A/N: Avatar Nick wholly owns the Last Airbender.

Former enemies can become the closest of friends, or lovers.

(This was meant to be a one-shot but it's evolved.)

Chapter 17

Buddy Talk

After not seeing his bride return, Aang stood outside of the entrance of the reception hall listening intently. He heard no shouting, swearing and most importantly, nothing breaking.

"That's comforting," he thought, releasing a long slow sigh. "I wonder if Suki is apologizing again? Toph really didn't handle her last attempt so well. Poor girl was on her knees sobbing like a baby and still Toph wouldn't give her a break. I never heard anyone called a 'cock junky' before. What does that even mean?" Aang shook his head at the memory as he continued to stare down the corridor. "What if I just casually take a stroll, I can pickup what they're saying."

"They still at it?" a familiar voice asked as the door opened behind him and the Fire Lord stepped out.

The Avatar nodded. "Yeah, but at least there's no screaming like the time before. You did tell Suki I was sorry about all that didn't you?"

"Yeah, but she was still pretty tore up after that whole incident. You don't know how surprised she was to get the invitation to this wedding. She's been smiling every day since then."

"That's good to hear Zuko. I was surprised when I read Toph's guest list and it said, Tea Boy and Painted Floozy. I asked her if she had forgiven Suki. She just said she was working on it, but trust me, she wanted her here."

Zuko nodded. "That wife of yours Aang, she something else. Do you think if she gets pregnant, she's going to quit being the police chief?"

"Not a chance. Where else does she get to boss people around and beat bad guys senseless. The president did offer her a cabinet post that would oversee the police and the militia. She said she would think about it."

"You probably would feel better about her not being in harms way, wouldn't you?"

"You're right, I would. But I don't want to take her away from the things she loves. Azula, Mai and Ty Lee have been watching out for her. That gives me some relief."

"Maybe if Katara talks to her, she'll seriously consider making the change."

"Maybe, I know Katara doesn't like Toph putting herself at risk anymore than I do."

Zuko chuckled. "It's been a while since I thought of that woman as the voice of reason."

Aang nodded. "Yeah, me too. Most, well all of her fall was my fault. I wasn't honest with my feelings, and I pushed her into a bad place."

"Sooo… are you waiting for your time in the confessional?"

"Actually Zuko, we had a moment earlier. But that may be a good idea, just to clear the air, once and for all."

"At least you two are talking it out."

"Well, it's more like she's talking it out with Toph. I just happened to be there. I can tell that's she's still pissed. But, I don't blame her. I'd be mad too," he exclaimed with a deep sigh. "But seeing her and Toph talking, that's a good thing for sure. How are you and Azula getting along?"

This time it was Zuko's turn to take in a deep breath. "That's a loaded question buddy. It's like I'm getting to know her for the first time. She's witty and funny, but so smart; I feel that she's always thinking two or three moves ahead of me. Honestly Aang, she'd be a better Fire Lord."

"She doesn't think so," a voice said from behind the pair. Sokka carefully closed the door behind him. "We both think you're the right man for the job, brother."

Zuko smiled as he hugged his brother-in-law. "I appreciate the vote of confidence."

"Hey, we're family now, and family sticks together. Besides, if Azula became the Fire Lordess…"

"It's just Lord… the title isn't gender-specific," Zuko explained.

Aang laughed at the clarification. 'Heavens, I've missed you guys! You both seem to be so busy with your own lives that we haven't spent any real time together."

"Running a country is a bit daunting, but we spent some time together last month, didn't we Aang?"

The Avatar shook his head. "That was three months ago. Remember I came for that Financial Compensation meeting and it ended early, so we decided to hang out?"

The Fire Lord stroked his goatee. "Oh, that's right! Suki was visiting Kyoshi Island, and my mom and kid sister went to see the Sun Warriors. It's awesome seeing more dragons again, isn't it."

Aang nodded. "It sure is. We had them everywhere when I was a kid at the Air Temple. Did I hear right? Are you were getting one, Zuko?"

"And how did you hear about that Aang? Who did you hear that from?"

The Avatar grinned mischievously. "Let's just say a certain, 'former,' bodyguard for a certain Fire Lord may have let it slip out when she was talking to another 'former' bodyguard."

"So Suki told Ty Lee, and naturally Ty Lee told anybody who would listen!"

"Hey, that's my wife you're badmouthing!" Sokka jibed playfully as he stepped up between them. "What are you two talking about anyway? I lost you at the dragons something, something."

"Oh, I told Zuko that I heard about him getting a dragon. He thinks Suki told Ty Lee."

Sokka held up a finger. "Actually, Suki told Mai, and then Mai told me. I told Azula because I thought she'd want one too and then Ty Lee overheard our conversation," he explained, counting fingers.

"So does she want one?"

"One what?" Sokka asked innocently.

Zuko palmed his forehead. "A dragon! Does she want a dragon! I wanted to get her something for her birthday, but couldn't think of anything!"

