HANAMI DAY

DAY 20

The Fire Lord was sat in his usual place, with both of his children by each side, in front of him, sat at the other side of the room was Avatar Aang as well as four Air nomads, at one side of the room the Water Tribes, Chief Arnook and Chief Hakoda with his children, Sokka and Katara at each side of his father, and at the other side, King Bumi and King Kuei.

"Now, that we have figured out that matter, we can move on with the next one," the Fire Lord said as the court clerk finished writing in the scroll, they wanted to have everything said in the meeting written down, "Location. I believe we have discussed two possible locations, Yu Dao and Cranefish Town?"

The meeting had extended for hours by now; they had talked about deals between the nations, and eventually had moved on towards more complicated business, until getting to the prime topic, the cause of the Unification Movement, deciding and establish the basis for the first-ever city involving the four nations.

Adapting the new city it was going to take time, and they knew that. The inauguration was planned to be in at least three more summers to have time to try and arrange either the laws or the multiple deals.

"Yu Dao would be the best option," uttered King Kuei, "It's the first colony, and it's also turning into one of the wealthiest cities quickly."

Azula frowned at the statement, was it Yu Dao, truly the best option? Yu Dao was a good option, but it couldn't be the best one. The grounds were not the most appropriate and there were other facts that they would have to deal with first.

"Everyone agrees?" the Fire Lord asked, looking around at the other leader's approval, few doubted while others were sure of it, but he stopped when he saw his daughter expression, a troubling one, "What is it Princess?" he asked intrigued to know what was going thru her mind. He could tell she was troubled.

When her father addressed her, she glanced in his direction. "It's just… Isn't it maybe... a rushed decision?"

"A rushed decision?" he repeated in a low voice confused and studying her as well as the other 14 pairs of eyes. They needed her to explain herself better.

"It's just… Let's think for a moment of Yu Dao's location, it's a wide, flat valley which it would be great for the development of crop growth," she explained, "And the rocky terrain on all sides as the near mountains would be excellent for mining, but it lacks in other areas."

Everyone remained in silence waiting for her to continue and explain her point of view, "The nearest seashore is hours away, either by foot or by carriage. The city doesn't have an easy access, which eventually it would become a problem once the city starts to grow," said the Princess.

"I agree with the Princess," said Chief Hakoda, "Also, the nearest bay is big enough to have only two water tribe ships anchored at the same time," he added, "And our ships are smaller than Fire Nation ones. Once we start sending more ships, we are going to start dealing with maritime traffic, and eventually, it would become a chaos."

The small bay was another problem. Once people started to travel towards the Earth Kingdom and also the trade between nations started to flow efficiency, a small bay wouldn't be enough to do the job. And after all time it is equals to money.

"But Yu Dao had proved to be an effective city where people from either the Fire Nation and the Earth Kingdom can co-exist," Chief Arnook intervene, "Why not we follow that trail? The foundations are already there, it will be easier."

"Just because it's easier, it doesn't mean it's best," intervened Avatar Aang in a calm tone, the nomads next to him agreed to his words, "Yu Dao is a city already well established, and almost fully independent from their respective nations, while Cranefish Town is a small town which is developing faster than any other town."

"If the location of Cranefish Town is chosen, the distance between the tribes and the city would be shortened and our ships will be available to do faster sailings back and forward, which would cause to lower the total cost of the journeys," added Sokka, "We will be available to transport more in less time."

Azula smiled proudly, and impressed, Sokka was right. And seeing him talk so sure and serious made her found him ten times more attractive.

"But that will only would be beneficial for the south then." Princess Yue's husband spouted, looking at Sokka with a little contempt. Was she imagining things or looked at each other with disdain?

"On the contrary," Azula intervened, "Not only the South. It would turn into an optimum place for our ships to restock supplies for the journeys till Ba Sing Se, and it would also work the other way around before their ships head into the Mo Cea Ocean,"

"Ships from the South can restock before heading to the North and the ones from the North can do the same before heading South," said Hakoda.

"Cranefish Town was a great port to resupply for my crew during my sailing, it is an optimum location," Zuko added.

