Chapter 6: Weaknesses

Upon waking up the following morning, Sokka and Azula were shocked to find themselves entwined in each other's embrace. When in the night had they started cuddling? Cheeks flushed, they immediately untangled their arms and legs and separated themselves, trying to make believe they had woken up on opposite ends of the tiny mattress.

"G-Good morning, Princess," he stuttered. "How did you, uhhh, did you sleep well?" He flashed her a sheepish grin.

"Actually yes, I slept wonderfully." Her blush deepened at the implication. "I imagine you had a good night's rest as well, considering you fell asleep almost instantly."

"It's a talent." The proud smile on his face morphed into one of playful suspicion. "Wait… if I fell asleep first, then that would mean you cuddled with me."

"What?! I did no such thing!"

"There's no use denying it, Azula – "

"I can't be responsible for – "

"I can't say I'm surprised," he teased. "Ladies find me irresistible."

She rolled her eyes.

"What is it about me? My boyish charm? My impeccable sense of humor? My dazzling blue eyes?" He playfully batted his eyelashes at her.

"Will you shut up?" she laughed.

"Why don't you make me?" he asked, mockingly.

She smirked. "You asked for it." She pounced on him, covering his mouth with her hand.

He grabbed a hold of her wrist in response, trying to pry it away from him, but to no avail. She was using her body weight to pin him down. He knew she was strong, but he thought being trapped in the cooler and not having had much to eat would have weakened her a bit. Nonetheless, he was determined to win this battle. Deciding to play dirty, he took a risk and let go of her wrist, moving both of his hands to her ribcage… and proceeded to tickle her.

She tried to fight it, but she was soon overtaken by a fit of uncontrollable giggles and released her hold on his mouth.

Still tickling her, he flipped her onto her back and got on top of her. "I never imagined the fearsome Fire Nation Princess would be ticklish," he taunted, equally astounded to find how cute he found her laughter to be.

"I-I'll get you b-back for this!" she managed to get out through all the giggles. "You'll be s-sorry! You'll p-pay – "

The sound of marching feet in the hallway startled them.

Sokka turned his head to try to hear what was going on, ceasing his tickle assault on the previously squirming firebender. The only two words he could make out were the only two he needed. New prisoners. He turned back toward Azula.

Their eyes widened as they realized how close their mouths were to each other's.

He looked down at her full lips and then back up to her molten amber eyes. Spirits, he wanted to kiss her. The girl beneath him. The girl who smelled like summer. But it would be wrong. So, so wrong. Not only did he already have a girlfriend, who was presently not too far away from them, but they were on opposite sides of the war. She was his enemy. "Oh Spirits help me."

"Sokka," she breathed against his lips.

"I have to go," he whispered, rolling off of her. Before she could doubt herself, he decided to give her an explanation. And by telling her the truth, he was showing her that he was actively putting some trust in her. "New prisoners are arriving… and it's possible my dad's one of them."

"I see…"

"But I'll be back."

"You promise?"

"I promise." He smiled warmly at her before leaving her cell and following the other guards to the prison stronghold. In the distance, he could see eight prisoners file in line. His heart pounded more and more heavily as he approached them, their features becoming progressively clearer. And that's when he saw him. Chief Hakoda of the Southern Water Tribe. "Dad…"