Chapter Text
Azula did the one thing she never thought she would do. When she was sure that her father and his lawyer were gone.
“Ty Lee?” Azula asks as she interrupts her girlfriend. “Get ahold of Mai and ask her to get ahold of Zuko. I’m going to go see him.”
“Really?” Ty Lee asks. “Do you want to? I thought you never wanted to see him again.”
“No,” Azula sighs. “But I know how much Iroh means to him and I found proof of something that will help Iroh’s case. So please hon.”
“I’m on it.” Ty Lee says in her excited voice. “I love you!”
“I love you too, Ty Lee.” Azula says before she hangs up. She knows the risk she is taking by exposing her father. She’s not a good person but she draws the line at murder. She’ll lie and cheat but murder was a whole different level she couldn’t comprehend. She grabs her purse, and keys as she heads out the door.
A little while later she gets a call and not from someone she expected either.
“Hello?” Azula says as she drives.
“Hey, it's Zuko. Mai and Ty Lee told me you wanted to get a hold of me.” Zuko says softly.
“Hi.” Azula says just as softly for once. “Where are you?”
“I’m at Kyoshi General.” Zuko says. “Uncle Iroh is in a coma.”
“Yes and is your fiance there?” Azula says.
“Yes he brought me.” Zuko replies. “Why?”
“I’m coming. I’ll be there in ten.” Azula says and hangs up.
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“We are celebrating tonight.” Zhao smiles at Ozai.
“Yes we are.” Ozai chuckles evilly. “May Iroh never wake up.” They both lifted their brandy glasses that they ordered and tapped them against each other.
“And the officer?” Zhao asks.
“All I have to do is threaten his daughter.” Ozai laughs. “He’ll stay quiet.”
“We’ll live like kings.” Zhao states.
“Yes we will. It will be a great story.” Ozai laughs. “My idiot son is gone and my daughter will stick around trying to please me too. I will be happy.”
“It’ll be amazing.” Zhao says.
They laugh and smile over their plan they started two years ago.
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“Zuko!?” Azula walks up to him. “Is it really you? It’s been far too long”
“What do you want?” Zuko asks as he keeps ahold of Sokka’s hand.
“Well,” Azula takes a deep breath. “I want to help you with this. You and Officer Lao.”
“It’s Captain.” Lao states as he walks up to the couple and her speaking.
“I want to take down my father.” Azula says, holding out her phone. “There is a confession on there about killing our mother. I may do dumb shit but I don’t stand behind murder. That’s one thing I can agree about being wrong. I’ll even take the stand if you can keep it quiet until the court date.”
“I will too.” Zuko says. “I recorded him talking to Uncle Iroh after he was hit by Ozai’s car.”
“Are you two sure?” Lao asks. “You know what your father does to witnesses and who knows what he will do to his flesh and blood in the form of his children.” As he takes Azula’s phone.
“Yes.” They both speak at the same time.
“Then we need to protect them.” Sokka says as he pulls Zuko into his arms protectively. “I’m not losing them because their father is an idiot. I’m sure as fuck not losing the few things that make me happy.”
Azula realizes something as she sees what Sokka did and the way Zuko smiles. Zuko is in love and normally she hates seeing him happy but in this case she wants him to stay happy. Everything seems to come crashing down as she realizes what she does to him isn’t normal behavior. Why did it take her so long to realize it? Her father pitted them against each other since they were born. She realizes that her mother wanted both of them to be happy and she didn’t care about money or power like their father did. She realized their father has been doing them wrong for years. Happiness and love isn’t weak like she was taught. These people were striving because of it.
“I am so sorry Zuko.” Azula says. The words just come out with her able to stop it.
“W-what?” Zuko asks, stunned.
“I’m sorry for everything. It literally just hit me what our father has done to us all these years. I don’t want to be evil like him and do the same stupid shit because I believe that’s the only option I have.” Azula keeps talking without a filter. “I do not want to do that anymore. You deserve better.”
“I’m sorry too.” Zuko walks over to her but just places a hand on her arm. “This wasn’t fair to either of us. I hope one day we can be friends and get the help we need to move forward. You deserve better too. We both do.”
“Then you’ll stay where no one will find you.” Lao states. “We have a few safe houses we can keep you in.”
“No offense.” Sokka says with certainty. “You have people dying left and right in your safe houses. You have dirty cops, someone is bound to find out. I’ll take them somewhere safe. You relate the information to me and we’ll go from there.”
