Gladiator

by Seyary-Minamoto

In a world where the Avatar wasn't found, the Fire Nation took over two nations and they strive to overcome the last one. Water Tribe warrior Sokka seeks to fight for his people's rights, but he's captured by his enemies. His life is no longer in his hands as he fights as a Gladiator, and his fate will eventually depend on the Fire Nation Princess, who needs him for her own ends...

148. Chapter 148: Fire Nation Festivals 6

Spirits had to be quite imposing, terrifying perhaps, or they would be, if they were real. Sokka doubted they would be as goofy and clumsy as the alleged spirits onstage right now, wading through their motions in a very rehearsed choreography.

He had seen part of this play before back when they traveled to Ember Island. Azula had still been guarded back then, still determined not to burden him with her problems, still convinced she could not be loved. Watching 'Love Amongst the Dragons' back then had been a restless experience, even before Zuko had stormed off, mid-performance.

A lot had changed since then: not only did Azula enjoy this version better, for the actors weren't the infamous Ember Island Players, but she was serene through it all, making a few comments at times, without ever seeming anywhere close to a nervous breakdown. There was melancholy in her eyes as she watched the play unfold, but she wasn't distraught by it. Even if Sokka felt the urge to hold her hand through it, it wasn't to appease her as it had been that night in Ember Island, but just for the pleasure of linking their fingers.

"The play's not that bad, I admit it," Sokka nodded, as the final confrontation between the Water Spirit and the Dragon Emperor began. "But you know, I kind of like the Water Spirit better than the Dragon Emperor."

"Ah, really now?" Azula asked, looking at him skeptically. Sokka chuckled.

"What can I say? The Dragon Emperor deserved his torment," he said. "He was a huge jerk at first."

"But he's grown and changed."

"Meh, not that much. He's still an arrogant jerk."

"Oh, please…"

He chuckled as Azula gave him a meaningful leer. He busied himself with his fire flakes, eating them slowly so he wouldn't be overwhelmed by their spice. The play carried on as the Water Spirit and Dragon Emperor continued to battle, constantly trading melodramatic dialogue as they fought. Once the Emperor was predictably triumphant, he turned towards the mortal woman he loved, astonished to discover she had been his Dragon Empress all along.

"Meh, it would've been way more unpredictable if the Water Spirit had been the Dragon Empress," said Sokka. Azula snorted. "C'mon, you know I'm right!"

"All I know is you've proven yourself absolutely unfit for most of the Fire Nation's artistic traditions," she said. "I'm glad I didn't bring you to the Palace yesterday."

The days of the Festival had passed by smoothly, even if the chaos of the first day still lingered on their minds. On the third day, firebending duels had been held to honor Fire Lord Ozai, and the best firebending schools had faced off against each other in pursuit for glory. The fourth day had featured artistic firebending instead: the performers delivered other firebending ceremonies and rites, including a few that featured multiple performers, flowing through their forms in perfect synch. The fifth day was meant for other artistic pursuits: tea ceremonies, floral arrangements, poetry recitals of the Fire Nation's best literary works and concerts by renowned orchestras.

Today was the day of theater: all the companies in the Fire Nation would perform their best plays, whether in the highly prestigious Capital Theater or in makeshift stages out in the streets. Seeing as food was often on sale outside the building, so people could eat during the play, Azula had thought bringing Sokka to the Theater wouldn't be a bad idea. She had visited him after the firebending demonstrations from two days ago, but she hadn't had the chance to do the same the previous day, for the artistic demonstrations had taken up most her time. She had wished Sokka had been there to enjoy them too, but right now she was grateful for his absence yesterday: hearing him complain about every Fire Nation tradition wasn't an appealing perspective.

"Oh, now, please," said Sokka, huffing. "If this is about the vulture dancing again…"

"You know, there will be more 'vulture dancing' tomorrow," she said, smirking at him with malice. "I wonder if you'd like to enjoy it again this year…"

"I… don't know. I mean, I won't enjoy the weird dancing," he said, grimacing before blushing. "But, um… seeing you in a dress? That's always fine by me…"

"Of course," said Azula, shaking her head. "You say you want to see me in a dress, while all I hear is that you want to get me out of one, instead…"

"Now, to be fair, I'd gladly do that too…" Sokka said, smirking and raising his eyebrows suggestively. Azula's smile widened.

The crowd began clapping, and a standing ovation was granted to the actors as they greeted their public. Azula clapped as well, and Sokka did too, for politeness' sake. The actors made reverences, and the director stepped forward to bow with a very elegant flourish of the hand, staring directly at their balcony.

Azula and Sokka had taken their seats in the theater's very exclusive Royal Balcony. They had the perfect view of the stage while also sharing in the privacy they preferred. There were other balconies too, but just as it was in the Grand Royal Dome, the Capital Theater had been built to provide the royals with the most privileged view of what happened on its stage, and Azula had no qualms with exercising said privileges.

"Well, that was an alright play, even if I liked the previous one better," said Sokka, relaxing against his chair while drinking what was left of his juice. Azula looked at him in disbelief as the bowing actors stepped out of the stage.

"Why, of course you would prefer it. The target audience for the previous play was children under the age of seven, so…"

"Not true! That story about the animals who played instruments? It was so good, Azula!"

"Your criteria continues to amaze me," she snorted, shaking her head. "So refined for some things, so vulgar for everything else…"

"Hey, in my defense… I'm refined when it comes to really important things," he said, smirking. Azula laughed softly.

"That's true, I suppose. I'll give you credit for that," she said. "At any rate, though… should we call it a day?"

"Should we?" Sokka asked. "I was thinking about getting some more fire flakes for the next play, but if you want to go already… say, why isn't your dad here?"

"He doesn't care for theater, never has, never will. Today is his leisurely day in the week of the Festivals," she said. "Last year he was in the Palace when we came back from the Slate, remember?"

"Oh, yeah. You met with him that day," said Sokka, nodding.

"He would watch plays with my mother, and they took Zuko and me once we were old enough," Azula said. "But… well, he complained more about them than you just did, to put it mildly."

"I suppose your mother didn't enjoy that," said Sokka, with a small smile. Azula laughed.

"No, she certainly didn't. She kept berating him for not understanding the finer points of art," she said, raising her eyebrows and sighing.

She still didn't feel at ease upon speaking of such matters, not entirely. But it seemed that accepting that she cared about her mother, to some degree, had calmed some of her heart's everlasting resentment. It wasn't easy to make up her mind about what to think of Ursa… but it was a relief to speak about the woman without feeling empty and foul on the inside, a sensation that served as a constant reminder that her grudges only proved her mother right about what a monster she was. If those grudges were gone, or at least, minimized, the unpleasant feelings would only grow weaker, as they had…

"Still, though, why did you want to leave?" Sokka asked, raising his eyebrows. "I figured you were having fun. If it's because of my complaints, I can shut up."

"Oh, liar," she said, smiling weakly. "You wouldn't shut up, let alone with the play that's about to start next."

"What is it about?"

"'The genius of our time: Fire Lord Azulon's legend rises'," Azula recited, with a melodramatic voice. Sokka cringed. "See? You don't want to sit through that one, do you?"

"Yeah, I'd sooner jump into the Slate's volcano," he said, eyes widening. "I guess we really will call it a day."

Azula smiled and nodded, leading the way out of the balcony. Sokka balanced his empty food containers with difficulty: they had been watching plays for well over five hours, and he had come and gone several times in new trips for food. Azula had agreed to have some of his food, too, but she was certainly nowhere near as eager for it as Sokka was.

Xin Long ferried them to Sokka's house, as usual, but he decided to amuse himself by flying low, just above the streets filled with stalls. It didn't matter how many times Azula pulled at the reins and yelled at him to stop, the mischievous dragon thrived in scaring people with his puffs of smoke and with his unpredictable flight pattern. By the time they reached their destination, Azula seemed ready to scold him for hours.

"You are truly something else, aren't you?" she asked, having climbed off and standing in front of the guilty dragon. He only smiled sheepishly at her. "I enjoy a healthy amount of chaos on occasion, everyone knows it, but that's a bit too much, don't you think?"

Xin Long only waved his tail carelessly and shrugged, to which Azula rolled her eyes and looked at him sternly. Xin Long snickered.

"Do something like that again, and I'm going to sneak up on you in your sleep and braid your hair," she declared. Xin Long blinked blankly. "Oh, you don't know what that means? Why, I suppose you'll have to give me no reason to do it, then!"

Xin Long swallowed before pouting and shaking his head in disapproval. His rider was ruining his fun and he was certain he didn't deserve that. He stuck his tongue out at her before speeding away, towards the outside of the city's crater this time. Azula huffed as she watched him go.

"It's like trying to discipline a teenager. Utterly hopeless," she growled, while Sokka laughed behind her. "You know, instead of laughing you could've helped."

"He's like your teenage son, and we somewhat adopted Toph, too…" he said, smirking. "We just need one more strange kid and we'll have all the children you supposedly would and wouldn't have, right?"

"Huh. Yeah, that's true," said Azula, raising her eyebrows and looking at him. "That would be convenient, you know. Adopting rather than, uh… yeah."

"You really don't have to do either thing if you don't want to," said Sokka, smiling and leaning close to kiss her brow. Azula sighed and dropped her head on his chest. "I was just teasing."

"I know, but it's a thought," she said, stroking his chest. "Hmm… I missed this."

