Chapter Text
Ty Lee giggles, prompting Azula to look at her friend who's lounging on her couch, her head in Mai's lap. She's looking at something on her phone, and a second later, she's shoving her phone in Mai's face who frowns for a moment, pulling the phone away to an acceptable reading distance.
Mai reads out loud the text: "Oh you're a lesbian couple? Who's the lawyer and who's the vegan baker?" Mai is clearly confused. "Is that supposed to be a joke?"
Zuko lifts his head from the other couch where he had been napping. "I think you're supposed to read it with a little more emotion, Mai."
Mai's gaze narrows at him. "Why don't you read it then, Zuzu?"
The use of his old nickname produces the intended result: he scowls. Azula smirks—he's too predictable.
"Fine!" he exclaims, jumping from the couch. He stalks forward to Mai and Ty Lee and grabs the phone, repeating the joke in the highest pitch he can muster with as much intonation he's capable of. Ty Lee laughs, and Azula does too, not because of the joke but because her brother is ridiculous and very, very dramatic.
"That was still not funny," Mai remarks, her expression cool.
"They laughed! It was funny," Zuko mutters, going back to his usual spot.
Mai tuts. "Totally was not."
It's late afternoon.
Azula tilts her head side to side, dispersing some of the tightness running from her ears to the start of her spine, an unfortunate result of reading pages upon pages on the case she's working on.
She's walking home, earlier than her usual time off from work because it's Valentine's Day.
Her nose wrinkles.
Everyone in her office was excited to go, eager to get started on their plans and whatnot. And well, there was nothing she could do when even the higher-ups at the law firm forced everyone to leave early.
It's ridiculous. Azula would have much preferred to get a great start on her current case. Still, she can do that at home.
Currently, she's walking one of her regular routes toward home. By her standards, her apartment is close to her office, quite an advantage since she actually likes going to work.
She bristles when a man brushes past her, clipping her shoulder. The man throws a short glance her way with a half-hearted apology. He's holding a bouquet of flowers, and if Azula didn't have any restraint—if she wasn't a public figure—she would have torn them from his hands, ripped them apart, and thrown all the dead pieces to his face. It's only right.
It's then she realizes that there are more people than normal out on the streets, too many for her liking. She sneers, seeing the color red everywhere—on the streamers, on the shop displays, clothes among others.
Today is the only day she absolutely loathes the color.
There's now a couple walking in her direction, giggling and whispering to each other. The woman is pretty, but the man is seriously average. No, no—he's actually an eyesore next to the woman. She entertains the thought that they likely won't last, and they shouldn't because every woman deserves better.
She walks four more blocks when her thoughts wander. Her night is suddenly free. Maybe there is some fun to be had, seeing as everyone around her intends to do just that. She can call Mai and Ty Lee; perhaps she can ask them out for dinner since she hasn't seen them since last week.
She ponders the idea but eventually recants it. It's Valentine's Day, and Mai and Ty Lee would probably need alone time. They're obscene, often borderline lewd with their affection in public—how much more behind closed doors today?
She shudders and forces herself to stop thinking about them.
Well, there's Zuko.
She's about to text him when she comes across a queue. Eyebrows drawn together, she walks alongside the line of people, wondering if the cause of all this is a new restaurant or something similar. Her surprise is temporary when it's revealed to be a vegan bakeshop. Of course, because of today.
"Hey lady, no skipping lines!" a man yells.
Today is more trying than she anticipated.
Azula turns and sends a glare his way, refusing to cow before this idiot. The man visibly falters as time goes on; it's halfway to a minute before he mutters a quiet apology. She sneers at him.
So, he does have some brain cells.
Her attention is once again pulled to the vegan bakeshop when the queue moves forward. In line with the building that houses it, the facade of the shop is gray and dark red stone. Floor-to-ceiling glass panels lend light to the shop with its front display of various divine-looking bread and pastries. A tempting smell combined of chocolate and baked goods also wafts in the air.
From outside, she eyes the large menu board, eventually spotting: dark chocolate cupcake with lavender frosting.
That sounds actually... damn good.
Dark chocolate is a favorite of hers as well as lavender. Combining them sounds brilliant, and she wonders why that hasn't crossed her mind before.
When was the last time she had a cupcake anyway? She eventually remembers—probably at Ty Lee's birthday last year, which means it's been a while.
In all honesty, the cupcakes on the menu all sound amazing, but there's no way she's queueing with all these people. But then her eyes once again meander to the menu. The smell and the tempting appearance of the cupcakes certainly aren't helping, and she deserves something nice today for all this idiocy about a senseless holiday.
Doesn't she deserve something special?
She's giving it serious thought when she receives a text from her brother.
Zuko (17:25): Please tell me you're coming.
She snorts, waiting for it.
Zuko (17:26): Fucking hell, get your mind out of the gutter, you perv!
She's not the one who thought about it. He's laughably predictable. She's about to ask what he meant by the first message when she gets another.
Dad (17:27): The four of us will be having dinner later at Lee Kwong's. Reservations have been made. Dress nicely, and be there before 7 pm.
Azula grimaces. A family dinner for Valentine's. How… fun. She eyes the shop display once again and the long line before her mind is made up. She'll just have to come back some other time.
Azula preens on the inside.
It's been almost two weeks since Valentine's, and she has been very busy since which isn't a surprise; it seems like the number of simpletons in Republic City who need a lawyer's help grows rapidly by the day.
Generally, her Fridays are more pleasant compared to the rest of the week, and today is no different. She leaves earlier than usual and even smiles at the lanky doorman of the law firm's building, privately delighting in him visibly faltering.
"Have a good evening, ma'am," he stutters.
She walks with purpose, using the same particular route to the vegan bakeshop. Her steps are quick, and she smiles when she sees the long queue from before is gone.
There's a small bell that chimes above the door when she enters the shop. This time, she's hit by a stronger smell of dark chocolate, and she takes in a deep breath of it. It smells ridiculously good, brightening her mood. A far cry from the building facade, the inside of the shop is painted in shades of blue, and soft pop music is playing from the speakers overhead.
Azula can forgive the music selection since she's in a better mood.
"Hello!" the woman from the counter says. "My name is Katara, the owner of the bakeshop. What can I help you with?"
Azula doesn't need to make sure if the owner is talking to her—she's the only one in here after all since the shop is about to close. The owner appears too perky, her smile too wide and her eyes too bright. From her expression, Azula thinks the lady guzzled three cups of black coffee just this afternoon.
