Author's Note, 7/7/2015: Retitled story from "There's No Such Thing", and now features edited chapters. I welcome returning readers as well as new ones, and hope to have more chapters posted soon. Reviews are incredibly helpful, and honestly keep me motivated. Also, I should add that each chapter is titled after a particular song, and will have a master playlist featured on my profile page. If you have any suggestions, I'd love to hear them. Thank you, and enjoy!

Sucker Love
By Nikkel
© to Michael Dante DiMartino, Bryan Koneitzko, and Nickelodeon

"All alone in space and time, there's nothing here, but what here's mine."

Mai sighed and leaned her head against Zuko's chest. He stiffened, a furious blush flushing his cheeks, and then relaxed, glad there was no one else around to see. Together, they watched the sun set beyond the volcanoes, a romantic sight for any couple in the Fire Nation. His arm draped around her midriff as he half-closed his eyes in contentment, now completely at ease. Nothing in the world could have interrupted their quiet, tender moment.

But she wanted to. Oh, how she wanted to!

With narrowed, gold eyes Azula watched as her older brother was able to forget about the entire world as Mai rested on him. She leaned against one of the many cherry trees, looking up at the couple in disgust, arms crossed. She couldn't wrap her mind around why she didn't walk away or interrupt them, as she normally would have done, as if there was some sort of spirit rooting her to the spot. It was stupid.

"Aww, isn't that cute?" Ty Lee cooed, hanging upside-down from the tree Azula was leaning on.

"I think you mean revolting. The two of them are a disaster waiting to happen."

"I don't think so. I've never seen Mai so happy."

"She's obviously faking it. Mai is never happy."

"No, look at that smile, Azula! We never see Mai smile like that unless she's with Zuko."

Ty Lee had a pointed. Azula huffed in response.

"They make such a good couple," Ty Lee continued. "Do you remember when they used to flirt when we were kids? It was so cute! And how we would try and get them together? And they always fell for it? Now, we don't have to get them together, because they are!"

Ty Lee squealed, tucking her fists under chin, her braid wagging like a monkey-dog's tail.

Azula cocked a brow. "Why are you so happy for them? They'll break up sooner or later and wonder why their lives are so miserable."

Ty Lee's face scrounged up in confusion. Azula had asked such a simple question with such venom, she swore she could feel the sting, seeing the Princess' dark brow knitted in frustration. Knowing what may have come next, Ty Lee gathered her braid in her hands.

"No, they won't…" Ty Lee said slowly, treading on her words, just in case one of them would set Azula off, as often it did. "They're in love. Nothing breaks the bonds of love."

"Ty Lee, there's no such thing as love."

"Yes there is, Azula. It's all around you. You just gotta –"

"No, there's not," Azula snarled, and as Ty Lee expected, her hand lashed out. The acrobat hopped down the ground as her hand swiped the empty air. Just as quickly as her hand had come out, though, it tucked beneath her other arm again.

"Yes, there is," Ty Lee pouted. "You know that feeling you get around boys? The one that makes your heart pound and your stomach turn into frog-butterflies?"

"No," Azula scoffed. "No man would dare walk up to me without the idea that I'd kill them. I'd probably hate them and everything they do, anyways. I don't know what feelings your talking about."

"Well…" Ty Lee searched for words, but it was clear that they wouldn't make any sense to the princess. She would have to show her.

Ty Lee reached out and pressed her hand against Azula's exposed neck.

"Ty Lee, if you want to live, you will get your hand—"

"Don't tell me you're not enjoying this, Azula," Ty Lee smirked, her voice lower than normal, grey eyes half-lidded. It was the seductive side of herself that only boys saw, but of course, it was all play and pretend. "What if I was a big, strong man? I could touch you in places you'd never allow… Forbidden places…"

"Never," Azula replied with a thick coat of ice. She wanted to back away, but her back was pressed to the tree. If she wanted to get away, she would have to touch Ty Lee, but that would have the opposite effect of what she wanted. If anything, her glare to back up grew stronger, her chest swelling with heat. "I have no desire to lust after anyone, just as I have no desire to love."

"I think you're lying," Ty Lee continued. "Come now, Princess. Wouldn't you want someone to tell you that you're wonderful?"

Azula rolled her eyes. How long was Ty Lee going to play this game? She exhaled, trying to relax and release any vulnerability she showed. She wouldn't let Ty Lee, of all people, see her dumb and flustered like this. "Why would I need someone to tell me I'm wonderful? It's pathetic."

"To comfort you, of course."

"I don't need comforting. Not like Mai, and not like Zuko. This argument is over. Love doesn't exist. It's a trick to get people to do what you want, when you want, and I'm never going to fall for it," Azula replied, and as she raised her hand to push Ty Lee away, the acrobat backed off and hung her head. Tears were rolling down her cheeks.

"You believe in anything, don't you?" Azula sneered, and Ty Lee nodded with a sob. "Well, fine. Believe in love if you're stupid. I don't care what you do."

It wasn't an exact apology, but Ty Lee had been around Azula long enough to recognize that it was one.

"You mean that?" Ty Lee sniffled. Azula shrugged, and suddenly found herself in a bone-crushing hug and laughter. "You're so funny, Azula."

"Get off me," Azula grunted, pushing her away, and looked over her shoulder. Mai and Zuko were gathering up their belongings and heading back to the palace. "They're leaving. Let's go before they come down here."

"Okay," Ty Lee replied with a smile, and cartwheeled her way down the path.

Before following, though, Azula leaned back against the tree, arms crossed again, replaying what had just happened in her mind. Her heart was still beating out of her chest and her palms were sweating. She was never nervous. It was her leftover anger from the argument with Ty Lee. It had been pointless to fight over it, anyways.

So why, why, why in all the Fire Nation did she want to kiss her?