Chapter 39
While Azula was happy about Yue enjoying the limelight and being celebrated for her wonderful achievement, privately Azula was a little frustrated that she and Katara could get ahold of their wife again only when the hour was already past nine in the evening. While waiting, Azula had been constantly working the phones to arrange a private party to celebrate Yue's triumph, cooperating with Kori to make sure everything ran smoothly. Kori had come up with the interesting idea to hold the celebrations at Jet's pub, and while it had taken some effort to convince Jet and his friends to close the place to the general public for one evening, in the end Jet had agreed to go along with the plan.
Upon their arrival at The Last Straw, Azula was pleased to see that her effort to round up all their friends had been successful and everyone had come to join the party, even Toph and Teo. Toph had been particularly difficult to convince. Azula completely understood that having expended such an effort and having come so close to realizing her dream, Toph felt absolutely crushed and would have rather remained at her hotel room to have a good cry. Still, Azula's powers of persuasion had proved irresistible, especially once she had made the promise to make attending worth Toph's while which had finally convinced their disappointed friend to show up.
As Yue's arrival was met with loud cheers and applause, Azula was relieved to see everyone genuinely happy for her wife. Of course, it was debatable just how happy Toph was, but she did clap her hands and managed to summon a weak smile, and that felt more than enough to satisfy Azula, especially considering the circumstances.
The booze started flowing soon after, with Jet working the bar together with his friend who was introduced to them merely as Smellerbee. Azula assumed that it was the prickly looking woman's former Freedom Fighter callsign. She seemed to have a biting edge to her personality, and she knew how to mix a mean drink, so obviously Azula took an immediate liking to her.
As soon as their friends ran out of only deserved compliments and praise for Yue, the increasingly tipsy conversations gradually turned to different, mostly silly topics, but Azula could see that Yue was giving her some curious stares, like she was eager to ask something. It didn't take long for Yue to jump on a pause in the conversation and turn towards Azula. "I wonder about Zhao's strange accident, though. That must have been some horrific fall," she said, giving Azula a meaningful stare. "I have a feeling that you know more about what happened with Zhao. I think it would be a really good idea if you told us the truth about that."
Azula let out a heavy sigh. "Well, if you really want me to open myself up to criminal investigation and prosecution, I suppose I could tell you the truth," she said.
"No, we don't want that," Katara spoke hastily. "But you will tell us all about it in private," she insisted.
"I don't see any issues with that," Azula shrugged, beckoning her wives closer. With Yue and Katara pressing close against her and the music at the bar drowning out most of the noise, Azula felt comfortable speaking without the fear of being overheard by the others. "Zhao had hired a group of thugs who had previously worked for my father. They were supposed to assault you before your game against Zhao," she told the shocked looking Yue. "But I paid them off and then hired them to give Zhao the exact same treatment he had ordered for you."
"Good grief," Yue gasped. "I can't believe… no, actually, I guess I can believe that you would do this. It's just… getting involved with such dangerous men? I'm glad it's over and you'll never have to do something like that again. You will never do anything like that again, right?"
"Only as the very last resort," Azula promised.
"Well, I hope that was the truth, but obviously, I appreciate you looking out for Yue and protecting her the way you did. That was very sweet," Katara smiled, despite still looking a little shocked. "Also, I would be lying if I didn't find Zhao's fate very fitting. Turnabout is fair play, after all," she added with a slightly predatory smile that made Azula's knees go weak.
"I wasn't lying when I said that I would do just about anything to keep you safe," Azula said, meaning every spoken word. "Having said that, I had no idea I would have to go to such lengths when you rejoined the professional tour. This isn't what Pai Sho should be about, and it's all Zhao's fault. I'll make sure he understands that attempting to place another hit on his rivals will end even worse for him. But hopefully he will take the hint and simply retire from professional Pai Sho."
"That would be the best for everyone, I agree," Yue nodded. "Even if I will no longer be a part of the tour going forward, and I plan to fully enjoy my second retirement. I wouldn't want our friends having to deal with Zhao's dirty tricks when we're gone from the tour."
"I'll make sure that Zhao poses no risks to any of his fellow competitors," Azula promised.
