A/N: I'm finally starting it. The fic I've wanted to make for such a long time now. I'm so excited to bring you all this and this is the most excited I've ever been to write a story. I've loved the idea of a Sokka/Azula ship and have been thinking for a while about where I want to take disclaimer, I don't own Avatar: The Last Airbender or the characters. With that out of the way, enjoy the start of this story!
Being stuck in the Fire Nation was not what Sokka expected to be doing after the war. Instead of going home to the Southern Water Tribe and being mentored by his father, Sokka was in the Fire Nation helping Zuko to get his nation up and running. Adjusting to life without a tyrant in control was challenging for a lot of the population, not knowing how to handle newfound freedoms. As well as coordinating this adjustment, Sokka advised Zuko on relations with other nations, especially the Water Tribe. This work left him with little to no free time, and Suki was off with the Kyoshi Warriors protecting the Earth Kingdom. The two hadn't seen each other in months, and had agreed to at least put a relationship on hold until they both were able to commit.
Sokka spent all day with Zuko, but Zuko's younger sister was absent from any event involving the two. Azula spent some time in an asylum after her defeat at the hands of Katara. She'd put herself back together, but adjusting to her defeat was another monster entirely. Expecting to be the next Firelord, Azula was clearly having a difficult time coming to terms with the fact that she'd never be more than the fallen princess. Azula barely left her room and any time she was seen outside of it, refused to talk to anyone. Sokka wasn't complaining at all, in fact he was glad that he didn't have to see the girl who'd tried to kill him and his friends on more occasions than he could count.
Sokka woke up exhausted, having had almost no sleep from a long night of going over plans for a new Fire Nation military with Zuko. He walked down from his room towards the dining hall for breakfast, half-asleep and barely aware of his surroundings. Rubbing his eyes, he was completely oblivious to the person standing right in front of him. He ran straight into them, as he opened his eyes startled and they turned around.
"Watch where you're going, peasant," The voice and tone of superiority was unmistakable. Azula.
"Hey, I didn't see you!"
"How could you not see me?"
"I'm tired, okay? I'm working to fix the nation that your family ruined!"
Azula looked as if she wanted to shoot Sokka with lightning, and Sokka fully believed she was going to. Instead, she groaned in anger and stormed off.
Sokka rolled his eyes. Princesses, he thought. Sokka went to breakfast and put Azula out of his mind.
Over the next few weeks, Sokka ran into Azula almost every morning. Their arguments became something Sokka looked forward to, looking for new ways to get on Azula's nerves. This anticipation turned to feelings that confused Sokka. Seeing Azula started to make his heart race. He started to pick up on her mannerisms, like the small twitch her mouth does when she's amused or the way her golden eyes seem to see right through him.
Sokka laid in his bed late one night, thinking about the argument he'd had with Azula that morning. In fact, he'd been thinking about it all day but was just now able to focus on it. On her. Sokka's heart started to race again and at once he was anticipating the next morning. He couldn't get her out of his head. Azula. The girl who'd tried to kill him so many times, who did kill Aang before Katara brought him back. Sokka slapped himself. He couldn't believe himself and yet, he didn't feel any remorse for it. Sokka felt something different with Azula.