Tuesday, October 9th, 1900, Tower Prison, 7:07 PM

They arrived at the prison under heavy guard. No wonder, it was the Avatar, the Fire Lord, and the Heir Apparent to the Southern Water Tribe. The first and last mentioned of the trio had insisted, required that they came with him to the prison. They didn't know why Zuko wanted to go and see for himself. He, Zuko, assured the Sages who had gathered that he believed every word they had told him, but he had to see. He had to lay eyes on the fact.

Zuko didn't want Sokka to come. Sokka didn't want Zuko to go alone. And Aang… well no one can deny the most important person on earth. They had all seen it all before. This time would be no different. It would just be one more thing. One more thing in this War. Sokka was seriously starting to wonder if the war was actually over. He was starting to feel the same sense of urgency and vague dread that defined him and his childhood. He just hoped that his kids would not have to endure any of this bullshit. Wait kids?

He and Zuko couldn't, but raising kids was a different issue. He put that to one side as he walked into the metal and stone place. The metaphysics and hypotheticals would have to wait. This was certainly not the time for musing; this event, this entire thing was entirely to visceral for that. Zuko had had to put his inner animal in check for the second, no, the third time that day. He was put in a corner and a rational approach was needed to shimmy his way out. This was big, this was important. Probably the biggest thing so far.

It was dank and cold like any other dungeon. And immediately, Zuko thought of how he could let his uncle subsist in this place for even an hour. A sharp pang of guilt hit him, and then subsided as he realized and reconnected to the current environment. The sun was setting outside, another day was about to be put behind him. But in there, in those tense, humid moments, time stood still. The stillness of the place was matched by the austerity of the guards there. Zuko looked into their faces, trying to feel the mood of at least a small sample of his subjects. The guards, all of them, were stone faced, as was their commission. The rest of the staff were a different story entirely.

They looked disturbed, uncomfortable, and revolted. That made Zuko feel better, only to know that there was no affection for his dearest little sister. It made him feel better that many of his people felt the same as he did. It told him, that at least in this instance, he and the majority of the people were of one accord.

He didn't care about Azula, but for his people, their feelings, and at the long end, the institution that he represented. His father and his sister had done enough damage to it before. Seriously, the Monarchy was hanging on by threads. The havoc created by that 'Phoenix King' stunt from his father, and the obvious infirmity of his sister was almost irreparable. It could just as easily die, if he did put in the work to save it. The people seemed to like him, but his father and sister had stripped the institution of its dignity and perceived inherent decency. He walked further down the same hallways he did those hours ago, contemplating what he was about to lay eyes on. This time the sun was in the west, this time he was with Sokka and Aang. Now things were changed, very changed indeed.

The staff of the prison bowed as he walked past. Half of them felt sorry for him, the other half wondered why he would want to see this. Both halves, by and large (very Fire Nation expression), would rally behind him. The few who did not support him, were not organized completely against him.

After what felt like a barefoot ten and a half mile walk over broken glass, he reached the room, the cell where his sister stayed. Or had been forced to stay over the last (almost) month. He, they all, had seen much. He thought that this would be one more thing. He knew he could. He knew he would see a lot more in his life. He was happy that he had his boyfriend beside him. He was comforted with the Avatar's presence as well.

"Is everything still the same as it was?" He asked one of the guard, who, of course was boxy, tall, pale, and ripped under the uniform.

"Yes, Sir." The guard feared that he sounded too short when addressing his sovereign. He knew that it was the right move to swallow his emotions, but he found it very difficult.

"Have any detectives come around to investigate this?" Zuko asked to make absolute certain. He did not want to tamper with any evidence.

"Yes, Sir," The guard said, not realizing his repetition "Photographs have been taken. The evidence has been documented. We waited until the evidence was taken before we sent the dispatch to the palace. The last thing that we need to do is r-" Zuko cut him off; he understood the gist of it. No need to rehash any of the details.

"Yes," Zuko said, authoritatively, "I understand. When I'm finished here, that more needs to be done. Now, you've said that everything has been taken care of?"

"Yes Sir." He answered. "We will completely restore this place to its former function within a few days time.

"Open the door, please." Zuko commanded and the guards on either side listened and the doors opened in. Zuko nodded quickly at them in brief, but sincere appreciation. He peered his head inside and moved his head like a swivel. At his eye level there was nothing. Darkened walls met his sight. It was dimly lit with a couple of gas lamps on either wall, no electricity yet. His nose sensed something sinister, though it was only slight. There was a vague gray tinge that also filled the room.

