Dance

Chapter summary: Azula and Sokka reminisce about a deal they made during Katara and Aang's wedding years ago.

Chapter rating: T

Chapter genres: Hurt/Comfort, Humor, Romance

The candlelight dimmed, the music swelled, and a dapperly dressed Sokka stood in front of the firebender who had captured his heart. "Shall we?" he asked, suavely extending his hand with a charming smile.

"We shall," Azula accepted, gracefully placing her hand in his and allowing him to escort her onto the palace ballroom floor.

The pair commanded the attention of the room. All eyes were on them. It wasn't the first time, and it almost certainly wouldn't be the last. They were quite the odd pair, the master swordsman from the Southern Water Tribe and the royal firebending prodigy from the Fire Nation. Just three years ago and no one would have seen this coming, not even the couple of the hour themselves.

Showing her off with spins and intricate footwork, he directed her movements with confidence and ease to the rhythm of the music. Her gown swayed and swirled around her feet, echoing the elegant motions of her body. They were well-practiced, that much was clear.

The music slowed to a more appropriate tempo for the given occasion, and Sokka pulled his dance partner close, gazing lovingly into her sparkling yellow eyes.

"Do you remember the first time we danced?" He spoke softly, keeping their conversation private, away from prying ears.

"I most certainly do," she replied as a mischievous smile crept across her face. "Your sister's wedding, three years ago."

"Has it really been that long?" he chuckled. "Time flies."

"Indeed." She lowered her eyes at him. "But the real question is… do you remember the deal we made back then?"

"How could I forget?" he grinned before adopting a more serious demeanor.

"What?" she said flatly. "Don't you go getting all sentimental on me now…"

"Azula," he breathed, gently squeezing her hand. "So much has happened since then."

"Tell me about it."

Three years earlier…

"Why so glum?" Azula asked softly, sneaking up behind Sokka as he watched Katara and Hakoda share their father-daughter dance. "Today is supposed to be a joyous occasion, you know."

He remained quiet, staring at his sister and father with a bittersweet smile.

"Your sister just got married… you might want to look like, you know, like…" She gestured over to Aang, who was grinning from ear to ear with big fat happy tears rolling down his cheeks. "…well, maybe not quite like the groom, but you get my point."

"I know," he exhaled, "and I am happy for them, obviously, but…"

"Look, I know why you're upset. You don't have to say it."

"You do?"

"Yes." She paused. "It's hard for you to watch Katara have her father-daughter dance when you know you won't get dance with your mother at your own wedding."

"H-How…?" He turned to her, utterly dumbfounded. "Don't tell me mindreading is another special secret firebending technique like lightning bending…"

"Don't be ridiculous," she laughed.

"Then how do you know exactly what's going on in my head, hm?"

"I'm a people person," she said smugly.

"Well, I guess in a weird way, I'm… thankful for that. I mean, at least someone noticed." He scowled as he shot his melancholy blue eyes over at Suki.

"Girlfriend trouble?"

"You could say that. I guess I just feel like – ah, I shouldn't bother you with this. Why would you care about my love life anyway?"

"Well, Sokka," she shrugged, "you just so happen to be the most interesting person here."

"Wow, you really think so? Thank you, that means a – "

"It's a low bar."

"Oh."

"I'm just teasing you. Try to lighten up, okay? You're at a wedding," she smiled. "And please, by all means, enlighten me about your girlfriend woes. I'm all ears."

"Well…" He turned to Azula and lowered his voice. "I guess lately I've been feeling like Suki and I have been drifting apart."

"How long have you felt this way?"

"Since the war ended, really. I-I think I didn't realize it sooner because we were both so busy, but when I take a step back and think about it objectively, we barely saw each other after the war because we… we don't really make time for each other." He let out a self-pitying laugh. "And between you and me, I kinda suspected she had a crush on your brother at some point."

"Ew, what?!" Azula gasped, wrinkling her nose.

"Yeah," he continued to laugh. "And now, it seems like she'd rather spend her free time with Ty Lee than with me."

Azula looked over at Suki, who had her arm around Ty Lee's waist as the two young women swayed to the music while watching Katara dance with her father. "Hmm…"

"Anyway, I guess what I'm saying is…" Sokka sighed deeply. "I'm thinking of breaking up with her. Not only because we've been drifting apart, but also because she never notices when I'm feeling off – I mean, even you noticed of all people, no offense – "

"None taken – "

" – Not to mention she has an absolutely abhorrent taste in music – "

"Sokka," she interrupted. "I should probably come clean about something."

He cocked an eyebrow.

