.9. Dry
It's a cool, dry night and the sky is striped.
The summer is stunning and the princess is under the impression that nothing is ever going to bring her down. Her ascent to the throne has only just begun and she is, for once, content to just lie there in the night and be oddly grateful for the lack of humidity that tends to create a layer of sweat on her ivory skin.
She is alone with someone else. Ty Lee is not talking for once, which makes it almost worth being close enough to touch her but not stupid enough to actually do it.
Quietly, thankfully quietly, Ty Lee slips her hand across the silky blankets to Azula. She is so hesitant. Hesitant, which makes Azula realize that it is not a clingy, friendly type. It's one of those vaguely romantic moments that make her sweat. And she thought she escaped that.
Ty Lee is breathing slowly and she knows that Azula will shatter the moment at her first possible chance.
"Why are you acting like that?" Azula asks and Ty Lee f reezes.
"I just don't know if you want to…" Ty Lee licks her dry lips and wishes she had thought up an excuse earlier.
Azula feels that same uncomfortable feeling about invisible, missing touches that she should have held onto. Years and years of ignoring things. They are best ignored.
She has to make the first move, of course. Azula goes for it hard and fast. She wraps one leg around Ty Lee, turning her over. Ty Lee kind of thinks she is going to die before she sees Azula pulling off her shirt. This is not a normal night.
Ty Lee is probably just dreaming.
"You maybe shouldn't," Ty Lee says, even though it pains her.
The princess stops, her shirt half hanging out, one breast exposed and the other covered.
"Oh," she says coldly.
"I'm—I shouldn't have—I meant—" Ty Lee wishes she were better at words. Her mouth is dry and she is dizzy.
"Because it would be so terrible to sleep with me." Azula pulls away and Ty Lee lies silently.
Then she decides she is done hiding from this and she kisses her and pulls her back. Ty Lee doesn't let go, she isn't dumb enough to open her mouth save for kissing this girl. This perfect girl.
It's a hot, wet night and the sky is indigo.