"At the speed that the town is growing, Cranefish Town it would be big enough to absorb Yu Dao in a couple of years. Maybe in five or ten years, both cities would merge as one." Katara added.

"Three years ago when I first visited the city, it was technically just a street with a few shops here and three, but last month when we docked there before sailing towards the Capital, the town had grown unprecedentedly," Prince Zuko uttered, "Something I have never seen."

The room remained silent for a moment, everyone seemed to be pondering the situation, until the Fire Lord cleared his throat and spoke, "So, Cranefish Town it is… any objection?" he asked once more his wandering around the room, everyone seemed to be agreed with it.

After that matter was solved, a small break for lunch followed, there were still some details to attend, but it was already pass lunchtime. The Fire Lord could hear some stomach groan when he called for the servants to have the meals served. Everyone ate in silence.

"... A few shamans from the Bhanti Islands had offered to help alongside with the healers from the Tribes to take care of the health system, as well as the herbalist from the Institute in Taku, right King Bumi?" the Avatar asked the old King of Omashu.

"Indeed. Miyuki was quite hard to convince, but in the end, she agreed," said the Old King.

"Wonderful." said the Fire Lord, "We will also need to establish a police reinforcement for benders and non-benders, and it would need to operate as soon as possible."

"We can get help with that," Katara interfered, "We know someone," she said interchanging a glance with his sibling and with the Avatar, thinking about that friend of them that it was a walking lie detector.

"I would leave that matter in your hands then," said Ozai before moving into the next subject, "Every nation would have to establish an embassy for their citizens in the city, as well it would need to choose a member to be part of the city council, regarding matters that involve all the Nations," he added, "We need to decide which currency Cranefish Town is going to use…."

The meeting continued for a couple of hours, but in the end, they managed to establish a currency, as well as the education system and some other topics that involved all of them.

"... And finally, I'm thinking we should rename the city, Cranefish Town sounds too… inadequate for the first unified city." said the Fire Lord.

"Oh, Oh," said Sokka raising his hand like asking permission to talk, all pair on eyes set on him.

"Yes?"

"I actually had been thinking the same. Whoever named it like that had a horrible taste. I come up with some ideas to renamed like... Republic Town, or National City, maybe even something like Republic Unificated City?" he proposed.

"Why not we leave that at last?" said the Avatar, "We still have a lot of time to think in more options."

Everyone agreed to leave the renaming as the last matter to be taken care of, and with that. The meeting ended.

Sokka waited outside of the room for Azula to walk out.

"You were amazing at the meeting," Sokka complimented her once he saw her.

"Thanks," she said with a proud smile, and raised an eyebrow when she realized how he was looking at her, "What?"

He shook his head, smiling briefly, "You know, when someone compliments you, it's polite to compliment back." he said amused while smirking.

"Huh."

Sokka sighed in resignation, "Sometimes I wonder if you even like me… It sure feels like you hate me sometimes." he rubbed the bridge of his nose.

Azula tiptoed and placed a kissed him in the cheek, which made him blush, "If I didn't like you, I wouldn't even be bothered by talking to you." she mocked, and in that moment Princess Yue and her husband -who she believed his name was Hahn- walked next to them talking. but that didn't stop him of given a disdain look towards Sokka. "Is it my imagination or there is some bad blood between you two?"

Sokka sighed, "Sometimes I forget how perspective you are," he said defeated, "Yes. there is some bad blood between us."

"Why?" she asked, "What did you do to him?" she crossed her arms and smirked.

"Me?!" he squealed a little offended, "Why don't you ask what did he did to me?" he whined.

Azula rolled her eyes, "Just spit it, would you?" she grunted slightly.

Sokka huffed, chagrined, "Fine. When I was 16, I went to the north to do my first errand. This was a long time ago, and back then we were both young and…" he tried to clarify before explaining any further.

The Princess widened her eyes and mouth in a gesture of shock, "Did you two had a thing?" she assumed.

Sokka nodded lightly, "Well, you could say it like that." he said, but in fact, he had never been sure of what they had had.

