A/N: Some Quick Facts About This Fic:
Chapters: 3 for Advent, Limitless for #TyzulaTuesday
Ship(s): Azula x Ty Lee, ZukoxKatara, TophxAang, SokkaxYue, MaixJune.
Rated: M for strong sexual themes, moderate coarse language, drug/alcohol use and violent references.
Notes: This started as an Advent story, but as I wrote it, I realized there was so much more to the story and to the characters. Therefore, I'm going to be continuing it as a #TyzulaTuesday story after Advent is over. Anyway, it's a Modern AU with sex, drugs, crime and Lana Del Rey as an inspiration. Thank you for clicking and I hope you enjoy.
THE LUCKY ONES
Get into my car, got a bad desire
You know that we'll never leave if we don't get out now
You're a careless con and you're a crazy liar
But baby, nobody can compare to the way you get down
"The Lucky Ones" - Lana Del Rey
BREAK FREE
Sitting in a diner booth with a cup of black coffee, Azula picks at her lips as she disinterestedly listens to the sob story.
"I thought I'd be the one to change him," says Ty Lee, wiping the tears trickling from her eyes. She has such striking, beautiful, delicate features; Azula finds it to be a shame that she covers them with cakey trailer trash makeup. "But that's what I always think and I'm always wrong."
"Sucks for you." Azula sighs and checks her phone. She has little interest in Ty Lee's boy problems. Not when they make her so violently, wretchedly jealous.
"Azula…" Ty Lee chews on her fingernails. Azula cocks an eyebrow; this must be important.
"Yes?" she slowly drawls, eyeing Ty Lee closely.
Ty Lee blurts out in one breath, "Can you get me a gun?"
"A — a gun?" Azula never has been so taken aback by Ty Lee before, and Ty Lee has never heard Azula stammer or gape. "Do you even know how to use one?"
"It seems pretty simple. Just point and pull the trigger," says Ty Lee softly.
"Why the fuck do you need a gun?"
Ty Lee starts chewing her nails again. Azula notices the blood starting to pool there and the jagged edges of her once manicured fingernails. "Jet is dealing with some unsavory types."
"If he hurts you, he's going to have to deal with the most unsavory type there is: me, when I'm angry."
Ty Lee flashes a tiny smile. Azula smirks.
Jet needs to deal with the most unsavory type there is more quickly than Azula would have ever imagined. She procures a gun from one of her father's contacts, and brings it over to Ty Lee's tiny apartment. She hears crashing inside and shouting. It reminds her an awful lot of her father and mother and she bursts in without any invitation.
In her defense, they shouldn't leave their door unlocked.
Azula barges in on a scene that makes her point a gun at Jet. He at first does not notice it, but then he releases the woman he pinned to the wall, holding her by braids wrapped in his strong hands. Slowly, Jet turns and looks at the gun in the hand of Ty Lee's best friend, the one he always tells her to stay away from.
"The fuck is going on?" Azula demands and Jet raises his hands in surrender. Ty Lee edges away from the wall, tentative, nervous, everything she never used to be. Azula remembers when Ty Lee was bright, cheery, carefree and always bouncy for lack of a better word. Ever since she found Jet, she becomes quieter and quieter every day.
"Personal business that you don't need to be a part of. Just a fight. It's normal for couples," says Jet. "You should leave before I call the police on you for trespassing. And shoving a fucking gun in my face."
Ty Lee steps into the light.
Azula sees the bruises. She makes her decision in half of a second with no hesitation or remorse.
She cocks the gun, points it at his throat, and pulls the trigger. The blood sprays and splatters on the walls, showering Ty Lee in a crimson splash of her boyfriend's blood.
He stumbles, chokes, sputters, blood dripping from his lips as Azula proudly smirks.
His last words? His victim's name.
"Ty Lee, pl…" he chokes out, as he clutches his bleeding wound.
