Author's Disclaimer: I don't own a thing belonging to "Avatar: The Last Airbender." Nothing to see here, move along.
Author's notes: CharlieBarrow supplied the outline. Enjoy.
"By your command"
Chapter nine "Decision"
"Rough afternoon?" Eska asked coyly. Azula was trying to limp toward her table while trying to appear she wasn't. Ty Lee had tied her abit too tightly and their session had been hard and long that day. She'd strained a quad muscle accidentally and even though Ty Lee had given her plenty of aftercare and affectionate kisses, her thighs were still sore.
Azula growled in her head. She sounded like she was plaintively whining to herself in her own octave, but she couldn't show weakness. Not in front of the enemy seated across from her. How Princess Eska had gotten another date from her, she didn't know. She must have pushed her father to agree to it. Azula was there at the table, feeling like she was chained to it. She did not like this Northern girl, and she did not want to sit here a moment longer.
"You could say that," Azula muttered. She gave the cool Eska an equally cool look as she ordered wine. "How are you today?" May as well put up the appearance or Father would hear of her mishandling another royal.
Eska sniffed, instantly putting Azula off. "As well as one can be. Your southern lands will melt me, and my brother gets to stay in the air-conditioning while I'm here."
Azula sipped half her glass down quickly. "So go sit with your brother then."
Eska gave a sly smile. "I wanted to see you again. Doesn't your father want you to have a royal connection?"
Ty Lee had noble blood. So did Mai. Azula kept them in her mind's eye. "Not necessarily. Just someone who will fit the image without embarrassing him."
"I could be that. If you opened your mind," Eska grinned and Azula sunk down in her chair. Luckily a waiter leaned in close to announce that the Northern princess had a phone call waiting at the front desk. Eska rose, resplendent in her elaborate robes.
"I'll return," she said. Azula watched her leave, eyes narrowed.
"Please don't."
A few moments later, Eska's chair was pulled out and Azula was actually surprised when it was Mai sliding in across from her. "What in the…."
"Princess Eska won't be returning," Mai smiled slyly. "Her father wants her to report back."
Azula gave a surprised laugh. "My thanks. Now I have better dinner company."
Mai pushed Eska's wine glass aside and signaled the waiter to bring her a new glass. "I hope you don't mind I took action to cancel your date."
Azula watched her almost fondly. "Not at all. Thanks for saving me." She smiled as Mai tucked into her wine. "You realize this is all perfunctory, don't you?" Azula said.
"Why do you say that?" Mai asked, curious. She flashed a wry coy smile to the alpha across from her. Azula appreciated the dip of cleavage in her dress. She gave a smug grin.
"I don't want to see anyone else. You don't annoy me. Let's leave it at that," Azula said coolly.
"Well, I'll drink to that," Mai said, her heart feeling lighter. No more waiting on her parent's every command. At least Tom-Tom was away in the Earth Kingdom on a project. He wasn't under their constant supervision like she was. She could get away…..gratitude toward Azula surged through her.
"Good," Azula agreed. She clinked her glass against hers. "That you get along with Ty is also a bonus. Well done."
Mai laughed. "The way you're so amicable, I wonder if you want more from me."
"I thought I could only try to convince whoever I'm marrying to get along with Ty Lee. I'm surprised," Azula admitted under her breath. Mai tilted her head.
"By what?"
"By how much I want to touch you," Azula smirked. She raised an eyebrow at the cool girl across the way who smirked back. "I thought I'd just marry and that's it."
"I want to touch you too. In a lot of places," Mai demurred. She smiled when a flush rose up Azula's neck and she smiled widely. "Are you sure….it's okay for…"
"Ty Lee doesn't own me. I keep her because I want her. And I know I'll want you," Azula murmured. Mai turned bright red as the waiter brought their meals. "Marry me."
At Mai's shocked expression, Azula smirked but began to backpedal to ease her in.
"I hope that wasn't too forward of me, to ask like that."
"I just wasn't expecting this. So soon," Mai said. She was startled that her breath was coming in shallow sips. She took a deep breath. Azula regarded her over her glass's edge.
