I'll be partaking in the Sokkla Saturdays initiative! If you wish to join in, feel free to participate with your own content for the upcoming Saturdays (it's spanning from October 3rd to November 28th). You can find the prompts on Tumblr's sokkla blog, feel free to contact me via DMs if you need further info to participate.

Without further ado, here we go!

Aang had always been a cheerful young man, but he had certainly never met anyone quite as enthusiastic and optimistic as Guozhi. He was ten years Aang's senior (or, perhaps, Aang was ninety years his?), and he behaved with the childish wonderment of a toddler sometimes, so thrilled by the changing times that it was difficult to keep up with him, even for the Avatar. Aang rather enjoyed working with the man, who had a grand vision for the future of Republic City: he had been chosen by Earth King Kuei as the Earth Kingdom's representative to sit on the growing city's council, and he seemed most eager to put his overflowing energies to good use by working in politics.

That being said… there were drawbacks to a man with such rambunctious personality. Such as the one Aang was facing right now:

"I know you were excited, but we told Sokka we'd come by at ten… it's still seven!" Aang exclaimed, but Guozhi ignored him, humming a random tune as he rushed up the stairs of the building they had only just entered freely – the Avatar was always allowed to go wherever he pleased, a fact Guozhi couldn't seem to get enough of.

"I know, I know, but isn't this exciting?!" exclaimed Guozhi, beaming. "You and I, the first members of the Council of Republic City, shall be recruiting the third one today! I can't wait to meet him!"

Aang sighed but smiled, following Guozhi until they reached the third floor, where Sokka's current apartment was. Aang had only met Guozhi a couple of weeks ago, after Kuei had sent him as his envoy, and he hadn't been able to introduce him to anyone but Katara so far, since Guozhi had been living with them, if only temporarily, while his new accommodations were settled. Sokka had been somewhat elusive as of late, and Toph was far too busy with her police force to spend time greeting Aang's new friends… even so, Aang had managed to send a message to Sokka two days ago, asking if he would be open for meeting with him and Guozhi… Sokka had only sent back an agreement to their meeting yesterday afternoon, telling them to drop by at ten. And it was seven. Oh, he'd be so angry…

"Okay, okay, this is the one, right?" Guozhi announced, stopping at the door. "Can we knock yet? Or do you want us to stand out here for three hours instead? I mean, you could tell me all about how you defeated the Fire Lord again, if you'd like! I know you've already told me the story, but I wouldn't mind hearing it once more, it'll make it even more vivid to revisit it and…!"

"Oh, Guozhi," Aang sighed, smiling awkwardly and patting his shoulder. "Just… wait for a moment, okay? I'll do the talking. If he's not up for seeing us yet, I guess we'll just wait. Alright?"

"Fine, yes, go ahead! Right on ahead!" Guozhi grinned, almost vibrating with excitement. "I'm going to meet Sokka… Sokka! Team Avatar's genius!"

"Well, keep calling him that and he'll definitely like you quickly," Aang smiled before turning towards the door.

He knocked softly, biting his lip as he waited to hear any sounds. Nothing. He knocked again, a little louder, and called:

"Sokka? I… I'm sorry, buddy, I know we're a bit earlier than you told us, but… you think you can see us yet?"

At first, nothing. Then… a soft rustling. Aang frowned: he couldn't hear remotely as well as Toph could, but after many years of training his seismic sense, he had learned to pick up vibrations even without trying to. So, how about genuinely trying to…?

He stepped hard on the floor, startling Guozhi: he sensed the man beside him, but also the corridor, and the living room, just past the door… a rather messy, chaotic room, it seemed. And then, beyond that… movement. There was movement inside: Sokka was home, and he was awake, too.

"What was that? Was that some secret Avatar intimidation technique?!" asked Guozhi, grinning "I wanna try it!"

He stepped hard on the floor too, making a strange, angry face that broke into a grin mere seconds afterwards. He whipped his head towards Aang, his long hair spinning in the air as he waited for the Avatar's approval.

"Well? How did I do?" he asked, beaming.

"Uh… great! Really good job!" Aang smiled, though he chose to knock on the door again. Sokka wouldn't take it well if he knew Aang had been using his seismic sense against him, to a fault… "Sokka? I think I hear you in there? Again, buddy, I'm sorry, but…!"