"Did you break his heart?" she asked.

His eyes widened, his? "What?! NO!" he denied quickly.

"Did he break your heart?" Azula raised an eyebrow.

"W-What?!" Sokka muttered, dumbstruck.

"Look I'm not one to judge, but who would have thought, huh?" she said shrugging, "I never imagined you as someone who has been into guys, I mean..."

"Azula!" he whined.

"What?"

"It's not that," he took a deep breath and rubbed his temple, "You love making me suffer, don't you?"

Azula snickered, "Just tell me."

"It was with Princess Yue, okay? I and the Princess had a thing…" he said, emphasizing the word had.

"Wait... So you and her?" she quirked an eyebrow.

Having two of his exes and his current girlfriend under the same roof would have been an awkward situation for anyone else, but he seemed cool with it. He was a weird, weird guy, but she was, in fact, weirder.

"Yeah," said Sokka, "Back then, I was young, And we hit it off pretty quickly…"

"Wait," Azula interrupted him, "If I recall correctly, she got married really young. My father was invited to the wedding. So if my numbers are correct, did you... Did she...?" her mouth widened, "No wonder the guy hates you if his bride cheated him with you."

"Hey! In my defense, one: I didn't know she was engaged, and two: have you meet the guy?" he crossed his arms, "He is an ass. I punched him once because it infuriated me the way he talked about her like... Like an object." Just remembering the way he had talked about his now-wife, infuriated him. Not a man should talk like that of a woman ever.

"Really?" she inquired looking at the couple down the hallway, "He doesn't seem like that," she said as Hahn placed a kiss on his wife's cheek.

"I know. He seems different now," Sokka admitted, "I guess after the beating I gave him he changed his ways. Arnook was so angry at me, that he provided me to do any type of errant for six months."

"Maybe he needed the beating," said Azula shrugging.

"Yeah," muttered Sokka, "It looks like, after all, things worked out fine for them," he added, "I might have not gotten the Princess back then, but I'm sure now I will, or die trying," he said brushing some strands of her off her shoulder.

"So, I'm a consolation prize as you couldn't have her?" she asked, pretending to be annoyed.

"Why do you love twisting my words?" he asked frowning, "I never said that."

"But you implied it,"

"No. I didn't." he denied, "It might have been a wrong choice of words, my fault." he admitted, "But what I was trying to say is that: this time, I would make sure as hell that I would keep you by my side at all cost." he said surrounding her by the shoulders, a little smile appeared in the corners of her mouth as he kissed the top of her head.

"She is pretty, isn't she?" she asked, acknowledging that indeed the Princess of the North was pretty even with her oddly peculiar white hair.

"Yeah, she is the second prettiest Princess I have ever meet." he started glancing at her sneakily.

"Oh, and who is the first one if I might inquire?" she asked, smirking.

Sokka made a grin, "Just a Princess with the most beautiful raven hair, with some dazzling gold eyes, and a gorgeous smile who loves to use sarcasm as much as I do and could eat mochi for the rest of her life," he said looking her at the eyes in a lovingly matter, "and I forgot to mention she is the most wonderful, talented fire bender."

"Huh, she sounds like a very interesting girl. Would you ever introduce us? I'm sure we would both love to annoy you." she teased.

"Maybe one day," he muttered, stealing a kiss of her lips.

"Do you want to go grab something before the festival?" Azula asked him. They had a few hours to spare before the festival.

"Actually, I can't right now," he said thinking about something he had seen the day before while wandering through the market and it was something he wanted to get her.

He had seen them in a small stall, and instantly they had gotten his eye but haven't been available to buy it due to the haste, but he had kept them in mind to return for them and bought them.

"Why?" she frowned curiously, his training with Piandao had been canceled because of the meeting, and the festival was until dawn.

"I have something to do," he said not wanting to give her more details, as he wanted it to be a small gift for her.

She made a grin, "Oh… Then I guess, it must be more important than me." she said teasingly, shrugging.

"It's not that!" he squealed before surrounding her from the backstopping her tracks.