Soon enough, Azula pulls herself from such imaginative musing. She shrugs, eyes set on the pastries before her. "I'll just have a look."
Katara smiles, handing out a tray and tongs for Azula to use. "Sounds great. Let me know if you need any help."
Wordlessly, Azula takes it, proceeding to peruse the selection. She's almost dizzy with excitement as all her senses take in the shop. There are two waist-level glass coolers displaying the sweets including cupcakes and other pastries that needed chilling. There are rows upon rows of different flavors. There's another storage space for the savory bread, cookies, and the like, and there's more than a handful of variants. They all look absolutely appetizing.
She feels like a child with quite an appetite.
"I've seen you before," the owner shares, breaking the silence suddenly.
Azula should have expected her peace would be short-lived. She pauses in her perusal, her joy already waning. Did the woman recognize that she is the daughter of the Republic City state governor?
"You were here a few weeks ago on Valentine's Day. You were looking at the display. Is this your first time in the shop?"
Oh. "It is," she answers shortly.
"I hope you like our food."
Azula shrugs, continuing her earlier activity. She takes a sharp intake of breath when she finally finds the one she's been looking for: dark chocolate cupcake with lavender frosting. There has been no other instance when Azula hopes something tastes as good as it looks.
"Hi," she calls out, prompting the woman to come closer. She points to the cupcake, depositing the tray and tongs she's holding on the counter. "Can I get one of those?"
Katara smiles again. "Just one?"
"Yes."
"Are you sure you don't want more? They sell out quickly."
"I'll have a taste first."
"Trust me; they're amazing."
Her patience is wearing thin. "I'll have just one for now."
"Are you sure?" Katara quips, her enthusiasm never dwindling.
Having had enough of small talk, Azula rolls her eyes and exclaims sharply, "I'm sure I did not stutter the first nor the last time I said it."
The smile on the owner's face is instantly gone, replaced with a scowl Azula didn't think she's capable of. In silence, the owner gets a cupcake, puts it in a bag, and motions Azula to the register.
Katara moves with an air of serious, almost grave professionalism that was not present prior. The silence has become tense, and now, Azula almost wishes for the volume of the music to be a little louder. Still, she only needs to suffer a little longer for the cupcake. Katara announces the cost of her purchase soon after; Azula hands her a crisp bill, the amount enough for two, a habit that had formed the moment she had been old enough to handle money.
"Here," Katara says, holding a hand out with change.
"No, that's for the shop. Keep it," Azula replies, taking a step to the door, clutching the bag in hand.
"No, no, take it," Katara insists with heat in her eyes. "Just take it."
The customer service is in need of improvement, Azula thinks briefly. She shakes her head, ignoring the owner's protests and walks out of the door. She hurries to her apartment building, her steps almost bouncing on the pavement, and the cupcake is her first order of business when she arrives.
She moans at the first piece. It's incredible, and it doesn't seem like any other vegan cupcake at all. The dark chocolate cupcake is soft, moist and holds well together, and its level of chocolate flavor was just right.
And the frosting! She takes another lick of the frosting, letting out a happy sigh. It's obscene how good the frosting is—just the right amount of sweetness and the right consistency, not too airy that it disappears upon first taste. The lavender complements the dark chocolate so well.
It's sinfully decadent.
It's as if the baker had gone into Azula's brain and gathered all the information there to cater to Azula's palate. It's the best cupcake she has ever had, and therein lies her problem.
Three days later, Azula takes the same route home again. It's after six so she's not expecting the bakeshop to still be open. She's pleasantly surprised though. A few shops down, she slows her pace until she can safely look into the shop without being seen from inside.
She has to admit she's being a little ridiculous. Yet, she is unsure whether she is still welcome in the bakeshop after that admittedly tense encounter with the owner. Avoiding the owner is the best possible course of action unless she wants a probable public row to be splashed on the front pages of newspapers and the web. The headlines won't even need to be so creative.
'Governor's Daughter In A Public Spat!' would provide enough damage.
Still, Azula knew she had no fault in the exchange—the owner had been too forceful!
She curses, seeing the same shop owner inside, working behind the register again. There's another person in there this time with her—a man who shares the dark color of her skin.
She purses her lips, deciding to come back another day. Seeing Katara preoccupied with the last of the customers, she hurries past the shop without a second glance, continuing her way home.
"Stop here," Azula says to one of their family drivers a few days later.
It's after work again. They're now parked across the street, in direct view of the shop, but the car is tinted so it's not a problem. She's in need of those cupcakes, and today she's prepared.
"Li, go over there and get me a dozen of the dark chocolate cupcakes with lavender frosting." She hands him a few bills, ensuring a generous tip.
He nods wordlessly. This is why Azula likes the older man; he always does what she says without question even when she had been only a child.
"Don't forget, Li. Make sure you get the right ones."
He leaves, and Azula watches him enter the shop. There are a few people milling about in the shop, but she doesn't see Katara. She almost regrets sending Li inside; she could've been in there now smelling deep, dark chocolate, and maybe she could have tried their other products.
I sound obsessed.
She shakes her head at how bizarre she's acting, but admittedly, she can have tunnel vision on her obsessions.
She loses sight of Li among all the people inside the shop, allowing her to finally relax a little bit. A few minutes pass and Azula sits up straight in the backseat when Li comes out of the shop, holding a huge blue box.
Success.
Li swiftly gets inside the car and passes the box along to Azula. The box is pretty, themed in a similar fashion to the shop; it's made of standard cardboard, but it's pale blue with dark blue trimmings on the sides. There's the shop's name printed on the side along with a simple logo. She likes the clean design, but it's the contents that interest her the most. She opens the box and inhales the luscious smell.
"It smells very chocolate-y," Li comments from the front seat.
"Of course it does," she says dryly. There's a note in the box—a simple, handwritten thanks written in black ink against the white card. "Who wrote this?"
Li meets her eyes in the front view mirror. "I'm not sure. The guy who fixed up the order just grabbed one and put it in there."
If this was Katara's work, it appears her handwriting is big and loopy, a contrast to Azula's own which is thin, small and quite vertical. It matches the—dare she say it—pretty factor of the baked goods; other customers must like it. Azula places the note back inside; she takes a cupcake and passes it to Li who nods gratefully. Then, she takes another one for herself with a muted, happy sigh.
