Author's Note: This will be the last installment barring random inspiration. In "Azula Said Nothing" I alluded to the first time Azula saw Ty Lee's hair down. I didn't really have anything in mind at the time, but it kept rolling around in my head. Also, I've decided that, for my own purposes, homophobia is not the norm in the Avatar world, meaning there's no reason for "oh I can't be gay, blah blah blah" angst, just "crap I'm in love with my bffl" angst. :) Enjoy.

Tyzula – Innocent Contact

Azula ad Ty Lee sat together at the bow of the Fire Nation ship that was taking them to the Earth Kingdom. Mai had decided to take a nap, since there was "nothing else to do." The blue of the ocean stretched out in all directions.

"Azula?" Ty Lee looked over at her princess.

"Yes, Ty?" Azula kept her voice low, but it lacked the edge she employed with the soldiers.

"I'm bored, too. Can we play a game?"

"What kind of game?" Azula eyed the far horizon, hoping for shore.

"I don't know." Ty Lee frowned for a moment. "Would you do my hair?"

The young princess rolled her eye, but nodded. "Sure."

"Really?" Ty Lee squealed and grabbed Azula's hands.

Azula tried to ignore how her heart sped up at the innocent contact. She stood, letting Ty Lee's hands fall, and walked down to her room. Ty Lee followed, humming. Once below deck Azula slowed and let Ty Lee catch up to her. The acrobat took her hand without a word. They walked to Azula's quarters and the fire bender rummaged on her vanity until she located her hair brush. Turning, she saw that Ty Lee was already sitting on her princess' bed, swinging her legs.

Ty Lee sat quietly as Azula moved behind her and began undoing her long braid. Outwardly, Azula was the perfect emotionless mask, except that her hands shook the slightest bit as she touched her friend's soft hair. For a moment the princess wondered how Ty Lee kept her hair in such good condition while they were travelling, but the sound of a low sigh distracted her as she began brushing the brown locks.

"Y-you okay, Ty?" Grimacing at the stutter in her own voice, Azula leaned forward and to the side, turning her head to look at Ty Lee.

"Hmm?" The acrobat's eyes were closed and she was smiling. "Yeah, I'm fine. That feels good."

"Okay." Azula resumed brushing and tried to keep her mind off the smell of Ty Lee's perfume or the looming realization that lurked in her mind every time she notice how beautiful her friend was becoming or every time she let her cold demeanor slip around the acrobat. She pretty much knew by now what her sweaty palms and lightheadedness meant and, if it weren't Ty, it wouldn't be a big deal.

After nearly fifteen minutes, Ty Lee sighed again and leaned back against Azula.

Azula blinked down at Ty Lee, hoping the acrobat couldn't hear her heart beating against her ribs. "Ty?"

"I'm sleepy, Azula. Can I take a nap in here?" Ty Lee turned her head towards Azula's neck and the princess felt soft hair against her skin.

"Sure."

Ty Lee shifted backwards after a few moments, obviously already half-asleep. To Azula's surprise, the young acrobat pulled her along. At first too confused to resist, Azula soon found herself against the bed's pillows with Ty Lee snuggled against her. She was struck for a moment by the image of Ty Lee with her hair down, smiling and holding her close. She knew she should pull away, act annoyed, and leave Ty Lee to sleep alone, perhaps even kick her out, but her heart was tight in her chest and it was strangely hard to breathe. So, Azula stayed and let Ty Lee nap, eventually wrapping her arms around her friend and letting herself relax for a short time.