As Long As We’re Together - Sokkla Saturdays 2024
Day 7: Part Two
FF.net & AO3
Sequel of my last week's entry. Part One.
Sokka insisted on eating some food. He took them to a restaurant. Despite herself, Azula accepted Sokka's treat. She was hungry. They sat outside and kept staring at each other questioningly after ordering their food.
"Well, are you going to explain what's going on?" Sokka finally asked.
"Are you going to explain what's going on with you?" Azula asked back.
"I asked first. Besides, why would the Fire Nation Princess cry alone on creepy streets in a completely different nation form Hers, wearing an apron?"
Azula actually smiled a little at that. He was right. Her situation was in fact weirder. Sokka couldn't help but smile back at her.
"I escaped. Zuko arranged a marriage for me behind my back." she told him blatantly.
"He what?! Is he out of his mind?" Sokka said leaning slightly over the table, clearly taken aback.
"Yeah, I thought so too." Azula said.
"How did you learn of this?"
"I heard Uncle Iroh telling him, it was about time Zuko finally told me that he planned to marry me off. Before he could do that I ran away. We have been on good terms with my brother since the war ended, but his bond with our uncle is worrisome in my eyes." Azula explained. She looked down sadly.
Sokka felt a surge of anger. Zuko had his flaws, but he has been motivated to be a good brother Azula. He asked Sokka for advice on that once. How did it come to that? It was clearly Iroh’s doing but Zuko still shouldn’t accept that. Azula was right, Iroh was too much influence on Zuko.
But saying this wouldn’t help the situation. Sokka needed to reassure her that he would stand by her side. Surely helping someone you know was natural. But he felt his protectiveness more than just that. He wouldn't allow Azula to feel alone. She didn't have an easy life either.
He slid his hand toward hers on the table and took her fingers gently in his palm. It was Azula's turn to be taken aback now.
"I will do anything in my power to help you and protect you Azula. I'm with you, as long as you allow me to. You can trust me."
His eyes were blazing with honesty.
Before she could say anything, the waiter brought their food, and the pleasant touch of their fingers ended.
"Your turn now." Azula said when they started eating.
"Why would a warrior like you, who is best friend with the Avatar walk on creepy streets with an apron on himself?" Her voice slightly teasing.
Sokka huffed.
"I lost a bet."
Azula broke into laughter. Sokka would have gotten mad if it hadn’t been the first time he saw her laugh. Her laughter made him blush instead of angry.
"How did that happen?" she asked forcing her laughter to stop.
"We made a bet with my sister. I might have gone a little overboard and told her she would never be able to beat me at a "boomerang race". She said if I lost, I'd work in this teashop for a week. "
Azula broke into a stronger laughter this time.
"I tripped and fell down Azula! Otherwise, there is no way she could have beaten me!" Sokka squeaked.
Still, she couldn't stop laughing. Sokka looked rather cute while he explained his story.
"Glad I could improve your mood princess."
"I'm sorry Sokka, I just can't..." she tried to say in between laughter.
Sokka joined her laughter soon enough.
They ate, laughed, and talked leisurely. It felt genuinely nice to be in each other's company.
Working in the teashop didn't feel horrible anymore. They joked around. From the outside it looked like they were glad to be in this situation. After their shift ended they would hang out in a restaurant and go for a walk.
Until their good mood shifted, when certain people entered the teashop right before it was closing time. It was the third day for Azula in Ba Sing Se.
Zuko arrived with Katara, Aang and Toph next to him. He left his soldiers outside the teashop.
Her brother looked worried, she had to give him that.
“Azula, what is that? I barely slept for days in worry something might have happened!” he said roughly.
Azula gave her brother a harsh glare, but before she could say anything Sokka gave her a short reassuring look and rushed toward Zuko. Anger pouring off him.
"Are you out of your mind? How can you do something like this to your sister Zuko?!" Sokka yelled.
"Calm down Sokka." Zuko replied furrowing his eyebrows.
"You can't force her to do anything you hear me?" Sokka told him.
Zuko found his explosion a little too much but responded anyway. He tried to at least. Because Katara burst into laughter.
All eyes turned to her.
"Hey Sokka, can you give us some tea." she said.
"Oh, nice apron Sokka." Aang began laughing too.
"I am sure Azula's apron looks much better." Toph teased now. She knew the Princess was working here too.
Sokka just growled.
Zuko's eyes landed on his sister.
"Azula, I was never going to force you to anything. You are my sister, and I really wish you trust me." Zuko actually looked sad.
"I heard Iroh talking to you about how you should tell me that you plan a marriage for me." Azula said.
"Did you hear the rest of it?" Zuko asked. He looked at Sokka and then at Azula again. An interesting situation was happening.
"I told uncle that I never planned such a thing. Then he asked me if he could make you a suggestion. But before that I wanted to talk to you of course."
"Isn't this just perfect?" Toph said smirking.
"What?" Azula and Sokka asked in unison.
Katara started laughing again.
"What's so funny now huh?" Sokka asked annoyed.
"The person Uncle Iroh suggested you marry Azula..." Zuko started.
He paused, closing his eyes. Maybe this whole thing was a sign.
"Uncle believes you guys would match very good together." Zuko said.
Time seemed to stand still. Azula looked at her brother, then at Sokka who looked just as stunned as her. Katara and Toph smirked and Aang winked at her, looking happy.
"My brother and you." Katara interrupted.
Azula and Sokka were standing side by side, but their heads turned to the side so they could see each other's eyes.
"Well, I spied on you guys and sensed your feelings for one another flourishing." Toph whispered to herself. For she could feel how happy they were in each other's company.
