Recovery: Modern Azulaang AU

Happiness

Azula

I wake up in Aang's arms, hearing the pitter patter of soft rain against the windows. I've been spending most nights here lately. He picks me up from work and I usually end up sleeping at his. It's been bliss, let me tell you. We watch movies, cuddle, make out, eat food, and he's also been teaching me how to cook.

I turn to face Aang and I'm a little surprised to see him already awake, staring at me. Since getting know Aang, I've learned that he isn't quite the early riser like me. Nope, he loves his sleep,

"Hey, why are you up?" I ask,

"Dunno. You know, I really like how you look in my hoodie,"

Oh right, I'm wearing his Republic City University hoodie.

I blush at his comment,

"So comfy. I love it," I say, giving him a big grin,

"You should keep it," he says, giving me a quick kiss before getting out of bed,

"I thought it was already mine," I joke, making him chuckle,

"Breakfast?" he asks, pulling a shirt over his head,

"Mm, as much as I want to just stay in all day, I have plans with Suki," I say, giving him a small smile, which he returns,

"No worries," he walks over to me and plants a kiss to my forehead, "just tea then," he says, walking out of the room,

"Thanks," I call before he can walk out completely.

After I have my tea with Aang, I have a shower and then I change into a dark red turtle neck sweater, black jeans, and a pair of black combat boots. I slip on my coat, grab my purse and head out to the living room where Aang's watching tv while Appa sleeps on his lap,

"Hey, I gotta run," I tell him, he looks back at me and smiles,

"You look good," I return his smile,

"Thanks," I blush slightly,

"Want me to drop you off?" he asks,

"I'm good, I like walking when it's cold,"

Aang gets up and pulls me close to him by my waist,

"You coming back?"

"I'll see," I wink at him as he smiles,

"Alright," Aang plants a quick kiss on my lips before I exit his apartment.

---------
Suki and I met up for a quick lunch before she had asked me to accompany her to shop for a dress. It was for some cocktail thing at Phoenix Enterprises, my dad's company that Zuko was now running. It was some charity event that Zuko thought would be a good idea to show the world that he is nothing like our father. Suki was ecstatic to know that I didn't have a dress for the event either,

"This one's cute, isn't it, Azula?" Suki asks, holding up a green dress with a slit near the thighs,

"Yeah, I like that one," I say, smiling at her.

Truth be told, I know nothing about dresses. They're not something I was ever allowed to be interested in.

Suki's face drops,

"You say that about all of them,"

"Well maybe I like all of them!" I defend, to which Suki scoffs,

"Or you're head's not in the game. What's on your mind, Azula?" she asks,

"Well... I'm having a hard time figuring out what I want. And honestly, all the dresses you showed me look all the same. Wouldn't you rather be doing this kinda thing with Katara?" I ask,

"Katara already has a dress. Besides, it's good that I went with you, seeing as you don't have a dress yet either," Suki smirks,

"Anyway," she continues, "I think I'll go with this one. Now let's find you a dress!"

Kill me now.

After hours of searching, I finally found one that I like, and it was beautiful. It was a short sleeved, dark red dress, stopping mid-thigh. It hugged my body in a way that accentuated my curves, but not in a slutty way. It was attractive yet elegant. My kind of dress. Suki agrees with me on that.

"Not fair! You guys just ganged up on me!" I exclaim, Aang and Suki giggling at me.

After hanging out with Suki, she had come back with me to Aang's and now the three of us were playing this game called Mario Kart. I was in first place for most of the game and all of a sudden I got hit with a barrage of random items which threw me off. I finished in third while Aang and Suki finished in first and second,

"That's how the game works, Azula," Aang comments, trying to take my hand but I pull it away,

"Don't touch me right now," I say, pouting as Suki giggles in the background,

"Aw, come on, Azula, don't be like that," Aang engulfs me in a hug but my body remains stiff,

"I hate losing," I say, Aang just caresses my back and kisses me on the top of my head.

Ohmyspirits, what if my hair doesn't smell good?!

"Cheer up, Azula, if you think about it, you were winning and it took Aang and I together to beat you. You definitely would've won if we didn't work together,"

As much as I didn't want to, I get up from my position in Aang's arms,

"I suppose you're right," I put my fingers on my chin, animatedly thinking about what Suki said, "Yes... I would've beaten you both so bad, the humiliation would've destroyed you. And I don't want that, so I suppose I'll count this as your collective victory," I say, Aang and Suki both smiling and telling me that I definitely would've humiliated them,

Truth be told, I knew they were just saying these things to make  me feel better. I know that they still beat me fair and square. My pride still can't take too much losing though. They both probably noticed that losing brings back bad memories, as intuitive as they both are, and as I stood here, watching the both of them smile and talk about random things-not noticing me stare at them-I couldn't be more grateful to have these two with me. I couldn't be happier than I am at this moment; Playing ridiculous games that have no benefit on stimulating the mind, only for fun, with my amazing boyfriend, and my lovely best friend.

So can you say it now?
Say what?
You know what...
Yes, I do....
So?!
I'm... happy....