His ass is cute. Ginger thought offhandedly, reaching out to touch the young, pale royal's backside with her red, manicured fingernails.
Azula's hot, deformed, older brother growled low, shooting her a warning glare over his shoulder that made her retract her hand quickly. His anger frightened and intrigued the red-head. It fueled him like a machine, making him tense and relentless which she was not used to as it had been a while since she had a man her age. Part of her wanted to give up her bachelorette status and settle in nicely with her best friend's single brother, then again, Varrick and his wife came with much less baggage than the royal fire family.
Watching Prince Zuko pull up his trousers with a satisfied sigh, Ginger decided once was enough. Old, rich married men were more her style anyway.
"Feeling better?" She asked when he unlocked the door to his Hummer, signaling their impromptu session was over.
A grunt was her answer, making Ginger suck her teeth.
Jerk! She thought, opening the door to let herself out. She adjusted her blue ballroom gown, reapplying her lipstick.
"Keep your mouth shut about this, Ginger," snapped Zuko. "If you tell Azula-"
"Oh, hush, Your Highness, I've forgotten about this mediocrity already," the red-head hissed back, flipping her short hair as she strutted away, proudly.
Though she was obviously lying about the best car tryst she had in a very long time, she found the prince incredibly rude and more entitled than his sister, which she thought impossible to achieve. Before the prince could lash out at her, she hurried away.
#
The twister mat seemed out of place with its pattern of overly bright, colorful dots against a white background against the dark, bloody crimson of the Fire Palace's walls and columns. Katara struggled not to shiver at the overhanging flags around the arena bearing an oppressive nation's proud emblem of gold against its crimson background. Instead, she chose to focus on the task at hand. With the monetary grand prize, she hoped to reclaim at least some of the wealth stolen from her home country many years ago, during the legendary war that spanned a hundred years, ending before she was born and sparking this current age of world dominance and modernism.
Waiting patiently for the event to begin, Katara was surprised by a gentle grasp on her shoulder by a warm hand. Her heart quickened, eyes turning to meet not the baby brown ones, she had hoped to see, but intense molten, gold orbs, one of which seemed smaller due to the scarred flesh surrounding it.
"Prince Zuko," Katara muttered, very disappointed that Aang and Azula had yet to emerge from the locker room from doing the spirits knew what! "Your country was quite generous to allow such a competition, given their history".
She felt Zuko's eyes scrutinizing her before he spoke. "You shouldn't speak so openly about politics around here," he whispered so that only she could hear. "Keep your eyes opened, things aren't always what they seem here".
Katara was surprised at her friend's tone. The prince was an awkward loner who rarely spoke about anything. Before she could respond, he asked, "Where's Aang?"
Katara's eyes narrowed voice constricting with pure jealousy and bitterness. "I'm not the one you should be asking. I'm sure your ivy league sister is keeping him warm".
Surprisingly, the prince huffed. "Good, my father's looking for her anyway. I'll just enjoy the show".
As if on cue, Azula emerged from the locker room, her eyes immediately finding Katara and Zuko. Her father awaited her with a terrifying glare that the waterbender noted. Surprisingly, Aang had yet to appear, making her heart burn with worry for several moments before he revealed himself.
The couple did not look at one another, instead of moving on opposite ends of the Twister mat in silence. When Aang stopped beside her, Katara smiled prettily at him.
"I thought you guys were quitting," she said, sweetly.
Aang spoke low, his eyes distant as if he were preparing for battle. "We did," he said, softly.
Huh? Thought Katara before Iroh drawled out, "Water Tribe, right hand red"
#
"This has gone far enough, Princess," Ozai said to his nervous daughter.
Of course, only her father could sense that Princess Azula wanted to secretly peel her flesh away, thanks to her daily dose of medications and years of repressed emotions. As a show of support to the crowd, her father had descended from his VIP seating to escort his daughter to the staged charity event. Luckily she and Aang had finished their tryst and were only caught exchanging loving kisses when the Imperial Firebenders entered the locker room.
"How so, Father?" She braved to ask.
Ozai brought a cigar to his lips, exhaling before handing it to his daughter. "Calm down, Child. You seem to care very much for a man whose people threatened your very existence".
