#i wish it didn't feel like a chore but lately it always does

[kindacreepy-kindaugly]

.....I forgot to answer him.

[daenysx]

hi love <3

first off i wanted to say that i find myself lurking in your blog way too much than I should (i mean i have a life and i cant spend all day reading your fics, OR CAN I?) and i love how you write and hejsusjsjsj you just make my day, so i hope you’re having a wonderful day gorgeous💗

second of all, can i please request either a poly marauders or a sirius (or James whichever you think fits the story better) x fem reader where her birthday passed and just no one seemed to really care except for the boys? Some of her friends forgot and some others gave a half hearted birthday wish and she just feels sort of unloved? and just lots of hurt/comfort/cuddles/fluff hehe thanks

if u cant tell, im projecting🤧 my birthday was on the 9th and lets just say it was not that important of a deal for most people :)

you are the sweetest angel, my love, happy late birthday!! i'm really sorry, you deserved the best birthday and i hope you can accept this little fic as your birthday gift!! ♡

it's my first time writing for poly!marauders, please share your thoughts with me!!

poly!marauders x fem!reader, fluff + a little hurt/comfort

your cheeks ache from giving smiles to your boys all day.

it wasn't an eventful birthday for you, but it was so so nice. you woke up to kisses from james, his whispers of sweet nothings as remus came back to your side from kitchen. sirius's hair was wet from the shower he took as he does every morning, you and james watched how remus took care of his curls from bed. you spent more than an hour just staying in bed, feeling more loved than ever with their words and kisses.

when remus finally convinced you to leave the bed, james offered to carry you in his arms all the way to kitchen. "anything for my birthday girl." he said, your lovely boy. sirius kissed your lips as he handed you a cup of coffee, pancakes and fruits were just like you enjoy. a perfect birthday breakfast, you laughed at every joke sirius made, accepted every forehead kiss from james. remus was giving you heart eyes, you blushed from the attention you got. he gave you an easy smile and you blew him a kiss.

the boys had plenty of offers for your birthday celebration but you decided to stay at home. you wanted a quiet day with them, just being lazy and careless. thinking about wishes and dreams about your new age. you liked how easy it was to do as you wanted with them, no explanations or excuses needed.

you could hear the whispers coming from kitchen when james got you comfy on his chest, cuddling on the couch. he kissed your hair, your arms tightened around his body. legs tangled, fingers curled up on his shirt.

you checked your phone, the screen was bright, showing there's a birthday message from lily. you smiled, replied her long text. there were other texts from a few of your friends. well, technically they were birthday messages but- none of them felt like they actually wished you the happiest birthday. why would people text like celebrating someone's birthday is a chore? you frowned, couldn't accept the fact that you were in fact, waiting for something better. didn't you deserve it?

james noticed how your smile fell, he could see the texts on the screen. "happy birthday, love u." that girl was supposed to be one of your closest friends. you really were expecting something more- heartfelt? you always tried to make sure people you like know how much they are liked by you, texted the sweetest messages to them, cared about their birthdays more than yours. it didn't feel fair. still, you didn't want to jump into conclusions and ruin your day. you let go of your phone to wrap your arms around james.

he held you gently, kissing you again. "anything wrong?" he whispered. you shook your head. it was nothing important. he nodded, giving you a little time to collect your thoughts.

"angel." he said, "there's something here you may want to see."

you looked up, saw your boyfriends holding a birthday cake for you. it was beautiful, covered in silver colored candles. remus held the cake for you to see better as you sat up, the candles were definitely sirius's choice. you forgot about the texts, seeing them smile at you like you were the most precious thing in the whole world was making your head dizzy with affection.

you blew the candles, making a wish. james's fingers were drawing circles on your arm. you kissed your boyfriends thank you, a slow but happy tear rolled on your cheek. "come on, sweetheart, there's nothing to cry about. you're still young." sirius said, winking. his lips were curved into a playful smile.

"let's eat the cake." you said. "god, it looks so good."

"you remember remus's friend who owns a bakery? we got the cake from his shop." james said.

"who, charles?" you asked, remembering details about charles for a second. "i always see the cakes he makes on instagram, he's really good."

"first slice for the birthday girl." remus said, giving you your cake. "happy birthday, sweetheart. we love you so much."

"i love you so much." you said before taking a bite. "it's delicious. thank you."

sirius ate his own slice in three seconds. "this is better than i expected. another slice, please moony."

you kissed his chocolate covered lips fondly. hours were spent on eating cake, gossipping about sirius's workplace, drinking tea, and changing into different cuddling positions. your phone was silent, no one called. there were no other texts. it's weird, you thought. even the people who celebrated their birthdays with you didn't bother to give you a small text.

the day is almost finished, you are full with cake and sweets. james insists on doubling up the princess treatment he gives you every day and helps you with your skincare. you are sitting on bed as his fingers apply your night cream on your achy cheeks, sirius and remus brush their teeth at the bathroom after you and james leave for bed. your hand reaches to your phone. nothing.

"i think," james starts. "it's time you should tell me what's been on your mind all day."

you shrug. what can you tell? expecting birthday wishes from people feels weird. maybe they forgot. maybe they didn't care enough. should you remind them it's your birthday? no, that's stupid. is it? you don't know.

"what's upsetting my baby on her birthday?" he says. "tell me."

"there's something upsetting our baby?" sirius steps in after remus. "what happened?"

you give them a smile that says you're okay. "nothing." you start. remus's eyes find yours, worry sparks in them. "it's just- the girls and my friends from work- some of them forgot about my birthday, and other messages were a bit weird."

"i'm sorry." remus says, holding your hand. "i'm really sorry about that, angel."

"it's okay." you say. "i mean, no one has to remember."

"um, yeah, they kinda have to at some point." sirius says. "you do your best to remember things about your friends and you have every right to expect the same from them."

"i know." you say. you know, but what can you do?

james leans in to kiss your cheek. "i know it's terrible. you don't deserve it. i think- it's not your fault, yeah? you didn't do anything wrong. you deserve the best."

he says the last part silently like he's sad and it breaks your heart. they tried to make your day perfect, they don't deserve to end it sad. you don't deserve to sleep upset on your birthday. you look into james's eyes. "i already have the best." you say. "have you seen our boyfriends?"

you are being sweet on him. "have you seen yourself?" you say, pulling his face to kiss him. he smiles into the kiss. "i'm okay, really." you say.

"of course you are." sirius says. "in what world the birthday girl goes to bed upset?"

remus brushes a kiss on sirius's curls. they are lovely, sitting up in bed to comfort you the best they can. you need a bit time, you think. it's a hard thing to carry, feeling like you are not loved by some people you care about. it's not fair to the boys though. you are so incredibly loved by them and you feel it in your every breath. you can think about the others later. for now, you only need to show your love to your boys. the three people who deserve it the most.

[magniloquent-raven]

Day 4: Supportive Boyfriends

and for my next (LATE, SO LATE) @bucktommypositivityweek contribution. KITTEN FIC.

(read on ao3)

**

The 118 doesn't have a baby box.

In fact there aren't any in the state of California at all. Buck looked it up, after Maddie's postpartum episode. When half his family was missing and there wasn't much he could do besides wait and... think about things.

So he thought about safe haven laws. Read up on the training seminars for first responders who want to be better equipped to deal with hand-offs. Read a bunch of other stuff he sort of wishes he hadn't. Spent the next week haunted by articles about abandoned children.

He considered talking to Bobby about it. Only partly to ask him if they should get a box for the firehouse. Partly because Buck wasn't sure how he felt about the whole thing, and Bobby always seemed to have answers. But he never worked up the nerve to broach the subject.

And now. Bobby's not captain anymore, and Buck really can't imagine Gerrard giving a shit about any of this.

So, they don't have a box. But.

Well, this isn't a human baby. It's not like the same rules apply.

Buck has to wonder if wires got crossed somewhere, because. Someone left a kitten. Outside the firehouse.

Buck was just going to grab something—he can't remember what—from his Jeep, when he spotted an unlabelled cardboard box on the pavement, up against the side of the building. His first thought was bomb.

Until it meowed at him. A tiny, high-pitched peep of a meow.

Kind of scared the shit out of him, if he's being honest.

There's only one. All alone in the box. A poofy grey thing wriggling around half buried in an off-white towel. Like a very ambitious dust bunny with big round blue eyes and skinny legs. It wobbles slowly over a fold in the towel with all the effort of someone scaling a mountain.

Buck crouches next to the box, and pokes a finger inside.

"Hey, buddy," he murmurs, holding very still while the kitten inches towards his hand and squeaks. It's unclear whether there are teeth in that little maw. That means it's really young, right? Too young to be left alone for very long.

Shit, how is he going to explain this to Gerrard? He's still got, like, 12 hours left on his shift, but someone has to feed this thing. How long can kittens go without food?

Oh, it does have teeth. Really teeny ones. They're ineffectively poking his knuckle.

Buck fishes his phone out of his jacket—with the hand that isn't currently being drooled on—intending to go to Google for answers. How to figure out how old a kitten is. How often do kittens need to be fed. Do cats get separation anxiety. He has a million questions.

Only he doesn't pull up his browser. He calls Tommy.

It's a whim. Barely a seed of an idea. But when he unlocked his phone the first thing he saw was their text history (he'd been complaining about Gerrard off-and-on all morning, and Tommy had been sending random updates about all the chores he'd been getting done—his last message was a picture of a mop with no context) and he just thought... Tommy will know what to do. Not in so many words, more a feeling. Comfort and certainty, just from seeing Tommy's picture in a little bubble at the top of his screen.

"Evan?" Tommy answers almost immediately, and there's a subtle undercurrent of worry in his tone. Buck winces. Right, calling out of the blue while he's at work would look. Bad.

"I'm okay!" He says quickly, all in one breath. Then pauses. The kitten squints up at him, meowing again, long and loud. Its whole fluffy face scrunches with the effort.

"...What was that?"

"Uh. That would be why I called, actually."

—

Gerrard is less of an obstacle than Buck feared he'd be. Because he's holed up in his office doing paperwork when Buck sneaks in with the kitten, and Buck's decided he has no intention of letting him know the cat was ever here.

Tommy promised he'd come get her.

Buck didn't even really ask, and wasn't planning on asking. Didn't have any plan whatsoever, in fact. He just wanted to know if Tommy knew anything about taking care of kittens, and suddenly Tommy's voluntarily sacrificing the rest of his day off to scope out vets and pet supply stores and whatever else Buck's helpless little friend might need.

He hung up hours ago and his insides still feel warm and goopy about it. He can't stop thinking about the gentle fondness that softened Tommy's voice after Buck explained the situation. Buck would wrap himself up in it like a blanket if he could.

Tommy's getting so kissed when he shows up.

In the meantime, Buck's sitting upstairs, working his way through the dozen or so tabs he opened up after googling kitten care.

He thinks the one he found might be around three weeks old (ears not quite unfurled, can't sheathe claws yet, legs unsteady but mobile). And possibly a girl. She did not care for being picked up and turned over, and the indignant squirming made it difficult to tell what's going on down there. But he's almost certain he's right.

She was shrieking up a storm about it, and he was worried if he took any longer she'd alert Gerrard. (She didn't. She did, however, draw the attention of about half the firehouse.)

"You are disgustingly cute," Chimney coos, scratching under her chin with the tip of one finger. She's lifted her head as high as she can and her eyes are squinted happily. Buck can hear her purring from across the room. "Yes you are. Hen, can you get a picture of this?"

Hen pulls out her phone. "Sure... why?" She asks, leaning over his shoulder to snap a picture and eye him with mild suspicion.

"Jee. She'll wanna see when I tell her about my day."

Her expression softens to a smile. "I'll text it to you." She taps her screen a couple times. "Just had to make sure you weren't planning on calendar campaigning again."

Chimney grins. "Nah, my calendar days are behind me. The only person who gets shirtless pictures of me now is my wife."

"Gross," Buck says without conviction. He narrows his eyes at the site he's scrolling through, swiping away a Join Our Mailing List! popup. "You guys don't think she's cold do you? Are her ears warm? It's only, like, 70 today and we don't know how long she was out there."

Hen and Chim exchange glances, and then, disturbingly in sync, look from the cat to Buck. Chim gives her ear a perfunctory poke, which she does not appreciate as much as chin scritches, "She's fine, man."

Hen waves a hand at Buck when he opens his mouth again, "We're medical professionals. And in my medically professional opinion. She's fine."

"Okay, but—"

"Hey guys, look who stopped b—uhhh. Is that a cat?" Eddie slows to a stop at the top of the stairs, blinking at the kitten on the couch. "When did we get a cat?"

"Couple hours ago," Buck says, still frowning at Hen and Chimney. "Where have you been?"

"I found him polishing the engine."

Buck shoots out of his seat. "Tommy!"

He only half-hears Eddie muttering, "Favouritism," as he scuttles around the chair to meet Tommy halfway between the stairs and the sitting area. Tommy has just enough time to smile—and it warms Buck, like it always does, with a spark caught in his chest for safekeeping—and say hi before Buck's on him, palms clapped on either side of his face, smushing their lips together.

He makes a bit of a show of it, dramatically swooping in, because he knows the big smacking MWAH will make Tommy laugh, and he likes the way that feels rumbling against his chest.

Buck taps their noses together. "Hey," he says, savouring the mirth sparkling in Tommy's eyes for a second before kissing him again, properly this time.

His brain goes sort of fuzzy when Tommy's palm cups the back of his neck.

Someone in the distance wolf-whistles.

When they finally come up for air Tommy asks, "What was that for?" a little breathlessly, which is doing things to Buck.

"Mmn...y'know. For being you."

Tommy raises his eyebrows, kiss-reddened lips curling fondly. "Okay."

"Hey, Tommy. Good to see you," Chim calls in a very pointed way.

Right, public setting. Workplace. Friends watching. Buck exhales slowly, and tries to think about anything other than how much he wants to bite that bit of clavicle peeking out of the collar of Tommy's shirt. Like the fact that Tommy's hands are warm, and he's sort of rubbing his fingertips over the short stubbly bits of hair on the back of Buck's head, and Buck's lips are still tingling a little, and—no wait, not that either.

Tommy pulls away first, which is probably for the best, but also very sad. The corner of his mouth twitches like he can see Buck thinking it. He curls his index finger and gently taps Buck's chin with the knuckle before he turns to the group.

"Howie," he says, not even pretending to be contrite in the face of Chim's mock-judgement. "Hen."

"Tommy." Hen fails to contain her smirk.

Some time during all the kissing, Eddie moved over to the couch. He's sat next to the kitten, watching her attempt to groom her paw with all the grace of a toddler who's only a little bit sure they know how to hold a brush. She keeps starting and stopping at random intervals, sometimes licking the cushion beside her, sometimes sticking her tongue out at thin air.

She's so cute it makes Buck's chest hurt. It's a little much while he's still loopy from making out with his boyfriend.

Then Tommy goes and crouches next to the couch so he can get eye-level with the kitten while she sniffs his hand, talking to her all calm and soft with smile-lines crinkling his cheeks, and. Buck might need to lie down for a bit. Like, on top of Tommy, preferably.

The kitten seems to like him too, and he really can't blame her when she crawls up Tommy's sleeve to perch on his shoulder.

She looks so much smaller cuddled up on Tommy. He reaches up to steady her, and she's almost entirely obscured by his hand.

God, is it wrong that he's getting a little hot under the collar about that? He just looks so strong and competent and at the same time, like, gentle. Buck knows how it feels to be touched tenderly by those hands, and apparently just seeing it happen does not affect him any less. In fact it's only added dimensions to his desires.

"I should probably get going," Tommy says, bringing Buck back down to Earth with a resounding splat.

He opens his mouth to protest, then closes it. He's right. The last thing Buck wants is for Tommy to have another run-in with Gerrard, and they don't know how long the old bastard's gonna be occupied.

"Mhm, run while you still can," Chimney pipes up. "Before our dear old captain smells an opportunity to ruin someone's day."

"He does seem to have a sixth sense for that," Eddie adds sullenly. Buck makes a note to ask him what that was about. Later.

"I'll walk you out," Buck says, trying not to sound like a pouting child. He's fairly certain he fails, because Tommy laces their fingers together and gives his hand a comforting squeeze.

He says his goodbyes, the whole time being careful not to dislodge the kitten while she crawls across his shoulders.

Buck goes through the list of kitten care basics he memorized as they make their way to the parking lot. It's...more than he thought it was, honestly. It starts to feel overwhelming as he goes on, and on, and on. He's running out of time to get it all out, and he feels like it's just now sinking in his huge this responsibility that he's dumping in Tommy's lap is.

"You're sure you don't mind taking her?" The question bursts out of Buck before they make it to Tommy's car. "W-we didn't really, I mean. We talked about it over the phone, but..."

"Yeah, now that I've seen her she does seem like a real handful."

The kitten yawns, and curls up into a tiny grey ball in the crook of Tommy's neck.

Well. Alright.

"It's just, t-they need a lot of attention when they're that young, and I kinda just, just dropped this on you."

"Evan." Tommy gives him a look. "Are you worried that you baby-trapped me?"

Okay, when he puts it like that. Maybe a little bit. But also now he's having complicated yearning feelings that he really should not be having this early in the relationship.

Buck's pretty sure he looks like a deer in the headlights right now, because Tommy's doing his damnedest to pretend he isn't laughing at him.

He tugs Buck's hand, leading him the rest of the way to his car.

The backseat is full of cat stuff. Containers of milk-replacement powders, and a shiny plastic litter box, and toys, so many toys, baggies of fake mice and feathery things, just. So much stuff. Piles of it.

"I called up a friend who used to foster kittens. She had a lot of advice. And then I got a little carried away."

"I, uh. See that," Buck laughs breathlessly.

"Over the phone, you sounded like this meant a lot to you? And I think I got really attached to the idea of...this. Taking care of her for you. With you." He sounds hesitant, like he's trying not to say too much, and Buck can't stand it—

"I love you so much," he says in a rush.

"Well, good," Tommy purses his lips around a smile, eyes bright and crinkled at the corners. He reaches up to his shoulder, like he's absent-mindedly checking to see if the kitten's still there. "Wouldn't want her to grow up in a broken home."

Buck huffs a laugh.

"And I love you too."

[elisiafarias]

Now that there is the Bi han x Sektor ship, can you write about what would happen if Bi han was unfaithful to the reader with Sektor?

It hurts to write this, my heart breaks.

Bi han being unfaithful to you with Sektor

You and Bi Han have been together for a long time, your relationship was going very well although he was a man with a cold personality, you had managed to unfreeze his heart, he loved you although he was not very good at showing it.

You've been noticing lately that the cryomancer has been quite frustrated and angry with his brothers, because they're challenging him a lot lately, you have always managed to make his anger go away, but these days he just doesn't pay attention to you.

However lately you have noticed that he has been working a lot with Sektor in secret.You didn't know what he was up to, you just knew it was a project

For you, she was simply a coworker of Bi Han, after all, she was his right hand.

He came to bed late tonight. The Grandmaster began to change his clothes

-My love, I've been waiting for you.- You told him sweetly.

-It is not your obligation to do it wife-He answered coldly.

Deep down that bothered you, although you were used to him still being cold sometimes.

-Well, but I do it because we haven't shared much lately..Tell me, what are you working on lately?.- You asked him understandingly while you were sitting on the bed.

However, you saw a doubt in your husband's expression. Deep down, Bi Han didn't know if you would support his project, because lately you were defending his brothers from his cruel comments.

-Why are you so interested? .- The cryomancer asked without looking at you.

That answer, although it wasn't cruel, hurt you, you felt as if your relationship with him was going backwards.

The silence was noticed in the room

You just sighed and walked towards him, he was without his top clothes while he held his clothes in his hand.

When you got to where he was, you gently took off the clothes he was holding in his hands and handed them over to him.

-Bi han, I am your wife and I love you, I want you to share your visions and desires with me, i will understand.-You told him sweetly while you caressed his hands

At first you could only see his expression... as if he regretted something.

However, his response was to lightly caress your head and place a kiss on your forehead.

-You will soon understand.- He replied calmly.

You just nodded and hugged him, but you didn't like the fact that he didn't trust you.

But you knew that he was sharing his visions with Sektor, after all he trusted her more than you... Shouldn't it be the other way around? Does he see her as a lover? Would he be able to feel attraction towards her?

"NO" You tell yourself, "he only cares about his goals He may have many flaws but he wouldn't be unfaithful to me."

You thought as you lay there, while your husband slept next to you

On the cryomancer's side, he felt somewhat confused about his feelings...something unusual about him, he was only clear that he loved you even in an unconditional way, but lately Sektor was fulfilling his wishes and visions for the Lin Kuei.

Until now he hasn't been unfaithful to you, but his approaches with Sektor lately make him awaken a carnal desire towards her. What is it that excites him so much about her? Would he now be able to love her as he loves you?... impossible.

He loved you yes, he had no doubt about that, however his fidelity towards you was being put to the test by his right hand.

The next day you woke up before your husband, so you gave him a chaste kiss on his cheek.He felt the urge to take you to bed again, but you quickly went off to do your thing, you had a lot of chores today.

He then went to fulfill his duties with the Lin Kuei, later he would meet with Sektor, They have invested a lot in this project.

Your husband had been unexpectedly summoned by Lord Liu Kang for a mission, and he immediately went to fulfill his duty (reluctantly).

Since he was there, it was an unimportant mission (to make sure nothing happened on Earth), so the Grandmaster did not hesitate to leave early and leave his brother in charge.

Kuai Liang was annoyed by his brother's attitude, and it seemed suspicious to him, as he seemed impatient to leave, something was hidden from them. However, he took charge and fulfilled the duties that his brother had to fulfill.

For him and Tomas it was quite strange to see him so impatient to leave a meeting with the God of fire. Smoke was also outraged with his adoptive brother, he had something up his sleeve.

After a few days, when they finished the mission, Tomas decided to keep an eye on the Grandmaster stealthily.

Arriving at the Lin Kuei base, Smoke saw Bi Han talking to Sektor, then began to follow them without being seen.

Short story, he arrived at Bi han and Sektor's secret hideout, the place was full of technology that he had not seen before, therefore there were many things that caught his attention.

-This facility, this innovation, will bring glory to the Lin Kuei.- The Grandmaster said, intoxicated with illusion

-We will finally get out of Lord Liu Kang's slavery - Sektor said proud of her creations

¿What did they mean? Tomas wondered. For his part, he couldn't see the Project very well.

However, for Smoke, his curiosity changed when he saw the atmosphere surrounding the Grandmaster with his right hand.

-At last we will be masters of our destiny- Sektor said, staring at Bi han. It's like she's read the cryomancer's thoughts.

Then they were getting closer and closer...

-Yes...finally we will be- said the cryomancer wrapped in ambition and desire

Then in the blink of an eye Sektor put his arms around the Grandmaster's neck and began to kiss him passionately, Bi han for his part let himself be carried away by emotion

He reciprocated her kisses, then began to lift her from the waist as he began to kiss her body ...¿What was he thinking? Nothing, he was just going with the flow.

Tomas looked at this scene in shock. How could he do that to you? Was he losing his mind? He was many things but I could swear that he was in love with y/n. He was different with y/n. The adoptive brother thought, outraged by the cryomancer's actions.

He had seen enough, so he quickly left the place without giving any suspicion.

When leaving the place, he spent the whole afternoon thinking about how to tell you what he just saw, you deserved to know the truth, Smoke felt that Bi Han did not deserve you. And about the projects he saw, he honestly didn't understand anything, he didn't know what it was about but he would tell Kuai Liang about it later.

Unlike his adopted brother, you were always good to him and you used to defend him when Bi han treated him badly. Tomas didn't want to see you suffer, and telling you what he saw of your husband would destroy you and change everything in the Lin Kuei establishment.

However, in the end he felt that you deserve to know the truth, although he is worried about your reaction, about the project he would tell Kuai Liang later

So he waited for you at the door of your room, he knew that the cryomancer would be late.

When you arrived, you noticed Tomas at the door of your room, you quickly understood that something was wrong.

-Tomas, are you okay? - You asked him.

However, instead of answering you, Smoke gently took your hand and quickly led you to your room, closing the door hastily.

-¿What happened?- You asked worriedly, maybe there was an attack at the establishment? You thouhgt

Tomas put his hands on your shoulders.

-Y/n believe me, it's not easy for me to give you this news... it's about Bi Han- said the Lin Kuei with a guilty tone.

You got nervous, you just imagined that something had happened to your beloved husband.

-Something happened to Bi Han.?- You asked worriedly.

He began to shake his head in denial.

-No...Y/N Bi Han doesn't deserve you.- he began to explain to you trying to find the words

-What are you talking about? - You asked trying to calm him down.

-Bi han... he's cheating on you.- He finally said...You just looked at him confused.You knew your husband was acting weird, but cheating on you?

Deep down you knew he would never lie about something like that.

-What? In what sense is he cheating on me?-You asked again, you didn't want to accept what was happening.

-With Sektor...he's cheating on you with her-He said in a guilty tone, as if it were his own.

At that moment you were still in denial mode.

-Tomas, you're very sweet to worry about me, but I know that Bihan is working with Sektor alone, but that doesn't mean that he's being unfaithful to me.- You started to say, however Smoke put his hand to his forehead and said to you;

-I saw them Y/N, they were kissing, it was mutual - Tomas said in a louder tone, He was not going to be more explicit about what he saw so as not to destroy you further.

At that moment reality hits you suddenly. Smoke would never invent something like that

How could he? Did he really love you? Why did he do it? What was Bihan thinking? Then he didn't really love you. You thought.

All the illusions and impressions you had of him were fading away.

You had so many things on your mind, the look you gave Tomas was that of a girl with a broken heart.

You were in shock, you felt a lump in your throat. The husband you loved with all your heart had betrayed you. All your dreams and hopes were gone.

Then you rest your hand on the little table you were standing on, holding on so you don't fall.

-How could I be such an idiot?- You said, breaking down, looking away from your friend, your tears were uncontrollable.

Tomas for his part put his hands on your shoulders while he comforted you, you just looked down, however you didn't see anything, you were thinking about your husband, you still don't understand how it was possible

He felt guilty about revealing the truth, he knew you would feel bad, but seeing you as you were now, he would have preferred things to fall into place on their own.

¿How were you going to confront him now? If you tell him that Tomas told you, Bi Han will have no mercy on him.

However, that concern went away when your husband unexpectedly opened the door.

-Y/N I was looking for you-The Grandmaster said, however he was interrupted when he saw this image.

He saw you... you turned to see him with watery eyes and an expression that was difficult to describe... Sadness, anger, indignation. And he also saw how Smoke comforted you.

-What's going on? .- He began to ask angrily. He couldn't stand seeing Smoke with you and locked in the room.

-Is it true?.- You asked him indignantly as you approached him.

-What thing? .- Asked the Grandmaster, he did not suspect anything of what Tomas saw.

-Are you cheating on me with Sektor?.- You asked him looking into his eyes.

Then the cryomancer looked angrily at his adopted brother

-What did you say to her?.- Bi han asked, already understanding the scenario he was in.

-The truth- Tomas said bravely. He knew that his sincerity would cost him dearly.

The Grandmaster began to walk towards his adopted brother with every intention of hitting him.

However, you interrupted his step by standing in front of Tomas.

-I just ask you to tell me the truth.- You said distressed putting your hands together.

Your husband looked at you with a regretful face.

-Why are you butting in where you are not wanted?-The cryomancer said angrily, glaring at his adopted brother.

With those words he said everything to you

-So it's true? ... you're cheating on me with Sektor.- You started to say with a broken heart

-Listen to me Y/N, there is nothing between me and Sektor, I am just his superior.-The Grandmaster began to deny making a stop sign with his finger. For him he wasn't really in love with Sektor, like he loved you.

-Bi han don't lie, I saw you were kissing Sektor in..- Tomas was interrupted when his brother grabbed him by his clothes, and slammed him against the wall.

-I've had enough of you- Said the Grandmaster with his patience already fading

The cryomancer was ready to hit him.

-Don't blame him for your actions.- You told him as you grabbed his arms to take him off of Tomas.- Bi han please let him go.

However, he didn't listen to you, he was intoxicated by anger, his adopted brother was ruining all his plans.

-Please let him go, for me at least- You told him trying to look him in the eyes.

Then your husband looked at you and did as you requested, but he threw Tomas in such a brutal way that he made him crash against the door.

Smoke let out a groan of pain, you immediately ran towards him. You asked him if he was okay.

-Get out of here- the Grandmaster demanded of his adopted brother.

Tomas stood up and was about to refuse.

-Don't worry Tomas, go, I'll talk to him - You said sweetly trying to calm him down.

-But Y/N - The steamy one began to say.

-I appreciate everything you've done for me, trust me I don't want any more problems- you answered trying to stay calm.

You knew that if he stayed Bihan was capable of hurting him fatally.

Tomas looked at you worried, but chose to listen to you, and he left slowly, but he would be watching from afar to make sure nothing happened to you.

Then you closed the door and looked at Bi han... if your eyes could talk of all the disappointment he had made you feel.

-Wife- The cryomancer said trying to take your hands.

However, you felt rejection towards him and you broke away. It was hard for you to look at him.

-Y/N we are progressing with Sektor in this project, we will finally be free from Liu Kang slavery, we will rule together wife, finish this and don't ruin it - The cryomancer said trying to convince you

¿Can't he apologize or take blame for his actions? You tought

-You ruined it, with your lies, your actions.- you began to say indignantly and hurt

-And now you ask me to act like a stupid and act as if none of this had happened- you told him sadly and angrily.

-It's not about that wife, we can fight to get our marriage ahead.- Your husband began to say

-It can't be done, it can't be done... it's not possible.- you told him while shaking your head.

-We can fight, we can go back as much as you want, but this will never be what it was... or even what I thought it was.- you said staring at him

-Y/N...I love you, I married you.- The cryomancer said softly, you felt like that was the closest thing to an apology from him.

-Do you love me?...*you look at him insistently* the truth is I don't think you love me anymore, because nobody cheats, nobody humiliates the person they love- You told him hurt.

You could see the regret on your husband's face, your words did reach him.

-Y/N..- The Grandmaster said trying to take you in his arms, then he put his head next to yours.-"Don't do this to me"

The Grandmaster finally said, when you heard that, you broke down again, you didn't want to lose him, you loved him, but you couldn't forgive such a betrayal easily.

You broke free from your husband's grip and headed for the door.

- I love you Bi Han... but I can't go on like this.- You said, giving him a look and saying your last goodbye. - I don't know if I can forgive you.

After saying that you left the room, you knew Bi Han very well, he would not be able to order your arrest for abandoning the Lin Kuei.

You walk aimlessly, you just couldn't stay there. You just lost the love of your life, you didn't know how to forgive him, there was no trust anymore. Would you be able to love someone as much as you loved Bi han? You don't know if you can.