"Did you, now?" he asked, his fingertips gliding over her flanks. "We were only apart for one day, Azula… really, is it you can't live without me even for such a short time span?"

She laughed as he smirked proudly. Too often they would hold similar exchanges, reversed. It was fitting that it would work both ways.

"I think I can live without you," she said, and Sokka gasped, taking feigned offense at such words. Azula smiled as she watched him stumble away from her, looking at her accusingly. "But I seriously don't care to. That kind of life would be a waste, don't you think?"

Sokka had been in the middle of his melodramatic reaction, but now he blushed at looked at Azula in disbelief. She only smiled at him.

"Oh. Okay then," he said, biting his lip somewhat nervously. "That's… really too sweet and I was having fun pretending to be devastated. Damn."

"Ah, I ruined your innocent fun?" Azula asked, smirking teasingly and reaching out to caress his hips. "However shall I make it up to you?"

She gave him her best innocent eyes before her hands reached down and cupped each of his buttocks. Sokka bit his lip for a whole different reason now, an amused excitement building in his eyes.

"Well, a creative girl like yourself surely will come up with something…?" he said, smirking. Azula laughed before pushing herself up to the tips of her toes for a kiss.

Their private time together ever was the highlight of their day. It wasn't only about making their love physical, but about finding peace in each other's arms. They basked in every moment, every caress and every kiss, just as they thrived in lying together amid the rumpled sheets, breathing heavily while still closely wound up around each other.

"I'd really have thought that after nearly a year of this we wouldn't be so desperate anymore," Azula said, smiling as she gazed at her flustered lover. "I guess I was mistaken."

"Yeah… I can't believe that I was stupid enough back in the day to think I just had to get it off my system," he said, hoping Azula wouldn't be upset about him bringing that up. "Look at us now, we get it off our systems every time we can, and we still crave for more."

"It's your fault for being so good at what you do," Azula declared, smiling and wrapping her arm around his waist. Sokka smiled in relief, glad she wasn't upset after all. "I suppose this is our punishment for all our wrongdoings: an everlasting urge to be naked with each other, even in the most inappropriate of moments…"

"It might just be," said Sokka, chuckling and sighing. "I never even imagined we'd ever do it in your palanquin, you know."

"I didn't think we'd do it while you were still dressed up as a guard," she laughed. "Even when you used to wear that disguise of yours, you'd remove it whenever we had sex."

"Yet as you seem to think I look so good in red…" he said, smirking. Azula laughed softly again.

"Speaking of which," she whispered, fingers caressing his chest. "If you're planning on going to the Ball, which I assume you are, if only to stuff yourself by the food table…"

"Uh, excuse you, I'll go both to stuff myself and to ogle you, clearly," he said, raising his eyebrows. "I'd think you'd already know that."

"As romantic as ever," said Azula, chuckling. "Still… what are you going to wear?"

"Oh, I take it you'll demand that I wear red?" he smirked. She bit her lip but shrugged.

"Your formal wear from last time was nice, but you can't expect to wear the same thing two years in a row, can you?"

"Um… why not?" Sokka asked, blinking blankly. Azula snorted.

"Because that's not what the high class does when they throw their ridiculous and obnoxious celebrations," she declared. Sokka pouted. "You don't have anything else?"

"Not that I can think of," said Sokka, grimacing. "I know what you're up to, Princess. You really do want me in your nation's clothing again, don't you?"

"What? Why, not at all, you can wear whatever you want…" she said, innocently. Sokka smiled.

"Right, but I won't find many blue clothes now, will I?" he asked. "It's been hard enough to get the clothes I usually wear, can't imagine how much harder it will be to find anything formal and blue, even when there are plenty of clothing stalls out there these days…"

"Quite a shame, isn't it?" said Azula, with a melodramatic sigh. Sokka snorted.

"Yeah, sure you think so. Next thing I know, you'll have rented a boat for me to sail, and hidden all my clothes…"

An approving smile spread over her face, and Sokka smirked too before tickling her for her shamelessness. Azula writhed under his fingers, laughing and trying to shake him off, but he was determined to punish her for her mischief.

Spending peaceful afternoons together was a source of bliss for them. Their leisurely time together, as they lay in each other's arms, talking and kissing, indulging in that simple but complete intimacy, could do away with their troubles like nothing else they knew. It was hard to remember what their time together had been like barely a year ago, when they had still resisted the magnetic pull between them. They were so accustomed to one another by now, their naked bodies smoothly joined together, that parting ways for the day was growing more difficult than ever.

"Can't we just slow down the sun?" Azula groaned, resting atop him while glaring at the orange glow that filtered through his room's curtains. "We've been together all day and it's not enough…"

"When has it ever been?" Sokka smiled. "We do have plenty to talk about still, too."

"We do. I'm sure we do," Azula agreed, before raising an eyebrow. "Nothing comes to mind right away, but I know there has to be something…"

Sokka laughed and kissed her brow. She felt her inner fire flaring under the warm look in his eyes.

"We really haven't had a chance to talk about what you did in the Parade…"

"Ah, I thought we had talked about the crazy indirect bending already," she laughed. "But if you mean we should discuss what the Head Sage said… I suppose all the sex may have attuned our chi?"

"Maybe," Sokka laughed, caressing her face. "I do hope that's not the secret to attuned chi, or else the Head Sage might discover our relationship, but… that's not what I wanted to talk about."

"No?" Azula whispered, fingers trailing over his collarbone. "What did you want to talk about, then?"

"Your speech," he said, smirking a little. Azula sighed and dropped her head on his chest as he laughed. "What, are you ashamed? It was amazing!"

"Amazing?" she said, looking at him in surprise. "Here I thought all my rambling about the Fire Nation's greatness had made you puke inside your helmet…"

"Granted I didn't like that part much, no… but the way you twisted all that talk of greatness into responsibilities, and the way you acknowledged everyone's worth, whether they were trueborn Fire Nation people or not?" Sokka smiled. "It was great. I think you've already proven what kind of Fire Lord you want to be, and… considering their response, I think your people like how you think."

"Well, I suppose they do for now," said Azula, shrugging. "I doubt they'll like it so much when I outlaw slavery all over again…"

Sokka beamed and hugged her tightly. She laughed and held him as well, arms around his neck now. He pressed many kisses to her face, prompting her to blush as she looked at him in disbelief.

"You're really going to be a brilliant Fire Lord, everyone knows it," Sokka declared, happily. "Though… whatever happened to those people, the homeless ones? You said your father would leave them in your custody, but…"

"Ah, I didn't mention it, did I?" she muttered. "I had to visit them just before meeting you at the Temple. They're currently in prison, actually. But don't get indignant, it's not quite that bad…"

"Not bad?" Sokka asked, eyes wide. "Why would they be in prison, if…?"

"They wanted to be," Azula said, with a sigh. "No one knew where else to take them, and once they were there, they decided they didn't want to leave: they had shelter over their heads and food to devour as ravenously as you do. I do have to figure out where to relocate them to, but I suppose I'll work on that once the week is over…"

"Seems fair," Sokka nodded, biting his lip before grinning at her. "Well, if that's how it is, it's a victory all around. Everyone wins, one way or another…"

"Except for the bastard who was trying to sabotage the parade," said Azula, scowling. "Someone told the homeless group to rush my father's Procession. They came to mine by mistake. I suspect whoever was behind this was hoping to cause social unrest, somehow. If the homeless people had been executed for their interference, their deaths would have served as perfect means to destabilize my father's rule…"

"Because killing harmless slaves, or even Honorary Citizens, might not end well for your father," Sokka guessed. Azula nodded.

"And whoever was behind this could have easily claimed that they were either thing, after they were dead. But they're trueborn Fire Nation citizens, or so they told me," Azula sighed. Sokka's eyes widened. "Spreading rumors that these people were part of any of those three social groups, though, could have severely damaged my father's image…"

"It's madness," said Sokka, frowning. "But it sounds…"

"Like the White Lotus, doesn't it?" Azula mused, with a small smile. "As usual. The homeless group claimed the man who did this had a scar on his cheek, and dark hair. If you see anyone who fits that description, do let me know…"

"Sure," said Sokka, smiling and caressing her face. "But seeing as you're the one who'll take care of those people… you'll sort things out for them, Azula. You always do."

"I'd like to hope so," Azula admitted. "This is a new kind of responsibility for me, and I'd like to avoid botching it up…"

"Well, if you need any help, I'm right here for anything you may need," he said, taking her hand and kissing her knuckles. "I'm really proud of what you did. I know it was far from easy, standing up to your father that way, but… you're just that amazing."

"Please…" she said, smiling and resting comfortably with her head against his chest. "It's merely a start. Whatever comes next should be much harder work…"

"If someone can succeed at it, it's you," Sokka whispered, fingers caressing the nape of her neck under her hair.

She closed her eyes and relaxed comfortably while Sokka glanced over at the darkening skies again. He bit his lip.

"I suppose we won't see much of each other tomorrow, huh?" Sokka asked, as he brushed her loose hair with his fingers.

"No, we probably won't," she sighed, pressing her face to his chest. "It's why I chose to drag you to the theater today. I figured it was the best way for us to be in each other's company for as long as we could be, considering it will be a lot harder tomorrow…"

"Well, today was fun, even if Fire Nation theater plays are a bit weird," Sokka said, smiling as his free hand slid to find hers. Azula snorted.

"Sure, but the plays for children seem to suit you just fine," she said, and he laughed.