Azula inhaled the cigar, watching Katara clumsily start the tournament. Her mind swirled with hazy thoughts of college parties and shopping sprees with Ginger on her father's dime. She would not have traded her father's favor for anything at that time, but that was then…that was before a gust of wind took her breath away in the form of her beloved nation's greatest threat…that was before she fell in love against her better judgement with the avatar.
To be completely honest, Harvard University's campus was no different from any other college. Granted, social class lines were drawn with a more permanent marker, but Azula was at the very top of the class hierarchy so she gave such things little thought. She never mingled with anyone outside of her class except for Ginger, who had fucked and sucked her way to the top, so Azula could respect her tenacity to take charge of her own social mobility, and welcomed the girl with open arms. Ginger, in exchange, introduced Azula to lower society's way of life and the princess was enthralled.
It was not the excessive, free use of illegal drugs (Azula was content with her antidepressants), but the enjoyment of life. Peasants found enjoyment in everything from stargazing, birdwatching, house parties and sports. Life was one big rollercoaster ride to them. They did not have an image to preserve or an overbearing father who ruled the world. They were content with just…existing.
Azula had been on the campus lawn with her sketchbook in hand. Thankfully, her father had not confiscated it or he would have seen her sketches of Ty Lee's naked body with his grandfather Sozin's old bedrobe hanging open the day before she left for the prestigious university. Despite their breakup, Ty Lee wanted her to always have something pretty to look at other than herself and Azula committed one of her many rebellious acts against her powerful father for the last time.
The princess was over her old flame, however, and instead found a fresh page to sketch a couple lost in one another as they ate on the lawn out of a basket. Azula could not fathom their open affection, finding it quite tasteless, though she likewise found beauty in the clear, blue sky and overhanging trees against perfectly manicured grass backdrop around them.
She had finished the outline of her sketch, erasing the stray marks of imperfection when a strange, annoying, gust of wind nearly ripped the book from her hand, forcing the red, large brimmed hat off her head to reveal her unkempt hair to the world.
"What in Agni's Hell?" She muttered, pursing her lips.
She threw her sketchbook and pencil aside to retrieve the hat before it could tumble out of sight.
"Sorry! Let me get that for you!" A male voice called from behind her.
From her embarrassing position on her hands and knees, Princess Azula had to crane her neck up more than normal to look at the staggering giant looming above her. Waving his hand, he blew the hat awkwardly back atop her head. Instead of thanking him, Azula spit fire, hurrying to scramble away. An airbender! The princess was shocked senseless before quickly recovering.
Hmph! Can't wait to tell Father about this. She thought.
The man smiled warmly, extending his arm to help her to her feet. Azula looked at it as though it was an alien. His tattoos seemed to radiate from his strong forearm.
"The avatar," she gasped in awe.
As did everyone else in the world, Azula believed the survival of the fabled air nomad avatar to be false.
Perhaps, he could be useful. She told herself, lifting unto her feet.
"You can call me Aang," he announced pleasantly.
"Are you the avatar?" Azula asked him, voice low.
Aang gave a grimace. "People call me that, but-"
"Then I'll call you, Avatar," she insisted a smirk appearing on her face. "You may call me, Princess".
Aang shrugged. "Ok, well, Princess, I think I'm lost. I am supposed to meet the president in one of these buildings".
Azula nodded. "For?"
Aang's brow rose. "Well, not to brag, but they want to talk to me about their probending team. I'm pretty good".
Of course. Azula could care less for peasant sports though she found the crowd's faithful love for them to be quite comical.
"It is your lucky day then. I know the president personally".
Azula led Aang to meet with Harvard's president, purposefully leaving her cell number for him in exchange for his. Of course, it was only to keep tabs on his whereabouts and hopefully track his GPS coordinates should she need to present him to her father for proof. Aang, however, was immediately enthralled and had other ideas in mind.
After rejecting the president's proposal, he asked the princess on a date at which she readily complied.
"Hmm, you're not interested?" Ginger asked, who had driven her to the teashop the two had planned to meet at.
"Just business, Ginger. I'll leave the fucking to you," Azula snapped coolly, waving her off.