It had nothing to do with the light. It was like some grim spirit had taken over the space. Something was wrong with the space, he knew that. Putting aside his feelings of discomfort, he stepped into it, the room, the tinge. The other two followed him into the room, also looking around. Sokka and Aang also sensed that the doom and gloom in the room.

They had heard the news along with Zuko. They too were surprised, if not a little repulsed by the news. All three of them had taken it upon themselves to not tell the girls. They would let them get pampered first, let them enjoy themselves before they would be caught in the winding sheet, so to speak.

It took him a couple of moments to work up the courage, but when he had he did not regret it. He needed to see, just as he said to the sages half an hour ago. He would not renege now. He allowed his eyes to drift up, though he did not start of the place of most interest. He started at the corner, darted his eyes down, taking an inspective glance at the bare mattress, and looked back up at the other corner top corner. He looked down at the floor once more, committing himself to looking at the reason he came.

He ripped his eyes away from the cold stone floor and looked up, beholding the bad news they interrupted him to tell.

There she was dangling. The bedsheet was tied to the bars that formed the top of the box. The other end of the bedsheet was wrapped quite firmly around her neck. Her limp body was still swaying gently. All three of them looked up and shook their heads. This surely wasn't a tragedy, but none of them were elated either.

Zuko knew that this would be the outcome of this. He knew that she would end it because he knew her. When he made it abundantly clear that he would be the one to hold her fate in his hands, he saw the look. She was defiant. She took the very last opportunity to say "Fuck you."

What she didn't realize was that she played right into Zuko's hand. He had calculated this whole thing and she fell right into place. How? Firstly, it removed the burden of that heaviest of decisions from him. He knew that it was a terrible dilemma, one that none of his predecessors had faced before. He would have taken a lot lot of shit for sparing her. He would have looked weak. He would have looked as if he was willing to give a pass to her. It would look arbitrary. He could not reasonably say to the people that he understood fairness if he let her live. Common murderers received more justice than simply living. Murderers had known swifter answers for their crimes too.

He also would also have been hard pressed to name one, and only one, redeeming quality she ever possessed. Objectively and pragmatically thinking, it would have been quite expensive to spare her. He could not say without doubt that she was worth it. He didn't feel that she ever could be worth it.

On the other hand, he would have looked like a coward and a traitor if he decided to kill her. It would have looked like he was so scared of her that he acted impulsively. Even with the information of what she had done, he would have looked like a weakling. What kind of Fire Lord would be afraid of a teenage girl? What kind of man would ever have to kill someone who's not even reached ripe womanhood? The answer was not pretty, and would only sow resentment in him. It might not have been that bad, but it would plant a seed of doubt. That seed was all that was needed to start the undoing of the monarchy, or the disenchantment with his position, his power, and worst of all, his person. Also, if he had been the one to order the execution, he knew he would have started something new and dangerous. He would have started a movement based around Azula. It would have been populated by those who thought she was innocent, those who thought she was justified, and most treacherously, those who had supported her at the beginning.

What better signal would there have been to rally against him? He thought back to a historian from the four hundred years ago, when the virgin queen reigned. One piece The old quote went like this: "The kingdom suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force." He sure as hell was not going to have his kingdom taken away from him. Not again. "Fuck that," Zuko said in his head thinking of the quote and thinking of everything Azula had done to the Nation.

He would not tolerate anymore destruction. He knew what it meant on his skin, He had seen what it could do to land and towns. And as he looked up at the body, he saw the violence of old, dead, swinging gently, some flies starting to coming in. He knew that there would be new conflict to come. This new "Cold War" with the Earth Kingdom was looking more and more inevitable. He looked over at Aang, who had stopped staring by that point. He wondered what they would do.

It was the two of them. Aang and Zuko had to piece something together, put away or assuage or address the grievances of the nineteenth century. At least with that body hanging one of the major one had been practically addressed or put away. He still looked to Aang, feeling a vague admiration for him. Aang had kept that positive attitude, even in growing sterner with people. The same types of conspiracies that scared him to death, were the same ones that swirled around Avatar Aang.

Aang was being constantly jibed at all sides. The Earth Kingdom thought he was a traitor for even talking to Zuko. The Northern Water Tribe seemed to have very similar feelings according to the intelligence Zuko received. The Fire Nationals did not trust him either, because, for better or for worse, Aang was responsible for the death of their former ruler. The only people who seemed to like Aang were the Southern Water Tribe (after the awkward events of finding the boy in the iceberg) and the colonials. And they did not even have a nation yet. Aang was being forced into one side of the world's politics.