"So, you haven't reconsidered about the retirement," Katara said, looking at Yue and appearing eager to shift the topic away from Zhao.
"No, what made you think that I would?" Yue appeared surprised.
"I don't know, it wouldn't be too shocking if you developed an appetite for success," Katara grinned. "Anyway, I wasn't being entirely serious. I know you're looking forward to going back to the academy and being with the kids again."
"I can break my promise to coach Zuko only so many times before he kills me," Azula said. "And I couldn't even hold it against him if he did that. Also, speaking of Zuko, I should go and have a word with those two," Azula added, having noticed Zuko and Toph standing a little aside from the others and speaking calmly.
Azula hadn't intended for Katara and Yue to follow her, but she still felt grateful when her wives wordlessly decided to accompany her, ready to provide emotional support in case it was needed. It wasn't unreasonable to be concerned about relationships feeling frayed right now, but hopefully with this tense Pai Sho season now behind them the tempers would soon settle down. And hopefully, the plans Azula had made would help with mending the bridges between her friends.
"Well, you don't seem to be fighting, so that's good," Katara opened, smiling broadly. "Are we back to being friends, then?"
"I think we're getting there," Zuko nodded. "We were just talking and reminiscing our junior days, when we all played each other hard and it never got in the way of our friendships."
"I can't believe we were smarter about that when we were teenagers," Toph snorted. "But yeah, no more stupid arrangements. Although, Zuko just told me about the arrangement he's made with you about coaching him," Toph sighed, giving Azula a reproachful stare. "Nice way to give Zuko such a serious leg up. It's not like he really needs it, you know."
"I don't know, personally I think my dumdum of a brother needs all the help he can get, especially now that you and Aang won't be propping him up," Azula quipped. Zuko glared at her. "Only kidding," Azula sighed. "Seriously, it was really impressive the way you finished with four straight wins," she told Zuko. "A few more rounds, and Yue might have been in trouble."
"Yes, I'm really fortunate that your surge came a little too late," Yue nodded, looking relieved. "And I know you both really craved the title and would have been worthy winners in your own right, but I still think it's awesome the way the three of us just swept the entire podium." After all was said and done, Zuko's late surge had allowed him to claim the second place and his third title of vice-champion, while Toph had been pushed down to the third spot, and a repeat of her best performance in the finals from six years ago.
"Everyone knows the title is the only thing that matters, though," Toph pointed out. "Anything else is just a consolation prize."
"Well, I was happy to retire with the consolation prize of being the world vice-champion," Yue said. "Before today, that was the Pai Sho achievement I was most proud of. I don't think it's completely meaningless."
"It's not," Zuko said quickly. "And I'm also proud of what I have achieved, but coming second best on three separate occasions is also a bit painful, you know? Hopefully in two years I'll be able to correct that."
"I might have something to say about that," Toph smirked.
"Aang would probably say the same now that he's no longer bound by your agreement," Katara remarked. "Also, you better watch out for On Ji and Kori, too. If they're going to hang out with our group of friends, they'll become even better."
"And the old group of veterans are still there, not to mention the upcoming new generation," Yue said. "It's not going to get any easier just because I'm no longer there."
"I know I can do it, though," Toph said with determination. "Well, as long as one of you bitches don't attempt another surprise comeback," she added, pointing first at Katara, then at Azula.
"I'm not coming back, no way," Katara laughed, shaking her head. "I'm eager to resume my medical career, thank you very much."
"And I'll have my hands full fixing Zuko's mistakes," Azula grinned, much to her brother's annoyance. "Also, I might look into playing a bit more speed Pai Sho. It's more up my alley than the classical game at this point." Her words were followed by a pause in the conversation, and Azula decided to get to the reason why she had come over in the first place. "Anyway, Toph, there was something I wanted to tell you. I know everyone got mad at you for stabbing Zuko in the back, but I think you wouldn't have done that if I hadn't egged you on. I feel terrible about making you into the bad guy, and I'm sorry I did that."
"I mean," Toph began slowly. "I might have still done that without your interference. Your words definitely encouraged me, but don't overestimate your influence. Not everything happens because of something you said or did, you know."
"Fair enough," Azula admitted. "Still, I felt bad about what happened, so I wanted to do something about it. Have you spoken with your parents recently?"