"Hey, maybe they're for children but they're better written than everything else they had there. You can't blame me," he smiled. Azula looked at him skeptically.

"I certainly do blame you," she said. "Is it your Tribe could make better plays than what we have to offer, by any chance…?"

"Heh, plays?" Sokka asked, skeptically. "We… really didn't do those."

"Then where does all this wisdom and knowledge of playwrighting come from?" she asked, with a smirk. Sokka chuckled.

"Maybe I've been reading too much," he said, smiling. "Or… well, we didn't have plays, but we did have storytelling sessions. Might be I'm too cultured because of them…"

"Oh, no doubt," Azula said, sarcasm dripping from her words. Sokka's proud grin prompted her to place her arms across his chest, her chin resting atop them, as he continued stroking her hair. "Do tell, then. What's the best story you can share?"

"Uh… hmm. Well, I suppose a story or two wouldn't hurt…" Sokka said, biting his lip as he frowned, trying to remember the best stories he had heard. "Maybe, uh… the story of Wing Fung's haunted blade?"

Azula cocked an eyebrow, and Sokka grimaced.

"Okay, scratch that. Hmm… well, I think I remember one now," he said, brow furrowed. "It's more of a legend, really, and I heard it as a kid… but it's a story about how the South Pole became as cold and harsh as it is."

"Is that so?" Azula asked. "It's some sort of mythological tale, then?"

"I guess," said Sokka, with a weak grin, his fingers laced through her hair. "Well, according to the legend, the Poles were all green and full of resources when the tribes first settled there. They were guided there by a spirit who took the form of a white wolf: the spirit taught them everything they needed to know about the land, about how to survive and live off the earth, while also learning how to return the earth's boons every time…"

"Interesting… yet I hope you know that it's really odd to hear you talking about spirits like this," said Azula. Sokka's solemnity broke with a grin, and he winked at her.

"C'mon, I can pretend to believe in them, if just to sell the story," he said. Azula smirked approvingly. "At any rate, the tribes prospered, and everything was good and great until… well, until it wasn't. The White Wolf became complacent, and it didn't visit the tribes as often as it used to. It had thought the people had learned all they needed to know to protect their land while living off it… but the humans proved the Wolf wrong soon enough. As it turns out, the people gradually forgot important lessons that they should have passed on to their young. So, two teenage hunters, who had never learned that you only hunt when you need to, committed the crime of slaying wolf cubs. They cut them down, even if they had already hunted enough prey for the week; they were such young cubs that they wouldn't even yield enough fur for a baby's coat.

"The White Wolf was really angry, as you would guess. It lashed out in some frenzied spirit rage, and the people couldn't take cover against its wrath. The beauty and ripeness of the land disappeared as the beast's fury affected the whole environment: all that was green was replaced with white, as bright and blinding as the Wolf's fur. Ice rained from grey skies above, sharp and deadly as the fangs and claws of the mighty spirit. The wind howled through the landscape, just as the Wolf had howled when it had found the dead cubs.

"After so many centuries, millennia, even, the White Wolf's rage hasn't been appeased. And until it is, it shall punish the tribes, so no one ever forgets again to live by the White Wolf's teachings…"

Azula blinked blankly as Sokka stopped speaking with his most solemn voice. He was sure he had sounded foolish, but given how taken Azula seemed to be with the story, perhaps he hadn't done so poorly. He looked back at her and smiled sheepishly.

"Storytime over," he said. She smiled.

"Well, I admit, that's better than I expected," she said. "Tragic, but interesting either way. Your people's regent has been punishing you since immemorial times, then?"

"It would seem so," he said, grinning weakly. "Still, it's just a story. I'm pretty sure the land was never nearly as ripe as people want to pretend it was…"

"Likely," Azula conceded, with a shrug. "But it's still surprisingly interesting."

"Really? Does that mean the savages can impress a refined Princess of your education and high standing?" Sokka asked, teasingly. Azula scoffed and leaned close to him, pressing her forehead to his, her mouth hovering inches away from his own.

"I'm sharing a bed with one, one would think it's obvious by now that yes, your lot can certainly impress me," she said, smirking before kissing him. "Silly gladiator."

Sokka chuckled and hugged her tightly. Azula sighed and melted into his arms, a peaceful grin across her face. His lips pressed against her brow on occasion, while his fingers and thumbs stroked her skin lightly.

"Say… last year you got away from the Ball," he whispered. "Remember?"

"Of course I remember," said Azula, with a weak smile. "It was… goodness. What a nightmare that was…"

"Hey, I'm pretty sure you enjoyed the dancing," he said, smirking. "The actual dancing you did with me, I mean, not the vulture…"

"That's not what I meant," she said, shaking her head and pressing tighter against him. "Not only did Zhao throw me off that night… but you did too, in your own way."

"You mean… when I told you I'd sleep on the couch because if I joined you I might just…?" he asked. Azula sighed.

"I didn't even know how to say what I was truly thinking, how to just… reach out to you and tell you that I wanted it to be you. That I wanted you to be the first man to see me that way, and the only one, if I could get away with that. But… I really couldn't say a thing back then. I just couldn't. I was terrified of… of the mere notion of putting something like that into words, of letting anything else happen between us. So I pulled away, impulsively, and even though I wanted to close the distance again, I was too scared…"

"And yet now you can even admit you were scared back then, huh?" said Sokka, smiling a little and stroking her cheek. "Seems like we've come a long way, haven't we?"

"Definitely," she sighed, kissing his chest softly. "I did like sleeping in your bed, can't deny that, but… I would have liked it better if you'd been there, too."

"I had thought your subtle rejection after we danced was a little more intentional than that," said Sokka, grinning gently. "I mean, I could tell you were horrified by what you'd done, but… I figured you were just worried I might take it the wrong way."

"I was worried about that," she confessed. "But I… I also really hated myself for pulling away when I did. I wished I hadn't been such a coward."

"Well, it's been a year since then," he said, smiling. "Your old self can rest assured about many of her fears now, right? You've slept in my bed enough times to tire of it…"

"Oh, certainly not," she said, relaxing again and grinning brightly. "I think I may need to do it a few dozen thousand times more, if not a dozen million…"

"Setting the bar so low?" Sokka asked, playfully. "Now, really, it's not that good a bed…"

"Perhaps it's just the handsome company that makes it worthwhile, then," she said, smiling at him. Sokka bit his lower lip in a failed attempt to contain a bashful grin.

"Well, if that's the case, how can I deprive you from it?" he said, chuckling and kissing the tip of her nose. "And, uh… I mean that. Maybe you can give everyone the slip tomorrow again, like last year, and this time… this time I won't sleep on the couch."

"If you did, I'd just join you there," she said, matter-of-factly. Sokka laughed. "I mean, sure, it will be less comfortable, but I can have my way with you there just fine…"

"Then… you'll spend the night again?" he asked, hopeful. Azula smiled at him.

"Maybe. I'll try, at least," she said. "There's a chance people will be distracted enough not to notice my absence again, but I can't guarantee it. So yes, I'll try, but don't get your hopes too high, just in case."

"It's all I can ask for," said Sokka, sighing happily. "I really would like to just… wake up beside you without either one of us running off nervously because we'll get caught, you know? Just… one full night for ourselves. Doesn't feel like a lot, but… damn, I'd really love that."

"It sounds wonderful," Azula whispered, caressing his chest gently. "I guess there are many things other couples can take for granted, since they don't have to run and hide the way we do. Secret romances tend to be complicated this way."

"Just makes me dream of the day when it won't be a secret anymore," he said, with one more kiss to her brow.

She raised her head, making his lips drag over the rest of her face. Sokka took the chance to kiss the bridge of her nose too, knowing Azula was about to seek his lips with her own. He held her by the nape of her neck as she kissed him willfully, nails marking his shoulder lightly as she held onto him with a little more force than she had intended to.

"We'll… we'll find a way to make that dream come true, then," she said, leaning in to kiss his cheek and wrap her arms around his neck tightly. "And the small-term dream, too. Zuko won't be running away dramatically this time around, so… maybe we could spend the morning together, too."

"True," said Sokka, chuckling and hugging her back. "I hope so."

The sunset slid into twilight, and even then, it took more willpower than they knew they could muster to separate their bodies. Sokka sighed as he helped Azula put on her clothes, throwing only a few light garments on himself. Fixing Azula to perfection was a routine they'd already practiced endless times before, as much as neither of them liked doing it. In a matter of minutes, all evidence of their trysts was well hidden under layers of clothes and make-up.

"Even if we can't get away with our planned escape tomorrow, it's just one day," Azula told Sokka, with her best attempt at a reassuring smile. It looked like a pained one, instead. Sokka smiled back and nodded, leading her out of the room. "We might still figure out another way to spend a whole night together, and a morning, as we'd like…"

"It would be nice to come up with plans for that," said Sokka, fingers interlocking with hers as he closed the door behind him. "If only so we could…"

Unexpected noises of rustling clothes surprised them. The two glanced over the banister of the second floor and smiled with malice when they spotted Rui Shi and Song sitting up on the couch, visibly flustered.

"Oh, by all means, don't stop on our account. I was just leaving," Azula declared. As she had intended, the blushing pair only seemed more embarrassed over her comment.

"You probably should've just gone to Song's room…" Sokka chuckled, as they made their way downstairs. Song tried to hide her blush behind her hands, but covering her face that way only made her look guiltier.

"We weren't exactly inclined to… in case the walls aren't all that thick," Rui Shi muttered, his eyebrow twitching.

