So here we are, with a brand new story about my well-known favorite pair!

This particular story was commissioned by Kifo Sotri (if you want to commission stories or art from me, head to my Deviantart to check my prices and let me know if you're interested in anything!), and as the one-shot it was supposed to be, it is a bit shorter than my usual full-length fics. But it was also longer yet than my long-shot, It Had To Be You, so, in the face of that particular problem, I figured I'd split it up in four chapters. I'll make sure to post them on a weekly basis.

The story is sort-of canon compliant, I have incorporated some elements and characters from the comics, but there's also some characters who are absent because I really didn't know what to make of them or what to do with them, so they're just not here. Hehe. Consider this story to be set in some of my most wishful scenarios for Azula post-comics, where she manages to co-exist with her brother and the Gaang without too much trouble, for reasons explained within the story.

In any case, I hope you enjoy it!

He took a swig from the drink before slamming down the half-empty glass on the counter. His companion glanced at him, knowing it was the sign of an incoming new rant.

"There's got to be something wrong with me, there's got to be!"

"I'd say there's more wrong with you than just one 'something', but sure. There's something wrong with you, maybe many things wrong with you…"

"I mean, who the hell gets dumped by his girlfriend for someone who's all doom and gloom? I don't get it! I don't get what she sees in him."

"I'm glad you don't. If you did then maybe it would explain why you have trouble keeping women with you, don't you think?"

"Add to this that my fist girlfriend sacrificed herself to become the moon spirit, so I guess I've got the worst luck in love of all time! People will make jokes of me for the rest of history, you know? They'll remember Aang for saving the world, Katara for being a great waterbender, your brother for being the Fire Lord that changed things, Toph for learning to metalbend and me… for losing every single one of my girlfriends, time after time."

"Not the best way to be remembered, is it?"

"Hell, no! This is… embarrassing. Lame. What the hell is it with me, really? Am I that bad a catch?"

"If you ask me, my brother is far worse. At least you're fun company. Him, on the other hand…"

"I know, right? He's just grumpy and upset and takes everything too seriously!"

"Which is probably why he's more compatible with Suki than you. She's not exactly the most fun person in the world, is she?"

"Uh… no. Maybe not. But I thought that was precisely why she liked me."

"And that's why it didn't work out for you, whether you realize it or not. It's one thing for you to be interested in a girl, but it's another thing for you to be interested in a girl who's compatible with you. As far as I can see, you and that Kyoshi Warrior had next to no compatibility."

"W-wait, what?"

"See, you do have terrible luck in love, there's no denying it, but it's not because of bad luck altogether. Perhaps the Water Tribe Princess was your first love, and you lost her under unfair circumstances, but the Kyoshi Warrior wasn't the same as her. When you went to Suki you were looking for safety, stability, but once you found it you took it for granted. She was looking for the same thing, but while you found it in her, she didn't find it in you. She finds it more easily in my brother, whom she sees all the time, than she does in you, whom she sees every… what, six months? So what could you expect but another failed relationship?"

Sokka's jaw dropped as he looked at Azula. She held her head high, the drink in her hand steady, until her eyes flickered towards him and she saw what she could only interpret as affront in his face. Damn it. That was something she wasn't supposed to do anymore.

"U-uh, I didn't mean what I just…" she said, with a grimace. But Sokka shook his head.

"You meant it. Every last word," he said. Azula gritted her teeth.

"Fine. I did. I'm sorry. I'm supposed to lie to make people feel better from time to time, according to Zuzu," she said, shrugging. "He doesn't want me to lie though, but then he does, but not to him, but sometimes I need to lie to him to spare his feelings… it's been torture figuring out when to lie and when not to."

"Is it really?" said Sokka. Azula sighed.

"Look, I didn't want to make you feel worse than you already do. I did warn you that I would make a lousy drinking partner in these circumstances," she said, setting her glass down on the counter.

"Well… you were wrong," said Sokka, turning to look at her sternly.

Azula raised her eyebrows. Her confusion only increased when Sokka's eyes suddenly gleamed with what she thought was, perhaps, hope?

"You're actually the best drinking partner I could've asked for," he said. "I mean… what you just said? That's true! It's why I messed up! I mean, I did think Suki was beautiful and amazing, but maybe we just don't have as many things in common as we should and… we're just not that compatible. That's how it is! And… and you knew it. You knew it!"

"Uh, well, I suspected it, I guess…" said Azula. Sokka smiled, to her surprise.

"How do you know to assess my relationships that easily? It's not like you're some love guru or anything…" he commented. She shrugged.

"No, but I observe people. I always have," she said, picking up her glass again and moving it so the liquid would spin in circles. "It's why I've said I'm a people person. Then again, I have made my wrong assessments before… but if you think I'm right about you, I just might be right about you. I know it's uncomfortable to admit it, but it is how it is."

"Uncomfortable? Eh, sure," said Sokka, shrugging. "But maybe I don't need someone to coddle me tonight. I don't need someone to tell me all sorts of sweet things, I need someone who's as ruthless, inconsiderate and cruel as you!"

"Huh. You're in luck, I guess," said Azula, surprised. Was she still cruel these days? Probably. Was she inconsiderate? Definitely. Ruthless…? Yeah, surely that, too. Sokka was bringing up some of her traits that made most people frown, yet he did it with such enthusiasm and fondness that she couldn't help but wonder if he shared a few of them himself.

"You have a good grasp on my reality because you're not emotionally compromised with it as I am!" Sokka declared, with a wild smile. "You can help me fall in love with the right girl for a change!"

"Huh?" said Azula, raising an eyebrow. "I'm supposed to do what, now?"

"You know, help me out so I can be remembered for my grand accomplishments rather than for my lousy love life?"

"Uh, correct me if I'm wrong, but don't you need to make grand accomplishments first before being acknowledged for them…?"

"H-hey!" Sokka squeaked. Azula smirked. "I have done great things and you know it! I'm the only person who could organize and lead an invasion into the Fire Nation that would have been successful if you hadn't gotten in the way!"

"Exactly: it wasn't successful. How is it a great accomplishment if you failed?" she asked, with a teasing smirk before taking another sip from her glass. Sokka's eyebrow twitched.

"W-well, I took down the airships your father had led to the Earth Kingdom!"

"Correction: Toph and Suki took down the airships my father led to the Earth Kingdom, not you," said Azula, still amused. "You came up with the idea, they executed it."

"Isn't that the mark of a great leader, though?" Sokka asked. "I come up with the strategies, the awesome ideas, and everyone else executes them!"

"Sure, but then you can only call the ideas yours, rather than whatever was accomplished through them," said Azula, smirking.

"Oh? Well, then, you're not the conqueror of Ba Sing Se because you didn't execute every single move of your plan!" Sokka declared, folding his arms over his chest. Azula laughed.

"Of course I am the conqueror. I took hold of the Dai Li by my own power, something you never achieved yourself," she said, proudly. "And I fought the Avatar myself, captured your sister, imprisoned King Kuei… I wasn't merely standing behind some powerful metalbender waiting for her to do everything for me, was I?"

"Y-you…!" said Sokka, lifting a fist before he froze and looked at her blankly. Azula smirked.

"What?"

"You're just trying to piss me off so I decide I don't want you as my love adviser. That's what you're doing," he said, scrutinizing her with a sharp glare. Azula sighed.