You found a place to rest (the bathroom) and began to remember your entire journey with your husband, you couldn't imagine crying so much for someone, but here you were now, crying with a broken heart. You still love him, there is no doubt about that, you are able to forgive him, but you will not do it when he apologizes from the bottom of his heart.

Now you thought about your next moves, you wrote a letter to your husband, for the moment you will be with Lor Liu kang, until you are able to see him again and see whether to divorce or not.

You stealthily left the letter in your room, however your husband was not there.... where he was you did not know.

And that's how you left, you wanted to say goodbye well at least to your husband, but you could only meet Tomas and Kuai Liang who regretted the situation and were ashamed of their brother's attitude.

Bihan saw from the distance how you were leaving, he felt an emptiness inside him, he didn't know how to handle his anger at losing you. But he wouldn't force you to be with him. Deep down he regrets his actions, but his pride prevented him from begging for your forgiveness.

But now he couldn't back down, he had worked so hard and dreamed so much of freeing the Lin Kuei from Lord Liu Kang's rules that bound them. He managed to fool his brothers about his projects, their attention was diverted by what happened to you.

When he got to his room he saw your letter, when he opened it it said;

For my beloved Bi han

I hope that as you read these words you can feel the sincerity that comes from my heart. I have been reflecting a lot about us and what has happened. The truth is that what happened hurts me deeply, but I still can't help but feel immense love for you. Sometimes I wonder how we got to this point. The moments shared, the dreams we built together; All that is still alive in me. However, the betrayal has left a mark that is difficult for me to ignore. Still, I want you to know that my love for you has not disappeared. It is a love that fights, that tries to understand and forgive.

I feel that my heart will be able to forgive you when you feel it from the heart and not out of duty or obligation. I miss you and, despite everything, I love you.

With love Y/N

Upon reading that, the Grandmaster shuddered, you managed to touch his heart, he gently caressed the letter. He wanted you back, he wanted to hug you, and kiss you, yes... he regrets his actions but he doesn't know how to tell you, he loves you unconditionally that's why he doesn't force you to stay and live your pain.

His pride, as always, kept him away from you.

END

Honestly this is the hardest thing I've had to write, it hurt me to make Bi han an unfaithful UwU I hope you like it.

[winterfleursblog]

Oh baby, but it's cold outside

☆ Genre: Fluff

☆ Warnings: Just over fatigue !

☆ Pairing: Idol!Seungkwan x SoloArtist!reader

Reader is a solo artist, Seungkwan is ... Seungkwan. They met through promotions and being under the same entertainment. The two have been dating for three months now, but it seems like the reader still feels afraid of being vulnerable with him. These all changed due to a hectic day that 'took out' every last bit of energy from the reader.

It's just a week before Christmas, but it didn't feel like it—you were still finishing promotion videos, recording special covers, and the like. Although doing this was something you enjoyed, you can't help but wish for rest ... even just for a day.

"Y/n, our last two takes are in 3 minutes, let's get prepared now" said your manager, quickly waking you up from your half-asleep state. Work began to be tiring after a month without breaks, and if your manager weren't watching, you would've escaped and went to your boyfriend's filming location to hug him as you listen to his daily stories.

Things took a turn for the worse. What you thought was a 5-minute take turned into 30 minutes.

"Try holding this flavor instead"

"Hmm... wouldn't this poster be better"

"Let's try a different dress, one that would suit the new flavor's vibe better"

The company you're endorsing for came unprepared, and now you had to deal with it. Although your inner monologue has been spitting out curses since they started making sudden changes, you remained calm and professional on the outside. Sooner after the shoot was done, it was time to go home to the one you loved the most.

You absolutely adore Seungkwan. If you could give him the universe, you would. And so it became a hobby of yours to care for him each day; make sure he never leaves on an empty stomach, pamper him with the things he needs when he's in a hectic schedule, and even massage his head when he's exhausted. None of those felt like chores to you, as they felt like privileges that God has given. Your love for your boyfriend was one that didn't expect anything in return.

However, your boyfriend loves you just as much as you do. He always tries to take you home safely by personally driving, and gives gifts (which he rarely does to others!).

This day had been a tiring one, and it has ended. Now all that's left is to go home and see the love of your life after war (a long day shooting).

After the 2-hour shoot, you open your phone to missed calls and unread messages from Seungkwan.

"Where are youuu?"

"Should I pick you up now?"

" :⁠-⁠[ "

Instantly, your face lights up.

"I'm sorry boo, schedule was tight, I couldn't read them earlier"

"I'm at XXX district, I'm about to go home, don't worry"

You pack your bags to set off to go home, 'til your phone vibrates again. Seungkwan has replied in an instant despite your hour-late reply.

"Okay, I'll come there :⁠^⁠) wait for me"

There it is again, your heart beating like crazy. Being practically half-asleep right now, you start wondering if you are dreaming; but thank the heavens, you aren't. A part of you wants to tell him not to come since it's already late and he too should get some sleep, but you yourself knew you couldn't go home at this state too.

While waiting for Seungkwan, your seniors pull you over and take you along.

"Hey, that's the last shoot for this month, let's go celebrate y/n"

"But—"

"Oh come on, don't be such a kill joy"

In a matter of seconds, you find yourself dragged outside in the snow. It took all the energy you got to let go and reject their offer.

"Sorry, I really can't right now"

And then came a chorus of sighs, but it was inevitable. If you drunk now, you'd probably wind up dead tomorrow.

Out in the cold, you could no longer think straight. "Should I go back inside?" but the building is far from you now. "Where could seungkwan be?" and he has just started driving by now. "How longer will my eyes stay awake?" and you're basically sleep walking right now.

It was useless, all you could do is walk back to the building or else you'd freeze to death. Half-asleep, you start making your way back to where you were before getting dragged. With your state right now, one wrong step and you'd stumble on the snow. You start waking yourself by slapping your face, which barely made a difference. Suddenly you hear the a familiar car horn—it was Seungkwan.

He got out of the car and waved his hand to you.

"Y/n~"

Ah, it's that cute smile coupled with his chubby cheeks that made you fall for him.

"Kwa—"

The thing you so feared of happening, finally happened. You stumbled on snow and are now like a kid trying to make a snow angel. You could hear Seungkwan's giggles getting louder as he runs towards you.

"HAHAHA— are you— HAHAHA— okay?"

"you need some rest, let's go home"

You look at him with a sarcastic smile as he helps you up. As he glances at your face, his mocking slowly turns into concern.

The moment you sat on the passenger seat, you fell asleep. It was just a 10-minute ride home and you could've just waited, but the land of the dreams were already pulling you in.

Soon, you woke up to the sudden feeling of stopping. The moment you opened your eyes, it wasn't your apartment through the window that you saw; rather, your boyfriend's front camera snapping photos. He was taking selcas of you together while you were asleep.

Seeing you open your eyes, he immediately stopped giggling while posing and hid his phone.

"I saw that"

"...sorry"

"I know you like my face so much, but can't you just wait until I wake up?"

There is it, your cocky tone that makes him flustered.

"Whatever...! We're home"

You step out of the car to battle again with your fatigue. Just like the usual night routine; half shower, change clothes, and the last thing—properly remove your makeup. They put on so much makeup on you earlier that it was so hard to remove. Thanks to 'that' company's indecisiveness, your makeup remover has now run out. With no options left, you go to Seungkwan's room.

"Kwan-ah, can I borrow your makeup remover?"

He pointed to where it is—just infront of the make up desk. His makeup desk was much grand compared to yours thanks to being an idol for longer, might as well remove your makeup in his room, too.

As you were removing your makeup, you were in your last straw—using up the last bits of energy and consciousness. The cold weather wasn't any help too, now that it is lulling you to sleep. Seungkwan was scrolling through his phone, but his attention was on you minutes later as you fell asleep on his desk.

"Aigo~ Y/n"

"You haven't finished yet, you'd irritate your skin if you sleep like that"

But his efforts were futile, you were already asleep.

He took matters to his own hands. Gently, he removed your makeup for you and cleaned up right after. Since you two sleep in different rooms (something YOU yourself wished for), Seungkwan was thinking whether or not to wake you up. A part of him felt scared of you getting uncomfortable sleeping in his bed, but another just wanted to cuddle with you and adore you as you sleep.

Amid all of this thinking, he didn't realise that his shuffling woke you up.

"Oh, sorry, did I fell asleep?"

"I'll go back now, goodnight baby"

It was one of the rare moments you were vulnerable, and he knew 'cause you started calling him "baby." Now flustered and desperate to adore you as you sleep, he started retaliating.

"Ah~ Why don't you stay here for the night? C'mon, you can't even walk"

At this point, you had no sense of rationality left in you, so you just spouted out the purest of your thoughts

"But I sleep really noisy, and I don't want you to see me in the morning bare faced"

"But I want tooo~"

Seungkwan was acting like a lovesick boy, despite the fact that you two had been dating for 3 months now.

"And I...I'm shy...to sleep in the same bed as 'THE' Seungkwan"

"I promise I won't do anything weird!"

You suddenly blush

"I-I know! That's not what I meant!"

You started thinking of excuses to escape the situation when the real reason was just that your heart races every time he was near. The fangirl in you still can't believe that you're dating him, and will probably become very clingy if you slept on the same bed. With your drunken-like state because of fatigue, you made the stupidest excuse ever known.

"But... it's warmer in my room"

"Oh baby, but it's cold outside"

He himself can't believe he said such words, and is now a blushing mess.

"...I meant, it's cold on the way to your...room"

Great, now you can no longer resist.

You finally sigh in defeat and put your weight on him though a hug. He quickly understood this and helped you walk towards the bed. The second you laid down, you start wondering why his bed was much comfortable than yours. Was it the matress? The sheets? Or was it simply him being there?

Those thoughts were dismissed once he started poking your cheeks and stroking your hair.

It was the first time in your life someone not your parents has done so, and you could no longer fight your intrusive thoughts. Suddenly you hug him tightly and act all clingy. He reciprocates anyways with a forehead kiss. You two are basically fools in love right now.

"I love you all the time, but I think I love you more when you're like this"

He didn't realise that you were asleep already, and he was basically talking to himself. Still, he continued hoping that his teasing will he heard in your dreams.

"You can't even stay awake for a whole minute, how can I trust you with 20 steps to your room?"

"Ah, you've been overworking again, I told you, you aren't going to lose popularity just because you haven't done a comeback in half a year!"

"Really, you're so stubborn"

"...and I love it, too"

A few moments later, he also drifted to sleep, and whole night was just you clinging to him like some sort of koala. He enjoyed this, though, and will now coax you everyday into cuddling with him until you both fall asleep.

Extras ; [the next day] !

The next day, he woke up first, and did what he's good at—taking photos of sleeping people. This time around, though, you didn't catch him. When you woke up, he was wearing a grin that looked like it told a thousand words. Was it a cocky, embarrassed, or smitten grin?

Your thoughts weren't composed yet right now, but as soon as you realised you were sleeping on the same bed, you sit up and panic.

"W-Why am I sleeping here?? Did I do anything crazy? Oh God"

Seungkwan giggled a bit at your actions, but immediately calmed you down by giving you a recap of what happened a few hours ago—just that, it's his version now.

"Well, you were soo tired and you basically wanted some cuddles from the most handsome man in existence, and so you asked me kindly if I could shower you with love. I didn't mind doing it at all since you asked nicely."

And there it is, he's starting to get cocky again. Luckily, you remembered last night because of his twisted story.

You were about to protest until his phone switched on for the morning alarm, and you saw his lock screen to be a collage of sleeping faces. What's worse? They're all pictures of you.

He tried to hide it but it was too late.

"Hm? What's that?"

"... Nothing ...."

Since he was caught red-handed anyways, he used it instead to tease you.

"Ah, how cute, I got a sleeping koala with me~ hehehe"

This obviously was embarrassing for you and it required drastic measures.

"Kwan-ah ... what do you want?"

Your tone was serious, and that took him aback.

"Hm? ... What I want...?"

"The latest American-style store or the hamburger shop down the road ... you name it..."

"Why?"

"...in exchange for ... changing your lock screen"

He suddenly burst out into laughter and started getting all demanding.

"Hmm... can I have both?"

You look at him with a defeated expression

"Well, I have two versions of the lockscreen, can't have one showing randomly, right?"

With your sleeping face getting exposed to the other members of seventeen on the line, you just follow his request. He ends up paying for the food anyways and turns the food hunt into a date.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hello I AM ALIVE AGAIN ON TUMBLR but now writing for Seungkwan 😄 This fic is not proofread or what, PLEASE BEAR WITH ME !! thank you 😊🌸

[cirilla-fiona-riannon]

Francis Drake Main Story

Translations may not always capture the exact nuances or tone of the original text. Expect grammatical errors.

This is a rough translation.

Blank, ageless, and suspicious blogs will be blocked.

The next day, after the minor incident in town, I found Drake leisurely lying on the bench in the garden's gazebo.

Mitsuki: "Drake, is it okay for you to nap here? Isn't it almost time for work?"

Drake: "Hmm?"

He let out a tired voice as he removed the hat resting on his face.

(Hehe, he looks so sleepy.)

Draco: "Work! Work!"

Drake: "Is it that time already? *yawn*"

Hastily urged by Draco, who flew from somewhere, he stretched his hand towards me while yawning.

Drake: "Mitsuki, help me up."

Mitsuki: "Fine."

I held out my hands to help him, but instead, I ended up falling on top of him.

Mitsuki: "Kyaa!?"

Drake: "Haha, you're such a clumsy little fawn."

Mitsuki: "I can't possibly compete with your strength."

(This position is embarrassing!)

I hurriedly moved away, and Drake also sat up on his own.

(He always does things like this unexpectedly.)

I desperately calmed my pounding heart after our playful interaction and suddenly noticed that he was staring at me.

Mitsuki: "Drake, is something wrong?"

Drake: "No, it's just that living on land like this feels kinda weird."

Thinking that he might be complaining, I asked.

Mitsuki: "Are you still not used to the mansion?"

Drake: "No, it’s not that. It's just that I've spent most of my life on the sea, getting into brawls, fighting to survive, and all that."

Drake: "But here, I have a home, a proper job, and someone to see me off and welcome me back."

Drake: "It's so peaceful that it's almost dull."

(Drake?)

He let out a wry smile, perhaps feeling the gap between the past and the present.

Draco: "Time! Late!"

Drake: "Alright, alright. I'll be off then, little fawn."

Mitsuki: "Okay. Take care!"

I watched as he adjusted his hat and walked away, carrying Draco on his shoulder.

Later, while doing chores in the kitchen, I remembered his words.

(He was just like Napoleon and Jean in his first life.)

(This might probably be the first time he's experienced a life without battles.)

I hadn't asked him in detail about his past, but occasionally, I could sense a chilling indifference in his voice, gaze, and gestures.

It was likely a facet of his character shaped by his previous life, but...

(He was known as a demon by his enemies back then.)

Though he still seemed uncertain about his current life, I hoped his life would be calm and fulfilling, like a calm sea.

(But he didn't wish to be resurrected himself, so he might not know what would fulfill him.)

(Come to think of it, before...)

------------Flashback------------

Drake: "But if I had to forcibly say something I left unfinished, it would be to set sail and reach the ends of the sea, even if destruction awaits me."

Dazai: "A poetic and romantic dream for someone like you. Not fearing danger is what one would expect from a captain who has circumnavigated the world."

Drake: "Right?"

---------Flashback Ends---------

When Isaac asked him if there was anything unfinished from his previous life, Drake gave that answer.

(Reaching the ends of the sea?)

(Maybe it was something he was willing to risk everything for.)

This seemingly unfinished dream suggested that his heart was still drawn to the sea.

(Paris does have rivers, but there's no sea here.)

As I absentmindedly organized the empty wine bottles, I suddenly remembered something.

(That's right!)

Mitsuki: "Sebastian, may I have one small empty bottle, please?"

Sebastian: "Sure, but what are you going to use it for?"

Mitsuki: "Fufu, I'm thinking of making a sea."

I returned Sebastian's puzzled look with a smile, thinking of Drake.

(I wonder how Drake would react. I hope he would be even slightly happy.)

My heart leaped with excitement at the secret joy I had discovered.

After finishing my work at the mansion, I came alone to the Seine River for my meetup with Karen.

(I might have arrived a bit early. Karen doesn't seem to be here yet.)

While searching for her, I remembered our conversation from the other day.

------------Flashback------------

Drake: "Mitsuki, I might be meddling, but I don't think that kid will come."

---------Flashback Ends--------

(Drake said that, but...)

I couldn't tell if that girl was lying or not.

(A promise is a promise. All I can do is believe and wait.)

And so, I raised my head and waited for her to come.

However, even after the promised time had passed, she didn't show up.

The sun began to set, and the clear blue sky turned into twilight.

(Karen isn't coming.)

(I wonder if something happened on her way here. Maybe her mother's health worsened.)

I worried about various possibilities, but ultimately, I didn't know the reason.

(If nothing happened, that would be the best, but...)

I don't think that kid will come.

Drake's words kept replaying in my head.

If he was right and she had no intention of keeping the promise from the start, then...

(That's a little sad.)

I wasn't fixated on getting the money back. I was just a little down that she broke her promise.

I leaned against a street lamp and crouched down. Then, suddenly, my surroundings were covered in darkness.

Drake: "See, I told you. You believed and ended up losing."

I looked up, and there he was, shrugging his shoulders in exasperation.

Mitsuki: "Drake..."

Drake: "How about I sweep away that gloomy feeling of yours, little fawn?"

He extended his hand to me.

Drake: "Care to join me on a boat date, Mademoiselle?"

Mitsuki: "Wow!"

I couldn't help but squeal as I boarded the boat.

The stars twinkled like silver in the sky, and the reflected city lights shimmered on the river.

The boat moved through this scene as if it were a ship crossing the sea of the night sky.

Mitsuki: "The Seine River during the day was fun, but at night, it's magical and lovely."

Drake: "I'm glad you're enjoying it. Oh, but don't expect too much from my tourguiding skills, okay?"

Mitsuki: "In the first place, is it really okay for a boatman to be a tour guide?"

We exchanged smiles, and my mood had lightened without me even realizing it.

Mitsuki: "Drake, thank you for being considerate."

Mitsuki: "But you know, I don't really feel like I lost anything today. I chose to believe in Karen."

I said this, and he gazed at me intently.

Drake: "Looks like you always draw the short end of the stick, little fawn."

Mitsuki: "Huh? I don't think so."

Mitsuki: "The plan may have changed, but I'm having fun on this unexpected date."

Mitsuki: "And I only said date because you mentioned it first!"

Drake: "Haha, it doesn't matter. Just think of it as a date."

My heart skipped a beat as Drake gently narrowed his eyes. But suddenly, his smile disappeared from his face.

Drake: "Hey, Mitsuki. That girl broke her promise to you, didn't she?"

Drake: "Then why aren't you even a little angry about being betrayed?"

Mitsuki: "Calling it a betrayal is an exaggeration."

I responded to Drake with a smile mixed into my words.

Mitsuki: "Karen mentioned that her mother was ill. Maybe something happened, and that's why she couldn't make it. Jumping to conclusions without knowing the reason is just unfair."

Drake: "What if everything was a lie, and she'd planned to betray you from the start?"

(..........)

His voice and gaze were serious, causing me to catch my breath.

As the silence enveloped us, the night breeze rustled our hair.

Mitsuki: "E-Even if it turns out everything was a lie, I still want to believe."

Drake: "You really feel that?"

I turned my gaze towards the water's surface, watching the flickering lights that swayed with the waves, and spoke again.

Mitsuki: “Even if she intended to betray me, even if she had bad intentions, that’s something she thought about and chose to do.”

Mitsuki: “I also chose to think and believe on my own, so I’ll stick to my decision.”

There might be times when I get hurt by being betrayed, but I don’t want to blame others based solely on my emotions without knowing what happened.

Mitsuki: “I believe because I want to believe. I made that decision myself, so even if I get betrayed, it’s fine.”

Drake: “...........”

Mitsuki: “That’s why I won’t get angry with Karen. It does make me a little sad, though.”

Speaking my feelings aloud made me feel a bit better. However, when I turned my gaze towards him, he had a cold look in his eyes.

Drake: “You really can smile and say you don’t mind being betrayed, huh?”

Previous Part╎Masterlist╎Next Part

[bunny-hoodlum]

not tryna start fights lol. i really enjoy the descriptions of your story’s (they’re really different than most nh stories) but i hate reading unfinished works 😭 ive read wayyyy too many nh stories that end up with cliffhangers so i just wanted to know if there’s any reason why they all seem unfinished before i start getting invested

It's just an odd question to ask, is all, and you could've started your ask with this. Think about how your question came off. I had zero context behind your question and it just sounded bad. Like, most fics online are unfinished. Or they don't get updated for a long ass time. Or the writers just update when they feel like it, as opposed to most who update whenever they can.

Some people have family obligations, physical and or mental health issues.

Me? I probably have ADHD-Primarily Inattentive, I can't afford a diagnosis just yet, but I've always struggled with motivation, organizing myself, energy issues, headspace/focus issues.

Does having multiple ongoing fics seem counterintuitive? Yes, absolutely. But also, no, not at all. Because I'm having fun having multiple things to jump between.

I didn't plan to start multiple things in such a short amount of time. I participated in NHMonth2023 to the best of my ability and found out I understood how to write and thus rly enjoyed short stories, after kind of avoiding and not trying for the entirety of my fandom activity. Being in the discord has inspired most of these new ideas and instead of letting then stay ideas that I might forget about, I decided to make them a reality.

It's really all circumstantial how my Ao3 got to the way that it is. None of this planned or on purpose or all that easy to explain. Look at how long this reply has gotten already.

If you're intrigued but can't get invested, there's nothing I can do about that. If you don't like waiting for something to finish, then you don't. You already know what you like, how you want to handle your reading experience, etc.

Writing takes time. Like a lot of fucking time. When I get in a groove, it takes me all day or all week if I'm lucky. I'm more motivated to finish a chapter in single sitting than I am getting up to eat on those kinds of days, and I wish they'd happen more but I can't be neglectful like that. There's chores, there's spending time with certain people, there's my job, etc.

I actually do gotta slow my roll because my husband is feeling kinda down lately, so I'm going to try and be more available for him and work on my fics at a more casual pace.

Maybe by the end of the year you'll be able to finally read a handful of my new short stories, cuz lord knows when I'll get around to completing my slowburns and doing them justice. 😅

But yeah, just don't read them if you only read completed works? What am I supposed to do about that? 😂 Check in again in a year, see if there's any completed works. That's rly all you can do.

[biggerbetterbat]

WITH YOU [38] GUT FEELING

Daryl Dixon x OC!Charlie Reed

Summary: The prison is being attacked again…by a virus. Rick considers whether he wants to be a farmer or an officer. Charlie makes a promise and feels that something bad is close.

Warnings: language, mention of death

Song

Words: 1962

"Can I ask you a question?" asked Glenn as they were sitting under the guard tower. He was waiting for the right hour to wake Maggie up, and Charlie was waiting for her morning chores with Rick.

"Yep."

"Would you like to have kids?" he asked and immediately felt her eyes on him.

"I don't know," she said. "Would you?"

"I almost did," he looked down.

"Almost?" she furrowed her eyebrows. "Why do I feel that you're disappointed?"

"Everything is just so hard," he sighed. "I panicked when Maggie told me she's late. I still panic when I think about it, but...I don't want to be scared. I want to live, not just survive."

Charlie furrowed her eyebrows and looked away from her best friend. Maybe he was right? At the end, what was the point of surviving? She never focused on having a family of her own because her own family was toxic and difunctional. However, now she had a real family - a bunch of strangers who cared about each other, helped each other, wanted to share happiness with each other, and loved each other. Maybe she would start to see his point, but then her eyes fell on the Walkers. She saw blood going down their cheeks - bloody tears. They were getting uglier with every month. What person she would be to bring a whole new person - innocent person on this world, knowing very well that it can be dead or grow up as an orphan? "I'm never having kids."

Glenn looked at her.

"But I see your point," she nodded. "We shouldn't be scared of living."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah," she smiled. "But I hope you know that I'm the God mother, right?"He scoffed at her words, bumping their shoulders.

"I promise."

"Got to go," Charlie patted his back and ran towards the woman with a horse as soon as she appeared on the horizon with Rick. "Hey!"

The woman turned to her and stopped for a second before smiling."Any wishes?!" Michonne called, looking at her direction.

"Just come back!" Charlie answered, sneakily pointing at Rick with her finger before saying: "We miss you when you're gone!"

Michonne rolled her eyes but nodded her head. "I'll find booze!"

Charlie smiled back at her, showing her teeth in a result. "So? What's planned for today, Farmer Rick?" she asked as the man approached her.

"The same as always."

"Oh, I'm starting to hate the always," Charlie sighed as she bend to pick up a bucket so they could fill it with food for pigs. "Carl's been trying."

"Yeah," Rick said. "Friendship with Patrick is doing him good."

"Not the one to judge," Charlie said with a silly face and Rick chuckled. "But..." she looked around when the fence started to make noise again thanks to Walkers. "He asked me about my usual task, and I probably said too much."

"What does that mean?" he asked.

"That means that Carl may or may not ask you to let him help me with that," she explained and pointed at the fence with her chin. The truth was that Carl begged her to convince Grimes to let him have whatever weapon in his hands, as she was the one who made his father ban him from that. But Rick didn't have to know about that little conspiracy. He looked at the fence and at Charlie.

"I have plans for us," Rick said and they came back to feeding pigs.

"Isn't it too perfect?" asked Charlie after a moment.

"What do you mean?" he furrowed his eyebrows.

"A gut feeling," she answered.

"What now?" he smiled looking at her.

Charlie had a gut feeling. Whenever it was in the quarry, or on the farm, there always was a moment when something was going down. She always felt it in her guts first, and she was never wrong. "Oh, you should have this thing...It's a feeling before something goes wrong."

"Why would it?"

"It always does."

"But what if it doesn't?" he asked. "What if this is our forever."

"Hmm," Charlie nodded. "Maybe you're ri..."

A sudden gunshot cut the air. A sudden gunshot cut the air. Rick ran towards the building, while Charlie ran the other direction to open the gate. Michonne whistled to let everyone know that she was coming back. “Carl!”

A sudden shoot, and chaos that bursted around made the Walkers to accumulate around the gates. In a fear Charlie watched the woman fell to the ground with a Walker gripping her. She didn't have any weapon on her as she was supposed to play a farmer that day, so she was frantically looking around in a need of something. Then she heard the gun again and saw a head of the dead one blowed up. Carl was standing with a big gun, shock on his face, but not bigger than hers as the bullet flew right next to her ear.

Together with Maggie, she walked out and helped Michonne got up from the ground as she must have done something to her ankle while falling down. All three of them wanted to get to the cellblock as fast as possible; however, it was really hard to carry someone and hurry. At the end they met with scared Rick outside of the building. The boy immediately ran round his father.“Hey, you might want to stay back," he spread his arm, but his son hugged his waist either way. "Carl.”

“Dad, I'm sorry…”

"Back away," Rick repeated and that was the moment when Charlie saw bloody shirt and hands.

"I had to use one of the guns by the gate," Carl tried to explain, not noticing his father appearance. "I swear I didn't want to."

Rick looked up at Charlie. She nodded in confirmation, but she was still distracted by the blood, so Michonne answered. "I was coming back. I fell. They came out and helped."

"Are you all right?" Rick asked

"What happened in there?"

"Patrick got sick last night," he explained.

“Is he good now?” Charlie asked, honestly concerned about well being of a teenager. However she wished she didn’t asked that question.

"It's some kind of flu. It moves fast. We think he died and attacked the cell block,” he struggled to answer. Then he leaned in and looked Carl in the eyes. "Look, I know...I know he was your friend and I'm sorry. He was a good kid. We lost a lot of good people,” he said and Carl nodded his head. Then he looked back at the three women. “Glenn and your dad are okay, but they were in there. You shouldn’t get too close to anyone that might have been exposed,” he said. “Carl! All of you.”

She met eyes with Rick and nodded her head as a promise to keep an eye on him. They started moving again, and entered their cellblock where they placed Michonne down. “What happened?” Beth asked. She was bouncing Judith on her hip as the baby kept fussing.

“She fell down from horse,” she answered. “Could you take care of her? Your dad is busy.”

“Yeah,” Beth nodded. “Would you like to hold her for a minute?”

Charlie looked down at the baby. Judith was growing bigger every day. Her hair were longer, and she even started looking like a human being - not an alien. However, she was still bringing painful memories whenever Charlie was around her. “No.”

And with that she passed younger Greene and headed to the cell that was right next to hers, full of comics and posters.

He was sitting on his bunk, looking down on the floor, something in his hands. “He liked those.”

“I’m sorry,” she said, leaning on the frame. “He was a good guy.”

Carl sighed. “A friend.”

“A friend,” He sighed, looking in her eyes. Charlie entered and sat down next to him. “We should be grateful for every person we met. Even if they were so shortly in our lives.”

“Can you promise me something?”

“I can’t,” she said, shaking her head, remembering that her promises never ended good. “But I can try to make your wish come true.”

“Never leave me,” he said immediately. Charlie looked at him surprised and he looked into her eyes. “I don’t want you to be my memory. I don’t want to tell someone about the girl named Charlie, who saved the life of my sister.”

Charlie felt her lip trembled, so she blink away the tears, and stuck her hand out with a pinkie raised. “I promise…” she looked at Carl again and took his hand to intertwine their pinkies. “But I want you to promise the same,” she threatened. “I don’t want to tell about the boy named Carl, who saved my life.”

“I promise,” he nodded his head.

High grass was tingling her elbows as she was sitting down on the grass. Daryl didn’t want her to help him or to get close to him, as he could be infected. A gut feeling. She knew that something would go wrong, the helicopter yesterday was just a sign of it, but she didn’t know that it would happen so quickly. Besides, she didn’t know it would be an extremely dangerous virus that would kill a whole cell block in one night. So she was just sitting there, stabbing ground with her axe out of boredom. "Maybe I will help you?"

"As a member of council I say, better not risk it,"

"Funny thing," Charlie scoffed. "Last night you said you're tired of losing people and today we're losing the whole cell block. Life is strange."

“Life is strange for some time, now,” Daryl said digging, but his voice was muffled through his bandanna. “Were you friends with any of them?”

“No,” she sighed. “It’s still scary. One moment and you’re gone…And there’s nothing we can do.”

"You shouldn't be here!" Charlie heard a stern voice of Rick.

"I'm in a safe distance, Officer," Charlie smiled.

“Still not far enough,” he said. “We don’t know what it is, Charlie.”

“Look at him, Daryl,” Charlie scoffed. “You’re a farmer now. I don’t take orders from farmers.”

Rick shook his head with a smile.

“There is our smiley boy,” she spread her lips wider.

"Thought my smile is like Jokers."

"It is," she nodded her head. "But I rather have you smiling like Joker than have you acting like one."

