Azula spent the week trying to ignore the day Katara came over. A complete lack of self-control. What was she thinking? Sexual attractions were distracting, especially consistent ones. Azula limited herself to one-night stands for this reason.

She heaved and hit the punching bag in front of her. Her fists pounded into it. Jab. Cross. Jab. Hook. Azula then spun into a roundhouse kick and released all her strength into the bag. She grimaced as it suddenly spun out of control, the strength of her kick forcing the bag to swing wildly.

Zuko looked up from his weights. Music was playing loudly in their home gym but Azula's pounding had gotten his attention.

"Hey you good?"

Azula wiped a towel across her body, "Yes."

Zuko shrugged, "Okay."

She turned to go shower when Zuko called out, "You coming to dinner with us tonight?"

Azula looked at him, "What?"

"Dinner, Katara texted me asking if you're coming," he laughed, "I honestly don't even know how you guys are friends."

"We're acquaintances."

He gave her a weird look, "Uh okay, well are you coming or not?"

Azula sighed. She couldn't ignore Katara forever. "Sure."

Soon the siblings were lounging on their front porch waiting for Sokka and Katara to pick them up. Zuko, as per usual, threw on the same black leather jacket while Azula adopted a slight business casual. She wore loose black pants with an expensive blazer jacket pulled over her shoulders.

A blue Volvo pulled up blasting rap from its windows. Azula cringed and started to head over. She saw Katara in the back and was about to grab the front seat when Zuko opened the door before her and slid in. Fuck.

Sokka immediately started chattering about his day and the food they were about to try when the siblings buckled in. Azula was only awkwardly aware of Katara next to her.

"Hey," Katara looked at her curiously, "How are you?"

"Fine." Azula settled more into her seat.

Katara frowned but didn't respond for the rest of the drive. Sokka finally pulled in front of the restaurant and the four of them stepped out to meet the rest of their friends. Suki, Aang, and Toph sat at a round table in the middle. Aang waved happily to them.

"Hey guys!" Aang smiled.

"Hey," Zuko gestured towards her, "So this is my sister Azula."

Azula rolled her eyes, "I think they know Zu zu."

Zuko turned red as Toph started laughing, "I like this girl already."

Toph's laughing lightened the mood and everyone sat down to order. Azula stayed mostly silent as Sokka and Aang took over the conversation. She couldn't help but notice the awkward tension between him and Katara. She smirked.

Katara gave her look beside her, "What?"

Azula gestured with her chopsticks to Aang across the table, "That's the boy you friend zoned."

Katara choked and started coughing.

For the first time that night, Azula laughed.

Katara glared at her, "You don't need to be so obvious." She glanced quickly at Aang to see if he noticed.

Azula rolled her eyes, "Relax, he's talking too much to even notice us."

Katara sighed and went back to her food. They ate in silence for the rest of the meal as the rest of the table talked about school and politics.

When the bill was paid and everyone was heading out, Katara cornered Azula as Sokka and Zuko went to find the car. "You've been ignoring me."

"No I have not. Some students have work to do."

Katara stared at her, "What's wrong with you, I thought we were friends."

Azula sighed and half-lied, "Cultivating friendships is not my strong suit."

Katara gave her a weird look and started laughing. "I actually have no problem believing you."

Azula frowned and brushed at her jacket, "Okay there's no need for any of that."

The sun was starting to set over Republic City and the bars were starting to open. Katara's face suddenly lit up, "Let's hang out tonight."

Azula felt her stomach tighten, "There's nothing to do here."

Katara waved her arms at the city, "Oh come on, let's just get dessert so we can "cultivate" our friendship."

A blue Volvo pulled up next to them and Azula sighed, "Fine." Fuck. Why did she just agree to this?

Katara smiled and walked to the car to tell Sokka that they were going to have a girl's night. Azula could see Zuko in the passenger's seat staring at her curiously. Sokka just shrugged, but her brother knew that Azula only hung out with Mai or Ty Lee.

Katara walked back from the car, "Okay I know a place, it has the best view too."

Azula let Katara call an Uber and they arrived at a quaint shop that sat right next to the water. They got out and Katara waved Azula away to the benches by the water, "I'll surprise you."

Azula raised an eyebrow, "I could very well be allergic to certain things."

"Well are you?"

"No, but-"

Katara laughed, "Just go sit down, you agreed to come here with me so it's my treat."

Azula acquiesced and walked over to the benches. The ocean waves splashed against the docks as she sat down. She leaned against the armrest and tried to ignore how she didn't dislike this girl.

Golden hour peered down on them as Katara walked over with two cones of ice cream. "Here, it's strawberry."

"Not a very creative surprise."

"Just try it."

Azula tasted the pink. Katara smiled as she immediately took another taste.

"Good isn't it?"

"It's definitely of a higher standard."

Katara smiled in satisfaction and sat down next to her. They watched the turning colors of blue in silence as they ate. The sun was gently setting and Azula suddenly grew uncomfortable with how romantic this night had become. She shifted a little farther away from Katara.

"Do I make you uncomfortable?" Katara frowned.

Azula grimaced, "No." She finished her ice cream and crossed her arms, "I'm just not used to people being so direct...or nice to me."

"Oh."

Azula cleared her throat, "I know I'm not as...entertaining as everyone else."

Katara laughed, "I think you're more entertaining than you think."

Azula stayed silent, she wasn't sure how to react to compliments. She glanced at Katara in the corner of her eye and noticed how she was almost entranced by the waves.

"Is there something about the water?"

"Hmm?" Katara looked at her.

"You seem to enjoy being around water."

A flash of uncertainty crossed Katara's face, and she reached up to touch her necklace. A moment of silence passed between them, "Water reminds me of my mom," Katara paused, "She taught me how to swim before she passed away."

"Oh, I didn't mean to-"

"It's okay," Katara gave her a gentle smile and looked at her curiously. She said carefully, "What about your parents, does anything remind you of them?"

Azula gave a bitter laugh, "Maybe when I learned about divorce law in class." She shrugged, "You probably already know that they split when Zuko and I were very young. They aren't the best parents." Azula uncrossed her arms, "Extremely wealthy and famous, but lacking in common parental love."

Azula felt a hand slip into hers.

"I'm sorry," Katara squeezed her hand.

She didn't respond, and they sat there for the rest of the night. Katara's fingers interlocked with hers until Azula gently pulled away.