Party
Everything was set. The food was set out, the lights neatly lined along the gates, the pool, simply everything. Azula grinned at her accomplishments; she truly threw the perfect parties. This wasn't just an ordinary event, she didn't waste money on catering for something foolish like Zuko's graduation, no; this was much bigger.
Today was her father's birthday.
And so, it was going to be perfect. She heard the front door open and felt her body jump, was it him? Why would he come home so early? Nobody was even here yet. It would be a disaster. Quickly, wasting no time, Azula ran from the patio to the inside of the house, sliding the glass door shut behind her.
"Azula?" Zuko eyed her skeptically and she let out a sigh of relief, and then glared.
"What are you doing here? Don't you belong wasting your time drinking or something else to poison your body?" She waved her hand and he snickered.
"Love you, too." He put his can of soda on the island counter and blinked when she snatched and hastily placed it in the recycling bin. "What's up with you tonight? Oh my gosh, did Azula finally invite a boy over?" Zuko mocked, clapping his hands on his cheeks and she growled, pushing his face back. He groaned.
"No you fool…do you have any idea what today is?" She waited…and waited…and waited.
"Hug your sister day?" He extended his arms and she felt like slapping her forehead. She bit his finger and he yelped. "Uncalled for?"
"Its dad's birthday!" She angrily announced and he stared.
"Oh…shit…where's your gift?" He made his way outside and began scanning around.
"NO! You're not writing your name on my card, you should have developed more brain cells to remember!" She chased him around and they both stopped when the doorbell rang.
"Hah…let the party begin…" Zuko teased and she glared before going to answer the door, picking up her vibrating cell phone on the way. She stopped where she was standing, her mouth agape, as she read the text.
'Sorry I'll be late for dinner tonight, I have a meeting. You and Zuko can get take-out…tell him not to eat everything…again. Love, Daddy'.
"Whats up?" Zuko peered over her shoulder. "…ohh…" He sighed.
Ozai walked in the door a little past eleven, trying to do so quietly just in case Azula was awake. He could wake Zuko up, in fact, he'd be proud to.
"Look who came home." He looked over to see Azula scanning through the channels on the television.
"You should feel shamed." Zuko added and Ozai couldn't help but snort at him. Attention-needy teenager.
"It's pretty hard to host a birthday party when the person whose birthday you're celebrating…texts at the last minute." She felt herself twitch and he frowned, though tried to ignore the guilt.
"Prick." Zuko piped in and he groaned and went into the kitchen. Azula scoffed in distaste.
"Come here!" Ozai called and Azula tightly crossed her arms.
"You come here you lazy ass!" Zuko argued.
"Zuko I swear to god I'll kill you!" He shouted and Zuko fell silent. Azula let out a sigh before making her way to the patio. She watched her father turn on the radio, and cringe at it, before sitting. He patted the spot beside him and she took it. Handing her a Corona he took a swig from his own.
"Tch…"
"I'm…sorry I missed your party…you know how I feel about surprises, though." He argued.
"Whatever." She muttered.
"We can still have a small party…just the two of us." He pecked her cheek and she moved away.
"Three!" Zuko ran out and he sighed and handed him a beer.
"Fine…but to really make up for it, you better give me the best birthday I could ask for." Azula challenged.
"Very well, Azula."
Come on, baby, let's get rowdy.