"Avatar Aang, please allow us to scrub your feet, sir," came the voice of one of the fire palace's many servants. The avatar stood at the cusp of entering the ball that the fire lord and lady had prepared for him. He was not a fan of having his feet scrubbed, but his wife gladly stepped into the wash basin, kicking off her small heels with excitement. Katara enjoyed being the fire nation, nowadays, as no other nation could compare to the royal treatment they were given here.

Once again refusing, Aang watched as his wife indulged in the ritual. Katara gave a soft sigh as the servants hastily washed both of her feet, mindful of her swollen ankles, and replaced her shoes. "That felt great," she said with a smile at her husband. Aang returned the smile, giving her belly a rub. She was due soon, which made Aang's heart leap at the thought of a future airbending son. He had not brought up the topic lately to his wife, but a part of him feared that he would never see his culture's future reborn. Bumi had yet to show any success in airbending, and Kya displayed her mother's natural element at the age of three.

Katara became highly irritated when he discussed his anxiousness, so to keep the peace, he chose to share it only with one other person, someone whom he had never expected to connect with before the war's end.

"Ah, you two finally made it," greeted the princess when they entered the lavish ballroom, surprising Katara with an uncharacteristic hug. Giving a small nod, Azula gestured towards a golden table designated for the nation's honored guests that housed plenty of food and beverages for them to indulge themselves.

"Just a bit of advice on fire nation etiquette, do not sit or touch anything edible before the royal family. You must greet the room and mingle with nobles," taking the avatar's arm by the elbow, she pulled him close. "You have the privilege of being escorted by me. Don't speak, unless spoken to. Just follow my lead. Your wife, being with child, will be given the appropriate treatment. "

Aang looked over his shoulder as Katara was directed towards their table and allowed to sit given her condition. She gave an uneasy smile towards him, though she was pleasantly surprised when one of the servants placed a warm towel over her shoulders and another knelt to continue massaging her feet. At this, the young woman closed her eyes in absolute bliss.

"I made sure to add an exception for her," Azula mentioned as they stepped into the crowd of people.

"Thanks, Azula," said Aang, somewhat ashamed of looking at her flat stomach, as a brief thought of what the princess would look like as round and full as his wife slipped into his mind.

"Are you still worried?" She asked in a soft whisper before plastering a perfect smile towards a woman adorned with expensive fabrics and jewelry. "Ah, Lady Mamushi, I almost did not recognize you out of your uniform".

The fire nation noble gave a bow before answering. "Princess Azula, a pleasure, we must meet soon to discuss future plans for the nation".

Instead of waiting for an answer, Lady Mamushi quickly side stepped them to greet other party members.

Aang gave a confused look. "I expected more," he admitted.

"She's not authorized to speak with the avatar," explained Azula. "As a result of the war, she lost her position as captain. My talking with her, however, restores some of her honor".

Aang gave a slow nod. He was not adept to the fire nation's honor rituals. For a small nation, there were just too many rules to remember. Instead, he chose to answer Azula's question.

"I'm still a little nervous. I hope the fire sages will be able to determine if the child will be an airbender".

"It's a boy and from what I could gather, he will be a strong airbender," Azula whispered back before plastering another smile towards a male nobleman.

"Avatar Aang," spoke the man, his hair in a complete topknot crisp and large. "Your wife seems comfortable".

Aang looked to Azula before remembering that Katara was his wife. Glancing behind him, he noted that she still had her eyes closed enjoying the massages from the servants.

"She loves coming here," he said to the man.

With a grin, he turned to Azula. "Princess, you look radiant as usual. I am still awaiting the answer to my proposal from your brother".

Azula gave a nod. "Xai Bau, the fire lord is quite busy as of late, and I'm sure you know that my father would need to be the one to confirm this proposal of yours".

Aang had no clue what the two were discussing, yet Xai Bau's expression made him uneasy. The man looked as if he wanted to feast on the princess right there in the middle of the party. Aang couldn't help his growing jealousy of the idea.

