clarielparke:

Darkness.

Ice.

The spirits are howling, twirling like eddies. Voices.

I can’t see the horizon, but I sense it’s there. A minute glimpse of light in the cold darkness.

In my heart, I pray to the Sun to show its face.

Oh Agni!

My arms are breaking, ripping right out of their sockets. If I let go, he’ll fall.

He grabs at my upper arms, staring desperately at me with blue eyes. My nails and fingers dig into his jacket. I see the pleading in his gaze. 

Azula, please! 

The edge of the icy precipice cuts into my chest. My arms will dislocate or tear right off.

He’s begging me to either let go and save myself, or to save his life. I’m not sure which. The howling in my ears increases.

No!

I will not let them win.

Gauging a foothold by means of the blue flames sprouting from my feet, I anchor myself to the glacier and pull. I pull with all my might, hauling him up. 

He collapses into my arms, cradles me tight, kisses my neck.

“Azula…”

I open my eyes. The cone shape of the Water Tribe hut hugs us. Tiny flames flicker in the furnace. 

“I had a nightmare.” He wraps his limbs around me like a child.

I kiss him.

“It’s all right, Sokka. I’m here. I’ll always be here.”

clarielparke:

The plump pillows provided comfortable support for his head. So did the soft covers underneath the brocade bedspread. Tucking his arms behind his head, Sokka frowned. Clearly, undressing hadn’t had the desired effect. Azula was fully clothed, leaning back against her desk, arms crossed tightly beneath her breasts.

He opened his mouth to invite her in. She stared intently down into the carpet with a tiny frown, oblivious. Unlike Zuko, she never paced when something bothered her. Instead, she coiled up tight. With a deep sigh, he relaxed on her bed and waited for her to spring whatever it was on him.

“You know Sokka, I’ve been thinking, and it really seems the only viable solution.” Her eyes locked fiercely on the carpet pattern.

“Zuko is clearly worried we’ll create a scandal. Everyone wants to avoid launching another Hundred Year War. As long as there’s no formal alliance between our nations, the risk remains. Yes. From a political perspective, it’s the only sound solution.”

He waited. A light blush tinted her cheeks.

“I mean, that way we could be together whenever we want to. I’d be able to stop drinking that wretched tea. Your father could rest assured we won’t invade.”

Eyes met. Blue ones widened in wonder.

“Azula! Are you asking me to marry you?”

clarielparke:

“Spirits! What’s that miserable wailing? Is someone being assassinated in the Palace Grounds?”

Azula hurried towards the tall windows leading to the balcony. Wrapping a red silk robe with gold borders around her, she tied the sash tightly at the waist. Her maidservant Zura followed with a worried look. 

“It sounds like… singing, Princess?”

Azula flung the windows open to step onto the balcony. Her yellow eyes widened significantly. The full moon bathed the single figure below in bright blue white light.

Delicious as a sea prune
Spicy like chile pepper
She tickles my palate
My ocean kumquat, hiding in the depths of my heart

Oh, she’s my cactus juice, I need to taste her every day and night

My fire lily flytrap
She’s got me sucked right in
Like a dolphin piranha, she just swallowed me up
Beautiful dragon, come fly me to heaven tonight

Oh, she’s my cactus juice, I need to taste her every day and night

The bolt of lightning barely missed the singer’s ear.

“Sokka, you idiot! Stop that! You’re waking the whole Palace.”

He stared hopefully at her. “Can I come up?”

“Yes! Just don’t try to scale the walls. Use the stairs like a normal person.”

He grinned. “Yes, Princess!”

Dedicated to Thomas Pynchon, master of the silly ditty.

clarielparke:

Behind his desk, the Fire Lord was pacing.

“I don’t think you fully understand the gravity of the situation here, Sokka! Ever since Azula’s return, Aang and I have had to watch her like hawks to ensure she doesn’t cause havoc. Spirits! Don’t you have any sense of self-preservation?”

The Water Tribesman ran his hand over his wolf’s tail and grinned.

“Oh, so far she’s been pretty friendly. Can’t say I’ve had that much to complain about.”

Zuko’s eyes bulged. “I absolutely forbid you to go near her, Sokka! Hands off! I mean, that’s my flesh and blood we’re talking about. Now that she’s recovered, I can’t have her…”

“Consorting with peasants?” Sokka smiled pleasantly. “Why, the two of you are more alike than I thought. Except these five years have done Azula a world of good. She’s lost her snobbery. Seems the reverse has happened to you, though.”

The Fire Lord blushed. His fists tightened.

“What are your intentions here, Sokka? Our family can’t take any more scandals.  As long as I’m Fire Lord, there will be no Royal bastards.”

A breezy smile. “Oh, there’s contraceptive tea these days.”

He winked. “Unless you’d like me as a brother-in-law, of course. I’m game.”

clarielparke:

“Bone. How quaint.”

She trailed her long fingers up the back of his neck to toy with the clasp of his necklace. Trust Azula to target the symbol of his Water Tribe heritage and ridicule it. 

It didn’t matter. The long slender fingers sent shivers down his spine. Her sharp nails travelled up into his hairline. He leaned back against her unconsciously.

“It’s hard, yet supple, Princess. The surface is silky smooth. You won’t know the advantages of it until you’ve tried it.”

An incredulous laugh. She traced her finger underneath the necklace and moved to face him. There was a light blush on her cheeks.

“You think this is diamonds? That’s a joke. I bet that…”

His hand closed on her wrist and tugged. His other arm came down to snake around her waist and pull her close. He really hadn’t intended to, but-

Never tease a Water Tribesman, honey. You’ll have to follow through.

A gasp as she sensed his hardon through their clothes. His hand moved down to press her tighter to him.

Her yellow eyes widened. A hiss in his ear.

“Sokka! We’re in the middle of the dance floor! Everyone can see-“

“Mm. That’s perfect.”

His lips came down on hers.