It's as delicious as the first time she tasted it.
"It's very good," Li comments around a mouthful.
Azula hums a noncommittal sound, holding her cupcake up in the afternoon light. She takes her phone out, snaps a picture with the vegan bakeshop in the background, and without thought, posts it on her one and only public social media account.
"Home, please," she requests.
Li finishes his cupcake, and off they go.
Days later, Azula's already out of the cupcakes.
She had a plan: to limit herself to one cupcake a day, maybe two if she felt like it, but her brother and friends came by to her apartment and had invited themselves to her fridge. By the end of the afternoon, she had none left.
Animals.
It's Saturday, and she's standing at the corner of the street of the bakeshop, quietly thinking under the midafternoon sky. Li is nowhere in sight since the weekends are his days off. And really, what is there to be apprehensive about? So, she might have pissed off the owner somehow, but she's a paying customer who has every right to the cupcakes, and she's a confident, self-assured adult who fears no one.
She has also decided that Katara would be given the benefit of the doubt. Surely, the woman wouldn't pick a fight in her own shop.
Nodding to herself, she enters the shop, breathing a muted sigh of relief when Katara is nowhere in sight. No owner to deal with—quite timely and auspicious.
A few people are browsing about. There's still stock left, especially the bread, and new specials have been written on the boards above the glass displays. There's the same guy behind the counter she saw a few days ago, his only greeting a passing glance and a dull verbal welcome. Azula appreciates it.
This time, she takes her time, looking at the cupcake variants one by one. She'll get another dozen but this time with different flavors. She has most of the dozen picked out when she notices something atypical.
She turns to the guy who hasn't moved an inch from his position. "Excuse me, where's the dark chocolate cupcake with lavender frosting?"
The guy's eyes slide slovenly to the display, eyes roving over the cupcakes. "We're out. I think. Let me check."
He disappears behind a back door without further explanation. Azula rolls her eyes, wondering if they accepted feedback from customers. They truly need it.
He slinks out of the door again a moment later. "Sorry, we're out."
Azula's eyes narrow. "What do you mean 'you're out'?
The guy shrugs. "We're still waiting on our order of lavender. People have been ordering left and right since this chick posted that cupcake online. It was already our bestseller, and with her post, people went completely nuts over it. It's good for business though. But yeah, we're out. I can't help you."
What?
Has she inadvertently caused her current situation? She would have laughed if she weren't so ticked off.
The unseen woes of popularity.
"Perhaps there is a way—" She cuts herself off when the backdoor opens.
"Sokka, what did the customer say"—Katara stops mid-walk with a tray of cupcakes, eyes narrowing at Azula—"Oh, it's you." The disdain is obvious in her voice.
Sokka's head tilts to the side, curiosity on his face as he asks Katara, "Do you know her?"
"It's Azula, our social media fan." Katara barely looks in Azula's direction, busying herself with restocking the cupcake display with other cupcakes that don't interest Azula at the moment. "Azula's your name, right?"
Azula reddens at being labeled as someone's fan but forges past her embarrassment, nodding at Katara. "Your brother has updated me of your current predicament." She smirks, regaining her composure. "You're welcome by the way."
Katara rolls her eyes as Sokka laughs at that and moves closer to her. "So you're the governor's kid?"
Azula clears her throat, all her attention on Katara. "About the cupcake—"
"We're out," Katara says curtly, eyes still on the display.
Sokka giggles behind his palm and makes a quiet escape, all the while making wide eyes at Azula and miming being in trouble. Azula subsequently ignores him, briefly thinking his ridiculousness is on par with her brother's.
"Do you know when I can come back for your next batch then?"
"Probably two weeks or more. Lavender isn't easy to order."
Azula frowns. She almost doesn't want to get anything now. Her mind whirls, thinking of anything, to get her hands on those cupcakes.
Making her mind up, she ambles around the bakeshop, surveying for her next order—she might as well since she's already here. There are too many enticing bread and pastries, and she can't choose.
"What do you recommend then, Katara?" she asks, coming to a stop in front of the other woman.
The shock on Katara's face appears and disappears in an instant. She takes a tray, choosing to keep away from Azula behind the counter. "Just one?" she says with cool eyes.
Katara is definitely now mocking her.
Azula sniffs but replies, "I'll have a box of your best." Her tone surprises her as she sounds more amiable than she feels.
"Only cupcakes?" Katara asks pointedly.
Azula shrugs.
Katara takes cupcake after cupcake until Azula is holding a box of twelve variants of cupcakes. Katara had refused the tip again, but Azula, defiant, had snuffed it into the tip jar, leaving an obviously irritated Katara in her wake.
The lady is too prideful.
Azula's almost out the door when she turns back, suddenly very sure Katara had been watching her walk away. "Where do you get the lavender?"
A raised brow. "Why?"
"I'm only curious. Aren't paying customers allowed to know where the food they're paying for is sourced from?" she says in a glib tone.
Katara stares at her longer than necessary before she rolls her eyes. "Whatever. The culinary lavender we use is from Han's Nature Farms in the north. They sell a little of everything. Why? Are you planning to bake some yourself?" It's dripping condescension.
Ignoring Katara's tone, Azula only smirks at her then she's out the door though not before she hears a mutter about herself being absurd and irritating.
Azula breaths in the crisp air deeply. The sun is shining, it's quiet, and she's lounging next to a wide pool without a care in the world, free from work and all the stress that accompanies it.
At the moment, life is perfect.
She hears footsteps, coaxing her to tilt her sunglasses down only to see her brother making his way to her. He's in loose, black swim trunks, and sun lotion adorns his body in patches while he wears a fishing hat.
What a dork.
He's humming as he walks, and when he nears, he immediately slumps onto the chair next to her, his limbs dangling over the sides. There's nothing subtle about him at all. "What time did you get in?"
"Just after lunch, brother, and you?"
He shrugs. "I slept here last night."
They're at their family home, though home really is a mansion situated by the west sea of Republic City on a sprawling estate with more land than her parents know what to do with. It's where they grew up and where they spend some of their weekends, like today.
A peaceful and beautiful day like this is meant to be treasured, and she does. Her body feels like liquid as she drifts off, her eyes closing. She has almost fallen asleep when Zuko's shuffling and fiddling bring her back to consciousness as he takes out his phone to play some music.
"Don't make it too loud," she warns, inching from his direction in her chair and righting her sunglasses.