"Why, how very bold of you, Rui Shi," said Azula, smirking. "I'd have thought you'd be subtler than that, but I guess you two are a lot more passionate than you look if you were worried you'd be so loud as to bother us…"

"I meant you two were the loud ones!" Rui Shi growled, his blush stronger yet. Azula couldn't seem to stop laughing.

"It's too easy to rile you up, Captain, really…" she said, moving towards the backyard. "I'll see you in the Palace, I suppose."

"Right…" said Rui Shi, hanging his head as both Azula and Sokka left through the garden's door.

Song sighed and slumped on the couch, guessing she and Rui Shi would need to rethink their strategies next time. He glanced at her and reached for her hand, leading Song to curl up against him. Rui Shi smiled warmly and held her closely, caressing her back.

"We really have nothing to be embarrassed about… they're far more shameless than we are," he said. Song laughed softly against him.

"They are," she said, a hand caressing his armored chest. "But I guess I'm not used to letting them see us like this yet."

"We'll have time to get used to it," said Rui Shi. "And their teasing may be annoying but… we could just throw it right back at them."

"We could. They've done much worse things than we have," she said, determined. Rui Shi chuckled.

Sokka returned inside after a few minutes, looking crestfallen now that Azula was gone. Song blushed, but remained locked around Rui Shi even though Sokka was watching.

"Um… hey, guys," he said, with a weak grin. "I just… wanted to ask you for a favor, Rui Shi."

"Me?" he asked, raising his eyebrows.

"You asked me for one about a week ago, I think I'm entitled to do the same thing," said Sokka, chuckling. "I just need formal wear, you see… Azula says I should go to tomorrow's Ball, but she told me I can't wear what I wore last year. I assume you'll have to be there in uniform, so… if you have any formal clothes, can you lend them to me for tomorrow?"

"Huh…" said Rui Shi. Song uncurled around him, pulling away but only so she could look at him. "I could do better than that. We could go out now and find you something for yourself, rather than give you my hand-me-downs."

"Wait, really?" Sokka said, eyes widening. "I mean, I don't want to impose like that…"

"It should be fine," said Rui Shi, smiling and shrugging. "I won't get you something all that expensive, though, so don't get your hopes up."

"I wasn't expecting anything in the first place," said Sokka, with a weak grin, as Rui Shi prompted Song to stand up with him.

"Do you have anything to wear?" Rui Shi asked her next. It took Song a moment to realize she was the one being addressed now.

"Wait, you mean, me? I… I don't go to those things. I mean, I never have, and… why should I go?" she asked, surprised. Rui Shi blinked blankly and shrugged.

"If he can go, why not you?" he said. "As far as I know, a lot of slaves attended the last Ball."

"Well, gladiators, to be precise," said Sokka, frowning but pondering the possibility. "Though… you really could go, Song. You wouldn't have to make dinner for one night, there's plenty to eat over there…"

"I'll be too out of place. I really doubt that's a good idea…" she mumbled.

"Not even if you can spend a few happy moments with Rui Shi once his shift ends?" Sokka asked, smirking at her. Song blushed brightly. "I mean, it will end, right?"

"Around midnight," said Rui Shi, nodding and glancing at Song. "It's… not the worst idea. You don't have to do it if you don't want to, though, but if you decide to…"

"Now I think of it, Song could come as my date," said Sokka, suddenly. Both Song and Rui Shi flinched. "I mean… not for real, just as a smokescreen. It's clear that neither of us are interested in each other that way, but no one else knows that, right? If I bring her as my guest, people won't think you're crashing the party or anything like that, see? And it will help keep suspicions about me and Azula at bay."

"B-but that's…" said Song, blushing and glancing at Rui Shi. He chuckled.

"If it's too much you can say no. It's fine," he said. She lowered her gaze.

"C-can't I go as your date instead…?"

"Well, it won't make much sense for me to bring a date when I'm working," said Rui Shi, looking at her apologetically. "Also, well… no one knows about us."

"That's… technically not true," said Sokka, grimacing. Rui Shi frowned.

"What do you mean by that?"

"Just, um… Azula kind of teased me when I was pretending to be you," he explained. "She got me a haiku book, and told me to use it to write poems for my girlfriend… and she did all that in front of the rest of the guards, of course. I didn't say much, tried to be as stoic as I figured you'd be, but, uh, the point is, they know."

"Odd that they haven't said anything, then," said Rui Shi, blinking blankly. "Maybe they forgot."

"Or maybe they think it's fine," said Sokka, smiling and shrugging. "Your fellow guards are pretty cool, you know. They might just think it's great that you have someone in your life."

Song blushed deeply while Rui Shi smiled. Song hoped Sokka was right, she absolutely did… because if they approved, it would mean she and Rui Shi would at least be accepted as a couple by his colleagues and friends. It might be a little awkward once they found out she was a slave, but if they accepted her, it could only mean good things for their future as a couple.

"Then… we'll go out to buy the clothes, then?" Sokka asked. Rui Shi nodded and Song squeezed his hand.

"I… I guess I can go to the Ball, too," she said, with a weak grin. Rui Shi's face brightened.

"You want to?" he asked, and she nodded. "Then, all the better. We'll buy your dress first and whatever money is left will be for Sokka's outfit."

"Wha-…? Hey!" Sokka pouted, but Rui Shi's proud smile spoke for itself. Sokka wasn't about to get equal treatment from Rui Shi, not when it was a contest between Song and himself.

Shopping at night was more fun than expected: the bright lights of the festival were everywhere in the city, inciting further revelry from the people who were still in the streets. A few performances were still being held, and the three of them stopped to watch a few of them after they purchased the clothes. After that, they went to a noodle stall and ate dinner together before returning home. The next day promised to be eventful, and as much as the Fire Nation was at its most beautiful during the festivals, all of them needed to go home quickly and get proper rest, so they could attend the Ball as intended.

Sokka and Song spent most their day preparing for the Ball, although Song was clearly the more nervous of the two. Sokka helped appease her concerns about how she looked in her classy orange dress, and he reassured her that her manners wouldn't cause anyone offense, seeing as his own had never gotten him into serious trouble so far.

"Still, I don't really look Fire Nation, do I?" she asked, staring at herself in the mirror while Sokka helped her with her hair. "I mean… won't they judge Rui Shi if they see him with me, and then they realize I'm not Fire Nation, and…?"

"Everything will be alright, Song," said Sokka, smiling as he carefully elaborated a sophisticated but simple top knot, crowned by a few ornamental combs. "If they put up with me with just a few whispers and nasty glares, they'll barely even notice you. You'd fit in better with the Fire Nation's high society than I ever could."

"But, still… say that I don't," she said, sighing and rubbing her forehead with her fingertips. "I just don't want to cause trouble for Rui Shi."

"You won't. You're my date, remember?" said Sokka, smirking. "If you cause any trouble, I'll be the one to deal with it. And seeing as you've been clashing so much with me lately, you're probably just going to sit back and enjoy that."

"I… guess I could do that," she said, blushing a little. Sokka chuckled. "But… I also have been too hard on you these days. I… I didn't have to be."

"Oh, please," said Sokka, shaking his head. "I ask for trouble all the time, Song. Nothing you've said or done is all that bad…"

"Still… I'm sorry," she said, fidgeting with her fingers. "I just have been nervous and on edge because… well, I really like Rui Shi. I… I love him. I do."

"I know you do," said Sokka, smiling and patting her shoulder. "And he loves you too."

"Yeah, he… he said as much," she whispered, smiling even as she blushed. "But I guess I just… I'm afraid. I feel like we're too happy together, and… and I'm afraid of anything that could threaten that happiness. There are so many things that could go wrong, and I just…"

"Yeah, believe me, I know how it feels," Sokka said, after Song fell silent, at a loss for words. "So many things can threaten it, and you're terrified to the bone of losing something so important to you. But at the same time… you shouldn't hesitate or do things halfway just because of that fear. When you're that much in love, fear shouldn't hinder your relationship or else you'll never experience it fully."

"Even if I fear that he might risk too much by being with me?" Song asked. "I just… I keep wondering if he'll ever wake up one day to think that… that maybe it's not worth it."

Sokka smiled and patted her shoulder as Song hung her head, eyes set on her hands. He breathed deeply behind her.

"An understandable fear, but… to put it into perspective, do you think you'll ever regret being with him? Do you think you'll ever wake up and, instead of feeling grateful to be beside him, you'll wonder why on earth you ever thought you loved Rui–…?"

"What? No!" Song exclaimed, interrupting him rashly. Sokka chuckled.

"Chances are he feels the same way you do," he said, squeezing her shoulder now. "Enjoy your relationship as best as you can, Song. I'm likely going to tease you guys here and there, but I'm happy you found him. I'm glad you two are such a good match, and I'm definitely rooting for you. All you need to do at this point is enjoy it and fight every adversity that tries to force you apart."

"Speaking of experience?" asked Song, with a small smile. Sokka sighed and shrugged.

"If someone knows what it's like to be terrified while being completely in love, it's me," he said. "And so far, it definitely has been worth it. Sometimes I worry about the same thing, you know? That maybe I'll mess up badly, or that she'll realize she could do so much better… but then she smiles at me, in that way she always does, and… and I know I'm where I belong. I know I've found my place beside her, and I know she wants me there just as much as I want to be there, too."

"I… I understand," said Song, with a soft laugh. "Rui Shi makes me feel that way, too."