Need proof?

The Earth King actually turned the Avatar out of his palace. Let me put it like this if Ba Sing Se was the 'east' and the Fire Nation, and soon-to-be Republic were the 'west', Aang was now a Western Leader. That's how Zuko saw it. (Objectively, that is how it appeared.) At least, Aang was on his side. And at least he had proof that Aang was on his side.

Then he looked to Sokka, who was already looking at him. Zuko's head immediately sunk as he looked down at the floor. He wanted to be in Sokka's arms so badly. He did not want to cry, or yell. He only wanted to be close to Sokka. Sokka only wanted to comfort him, but they knew they couldn't. They did not know how long they looked at each other in that cold, dark cell, but they did not want to stop. Aang's eyes darted back and forth as he put it all together. He saw the look on Sokka's face. He saw they way Zuko reacted and wondered how he had not seen it before. He didn't need to ask. He knew love when he saw it, and their looks. Purer expressions of love had never been seen before. And of course they had to take place just a few feet under a dead body.

Aang's thoughts were something like: "Oh shit, they're in love. Look at these two; that's that lovey-dovey look. Explains a lot over the time I've known 'em. The way they had always stared at one another. Makes that same-sex marriage thing make a lot more sense. I gotta tell them that I know."

Zuko ripped his eyes away from Sokka, remembering after what felt like a short eternity that Aang was there. He hoped that Aang had not noticed.

Something curious though… Zuko knew that his sister was not one to go out quietly. She would have said something. She would have indicated her intentions. Stiffly, he moved forward, trying not to disturb the place too much. Sokka and Aang looked at each other in confusion as Zuko moved towards the interior of the cell.

The first thing Zuko did was lift the thin mattress. Nothing there. He ran his fingers over the seams looking for a hole or a cut. He saw nothing there.

"Zuko?" Aang asked, talking to Zuko's back "What are you looking for?"

"She left a note, Aang." Zuko said, "She wants to say something."

"I think her body hanging from the rafters says enough," Sokka said, a lot more bluntly than he intended. Sokka grimaced silently, out of Zuko's sight. Zuko understood his meaning and did not take offense. Sokka was hopelessly, almost belligerently blunt and that was one of the reasons he loved him so much.

"I agree Sokka, but this is Azula, we're talking about here. She says something big and says something subtle at the same time." Zuko turned his attention to the metal bed frame. He tapped his fingernail on it gently to listen to the sound quality, "This thing is hollow."

"What?" Sokka walked up towards him, and Aang followed.

"Help me flip this thing."

"Flip it?"

"Yes, if this thing is of hollow construction she could have rolled up some paper and stuffed it up one of these legs."

"That sounds crazy," Aang started, "Crazy enough for Azula."

They overturned the bed frame, and had the legs facing out. Zuko looked and saw that the legs were indeed hollow. He checked the first, then the second, then the third.

Nothing.

The fourth was just as he expected. Complete with a piece of paper jammed into it. Zuko picked it out and held that rolled up note in his hand.

"You want me to read it?" Sokka asked.

"No, Aang, can you just give me some light."

Aang firebent a little flame and illuminated the room for them. Zuko rolled the paper out and looked at it before he read it. It was scribbled and messy. It was proof that Azula had finally lost it all. It was short, only a few words long, but he knew what the words meant. He cleared his throat and read it.

"I have decided, Zuzu. I have taken appropriate action."


Zuko's Drawing Room, 9:05 PM

"What happened?" Katara asked as the boys got back to the palace. The motherly concern was worn on her face, as she paced the carmine carpeting. She was in Zuko's drawing room, with Toph and Suki. "What's going on?"

"Azula's dead." Sokka answered.

"Oh?" Katara asked not particularly moved by the news, but surprised by it. Suki visibly perked up.

"Suicide: she hanged herself in her cell a few hours ago." Sokka added not feeling any particular emotion towards this whole scenario, "That ends that."

"Good, that crazy bitch needed to go," Suki said off-handedly. She also seemed to breathe a sigh of relief for some reason.

"Suki-" Katara started.

"No, Katara," Zuko started, "She's right. Azula had to come down, and it's better that she did it herself. Saves everyone else the trouble. She was my sister, but somehow, I know that we, the whole world is safer without her. I'm with Suki on this one. Trust me, i won't be grieving. I won't be celebrating, but I won't shed any tears. I guarantee you that much."

"See, Zuko and I agree on something for once." Suki preened like a peacock. She also seemed to relax in his presence, "Whatever the case is, with her gone, I know that this makes it easier for things to move forward. So long as I know that."