"Maybe you're not as stupid as I thought. Well, you've always been the smartest member of your group, no doubt, but here I hoped you wouldn't be able to think clearly tonight," she said, with a smile. "What with the break-up you've had, and now the drinks…"

"It would seem you underestimated me, Princess," said Sokka, smirking now. Azula raised her eyebrows.

"I definitely did. I thought you'd be sadder about it, really," she said. Sokka shrugged.

"Eh, if she's going to be happy with your brother and he's going to give her what she wants, I won't get in their way," he said. "I guess I'm not that great for her after all."

"J-just so you know, though," said Azula, looking at him furtively. "I don't really understand why someone would dump you for my brother, of all people. You're far better company than him, and just as easy to tease…"

"Huh. That's probably the nicest thing you've ever said to me," said Sokka, smiling. Azula sighed.

"I'm just saying you have hopes. You're unlikely to spend the rest of your life alone," she whispered. Much unlike herself.

"Well, thanks for the warming words. See, you're nicer than what most people think!" Sokka said, clapping her shoulder with a hand. Azula cringed at the contact.

"Or maybe the drinks are affecting me and making me nicer than I should be," she grunted, half-heartedly, glaring at her glass.

Sokka chuckled and touched her glass with his own, a pleased grin on his face as he turned on his stool. Azula raised an eyebrow as he sat facing her.

"You'll help me, then? You're a great adviser to Zuko as it is, so…"

"Zuko pays me. What can I expect to gain from this?" Azula asked, raising an eyebrow slowly. Sokka froze.

"U-uh… uh, well. Um… I'll have to think about that. Uh, how about boomerang-throwing lessons, eh?"

Azula snorted. Sokka grimaced. Nope, that wouldn't do.

"Okay, okay, geez, maybe I can see to it that you can leave the Fire Nation and see the rest of the world?" he suggested.

Azula's ears perked at that. Sokka swallowed hard.

They both knew Azula's current circumstances were touchy. She didn't have the best reputation, and was feared and revered throughout the world for her actions during the war and after it. She had become a public menace for a few years, too, until she had helped Zuko dismantle a genuine threat to his rule. She had been granted a pardon after that, but it was only effective in name: Zuko would keep her confined in the Fire Nation Palace, for her own safety.

Azula didn't admit it, but she did feel safe there. It was basically another form of imprisonment, but she was sure it couldn't be worse than the angry mobs she might deal with if she dared set foot on the Earth Kingdom again. She didn't acknowledge her feelings as fear, but she still was reluctant to step out of her comfort zone: doing so with no guarantees of her safety and survival wasn't an appealing prospect to her.

Nevertheless, Azula had rebellious instincts, especially towards people whose authority she refused to acknowledge fully. One of such people was her own brother. What if she left this place and proved, with Sokka's help, that she could fend for herself outside the Fire Nation without an issue? She wouldn't need Zuko's protection anymore. She would be free to settle down elsewhere, somewhere that wouldn't remind her constantly that she had failed where her brother had succeeded. Somewhere that would help her forget her sorrows and stop envying Zuko for obtaining the happiness and triumphs she had dreamt to find for her own life.

So… could she travel with Sokka and his friends, perhaps? Nobody would dare attack her if she was around them, surely. In fact, she didn't know if anyone would want to do it at all: ten years had passed since the war had ended, and while the damage hadn't been repaired fully, maybe she wasn't as much of a despised figure amongst foreigners as she dreaded she would be. If they knew she was helping Zuko now, working as his adviser, they might not be compelled to attack her on sight. Hopefully.

"So? Does your freedom sound like a better offer?" Sokka asked, wiggling his eyebrows as he realized she was considering it. Azula frowned.

"I wouldn't be that free. You'd keep an eye on me. And I'd have to come back here whenever my brother needs me because, let's face it, he wouldn't know how to run this nation without me," said Azula, shrugging and drinking what was left of her glass.

"I'm not hearing a 'no', though," said Sokka, smiling. Azula shrugged.

"I suppose it doesn't sound bad. But I don't see how I'm supposed to help you, not really," she said. "What do you want me to do, give you advice on how to get involved with someone? Because I'll have you know…"

"Nah, I'm perfectly capable of starting a relationship on my own," said Sokka. "What I want you to do is help me figure out if the relationship has any potential or not. And if you have any ideas on someone who might suit me, that'd be great too!"

"Huh," said Azula, raising her eyebrows. "Frankly, I'm at a loss as it is. I can't think of anyone for you."

"Well, don't fret," said Sokka, finishing his own drink. "I'll find someone myself, and when I do, I'll drop by here, or invite you to meet them in Republic City. How about it?"

Azula looked at him with uncertainty but his happy grin was rather reassuring. He was her friend, had been for a few years now. She had especially grown fond of him because, as she had already told him, he was easy to mess with: he had surprised her by showing her, though, that he didn't hold all that teasing against her.

Sokka had been quite grateful for Azula's involvement when she had helped save the Fire Nation, for she had saved his beloved ex-girlfriend too. The Avatar, Sokka and Katara had failed to arrive on time, but fortunately nothing had gone wrong thanks to what Azula had done. With Zuko's pardon, his friends had opened up to her slowly, but the one she got along with the best was Sokka, by far. Katara was still distrusting, Aang was far too busy, and Sokka actually laughed at Azula's jokes, and at her constant pranking of Zuko. He had joined her in several of her pranking attempts, and they had often bonded over being at the receiving end of Zuko's angry rants.

They were also some of the people whose advice he prized the most, that wasn't to be forgotten. Whenever serious problems arose, problems the Avatar had little understanding of, Zuko would always turn to them. Sokka wasn't his full-time adviser as Azula was, but whenever he dropped by at the Fire Nation Palace Zuko would ask for his opinion on political matters he had yet to resolve. It was surprising that Sokka's advice often lined up with Azula's, a fact Zuko had found somewhat disturbing, but the two of them had only taken it as a sign that they were the only people around these parts who had actual common sense.

She wasn't sure she'd feel safe, traveling with him… she had the feeling that, if something messy were to happen, she'd end up being the one who would have to save the both of them. Then again, she really was the best firebender in the world. Despite she didn't want to cause unnecessary trouble, she would unleash her power if she needed to defend herself and her traveling companion. That was something Zuko wouldn't hold against her, wasn't it?

She sure hoped so.

"Well…" she said, shrugging. "Just let me know when you find a new prospect and I'll give you my unbearably honest opinion. Sounds good to you?"

"Sounds perfect to me!" said Sokka, beaming. "I knew you'd be reasonable!"

Azula sighed but smiled a little and nodded. This could be the biggest mistake of her life or the best thing she'd done in forever. Only time would tell which one it would be.

He was waiting by the city's outskirts, as he had promised he would be on the letter he had sent to her with a messenger hawk. She saw him through the airship's window, and her heart raced as they began descending on the spot that had been cleared for their landing. There was a ridiculous smile on Sokka's face, Azula realized, but the sight of it did little to ease her anxiety.

"Hey there!" he exclaimed happily after the airship had landed, as Azula stepped out into the sunlight with two guards flanking her.

"Hi," she said, unusually coyly. She glanced around herself warily, as if fearing some sort of enemy might pop out of the bushes or so. Sokka patted her shoulder.

"Had a good flight?" he asked. She shrugged.

"It wasn't awful, I guess," she whispered. He beamed.