"Naw," Sokka replied casually, looking away.

The Fire Lord looked extremely puzzled. "Really? I thought for sure she would be chomping at the bit to get one. When we were kids, she'd stare for hours at pictures of Sozin's? She would go on about wanting to fly through the sky, pouring fire like ran on all her hapless enemies and…" Zuko's voice trailed off as he watched the blank expression on Aang's face. "Well, she was just a kid you know. All we knew was war and the glory of the Fire Nation. Okay, we were pretty twisted, but that's all done with, for the both of us!"

"C'mon bro, you can't tell me thoughts of glory in holy combat don't cross your mind?" Sokka asked with a nudge.

The Fire Lord's amber eyes rolled towards the ceiling. "Sometimes, when the paperwork never seems to end and the ministers just keep coming, one after the other… yeah, battle does seem preferable over that slow, boring death!"

"I hear ya," Sokka sighed in unexpected empathy.

"I'm sure council work is nowhere near what Zuko has to put up with," Aang interjected.

"I wasn't trying to compare my duties to the head of a nation," Sokka defended. "I was just trying to be sympathetic is all, to my bro."

"I get you, nice sentiment," Aang agreed.

All the bro-man love was starting to irk the Fire Lord. "Getting back to the point, are you serious Sokka? Azula honestly doesn't want a dragon? Have you two discussed it? I mean thoroughly?"

Aang exchanged pensive glances with Sokka. "Zuko, this was supposed to be a secret, but the reason she doesn't want one is because she already has one!"

"WHAT! Why didn't anybody tell me! How did she get one before I did?"

Aang placed a hand on each of Zuko's shoulders. "I would have, but they made me promise to keep it secret. She knew you were going to get one and she wanted to wait until you two could fly together."

"She thought you might be a teensy bit jealous too," Sokka through in.

"Yeah, that too."

The Fire Lord crossed his arms. "I'm not jealous in the least. What kind of petty brother would think such a thing about his sister's good fortune," he lied.

"Great, glad there are no hard feelings!" Aang expressed with a look of disbelief. "Anyways, I went with her and Sokka on Appa to the Sun Warriors. They put her through the same trial we endured before they would give her the hatchling."

The Fire Lord's eyebrow lifted. "The same test. How did she do?"

Aang shook his head. "She's Azula, the prodigy. Of course, she passed the test with Ran and Shaw easily. It was like they were old buddies from the start. She was patting their heads and hugging them like they were house pets."

"Hard to imagine those behemoths as house pets! I figured she'd probably wouldn't even break a sweat!" he sighed disappointedly. "Remember we were peeing our pants that first time Aang!"

Sokka placed a hand on Zuko shoulder. "Let me tell ya, something bro; your sis put the fear of Agni in those Sun dudes. I think even those big dragons were a bit intimidated, especially when she shot out this light blue fire followed by all that lightning, twisting in with their bright flames!"

"It was quite a show," Aang confirmed.

Zuko shook his head. "I thought for sure she would have been just a little scared!"

"The only dragon I'm afraid of Zuzu is the one in my husband's pants!" the Fire princess confessed, joining the group as she slipped under Sokka's arm.

"Ewww… I didn't need to hear that! Please be a bit more modest, Azula! You are a princess of the realm!" Zuko reminded her.

"Sure, whatever Zuzu."

The Water Tribesman leaned in and softly kissed his wife. "Dragon hungry… feed dragon," Sokka growled as he hugged her tighter, nibbling at her long slender neck.

No matter how many times Zuko witnessed their affection, he could never get used to his sister's reaction. Her maidenly blush and sudden loss of words left him shocked and speechless as well.

"Later," Azula replied when she regained her senses from the nuzzling, pulling away.

As Sokka put on a pouty face, she slapped his chest with a loud thud. "Don't give me that look. I know you already been feeding that thing. Ty Lee saw you and Mai sneaking into that coat closet, and don't tell me it was for a discreet chat either. Her face was so red when she got back to the table she looked like she had come down with a fever!"

"Water Dragon fever," Aang added pointing at his guilty-looking friend.

Azula's head snapped around to deliver a chortle-stifling look. "Avatar, I understand that you and my Sokka have been acquaintances, uh, I mean friends, for a very long time. That still doesn't give you the privilege to act like our family, even if you were going to marry his dimwitted sister."

"Hey, she's your sister too, wife of mine," Sokka expressed in a somewhat 'irritated' tone.

Azula rolled her eyes. "And Zuko is your brother. I guess we both have our burdens to bear."

Aang started to laugh until both men gave him a steely glare. Choking it back, the Avatar began to cough and tear up. He also felt a bit strange when the Fire Princess winked at him. He still wasn't quite comfortable with them being on the same side.

"So where is the Duchess?" Azula asked.

"She's down the hall in the first office on the left," the groom reported. "Suki and Katara are with her as well."

