Recovery: Modern Azulaang AU

Comfort

Azula

It's been a few weeks now since my first session with Dr. Lim. It doesn't always go well, I often end up getting mad and smashing something before just breaking down.

Right now, I'm with Suki again, she's taking me to Aang's house for some party. I was very hesitant at first, harping on about how I might not be invited since Zuko's too busy with our father's old company to attend, but she insisted that it was fine. I'm really nervous to see the others again. The people I grew up with, and then turned on and tormented for so long.

"Would you stop fidgeting? I told you It'll be fine. Maybe Katara would need a little more convincing but I bet the others are gonna be fine." Suki says, snapping me out of my daze. I hadn't even realised I was fidgeting with the strings of my dark red hoodie until she said something.

"Okay..." I say, barely above a whisper. As you can tell, I'm not very convinced by her words.

It wasn't much longer until we reached Aang's apartment building. The elevator ride to his felt very long. I don't know if it's my nerves playing  tricks on me or because he lives on the 31st floor. Either way it was dragging on. My nerves only got worse as we stood in front of his door, waiting for him to answer.

The door flies open, catching both me and Suki by surprise,

"Heyooooo!" Aang says cheerfully. He hasn't changed much since we were kids. His brown hair still cropped short. He's a bit taller though, and looks more mature. Emphasis on looks. He doesn't seem to act any more mature than when we were kids,

"Hi, Aang." Suki says, stepping inside, her and Aang have a bit of small talk while I remain rooted at my spot,

"You coming?" Aang asks, looking at me curiously. I look to Suki, seeing her give me a supportive smile before I let out a small sigh and step indoors.

Inside, I see Sokka and Toph fighting over some food, while Katara scolded them to stop fighting.

Somethings never change...

"Guys, look who's here!" Aang says, happily,

The others greet Suki and much sooner than I had wanted, turned their attention on me.

"Don't even think about trying anything funny, Azula," Katar threatens,

"Aww, is that how you greet an old friend?" I taunt her,

"We are not friends,"

"Katara..." Aang begins,

"No, Aang! She made Zuko's life miserable. Just because she could! And the  she made our lives miserable for trying to help him!"

"Okayyy!" Sokka steps in, "maybe we shouldn't get into this right now? We're here to have fun remember?"

Katara scoffs and storms off, telling Aang not to follow her as he begins to walk towards her.

"Hey," Sokka appears in front of me,

"Yes?" I ask,

"I'm all for forgiveness but you're gonna have to work for it. And stop taunting Katara." he says protectively,

I sigh,

"Very well,"

"Welp, good enough for me!" he says, going back to his dprky self.

After he walks away, joining Aang, Toph, and Suki, I'm left standing awkwardly in Aang's home. I decide to scrutunise his place a little, seeing as I have nothing else to do. His apartment is a bit nicer than Zuko's. Gives me a very hipster vibe. A lot of books, mandela tapestries, a guitar, colourful cushions all over the couch and floor, a giant slobbering dog, Appa I think it's name was, was sleeping on a dogbed in the corner, and a giant window overlooking the city where a wall would normally be. I walk towards it, taking a seat on the cushioned alcove. The rain has started coming down harder, making the neon lights of the city look more vibrant. I'm almost entranced in it until I hear someone speak up from behind me,

"Cool, huh?" I look towards Aang, taking the beer he's offering me.

"Yes, it's a fine view." I deadpan.

"It's one of the reasons I chose this place," he says, taking a seat next to me.

I feel extremely awkward being so close to him. He's being really nice. I sneak a glance at him to see him smiling as he looks out onto the city.

"It calms me. Looking out this window. Spent many sleepless nights on this alcove. It's kinda like my comfort zone."

"I..."

Why can't I think of anything snarky to say???

"You can too," he says, looking at me now, his goofy smile still on his face,

"I can what?"

He chuckles,

"If you ever need a place to get away from bad thoughts or whatever, you can come here."

I feel my face get hot as he says this.

He's offering me to come over whenever I wanted?

I clear my throat,

"Very well, I might take you up on that offer if Zuzu ever annoys me too much," I say nonchalantly, making him chuckle,

"Sure," he smiles,

"What's this party for anyway?" I ask,

"Well, we kinda just wanted to hang out. School's been hectic for all of us so I thought it would be nice to unwind now that we're on break,"

"Right... school,"

"You ever think of taking up any classes? I remember you being really smart," he says, his smile never seeming to falter,

"I'm not exactly sure what I want to do just yet..."

"Well that's okay, whenever you're ready you'll find something right for you,"

"Mhm..."

The night eventually gets started, Katara and I just doing our best not to get at each other's throat. It almost got messy during a pretty intense, and drunk, round of pictionary but the others quickly stepped in. All in all, it was pretty fun, although I would never admit that to them.

Now I'm lying in bed, unable to sleep. I can't get Aang's words out of my head,

'If you ever need to get away, you can come here,'

I had no intention whatsoever of taking him up on his offer when I said I would, but now, I'm honestly not so sure. It was a comfy spot. I almost forgot all of my problems sitting there, looking out that window. Almost.

His presence wasn't so bad. Apart from Dr. Lim and Suki, I felt most at ease with him, even more than with Zuko sometimes.

Eventually I drifted off to sleep. My last thought being that cozy little alcove. And I'm not even exaggerating when I say that I had gotten the best sleep I've had in years that night.