Aang was there to greet her at the entrance to the teashop and Azula nearly stumbled as she became very aware of the air nomad's rare beauty. She found herself returning his warm smile as she approached.
"Hello, Princess," said the avatar, bowing to her. "Are you feeling adventurous?"
Azula's brow wrinkled. "What?" A slap was about to be the answer before Aang wrapped an arm around her waist, opening an ancient glider, she had not noticed, lifting them into the air.
"You're not afraid of heights, I hope," he commented smoothly when Azula's arms wrapped about his neck in a strong chokehold.
"I'm not afraid of anything!" She insisted, though she found her legs glued to his hip.
Aang chuckled. "We'll see".
"I care about my nation, Father. You know of my complete allegiance to you and our land," Azula answered, readying herself for her cue to enter the competition.
"Ah, then you remember our conversation from your last love affair, then?"
"it will come to you, this love of the land. There's no getting away from it if your blood burns fire".
Azula tried to restrain her tears. Ozai loved the fear in her eyes. She would always belong to him.
"Thank you for reminding me, though, I do not see why land is so important, Father," she admitted honestly.
"Do you mean, Azula, Crowned Princess Azula, that the Fire Nation…this land doesn't mean anything to you? Land is the only thing that keeps this nation in power. We send soldiers to fight for it, die for it because it's the only thing that lasts," responded Ozai.
"But Mother says love lasts," choked out Azula against her will.
"And you know your mother for the liar she is".
Azula breathed deeply at the memory. "Of course, Father, or I would not have taken the pains to get him here".
Bile rose in her throat as he gave a gentle chuckle, rubbing her back softly.
"Good," whispered Ozai in her ear. "I'd hate to see you as damaged as your brother. Oh and be sure to win this competition. I do not intend to have a dime of my money squandered on charities".
"Of course".
"Afterwards, buy something to replace the avatar".
Azula nodded in agreement. "I have my prize picked out, a baby Unagi-skinned bag with my name on it".
Ozai chuckled. "Good girl, you concentrate on that and I'll handle my own prize".
Azula swallowed hard.
#
A week of unsupervised entertainment with the avatar made Azula's heart light. Their dates were not traditional in any social setting, but very unique. She found herself enjoying air gliding and the effect of having her breath taken away when she finally kissed the avatar. Azula was taken by Aang's discussions on worldly affairs and was impressed at his knowledge of ancient Fire Nation culture.
They would talk well into the night about varying topics until one day, the passion was so intense that they found themselves kissing with less innocence than normal atop a mountain's peak. Azula had excused the sensation on the thin air, yet she wanted more from Aang that night. She desired him in ways that she knew better than to desire anyone.
"Show me your tattoos," she gasped when their lips unlocked.
She straddled him on the flat peak of the mountain, their picnic basket untouched. She had felt his reaction to their make-out session and she basked in it.
"Well…" Aang's face reddened.
"Are they all over your body?" Asked the princess.
Aang nodded slowly, peeling off his shirt under the woman's gaze. Azula marveled at his frame and brown beard. Leaning over to whisper in his ear, she spoke softly. "I want you".
Aang gasped, his body jerking as if he were electrocuted by this insatiable woman. Sparks flew that instant and Azula's eyes drained tears after Aang honorably received her virginity. She knew! She knew then she had to stop the madness quickly. She knew when they shared the words in solitary away from the public eye that she could not control it.
When they had finished, Azula cried like a child. She blamed it on skipping her meds, yes, that was definitely it. Aang panicked, hurrying to wrap the blanket that they had lied on about her shoulders.
"What is it?" He asked, carefully. "I-I thought you liked it. I thought you were ready," he bit his bottom lip in worry at her bloodshot eyes. "I'm sorry, Azula".
The princess sniffed, retrieving her sketchbook from her bag.
"I want to draw you," she said, softly. "I want to remember this because it won't last".
#
"Fire, right foot read".
Azula took her cue. Ozai smirked at his loyal child, wishing her luck again as he spotted her old flame entering the tournament at the call.
Aang had entered the tournament as well. He watched Azula leave her father's side and tried to meet the princess's eyes from where he balanced on one hand atop a green dot. She refused to acknowledge him, of course, after breaking his heart into millions of miserable pieces.
What's going on? He wondered, searching the competition.
