The day was another nice one, typical for the Fire Nation, even in early September. There wasn't much humidity in the air as the sun beat down on Caldera City. Citizens crowded the streets, families enjoying a day out in the sun, students talking excitedly about what they'll do once they get done with the classes for the day.
Sokka walked through the crowds, on his way to a building to the outskirts of the campus where his last class for the week was. The week had been a good, but exhausting one, and he was ready to go home and chill in his bed for the weekend. Hockey practices had especially been grueling, with the coaches working the team to become more physical and better in the offensive zone. Sokka felt he was settling into his new role as the captain well, becoming more comfortable with it by the day as he talked with teammates before, during and after practice. The younger ones new to the team would often ask him questions about the season, schedule, and other general advice that Sokka may deem helpful to them, which he gave without a moment's hesitation.
As he drew closer to the building that was his destination, Sokk's phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, looking at the notification that had just hit. A message from Ty Lee on Instagram. Sokka put his phone back in his pocket, choosing to ignore the message for now. He didn't really have a desire at this point to converse with her. Both Ty Lee and Azula had followed him on Monday night, and he followed both of them back. Azula hadn't messaged him, but Ty Lee had almost instantly. He indulged her in a conversation for a while before he decided sleep was calling him, and she had kept messaging him throughout the week, or sending him posts she thought he'd like. Sokka found it a little bit suspicious that the two roommates would follow him within a short time frame of each other, but didn't press the issue on either of them.
He reached the building, looking at a map of it before making his way to the room where the class was being held. He entered the room, looking around for a place to sit before he found a familiar figure sitting near the back, at a table with an empty chair beside them. Azula was engrossed, reading something on her phone. He walked over, and sat in the empty chair, putting his backpack down on the floor before saying, "What's up, Princess?"
The firebender jumped a little bit, so lost in thought that she hadn't even realized someone had sat next to her. "Sokka? Agni, you scared me." Sokka chuckled as he pulled a notebook out of his backpack.
"Sorry, didn't mean to."
Azula studied him, before speaking again. "If you have this class, why weren't you here last week?"
"My father had asked for me to meet a mayor or some politician in his stead because he couldn't make it, so I was forced to miss." Sokka yawned, before also taking out a pencil.
Azula watched his every movement, keenly eyeing his every move. "I see. Thankfully, my father hasn't made me do anything like that." She frowned before adding another word. "Yet."
"Speaking of, what did the professor go over last week? Was it just the usual first class of the year junk?"
Azula pulled out her own notebook, with a lot more writing in it. "There were a few notes. Since you had a good reason for missing, I guess you can copy them." She moved the notebook so Sokka could see, who frantically started writing down everything. Azula watched the Water Tribesman as he worked, finding the expression of determination as his brow furrowed and his eyes narrowed cute. She finally looked away, propping her chin on her hand as she looked outside. It was a beautiful day, as it often was in the Capital. The window she and Sokka sat by looked over a courtyard on the campus, with a pond and one of the main student centers with a cafeteria behind it. People sat in the courtyards or by the pond, two men playing catch, throwing from several meters away.
The week was quite hectic for Azula, often away from the apartment for her soccer practices or in classes. She didn't mind it though, taking advantage to avoid Ty Lee, who she hadn't spoken to since Monday. The other person in the apartment, Mai, seemed to take notice of the rivalry and animosity brewing between her two friends, but hadn't bothered Azula with questions. The Princess was thankful for that. It seemed like every day that her thoughts got the better of her. Azula was used to being in control of every aspect of her life. Her body, her mind, her decisions, her fire. Yet the words spoken by Ty Lee had seemed to cause her to lose control of her thoughts and send them in varying directions. Azula was struggling to fall asleep lately too, the pitch black room at night paired with the silence giving an entire field for her thoughts to run wild on.