"I wasn't much use without my gun, back there," Rick sighed, changing his subject.

"No, you were," Daryl argued. "All this time you've been taking off, you earned it."

"We wouldn't be here without you," Charlie nodded.

"It was all of us," Grimes said, taking a spadel.

"You gonna help?"

"I screw up too many times," Rick said. "Those calls you got to make, I start down that road. I almost lost my boy, who he was. Whatever else this place needs, I'm here for it."

"Like I said, you earned it," Daryl shrugged. "But for what it's worth, you see mistakes. I see when the shit hits, you're standing there with a shovel.”

"Guys!" Maggie yelled.

"Oh, holly shit..."

“Stay here!” Daryl yelled at Charlie, and she abruptly stopped running.

With a fear she saw a fence coming down and Walkers flooding inside. Then she heard something scarier than any Walker’s snarling, than any gunshot, or fence coming down…She heard a whistle. A particular whistle that was impossible to be truth. Charlie started to look around her, but she saw nothing. More precisely, she didn’t saw a person she wanted to, one of few that knew the melody.

And that was raising her anxiety, because it couldn’t be a good sign.

And a gut feeling was never wrong.

previous masterlist next

[mimi-kun]

A WISH GRANTED ||chapter three||

Previous part

After all that drama, you and scaramouche's relationship has been going smooth lately. Yes he can be stubborn sometimes and he still has his attitude but he's been a great help especially doing some household chores. Scaramouche is actually a great cook so he does the cooking job pretty often because according to him you are not good at that job.

.......

"what do you think of this? Does your outfit suits me~"

You've been dying to wear scaramouche's outfit since the day you first started cosplaying.

Oh- you are a cosplayer of course.

But you're always short of money so you couldn't buy his cosplay, but now that he's here...you can't help but beg him to have you wear his clothes.

"you look ugly"

"so harsh!"

You faked cry.

It was a struggle wearing his clothes because it is surprisingly big on you.

"I thought this will fit me perfectly because you're small- oh...I meant your figure haha"

You can already feel his annoyance with your comment about him.

"No dinner for you today-"

"NO!!! SCARA I DIDN'T MEAN IT PLEASE HAVE MERCY ON ME I NEED FOOD!!"

You clung onto him like a child begging their mother for something. It caught him off guard...a little.

"By the way, there is an event this upcoming January seven. You can wear this! It's a cosplay event- you probably don't know that but it'll be fun for sure!"

"won't they be suspicious of me?"

He asked cautiously.

"they won't, they'll just think that you're cosplaying yourself haha- I'll be your Aether~"

"Do what makes you happy then, I don't care"

"that's a yes then!"

'I don't know what kind of spell you gave me (y/n)...but I like this feeling'

.....

'I don't want him to go- ever...'

Very short chapter for now :')

Will try and write the next chapter longer <3

Taglist:

@eimuros

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Next Part

[matenrou-fan]

🪼 here with a request omg

SOOO I rlly loved the Jakurai walking into her from!s/o touching herself, so can I request a Hitoya one? Tysm Anya!!! have a nice day sweetheart!! 🤍🤍

Hitoya walks in on his innocent fem! s/o touching herself

it's literally the first request I received yet I write it only now..(ノ_<。) hope you will enjoy it!!

femreader, fingering (receiving);; 1300 words;;

NSFW UNDER THE CUT

;MINORS DNI;

Living with Hitoya was not that exciting but definitely a pleasurable experience. There was not that much wild passion that often can be when two lovers just move in together, as your husband already was, by his own words, too old to all this 'teenagers shit'..

When you can definitely tell he's just too busy with running a whole company, coming home late and tired. And sometimes, when you both have enough time and the right mood, he shows you something more passionate and wild than any 'teenagers shit' can ever be. In such moments Hitoya showed his whole sincere love for you, this aching appetite your body causes inside him, leaving you pleasured for a whole week, until next weekend or just free day when he would be ready to pay proper attention to his wife.

Yet right now it was not such a day, and you were sitting home all alone, busy with household chores. Clock on the wall showed that it's almost time for your husband to show up, yet you already received his usual text about being late today so you don't really wait now, processing to throw clothes into the washing machine.

That's when you notice one of Hitoya's shirts.. Haven't you washed it already not that long ago? You take a closer look just to notice that it was absolutely clean, only a few drops of coffee in the chest distorts a whole neat view. Small sigh mixed with giggle escaped your lips as you thought about your husband being sleepy and tired enough to mess up his shirt like that. Just why does he keep overworking himself? Despite it being kinda amusing, you can't help but feel some worry about him.. and maybe some loneliness?

"Hitoya.. How are you right now..?" - you sigh, holding his shirt close to your chest, feeling a slight smell of cologne on fabric.

Not that long ago he got a really hard case and almost spent more nights at work than at his own house, working hard. Of course you always adore Hitoya for his perseverance and meticulous attention to his job, yet it doesn't mean you don't feel a small grudge against it, also wishing to get under the spotlight. Because right now you feel so abandoned that even his smell starts to tickle your soul, reminding you about your desolation in his house.

You can't help but squeeze soft fabric and sniff it again, feeling as this aching tickles get lower, now echoing in your abdomen. Face of your lover immediately popped into your mind.. He probably would smirk and tease you about being so desperate, but it just makes you even more aroused now, as you slowly turn lights off and move from bathroom to bedroom, still thinking about his face.

But as soon as you throw away your home shorts and start slowly caressing your inner thighs, all your shyness fades away. It just feels so nice to finally be touched here, even if it's just your own arm. Still grasping Hitoya's shirt, you start imagining how he would do it - tickling your thighs before playing with your labia through the silk fabric of your panties, maybe whispering some sarcastic remarks about you being already so whiny, melting after just a few of his touches.. Your hand was moving on itself, caressing your folds before slipping under your panties and making you mewl from skin to skin contact. You didn't even know you were so needy, actually, as your whole body quickly gets heated up, responding to every thrust of your own fingers with a wave of goosebumps and small gasps that you don't even try to control. There's no reason to hold up your hands and voice, letting yourself have some fun.. You're all alone this evening anyway.. are you?

How quickly you submerge yourself in voluptuous pleasure, not noticing anything around, thinking only about pressure of fingers on your clit. When, in fact, there was a silent observer, who enjoyed your little stress relief no less than you are.

"And I wondered why you didn't answer the phone.. Decided to have some private time all alone?" - for a moment you thought it's just another fantasy about your husband getting home and joining your fun, yet when you open your eyes, a small ashamed gasp bursts from your lips.

Of course it was a real Hitoya, already without his jacket, only in his shirt with rolled up sleeves. The way he bites his lips, admiring your naked lower body with such sinful eyes makes you think he's been watching you for some time before breaking the silence.

"Ah! I.." - you mumble shyly, having nothing to say in your defense, only crossing your legs together so he wouldn't see the shameful view.

"Oh, don't act shy now.. You sound so cute just a few minutes ago.." - another chuckle escaped his lips as Hitoya got closer, standing at the end of the bed almost with a predator look. - "Show me more.. I want to see the end of the show."

"W..what..?" - still so confused, yet something inside your soul tickles, as deep down you do understand what he meant.

"You hear me. Keep going."

Waves of shame keep hitting your face, making it pulsing from the overwhelming temperature on your cheeks. His eyes that keep running from your blushing embarrassed face to wetness between your thighs make it worse.. You don't want to admit it yet his attentive gaze excites you even more, as you slowly push your fingers inside to the accompaniment of his sweet coo.

Everytime you tried to muffle your moans that now seem to be terribly loud, Hitoya scoff, ordering you to not be so coy. Or when you try to squeeze your thighs again, he leaned closer, spreading them apart with a big smirk, and now watching more carefully how you tremble from every thrust, praising you for being such a good girl and stretching yourself so nice.. Just for him. It gives incredible pleasure to Hitoya, seeing you melting under his gaze and teasing.. He prolongs his deep eye contact with you while slowly taking off his shirt, one of his hands gets down to stroke his hard cock through the tight fabric of his pants. What's wrong, it makes you even more embarrassed to see your own husband jerking off at the view of your naked, trembling body? But your squeaks and whimpers as you look away, too overwhelming with such a show which he decided to pay you back.. is just what Hitoya wanted to see, unzipping his pants and revealing his erect member.

"Are you close, darling?" - he smirks, lazily moving his hand around his glans, gaze fixed on your sweaty face, looking right in your hazy, cloudy eyes. - "Make sure to prepare yourself nicely for me.."

That's it. The final point, where you can't restrain yourself no longer, clenching around your own fingers as your whole body tensed up. Tossing your head back, you whine, mewling the name of your husband while cumming so hard right in front of him.

"Mm.. What a great show you made, and just for me.." - Through a fog of pleasure that fills your empty head you barely hear his low whisper as Hitoya gets on top of your body, tickling your shaky hips. - "Don't worry, dear, I will make sure to delight you no less today.."

With these words he pressed his lips to yours and muffle another small whine that breaks from your chest as you feel the hot tip of his dick caressing your folds. Closing your eyes, your grasp on his shoulders, knowing that he's not lying - if Hitoya gets in the right mood, there's no way you wouldn't be absolutely drained closer to morning..

[seyaryminamoto]

Leap of Faith: Sokkla Saturdays 2022

Day Six: Falling in love

On FF.net//On AO3

I've always been a firm believer of the philosophy that, if you have a problem with canon, the best thing you can do is write your own take on it. This particular story came to mind as a result of my grievances with the unexplored potential of some ideas and concepts canon introduced too late in the game and that could have impacted the show positively if they had been planned all along.

Therefore... here goes a canon divergence based on one of the most controversial choices from The Search. This is a more Azula-centric story, but I hope you guys will enjoy it regardless. The Sokkla will begin to happen around halfway through the story, in case anyone needs to know that.

Hope you enjoy this one!

"I can do more than give you a new face. I can give you a new mind – one that does not remember the life that came before."

"Will I remember my children?"

"Are they part of the life you wish to forget?"

"Yes."

"Then you will not remember them."

It was a tempting offer. An easier way to live. So much easier…

And so wrong. The burst of pain the very notion caused inside her soul seemed to snap everything into focus again: Ikem – Noren, whatever the right name should be anymore – may have been welcome company, and yet… how could she compare the feelings he elicited inside her to the feelings her children did? Ultimately, he was a good man… but she was no longer the woman he had once loved. No longer the innocent, joyful woman he had wished to marry long ago.

"Then a new face will do, and nothing more."

"Are you certain?"

"I appreciate your generosity. I thank you for your gift. I will endeavor to make the most of the new life it will grant me… a life I will live for them, as I always meant to."

"Then very well. Hold still…"

A new servant arrived at the Fire Nation's Royal Palace. Her name was Noriko.

She was assigned to Zuko at first. She sought to serve the young, hot-headed and enthusiastic prince with devotion: the child was already on the verge of teenage life when she arrived, and he devoted most his energy to obtaining the approval of his father and uncle.

At times, her duties required for her to serve Princess Azula briefly as well. Where Prince Zuko's constant overlooking of Noriko could be easily traced to being caught up in his personal pursuits of approval, to a point of near-blindness over everything and everyone else, the same could not be said for Princess Azula, though it wasn't for the best: she was abrasive, dismissive, judgmental and quick to undermine any figure of authority in her life save her father, and no meaningless servant could hope to earn her respect. The dynamics of that family had changed irreparably on the day they had become the primary branch of the Royal Family.

One afternoon, Noriko did her chores in Zuko's bedroom only to be told, briefly afterwards, that she was to stop such duties at once. She was perplexed and she requested an explanation…

"Prince Zuko has been banished for speaking out of turn in a war meeting and for disrespecting his father in an Agni Kai. He will not be welcome in Fire Nation lands until he redeems himself by finding the Avatar. Such is Fire Lord Ozai's will."

The royal butler offered no further explanations. Noriko could ask for them, but she would receive a severe reprimand if she failed to focus on her new responsibilities, no matter if her anguish upon hearing of Zuko's fate was so powerful she nearly lost her composure right then and there:

"From this day forward, you will serve Princess Azula."

She didn't like Noriko.

She was nosey, more than any other staff members of the Palace. She asked asinine questions. She wanted to know if she was doing well in school. She even attempted to watch some of her firebending training sessions and even had the gall to tell Azula, at one point, that one of her newest maneuvers was too dangerous – as if any firebending could be too dangerous for a prodigy like her.

So, upon being told that the woman had been assigned as her personal handmaiden, Azula was irritable. She dismissed Noriko quickly on the very first day of her assignment, noticing the woman's eyes were red with tears – she did not care to listen to any manner of whining over Zuko's fate. Ozai had determined it was the appropriate fate for one who committed the faults Zuko had: going against Fire Lord Ozai in any regards was treason. If this fool of a woman did not understand that, it wasn't Azula's problem.

She wasn't quite as annoying over the first weeks of her assignment as Azula had dreaded… probably because she spent most her time sulking over Zuko. But one day, Azula had been sitting casually at her desk, finishing one of her very final school assignments before graduation, when the woman stepped up nervously.

"Princess… the Palace guards have asked me to deliver this message to you."

The young princess scoffed as she took the paper – what an unnerving woman. She shook her head dismissively as she spread the message open…

I need to talk to you. I don't know who else to ask. Please come to the bay, to the westernmost dock. Hide your identity so no one knows you've seen me. I know this is sudden… but I need you.

Azula scoffed: she fisted the letter and it burned quickly, the blue hue of her fire scorching it to cinders. Noriko, behind her, gasped.

"Princess…!"

"Did you read the message? Should you be looking into my private correspondence?" Azula retorted. Noriko actually looked angry. "You're dismissed. I will take a nap now."

The woman snarled before walking away. She had swallowed her insolence somehow, then? Good. It was what she ought to do.

Azula finished her school assignment before rising to her feet. She approached her closet, pulling out a long cloak with a hood, and she draped it over her shoulders. She picked a bag of money she could spare: then, she opened the secret passageway that connected to her bedroom and she snuck out of the confines of her suite without being noticed.

She had been furious. She had no right to say anything, not in this life, not in this form, and yet… she had genuinely expected better. She had believed Azula would be better than that…!

Her mental rant slowed down when a cloaked figure crossed her line of sight briefly, in the corridor Noriko was about to enter. The woman frowned, watching the cloaked figure cast a blue flame in a small surface of the wall… a secret passageway. Oh, Azula was always fond of claiming she'd found those… but they weren't empty boasts. She truly had found them, then, and…

And she was leaving the Palace.

Was she going to see Zuko, after all?

Noriko didn't need to think twice about what she'd do next.

She found him in a back alley by the harbor. He was covered in a fabric that might just have been something he found lying about rather than a genuine blanket. He had seemed shocked to see her… no matter if he was the one who had asked her to come for him.

"I need a ship. I need a crew. But Father… he won't give me anything. He won't so much as look at me. Please… help me."

Azula frowned: it wasn't as if she could convince Ozai to change his mind about Zuko's punishment. However much he preferred her over her brother, he'd probably banish her along with Zuko if she dared question any of his choices…

"I need a ship. That's… that's all I ask."

"Flattering as it is to know you need me… I can't guarantee any success. You understand that, don't you?" Azula said, staring down at him sternly. Zuko swallowed hard and nodded. "Then… I'll try to make it happen. But do try to take better care of yourself too, Zuzu."

She tossed the bag of coin to him. Zuko gasped in a pitiful way as he picked it up: he truly was as good as a beggar at this point. To think he had been the proud heir of Fire Lord Ozai merely a few days ago… if just out of the sheer indignity of knowing a member of her own family was living in such unsightly conditions, Azula would have to fulfill his request, somehow.

"I will do whatever I can. You will owe me much for this, Zuzu," Azula said.

"I… I know."

That was the sole answer she received. No words of gratitude. Not that Azula expected any, to begin with.

Two days later, a small ship set sail out of the Fire Nation harbor: aboard it, Iroh and Zuko would sail the seas in search of the Avatar to fulfill Ozai's condition so his son's honor would be restored. Once Azula proposed the possibility of getting rid of both Iroh and Zuko by providing her brother with what he'd asked of her, Ozai had found the possibility of arranging a ship for them profoundly appealing.

Her life, then, would go back to normal… to a fault. Right now, she was the de-facto heir to the Throne since there were no other eligible candidates around.

Perhaps that should have meant she could get rid of her handmaiden if she was too irritating… and it seemed she was about to be annoying again when she stepped up to speak with Azula on the day the ship had sailed.

"Prince Zuko and General Iroh have taken their leave, Princess," she said. Azula hummed.

"Good for them. My father was surprisingly generous, wasn't he? Providing them with a ship and a crew, as he did…" Azula said, casually. Noriko swallowed hard.

"You… are much more kindhearted than you allow anyone to see."

Azula gasped: she had been in the middle of testing a new shade of lipstick when the woman said such utterly uncalled for and offensive words. Her jaw dropped.

"I… what? How… how dare you?" Azula said: her voice hitched in a rather foolish way. Was she actually experiencing some level of… unnecessary satisfaction upon hearing such unusual words?

Her outrage was answered by a kindly smile. An irritatingly kind smile.

"That… that shade is much too strong for you, though," Noriko said, frowning slightly next. "You are too young for makeup like that. I suggest… this one. This shade is much nicer…"

"That shade looks like something my mother would wear," Azula said, cuttingly: Noriko froze on the spot. "I'm fine with this one. And besides, I didn't ask for your opinion."

"I… I understand."

Noriko backed down… but Azula's mind did not. She turned towards the mirror again: was this hue really out of place? Maybe it did feel like it was. She grimaced before glancing at the woman anew.

"What… what shade would you propose otherwise? And don't say the one that looks like my mother's. I'm not saying I would wear whatever you choose, I'm only wondering because…"

"Because you wish to find out what's outdated, perhaps?" Noriko asked, with a weak smile. Azula winced. "An old woman like me surely has no idea what is in fashion these days with young girls like you."

"That… yes. Exactly," Azula said. Noriko smiled again and stepped forward.

"Then… here. This one," she said. "Also avoid this one. As for your eyes, though… have you ever attempted to wear eye liner? Perhaps you would like to try that…"

"I… haven't attempted it, no," Azula admitted, unexpectedly bashful. "My friend Ty Lee, she… she tried it and poked her eye with the brush. My friend Mai only wears eye liner, though…"

"You're all of age to start trying out makeup, of course," Noriko smiled. "Well… perhaps I can teach you how to apply it. Then… you could try doing it yourself, and that way you'll grow used to wearing it so you can do it as often as you like."

Azula blinked blankly: how had this woman gone from being so bitter at her merely a couple of days ago to offering her guidance when it came to makeup? It was strange, and random, and…

And not entirely unwelcome.

"Well… you may try. I suppose," was her response: she should have been more eloquent, perhaps try to threaten the woman somehow, to ensure she understood there were boundaries she couldn't overstep…

And yet it seemed Noriko would overstep every single one of them. She certainly tried to, in the three years that followed.

She followed Azula most everywhere. She took care of all her chores, did most everything she could by herself, working tirelessly even when Azula purposefully gave her more work than necessary. Azula couldn't understand the woman's strange willingness to be around her, or to do extra work, but she grew used to it, on the most part.

Still, Noriko was opinionated and surprisingly authoritarian sometimes: Azula's training sessions weren't perfectly placid, beautiful matters in the slightest, and the Princess never failed to wind up more disheveled than she ought to be… to which Lo and Li always had comments, of course. Azula was used to it, if annoyed by it, naturally. But on a day when Noriko happened to watch her…

"Her hair is beautiful, whether it's out of place or not! How dare you make her feel self-aware about it?! Her bending feat was impressive, and her hair is magnificent! Do not say that to my d-… t-to the Princess ever again!"

Azula blinked blankly. Lo and Li appeared perplexed. The handmaiden was flustered after her outburst… but she didn't back down. There was something unexpectedly regal about her stubbornness, even Azula had to admit as much.

Thus, Lo and Li never commented negatively on Azula's hair again.

The strange woman rejoiced in Azula's every accomplishment in ways not even the Fire Lord did: she would bring her snacks – always healthy ones, of course – every time Azula learned and mastered a new firebending form, even if she constantly seemed terrified that she might get hurt while bending. A foolish concern, of course… but a strange part of Azula even grew fond of Noriko's anxious comments and questions about how she felt right after she landed a difficult kata – she even cried the first time Azula bent lightning. She went all out on Azula's birthdays, too, ensuring to provide a small, personal celebration to her in the morning, before Azula had to focus on the more formal events of the day.

It was strange, out of place… and it was probably the first time Azula genuinely felt cared for by someone. She clashed with Noriko at times… clashes that occasionally reminded her of her conflicts with her own mother. But curiously, as time passed, the arguments changed in nature: sometimes Noriko refused, outright, to leave Azula if she was having a bad day. If Azula made mistakes, if Azula felt uneasy, she would never accept Azula's orders to leave her be. She would stay until she could do something, anything, to make her laugh. And sometimes she couldn't succeed at it… in which cases, Azula would wind up taking a nap and waking up to find the woman still sitting by her bedside.

She wasn't used to this.

She didn't mind it as much as she thought she would, at first.

Thus, Azula suspected that Noriko would join her once Ozai tasked her with a mission, her very first mission, to hunt down Zuko and Iroh, a failure and a traitor, and bring them home.

Upon hearing of Azula's assignment, the woman rushed off to pack both their bags for the long voyage that awaited them.

"This is no leisure journey. We are to find my brother and my uncle and bring them back to the Fire Nation, as commanded by the Fire Lord. They have disgraced him with their foolishness and failures. More competent soldiers than them will carry forward the search for the Avatar. Do you understand this, Noriko?"

Noriko sighed and nodded: bottling up her urges to rebuff the Princess's words was almost a talent by now. She hoped her compliance would reassure Azula… for as soon as the opportunity arose, Noriko meant to help Zuko once he was aboard. She would help the two siblings bridge their distance once again, and she would ensure that Azula stood up for her brother when they faced Ozai, just as she had stood up for him when requesting the ship and crew that had accompanied Zuko for three years. She might be wrong to place such hopes on Azula, considering she never held back from fulfilling her father's orders… but Noriko had taken care of the girl for all these years. In that time, she had found there was so much more under the surface… so much substance behind the abrasiveness and arrogance that served as a barrier for the Princess, a barrier with which she kept everyone and everything at bay. A barrier Noriko had challenged multiple times by now, in a myriad of ways… and the Princess hadn't fired her for it, no matter if she had threatened to, sometimes. To this day, she kept Noriko by her side…

Until, of course, it was time for her to speak with her brother and uncle. By then, she expressly demanded that Noriko stayed behind, and the older woman pouted as the girl took off alone to the Fire Nation colony's Resort.

Noriko had only sulked for a few hours, lounging carelessly on the ship's deck, when the Princess returned with a triumphant smile: she had set her plan in motion, and Zuko appeared to wish to come home indeed. That he wouldn't understand in which quality he'd return was no concern for her, of course: all that mattered was fulfilling her father's orders at all costs.

Iroh and Zuko showed up at the harbor of the Fire Nation Resort on the next morning: Azula welcomed them graciously, and Noriko lurked on the ship's deck… the sight of the banished prince, however, erased the smile from her face: his hair, mostly shaved and bound in a tight ponytail, appeared to highlight his scar as best as possible. Her heart clenched as Azula continued to speak: Zuko's face… he was scarred, he had been through so much pain and Noriko hadn't had a chance to do anything for him. She would do her best to help him now, of course she would… and she would reason with Azula. She would convince her to…

"Set our course for home, Captain."

Azula's voice rang in that beautiful morning, and Noriko's clenched heart hurt in more ways than she could explain as Zuko gazed at Azula with hope…

"You heard the Princess! Raise the anchors! We're taking the prisoners home!"

Zuko and Iroh were halfway up the ramp when the captain carelessly blurted out the worst words he could have.

The resulting pandemonium was nearly impossible to follow: Iroh had been prepared for the deception, unlike Zuko. Even so, Zuko wasted no time jumping ahead to shout at Azula, to lash out against her for her misdeed.

"You lied to me!"

"Like I've never done that before," was her simple response: the guards stood between her and Zuko, defending her from him…

Though their defense fell apart disturbingly quickly: after successfully circumventing both firebenders and knocking them off the ship, Zuko rushed up to the deck, and a fierce fight broke out between him and his sister, even if an alarmingly one-sided one. Zuko attacked aggressively, violently, while Azula merely seemed to make a display of her fighting superiority by dodging his attacks and keeping them from reaching their target, mostly.

"Zuko! Let's go!"

Noriko winced upon hearing those words in Iroh's voice: she had taken to shrinking in a corner, away from the battle… only to realize then that everything had truly gone awry. There would be no reconciliation between the siblings, no chance of healing their bond… Zuko had recognized Azula's cruel intent before anything positive could happen between them.

"N-no, no… Zuko! Azula! Don't fight, please…!" Noriko cried out, stepping forward nervously as Azula taunted her brother:

"You know, Father blames Uncle for the loss of the North Pole! And he considers you a miserable failure for not finding the Avatar!" she said, with a vicious smirk. "Why would he want you back home, except to lock you up where you can no longer embarrass him?"

Zuko roared, and he continued to fight recklessly: Azula's cruel barbs landed perfectly, spurring him into a wild frenzy that she could take advantage of, down to even scratching her brother's forehead with her dangerously long nails…

"Azula, stop!"

Her focus broke when she heard those words. Azula's eyes widened.

"What are you…?!" Azula roared: Noriko rushed towards her, and because of her distraction, Zuko succeeded at landing a blow against Azula's shoulder. "Ugh…!"

Zuko kept screaming in frustration and rage as he attacked, but he certainly rejoiced over his first successful attack. Azula scowled as she kicked at him: a burst of blue fire he failed to anticipate pushed him back, causing him to jump away while Azula glared at the woman on deck.

"Get back inside the ship, you fool!" Azula exclaimed… only to be ignored when Noriko rushed to stand between them.

"Prince Zuko, I beg you, please listen to…!"

His response was another roar: he rushed ahead, trying to dodge the woman he regarded as a simple, meaningless obstacle standing between his sister and himself.

"Get out of here!" Azula shouted at Noriko… only for the handmaiden to decide that her best course of action was to throw her arms around Zuko.

"Stop…! Stop fighting…!"

"Get off me!"

A furious shove that knocked her off balance sent her towards the ship's railing.

Azula gasped, eyes wide as the handmaiden tripped clumsily: she wouldn't fall. She would simply bounce back against the railing, and she wouldn't…!

The momentum sent her overboard.

"NO!"

Zuko froze on the spot just as Iroh marched up the deck, ready to defend his nephew from Azula… only for Azula to inexplicably throw herself off the side of the ship. Zuko blinked blankly, frowning at what he could only read as utterly atypical behavior from his sister…

"Zuko! The way is clear! Let's go!" Iroh told him urgently.

Zuko swallowed hard and nodded: one more glance at the railing through which Azula had vanished wouldn't offer any more answers about whatever had gotten into his sister, or about whoever that woman was… so he simply obeyed his uncle, joining him in running through the long dock and then, into the depths of the northern Earth Kingdom's wilderness.

An hour later, Noriko shivered guiltily on the shores of the Fire Nation resort as Azula finished giving some menacing speech or another about the hunt for Zuko and Iroh. Her guilt only seemed to worsen by the minute… most of all because she knew Azula would hold her responsible for the failure of this mission. She had already reprimanded the captain fiercely – even though Azula had been dripping wet after swimming Noriko back to safety, she had scared the man profusely with her flaring temper.

The Princess, irritable but dry now, marched up to Noriko next. Her brow was furrowed, and Noriko eyed her apologetically before bowing her head.

"I… I apologize, Princess. I didn't intend to…"

"Did you get any treatment for your burn?"

Noriko winced: yes, it hurt, but she hadn't thought it would mean or matter much in the grand scheme of things. Zuko had been bending, he had applied some fire into his shove, it had burned through her clothes… but the soaking in the ocean had at least cooled down the potential pain, which certainly hadn't been as bad as Zuko's scar, nowhere near as severe as that.

"I… I'm fine. I don't need…"

"Don't be ridiculous!" Azula hissed, shaking her head. "Utter fool, taking such risks and then failing to heed your Princess's commands…! Go to Lo and Li and have them treat you, now!"

"Y-yes, Princess. Of course."

Noriko rose to her feet: it felt as though the Princess was indeed scolding her… and yet she wanted her taken care of. Protected. Healed, even. Noriko's heart clenched as she glanced over her shoulder… at the fourteen-year-old who stood, fuming, behind her. Her gaze was lost elsewhere, full of frustration and anger at the backfiring of her plan… it was easy, at times, to think of her as a much greater, stronger individual than the child Noriko could only see her as, to this moment.

They replenished their supplies and took off anew a few days later. The Princess's frustration at the captain, at the incompetent guards who had not just failed to hold their own against Iroh but even against Zuko, seemed to mount constantly. She attempted to school herself back into proper tranquility, however, and she even appeared pleased when Lo and Li advised her not to search for Iroh and Zuko with the full Royal Procession. The words daunted Noriko, however: if they were a liability, so was she. Would she be left behind as well? It was quite likely…

… Or so she thought, until she found herself riding a mongoose dragon and following the Princess into the location where a traveling circus had been stationed recently, near the very heart of the Earth Kingdom. Why Azula decided to bring her along, why she hadn't scolded Noriko at all since the incident on the ship, Noriko still had no idea… but she was delighted to witness Azula's reunion with her childhood friend.

"Azula!" Ty Lee exclaimed: the girl's handstand – or finger stand, for she only used her index fingers, to Noriko's utter surprise and amazement – broke as she dropped gracefully on the ground, performing a quick reverence before hugging the Princess. "And… you brought a friend!"

"This is Noriko," Azula said, curtly. "She travels with me."

"It is my pleasure to… to meet you, lady Ty Lee," Noriko said, with a gentle smile – she knew Ty Lee already… but Ty Lee would have no memory of having met the maid. Only of the woman she had been, long ago…

"The pleasure's all mine!" Ty Lee grinned brightly.

"Say… what is the daughter of a nobleman doing here? Certainly, our parents didn't send us to the Royal Fire Academy for Girls to end up… in places like these," Azula said, glaring with distaste around herself. Ty Lee, however, seemed utterly unconcerned with Azula's words or judgment, simply stretching her legs, swinging them back and forth while lying on her chest, on the ground. "I have a proposition for you. I'm hunting a traitor: you remember my old fuddy-duddy uncle, don't you?"

"Oh, yeah! He was so funny!" Ty Lee said, smiling carelessly.

"I would be honored if you would join me on my mission," Azula said, with a sharp grin. Ty Lee, however, stopped smiling quickly.

"Oh, I… uh, would love to," Ty Lee said, before jumping back on her feet, to stand upright. "But the truth is, I'm really happy here. I mean, my aura has never been pinker!"

Azula grimaced as she eyed the platypus-bear nearby – it had only just lain an egg, it seemed.