"Well, you'll be back home soon, so no need to be so tense," he said. "We'll just have a nice lunch and if you want to leave, you'll be free to leave right afterwards!"

"Huh," said Azula, raising an eyebrow. "Why are we having lunch, though? I thought, given the message you sent me, that you wanted my advice…?"

"Of course I do," said Sokka, grinning. "But first I need you to meet someone, and you'll do that over lunch!"

"Wait, what?!" Azula exclaimed. "No, no, no, I didn't sign up for meeting anyone! I'm supposed to tell you whether your relationships have future or not, not to meet with your girlfriends!"

"Uh, really?" said Sokka, blinking blankly. "But didn't you say you figured out things weren't going to work with me and Suki because of your observation skills?"

"W-well, yes, but…"

"Then you'll need to observe my next relationships too to help me!" Sokka declared, grinning. He turned to the soldiers now, who looked at him with uncertainty. "You guys can wait here. She'll be fine with me, I promise!"

The soldiers glanced at each other with uncertainty but nodded. Their job had been to escort the Princess, but she was somewhat terrifying and they doubted she'd need them too badly. They were probably better off taking a step back and leaving her to the Water Tribesman's care.

Sokka clasped Azula's shoulder and led her towards the road that would guide them to the city. She walked somewhat uneasily, glancing about herself to make sure nothing would happen. Sokka smiled.

"Relax. Nobody will attack you around here, nobody should. Republic City is a place for new beginnings for everyone, you see…"

"I've heard that's its catchphrase. Funny idea, opening a city for people from all over the world to live in. Are you sure that's a wise thought?" she asked. Sokka shrugged.

"It's the Avatar's thought, not mine," he said. "I'm just in for the ride. It could be a way to start teaching people to get over their differences, don't you think?"

"Only if it works out for the best," said Azula. "Which might not be how it'll go. Water Tribe and Earth Kingdom people might be able to live together, but when you add Fire Nation people to the mix…"

"You know, most people living in Republic City right now are Fire Nation citizens," said Sokka, raising his eyebrows. "Came from those colonies Zuko took down back then, remember?"

"Huh. Well, they might feel at peace around these parts," said Azula, shrugging. "But someone like me…?"

"You don't have to feel at peace here, you know," said Sokka, smiling. "You can stay in your Palace if you feel better there. But I do think you might be surprised. People aren't quite as awful as you might expect them to be."

Azula didn't believe him right away, but it was hard to deny his words when they entered the city without any trouble. Passersby barely noticed them, and those who did see them didn't seem to care about who she was regardless.

Republic City wasn't particularly remarkable as of now, though. It was a small city, with a few tall buildings, but it didn't make a great impression on Azula as it was. Still, it wasn't as hostile towards her as she had dreaded it might be. Even if it wasn't a particularly remarkable location, at least she wasn't being pelted by insults and death threats…

Sokka started by giving her a tour of the major locations of the city, and Azula followed him dutifully wherever they went, her golden eyes glaring and analyzing everything in sight. She didn't think she'd be moving in here anytime soon, but it wasn't a bad place altogether, she concluded.

At last, they reached the establishment where they'd have lunch. Sokka led her inside gallantly, and he pulled out a chair for her once they reached an empty table.

"So, we're going to wait for your mystery date now?" Azula asked, as he sat across her.

"Yeah, she should be here soon. I hope," he said. Azula raised her eyebrows.

"Who is she? Do I know her?" she asked.

"Uh, no," said Sokka. Azula seemed genuinely surprised by that. "Why? You thought it was someone you knew? Like who?"

"I don't know, maybe your blind friend. You two always seemed rather close," said Azula. Sokka stiffened.

"What, Toph? Really?" he asked, blinking blankly. Azula shrugged. "You expected me to get involved with her? Why?"

"Well, didn't she use to like you?" Azula asked, raising an eyebrow. "And you get along quite well, so why not?"

"Why not? Well… I don't know, actually," he said, blinking blankly. "To tell you the truth, the thought hadn't occurred to me until just now."

"Huh. No wonder you can't get romance right, Wolf Boy," said Azula, with a smirk. Sokka blushed.

"H-hey…!" he snapped, just as he felt a hand on his shoulder.

Sokka's outburst stopped before it began when he noticed the latest arrival was here. He turned his head around and stood up, smiling at the dark-haired girl behind him.

"Ah, great! You made it!" he exclaimed. The girl smiled awkwardly.

"Y-yeah, I… I did. But I thought we were going to…" she said, looking at Azula with uncertainty. Sokka glanced from one to the other a few times before extending a hand towards the chair next to his.

"Have a seat, Niyok," he said, beaming. The girl eyed Azula before sitting down, unsure as to who she was and why she was studying her with her gaze so intently…

"Uh, who's this…?" Niyok asked, raising her eyebrows and pointing at Azula.

"It's rude to point at someone like that, you know?" said Azula, raising her eyebrow judgmentally. The girl recoiled.

"S-sorry…"

"This is a good friend of mine," said Sokka, smiling as he sat down again. "She's visiting the city for the first time, so I figured I'd have her join us for lunch. You don't mind, do you?"

"Uh, no, but I just…" said Niyok, looking at Sokka wistfully. Azula had to hold back the urge to snort.

"Truth be told, Sokka, maybe it's not that appropriate to invite a friend over for lunch when you were supposed to go out with your girlfriend…"

When Sokka flinched and Niyok blushed at her use of the word, Azula frowned. Sokka gulped.

"W-well, I don't think we're quite… that," said Niyok, looking at Sokka shyly. He grimaced as Azula raised an eyebrow.

"You're not? So you're not dating?" she asked. "Or…?"

Again she had to hold back the urge to snort: this was their first date, and Sokka had decided to bring her to it. The odds were already awful for him and this girl, and they barely had a relationship to begin with.

"Well, not really, not just yet," said Sokka, gulping.

"We're on our way there," said Niyok, smiling at Sokka. "Right?"

"I see. And how did you two meet, if I may ask?" Azula said, glancing at Sokka in confusion. Niyok answered.

"Well, we knew each other from a long time ago. I'm from the Southern Water Tribe too," said the girl. Azula hummed with apparent interest. "We met again a few years ago after a crisis at a refinery, where Sokka helped me and my sister…"

"Interesting. As ever, playing the hero," said Azula, with a smirk. Sokka chuckled.

"Hey, what can I say? It's my thing, apparently," he said. Azula shook her head. Niyok glanced from one to the other with uncertainty.

"So, why were you at this refinery?" Azula asked her.

"I used to work there. I've switched to working in an easier establishment, though," she said. "I'm working at the city's nursery these days, helping take care of small children…"

"Huh," said Azula, raising her eyebrows. "So you're all about work, aren't you?"

"Well, it's important to provide for your family. It's what I've always thought," said Niyok.

"Do you have any bigger aspirations than this?" Azula asked. "Any dreams, or goals…?"

"I… don't know," said Niyok, grimacing with uncertainty. What was it with this girl and her relentless questioning? "I can't think of any right now, but…"

"That's fine," said Azula, with a sigh of resignation. "You are, uh, a very grounded person. Humble."

"I… thanks?" said Niyok.

Sokka smiled awkwardly as a waiter approached to take their order, and they conveyed it to him quickly. Something told Sokka that Niyok wasn't about to pass Azula's test… So far the Princess looked utterly unimpressed by her.

