The Tyzula Advent Calendar has started. I decided to make this story into a collection of works for all challenges I want to do, like Tyzula Week and this Advent, plus Tyzula Tuesday. I like this idea and it's all I can think about at present, but I'd really like to do some challenges. Thank you guys for all of your support and reading and stuff. I hope you enjoy.


Twirling + Sweet Sugar Cakes

Ty Lee had made a decision and she would not relent until Azula gave in.

That decision? To go baby item shopping.

"It's going to be sooooo much fun," Ty Lee begged with wide, round, glimmering eyes. Azula remained stony-faced. "We'll go buy little clothes and then we can go out for lunch."

Azula touched her fingers to her lips in thought. And her thought was a resounding no.

"That's not ever happening," the princess said and Ty Lee groaned in frustration.

"You need things for your baby, Azula," Ty Lee said. "You have to get this stuff eventually. And we're going to have sooooo much fun. I said I would be this baby's father and I have taken up that mantle of responsibility."

"I have not yet agreed to allowing you to be my baby's father," Azula said very slowly, enunciating each syllable.

"But you will after today," Ty Lee sung in response. Azula wanted to argue but could not find the energy to do it. "You also need stuff for your baby anyway. Why don't we go get the stuff you need?"

"I was just going to…" Azula trailed off and sighed. A princess surrenders with honor, and she did not think she could handle this fight while battling nausea too. "Fine. Let's go."

Ty Lee smiled brightly.

Azula had no idea why Ty Lee wanted to be involved with this horrific mess.


"Why did you decide to keep it?" Ty Lee asked, kicking a small rock as they began walking towards the beautiful shops.

"That's an odd question from someone who has some strange obsession with being part of its life," Azula said and Ty Lee shrugged. "I don't know. Zuko is certain it has something to do with my issues with my own parents, but that's ridiculous. Of course I would be a better mother than my own, but that would simply require me not abandoning it."

Ty Lee shrugged, because Azula was right. Not to mention she was not going to push the topic too far; she was trying to make a good impression, and asking Azula why she was keeping it was probably not the best idea.

"So, how does it feel?" Ty Lee asked brightly.

"It feels like a fish swimming inside of me," Azula replied. "Can we talk about something other than the baby?"

"Yup, yup, yup," Ty Lee said brightly as they reached the cute little baby boutique.

"Are you going to leave me alone after this?" Azula asked.

"Nope, nope, nope." Ty Lee smiled and extended a hand to help Azula up the stone steps.

Azula brushed her off, but she went inside the store.

See? Progress.


Ty Lee had an entire wardrobe of newborn clothes in one arm while Azula seemed to be having a staring contest with a piece of furniture.

"Does the baby sleep in that?" Azula asked as she tapped the blood red bassinet with one fingernail. It made a sound that made the nearby young couple shiver slightly, but neither Azula nor Ty Lee noticed.

"No, that's where you keep its clothes," Ty Lee said before her eyes bulged. She had just realized that Azula believed her. She was more helpless than Ty Lee thought, which was saying something. "Yes, the baby sleeps in it."

"But you said we needed a crib. Make up your mind before I have you banned from the Fire Nation permanently," Azula muttered as she looked at the sole baby bottle balancing precariously atop Ty Lee's new fashion collection.

"You can't do that," Ty Lee snapped, snatching a fluffy blanket.

"You sound uncertain. Are you feeling lucky today?" Azula asked with her arms crossed.

"You need both, 'zula. You also need some food because you're being even meaner than usual. They have this adorable little bakery two blocks away," Ty Lee said with a warm smile. Azula hated how reassuring it was; when Ty Lee smiled it seemed so genuine,even if it isn't.

Ty Lee grabbed Azula's hand unbidden and walked her to the cashier, the baby clothes draped over one arm. Before Azula could register what was even happening, she was being guided towards the bakery Ty Lee was so antsy to go to.


"Are you gonna eat any of that?" Ty Lee asked very quietly, as if she should not be saying it.

Azula stares at the plate of repulsive, sugary cakes and fruit tarts and things that Ty Lee found extremely necessary to buy.

"I am never eating again," Azula replied, touching one of the glazed cakes with one long fingernail.

"Okay," Ty Lee said, not bothering to console her potential mate before seizing the plate and pulling it to herself. She took two sips of tea before beginning the struggle of deciding which cake or candy to eat first. "So, I'm thinking we should buy clothes for you too, because in at least two months you'll need new ones…. I also need some Fire Nation clothes; I hate how behind I am on fashion here, and if I'm going to be living with you ‒ I already asked Zuko and he said yes ‒ then I'm gonna need to make sure I look great."

Ty Lee took one cake in her mouth and Azula sighed before staring at the window, longingly at the dark fortress of a palace in the distance.


Ty Lee made a circular motion with one finger. Azula just stared at her, as if it was some highly alien Earth Kingdom gesture. And so Ty Lee set her stack of yes clothes in the already baby-stuff-laden arms of a soldier who most certainly did not enlist to be a human shopping basket.

"Spin. Turn around. It's such a flowy dress and you look so good." Ty Lee bat her eyelashes and Azula sighs.

"I'm going to strangle you in your sleep tonight."

"Aw. You sound like Mai when I take her shopping," Ty Lee smiled. Azula rolled her eyes and obliged.

"My feet hurt and we're going home now," Azula said after very slowly twirling. She thought she was going to throw up. Which would be bad seeing as, "I kind of am not supposed to let anyone know I'm pregnant."

Ty Lee's jaw dropped. "You should've told me that before we went baby shopping all day!" she screeched.

"You kept insiting. It's okay, I'm not really showing yet and I've been telling the shopkeepers that this is all for you." Azula shrugged. "And if I throw up I will tell them it is because their carpet is hideous, which it is."

"Why can't you tell anyone you're pregnant?"

"Well, you see, the thing about that is, I'm not telling you. You're really not going to be a part of my or this baby's life. When you said we were breaking up forever, I thought you were serious."

"I never mean it when I say that and you know it!"

"Stop humiliating us. I don't need a second child."

Azula glared at her guards until they escorted her out, Ty Lee walking slowly along with them.