Clumsy, quick footsteps rushed to the door, which opened with a light creak: only a sliver of room could be seen through the now ajar door. And the blue eye that lurked behind it should have seemed menacing, Aang thought, as he pulled away worriedly… but instead, it seemed he was panicking just as much as Aang was.

"Aang…? D-didn't I ask you to come later, dammit?" Sokka squeaked.

"Sorry, buddy," Aang said, with an awkward smile. "We can wait until you're decent, though!"

"Heh. That sure helps," Sokka growled. "Just… give me a minute, okay? I've got, well… stuff to deal with first."

"Oh. Uh, sure?" said Aang.

"We'll wait! We can! See, now you can tell me the story of the Fire Lord's defeat again," Guozhi said, nudging Aang as Sokka frowned.

"Well, now, Aang doesn't tell it right," he huffed. Aang laughed as Guozhi gasped, excitedly.

"And you do?! Oh, you must tell me!" Guozhi exclaimed, startling both Aang and Sokka as he rushed to the door.

Sokka leapt back for his own sake, realizing Aang's new friend would push the door open so brusquely it'd smack him in the face if he didn't get out of the way. All those months on a journey during his teenage years, fielding blows of all sorts, whether friendly or not, had definitely done wonders for his reflexes and ability to avoid dangerous attacks…

But perhaps it would have been a good idea to stay behind the door, preventing it from swinging open in a rush, allowing Aang and his friend to see the inside of Sokka's apartment… the messy inside of Sokka's apartment.

Sokka himself wasn't in the most respectable of shapes: he had dressed up lightly only, lacking a belt with which to close his sleeveless shirt and to ensure his pants wouldn't tumble down his waist. His hair was a ruffled mess too, but what startled Aang the most were the darkened stains on his skin over his neck and abdomen.

"Sokka? Are you okay?" Aang asked, stepping closer to his friend, who grimaced and leapt back. "You look…! What's with your skin, buddy? You should go see Katara, she can probably help…!"

"I don't need Katara's help!" Sokka exclaimed. "B-besides, you two said you could wait, go back outside while I fix this place!"

"Fix it? Well, I like messy places!" said Guozhi, grinning before stepping up towards Sokka. "I'm Guozhi! You're Sokka! I'm the new Representative for the Earth Kingdom in the Republic City Council, and we want you to be the Southern Water Tribe representative!"

"Y-you… woah, woah, woah, WHAT?!" Sokka exclaimed, turning to Aang with eyes wide as plates. "Are you trying to tell me that… that all along this was for a job interview?!"

"Uh… sort of?" Aang grinned awkwardly.

"You totally should do it, though! You're the Avatar's friend! The genius of Team Avatar!" Guozhi exclaimed, clapping excitedly. Sokka blinked blankly before raising an eyebrow.

"Well, can't argue with that, but hey, why didn't you at least think to ask me if I want to, first of all?" Sokka said, turning to Aang again.

"Uh, that's literally why we're here? To ask you?" Aang said, with an awkward smile. "Look, we'll explain everything right now, but are you sure you're okay? We haven't heard that much from you in the past month or so? I did want to check on you anyways, but I didn't think you might be sick…"

"I'm not. I'm not sick, Aang," Sokka said, with an awkward smile. "Now, though, you can just… wait until ten, right? It's really early, way too early, I never get up at this hour and I could use a moment to get adjusted to this ridiculous situation, not to mention clean things up? So…"

"You sure?" Aang said, before sighing and shrugging. "Well… I know Guozhi isn't the type to judge, and you and I go way back! So, you know, maybe to make up for what we just did, we can help you clean up! How does that sound?"

"Uh, no. Definitely not! Haha, ha, why would I have the Avatar and his friend cleaning up my house? That's stupid!" Sokka exclaimed: the panic in his behavior was even more alarming now than before. Aang crooked an eyebrow.

"Sokka…?" he said. Sokka blinked blankly.

"What?"

"Are you hiding something?" he asked.

"No…?" Sokka mumbled. Aang, however, snorted and laughed.