"… I'll take your word for it," was her initial response to Ty Lee's claims. "Well, I wouldn't want you to give up the life you love just to please me…"

"Thank you, Azula," Ty Lee said. Noriko smiled warmly at Azula's friend, and then at the Princess. The kindness she constantly hid beneath her harsh exterior continued to amaze her, it truly did–…

"Of course, before I leave, I'm going to catch your show."

Noriko blinked blankly, staring at the Princess in surprise: Ty Lee winced, and Noriko noticed the movement and unease of the girl as she responded to Azula's statement.

"Uh… yeah, sure! Of course!"

And so, Noriko found herself sitting by the Princess's side as the circus function began that evening – she found she truly didn't enjoy these events much, and Azula noticed it quickly.

"Is something wrong, Noriko?" Azula asked.

"Oh, only… I suppose I prefer other kinds of spectacles," Noriko said, with a gentle smile. "Like… like theater. Perhaps next time we could…"

"We aren't sightseeing, Noriko. We don't have the luxury of choosing our sources of entertainment," Azula said, bluntly. Noriko smiled sadly and nodded.

"I know. I understand you're hoping to show your support for the lady Ty Lee. I'm sure she's grateful for it," Noriko said. Azula eyed her skeptically. "Princess?"

"You're too old to be so naïve," Azula said, bluntly. Noriko's eyes widened.

"What did you…?" Noriko said, a surge of proud irritation taking root in her heart: old? She wasn't that old! She certainly looked older than she was, but how could she…?

Oh, the urge to scold the child beside her and tell her not to speak to her so callously almost overcame her. Her face flushed, and she couldn't suppress a frustrated pout. Azula blinked blankly as she noticed her companion's reaction.

"Oh, did I upset you?" she asked, amused. "If I must spell out the truth for you, we're here to recruit Ty Lee, even now."

"We are? But you said…"

"I simply need to be more convincing."

Noriko's jaw dropped at the Princess's certainty: Ty Lee's turn on the tight-rope had arrived, and the Princess smirked at her friend's efforts to remain suspended on that complicated, dangerous position and contraption, so high up in the air…

"Do you think she'll fall?" Azula asked the master of ceremonies, who was startled by the question.

"Of course not!" the man responded, proudly.

"Then wouldn't it be more interesting if you removed the net?"

Noriko gasped. Azula ignored her.

"Ah… the thing is, the performers…"

"You're right, you're right. That's been done," Azula reasoned, toying with her hair carelessly. "I know: set the net on fire!"

"No!"

Azula froze. The master of ceremonies stared at her and her companion in utter fright… as Azula turned a scowl upon Noriko.

"Did you just…?"

"I did!" Noriko scoffed, folding her arms over her chest. Azula let out a bark of disbelieving laughter. "Princess: you're better than this!"

"What are you…?" Azula growled: Noriko's glare gave away that she was on one of her stubborn sprees all over again. The Princess rolled her eyes and scoffed. "You're impossible."

"Princess…!"

"We'll talk after!"

Her refusal to make a scene in the middle of the performance was quite welcome, though her mood through the rest of the evening was dreadful anyway: once the performance ended, Azula dragged Noriko behind the circus's largest tent, glaring pointedly at her.

"What do you think you're doing, raising your voice at me in front of that man?!" Azula said. "I brought you with me because I believed you wouldn't sabotage my efforts and cause the trouble the Royal Procession has! And this is what you choose to make of that opportunity?!"

"You came here to find a friend," Noriko said: her tone immediately caused Azula to frown… that strange frown that hinted at some level of fear. Of recognizing that she had been scolded in a similar way, with similar energy, by one of the few people she had genuinely feared in her life. "And I expect you to do exactly that, Princess Azula. Recruit her by terrifying her into complying with you, and you'll only recruit an unwilling vassal who will be looking for any opportunity, any chance, to run away at once!"

"Is that so?" Azula said, glaring at Noriko, who glared back. "The subtleties of recruitment are irrelevant in the face of the Fire Lord's orders! I have come here to ensure I can fulfill my father's commands, and I will!"

"And I have come with you to ensure that you do not lose yourself in fulfilling them," Noriko responded, stubbornly. Azula huffed.

"If that's how it is, you're going back to the ship. And I'll watch another of Ty Lee's shows tomorrow," Azula declared, scowling heavily.

"I won't go back," Noriko said, simply. Azula huffed.

"You really think you can talk back to me? We're not home, curses, Noriko! We're in the Earth Kingdom, we're fulfilling my father's mission, whatever it takes! So…!"

"Not whatever it takes," Noriko stated. Azula scoffed.

"That's treasonous."

"I'd rather be a traitor to the Fire Lord than let you become a traitor to yourself."

Azula's eyes widened. She had no response to that, though probably not because she respected the sentiment… she was simply so confused over it that she couldn't seem to make heads or tails out of what Noriko had said.

"Who… who do you even think I am?" Azula asked: the question wasn't quite injected with affront, though. It wasn't a mere arrogant boast, a way to remind Noriko of the station of whom she spoke with… she genuinely was confused. She didn't know what Noriko saw in her… how she could be so certain of who Azula was, to the point of speaking such words without hesitation.

"I think you are Azula. And you're more than just a Princess… more than your father's agent," Noriko said, bowing her head towards Azula. "And I hope to ensure that you'll see that in time, too."

Azula's jaw dropped: and now she was affronted, for sure. Noriko didn't care, though: Noriko wouldn't back down. Not now, not like this, not under these circumstances…

"Ah! They told me you two were back here!"

Ty Lee's voice startled Azula. The Princess huffed angrily at Noriko before turning to Ty Lee with a tense grin.

"What a wonderful performance you offered, Ty Lee. I'm sure you must be proud," she said. "Though I'm certain it might be much more entertaining tomorrow, I have a few ideas for the master of…"

"Oh, I won't be performing tomorrow," Ty Lee said, with a casual shrug and a grin. Her eyes were bright as she glanced between Azula and Noriko. "You… you really do want my help, don't you, Azula?"

"I…" Azula froze on the spot: help? She didn't say that word. She didn't want Ty Lee's help, she didn't need it, she was simply a more convenient, efficient and effective companion than her procession! That was all there was to it…!

But Ty Lee's smile was surprisingly kind, genuine even. She gazed at Noriko too, nodding in her direction.

"And I feel like we're going to be great friends!" she said. Noriko smiled and bit her lip. "I'm coming with you!"

"I… I'm grateful that you will join us, lady Ty Lee. So is Princess Azula."

"Princess Azula… can speak for herself," Azula growled. Noriko raised a skeptical eyebrow.

"She can, so long as she speaks what's in her heart," Noriko said, shamelessly. Azula scoffed, and Ty Lee giggled deviously.

"What's so funny?" Azula growled, and Ty Lee clapped happily at her reaction.

"You two are! I like this team!" she said, beaming brightly.

Her simple statement brought a bright smile to Noriko's face. Azula's irritability, her failure to keep her barriers in place, her inability to control the situation fully… all of it sat poorly with the young Princess, who sulked as they rode back to her ship, with Ty Lee happily sitting behind Noriko on their mongoose dragon, chatting her ear off with all sorts of nonsense that didn't concern the Princess in the least… though a stupid, ridiculous thought came to mind once she overheard something Ty Lee was saying.

"… I just feel like your aura's somewhat familiar, you know?" Ty Lee said, sitting behind Noriko, who laughed off the girl's words. "Are you sure we never met?"

"We may have seen each other in passing at times, lady Ty Lee, when you visited Princess Azula in the Palace. Beyond that, I fear it isn't likely," Noriko answered. Ty Lee sighed.

"Well… I'm still glad to know you now, if that's the case!" Ty Lee grinned again.

Would Noriko bond more with Ty Lee? Would they become actual friends and…?

Azula's stomach twisted and tightened as she scowled, furious at herself for that foolish thought. That older woman was a pain, a maid, a servant and not a friend. Ty Lee could befriend her if she pleased, though it was quite embarrassing to be friends with an older person, Azula thought. And quite embarrassing for that older person to only have friends of such young age. Not that she knew how many people Noriko actually was friends with, to be honest…

What did she know of Noriko anyway? She was a maid… a strange one, true. She acted so motherly at times that Azula couldn't help but wonder if she was a mother, or had been one, at some point. What was her life's story? Who had she been before becoming part of the Palace staff?

"I'd rather be a traitor to the Fire Lord than let you become a traitor to yourself."

What the blazes did that mean? How was Noriko so utterly reckless as to utter a phrase as damning as that one? Azula ought to report it to her father once they returned, yes. She ought to…

Her heart ached at the very notion.

At the possibility of losing Noriko's constant support.

She couldn't do that. She couldn't report her, she couldn't turn her in, she couldn't…

She snarled at that realization, speeding up her mongoose dragon – thus, Noriko spurred on hers to keep up with her.

Their journey to Omashu was quick: they reached the city by the next morning. A night's rest allowed Azula to be more level-headed once they arrived: her palanquin marched her into the city, with Ty Lee and Noriko following, and they were greeted by the very person Azula wanted to see. She climbed off the palanquin and approached the dark-haired teenager, whose demeanor was as bleak as it ever had been.

"Please tell me you're here to kill me," said Mai. Azula, a hand on her hip, smirked at her friend, who smirked back. They shared a quick laugh, and Ty Lee jumped forward to hug Mai quickly.

"It's great to see you, Mai," Azula said. Mai patted Ty Lee's back gently.

"I thought you ran off and joined the circus. You said it was your calling," she said. Ty Lee grinned as she pulled back.

"Well, Azula called a little louder. And Noriko did, too!" Ty Lee grinned, clasping the older woman's hand and pulling her forward: Mai's distaste for the woman was immediate.

"Who's this?" she asked. Azula sighed.

"My handmaiden. She's rather stubborn, you see, and won't leave me alone for an instant," Azula said, rolling her eyes. Noriko smiled fondly at Azula.

"It's always a great honor to serve the Princess. And to meet her friends, too," she said, bowing her head towards Mai.

"Well, we're not here simply for sightseeing," Azula said, with a dry grin: she clasped Mai and Ty Lee's shoulders, growing much more serious quickly. "I have a mission, and I need you both."

"Count me in: anything to get me out of this place," Mai said, immediately, scowling at the city she certainly wanted nothing more to do with.

Shortly afterwards, they learned of the current trouble plaguing Omashu: Ukano, Mai's father, had allowed all the Earth Kingdom citizens of Omashu to leave simply because of a reported disease, pentapox, something Azula had never heard of. In that chaos, Tom-Tom, Mai's younger brother, had vanished, presumably taken hostage by the citizens and the resistance that had fled the city.

Thus, Azula took charge. She prepared a plan to handle the complicated circumstances they were in: Ukano had promised to the resistance that he'd exchange King Bumi for his son. Azula had no intentions of allowing said exchange to be finalized, however: the Fire Nation did not negotiate with the enemy.

"I… I hope all goes well in the exchange today, Princess," said Noriko, by the next morning. Azula sighed.

"There will be no exchange. Did I not make that clear?"

"But… you will take back the boy, won't you?" Noriko asked. Azula frowned.

"The boy and the king. We will keep them both, and the resistance will have nothing," Azula declared, proudly. "No one stands in the way of the Fire Nation."

"Good…" Noriko said, with a gentle smile. "I'm glad you intended to save him."

"Of course I did. Why wouldn't I?" Azula said, rolling her eyes. "He's a Fire Nation citizen and I would not allow him to become a coercion tool for our enemies to exploit. The sooner he is returned to his parents, the better."

"No child deserves to grow up without their mother."

Azula froze. The words struck her deeply, in a way she didn't quite comprehend right away. She shot a glare at Noriko: did she not know Azula had grown up without a mother? At least, for the past five years?

The vacant, melancholic expression in the handmaiden's face floored her, though. Azula opened her mouth to say something, but no words came out at all. She swallowed hard and shook her head.

"Some of us have gotten by without a mother," Azula said, simply. Noriko winced: the sadness in her eyes puzzled Azula. "What? Why are you looking at me like…?"

"Your mother was… she didn't do right by you when she was around, did she?" Noriko asked. Azula frowned.

"That's not relevant, is it?" Azula said.

"I'm sorry she failed you," Noriko said. Azula scowled.

"Don't pity me for…"

"This is not pity," Noriko sighed, shaking her head. "You… you deserved better than her, Princess. You, of all children… you deserved better."

Azula's eyes widened: for the second time, Noriko uttered treacherous words… and yet this time they were words that echoed within Azula's very soul in a way she didn't anticipate. Someone saying that her mother was in the wrong…? That her mother had failed her, to a fault?

"You…" Azula started, before clearing her throat. "You will provide us with your aid in today's mission. You shall take the child… while me, Mai and Ty Lee defeat the resistance, should they put up a fight. They're likely to try. So… stay sharp, and make sure to run with the child as soon as the opportunity arises. Understood?"

"Yes, Princess," Noriko said, offering her a gentle smile. Azula nodded.

"Then let's go."

The exchange happened at the height of the tallest pyramid of Omashu. By the time they arrived, the resistance members were already there… Noriko lurked inside the construction area, hidden away from the others so she wouldn't interfere in such a delicate situation without meaning to.

Azula stepped forward, following Mai as King Bumi was lowered right behind them. The king laughed and snorted, being all around ridiculous while Azula studied the situation carefully: they were up against two teenagers, and the one standing at the front of the group them was a child, instead. The resistance was certainly peculiar…

She couldn't help but assume that the child, so young and innocent-looking, couldn't be the leader of the group. Instead… the one holding Tom-Tom caught her eye. He glared at them intensely, ignoring the baby as best he could while Tom-Tom patted his face in some foolish attempt to amuse himself.

Those clothes… blue? It was a rare color. His skin tone, too… his hairstyle, even the weapons he carried with him immediately stood out to Azula as she assessed the situation. If the circumstances were any different she might have even let herself take notice of his looks… but she had a job to do, and she'd do so now that Mai had exchanged a few words with the younger member of the other group.

"I'm sorry, but a thought just occurred to me: we're trading a two-year-old for a king? A powerful, earthbending king?" Azula recited her lines of the dialogue they had prepared ahead of the exchange. Mai glanced back at her with feigned interest. "It just doesn't seem like a fair trade, does it?"

"You're right," Mai said, glaring at her brother, at the people holding him, before raising a hand and exclaiming: "The deal's off!"

And so, the chaos began anew: Noriko barely caught sight of any of what happened once Azula bent a blast of blue flames towards her foes. But she certainly overheard her words when her fire failed to hit its target:

"The Avatar!" Azula smirked knowingly. "My lucky day."

She marched towards the construction area, on her way to a lever: she glanced towards Noriko on her way there, and she shouted:

"Go get the child, now!"

And with that, she clasped a rope and took off, rising to the height of the statue's construction site.

Noriko swallowed heavily as she ran through the construction area, towards where the enemy stood. They hadn't seen her… so she simply had to be stealthy and take the child when they were fighting, that was all she had to do…

Oh, but they were all children, and they were fighting each other instead of being friends. Her heart ached upon realizing as much, and she grieved for it in silence, arriving at the other end of the construction site just in time to see the dark-skinned boy rushing down a ladder.

"Wait! Wait!" she called, making for the ladder too.

The boy turned towards her, immediately hostile, raising his boomerang as to defend the child from her. Noriko climbed down the ladder awkwardly before reaching him, breathing heavily over the strain from the last moments.

"T-that boy belongs with his family!" she said. The young man scoffed.

"Tell that to the girl who thinks he's not worth trading a king for!" he said, though he grimaced. "To be honest, it's not like I don't see her point… but still! Stay away!"

"Princess Azula may seem harsh, but she didn't mean to keep the child from his family!" Noriko said. The boy eyed her skeptically.

"But she literally just said…! Wait. Wait. Princess who, now?!"

"Princess Azula…?" Noriko said. His jaw dropped. He grimaced before raising his voice as loudly as he could.

"KATARA! THAT FIREBENDING GIRL'S ZUKO'S SISTER!"

"WHAT?!" a female voice – that of his companion – drifted down from above.

"Do you know Zuko?" asked Noriko, eyes wide.

"Oh, you mean the crazy ponytail guy who's always trying to kill us?!"

"W-wha-…? Kill you?! That's not…!"

"Oh, lady, don't tell me you don't realize your Prince and Princess are out for blood," the boy huffed: a scary roar startled Noriko just as a massive creature flew up to their level, reaching the place where the boy stood – only then did Noriko notice he had a white whistle in his hand. "The Fire Nation's willing to discard their own, you saw it just now…!"

"She wanted me to retrieve the boy!"

Noriko's confession startled the young man just as he was about to climb on the bison's saddle. He frowned at her as Noriko breathed deeply.

"You will find it dishonorable anyway…! But she wanted both the king and the child! Her methods… they weren't the wisest, and I'll be sure to tell her so! But please… let me bring that baby back to his parents. Please."

"And what about Bumi?!" the boy huffed. "The king is…!"

An echoing laughter, drifting down through the chutes of Omashu, froze the Water Tribe boy in the middle of his demands. He glanced over his shoulder… and he saw the Avatar rushing downhill, riding the king's imprisonment device on one of the city's chutes. Shortly afterwards, one of the chutes' carts followed, ridden by none other than Princess Azula.

"Ah…!" Noriko gasped. "That's so dangerous…!"

"This is war: everything's dangerous, lady," the boy replied… though he stepped forward and offered the child to her. "You're sure you'll return him? Promise me…!"

"He'll be safe. I swear it. I promise, I… oh, thank you, young man. Thank you…" Noriko said, smiling as she took Tom-Tom in her arms when he handed her the toddler. The teenager frowned still as he jumped on the bison's saddle. "W-what is your name? So I may thank you properly…!"

"What?! You don't need to know my name, I…!"

"SOKKA!"

"Oh, damn… Katara!" Sokka shouted, shaking the reins of the bison and flying quickly to help his sister. Noriko, holding the baby, smiled as she watched him fade from her field of vision, once the construction site hid the large bison.

"Then… thank you, Sokka."

The deceitful hostage exchange didn't proceed according to plan at all: Mai and Ty Lee nearly took a bad wound upon being flung violently away by the bison's tail. Azula's relentless pursuit of the Avatar went nowhere, for King Bumi somehow proved capable of bending earth while still in imprisonment, endangering Azula in the middle of their pursuit. The Princess returned to her friends, scowling heavily… until her eyes fell upon Noriko, who had only just rejoined them too. Her lips parted at the sight of the restless boy in her arms.

"You… you did it," Azula said, stepping toward Noriko and smiling slightly. "Well, I suppose this wasn't a complete failure… though I did fail. I'm pleased that the three of you did not."

"You were chasing the Avatar… if anything, I'm relieved he didn't do anything worse to harm you," said Noriko, gazing at her with heartfelt concern.

"You got Tom-Tom?" Mai asked, puzzled. Noriko smiled as she offered the child to Mai, who picked him up almost unwillingly, going by the grimace on her face as Tom-Tom giggled carelessly in her arms.

"That young man…" Noriko said, smiling. Azula raised an eyebrow. "He handed him over to me when I told him I would bring Tom-Tom to his family. I suppose it's inevitable that we would be enemies…"

"They're the Avatar's group, so it is inevitable," Azula said, bluntly. Noriko smiled and shrugged.

"I couldn't help but think they look like good kids. Much like the three of you do."

Ty Lee giggled, jumping to hug Noriko. Mai, of course, grimaced in displeasure. Azula's heart fluttered stupidly again… but she said nothing other than nodding at Noriko until she heard a strange, scraping sound behind them.

"Well, hello again!"

Azula's jaw dropped at the sight of the King's imprisonment device: the man had somehow bent his way back to the top of the pyramid while still inside it. He laughed in a rather disturbing way as they gaped at him in surprise.

"I'm back! It's not time yet!" he said.

"It… it won't ever be time, actually," Azula said, though she smiled as she stepped towards Bumi. "But… you're back. Which means…"

"You didn't fail," Mai said, simply.

Her work to ensure that Bumi would remain their prisoner hadn't paid off, it was true… but Azula smiled upon registering that Mai was right: unlike how it had been with Zuko's capture, she had succeeded at resolving Omashu's trouble while maintaining control over both the King and Tom-Tom. She hadn't failed. She hadn't caught the Avatar, no… but she hadn't failed.

"Well, then… let's take your brother to your parents, Mai," Azula said, with a proud grin. "We'll be setting out after that."

"To find Zuko and Iroh?" said Ty Lee. Mai raised her eyebrows.

"We're tracking down her brother and uncle?" she asked. Ty Lee smirked knowingly at her.

"It'll be interesting seeing Zuko again, won't it, Mai?" she teased, and Mai finally smiled too.

"It's not just Zuko and Iroh anymore," Azula said, with determination. "We have a third target now."

From that point onwards, their group would travel through new means: Lo and Li would drive the train-tank the Mechanist had designed by the Fire Lord's command, carrying Azula's team in it. The three teenage girls would be ready to strike against their foes as soon as they found any of them.

"This is so noisy," Mai groaned – that, admittedly, was the greater drawback of the chaotic, complex machine.

"It's the best method to travel quickly across the Earth Kingdom. We won't find Zuko and Iroh if we keep traveling on my ship," Azula declared: she and Noriko shared one of the seats of the vehicle while Mai and Ty Lee sat opposite them.

"Or the Avatar," Ty Lee remarked. Azula nodded.

"All the reports my father received were correct: he is only a child after all," Azula said, crossing her legs as she folded her arms over her chest. "I expect we will be able to exploit his inexperience."

"It's not just him, though. He has that waterbender, and the other boy…" Ty Lee said. Azula hummed and nodded.

"The leader," she said. All the group stared at her in confusion. "What? He is their leader."

"How do you know that for sure?" Mai asked.

"The Avatar was standing in front of them, wasn't he?" Ty Lee asked.

"The one holding Tom-Tom was him," Azula said. "And not only that… but you say he didn't confer with the waterbender to confirm he could give you Tom-Tom, did he, Noriko?"

"Oh… he didn't," Noriko confirmed. Azula smirked.

"He makes his own decisions, he doesn't wait for the Avatar or the waterbender to give him permission to do anything, so… he's their leader."

"The non-bender is the leader?" Mai repeated. Azula raised an eyebrow.

"Is that so surprising?" she asked. "You three are non-benders and I chose to travel with you instead of my procession. Is it that unthinkable? The other two appear much younger than him, so…"

"So, it could be a matter of age?" Noriko asked. Azula shrugged.

"Well, whether you're right or not, Azula, I thought he was cute," Ty Lee said, simply. Mai scoffed as Azula sighed, shaking her head.

"Unsurprising…"

"Your tastes are weirder every day," Mai said. Ty Lee gasped, affronted.

"Says someone who thinks Zuko is cute?" Azula asked, smirking derisively at Mai. Mai huffed.

"Well, Zuko is cute too, but so is this guy, and…!" Ty Lee froze suddenly, glancing at Azula. "Wait. I guess you could just be making fun of Mai, but… oh, Azula, do you think the Avatar's friend is cute too?!"

"I… no! I didn't say that!" Azula huffed: her cheeks, however, turned red.

"You didn't not say that either, though!" Ty Lee gasped, eyes wide with delight as Mai covered her face with a hand.

"You two are out of your minds…"

"I'm not…! I never said I thought anything of the sort, he's an enemy, and…!"

"It's forbidden love!" Ty Lee exclaimed, hugging Mai's arm as Azula rolled her eyes.

"You're such a child when you get any ridiculous romance ideas in your head, Ty Lee. Honestly…"

She stopped dismissing Ty Lee, though, when her eyes fell upon Noriko: the woman's gaze glowed with wonderment and Azula tensed up immediately.

"W-what's with you?! What are you looking at me like that for?!"

"Your… your first crush? Sokka is your first crush?!"

"Sokka? Is that his name?!" Ty Lee gasped, clapping happily. "Oh, yes! Oh, I feel this is a wonderful story waiting to happen…!"

"It's not! And he's not my first crush, he's not my first anything!" Azula huffed. Mai raised an eyebrow.

"Could be why you think so highly of him, actually. To the point of assuming a non-bender could be the leader of a group that includes the Avatar…"

"Oh, you three are just… ugh!"

They would be a pain, of course they would be, for however long they cared to be: she wasn't about to admit to having found the tall boy with the boomerang a little handsome, no, otherwise they'd never let her live it down. It didn't matter if he was good-looking or not, though: she had a mission, and that boy was simply in her way. He was inconsequential, for all she truly needed to do was to capture the Avatar, Zuko and Iroh, and bring them to her father as soon as possible.

Their new plan came together a few days later, once they noticed a strange trail of white fur around the southeastern territories of the Earth Kingdom. They marched at full speed, chasing down what Azula pinpointed as fur shed by the Avatar's creature, and they even came across their group at night, in the mountains:

"You should say hi to your crush now that you have the chance…" Ty Lee smiled deviously at Azula, who shot her a scathing glare as the train-tank's door opened.

"Focus, Ty Lee," Azula hissed: within moments, she, Mai and Ty Lee took off at haste on their mongoose dragons, and Azula attacked only to be thwarted by earthbending… ah. Their team had a new member, looked like.

That attempt to attack the Avatar's exhausted group didn't yield results, either, and Azula deeply hoped no one would pretend that she'd failed to capture their foes solely over her alleged interest in that boy. Sokka was his name, was it? Noriko said as much, but… oh, his name didn't matter, all that mattered was seizing the Avatar. They could fly as far as they dared on their bison, but they wouldn't get away for good…

Until their trail led Azula's team to a river.

Azula, Mai, Ty Lee and Noriko climbed off the train-tank when Lo and Li reported something was odd about the fur's pattern. Azula confirmed as much, kneeling by the river and picking up the strange patches of fur while Ty Lee rambled about clumps behind her.

"The trail goes this way," Mai said, pointing towards the nearest batch of fur inland. Azula glared in that direction before rising to her feet, inspecting her surroundings intently.

"Is she looking for him…?" Ty Lee asked. Mai grimaced.

"Could you stop thinking about this crazy romance you've made up for two seconds?" she asked. Ty Lee giggled guiltily and shrugged.

"The Avatar is trying to give us the slip," Azula said, startling her companions and pointing towards a tree: an unnaturally broken branch suggested a flying creature might have collided with it. "We saw him using his glider in Omashu. They washed their furry creature here, and he collected fur with which he's creating a false trail."

"And… you think the bison went that way?" Mai asked, raising an eyebrow as she pointed at the broken tree. Azula nodded.

"You two will head in that direction and keep an eye out for the bison. I'll follow the Avatar's trail," she said, with determination.

"Wait… but the Avatar can't glide with lots of people, can he?" Ty Lee reasoned. Azula raised an eyebrow. "It means Sokka is that way, you know, with the bison! Azula, you should go that way!"

"This isn't the time for your nonsense, Ty Lee!" Azula huffed, glaring at her friend, who pouted and crossed her arms over her chest. "The Avatar is dangerous, and neither of you can fight him. You'll be better served by capturing his allies, you can defeat them far more easily. If you make them our hostages, we will succeed even if I fail to defeat him. We will be able to use them to capture the Avatar and then we shall deliver him to my father. It's as simple as that."

"Ugh, whatever," Mai sighed. Ty Lee pouted.

"You should go meet up with Sokka, though…"

"Curses… weren't you the one who said you found him cute? Go find him yourself, then!" Azula huffed, cheeks flushed. "All the more reason for you to go in that direction!"

"I can't do that to you! He's your first crush!" Ty Lee huffed. Azula covered her face with her hands. "No, no, no! Girl code applies here, I'm deferring to you completely, Azula! Good luck!"

"Don't wish me luck, just get on your mongoose dragon and go find that bison!" Azula huffed. Ty Lee didn't seem as moody anymore as she grinned at her, taking off to obey her orders.

Azula scowled, shaking her head dismissively… until she saw Noriko standing beside her. She raised an eyebrow and Noriko blinked blankly.

"We will be going after the Avatar, right…?" Noriko said. Azula's jaw dropped.

"We? You and me?" Azula repeated. Noriko smiled and nodded. "No, you… you'll go with Mai and Ty Lee as well."

"What? But Princess…!"

"Do as I say, Noriko!" Azula huffed, marching up to her own mongoose dragon and shooting the woman a significant glare.

She didn't allow any further rebuttals from the woman: without another word, Azula took off to follow the false trail of bison fur while Noriko was left behind with Mai and Ty Lee.

"You know… all jokes about her crush aside? Azula has changed a lot," Ty Lee said, with a more serious tone than before. Mai hummed.

"Changed?" Noriko said, glancing over her shoulder. "In what way, if I may ask…?"

"Well… she really cares about you," Ty Lee giggled: Noriko's eyes widened.

"It's as if you're the mother figure she never knew she wanted in life," Mai commented with a bored tone, before sighing. "I can't believe she's being that corny, but anyway… we have to go, don't we?"

"We do! Let's do this!" Ty Lee giggled, urging Noriko to climb on her own mongoose dragon.

The three creatures ran quickly, covering ground in a matter of moments until that large creature showed up in the sky: they heard the young man screeching his companion's name, and their bison was supposed to speed up further… but it dove down towards the ground, instead.

"Well, here's our shot…" Mai said. Ty Lee grinned brightly.

"To get Azula a date with her dream boy!"

"That's not our goal here, Ty Lee…!" Mai grimaced with distaste as her friend sped up further.

Their chase saw the mongoose dragons crossing the river awkwardly: the waterbender attacked them then. Noriko tried to stay out of the way of the two fighters, but she still attempted to help in some ways by distracting the opponents… namely Sokka.

"Hi there!" Noriko called him. Sokka winced. "Remember me?"

"Woah, weird lady!" Sokka exclaimed while dodging Mai's projectiles. "Did you turn the kid over to his family?!"

"Oh, I did indeed!" Noriko exclaimed.

"Well…! Great! Good to know!" Sokka said: he and his companion switched opponents now, and now Ty Lee fought him instead…

"We don't have to fight!" Ty Lee said. "We can just talk things over…!"

"Talk what over?!" Sokka exclaimed: his attempt to attack Ty Lee, however, went nowhere when his arm failed to move after she struck it. "Ugh…!"

"Ty Lee, cut it out!" Mai shouted while battling Katara fiercely. Ty Lee huffed, shaking her head.

"Look, my friend has a crush on you!" Ty Lee revealed, beaming brightly: the rigid Sokka, preparing to raise his weapon, froze on the spot and shot Mai a confused stare. Her reaction, of course, was that of utter disgust.

"Ew, not me!" she roared. Katara snorted.

"What the hell is going on here?!" she exclaimed, freezing Mai's latest attack in midair.

"Don't ask me!" Sokka huffed, as Ty Lee groaned in frustration.

"Princess Azula has a crush on you, Sokka!"

Sokka's jaw dropped. All fighting ceased as the girl in the pink outfit finished making her statement proudly. Mai slapped her face with a hand as Katara, her opponent, marched past her with an outraged expression on her face.