"If we play the music that you like, we'd be asleep by now," Zuko replies, sass coloring his tone.
Azula slaps him on the arm, lightly.
He yelps, glaring at her. "You know I'm right. You like old people music," he says before his attention is once again on his phone. With soft music playing, he lays his phone on the small outdoor table between them. "Hey Zula, your phone is blowing up."
She sighs.
Peace and quiet are rather hard to find nowadays.
Her phone screen is lighting up intermittently with each notification, almost like an endless stream. Her eyebrows draw together. Who would contact her on her public social media account? The only ones who can are accounts that she follows and those she trusts have all her contact details including her personal number and email.
She reads one.
Kanna's Vegan Bakeshop (16:35): Hey did you order lavender for the shop?!
Another.
Kanna's Vegan Bakeshop (16:36): Why the hell would you do that?!
Right. She followed their account when she posted that damn picture.
There is no denying that this is definitely Katara; she really couldn't imagine Sokka being so incensed over lavender. She rolls her eyes, seeing other messages more of the same, Katara's temper being exposed with every message. Azula promptly ignores all of them. She is in no mood to deal with that.
"So who is it? Are you finally dating someone?"
Azula abruptly snorts—that was so far from the truth!
"It's no one, just this annoying person who sells cupcakes. You are also not privy to my private affairs."
Zuko laughs. "I know you haven't dated anyone in forever." She rolls her eyes at him. His face shifts into bemusement a second later. "Why would the baker message you?"
"Why else would they message me, Zuko?" she responds wryly. She puts her phone back on the table. "It's about an order."
Her brother's expression smoothes. "Another order? You sure love those cupcakes."
"I wouldn't have to order if someone didn't eat five cupcakes in one sitting."
"They're good!" Zuko defends, sitting up in his lounge chair. "I'm glad you ordered more though."
"You are not eating any more cupcakes," she says pointedly, turning away from him slightly.
Zuko just laughs. "We'll see."
Her brother is definitely going to visit her soon, and she'll just have to be conveniently out of her apartment when he does.
They continue listening to music while Azula enjoys the dimming rays of the sun. One of their helpers checks in on them a quarter of an hour later, bringing them fresh mango juice which they both love—Zuko finishes his in minutes while she takes her time with hers.
After a while, Zuko stands back up and takes measured steps away from the pool. She tenses, knowing what he's about to do.
"Zuko, do not!"
He ignores her, a wide grin on his face. He runs, leaps and splashes into the pool, water flying everywhere as he submerges into the deep.
Sneering, Azula wipes the pool water from her face. Her brother is such a child.
Sunday comes, and she's back at her own apartment, waiting for her dinner to be delivered. She can't cook at all so it's either delivery or getting food from the family home; Azula often decides on the former—it's just more convenient since it doesn't come with badgering from mothers about how their children can't cook.
She's in bed, lounging on her abdomen as she reads some documents on her work tablet. She's too engrossed in it so it takes a quarter of an hour for her to notice the new notifications on her phone. All are from Kanna's Vegan Bakeshop.
Surely, Katara has better things to do than bother her on a Sunday. Weekends should be for unwinding and lazing about, or still working in Azula's case, not irritating strangers to death over something so trivial.
Pushing her tablet to the side, she flips to lie on her back and unlocks her phone, tapping on the most recent message from the bakeshop.
Kanna's Vegan Bakeshop (18:48): Hello? Are you seriously just gonna leave me on read?
Honestly, Azula has half a mind to do so. She ponders her reply.
Azula (18:50): Yes?
She chuckles, sure that it would at least irritate the hell out of Katara.
A chat icon appears on Katara's designated side of the screen, indicating she's typing. It keeps moving and moving and moving.
Kanna's Vegan Bakeshop (18:55): I really don't understand why the hell you would buy lavender for the shop, but now I know why you asked me where to get it. How did you expedite the order by the way? Please tell me you didn't use your name or your connections to get it!
Well. Azula had done just that when she got in touch with Han's Nature Farms. A little namedrop, and it was done. Why not utilize convenience when it's there for the taking?
Katara keeps on typing with seemingly no end soon enough; Azula decides to redirect the conversation.
Azula (18:57): Why does it matter how I got it? You were lacking culinary lavender, and I delivered. Your problem is solved. Most people would be grateful.
Kanna's Vegan Bakeshop (19:03): It is important! I don't want any special treatment. So how did you do it?
Kanna's Vegan Bakeshop (19:04): And fine, I am grateful, but I want to know why you did it.
Azula (19:07): It doesn't matter. You have the lavender now. Make use of it. And yes, your gratitude is very apparent.
Kanna's Vegan Bakeshop (19:09): I could return it!
Azula scoffs. That's just senseless. It would defeat the reason she bought them in the first place.
Azula (19:11): You won't, not only would they refuse since it's perishable produce, but you also need it. Don't worry. Everything has already been paid for. Just use it.
Katara doesn't reply to that, and Azula pictures her angry about the fact that Azula made good points. She waits for a few minutes, but there's still no reply.
She starts reading work documents again, and then her food arrives, fully diverting her attention. She opens the door to the delivery guy, glaring at him when his eyes glaze upon seeing her. He looks properly chastised after.
Men.
The food is hot and delicious, and she catches up on more reading while eating her dinner. The solitude of her apartment is something she wholly appreciates.
When she turns in, she checks her phone again. There are no more messages from disgruntled bakers who have way too much free time on their hands.
Good.
Life has been dull these days. Azula uncharacteristically feels tired and uninterested at work. She toys with the idea of another workplace, just to see some change and excitement, but the idea will come to nothing. Her workplace is currently the best law firm in Republic City, and she'll be the youngest partner by next year. She would be a fool to give all of that up; she's in the right place, at the right time.
A few years more and after that: politics. Following in the footsteps of her father.
It's mid-morning, and she's in a meeting about the new clients they're representing. She's looking out the huge glass window, her mind blissfully blank even with the current presenter up front droning on, his voice now an incessant background stream in her ears. Technically, she doesn't need to listen since she already read his slides last night.
Her phone abruptly lights up on the table, and she slides it closer until she can see properly.
She frowns.
Is she cursed? It seems her peace is quite often broken by one vexing bakeshop owner.
Kanna's Vegan Bakeshop (10:18): Do NOT tell me not to worry.
The message oozes indignation.