"Come on, if this mess is because you adopted a pet, I'm the last guy who'd be against it! Oh, wait, is that what that thing on your skin is? Are you allergic to…?"

"I'm not allergic to anything, I…!" Sokka exclaimed, before shutting his mouth tightly. So he didn't want to make noise? Aang frowned, confused again. "There's no pet. Nothing like that. And I can fix this without your help, I don't need…"

"Oh? That's fancy."

The color drained from Sokka's face when he glanced at Guozhi: he was holding a flowing, silken robe in his hands… a red, flowing, silken robe. Aang glanced between the robe and Sokka for a moment, as the non-bender raised a hand, as to speak… and no sounds came out.

That was what convinced Aang to try again: his seismic sense was nowhere near as good as Toph's, but he was sure he could feel more of the apartment's contents now than before…

Aang slammed a foot onto the floor, and Sokka was far too late to stop him. He gasped and turned towards the Avatar, mortified… unable to stop Aang from sensing that there was one more person inside his bedroom.

Aang's eyes met Sokka's. Sokka's eyes met Aang's. Guozhi watched them both, curious and amused.

"Well… it is a nice robe," he said, again. "Is it you want it for yourself, Aang? I guess it needs to be washed before you can use it, but…"

"Sokka?" Aang asked. Sokka shook his head immediately. "Sokka…"

"Nothing! No! There's… t-there's a nice restaurant, two blocks down! You two head down there, and I'll meet you right there! Just…!"

Nothing he said could convince Aang to leave now, he knew. Guozhi appeared utterly clueless, even now, of the fact that the robe he was holding belonged to a woman… and that its colors didn't match Sokka's usual outfits. It wasn't something a stranger could know, but Guozhi made nothing of it, even while watching the Avatar and his brother-in-law acting rather strangely towards each other…

"Sokka," Aang repeated, for the third time, and his friend only whimpered and shook his head.

"Just go, please, I'll join your weird Council if I have to but just get out before…"

"Ugh, what's all this ruckus? So much shouting, and after the night we had, too… can't you deal with your friends quietly when you know others are sleeping?"

The color drained from Sokka's face at first, and then it rushed back at such force Aang could only wonder if he would grow dizzy over such violently varying blood flow. Yet it was difficult to focus on Sokka… when the obvious owner of the red, elegant robe stood at the doorway.

Sokka gritted his teeth and turned, slowly, powerless to stop to the guaranteed catastrophe that was about to take place…

Her hair was messily, newly tied up in a lazy ponytail, and her body, to his deep relief, wasn't fully exhibited for everyone to see… despite her clothes had been scattered across the living room, during yesterday's wild frenzy. It happened every time she visited… which had been just about every day in the past month. At one point, she had spent a whole week without leaving his apartment, and Sokka could only rejoice in that… but he didn't particularly plan for his best friend to see his secret girlfriend wearing nothing but one of Sokka's own shirts. It was long enough to cover her down to her thighs… but the message about what she was doing here was loud and clear. And the sight of her, just like that, sent so many impulsive urges rushing through Sokka's body and mind… but the rational mind was determined to overcome the irrational one, for now, and he only gazed at Azula pleadingly as she stood at the bedroom's threshold, arms folded over her chest.

"What?" she said, at Sokka's silent staring. "Oh, this? Yeah, I misplaced my clothes, as usual. I figured it was fine to borrow some of yours while I found out what all the shouting and noise was about…?"

"Y-you just…" Sokka said, before sighing and hanging his head. "You look so good I can't even stare at you anymore."

"Ah. Nice to know," Azula replied, smirking haughtily as the Avatar's hands moved up to his bald head.

"Y-you two have been…?! W-what is this, Sokka?!" Aang exclaimed. Sokka grunted, glaring at him.

"It's something new and really cool, is what it is!" he huffed, though to his embarrassment, Azula seemed to find his defense of their relationship rather amusing. "And what's so funny? I know we'd thought we'd keep this quiet for now, b-but…! Well, we can't anymore. It's not really my fault, by the way, I told you last night they'd arrive at ten because they said they would and now…!"

