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Azula woke with a gasp.
Her entire body ached, muscles burning with unusual exhaustion. She slowly pushed herself to her elbows, clenching her teeth as her body protested the movement. Droplets of water clung to her eyelashes, and, as she checked over herself, everywhere else. She was completely soaked. Her armor weighed heavily on her, and as she curled her toes in her boots, scowled at how waterlogged they were. Then, that was when the sharp tang of salt reached her nose.
Seawater?
But why would she be practically half-drowned in--
“Oh, you’re awake.” A voice said from her left. Azula whipped her head around, ignoring the pain that shot to her head, and glared at the intruder, only to pause when she noticed it was Katara.
“Figured this would wake you up.” The other girl said slightly amused as she brushed her hair away from her face.
“Excuse me?” Azula said, gesturing to her form. “You intentionally did this?”
Katara laughed. “What? Drench you in water? You did that yourself.”
The firebender rolled her eyes as she sat up, carefully massaging her bicep as she glanced around. There was a lit fire in the corner with a boiling pot, which Katara seemed to be tending to, and not much else, aside from a familiar pack by the doorway.
“What happened?” Azula questioned, getting up from the cot she assumed Katara laid her on.
“Well,” The other bender began, “you wanted to train your durability against the cold, so we headed inland away from the tribe. We didn’t check the area before we began, so you were firebending over ice that formed above underground water.”
No wonder she was drenched. They followed a strict routine whenever she trained, ensuring that the place they picked was suitable enough for her flames. Figures that the one time they didn’t she’d actually be over unstable ground. She undid the straps of her right gauntlet, tossing it onto the cot before she gathered the sleeve of her top and squeezed out as much water as she could. Katara raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anything, instead turning back to stir whatever she had in the pot. Which, from the smell, had to be some kind of food.
“Where even are we?” Azula asked, repeating the same steps for her left arm.
“We’re back at the tribe.” The waterbender explained. “After I got you out of the water, I just carried you back.”
Azula had to hold back laughter as she cocked her eyebrow. “You carried me back? Armor and all?”
A moment of silence passed between them and the firebender knew she got her.
“Fine, I made a sled out of snow and dragged you back on that.” The other girl huffed, crossing her arms.
“And you didn’t bother to change me out of these wet clothes?” Azula inquired. “Honestly, Katara…” She muttered with a shake of her head, but there was no real heat to her tone.
“Oh, you’re judging me for not changing your clothes when you literally passed out from falling into water?” Katara retorted.
“I’m a firebender.” She pointed out. “I’m used to warm water and the sun.”
“You’ve lived in the South Pole for how long now? Almost nine years? And you’re still not used to it?”
Azula eyed her pants, wondering if she should just dry them with her bending. “Says the person that always complains whenever we visit the Fire Nation.”
Katara huffed. “I don’t know how you could stand that heat.” She complained, checking the pot once more. “I thought I was going to collapse the first time we were there.”
“Same as your cold; you get used to it.”
“You’re just weird.” Katara said before heading over to her pack, crouching down and unlatching it. Azula watched while she heated her palms, reaching down to dry her legs as Katara pulled out a wooden bowl and returned to the pot, using the ladle to scoop whatever was inside into the bowl.
“There’s a change of clothes in the pack,” Katara told her. “But, if you don’t want to change, have some soup.”
“Is it the same that your father makes?” Azula asked, standing back up to examine it.
Katara nodded. “I was worried you’d actually catch a cold, so I figured to make it for you.”
“When have I ever gotten sick since I lived here?” Azula mentioned, making hands for the bowl.
“The day you do, don’t come complaining to me.” The waterbender grinned, pushing it against her chest. Azula made an offended noise as it nearly sloshed from the bowl onto her shirt, glaring at Katara before she took a sip. She sighed at the warm feeling that spread through her chest, already feeling the potential sickness melting away. Azula had no idea what was even in this soup, but it must have had medicinal properties that other nations had yet to achieve. She used to ask Hakoda about it when she first moved to the South Pole, but the man would never tell her, much to her annoyance. Katara found it amusing, however, always laughing whenever the firebender would complain about it to her.
“Thank you, by the way,” Azula told her.
“You’re welcome.” Katara said, leaning down and pressing a kiss to her forehead.
“Do we have anything else planned this week?” She asked. They lost one day of training and she was already thinking of ways to make up for it.
Katara shook her head. “Nope. You’re going to rest for a while now.”
Azula stared at her incredulously. “Excuse me?”
“Azula, I know you’re strong, but you fell into ice-cold water and have been wearing wet clothes in freezing temperatures. Firebender or not, there’s too strong a chance for you to become sick.” The waterbender pointed out. “So, you’re going to stay in bed for a day or two, just to make sure you’re healthy.”
“Ugh.”
“Don’t ugh me.” Katara snipped. “We haven’t seen you sick yet, and quite frankly, I don’t want to.”
“Oh, I’m an absolute terror.” Azula supplied, taking another sip of the soup.
Katara looked at her with a grimace. Then, she placed her hand on Azula’s shoulder, looking moments away from pleading with her. “Just… Rest for me, okay?”
Azula laughed, placing the bowl down beside her before standing, resting her hands on Katara’s waist. “Don’t worry, I will.” She promised, although both of them knew she wouldn’t. She was too stubborn for that. However, Katara was used to it, instead smiling as she wrapped her arms around Azula’s neck, leaning forward to kiss Azula softly. They pulled away after a moment, Katara’s hand caressing her cheek as she stepped back.
“But seriously, if you do get sick, I will send you to live with my dad.”
“Really? ”