"I see you've done rather well for yourself, adviser." Azula said

"I know it's probably not as big as yours was but I felt it would be kind of inappropriate on some level for me to use your room. Either way it's the third nicest bedroom in the palace."

"Yes it is. Honestly," Azula took a second to run her fingers along the silk curtains leading to Sokka's rather impressively sized bed. "I was expecting your tastes to be less….refined." She looked around while taking small steps. It had hints of water tribe culture but the gold and red paint and general decor was definitely royal fire nation. The pillars for his bed even had a swirling golden dragon on each of them. It was truly a sight to behold.

"I know. You thought since I was from the southern water tribe I was uncultured and crude." Sokka held his head down and gathered a rather sad but thoughtful look. Every second he was with her he felt as if he was falling into an endless pit of feelings for her. Given what she said she expects little of him.

Azula noticed he had stopped talking, which was odd since he never stopped talking. When she saw his face her response was immediate. "What is it Sokka?"

"It's nothing. Don't worry about it."

Azula grabbed his face with one hand and forced him to look at her. "Speak."

"...I'm afraid that when you fully regain your mind you will no longer want me. I'm still just a commoner. You're a princess. Once you're fully back you could literally pick any man in the fire nation, likely most of the world. I know it's a selfish thought." His tone became sadder the more he spoke.

"It is also a stupid thought."

"How is it stupid?"

"How can you stay by my side if I drop you as soon as I regain my mind? You made a promise to me didn't you? Don't you intend to keep it? Or are you not a man of your word?"

Sokka smiled, in her own Azula way she was being sweet. He pulled her into a tight hug.

She whispered into his ear. "You are also the only person who cared enough to save me. I will never forget that. I am of sound enough mind to be sure of that."

After continuing to hold her for another minute Sokka sighed. He dreaded the things he had to say to her next. He pulled her away but took her hand and sat on the couch with her in tow.

"I think you are intelligent enough to know I have to have some rules, even if you are my princess."

"I've followed rules from people of much less status over the past year. I understand." Azula said, her tone implied recounting the asylum sucked her soul out.

"Alright…..rule one. You can't leave this room."

"That was obvious."

Sokka ignored the sarcasm. "I will tell some servants to occasionally check on you while I am working or out. I will make sure they give you every single thing you ask for, but you cannot leave the room. Most of the servants are new so they've never seen you before. If the war is anything to go by you were basically never without makeup so I'm going to venture a guess that the few who remain from past years don't know what you look like. Better safe than sorry though."

"Anything else?"

"It's not really a rule, and I couldn't enforce it even if you chose to, but please don't attack Zuko. He doesn't know you're here, if he knew he might be more swayed to let you stay if he knew you could be in the palace and not try to kill or usurp him."

Azula responded with an eye roll but Sokka took her hands and looked into her golden irises. "Azula, you probably have no idea how deeply I care for you. I'm not sure if you want to attack him or not but if you do and you care for me at all…...please. I can't lose you. I would likely have to do something stupid if you were sent back."

"Like break me out and become a fugitive in multiple nations stupid?" She giggled slightly but his face remained stone. "Oh."

"Moving on. Tell me if you're ever feeling as if the visions are effecting you. I am here for you but I can't help you or calm you down if you don't tell me."

Azula pretended to think for a few seconds "Your princess will take your requests into consideration."

Sokka kissed her brow "Thank you Azula."

Sleep would not come for Azula. It was not helped by the fact that Sokka chose to sleep on the couch. It appeared he still had reservations about taking advantage of her mental state. Cuddling her and possibly touching something he shouldn't fell under that umbrella for him. The fool, her visions did not make her incompetent. She still knew what she wanted. All she wanted was him.

At the moment he was snoring like a wild bear dog. Oddly she didn't hate it. Quite the opposite actually, it was comforting. That may just be the fact that she spent an entire year alone in a cell making her feel that way though. She still couldn't believe he gave up the bed for her,if anything it was more comfortable than her old bed when she lived in the palace previously.