"So, why did you come here?" Niyok asked once the waiter had left, giving Azula the friendliest smile she could muster. "You look Fire Nation, are you going to move into the city?"

"Oh, no. None of that. Sokka just asked me to come," Azula said, simply. Niyok raised her eyebrows. "I suspect his life grows unbearably bleak when he doesn't have someone to annoy him and mock him whenever he does anything stupid. Which is surprisingly often, I'll add…"

"Hey!" Sokka complained, pouting. "I'm perfectly fine without having anyone annoying me, I'll have you know, Azula!"

"Yeah, that's… that's mean," said Niyok, looking at Azula with uncertainty.

"Oh?" said Azula. The dangerous voice tone of the Princess's made both Sokka and Niyok recoil. Clearly she wasn't about to accept being berated by the Water Tribe girl… "Well, a job well done, isn't it? Considering I actually did want to sound mean."

"You did?" said Niyok, staring at her in disbelief. Azula smirked.

"Eh, that's what Azula tends to be like, don't take it to-…" Sokka started, but the girl's hands flew to her mouth.

"Azula. Azula, you said?!" she exclaimed, jumping on her chair and pulling away from the Princess, a look of horror in her eyes.

"Ah. I guess I forgot to introduce myself, did I?" said Azula, with a smirk. "Yes, Sokka happens to be closely associated to the Fire Nation Royal Family. Too closely, some would say…"

"T-too closely…?" Niyok repeated, with a horrified grimace. Sokka froze.

"W-what the hell are you saying, Azula? Don't say stuff she'll misunderstand!" he exclaimed. Azula raised her eyebrows.

"What? Misunderstand how? I'm only telling the truth," she said, with a pleased smirk. "You're a good friend of Zuko's, aren't you?"

"I… I am, but still! You made it sound as if…" Sokka started, grimacing with uncertainty. Azula looked at him with expectation.

"As if what?" she asked, amused. "As if you were intimately, closely involved with someone high up in the Fire Nation's highest circles…?"

"I…!" Sokka exclaimed, blushing deeply. Niyok looked at him with disbelief.

"You're involved with her? You are?! Why didn't you tell me that before…?!" Niyok exclaimed. Sokka gritted his teeth and inched away from her.

"I'm not! I really am not!" Sokka exclaimed. Azula sighed.

"Such sad lies. My heart is broken, not only that you'd lie but that you'd do it so poorly," she said, dramatically. "And here I was, willing to have a threesome since you'd asked so nicely…"

Niyok's indignation exploded with that, to no one's surprise. She stood up, glaring angrily at Sokka.

"You jerk! And I thought you were a good man!" she exclaimed. Sokka's eyes were wide.

"No, no, don't listen to her, she's just…!" he started, but Niyok had dumped the content of a glass of water on Sokka's face before he could finish talking.

"I can't believe I agreed to go out with you!" She slammed the glass on the table before storming off angrily, her mind firmly set on never seeing him again.

The door to the establishment closed and Sokka remained in the same position, his eyes closed, his hands halfway stretched towards where Niyok had stood, his eyebrow twitching as the droplets of water slid slowly down his face. He only moved when he heard the unequivocal sound of laughter coming from his remaining companion, and he glared viciously at her for it.

"That was just wonderful, seriously, Azula!" he exclaimed. Azula only continued to laugh. "What the hell, woman?! Are you kidding me?!"

"Oh, I'm sorry, it's just too amusing. I really didn't think she'd throw water at you!" she confessed, chuckling as she handed him her napkin. Sokka accepted it angrily, snarling at her before wiping his face with it.

"Why did you lie like that, Azula? Seriously, what the hell?!" he asked. She smiled.

"Sokka, you blew it," she said, shaking her head. "I thought you wanted me to meet a girl you were fully established with already. And yet… this is was your first date? Really?"

"W-well, I thought I'd ask you to come by so I'd know whether I was wasting my time with her or not," said Sokka, with a sad grimace and a light blush. Azula snorted.

"And just by making such a foolish decision you damned the relationship all on your own," she said. "You can't bring someone else with you on your first date, Sokka, for crying out loud."

"I just thought having a quick diagnosis would help me not get my hopes up," he said, pouting again. "And really, it did. That was the fastest I've lost a girl, and that's saying something."

"You need to be smarter than this," said Azula, shaking her head. "And you also need to stop choosing girls like her: she was basically a Water Tribe version of Suki; heck, Suki is even more ambitious than her, and she's not ambitious at all."

"Wait, you really think she was similar to Suki?" Sokka asked, his eyes wide. "How so?"

"How? Evidently, I know because she's yet again your typical stability-providing girl instead of someone you truly can bond with in every level," said Azula, crossing her arms over her chest. "She wouldn't be a challenge to you, and you know what I think? You would have been bored with her eventually. You wouldn't need to be around her, you'd just visit her once in a blue moon like you would with Suki, and then you'd be at a loss when she ends up in the arms of some other guy who's head-over-heels in love with her."

"Wait, but… you think I couldn't grow to love her?" Sokka asked. Azula shrugged.

"I don't see enough compatibility there to make a lasting relationship," she said. "She'd adore you at first, surely, you're the local hero for her, right? But when she realized she was just that girl on the side that you visit when you don't have anything better to do, she would have probably broken things off with you and you would have ended up in a worse state than you already are."

"But you're so sure of that…" said Sokka, pouting. "You really think I couldn't have something good with her?"

"See, that's the problem," said Azula, smiling. "Are you looking for something good, or are you looking for something extraordinary? Are you looking for a girl whose hand to hold while you walk down the street, or for a girl with whom you can spend your entire life without ever being bored?"

"Uh, how about if I choose all prior options?" Sokka asked, smiling awkwardly. Azula chuckled.

"Well, even if you choose them all, I'm afraid that girl wasn't going to cut it. Imagine marrying her, starting a family with her: she'd be at home with the children, you'd be at work all day, and you'd be stuck in some lousy routine you'd hate because it's just the same thing, every single day, and a man who fought a war, who claims to be the smartest of the Avatar's friends, could never settle into such a boring lifestyle, or could he?"

"Eh, I guess not, but would it be that boring?" Sokka asked, raising his eyebrows. "I do want to start a family, and I think I'd have to keep a job for it… would my life become that boring if I do that?"

"Possibly," said Azula. "But especially so if you settle down with someone who does next to nothing for you. Remember how excited you were back when you fell in love with your Water Tribe Princess?"

"Yeah, I remember," said Sokka, with a sad smile.

"You won't find anyone else like her, that's for sure," said Azula. "But the feelings you had for her were true and strong, weren't they?"

"Of course," said Sokka.

"Well, your job will be to find a girl with whom you can feel as alive as you did with her," said Azula. "If you can have fun with her, laugh with her, and if you want to be around her instead of just seeing her once in a blue moon when you want company, then you'll know you found the right partner."

"And, uh… you think I can find that in Toph?" Sokka asked, raising his eyebrows. Azula shrugged.

"It wouldn't hurt to try, or would it?" she asked. Sokka shrugged.

"I suppose. But moving past being friends is probably going to be awkward," he said, with a weak smile. "It worked for Katara and Aang because he was obviously infatuated with her since day one, I think."

"Then there you have it. A challenge," said Azula. "We're not too different in these regards, Sokka. The idea of a simple life only sounds appealing for a couple of minutes. You thrive in the feeling of making a difference in the world, don't you?"

