. “Can’t you?”

He tried. The flame that answered was orange again, then hotter, then suddenly wild. It flared toward violet for an instant before it scorched his own fingers. “Ah—!” He shook it out, wincing.

Azula laughed under her breath and began to pace on the cool wood. “Blue fire isn’t about power, Aang. It’s about what’s underneath. Something raw, deep. Something dark.” She snapped her fingers; perfect cobalt flame danced above them like a cruel star. “You forgave everyone after what’s been done to you and your people. You made my brother your friend. You turned the other cheek so many times I lost count. There’s nothing twisted left inside of you to feed it.”

Aang’s smile faded by slow degrees.

He looked down at his open hand as though it belonged to a stranger.

Azula watched the shift settle over him the way storm clouds slid across the moon.

Aang closed his eyes.

The breeze stilled.

When he opened his hand again, the fire that rose was blue. But not Azula’s cold, perfect blue. Something rawer, storm-colored, almost black at the edges. It trembled like it was angry to be born.

A single tear slid down his cheek and hissed into steam before it reached his jaw.

She gaped. Almost breathless. The smirk melting into something hungry and almost reverent.

“So you do have a dark side,” the words dripping with something too close to the truth. “I guess you haven’t completely forgiven the Fire Nation after all…’ she whispers to him, somewhat haunting.

In her fractured mind, the image flared unbidden: the two of them side by side, blue fire crowning them both, the world kneeling or burning, no blind earthbender ever stealing him away, no gentle forgiveness, just the two of them and an empire forged in that color.

Aang let the flame die. The tear track glistened in the moonlight.

“I have forgiven the Fire Nation,” he said in a low voice. “That darkness… is something else entirely.”

He stepped past her, shoulder brushing hers for the barest second, and started across the swaying bridge.

Behind him Azula stayed very still, fingers curled tight around the ghost of that fire, tasting the dangerous, delicious thought of what might have been if the Avatar had chosen a different kind of queen.

>——-////———-////———-////———////———<

I’m sorry! I’m sorry! 😭😭😭 I know! Not your typical azulaang. Please dont be mad! But I thought this would be a great oneshot for azulaang week in keeping with their canon characters huhuhu.

We got a little flirty banter going on, more like Aang has no idea he’s sort of flirting. Or maybe he does. And Azula is well, Azula.

Surprise! Jet’s alive. (Don’t @ me, I have receipts 😂… in my hc )

So why Change?

Aang had changed—quietly, irreversibly—somewhere between the final battle and this fragile peace. And just when Azula thought she was finally clawing her way out toward something better, something steadier, she felt the old rot stirring again.

They didn’t need to get involved in all of those events. Sure, the bigger ones, Azula agreed, would be a wise use of the Avatar’s time, but the smaller political disputes, let alone marriage ceremonies or boat launches, certainly didn’t require their presence. It was just cutting into the time he needed to devote to training. The only element he had mastered was air, and almost water, but he was far from earth and knew only a pitiful amount of fire. It was frustrating, and not that she cared, but they hadn’t done much for smaller villages her nation had negatively affected – though that was part of her deal in being ‘free’. 

With every passing week, despite her feeling more comfortable around the waterbender, the Avatar, and Toph, she still felt like an outcast. Which, well, she was. Azula was no fool. She knew they didn’t want her here, but with this much time invested, making sure the Avatar became a firebending master had become a point of pride for her. She would not fail in that. 

“Again.” She barely registered her own voice as she coached the Avatar on his pathetic attempts to use any of the advanced techniques she demonstrated.

They’d been through this dozens, if not over a hundred times now. Something needed to give. 

“Dismissed.” Azula glared at him. “You will complete Phoenix Dips for the remainder of our typical training time.” 

A look of dismay flashed across Aang’s face, “Aw, really? Those are the worst!” 

“They teach control. Which you are severely lacking - in spite of your apparent claims otherwise. So yes. Really.” She glowered at his questioning before departing the barren training ground at the Western Air Temple. 

They had chosen this spot due to its relative closeness to the other Nations. Azula had tried to argue that it didn’t make sense, that they were closest to the Fire Nation, Northern Water Tribe, and only a few Earth Kingdom villages, and that a location just west of the Si Wong would be better, but her words fell on deaf ears. How they out-maneuvered her and her brother for so long would probably always remain a mystery to her.

She blinked and shook her head. Focus. Her mind hadn’t wandered like that since her time in the Fire Nation prison. She decided to search the halls for the waterbender. She needed information, and Azula had done nearly everything in her power to push off asking for aid, but she’d finally had enough of the Avatar’s lack of patience for training.