The princess sighed in a loud groan. "Oh joy. I bet that bitching session is one for the record books. Well, let me rescue your bride, Avatar, before she dies of terminal stupidity. Between the two of them, I don't think even Duchess can last too long."

"Are you trying to get on my bad side Azula," the Fire Lord inquired. "If you keep talking about my wife that way, I'll…"

Azula began to chuckle. "You'll do what Zuzu? Will you spank me like a naughty child?"

Zuko became aware that he was speaking before he actually thought it through, but luckily his brother-in-law spoke up.

"He may not, but as sure as Tui and La, I will!"

She slowly turned to look into her husband's stern face. "Is that so?"

His blue eyes didn't blink. "Are you testing me, woman?"

Her smile looked more like a flame-wolf baring its teeth than a grin. "Rather I think you're testing me - man!"

Aang could feel the tension building between the couple mounting as the smell of ozone rolled off of the lightning bender.

"Careful husband, you don't want to make me angry!"

"Like I'm afraid of that!" Sokka sneered.

Aang began to worry about the situation but Zuko just shook his head.

Unexpectedly, Azula flung herself at Sokka, wrapping her arms about his neck as their mouths twisted and yawned in every increasing passion. Suddenly, the hall echoed with the open-handed slap he delivered to her backside. She slowly released him and stepped back.

Her face was as red as her butt Aang supposed. Oddly, she didn't appear that surprised by the resounding blow.

"Sokka is that closet you… were already, entertained Mai in, still available?"

"Probably."

"You did say the dragon needed feeding, did you not, husband?"

"Hmmm, I do recall something along those lines, wife."

"Did you happen to mention that for repartee or was your desire actual, husband?"

"I think my actions spoke louder than my words, wife."

Azula pursed her lips, looking oddly shy. "I see. So, two minutes then?"

"Better make that one. He is very, very hungry," Sokka stated holding up a finger. "Trust me, I plan to devour all of you, wife."

Azula gulped as her face grew even brighter. "One then it is, husband. I will go and secure our place."

"Huh, Azula? I thought you said you were going to rescue Toph," Aang moaned.

She bowed her head to him. "Sorry Avatar, you'll have to work that out on your own. I have my wifely duties to attend to and I can think of no greater honor. So please excuse me; time is fleeting ."

Before the air nomad could answer, she was already back in the reception hall.

"Well bros, it's been fun, but duty calls. There's a naughty princess that needs a spanking, and comforting. If you get my meaning, " he exclaimed with a wink before following his wife.

The Avatar shook his head. "I'm usually not around the both of them much; mostly It's one or the other. But they looked like they were ready to fight just now, not spoon."

Zuko started to laugh. "That's because fighting is their way of spooning. For my sister, that little tap on her rump was just an expression of affection. I've seen them both covered in bruises and scratches from a night of fooling around. I just hope they can keep it down in that closet. She's a screamer."

Aang's jaw dropped open.

"Oops, I think I said too much. Just forget I ever said that buddy."

"As long as I live Zuko, I don't think I can erase that information, or the image that brought to my mind," the Avatar confessed. "How do you know, eh, she screams."

The Fire Lord rubbed his forehead. "Uhm, well, when she and Sokka came to the palace, to ask for a pardon, she stayed in her old suite. That night, the guards woke me up saying they heard screaming and all kind of strange noises coming from the hall she was in. They didn't want to go and look because, well, she's Azula."

Aang tapped his chin. "Understandable, that sounds perfectly reasonable."

"Right? That's what I advised. Just ignore it," the Fire Lord disclosed. "I told them she was just crying tears of remorse… or something like that. I didn't know her and Sokka were already being, well, intimate."

"So the reason for all the commotion was his doing?"'

"Yep. Later that night, the guards heard another voice, and they got weirded out, thinking she was alone. They wanted to call a priest and perform an exorcism. We didn't realize at the time what was possessing her and driving her mad had nothing to do with spirits. I went to find out the truth. Before I did, Suki had beat me to the punch."

"Oh man, that must have been a shock!"

"I've never seen her so stunned before or since; she was walking back down the hall in this daze, babbling on about rabbiroos of all things, as she waved us back."

Aang's face contorted. "Rabbiroos?"

Zuko pursed his lips and nodded. "Rabbiroos. Suki later told me what she saw when she looked inside the room. Evidently, he cradled her under her thighs, with her back to him, like if she was in a rabbiroo's pouch," he explained, attempting to demonstrate the hand position on himself. "She told me Sokka was in this squat hopping around the room. By the time she spied them, Azula's body was almost limp and her eyes where rolled up in her head. Suki said the girl looked as if she was between ecstasy and the sweetest agony she had ever seen. Each hop I guess jolted her higher."

"Zuko did… did you ever… rabbiroo... with… Suki?"

The Fire Lord slyly smiled and nodded.

Aang stared longingly down the hall. 'Rabbiroo!'