"Y-you just said… huh?!" Sokka froze on the spot, eyes wide – and bloodshot too, for he hadn't slept properly in over a day now.

"Sokka! What the hell is that supposed to mean?!" Katara roared.

"You're asking me?! I have no idea either, Katara! I only saw her once in Omashu and…!"

He froze then, blinking blankly as if to remember the girl in question: his confused expression then changed to intrigue, as he raised his eyebrows and tapped his chin with his free hand.

"And she wasn't half-bad, I guess, but…"

"SOKKA!"

"What?! I'm just saying…!"

"The Princess of the Fire Nation has a crush on you?! That's seriously what's going on here?!" Katara asked, glaring at Ty Lee and at Noriko, standing not far behind her. "Is it?!"

"W-well… no, not just that, but we did come after you in the hopes of letting you know that you had an admirer, as well as, uh, well…" Noriko said, biting her lip.

"As well as capturing you and using you as bait to capture the Avatar, next," Mai stated, bluntly: Sokka and Katara glanced at her in horror as Mai stepped forward, to stand along Ty Lee and Noriko. "That's our primary mission, if anything. They're the ones who got that other nonsense into their heads."

"W-wait. But does she actually like me, or…?" Sokka asked: Katara smacked the back of his head. "Hey!"

"Stop fantasizing about dating the Fire Nation Princess! This is war, Sokka!"

"I'm not fantasizing, this could be good for us! If she actually likes me then, uh, I could actually agree to go on a date with her if she promises to leave us alone! How's that?!"

"Unlikely to work, considering you just announced your brilliant plan in front of her allies. Very smart of you," Mai said, deadpan as ever. Sokka winced.

"Uh… I'm sleep-deprived, okay? Not making the soundest decisions ever, no thanks to you, dangerous ladies," Sokka grimaced, rubbing his eyes with the heels of his hands. Katara, beside him, huffed and shook her head. "Why are you acting like this is my fault?"

"Because…! I mean, it has to be! Why would the Fire Nation Princess feel anything about… ah!"

"Mai!" Ty Lee gasped: her friend had rolled her eyes, clearly bored by the conversation, and she had flung another of her blades in Katara's direction.

"I really thought things would be more interesting once we caught up with them… but it looks like victory is boring," she said, glaring dangerously at the Water Tribe siblings…

A loud roar was the next thing that echoed in the area before the bison's large tail swept over Mai, Ty Lee and Noriko, flinging them right into the river they were fighting by.

The three managed to reach the safety of the shore without much trouble – the water wasn't too deep – but not before the bison and his two humans took off anew. Noriko sighed, biting her lip as she squeezed water from her braid, much as Ty Lee did.

"Well, I hope we didn't ruin Azula's chances with Sokka…" Ty Lee said, and Noriko grimaced.

"We might have. She won't be pleased," she said.

"Won't she? They took off again. Bet they're going to go help the Avatar, so… she'll get to see her 'crush', if he really is that at all," Mai said, rolling her eyes.

She spoke the words carelessly… but they sank in on Noriko after a moment.

The bison would fly in the Avatar's direction… Azula would face their full group on her own?

She might be strong enough to defeat them, she really might be. But Noriko couldn't think rationally whenever her charge was in danger.

"We have to go! Now!" she exclaimed.

They had no choice but to return to Azula's side. Azula might be strong enough to win on her own… but in the case she wasn't, Noriko meant to reach her on time to shield her from any harm, no matter what.

Fighting two opponents didn't prove as taxing as it could have been, no matter how chaotic the fighting area was: the Avatar grew cocky at one point, hovering in the ruins of a building without floors with his strange, swirling ball technique. Azula succeeded at avoiding a fall… and Zuko rushed in recklessly behind her. It was, however, not the Avatar's victory just yet, no matter how distracted he was by Zuko's undignified fall: Azula attacked, and the Avatar's defenses weren't much good this time.

With one powerful blow, Azula succeeded at knocking Zuko down briefly, flinging him through a wall while chasing after the Avatar before he ran away: her razor-sharp firebending tore down chunks of the building, causing the Avatar to fall amid debris… and that meant her victory was as good as guaranteed, at long last.

Azula stepped forward: she shot fire into the crumbled building, causing the boy to gape at her in fear as the blue inferno turned orange once she stopped bending it. She dared smirk, raising a hand menacingly, ready to summon a new burst of blue fire…

A sudden water whip that wrapped around Azula's wrist, yanking her back and away from the Avatar: the waterbender? Curses: Mai and Ty Lee had failed…

"STAY AWAY FROM MY BROTHER!"

Azula blinked blankly as she turned around: the attack she had been readying faltered as she stared at the waterbender in perplexity. Was the Avatar her brother? They looked nothing alike…

"Katara!" the Avatar cried out: Azula scowled before powering her fire again: the water whip struck her anew, but her flames succeeded at causing her new enemy to flee.

Azula ran after her: the Avatar was trapped in debris, but if new people had joined the fray, it meant her intent to capture the boy was about to become more complicated…

Her certainty to fight against the newcomers wavered, however, when she came across the tall boomerang boy, even if he was brandishing a club right now, instead.

"Uh… hi there?" Sokka said, before swinging the club in her direction.

"Sokka!" Katara's shout startled Azula. "Don't flirt with her!"

"I just said hi!"

Azula's eyes widened: her stance nearly broke as she leapt away from them both: flirting? This was a battle!

"What nonsense are you prattling about?!" Azula huffed, aiming a new attack at the boy, who screamed and rushed away from her.

"See? I told you it made no sense! She doesn't like me, her friends are just crazy!"

Azula's eyebrow twitched as her eyes widened.

No way.

Those idiots hadn't told this complete stranger that she had some sort of crush on him, had they?

"What did you just…?" Azula gasped: the Avatar had managed to loosen up the debris by now, though, causing Azula to backtrack as the three made to corner her.

Still, something about the boy's words caused unrest in her chest. She glared at Sokka in particular, trying to sound menacing and intimidating… rather than fearful.

"Where are they? What have you done to my allies?!" she shouted.

"Uh, it was Appa, but they just got soaked in a river," Sokka responded. "I'm sure they're fine, though…"

Azula snarled: she expected Mai and Ty Lee would be alright… but a strange part of her heart suddenly seemed to quake in terror over Noriko's fate. The woman was no fighter, she was hardly a capable rider, let alone could she do more than that… she had sent her away to the safer fight deliberately, to ensure she would be fine. And now…

Now she had to defeat these three in order to return to her.

Well, she'd ensure to bring the captured Avatar with her once she reunited with Noriko, that much was a certainty.

She fought the Avatar's group, finding them far more resilient and skilled at fighting firebenders than she anticipated – she knew herself fortunate that their current location was as dry as it was, otherwise, the waterbender would have been a much bigger threat. Yet while all three of her foes were clearly merciless, the ridiculous banter over her alleged feelings for the tall boy had yet to cease.

"Say what? She likes you, Sokka? Wow!" the Avatar laughed. Sokka made a sound of frustration and exasperation.

"What's so surprising about it?! I'm not a bad catch!"

"I never said I felt anything of the sort!" Azula roared: why the hell were her cheeks flushing? Why the blazes was she embarrassed over something that wasn't even real…?

She had very little time to ponder that when she nearly fell face-first into the dirt: the team's new earthbender knocked off her balance, and the others rejoiced in her apparently unexpected arrival. Azula, however, wouldn't stick around to let her enemies continue gathering their strength. Curses, she had hoped to take the Avatar, but now…

Her attempt to run away was broken by her uncle, who knocked her down with his voluminous belly somehow.

After that, Azula found herself backed into a corner, breathing heavily as her foes closed in around her, including her brother. She smirked as she scanned the opponents, knowing the situation was not in her favor, but the minute she found an opening, even a measly one…

"Are you going to ask her out?" the Avatar blurted out suddenly: Azula's focus broke, just as Iroh glanced at the earthbender.

"Aang!" Sokka huffed: his cheeks were red… much like Azula's were, too.

"Ask her out? Was that what this was about all along?" the earthbender girl smirked. "Guess that's one reason to chase a guy all across the world, huh?"

"That's not what…! Ugh! I have no interest in any of you! Enemies and traitors…" Azula hissed, eyes gliding over the others frantically… only to land on a disgusted Zuko. "What's with the face, Zuzu?"

"Zuzu?!" Sokka and Katara exclaimed as Zuko blushed. Aang snickered.

"That's what she calls him," he confirmed.

"You know what? I think I wouldn't mind asking her out if just because of that," Sokka laughed…

And Azula's stomach fluttered. He just said… what? No. She wouldn't say yes even if he did ask her anywhere, and…!

She was losing her mind. She was losing her grip. What was wrong with her? They were closing in, ready to strike, they were her enemies and she couldn't fall into their control! If she did, then…!

The sudden sound of very heavy and fast footsteps startled her. She frowned, glancing in the direction of the sound as the grounds beneath their feet shook with ripples of heavy movement…

Her jaw dropped when Noriko, riding a mongoose dragon, her hair a chaotic mess, showed up around the corner, running in her direction.

"AZULA!"

The Princess's eyes widened. A few of her opponents actually ventured a glance towards the approaching mongoose dragon, followed by two more such creatures…

"What are you doing…?" was all Azula could say before the creature arrived.

Noriko leaned down, scooping her up as if she were a child, and the mongoose dragon rode off, away from the dangerous scene where Azula had almost become a prisoner to her enemies.

"Wait…!" Katara gasped: she didn't dare attack and, to her surprise, neither did Zuko nor Iroh, much closer to the creature than she had been.

Zuko watched the mongoose dragon with utmost confusion… and his eyes met Noriko's. For a moment, their gazes collided and the older woman offered him sympathy, regret, even… and then she took off anyway, her mongoose dragon trotting off into the distance.

"Wait for me!" Ty Lee exclaimed: she spurred her mongoose dragon to follow the other two, leaving Azula's many opponents to watch as she vanished into the distance.

"What just happened…?" Toph said.

"Sokka's girlfriend got stolen away, I guess," Aang said, with a shrug. Sokka grimaced, cheeks flushing anew.

"She's not my girlfriend! She said she doesn't like me!"

"She does."

"What d'you know?! Uh, wait a second…" Sokka blinked blankly as he realized the one insisting on it had not been any of his friends, let alone Iroh or Zuko…

Instead, it was Azula's companion: the dark-haired one that marched her mongoose dragon up to Zuko. The exiled prince gazed at her in confusion.

"Mai…" he said. "What are you doing here?"

"Azula recruited me to help her find you and your uncle. Guess I found you alright," Mai said. Zuko frowned.

"Well, she's gone and you should go with her too. I'm not letting Azula catch me," he said, stubbornly.

"That's none of my concern. I simply came here to find you," Mai said, bluntly. Zuko raised his sole eyebrow.

"W-wait… you mean you won't turn me in to the Fire Nation?" he asked. Mai blinked blankly.

"Do you want me to?"

"No!"

"Then why would I?" Mai said. "I came here for you, Zuko. I'm staying with you."

Zuko's jaw dropped: Iroh, beside him, let out a hearty giggle, elbowing his ribs gently as his nephew's cheeks lit up.

"I guess you found a lady friend…!" he said.

"Uncle…! Cut it out!" Zuko huffed.

Mai raised an eyebrow before glancing to her right: the Avatar's group, it seemed, was sneaking off silently. The bison wasn't far away, and by the time Zuko noticed they were halfway there, the group broke into a full sprint, climbing on the creature's saddle quickly.

"WAIT!" Zuko roared, but it was obvious the Avatar's group wasn't about to waste their chances to run away. "Damn it… gone again!"

"Zuko…" Iroh said, and his nephew groaned.

"I know, I know… I'll do better next time, damn it, but I was so close!" he growled. Iroh sighed, though a smile lit his face quickly.

"Though… if we catch them eventually, we could just take the Avatar and distract Azula by handing over the boy she likes, should she close in on us!" Iroh declared: Zuko grimaced Iroh grinned at Mai. "Because you say she does like him, do you?"

"Looks like it. I have no idea what she sees in him… but I don't really care," Mai said, simply: her eyes fell upon Zuko again, and he felt his stomach twisting with unexpected nervousness upon realizing that the person Mai had come here for, the only real reason why she had joined Azula, was him…

"We're fugitives," Zuko said. "And we're in danger, Mai, constantly. You're sure you're going to take your chances joining me and Uncle Iroh?"

She smiled: the sight was unusual, and Iroh found it a little foreboding… but Zuko smiled, pleasantly surprised, all in all, by the surprising outcome that day had brought him. Iroh was back by his side… and so was Mai.

"You're fools! Utter fools! Of all the things you could've done… you went and told the enemy that I was romantically interested in him?!"

Hidden away in a distant, abandoned cabin, far from the ghost town where the fight had taken place, Azula stared down Noriko and Ty Lee, who eyed Azula guiltily.

"Well… I thought he looked like he might be interested too," Ty Lee pouted: Azula cried out in exasperation. "And he really did look like it! His sister – I think she's his sister anyway – she was scolding him for it and, well… it was kind of funny, heh. But I mean, Azula…!"

"We were out of line," Noriko said, and Azula turned towards her with a heavy frown. The woman closed her eyes and bowed her head towards the Princess. "I… I thought we could help you find some happiness, but… I made a terrible mistake by not showing better sense or restraint. You were in grave danger, and I… I'm sorry, Princess. I'm sorry."

Azula's anger froze over: the genuine emotion in Noriko's voice took her by surprise. Even Ty Lee seemed confused by how seriously the woman was taking her mistakes… by how worried she had been for Azula's sake. The Princess, however, wasn't about to voice her own emotions just yet. She cleared her throat and shook her head.

"If so… then very well. I accept your apology," Azula said. Ty Lee raised her eyebrows, smiling at Azula. "Hers, not yours. Considering you haven't even apologized…"

"But Azula…!"

"Save it!"

Ty Lee pouted as Azula shook her head: they would rest in the cabin for now, and they'd find whatever they could to eat and feed the exhausted mongoose dragons before making the long trek back to the train-tank. Survival was the priority, not people's feelings, let alone people who didn't seem to care to understand what Azula's actual feelings were, in the first place…

They built a small fire within the hut, and Ty Lee fell asleep quickly after a weak dinner comprised by wild berries that Azula deeply hoped wouldn't be poisonous. She sat within the cabin too, but Noriko sat outside instead. The Princess breathed out slowly before making up her mind to speak with the woman – hours had gone by since the chaotic confrontation in the ghost town, so Azula's frustration had dimmed sufficiently to speak calmly with Noriko, at the very least.

The woman sat right by the door, hugging her knees to her chest. Azula sat beside her, and Noriko spared her a guilty glance.

"You should rest, Princess. I'm keeping watch…"

"You don't have to do that," Azula said, curtly. Noriko smiled sadly.

"I can't do much else for you… I'm as good as a liability. If I can at least ensure that you'll sleep soundly… then my presence here will be justified, regardless of the mistakes I've made."

"Mistakes?" Azula asked. "You mean… telling that boy whatever you told him?"

"Well… that was a mistake too, and we were out of place for certain. I'm sorry about that," Noriko said, eyeing her remorsefully. "I hope… I hope we didn't humiliate you. And that, if you truly feel anything for that boy, well…"

"He's an enemy," Azula said, curtly. Noriko smiled and shrugged.

"He seems like a good boy," she said. Azula raised her eyebrows. "They all do, truth be told. It… it seems like such a waste that this world would be so dark and unpleasant. In other circumstances… all of you might be friends. But as it is…"

"You make a sport of saying treasonous things, seems like," Azula said, softly. Noriko smiled.

"Either way, I… I'm also sorry for intervening without your request or permission. I couldn't… couldn't think properly once I realized you were in danger. All I could do, all I wanted to do, was rescue you…"

"And you did," Azula said, simply. Noriko gritted her teeth.

"You had a chance to finish your two missions… and I took you away before you could do so. I… I would likely do that again, if anything similar happened, and that… that makes me a terrible companion for you, I fear. I care for you so much that… that the mere notion of you being hurt sends me into a spiral of panic. I need to protect you and yet… I'm so weak that I have no idea how to do it. I… I'm sorry, Princess. I'm sorry. I wish I were a better companion than I can be."

Azula's eyes widened: she cared for her…? Well, that was no surprise, Noriko had always watched over her. But that was the first time she had said those words so bluntly, and…

It was the first time anyone had said those words to her, altogether.

Azula flinched, swallowing hard and averting her gaze from the woman: that tingling, growing sensation within her chest seemed to embrace her heart now… to trigger a strange feeling she wasn't sure she had experienced before. Because someone cared for her… someone wanted her to be safe, even if it was someone who had next to no tools, no means to ensure that she would be.

But Noriko had looked after her for three years. She had fixed Azula's hair, helped her make better choices with her makeup, talked with her about anything Azula wanted to talk about, and sat in silence whenever Azula wanted silence, too. She had taken care of Azula's laundry, of fixing her bed, of bringing her every meal, accompanying her to places, even places as distant as the Earth Kingdom's southeastern territories, where they were now…

She had jumped into what could have been mortal danger today, too, just to pick up Azula and take her to safety.

"For someone who… who feels so weak, it's quite unnerving how strong you are," Azula said, with a small smile. "No one else stands up to me as much as you do, so… don't sell yourself so short, Noriko."

"I… w-well, I'm glad that doesn't displease you much, if so," Noriko said, smiling a little too. Azula breathed deeply, glancing at her with uncertainty.

"You probably shouldn't have done what you did. And I… I probably should have scolded you for it. But the odds weren't in my favor today. Even if I managed to flee somehow, I… I would have never captured Zuko, Iroh or the Avatar. And Mai stayed with Zuko, to boot… not that it's surprising, really."

"She has always… uh, always liked him, I understand?" Noriko asked. Azula nodded.

"I suppose what you and Ty Lee started about me and this boy amused her only so she could get back at me for all my teasing of her crush on him," Azula sighed.

"Is… Zuko good to her?" Noriko asked. Azula raised an eyebrow.

"Good?" she repeated. "In what sense, exactly?"

"Do you think they could have a… a healthy relationship?" Noriko asked. Azula scoffed.

"Unlikely… though that's true to any members of my family, I suppose," Azula said, with a shrug. "We're royal. Very little about us can be healthy, Noriko."

"I suppose that makes sense, but…" Noriko said, sighing. "I suppose I had hopes that the two of you might find happiness, regardless of the family's pressures."

"Happiness isn't a priority," Azula said, simply. "The Fire Nation and the Fire Lord are. All our happiness should come from…"

"From serving him?" Noriko asked. Azula nodded, though her brow furrowed slightly. "You have experienced happiness, though… haven't you? If only in small ways."

"I don't know," Azula said, simply – her heart, fickle and treacherous, urged her to say yes.

"If not…" Noriko said, gritting her teeth. "Then I hope you do, in the future. As I hope Zuko does, too, no matter if, well… if sometimes it feels like I don't know who he is anymore."

"Oh? Because of his scar?" Azula asked. Noriko winced, but she shook her head.

"His scar… the physical side of it isn't all there was to his pain," she said. "His father's rejection, his failure to rise to his expectations… all of it must have devastated him. But the truth is, I… I don't think he's ever noticed me, Princess. I stood between the two of you, and…"

"And he shoved you off," Azula repeated, scowling.

"Right now, he stared at me and… and it felt like the first time he's properly seen at all," Noriko said, biting her lip "I'm worried about his demeanor, his behavior, his treatment of others. When I started working for him, at the Palace, I… I felt invisible. As though he couldn't see me because all he could see was his father. The only thing that mattered was pleasing him… and those of us who weren't Ozai were as good as insignificant. You, of course, weren't insignificant, but…"

"But I was an obstacle in his path. A challenge he needed to prove himself superior to," Azula finished. Noriko grimaced. "Mai… she was a girl who liked him, and I suppose that boosted his self-esteem even higher than it got boosted after he became heir to the throne. You'd have thought he'd always been born to be Fire Lord, with the way his confidence grew in the years since… since Father's coronation."

"I believe he… he is a good boy. That his heart is in the right place," Noriko said. "But… he's gone astray in ways I never anticipated. So I… I'm left to wonder if I knew him at all. I suppose I should ask you, shouldn't I? About… about who your brother really is,"

"You know who he is," Azula said, simply. "The Crown Prince in Exile…"

"That's his title. That's not who he is."

It wasn't the first time Noriko said words of the sort. The conviction with which she spoke them made Azula self-aware, and she shivered as she glanced at the stern woman beside her.

"What he's been through would change and hurt anyone… it's been a scarring, damning experience in ways most of us would never understand. I know I'll never truly understand his pain… I hope you don't, either," Noriko said, gazing at Azula heartily. "It isn't out of lack of empathy that I say what I do, only… out of fear of who he might have become in the years of his exile. Even if he was so keen on chasing after his father when I first knew him… he wasn't the volatile, angry young man we've met since your mission began. He was fighting you, wasn't he? He wasn't… wasn't helping you capture the Avatar."

"He wants to capture the Avatar himself," Azula said, simply. "I suppose it never occurred to him that, if he fought alongside me, perhaps the two of us could be victorious…"

"But the Avatar is just a boy," Noriko said. Azula grimaced.

"He's a mission."

"He's more than that. Just as you are more than a Princess, and Zuko more than a Prince in exile," Noriko said. Azula gritted her teeth: she could have simply dismissed Noriko's insolences, been affronted by them… but she glanced at her with confusion instead.

"You say that, but… how are you so sure?" Azula asked. "I… I've been my father's daughter all my life. Whatever he wants from me, I deliver the results he requires of me. That's my purpose. That's…"

"You are more than your father's orders. So is Zuko," said Noriko.

Her hand reached out, clasping Azula's gently. The Princess's shame urged her to yank her hand away… but she didn't. For some reason, she didn't.

"I wished to know who Zuko is, if you have any better notion of the answer than I do… for if he's nothing without his title, it means all the potential I know he has in his kind heart is going to waste."

Azula's eyes widened. Her hand, still in Noriko's, trembled slightly.

"Potential?" she repeated. Noriko nodded. "You… you don't mean, of course, as Fire Lord. You mean… as an individual? As a person?"

"Of course," Noriko sighed, closing her eyes sorrowfully. "A good man might not be able to be a great king… but I'd rather he is a good man above all else."

Azula frowned. A good man? Was Zuko one? Whether he was or wasn't… Azula herself certainly wasn't a good person. Noriko would be quite disappointed if she saw Azula without her titles, then, if she got to know her for who she was…

But in truth, the notion of lacking her title was as terrifying as it was intriguing. She certainly didn't want to empathize with Zuko's position much, but what would she do, were she in a similar situation? Granted, she was traveling the Earth Kingdom, hoping to obtain victories for the Fire Nation that she would later offer her father as a sign of her effectiveness, her loyalty, her true devotion to his cause… but she was traveling with Noriko, now with Ty Lee as well, while living as distantly from the luxurious life she had ever indulged in – a dinner comprised by wild berries? She'd never eaten anything as weak as that for a meal. A needling, prickling fear kept gnawing away at her insecurities, too: what if she failed? What if she couldn't capture Zuko and Iroh? What if the Avatar gave her the slip, too? There was one more endeavor, one thing her father wanted done in the Earth Kingdom and, as far as she knew, the Drill might already be on its way to Ba Sing Se… could she join that mission, even take command in it, in order to claim an important victory to prove to her father that she wasn't useless?

If so… she would be no better than Zuko.

Even if her father had given her all the resources he had, she was constantly faced by failure. Needing a victory, any victory, to prove she wasn't as weak as her brother was embarrassing: she knew herself better than him, why would she need to prove otherwise? Yet Ozai's harshness, the unyielding steel of her father's glare, daunted her whenever she recalled it. He wouldn't care whether she was a better firebender or a better strategist or a better leader if she had no results to prove it. If he concluded that he'd squandered countless resources on her only for her efforts to yield no fruit…

In a twisted sort of way, it seemed she would discover who she was without a title eventually, whether she liked it or not.

"How…?" Azula said, swallowing hard before composing her words fully. "How do you know someone isn't a good person? Or if they are one, anyway? Zuko… well, he's not exactly stellar in my opinion. But… I suppose he has some manner of instinctive bravery that makes him charge into everything without hesitation. Is that a sign of a good person?"

"I… suppose it's a sign of recklessness, truth be told," Noriko said. "He should take better care of himself, but…"

"He hardly thinks he should, I expect, for our father has made it clear that he's a failure," Azula said. "He's desperate to prove otherwise."

"He wants his father's love and approval," Noriko said. Azula gritted her teeth.

"And I'm no better."

Her confession spilled before she knew what she was doing. Noriko's eyes widened, but Azula offered her a dry, insincere grin.

"I won't lie to myself about something as obvious as that," she said. "Nor is there any point in lying about it to you. I… I don't know if Zuko is, down to his core, a decent person… I do know I'm not one, myself."

"Azula, that's not…"

She glanced at Noriko with a slight frown: the woman paused upon realizing she hadn't spoken with the appropriate respect for one of her position, even if she had such slipups quite often. She pulled her hand back nervously, lowering her gaze.

"Princess… you are young. You are still getting to know yourself. You still have chances and opportunities to… to discover you are more than who you think you are."

"And if I'm not?" Azula said, eyeing Noriko skeptically. "You… you may think everyone is like you. You're too kind, if anything… and most people aren't like you. I know I'm not."

"You helped your brother when no one else did," Noriko said. Azula tensed up. "His ship… it was your doing. His crew, even the opportunity to travel with Iroh…"

"I… I only did that because it was convenient for me," Azula said, stubbornly. "Because without Zuko nearby, my position as my father's heir was cemented further. And I convinced Father solely because he wanted Iroh gone, too. I… I offered him a way to achieve both his goals in a single choice."

"And in doing so, you ensured your brother would have a chance to fulfill his mission with a faithful companion, his uncle," Noriko said. Azula gritted her teeth. "I… I fear I don't believe that's your true motive, Azula. You hide behind all these walls, these pretenses of cruelty solely because it's what you believe your father would approve of… probably because it is. He has spent years teaching you to crush any obstacles in your way… and you have spent those years learning how to circumvent them quietly instead, I suspect."

"You're wishful," Azula said, stubbornly. Noriko raised her eyebrows.

"Am I, truly?" she asked. The Princess scoffed.

"What I said before… you're too kind. Too nice. You're too good a person, and that somehow has convinced you that the rest of us are just like…"

"I'm not a good person, Azula. I haven't been one for a long time."

The Princess's jaw dropped: she stared at Noriko in utter disbelief, finding the woman crestfallen, her head bowed in apparent remorse.

"Of all the things you've said tonight, that's by far the most ridiculous one," Azula blurted out. "If you're a bad person, the rest of us don't stand a chance."

"You… you don't know who I was. Who I've been. The things I've done…" Noriko said, shaking her head. Azula raised an eyebrow. "I…"

For a moment, it seemed as though Noriko was going to say something vital. To confess something that would get a massive weight off her back… just as it would cause her situation to grow more muddled and complicated. The anticipation increased as she looked at Azula… until her expression changed, and she offered the girl a sad smile.

"I've hurt people with my actions. I've… done things I shouldn't have," she concluded. "I… I never told you, did I? That I… was married, once?"

"You were?" Azula raised her eyebrows. "You're not anymore?"

"Actually? I… I suppose I still am," Noriko said, grimacing. "All the more reason to conclude I am a bad person, isn't it? I… I married someone, when my heart yearned for someone else."

Azula's eyes widened. She blinked blankly for a moment, trying to process the information as Noriko breathed deeply, shaking her head.

"I was but a girl… a foolish, mindless girl who got swept up by fantasies. The man who loved me… he asked me to marry him. I agreed to it, we had been together since we were children, it felt like, and… and I thought I'd build a life with him. But then… a better offer came along, you could say. It was only better in terms of social advancement, truthfully, and yet I had no choice but to accept the deal, because…"

"It was what your family expected from you," Azula concluded. Noriko nodded.

"I married the second man, and… and for a long time I simply yearned for the past. Eventually, I learned to live life as best as I could with my husband, but it wasn't easy. The bad parts outdid the good. Eventually, he… he forced me to leave."

"He forced you?" Azula said, frowning. "He sent you away? And you're still married, even so?"

"I don't know… perhaps he saw our marriage legally dissolved and dismissed since then, I truly don't know," Noriko said, sighing and shaking her head. "But I… I left. I left behind so many things I treasured… and I only truly understood how badly I wanted it all back once I was faced with the impending reality that I had lost it all forever. Perhaps if… if I'd made different choices, I wouldn't have lost those I cared about…"

"You cared about him, in the end?"

"No… about our children."

Azula froze. Children? Noriko had…?

Her suspicions were right then. Her motherly behavior made far more sense if seen in this light. Was she projecting her children onto Azula, where Iroh did the same with Zuko? Her foolish heart tingled at that notion, somehow…

"I should have never left them… I should have never allowed my husband to send me away," Noriko sobbed, shaking her head as tears spilled down her face. "But I left… and I found the man who loved me, afterwards."

"You… you did?" Azula asked. "The first one? Did he take you back, or…?"

"He would have… had I allowed him to," Noriko said, swallowing hard. "We traveled together for some time and I… I tried to deceive myself into believing this was what I wanted. That this was the life I deserved to live. But ultimately… I was no longer the girl he had once loved. And he was no longer the man who had once loved me, either. He had changed, too… maybe for the better, I cannot say for sure, but he had changed regardless. I cared for him, though… just, not in the way I did once. The very notion of… of forsaking even the memory of my children and playing blind, foregoing my claim upon my identity, upon everything I was, all be it to indulge in a mindless fantasy of love? I… I couldn't do it. I broke his heart with my choices, I know I did… but I couldn't stay with him."

Azula swallowed hard. Noriko sighed, wiping the tears from her eyes as she smiled sadly.

"So… I broke the heart of the man who loved me. I left my children under the care of their father, who… who I'm sure hasn't cared for them at all. And all I can do is… is look after you as best as I can, Azula. Because even if I know I'm not much… I still hope I can justify my existence by being helpful, useful, to you."

"You've… you've been more than that."

Noriko gasped. She glanced at Azula… just in time for the Princess's hand to fall on hers now.

"I… I don't think that what you've said sounds like you're a bad person. But I suppose… I'm bad enough that nothing short of my own cruelty would faze me," Azula said, with a weak smile. "At least… at least you feel bad about leaving your children behind. At least you grieve for that. If I were in your shoes, I… I would have forsaken anything that I thought weighed me down and I wouldn't have looked back. So… if I'd felt any affection for that man, I probably would have simply chosen him. You didn't, though."

"I… I didn't," Noriko said, breathing deeply.

"I take it you couldn't return to your children, could you?" Azula asked. "Not with the father in the way, doing whatever he could to keep you away…"

"I… I've tried, but…" Noriko said, with a sad smile.