"And it's surely mutual," said Sokka, smiling and patting her shoulder again. "Also, seeing how pretty you look, you're definitely going to take his breath away tonight!"

Song raised her eyes at last and glanced at herself in the mirror. She blushed as a modestly elegant woman looked back at her: she wasn't used to seeing herself this way. She smiled as she stared at the reflection, and Sokka smiled fondly at her as well.

"Well, take care of your make-up, then," he said. "I'll go get ready too."

"Right. Thank you, Sokka," she said, as he moved to her room's entrance.

"No problem. If you ever want more hairdressing, you only need to…"

"I don't mean just the hair," she said, smiling warmly as he reached the threshold. "I mean… for everything you've done as of late. I haven't been as grateful as I should have been. I mean, you are a jerk, and you tease me too much, but… I'm glad we're friends."

"So am I," he said, smiling back at her. "Just relax for now, we'll head to the Palace in a bit."

Song nodded and breathed deeply, trying not to feel too anxious. She hadn't been in the Palace many times, and she found it rather daunting, but she hoped that it would feel warmer today, seeing as it was bound to be full of people, of all sorts of activities and music. And of course, Rui Shi would be there, too…

Not even an hour later, Sokka and Song made their way to the nearest main street, where they waited until an available carriage pulled up to bring them to the Palace. If the city had been lively and crowded on the previous days, it was practically overflowing with people today. Every lantern-lit street revealed large gatherings, laughter and music could be heard everywhere they went, and as the carriage moved closer to the Palace it became increasingly difficult for it to transit properly, both because of the thick traffic and the pedestrians who recklessly walked in the spaces between carriages, seeming oblivious to the danger of being trampled by dragon moose.

The carriages rolled towards the Palace steadily, and once they were closer to it, many soldiers on duty helped in keeping the streets clear for the vehicles to progress smoothly. After a few minutes of slow but constant movement, their carriage came to a stop at the Palace gates.

"Alright, let's do this," said Sokka, smiling at Song as the driver opened the door.

Song gazed that the brightly lit Palace with amazement while Sokka paid the driver. If the streets were almost blinding, it was nothing compared to the Palace. It was a beautiful sight, even if the building itself was still as ominous as it ever was. But just for one night it could pretend to be a more welcoming place than it really was. For one night, Song could look at it without thinking of all the harm Fire Lord Ozai had done to her people and family, to everyone she held dear…

"Ready to go?" Sokka asked Song, nudging her gently. She nodded and smiled. "Alright, don't talk to anyone who looks like a nasty-piece of work, ignore any stupid comments you may hear… just stay near me and we might just pull this off, okay?"

"Okay. Okay," said Song, with a nervous smile.

She had once been threatened by soldiers when she had tried to cross these gates: Rui Shi had saved her then, which had led to their first proper conversation. She smiled fondly at the memory as Sokka greeted some of the guards, who promptly allowed them in. Lost in thought as she was, she only walked by instinct at first, but she made sure to take in her surroundings before they entered the main building.

The gardens were decorated with lanterns too, and many people spoke underneath the bushy trees. Off to their right, several people were feeding the turtle-ducks in the pond Sokka knew Azula avoided, and to the left, many were gazing reverently and even pointing at the large structure of Xin Long's refuge.

After a quick overview of what the gardens had to offer, the gladiator and his healer entered the Palace halls. It was up to Sokka to show Song into the dance hall, walking through crowded corridors on their way to their destination.

Song's eyes scanned every guard and soldier in hopes of finding the gold trim that signaled Rui Shi's uniform. Even if just by seeing him from afar she would feel at ease right away… but before she could find him, they came across someone else.

Sokka stiffened, his eyes wide. Song was left to smile at him while his lips parted, raking with his gaze the figure of the Fire Nation Princess. Once again, she had chosen a hanfu with mild cleavage, and a lighter tunic covered her shoulders and arms. The main body of the hanfu was black, but the fabric around her cleavage and her cuffs was bright red, with patterned dragons across them. The tunic atop it was gold, embroidered with many figures of dragons and flames to suit the Princess. Her head was crowned by an ornamental headpiece, which, in turn, held her traditional Princess hairpiece.

His mouth ran dry as he stared at her. Azula was greeting other guests, but she soon turned towards them. Unlike the last time, when they had looked at each other awkwardly, their tension yet unresolved, this time they both smiled warmly… until Azula noticed Song, which made her smile with confusion.

"Why, I didn't know you were bringing her," she said, as Sokka and Song moved towards her. "Had I known I would have given her a few pointers on how to bear with you during an event like this one."

"Come on, she bears with me on a daily basis, she probably doesn't need any," said Sokka, with a small smile. "Azula, you're…"

"Quite busy, as you could see," Azula cut him off, dryly, before turning to Song. "Did you help with her hair? Definitely looks like your handiwork…"

"Oh, uh, yeah," said Sokka, as Song nodded shyly.

"He's helpful when it comes to that sort of thing," Song admitted. Azula laughed softly.

"I'm quite aware, yes," she said. "In any case, it's good you came with him. Now he won't be grumbling about how lonely he is. I've always thought he needed a date for these kind of events…"

"Y-yeah, I… I wasn't sure when he asked, but I guess, if you don't mind…" Song said, insecure. Did the Princess catch onto their ploy so quickly? She truly had to trust the two of them, if seeing them together this way didn't trigger any jealousy from her at all.

"What's there for me to mind?" Azula asked, smiling and looking at Sokka. "Whoever he's involved with isn't my business, now, is it? I only pay him to fight."

Her blatant lie spoke for itself. Song sighed in relief, guessing Azula had seen right through them indeed. Sokka grinned, having known the Princess would gladly play along as she had.

"And to endure your teasing when you decide to torment me, too," Sokka added. Azula's smile widened.

"Only when you deserve it," she replied, bringing him to laugh softly. "Well, I hope you two enjoy your evening. Rui Shi might just be…"

"Azula!"

Ty Lee's voice didn't come as a surprise to anyone but Song, for whom the spirited girl was a complete stranger. Ty Lee rushed to Azula's side, smiling brightly.

"You look lovely!" she said, beaming and looking at her friend's dress. "You always pick the most adequate clothes for you, it's really…"

She fell silent as she realized that Azula hadn't been talking to Sokka alone. Her eyes glided over Song's face, and she visibly tensed up when she took in how the girl stood awfully close to Sokka.

"It's, uh… pretty," Ty Lee finished, with an awkward smile. "Well, I sure haven't met you before. Will you introduce me to your friend, Sokka?"

"Oh, sure, Ty Lee. Hello to you too," he retorted dryly. Ty Lee pouted a little. "This is Song, my healer."

"Oh. Oh, I see," said Ty Lee, her smile growing more genuine now.

"She's Sokka's date tonight," Azula declared, beaming brightly. Ty Lee's relaxation vanished again, replaced by tension and disbelief. "Who'd have thought he'd ever get a girl to accompany him anywhere? And he's quite lucky that Song is well above his league. He should know better than to let that one go."

"I-I'm just…" Song mumbled uneasily, judging by Ty Lee's reaction that the girl knew about Azula and Sokka's relationship.

"You're right, Azula, and you know what? I should get her to eat something, right?" said Sokka, grinning awkwardly at Azula. "I'll, uh, see you later?"

"I suppose, I'll be busy anyways, but if I'm free before the dancing begins, I suppose we can chat again," said Azula, nodding towards him and turning to Ty Lee again. "So, where's Haru?"

"He's dealing with the carriage, he'll be back shortly," said Ty Lee, smiling as Sokka and Song moved towards the feast table. As soon as they were gone, she gave Azula a pointed stare. "What… was that?"

"Why, what else?" said Azula, with a perfectly simple smile. "Sokka brought a date."

"And he's flaunting that date in front of you?" Ty Lee asked, inching closer so no one would overhear them. "Aren't you in the least jealous…?"

"I have no reason to be," said Azula, matter-of-factly. "They're merely using each other, Ty Lee. She's actually dating the Captain of my guards."

"Oh… oh!" said Ty Lee, her usually joyous countenance returning immediately. "So it's just a ruse!"

"As should be obvious," said Azula, with a soft laugh. "Clearly, I wouldn't be so calm if I thought he was doing anything wrong, especially that kind of wrong."

"And you trust he wouldn't, of course," said Ty Lee, smiling brightly. "I mean, you two have such a tight bond…"

"And I'll remind you that discussing such matters right here and now is a terrible idea," said Azula, with a dry grin. "Either way, come along. Mai arrived about an hour ago, she should be around here somewhere…"

The two friends made their way through the crowd, and Sokka followed them with his gaze even as he stood beside the long table, full to the brim with luxurious dishes as it was. While Song took in the different meals in wonder, Sokka merely smiled as he watched Azula, his heart beating faster as he marveled at her beauty.

"Aren't you going to eat something?" Song asked, surprised. Sokka jumped at being addressed, and he gave her a goofy smile. "Huh. Distracted, I see?"

"Just a little," he said, chuckling. "I'll try to pretend to be a good date, but… how am I supposed to pry my eyes off her, when she looks like that?"

"I wouldn't know. A lot of people keep looking at her, so I guess it's not something that can be helped," said Song, with a smile and a shrug. Sokka frowned, though.

"A lot of…?"

Only then did he take notice of the rest of the crowd. Several men would glance in Azula's direction, and while most of them didn't seem to have ill intent, there were some who seemed a lot less noble than that, with obnoxious smirks on their faces. Unsurprisingly, Hahn was one of them.