Her mouth twitches, a smile threatening to form on her face. She's about to reply when she sees the chat icon move again, and this time, she waits patiently, glancing between the presenter and her phone.
She's not kept waiting long.
Kanna's Vegan Bakeshop (10:20): How much did you pay for the lavender? I'll pay for everything you spent on it.
Azula certainly didn't expect that. That isn't the reason she bought the lavender in the first place. Time to be more direct.
Azula (10:22): How about you pay me in cupcakes?
Kanna's Vegan Bakeshop (10:24): Now I get it. Why didn't you just say so instead of being difficult? Fine. A thousand cupcakes by the end of next week. Is that enough?
A choked sound resonates from her throat.
Azula (10:26): Do you honestly think I can finish a thousand cupcakes in two weeks at most?
Kanna's Vegan Bakeshop (10:28): I don't care. Give them away or something.
Azula (10:30): I don't want one batch of a thousand cupcakes. There is no way I will finish that much. Divide the batches, and you have yourself a deal. Additionally, cupcakes are best when they're fresh, aren't they? I wouldn't want your good reputation to be spoiled by a misunderstanding.
The chat icon moves again, and Azula lowers her phone to the table. She glances up, suddenly aware that it's deafeningly quiet.
Right.
They're all now looking at her strangely. Azula can't blame them; this is likely the first time she hasn't given her full attention to the meeting.
"You're not being paid to stare at me. Continue," she orders, enjoying the flinch of the presenter. He nods, jumps right into it as everyone else faces forward to listen.
Except Azula.
Her phone illuminates again, and she can't help her mood lifting.
Kanna's Vegan Bakeshop (10:35): Fine, whatever. First batch on Saturday afternoon at 1 pm. Do not be late! We'll discuss the details of your weekly order from the bakeshop then. Good day.
Azula smiles, more entertained than she thought she should be.
She pulls the black cap down her face, squeezing between a few people crowding the reception area of the bakeshop. There's a lot of people, almost reminiscent of Valentine's Day but not as chaotic. Gingerly, she makes her way to the counter, seeing Katara by the register while Sokka packs the cupcake orders.
Katara glimpses her briefly, the neutral set of her mouth shifting into a frown.
She smirks. It's hilarious how much her mere presence affects the shop owner. The other woman pointedly continues to ignore her, refusing to look her way again as she entertains the other customers.
Fine.
Azula only cares about the cupcakes anyway, as long as they're as magical as the time she first tried them.
"Oh hey, it's the special customer—"
Azula shushes Sokka, her eyes screaming: absolutely not. "Quiet." She eyes the people around her, a little wary. She's not in the mood to socialize nor take pictures in case someone is brave enough to pester her.
Sokka exaggerates his understanding of her request and goes back to packing the cupcakes. In her periphery, she can see that Katara is looking at her. She meets the woman's eyes for a moment, raising a brow.
Katara scowls and turns away.
Azula loiters in a corner away from the people. She spends her time browsing the shelves, mentally noting more flavors to try. The color pallet of the other flavors are also gorgeous, and she can't help but admire such prettily crafted baked goods. The precision of some designs is downright impressive.
Her phone vibrates in her bag, putting a stop to her idle thoughts, and she sees a text from Zuko, asking where she is.
She replies instantly, asking if he's after the cupcakes.
He sends a funny face icon in reply.
Proven right, she rolls her eyes but texts back she'll be back home soon.
"Here, a box of our dark chocolate cupcakes with lavender frosting." Katara is standing in front of her, holding out a box of said cupcakes in her arms. Behind her, the crowd has thinned considerably that Sokka can manage the register and orders by himself.
"Thank you." She startles when Katara immediately lets go of the box, and panic seizes her for seconds as the box tips over her grasp which results in undignified juggling on Azula's end. When the box finally stills in her hands, she sends Katara a dark look, but Katara merely grins at her, saying, "Enjoy."
She takes a peek into the box—the dark chocolate cupcakes look immaculate, and it fills her with the same glee the first time she saw them.
For it to be more secure, she shifts the box again in her arms, following Katara who is now making her way to the register. Azula asks seriously, "Aren't we supposed to discuss the terms of my cupcakes?"
Katara abruptly laughs, shaking her head at her. "You're ridiculous."
Azula frowns heavily. "I wasn't aware that anything I said was funny. Now, the cupcakes."
Shooing Sokka away, Katara rolls her eyes as she tidies up the register. "Come here next week at this same time, and you'll have your cupcakes."
"What if I want other flavors?"
"Done. Just let me know whatever you want."
Azula smiles, finding the simplistic terms acceptable. "Wonderful. I'll see you then."
Katara lets out a noncommittal sound. "You should probably give me your number." At Azula's dubious look, she adds, "So I can reach you faster for the cupcake order."
It makes sense so Azula acquiesces, and just like that, she's ready to go. She hesitates as Katara meets her eyes, but in time, she nods her farewell to the shop owner, moving to the door.
With her forehead creased, Katara stalls her with: "Hey, thanks for the lavender. Really. How much did you pay for it anyway? The last time I asked them, there was no stock left. I can't imagine it coming off as affordable as it had been before."
"Then you don't want to know."
Before getting in touch with Han's Nature Farms, Azula had checked the prices, concluding it was more expensive than it usually sold for, but it wasn't a problem at all. She deemed that the price was justified. The demand for the lavender outmatched the supply, reflecting the increase. Though, if, in fact, it had been a result of her post on social media and people wanting the same cupcakes, she didn't care to find out.
Her response doesn't fend off Katara—instead, the woman huffs, moving around the counter separating them then leans a hip against it. "Does that mean you'll at least be coming here for months?"
Azula does the quick math in her head. Katara is right, but she doesn't need to know that—she would surely deduce the price if Azula gives her a specific clue. "Perhaps. Who knows? I might be sick of the cupcakes by the month's end then I'll never bother you again."
Judging by Katara's smile, she wants nothing more than just that. Azula rolls her eyes and takes her leave.
Next Friday, Azula goes to the family home after a late dinner in the office. Her home is quiet with dim lights directing her way from the garage. She knows one of the household help is usually awake even at this time, but her parents are likely asleep since it's a few hours away from midnight. Or maybe they aren't, and they're doing Agni knows what.
She refuses to think about them having activities.
She's tired and just wants to slide into bed after a warm bath. Her feet carry her up the circular marble staircase silently, set on going straight to her room. She ambles down the long hallway, slowing down when she hears low voices around the corner. The voices become clearer the closer she gets, and she leans against the open doors to one of the rooms dedicated to entertaining guests.