"Wait," Zuko thought in that moment, "Suki, were you mad at me for keeping Azula around? I know the history you had with her."

"Partly, Zuko. As long as she was around, I didn't know where your head was. I wanted revenge, I guess. That still doesn't mean I like you, but you've risen in my estimation."

"That's all that can be asked for." Zuko was sure they would be at it again if she went after Sokka. He would definitely appreciate this reprieve. He did not know how long it would last. (Not long at all). He would take advantage of this peace when he could. "Can we call a truce for now?"

"Fine," Suki said, "So long as Azula is not around as a threat. I think I'll give you another chance."

Aang laughed wryly but quietly to himself.

"Suki, are you okay?" Sokka asked, "You seem so different. Not a bad different, but like super-relaxed."

"I'm fine, Sokka," Suki walked up closer to him. "I swear I am."

Sokka took a sniff, a silent one, but forceful enough to see what the case was. He knew that smell well. It explained it all to him, "She's drunk off that damn cactus juice." He thought to himself, "What a fucking enchantress! If the only time I can tolerate her is when she's wasted, I don't think this will have ever really worked out for us. "

Aang was still stood to the side thinking about what he coined Zukka. He had put it together by watching how the two looked at each other, and he wondered if the others would. Suki was calm in that moment, but he did not think it would last. He was just wondering how he did not see it at first. He rethought every interaction he had seen between them. The recent ones were so obvious. The ice cream, the 'you're so smart, Sokka', the way Sokka so eagerly became his 'advisor', the way Toph said Sokka held him, the way they were with each other, the whole same-sex marriage decision. "How didn't I see it?" Aang asked himself again. He thought that it was too coincidental to be simply chance. He resolved to find out.


Wednesday, October 10th, 10:12, Sitting Room

The three of them were sitting in these comfortable environs at Aang's request. Neither of the lovers knew why, but Aang had asked Hashi not to come into the talks until eleven o'clock.

"So, Aang, why did you want to talk with us to talk without Hashi about all of this stuff?" Sokka asked.

"Because, I want to talk something besides politics for a while." Aang said, completely leaned back in the chair.

"Shoot." Zuko asked.

"Why did you legalize same-sex marriage, Zuko?"

"Isn't that politics?" Zuko answered.

"It has to do with love, so not completely." Aang answered sincerely.

"Well, I thought that people deserved the due process of the government recognizing that love comes in many forms. It's about people's hearts, not people's parts. That was why I did it. If two soldiers who served the country want to get married, I'm not going to stop them. And I'm not going to allow anyone to stop them."

"Ah," Aang nodded, "That is a very modern thing to do."

"I am a very modern Fire Lord." Zuko said.

"I can vouch for that," Sokka said. "We even talk on the telephone."

"Often?" Aang had heard about these devices and intended to try it out before he left. Along with one of those new electric lights.

"Well, yes, Sokka's my advisor and when he talks, I listen." Zuko answered.

"Good."

"As soon as you find a permanent residence, I'm going to set up a direct line between you and the palace. I think that we will have to keep in touch somehow. Telegrams are pretty good, but the telephone is a revolution. We'll be able to talk about anything and everything we need to in real time," Zuko was excited.

"Everything?" Aang asked.

"Any and everything." Zuko replied.

"Well, before we get to the telephones, you would be able to speak to me just as freely about these things face to face."

"Yes, of course." Zuko said.

"And you, Sokka?" Aang asked.

"How long have we known each other, Aang?" Sokka started rhetorically, "Of course, I'm an open book."

Aang started his peroration of this interrogation, "My people had among them some of the great philosophers and authors of all time. They wrote, theorized, made prose, composed music and poetry. Any topic under the sun was covered, war , peace, time, death. They wrote about swans, and lakes, the feeling as the wind beneath one's wings. The wrote about the delicate feeling of a butterfly landing on someone's skin, the tenderness of love. Oh and how they wrote about love. Affection, loyalty, lust. They wrote about all sorts of attractions. A man and a woman, two women, and even the love that two men could share for one another."

"Oh?" Zuko asked, successfully not showing his nerves at the questions.

"Now within my culture, there was indifference about all types of love. If both sides were committed to one another, we welcomed it, not matter who the two parties were. When I look back to over a century ago, I realize that I saw it all. I saw the love that blossomed between a man and a woman, two women, or two men."

"Yes." Zuko was really starting to freak out, but again there was no way of knowing from looking at him.