Katara and Sokka's element had been called and Sokka found himself entangled with Suki. Luckily the two maintained their balance.
"Sokka! If I fall from your weight, I'm going to break up with you, for good!" Hissed the Kyoshi Island native.
Sokka huffed from his position leaning over her with two outstretched hands. "At least it's not YOUR weight," he snapped back. "Besides, I'm a ladies' connoisseur".
"Uh, huh," came Katara, effortlessly stretching into an almost split with her hands several feet in front of her. "Sokka, the moon doesn't count as a lady".
Suki howled, her body jerking before she slammed into the twister mat, kicking Sokka's leg off balance along with her. Luckily, she rolled away into the elimination zone before Sokka's face met the floor with a hard THUD. Aang winced at the water tribesman pain. Sokka growled before standing, red faced and walking off. The crowd of staunch, Fire Nationals roared in applause at the excitement.
"Hmph! Idiots!" Grumbled Azula, making Aang's heart flutter from her sultry voice.
"Azula!" He hissed lowly to the woman bent over directly ahead. "Azula!" He repeated.
"Air, left hand, blue," came Iroh's voice.
Aang pursed his lips, though this meant he could get a little closer to his love. Azula refused to acknowledge him, however.
"Water, left foot, green".
Aang called to Azula again, making Katara glance between them. Bitch! She seethed angrily at the princess's piss poor attitude.
"Just like pampered royalty. They're done with you after you've wiped their ass," she stated, offhandedly.
Azula's head jerked up.
"Fire, left foot yellow," said Iroh, skipping earth, as Suki was the only earth representative in the competition.
Azula's foot stretched up towards Katara's direction. "You're right," she said though her broken tone was not missed by the avatar. "You can have him back to finish wiping yours, perhaps it will help with your catfish aroma".
Katara blinked twice at the insult, nearly faltering to Azula's pleasure. "I can't wait to choke you," she hissed back.
"Anytime, Peasant," retorted Azula.
"Sweetie…" Aang's voice called.
Both women looked to him.
"Air, right foot yellow".
Aang grunted with perspiration breaking his forehead, yet his lips found Azula's in her surprise and Katara's heartbreak. The risk was great as he toppled, his shoulder hitting the mat.
"I love you, Azula," he said watching her face crumble.
"You can go now, Sweetheart," called Ty Lee, whom everyone had forgotten was in the competition until that moment.
Aang rolled off the mat and into the elimination zone with Sokka and Suki. He looked about for Zuko immediately to find out what he had done wrong with Azula. Surely, Zuko could help him win the princess back. He finally caught a glimpse of the prince's back, heading out of the arena towards the throne room and pursued.
Azula gasped outwardly. Now that Aang was gone, she could focus. Her face was drenched, her limbs sore and completely stretched over the flexible woman under her while the weight of her nemesis pressed down from above.
"Give up, yet, Princess?" Asked the gifted contortionist beneath her form.
Azula bit her bottom lip as the woman underneath raised unto the tips of her fingers and toes. Her back arched unnaturally, chest pointing directly towards the firebender's mouth. Thankfully, she was clothed.
"It's ok to give in, ya' know".
Azula shook her head, sweat popping from her face. She was determined to win this dumb game or burn Caldera to the ground in her loss. That $50,000 was going to turn into a custom, baby Unagi-skinned Louis Vuitton handbag very soon. She had to be content with that. Love was unbecoming.
Iroh's slow paced voice announced the next color. "Left foot, blue". Now allowing the free for all between the three contestants. It was only a matter of time before one of them became victorious.
Azula looked about. Katara lifted a leg over her back with a grunt, aiming for the blue dot above her head while she stretched her own between the woman below her.
"Mmm...yes...Princess," moaned Ty Lee, erotically.
Concentrate! Azula coached herself, swallowing when the woman stretched a leg upward, softly touching her lower treasurer before completing the stretch over her own shoulder, toes hitting the middle of the blue dot perfectly. Only problem was now Azula stared at the slight indentions of her best friend's folds through her pink trousers.
Look away! Look away! Oh...Agni".
Ty Lee smiled slyly as if reading her thoughts. "Are you ok, Princess? You can win, ya' know".