Azula sighed. She'd probably have to speak to Ty Lee soon to make sure things weren't going downhill between the two of them, but the acrobats behavior regarding Sokka was quite unusual. Ty Lee seemed to want to compete against Azula, though the Princess wasn't sure it was a competition she wanted to be in yet.
She looked away from the window and back at the man next to her, who was just finishing copying down the notes she had taken the week prior. Sokka set down his pencil and pushed Azula's notebook back to her. "Here and thanks." Azula placed the notebook neatly in front of her as the professor for the class walked into the room.
"You finished just in time."
"Guess so."
The class took an hour and a half, with zero interruptions. It surprised Azula that Sokka was a good student, listening intently to every word spoken by the professor and writing down solid notes. The time seemed to breeze by. Once the class ended, the two were among the first to leave. They walked side-by-side as they left the building. Azula spoke first once they were outside, an idea in mind to avoid Ty Lee.
"Are you going home?"
"Yep! Gonna take a nice bath once I get home."
Azula blushed a bit with her next question, but asked it nonetheless. "Can I come to your place? I'll give you privacy while you're bathing. I just want to avoid Ty Lee."
Sokka's eyebrow raised a bit. "Why?"
The Princess sighed. "Let's just say, we are not on speaking terms right now."
Sokka decided not to push further, and kept walking towards his building. "You can come. Zuko's not home for the weekend though, I guess he was needed in the Palace."
"I know. Father needed him for some diplomatic meetings." Azula scoffed. "I would have been more useful though."
Sokka didn't respond. The pair walked in silence until they eventually reached the apartment, and went inside.
"Food and drinks are in the fridge if you want anything. I'm gonna go wash up." Sokka said as he opened the door and pulled off his shoes, before scurrying to the bedroom hallway. Azula muttered thanks as she took off her own shoes and set her backpack by the door.
She stood straight up and took in the apartment once again. It was the same as she remembered it from earlier in the week, however, a new detail caught her eye that she somehow hadn't spotted before. A balcony was located outside on the other side of the coach, with two chairs and a table. Azula had a similar one in her own apartment, the difference being the balcony was connected only to her room, not the main living area.
She walked over, unlocking the sliding door, and opening it, letting the fall breeze hit her face. Her hair blew in the wind behind her as she stepped outside and closed the door behind her. She sat in one of the chairs, resting her elbow against the table and propping her head up with her hand as she looked out at the skyline of the city.
It was a beautiful view. The afternoon sun was starting to set behind the tall buildings of the capital city, setting shadows over the ground below. Azula enjoyed looking out on the horizon, taking in the sights and sounds of the area she had called home since she was born. The balcony had a peaceful atmosphere to it, a calming wind flowing slowly against her hair and skin. She sat there for a few minutes, absentmindedly. She pulled out her phone, looking through her notifications. A few messages sat, even one from Ty Lee, but she decided to ignore them.
Azula sat on the balcony for a while, going between looking at the skyline and her phone, before the sliding door opened. Onto the balcony stepped Sokka, clad only in athletic shorts. Azula glanced at him and immediately regretted it. He's not wearing a fucking shirt. He sat down, putting a sports drink bottle down at the table. He leaned back in the chair before grabbing the bottle and opening it, taking a quick drink before setting it back down. Azula looked away, trying to keep her eyes focused on anything but Sokka. He took a moment to look at her, and thought to himself how beautiful the Princess was before speaking.
"Nice view, huh?"
Azula clicked her tongue before responding. "Not as good as mine."
"You have a balcony too?" Sokka asked, looking out at the skyline.
She nodded. "Yeah, it's connected to my room and my room only though, so only I use it."
Sokka chuckled. "Lucky you then. Zuko doesn't use the balcony much though, it's mainly me. I just usually come out here to enjoy life a little bit."
Azula didn't say anything in response. She kept staring at the skyline, her legs crossed in her chair. She thought for a moment before speaking.
"Do you miss home being this far away?"
Sokka looked at the Princess, a look of confusion and thought on his face. She kept looking at the horizon.