"Why are you asking me that? What a weird tangent," Toph shrugged. "Anyway, I haven't spoken to them in like a week. I don't keep a track of our conversations. What's it to you?"
"Well, since I know that your parents are struggling to hold on to the estate, I decided to reach out to your father to see if we can work out a deal," Azula explained. "Long story short, we quickly came to an agreement. Your father agreed to sell the estate, provided that I rent it back to your family on very reasonable terms. And once the Beifong fortunes have improved, I'll be happy to sell it back to you at no markup."
"You did what?" Toph blinked, clearly struggling to process what Azula had explained very calmly. "Why would you do something like that? Do you have spare millions just lying about? Oh wait, I guess you have Ozai's money to throw around now, don't you?"
"Just putting dirty money to good use," Azula shrugged. "Are you upset with me? I thought you'd be happy that your family can keep living at the estate. "
"I'm relieved, sure, I just…" Toph sighed, shaking her head. "That's not a fucking small thing to simply drop on someone, okay? Especially considering that I've been agonizing about it for months. And of course, you're telling me this only after the tournament, because if you had told me earlier, I wouldn't be so stressed. You cleverly cold bitch."
"Hey, Azula just spent an insane amount of money to help your family," Katara huffed, looking a little annoyed at Toph. "Maybe some gratitude might be in order."
"I'm plenty grateful," Toph snapped. "That was just me expressing love and appreciation for Azula's deviousness. You have an amazingly calculating way of looking out for your friends, and I appreciate that."
"I'll take that as a compliment," Azula smiled, even if Katara and Yue still looked a little miffed. "So, friends?" she said, offering her hand to Toph.
"I wouldn't have it any other way. Time to stop being stupid and prioritize friendships over everything else, at least I've learned that much," Toph nodded, happy to accept Azula's handshake. Katara and Yue clearly did not care about Azula and Toph's reluctance to embrace, and the two Water Tribe women encircled them for a group hug, pulling the nearby Zuko in with them.
"Alright, can we stop now before this display becomes totally embarrassing," Toph groaned after she had been released from the group hug. "Anyway, I can tell that your wives are still a bit angry with me," Toph told Azula before turning to face Katara and Yue. "But I really am serious about putting my friendships above my Pai Sho ambitions. Things are going to change, I promise."
Katara and Yue exchanged stares, both of them softening at Toph's words. "That's all we wanted to hear, Toph," Katara said. "Feeling like you weren't on our side was not fun."
"It really wasn't," Toph nodded in agreement. "Anyway, I'm going to ask Jet to mix me something that'll make me feel good about coming in third place," she said, heading over towards the bar.
"And I should stop Sokka before he demolishes Jet's bar," Zuko snorted. Azula looked over to where Sokka was standing, ready to punch the snack vending machine that had swallowed yet more of his hard-earned yuan while refusing to dispense one of its delectable treats.
Having mingled for a bit, the trio sat down only to be approached by Aang and On Ji, offering more congratulations to Yue. "I know we reacted poorly to your comeback announcement, but thinking about it now, I'm really happy you decided to come out of retirement," Aang said after the initial exchange of pleasantries. "It's as if you were the catalyst for that ill-considered arrangement between me, Toph and Zuko to fall apart. Even though I am the only one to actually benefit from it, I'm never signing up for something like that again. Well, On Ji and I will keep settling for peace, I guess."
Azula felt like making a comment about that, but she couldn't quite force herself to care enough to speak up. That was never going to stop Katara, though. "You know, Azula, Yue and I never went easy on each other," she spoke boldly. "And I don't think you should, either. A little bit of competition in a relationship makes it stronger, and also, it's just fun. I highly recommend that you try it."
On Ji's first reaction was to look a little annoyed, but that expression quickly shifted into a thoughtful one. "Well, I suppose if anyone would have experience with that, it would be the three of you," On Ji admitted. "I think we need to try it."
"Yes, we should," Aang nodded with a smile. "Thank you for speaking your mind as always, Katara." Katara rolled her eyes at that, but she was smiling as well. "Anyway, it's great to for once feel excited about Pai Sho and to look forward to the new season. I can't wait to remind everyone what I'm capable off now that I'm no longer restrained by that arrangement."