"Concentrate!" She scolded herself quietly.
Ty Lee gave her a look of worry. Her ex was normally a bundle of well-kept stress, but the acrobat could see the intensity of her aura. This wasn't just a game anymore. The chinks in her armor that Azula attempted to keep invisible were beginning to show.
"Are you ok, Princess?" She asked.
Azula scoffed at the woman. Truth was, she was not. Breaking up with Aang hurt like nothing she had ever wanted to experience and she would never reveal that to the acrobat pining for her currently.
"You want him, don't you?" Ty Lee pressed.
Azula grunted, "I want YOU to piss off!" She spat out.
She could not risk Ozai hearing them. Though she did not feel nearly the same for Ty Lee as she did for Aang, she did not want to lose her ex either. Her father would think nothing of assassinating even a noblewoman.
"Let me help," urged Ty Lee.
Azula shook her head, feeling her arms stiffening. "This is about more than just fucking you".
Ty Lees face shattered as she let her arms fall. Her head fell against Katara's calf, making her wince as she fell atop Azula. The princess, however, managed to push low to the ground just barely long enough to avoid touching the mat as Katara rolled off of her. And just like that, it was over.
"And the winner is, your Princess Azula!" Announced Azula's ancient nannies, Lo and Li proudly to a screaming crowd of her people.
Standing on wobbly legs, Azula caught her breath. It was over. She looked about for her father, then Aang. Both were absent and Azula's heart bled. Music blared as the mat was removed by servants and the party began. Ginger ran to her bestie ready to swarm her with hugs and praise.
"So, shopping's in order, I assume," said the red-head, raising a glass of red wine.
Azula's brow furrowed. "Where's Aang?" She asked. "My father? Zuko?"
Ginger licked her lips at Zuko's name. "Well, I left your brother in his truck," she announced.
Azula shook her head, disgusted. "I don't care if you fucked him. I need to know if you've seen Aang".
Ginger shrugged. "He went that way I think," she said pointing.
"Azula!"
The princess's eyes rolled in irritation. She knew very well whom the voice belonged to. Turning, she glared at her mother, stopping in her tracks before hugging the woman. Ursa gave a meek smile. "I just wanted to congratulate you, Sweetheart".
Scoffing, Azula noted the waterbender heading for the throne room, hastily with none other than…Aang!
"Your sister-"
Azula huffed. "Father told me strictly to not talk to strangers," she snapped, shoving past the woman. Katara was leading Aang out of the palace when Azula called to them. "You can run, but I'll catch you!"
The two halted, turning to face her. Katara frowned as Aang's face filled with pain that Azula tried not to notice.
"We need to leave, Aang," said Katara, grasping the athlete's forearm. "If what Zuko said was true, we don't have time".
Zuko! Azula's eyes narrowed, crossing her arms she glared at them.
Aang wrenched away from the waterbender, closing the gap between himself and the princess. Hesitantly, he reached for her with an open palm as he did when they first met. Azula blinked away the memory. She could not give in. Her father's warning was clear. No more fucking up.
"Please, tell me Zuko was lying. Y-You do feel something for me? We…meant…something, didn't we?"
Azula bit her lip. Before she could speak, Ozai's face appeared behind the waterbender along with Zuko's. Katara hurriedly attempted to bend liquid from the left over glasses on wine in the room when Zuko forced her hands behind her back. Grunting, Katara squirmed causing Aang to look between both of his exes. His eyes widened at the princess.
"Azula?"
"Excellent work, My Children," announced Ozai, approaching the couple. "Especially you, Princess. I knew you would put on your best performance".
Azula had no clue what her father meant, yet she could not force herself to speak.
"And Zuko, perfect, idea to disguise yourself as the enemy".
Katara gasped, looking up at the prince's scarred face. "I thought you had changed," she hissed.
Zuko's jaw clenched. "I have," he said, simply.
Imperial Firebenders emerged to take the avatar captive. Azula watched helplessly as he was restrained.
"This was all a game to you," Aang softly spoke, "You win as always".
Azula began to reach for him when a strong hand grasped her wrist. "Now, now, Princess, you don't want to keep our guests waiting," said Ozai. "Your brother and I will handle this. You'll forget him and this game by morning".