"Hell!" Zuko yells from his resting place on the floor when he notices her. Mai and Ty Lee's heads whip around as Azula wheezes between laughs. "Do not do that! What the fuck!"
Her brother is really so dramatic. There's a grin on her face as she makes her way into the room, leaving her belongings on an ancient console table by the door. "You're so dramatic, Zuzu,"—he glares at her while Mai and Ty Lee snicker—"So, what are you two doing here?"
Ty Lee sends her a confused look from where she's sitting on the dark red couch beside Mai. "Zuko invited us to spend the night. Don't you remember? We talked about it last week. And you're late!"
She shrugs, gracefully sitting down into one of the plush armchairs. "I must have forgotten. I have been swamped at work. Preventing this city from plunging into chaos is so stressful."
Mai rolls her eyes, and her next words are said wryly: "Yes, yes we know you're doing very important work." She grabs the teapot on the table and pours some tea into a cup, offering it to Azula after. Azula nods her thanks as she takes it carefully in her hand.
Zuko laughs, leaning against the couch opposite Mai and Ty Lee. "Though, if there's one thing Azula can't forget these days, it's that bakery she frequents."
Azula ignores him as she takes a sip of the lukewarm tea. How she wished she could just heat the cup with her hands. What a useful skill that would have been.
Ty Lee squeals as she claps her hands. "Oh! Those tasty cupcakes! I'm still thinking about them, you know. Zuko told us you have some sort of weekly order! Which I think is too much, by the way, but you're healthy as a tigerdillo anyway, and you've always had great teeth." Her smile is wide as she rests her chin on her palm. "So, you have another order soon, right?"
Mai smiles as she squeezes Ty Lee's arm softly.
Of course, Zuko would talk. Azula sends her brother an unimpressed look. "Thank you, Zuko, for informing them."
He snorts, smiling. "I didn't know it's supposed to be a secret. You posted it on your public social media page, and you always have cupcakes at your place now. They would have wondered why you have so many sweets every week."
Azula sniffs. "Right. You three do like to help yourselves to my food even though we don't live in the same place anymore." Their University days had found them occupying one house, and it wasn't ideal for Azula to say the least.
"Force of habit," Mai adds with a smirk before the three of them exchange gleeful laughs.
Children. It truly is astonishing that she's the youngest among them.
"Well? Please share your next order,' Ty Lee insists, her expression now akin to what Azula assumes as pleading—she's never sure with Ty Lee.
She ruminates it over for a few seconds. "Well, you're in luck, Ty Lee—I do have another order tomorrow. I can pick it up in the afternoon, and we can share them. If you're still here, that is."
Ty Lee jumps, rounding on Azula then drawing her in for a hug. Azula doesn't resist and just meets Mai and Zuko's amused stares over Ty Lee's shoulder. Ty Lee all but yells into her ear: "I can't wait! I'm so excited!"
Azula extracts herself carefully, digging her spine back into the armchair, building some distance from her friend. "Yes, yes. I know." Ty Lee doesn't have any concept of personal space whatsoever at times.
Ty Lee squeals yet again before jumping back onto the couch beside Mai.
Mai sends a curious look Azula way. "Not that I'm refusing your offer, but what's with you and cupcakes lately? You do have a sweet tooth, but this seems overboard especially for you."
"Mai, they're cupcakes. What harm can they do?" Ty Lee says.
"A lot."
Azula raises her brows, turning to her brother. "Do you think I'm going overboard?"
"A little?" He holds up his thumb and forefinger close together to emphasize the point. "Okay, you are consuming way too many sweets."
Azula scoffs. "You've eaten more of the cupcakes than me in the past week."
His reply is delivered with utmost certainty: "I'm saving you from yourself." Zuko then slides to lie on his abdomen on the carpet, choosing to rest there.
Azula wrinkles her nose in disgust at the act, imagining the accumulated dirt the carpet holds. "A great excuse, brother, but I know you love them as much as I do."
"Almost as much as you do." He suddenly gets up, startling them. "It's honestly like the bakery has a spell on you."
Ty Lee brightens up, her eyes darting to Azula. Azula's immediately wary of the look on her friend's face, concluding it has something to do with what was said. But with Ty Lee's thinking, she could only often guess as to what the other woman has surmised. Yet, Ty Lee doesn't say anything more, merely glancing at her when Azula pretends she's not paying attention.
The tea eventually cools to room temperature which is frankly disgusting. They leave for their respective rooms well after midnight with promises to drive into the city for lunch.
Azula goes through her nighttime routine religiously. She takes off her makeup first because her skin feels icky; afterward, she soaks in a blazing hot tub for a few minutes. Her eyes droop, and that's when she knows it's off to bed.
Her room is plunged into darkness soon after. Now lying on a moderately soft pillow, she checks her phone prior to tucking herself in. There's a fleeting surprise upon seeing a text from an unknown number timestamped an hour ago.
Unknown number (00:20): Are you coming by the bakeshop tomorrow? - Katara
Azula's sure she hasn't indicated doing otherwise. It's likely just Katara making sure so she fires off a quick 'yes' and sleeps.
In the morning, her phone is the first thing in her hand, and she sees that Katara had replied to her after she already slept.
Unknown number (00:45): Don't be late.
She rolls her eyes, quickly making a contact entry in her phone for Katara.
Azula steps out of the car and slams the door shut. She's confused when a moment later another set of doors shut. Her expression contorts as her three companions come to stand beside her, silently studying the facade of the shop.
"What are you doing?" she asks crisply, observing them.
"We want to see the shop!" Ty Lee exclaims, tapping her fingers together in anticipation as she bounds on her feet, her excitement spilling over.
Azula shakes her head and motions them back to the car. "You don't have to come inside. I'll be in and out in a minute."
Mai raises a brow at her. "We want to see the shop." Her tone suggests finality.
"Yeah, maybe they have other options than cupcakes. It already smells good out here." Zuko doesn't wait, choosing to walk briskly to the door. Mai sends her a beguiled look as she lets Ty Lee pull her forward.
"Of course they have other products than cupcakes. It's a bakeshop," Azula mutters to herself, eventually following after them.
