.19. Beginner

"I could help you with that. I promise," Ty Lee says, smiling from ear to ear. She could not be more excited about this. "Princess, I would do absolutely anything for you."

Azula is well aware of that. No one alive would not bow and scrape, but Ty Lee's offer felt more like a dream than an order. It made Azula question whether or not her manipulation was successful. She felt that it wasn't, that Ty Lee had a certain power over her that made her sick, but this might be a very good thing happening right now.

"Of course," Azula purrs, but she is not sure if she means that.

"I'd be your sparring partner, right? It's not any different than that," Ty Lee says. She takes Azula by the hands very hesitantly. Her fingers tremble and Azula's do not, but both girls are equally frightened.

"I suppose you do exist to make my life better," Azula says in wholehearted honesty. "You teach me."

You teach me how to kiss would be the entire phrase. They did get into such a conversation about Azula's absolute loathing of her first kiss two nights ago. Ty Lee said that any kiss could be perfect if you know how to make it work. Then Ty Lee panicked and apologized, but Azula took her advice to heart.

Now, Mai would be a far better adviser than Ty Lee could ever be, but Azula trusts her pet acrobat on this one.

"I'll try first," Ty Lee says, her heart now in her throat, "and then you try and we can take turns until you're perfect. I know you're gonna be perfect at it."

Ty Lee leans forward and kisses Azula on the lips. She has the urge to kind of stick her tongue on the princess's mouth but she knows better. Sometimes Ty Lee does not allow impulse to destroy her. Azula kisses Ty Lee back, but it is slow and so uncertain that it concerns Ty Lee.

She wants this to be good. She wants this to be grand and magical.

Perhaps kissing lessons are not the best avenue for romance.

The kiss breaks and Azula moves back this time. Ty Lee feels herself melt, which should be the other way around.

"You picked that up fast," Ty Lee says breathlessly.

"Did you expect me not to?" Azula asks, kissing Ty Lee again.

Ty Lee sinks into her arms and wonders if Azula was lying about a need for lessons in love.

She sure does not kiss like a beginner.


AN: This was meant to end in sex or something more like a tease but I thought it was a bit inappropriate. I hope my previously extra-spicy ones make up for it.