Author note – Here's another chapter because I've been gone so long Hopefully I'll be back in the grove and writing more this week, but life is hectic and I can't guarantee anything
Chapter 25: Freedom's Past
"Hello Ty Lee," Azula said quietly assessing her old friend. Instead of her normal pink outfit of the past, Ty Lee wore a green mid-drift baring shirt and long pants with black slippers. Her hair remained the same with a single braid tied back with green ribbon. She'd grown slightly more in the chest area, and the child's face was more womanly, but overall she looked like the Ty Lee Azula remembered.
Last time she had seen Ty Lee was at Boiling Rock when Ty Lee had betrayed Azula. Looking towards her old friend, she wasn't sure how to proceed. Was Ty Lee going to hate her? Kick her and Sokka back on the street? Turn them in to the patrol officers?
"Look at you! You look so, not Azula like! And your aura is all different. It's not black anymore," Ty Lee exclaimed. Azula frowned at this. She never knew her aura was 'black' before and the way it was said meant it wasn't exactly a great thing to have.
"That's a great thing!" Ty Lee continued, "You're better! Are you mad at me? I tried to see you but Zuko wouldn't let me! I swear I wanted to see you!"
Shock coursed through Azula. Ty Lee had wanted to see her? She had her friend thrown in jail!
Yet she still wanted to see me?
"You did?" Azula asked in shock, not resisting as Ty Lee pulled her hands into her own.
"Of course I did! I know it didn't end well at Boiling Rock, but you weren't right Azula! You turned on Mai and you aura went all red with rage then black with emptiness. I couldn't let you strike out with that blackness."
"I had you tossed into prison."
"Where I bonded with the Kyoshi Warriors and where I met my Haru! Sure I was hurt that you did that, but I wouldn't be here now without it!" Ty Lee's smile was so bright; Azula couldn't help but smile back.
"Ty Lee, you've always been so fast to forgive," Azula said softly. It was a trait she used to berate her friend for in the past. Now she was grateful for it.
"I know. And I've tried not to be like you used to tell me, but you need a friend, not an enemy." Azula didn't resist the hug Ty Lee pulled her into. Holding back tears, Azula pulled her friend closer. She didn't think she'd see her friend again, or if her friend would even consider her a friend any more. Thanking the spirits, Azula held on tightly.
When they pulled apart, she saw Ty Lee's eyes full of unshed tears as her own were. Sniffing, she turned towards Sokka.
"You remember Ty Lee, right?"
"Yeah, she was…is…a Kyoshi warrior. She knew Suki really well," Sokka replied sounding stiff in his response.
"Suki and I were great friends," Ty Lee said affectionately, embracing Sokka in a tight hug. Azula frowned as they pulled apart and Ty Lee gave Sokka a kiss on the cheek.
"So, are you willing to take on two wanted criminals for a few nights?" Azula tried keeping the annoyance out of her voice. Ty Lee always was able to bring out the jealousy in Azula.
"Of course we would! I'll show you your rooms and we can catch up over dinner!" Ty Lee exclaimed. Without another word, Azula found herself being pulled out of the room and down another winding hallway. Ty Lee opened a large wooden door to the right. A simple square room was revealed containing a large bed a dresser and a few candles for light. Azula flicked her wrist to light the candles.
"I know it's not much, but it's comfy and no one will find you here."
"It's perfect. Thank you Ty Lee," Azula replied.
"How did you get this place anyway?" Sokka tagged on.
"We needed a place to stay, and I remembered the old warehouse with the circus equipment from my days in the circus. And while that wasn't livable, we walked around and Haru found these tunnels with his feet. Thank the Spirits for all that training with Toph he did after the war! Best thing ever! So far no one else knows about them, or at least no one has come forward about knowing about them. So we stay here. "
"No one knows about this place?" Azula questioned.