"I'm kidding! I know you must be doing something important," she said with a little smile.

"Nothing is more important than you," he said placing a kiss in her cheek, "But there is something I have to do."

"It's okay," she assured him, "I guess in the meantime I will go see Ao. Zuko complained the other day about Ao biting Druk or something like that," she said not very sure making a grin, "Lately when he talks to me I just block the sound of his voice."

Sokka quirked an eyebrow, "Are you going to punish your baby nightmare?" he mocked, remembering how the blue dragon had set one of his sleeves on fire.

Azula shook her head, "No. By any means, I'm going to reward him." she said, "I have been so busy with you, that I haven't had time to terrorize my brother. So, I'm proud to hear that at least Ao is doing his part with Druk." she uttered.

Sokka chuckled a little, "In that case, come on then, I would walk you to the sanctuary of your fire breathing lizard." he teased strolling down the hallways with his arm around her shoulders.

"Lizard?" Azula raised her eyebrows, "Tsk! No wonder Seiryū almost eats you the other day. They are ancient creatures, you know?" she grunted at him.

"Millenaries creatures that look awfully similar to lizards." he stated, "The only difference is they can spitfire."

"And eat you. They can eat you." she reminds him, "Don't forget it."

"Oh, that too," he said, "How could I forget that?"

…

A couple of hours later, after spending a while with Ao Azula was meditating in the Library while waiting for Sokka to be done with whatever he was doing.

Almost when she was done, she heard the door open and someone walking in; she didn't bother in opening her eyes, as she knew already who was, just by the sound of his steps, as well as the fact that none else dare to walk in into the Library without her permission.

"Are you sleep?" Sokka whispered, in case she was. And when she opened one eye, he couldn't help to jump jolted up, "Gods! you startled me!" he said with a hand on his heart, trying to ease up.

"Why would I be sleeping in this position?" Azula raised an eyebrow. She was seated with her back straighten, both legs crossed, and her hand in front of her.

Sokka shrugged, "You Fire Nation people are weird." he said taking sit on the couch next to her. "I brought you something," he said, lending her the small box.

"Is this that `important´ thing you had to do?" he nodded. The Princess quirked even more her eyebrow a slight smirk appeared in her face, "What is it?"

"Look…." she opened the box finding a small red bracelet with gold unique details, and in the middle, it had a gold charm with the symbol of `belonging´, the edges of the charm were cut particularly.

"A-A bracelet?" Azula looked closely at it, she had to admit it was really pretty and it seems elegant and unique. She wasn't an accessories kind of girl, but this one was really beautiful.

"Yeah..."

"Why would I want a bracelet?" she asked him, confused, why was he giving her a bracelet?

"It not just a bracelet," he said grabbing it "It seems according to the lady that sold them, this bracelet means that even lovers separated for some reason, they will go around and then, will meet again finally and their feelings for each other will remain, as long as they use them," he explained.

The explanation was beautiful, and a brief smile appeared on her face.

"Huh…. it seems that you were scammed," she said stoic taking back the bracelet.

Sokka pouted, "Fine. If you don't want it, I don't care… I will keep them for myself." he said trying to take it back, but she stretched her arm as far as she could for him. "Give it back."

"I don't want to," she said, "You can't ask back something you just gifted." she replied sticking her tongue out and then studying the bracelet again, "Huh…"

"What?"

"It's pretty…" she muttered, "I didn't think you will have such a nice taste in jewelry, manly man…" she mocked at him, "I like it," she said putting it on.

"Hey…" he squealed before quirking an eyebrow, pleased, "Huh? So, will you use it?"

"Indeed… as I said, it's pretty…" she said stretching her arms towards him, so he can appreciate it.

"It looks perfect on you," he said with a smile.

"I know," she said cockily.

"But, it's missing something," said Sokka with a hand under his chin.

"What?"

"This…." he said before entwining their fingers and placing a kiss on her hand.

"Ashhh… you little..." she rolled her eyes, amused, "But I have a question, why the symbol Belonging? What does it mean?" she asked him.