Sokka gulped and shrugged. Azula smiled.

"It's nothing to be ashamed of," she said. "Being ambitious doesn't have to be a bad thing."

"It tends to be when I'm the ambitious one, though," said Sokka, smiling awkwardly. "Things backfire on me all the time, so if I want something too much it'll definitely bite me back later."

"But you can't really help it, can you? Wanting certain things," said Azula. Sokka shook his head.

"Yeah, I guess it's my irrational, compulsory side that won't let me stop myself," he said, with a sigh. "Oh, well. If you really think Toph might be the way to go, we can go meet her later. But first…"

The waiter had returned, placing the dishes on the table carefully. Only after setting them down did he notice the table was short of one person since he'd last seen them, and that the young man's hair was wet for some reason.

"Uh, is everything okay…?" he asked. Sokka smiled and nodded.

"Yep, there's no problem at all. Not at all," he said, looking at the food with glee.

"I suppose I needn't even ask if you'll eat Niyok's lunch on top of your own," said Azula, with a smirk. Sokka grinned.

"You know me so well," he said, rubbing his hands together before digging in.

It took almost an hour for them to finish with their food, but eventually Sokka wiped his mouth, sated at last, and they left the restaurant after he had paid for the meal. Azula followed him again as they walked through the city, and she was surprised as they went further yet, leaving the urban area altogether.

"Where is she living now?" Azula asked, confused. "Is she finally playing the hermit? The role would suit her."

"Nah, she's actually training a group of earthbenders," said Sokka, smiling. "She's teaching them how to metalbend, or trying to, if anything."

"It sounds like a skill that's difficult to develop," Azula said. "Somewhat like lightning bending. I wouldn't expect many common earthbenders to be capable of it like she is."

"Say that to her face and she'll love you forever. Toph loves to hear people complimenting her skills," said Sokka, smiling.

"Who doesn't?" said Azula, shrugging. Sokka chuckled.

"Sadly I don't think she'll return the favor. But at least I can say your blue fire is rather impressive as well," he said. Azula raised an eyebrow.

"Impressive or scary?" she asked. Sokka shrugged.

"I don't know, but you know what? I find it funny because it's blue. I mean… blue is not the Fire Nation's color at all," he said, chuckling. "And yet your fire is blue! It's like… Water Tribe fire, know what I mean?"

He only realized his words would carry an awful effect with them when he noticed Azula was staring at him in chagrin. Oh, dear. What had he done?

"Water Tribe fire? Are you kidding me?!" she bellowed. "My fire is…! My fire is…! It's not Water Tribe, that's for sure, you fool!"

"W-well, I didn't say it was, I just meant it has a pretty color!" Sokka exclaimed, but his compliment did nothing to appease Azula's horror. For she had heard his words and, despite herself, had realized there was an awful truth to them: her fire was blue, and blue wasn't the Fire Nation's color indeed…

"I'm never going to bend again," she said, shaking her head as she continued walking, her eyes wide with horror. Sokka gulped.

"Heh. I should've said this back during the war, eh? Would have spared us from your super powerful attacks once in a while…" he said. His playful comment still didn't sound too playful to her, though, for Azula only groaned with irritation.

They walked in awkward silence briefly, with Sokka's insides churning with guilt. She was definitely not happy, and he had a pretty good idea why. He needed to make it up to her somehow, but he wasn't sure if there was a way to do that. Maybe he should wear Fire Nation clothes whenever they met? Craft himself a Fire Nation-style boomerang? He had no idea what to do, and had the bad feeling the Princess wasn't about to get over it unless he did something indeed…

"Uh, well, we're here now," said Sokka, gulping. "It's right up ahead."

He pointed at a building, and Azula scowled as she gazed at it. Surely it wasn't the building's fault that she would be in the mood to glare, but she glared indeed as the two of them walked towards it.

"Still sure this is a good idea?" Sokka asked once more. Azula shrugged.

"I suppose we'll find out soon enough, won't we?" she said.

They heard the distinct fighting cries of young students as they entered the building, and heard the sounds of metal clashing against metal. It seemed the new students were getting a grasp on metalbending. Sokka smiled, guessing Toph would still act disappointed by their prowess, despite being rather proud of them.

"Come on, you Lily Livers! Is that the best you can do?!" shouted Toph, her voice echoing through the hallways Azula and Sokka were treading. Nervous mumbling followed. "Do it again, faster!"

"She's ruthless, isn't she?" said Azula, with a small smirk. Sokka raised an eyebrow.

"Like you'd be any nicer if you were a teacher," he said, smiling. She shrugged.

"You have a point," she conceded, as they stopped at the threshold of the building's main hall.

The group of metalbending students were struggling to bend what looked like shields and armor at one another. At first Sokka thought it was a dueling exercise, but he realized soon that Toph's intent was to have them toss the armor and shields at one another as quickly as possible. The more nervous students would often lose control, and their metal would crash into that of the other students, producing the loud noise they had heard from outside.

"Damn it, you guys are hopeless! Can't control a little bit of metal even if you…!" Toph was bellowing, but she stopped shouting when she sensed the new arrivals. Normally she would have noticed them sooner, but she had been so focused on her students that their appearance had slipped past her until now. "Well, if it isn't Meathead and Spicy! Now that's a messed up combination if I've ever sensed one!"

"Yeah, well, I'm glad to see you too, Toph," said Sokka, with a skeptical smile. Toph raised her eyebrows.

"Well, I dunno who else is seeing something, because I sure am not, Sokka," she said, smirking before turning to her students. "Take a break! And you'd better be able to follow my commands when we get back to it!"

The students seemed disheartened, albeit relieved for the small break. Toph turned towards them, smiling broadly.

"Odd that you'd pay me a visit, Spicy," she said. "Missed me much?"

"Oh, don't I always," Azula replied sarcastically. Toph snickered, and Azula smirked. Truth be told, they had found they could get along far more easily than Azula did with almost everyone else from the Avatar's close group, despite they weren't around one another often.

"Is something the matter, though? Does Aang need me to save his hide again for some reason?" she asked. "Or is it something else now?"

"Well, we were just dropping by, actually," said Sokka, smiling. "I managed to convince Azula to let me show her the city, and I figured we could come see you."

"So you're out and about now, discovering the world? Not bad," said Toph. "Congrats, Princess. If you're anything like me, your freedom will only do wonders for you!"

"It might, but frankly I don't expect to find myself becoming a teacher of subpar benders," said Azula, with a proud smirk. Toph snorted.

"You would want to be if you realized how gratifying it is to yell at someone who's totally terrified of you," she said, smirking too.

"Yeah, basically the only reason she likes teaching is that she gets to boss her students around," said Sokka, smiling.

"Though I guess there's other ways I could boss people around and not just by teaching…" Toph reasoned, before shrugging. "Still, is there anything important you want from me, or can I just finish the lesson?"

"Uh, yeah, go ahead and finish it," said Sokka, gulping. "We didn't want to be a bother."

"Ah, alright then. Stay for dinner?" Toph asked. Azula shrugged.

"We did eat just now, but you know how he is," she said, jerking her head towards Sokka. He blushed as Toph chuckled.

"Damn right I do. Sokka and his bottomless pit of a stomach," she said, laughing as she returned to her students. "Look alive, Lily Livers! Back to work!"