"Ugh. What's that jerk doing here…?" Sokka grumbled, scowling at Hahn. "Why would Zhao bring him…?"

"Who?" Song asked, glancing at Sokka while holding up a plate. Sokka huffed and shook his head.

"Nobody. Just someone I had wished I'd never have to see again," he said, reaching for his own plate and finally paying attention to the food. "Well, damn! They went all out this year. Fried squid, and lobster crab, and moosow briskets, and boiled picken eggs, and…?"

"Don't eat all of it right away!" Song exclaimed, as Sokka scooped up servings of each meat dish and poured them on his plate with a greedy smile.

"I have to! I need as much food as I can to stay strong and fit, remember? You've said so yourself!" he declared, proudly. Song grimaced.

"B-but this is the Fire Lord's Palace, and this is his food, and we're just…"

"Making sure nothing goes to waste!" Sokka finished for her, and Song hung her head in defeat.

"We're going to get kicked out any moment now, aren't we?" she sighed.

Sokka only chuckled before digging in. Song sighed and ate slowly, hoping no one would think poorly of their manners or, at least, of Sokka's. But it was unlikely that he wouldn't be judged, stuffing his face as he was. Still, he seemed happy enough so she figured she could cut him some slack…

"Uh, where do you think Rui Shi's patrolling right now?" she asked. Sokka shrugged and glanced about himself before swallowing a mouthful of food.

"There's a lot of people in here, so it's hard to say," he said.

"Do you think it's okay if I go look for him?" she said. "I could do it alone, you don't have to come along…"

"Really? You're sure you'll be fine?" Sokka asked, nibbling on a slice of pork chops. Song smiled and nodded.

"I'm sure. You keep enjoying your meal," she said, waving a hand towards him and walking away quickly.

Sokka shrugged and continued eating, smiling as he took in the scents and flavors. Even though he couldn't be with Azula, he could certainly bask in the food the Fire Lord had provided while he waited for a chance to talk with his sponsor properly. He'd be happy to stay peacefully anchored to this table, with no one to pester him whatsoever for the time being…

"Ah, I knew you'd be here."

Sokka had been in the middle of devouring a small bowl of the best fried noodles he had ever tasted when he heard a familiar female voice he failed to place. He turned around towards her, unwilling to lower his bowl even so, and glanced at the brown-haired, dark-eyed woman in a flowing pink and gold dress, with so many ornaments in her hair that Sokka wondered how she kept her head upright. Her makeup did little to mask the deviousness of her smile.

"Uh… do I know you?" Sokka said, with an awkward smile. "You seem familiar, but…"

"Oh, I suppose it's been so long that you may have forgotten… or perhaps I went overboard with the glamour and I've become unrecognizable," the girl laughed. She probably hoped to sound humble, casual, but it was hard for Sokka to think of her behavior as anything but arrogant. "Well, we met well over half a year ago. I was with them back then, remember? The Blue… Pack?"

Sokka frowned at first before his eyes widened with surprise. The girl's smirk only broadened.

"You… Hana, was it?" he asked, with uncertainty. She laughed, though it sounded somewhat forced.

"Hina, but it's quite alright to have forgotten. I know you must have so many admirers…" she said, with a sad sigh. Sokka blinked but shrugged.

"I have a fair number, I don't really know them all," he said. "I do interact with as many as I can, but…"

"But the Princess hardly allows it, on a good day," said Hina, and finally the fake smile vanished when she was more honest about her feelings briefly. Still, she smiled again afterwards and reached out with a hand towards Sokka's arm. "It's lucky she's not around to control you right now."

"Well, as much as you may not think so… her interests and mine align, in most ways," said Sokka, inching away subtly before Hina could touch him. "You might think she's being controlling, but in truth she's often enabling me to do whatever I want to do."

"Oh? So, you can get the better of her that way?" she said, with a giggle. "That's interesting. You must be very smart if you can manipulate her."

"I'd call it an agreement, not manipulation," said Sokka, with an awkward grin. "At any rate, uh… your dad was invited to this, I take it?"

"Oh, he is every year, yes. I saw you last year too, but only from afar," she admitted, with a shy smile. "I didn't dare speak to you yet."

"Heh, well… where is he?" Sokka asked, with a smile that hardly masked his unease. He would like some more company, any sort of company, if it would mean getting Hina to stop inching closer to him as she did. He answered her unwanted closeness by stepping away from her, which him walk beside the table, away from the meat-based dishes and towards the vegetable-based ones.

"He's around, somewhere," said Hina, with a soft chuckle. She bit her lip, though and gave Sokka a sympathetic look. "You do eat quite ravenously, don't you?"

"Uh… sure?" said Sokka, blinking blankly as Hina giggled again before picking up a cloth napkin on the table beside them.

"You have a little bit on your…" she said, reaching as if to wipe it.

But Sokka's dry grin and grip on her wrist said enough about what he thought of her course of action. He took the napkin with his free hand, releasing the other only once he was sure she had no excuse to touch him.

"That's thoughtful," he said, his sarcasm sounding slightly bitter.

But where he would have thought that would deter Hina, it only seemed to entice her more. Her eyes were wide, her pupils dilated, and her lips parted. Did she enjoy being rejected by him? There had to be several things wrong with the girl if that was the case…

"I… yes, I mean, if you say so," she said, again giggling and blushing. "Goodness… are all Water Tribe men as attractive and strong as you?"

"U-uh… I'd think so, yes," said Sokka, nervously. "In fact, I'm not even all that good. One of the worst specimens you could find. Truthfully, if you're interested in a Water Tribe guy…"

"Now, don't sell yourself short," she giggled again, circling him now. Sokka gritted his teeth, hoping he wouldn't have to climb on the table to get away from her. He was absolutely going to ask Azula to convince Ozai not to invite Hina's father to any events, ever again… "You're one of the best gladiators of all, and you're the best-looking one there is, and you're so forceful when you want to be, and that makes you so…"

"Am I interrupting anything?"

Sokka had been inching away as Hina leaned towards him. But Song's voice seemed to destroy the other girl's mischievous intent. She turned to look at Song accusingly, only getting raised eyebrows as a response. Sokka slid out of Hina's grasp as soon as he had a chance, moving to stand beside Song now with a guilty grin.

"You're not, Hina was being awfully pushy, but I'm sure it's because she didn't know I had a date!" he said, beaming at Song and offering her his arm. Song smiled brightly and took his offer with trembling fingers.

"Why, it's silly of you not to mention it. Did you want to embarrass her, by any chance?" she asked. Sokka laughed.

"Not at all, not at all," he said, before turning to look at the distraught Hina in front of him. "Uh, it'd be rude not to introduce you both… Hina, she's Song."

"I'm his girlfriend," Song declared proudly, bowing her head towards Hina. "Nice to meet you."

Song's declaration seemed to drive a knife through Hina's chest, going by her sudden display of tense breathlessness. Her wide eyes reflected her indignation, as though she had been betrayed deeply. If that was truly what she felt, Sokka dreaded her interest in him was well beyond that of a simple fangirl…

"His… girlfriend?" she repeated. "That's… not possible. You're, well… I'm sorry, dear, but he's well out of your league."

"Hey! Don't talk to her like that!" Sokka exclaimed, pouting a little. Song laughed beside him.

"Oh, she's not saying anything I don't know," she said, inching closer to Sokka and pressing her head to his shoulder. Sokka blinked blankly but relaxed again, trying to imagine it was Azula instead. "I'm very lucky to have you in my life even if I don't deserve you."

Sokka clenched his jaw, suspecting Song was pretending he was Rui Shi just the same. It was all he could do not to laugh. But there was no amusement in the situation for Hina, apparently. She huffed in indignation and looked at him almost pleadingly.

"You can do so much better, you know you could if you just tried…" she said, as Sokka sighed and glanced over her shoulder. "Truly! She's nothing, surely a nobody, I've never even heard of her, but I'm of noble birth! If you were with me…"

"Hey!" Sokka exclaimed suddenly, waving his hand with big movements. "Hey, Hahn!"

Song blinked blankly, and Hina scowled. Was he truly ignoring her? She had been saying something important…

"I'm speaking to you," she said. Sokka jumped.

"Oh, sorry, I thought you weren't talking to me. I've always been told I have terrible manners," said Sokka, with a guilty smile. "I always seem to inconvenience my girl here, she never fails to reprimand me for it."

"But I could never be too mad," said Song, with a happy sigh. Hina gritted her teeth and glared at them.

"This is just…"

"What do you want from me, gladiator?"

The smug, unpleasant voice of the northerner made Sokka feel almost nauseous, and he struggled while feigning a smile. Hahn was as unlikeable as could be, and he even seemed proud of that…

"I just saw you standing all alone over there, I figured I'd greet you," said Sokka, still grinning. "This is my girlfriend, Song…"

"Heh, she's far too pretty for you," Hahn declared. Sokka's eyebrow twitched.

"Of course she is. I always remind her of that," he said, with a dry grin. "And this one here is our friend, Hina!"

Hahn raised an eyebrow and glanced down at Hina. He nearly jumped, though, when he noticed the girl was staring at him with wide, lovestruck eyes. No one had looked at him that way since he had left his tribe, where many girls had always admired him from afar.

"Uh, I… I'm Hina?" she said, with a weak smile. Hahn only smiled with a hint of arrogance.

"Well… you certainly are quite pretty as well," he said, approvingly. "It's good to meet you."