"Belonging; it means that you belong you the person who is wearing the other bracelet." he said and just when she was about to ask him about the other bracelet, she notices in the wrist of his hand holding hers, a matching bracelet but in silver and blue, "See? They are a unique set." said Sokka, showing her how the edges of his bracelet fit perfectly with the ones in hers. "They only match with each other."

…

"Why are you rubbing your eyes like that?" Azula asked him, after noticing that Sokka had been rubbing his eyes constantly for a few minutes, as they watched the festival, "Do you have something?" maybe he had dust or something on them.

"Yeah," Sokka said still rubbing them, "There is something's wrong with my eyes... because I can't take them off you," he said flirty with a cheeky smile.

She rolled her eyes amused and punches him playfully, as she feels the red grow in her checks, "Aww… that's so sweet…" she said with a smile, before making a grin of disgust, "Ewww, gross."

Who was she and where was the Azula who found this kind of stuff ridiculous and annoying?

"And I have more from where that one came," he warned her, he had been thinking about some pick up lines for a while.

"I bet you do, but stop…" she warned him, "It's too cheesy for me."

"Really?" he quirked a brow smirking, "So, did the sun come out or did you just smile at me?" he winked at her coquettishly.

"Stop…" she said between teeth, but still getting blushed.

"But you seem to like it," he said teasingly.

"Of course, everyone likes to be complimented." Azula started brushing her hair off her shoulder.

"In that case, can I follow you where you're going right now? Because my parents always told me to follow my dreams," he said another pick-up line.

"Enough!"

CLEAR AND BRIGHT

DAY 21

"You called father?" the Princess bowed her head after walking into his studio, after being summoned by her father that day.

"Oh, Azula," he said raising his eyes from the scroll he was ready, "Yes, yes, thank you for coming in such short notice, I have a few manners to discuss with you," he said making a nod for her to take sit in one of the chairs at the other side of his desk.

She frowned at the statement, not having an idea of what her father could mean.

"First, Admiral Chan is been insisting again about your marriage with his son," the Fire Lord communicated her in a serious tone which she found a little odd.

She raised her eyebrows, surprised by his words after what had happened between her and Chan, she thought she would never ever would listen of him again, "He has?"

Her father sighed, "Yes, he sent a message with quite an interesting proposal…" he made a pause, "If you haven't found a suitor for your next birthday, his son would like to ask for your hand." he read from one of the scrolls before him.

"What?" she frowned at the audacity of the Admiral and his son, "But…"

Her father raised a hand to stop her and let him finish, "And it got me thinking, in fact, I have been thinking for a few days now…" said Ozai entwining his fingers and supporting his elbows on his desk, leaning forward a little bit.

"About?" she quirked an eyebrow, her father seemed way too serious.

"About your relationship with Sokka."

"Okay…" she muttered very confused, she didn't understand what did that had to do with anything.

Her father leaned back into his chair, "And I have come to the conclusion, that I can't let that situation go further." he uttered.

"What?" she made a grin of confusion.

"End everything immediately with Sokka, break up with him." the Fire Lord demanded in the coldest tone she had ever hear him use.

The surrounding air turned cold, and the tension in the room could be felt in the air.

Azula glanced at her father right back in the eyes, waiting for him to tell her that it was a joke, but she could only see him frowning deeper and deeper as he waited for her reaction.

The Princess sighed, "Father, you need to stop stealing mom's romance novels, they are rotting your brain." she stated.

Ozai rubbed the bridge of his nose, still looking serious before glancing at her and sighing as well, "Yes, your mother warned me they could be quite addicting," he said side, smiling, his daughter had been way too smart for him to trick her, "But how did you know?" he asked curiously, his acting had been on point.

Azula side smiled, "You adore him, and even more the idea of being related to Hakoda. Who is your suddenly new best friend." she said the last part with a hint of mockery, to which her father chuckled.

"You are right," said Ozai resigned.

"So, that will be all?" asked Azula, racing to leave.

"Yeah, that's all. But about Admiral Chan still insisting,... that part is real," he said.