They continued talking and sipping their drinks for a few more minutes before Aang wandered off to help Zuko and Sokka solve the puzzle of the disobedient snack vending machine, while On Ji joined Kori at the bar. The threesome wasn't left by themselves for too long, though, as Iroh Nakamura gingerly settled into a seat next to them, nursing a Jet prepared Shuhon Island Iced Tea.
"Thank you for coming, uncle," Azula said, her good mood making it much easier for her to be polite. "You seem to be having a good time despite sticking out like a sore thumb in this group."
"Thank you for inviting me, niece," Iroh grinned broadly. He was certainly looking a little tipsy. "And yes, I am having a good time. Staying in Yu Dao until the end of the tournament was clearly the right decision. I know Zuko is a little down in the dumps about not coming away with the title, but I think this young lady here was a worthy winner on this occasion," Iroh said, raising his glass at Yue.
"Thank you, Iroh," Yue smiled demurely. "That's very flattering coming from Zuko's greatest supporter. I hope that with you and Azula helping him, Zuko will finally take that next step."
"We'll see," Iroh smiled enigmatically. "I'm falling more and more out of touch with the world of modern Pai Sho, so it'll mostly be on Azula. But lack of talent or preparation has never been Zuko's problem. The only thing holding Zuko back is Zuko. It's all in here," Iroh said, tapping on his temple. "But I think that Zuko will be in a much better place mentally for the next season."
"I'll make sure of it," Azula snorted. "I'm good at whipping people into shape."
"She sure talks a big game, doesn't she?" Katara asked, turning to face Yue. "Maybe we should remind her who was the last one to get the whip."
"Let's just bring the whip out later tonight and remind her," Yue giggled excitedly.
"Girls! Stop being inappropriate!" Azula exclaimed, feeling her cheeks heat up. Any hope that Iroh might not understand what her wives were talking about was wiped out by the smirk on her uncle's face. "Anyway, uh, must go mingle some more," Azula quickly got up to her feet, feeling way too embarrassed to stick around and potentially be subjected to some quips from Iroh.
Azula found her escape in sitting down with Mai and Suki at one of the tables, with Katara and Yue soon joining them. Mai was enjoying a strawberry daiquiri from an almost comically oversized glass and there was the biggest cup of blackest coffee in front of Suki. Still, that didn't stop Suki from time and time again using a spare straw to pilfer some of Mai's cocktail. Suki's notebook lay open on the table, but she didn't seem to be having much luck taking notes, largely because Mai was doing a fine job distracting her.
"This isn't the time to be working, Suki," Yue gave their friend a reproachful stare.
"I'm not working, I promise," Suki said apologetically. "I'm just keeping the notebook close for whenever I think of an adjective to describe your battle with Toph. Epic doesn't even begin to cover it. Did you know that it was the longest final round game in the history of world championship finals?"
"I'm certain none of us knew that," Katara said, looking impressed. "That's a nice entry into the history books."
"Damn right, but it's also a problem for me, because how do I even describe that game?" Suki sighed. "I've been covering the pro tour for over ten years, and I can't remember seeing something like that. Even Iroh can't recall anything similar. And I want my report of the final round to do justice to both your and Toph's heroics. And I also intend to make sure that Zuko's second place isn't viewed as a failure. In short, I want to properly praise Yue's achievement, but I also want the story to make Zuko and Toph feel good about their efforts."
"I know you'll do well with your article, Suki," Katara smiled. "You always find just the right words in the end."
Suki looked grateful to hear that, but Mai took the opportunity to make a quick quip. "Not if she decides to go with 'amazeballs' to describe that game," Mai snorted. "I don't think I can date anyone who uses 'amazeballs' unironically."
"Fine, amazeballs is off the table," Suki groaned. "Everyone's a critic these days."
"I know you'll do a great job, Suki," Yue said. "I'm just wondering… I was never really in command during the tournament. It was close all the way. A lot of people will probably think that I simply got lucky."
"You will always have detractors regardless of what you do, take it from someone who's not into Pai Sho, but knows it just the same," Mai said with a shrug. "There will always be some annoying snotnosed punks critiquing even my most acclaimed collections. But it's up to you how you react to this negativity. I choose to ignore and rise above it. You should do the same. You already know that you did very well."