"Nope, well a few Kyoshi warriors know about it from staying here themselves, but no one else. We think it was built during the first attack on the colonies years ago. Haru had to fix up a few walls, and we brought in the furniture through the apartments upstairs, but it works. And it's safe."
Perfect.
"Anyway, this can be your room Zula and Sokka can sleep over—"
"Separate rooms aren't needed," Sokka's gruff voice interrupted.
Azula quirked an eyebrow as Sokka fidgeting; a blush staining his cheeks.
It didn't take long for Ty Lee put two and two together," EEEKK! Oh my goodness! How long has this been going on?"
"A while," Sokka replied, still sounding gruff to Azula's ears.
"How bout we get settled and we can talk about it over some food. I know Sokka is pretty hungry by now," Azula said slyly. She was going to get to the bottom of Sokka's weird behavior.
"Great idea, Azula! I'll go start dinner! But don't take too long, I need to hear the details!" With another quick hug for both of them, Ty Lee bounced back down the hall.
Moving into the room, Azula struck, "When did you have sex with Ty Lee?" The bag Sokka was holding dropped to the floor as he spun around to face her. Azula smirked.
Bingo.
"We didn't…well we did…how did you know?"
Chuckling Azula wrapped her arms around his waist; pleased with his reaction. Standing on tip toe she gave him peck on the lips.
"You're all stiff and awkward around her. When she looks at you, her eyes go all soft. And I'm pretty certain you shared a moment with that hug."
"Well…it was…it's not like…it—"
"Is it over?" Azula asked, slightly afraid at his answer. If he said no, what would she do? She braced herself when his response was a sigh. Then his arms wrapped around her, bringing her closer.
"There wasn't anything to be over with." Azula pulled back, confused.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, we weren't serious with each other. It was a year after Suki's death…and we were both a little drunk and tired of being alone so we…got together."
"So you only were together once…?" Azula prodded. Another sigh.
"We had moments on and off for a few months. It wasn't anything serious. I swear. It was just…"
"Two friends finding companionship in each other," Azula finished for him. She could understand that, sort of. She was always alone when she was younger, then in prison, and now…Sokka tilted her face up to meet his.
"It's nothing like what we have Azula, I swear to you. It doesn't even come close." Nodding in acceptance, she allowed herself to fall into his kiss. He had a past, a past that didn't include her. She had to learn to accept that.
As the kiss broke apart Azula smiled. She might not have been in his past, but she damn well was going to be in his future.
"Well don't you even think about rekindling that companionship," Azula jabbed her finger into his stomach for emphasis. "And if you do, this," caressing his groin, "will be nothing but a burnt piece of flesh."
His gulp had her holding back a laugh, "Yes Princess. Whatever you want Princess."
"Good," leaning up she kissed him again, "now let's go eat."
Azula woke in a panic. She desperately wanted to light the candle she sensed in the room but fire bending was against the rules. She knew if she lit it, she would be punished.
A small cry broke from her lips as she curled into herself. She had failed, she was back in prison, Sokka was gone…she was alone. What was she going to do what…
"Azula what's wrong?" Sokka's soft voice broke through Azula's panic state. Warm arms wrapped around her, pressing her back against a hard body.
"Sokka?" she whispered, part of her still stuck in the dream. Was he really there? Was it all a nightmare?
"Technically it's Lee right now, but…hey"
Azula rolled over and clung to him, desperate for his touch. She wasn't back in the prison. They hadn't failed. And most importantly, Sokka hadn't left her.
Flicking her wrist, she lit the candle. The soft light allowing her to see Sokka's worried expression.
"Azula are you alright?"
Shaking her head, she bent down kissing Sokka softly.
"Please…let me…please I need," Azula begged. She needed to feel him. To know that he was really there, that it wasn't a dream. Gently but with hast she untied his pants, grateful when he lifted his hips, allowing her to remove them from his body. She grasped his hardening erection in her hand, stroking it, loving it as it hardened further beneath her touch.