“You could get killed and Toph would never forgive me.” Lao states looking at Sokka. “Not to mention what your husband would do.” Azula raises her eyebrow.
“Wouldn’t be the first time I’ve been in danger due to business.” Sokka says with a confident smirk. “It’s worth it if it means ending this once and for all.” Sokka pulls out a second cell phone that Zuko has seen but never asked about. Sokka hands it to Azula. “This is the point where you’re able to call someone and tell them goodbye for now. While in hiding there will be no calls out. I’ll call from a different number to the number in the safe place if I need to give you information.”
Azula nods and it doesn’t fight for once as she calls Ty Lee.
“You can’t do this.” Zuko says. “You can’t get involved. He will kill you to get what he wants.”
“He can try,” Sokka gently places his hand on Zuko’s cheek. “ and I’m sure as fuck not going to lose you to him because someone discovered where you are. We’re getting you out of the city asap. I’m not going to tell you where and I am not going to let you two know how to get there. You’ll be blind folded so if something happens you don't know where. My mom’s side of the family was pretty corrupted before my mom and dad took over and cleaned up the business. However, we learned a few things to protect ourselves. I promise to explain more later.”
“You’re amazing.” Zuko says before kissing him. “Just stay safe.”
“I can’t promise anything but I will try.” Sokka looks him in the eye. “I love you. I would do anything for you. These past few months have been some of the best times I ever had.”
“To many more.” Zuko kisses him again. “I love you too.” His eyes are shining.
“Eww you two. Stop it.” Azula states as she hands the phone back to Sokka. “Let’s get going before word gets out.”
“What about leaving your father a note that you’re out of town on business?” Lao asks.
“Taken care of.” Azula says. “I wrote a note before I left. He won’t suspect a thing. He’ll probably think I’m seeing Ty Lee who knows to not answer if he calls. Not that he has her number but in case he gets it.”
“Alright,” Sokka says, leading them to their car after saying bye to Lao. “Get in the car please.” He opens the trunk to grab blindfolds and blindfolds each of them. “Just taking precautions for this sorry guys.” He gets in the front seat and drives. He holds Zuko’s hand when he can.
“Why the blind folds?” Azula asks. “I feel like I'm being kidnapped.”
“I guess you kinda are for your good.” Sokka says as he drives out of the city. It’s about an hour later before he stops. He helps both out of the car before taking off the blindfolds.
“This place is huge and beautiful.” Azula says. “Dark blues and ice blues. Who ever owned this was an Ice prince or princess weren’t they?”
“Is this your grandmother’s place you told me about?” Zuko asks.
“Yeah.” Sokka swallows. “Haven’t stepped foot here since she passed. She was my mom’s mom and was really happy when my mom and dad decided to leave the mafia. We are still owed favors from the mafia but we promise to never call them unless it’s dire. We are merely highly sought friends but never really do anything together. This place is our family history and it’s mine but I’ve never spent the night. I only come here to deal with the yearly meetings with our friends. The rest of the time servants take care of it for me and call me for anything that needs to be done.”
“Thank you.” Zuko says as he watches him talk.
“Anything for you.” Sokka says following them to the front door. “It’s stocked up all year around. There are plenty of clothes and books to read. There’s plenty of food . No one steps foot on this property without me knowing. Plus there is security all year around to protect who lives here and who visits. Katara stays here sometimes with Aang but I haven’t and I won’t until I’m ready.” He hugs Zuko as Azula takes a look around.
“Thank you so much luv.” Zuko kisses him. “You should get back. We’ll be ok.”
“Bye Azula.” Sokka says, still looking at Zuko. “Bye Zuko. I’ll call as soon as I can.” Sokka kisses him before leaving.
“I thought our family was dangerous considering we weren’t part of the mafia.” Azula states, surprised.
“I know. He never told me that.” Zuko says eyes following Sokka leaving the driveway. “Maybe there’s a reason we never messed with them before. I always thought the rumors were just rumors.”
“Apparently not.” Azula states. “In the next room they have mafia leader portraits. I’m guessing they were family and one of the things they can’t remove.”
“I thought our father was dangerous.” Zuko says. “This is not what I expected but I’m glad he’s not involved.”
“Thank the goddesses for that.” Azula says as they decided to explore the rest of the house and meet the staff.