"Well put, Mai," Azula nodded gratefully, noticing that Yue looked moved at Mai's words. "And sure, maybe it was a squeaker, but do you need me to remind you how close it was when I won the title? It was seriously touch and go with my father."
"And Katara wasn't even crowned after the tournament," Suki said. "She had to wait two long years for Ozai's results to get tossed out. Although, if Zhao and Ozai hadn't cheated, Katara would have taken the title with a whole round left to play, so in a sense, I guess she was the more convincing winner out of you three."
"That doesn't really say anything," Katara spoke up quickly. "I think winning such a close tournament is actually more impressive than just dominating from start to finish. Then it's not just about the superior Pai Sho skill, but it's also a triumph of your mental strength." Azula and everyone else at the table nodded in agreement, while Suki picked up her notebook and hastily scribbled something.
"A triumph of mental strength, that's an amazing turn of phrase, Kat," Suki grinned. "I'm totally plagiarizing that, thanks."
"My pleasure," Katara laughed, as the discussion around the table then turned towards more trivial matters, and with Jet supplying them with more and more cocktails, their increasingly inebriated state ensured that the only topics on their mind remained fun and lighthearted.
Eventually, the cocktails provided by Jet and Smellerbee started to put their friends to sleep one by one. As the others piled into a pair of cabs that would take them back to the hotel, a sober Jet drove Kori, Azula, Katara and Yue back to the estate. The three world champions were packed tightly in the back seat, all giggly like schoolgirls, and even Katara had stopped yawning in anticipation of their plans once they were back at the estate.
"So, apparently I'm in the history books for the longest Pai Sho game or something," Yue chuckled drunkenly. "Think we could get into the history books for this as well?"
"For what?" Azula asked, carefully watching the road ahead. She wasn't sure that Jet was completely sober and she was making sure that he didn't get her wives into a traffic accident.
"I think Yue means the first ever threesome between world Pai Sho champions," Katara leaned in to whisper in her ear, but since she was quite drunk, she was still speaking loud enough for everyone in the car to hear her.
"Right," Azula replied, but she couldn't fight the powerful reaction Katara's words stirred deep within her, causing her cheeks become aflush with heat. "Anyway, why do you assume that has never happened before?" she asked.
"Good point," Yue laughed. She leaned in closer against Azula, her breath hot against Azula's neck. "But if it has happened before, you know it will never hold a candle to how hot it's going to be between us," she whispered huskily, making Azula shiver with desire.
"You better step on it, Jet," Kori laughed, sitting in the front passenger seat. "Or else these bitches might decide not to wait until we get home."
"And that would be… bad?" Jet chuckled before doing as he was told.
The crowd awaiting their return at the international airport of Ba Sing Se was larger than Katara had expected. It didn't matter that Yue was a citizen of the Water Tribes. People of the Earth Kingdom had long since embraced all three of them as their own, and they had showed up in droves, creating security issues at the terminal of arrivals.
Katara was relieved that their families and friends had decided against meeting them at the airport because dealing with the crowds would have been too stressful for everyone, but especially the kids. Katara did not doubt for a moment that a welcoming committee was waiting for them back at the estate, however. Airport security was out in full force, struggling to maintain a safe cordon through which Yue, Katara and Azula could be escorted.
The slightly stressed security guards were obviously hoping that the trio would make their way through as quickly as they could, but once Yue had spotted the members of the academy's Pai Sho club out in full force and waving at her, she was never going to walk by while pretending that she hadn't seen the kids she still cared for so much. Ignoring the muttering of the security guards, Yue's students were let through and allowed to greet her and exchange a few words. The kids looked absolutely ecstatic when Yue announced that she didn't plan to spend months basking in the glory of her newly won title, but that she intended to be back at the academy in two weeks. Something about the way these kids clung to Yue with clear adoration in their eyes made Katara fall even more impossibly in love with her wife, and one look at Azula told her that their Fire Nation wife felt similarly affected.