"Let's hope the former fire lord is keen to the idea. Your beauty is unmatched in all of the nations, Princess. Any man would be honored to have you".

"I'm sure you would know. If you'll excuse us. The avatar is looking to meet with the fire lord and as his escort, I am honor bound to get him there".

The two hurried away, however, Aang and Xai Bau exchanged not too friendly glances towards the other as they moved past each other.

"New suitor?" Asked the avatar.

Azula gave a grin. "Always, though I have other tastes as I'm sure you're aware of".

"Yes, that was quite a scene with you and the bounty hunter".

"Hush," said the princess as they approached a face Aang recognized.

"Lady Bei Fong," announced Azula, making Toph smirk.

"Azula," spoke the mother of one. "These parties are worse than in the earth kingdom".

"Agreed," said Azula, making Toph and Aang chuckle.

"Good to see you, Toph," Aang said with a nod.

"How's your wife, Katara?" asked the earthbender. "You're not replacing her, I hope".

Aang gave a nervous chuckled, using his free arm to wipe the persperation from his head. The room was stifling suddenly.

"She's at her seat," he announced.

Toph was quiet for a moment before stating, "You two aren't fooling anyone, ya know? I can smell the tension".

"Whatever do you mean, Lady Bei Fong? I am simply escorting the avatar to the fire lord. Nothing nefarious is at hand".

"Yeah," Toph said, not hiding the sarcasm in her voice. "Escorting, huh? He's married".

"As we are all aware. By the way, has the Boomerang boy tied the knot yet, you know, when he's not in Republic City tending to other matters?"

Toph gave a clearing of her throat. "Whatever, Azula, see ya later, Aang," with that she hurried away from them towards Katara's table.

Aang gave a confused look to the princess.

"What? We're all adults now with needs. She should worry about her own needs instead of ours".

"Ours?" Asked Aang.

Instead of answering the fire lord appeared before them, arms outstretched. Aang gave his good friend a strong hug.

"Lady Mai," he said with a bow, "great to see you again".

"Hello, Avatar," said the fire lady, looking to Azula, she gave a nod. "Your wife is not with you?"

Azula released the avatar's elbow. "I made sure to make her comfortable given her condition," she announced. "The avatar was not well versed on the ways of our nation".

"Right," said Mai, "Now that you've been so noble, let's talk alone, Azula".

Though she could have rejected the fire lady's request given her royal status, Azula agreed and the two left Zuko and Aang alone to talk. Aang watched them go, particularly looking at the shorter raven haired woman in the long red, tailored dress that accentuated her hips. If Aang hadn't been aware of the woman's older brother standing in front of him, he would've licked his lips.

"Did you like what you saw?"

"I didn't see much".

"I was saving the surprise".

"For your wife?"

"Let's not talk about her".

"Fine with me".

"Why mention her then?"

"Because you never do".

"It's pretty great huh?" Asked Zuko bringing Aang out of his thoughts and back to the party.

"What?" He asked. At Zuko's confused look, he cleared his throat. "Sorry, all of this is pretty overwhelming. Do you mind if we talk outside?"

The fire lord nodded, gesturing for a servant to follow them as the men exited the ballroom to a nearby balcony that overlooked the caldera. The young, female servant filled their goblets with wine, using her finger to light a cigar before making her exit at Zuko's wave.

"Guess you're used to the royal treatment again, huh?" Asked Aang, batting away the smoke from the fire lord's cigar, to Zuko's surprise, he did drink some of the wine offered in his goblet.

"Well, it has been 15 years since the end of the war, Aang. We're not kids anymore".

Aang agreed, shocking Zuko further when he finished the goblet of wine. "What's on your mind, Man? Is it Katara? The baby?"

Slightly enumerated, Aang took the pitcher left by the servant and refilled his glass.