She decided it best to attempt to get some rest. If she was lucky she may be able to see him before he begins his duties for the day. She really, really wanted him to kiss her again. It felt nothing like Chan's. That kiss made her feel empty and hollow. Sokka's felt like it was reigniting her inner flame, possibly fanning it tenfold.

Her thoughts were cut short when she began to hear voices around her again. She closed her eyes and chanted to herself "You're not real, you're not real." Soon she heard a booming voice upon her ear.

"You're a failure."

She opened her eyes to see her father standing near the bed in his royal robes. "Father?"

"You are as much of a failure as Zuko. You failed to capture a group of children. Perhaps I should have named you ganga. It would be as accurate as Zuko's name. You're an embarrassment and he's a failure."

Azula's resolve hardened "They were not simply children, they stormed the fire nation because of Sokka's plan and almost brought us to our knees." Her eyes became catlike. "If memory serves you were defeated by a pacifist child. The fire lord, reduced to nothing more than a common prisoner."

"You DARE! I made you. You are nothing more than a commoner as well now."

Azula turned to look at Sokka, then back to her father. "I know one person who will always see me as a princess. He is all that matters."Azula got out of bed, she took another look at her father before turning away and taking a few steps towards Sokka.

"Do not turn your back on me child! I am the only one who cared for you. Your mother did not love you enough to stay."

Azula stopped in her tracks and turned to say something to her father. Her vision had taken on the visage of her mother. "Don't you love me mother?"

"Last year I said I did, but would a mother that loved her child really leave? I loved Zuko but you….you're a monster." Tears swelled within Azula's eyes but the vision continued on "You even harmed this boy you claim to have feelings for. He likely has burn marks from you. You can pretend but you're just like your father. Only caring about yourself and the power you can attain. Those turtle ducks you mercilessly killed as a child were just the beginning."

Azula sunk to the floor and lowered her head. Tears dropped beneath her. "It was an accident."

Ursa stooped to become eye level with Azula. "You say that, but we both know the truth. It's your nature to cause pain, suffering, and despair." A grin crept upon her face. "You're a monster Azula."

"You're not real." Azula whispered to herself once more. She ignored further comments from the visions and stood before Sokka on the couch.

"Go ahead Azula, harm him and escape."

"Or do you wish to continue to be a failure? You as a monster are his prisoner."

Azula turned to see both of her parents standing before her. Ozai spoke once more "Do not be a prisoner to this filthy commoner. If you take back the palace you will no longer be a failure."

"If you take the palace you could use your powers as firelord to help others of your nation. Your image as a monster would be cleared."

Azula shut her eyes and spoke to herself. "I am not a monster, and I am not a failure." She crawled onto Sokka and laid on his chest, instinctively he wrapped his arms around her. "I am a princess." When she opened her eyes again the visions were gone, and all felt right. Surprisingly she felt as if she could sleep easily now.

Morning

Sokka woke in the morning and felt extremely well rested. Although he felt oddly warm, and there was a weight on his chest that had not been there the previous night. He looked down to see a mass of black hair and pale skin. "Oh no."

He gently stroked her hair until she awoke. He didn't want to startle her. "Azula, before I start talking why are you sleeping on me? I gave you the entire bed. An exceedingly comfortable one I might add."

Azula looked up at him. "The visions were disturbing me, when I was in your arms they went away."

Sokka closed his eyes and took a long, deep breath. "Azula, you can't lay on me. Or be that close to me in general."

Azula had been preparing for this argument all night so she smiled. "Why can I not be near you, do you find me repulsive?"

"No, it's the opposite problem."

"oh?"

"Azula, you are not completely in your sound mind and I understand that. I do not want to take advantage of you. However…..whenever I am near you I feel as if I am being sucked in by a maelstrom of emotion. I want to hold you, I want to kiss you, I want to love you in every possible way, I NEED to. I'm barely restraining myself right now."

