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Until next time.

Chapter 43

Temurin immediately looks to Azula upon entering. Her eyes are edged with red, but there is no tension in her brows. She looks at peace. Relieved. She nods slightly. The meeting went well, then.

"It's good to meet you, Temurin," the Firelord says. Immediately, Temurin bows at the waist with his hands before him, realizing he should have done that before looking to Azula. But a lifetime living in the Colonies, now the United Republic, have hardly prepared him to meet the Firelord.

"Thank you, my Lord," Temurin says formally. He straightens, leaving his hands in the ritual pose in front of him, and looks Azula's brother in the eye.

To be honest, the Firelord is unremarkable save for his youth. Like Azula, the Firelord's face and eyes are blotched red. Except for his scar and his crown, the Firelord could be any young man from the Fire Nation. It's odd; Temurin's mother remarked that the Firelord has an imposing presence, but Temurin thinks the Firelord's eyes lack the piercing sharpness of Azula's gaze.

Still, Temurin is aware that he is standing before one of the most powerful men in the world. And one of the people Azula cares most about.

"No need to be formal, Temurin," the Firelord says. "Call me Zuko." Zuko advances and, unexpectedly, covers Temurin's outstretched hands with one of his own.

"Azula tells me you've saved her life many times over," Zuko says. "Thank you for taking care of her."

"She's the one who has looked after me," Temurin says. "In fact, Kana saved the whole village, including my daughter and nephew's lives."

"Azula is a very special person," Zuko says, almost threateningly.

"I know she is." Temurin keeps his tone level. From the corner of his eye, Temurin can see Azula crossing her arms; she's probably considering whether or not she should step in.

"Your son is delightful," Temurin says abruptly. "When I told him I was a doctor, he asked if I could teach him how to stick needles in people to make them better."

As predicted, the Firelord's face splits into a wide smile. "Did he really?" Zuko laughs. "Fire sages, he sounds like Azula at that age."

"I had no interest in healing people," Azula corrects with a smirk. "He's getting the needles idea from Mai."

Zuko chuckles again and shakes his head. "May the spirits help me." Then, his eyes light up and he turns to Azula. "Wait—did I tell you why Mai isn't here? She's having a baby this spring!"

"Congratulations!" Temurin says heartily.

"You finally knocked her up," Azula says. "I must say, I thought you'd slip years ago. Both of you are completely reckless."

Zuko ignores her, apparently absorbed with pride and excitement. Temurin smiles, softening slightly towards the Firelord. He remembers the feeling: a mix of imploding delight and dreadful nervousness towards the life he was about to be responsible for. Without thinking about it, Temurin glances at Azula. Her face is a mix of fond mockery and slight longing. Temurin's heart quickens.

"When my daughter was born, I could immediately tell what kind of person she would be," Temurin says. "Even as a baby, she had an analytical mind. I'm sure Azula was the same when she was a girl."

"I was a little monster," Azula cuts in.

"But a brilliant one," Zuko adds gravely. "Temurin, how old is your daughter?"

"Haojun is eight," Temurin smiles.

"She's constantly contributing drawings and diagrams to the Qima Dam project," Azula says. "You know, Zuko, I think she's the first child I've ever liked."

Both Zuko and Temurin snort.

"What?" Azula demands.

"We're laughing at you," Temurin teases her.

"You've mellowed," Zuko says. "But you're still my sharp-tongued sister."

"Haojun idolizes Kana." Temurin is unable to keep the warmth from his voice and his eyes. But even as his hopes rise within him, he realizes that Azula hasn't yet said whether she will stay or go. "My daughter will miss you if you leave, Azula," he says tentatively.

"Well, Haojun doesn't need to worry," Azula says. The edge of her mouth curls shyly. "Because I'm not going anywhere."

"Are you sure, Kana?" Temurin asks, ignoring the Firelord. "You could do such great things…"

"But then, what little things would I miss?" Azula replies softly.

Temurin feels a stupid grin spread across his lips. He wishes he could kiss her right here. Spirits. The fact that Azula can be so terrifying only makes it that much sweeter when her cheeks are flushed pink like this. After the life she's lived, how is it possible that she still chooses to be vulnerable? The flip of her short hair, the fingernails she keeps sharp, the sensual arch of her eyebrow…these are the little things he would miss.