"Your sister," at Zuko's wrinkled brow, he added, "she has been a big help, you know?"

Zuko took a slow drag of his cigar, blowing it out away from the avatar before answering. "Yeah, she's pretty great. Thanks to her, this pirate problem is pretty much solved".

"Do you think she could, help me further? I need, well, I kind of need her. This spirit world matter is getting worse".

Though he had other, pleasurable intentions for the princess, the spirit world was still in disarray due to his neglect of it during the war. Unable to tell his wife, Zuko or any one else of Father Glowworm's return after centuries, Azula and her spirit reading powers were truly his only resort for help. At the very least he was being honest about that fact.

Zuko shook his head. "I don't know Aang. Azula's great, but I'm still worried about her mentally. I'm looking to see her married off in a few months. Xai Bau is a part of the white lotus. He could protect her and keep her stable".

So, that's why he was so forward. Zuko has already agreed to their marriage. Thought Aang, quietly seething at the thought.

"Besides," continued Zuko, "Can't the spirit world handle itself? You have another kid on the way".

"I'm the avatar, Zuko. It's my responsibility".

"But not Azula's," pointed out the fire lord.

"Yes but I need--" he stopped when Zuko's hand touched his shoulder.

"Enough of this. We're here to party. We can discuss this later".

Aang sighed deeply as he followed the fire lord back into the ballroom.

"What do you think you're doing?" Asked the fire lady once they were out of earshot of the party goers. "The man is married".

Azula waved her away. "I'm simply doing my duty as advisor to the fire lord," she pointed out. "That means I need to make sure his most esteemed guest is comfortable".

"Your mom thinks otherwise," said Mai with a smirk. "Not sure where she got it from, but she has it in mind that you and the avatar became pretty close lately".

That bitch did read my journal. Thought Azula, though she was careful not to show her anger towards her unflappable old friend.

"Well, Mothers can be quite overbearing," she stated knowing Mai understood from her own mother's nagging that she bear Zuko a child before he sought to find someone else to do the job.

"Yes, but I want to warn you to be careful, Azula. With Xai Bau's proposal, on the table, Zuko may just seal the deal if he finds about this".

Azula rolled her eyes. Unfortunately, Xai Bau was not going to be as easy to reject as her other potential suitors. The man was a gifted firebending master, member of her uncle's white lotus and had bragging rights to being a part of one of the most noble of noble families in their nation. Their marriage would appease the clans which would help Zuko's reign.

"I'll deal with that when it comes, but my love life is no one's business. I've paid my debt to this damned nation and Zuko ten-fold". Instead of waiting for a reply, the princess took her leave, choosing to storm out of the party completely.

She wasn't surprised to find the avatar at her heels when she reached the unlit throne room, however. His chi seemed to pull her as he neared from behind and for once, she decided not to runaway from the thoughts plaguing her mind. To his surprise and hers, she whirled around to face him, wrapping her arms below his armpits to grab his shoulders, as expected, he leaned down to catch her lips in an almost painful lock.

Knowing that no one would think to look in the throne room for them, the princess became emboldened, deepening the kiss for several moments before catching her breath when the two fell against the table in the center of the room that held the map of the world that her father once used to announce her plan of burning the earth kingdom to the ground.

Without missing a beat, Aang took her neck between his lips, suckling hard enough to surely leave a bruise. Azula held his head in place, wrapping her legs about him.

"This isn't pretend, anymore, Avatar," she said between gasps, "Are you sure you can handle this?"

Aang lifted from her neck to look at her, his eyes gray and bright, though his face was nearly as red as the walls.

"Funny, I was going to ask you the same".

Azula gave a sigh as she felt him against her, his body reacting to her wrapped legs about his hips. The heat from the moment could be felt through their undergarments as Aang moved against her in slow strokes, lifting her dress to expose most of her thighs before she stopped him.

"No," she said quietly. "We can't do this".

Aang fell back against her neck, his tongue teasing her ear, making Azula hiss.