"A little bit. I think this year I miss it a little less, at least so far. Having Katara around helps, and my parents often contact me. I certainly don't miss the cold."
Sokka chuckled a little bit.
"Why do you ask?"
Azula sighed.
"I feel like I should miss the Palace but I don't. Living in an apartment, even though it's cramped and I have more than a fair share of disagreements, has been oddly comfortable."
The man smiled.
"What do you know, a Princess can enjoy the simple things in life."
She stared at him, daring him to continue.
"I can, dumbass. I've been enjoying simple things for years now."
"Simple as in, the luxuries only the Fire Nation Palace can offer?"
Azula held out a hand with two fingers extended, and let a flame start at the end of her pointer and middle finger.
"Say something stupid again and I'll fry you here on this balcony."
Sokka put his hands up in defeat before taking another sip of his drink. Azula kept looking out at the skyline. Her amber eyes reflected the orange and purple hue let out by the sky, black hair waving with the wind. He was thinking just how beautiful she was when Azula stood up. "I should probably get home."
Sokka looked at her as she started walking past. "I'll see you later, Azula."
Azula reached the door, then looked at him as she put her hand on the handle. "See you soon." She opened the door. "Hopefully." She walked inside the apartment, and started to get ready to leave. Sokka stayed outside, looking at the horizon as he took another sip of his sports drink. Azula's departure was abrupt. He didn't know if he caused it, or she had already been set off by something, but it was certainly odd none the less.
He stayed outside for a while longer, before heading inside to find the apartment empty.
Azula rushed home. She couldn't stay at Sokka's apartment any longer. Her body was abnormally hot, and she felt flustered as she took the short walk to her place. As soon as she got into the apartment Azula rushed to her room, needing to take a moment to herself. She threw her backpack to the foot of her bed, and practically jumped on it. She covered her face with her pillow as she lay face down. What the hell was happening? Was she really that attracted to the dumbass Water Tribe boy? She lay there for 5 minutes before getting up and going to her own balcony, opening the sliding door and walking to the railing, resting her arms on it.
Azula wasn't there for long before she heard her bedroom door open and close, then a few seconds later the balcony door did the same. A figure stepped beside her, almost mimicking her pose except the person was turned more towards the Princess. Azula didn't turn to face them. Her usual flawless perception failed her. "What do you want, Ty Lee?"
"I'm not Ty Lee."
The cold and unassuming tone of the woman next to her made her turn to face the third person living in the apartment. Mai was a few heads taller than Azula, black hair falling around her head, bangs cut right at the eyebrows. Her eyes were focused on Azula's, trying to read her expression. The Princess looked back out on the horizon. "What do you want, Mai?"
"To figure out what's been going on between you and Ty Lee. You aren't talking to each other, and it almost feels like you're competing over something. Now Ty Lee is only competitive over one thing, and both of us know what that is." Azula sighed and closed her eyes. Ever observant from Mai.
"It's nothing. Just a disagreement."
Mai sighed. "Who is it, at least?"
Azula slouched a little more, making her already short frame even shorter, chin touching her hands as she folded them on the railing. "Why should I tell you?"
"I'm trying to help you Azula. It's nice to see you at least take interest in somebody, after you never have in forever. You've been too focused on politics and royal duties for years. Besides, Ty Lee needs a reality check. She can't have sex with every dude she meets."
Azula softly let out a laugh. "I guess that's true." She looked at her friend, then looked back out at the city. "Zuko's roommate".
Mai wasn't surprised. "Sokka?"
"Yeah, hi- wait, how do you know his name?" Azula looked questioningly at Mai.
"Don't worry, I won't steal your prize, Azula. He's not my type anyways." She sighed. "I met him once when I was still going out with Zuko. I think it was their first year of college. Zuko and I went out for lunch and Sokka ran into us."
Azula didn't say anything.
"I think you two would make a good couple."
