#95: Autumn Leaves
As Prompted By: Guest
A conqueror is nothing without her legion of foot-soldiers.
This should be evident. But it isn't.
It isn't clear that the grandest victories and most devastating losses are far less important in the making of a life than little, forgettable types of moments. Maybe it is better to be nothing more than a chapter in a history book, a cold figure meant to be memorized, than to try to figure out how being a human works.
When you can feel time slipping away like an hourglass inside of your chest, the fact that those little things are the big things is hard to swallow.
Azula drops the dying leaf into the water and watches it drown.
Leaves, she had been thinking, look much larger than stars from down here.
"It's not like, the wedding we planned or anything," Ty Lee says, grabbing Azula by the arm. The princess does not even flinch, which Ty Lee guesses is a good thing. "But I think it's totally better than the wedding I would've planned."
"No. It's not. Don't lie to me."
"No. It's better. On this bridge is just as good as in Caldera surrounded by a billion people. A billion leaves are the same as a billion people because I'm just looking at you."
"Do you want to go to town. I want to at least get you a bouquet. I am royalty and I will treat my princess as I should." Azula kisses her forcefully and feels her bend. Perfection.
They walk to the small village where no one knows them, the leaves crunching beneath their feet. Ty Lee does not know if they will even have a flower shop.
At last, they reach a very busy marketplace. It is stunning compared to how sleepy the town looked from afar. The vendors shout, Ty Lee and Azula both seek a flower stand.
"Aww, a baby," Ty Lee coos, grabbing Azula by the hand and walking up to the woman.
"Ty Lee, Ty Lee, we're fugitives, you can't do this," Azula coldly says, but she finds herself standing in front of the frazzled mother and sleeping infant regardless.
"She's so cute," Ty Lee says to the mother, whom seems to be flattered by the comment. Azula finds it strange. "May I?"
"May you what?" Azula hisses under her breath.
Oh, this lady off of the street is handing a girl who conquered Ba Sing Se a baby. Ty Lee holds it and makes little sounds that make Azula feel uncomfortable.
"She's precious," Ty Lee says, beaming and glowing.
"Thank you," says the mother.
Ty Lee is looking at Azula.
Azula does not like that look.
Later, "I want one of those one day," Ty Lee announces.
"You seem like the type. I am not the type."
"Oh, but you would make the most beautiful babies in the world."
"I am morally bankrupt but I wouldn't inflict my motherhood onto an innocent child."
Ty Lee stops walking. "You would be an amazing mother."
"I enjoy your superfluous compliments but that one is the hardest to believe. I am incapable of motherhood and I suppose I dodged an arrow with my brother needing to produce an heir instead of myself."
"That's a good sign!" Ty Lee gasps.
Azula cocks a concerned eyebrow. "What? Knowing I would traumatize my child?"
Ty Lee bounces. "Yes. If you're scared to have kids because you're scared of screwing them up then you're just the right person for the job."
"I am not scared and that is ridiculous. I see flowers. Shut your mouth."
Azula buys gorgeous flowers and Ty Lee fawns over them. Maybe Ty Lee has forgotten. Azula hopes so as they walk back towards their campsite near the bridge where they will be wed.
Ty Lee brushes a leaf out of Azula's hair and seizes the opportunity to kiss her on the lips.
"You don't have to have babies with me."
Azula, again, does not know why she is marrying this woman in secret. Of all the people she could elope with… "I know that. I don't need your permission."
Ty Lee smiles. "I know. But I totally stand by the fact that you would be a good mom, and you would completely destroy your mom. You're so much better than her or her dad or—"
Azula kisses her. She does not want to talk about this.
And Ty Lee understands, even if Azula will never change her mind.
They wed in a windstorm.
Azula keeps Ty Lee warm that night as the leaves beat against their temporary lodgings.
"You know," Azula says as she rolls over to see the naked girl beside her. "My wedding gift to you is telling you that I think you have a point. Not about me having babies because that will never happen, but I think…" It is hard to say. "I think that I have neglected certain parts of my life in pursuit of my legacy. I think I don't want to do what's ahead of us alone because I have catching up to do. I'm a chapter in a history book, scrolls will be written about me, but no one will really remember me and that moment when I realized my wife was insane and picked up a strangers' baby."
Ty Lee cannot even smile. She is so happy that she cannot even smile.
"I'll remember that. I'll remember that forever. I'll write a history book all about you."
"So, a diary? Will you write my name all over with hearts? Because I would buy that historical volume." Azula shifts into a shrill, girly imitation of Ty Lee, "I want Princess Azula so bad. I think about her all the time. Here's a list of all of my favorite moments with her. She is so good at sex and so beautiful and pretty and perfect. One time she let me hold her hand—"
Ty Lee tackles Azula and pushes a pillow down over her face.
Azula burns it and the feathers burst out, raining down on her like snow.
Ty Lee laughs, but does not get off of her princess.
Azula sees the feathers and can only think that they look very small compared to Ty Lee from down here.
[to be continued]