Azula put on a wicked smirk. "Well I am quite beautiful, I can understand having that effect on you."

"Azula, I'm not joking. It's not just your looks. You are the most beautiful girl I've seen, but beautiful women throw themselves at me due to my position every day. It's something about you. Every little thing I've learned about you has drawn me closer until this point. I literally cannot help myself with you. Behaviors like this are not helping me do so."

"Have you ever thought that I do not wish to help you?"

Sokka let out an exasperated sigh "Why would you not help me? I am trying my best."

"I am capable of making my own decisions. You were not exactly quiet while scolding the asylum staff so I know that you understand this as well. I am not of my fully sound mind but I am still more competent than the majority of the populace. I understand that I desire to be by your side and to have you by mine." Azula's eyes narrowed, her resolve was strong.

Sokka wiped his hands over his face. "Azula you don't know what you're asking for."

"I understand exactly what I am asking for. I feel for you as well, and in no small capacity. The first time you kissed my brow and immediately apologized I felt something well within my chest. It only continued to grow as we spoke during your visits. I realized I have never felt anything that was a modicum of that. I knew for sure during our first kiss. When my first kiss was taken by Chan I immediately felt empty and hollow. Yours fanned the flame within me tenfold. My mind will not change, my heart will not falter, my will shall remain strong. I desire you Sokka."

"Screw it."

Azula being highborn was wondering what his crude language meant, she was cut off before she could ask by Sokka inserting his tongue into her mouth. She let of a small shriek but Sokka seemed to giggled. She could not fully tell since their tongues were currently engaged in an extravagant dance. As she was finally adjusting to this surprise he slipped a hand away from her waist, she thought he may have lazily dropped it until she felt it upon her butt. Her heart nearly beat out of her chest when she felt it but she simply let out a long, low, sensual moan. It seemed to encourage him as he grabbed her other cheek. Instinctively her fingers traveled to his hair and she deepened the kiss. After a few more seconds she finally pull away to catch her breath.

"You simply have no respect for your princess. Why would you degrade her in such a manner?" Azula said with a grin.

This time Sokka did not scurry away when she began joking. "You know what Azula. Fine. You're mine. When I wish to kiss you, I will. When I wish to hold you, I will. And when I wish to love you I will. Are you happy now?"

"Oh no. You're doing what I've wanted you to do for weeks. However shall I manage." Azula's voice dripped with sarcasm.

Sokka gripped the bridge of his nose/ "I have no idea how I can hate and love someone at the same time."

"You will learn."

Zuko and Sokka spent most of the afternoon choosing candidates to lead the new departments. Zuko made it abundantly clear that if they attempted to hide issues from him to consolidate power or fear of his reaction he would construct a prison worse than the boiling rock and send them there. How the earth king was fooled by the Dai Li was fresh on his mind, his new departments would not have the same amount of reach and power.

Towards the end as they were going over mundane paperwork Zuko began to pry. Mainly to entertain himself since he already knew the answers.

"A servant stopped by your room this morning. I was informed you had a lady friend over. Are you trying to start a scandal within the fire nation?" Zuko said humorously.

"It's not like that. She means much more to me than a simple fling."

"Even though she was laying on top of you? I can't assume nothing happened."

Sokka's face grew red. "She chose to lay on me while I was sleeping. I'm pretty sure she was treating me like a glorified security blanket. I would be lying if I said nothing happened, but it's not nearly as far as what you're thinking."

Zuko wanted to make Sokka as uncomfortable as humanly possible. "And you said this girl wouldn't see you like that as her mind got better. High five, you're a lucky man." Zuko raised his hand. Sokka was too busy cringing to notice Zuko was holding back a burst of laughter. He did high five him back though.

"Uh….Thanks Zuko. I really have never felt like this before."

"She must be something special, what is she like?"