He stumbles and falls and as he fades, Azula grabs Ty Lee by the elbow. They need to move fast.
Ty Lee looks panicked, but she feels oddly relieved. She just witnessed a murder and she almost feels happy about it as she looks at Azula. She thought she was going to die today, only moments ago, but the heavens sent the perfect person to her rescue. A villain acting as a hero to help Ty Lee break free from her chains.
"Get in the shower, and then get into my car," orders Azula. "We have to get out of town."
"What?" Ty Lee croaks, starting to step towards the teeny tiny bedroom in her dilapidated apartment.
"Never make me repeat myself. We need to leave before we're caught with a body." Azula walks to the kitchen and cleans off the gun to the best of her ability before setting it down on the counter. "Hurry your cute little ass up."
"Why are you leaving the murder weapon behind?" Ty Lee demands.
"Because only amateurs take it with them. Get in the shower and then get out of here with me." Azula seizes Ty Lee tightly by the arm and drags her out of the apartment, running down the stairs to wear she parked her perfectly restored bright red 70's Thunderbird next to the sidewalk. "Move."
Ty Lee obeys, as she always has since they were little kids playing pretend. After cleaning off the blood on her skin and changing her clothes, which Azula burns, she gets into the passenger seat and Azula steps into the car with an air of brilliant and beautiful confidence that blows Ty Lee away. Azula turns the key in the ignition and starts driving like a bat out of Hell down the street towards the highway and the endless desert that awaits them.
When Ty Lee looks at Azula, her heart becomes a hummingbird's wings.
She finally broke free from this dead end ghost town and the boyfriend who she stayed with despite all logic.
[X]
As they blaze down the highway skyline, "I'm tired," whines Ty Lee after hours of driving.
Azula licks her lips. Her rouge lipstick smears slightly on her ivory face.
"Well, if you manage to find a place for us to stay in one of these useless, ugly towns, then let me know," icily drawls Azula, glaring. Ty Lee shrinks under the gaze.
Mere minutes later, they drive through a tiny outdated town with mom and pop stores and stucco buildings, a dying, dated, neon sign flickers in the distance like an answer from the Heavens.
White Lotus Motel.
It's a 1950's classic: run down and vaguely glamorous, like something straight out of the noir movies Azula loves and Ty Lee tolerates. It is two levels with white stucco and a dirty pool behind a decaying and rusty chain link fence.
Azula pulls into the parking lot and helps a shaking Ty Lee get out of the car. She has not stopped trembling since Azula shot and killed Jet, but at least she has not dared to challenge Azula over it. They walk in to the front desk.
"Can we stay here?" asks Azula, stepping up to the grey-haired man poring over paperwork.
He does not look up at the two young women.
"If you can pay, you can stay here," says the man with a nametag that reads 'Piandao.' "I've never heard of a motel with different rules than that."
Azula narrows her eyes as she fishes in her purse for her rich daddy's credit card. "You don't need our names? Our contact information?"
"No," he says calmly, still not looking up from his paperwork.
"You don't ask for much information, do you?" chides Azula, huffing as if insulted. She should think of it as her lucky day but she feels sickened by the place she must make her home because she made a rash decision to rescue her crush.
Piandao explains, "I don't like asking questions. This is where people come to get lost."
Azula contemplates those ominous words for a few silent moments.
"Sounds perfect," Azula remarks, eyes gleaming.
Ty Lee wraps herself around her savior's arm and rests her head on Azula's broad shoulder.
BAD AT LOVE
The dingy motel room overlooks a field of wildflowers.
Fire lilies, Azula hears some old woman with tacky blue hair call them.
She loves the hues of red.
Around her, the room is outdated with a hard bed and ancient faded, peeling wallpaper. The blankets are scratchy and uncomfortable and the stained shag carpet is the color of mustard.
Azula already hates this place, but she made her choice. She ran away. Azula knows that with all the strength in her, she shall adjust to any situation, perhaps even start up her own crime empire like her father always wanted. But first, she needs to settle in and figure herself and Ty Lee out. Then she can indulge her entrepreneurial and rather wicked soul.