"Well… once we return to the Fire Nation, I can help you sort it out," Azula said. Noriko's eyes widened. "If you had told me of this sooner, I might have…"

"Oh, Princess, you don't have to do anything at all…"

"I do, though. You… you're a better person than you think you are, and I'm sure you'd be able to see it if you return to your kids," Azula said, firmly. Noriko smiled sadly at her.

"And then… then you claim it is me who is too kind? Princess…"

"I'm willing to do this for you, it doesn't mean I'm any better than I say I am," Azula said, curtly. "I… I envy your children, I'll say. They'll be grateful once you return to them. Once they… they realize that you've done everything in your power to be with them. My mother… she left, and she didn't even say goodbye. So… as you can see, it's not easy for me to think you're an awful person, no matter how you argue that you are one. I'm used to… to a lot worse than anything you've been capable of, Noriko."

The woman's eyes appeared to betray something deeper than Azula could understand… but she smiled sadly, squeezing Azula's hand gently.

"Perhaps we are both wrong, then. And we're both better people than we think we are."

"In your case, certainly. In mine…"

"Oh, Princess…"

Azula smiled, despite herself, at Noriko's frustrations. The woman appeared determined to defend Azula from herself… it was endearing, even. But after their conversation tonight, Azula couldn't help but feel they had grown closer… that they had cemented a strange familial bond that had been latent so far, and that she only truly appreciated now.

She had a strange sort of mother in Noriko, she supposed… but a mother, indeed. She was someone she could count on, someone she could genuinely trust… and that was such a novel, strange notion after her father had told her, numerous times, that trust was weakness. That believing in others blindly would result in nothing but betrayal. That they would hurt her and turn on her at any chance they got… but just one look at the kind-hearted Noriko persuaded her otherwise at once.

"I'm grateful… that you still wish to have me by your side," Noriko said, with a heartfelt grin. "I hope I never give you cause to feel any differently. Whatever you want from me, Princess, I…"

"Well, if that's the case, I would very much like for you to stop telling that Water Tribe boy that I like him," Azula said, startling Noriko.

"I… yes. Of course, Princess, I… I overstepped all boundaries," Noriko said, swallowing hard. "You may still have a chance with him, though, if…"

"I… come on. That's not… not relevant at all," Azula said, frowning. "It's not like he would ever consider starting a relationship with someone from the Fire Nation, he likely despises all of us altogether. And even if he were strange enough to be interested in me, well… my father would never approve. He would never let me be with someone he can't approve of."

"Solely because he's Water Tribe?" sighed Noriko. "I suppose he wouldn't be pleased, but… Sokka does seem to be a good boy. I really think all of you could be friends, if anything were different… even Zuko."

"Well, nothing is, I fear," Azula said, breathing deeply.

They sat in silence for a moment, watching the twinkling stars above, the silence of the dry land that spread before their eyes. In that moment, Azula built her resolve to ask a question she never thought she'd speak… but upon letting Noriko into her heart as she had, it became slightly easier to feel like she could share her thoughts with her. Like she could ask questions and not be judged or ridiculed for them. Thus, she breathed deeply, her voice trembling slightly as she blurted out.

"What… what is it like, falling in love?"

Noriko raised an eyebrow. Azula's cheeks heated up as she turned her gaze away from the woman.

"I only ask because… well, it hasn't really happened to me, I don't think. All your insistence about this boy, Sokka… I don't think it makes any sense, but I just thought I'd find out if there's anything in common between that notion and, well, whatever all of you have assumed I feel towards him."

Her awkward explanations made her feel more self-aware yet… and Noriko's answer took her by surprise.

"Falling in love… to be honest, I'm not sure I've ever experienced it. Not in the way people usually talk about it," she said. Azula frowned.

"But… you were going to marry that man, and then you married the other man? You had no feelings for either of them?"

"I had feelings for the first of them, yes, but… I was young. I didn't truly understand my heart, and… and he understood his all too well. Before I knew it, I was in a relationship with him and it was even comfortable, I suppose, but… it feels like I never truly made the choice to be with him myself," Noriko said, with a sigh. "It was as though, because we grew up together, it was expected that our bond would become romantic… and I never truly slowed down to think it through. Not until I was walking away for good. By then… I realized that maybe I just wanted to return to him because he was all I knew, and that maybe I didn't love him as deeply as I had realized I could love someone…"

"What do you mean?" Azula asked. Noriko smiled sadly.

"What I felt for my children… that was love. The purest, truest love I ever experienced. It was love, because I… my heart was lighter whenever they were around. Every dark thing in my life faded away as long as I was with them. They were so young, and conflictive… but deep down I just wanted them to be friends, just as I wanted to look after them myself. I wanted to protect them forever… and I couldn't do that. To this day, nothing I've ever done fills me with sorrow as that awareness.

"I wanted to help them find happiness. Their laughter, their joy… they brought a smile to my face every day, and I wanted to ensure theirs would last for as long as possible. I wanted them safe, protected from the horrors of this world. I wanted them to live in peace, even if it wouldn't be likely to happen in a world at war. Their needs, their hopes… they were so much more important than my own. Nothing could have mattered more… nothing has ever mattered more to me. In the end… I lived for them. To this day, I live on for them. Without them, I would be lost. I would have no true purpose. I suppose… you could say they're the ones who taught me who I was. The ones who taught me how I wanted to live my life. And every day I'm away from them, I… I feel this anguish inside me, this dread that I might never be with them again. That, even if I returned… they might not want or need me anymore. And that would hurt, yes, but… but even if that were the case, I'd be happy as long as they are, too. I would accept it, so long as they can live the lives they deserve to live. That is all that matters."

Azula blinked blankly as Noriko breathed out slowly, turning a sad smile upon the girl beside her. Azula swallowed hard, turning her gaze away.

"Well… safe to say I'm not falling in love with that boy, if that's what I'm supposed to be feeling for him," she concluded, cheeks reddening. Noriko laughed, squeezing her hand gently.

"Oh, dear…" she said: Azula's eyes widened upon hearing an unusual term of endearment used on her. "This is the way you'll feel once you have established a proper bond, first. And it's true… it might not be him. But if the day comes when you find someone you care for, if you allow that relationship to blossom fully… you may come to feel exactly as I feel about my children. Thus… I can't really tell you much about falling in love, I fear. If I ever truly loved Ikem, I hardly noticed the 'falling in love' stage, personally. Like I said… it felt like we were always together, like our relationship was a given. So… you'll have to explore that for yourself, Azula. Whether now or in the future."

Azula swallowed hard but shrugged. Her cheeks were red still over her recklessness upon asking such a question… also over the answers she had received. Imagining herself feeling anything quite as profound as what Noriko had described towards that Water Tribe boy sounded idyllic and quite unlikely…

"In the future, at best," Azula said, shaking her head. "It's not like I had any manner of certainty about him as a potential match for me, but then you and Ty Lee told him I liked him. I don't even know if I do or not, to begin with. Him being handsome is beside the point…"

"True. Though you took notice of his leadership, and I think you may have some respect for him…"

"I have to respect my opponent, especially if it's one I have yet to outdo," Azula said, simply. "But either way… like I said before, nothing is bound to come from this, and not solely because of that. My father… even if I ever grew to feel what you explained, he'd never accept it."

"Well… you'll call me treacherous anew for saying so, but your heart is more important than your father's approval," Noriko stated, simply. Azula frowned.

"My… heart?" Azula said, with a slow, derisive smile. "Well, that sounds wishful of you, but… I don't think I have one. At least… my mother didn't think I did."

"W-what…?" Noriko said: her face paled, and Azula eyed her with uncertainty.

"Well, she… she thought I was a monster," Azula said, with a shrug now. "It's not like she's wrong, so…"

"Azula…!"

Noriko's voice suddenly sounded terribly familiar. Again, it reminded her of the way someone had scolded her, long ago, whenever she misbehaved. Even that frown on her face… Azula almost flinched away, shocked by her companion's reaction. What had she said that could be so outrageous? She was a monster… that was what her mother believed, so why…?

She couldn't elaborate a single thought, or say any words, before Noriko made her next move.

Azula froze cold, the impact of Noriko's choice flooring her at once. A flush rose over her face over how reckless and outrageous this woman dared be…

She was hugging her.

Noriko was hugging her.

She had no memory of ever being hugged this way. Ty Lee was rather given to quick, random embraces, but not this way. Not with as strong emotions as the ones Noriko conveyed now. Not with that intensity... not with that affection.

Azula shivered, raising her hand as to push Noriko away… knowing, quickly, that the woman wouldn't yield. So… it would be a waste to try to make her stop doing this and remember their social standing. She wouldn't listen, anyway, it was pointless to try and fight off this embrace, so…

So her hands fell upon her companion's back. Her face wound up pressed to her shoulder as Noriko's grip around her tightened.

"I… I'm so sorry," she said. Azula gritted her teeth.

"You don't have to…"

"I do. You're not… you never were a monster. You could never be a monster! Your mother… she was a miserable, foolish woman with no notion of the severity of her words and actions…"

"You can't… c-can't keep saying those sorts of treasonous things," Azula said, though her heart churned upon hearing those words.

"She was… she was unworthy of her children. Unworthy of calling herself your mother," Noriko said: tears spilled down her face as she shook her head repeatedly. "She didn't see… she didn't see what I've seen. She didn't know you as I do. She didn't understand you… a-and wherever she is, I guarantee she… she regrets failing you every day, for she could never be the mother you deserved. But… but that's not what matters. What matters is your wellbeing, Azula, your… your peace of mind. You're not a monster, Azula… you were never one. Any fool who would think so… is far more monstruous than you could ever hope to be."

Azula shivered, uncertain of how to answer those words. Uncertain if they warranted an answer at all. She should warn Noriko not to say anything so treacherous again, or else she'd be in trouble, and–…

A soft sob burst from her lips before she knew it.

Only upon hearing her own choked sound did Azula realize that tears were spilling down her cheeks, too.

She held onto Noriko tightly, unable to temper or restrain her tears. Unable to process what the woman's words truly meant just yet. Knowing that someone didn't think her to be a monster, however… Noriko, the strangely kind-hearted woman who had somehow chosen to take care of her, didn't think she was a monster. She wasn't here solely because it was her job… she truly cared about Azula. She truly cared…

The words she had spoken earlier about her children rang powerfully within her heart: was that how Noriko felt about her? Was that why she was so defensive over Azula, so willing to lash out at Ursa…? Did Noriko actually love her?

The realization broke her down even further: whether the tears were caused by sadness over thoughts of her mother, or over relief to know someone appeared to love her unconditionally, they still spilled from her eyes and unleashed the depths of her despair and hope, of her passion and misery. The restraints that Azula herself, her father, her advisors and even her mother had bound around her throughout her fourteen years of life came undone, leaving her bare, pure and true to who she was, for the first time in her life.

They had meant to return to the train-tank by morning, but it seemed their feeble meal of berries didn't sit so well with Ty Lee or with the mongoose dragons. The former circus performer had woken up groaning and moaning over a stomachache – she had certainly eaten more than Azula and Noriko had. The Princess had left Noriko to care for her friend, then, and she had taken a walk in the nearby areas, wandering the dry canyon lands they had wound up taking refuge at. It was easy to miss the Fire Nation in lands as foreign and distinct as those of the Earth Kingdom… lands she knew she didn't belong in, and where she didn't seek any manner of belonging, either.

Noriko's words from the previous night continued to round her mind: the notion of learning who she was without her title, of discovering her true self without the privileges, the luxury… what about her bending? She had always considered that to be a crucial part of who she was… but it wasn't everything she was, either. Noriko might even think it wasn't that important… not as important as her choices, or her understanding of the world, at least.

It was so strange that a woman like her would have as much power over Azula as she did. So strange that Azula would allow her to hold that power, too… but after last night, it was easy to understand why she did. After last night, she couldn't help but cling to the first time she had been hugged in such a genuine way. The first time she had ever heard someone dismissing her mother's words… something about the passionate defense Noriko had made of Azula had struck her as odd. Had she known Ursa, perhaps? Did they have a clash at some point or another? Was Ursa somehow responsible for something terrible that had befallen Noriko? Her vitriol towards her mother should have shocked Azula, it should have even upset her… perhaps Ursa was right, and she was a monster after all, for she had even felt relief upon hearing someone convey something other than praise and admiration towards the Fire Lord's missing wife. She would have taken a stand to defend Ursa, she supposed, if only she were a better person… but she wasn't one. She had felt appeased for once in her life… for once, she had felt understood. Her experiences hadn't been dismissed in the face of every good thing Ursa had done… of how nice she had been to Zuko. Whatever Noriko's reasons might be, she had thoroughly shaken up Azula's heart last night, and the Princess still had no idea of what to do about it…

Her ruminations were interrupted by a sudden scream, coming from a cluster of trees on a lower area of the canyon: a male scream, she thought, but she couldn't be sure. She had thought there was no one nearby… wary, and ready for any confrontation, she approached the source of the voice slowly.

Azula's footsteps were as quiet as could be – it was made all the easier by the strange noises drifting from what she soon noticed to be a crack on the ground. Azula frowned, approaching steadily…

Her eyes widened, and she gasped, when she saw Sokka's head, as well as some of his fingers, poking out of the crack on the ground.

Her gasp alerted him that he wasn't alone. He whimpered, turning his head towards her, perhaps hoping to ask for help… then he noticed who she was, and he flinched.

"Oh, just my luck. Dinner runs away and then she shows up…" he groaned, glaring at her. Azula scoffed, glaring right back. "Don't even think about it!"

"Well, well… the Avatar's friend," Azula said, with a slow smirk. "Did you get left behind somehow? They must be rather ruthless if they decided to abandon you this way. Was it some manner of mutiny?"

"Mutiny?" Sokka repeated, raising an eyebrow.

"You know the meaning of the word, don't you? As you're their leader, they decided to rebel against you and buried you here…" Azula said: Sokka's eyes widened.

"I… ha! You think I am the leader too, don't you?!" Sokka exclaimed, smiling. Azula raised an eyebrow. "Oh, I'm going to tell Katara that you… u-uh, anyway, that's not it though. They didn't bury me here, it was an accident."

"You… fell into this crack by accident?" Azula said, blinking blankly. Sokka grimaced. "Heh. Well, that's… not very dignified of you. Maybe you really aren't the leader after…"

"I am, though!" Sokka exclaimed, blushing as he squirmed awkwardly in the crack. "Ugh! This stupid, damn…!"

Azula raised an eyebrow as she watched him struggle against his restraints. His hair was slightly disheveled right now, with a few strands hanging loosely around his head. It wasn't an unappealing appearance, she supposed, but she'd do best to do something other than admire him mindlessly.

"Then I take it your friends are around here?" Azula asked.

"Yeah, and yours aren't, so I don't know what you hope to pull off, but you'd better save it," Sokka grunted. "Aang's already becoming an earthbending master, and he's going to have you biting his dust if you try to attack him now…"

"That… sounds unlikely," Azula said. Sokka frowned. "You're lying, aren't you? He's nowhere close to being a master yet."

"I… how do you know I was lying?" Sokka grimaced. Azula smirked.

"You're terribly transparent. No matter if you're just a head on the ground," Azula said, breathing deeply. "I appreciate the information, of course…"

"Augh!" Sokka scowled: she hadn't known all along that it was a lie, but he had wound up confirming as much by blurting out that foolish question. He eyed her warily, and Azula smirked at him.

"Anything else you'd like to share?" she asked.

"Heh, not a chance. What're you going to do, set me on fire, huh?!" Sokka asked, confrontationally.

"Well, that would be no fun while you're stuck in the ground this way, I have to say," Azula smirked. Sokka pouted.

"Then… what, I'm at your mercy?" Sokka asked. "Well, you're getting nothing from me! Be it information or anything else…!"

"Anything else?" Azula asked, raising an eyebrow. Sokka's cheeks flushed, and her own did too. "I… no. Don't even… I told you that's not what's going on here! I don't even know you!"

"Yeah, and I don't know you either! So clearly, we have nothing to do with each other on a personal level, right?" he said. Azula scowled at him. "Therefore… y-you wouldn't try to kiss me while I'm helpless or something, right?"

"That… would be very uncomfortable. I would have to crawl on all fours to do it. That sounds undignified and stupid," Azula said, pointedly. Sokka snorted.

"Well… that's an argument I can accept, I guess," he said. "You do have standards, huh?"

"Evidently," Azula said, glaring at him pointedly. Sokka blinked blankly before balking.

"Hey! I'm a real catch! Your friends think so anyway, and surely you think so too, or else they wouldn't think you…"

"They were entirely out of line by deciding who I allegedly have any manner of interest in," Azula scoffed, glaring at Sokka. He winced, pouting slightly. "I never said I liked you."

"Oh…?" Sokka blinked blankly. "Then… you don't like me? Really?"

Azula frowned as she stared at him: something about those blue eyes was terribly compelling… though she could as good as hear the gears inside his mind turning. Much as those inside her own head did.

He genuinely thought she liked him. If he was so foolish as to assume as much… then she could, perhaps, profit off his assumption. She might be able to convince him that it was true, all in a bid to ensure he would underestimate her… Azula raised her eyebrows, and her pause caused him to eye her even more warily.

"You really don't, do you?"

"I… never said I didn't, either," Azula said: her cheeks flushed stupidly, but she certainly hoped that would make her pretense more believable. Sokka scoffed.

"Are you sure?" he said. "Look, I get that the appeal of a guy like me can be difficult to resist for a girl like you…"

"A girl like me?" Azula repeated, blinking blankly and folding her arms over her chest. "And just what is that supposed to mean?"

"Well, you know… handsome? Smart? Terribly unlucky?" Sokka said, with a sigh. "Oh, who am I kidding? To be honest, when your friend said you liked me I just… kind of blanked for a minute. I mean, a crush at first sight's not an unthinkable concept, but I don't think a girl like you would…"

"What does that mean, exactly?" Azula said, stepping closer to Sokka and glaring at him pointedly before kneeling beside him. "A girl like me? What kind of girl am I?"

"W-well… you're Fire Nation. And you're a Princess," Sokka swallowed hard… and his cheeks reddened as he tore his eyes away from her. "And you're pretty. So I figure if you want a boyfriend you'd get yourself some Fire Nation guy rather than me, right? That part never made sense to me, and it still doesn't, so that's why it's easier to believe you don't like me. See?"

"You…" Azula blinked blankly before blurting out a question without even thinking it through. "You really think I'm pretty?"

Sokka frowned, glancing up at her: she seemed… surprised. Innocently so. That certainly wasn't what he had expected from the Fire Nation Princess. Was she that vain? That didn't look like vanity, truth be told. Insecure, then…?

"I mean… I have eyes," Sokka said, shrugging weakly and wincing for the difficulty in doing so while stuck in that hole. "Damn it! Anyway, well… is it that big a deal if I do? You're not going to actually like me now just because I said that, are you?"

"I… no!" Azula said, with a nervous smile: her cheeks remained red enough to match her clothes. "That would be… foolish. I'm well aware of how appealing I am for boys like you, so…"

"Great! And I'm aware of how appealing I am for girls like you," Sokka said, with a dry grin. "We've reached a nice understanding, haven't we, dangerous lady?"

"Dangerous…?" Azula repeated. Sokka smiled a little.

"It's kind of what I figured I'd call you and your friends…"

"My name is Azula," she replied, curtly. Sokka raised his eyebrows. "It… it's fitting for you to know it, considering I know yours. Sokka, isn't it?"

"Oh… huh. I guess you heard it at some point… Katara did shout a lot of weird things yesterday," Sokka said, with a weak smile.

"My handmaiden told me what it was, actually. She's the one you handed Tom-Tom to," she said. Sokka raised an eyebrow. "Mai's little brother? The child?"

"Ah! Oh. I see now," Sokka said. "She's a bit old compared to everyone else traveling with you, huh?"

"Not really. The drivers of the train-tank are older," Azula said. Sokka grimaced. "We are quite diverse in that sense, you see…"

"Is it safe to have older people driving a big dangerous vehicle…?" Sokka said. Azula smirked.

"Not really, but the vehicle isn't trying to be safe, so… I can't pretend I care," she said. Sokka blinked blankly. "At any rate, as fascinating as it may be for us to chat this way, I'm assuming you'd like to get out of there, wouldn't you?"

"Oh… yeah! But, um, well…" Sokka eyed her apprehensively, and Azula smirked at him. "Not that I want to reject your offer, if that's what you're offering? But if you want something from me once I'm out of here, eh, well, I don't think that's going to happen. I'm not handing Aang over to you."

"Is that the only thing you'd refuse to do?" Azula asked, probing him without much subtlety. Sokka blinked blankly.

"Uh… I won't hand Katara, either. Or Toph. Or myself, if I can help it…" he said. Azula smirked.

"Alright. How about… if I ask you to abandon them and join me?" she teased. Sokka scoffed. "Ah, see? There are other things you wouldn't be open to doing after all…"

"Well, I'm not down for eating rocks either, but I wouldn't think you'd tell me to do that! And believe me, I've tried, it's not fun, so don't make me do that again…"

"You've… tried eating rocks?" Azula said, raising her eyebrows. "Your group lives in more precarious conditions than I thought…"

"Well, I haven't had much to eat today, so I guess maybe we do," Sokka grimaced. "I was trying to hunt, and the little rascal I was going to capture escaped before I could catch it. So… I'm hungry. What about it?"

Azula might have answered his query with a dismissive sneer… but she couldn't do so before her own stomach growled loudly. Sokka gasped as she blushed, and then his smile caught her unawares.

"And you're hungry too!" he said. "Okay, get me out of here and I can hunt something. I'll give you half of it, and we'll go our separate ways, with full stomachs!"

"That's not… not the reward I had in mind," Azula said: she had to play up this nonsense now. She had to do it and make certain that this boy would lower his guard with her completely. It seemed to her he had lowered it considerably already, so…

"Uh… but you're starving too," Sokka pointed out. Azula shook her head.

"I don't need to obey the mandate of my stomach at every waking moment," she said – she certainly would have liked to, but that wasn't the priority right now. "This time, I… would obey another mandate. I… I suppose I don't owe you any explanations, do I? So… simply agree to my terms and I'll see about how to get you out of there. Understood?"

"And what's that?" Sokka asked, raising an eyebrow. "Your terms, I mean. A favor for a favor?"

"Indeed," Azula said. Sokka's brow furrowed as she prepared herself to reveal her grand demand… "I want… a date with you."

Sokka's preparation for a horrible demand was deflated instantly. His jaw dropped, and the Princess simply blushed at his reaction.

"I… what?! Y-you're extorting a date out of me?!"

"You're extorting a rather considerable effort out of me," Azula responded, simply. "In order to get you out of that hole, I have to find a way to break the land apart, something unlikely considering I'm not an earthbender, and I don't have any tools to achieve that with any degree of success, let alone with any certainty that I won't make matters worse…"

"U-uh…" Sokka grimaced as Azula continued.

"Or I could seek to yank you out of there. Which I suppose I could very well try right now…" Azula said, eying him warily. "But if you're as stuck as you say you are, it won't be easy. You'll probably be in pain once I try."

"I can handle it," Sokka said, bluntly. "Though… that doesn't mean I've agreed to it yet. Didn't you say you never said you liked me?"

"I did say that. And then I said that I didn't say I didn't."

"This is confusing," Sokka grimaced, hanging his head slightly.

"Is it that appalling, perhaps even embarrassing, to go on a date with me?" Azula asked, with a weak smile. Sokka winced and stared at her with surprise. "Ah… scary, perhaps, is the right word. What do you think I'll do to you, Sokka?"

"Uh… I don't know. But I guess… a date's a date, right?" Sokka said, swallowing hard. "We'd spend time together, and uh… hold hands? See a pretty place or something and that's it?"

"Well, we would be spending quality time together, mind you…" Azula said, rolling her eyes as she spoke with a hint of pride. Sokka couldn't help but smile.

"If that's really what you're thinking, then… I can accept it," Sokka said, with a shrug. Azula's eyes widened. "What? I mean, I don't like Fire Nation people, but at least you're pretty…"

"Heh. Well, then… if you really think so, I suppose I shall begin devising a plan to break you free," Azula said, folding her arms over her chest as she assessed her surroundings: the fool had agreed to it, then. She would make the most of his trust in her, gain proper insight into the workings of his group, perhaps even find a way to knock him out and use him as a hostage the Avatar would need to save at all costs…

But in all his foolishness, Sokka was sharp. She couldn't be too obvious about her intent. Masking everything behind a date would work. Acting like a lovestruck fool would be appropriate.

"Well, then… the tree branches above us are resilient, don't you think?" Azula asked. Sokka glanced up. "I may be able to use a rope, then, throw it over a branch, tie it around your… well, chest, if possible. Your neck would certainly be too dangerous…"

"I'd choke!" Sokka exclaimed. Azula chuckled. "You have a wicked sense of humor, don't you?"

"You could certainly call it that," she said. "Very well, then… hmm. But if the branch breaks…"

"You need support on two sides of the branch for it to be steady," Sokka said. Azula raised an eyebrow. "And if the branch is very tall, it'll be harder to keep it strong. You have to have good foundations for a tall construct not to break or fall."

"Especially one that would have no central support, of course," Azula said, frowning as she eyed Sokka with interest. "Your pain is another matter, too. Everything hurts while you're getting crushed down there, right? So… you may need to be chi-blocked once the operation to extract you begins."

"Chi-blocked?!" Sokka winced. "That's…"

"Unfortunately, I don't know the subtleties of the technique myself… meaning I'll have to hope Ty Lee's stomach has recovered," Azula said, with a dry grin. Sokka grimaced. "Rest assured, you won't feel a thing by then. But beyond that… do you really think the tree won't do?"

"I mean, it might? But it's not going to be easy," Sokka said, eyeing Azula warily. "Or safe. I think you need two foundations, you should set them down at either side of me, not too close together but not too far apart. Then…"

"A beam, of a sort, across those foundations. Perhaps a wooden plank," Azula said. "But if it moves around a lot…"

"Put big boulders to affix it to either side?" Sokka suggested. Azula hummed and nodded. "But not too many, I guess, or the weight might be too much…"

"The plank should be flexible enough to withstand your weight, but not so much that it wouldn't be firm and allow the rope to reel you up…"

"But not too firm, or it'll break as soon as you start pulling me. So… maybe we need extra support? Very big foundations? A thicker plank?"

"Hmm…"

They discussed the possibilities for what might have been around an hour. By the time they decided on a plan, though, Azula started to rummage through the area to seek the elements they needed: not much in the wilderness sufficed… so her best bet for some of their rudimentary tools would have to be found elsewhere.

"You're going to get your friends now…?" Sokka asked, nervously. Azula nodded.

"And a few other things too. The cabin we stayed in might have been empty, but with any luck, it might have a few wooden planks in good enough state for us to use. Don't go anywhere… oh, woops," she said, with a careless shrug. Sokka huffed.

"Ha ha! You're so funny, Azula!" he retorted, bitterly: she shot him a devious grin over her shoulder as she raised a hand in farewell.

"I'll be back shortly. Bear with it, Sokka."

He didn't quite expect he'd feel lonely once she walked away… he also didn't expect he'd wind up admiring her figure as she did exactly that. Strangely, while he had certainly processed that she was pretty before, the reality of it hadn't truly dawned on him until he'd seen her up close, pondering how to get him out of the hole. She was surprisingly civil and agreeable compared to her volatile brother, Sokka reasoned, no matter how persistent and dangerous she was…

About another hour passed, and his stomach churned with hunger when Azula finally returned: the women with her appeared as hungry as him, and Azula wasn't as strong as when she'd first found Sokka, either. Still, they brought planks from the house with them, as well as an old rope that Sokka deeply hoped wouldn't bite too unpleasantly into his skin.

"It's good to see you again, Sokka," Noriko said, with a gentle smile. Sokka let out a nervous laugh.

"Hello, uh… I have no idea what your name is," he said. Noriko chuckled.

"I am Noriko, and this is Ty Lee," she said, gesturing at the pale girl next to her, who still looked somewhat sickly. "You already know Princess Azula, of course…"

"Yep," Sokka said, casting a glance at the girl: she was already hard at work at preparing the rocky foundations of their contraption to rescue Sokka.

"That thing over there…" Azula said, gesturing at a white weapon lying on the floor behind Sokka.

"You mean my machete?" Sokka asked.

"It's our only actual available tool to build this system with," Azula remarked, reaching for it and glancing at Sokka. "You don't mind lending it to me if it's for your sake, do you?"

"Well… I guess not," Sokka said.

"What about the boomerang?" Ty Lee asked, looking at Sokka's back. "It's right there…"

"Not sure I know what we'd use it for, but if anything comes up, I suppose we will," Azula stated. "You do have a much more dangerous weapon… a club, I suppose? The one you nearly struck me with yesterday?"

Noriko gasped in horror, and Sokka blushed as he lowered his gaze shamefully. Azula eyed her handmaiden skeptically.

"It's not like I wasn't trying to set them on fire, myself," she said, and Noriko pouted.

"Still…"

"You didn't really, uh, try that hard with me, though," Sokka said. Azula raised an eyebrow. "Just saying, when I attacked you with my club…"

"You don't think I'm stupid enough to assume that a weapon as heavy as that one could be countered with fire, do you?" Azula said. "Your arsenal of weapons is… somewhat impressive, I suppose. Don't expect everyone to underestimate you just because you're not a bender."

"Well… mostly, it seems like it's benders who underestimate me," Sokka remarked, with a pout. "When you guys were chasing us, Toph just went and basically said I didn't count in the fight because I was a non-bender…"

"Toph?" Azula asked.

"Our new teammate. The earthbender," Sokka said. "Who is teaching Aang earthbending right now, so…"

"Why don't you just call for them to help if there's an earthbender you can ask…?" Ty Lee said. Sokka blinked blankly.

"Uh… well, I got a bit far from them when I was looking for food, and… and then she showed up," Sokka said. Azula raised an eyebrow. "I mean, you kind of found me two seconds after I fell in this stupid hole, so…"

"So, if I had been any less fortunate, I might have come across you before you fell at all?" Azula said, with a smirk.

"Well… I would've held my own against you in a fight. Still can, so…" Sokka said, blushing. Azula chuckled.

"Perhaps that's what we'll test on our… uh, well. Never mind," she said: her face flushed, and it was the first thing that got Ty Lee to act like herself again as she smirked at Azula.

"What? Azula, what happened here…?" she asked, with a teasing voice. Azula scoffed, glaring at her.

"We have work to do. Get to it."

"Azula! You have to tell me! Well, rather, us! You know Noriko and I are very supportive of your forbidden romance…!"

"Our… forbidden romance? Like, we're already in one?" Sokka asked, glancing at Azula, who sighed and shook her head.

"Don't listen to their nonsense. Everyone, get to work now," Azula said, firmly.

"Right, right. We'll save your boyfriend, Azula, no worries…" Ty Lee said, with a devious smirk: both Sokka and Azula shot her a nonchalant glare, and she could only giggle at how similar they were.

