"Stop fidgeting, or else this is going to take longer and hurt way much more. You understand right?"

"At least looking at your face makes it feel a little bit better-Ow! You're a sadist, you know that right?"

"Would a sadist-" Azula smiled as she kissed him passionately, slipping in some tongue before pulling back, leaving him panting and wanting much more. "-do this?"

"Maybe I need a little more convincing." he smirked, rising off the cot before being stopped by her.

"No, not now. You're an idiot, you know. You didn't have to save me from that blast."

"Yes I do." he uttered with a steely resolve.

"I might be a princess, but I'm no glass doll. I can take care of myself, you know. After all, one does not survive being the tip of the spear this long without picking up some skills."

"Be that as it may, is it not the duty of the prince to take care of the princess?"

"I-well, that's an outdated notion! Like I said, I can take care of myself." she huffed.

"I know."

"Then why do you insist? Is it because-I see now. You lost someone, didn't you?" her voice softening, as she wiped her hands clean of the blood.

"I don't want to talk about it."

"Your face disagrees."

"Fine. But first, could you get me something to drink?"

"Water, or something stronger?"

"Both." he replied in an emotionless tone. Noting that his typically bright blue eyes were the colours of the stormiest southern seas, Azula privately wondered if she had inadvertently pried into something that he shouldn't have.

"Azula?"

"That sentence "I can take care of myself.", that's what she said before she went out on her first and only mission. I don't ever want to hear you say that ever again, you hear me?"

Gulping down the offered shot neat, he stared into the empty shot glass and began speaking "It was six years ago. It was supposed to be a simple mission, escorting the Northern Water Tribe's delegation down to Ba Sing Se. No big deal."

"Somehow I get the feeling that you're not telling the full story."

"I'll get there when I get there." slamming the bottle down.

"My best friend, Suki, was part of the escort team. At first I was happy to see her, given that we had essentially grown up together and-and I could see the look on her face when she got the invitation to-to join the Badgermole Regiment. That look on her face, I'll never forget it."

"Badgermole Regiment?"

"The elite of the Earth Kingdom's forces. They only get the headhunt the best of the best from all branches of the Earth Kingdom. On the off chances they recruit from the military colleges, there's a shortlist of maybe one or two names long. That year, she was at the top of the list."

"Sounds like she was a hell of a soldier."

"You would have liked her. Anyways, back to the story, it was supposed to be an easy milk run. Apparently there was some long standing grudge from way back during the war about the lack of help that the Northern Water Tribe contributed to beating back the Fire Nation. While passing by the Air Temple, they ambushed us. It was a perfect killing ground, hemmed in on all sides by high ground and earthbenders. But she kept her cool. First time under fire and she was like ice. At that moment, she was like one of the famed Kyoshi Warriors you hear about in stories and legends come to life, beautiful in combat and graceful in her attacks."

"And then, she-she-" Sokka could not stop himself from shedding tears, though he refused to cry.

"Her vehicle got slammed by rock spears on all sides, it was a gnarly sight. Took three to her sides, one through her left arm and one in her right shoulder. There was blood, so much blood, and and I couldn't do anything. Could only give her morphine to ease her pain. You know what she told me?"

"What did she tell you?"

"She told me 'Mission comes first.' Those were her last words. And-and then she died in my arms."

"I-I'm sorry." Azula replied, reaching out to comfort him.

"Wh-what kind of last words is that? 'Mission Comes First?' If, if only she didn't insist on being in the lead vehicle. Maybe-maybe, she-" Sokka sobbed, as he slammed down another shot, his eyes flashing back to that valley.

Overcome with emotion, he slumped down and started to cry, the tears that would not flow during the funeral now gushing forth. In his haze, he felt himself being held by Azula as she tenderly stroked his head.

"I-I understand now." she spoke.

"You're not coming up with your usual snarky comments. Are you okay?"

"I know what it's like to lose someone close to you. I see why you're so protective. For what it's worth, I think she'll be proud of you."

"Really?"

"Really." she affirmed with a kiss on his forehead.

"I can't bear to lose you."

"Then I'll try my best to not be reckless."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

"Azula?"

"Yes?"

"Can-can you hold me for the night? I-I'm afraid I'll-I'll do something stupid if you aren't here."

"Don't you worry. I'll be here as long as you need me."

"Thank you."