The smell of the shop doesn't register this time as she enters, too focused on watching her brother and friends. Zuko is at one end of the shop near the bread which isn't surprising—he never gains weight even after continually eating horrendous amounts of carbs unlike the three of them. Mai and Ty Lee are murmuring to each other in the pastry section with Ty Lee leaning against Mai as they take stock of the display. The image would be slightly adorable if Azula hasn't seen it a thousand times.
"Hey, you're a little early," Sokka says from the register. He looks the same as he always did.
Azula approaches him. "I was advised not to be late, and I do like to be punctual." She shrugs, holding onto the edge of the counter. "Anyway, we just finished lunch, and I decided to come here. Is my order ready?"
"Let me just call Katara."
"Why?"
Sokka appears bewildered. "What do you mean 'why'?"
Softly, Azula grumbles, "Why can't you just take care of my order? Surely there's no need to get your sister. She might be busy."
Sokka laughs, faux wiping the corner of his eyes with his knuckles. "Trust me, this is for the best. She needs time away from the ovens sometimes."
He disappears into the same door that she assumes leads to a back room. She hears a yell from the back before silence reigns then Sokka comes out again with a grin. He's opening his mouth to speak—
"Azula! They have everything here! Why did you not bring me here sooner?" Zuko all but yells enthusiastically into her ear, drawing out a wince from her. He has a tray laden with more bread than she could finish in a week which means he will finish it in two days at the least.
In her periphery, Sokka looks back and forth between them, his brows drawing together.
"Isn't that a little too much, brother?" she eyes his tray pointedly.
"Oh!" Sokka exclaims, his face relaxing immediately. She's flummoxed by his relief, but she doesn't dwell on it when he adds: "A brother! I didn't know you had a brother."
Azula glances at him. "Because I haven't mentioned it, but now you do." Her attention is once again fixed on said brother. "Are you sure about all that—"
"Hey! Nice picks Zuko! We have ours!" Ty Lee exclaims in a cheery tone, standing just a bit behind her.
It would be very ideal if people stopped interrupting her.
Ty Lee's carrying two trays which further irks Azula. They have too much food!
"Wonderful choices, Ty Lee," she comments sarcastically. "But have you three forgotten that I'm also here to get cupcakes? We will have far too much food than we can eat." Safely.
"Anything we don't eat we can just give to the help at home." Zuko shrugs, placing his tray on the counter beside the register. Ty Lee nods, organizing their own order on the counter as well.
Azula sighs. "What do you think?" she asks Mai.
Her friend shrugs, taking one of the trays from Ty Lee's hold. "I can give the leftovers to Tom-Tom."
She should have known better. Mai is useless when faced with her girlfriend's whims.
There is no use arguing. She watches as Sokka introduces himself jovially to her brother and friends. He's currently being a sweet talker, obviously wanting more sales Azula presumes—she respects his efforts.
It takes a while, but the door behind him does open and out comes Katara. Her cheeks are dusted with white powder which Azula automatically assumes is flour, and her thick hair is in its usual ponytail that hangs low on her nape. Her clothes are covered by an apron which accentuates her body shape and highlights her svelte figure.
Azula stills at the turn of her thoughts. They were certainly peculiar.
Katara seems puzzled at the gaggle of them. She stalks far away to the end of the counter carrying a blue box.
Azula follows suit wordlessly. She snarks, "Nice of you to finally show. I came on time as you requested. You have flour on your cheeks, by the way."
Katara immediately lifts her hands to wipe them clean. "Are those your friends?" Katara asks in lieu of a proper reply.
Azula shouldn't really expect any better regarding their customer service. "They are." Azula's attention is on the box so she doesn't see Katara's glance her way.
"They're all good-looking. Anyone of them your boyfriend or girlfriend?" The question is delivered breezily.
If Azula had been drinking water, she would have choked and spat it out. The shamelessness of the question is startling and a little refreshing. Wide eyes turn to Katara before she barks a laugh. "That is the most hilarious and heinous thing I've ever heard. There is nothing to be nosy about. They are my childhood friends, and the man is my brother."
Katara turns once again to the three who are still talking to Sokka while also sneaking glances at Katara and Azula. They weren't even trying to be covert about it. "You and your brother look a lot alike," she finally comments, pushing the box an inch toward Azula.
Azula's fingers lightly touch the sides of the box. She answers in a lofty tone: "Of course since we are siblings. The same goes for you and Sokka."
Katara rolls her eyes. "I know how siblings work. I was making small talk."
"Whatever for?" Azula raises a brow at her.
Katara looks at her in a way that suggests Azula should already know the answer—Azula doesn't like it nor does she try to understand. "You're coming here every weekend; we might as well make it a pleasant experience," Katara clarifies.
"I come in for five minutes then leave. It's a trivial experience at most."
Katara looks at her in disbelief though her lips are curling. "You are something else. Fine then. You have your cupcakes; now you can go."
Azula peers into the clear cutout in the box top, examining the cupcakes. "They look to be your usual standard; we will be enjoying these later. Until next week."
Katara lays a hand on the box before Azula can take it away. "Won't you introduce me to your friends and brother?"
"Why would I do that?" she asks skeptically.
"Isn't that the polite thing to do?"
Azula honestly doesn't see the point of it. It's not like there will be any more social interaction outside of the shop unless—"Is there someone you're interested in among them? I forgot to say my friends are dating each other, and honestly, save yourself the heartache—none of them are that interesting."
Katara shakes her head, but Azula notes the slight tinge of darkness on her cheeks.
Katara is definitely lying.
She leads the way with Katara following on the opposite side of the wooden counter. The four gathered around the register stop their conversation, eyeing them both with more amusement than the circumstances should warrant.
"What?" Azula asks simply.
Her brother coughs. "Nothing."
She is clearly not convinced because Mai adds: "We were just finishing up with paying."
Azula ultimately nods, not at all interested in whatever trivial matter they must have been discussing. "Zuko, Mai, and Ty Lee, this is Katara, the owner of the bakeshop along with Sokka."
Katara smiles at them brightly. "I hope you enjoy the food you've purchased. Feel free to come back anytime."
"From the smell alone of the bread, I think we will," Ty Lee replies, her usual smile in place.
"Katara, would you care to share why Azula is coming back for weekly orders? I don't think it's too healthy for her; I'm worried." There is nothing but muted amusement on Mai's face.
Azula glares at her oldest friend.
Katara chuckles, glancing at her for a moment. "Actually, we didn't have a great start, but Azula certainly is quite motivated when she sets her mind on something. Am I right?"