Katara was alone, practicing her own bending in a room with a central fountain, when she found her. She was looping a current of water through the air as if it were on a leash.

“Waterbender!” Azula called out loudly, causing her to startle, dropping first her form and then the stream onto the floor with a resounding splash. 

“What is it, Azula?” Katara turned to her with a sigh, pulling the water from her clothes and addressing her.

“Why is the Avatar refusing to learn proper firebending techniques? Clearly, I am missing something, as my brother was able to make progress with him, and that makes less sense than my seeming inability to teach.”

She noticed Katara’s eyes soften at the question. “Come with me.” 

Katara gestured for Azula to follow her, and she acquiesced, allowing the girl to lead her to a part of the temple that overlooked a foggy chasm. 

“Alright.” Katara looked around, surveying their surroundings. “I think we’re far enough off. Now. What exactly is going on with Aang?” She asked with genuine concern in her eyes.

“I understand that he struggled with Earthbending, that much I gained from Toph, but your tutelage was without issue, was it not?” Azula asked.

Katara leaned against the railing and peered into the depths of the fog, and Azula joined her. 

“Azula, did Aang tell you about his first firebending master?” 

“You mean my idiot brother? He’s hardly a master.” She could curse him; he instilled bad habits in the kid.

“No. Before Zuko, Aang tried to learn from Jeong Jeong.”

Her eyes widened slightly at the name, “The Deserter?” She turned and paced back to the doorway. “That makes even less sense. I read about his methods. There is no reason for him to be so cautious! His focus is constantly elsewhere, and it–”

“Aang didn’t spend much time with him. He was meant to learn control. But–” Katara held her hands out to Azula. “He got impatient and took things too far. When Jeong Jeong left him alone with the intent to keep a leaf from burning by controlling the embers, Aang tried to make actual fire from it. He played with it as if it were water.”

Azula found herself strangely on edge as the story progressed.

“I wasn’t far from him, and when he lost control, I had to block the flames with my hands.” Azula looked down at the Waterbender’s hands as she spoke. “I didn’t know I could heal until then, and I fixed most of it…somehow, but…” Katara pointed to a few scars on the back of her hands. “Some of the damage was permanent."

“So he’s afraid to bend fire now?” Azula questioned softly.

“No, he’ll bend, but just not close to others.” Katara paused. “When he trained with Zuko, they wouldn’t spar, just practice. He doesn’t want to hurt others with it, so when you’ve been trying to spar one-on-one, he’s probably more focused on making sure none of his shots hit you.” Another pause, and a small smile. “He doesn’t want to hurt you.”

“Why didn’t Jeong Jeong continue teaching him? Correct the error? Make him see the truth?”

Katara continued with disdain, “Zhao. He attacked the camp and drove us away before we could do anything else.”

“So the Avatar never got over harming you?”

Katara shook her head and wrung her hands. “I tried to assure him it was fine, show him it was, prove it…and Zuko’s…lessons helped, but maybe it’s–”

“Because I’m a girl?” Azula interrupted, “Because he doesn’t want to do the same thing to me?” She found herself gritting her teeth.

“Maybe.” Katara fidgeted. “I…wish I could give you more advice.” She paused, her face troubled, “Zuko never really shared much about their training. One day, they were struggling, and the next, they weren’t. I–” 

Katara was being somewhat evasive and oddly diplomatic anytime Zuko was the subject, and Azula was pretty sure she knew why. There shouldn’t be any reason to keep this a secret. 

“Waterbender. You’re keeping something from me.” Katara’s eyes widened, and before she could respond, Azula continued. “Why are you speaking in riddles when it comes to my brother?” 

“Azula- I’m not!” 

“You are. And I already know why. Don’t think you’re so clever.” Katara’s skin blanched at the accusation. “When you get over yourself, I expect you to share everything that worked and did not work with his training methods. This is more important than some stupid crush that I already know about.”

Stunned, Katara’s mouth gaped. “I– He– there’s–” 

“Save it.” Azula stormed off.

While it was a productive conversation, it was not all she was looking for. Still, knowing that the Avatar feared harming others with fire was a possible solution to her problems. She’d have to adjust her approach. Maybe that would be enough.

A smirk pulled at her face as she approached the training grounds. She’d be able to use the waterbender’s crush against her as well; perhaps she’d be able to get out of certain duties. She could threaten Katara that she’d tell Zuko about it, and maybe she wouldn’t have to do any of the washing for the rest of their time together. Walking through the doorway, she saw the boy still in a phoenix dip. 