"She's damaged. I honestly feel like she just needs someone to love her and she can grow as a person. Her father wasn't a very nice person so she picked up a few of his bad habits but she's seeing the truth about who he is finally I think. Other than that she's funny, smart, cunning, and...well I don't even know a word for it but she's beyond beautiful. She also sees the value of who I am. I'm not a commoner and I'm not on a pedestal because of my position. I'm just Sokka. On the other end of the spectrum she acknowledges my mind as well and doesn't think of me as a fool."

"Man, she really is something special if she doesn't think you're a fool. I still do."

Sokka shook his fist in feigned indignation.

"Well I'll be heading out later. Your help won't be needed so you can spend the evening with your future wife or whatever, without worry of running into the firelord. I'm sure she'd be extremely nervous meeting someone in my position."

Sokka smiled and laughed in agreement but thought to himself. "You have no idea."

Evening

Sokka burst into his room which nearly caused Azula to bend at him. Her fist was ready. "Hey Azula put down the lethal weapon." He gripped her wrist and slowly put her hand down.

"You idiot, why would you burst into our room like that. I thought I would be killed."

Sokka began to tease her. "our room? So hypothetically if you were able to get your own room you would still prefer to stay in here?"

Blood began to rush to Azula's face. "Well, you cannot stay by my side if we aren't in the same room can you? Fool."

Sokka dropped his hand from her wrist to her fingers. "Uh huh. You sound very convincing and intimidating insulting me right now princess."

Azula rolled her eyes "You still have not told me why you entered the room like an assassin."

"Sorry, I was just excited to say Zuko was gone for the rest of the day."

"So? I am still stuck in this room. The only thing that made it better was the hourly servants you sent."

"So that means I might be able to sneak you to the Agni Kai chamber so you can practice your bending and you will have no chance of being spotted by Zuko since he won't be back until late."

"That does sound enticing."

"Then lets do it. You go on ahead, I'll meet you there."

"You trust me to not run?"

"The only person who could reasonably stop you from leaving is Zuko, or a few hundred guards. You could have left last night but you stayed. I trust you Azula."

Azula thanked him and walked away. She didn't bother insulting her brother's skill. He proved her wrong on the day of Sozin's comet. He defeated her. It would be worse now. He was strong, likely much stronger than he previously was. She had weakened considerably. She had to close the gap, practice was a good way to do it.

Sokka was correct in his assumption that most of the staff didn't recognize her. A few seemed to be trying to place her face but she ignored them. Hundreds of people were within the palace daily, her rare face with no makeup likely wouldn't trigger alarm bells for anyone.

The Agni Kai chamber was empty and unguarded. She thanked Sokka in her head. They may not be able to place her face, but they could place her blue fire in an instant. She stepped onto the platform and began going through her stances. Her practice in her cell had paid off and she had regained her blue fire, the amount of power she had previously was another story entirely. If she were to venture a guess she would say she was almost half of what she was if she put in full effort. If she practiced for a week or two she could likely get back into the swing of things. She was surprised when someone else entered the chamber in blue armor and a black sword.

"You can't be serious."

"Sure am princess."

"Sokka even if I am rusty you stood absolutely no chance against me whatsoever last year. I do not wish to hurt you."

Sokka slapped his leather armor "That's what the armor is for. Come on, humor me."

"Fine." She decided she would simply hold back on him. She did not profess her feelings for him just to kill him a few hours later.

"Here. You'll probably need these. I pulled them from your old room."

She didn't know why but she felt elation when he gave her her greaves and armguards. Combat really had been her entire life. After they were in place Sokka and her stepped onto the platform.

"Sokka, please submit."

"Not a chance princess."

"Have it your way." Azula kicked a fireball his way then used two fire fists. To her surprise he jumped over the fireball and swatted away the two fire fists with his sword and his own armguard. "You've improved."

"Before visiting you consumed most of my free time I use to practice with Zuko or train to defeat him. His bending mixed with his swords makes him quite the challenge. Before I took this job I also spent a few months with Piandao."