"So defensive and frantic, Sokka. One would think you're sleeping with the enemy… Oh, wait a minute," Azula said, tapping her chin playfully as Sokka groaned and covered his face with his hands. She still smirked in his direction afterwards, and Aang raised an eyebrow as he struggled to grapple with the reality they presented.

"S-so, wait, you two are…? Like, the two of you…?" Aang said, fear plain across his eyes.

"Oh, you didn't know Sokka has a girlfriend?" asked Guozhi, regaining everyone's attention without expecting to: Azula frowned as she stared at the clothes he was still holding onto.

"That's… mine," she said, cuttingly. Guozhi grinned awkwardly before handing it to her.

"Sorry about that. Though… wait a minute," said Guozhi, blinking blankly as he gazed at Azula, "You look Fire Nation. You must be Fire Nation!"

"Oh, must I?" Azula replied, smirking. Sokka sighed.

"This guy is… the new representative of the Earth Kingdom for Republic City's Council," he explained to Azula, who nodded.

"I see. And why is he tagging after the Avatar to check on his brother-in-law?" Azula asked.

"They apparently had some weird plans to rope me into their fancy council without telling me beforehand," Sokka grunted, his eyebrow twitching as Azula eyed him with interest.

"My, my. Is that so? Councilman Sokka… well, that sounds interesting," she smirked. Sokka huffed.

"I don't see what's interesting about it, myself," he growled. "And I guess they should be explaining, but… uh, I guess Aang's still processing things and he's not about to talk anytime soon."

"Y-you and Azula…" he said, shaking his head. "Oh, Katara's going to lose it. She's so going to lose it…"

"Which is kind of why we didn't tell everyone about it right away…?" Sokka said, with a significant and slightly threatening smile. Aang, however, was so lost in thought he couldn't seem to listen to him at all.

"Well, it's why you didn't want to tell everyone about it. Me? I told you watching our respective siblings have a nervous meltdown would be hilarious," Azula smirked, shrugging. "Goodness, come to think of it, I wouldn't want to miss her reaction: can we go to the Avatar's island today, so we can see the look on your sister's face once she sees us holding hands?"

"You suggested something a little more intense than holding hands the last time you wanted to torment her with our relationship…" Sokka said, smiling a little as Azula huffed.

"Well, fine, then. If that's how you want it, a make-out session it is…"

"Hey! Y-you're not… no! You can't just go to my place unannounced just to…!"

"Can't we, now?" Azula smirked. Sokka huffed.

"Considering you barged into mine, three hours before our agreed meeting time?" Sokka asked.

"Not to mention… you do want something from Sokka, don't you? One would think you shouldn't be denying other people's wishes when you want them to do something for you, should you?" Azula smirked. To her delight, Sokka actually snickered at Aang's increasing outrage.

"That's not the point!" Aang exclaimed. Sokka sighed and shook his head, rubbing his forehead with his fingertips. "It's… this is a huge deal! It's the two of you! Sokka, it's Azula, the Fire Nation's Princess? You shouldn't be…!"

"Woah, that's who you were? I thought the name was familiar, I did…!" Guozhi said, gazing at Azula in surprise. "But I couldn't recognize you at all. See, I saw you once, back in Ba Sing Se, I think? When you took the city? But then you left so it was just one glimpse and you were really young – though so was I, but still…"

"Ah, you want confirmation of my identity?" Azula said, raising an eyebrow… and then a hand, where a sudden burst of blue fire startled and delighted Guozhi on equal measure.

"Ahaha! It is her! It's…! Ooooh, it's amazing! The Southern Water Tribe's Chief's son, and the Fire Lord's sister! It's a match for the ages! You two should be…!"

"What the…?! Guozhi, that's not what we're here to do, this isn't a matchmaking session…!"

"Of course it's not: the match's all made by now" Sokka grinned, glancing at Azula who wrinkled her nose suggestively in his direction. Sokka couldn't contain a laugh as the Princess stepped forward, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Do you need me to leave, though? I was planning to, when we thought your meeting was at ten…"

"Eh, what for" Sokka smiled, shrugging. "I'd rather you're here. You can help me get rid of this job offer faster, right?"

"Rid of it?" Azula said, raising her eyebrows. "Say… why, exactly, do you want to get rid of it?"