She had hoped that everything had just been one big joke from her father, but sadly not all of it had been, "Would the men ever give up? Can't he realize I would make his son quite miserable?" she replied, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Actually, his son also agrees with it." the Fire Lord clarified, he had also been surprised by it, as he could still remember the face of the poor boy after Azula was done with him.

"What?"

"I thought that too, but… they are quite stubborn," said her father, "Don't worry about it, I would deal with them."

"And I'm thankful for that," she said, "I will take my leave then."

"Azula," he called her just when she was about the door, "One last thing…" she turned to give him her attention, "Are you two being careful?" he asked very intrigued, "I hope you are not," he muttered.

"W-What?" she squealed scandalized at her father's question, feeling the color rush to her face, had Sokka's mother tattle-tale them, about how she had found them the other day?

"I said if you had your fire bending practice today?" repeated her father.

"Oh, yeah…" she blinked a few times, a little still startled.

"Very well, I will see you later my daughter," he dismissed her.

"See you later father," she replied a little shaken.

"Azula, I want grandchildren, I'm not getting any younger!" said the Fire Lord, before she could leave the room.

"I hope you are making the same pressure on Zuko after all he and Suki have been together for a longer time," she commented.

"I just want grandchildren."

"Are you thinking about changing the law?" the Princess asked looking over her shoulder.

"No.," he said, before watching her close the door behind her.

Why would he need to change the law? What law did he need to change? What was she talking about?

...

"What on your mind?" Azula asked him after a while they had been sitting near the lakeshore, he had been a little absent in his mind.

"I'm think…" Sokka muttered.

"Yeah, I know that," said Azula rolling her eyes at his obvious statement, "You tend to frown," she said poking him in the forehead, "And you drum your fingers when you are anxious."

"Am I that obvious?" he asked.

"Yeah, also when you are really concentrated on something, you tend to stick your tongue from one of the corners of your mouth."

He smiled, he wasn't aware she had noticed some features of him just like he did with her.

"But, what were you thinking about?" Azula insisted.

"About all the moments I want to be with you," he said looking at the entwined hands, since he had done it for the first time he hasn't been available to stop doing it.

The Princess huffed. He always found the least expected moment to say something ridiculously cheesy, "And which moments are?" she asked, looking also down at their hands, and glancing at their matching bracelets.

He smiled, before tucking in one of her bangs behind her ear with his free hand, "There are only two moments I want to be with you…" he muttered in a soft tone.

She quirked an eyebrow, "Only two?" she huffed again before pouting, "Good to know," she said sarcastically.

Sokka chuckled at her reaction, "Would you let me finish?"

"Sorry."

He smiled warmly that her heart raced like crazy, "Now and forever."

Azula couldn't stop the corners of her mouths to curl into a smile, "Awww…. gross." she made a nod of gagging.

Sokka laughed at her expression.

…

The festival had ended late, a little after midnight, but the streets were still very crowded, as they headed back to the Palace.

Sokka had found every possible and almost ridiculous reason to hold her hand all the evening, something Azula had found both a little ridiculous but also sweet.

"You should focus ahead." said the Princess when she notices that Sokka had been more focused on looking at her that watching for where he was going.

"I don't want too," he said smiling goofily.

"Look at the skyline. Or at least watch from where you are going," she told him too, feeling a little nervous about the way his eyes were studying her.

Her heartbeat raced like always when she was with him. She had kind of grown used to it.

"Nah, I like what I'm seeing, and you are making a marvelous job guiding me," he replied not looking away and taking her hand to his lips to place a soft kiss on her palm.

Azula chuckled at how silly he could be sometimes, "Really? Then, a little history class," she said, "This masterpiece was born 21 years ago." she explained pointing at herself and placing a hand under her chin and making a silly pose like if she was posing for something. "More precisely during the solstice." she joked.

Having Sokka around had allowed her to be sillier to joke more, and a little more carefree. He had come into her life like an avalanche, destroying every wall she had made around her to avoid being hurt.

Right now, all she wanted was to be around him, to spend time with him, to enjoy his company all she could before the last ten days of the month were up.

Sokka laughed at her silliness, "I love you." he muttered, surrounding her shoulder from behind.