"I-I… right. I'm just… going to, uh, get myself a drink?" Hina said, with a groggy smile as she walked backwards, carelessly enough to bump into someone by mistake.

Sokka, Song and Hahn watched as Hina left in her daze, her previous displeasure seemingly gone all of sudden. Sokka sighed in relief and smiled gratefully at Hahn.

"I know you weren't hoping to help me with anything ever, but she was terribly persistent…"

"Right, but what exactly did I do?" Hahn asked, raising an eyebrow. "Why did she flee from me? Are all Fire Nation girls like that?"

"Eager to get away from you? I wouldn't know, sorry to say," said Sokka, with a dry grin. "Either way, uh, enjoy the rest of the evening…"

"Now, now… I helped you, however I did. I'm thinking you should help me, too, and I actually have something in mind, so… it's only right," he said, smirking again. Sokka's eyebrow twitched.

"Is it, now?" he muttered.

"I only need some advice. It's nothing outrageous," said Hahn, raising his hands defensively before looking at Song. "Can you give us a little privacy?"

"I… guess. I'll go look for Rui Shi somewhere outside," said Song, smiling at Sokka, who sighed but nodded.

"Good luck with that," he said, as the girl slipped away from them both.

Hahn cleared his throat and stood beside Sokka, staring at the food table while Sokka kept his back turned towards it. The gladiator eyed the northerner warily, as the man seemed to struggle to express whatever he wanted to say.

"Well?" said Sokka, losing his patience. Hahn sighed.

"Fine, fine. Okay, you're supposed to not be stupid, so you should have guessed I'd very much like to court Princess Azula," he said.

Sokka's stomach lurched, but he held down both the food and the impulse to threaten Hahn away from his lover. His eyebrow twitched, but he mustered a smile and a shake of his head. Hahn scowled at him.

"What? You don't think I can woo her? I'll have you know…"

"Yeah, you married a Princess before, this is hardly new territory for you," said Sokka. "Which is why you probably ought to set your sights on someone else, maybe look for something you haven't experienced already…"

"Right, and waste my time with some other girl who won't give me the benefits she would?" Hahn scoffed. "Marriage is a political tool, gladiator. You should know as much. One day someone will marry her, and I'd think a guy like you would know all about the nice community feeling that our people are known for… so you'd like to help me out, right? You'd sooner have one of our kind sponsoring you instead of her, wouldn't you? Not to mention I just helped you shake off that girl, so…"

"Alright, Hahn, I'll be blunt… there's no amount of community feeling that will ever make me consider you a long-lost brother or something like that," said Sokka, matter-of-factly. "And while yes, you sure helped… you're not taking into account that, even if I gave you advice, her father would never accept you as her suitor. That's simply not going to happen."

"I have a plan on how to fix that problem, if you must know," said Hahn, sighing. "All I truly need is the Princess's approval. Once I know she's not going to protest, which, as far as I know, has gotten her out of many engagements so far, I'll get the Fire Lord's permission without much issue."

"I doubt that," said Sokka, raising his eyebrows. "For one thing, Azula won't appreciate me telling you how to win her over, she'll know immediately that you got your information from me…"

"How would she know that?" said Hahn, with a sneer. Sokka shrugged.

"Because I'd tell her, clearly," he said. Hahn huffed.

"And why would you do that? You're supposed to help me here, remember?" he said. Sokka raised his eyebrows.

"You said you wanted advice, you didn't say I couldn't tell her I'd given it to you. At any rate, I suppose you should find something else I can help you with, because this wouldn't work even if you had my counsel."

"Seriously?" said Hahn, looking at Sokka in disbelief. "I guess you really are that much of a jackass. Well, great then! I'll just figure out how to woo her on my own, and once I succeed, I'll make sure she decides she's had enough of this incompetent gladiator and…"

"Oh, really?" Sokka asked, with a bright grin. "Well, there's a way to do even better than that! You go find yourself a gladiator, hire him to fight me, and if you win… you get a shot at being her suitor. Yep, that's actually the smoothest path to becoming her suitor and…"

"Beating you? That's it?" said Hahn, with a disbelieving smirk. "You're mocking me. That's ridiculously simple."

"So much you could even do it yourself, I wager," said Sokka, his smile growing colder as his eyes bore into Hahn's. The northerner wasn't daunted.

"You think she'd accept that? Me against you?" he said, biting his lip. "I could work with that. Just give me the time and place and…"

"Oh, dear. Are you seriously picking a fight right here and now, Hahn? After you promised you'd behave yourself? Shame on you."

Hahn was the one to jump this time, startled by Zhao's sudden appearance. Sokka blinked blankly, wondering if everyone would intrude in conversations unannounced in these events…

"That, it's… complicated," said Hahn, scowling at Sokka. Sokka only grinned at him. Zhao sighed.

"I can tell. Too complicated for me to care for, no doubt. Run along, Hahn," he said. Hahn huffed.

"But I was…!"

"What, you wanted something to eat? Well, fine by me. The gladiator and I shall speak in the gardens instead."

"No, I mean, I was talking to…"

Zhao didn't allow Hahn to finish his sentence before ferrying Sokka away without another word. Sokka took his chance to shoot a glare at Hahn over his shoulder before following Zhao well outside the hall's premises.

The gardens were emptier now, as most people had headed inside because the main event of the celebration was about to begin. Sokka studied Zhao's appearance, noticing that, yet again, the man was wearing his uniform rather than the expected dress robes. Zhao paced with his arms behind his back, his furrowed brow betraying he was pondering something heavily.

"Was he pestering you much?" he finally asked. Sokka grimaced.

"I kind of brought it upon myself," he admitted. "I made him help me get rid of this clingy girl, Hina, she's an unpleasant fan of mine…"

"Hmm. And he scared her away easily enough, of course," said Zhao. Sokka smiled and shook his head.

"You'd think she was scared, but she looked smitten to me. Or maybe I was being wishful? Well, either way, thanks for getting me out of that one."

"It's not a problem," said Zhao. "I think I overheard the two of you discussing the controversial matter of gladiator fights for the Princess's hand in marriage?"

"Yeah, I may have told him to do that. What's worse, he seems to prefer fighting me himself. He's going to get what's coming if he tries," said Sokka, shaking his head. Zhao frowned.

"I suppose he would…" said Zhao. Sokka's eyes narrowed at the unease with which Zhao spoke those words.

They were silent for another moment until they had stopped by the turtle-duck pond. Sokka couldn't see any of the creatures right now: surely they were already hiding away from the chill of the night in their burrows, sleeping or trying to, while enduring all the unpleasant celebration noises.

"You are close with the Princess, aren't you?"

The words gave Sokka pause. His stomach sank as he glanced at Zhao warily. The man wasn't looking back at him.

"I… guess you could say that," said Sokka, swallowing hard. "She's not, well… she doesn't tell me absolutely everything, if you must know. At the end of the day, I'm just a slave, a common guy, and she's a Princess, so…"

"Of course," said Zhao, biting his lip.

Sokka felt his stomach sink: Zhao didn't believe him. Yes, Sokka was lying, but he knew the truth would be quite unbelievable. As warm as Azula often was towards him, that wasn't a side of herself she showed in front of others. Someone like Zhao, who had known her since she was a child, surely wouldn't believe Azula would trust Sokka completely…

"You see… I'm aware of her dirty little secret," said Zhao. Sokka's eyes widened. "And I merely hoped that you might be helpful enough and confirm it. But if you truly aren't close to her… I suppose you wouldn't know what I'm talking about, would you?"

"I… n-no, you're wrong," said Sokka, turning towards Zhao. Only now did the man look at him, and his eyes widened when he recognized the fear in Sokka's own. "You're wrong, that's not… there's no dirty little secret. Azu-… t-the Princess, she's…!"

"Hush, boy," said Zhao, looking at him warily. "What is this outburst for? I'm merely asking if…"

Zhao's silence was crowned with understanding soon enough. To Sokka's confusion, the man turned a sympathetic glance on him, and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"I'm sorry. Truly," he said. Sokka's heart sank deeper with every word Zhao spoke. "I understand how hard this must be, but you do realize it's only right? It is for her own good. The sooner we act on this, the sooner she'll be rid of fools like Hahn who only want her for their own benefit."

"I… I don't follow," said Sokka, trembling by now. "Zhao, I swear to you, there's nothing going on. Nothing. She and I…"

"I know. I know," said Zhao, patting his shoulder. "Your feelings for her are strong, no doubt. You wish to protect her from the consequences. I'm sure you'll understand, then, when I do what I must. Ozai will surely make the expected decision, and I know that may break your heart, but… there are other women, you know. I realize you may think she's the only one worth loving, if I were your age, I probably would think the same, but part of growing up is accepting you can find the right girl at the right time, rather than to obsess with the same one forever."

"I… I seriously have no idea what you mean," said Sokka. Zhao waved a hand dismissively. "There are other women? A-are you telling me to just… forget all this and move on? What, like there are no consequences to be had…?"

