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]

"Mmm-hmm." She stroked Ty Lee's arm. "Don't worry about it."

[hotpinkaura.livejournal.com]

"I won't." She shivered lightly at the touch.

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

"All right.

"... Are you tired?"

[hotpinkaura.livejournal.com]

"Maybe a little."

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

"You may fall asleep here, if you wish. I don't mind." She herself needed to be awake when the virus started to dissipate, but... it would so much easier if Ty Lee was out for the count when it lifted. She didn't feel like answering questions, or being threatened and having to threaten back, or... well, dealing with anything that would likely come with the aftermath, really.

She continued to stroke Ty Lee's arm, rhythmically and soothingly. Go to sleep...

[hotpinkaura.livejournal.com]

"Alright, then..." It was late, wasn't it? That did feel good...Ty Lee stiffled a yawn.

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

"That's right. Shhh..." She squeezed Ty Lee's arm lightly. "I'll still be here when you wake up." It was a lie, of course, but that didn't matter- when she woke up, Azula was likely to be the last person she would want to see.

In the morning she'd have to be off to "battle", anyway- just in case that imbecilic creature decided to go through with his threat to invade the Fire Nation.

Azula reached up to Ty Lee's face and stroked her cheek in the same calming manner.

[hotpinkaura.livejournal.com]

Another yawn, less stifled that time. "Really...?" It was said sleepily, and her hand stilled. "...Oh, that feels so good..." She relaxed.

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

"Of course. Now shhh..." She continued, hoping that Ty Lee wouldn't see the tears that had escaped her eyes. It was only a few, but still... though she'd have time to be annoyed at her own weakness later.

[hotpinkaura.livejournal.com]

She felt something wet, and shifted uncomfortably. "Mmmthanks." However, it didn't matter much. Azula was there, and she wasn't going anywhere. Another pleased sigh.

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

Azula dried her eyes, then turned her face into Ty Lee's neck. She wasn't going to let herself fall asleep, but she could at least be as comfortable as possible while she waited.

"It's all right. Just sleep."

[hotpinkaura.livejournal.com]

She closed her eyes, sleep did sound good, though not a few moments prior she had be fairly awake. Ty Lee was safe, warm, with company...no harm was going to happen. She wasn't asleep, but barely awake.

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

"That's right," Azula whispered again, keeping a few more tears at bay. "That's right..."

[hotpinkaura.livejournal.com]

"Right..." It was muttered, unconciously. Small and quiet. Ty Lee was close to sleeping, completely at ease.

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

Sensing that Ty Lee was almost out, Azula shifted slightly, leaning up and kissing her cheek again. "I love you," she murmured. She knew that she was never going to say that again- to anyone- without lying.

[hotpinkaura.livejournal.com]

"Mmzula?" She woke up slightly at the kiss but fell back into slumber soon enough. Finally asleep, she was ready to wait for the rest of the virus perfectly content.

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

After giving Ty Lee's cheek one more light stroke, she lowered her arm and rested it around the other girl's shoulders.

There wasn't that much time left at all.

[hotpinkaura.livejournal.com]

Ty Lee shifted slightly in her sleep but didn't wake up.

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

Keeping her hold on Ty Lee, Azula turned slightly to look towards the window. The darkness was just beginning to fade. It would be light soon. The viruses usually seemed to last through the night, but be gone by the following morning...

With a slight sigh, she pulled herself away from Ty Lee and slipped out of bed. The other girl would probably wake up with a few questions about why she was alone in Azula's bed (especially if she ended up not remembering anything, which Azula certainly hoped would be the case), but that was her problem. She could find someone to tell her, and the two of them could be disgusted and outraged together. How lovely.

Still slightly distracted, she dressed quickly, and put on her armor. Then, after glancing back towards the bed only once, Azula turned on her heel and strode purposefully out of the room.