GUARDIAN

Tomorrow is the Day of Black Sun.

Azula paces in her room with occasional shuddering breaths. She is entirely lost in dissecting and analyzing she and her father's joint plan until someone softly knocks on the door.

Azula opens it, unsure who to expect, but grateful for whatever distraction it may bring.

Ty Lee.

They both gaze at each other in silence.

They should not be together like this when Azula needs to focus on the war.

But when she looks into Ty Lee's eyes, she sees what she is fighting for.

This blossoming relationship over the past months has been wildly inconvenient. But true love is usually the most inconvenient kind.

"Come in," says Azula stiffly.

Ty Lee briefly bows her head and then obeys.

She settles herself inside as Azula closes and locks the door.

"I'm sorry I came here. I just am so nervous tonight. I didn't want to be alone. And I always feel so safe with you."

"You suffer from a deplorable excess of romantic fantasies about me."

Ty Lee just smiles, and after a moment, Azula smiles back.

"Do you have any?"

"I have a reasonable excess about fantasies of conquering the world. Not something as petty as romance."

"I think you can do it. You can do anything."

"I know."

"But I think you're still nervous tonight."

"Why would that be any of your business?"

The silence painfully lingers, basked in candlelight.

"I just gave you a great in to open up to me, and you didn't take it."

"Well, I don't have to take your ins," huffs Azula. "I am the crown princess and you are a low noble at best."

"I may be a low noble, and I know I have to remember my place, but I love you."

"Why do you love me?"

"You have an amazing power to charm and seduce and when I'm with you, it's like you're giving me a piece of everything I'm missing."

"And you make me feel strangely safe," says Azula before she can stop herself. Damn sleep deprivation. She starts to get up to escape the situation, but Ty Lee touches her so gently that she sits back down.

"Can I sleep here please? I'm kinda anxious and being with you calms me down."

"I do not intend to sleep, but you are free to use my bed."

Ty Lee rises, kisses Azula's cheek and lies down. She watches her secret girlfriend pace and occasionally make the candles rage bright blue before allowing them to quiet.

Finally, Ty Lee steadies herself with a deep breath and extends her arm.

"Princess, I would be indebted forever and ever if you could lie down with me until I fall asleep."

Azula frowns and glares, but after a moment's contemplation, lies down with her body pressed against Ty Lee's.

They soften and melt to the rhythm of each other's breathing, like the tide of the ocean.

"Is there anything I can do to help you get some rest before the fight tomorrow?" Ty Lee inquires, batting her eyelashes.

Azula starts to tell her off for her boldness, but then stops.

"I don't want to sleep. I'll have nightmares. I don't even need it. I'm strong enough to fight. I don't think I even get tired."

But the purple lines under her golden eyes disagree.

"I'll protect you from your nightmares."

Azula snorts and mockingly laughs. "How?"

"I'll slash them apart with nothing but my nails and rip their throats out with my teeth. I'll break their noses so they choke on their own blood. I'd do anything for you."

"I never knew you could be so bloody minded."

"Only for you, princess," whispers Ty Lee. "Only for you."

Azula softly smiles. She pulls Ty Lee closer to her and into a deep, passionate kiss.

As they pull apart, they both can see the longing for sex

"I know you wanted to wait," says Ty Lee timidly.

"If we die tomorrow, my only regret would be not having sex with you," whispers Azula, bringing a deep flush to Ty Lee's cheeks.

They kiss again and again as their fingertips tentatively wander. Azula caresses Ty Lee's soft, round breast as Ty Lee strokes the inside of the princess's thigh.

They messily get each other undressed, struggling at every step, smiling and laughing at it as best friends even on such a grim night as this.

And they melt into each other.

Flesh, and pleasure, and passion.

And fearlessness.