Eventually, with Yue now being weighed down by bouquets and garlands of flowers, they managed to make their way out of the terminal and into a car waiting for them, the airport staff having arranged for them to be taken straight home. Even if the people working at the airport were probably also happy for Yue, they were obviously eager to get rid of them quickly so that normal operations could resume, and Katara definitely didn't want to put a burden on regular people just trying to do their jobs.
As soon as their cab pulled over at the estate, Sokka and Zuko were the first out the door, offering to take their bags and shooing them inside to catch up with the guests while their big brothers took care of the luggage. Yue was the first across the threshold, only to be immediately pounced upon and hugged by Kya and Lee. "I've decided I'm going to attend your academy, Auntie Yue," Kya announced, clinging on to her aunt. "And you're going to teach me how to be the best at Pai Sho. At least as good as you are! No, better!"
"I don't see why not," Yue laughed, releasing the kids only to be embraced in turns by Ty Lee and Jin. "I'm glad that the kids aren't mad at me for coming ahead of Zuko. Or that you aren't mad, for that matter."
"Sure, we had to cheer for Zuko, but I think you were the overwhelming second crowd favorite," Ty Lee chuckled. "Seriously, great job, girl. I don't know too much about Pai Sho, but your aura was the brightest before the tournament, so I knew you would do well."
"She actually said that before the tournament," Jin echoed, grinning. "It's not something that Ty Lee invented retroactively."
"I'm glad you didn't tell me, or I would have become complacent," Yue smiled. "I believe every word Ty Lee says about auras. It would be crazy not to, given how often she's right."
"That's right, everyone here respects Ty Lee's knowledge of auras," said Kiyi, entering the room with Ikem and Ursa following her. "And we're also not mad that you finished ahead of Zuko," she added before embracing Yue and then stepping aside to let Ursa and Ikem also share brief but genuine hugs with their daughter in law.
"I think by now not even Zuko is mad about being beaten at the finish line by someone so worthy," Ursa smiled at Yue.
"Yes, he'd be a complete turnip to hold it against you, my dear," Ikem added, nodding emphatically.
"Is Ikem calling me a turnip again?" Zuko called out from the foyer, together with Sokka still struggling with the throuple's luggage.
"I would never," Ikem replied innocently. "Turnip," he then whispered, snickering.
"Please don't be mean to Zuko," Yue said, unable to stop smiling. "Anyway, why don't we all sit down? We should-"
"Hold your horses, girl," Kiyi laughed, stopping Yue. "You haven't even met the most important guests yet."
"What do you m-" Yue began, freezing when she saw the two elderly gentlemen entering the room side by side. "Dad!" both Yue and Katara exclaimed at once as they rushed forward to embrace their fathers. Certainly, the hug Katara gave her dad was far fiercer and tighter than the slightly more restrained embrace shared by Yue and Arnook, but it was genuine nonetheless.
"How… what… I don't understand, how did you get here so quickly?" Katara gasped. "We spoke two days ago and you didn't say a word about coming! I should be upset, if only I wasn't so happy to see you!"
"I have the same question for you, father," Yue said. "Why did you decide to come out here? Your health-"
"My health has improved a lot over the summer months, my dear," Arnook smiled. "And the flight to Ba Sing Se isn't nearly as bad as I feared. I just had to be here to celebrate this amazing accomplishment in your life." A faint shadow seemed to cross Arnook's face for a moment. "And to think that I was concerned about the Taqqiq name fading from the history. You've preserved our legacy for centuries to come."
"Your father is right," Sokka spoke up. "I read that the mayor of Agna Qel'a has already commissioned several statues from the same artist who did Katara."
"I'm going to die from embarrassment," Yue sighed, blushing heatedly.
"My daughter in law deserves all this praise," Hakoda said, also giving Yue a quick hug. "I can't believe I now have two world Pai Sho champion daughters in law. Well, sometimes I still wonder about how surprising it is that I actually have two daughters in law. I certainly only ever expected to have one, and I expected to have her courtesy of Sokka, not Katara. But life is full of surprises like that… and wonderful surprises they are, really." Everyone cheered and hollered in agreement at that.