"I'm done with lists. Marry me."
Mai stared at her with wide surprised eyes again. "I….."
"Say yes."
Mai gave another small gasp, regarding her.
"Let's complete this business," Azula urged. She sliced off a piece of steak and ate it hungrily. Her golden eyes gleamed at her across the table.
Mai looked to be gathering her thoughts. "I…"
Azula smirked. "You're going to make me say please, aren't you?"
Mai laughed. "If you'll have me…..then yes."
Azula beamed at her. "Good. I'll tell my father tomorrow."
Their kisses in the limo going back to Mai's family's home were longer and more heated. Azula was hard and shifted and wanted to continue, but Mai was not Ty Lee. She would work to get closer to her. Mai kissed her cheek as they parted, both panting somewhat.
"I'll see you tomorrow," Mai whispered. Azula's gaze drifted down to the front of her dress, where she noted her nipples were erect. She wanted to pull them between her lips all of a sudden. She had to content with grazing the edge of her breast with a rogue hand instead. Mai turned bright red and gasped.
"Oh, you will. Goodnight, Lady Mai."
"Goodnight, my princess," Mai said. She left and Azula sprawled across the back of the limo, sighing as the door closed and her driver took off into traffic again.
It was going to be a long night. She told her driver to head for Ty Lee's. She was hard and required servicing.
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"Father." Azula waited outside Ozai's office door, waiting for him to invite her in. It took a few moments. He finished up whatever he was reading on his computer and beckoned her in.
"Do you need an update on the omega list?" Ozai asked. He ran two fingers down his long beard. The way he said it almost capitalized the name of the list, to Azula's annoyance. She shook her head.
"No. I've come to tell you I've made a decision. That I hope you'll find beneficial. I've chosen Mai."
"Mai?" Ozai looked to be trying to place her. Surrounded by so many who vied for his attention, it didn't surprise Azula he couldn't seem to place her by name alone.
"Of Geothermal Corporation," Azula added. A look of decisive smugness spread across Ozai's face.
"Well done! Her father has been putting me off for months. He can't ignore me any longer." Ozai stood up, grabbing his phone and a few folders, rushing past his stunned daughter.
"Father?" she asked.
"I have to move quickly. We'll run the announcement in the company newsletter tomorrow morning. Take the rest of the afternoon off if you choose."
Azula only watched her father take off at a brisk pace. She sauntered out of his office, feeling oddly light-headed. She placed the feeling as the one she always tried to banish. Emptiness. Emptiness of home and hearth, ever since Mother had run away. But it wasn't like Father was the picture of familial warmth before that had happened…..
She somehow made it back to her office. Ty Lee ducked in, noticing her entrance, then fidgeted, watching Azula sink into the sofa in her office. She looked like she was staring through the floor and her mind was obviously elsewhere. Whatever had happened in Ozai's office had gutted her emotionally and it tore Ty Lee's heart apart.
"Azula?" She asked softly. She sat beside her and took her hands.
Azula blinked and finally seemed to notice her. "We can…. Leave early. Father said that was fine."
"What happened? Did you tell him?" Ty Lee wondered. Azula nodded slowly, still staring through a hole in the floor.
"Yeah….just…..let's go."
Ty Lee collected her coat and handed Azula's hers, helping her put it on when it seemed Azula didn't know what to do with it. They made their way to her limo and took off. Ty Lee cuddled into her side, urging Azula to lean against her, but it was evident her lover was lost within herself.
Back at Azula's flat, Ty Lee bustled about, doing some idle clean up around her kitchen as Azula sank into her sofa, leaning back and closing her eyes. She found glasses and poured her lover a liberal glass of whiskey and brought it to her. Azula took an obedient sip, but Ty Lee could see she didn't take pleasure in it. Damn Ozai! Ty Lee wondered how Zuko was faring, but her main concern was with her lover.
Azula needed her help.