Mai's words caught the Fire Nation Princess completely by surprise. Her face gained an immediate red hue as she stammered. "W-What?", eyes wide with several emotions flashing across them.
The taller woman laughed. "At least better than him and Ty Lee. She'll dump him once she's bored. You, on the other hand, probably won't." Azula didn't respond. Mai spoke again. "Are you struggling to come to terms with this?"
"I don't know."
"It's ok to feel weird about it. I can't remember the last time you even took a romantic interest in someone. This is uncharted territory for you."
Azula thought for a second, the sun descending to near below the horizon now, lights on the city starting to come on. "Truth be told, I don't think I've ever really taken a romantic interest in someone, or really given any thought to it."
"Like I said, this is uncharted territory for you Azula. Not for me though, I can help you through this."
Azula looked at Mai, and let a soft smile show. "Thanks, Mai."
Mai walked towards the door, leaving Azula out on the balcony. Mai smiled as she stepped back inside the apartment. It might be time to reconnect with someone for the good of her friend.
-
Zuko was sitting in a cafeteria located in one of the student centers, eating a small lunch when someone suddenly sat across from him.
"Long time no see, Prince Zuko."
He cringed. Zuko recognized that voice as the one failed relationship in his life, not like he had entered any other ones. Memories came back to him, both good and bad. He didn't look up as he opted to focus on his food. "Hello, Mai."
"Do you know if the hockey practices are open for anyone to watch?"
Zuko looked up at his ex-girlfriend, confused. Why would she be asking that? "I think they do. Why?"
"I have a friend who's taken interest in the sport, and is considering starting to play.", Mai lied. She wasn't going to tell Azula's secrets to the Princess' brother.
"I think they do, but I can ask Sokka to make sure."
"Just let me know." Mai was about to leave when something else crossed her mind. "Have you gone to any of your sister's games yet?"
"No, I haven't had the time."
Mai sighed, before scolding the Prince. "You should really be more supportive of Azula. Your parents don't go after all, she should at least have some family there to watch. I'll be at the next one. Come and bring your friends too. They might enjoy it." With those words, Mai stood up and left the cafeteria, leaving Zuko alone with his food. Zuko huffed before pulling out his phone to check the women's soccer team schedule. Maybe Mai had a point.
The team had a game in a few days. He started to text his friends, namely Sokka, if they wanted to tag along.
-
The sun was starting to set in Caldera City. Sokka sat on a metal bleacher, Zuko to his right and Mai to his left. He wasn't sure how he got into this position to sit in the middle of the ex-couple, but he had to live. Aang and Katara sat on the other side of Zuko, making conversation.
They were close to field level, a few rows up from the very first. Music was blasting from the PA speakers located strategically around the stands. The crowd was medium sized, with plenty of open space on the bleachers. Sokka looked behind him up at the crowd. The bleachers had about 20 rows, with press boxes and a suite often reserved only for the Royal Family. He squinted his eyes to see if either the Fire Lord or Fire Lady were present but he couldn't tell.
"They aren't here most likely." Sokka's head whipped around and he looked at the woman next to him. Mai's eyes met his with an expression that Sokka couldn't place. "They never come to her games. Don't know if they ever will. It's usually just Ty Lee and myself." Sokka looked a little bit appalled. His parents tried to come to his events or at least support him from halfway across the world. Azula's parents were in the same city and not one of them couldn't bother to come to her events?
"That's…not okay. I feel bad for her."
"Her parents are tough with her. It's hard to explain. She'll tell you once she's ready though."
Sokka sighed. There was certainly more to the Fire Nation Princess than meets the eye. The short time that he had spent with her, he seemed to learn more each time. Azula was abrasive, cruel, and intimidating one moment, then a kind girl the next, with her own worries and issues like anyone else had. Maybe things weren't always easy growing up with the expectations that royalty came with, especially being a female in that realm.