After many hours of happy celebrations while being surrounded by their families, Azula, Yue and Katara ended up taking a breather in the back garden. It was the second week of October and there was just a hint of chill in the air, but the evening was still warm enough to not require a heavy sweater. The cats had snuck out with them, but the chill was too much for the old bones of Ran and Shaw, and they had scurried back into the house. Druk was enjoying himself in the garden, however, sneaking around and pouncing on some kind of shadow prey, and generally making himself look ridiculous.
The parents had all left by now, Hakoda and Arnook returning to their respective hotels. They would be in Ba Sing Se until the end of the week and both Yue and Katara were looking forward to spending more time with their fathers. Ursa and Ikem had returned to their place as well, but Kiyi had stayed behind to hang out with the group. Katara guessed it was mostly because she hadn't seen Zuko and Azula in a long while and she wanted to spend time with her half-siblings. Zuko and his entire extended family were staying over for the night as well. Zuko and Sokka were currently putting the kids to sleep, while Ty Lee and Jin were entertaining Kiyi. Ty Lee had been reading Kiyi's palm and predicting her a stroke of luck and good fortune, to which Kiyi had replied that the stroke of luck and good fortune probably referred to her working at the same school as Yue, something that Kiyi was greatly looking forward to.
"Well, girls," Azula eventually spoke up after they had observed Druk's antics in silence for a while. "We achieved everything we set out to do, and it feels fantastic." Katara and Yue both hummed in agreement at that. "But we're not the kind of people who will sleep on their old achievements, are we?"
"I can't believe my three days old world title is already referred to as old news," Yue chuckled. "But I get what you're saying."
"I'm saying that it's time for us to make some new resolutions," Azula said solemnly. "Make some new goals, something to work towards to, or else we'll go stir crazy."
"I think you're the one most in danger of going stir crazy, love," Katara laughed, leaning in to give Azula a peck on the cheek. "So, why don't you start by sharing your own plans first?"
"Well, you know that speed Pai Sho is becoming more and more organized," Azula replied. "Some of the people behind that movement are trying to get me involved, both on the organizing level and as a player. There are plans to hold the first ever world speed Pai Sho championship next year. I'm setting my sights on that title. And don't worry, I won't need coaching with that, obviously."
"I think that's a great idea," Katara nodded, smiling. "You're the best speed Pai Sho player I've ever played against. I think you stand a good chance of winning that title." Yue nodded in complete agreement with that. "As for me, you know what my plans are and they haven't changed. I still want to become a pediatric surgeon, and I won't stop whether it takes me five or seven more years. That's my long-term goal."
"Well, my goal might be even more long-term," Yue replied. "I have a dream that one of my Pai Sho club students will one day become a world champion. Then I could claim not just having won the title myself, but also having raised a new champion. I know it seems like a longshot, but I assure you, some of those girls are just as talented as we were at that age."
"I believe you," Azula spoke earnestly. "It looks like we all have something to work towards in the future. Good. I like having long term goals to be excited about. Although, waking up every morning wedged in between the two most beautiful women I know is plenty exciting by itself."
"Oh whoa, just listen to this golden tongue," Katara laughed. Yue didn't say anything. Her only reaction was to pull Azula in for a heated kiss. As Katara watched her wives making out, she felt her knees go a little weak. "This is very irresponsible behavior when we have the kids over and we can't do anything about… the mood this is putting me in," Katara breathed out in exasperation.
"Speaking about moods," Azula said, having broken off the kiss with a reluctant looking Yue. "Why don't we head back inside and have Ty Lee read our auras? That's always good for a laugh."
"Can one's aura be horny?" Yue wondered. "I feel like that's all mine is right now."
"Same," Katara laughed as she slipped in between her wives and wrapped her arms around Azula and Yue's waists. "I love you, girls. You make me so excited about this new chapter in our lives. And I love that we are not afraid to set the most ambitious goals for ourselves."
"Because we know that between the three of us, there's no challenge that we can't overcome," Yue chuckled as they headed back inside. "We've proven that time and time again, haven't we?"
"And we'll prove it many more times in the future," Azula said confidently. "Of that I have no doubt."
Katara didn't have anything to add to that. This was just the perfect note for them to say goodbye to the world of professional Pai Sho. There was very little sadness about leaving that part of their journey behind, especially when the future looked so bright and full of fascinating new challenges to face side by side with two loving and supportive wives.