"I suppose I have no reason to hold back then." Azula propelled herself towards him with her flames. She was not underestimating him but in close his reach would be negated, she knew she was better in hand to hand. With her flames she only needed to land one blow. She condensed flames around her fists. Surprisingly he was great at avoidance in close range but he wasn't attempting counters. She spoke as they danced. "Ty Lee?"

"Analyzed her fight style so I wouldn't get hit again. Suki told me about yours. You're amazing."

"Are we speaking about my combat prowess or my looks?" She teased as she shot a stream of fire towards his chest.

"Both." Sokka had come behind her and wrapped his arm around her neck. "Point for me. I know you were going a little easy though."

"Can't kill my future husband can I?"

"Hello there."

Azula went pale and Sokka's blood ran cold. They both turned and saw Zuko standing in the doorway with a blank face.

"Zuko, I didn't mean for you to find out like this."

"How did you mean for me to find out?"

Sokka looked down with a sigh. He didn't know the answer himself. He really was a fool if he thought he could hide a relationship with his sister in his own palace.

"Azula, you are looking well."

Sokka and Azula both came to the same realization. He had no guards. This was a test. Sokka not knowing exactly what she was thinking wrapped his other arm around her neck after dropping his sword. He then spoke into her ear, he didn't care if Zuko heard.

"I love you Azula."

Azula's heart swelled at the words and then strangely he let her go completely. She looked back at him, he had love in his eyes but his body language was also that of a very nervous person. She realized he was trusting her again. He knew she would not hurt Zuko, or at least he wanted to believe that deeply. Azula hopped off the platform and took a few steps towards Zuko. Sokka held a breath but Zuko remained still. When Azula was a few steps away she did a completely formal bow.

"I am well firelord Zuzu, thanks to Sokka."

Zuko facepalmed, she had to slide a little Azulaness in there, but this was as close to full respect as he would get. He noticed Sokka lightly celebrating in the background. Zuko put out a hand towards his sister. She took it and stood up.

"Sokka has really helped you?" Zuko folded his hands back into his robe and continued to analyze her.

"Yes. With his kindness, and now his love."

"Would you like your old room back?"

Azula smiled at the sentence's true meaning. She had his trust, and her status. By this time Sokka had also jumped off the platform and was standing at her side.

"No," She took Sokka's hand. "I already have a room. However I would like my things brought to my new space."

"As you wish little sister." Zuko began to turn away but was stopped by Sokka.

"That's it? No big brother speech about hurting your sister? Or feelings of anger at my betrayal?"

"No. You went to genuinely help her the first time since you're a nice person. After that I'm assuming you slowly fell in love with her. When you realized you had feelings for her it was too late to stop but you couldn't tell me since you feared my reaction. Does that about sum it up?" Zuko grinned at Sokka's surprised face.

"How long have you known?"

"I knew since your first visit. You weren't very subtle about where you were going. I figured she would either try to kill you and you'd stop going or you would find some way to help her and I would have my sister back."

A feminine voice swam in the back of Azula's head. "Zuko, I was never a good sister to you. I was a monster."

Sokka spun her towards him and quickly kissed her. When he broke the kiss he pushed her hair behind her ears and began rubbing them with his thumbs.

"Azula what are you?"

"A monster."

Kiss

"Azula what are you?"

"A Mon-hmph" Once again he interrupted her with a kiss. She saw what he was doing now.

"Azula what are you?"

"….a princess."

"Good." Sokka then remembered Zuko had been standing there the entire time. He looked at him with a nervous grin and placed his hand behind his head. "Uh, sorry. I kind of just reacted."

"You really do love her don't you?"

"With every single piece of me."

"Then I have no reason to be angry. I will alert the servants and guards that the princess has returned and of your new….status."

Zuko did not turn around when he heard a small thank you from Sokka, although he did smile.

Slapped on another chapter. I have a few ideas for continuations so don't worry about it. This is actually my favorite story at the moment.

If you are a fan of my other works I will say the next story to get updated will likely be shifting times. I had a couple of ideas hit me that made the story interesting for me again. After that will likely be hidden affections or who are you.