Ozai calls her. She contemplates whether or not she should answer and ultimately picks up her cellphone.
"Hey, daddy," she says softly, biting down on her lip. She does not know if he will be proud of ashamed.
"Where the fuck are you?" he growls, his voice like a slowly building fire.
"Some town. I had to leave. I… I killed someone, and so I ran. I won't lose contact with you. I promise. But for now I have to get out of the city and stay under the radar," explains Azula, knowing her father will accept any crime without judgment. He has always been even crueler than her.
"That boy Jet? I heard about his murder. They're blaming it on gang violence," says Ozai.
"I'll come home. But for now, I'm… seeing how it is on my own, supporting myself. I…" Azula licks her lips and softly sighs. Ty Lee walks through the creaky door and Azula's heart flutters. "I should go. Goodbye, daddy."
Azula hangs up.
"Hey, uhm, Azula…" says Ty Lee, still quiet, still quiet even though Azula removed the abusive boyfriend from the equation. "I need to tell you something."
"Yes?" coolly inquires Azula.
"Ever since we were kids, I've been in love with you. Romantically. You were my first crush. You're like my true crush that never went away. And when you killed him, I knew I would never love anybody as much as I love you. I need to know if maybe you have feelings for me too. Do you - do you love me back?" Ty Lee cringes as if something were thrown at her, that afraid of her own words.
"I am not someone who is loved. I am a goddess. I am an idea. I am a queen. I am worshipped. People do not love me. They adore me and kneel at my feet," says Azula, rising to her feet. Ty Lee feels sick and scared; she does not want to lose Azula over something so foolish.
"I've always been bad at love anyway. I'll worship you, my goddess," whispers Ty Lee, slowly standing up and moving closer and closer to Azula until the heat from their bodies mingles.
They reach out, touching, pulling, searching. Azula and Ty Lee undress each other. They kick high heels to the side, lose pants and skirts and undies under the ugly bed, tops and bras haplessly tossed over the archaic, dusty television. It comes purely from instinct and desire. Azula ends up on the bed, Ty Lee's body hovering over her. Azula's hair lifts, swept over her shoulder. An arm comes down around her hips, lifting them slightly off the bed. Goosebumps spread over Azula's ivory skin as lips caress her shoulder. And then there are fingers on her clit, moving slowly and deliberately.
Azula comes, moaning and gasping, almost instantly, crushing herself against Ty Lee's hand.
Ty Lee's warm breath on her neck made her shiver more. Azula swallows her aching frustration, biting her lip. She can feel Ty Lee's lips and tongue barely touching her neck. Her breast presses into Azula's breast. Her fingers massage her slow and deep. Azula rises to her knees and Ty Lee follows her cue falling back on her heels as Azula draws Ty Lee onto her lap. They can at last, after so many years, feel each other deeply and truly.
Azula sets her hand on Ty Lee's breast, gripping her tight. She slides her fingers down to Ty Lee's clit, rubbing, stroking, pinching gently - perfectly. They lean forward and crush their lips together.
Ty Lee lets Azula be in control; she wants Azula to own her.
"Would you die for me?" whispers Azula in Ty Lee's ear, rubbing her clit harder.
"Yes," Ty Lee breathes.
"That question is too easy," whispers Azula. "Would you live for me?"
Ty Lee moans and then croaks out, "I already do."
Azula smiles.
The air around them buzzes with their desire. They rock gently against each other's hips, holding each other close. Ty Lee cries out and they sink down to the uncomfortable bed.
Azula lies back and curls her finger at Ty Lee, beckoning her. Ty Lee kisses Azula deep and slow. The wetness between her legs brushes against Azula's thigh.
They finally live out all their suppressed fantasies they ever had about each other. They cannot stop kissing, tongues sharing control. Their lips search the softness of each other's skin.
