Chapter 12: Decisions and Doubts

The midday light streamed into Toph's living room, casting a warm glow on the walls. Aang shifted on his feet, standing near the doorway after delivering the news from Zuko. Azula sat on the floor, her back straight but her gaze sharp.

"So… how did it go?" she asked, her tone cool but with an underlying edge.

Aang hesitated. "Zuko said he'd let you come back to the Fire Nation."

Azula's eyebrow raised. "But?"

"But only as a prisoner," Aang said quietly. "I told him I wouldn't allow that. I wouldn't let him lock you up."

Azula's expression hardened, and her voice turned icy. "You wouldn't allow it? How kind of you, Avatar," she spat, her tone mocking.

Aang flinched at the biting use of his title. "I thought—"

"You thought you'd make that decision for me?" she snapped, her voice growing louder. "After everything I've been through, after finally feeling like I'm in control again, you take that away from me? Without even asking?"

"I just didn't want you to get hurt," Aang said, his voice faltering as he tried to explain.

"Of course you didn't," Azula retorted. "Because you always know what's best, don't you, Avatar? Just like everyone else who thought they knew what I needed, while I—"

"Alright, enough," Toph cut in, leaning back on her hands. "Twinkle Toes, why don't you go grab us some snacks?"

Aang looked between them, confused. "But—"

"Now," Toph said firmly, and with a reluctant sigh, Aang shuffled out the door.

The moment he was gone, Azula's anger seemed to melt away. She slumped slightly, her hands trembling as they rested on her lap. "I shouldn't have snapped at him like that," she said quietly.

"No, you shouldn't have," Toph replied, though her tone was more understanding than critical. "But it's not like I don't get why you're mad."

Azula's eyes darkened, her gaze fixed on the floor. "It's not just what he did. It's everything that's happened. For years, they kept me drugged, taking away my control, my ability to think clearly. I didn't have a say in anything that happened to me."

Toph stayed silent, listening.

"And now that I finally feel like I'm in control again, like I can make my own choices…" Azula's voice wavered, "Aang steps in and makes that decision for me. It brought me right back to those years when I couldn't do anything for myself, when I was… powerless."

"I get it," Toph said, her voice gentler. "I left my family because they wouldn't let me live my own life. They thought I couldn't handle it, just because I'm blind. But look at me now." She grinned briefly before her expression softened again. "What Aang did… it wasn't about control. He's just trying to protect you, even if he doesn't always think things through."

Azula took a shaky breath. "I know he means well. I just… haven't been able to make my own choices for so long. I didn't just leave my family behind, you know. I had to abandon my nation. Everything I knew."

Toph let that sit for a moment, then reached out and placed a hand on Azula's shoulder. "Yeah, that sucks. But you're here now. You're making your own choices again, even if it doesn't feel like it yet."

Just then, the door creaked open, and Aang walked back in, a tray overflowing with a ridiculous assortment of snacks from the market.

"I didn't know what everyone wanted, so I just bought one of everything," he said sheepishly, setting the tray down in front of them.

Toph pointed at him, her expression smug. "See? He's an idiot, but he means well."

Azula couldn't help but let out a small, amused huff. She sat up straighter, wiping away the moisture that had gathered in her eyes. "I shouldn't have yelled at you, Avatar," she said, her voice calm but firm. "You were just trying to help."

Aang smiled awkwardly. "No, I should've asked what you wanted. I didn't think about how it might make you feel."

They exchanged quiet apologies before settling back into a more relaxed conversation. As the afternoon faded into early evening, Aang shifted the topic to something more practical.

"Toph," he started carefully, "I was thinking about the island. It's the perfect place to set up something for Azula, but I'm going to need your help. I need to build hidden residences, something no one will find easily."

Toph raised an eyebrow. "You want me to take time off from my studies to help you build a hideout?"

Aang nodded. "Just for a few days. I can't do it without you. Azula needs a place where she can stay safe and where no one will think to look for her."

Toph thought about it for a moment before shrugging. "Alright, fine. I'll take a few days off. But you owe me, Twinkle Toes."

Aang grinned. "Deal."

They continued chatting for a while longer, the tension from earlier fully dissipating. As the evening grew darker, Aang stood up to leave.

"I'll head back to the hotel. See you both in the morning?"

"Yeah, see ya," Toph called as Aang waved goodbye.

Azula lingered near the window, watching as the last rays of sunlight disappeared behind the hills. Toph turned to her, her expression serious.

"So," Toph began, "how'd you change so much? You went from trying to kill us to… whatever this is. Is it because you lost your bending, or did something else change?"

Azula's faint smile disappeared as she stared down at her tea. She took a slow sip before answering, her voice soft and distant. "I wish I knew. I don't know if I'm becoming a better person, or if I'm just doing what I need to do to survive."

She set her cup down, looking at Toph with a hollow smile, void of any real emotion. "You've never been able to read me, have you?"

Toph stayed quiet, but Azula knew the answer. She still couldn't read her, even now.