Her brother and friends giggle as if she isn't present for the conversation. She frowns, knowing they will tease her to no end when they learn the events that led to her weekly order.
Her face must show something because a beat later, Katara actually refrains from expounding further, saying she'll have to save it for another time. Zuko and Mai, especially, verbally oppose it, trying to gain information from Katara—it's to no avail.
Azula discerns it's enough interaction for the day. She huddles her friends and Zuko to the door as best as she can with the box she's holding, nodding at Katara and Sokka when they leave.
When she's buckled in the front passenger seat, she pulls out her phone and navigates to her social media page. She's feeling generous. She takes another quick picture of the facade of the store to post, and it earns thousands of likes and hearts or whatever in the first few minutes.
Katara (14:15): Thanks for stopping by and for bringing your brother and friends.
Her lips quirk at the unexpected gratefulness. Did Katara somehow discern her private thoughts about their customer service?
Azula (14:17): It wasn't my idea; they wanted to see your bakeshop. Tell me, why didn't you tell my friends and brother about the lavender?
Katara (14:20): You didn't look comfortable with me sharing it.
Azula (14:23): I wasn't. That is quite perceptive of you.
Katara (14:25): It's one of my talents.
The last reply is rather friendly and teasing in nature. Azula thinks it over for a moment, wondering whether to leave the conversation at that or worse, she might reply with a thumbs up icon. Eventually, she manages:
Azula (14:29): In addition to baking? You really are talented.
She inwardly cringes while rereading her reply. She didn't mean to sound... flirty.
Katara (14:32): You're praising me now? But yes, I'm quite all that. Keep the compliments coming, and you might be looking forward to another year of cupcakes.
Azula (14:35): And now you're just bluffing.
Katara sends her a face icon depicting anger, and she chuckles. Order restored.
"So what do you think of Katara?" Ty Lee asks later. They're all sitting by the side of the wide pool, donning swimming suits with everything below their knees dipped into the cool water.
Azula hums, a blank look on her face as she looks over to the gardens. "She makes fine cupcakes." The said cupcakes were halfway finished courtesy of her friends and brother.
Leaning back on her palms, Mai raises a brow at her from her left. "That's all?"
"I don't know what you two are trying to insinuate. I barely know the woman."
"She's a great baker. I approve," Zuko quips. "Her brother is really nice and funny too."
Azula is confused. "What would you approve her for?" They all snicker, highlighting how out of the loop she is. "Well?"
"I thought you two were cute, laughing at each other and all that. You don't really do that with other people. She's pretty too," Ty Lee adds suggestively.
Oh brother. Understanding dawns on Azula; the fact that they would think that shouldn't surprise her, but it does.
She doesn't reply but instead chooses to slither into the pool until she's fully submerged into the water. She breaks to the surface once again, slams her hands away against the water, grinning as her friends and brother shriek at the water droplets.
Serves them right.
It's after lunch, and the atmosphere in the office is idle. She strolls to a glass-paneled boardroom, nodding at each person already there who greets her. The meeting starts when she sits at the head of the table.
She eyes her phone that's resting beside her blank notepad. Having exchanged a couple of boring, civil messages with Katara seemed to invite the other woman to message her more often. At first, it was unwelcome, but Katara was very persistent. Days later, Azula realized that communicating with her does have some benefits.
Half listening to another man speak in the midweek meeting, she waits for her only source of amusement. She watches as her phone lights up, signifying a notification from Katara. The messages are almost expected at this point.
Katara (13:20): Does this color match with this one?
There's a picture attached, depicting preliminary samples of what she assumes are new pastry boxes for the shop. Azula frowns, wondering why the hell Katara would feel the need to ask about shop matters she likely shouldn't be privy to.
Azula (13:22): And you didn't ask your brother—why? I'm sure I mentioned that I have a work meeting.
Katara (13:23): By how quick you replied, you have time. Sokka and my friends think green looks better but doesn't blue just match with the pink?
Azula feels her cheeks unexpectedly heat, disliking coming off as eager to Katara.
Azula (13:25): I might be a little bored here. The others are right; green looks better. Blue and pink is such a common match that it's now pedestrian.
Katara (13:27): Well, I think blue looks better.
Imagining Katara with her petty tone isn't at all difficult, and she snorts.
Azula (13:30): By all means, go with blue—I do share your liking for the color. Still, there's just something about that green shade that is easy on the eyes, and it matches the light pink box too.
She doesn't get another reply to that which is for the better since she's now unsure where they are in the meeting. It takes only a few minutes for her to catch up on the discussion, and the meeting continues with her now dutifully listening and giving helpful feedback.
Later, she's walking to her apartment on a different route—this time the one that cuts through a park she frequents for running. It's quiet and a little dark given that the street lamps are the only source of light aside from the stars in this part of the city.
She's right across her apartment building when she receives a notification. There's a short message, and a picture attached with the new box design for the pastries. She's terribly amused that Katara went with green for the lining.
Azula (18:05): I told you; it looks perfect.
Katara (18:08): It does, doesn't it? Don't tell my brother I said that.
Smiling, she shakes her head and goes home.
So the inconsequential messages she now often exchanges with Katara have evolved into more inconsequential messages. She's almost free from work, just organizing her desk for tomorrow when she gets a new message.
There's a picture of food, a bowl of dumplings, rice and vegetables—apparently Katara's dinner for tonight—and she's asking Azula what she's having for her own dinner.
Azula takes a picture of her tidy desk and sends it to Katara.
Katara (19:10): You're still at work?
Azula (19:12): I was about to make a joke about not eating and only working, and I realized that was too on the nose. Yes, but I am about to leave.
Katara (19:15): What will you do for dinner?
Azula (19:17): Take-out. I can't cook to save my life.
Katara (19:19): I figured from the first moment I saw you.
Azula shook her head at that, her lips curling into a smile. She should be offended, but she's weirdly not.
Azula (19:21): It's the truth. My mother has been on me for years for not knowing how to cook.
Katara (19:22): I'm free to teach you whenever.
Azula laughs. Katara doesn't know what she's getting herself into.
Azula (19:24): I'm telling you—my mother has tried so many times. I just don't take to it. You'll be wasting your time.
Katara (19:27): The next time we're both free, I'm definitely teaching you how to cook.
Azula (19:29): If you are somehow successful, you'll have made my mother a very happy woman.
Katara (19:31): Hey, maybe I will.