The two young women want more, but they cannot bear to go further as they lie back beneath the scratchy orange blankets and lock eyes for a few moments.
"I love you, Azula," Ty Lee says softly.
"About time you admit it," Azula breathes back.
Ty Lee smiles and closes her eyes.
MONEY
The next morning, "We need jobs if we're gonna fit in here," says Ty Lee bluntly. She is nervous to be so straightforward with her princess, her savior, the woman she fears most, but she knows they need to take this step.
"You make a fair point," replies Azula and Ty Lee glows like a reading lamp at the unexpected compliment. Azula rarely gives those to anyone. "We could ask around, couldn't we? I have never needed a job before."
Ty Lee bites her lip. It is her fault that the heiress had to abandon her fortune and go on the run. She wonders if Azula hates her for it. She wonders if Azula will ever forgive her, because Azula has never shown the capacity to forgive in all of the decades Ty Lee has known her.
"I can ask the front desk guy - Piandao, I think he's called - if you want some time to relax… some time alone." Ty Lee knows that Azula prefers solitude and Ty Lee cannot bear to deny her that. To deny her anything.
"Go ahead. Just don't sign me up for anything that will make me regret helping you."
"Of course, my princess." Ty Lee nods and walks out of the grungy motel room.
Azula sits down on the bed, turns on the dilapidated, dirty television and sighs.
Meanwhile, Ty Lee walks to the lobby of the motel and finds Piandao working yet again. She prances up to the counter and leans over it with a wide, carefree smile. Piandao gives her an odd look.
"Do you know of any work in town?" Ty Lee inquires, batting her eyelashes and continuing to beam at him like a fool.
Piandao pauses to think and then replies, "I could use another maid."
Azula would never do that, but Ty Lee is happy to accept.
"I'd love that!" Ty Lee chirps, shimmying her shoulders excitedly.
"I wouldn't say love. You could also check the diner. I saw a sign on the window the other day."
Azula might take more kindly to waitressing, but Ty Lee cannot see her in a normal job. She sees her as a wealthy CEO, or a secret agent, or an assassin, or an arms dealer. She cannot see her in a frilly waitress dress serving anyone or anything but her own interests.
How far was Azula willing to go? How much would she sacrifice? Ty Lee does not know.
"When can I start working?"
"Katara will show you the ropes. She's my current maid."
"Thank you so much." Ty Lee slightly bows her head as Piandao calls Katara to come to the front office.
Ty Lee patiently waits until a beautiful pregnant girl with fawn skin and protuberant blue eyes steps in. She cannot be much older than Ty Lee but her eyes are weary and her lips ae bitter. Still, kindness lurks in the smile she gives.
"I'm Ty Lee," chirps the newbie.
Katara broadens her smile and suddenly looks sweet, hopeful and inviting. She flips like a coin. Odd.
"Welcome to the White Lotus Motel," says Katara. "I hope you enjoy scrubbing toilets."
Ty Lee jokes, "It's my favorite activity."
Katara winks. "Good."
BUBBLEGUM
The bubblegum in Ty Lee's mouth cracks and pops from her rather forceful chomping.
Ty Lee thinks her arm might fall off from scrubbing the thick, cemented gum stuck to the bathroom sink in Room 107. Not far away, Katara changes the hideous patterned sheets on the queen sized bed.
"So, a baby," chirps Ty Lee, trying to make conversation about something other than cleaning. "That's exciting."
Katara smiles both awkwardly and warmly as Ty Lee finally liberates the gum and throws it away. She starts cleaning up the disgusting residue it left behind. Katara sets her hand on her baby belly.
"It's only exciting if you want to be pregnant." Katara gives another melancholy smile and Ty Lee quickly averts her eyes and returns to cleaning.