"I'll be right back, sweetness," Ty Lee soothed. She cupped Azula's cheek and leaned to kiss her brow. Azula leaned into the sofa, long legs sprawled and staring at nothing. Ty Lee grabbed her phone and sidled into the washroom.
When Mai answered, Ty Lee paced in the small space, staring at the crème-colored walls.
"Hi, Ty Lee. What's up?"
"Mai. I'm wondering if you could help me," Ty Lee said in a low voice.
"Why are you whispering? What's going on?" Mai asked in a cool tone. Ty Lee sighed.
"Something…..happened with Ozai. It affects Azula sometimes and she's not feeling too well right now."
"She's in a funk?"
"You could say that," Ty Lee said. "I was wondering if you'd come over here to her flat. Help cheer her up. She hasn't said a word since we got here!"
"Okay."
"Okay?"
"Of course, I'll come over. What's her address? I'll take an uber."
"I'll text it now. Thanks, Mai," Ty Lee gushed.
"Don't worry about it, Ty Lee. I'm on the way."
Ty Lee hung up and texted her the address. Leaving the washroom, she noted Azula hadn't even moved. She had barely taken one sip since she'd pushed the glass into her hands. She kept staring at a spot on the carpet, eyes open and unblinking.
When the doorbell rang twenty minutes later, Ty Lee rubbed Azula's knee, getting her to look up.
"Did you order anything?" Azula mumbled. Ty Lee clinked the edge of her glass and Azula stared at it again, dumbfounded.
"No. You may want to get it, though," Ty Lee smiled. Azula set her glass down and shambled to the door. She opened it and was shocked to see Mai waiting.
"Mai?"
"Hi, Azula. Can I come in or shall I camp in the hallway?" Mai asked cheekily. Azula let her in and sank into the sofa again. Ty Lee caught her eyes as Mai sat on Azula's other side.
"What are you drinking?" Mai asked. Azula stared at the carpet again. Mai could see why Ty Lee would call her. This spell was certainly distressing.
"Whiskey," Ty Lee offered. Mai nodded. She moved to the kitchen.
Azula watched her blearily. "I thought you said you couldn't cook."
Ty Lee wondered when they'd gotten to that subject in their dates. Mai just chuckled and went through her fridge and for glasses, making a small commotion. "What ARE you making?" Ty Lee asked.
"A new drink. You'll both like it," Mai said, smiling at them. She returned with three glasses and Ty Lee was placated to be included. Azula took a cautious sip of the somewhat pink drink, herbs waiting on the surface. She gave a grunt of surprise.
"It's good," she said. Mai smiled, crossing her legs beside her.
"My mother taught me to mix a few. She said my future alpha would enjoy it."
"It is good," Azula murmured. Mai picked up the remote when she made to stare at the carpet again.
"Let's check and see if there's a fight on. There's always some fight on….." Mai murmured almost under her breath. She found a UHC match and set the remote down. Azula's attention focused on that. Her gaze grew less bleary as she focused on the strikes between the two women on screen.
Azula finished her glass and Mai made her another drink. Azula finished that, grunting affirmation at the fight on the screen. Ty Lee tucked into her side, stroking her knee. She winked at Mai across Azula who gave a small smile back. When Azula's hand tilted, Mai took her glass, noting with surprise that Azula's head was tipped back, and she was snoring.
Ty Lee giggled, tucking her head against her shoulder. "We should put her to bed. At least now she can rest." She kissed Azula's cheek and urged her to open her eyes to stand. "Come on, Azula. You have to stand, then you can lay down."
Azula grunted and moaned, half asleep and rose to her feet. Ty Lee slung an arm around her waist, letting her lean on her. Mai took Azula's other arm and they guided her to the bedroom. Ty Lee put a small lamp on her nightstand on and worked to put Azula down. Ty Lee unfastened the alpha's belt and helped her out of her slacks.
Azula yawned, rubbing at her face with one palm as she let Ty Lee unbutton her shirt and unwind her breast binding. She kept her boxers on, and fell onto the mattress, spreading her legs as she lay on her back. Mai helped tug off her socks and Ty Lee pulled the sheets up over her waist as Azula began snoring.