Good.

“Avatar.”

“Azula! I’m on my sixth set of dips. Can I please stop now?”

With a nod, Azula stopped about six feet from the boy. “We are resuming training.” 

“Okay.” Aang stood and took a deep breath. “I think I’m ready to try that move again.” He adopted a crouching tigerdillo stance.

“No. This will be a demonstration.” She took a breath and adopted a defensive stance of her own. “You will use only the basics, and you will attack me.” 

“But Zuko agreed–”

“Do I look like Zuzu?”

Aang sheepishly shrugged his shoulders. “Uh, yes? Is that a trick question?”

What?

“Hah! Walked into that one, Princess!” Toph shouted from the side of the grounds.

Where did she even come from?

“I mean…he is your brother.” Aang tried to reiterate.

She smacked her forehead and looked at her palm. So that’s why the oaf always had a mark on his face when they’d fought in the past. 

“No– I. Ugh. Okay. Fine. Lesson time.” Azula strode over to stand immediately in front of Aang. “Create a flame in your hand.”

As the fire leaped to his palm, Azula took a tight hold of his wrist, keeping his hand in place. “Now, no matter what, do not extinguish this flame.” She paused and took a breath. “Fire is alive, and as you claim that my brother taught you, it is both destruction and creation.”

She moved her free hand toward the flame. “What you must understand about us, about firebenders, is that,” She positioned her hand above the fire in his hand. “We are not like the others.” 

“We can control others’ flames when they approach.” She lowers her hand into the flame, allowing the tendrils of fire to consume it, but not burn her. “We exist outside of destruction and creation. Observe.” She flexes her fingers through the licks of fire, then turns her hand over, allowing it to stream past her skin.

“Only we decide what fire may harm, and when two firebenders clash, the one whose will is stronger imposes that damage.” She felt for the flame and coerced the tendrils moving past her palm to turn blue. “That is what gives a firebender their edge. The stronger their will, the stronger their fire.”

Azula refocused her vision on Aang’s eyes, who was entranced by the demonstration. Her voice now low and serious, she continued, “My brother was not wrong to tell you that firebending is about both death,” She felt a small tingle in her chest, “and life, but what we are both teaching you is control. Your control over your fire must be absolute; it is far more important than any manipulation of it.”

As she continued talking, she noticed smaller things about him. His focus, now like steel, where before it had bent like rubber. The curve of his jaw had sharpened in the last few months. The shape of his eyes and the intensity of his stare - the reflection of the fire in his iris. The way his cheeks were glowing in the firelight. 

Fuck.

With a startled yelp, Azula jerked away from the flame and looked back down at her hand, rubbing the singed skin. “Of course, if– If you lose–” She takes an enormous breath. “If you lose your focus, lose control, then you will lose your ability to defend yourself. You lose control. You lose.” Her heart was pounding in her chest – she hadn’t been burned in years, but it wasn’t that that made her heart race.

“Are you okay?! I’m sorry!” Aang shouted, broken from his daze.

“I’m fine.” She hid her hand behind her back, knowing that she’d seek out the waterbender momentarily. “Do you understand the consequences of the lack of proper control– that I just demonstrated?”

“I– Yes. I do.” His head turned down.

Azula felt her eye roll before she could stop it, and with an aggravated motion of her undamaged arm, she addressed Aang again. “It is a minor burn, Avatar, and my doing. Even I can lose control if I deem it a necessary means to teach a lesson.”

It was a lie. And it shook her to her core. She did not lose control on purpose just now. Azula never lost control. Especially not to teach a lesson.

“Okay…” Aang responded, solemnly, and it actually made her feel sorry for him.

“Look. If it makes you happier to think about, then…well…I heard stories growing up that Avatar Roku’s control over fire was so absolute, so perfect, that he could create fire that only hurt those he designated. I don’t believe it, but you’re him. Talk to yourself. Figure it out.”

She turned to walk away.

“What about training?”

She was not spending any more time close to him today. She needed to address whatever the fuck those uncontrolled emotions were. 

“Phoenix Dips.” She replied dryly without turning her head as she approached the archway.

Aang’s insistent voice followed, “How many?”

“ALL OF THEM!” She shouted and left in search of Katara.

Her hand was actually in a lot of pain, but she wouldn’t let the Avatar know that.

~~~~

@azulaangweek