Sokka released his breath, wondering just why he felt so nervous. Azula looked at him with uncertainty, wondering just why he was so anxious. Was he thrilled by the prospect of a relationship with Toph, or was it he was terrified of the potential outcome of it all?

"Are you alright?" she asked. Sokka gulped.

"I don't know. I mean… maybe it's all because of the things you've said, I always go for girls who feel stable and safe, and I'm just used to that," he muttered. "So the idea of starting something different is just a little bit daunting. Feels like I'll be out of my depth, you know?"

"I suppose you might be," she replied. "And… you're scared, to a fault?"

"Yeah, probably that too. We're good friends, and if this went sideways, well…" said Sokka, swallowing hard. Azula nodded.

"You're afraid of what could go wrong, so much you don't know how to think of what could go right," she said. Sokka shrugged.

"Must be that, yeah," he said. "But we're here already, so I should give this a go, right?"

"I'll give you two some privacy once she's done with her lessons," she said. Sokka smiled.

"Thanks. Would be extra-awkward if I tried to tell her in front of you," he said. Azula shrugged.

"If you need any help I'm always up for it, just as I was with Niyok…"

"Uh, I'm pretty sure the last thing you did back there was help," Sokka said, with a smirk. Azula widened her eyes and smiled sarcastically.

"Well, whatever do you mean by that…?" she said, and Sokka chuckled.

"You're out of this world, you know that?" he said. Azula smirked.

"Careful, Sokka. Keep complimenting me that way and I'll just take you for myself," she said. He snorted.

"Here I was wondering when you'd finally admit that's what you want," he said, teasingly. Azula laughed.

"Aren't you awfully high on yourself all of sudden," she replied. He shrugged.

"If I have reason to be…" he said. Azula smiled at him.

Watching Toph's training proved a bit more dangerous than they expected. Metallic projectiles flew all over the room, forcing Azula and Sokka to be on their guard at all times. Sokka had to pull her out of the trajectory of a fast-spinning coin that came soaring in their direction, and Azula had no choice but to bend at a set of deformed armor that also flew at them. Sokka could only whisper 'thank you' after she managed to keep him alive with her quick response against the armor.

Toph was rather amused when the training ended and the students went home. She wasn't sure who was more relieved by the end of the lessons, her Lily Livers or her visiting friends.

"I thought you two were made of something stronger than that!" she declared, after Sokka went on a rant, asking if she had been trying to kill them.

"We must be, or else we'd already be dead!" Sokka exclaimed. Toph only laughed as Azula rolled her eyes.

"You're a hazard, you know that?" she told Toph, who shrugged.

"I make people's lives more fun, don't I?" she said, beaming.

"Huh, well… maybe some people's lives," Azula said, glancing at Sokka. He swallowed hard as she asked him, through her gaze, if he was ready. He gulped.

"Come on, Spicy, you know we're both fun that way!" said Toph, starting to walk outside the training room. Sokka breathed deeply as he watched her go.

"It's a bit hard to do this after she almost killed us," he whispered. Azula shook her head.

"Better now than never. Come on," she said, ushering him to follow Toph as they both left the room behind her.

"Anyways, as promised, I'll have to feed you to stop your whining, huh, Sokka?" said Toph, once they caught up with her.

"Yep, you have to pay us back with food for all that," said Sokka. "But, uh, Toph? If you don't mind, uh, I'd like to talk to you about some-…"

Toph stopped on her tracks, a large smile on her face. Both Azula and Sokka stopped as well, unsure of what had brought this reaction from her. Was she aware of what Sokka was going to say, or…?

The sound of footsteps coming from the hall before them surprised the two guests. The owner of said footsteps came to light as he turned the corner, and while he was a complete stranger to Azula, Sokka recognized him right away.

"I just finished the accounting for this month's income, Toph, and…!" the young, tall man with curly hair exclaimed, but he stopped on his tracks when he noticed the blind earthbender wasn't alone. "O-oh, Sokka! And, uh…"

"Princess Azula," said Azula, raising her eyebrows as she looked at the stranger in confusion. "And you are…?"

"That's Satoru. He's Toph's business associate," Sokka explained, as Toph made her way towards him. "We met him some years ago, when he was working at his uncle's refinery. Him and Toph are good…"

Sokka stopped talking just as Toph threw her arms around Satoru's neck and pulled him down for a kiss.

Azula's eyes widened, all the same as Sokka's. The tall man was somewhat embarrassed, but he kissed Toph back regardless, a noticeable blush on his cheeks.

"G-good… friends?" Sokka finished, blinking blankly.

"Uh, I guess you didn't tell them yet, did you?" Satoru said, with a weak grin. Toph chuckled.

"Come on, we've been at this for barely a few weeks, it's fine if I haven't told everyone I know yet. It's been a while since Sokka last dropped by, too," she said, before turning towards them with a smirk. "Besides, Sokka spent years giving me oogies, so I'm happy to return the favor now!"

With that, she grabbed Satoru again and kissed him fiercely once more. Sokka was petrified, his eyes wide, his hands trembling. Azula looked at him worriedly, realizing she had made a big blunder. She had filled Sokka's mind with ideas that Toph might just turn out to be his ideal partner… and now he was watching said ideal partner sticking her tongue down her business associate's throat. She wasn't sure if Sokka was emotionally compromised by it, or if he was just too shocked to respond to the situation altogether.

"Alright, so! Do we have enough food for them?" Toph said, when she pulled away from Satoru. He had a big smile on his face, his eyes set dreamily on the earthbender.

"I-I, uh… hope so," he said, smiling still. "I'll go check. We're all having dinner together, then?"

"That was the plan," said Toph, as she started down the hall with Satoru. When she noticed the other two hadn't moved she called out over her shoulder. "You guys coming or what?"

"Y-yeah, we're right behind you," Azula said, as Satoru and Toph turned the corner. She swallowed hard and looked at Sokka. "Are you okay?"

"I'm, uh… not sure what's going on, actually," he said, his eyes wide. "I mean, I did see they were a bit close, but I didn't expect them to get together… let alone did I expect it to happen just as I made up my mind to try my luck with Toph. This is… weird."

"I'm sorry," said Azula, grimacing. "I didn't think something like this would happen."

"You had no way of knowing," said Sokka, smiling a little at her and patting her shoulder. "Don't worry, don't worry. I'm sure… I'm sure we'll figure something else out. Maybe we even dodged a bullet here? Might be good that Toph is with someone who was seriously in love with her from the get-go instead of someone who was just trying his luck in hopes he might fall in love with her one day. Right?"

"I guess," said Azula. Sokka breathed out and nodded.

"I'm okay. I'm okay. Dinner time," he said, smiling again and ushering her to walk with him. "We'll just ask how it happened, and if it's all great, we'll… we'll let them know we're happy for them. Right?"

"Are you?" Azula asked. Sokka shrugged.

"I don't really know right now. But if they make each other happy, like Suki and your brother… then I have no complaints," he said, nodding promptly as they walked towards the dining room.

Sokka's words made Azula frown. Was he really that selfless, that kind-hearted? It seemed like he was. When he loved someone, he wanted them to be happy rather than wanting them for himself. It was an odd concept to Azula, one she guessed she had only read about before… but maybe that was what love really meant. Maybe that was what it was supposed to be.

