Chapter 20: Late Evening Revelations

Azula closed the door behind her, her cheeks glowing bright red. That had felt... thrilling. And safe. She pressed her back against the door, her heart still racing from the strange mix of emotions flooding her. She knew, deep down, that her innocence had been stolen long ago—ripped away during the years of her addiction, and worse, during the time she was passed around like property by the gang that had taken her. But this moment... It was something different. Something pure, even.

What was she thinking?

Azula sat on the bed and collapsed onto her side. A soft, involuntary squeak escaped her lips, shocking her into sitting up quickly. "Who am I?" she muttered. That question had been plaguing her more often than she'd like to admit. Just now, she felt like she was acting... like Ty Lee.

She scoffed at the thought. Shaking her head, Azula stood, unwrapping her towel and hanging it carefully on a hook to dry. She crossed the simple room to open the wardrobe, pulling out her nightwear—basic underclothes, tan shorts, and a matching button-up shirt. The plainness of it felt foreign, so unlike the ornate silks she'd once worn, but it suited her. Now, she preferred simplicity. She slipped on her slippers, a small grimace crossing her face as she realized that all the water she drank today was catching up with her.

She needed to pee.

Azula opened the door again, stepping out into the open air. The evening had darkened much faster than she had realized. The two lamps inside her room—old Fire Nation technology, repurposed for the island—had kept her from noticing how the sky had deepened into night. With no roof or walls on this structure besides the bedrooms and bathrooms, the island felt eerily exposed under the stars.

As she walked toward the bathrooms on the other side of the foundation, the sound of voices caught her attention. Curiosity got the better of her, and she changed her course, silently slipping toward the stone steps leading down to the dock. From her vantage point on one of the landings, she saw a small boat moored up and Aang speaking with a pudgy, balding man in formal clothes. She crept closer, carefully listening.

--

Aang had been about to take a cold shower when he noticed a light approaching the island from the bay. Frowning, he moved to the stone wall and squinted into the distance. A small water taxi was making its way toward Air Temple Island, about 500 yards out. He hadn't invited anyone, and no one should be coming here unannounced. Especially not after dark.

Jogging down to the dock, Aang waited for the boat to arrive. When it did, the boat's captain nodded to him, tossing a mooring line. Aang caught it and tied it off before moving to secure the back. A pudgy, middle-aged man stepped awkwardly off the boat, his clothes formal and stiff. Aang recognized him immediately.

"Koguy," Aang said, his tone polite but cautious. "What brings you to my island so late in the day? Or should I say, early in the night?"

Koguy shifted nervously, glancing back at the boat laden with crates. "The council sent me," he explained. "They wanted to set up provisions and prepare for tomorrow. The council plans to come by and may stay the night, seeing as local vendors mentioned you've been ordering a lot of materials recently."

Aang chuckled lightly, though his posture remained firm. "Unfortunately, Koguy, I can't host them tomorrow. This place is still an active construction site."

Koguy frowned, interrupting him. "They aren't asking, Aang."

Aang stepped closer, his face calm but serious. "But I'm telling you. I'll send for them when I'm done establishing the sovereign island nation of the Air Nomads. Until then, I expect them to respect our independence."

The boat captain, sensing the shift in the conversation, wisely decided not to unload the crates. Koguy's face flushed with frustration, his eyes narrowing. "You know this won't be the end of it."

Aang's voice was even, but his resolve was clear. "Yes, actually. It will be." He turned slightly, dismissing Koguy without another word. "You'd better head back before it gets too late."

Koguy grumbled under his breath as he climbed back into the boat. Azula watched from her hiding spot, a smirk tugging at her lips. Aang had handled the situation with a quiet authority that impressed her. She hadn't expected that.

As the boat disappeared into the night, Aang stood still, watching it leave. After a moment, he spoke without turning. "You can stand up now, Azula."

Azula froze, her heart skipping a beat. How did he know she was there? Slowly, she stood and descended to meet him, her expression controlled. "How did you know I was there? Some kind of Avatar ability?"

Aang smirked. "I didn't. I just guessed."

Azula raised an eyebrow, then smiled. "I see. I guess I'm still causing you grief, now with the city."

Aang shook his head. "Oh, them? That conversation would've gone the same way whether you were here or not. Ever since they donated this island, they've been acting like they own me. But they don't."

They started walking up the steps together, the cool night air wrapping around them. They didn't speak much, the silence between them comfortable and unhurried. When they reached the top, Aang stopped and gave her a nod. "See you in the morning."

"Yup," Azula replied simply, slipping back into her room.

--

Once inside, Azula kicked off her sandals and flopped onto the bed, sighing heavily. Despite the tense exchange with the council's man, she felt oddly... content. Aang's refusal to be controlled by anyone struck a chord with her. It was a kind of strength she respected.

But then, her eyes widened, and she cursed under her breath.

"Dammit." She groaned as she sat up. "I still have to pee."