The work to yank him out of the hole began then: Noriko and Azula built the rudimentary system they tested gradually, ensuring that the planks from the cabin's walls and ceiling would work properly for their purposes. Meanwhile, Ty Lee found the better rocks to hold the weight of the planks, ensuring to gather many, as per Azula's command. Eventually, Noriko took to digging lightly around Sokka, and the others followed by using his machete and boomerang to break the ground slightly, if carefully, in the hopes that his release would be easier.

"Alright… we're ready," Azula declared: it was almost sunset by then, and Sokka reeled from the need to eat something, much like the rest of them did.

Azula, Ty Lee and Noriko would pull the rope they had set up atop the beam: they had bound it around Sokka's chest as best they could, but before the pulling could begin…

"Here we go!" Ty Lee grinned: her fists tapped Sokka's nape and spine with perfect precision, and Sokka yelped as his body suddenly lost all feeling. "How's that?"

"I… don't feel anything anywhere. Nice job," Sokka grimaced.

"Then we have no time to waste," Azula said: her hands remained firm on the rope, and she waited for Ty Lee to take her place before exclaiming: "Pull!"

Three weakened, hungry women – one of whom had struggled with indigestion that morning – weren't in the best of conditions to break Sokka's body free from the chasm he was stuck in, but their joint efforts began to deliver results in time. Sokka winced, not so much over pain but over the strange feeling of his body being pulled and shifted against his will, when he couldn't quite feel much… but even after one of his hands was freed, and his situation slightly less uncomfortable for it, he wasn't fully free just yet.

"Pull… harder!" Azula shouted.

"I can't do much else, Azula…!" Ty Lee groaned, the rope digging into her palms. Noriko did apply further strength, sweat dropping down her brow…

The plank upon which the rope rested suddenly made an unsettling sound: Azula gasped, yanking more of the rope on impulse – if it was going to break, then at least it better be after Sokka was free…

She pulled harder: the plank snapped and the entire contraption collapsed around Sokka.

Azula gasped as the rope's resistance faded: she dropped it and rushed towards the chasm, eyes wide, shoving everything out of the way to find Sokka still in the hole, down to his waist now… but he lay face-first on the ground.

"Sokka? Sokka!" she called him, forcefully pulling him up, to look directly at his face…

"I'm… sort of okay," he said, eyes meeting hers. Azula blushed: she had thought he was unconscious, and now they were too close for comfort.

"Then you shouldn't have dropped on the ground like that…!" Azula huffed, setting him down again and stepping forward, yanking him out of the hole fully, forcefully: finally, his legs were loose and Sokka was free… even if he had yet to move at all.

"Chi-blocked… remember?" Sokka said: Azula flushed upon realizing the anesthetic effect of the chi-blocking also translated in inability to move.

"But it's done! You're free!" Ty Lee exclaimed, clapping for a moment before dropping on her knees. "And I'm tired. And hungry. And I really want to go to the train-tank now."

"We will," Azula said, breathing out slowly before turning towards Sokka and pushing him over so he'd lie on his back. "You're alright?"

"I… I'm fine. Your concern is touching," Sokka chuckled: she scowled at him as he grinned carelessly at her. "Don't know what you'd want to do for that date, but I could go for eating a feast right now."

"Uh… oh. Right," Azula blinked blankly: immersed as she was in this operation, she had outright forgotten she wasn't pulling Sokka out of the hole for the sake of it. She had a mission, she was supposed to use him to get information, to lure out the Avatar, to…

"A DATE?!"

Her cheeks flushed as she heard Noriko gasp, after Ty Lee's apparently absent energies returned fast enough for her to shout those words.

"T-that's not…!" Azula said, turning towards her two companions with an unrelenting fluster. "He doesn't mean…! I mean, well, we reached an agreement, and that's…!"

Noriko's foolish grin made Azula feel even more self-aware with each passing moment: curses, why was she so happy? It was bad enough with Ty Lee being such an annoying, hopeless romantic… but Noriko shouldn't be so supportive of this nonsense too. It almost made Azula take this matter seriously when she knew she shouldn't. When she knew that, to Sokka, she was simply…

She glanced back at him… and found he was smiling. Her heart skipped a beat.

Just then, a rustling sound and a sudden sensation of movement in the corner of her eye caused Azula to tear her gaze away from Sokka… and towards a newly arrived, apparently distraught Avatar.

He was confused and alarmed once he lay eyes upon her. It certainly didn't help that Azula was leaning over Sokka, who still had a rope over his chest, while Azula's companions sat nearby, looking thrilled about whatever was happening there.

"Sokka!" Aang gasped, scowling before raising his hands to summon air.

"No, no, Aang! Stop!" Sokka shouted: the burst of air caused them to blow off violently, and not even Azula's attempt to grab onto Sokka's hand kept her from being flung away from Sokka.

The Avatar rushed in then, untying Sokka's makeshift harness while constantly glaring at the two girls and the woman who traveled with them: Noriko had tried to cushion Azula's body from being blown off into a rocky wall, though she hadn't been very successful at it. Ty Lee groaned, no doubt exasperated, tired and annoyed all over again.

"Stay away from him!" Aang shouted.

"Aang, they saved my life!"

The Avatar froze then, his bending cut off just as Azula huffed, incorporating herself and leveling a glare in his direction. The boy's jaw dropped before he turned his confused gaze towards Sokka anew.

"T-they… how? When?! You're tied up and you can't move, they chi-blocked you!"

"I was stuck in a hole and Azula got me out!" Sokka said. "Well, Azula, Noriko and Ty Lee did, but still…"

"Woah. You got all their names?" Aang blinked blankly. Sokka sighed.

"He was stuck in there for hours. And not you, nor any of his friends, so much as noticed," Azula hissed, dusting herself off as she marched up to the Avatar. Aang grimaced, jumping upright and positioning himself as though to fight. "Would you have preferred it if we left him there so wild beasts could turn him into their snack?"

"Uh… no," Aang swallowed hard, lowering his hands. "Thank you, if you really did this, but… why did you do it?"

"Because they're going on a date!" Ty Lee exclaimed. Azula groaned, dropping her face in her hands as Sokka let out a careless laugh. Aang's eyes widened.

"Woah… so it's true that you like each other? That's great, Sokka!" Aang exclaimed, beaming. "This way we won't have to fight her anymore!"

"Who said anything like that?" Azula huffed, glaring at Aang. "That's neither here nor…!"

"Oh, so that's how it is… you're friends with the girl who was trying to hunt us down, Sokka?"

Azula frowned, turning towards the newest arrival on the scene: the short earthbender rested against the rocky wall, arms crossed, the Avatar's staff resting by her side on the wall. Aang gasped.

"Toph…!"

"Can't say I like the sound of that," she said, with a smirk.

She raised a rock from the ground with a heavy stomp: everyone in the group gasped in confusion as Aang jumped forward.

"Toph! Stop! Sokka says they saved him!"

"And I say I don't buy it!" Toph said: even now, she was smirking. "What're you going to do? Run away because I don't believe you? Come on: prove your point, Twinkle Toes! Stand your ground and fight back, or I'll hurl this rock right at them!"

Aang yelled: he stepped forward and flung a flurry of air at Toph: she simply used the rock as a shield, smirking at Aang.

"You'll have to do better than that!"

The Avatar roared: his stance was firm, his arms and legs were tense, full of power…

Toph flung the rock at him. He jumped forward, roaring fiercely…

The rock stopped in midair. Aang gasped: he felt control over the rock for the first time, his body channeling the strength required to hold his own against Toph at last. He smiled, dropping the rock again, and this time, nothing he did was based on airbending.

"I… I did it?" Aang gasped, smiling brightly. "I did it!"

"See? You did have what it takes, Twinkle Toes," Toph smirked.

They seemed to have as good as forgotten about Sokka now, focused instead on the Avatar's first success at earthbending. Azula gritted her teeth, approaching the confused Noriko.

"We may have overstayed our welcome. We should…" she started, but she couldn't finish the sentence before someone interrupted her.

"Wait… but you're all hungry," Sokka said, flinching as the feeling started to return to his body. "And it's getting pretty late, right? Can't we call a truce, just for tonight?"

"Oh? A truce?" Azula asked, raising her eyebrows. Sokka smiled awkwardly as he pushed himself up to a sitting position, uneasily.

"You can go right back to hunting us… in two days or something. How about it?" Sokka asked.

Azula snorted lightly, but she smiled: truthfully, eating more berries that might not be entirely healthy for them didn't sound like the right idea. She wasn't sure what they'd eat, anyway, considering the circumstances… but at least it was an agreeable proposal, if nothing else.

"This doesn't count for our agreement, though: too many people around," Azula said, with a shrug. Sokka smiled awkwardly, cheeks slightly red before he nodded.

"Agreed."

Katara, it seemed, was frantically looking for her brother when the whole group finally made their return to camp… though she gasped in utmost confusion upon finding three new people had joined them, even if with no apparent ill-intent.

"Don't overreact!" Sokka warned his sister, an arm draped around Aang's shoulders as he helped him walk. "They're just… staying for dinner. We don't really have much for dinner, but that's okay, right?"

"What's…? What…? What?!" Katara shook her head, glaring at Sokka. "Oh, no. Don't you tell me now that you're seriously flirting with the Princess of the Fire Nation…!"

"I'm not!"

"He's not," Azula said, quickly.

"He is!" Ty Lee exclaimed, and both Azula and Sokka groaned in response to her claim. Of course, Katara was quicker to believe her than the other two, raising a menacing hand in their direction.

"I… I don't know what's going on, but I do know that I don't like it," she said, gritting her teeth.

"Katara… they saved Sokka, or at least, that's what he says," Aang explained, with a small smile.

"And we're hungry. And tired," Ty Lee added, with a groggy smile.

Katara blinked blankly: her compassion appeared to be about to rear its head, but her confusion still won out as she stared at her brother in perplexity.

"Saved you from what, exactly?"

He would share the story as the whole group took to finding food: an apple tree was the source of their meal this time, no matter if the fruit wasn't a very fulfilling one, and the two groups in a truce sat together by the fire Azula ignited for them, resting and recovering after a long, complicated day. Katara's distrust of the Fire Nation women didn't diminish, but even she, once the meal was about to end, couldn't help but remark:

"At least they're not as bad as Zuko."

Noriko grimaced upon hearing those words, but she said nothing. Clearly, the banished prince either had very few chances to prove himself to the Avatar's team… or he had simply allowed his darkest impulses to take the wheel upon each of those chances, instead. Whatever the truth might be, it was out of her hands right now.

Tired as they were, Ty Lee and Noriko wound up sleeping against a tree trunk while the Avatar's team took to their own accommodations: Sokka offered to keep watch, something Katara didn't appear too comfortable with, but seeing as he was the neutral party and mediator between both the Avatar's group and the Fire Nation one, strange as that concept might be, it seemed that he was the more likely one to keep the dangerous Princess at bay without violence.

"Well… that was a weird day," Sokka said, with an awkward grin directed at the Princess, the only other person who remained conscious in the group. The two of them sat side by side at one of the canyon's ridges, their legs dangling in the air as the cool night air brushed against them lightly. "But I'm glad you showed up when you did. Still pretty surreal that you went that far to help me… but I'm grateful that you did."

"I wasn't exactly doing it selflessly…" Azula said. Sokka smiled and shrugged.

"You did it anyhow. Pretty sure your brother would've laughed in my face and walked away… or decided to finish the job and set me on fire while I was trapped, I don't know," Sokka said. Azula raised an eyebrow.

"It sounds like he's been quite the nuisance for you and your group," Azula said. "Has he ever come even close to capturing any of you?"

"A few times. But we managed to escape anyway," Sokka smirked. "He caught me and Katara once, you know? He asked me how stupid I thought he was. I was honest and told him I thought he was 'pretty stupid', and…"

Azula couldn't muffle her devious laugh as she covered her mouth with a hand. Sokka grinned, swaying his legs even more enthusiastically over the ledge.

"I… I can only imagine the look on his face upon hearing that," Azula said, with another devious chuckle.

"Figured you might find it funny. Guess you and Zuko are a bit like Katara and me," Sokka said. "Nothing makes her laugh harder than seeing me make a fool of myself, so…"

"Well… I suspect your sister and you have a far more agreeable bond than mine with my brother," Azula said, glancing up at the sky. "He and I… well, we're enemies now. Our father tasked me with bringing him home… and that's what I'm supposed to be doing. Not having apples for dinner with the Avatar and his friends."

"Heh… I thought that it'd be 'Sokka and his friends,'" the Water Tribe boy said, and Azula's cheeks flushed.

"Well… perhaps it should be. You are their leader, after all," Azula remarked. Sokka chuckled, shaking his head.

"I'm probably blowing it out of proportion. I'm not really… well, leader material, I guess," he said, smiling sadly at her.

"Oh, really? What do you know about leader material?" Azula asked. Sokka blinked blankly. "Nothing, it seems. Clearly."

"W-well, I…"

"The very reason why I assumed you were the leader was precisely because I could sense that potential from you, Sokka," Azula said, bluntly. "And so far, you haven't proven me wrong. It only took a few words from you for the Avatar to fight his own earthbending teacher, to save me and my allies from her attacks. If that's not the sign of leadership that inspires genuine loyalty, I don't know what is."

"Heh, I guess when you put it that way…" Sokka smiled, blushing slightly. "You know… I used to think all Fire Nation people were monsters."

Azula shuddered upon hearing those words. His tone wasn't confrontational at all… even if his words were dangerous ones to utter near her.

"Well…. You wouldn't be the first to believe that," Azula said, simply. "Everyone believes I am one… well, except for one person."

"Make that two, then. Because I don't believe that either," Sokka said. Azula's eyes widened. "Whatever your motives… you saved me today. Thank you."

"I…" Azula's heart quickened its pace again: gratitude? She wasn't used to that. She wasn't sure what to even feel about receiving those words… she swallowed hard, biting her lip. "Well, I suppose I accept that sentiment. Though…"

"We have a date to schedule for the future, yeah," Sokka chuckled. "It'll be tough, scheduling it in the middle of a war, but… I'll look forward to it."

"We are in the middle of a war," Azula remarked, knowing the mood would change darkly now. "And we're on different sides. What happened today hasn't changed that."

"I know," Sokka said, breathing deeply and releasing the air slowly. "I guess I'll probably run into you in battlefields in the future again. Though… I can't say I look forward to it at all. Doesn't matter how much I connect with you, or how much I might enjoy talking with you or watching you work on strange engineering experiments…"

"It didn't go as well as it should have," Azula admitted, and Sokka chuckled.

"Either way… the truth is that we mean to defeat your father," Sokka said. "And we'll restore harmony after we do."

"Restore harmony," Azula repeated, glancing at Sokka. "Between… all four elements?"

Sokka swallowed hard before nodding. A shiver shook Azula deeply.

"It's… it's easier to see it now, after a day like today," Sokka said, with a gentle smile. "All four elements working together? It's… it's kind of a cool idea, isn't it?"

"Even after everything the Fire Nation did? After all the monsters we've unleashed in this world?" Azula asked. "Would you forgive the Fire Nation as easily as that?"

"Heh, well… I don't know if the full nation. I'd rather make up my mind for each specific situation," Sokka said. "I once met an Earth Kingdom guy who hated the Fire Nation so much that he nearly destroyed a village just to get back at the soldiers stationed there… with no regard over the many Earth Kingdom people in that very same occupied town. If it weren't for an old man from the Fire Nation who vouched for me, a man I'd saved from that guy, too… if it weren't for him, hundreds of lives would have been lost that day. So… anything's possible. Your nation wouldn't have to be the villains, the monsters, if you made a different choice. And… I think you made a different one today."

"I… chose you?" Azula said, raising her eyebrows. Sokka smiled and shrugged.

"We do have a date to go on, after all."

She didn't know yet if she agreed with everything he'd said – her heart was turbulent and jumbled, after all. But she still couldn't help but smile back, hoping he might be right about everything he'd said so far. For, if he was…

Maybe she was more than a monster, underneath her title.

Maybe she wasn't even a monster, to begin with.

"Anyway… I'd rather we were friends than enemies," Sokka said, with a shrug. "I know there's not much I can do about it… but I hope you know that. And that you also know that… I wouldn't be all that against it if we were a little more than friends, too."

Azula froze up. Sokka averted his gaze from hers once she searched him with her eyes. Her perplexity only gave way to a profound blush… until she smiled.

He held himself on that ledge with his hands on the rock: Azula dared reach her pinky finger out, brushing against his softly. Sokka raised an eyebrow, puzzled at first… but then he smiled. An innocent, simple grin… and yet it stirred feelings in Azula's chest that she had never thought she'd know. Feelings she had experienced already, if in a different way, over Noriko…

Affection. That was the right term for it.

She didn't dare think much more of it… didn't dare make more of it. It wouldn't do for her to be swept up by the situation only to wind up falling in love with him indeed…

But by the next morning, it seemed that was inevitable: the Avatar's group gathered their things, ready to take off on the next leg of their journey. Sokka lagged behind briefly, smiling at Azula in particular.

"Guess we'll be seeing each other, so… maybe we'll decide on that date next time," he said. Azula shrugged.

"Maybe we will," she agreed. He raised a hand in farewell… the very hand she had dared touch just lightly last night.

"See you, then… uh, Noriko, Ty Lee. Azula."

The way he spoke her name shot wild adrenaline through her system: the young man turned around, marching up to his friends, who seemed to not fly on the bison so far, all be it to ensure the Avatar would have time to work on more earthbending while they traveled by walking on land. They would shrink in the distance, and their voices would fade, and…

And Azula's chest would continue to yearn for something she didn't understand. To cling to the second person who, in a matter of days, had turned her understanding of herself upside down, entirely.

"Well, that was a crazy adventure," Ty Lee said, smiling and stretching her arms. "We should go, though. Lo and Li will be waiting and… I miss Mai. Maybe we should go look for her."

"Look for her where?" Noriko asked, puzzled. "Is it possible to track her down now? She stayed with Zuko…"

"It would be possible, but difficult," Azula said, curtly. Noriko hummed.

"Then we'll simply go to the train-tank?" she asked. "To continue our mission without her?"

Their mission… Azula's mission. Capturing Zuko and Iroh, the primary mission her father had given her, had resulted in utter failure. Her chosen mission to take the Avatar had failed, too. Then there was the matter of the Drill… which was likely on its way to Ba Sing Se by now. Her body shuddered at the thought: she shouldn't find it unsettling. She should be proud of what their great nation had accomplished… she should want their army to conquer a city. She should want all those things…

And yet in a world where there was only Fire Nation, she would never find a Water Tribe boy like him.

She couldn't resent them for causing her so much turmoil. She shouldn't. Sokka was only trying to be nice… to be a friend. But… perhaps he already was more than that in the heart she hadn't even known was there, dwelling inside her.

Who was she without her titles? What did it mean to be loyal to the Fire Nation? So much of her conversation with Noriko had shaken her… the woman was wise in strange, unexpected ways. So perhaps she'd know what to do. Perhaps…

Azula turned towards the woman, eyes heartfelt. Noriko raised her eyebrows.

"You told me… that you wondered who my brother was without his title," Azula said. "That if he was nothing without it, he was wasting away his life… and that's no different for me either."

"I did say that," Noriko whispered. Azula swallowed hard.

"And… what if my idea on how to find out who I am without mine isn't, well… an idea that would be agreeable with the Fire Nation?" Azula said.

"With the Fire Nation, or the Fire Lord?" Noriko said, curtly. Azula swallowed hard.

"I don't know. I… I don't know," she admitted. Ty Lee listened on the sidelines, her eyes widening at the unusually insecure side of Azula she was witnessing now. "I just… I don't know if this makes any sense. They don't want… they don't want to destroy the Fire Nation. He doesn't want that, at least. What the Fire Nation is trying to do… why are we even doing it? What is the point of it?"

"That's a question that has plagued many… and I fear not a lot of people come to a good answer for it," said Noriko, stepping forward and cupping Azula's face gently with a hand. "But Azula… you're a child. A young child, just like all the rest of you, and you shouldn't be fighting in any wars. You should be making friends… living a life you can find true enjoyment in. A good father, a loving father, would prioritize his daughter's heart… if Ozai cannot do that, then he doesn't deserve to call himself your father."

Ty Lee gasped, covering her mouth with her hands. Azula didn't flinch, though: those were treacherous words, as usual… and yet they rang deeply in her heart as she raised her gaze towards Noriko.

"What if this fails?" Azula asked. "What if… if this nonsense idea I've got in my head goes nowhere? What if he and I don't really…?"

"If true, long, everlasting love weren't born from your bond?" asked Noriko, with a gentle smile. "It wouldn't be the end of the world if it doesn't. You deserve to live your life... a life that has already been marred by warfare and chaos. You deserve to test the waters and find someone to share your life with, if you would like to do so. More than anything… you deserve to be your own person, dear. Not just your father's daughter… not just the Princess of the Fire Nation. You are those things, yes… but you are so much more than that too, Azula. And maybe… maybe it's time you see that for yourself. For I already see it… and I know your potential is beautiful. It's marvelous… and if you wish to reach for it now, I'll stand by you every step of the way. I promise."

Azula swallowed hard… glancing quickly at Ty Lee. She blinked blankly, eyes shifting between Noriko and Azula repeatedly…

"You… you can go back to your circus, if you want. Or find Mai. I shouldn't have dragged you out for this when I can't even… can't even find my resolve to keep doing it anymore," Azula admitted. Ty Lee shook her head rapidly, though.

"Oh, I need to be here with you, though! If you and Sokka do become an item, I have to give you lots of relationship advice!" Ty Lee giggled. Azula rolled her eyes.

"I'd rather ask Noriko…"

"Well… I'm not much good at romance, as you know, Princess," Noriko sighed, shaking her head. Azula raised her eyebrows. "So perhaps lady Ty Lee's advice would be better."

"Oh, yes!" Ty Lee giggled, clapping happily as Azula smiled, shaking his head.

"So… you'll stay. And you… you will too, Noriko?" Azula said. Noriko smiled and clasped her hand gently. "I suppose… I really might find out who I am underneath all the titles then? I've been intrigued by the notion since you said that to me, but…"

"You're worried about what you'll find?" Noriko asked. Azula nodded subtly. "Aren't we all, Princess. Aren't we all."

Azula smiled again as Noriko withdrew her hand: even then, her eyes radiated genuine affection… and Azula's heart warmed further upon knowing she had her approval. More than that, she had her affection… she had her support with whatever she might do going forward.

"Whatever the outcome may be…" Noriko said, her voice heartfelt and earnest. "I'm proud of you, my child."

Azula's heart pounded hard in her chest… for those were words she hadn't heard before, either. Words she had longed for, coveted without quite knowing it… words that meant something so different coming from Noriko than they would coming from her father.

But why had her voice sounded so strangely familiar suddenly?

Why did her eyes seem more… gold?

What was that strange, sudden mirage, that brought the notion of Ursa to mind when Azula was gazing at Noriko, instead?

Her lips parted… but she closed them again: just as suddenly as that strange visual had crossed her mind, it was gone again as soon as her rational mind interjected – her longing to hear those words from Ursa had brought her to think of her, surely that was all there was to it…

But she had Noriko. She had her, and if all went well, she'd have more friends, going forward. A smile spread over her face as she let herself imagine a world so different from the one the Fire Lord fought for… a world where Noriko's kindness might be the norm, rather than Ozai's coldness. A world where children didn't have to go to war against each other… where a prince, or a princess, wouldn't need to undergo trials and complications beyond compare to find out who they truly were.

It sounded idyllic… and she had so much to think about, so much to ponder, so much to think about thoroughly before she was ready to embrace it in full. But she might do best to think about such things, to talk about them, once she genuinely expanded her worldview beyond the confines and limitations of the Fire Nation.

She turned on her heels and she began walking with long strides, followed by Noriko and Ty Lee. Lo and Li might grow weary of waiting… Azula hoped they'd eventually return to her Barge, at least, and simply go home: she wasn't bound to need the train-tank anymore.

The sound of their footsteps on the dry land were first sensed by Toph: she warned the others, and Sokka slowed down, glancing over his shoulder. His heart sped up, and he smiled, once he saw Azula was smiling, too.

She didn't settle for a light brush from their fingers: this time, her hand wrapped gently around his palm once she reached him.

And so, they walked together, hands linked, into a brighter future.

[wilsons-striped-ties]

april tc challenge (days 1-30 one shot)

original post here!

Day 1) What is the most adorable thing your TC has done?

i still think him smiling all shy and waving the paper bag of his birthday cupcakes at me before crossing the entire canteen to talk to me was probably one of the most adorable things hes done

Day 2) On a scale of 1-10, how intense are your feelings towards your TC. Why?

maybe an eight. he's just so thoughtful and sweet i can't help myself sometimes :' doesn't help that his attention towards me is really addictive and he makes me feel seen yknow

Day 3) Does your TC have any cute quirks/habits? If yes, which one is your favourite?

he draws smiley faces and uses the smiley face emoji a lot, its cute. he also cant stand still, and he says certain phrases in the exact same way. he never buttons his shirts to the max, theres always the top two buttons undone, and he would run his hand through his hair absentmindedly when his hair was longer. i think i just like them all hehe

Day 4) If you could change one thing about your TC, what would it be and why?

i like him just the way he is, but maybe when we take photos he can pose too HAHAHA

Day 5) If you had to confess your feelings to your TC, what would be the perfect way of doing so?

maybe a note along with something baked so we can ignore the note and just roll with the baked thing, worst case scenario

Day 6) When having a TC, what is the most important thing to remember?

it's all fun and laughter but please wake up to reality, if you're underage or still their student, stay away from a relationship and stay safe

Day 7) If you had the chance to re-live/change one moment with your TC, which one would it be? And if you wished to change it, how would you?

prom, definitely. i would go back and talk to him and grab a photo with him, i don't know how i didn't do anything with him then and it's one of my biggest regrets :'

Day 8) Why do you think people fall for their teachers?

for me, it was because my parents never gave me any attention or validation but my teachers did, they know me better than my parents and they are just more present in my life

Day 9) If a close friend/relative frowned upon the fact you have a TC, what would you say to change their opinion?

too bad i guess HAHAHA

Day 10) If you went out on a date with your TC, what do you think they would wear?

i think it would depend on what we are going to do, but he'd probably just wear one of his dress shirts and jeans

Day 11) List 1-5 of your TC’s best qualities.

he's thoughtful, sweet, teasing at times, a good listener and he remembers things very well, especially little things

Day 12) How would you feel if you found out your TC had feelings for another student?

hes married...

Day 13) What do you find most attractive about your TC?

physically, his dimples or his eyes and personality, his thoughtfulness most probably

Day 14) What is your TC’s reputation around school?

hes one of the best teachers and all his students agree that his topic predictions for the national exams are always almost correct and that hes super funny but people who arent his students think he looks scary

Day 15) If you had to serenade your TC, which song would you choose and why?

yellow by coldplay maybe? its a subtle declaration of my love for him but it can be overlooked too

Day 16) What hobbies does your TC have out of school?

i don't know, but he likes soccer

Day 17) If you could travel anywhere in the world with your TC, where would it be and why?

anywhere he wants, just as long as its a slightly quieter area and we can walk around a lot and talk hehe

Day 18) Imagine if you and your TC were in a relationship and lived together. Describe the perfect daily routine. (As a bonus, how would you split the chores?)

waking up next to each other and cuddling for a bit before starting the day side by side and then heading to work, and afterwards we head back home for dinner and maybe a late night walk. i can wash the dishes, he can cook if hes a good cook if not we will make do, he can do the laundry i can do the cleaning. we can grab groceries together too hehe

Day 19) If you found your TC visibly upset and/or crying, would you comfort them? If yes, how would you go about it?

i definitely would, i would just stand or sit beside him and offer silent support, if he wants to talk i can listen and just be there for him

Day 20) How would you feel if your TC suddenly cut off all contact with you? What do you think their reason would be?

i would be sad, i dont know, i havent given him any reason to cut ties with me but maybe he just feels annoyed by me or uncomfortable? :(

Day 21) What do you think your TC’s opinion of you is?

he always calls me an awesome, model student, his star history student, someone who's obedient and self driven and my baked stuff are great

Day 22) Has your TC influenced your opinions in any way? Likewise, how has having a TC changed you?

he made me feel way more confident about myself and my academics and reminded me in a way that i have something that im good at (history) and hes always encouraging and believing in me so i guess because of his faith in me, i started to have faith in myself too

Day 23) Are you ashamed of your feelings towards your TC? If yes, why?

nope hehe

Day 24) What is more attractive? Your TC’s appearance or personality?

i think his personality drew me in cause hes super super funny and its just a big bonus that he looks super cool

Day 25) What makes your TC special to you?

hes the only teacher i gave a birthday gift to, hes one of the only teachers that outwardly believed in me and encouraged me and history has always been my childhood interest so the fact that he was able to give me a safe space to pursue and excel in that is really special to me and really really just a big part of my life in high school

Day 26) Describe your TC’s appearance.

salt and pepper hair, slicked back usually, dimples on both sides, the brownest, softest eyes ever, a small smile that manages to be teasing at times, he's not very tall, just half a head taller than me or slightly lesser, sometimes he's clean shaven sometimes his beard outlines his jawline :'

Day 27) When you first met your TC, did you think you’d feel the way you do now? If not, what made you fall for them?

i think my heart always knew but my brain took a very long time to catch up, i had a feeling when i first met him that he would become one of my favourite teachers but i didnt know it would get this obsessed HHAHAH i think his personality and interesting teachings really drew me in

Day 28) If you could get your TC a gift for any occasion, what would it be?

i would love to give him my heart but he already has it hehe IM KIDDING i would like to just give him anything, im not good with gifts at all so i just rely on my baking but i would like to give him maybe a book and we can be book buddies i think because he does look like he reads but i dont knoww

Day 29) How have your feelings affected your everyday life? Has it affected the way you do work for their class? (If you have them as a teacher.)

my feelings made me work even harder to top his class and impress him even more when i was still in high school and now im improving almost everything about myself in hopes to impress him or do something even though i dont really see him that much anymore but its a good improvement so far, but i am more delusional too HAHAH

Day 30) What is the best and worst thing that happened with your TC during the past month? In addition, how do you predict these moments will affect your relationship in the future?

okay since it's the first of september i'll say july and august, best thing was me giving him passion fruit cupcakes in july for his birthday, and teachers day in august. worst thing was probably my note to him in teachers day, i think i poured my soul out too much :' like we do talk about the cupcakes like our little secret hehe but im scared the note may change things, hopefully not :'

[kyrodo]

I am gradually losing Red I feel. Truth be told I wish I came with Red for his dad's funeral and that might've helped not only him but us. But nothing changes the fact that Red always felt like a limiter or a sinking ship. His inability to change his life gets constantly spilled over me. His low availability, the times he spent sitting in the car instead of going into our apartment to see me. The times I went behind is back for the crush in 2020. The times he left me to myself when I needed him most, similar to what I did to him I suppose. But the ongoing theme with Red is he's unavailable. He's too busy. He wants his space. He gives me sudden cold shoulders. It's difficult to find anything to do together with him, often shooting down things like risk of rain, or gunfire reborn or whatever and making planetside the ONLY thing he ever wanted to play.