"Come on, now, you're no prude, what's the big deal?" said Toph, resting against Satoru after they made the recollection of how they ended up in bed for the first time. Sokka had told them he didn't need so many details, but Toph had insisted and left him potentially scarred for life, given his wide eyes and apparent loss of appetite.

"The big deal is that I didn't ask for a full recount!" Sokka exclaimed. Toph snorted.

"Well, you asked how it happened, I told you. That's all it was," she said. Satoru chuckled.

"Sorry. I know it must be awkward…" he said. Sokka grimaced.

"Quite," he replied. Toph chuckled.

"Come on, I had to tolerate hearing your every awful sound when you were with Suki several times, you know?"

"So this was revenge? That's what it was?" Sokka asked, an eyebrow twitching. Toph nodded.

"Damn right it was!" she declared. Sokka dropped his head on the table.

"You're unbelievable," he said. Toph smiled.

"Well, now, if you want to get back at me you can go ahead and share your own story," she said. Sokka lifted his head, confused.

"What story? How Suki and I broke up?" he asked. "I already told you that when I returned from the Fire Nation a couple of months ago, didn't I?"

"Not that one, Meathead. I mean the new one. Your story," she said, pointing at Sokka and Azula.

They both stiffened. Had she noticed what they'd been up to?

"W-what do you mean, our story?" Azula asked, looking at Toph warily.

"What else? How did you two end up entangled?" she asked. "Did you rebound on Azula so you could take revenge on Zuko for stealing Suki?"

"What the…?! No!" Sokka exclaimed, as both him and Azula blushed wildly. "Of course not!"

"Oh, so you guys are serious and this isn't just a momentary thing? Nice," said Toph, nodding. "You'll make a good pair."

"What on earth are you talking about?!" Azula exclaimed. "We're not together!"

"What, you're not?" Toph asked, raising an eyebrow. "How come?"

"What does that mean, how come? We aren't together, that's just how it is!" Sokka said. "I just offered to bring her here, it's not like I did it as a scheme to end up in bed with her or something!"

"Well, maybe she did it as a scheme to end up in bed with you, eh?" said Toph, smirking. Azula's blush intensified as she snarled at Toph.

"As if!" she exclaimed. Toph chuckled.

"Oh, come on, you can't act like nothing's going on!" she said. "What with all the stuff you were whispering about how Sokka had to tell me something…"

They both froze at that. How had they been so foolish as to forget that Toph's seismic sense would enable her to hear their conversations easily?

"I was dead sure it had to be about you two," she finished. "And really, seeing how you keep flirting as you do, you might as well stop kidding yourselves and get going already. Satoru and I were wasting time for a while, so you two can avoid that and accept what you want already. Right?"

"R-right?" said Sokka, glancing at Azula warily. Her eyes were wide.

"I'm pretty sure you don't understand what's going on here, Toph…" she said, but before she finished explaining, Sokka gave her a meaningful look. Azula froze as he basically implied to her that she was better off keeping her mouth shut. She gritted her teeth.

"I bet I don't but that's fine too," said Toph, smiling. "You're like me, Spicy. You don't strike me as the type who wants something totally conventional and boring like what Katara and Aang have. So don't worry, you're free to have a weird relationship that only you two understand. I'm fine with it."

"Heh. Y-you are, of course," said Sokka, with an eyebrow twitching. Toph chuckled.

"Really, though, you two are something else," she said. "Going for Azula is perfect revenge on Zuko, you know? You're the most wicked masterminds I've ever heard of…"

"Sounds like they are," said Satoru, with a weak smile. "A fearsome combination, huh?"

Sokka and Azula glanced at each other in confusion. Those two couldn't be serious, right? The two of them, in a relationship?

It wasn't something they had actually given any thought until just now. Even though Azula had pretended to be Sokka's girlfriend to chase Niyok away, and even though they had flirted playfully earlier, it wasn't something they had taken seriously. Then again, Sokka was bringing Azula out of her home to see the world and feel at ease with what it had become: something like that had been easily misunderstood by Toph as a sign of them being involved. And why wouldn't it be? It definitely could be taken for a sign of a possible relationship, especially after Sokka and Suki had broken up. The idea of Sokka hopping headfirst into a rebound romance with Azula didn't seem so far-fetched…

But that wasn't what was happening. They hadn't considered that possibility until then.

Fortunately, the conversation topics changed after the awkward exchange regarding Sokka and Azula's alleged romance, and they managed to get though dinner without further trouble. Toph and Satoru saw them off, and Azula and Sokka made their way back to the city through the dark roads, with Azula's fire lighting the way.

"I seriously didn't expect things to end up like they did," said Azula, looking at Sokka warily. He waved a hand.

"If you'd been around me for longer you'd know my luck loves to mess with me," he said, smiling. "Don't take it to heart, it's not your fault. Heck, you were actually trying to help me, so I'm grateful. There's nothing we could do, though, not when Toph's with him now. And they look alright together, don't they?"

"I guess," said Azula, shrugging. "But what about you? If you keep letting all girls you care about end up choosing other men because you think they'll be happier that way…"

"See, maybe I'm just a romantic," said Sokka. "But I'm guessing the day will come when I'll meet a girl who won't want to choose another man, or who won't sacrifice herself to save the world – or, if she does, she'll survive somehow and we'll be happy later anyways. See, I just want… to be someone's first and best choice for once, not someone they'll settle for when there's something better just around the corner."

Azula looked at him in surprise, noticing the pain in his eyes as he spoke. Were his words hints of a troubled past, of hardships he had swallowed and bottled up deep inside him… just like the many hardships Azula herself had bottled up inside her?

"Has that happened to you a lot?" she asked. "I mean… feeling like you're just someone others settle for, rather than someone who's appreciated for his real worth?"

"Eh, a few times. Then again, that's apparently what I'm doing too, isn't it?" said Sokka, smiling at her. "If your assessment for why my relationships keep failing is correct, I'm doing the exact same thing because I don't dare go for someone I have truly deep feelings for. I guess it's probably because I went for someone I was crazy in love with, and it ended before it even began…"

"You mean with the Northern Water Tribe Princess?" Azula asked. Sokka nodded.

"If just to avoid feeling the same pain I keep going for easier routes. Maybe it's also because… I'm the one others settle for, right? So maybe I should end up with someone who's like me."

"See… I don't think you have a good understanding of yourself," said Azula, looking at him from the corner of her eye. Sokka raised an eyebrow.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"Well, I don't know about your past, at least not before the war, but you were by far the most outstanding member of your group for me," she said. Sokka snorted.

"What, me? Compared to my waterbending sister?"

"She was irksome, that's all she was," Azula said, waving a hand carelessly. Sokka chuckled.

"More than the Avatar?"

"A mere child with too much talent for his own good," Azula declared. Sokka laughed.

"Same for Toph?" he asked. She nodded.

"Though she's a smart-mouth too, that can't be denied," she said.

"What about your brother?"

"He's just my brother. Stubborn, foolish, self-righteous and overly dramatic. And a sub-par bender like Toph's students," she added. Sokka laughed.

"Don't let him hear you say that, he'll probably lash out at you," he said, Azula smirked. "But then… you really think I stood out, when they didn't impress you at all?"

