#26: "We could rule the Universe together."
Prompted By: xxlunareclipseoftheheartxx

It is a bright, crisp morning, and Ty Lee is finally settling in to her new job. It is respectable, and only going to last for a few months while she stays in the Fire Nation on mental health leave from the Kyoshi Warriors. Nobody dares to ask exactly what got her into that predicament and Suki's lips are shut.

It has something to do with an ex-girlfriend and a dual mental breakdown that one small island couldn't handle. The sheer force of their breakup was like a tornado spewing out lava and earthquakes.

Ty Lee is working at an upscale boutique, which is totally perfect and her parents totally disapprove, even more than they did about the Kyoshi Warriors. And she is totally good at it.

"You're the best assistant I could ask for," her boss, Emi, says, a thin woman, wife of a retired general. One that Fire Lord Zuko paid off well instead of sending to prison. "You both make people feel bad about themselves, but good enough that they buy things. And thank you for coming in early."

And so begins the perfect day at work. She does not even regret her leave of absence from the Kyoshi Warriors because her apartment near the center of the Caldera is so beautiful and has a shower. She missed showers. Maybe she can blame her crazy outburst on that. No showers but tons of mud.

By lunch time she has made three sales and is feeling great about herself. This is going to go so much better than her past four jobs in the Fire Nation.

And then it happens. The absolutely inevitable.

Today. Today of all days.

"How startling to see you here," purrs a voice from the door. "I would have never guessed."

"I would appreciate less spying on me, Azula." Ty Lee genuinely feels paranoid of any of the soldiers in the city.

Or in fact, anyone in the city who looks out of place or too interested in her. She one time chi blocked a guy asking her out because she figured he was a spy before she realized he was just some horny guy.

"Spying on you? Absurd," Azula says sweetly, making eye contact with Ty Lee's boss. Emi blinks several times too fast and promptly drops the dress she was tailoring. "I'm just visiting you."

"Princess. Do you need a dress?" Emi asks, walking up far too close for Azula's liking. The look in the princess's golden eyes makes her take several steps back.

"I need two dresses, actually," Azula says and Ty Lee slumps against the wall. Again. Not again. "One for her and one for me."

Emi glances between them, only capable of blinking. The soldiers surrounding Azula look uncomfortable, as they always do around Ty Lee. They are a royal guard more meant to keep Azula from hurting others, not people from hurting her.

"Azula, no..." Ty Lee says but Emi is already in the back finding the nicest clothes. Oh she pulls out Ty Lee's absolute favorite that Emi won't let her buy because she is waiting for the perfect customer.

"Azula, yes," Azula replies sharply, examining the dresses. She tosses one haphazardly at Ty Lee and she catches it the way she would block a punch.

"We're taking a break."

"This our fourth break, I believe. I've decided to end it. You've decided to like it," Azula comments, sizing up her dress as Emi looks for others and can only gesture at them wordlessly.

"You two know each other?" Emi finally asks, trying to make small talk as her shaking hands thumb through dresses. She never imagined her assistant was friends with the crazy princess.

"Yes, Emi, meet my off again on again girlfriend who thinks she can do whatever she wants because of the man who pumped her into her mother," Ty Lee explains exasperatedly, trying to hide her smile at her dress.

"Well, I can do whatever I want because of the man who... I don't think I can say that without vomiting," Azula says, picking out a dress and sizing it up. She deems it suitable. "Which includes you."

"Ugh."

"You're going to enjoy yourself. You always do and then you sob in my arms about how much you love me and then we're together for a few months, then you need to find yourself and it's like the Avatar cycle of lesbian fucking," Azula purrs calmly as Emi looks disastrously uncomfortable, and as red as many of her dresses.

"The Avatar cycle of lesbian fucking? You're so romantic," Ty Lee sighs sarcastically. "I might be persuaded to go on whatever date you have planned for me."

"You already are." Azula hesitates as Emi gestures for her to just take the clothes. "You know, if you would just make your mind up we could rule the Universe together."

Ty Lee smiles faintly and tries to hide it. Azula seizes her by the wrist and takes her out of the boutique. She would like ruling the Universe with Azula.

"I'm just glad you didn't set anything on fire this time," Ty Lee sighs as Azula helps her into a palanquin. "Or set any animals loose."

Azula smirks.