"Well, sure there are. Still, what sort of consequences do you think you'd have to face either way?" said Zhao, shrugging and turning towards the Palace now. "You've committed no crime, or have you? You aren't even close to her, you don't know of her secrets…"

"Admiral, please…" said Sokka, staring at him desperately now. Zhao looked back at him, confused. "I… I beg of you. I'm only asking for her sake. Think about what you're doing to her. This could… it could put an end to everything she's worked for. As wrong as it may have been, she… she deserves to have a chance to lead her people, right? And if you tell her father about this…"

"She may yet have that chance," said Zhao, nodding. "That's… exactly why I'm doing it. I had thought you'd understand, but I suppose you don't? Oh, well. Either way, you don't have to beg anything of me. I am doing everything for her sake, and for the Fire Nation's sake, too. Here I thought it was obvious enough…"

"N-no, it's…" said Sokka, desperate. Zhao sighed.

"I understand you don't want to lose her. But truly, gladiator? Whatever dreams you may have had, whatever hopes…?" he said, with a resigned grimace. "Ozai would never approve of Hahn, but he'd never approve of you as a son-in-law, either. Some of us have positions in life that we cannot overcome. All we can do is live with that."

"But I… Zhao!" Sokka exclaimed, but the man had already walked away and back towards the celebration hall.

Sokka's chest was heaving, his head was spinning, the ground underneath his feet felt shaky, unstable, perhaps even non-existent. An unpleasant sensation was yanking at his navel, as if a powerful force was dragging him down, telling him that it was over. That all the fantasies, hopes, dreams and promises were finished. Zhao knew the truth…

Sokka cursed at himself for not being more decisive. For not choosing to knock out the man, or to threaten him into silence. But he hadn't brought any weapons and fighting a highly trained firebender with only hand-to-hand combat was a bad idea. Maybe he ought to head to Azula's room, find Wolf's Bane and that way he could threaten Zhao into… no, that was preposterous, and he'd get Azula into even more trouble. Not only would everyone discover she was in an illicit affair with him, but he would behave as an unhinged lunatic in front of every important nobleman in the Fire Nation, and the Fire Lord himself.

But the truth of it, the weight of this sudden turn of events, was tearing him apart. It was over. It was finished. All their efforts to stay together, their promises, their growth as a couple… all of it was gone now, after a single conversation.

As for Sokka… he would die. Azula had never sugarcoated that fact: he would be killed, and knowing Ozai, he'd force Azula to watch. The thought made his body jerk again with a violent shiver, and he shook his head repeatedly as he tried to figure out what to do. What to do, what to do, how to stop Zhao before his words destroyed everything Sokka had grown to hold dear? Before those revelations put an end to his very life, just when he was living it to the fullest? Just when he had as good as overcome the impulse to die that he hadn't been able to shake off for years?

How had he found out? Why? Even if they were reckless in many regards, Zhao had never behaved any differently around them. If anything, Sokka had only thought his behavior odd when he had been pretending to be Rui Shi, and even so, it wasn't all that strange… what had given them away? How? Xin Long had been watching for any onlookers when they'd had their escapade in the palanquin, so unless he had been hiding in the trees and bushes at the Temple, which was highly unlikely, he couldn't have seen anything…

It didn't make sense. It didn't. But the way Zhao had spoken, especially at the end, had made it clear he knew of Sokka's feelings for Azula. And yet he thought everything would be better if Ozai knew the truth? Did Zhao think Sokka was suicidal? What sort of logic, or lack thereof, brought him to believe that this would be the best outcome for Sokka, too?

His stomach churned, threatening to make him throw up what he had just eaten. His breaths came with difficulty, as if some sort of airbender was sucking the air out of his lungs. It truly felt as if the very ground on which he stood had disappeared, and he was falling at full speed, with nothing and no one to help him break that fall.

But someone could break that fall. Someone who had the answers for, well, most things. Someone who direly needed to know what dangers they were facing, whether because she might be able to stop Zhao, or simply so she could do damage control and prevent things from escalating further. If she denied everything believably Ozai might leave them alone… but she had a better chance to succeed at that if he warned her about everything right away.

He ran back inside, his body drenched in cold sweat as he rushed past the couples and groups of people, and he returned to the hall where he had last seen Azula. Whatever came next, they could endure it as long as she knew, as long as he could just tell her…

He stopped abruptly when he heard a familiar tune reaching his ears: it was the solemn music that accompanied the vulture dance, as he had named it. One glance over the crowd gave away Azula's location immediately: she was dancing with her father right now, in the same elegant way as she had last year.

Last year she had walked away from the dancing area right after the dance was over. Maybe she would do the same this time. If so, he only needed to bide his time to reach her before Zhao could speak to Ozai.

Another glance through the room gave him no answers as to Zhao's whereabouts. The man had returned to the Palace, but he wasn't here right now. Maybe someone else had caught his attention, or maybe he was waiting to speak with Ozai in private somewhere else. Either way, Sokka only needed to reach Azula first. She would know what to do, how to handle this… she'd know if she could get rid of the problem before it blossomed completely. And even if she didn't have solutions right away, together they might come up with something. It was his only hope right now.

The music ceased, and the dancing did, too. The polite round of clapping that followed went entirely ignored by Sokka, who followed Azula with his eyes and rushed to intercept her as she and her father were replaced by the next two dancers.

Others had stopped her before Sokka reached her, but he was relieved to find it was only Mai and Ty Lee. Ruon Jian was holding Yuudai right beside Mai, talking enthusiastically with Haru as the three childhood friends spoke as well. Sokka slid through the people blocking his path, and it wasn't long before Azula noticed him.

She knew he wasn't alright instantly, he could tell by the subtle frown that appeared on her face. She smiled at the others and made to excuse herself bare instants before Sokka reached them. His tumultuous arrival put a stop to all conversations, though, as everyone gave him confused stares.

"Sokka? Are you okay?" Ty Lee asked.

"I just…" said Sokka, glancing at Azula. Her frown deepened.

"I'll be back in a second, once he's told me what he wants," she said, smiling forcibly again. "Do continue to enjoy the evening, and don't dance too much."

"You can't make me stop dancing!" Ty Lee exclaimed, stubbornly, prompting Haru and Ruon Jian to laugh softly.

Sokka had urged Azula to follow him, a hand yanking her arm at first, but he had released her from his hold by now. Azula struggled to keep up, her dress and shoes rather burdensome when she had to follow a man of long strides.

He stopped when he found an empty room, and he held the door open for her before closing it behind him abruptly. Azula swallowed hard.

"What is it?" she said, moving closer towards him. But Sokka's hands darted out towards her shoulders, stopping her in place as his eyes refused to focus on her face.

"I… I don't know how, I don't know why, but Zhao…" he said, his voice choked. Azula's eyes widened. "He knows."

He had expected a violent, emotional reaction. He had thought she'd be as distraught as him and, for the most part, it seemed she was. But he counted himself lucky that his lover was as practical as she was. After what felt like mere instants of shock, she looked at him again with blazing eyes, eager to understand their current circumstances.

"And you know this how?" she asked. "Did he confront you directly? Or did you overhear him saying…?"

"He told me, outright," Sokka responded, dropping his hands and looking at her in despair. "He said that whatever feelings I had for you, I was better off discarding them, and that… t-that he'd tell your dad, that everything was for your sake, that…!"

"Damn him. Damn that rotten bastard," said Azula, her chest heaving now before she shook her head and looked at Sokka with determination. "Well, clearly we have no choice. You have to leave."

"Leave?" Sokka repeated, frowning still. "Leave where? What exactly…?"

"You'll take Xin Long, and he'll fly you both well away from the Palace," Azula determined, her brow furrowed. "Whatever my father does to me…"

"What the…? No!"

"Whatever he does to me, at least you'll be safe!" she insisted, glaring at him meaningfully. "I'm not about to let you face the consequences for this, alright? You and I both know you won't live through it, and if anyone ever so much as tries to kill you, I'd kill them first, and I'd love to avoid reaching that point. So, for both our sakes, you're leaving now."

"Where the hell would I even go?" Sokka asked, eyes wide as Azula moved towards the door. "Azula!"

"You don't have to go too far, as long as nobody knows you've left in the first place," Azula said. "Xin Long can take you somewhere uninhabited, where you will wait until I convey further orders to Xin Long. Once he knows what to do, where to take you, he'll do just that. If I manage to sort this out, you'll come back home. If not…"

"I don't want to… I can't even imagine what would happen if you…" Sokka asked, breathing heavily and shaking his head. Azula stepped towards him and cupped his face between her hands.

"You won't imagine anything. I'll handle this," she whispered. "We'll… we'll be together again, one way or another. If my father decides I can only be punished for what I've done, then by all means, I'll just take off to find you two and we'll… we'll become outlaws. It sounds… hellish, and it may be the worst idea ever, but it's the only one I've got and…"

"I can't do this. I can't just leave you when you're in such danger," Sokka gritted his teeth, struggling to stop the tears of helplessness that burned in his eyes. "I know you think it's the only way, but I…"

"You'll live. That's what matters most, and if you say otherwise I'll knock you out and strap you to Xin Long while unconscious," she said, with determination. Sokka grimaced and she smiled a little. "It won't… it won't be forever, okay? We'll survive this, one way or another. Whatever happens now… we'll get through it. We always have."

"I know, but… it still scares me," he said, shivering violently. "I always thought we'd never…"

"So did I," she admitted, her own voice threatening to break over her own tears. "So did I."

Sokka gritted his teeth as he wrapped her in a tight embrace that she returned eagerly. Her face found the crook of his shoulder and neck, and nestled there while he gritted his teeth, hating himself for having been such a fool. For having failed to lie to Zhao, for not being more careful… but never berating himself for the one thing that had landed them in this predicament. For he didn't care what consequences he had to face… loving Azula was well worth its price. Even if that price was his head.