In the Palace Gardens

[bentflame]

Azula knew from experience that when Ty Lee said "I'm coming anyway", she meant it- and for once, she wasn't in the mood to argue, or to threaten, or to fight.

She hated viruses.

The gardens were deserted, as she knew they would be- it was a couple of hours after midnight, after all. She didn't carry a candle, or anything that might alert someone to her presence. The full moon was bright enough to see by- and, having grown up here, she knew the grounds well.

She wasn't staying in her room, of course. Servants were working on fixing the bed, and the curtains, and the armoire- all of which had been burned during the... incident with that despicable woman. For the time being, Azula had relocated to one of the palace's many guest rooms, and while it was certainly spacious and comfortable, and and had all the amenities she desired, it wasn't her room.

It wasn't as though she couldn't handle anything less than the highest luxuries, of course- after all, how much time had she spent in the wilderness, searching for the Avatar?

At the moment, however, Azula wanted something familiar.

Comments

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

"Don't stop what?"

[hotpinkaura.livejournal.com]

"This."

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

...

That did it. Despite her resolve, Azula began to cry. Though she did her best to keep back any embarrassing or undignified sob-like sounds... it didn't work that well.

[hotpinkaura.livejournal.com]

...That really is going to ruin my hair.

"You don't have to cry..."

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

She shook her head. "... I'm not." It was the most obvious lie she had ever told.

[hotpinkaura.livejournal.com]

"...Alright."

Ty Lee wasn't in the mood to argue with Azula.

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

After only a few seconds, Azula roughly pulled away and rolled over, her back to Ty Lee. She didn't have any reason to, really, other than instinct- though Ty Lee was acting a bit... different. Perhaps the virus was wearing off.

[hotpinkaura.livejournal.com]

"Hey! What'd I do?" Ty Lee was indignant, but went closer to Azula.

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

"Nothing." Azula didn't move away, but she didn't move closer, either. She just ignored her.

Then, because she didn't think Ty Lee had heard her the first time (she wasn't really sure she had wanted her to, anyway), and because the virus was going to wear off soon (and Ty Lee might not remember anything, so it didn't matter as much), and because Ty Lee was acting a bit more like... well, the old Ty Lee, she said, a little bit more loudly and clearly this time (and with just the right amount of defensiveness, nonchalance, and feigned annoyance), "I love you."

It was Ty Lee's fault, after all. She had done far more risqué things that night- kissed her neck, for goodness sake. That was quite a bit less innocent than anything Azula had ever done. She frowned. If wasn't as if she could get accused of molestation again- she would have plenty of things to counter with if she was.

[hotpinkaura.livejournal.com]

So that's what she had said, after all. Ty Lee was used to have that being to said. Most liked her enough. But...Azula. Azula was someone who Ty Lee just didn't...

"I love you, too."

Ramza's going to...well, I do love everyone.

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

Azula sighed slightly, trying to make it sound more annoyed than hurt. "Well. Of course you say that now."

[hotpinkaura.livejournal.com]

"Sorry for being late?"

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

Azula frowned slightly. "What do you mean?"

[hotpinkaura.livejournal.com]

"Not saying "I love you" sooner?"

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

Azula made a little noise in the back of her throat. Of course; the idiot was only saying it now because she though Azula's repetition of the phrase was some kind of... order.

"That's now why I... hm.

"What I meant was, you won't think that when the virus is over, if you even think it now. So I don't...."

[hotpinkaura.livejournal.com]

Ty Lee scooted closer. "You don't what?"

((Forget my haitus.))

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

"You don't need to say that."

[hotpinkaura.livejournal.com]

"Maybe not, but generally that's what someone says if they feel the same way."

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

Azula scoffed, but shifted backwards towards Ty Lee, just a little bit.

"As I said before, that's what you're saying now- but tomorrow or the next day, things will be different."

[hotpinkaura.livejournal.com]

"Well, maybe they will and maybe they won't. I'm tired of arguing over that. But...even if I don't mean it in whatever many days, I mean it now...everything's in the "now" not the future."

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

She frowned. "They will. And no, the future wouldn't matter to you, would it? You're the one who's going to- hm.

"You were right before, when you said that you weren't going anywhere. You're not. You're coming back."

[hotpinkaura.livejournal.com]

"Of course I am." Ty Lee was somewhat indignant.

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

"I'm talking about the real you. The way you are without the virus.

"And after all, that's what matters, isn't it."

[hotpinkaura.livejournal.com]

"...I don't know."

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

Azula listened to the thunder outside, and said nothing.