There's never time to cuddle. There's no attempt to go gluten free for a day so we can kiss. Sex is usually me being blue balled with promise that we'll get back to it, but I know 100% of the time that's a lie. There's constant complaints about me not supporting enough or us not doing anything together but the times we did do something together like the arcade he completely removed the moment I bring up the slightest inconvenience. And then he would try to waste my time in the car and at the store wasting as much time as possible and then have the nerve to tell me to go to sleep the moment we finally get home.

And I'm tired. I'm tired of this snob story about how he can't accomplish anything, can't complete projects, can't get into IT, can't get a degree etc. He used to be my social hub and now he's so incredibly and willingly hermitted that he can't be that anymore. It always feels like I'm on my own. For spending my free time, for gaming, for having any kind of social life. And it doesn't surprise me that I keep falling in love with people.

Because my body knows something that I didn't, and it's this ever pressing feeling that I'm on a sinking ship and Red was bringing me down with him. The things he complains about most are glaring contradictions that he makes extremely difficult to do. Not enough support. Not enough things to do together. While somehow not realizing or not acknowledging that it is a reality of his own creation. That this is the path he laid out for us by his constant pickiness, by his constant workaholic attitude. And I admit if I was a bit better with keeping up with chores or doing some of the cooking it would make things easier for him and for us. But I also know his adhd will waste most of that anyway or he will just offer more planetside which I don't enjoy.

Choskey is an entire world of activity. Of unconditional love and affection. Of unexplored possibilities. And he's never given me the cold shoulder like Red does. He's never been particularly mad at me. I am the whole world to him. And he himself runs into a lot of failure. A lot of avoiding whatever responsibility he needs to be doing often blatantly in every way he possibly can.

But he offers so much more hope than Red does. So much less anger. Red is vicious. Political. News focused. World focused. He sees the world outside and cares so deeply about things we can't even control. I sense a lot of spite. A lot of it directed at himself for his inability to accomplish his ideas. And it affects me too. And getting additional support emotionally from Choskey is the best thing I've ever done. I understand how much Red's migraines affect things. His bipolar nature. His adhd. And that side of things he can't control. But I'm done. I'm done being told I can't stay up late. I'm done being heavily stifled by him. Controlled and complained to about things I can't even make better for him. I can't change the fact that I'm a night owl. And I wish Red would understand his own side of things before bringing up the fact that he doesn't have someone to value highly. He actively avoids all social contact. He doesn't participate or join when I used to enter vrchat a lot. He completely turns away from me when I try to hold or be held by him. And that is something I can't control. I can't fix problems that you are actively creating.

Choskey is so pure. So precious. He has an immense family, he has so many friends, he has a clear idea of what he likes and dislikes and I can understand and work with it. Red constantly keeps things to himself. Red avoids playing the things I play. He always spends way more hours at work than he's obligated to. And I can't do anything about that. He's so moody. He shifts so quickly from interactive to completely depressed that I can't even keep up with it. Every time I think he's fine he's not. And there's nothing I can do about it.

This was a problem in the past but it must be brought up again. I always want my efforts to be rewarded. I always want to know someone I spent time with was mutually enjoyable. I always want to feel appreciated for pushing past my social limits to ask about something and have a positive outcome. Activity ideas. Know that the time we did spend made someone happy, etc. And I always feel that with Choskey. I never feel that with Red. I am an introvert. The easier things are made for me the better and Choskey always wants to do things with me. Red is a completely different story.

And maybe that's what I want more from someone than anything when it comes to love. Mutual happiness. Approval. Affirmation. Willingness. High success rate whenever I ask about anything. Agreement. Communication. Transparency. Reasoning. And whenever something happens I want to know why. I want always know someone loves me. I want to always feel wanted. And as Choskey himself said I want them to revolve around me. I don't actively push for that but I know the selfish want exists, and Choskey so readily wants to be in my arms, wants to spend time with me doing literally anything. Wants to be part of everything I do, and Red has always been Red. Depressed. Migrained. Interested in a lot of things well over my pay grade to understand. Choskey loves to have fun. Red loves to be successful. And I personally love to have fun. And love to have someone who would actually have fun with me. When Red smiles, rarely is his smile genuine. He is broken inside and I used to be the only thing keeping from breaking down for 15 years. And I'm realizing I want more than just to be pampered and taken care of. I also want to be happy. I want to be loved by someone soft, excited, warmed by my presence, who completely lights up the moment I am there with them, and that's Choskey. Choskey is hope that my life won't end in whatever tragedy Red is leading us towards. Choskey is hope that I can be happy again, have things to look forward to again, furry social events etc are all things he wants to be a part of. Red can't handle 15 minutes at a furcon dance floor without needing frequent breaks. Without being socially burned out or complaining about the light frequency affecting his migraines, or the crowd and loud noises. Choskey would love it as much as I do.

I wish Red was less Red when we played games like borderlands, or even dbd right now. He treats it as a game to dick around instead of actually play, always playing the killer but trying to actively max out the enemies points or giving them maximum advantages. He plays games he hates to satire them and I can't understand or deal with that. He's always getting frustrated at people for not understanding rules he literally made up. And that almost reminds me of someone I once knew.

I don't want difficulty, especially in ways that normally wouldn't be a problem with most people. I want reception. I want ease. And Choskey is the very essence of what I want in someone I love.

[pinkprincessbehaviour]

28/9/23 8:24am

I'm unsure how to deal with death. How to tell people when they ask me, how I am. My Dad died in an accident in the Philippines. I was woken up at 4:51am by my alarm going off for work (it was automatically set even though I didn't work that day). Then I saw a voicemail left at that time by his girlfriend, telling me to call back as it was an emergency. I tried calling back but she was calling my sister. I then spoke to her, wailing. Saying there was an accident, I guess it was already clear what had happened. Something in my mind already clicked but I needed her to say it. He was drunk, he fell down the stairs, there was a lot of blood.

Nothing seems real, the last few days seem like such a dream. Like if I killed myself, maybe I'd wake up from whatever this universe is. He didn't deserve to die like that, no one does. But he was 70 and still had a good 15-20 years on him.

My grief bounces between random outbursts of crying then uncontrollable anger. My borderline personality disorder never seemed more stable? As I feel too shocked? To correctly feel as intense as usual? Unsure, it is difficult to really know what I'm feeling right now.

Dear Dad, I wish I had spent more time with you, but that's probably what everyone always wishes for. More time when it's too late. You irritated me with how drunk you got, almost recklessly drunk especially at family dinners. I remember once being worried you would fall on the road since you were stumbling. You however were too proud to let me help you. Or too proud to let anyone help you. I love you. You took my sister and I to ovals when we were little to kick a soccer ball around and to places to play tennis, squash and badminton. It was strange when I compare things to how it was later. I didn't fully appreciate these actions and how busy you were with work and household chores to be able to take your two daughters out regularly on the weekends. Sometimes just randomly you would wake and announce we were going to the beach. Palm Beach specifically was where we went to. Once even hiring a boat to go off and explore random beaches around Palm Beach. One traumatically surrounded by jellyfish which we escaped from pretty quickly. You always made sure there was dinner for Rose and I. Cooking was one of you hobbies. Always asking how Rose and I enjoyed the food even when you were at work. On your days off - Wednesday and Thursday which became almost like weekends in my mind. You made the most amazing meals. You and your crazy ideas, once when I on my way to therapy scratched my car on the carport wall. You decided to get orange spray paint to stop my car from rusting and spray it on my mulberry coloured vehicle. It looked so random but did the job. You retired and it didn't seem like the life for you really. You were bored but you entertained yourself with watching stuff on youtube and probably regularly terrorizing Dina (his girlfriend - well I suppose I should say partner). You had knee replacements which seemed to slow you down and you didn't eat as much as you used to. I guess all this comes regularly with age perhaps, but it was sad seeing this. Meanwhile you went on all these different trips with Dina. Which I'm thankful for, I'm sure you enjoyed all the adventures. Sadly the recent one was the one where you died. But I remember the last time I saw you, how happy you were about going to Japan. Going to the convenience stores and seeing everything they had in them. You sounded so excited.

Your body looked like you were sleeping, like you would just wake up and start a conversation about something that happened at work before. Like all the confused patients and all the staff you liked/disliked. I've been asked why I keep the screenshots of your face/body. Dressed in the suit you were meant to wear for the wedding you both went to the Philippines for. I guess I keep them for myself. To have something of you still. To look at them and remind myself you are sleeping now. To try to remind myself you will not wake and this is real life. That this bizarre reality is reality.

I love you and wish I was a better daughter to you. One that saw you more/took more time out with you. Just to even talk about your past which you occasionally told stories about. You never gave too many details about yourself on the best of days, but that is something I will always wish for. Knowing about your life more - apart from your nursing life. Seeing pictures of you when you were younger with long blonde hair and an edgy looking face. I wonder how you were back then, back when you were my age. I wonder a lot of different things, a lot of what if's.

I also wish that I died instead of you and think that if I killed myself maybe I could keep you company and go to wherever you are.

Life is a confusing mess - life is also so short - I get little bursts of wanting to take the entire world on before puttering out into grief. I love you so much Ellie

[keefwho]

September 12 - 2023 Tuesday

8:55am

I'm having the thought that I don't want to be seen today. I'm having the thought that I won't be able to live up to my own standards let alone anyone else's. I'm having the thought that it's all too hard and I'll never be able to keep up. I'm having the thought that if I don't figure out who I am, I will be left behind. I'm having the thought that I can't show myself around other people when I'm like this. I feel a sinking sensation in my chest. It makes me want to stop trying. It makes me want to hide until it goes away.

3:05pm

What I'm "changing" right now is instead of giving into the urges to scroll twitter, turn on a Twitch stream, or join a discord VC to distract myself, I'm sticking to nothing but music to occupy me while I do my afternoon work. These urges I have aren't things I really want to do, they are just a means to escape how I feel about myself right now. I trick myself sometimes by thinking it's always a good thing to be around people, it means I'm growing a relationship with them. But that might not be true. I struggle to put my heart into most people so spending time with them is more of a chore than anything and because of that I think nothing is really grown or nourished. The truth is right now I feel inadequate and am very likely to self sabotage any activity I pursue. Maybe I just need to sit with myself until I'm in a state more ready to take action.

11:15pm

First of all I'm late to bed because I felt the need to take care of myself more out of stress relief than anything. Probably shouldn't have just because of how late it is. I think really I just wanted to feel something good today.

I had turkey spam, green beans and carrots, and spicy ramen for breakfast. It's one of my favorites. I set up the Vortex mod manager so I can start looking into Starfield mods. I was a little late to stream because I was deciding whether or not I wanted to stream today at all and I decided to which I regretted. I just didn't want to interact today, I felt upset at myself for lots of things and didn't want to show it. Work went VERY slow and my stepdad called me out to help him move big logs halfway through which was annoying. I do like the manual labor sometimes though. I stopped my stream halfway through and very slowly finished it off stream, although I still did it within the maximum time frame. I felt terrible for my performance today.

I cleaned up a little my putting away my clothes and taking the garbage out/cleaning the garbage area. I have a bad habit of half assing cleaning surfaces, I'm learning to do it more properly which does take more time. So I did that and felt pretty good about it. Lunch was fish sticks with mac n cheese and a pear cup. I watched some Chris Chan during my lunch break.

The request today was from someone who had lied to me about their age awhile back in a dangerous way but they are of age now and are a patreon of mine. Today Daisy mentioned how I should have blocked them whenever that happened and I should have, even my friend Bramble said that closer to the time it happened. I wish I did too but I was in an interesting place where I was trying not to cross my business and personal life. Obviously in hindsight even my business should not be associated with someone like that but at the time I had cut them from my social life and allowed them to come back when they turned 18 to start paying me for art again if they wanted. In the end it kinda worked out but I do still feel weird about having them around. But they only talk to me as an artist, I have no desire to actually hang out with them.

I made good progress on this old MLP pic of mine again, it should be done tomorrow. I'm trying to start a new habit where I specify the project I'm going to work on earlier in the day so that I'm not left choosing when the time comes.

After work I played some Starfield until Daisy wanted to play Just Dance. It was a short session because we were so tired. Then we hopped into my server VC which I was looking forward to until a very annoying guy joined and the uncomfortable individual I just wrote about. Daisy wanted me to stream Mother 3 for her which I was happy to do even though I was just grinding the same enemies over and over for awhile. I didn't have anything else I wanted to do specifically so it was okay. The call sucked though because those 2 guys where giving me a headache and wouldn't shut up for half the time. I barely said anything the whole time.

Daisy and I chatted a little bit while she was in bed afterwards. I opened up a little bit about how things have gotten more intense lately and how scary it is, but in a good way. I feel relieved that it's being talked about in this capacity finally, it's like I've been holding myself back because I didn't know if my feelings were being reciprocated as much as they are. I still don't feel like that but that's either because I still need to process it or its my long term issue of self doubt. Either way I consciously know what is true and that gives me the opportunity to make myself believe it.

Today I was very moody in general. I was frustrated and sad at a lot of things. In general I feel like I'm not making as much progress as I want. I've literally failed in the sense that I haven't done a good job of refining my behavior to invoke actual change. I'm still chilling in my comfort zone and I know I am. In some ways I'm afraid to take action and get better because any change is scary to me. Sometimes I feel like it's not worth it even trying because again I think it's impossible for me to be good.

My current formula is to keep trying anything I think of to see it's effects. It's been a lot of experimentation which brings a lot of failure but I cant lose sight that anything I try will teach me something. My current priority of sticking to my schedule and finishing certain projects is being undermined by my lack of self praise for actually doing these things. I think I need to redirect my focus from just getting things done to realizing what I have gotten done. I tend to do things and move on like I never even did them. It's no wonder I feel bad basically convincing myself that I did nothing of note when I actually did.

Another one of my ideas to try is to make a hierarchy of sorts for the kinds of things I can do and the requirements that precede them. To most people this would seem weird and maybe it is but I might be autistic af and this might be my solution. I need to write things down for later or else I will always forget it and repeat the same cycles over and over again.

Edit: I meant to add noting at least one positive thing I did today to counter how I always evaluate my negative thoughts in the morning. Today despite feeling so bad, I did get my schedule done in it's entirety which is impressive. Hours of work got done.

[onlyheretoread2]

Lovin' my storm part 10

We had lived at the prison for 5 months now and JAXON was 14 months old at this point. Me and Daryl usually stayed in our tower as we didn't give the others time of day. Daryl hunted and I hung out with carol and Sofia mostly.

"hey beautiful" my husband said wrapping his arms around me. He knew I hated when he touched me bloody so I loved how he looked like he just showered.

"hey " I said as I trained my neck to kiss him.

"what's up baby brother!" Merle said as he came down.

Glen and Maggie scurried away and I couldn't care less. Daryl has been trying to find us somewhere to go and the plan is for us ,merle ,and carol with Sofia and Jaxon to skip town when we figure out where to go.

"I'm goin back out later " Daryl whispered to me.

"u just got back" I said as I turned to him .

"it's just 2 days"

"2 days!?" I whisper yelled

"I barely see u as is" I said walking away to the tower. Daryl followed me and we needed to talk.

"I know u hate it here but it's walls. It's safe" he said

"u honestly believe that? Those Woodbury woman are all over u 24/7 ,ur always doing chores and whenever I try to talk u stomp off or say well talk later but later never comes . By the time u come to bed ur exhausted and then u leave" I said as I looked at the ground

"well what do ya want me to do? Huh? I'm trying I can't sit around all day ! U know that!" He yelled making me flinch

He noticed and tried to touch me but I jerked away. "This place is ripping us apart and u don't see it. I don't trust them and u don't care" I said trying to walk past him

"I care about everyone in our family u Jax merle carol and Sofia." He said

"then stay with us more than 5;minutes" I said

"we need to eat and all we do is fight is were up here Ill see u in 2 days damn" he said stomping away

"Daryl"! I hollered he turned "don't do that"

"don't do what? Huh? U obviously ain't happy hell all u do anymore is bitch if I'm not up ya ass. Hell u think I like having to do everything? No I wanna be with jaxon but I gotta do my part! Now if u don't mind I'ma say bye to our boy and go hunting" he snapped at me

"ur always angry now unless I'll laying on my back" I said slamming the door

I heard boots run up and the door open and slam. I sank to my but and held my hands in my knees I hung my head

"that what u really think? That all I want is sex? " He yelled

"stop yelling" I said not looking at him

"then tell me y ur so bitchy all the fuckin time . " He said I don't like the look on his face at all

"Daryl calm down like u said we gotta eat and clearly it the only one here who can handle the woods so go" I said "I just miss my husband " I whispere

"and I miss my wife. The one who could handle herself . The one who loved me and excepted me didn't sit there and whine when I try to provide! I'm sorry I'm not good at this shit u knew that when u married me! Hell the way u are now I wish I hadn't!" He screamed

My heart shattered 'he wished he never married me?'

"look were together and Jaxon needs us both I love u but I'm tired of the bitchin " he said

Lately it's like if I express and feeling other that lust he is always to busy . I miss the man who was protective of me.

I simply layed on the mattress and faced away from him. I didn't speak and strangely I felt numb.

"what u gunna cry now"? He snapped

I shook my head and got up. I walked out of the tower and past merle and carol. They eyed me weirdly but kept playing with jaxon.

_________

Daryl pov

I know I was harsh on storm but I'm tired of it. She barely talks to me and if she does she's bitchin. I'm done with that. I love her and Jaxon though. Well get thru this.

I walked down the steps and hugged my boy. I went to get my pack and storm walked out with it. "Here" she said . She had made it and I tried to kiss her but she simply walked away. I wish she would just cheer up.

I didn't wanna fight so I just turned and kissed Jax again. Merle was staying to protect them so I was ok.

____________

Storm pov

I can't get what Daryl said out of my head. 'the way u are now I wish I hadn't ' he screamed it at me

I took off my rings and wrapped them in a towel. I wrote on it

Sorry I ruined ur perfect life. All IV wanted for the last month was for u to hold me and be with me but the only attention I get is when I'm on my back. Ur always gone . Jax even started sayin dada but uv never heard it. I "bitch" because it's the only way I'll talk to me lately but it's ok. U said plain as day u wished u hadn't married me so we're no longer married u get ur wish.

Good bye daryl

I went out side and talked to carol when merle was gone

"hunny what happened" she asked

"apparently all I do is bitch and he wishes he never married me so I ended it" I said trying not to cry.

"o my god hunny I don't believe for a second he ment that"

"doesn't matter he still screamed it in my face even when I asked him not to yell. U wanna move us into a cell together? Us and the kids?" I asked

" he's done with me so I'm not gunna beg"

"anything for u hun" she said

I walked up and packed me and Jaxon's stuff. Daryl was barely here so he can clean his shit later. We move mine carol Sofia and Jaxon into one of the big cells in block A

____________

Daryl pov

I was walking when I heard a branch behind me snap. I looked to see fuckin jennifer ,the one know as hoe jenny from the Woodberry people. She looks like storm but she will never be my woman.

"the fuck u want" I asked

"heard u and storm fighting. U really laid into her" she said smugly

"whatever ur doin fuck off I'm with storm" I said as I turned

"well u could have a real woman" she yelled

"gotta real woman u go back to sucking dicks for ramen ho" I said as I sped off

I stoped a few hours later for the night and opened my bag for food. I removed my favorite can of beans and a note fell out bunched in a towel.

I picked up the note and read it. I felt sick. I had really said that to her. Storm is the only one I've wanted ever. "Fuck " I looked and her rings fell out of the towel

I really fucked up. "What did she mean the last month" I thought

I thought back and realized she was right. The last 2 months the only alone time we get is when I want sex or were fighting because she wants me to stay. I remember the look on her face when I left. Blank but her eyes gave away hurt. I hurt the only thing good to me.

I immediately packed up and headed home. I'm gunna stay unless MY family needs somethin. It's a days trip back so I'ma rush

______________

Storm pov

Merle walked up and looked pissed. "U just moved out the tower"? He seethed

"yea I did" I said blank merle doesn't scare me he never has

"so ur just done with him? He just providing for everyone" he said I looked him in the eye and said

"no he's doin what Rick orders and if I say something I'm a bitch or I'm bitchin at him. The only time I get my husband is when I'm on my back or were fighting and he even said tonight he wished he never married me so believe what u want. I'm done begging him to care. Whenever shit gets hard he buried himself in his head or he snaps and it won't happen again" I said as I walked past. We were out side and merle said

"he really said that"?he looked at me curiously

"yea " I said"screamed it actually after I asked him not to yell" "u know I can't stand yelling"

He nodded "I don't blame ya" he said as he surprised me by hugging me.

We separated and it was actually late. So I got Sofia and Jaxon back to the cell. They were asleep as well as carol and for the first time in 2 months I slept ok. I didn't worry if Daryl was gunna scream or just be out all night again

The next morning I woke again and the kids were asleep so I got up to go get food. When I stepped out of A I saw someone in our tower. I walked up and it was Jenifer

I started walking off but turned back. "What are u doin?" I asked sup the stairs

"fixing Daryl's room u left remember" she smirked as she spoke

"yea I did but stay out his shit ho" I said I started walking up when merle got in front of me. "Move ho"!

She scampered down the steps .

I got food and went back to the kids still snoring I left there food there and went to help in the garden.

When I got to the garden I instantly started but after an hour a familiar hand grabbed me and spun me. "Come on were gunna talk" he said he looked between hurt and pissed

"I'm good I said what I had to and u read the note I see so do what u want" I turned to the garden to see it actually done.i looked up to see carol playing with jaxon .

"storm come to the tower now" he tried to demand

"I. Not going anywhere near that tower again. " I said as I walked away. I played with Jaxon most of the day as did Daryl when I was busy . I'd make myself scarce when he was in the same room and when bed time came I got Jax and Sofia down.

Carol came 'home' as the kids called it and I went outside. I sat in the grass . I wanted dto think without being hounded.

"u moved ur shit and Jaxon?" An angry voice said behind me

"u weren't here he's asleep u can see him whenever" I said coldly I didn't wanna fight. "Just come talk to me" he demanded

I rolled my eyes and walked to the tower. We got in there And I stayed quiet.

"the hell storm?" He said he actually looked hurt

I kept my blank face and said "what do u want Daryl it clearly isn't me I'm done begging or bitchin as u call it so u get ur wish. "

"storm I didn't mean that! U know I can't control my mouth sometimes" he pleaded

"that's no excuse to put me down and scream in my face that's u wish I'd never married me. I loved u hell I still do but I'm done. U read my side now tell me what u want. " I said

"storm please " he said trying to touch me. I stepped away"Jenifer was in here earlier if check ur stuff" I said I'm just want to sleep at this point.

"I love u u can't leave" he pleaded with tears in his eyes. He looked hurt but ghell IV been hurt for a damn month I'm done.

"Daryl I'm in a cell block. U know where Jaxon is. If he matters come see him if he doesn't keep being gone 24/7" ur free now it's up to u" I said I opened the door but he slammed it shut.

"Daryl open the door now" I demanded

"ur not takin my son I ain't no weekend dad" he said sounding angry

"no it just a 5 mins here and there eone now move ur boot" I demanded but before ei could speak my face stung.

My cheek hurt and I looked to see Daryl looking at his hand like he didn't believe what just happened he back from the door once I realized and tears were in my eyes

"storm I..." He started but I flinched away

"storm" he said but I cut him off "don't u ever touch me again Daryl Dixon " I screamed as I ran out the door. I went to my cell and hid . 'he hit me' I thought all night

________________________

Daryl pov

I'm a fuckin monster. I said as I fell to the ground . I hit the one thing that was ever good to me. The one thing that mattered . I hurt her not only mentally but now physically.

Merle busted in"what the hell is storm crying for I can here the screaming from my tower" he yelled

"I'm just like fuckin will" I said and he looked confused

I looked him in the eyes as he asked "the fuck did u do "

"I fuckin slapped her " I said he laughed man she'll survive y'all always come back . Come on let's get drunk

I nodded and walked with merle whisky was what I needed . I'm a piece of shit

After 5 hours of drinking I was hammered my vision was blurry and when I went to walk up to my tower I was grabbed and held up" u ok sugar? "

It sounded like storm and looked like her "I thought u hated me

_______

Jenifer pov

That bitch don't want him so I'ma get me some Dixon dick tonite. I saw him going with his brother so I figured I'd wait it out . I saw him coming back hours later. He looked drunk and everyone says I look like his wife so maybe I can trick him

____________

Daryl pov

"I could never hate u hunny" she said

I smiled and as we reached the top of the steps I ripped her clothes off and bent her over. I'm always horney when I'm drunk .

I shoved my dick in her and got I loved the moans. I kept going faster and faster till I exploded into her and she came all around me.

We layed down and she crashed switch me.

The next morning I get woken up to a boot to the ribs. I coughed and when I saw it was merle I said"the fuck bro? "

I layed back and saw something I regretted

STORM

CRYING

WITH A BLACK EYE

I looked down and saw that it wasn't her it was the ho

I got up quick and startled her. Storm just stood there. She staireds into the room as I approached her. I tried to touch her face but when she flinched back I saw her face. A hand print my hand print across her face and her eye. The look in her eyes was betrayal .

"storm please" she said as she simply turned around and walked away. I tried to follow but merle stoped me. "U go anywhere near her even I'll kill ya. That girl gave up her damn life for u ." He growled

"u got me fuckin drunk " I tried but he punched me

"I got u drunk to try to forget what u accidently did but not this. This was u" he said as he walked on. I sank to my nees.

Jenifer walked out and tried to put her arms around me. Carol walked by and her eyes got wide . She was holding my son who looked at me and said "dada"

"get the fuck off me whore u pretended to be storm while I was drunk fuck u" I said I ran and dressed as I raced down the steps to find storm.

I found her in her cell staring into oblivion. "U move on quick damn thought I was worth more than 6 hours " she said with no emotion

"she pretended to be u. Merle got me drunk. I....I...just fuckin kill me" I said as I broke down

"na ur not worth it" she said I watched her start folding clothes

"I found this and decided to go talk to u. " She threw out wedding picture to me. It was sus and u could see her small bump under it . I had my hand on it and we looked so happy.

She walked up and snatched it back she ripped it and handed me my half. "IV forgiving u for a lot of shit and delt with shit for so long but I can't forgive that" she said .

"I know " I said standing. My knees shook "I'll say by to Jaxon " I said

"so ur gunna abandon him now?" She snapped

"I moved here to get some space and u just made it perfectly fuckin clear ur done but now u wanna abandon a 14 month old baby? She yelled

"he is ur son I get that I'm not worth 5 minutes or even the dirt beneath ur feet but if u stop being a dad u deserve to die" she screamed

"I hit u.. I started

"I swear to God if u say I'm just like will I will take Jaxon tonight and u will never lay eyes on him again. He needs a father and I thought u were his. I was willing to forgive but damnit Daryl" she screamed

"u can live in the tower and I can live here. We can work it out. But do not abandon him" she pleaded.

"I won't " I said feeling better knowing she wasn't leaving

She turned and walked to the steps of her cell and froze.

"storm..I started

"why ?" She almost whispered

"why what" I asked I wanted so bad to hug her

"why didn't I get 5 minutes alone for over 2 fuckin months but she gets u as soon as u drink" she whimpered

"storm she pretended to be u when I couldn't see strait. U are work everything and I'm sorry ok. I found us a house . I found it a month ago but I can't find any time to sneak away to inspect it. I wanted to build it up for Jaxon. But I fucked up and lost my temper and now I've lost u"

"u said u wished dud never married me " she she wimpered

"and I wish udv shot me right then I fucking deserved it."

______

Storm pov

"and I wish udv shot me then I fuckin deserved it. " I heard Daryl say I tuned to see his eyes and he had nothing but. Sadness and regret I love this man .

I walked up and I don't know what came over me but I grabbed his collar and kissed his passionately. He instantly kissed and I dragged him into the cell I pushed him onto the mattress and straddled him never breaking the kiss.

I finally came up for air and said "I can forgive but I will never forget. We talk now. No hiding shit or fighting. And when I beg for time with u omm not bitch I miss u"

I was crying and he wiped my tears. If we fight again I want u to shoot me " he said he reached in his pocket and pulled out a 9mm bullet "and use this to do it. " I looked at him and saw truth.

I kissed dhim again . He was sitting up and I had on a short dress so he slid his hands under neeth and ripped my panties .

I released his belt and freed him. I reached behind and grabbed a wash cloth and wiped his dick. He looked confused

"removing ho germs that's all. " He snorted and I sunk down onto him. "Fuuuuuckkk so tight" he said

I started bobbing and he said "nah "

He flipped me over and grabbed my legs raising them . My knees were nearly touching my boobs.

He entered me and got he's never been that deep. He started moving and I loved the pleasure cursing thru me. "O my god" I screamed

He snickered and sped up"my god Daryl" I whimpered . I felt my stomach tighten as I reached for my clit. He suddenly pulled out and dove betweeny legs . Fuck it felt amazing we've never done that and my god!

He sucked and licked as I bucked and he shot up re entering me but not letting up in his fingers. I came undone screaming his name and Daryl scream "god damn storm" and I clinched around him and he spilled into me.

We floped down and he adjusted his pants.

I burst out laughing"what the fuck is funny" he asked all seriously

"u know how Carol's basically my mom? " He nodded

"we just fucked don my mom's bed!" I laughed as did he. We were crying laughing. We got up and started to walk out as I grabbed his arm.

"she goes or we do" I said

"Jenifer goes or we do. U said u found a cabin we can go there." I said so we exited the cell after a quick kiss and found Rick.

"what the hell is going on" he asked" Jenifer just came in and said u made her sleep with u? " he accused daryl

"bullshit "we both said " she took advantage of him when he was blackout drunk after a fight." I said

Rick looked stunned we all walked in and I said in front of everyone."either Jenifer goes or we do. "

They all gasped "u can't leave and we can't kick her out" Rick said

I refused to argue" ok " I said as we walked back out

"pack our stuff we're leaving" I said looking at merle and Daryl carol walked up"hunny r u sure?"

"a whore took advantage of my husband last night and they are picking her over the man who provides food . Yeah I'm sure " she nodded and held Jaxon as we packed everything. We all loaded into the red suburban but me and Daryl rode merles motorcycle and I went to say good bye.

"were gone " I said as I poked my head into ricks cell

"gone were ?" He asked

"anywhere but here" I walked out as Rick followed and was pissed.

I simply hoped on the bike as merle drove the suburban and we flipped Rick off. Little did we know a decade later we would see some similar faces.