It was lat in the night. None of the gang could sleep. Tomorrow was the day would determine their fate and the fate of the world. Aang and Katara decided to spend some time alone together. Toph just kept her usual self, but all of them know Toph was just better at hiding emotions. Zuko chose to spend his time thinking about the only girl he ever loved for real. Sokka walked into Zuko's room and knocked, "Hey, it's me." Zuko sighed and got up to open the door for his new buddy.
"What?" Zuko tried to sound less irritated as he felt.
"Can't I hang out with my weird and only friend that is from Fire Nation?", Sokka gave a knowing grin, "Or did I interrupt your time thinking about that girl of your?
"No, I didn't!" Zuko snapped at him, but the blush on his cheek gave him away.
"Yes, you did not think about you girlfriend and you did not just blush."
Zuko let out a heavy sigh, "Sokka. You don't understand. I left her twice. And this time, I let her deal with my sister alone."
Sokka looked the frustrated Fire Nation Prince seriously, "I do understand. Remember the girl I told you when we were on the air balloon? She left me for the world. I understand that, and I don't want her feel bad or guilty or frustrated or anything like that at all. As long as you love each other, love is still there and nothing can change that, not even distance."
"But don't you have Suki though?"
"Yes, but Yue is my only first love."
"Well, I am not as lucky as you. Mai is my first and only love."
"Oh, did you tell her you love her then?"
"… No, I didn't"
"What? What? How did you guys get together?
"Well, I told her I don't hate her. Mai is different… She doesn't like cheesy things. She doesn't like what most girls like actually."
"No. She is a girl. And what do you mean you don't hate her? Dude, it does not mean anything." Before Zuko could protest, Sokka continued: "You don't hate me, right? But you won't date me, right? Even if you will, I won't accept you. Anyway. See, it does not mean anything. Why are you dating her?"
"Because I love her." Zuko mumbled.
"Then tell her."
"I… don't know. I will think about it, I guess." Zuko sighed.
Sokka patted Zuko's shoulder, "Think about it. It will be too late when you regret. Time won't wait for love." Sokka walked away and left Zuko in his room alone. Zuko sighed again. Such a hard choice. He had to admit was actually sacred of loving someone, especially after all he did to her. Hopefully Sokka was right. She didn't hate him, did not.
Zuko climbed to his bad and force himself sleep. Another thing started to bug him. Fire Lord claimed himself as the Phoenix King, the king of the world. Azula would be the new Fire Lord tomorrow, and he would be the Fire Shame forever. He closed his eyes, and chose to stop think those things made him furious. At least he could be with Mai in his dreams.
Another day. Aang was gone. Sokka was the first one to get up. Even he tried his best to not wake Suki up, but unfortunately he did. "Where have you been last night?" Suki asked.
"I went to talk to Zuko. He seemed so down. Don't be mad."
"I am not. Is he going to defeat his sister?"
"Yes."
"But he said Azula was stronger that him."
"I know. Katara is going with him. And I think he is going to win. He has his soft spot."
"How does that help him win?"
"His soft spot is Mia. He loves her. He has to win, for her. Suki…"
"What?"
"You are my soft spot." Sokka planted a kiss on her lip.