"The only reason why I suspected you may be feeling blue is because I went through the exact same thing at Zuko and Mai's wedding. During the mother-son dance."

"Oh… I'm – I'm sorry, I didn't even think about – "

"Yeah." She exhaled sharply. "The only father figure I've ever had is a selfish, egotistical megalomaniac who only ever cared about himself and never loved me. And Iroh… he's always been like a father to Zuko, but never to me, and I know there's Noren, but I just don't feel any sort of connection to him… anyway, it's not like any of this matters since I'm never going to get married."

"What makes you say that?" he asked, concerned.

"Well, I'm not one to count my possum-chickens before they hatch – "

"Do possum-chickens even hatch? I mean, do they come from eggs, or…"

"You know, I've always wondered how that expression originated…"

"I didn't mean to interrupt," he said, shaking his head. "So why don't you think you'll ever get married?"

She scoffed. "Who would want to marry me? I've never even had a boyfriend."

"Really?" he chuckled.

"Don't laugh!"

"I'm not – I, I just find that hard to believe, that's all."

"And why's that?"

"Because…" His laughter died down and he was just left with a silly smile on his face. "…you're a catch."

"Oh, stop." She broke eye contact with him for a moment and then looked back up at him. "Actually never mind, go on."

"Well you're smart, talented, quick-witted, and umm…"

"…Yes?"

"Very beautiful, if you don't mind me saying."

"Well," she blushed, "all of that is true."

"See, you have nothing to worry about," he smiled, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. "And when you do eventually find your forever person, which you will, you won't have to worry about the father-daughter dance because… I-I'll be there for you."

"Oh, really?" she asked incredulously. "You'll fill in? As my father…"

"W-Well it doesn't have to be like that!" he stammered. "I just meant that you'll never have to feel alone."

"That's sweet of you," she smiled. "And presumptuous. Who says you'll even be invited to the wedding anyway?"

He scoffed, pretending to take offense.

She snickered. "But in all seriousness, I… I appreciate that. Thank you, and ummm… I'll extend to you the same offer, you know, for your future wedding, whenever that may be. So you'll never have to feel alone either."

"Well, well, well, Azula," he grinned, removing his hand from her shoulder and offering it for a handshake, "looks like we have ourselves a deal." The music faded; Sokka watched Katara give their father a big hug and step off the dancefloor. Some of the guests filed back to their seats while others took the opportunity to dance among themselves.

"Deal," she said eagerly, shaking his hand. She smirked.

"What? Did I just walk myself into a trap?"

"No, no," she laughed, "nothing like that. I was just thinking about how everyone would react to seeing us dancing together."

"You would think of that, wouldn't you," he grinned. "Well, it would certainly give people something to talk about."

"That's an understatement."

"Yeah," he chuckled, "they'd totally flip out. Especially your brother – "

"And your sister!"

"That's just the icing on the wedding cake. Although… there is one slight problem with our little plan."

"Oh?" she asked, arching an eyebrow.

"I don't know how to dance," he grimaced.

"Yes you do, I've seen you dance – "

"No, you've seen drunk Sokka dance. I don't know how to dance formally. Or sober."

"Well I can help you with that." She offered him her hand.

"Right now?"

"Why not?"

He looked over at Suki and then back at Azula. Smiling, he took her hand. "Lead the way."

Present…

He chuckled, disturbing her head resting on his shoulder as they continued to dance together in the middle of the ballroom.

"What is it now?!" she hissed, picking her head up.

"It's just that…" He continued to laugh. "…our plan didn't work."

"No," she snickered, "I suppose it did not. One may even consider it to be a colossal failure."

"I guess that depends on how you look at it." He smiled softly at her.

She returned his affectionate gaze, her cheeks reddening. "It's not like either of us could have predicted this back then…"

"That our wedding days would be one in the same?" he grinned.

"Mmhmm. And as a result, you don't need me to step in for your mother-son dance – "

"And I won't need to fill in for your father, although…" He leaned down and whispered into her ear. "You do call me 'daddy' sometimes…"

"Not. Here," she muttered through her teeth, her cheeks turning a deep shade of crimson.

He laughed from deep within his belly. "Hey, how about we come up with a new plan then? A plan B."

"I'm listening…"

"Well, since you're joining my family and I'm joining yours, how about we ask our new in-laws to dance?"

"Ooh," she said, intrigued. "A father-in-law-daughter-in-law dance and a mother-in-law-son-in-law dance? How traditional."

"Screw tradition. We'll make our own."

"I like that," she whispered, gazing warmly into his blue eyes. "And I love you."

"I love you too."