"Azula." Sokka's gasping of her name had her moving off the bed to remove her own clothes. He was ready for her, and she was ready for him. Straddling his waist, she took him deeply into herself.
A sigh broke lose at the connection. He was real, they were still together. Riding him slowly, she savored every movement. Sokka's hands cupped her breast, releasing another shot of pleasure through Azula. When he flicked the hard numbs with his thumbs she whimpered. Never taking her eyes off him, she rode him. He was here, he was real.
"Please Sokka. More…" the connection had been made. Now she craved that release. Bracing her hands beside his head, she started moving her hips faster. Answering her plea, Sokka grabbed her waist, thrusting into her from below. They're rhythm in perfect sync. Azula could feel the pressure building.
"Come for me Azula." The soft command was all she need. Arching up, she cried out as she hit that glorious peak. Any trace of panic and fear left her mind and was replaced with ultimate pleasure. Vaguely she felt Sokka's thrust increase, his hands holding her waist tighter. With a final plunge she felt him empty inside her.
Falling on top of him she breathed deeply. Tears she held back, trailed down her face.
"What's wrong?" Sokka's soft question brought more tears falling out. Through her tears she could feel Sokka gently stroking her hand, her hair and her back.
"I had a nightmare," she stated softly. Admitting her weakness was so hard.
"Want to tell me about it?" She burrowed into his chest, hiding her face. She didn't want to tell him, knew that she should tell him. Felt ashamed from the fear of telling him.
"Must have been a pretty bad one. Let me guess, Aang took all the meat away from the four nations? No wait, that was my nightmare," Azula chuckled softly at his attempt at humor, relaxing as his hand stroked gently across her back. "Okay so let me think…hmmm…I got it, you and Katara had a girl day. And after spending so much time with her, you woke up with the need for a man!"
Azula rolled her eyes chuckling softly, thankful the tears had stopped.
How does he do that…he just takes the pain away.
Absently, Azula started drawing on his abs with her finger.
Taking a deep breath she began, "We had failed our mission. My mother was still missing and Zuko threw me back into prison. It was cold and dark and I was alone. Again." She broke off, continuing to draw random symbols onto Sokka's chest. Sokka's gentle caresses never stopping as she admitted her nightmare.
"Go on," Sokka's soft voice broke the silence. Azula sighed, of course he'd know there was more to it.
"When Zuko demanded I be returned to the prison, you just stood there. Looking at me but not doing a thing to help. I…"deep breath, "I practically was begging you to help but you just stood there. Not doing anything, not caring and I…I was terrified…and hurt..." Azula kept herself tucked into Sokka's chest, continuing to draw absent minded shapes on his torso. Silence filled the room once more.
"I'm going to see that prison destroyed when we get back. Even if I have to bring it down with my bare hands and sword, it will be nothing more than a pile of metal and rocks at the bottom of a hole."
Azula's head shot up at his statement. Looking into his face, she saw his determination and his anger.
"You…you would?" Tears she held back escaped as he cupped her face.
"You're not going back there Azula. Whether we find your mother or not, I will fight anyone and everyone to keep you out of that cell or any other. You've done your time and you've learned from it. And I'll be damned if anyone is going to keep you from me."
Azula fell into his passionate kiss. Her hand threading through his hair as him arms came around her binding her body to his.
Breaking apart she looked down at him.
"You have no idea how much that means to me," she stated quietly.
"You have no idea how much you mean to me."
Azula smiled, softly caressing his face in the candle light. How she adored this man.
"Now lay back down right here," Azula settled back on his chest as he positioned her gently, "and go back to sleep. I promise to hold you all through the night. You won't wake up alone again. I won't allow you to wake up alone."
Snuggling closer, Azula looked towards the burning candle. Light was her companion, her safety in the dark. But with Sokka she felt safe. Knew she wasn't alone. With a flick of her hand, the candle went out. Sokka's arms held her tighter. Within moments, she was fast asleep once more this time her dreams filled with soft caresses, playful banter and a loving embrace.