The music from the PA speakers cut as an announcer's voice boomed over the crowd. "Hello all, and welcome to the Caldera University Soccer Field! Today we have a premier matchup between the Crowns and the Harbor City University Mariners! First onto the field, welcome the Harbor City Mariners!" The visiting team ran out onto the field, about 20 players and 5 to coaches following closely as they lined up by the sideline. They were greeted by mild cheers, some fans and students taking the trek further into the metropolitan area of the Capital to watch their team.
"Now, here are your Caldera Crowns!" A cheer erupted from the crowd. The team ran onto the field from the opposite side of the bleachers, lining up on the same sideline on the opposite side of the centerline. Azula was 5th in the line, hair up in a ponytail as she stood beside her teammates facing the crowd. She was noticeably shorter than most of her teammates, but still carried herself like she was the tallest one. Her eyes shifted up towards the Royal Suite. Nobody was there. She sighed as she scanned the crown for any familiar faces. Azula saw Mai's usual black clothing and hair, and looked to either side of her roommate to see if anyone else came.
Her heart beat a little faster when she spotted Sokka, sitting next to Mai, looking directly at her. Why is HE here? She looked down the rest of the row to see Zuko, Aang and Katara also sitting. Why are THEY here? Azula certainly didn't want them to come, nor did she ask. She couldn't help but be a little happy that at least Sokka had come to her game though. She decided in the far back of her head to try her best, to show the Water Tribe idiot what she could do.
Azula didn't even realize she had zoned out until the anthem of the Fire Nation started playing over the PA speakers. She quickly stood straight, held her head high and made a first with her right hand over her heart, ever a stalwart soldier for her nation. The anthem took about a minute to play before it ended. Once it did, the teams retreated to their respective benches for a quick talk before they took their positions to start the game.
Azula stood at the middle of the centerline, next to the referee, who had the ball in her hands. The sun was halfway set now, the sky in a purplish hue that began to bring out the brightness of the stars. The lights that illuminated the field seemed to almost make the Princess shine amongst her peers.
The referee set the ball down at the feet of Azula, and backed away a few strides from her before blowing the whistle.
The game started.
Azula quickly passed the ball to a teammate behind her then jogged a little bit into the enemy side of the centerline, head up and keeping a mental note of every player on the field. The striker and the two wingers had taken a more forward position than Azula, who found herself positioned by the opposition defensive midfielders. Her teammate kicked the ball out to the left winger, who started dribbling up the pitch and surveying the field, looking for an opportunity to pass.
A few of the defenders for Harbor City started to leak out towards the ball, providing an opening for Azula to strike. She took it.
The Princess immediately shifted from a slow jog into a dead sprint, breaking through the defensive midfielders and towards the defensive line. Her speed caught the defense by surprise. They started to scramble to cover the possible opening. The wingers vision allowed her to see the opening, quickly planting her right foot and swinging her left, connecting with the ball and sending a strong cross to Azula. She collected the ball at her feet, still in stride. One of the centerbacks stepped into position to cut her off, putting a foot in the path of where the ball was going. Quickly thinking, Azula tapped the ball in between the defenders legs, nutmegging her and nimbly jumping over her outstretched leg before collecting the ball again. Azula was now a few meters away from the beginning of the penalty box.
With one centerback dispatched, the other one was forced to cover off the Princess' advance from the right, while the opposing rightback crept in, cutting off a possible lane for Azula to use. Out of the corner of her eye, Azula saw her teammate, the striker, making a run off to the right that could lead to an easy goal. She smirked, before using her excellent body control to feint to left, before planting her right foot hard into the ground and sending a bullet towards the striker, who was just barely onsides.
The striker's first touch was alright, but quickly recollected with the second and sent a shot towards the goal from the middle of the penalty box. The goalie jumped towards where the ball was going.
She missed.
The ball whizzed over her outstretched hand, hitting the crossbar and sailing out of play.
