Recovery: Modern Azulaang AU

Coldest Night Of The Year

Azula

I'm woken up at barely midnight by Zuko shaking me violently,

"Azula, get up!" he yells, causing me to bolt up from my bed,

"What?" I ask sleepily,

"It's Aang," he says seriously.

At this, my full attention is on him,

"What happened? Is he okay?"

"No. Gyatso's dead..."

No... poor Aang...

"Shit. How'd you find out?" I ask, my heart aching for Aang. He lost his parents when he was young and now he's lost the one who took him in and gave him a home. I can't imagine what that feels like, considering both my parents weren't exactly parents of the year, but I couldn't bear to lose Zuko.

"That's the thing. Katara told me. She came over to get something she had left and found him there, drunk and crying. She said she tried to comfort him but he just ended up walking out on her, not even bringing his phone. That was four hours ago. We have to find him." he says, tossing me my hoodie.

I quickly put it on, slipping my feet into a pair of flip flops before following him out. Neither of us speak until we get into his car,

"Where are we going?" I ask,

"Aang's. Katara's still there with Toph, Sokka, and Suki. We'll be coordinating our search there."

In any other circumstance, I'd tease Zuko about how had just used the word 'coordinating', but this was hardly the time for it. The drive to Aang's was quick and quiet. Zuko only speaking up when we get cut off or end up behind a slow car. I can tell how distressed he is so I take his free hand in mine, giving him a supportive smile. I'm trying my best to be strong for him but inside, I'm a wreck.

He must be feeling so alone right now. What if he does something stupid? No, Don't think like that, Azula. He can't do that. I won't let him. I'll be there for him the same way he's been there for me. He's not alone... he needs to know that.

We shortly arrive to Aang's place, Zuko impatiently pressing Aang's floor button. When we get inside, the others are huddled around the living area. Katara looks extremely worried, Toph was quiet, which was new, Suki looks to be calling any of Aang's other friends with his phone, and Sokka was just staring blankly at the black screen of the tv.

Katara immediately walks over to Zuko and hugs him as she sees us enter,

"I'm so worried, Zuko. You remember what happened after his parents died. I don't know what he'd do now that Gyatso's gone too,"

"Hey, we can't let our bad thoughts unravel us. We need to stay strong. For Aang." Zuko replies, hugging his girlfriend back.

"We need to look for him. He needs us now more than ever. Azula, these days he's closer to you than anyone else. Do you know where he could possibly be?" Sokka asks, getting up from his spot on the couch and giving me a determined look,

"Um... I'm not sure... I just know about the alcove, but you all know that too,"

"Any special spots he took you when guys hung out?" Katara asks, and now the full attention of the group is on me, except for Suki who was still on Aang's phone,

"Well, we end up at the park a lot, but I wouldn't say it's special to him. There's also this restaurant he likes to go to downtown," I say, feeling utterly useless right now.

"Alright. We can start there. And maybe we can widen our search area if he's not in any of those places. Suki and I will check downtown,"

"Zuko, Toph, and I will try the Jasmine Dragon and the surrounding areas."