Scene: Late evening outside the Fire Nation royal gardens. Lanterns sway softly in the breeze. Sokka has just finished checking on a couple of night patrols when a messenger hawk lands on his shoulder with a tiny, sharp-looking scroll tied to its leg.
Written in Azula’s precise handwriting:
Still at the training grounds?
Are you available for a late dinner?
Sokka snorts. He sends back a scribbled:
Cut to the Palace Garden Entrance
Azula stands alone under a lantern. Her foot taps. Uncontrolled. She keeps adjusting her shoulder guard for no reason.
Sokka: “Too much fire tea?”
Sokka: “Sure... what’s up?”
Azula: "This isn't what I look like…"
She gestures vaguely at herself.
Sokka: "I don't totally know what you mean, but, okay?"
Azula: “The… version of me you see. The princess. The armor. The hair. They make me..." she grimaces. “Doesn't matter I'm just going to show you. Are you good with that?”
Sokka: “I… have absolutely no idea what's about to happen, so, this is very exciting.”
Azula stares at him and then mutters.
Azula: “Temper your expectations.”
She pulls off her crown pin.
Her hair falls, not perfectly shaped, not weaponized.
Just hair. She unclasps her armor plates, letting them drop silently onto the grass.
Azula, unmasked. Younger. Softer. Not weak, just… real.
Sokka blinks.
Then... He laughs. Quietly. In disbelief.
Azula: “You’re… disappointed?”
Sokka: “Disappointed? Are you kidding?” he gestures helplessly at her. “I can’t tell if you’re joking or if I’m joking.”
Azula: “It’s a big difference!”
Sokka: “What? You’re… what? Slightly less pointy? That’s your big secret?”
Azula: “And a brunette. And-” she glances down. “An inch shorter without the boots. People have expectations. They never meet me first, they meet the princess. It’s hard to live up to.”
Gentle. Close enough that she could burn him without trying. Close enough that she doesn’t.
He cups her neck lightly, asking for permission without words. She doesn’t stop him. Azula exhales, tension leaving her shoulders like steam.
The kiss is soft.
Steady.
Shockingly warm.
When they part, Azula murmurs:
Azula: “…You really didn’t hate it?”
Sokka: “Azula, I think that was the highlight of my entire Fire Nation experience.”
She rolls her eyes, but she’s smiling. The real kind.
Azula: “Don’t get used to it.”
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