Azula came to a stop and scowled. That was a perfect opportunity. Am I the only one who can hit a fucking shot around here? She turned around and jogged to her position to prepare for the goal kick. Sokka didn't know how, but he could tell from the stands she was frustrated. He knew enough about the sport to know that it was an excellent chance that Azula had created for her team. Those didn't come around that easy.
They weren't able to get a chance that good again for the rest of the game. With each passing minute Azula grew more and more frustrated. The opponent had adapted to her, able to effectively shut down her quick and agile play. She knew she could do more but she couldn't find an opening to take advantage of. By the 90th minute, both teams were at a tie, no goals on either side.
The final whistle blew, Azula quickly did the customary handshake before rushing off the field towards the locker room. Sokka followed her figure with worried eyes until he couldn't see her anymore. He looked at Mai. "She seems frustrated."
Mai shrugged. "Azula usually is, especially when the games don't go the right way. I don't blame her. She was offered practically no support and Harbor City adapted to her well."
Sokka thought for a moment. "Maybe she should adapt to what the enemy is doing. She's pretty agile with her being one of the smallest people out there, and seems to have good control. She could use that to win out in tight situations."
Mai looked at him quizzically. "I thought you played hockey, not soccer."
Sokka laughed a little. "I like sports, what can I say?"
-
Fuck. I couldn't do anything. Fuck. What does he think of me? Fuck. Am I just not good?
Azula sat in front of her locker, hair down from the ponytail she usually put it in whenever she was working out or playing. Her hands were clasped in front of her, elbows resting on her knees. Her mind played through every situation, pertaining to the game or not. Thoughts of Sokka mixed in with every moment of the game where an opening she wanted to take was snuffed out by Harbor City's defense.
Almost all her teammates had left the locker room already, the last ones just about to leave. Azula still had her jersey on. After rough games she often sat in front of her locker, not knowing what she could have done differently, so used to multi-goal or multi-assist games. She was finally broken free from her mind when her phone buzzed in her bag. Fishing it out, she turned it on to find a message from Sokka.
Sokka: Good game. You were the best on the field by far.
Azula gaped at the message, nearly dropping her phone from shock. He thought she had a good game? He must have been lying, or just wasn't very smart. Her fingers tapped frantically, replying quickly.
Azula: You must not have been watching that closely. I could have done more.
She sent her message, and watched as the app indicated that Sokka read it and was typing his own. It didn't take long for it to send.
Sokka: Nah, you were good. They just adapted to you well. That's when you have to adapt or add another element to your game.
Azula: What do you mean?
Sokka: You can be more elusive. Slippery in tight spaces. You're small, quick, agile and have excellent control of your body. You can easily take defenders on in a 1v2 and come out on top. Maybe even 1v3s
Azula: Are you calling me short? I should electrocute you.
Sokka: Plz don't lol
Azula thought about Sokka's advice for a minute. He was right. She should easily be able to use her skillset to be an elusive figure on the field. It certainly wasn't something she took advantage of enough. The thought of adding something new to how she played excited Azula as she finally got dressed, collected her things, and stepped out into the night on the way back to her apartment. It didn't take long for Azula to reach her destination. Mai was in the kitchen when she walked in the door. The taller woman looked up from what she was doing and smiled at the Princess.
"Hey. Good game today."
"It could have been better." Azula muttered as she took off her shoes, and walked to the bathroom. She stopped short of leaving the main living area though. She didn't turn her head yet spoke softly. "Why did you bring Sokka and Zuko's friends?"
Mai just smiled. "I have my reasons."
Azula didn't say anything more. She walked away, and into the bathroom to clean up. The next day would be interesting. Mai had somehow convinced her to go to one of Sokka's practices. She sighed as she stepped into the shower. Part of her couldn't wait.
A/N: Sorry for the delay on this chapter, it went through a lot of edits and changes before I finally got the chapter to a place where I wanted it to be. Hopefully the next one doesn't take as long!