"Haojun will be overjoyed," Temurin says. Then, seized with a sudden conviction, he touches Azula's shoulder lightly.

"Kana, could you leave us for a minute? I have something I need to ask your brother."

"Without words, without even understanding, lovers find each other. The moment of finding is always a surprise, like meeting an old friend never before known," Hegane intones.

Azula's heart beats hard beneath her scarlet veil. Never, never in her life did she think she would be dressed in a red cheongsam, standing on a Colonial dais before her entire village, various international officials, her brother, and even the Avatar and his wife. She expected she would marry, of course, to form alliances and to please her father. But this is not political theater. This is real. And yet Azula feels she must be trapped in the Spirit World or a highly realistic dream. This can't be real.

She never imagined that someone would marry her for love.

Desperately, Azula turns to search the crowd. Through the transparent mesh fabric of her veil, everyone is tinged festive red. Wakaba is truly an organizational master; the decorations have come together far more quickly than Azula would have thought possible. Zuko assures her that with all her traditional makeup, no one will recognize her. As if sensing her panic, Zuko smiles and tilts his head towards the platform. Towards the red-robed man standing opposite Azula.

"Temurin, please recite your poem, first written by the Ancient Sages," Hegane orders.

Azula is immobilized as Temurin smiles nervously. He looks magnificent in red robes embroidered with dark gold square patterns. In his hair rests a jade pin in the shape of a phoenix—a gift of forgiveness from Hegane. Temurin squeezes her hand.

"Nekana, I want to be your friend forever," he begins. "When the hills are all flat and the rivers run dry, when the trees blossom in winter and the snow falls in summer, when heaven and earth mix—not until then will I part from you. To you alone will I be true."

Azula's lips twitch. He means it, she can hear the truth in his voice, but she still cannot believe it.

Choose life.

"Nekana, your poem?" Hegane prompts.

A figure appears behind Temurin, so faint and shimmering that she could be a part of Azula's veil. It is her mother.

You have before your death and life, despair and joy, my daughter. So choose life, and live it abundantly.

"Love burns like fire, and jealousy is stronger than death," Azula says tremulously. Temurin grips her hands even tighter, hope in his eyes. The spirit Ursa nods encouragingly.

"But you are the shade of the day, the water when my throat is parched, the song when my spirit is low. To you alone will I be loyal, all the days of my life."

"In this life, you will experience joy and sorrow, sweetness and bitterness," Hegane says. "All these things you will share. To symbolize your new life together, drink of this wine." She passes the cup first to Temurin, who drinks without taking his eyes off Azula. When he offers the cup to Azula, she freezes. Is she supposed to drink this under the veil? Unsure, she lifts her own veil and throws it behind her.

"So willful," Temurin whispers as he passes her the cup. "You couldn't let me unveil you?" Normally, Azula would say something cutting, but she's trembling so hard she can't summon anything to say. Clearly seeing her distress, Temurin leans forward to fix her veil; as he does, he leans forward so his lips brush her ear.

"I love you, Azula," he says. "You're doing great."

Heat emanates from where Temurin's breath warmed Azula's skin. His words flushes across her chest to nestle in her heart. This is not the life she envisioned.

It is so much better. Azula drinks the bitter wine.

"Then by the power given to me by the United Republic and by the spirits under heaven, I declare you husband and wife," Hegane proclaims. Her thin lips curve into a smile. "You may kiss."

Eagerly, Azula leans forward to meet Temurin. His hand slips to her waist, and she closes her eyes as Temurin kisses her deeply, mouth as sweet as honey, as sweet as Temurin's voice when he sings.

When they break apart, Azula looks back out to the crowd. Haojun and Kazuto are jumping up and down, clearly excited by the raucous cheers around them. Wakaba stands next to Haojun's family, beaming smugly. Standing amidst all the foreign officials, Zuko stands with tears streaming down his face. The Avatar sobs openly, while his wife claps like she'd rather not be there. Azula laughs.

"Are you ready?" Temurin says.

"For what?" Azula turns to her new husband, still amused.

"Our second chance." Temurin lifts their intertwined hands and kisses her thumb. Azula feels so full she thinks she will burst. The past is behind. Her hope is ahead. The journey is only beginning.

"I'm ready."

-THE END-