Meanwhile, Azula sits by the green, filthy pool with a lit cigarette hanging from her lips. Every so often she sucks in and exhales, but mostly forgets it is there. She leans back and basks in the warm sun, the only benefit of being this far out in the desert. The smoke and sun fill her veins with lightning.
Two young men loudly interrupt her state of utter tranquility. She takes a drag from her cigarette and rolls her eyes.
"Come on, Sokka!" shouts the shorter boy. Azula watches them from the corner of her eye.
She then removes her sunglasses to see them better.
The shorter boy is bald and tattooed tastelessly in blue. The taller boy is tan and muscular and wears a ribbed blue shirt to show that fact off. They are not the kind of people Azula would ever associate with, but, then again, every since she pulled that trigger Azula no longer identifies with the person she used to be.
The taller boy runs his hand through his brunet hair. "Hey. Are you new? Or, uh, staying long?"
"That would depend on who is asking," icily purrs Azula.
He laughs. It was not a joke.
"Sokka. I'm Sokka and this is Aang."
"My pleasure," drawls Azula, showing as little interest in others as she always does.
Aang gives a nervous smile. Sokka remains unfazed.
"So?" prods Sokka.
"My girlfriend and I just moved in long term."
"Me and my sister and my girl live here too. Maybe we should get to know each other."
"While I am certain you have the shining personality of an actual Adidas sandal, I am perfectly happy staying out of the business of others and vice versa.
"Why? Are you a murderer on the run or something?"
"Maybe I am." Azula adjusts her sunglasses as they halfheartedly laugh.
"You should hang out with us sometime. We like to drink out here in the evening after we're done working," says Aang, smiling at her. He reminds her slightly of Ty Lee, back before Jet, when she was so bubbly at all times. Azula ignores the wave of sadness that washes over her at that thought.
"Maybe." Azula shrugs. "I want to go lie down."
She stands up, tosses her glowing orange cigarette into the filthy pool and heads back up to her motel room.
DRUNK
Azula cannot sleep and so she slips out of the motel room. Ty Lee continues her semi-cute snoring and Azula walks until it fades away. She sits down and sticks her legs through the gaps in the second story railing. She gazes down at the green, dirty pool and the flickering neon sign advertising the motel's vacancy.
A girl with messy black hair and tired eyes walks over to the rails and leans over it as she lights a cigarette. In the pale moonlight, her chipped black nail polish shimmers slightly.
"Can I borrow one of those?" requests Azula.
"Yeah, whatever." The girl sighs, exhaling dark grey smoke. "I'm Mai, by the way. Who the Hell are you?"
"Azula. And I would suggest speaking to me more politely if you know what's good for you."
Mai dryly remarks, "I wouldn't be living in this fucking motel if I knew what was good for me."
She adjusts her black, tattered fishnets.
Azula smirks. "I get it. I certainly do not want to know what is good for me in the first place."
Mai nods and takes a drag from her cigarette. "Couldn't say it better myself."
Azula decides she likes this stranger far more than she liked Aang and Sokka. They irritated her; Mai intrigues her.
"I'm going to get drunk," says Azula. "Care to come with me?"
Mai nods. "Drinking is my favorite hobby."
"Let me wake up my girlfriend," purrs Azula, rising to her feet. They sting, bare on the uneven cement.
Girlfriend. It feels strange on her tongue. Perhaps it is not the right word. She has done little but commit a murder and have sex with Ty Lee. Does that make them a couple? She has no clue. It just seems easier to say 'girlfriend' than try to explain this shit to a stranger.
Azula walks away from Mai and steps into the motel room to shake Ty Lee awake. "Put on some clothes; we're going to the liquor store."
Ty Lee sleepily nods, yawning and stretching before putting on a trashy pink crop top and tight jeans. She walks outside and looks Mai up and down.
"Hi!" chirps Ty Lee. "Nice to meet you!"
Mai grimaces at the cuteness and sweetness. "Let's just get going. I need some fucking vodka."
Ty Lee smiles and wraps herself around Azula's strong arm.