Ty Lee regarded her sleeping lover then unfastened her dress clasp and let it fall. She gave Mai a glance who appeared shocked at her motions. "Do you want to get in with her? She'll be happy to see us when she wakes…."
Mai looked shy and alittle troubled. "Should I? She hasn't seen me naked yet…."
Ty Lee flushed. So only she had been fully intimate with Azula by this point. But Mai was helping Azula's mood to be calm. She couldn't exclude her.
"If you want to. If you don't, that's okay," Ty Lee murmured. She took her bra off and climbed into the bed in only her panties. Azula burrowed against her when Ty Lee's arm slung over her waist. Mai hesitated. Then she turned to pull out of her dress. She kept her bra on as well as her panties and slid in on Azula's other side. She tucked on her side close to the naked slumbering princess, but not touching her. Ty Lee smiled at her across the way.
"I'm going to try and nap. And thanks for coming over, Mai. It did help her."
Mai watched Azula's face, soft and trouble-free in her slumber. "It did, didn't it….."
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Mai opened her eyes and met Azula's golden gaze. The half-naked princess was cuddled up with Ty Lee laying with her head against one breast. She wasn't touching her, but her eyes were all over her pale skin. Mai blushed and tugged the sheet over her breasts. Ty Lee was sound asleep against Azula and Mai smiled that she looked so peaceful. However….
"Good evening," Mai murmured. She held her part of the sheet up, trying to slide out of the bed and preserve her modesty. Azula's eyes followed her every movement.
"I felt you pressed against me some time ago. Are you trying to say you're shy now?" Azula asked, amused. Mai was relieved to see Azula's spark back in her golden eyes. Her earlier fugue had been shrugged off.
"I suppose I am," Mai blushed. "You'll forgive me of course."
"As long as you kiss me first," Azula purred. She stroked the back of Ty Lee's head. Mai leaned down and intended a quick kiss. A quick swipe of Azula's tongue and Mai stayed where she was, sighing into the princess's skilled mouth.
"What you do to me," Mai murmured, face bright red. Azula's eyes gleamed up at her. She gave a languid stretch with her free arm, her long body spread on the mattress. Mai followed her movement with her eyes despite herself. Azula's eyes were appreciative as she watched Mai put her dress on and straighten her hair.
"You can stay if you want."
Mai gave her a decidedly heated look. "I'll have you to myself soon I think."
She was pleased when Azula blushed.
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Zuko stood at attention in front of his father, trying not to dig his fingernails into his palms. Ozai had told him the news, that his sister had selected her bride first. And she was of a family he was trying to get close to. Zuko cursed his sister in his head. He wondered how Ty Lee was doing.
"I told you I was talking with Katara, didn't I? Her family is very influential in the South Pole and it will help our green branch….."
"I've been thinking of disbanding our green efforts," Ozai said suddenly and Zuko blanched. Of course he would be considering that! "Not one person can help save the world and it's high time you learned this."
"But….But Father! Hundreds of people would be out of a job. We need to continue there….."
"Care only for your own rewards not for others," Ozai pointed a finger at his chest. "Perhaps you'd be succeeding where your sister is."
Zuko ground his teeth together. "I still think we should keep a green division. It will help your image….."
Ozai sniffed. "For now. Have you any prospects from the omega list?"
Zuko straightened his gait. "I've been speaking with Katara of the Southern Water Tribe. I think that's a good angle…."
"Secure the deal. Is she open to marrying you or not. How you choose to find that out is up to you," Ozai said. Zuko blushed hotly.
"Do I have leave to visit her next week?"
"No." Just as Zuko was railing in his head, Ozai went on. "But we'll arrange for her to visit you here. Any future wife of yours should see the business we do. Let her see."
Zuko straightened. "I will, Father."
"You may go." Ozai gave him a look over his folders and Zuko bowed, backing out of his office.
End for now
End notes: There's more coming, don't you fear :P Drop a review if you liked.
Pen 4/11/2021