"Of course. You always were the less threatening one, the one who stood at the sidelines, the one without the flashy powers and overflowing confidence in his skills. And even when you got your sword, and had a chance to finish me off with it, you didn't take it. When you knew I was taunting you, you still fell for it because you're a good man, with deep emotions. And none of that stopped you from plotting an invasion, from developing all sorts of tactics to defeat my father's forces. You were the brains in your group, and an accomplished warrior, too. Not in vain did I bother learning your name first before the rest of them…"

"Heh, it's true you did call me by name," said Sokka, smirking. "And you also had to deflect my boomerang first when we attacked you that one time, when we had cornered you…"

"I couldn't only focus on everyone else, and yours was the sharper and fastest attack," Azula said. "So naturally, I had to take out your boomerang first."

"Well, that's all very flattering, Azula. You do know how to cheer a guy up," he said, beaming before scowling. "Though, wait. You did say that you didn't credit the Invasion to me a couple of months ago, didn't you?"

"I did, but I really didn't mean it. I was trying to annoy you," she answered truthfully, smiling at him. Sokka chuckled.

"Well, you succeeded," he said. She laughed.

"Glad to hear it," she said. "Still… don't assume you're someone others settle for. You aren't. Your group needed you more than they ever realized: they would have never achieved all they did without you. They just never told you, is all."

"I guess," said Sokka. "You're awfully wise, though, you know? And it's strange that you'd share all that wisdom with me, of all people."

"Who else would I share it with? You are one of the few people who bothers talking to me at all," she said. "Aside from my brother and your friends, of course. And you and Toph are probably the only ones who enjoy having me around, to begin with. So…"

"It's everyone else's loss, then!" Sokka declared, his arms behind his head. "You're a pretty cool girl, you know. Once you get past all the crazy stuff we all did in the middle of a war, it gets a bit easier to see we were just kids, and that we can move on from the war indeed."

"Not everyone thinks that way, though," said Azula. Sokka shook his head.

"No, they don't. But they should. If I hadn't given you a chance I wouldn't have made a new friend, so I don't regret opening my mind to the possibilities at all," he said, smiling at her.

Azula smiled too, eyeing him with amazement.

"You're a very weird guy," she said. Sokka chuckled.

"I'm going to take that as a compliment, despite knowing I probably shouldn't," he said. "Alright, so! From our little ventures today, I can gather a few hints as to what sort of girl I should be with: first, she can't be someone I'm just settling for, as you said. Second, she can't be taken. Third, I can't bring you with us for our first date…"

Azula laughed as Sokka continued to list the simple and obvious lessons he had learned that day. They were still laughing together as they arrived into Republic City again. Sokka smiled as he gazed at her. Others might find the sight of Azula laughing to be terrifying, but to him it was already something fully comfortable. She was awfully cute even when she didn't plan to be.

"Well, I think our day wasn't a complete waste, seeing how much you learned today," she said, smiling. "But I guess I should just head back now. The airship will be waiting for me."

"O-oh. Right," said Sokka, having forgotten completely that Azula wasn't here to stay. "Well, that is, if you don't want to be here for a little longer? I mean, if you'd like to stay…"

"Do you have more romantic prospects around here you want me to give you my input on?" Azula asked, with an uncertain smile. "You must be awfully popular if that's the case…"

"N-no, I don't, at least not right now, but you know… nothing bad happened to you today. You saw people aren't attacking you on sight, and you didn't hate it out here, right?"

"I didn't, but I doubt I should wait around until something happens," she said. "So if just as a safety measure… besides, where would I stay?"

"Well, there's inns. And I have an apartment," he said, biting his lip. "I could let you sleep on my bed and take the couch…"

"Your bed? I wonder if that's advisable," said Azula, looking at him with raised eyebrows. Sokka blushed.

"W-what do you mean?"

"Only that I have no idea when would have been the last time you changed your sheets, let alone how many one-night-stands you had in there…"

"Hey! I do change my sheets!" Sokka exclaimed, blushing. "And as for the one-night-stands…!"

"Please, don't regale me with your tales, it was bad enough to hear Toph describing how she groped and licked Satoru from head to toes…"

"I'm pretty sure she was embellishing it, you know? She couldn't possibly have…"

"And I'm pretty sure the word you wanted to use wasn't 'embellishing', precisely. That kind of implies she was making it sound beautiful and lovely, and that's the last thing it sounded like," said Azula, with a smirk.

"Okay, true too," said Sokka, chuckling. "She just wanted us to feel weird about it, is what I meant. And don't worry, I won't tell you about my non-existent nightly escapades. Seriously, there have been no one-night-stands."

"Really?" said Azula, raising her eyebrows with suspicion. "Should I believe that?"

"I never even kissed Niyok," said Sokka, chuckling. "So yeah, you probably should. I'm not that much of a womanizer."

"Well, surprising, but still… I should probably just head back to the Fire Nation," said Azula. "I don't want to risk running into someone with a grudge against me if I stay here too long."

"That's alright, that's alright," said Sokka, lowering his gaze.

Azula raised her eyebrows. Why did he seem so upset by the idea of her leaving? Was he that lonely? She guessed he probably was. His best friend was always training new students and now had a lover of her own, his sister and the Avatar weren't quite what could be described as desirable company, obnoxious in love as they were, and his girlfriend had left him not that long ago. It wasn't that odd that he'd want to be with someone… just as it wasn't odd that Azula, lonely by nature, would want to spend more time around him too.

"But, uh, as you just mentioned, I don't have more prospects here," he said, lifting his head. "And actually? I'm not doing much around here these days…"

"No?" Azula asked. Sokka shook his head. "And so…?"

"Maybe I can go with you!" he exclaimed. Azula's eyes widened.

"W-wait, you mean…?" she said. Sokka beamed.

"Maybe we can find someone better for me in the Fire Nation, you never know!" he said. "So far I've had no luck with Earth Kingdom or Water Tribe girls, so…"

"So you have to try one of everything?" Azula asked. Sokka froze.

"Okay, that came out wrong," he said. She laughed.

"You're hopeless," she said, shaking her head. "Can you just come to the Fire Nation freely? You're sure you won't be needed around here soon?"

"Not for now, I think," said Sokka, shrugging. "I'll just leave a note at home in case Katara or Aang come looking for me, and we can go to the Fire Nation together!"

"W-well… I guess we could do that," said Azula, blinking blankly. "Though I guess Zuko will be shocked to hear you came back with me, but it shouldn't bother him much, right?"

"Nope!" said Sokka, beaming. "Alright, so we'll do that!"

Azula smiled as she followed him to his building. It wasn't too big, barely two stories, and he lived in the top one. She glanced around his room, unsurprised to see his clothes were scattered all over the place, as he scribbled a note quickly.

"Sorry for the mess," he said, apologetically, as they left the place again after leaving his message on his table. "I, uh… I really have no excuses so yeah, sorry."

"You're just as given to doing chores as I am," said Azula, smiling. Sokka snorted.

"I guess Toph's idea wasn't that great, huh? If we ended up together we'd be a mess when it comes to chores and cleaning the place, right?"

"We wouldn't have to move in together right away, though. Or maybe you could just end up in the Palace," Azula said, smirking. "You wouldn't have to worry about cleaning anything there, there's servants to do it for you."

"That's the life, huh?" said Sokka, smiling. She nodded.

"Far better than doing it yourself," she finished.

The realization that they'd been talking about being a couple, and that Azula had actually come up with a way to make things work between then, only hit them a moment afterwards. They both glanced at each other furtively before looking away again. They were just goofing around, clearly… weren't they?