I love you, too, she thought and maybe one day I would allow myself to say it out loud.

LUNAR DAY

DAY 22

The Princess had spent a big part of her morning in the Agni Kai chamber playing and training with Ao. She would create aflame with her fingers and made it twirl around a few times, to later have the small dragon repeat the same with his own flame. She also threw a few flames at Ao which he caught with his mouth to later breathe out in a bigger flame than the one she had thrown at him.

Ao also enjoyed chasing after her flames, and she found herself enjoying the silly game.

The dragon was still small, but his flames were already big enough to roast a rat-bunny.

After Ao landed exhausted on one of her shoulders, Azula headed towards the library, where Ao cuddle himself in one of the couches.

She decided to re-read her favorite book. Love Among Dragons. When she was younger and her mother used to read it to her and Zuko before bedtime she had always said that it was a silly book to entertain people, but truth was, she actually enjoyed the story, it had become her favorite while growing up.

Zuko and she used to make recreations of the story when they were younger, just for amusement, and because she loves to have a reason to beat up Zuko while re-creating the final battle between the Dragon Emperor and the Dark Water Spirit.

She had been so focused on reading the last part of the book, that when Sokka walked in she didn't hear him.

"Ta-da!" he said placing a fire carnation before her eyes, jolting her up.

"A flower?" she quirked a brow, glancing at the red flower in front of her, and turning to face him.

Sokka shrugged, rubbing the back of his neck while blushing a little bit, "Yeah, I saw it on my way here and I thought it was pretty and I realized who else is pretty?" he said, "You, of course. So I wanted to give it to you."

She made a grin of confusion, "Why would I want a flower if there are tons in the Royal Garden?" she said taking and glancing at the flower confused, "Plus, I don't even like flowers, and those aren't even that pretty."

Sokka sighed, he should have known that she was going to say something like that. "Couldn't you just say thank you?" he pouted.

Azula shrugged, "I guess I could…."

He huffed a little annoyed, "Fine. If you don't want it, give it back." he said, reaching to take the carnation.

"No…" replied Azula moving out of his reach., "You already gave it to me, you can't ask it back, why do you always ask back things when you gift them to me?"

"Because you said you didn't like it!" he squealed. So, did she like it, or didn't she?

"I did…" Azula affirmed, "But, I don't like flowers in general, gifting them is a waste…" she said, "But only for this time I can make an exception and accepted."

No one had ever gifted her flowers, firstly: because she thought they were a waste, they die quickly and start to smell funny after a while, and secondly: because no one had ever had a reason to do it. Until now.

She had to admit even though she didn't like flowers as a gift, Sokka gifting her one was really touching for her, so she intended to keep it.

Sokka smiled for his insides. She had liked it, but as always she had to make things complicated.

He shook his head in denial, "No, no, I don't want you to have it anymore," he said, "Give it back"

"Too late…" she said shoving in between the pages of her book quickly, "Thank you… either way," she muttered before stepping forward and tiptoeing to kiss him in the cheek, "No one has ever gifted me a flower before."

"Would you have accepted them if they did?" asked Sokka.

"No."

He quirked an eyebrow, "Then why are you accepting mine?"

Azula rolled her eyes, sitting again on the couch, "Because it's from you silly savage." she said with mockery.

"Savage?" he repeated sitting next to her, and opening his arms to invite her to cuddle up, "Don't you think it's time for you to give me another nickname?"

"Why?" she inquired, placing herself between his arms.

Sokka shrugged, "I don't know... maybe something less aggressive?" he proposed, in fact, he was not even bothered about the fact that she called him savage, he knew she didn't mean it, well, not now at least.

"Less aggressive?" she asked, "What about sweety?" she proposed with mockery. She knew he hated the "oogies" -as he calls it- that Katara and Aang gave him.

He made a grin, "I take that back. Don't give me a nickname." he said shaking his head, between sweety and savage he preferred savage 10 times more.

"Good boy," said Azula pinching him the cheek slightly, "Silly couple nicknames are too cheesy for me." she made a grin of disgust which cause Sokka to chuckle.

