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Chapter 4: Fire Beneath the Mask
The palace halls were silent that night — too silent for a nation always at war.
Robert stood on the highest terrace, watching embers float into the dark sky. The volcano glowed faintly in the distance, its molten heart reflecting in his eyes.
He heard soft footsteps behind him. He didn't need to turn to know who it was.
"Couldn't sleep either?" he asked.
Azula stepped into the light, wearing a crimson robe instead of armor. Her hair was loose, falling past her shoulders — something no soldier ever saw.
"I don't sleep, Robert," she said, voice calm but hollow. "I plan."
He chuckled quietly. "Yeah, that sounds about right."
She joined him at the railing, gazing down at the city lights. For a while, neither of them spoke. Then Azula said, "You did well today. Against the Avatar. Even when you hesitated."
Robert frowned. "You saw that, huh?"
"Of course I did. I see everything," she said, her tone sharp — but it softened a heartbeat later. "But I didn't punish you."
"Why not?" he asked. "That's not usually your thing."
Azula smirked faintly. "Because I wanted to know why you hesitated."
Robert leaned on the railing. "Back where I'm from… I watched too many people fight for the wrong reasons. I didn't wanna add to that. Even if I'm supposed to be on your side."
Her eyes flicked toward him. "You think I'm fighting for the wrong reasons?"
He met her gaze. "I think you're fighting to prove something you don't have to."
Azula went quiet. No one had ever said something like that to her — not her father, not Zuko, not even Iroh.
"Everyone in this palace," she said slowly, "bows to me because they're afraid. But you…"
Her voice trembled, barely audible. "You talk to me like I'm human."
Robert smiled slightly. "Because you are."
For a moment, her mask cracked — the confident smirk faded, and something uncertain flickered behind her golden eyes. She stepped closer, the air between them warm and charged.
"You're dangerous," she whispered. "Not because of your fire… but because you make me feel."
Robert's heart thudded. "And that's bad?"
"For me?" She smirked again, though softer now. "Terrible."
They stood there, the heat from the torches brushing against their skin, both pretending not to notice how close they'd gotten.
Then Azula turned away, straightening her robe. "Tomorrow we depart for Ba Sing Se. My father wants the Avatar cornered before Sozin's Comet returns."
Robert nodded. "And you want me at your side."
She glanced back, expression unreadable. "Always."
As she left, the flames around the terrace flickered — bending toward her like they couldn't help it.
Robert watched her go, feeling the black fire hum quietly in his chest.
He was her guard. Her weapon. Maybe even her friend.
But as the night wind carried the scent of smoke and jasmine, Robert couldn't shake the thought:
If Azula ever truly let her walls fall… she might just burn herself — and him — alive.