"Because… I don't want to be a councilman?" Sokka said, looking at her with utter perplexity. "Why would I?"

"Ah, beyond having enough power to shape this city into whatever you wish to make it?" Azula said, before smirking and leaning close to whisper in his ear. "Because Councilman Sokka sounds… hot."

Sokka blinked blankly a couple of times, and yet again, his cheeks were flooded with color once Azula pulled away. She seemed utterly satisfied with his reaction, especially when he suddenly smiled at Aang.

"S-so… you really want to offer me that job?" he said, scratching the back of his neck.

"Uh… I don't know. I mean, sure? But…" Aang said, sighing and shaking his head. "Okay, I'm torn here. I don't know whether you two are the best match of all time or the worst one and… I'm not sure I want to know?"

"Oh, relax, Avatar. How is it any of your business what I do to your brother-in-law behind closed doors?" Azula asked, rolling her eyes.

"Not to mention…" said Guozhi, smiling brightly at the surprising couple… and then at Aang. "We're still short two more representatives, you know? Even if Sokka agrees. So…"

"Oh, you are?" Sokka asked. Guozhi grinned and nodded.

"Yeah. The Northern Water Tribe one, and the Fire Nation one," he said.

Sokka froze before glancing at the woman standing beside him: her grip over his arm had tightened, and now her eyes glowed with interest… perhaps even with greed. It was surely a quality many other people would consider terrifying, especially in the eyes of someone as dangerous as Azula… yet Sokka's heart leapt in his chest, and his lower regions tingled pleasantly for it. She wanted this… just as she had wanted him, many times, throughout the last month. And so far, he was as happy as could be with the result of giving Azula what she wanted… so would it be a good idea for her to serve as Councilwoman, representing the Fire Nation?

Aang, naturally, was frozen cold at Guozhi's suggestion. It seemed he had lost his breath altogether, as well as his chance to approve or disapprove of the sudden turn of events. Oh, this could be amazing… and it could be a nightmare, just the same. That those two were in a relationship was already plenty to process… but for Azula to become Councilwoman? Azula, of all people…?

"Who exactly is in charge of choosing members for this council?" Azula asked, smiling slowly.

"So far? Uh, well, Avatar Aang got started with the initiative, so he's the Air Nomad representative, for now," said Guozhi. "He asked King Kuei for a representative, and he suggested me! And then Aang thought Sokka would work well as representative for the Water Tribe, because his father surely would approve! And… I guess we would've asked Fire Lord Zuko for any advice on who to choose, right? But what for? His sister is already here! It's perfect!"

"P-perfect…?" Aang asked. Sokka cleared his throat.

"I'd think the current members of the council ought to vote regarding recruiting Princess Azula as the Fire Nation's representative," he announced, pompously. Azula snorted and smirked knowingly at him. "Which is, of course, the three of us. So! All in favor?"

Sokka and Guozhi raised their hands, prompting Azula to laugh as Aang stared at her in chagrin. To this moment, this whole morning had been utterly surreal… and he still had no idea if any of what was going on was a good idea. Yet Sokka seemed so sure of himself… he didn't seem to doubt Azula, in the least. One day, Aang guessed, he'd understand why that was… one day he'd figure out why Sokka seemed to trust the Princess who had given them chase and fought against them for so many years. It wouldn't be today, for sure, but there had to be more at play involved than mere lust, especially when they smiled at each other with such surprising affection…

"I guess that's settled, then," Sokka grinned. "We'll send a bird to Zuko! He'll be thrilled, I'm sure."

"Oh, so thrilled," Azula snickered, shaking her head.

"T-then… you're both taking the jobs?" Aang said. "I mean, well, I didn't exactly plan to offer you one, Azula, but… you want to do this? Are you sure? I mean, it's a lot of work! Diplomacy and solving petty problems and deciding on laws and such…? Are you sure it's what you want to do?"

The Princess released a breath, letting her gaze travel upwards to find Sokka's own, which was fixed upon her. He smiled encouragingly, and she could only reciprocate his grin wholeheartedly as her hand slipped down his forearm until her fingers intertwined with his. She glanced at Aang again, speaking with utmost confidence, her perennial proud smirk on her face:

"When do we start?"