"As expected," said the boy, "In that case, I will settle with calling you mine," he informed her.

"Mine?" she raised her eyebrows, his?

"Yeah, because you are mine," Sokka affirmed, pointing at he rand then at himself.

Azula shook her head, "Nop... You are mine." she clarified replicating what he had done.

He smiled, "I like the sound of that, my Princess."

"And never forget it my savage," she said resting her head on his shoulder, "I love you," she muttered without thinking and widening her eyes at the realization of the words that slipped out of her mouth.

Sokka looked at her with a surprised face, "Y-You… you said it." his heart started to race like crazy. She had said it, she had said the words. Those words that he was sure it would end up being his doom.

"I-I did."

She had said the words, finally, she had told him she was in love with him. There was no turning point for either of them now.

A silly smile appeared on his face, "Say it again." he asked her.

The Princess was still a little stunned at her word, "I-I... Now, I'm kind of wishing I haven't…"

"Nah...Too late. I heard you." said Sokka, before grabbing her face with his hands to make her looked at him in the eyes "I love you." he said squishing her cheeks a little bit, making her look adorable -according to him-, before kissing her in the lips, a smile appeared in her face, and he couldn't help to kiss every inch of her gorgeous face. Nose, cheeks, eyelids.

Azula snickered, "Sokka, it's okay, I get it, I get it." she said amused, pushing him slightly.

"What are you reading?" he asked her, looking at the book in her lap.

"And an old book," she replied.

"Love among dragons?" he read on the cover, tilting his head.

"My mother used to read it to Zuko and me when we were young," Azula explained.

"I didn't think of you of someone that enjoys romance novels." Sokka teased, brushing her hair off her shoulder, and resting his chin on it.

"I'm not. But this one I guess it has an special place in my heart." the Princess admitted, "In fact, I have spent a couple of years looking for the first edition of this book." she added.

"Why?"

She shrugged, "No reason… I just want it." she said, and Sokka chuckled. She was a Princess and could have anything in the world, yet she wanted a book. "By the way... Can you please take some distance?" she asked when his breath tickled her neck.

"Does it tickle?" he asked diverted when he noticed the little hairs at the back of her neck bristling.

"Uh, yes…" she admitted.

"Hee…" A mischievous smile appeared on his face.

"Don't do it!" Azula warned him about whatever he was thinking.

"I have done nothing!" he replied, snickering.

"But you will do it!" she grunted.

"Yes," he admitted.

"Don't do it!... Agrrr!" she whined before Sokka threw himself at her.

A/N:

-Clear and bright Festival, inspired in the Qingming Festival.

-The other two are completely invented festivities.

Hi there, first I would like to address the fact that one as some of you might know already English is not my first language, but I'm trying my best with this story, but sometimes is just a little hard as one: I think way too fast compared to how fast I can write, so big part of the time I eat one or two words from a sentence which I will notice till the second or third revision, and sometimes I would not even notice until I read the chapter published.

Two: there are so many words in English that sound similar, like thought, through, thru ya-da ya-da so sometimes I write one word when I mean another one, or when I think something I don't even know if is grammatically correct, but it sounds correct you know? Of course, if I have doubts, I search for it, but sometimes it's just…. Nah.

So lately I found not one, but two software that "supposed" to help identify mistakes which helped me do a review of the previous chapter uploaded, but still after doing one more extra revision I still found mistakes, which almost made me want to rip my eyelashes.

Either way, this is the first story I write in English and finish -which makes me very proud- even though the tone of grammatical mistakes.

Also, I have published other one-shot names SURRENDER you can find it in my profile as well as the previous one HUNTER.

I'm working in a post imbalance story -Sokkla of course- that I'm really excited about, I want to finish writing the first part at least before publishing, but I'm thinking about uploading the first chapter so in case anyone of you is interested in reading it can be added to their library. It's mostly the redemption arc Azula's deserves, and it's called THE LIGHT THAT LEFT YOUR EYES, it's much, much darker and mature than this one, and I can't wait to start publishing it.