"Continue," Sokka said, he was also composed, "Hearing about the Air Nomads and their ways and customs is always interesting to me." He learned how to keep cool under pressure from his boyfriend. "Your people, as you contemplate them. It's so cool. We didn't have much time during the war to discuss it."

"You know what I noticed the most guys? The thing that I never shook from my perception?"

"What?" Sokka asked, curious but afraid.

"I saw that all three types of love were essentially the same. I mean even calling it three different types is not correct. The parts that connected were different from relationship to relationship. Sometimes the couples had the same parts and made do. Whatever the case, the hearts were the same. The affection was the same. Every couple, no matter what their composure was had some things in common. They all had the same affection. They always craved the same intimacy. They always had the same moronic look of complete fondness, endearment. The expressions of care and warmth have now been duplicated all over the world for me. I saw it just as clearly in 1795 as I see it today."

"That's beautiful, Aang. It's good to know that something transcend nations, times, wars, and cultures."

"It is beautiful. Love is a beautiful thing in all of its appearances and ways. I have seen it in my country, in the Earth Kingdom, experienced it in the Water Tribes, in the Colonies, and here in the Fire Nation. I have even seen it where it ought not exist, even in the midst of oblivion and death."

"Wh-"

"I have yet to see a clearer, more explicit, more delightful expression than I saw between you two last night."

Zuko and Sokka looked at each other, and then at Aang.

Sokka spoke, "How did you-"

"The tender feeling between you two is so terribly obvious Sokka. Now that I think back to when you first met in that battle in the Southern Water Tribe, Sokka you were blushing really hard. It wasn't embarrassment, either"

"Heat of battle." Sokka replied.

"Heat in your pants, more like." Aang replied, not trying to be funny, rather attempting to show his depth of understanding.

"Whatever." Sokka said looking at the carpet, knowing that was the truth.

Zuko piped in, "Aang, you can't tell anyone."

"Yeah," Sokka said, "Not Katara, or Toph, and definitely not SUKI."

"I won't," Aang promised, " I couldn't. Your secret is safe with me. I know and understand that your relationship isn't just personal, but it's inherently political. The relationship between the Fire Lord and the heir to the Southern Water Tribe chiefdom is not just two people coming together. It's two countries becoming more intimate. I get that. As the Avatar, I'm happy if two states can come together. As your friend, I'm happy for the both of you. As weird as it seems, you two are meant for each other.

"Thank you," Sokka sighed in relief. He reached over and gave Zuko a kiss on the cheek. The kissee blushed. They both relished in the fact that they were able to do that in front of a friend.

Aang, smiling at this newly found confidence and happiness, spoke, "However you proceed, you have my full support. You two are my friends, not matter what. "

There was a knock at the door that made all three of them jump a little. They all looked over at the clock. Eleven o'clock had arrived and Hashi was punctual. They all sat up , smoothing out imaginary wrinkles from their clothes. Once they had all completely readjusted to their seats. (It only took a matter of seconds.)

"Come in." Zuko pronounced loudly towards the door.

Hashi opened the door, red box in hand. And walked towards the table where they we all seated.

"Good morning, Prime Minister." Zuko greeted Hashi.

"My Lord, I think that title is a bit lofty for the things I do." He said taking a seat at the table. He places his ministerial red box on the table and opened it. The first thing he did was remove the newspapers he had from the box.

"I think it's a fine title for a fine minister. My Kingdom wouldn't be running without my Prime Minister."

Hashi looked over at his sovereign, "Thank you very much, Sir." Hashi laid the newspapers upon the table. "Before we get to business, I have to ask you. Have you seen any of today's newspapers, Your Majesty?"

"No, I didn't need to read the details." Zuko said.

"No, Sir, not the news articles. I would also avoid those things like the plague. You should read the editorial pages and see what they have to say today. Every paper I have come across is backing your rule as the right and true Sovereign and Head of State of the Fire Nation, or singing your praises. Some of the paper, the ones targeted to women are even talking about how handsome you are."

"What?"

"Yes, Sir. One of the papers even called said that you are 'the strength and common decency of the people' They called her the last vestige of cowardice and wretchedness of the century we wish to transcend.'

"Really?"

"Sir, I must be honest, for this first month, for the time when Azula was alive, your rule looked threatened at best, and even dangling to some. Now that she's dead, there's no disputing. You are the Fire Lord, and there is no alternative. They, those who would see you dethroned, they have no one legitimate to look to. You are the king and there are no pretenders, or likely usurpers. I think, no, I know that you are now firmly planted on the throne. You are now secure."

Zuko looked at Hashi, and calmly asked in response, "Am I?"