"We can still play pretend, Princess," he urged. "I won't go any further than you will allow".

Azula grasped one of his hands from its resting placing on her thigh. Placing his index and middle fingers in her mouth, she watched his eyes twinkle with interest as a sly smile graced his lips.

"I'm tired of pretend," she said, before continuing the action.

Aang allowed her to move his soaking fingers lower until they finally felt soft, wet heat. He moved back to the place on her neck that was turning purple and reattached his lips at which Azula gave a soft gasp when she felt his fingers fill her.

Aang took his time, enjoying the former conqueror's gasps of pleasure from just his hand. He was nothing if not patient. He had waited months for the opportunity to indulge the princess. He would make sure she enjoyed this as much as his fantasies had imagined she would.

Azula's legs lifted higher along with her gasps. Before Aang could register it all, his shoulders were holding her kneecaps, revealing the thin laced undergarments beneath her red dress.

"More," he heard her say. Unsure if he should indulge her further, Aang continued with just his hand. With his other hand, he grasped himself, waiting for the chance.

Azula's eyes, which were previously closed, opened wide to look at him.

Please. Begged Aang in his mind. The pressure was becoming too much.

"I said more, you idiot," Azula spoke with a smirk. Before Aang could think, the princess had removed his hand from inside of her, making him almost fall against her.

Aang released from his undergarments and aligned himself before either of them could change their mind.

Azula's cry made him see stars as his deepest, primal instincts took hold of him. He thought he had entered the avatar state when she clutched him tightly. Thankfully, the music in the ballroom was deafening enough to shield their gasps or surely someone would have heard them.

The two spoke no further words as they enjoyed one another in varying positions both surprised at the other's stamina. Aang's shirt was torn along with the princess's dress by the time they both met their peaks, with the princess atop him, her bare back facing him, the red dress at her waist and her hair absent its signature pin and topknot.

Aang breathed in the stifling air around them when Azula finally fell against his chest.

Unsurprisingly, the princess spoke first. "I'm a bit jealous that your wife gets to have this much fun with you".

Aang chuckled in spite of himself. Katara had been so far removed from his mind that he was about to ask Azula whom it was she speaking of.

"If you want, we could escape on Appa and and have more fun back on Ember Island," he suggested.

"In the bath house?" Azula asked.

"Mmhmm," agreed Aang, removing her hair to kiss her neck between answers. "Atop Appa, on the beach, on top of the roof of your family's beachhouse. In the spirit world. Wherever you want, Princess".

Azula gave a soft moan of approval. "Neither of us can go to the party in our current state," she pointed out. With a gasp, she added. "I know a private exit from the throne room".

"Let's do it," agreed Aang.

With that, the two hurriedly replaced their torn garments, making their exit from the palace through a secret passage behind Zuko's throne. Quickly Aang and Azula left for Appa, who at first balked at the sight of the princess.

"It's ok, Buddy," Aang assured him, though Appa's disapproving grunt was an answer.

"Oh hush, you smelly thing. I'll buy you some fruit or something when we get there," Azula reasoned. Appa gave a nicer grunt as if understanding her, allowing the two to climb aboard.

"I would've never thought in a million years," stated the fire lord, watching from the balcony he and Aang had shared wine from as Azula and Aang emerged from the throne room's secret exit, giggling like teenagers, their clothing in disarray as they boarded Appa.

"This would not be a good look for our nobles, sir," Xai Bau reminded him. "The princess has been rumored to favor women, but to openly give herself to a married man, the avatar, no less. This could all be appeased, of course, should you accept my proposal. Your father has no authority anymore, besides I'm sure he wouldn't mind once he finds out".

Zuko shook his head. "He won't. We'll keep this between us. Azula is yours. I'll handle Aang," looking over his shoulder at the pregnant woman looking about for her husband, he added, a dangerous thought crossing his mind. "Katara may be looking for a new suitor as well".