almost went slow
They decided to go slow when they got together after Ember Island.
Maybe they were afraid. Maybe they just did not want to ruin things. Maybe being back in Caldera made everything feel more real and it seemed like a bad idea to rush into it.
But they were dating, and it made them both wildly happy.
Their dates were mostly walks through the courtyard and late nights talking in Azula's bedroom with Ozai, Zuko and Mai under the impression it was a normal sleepover between two straight girls, rather than a romantic occasion with candles and the tentative kiss here and there.
Tonight, they strode through the beautiful gardens side by side, Ty Lee plucking the flowers she found most beautiful as she intently listened to Azula talking. She loved the sound of Azula's voice, she loved how smoothly she made conversation, but, then again, she loved absolutely everything about Azula and made no effort to hide it.
Azula loved everything about Ty Lee, but kept it completely secret even from her girlfriend.
"I like going slow," commented Ty Lee when Azula finished a gorgeous speech about the stars.
"As do I," said Azula. "It suits us well. I wouldn't want to rush. It isn't like me to go into something without spending time in analysis."
"Are you analyzing this?" asked Ty Lee, her smile fading.
"Of course. I need to know what I am getting into by dating you. I am Princess Azula and I do not make reckless mistakes," the princess said, tossing her hair before taking Ty Lee's hand and squeezing it. "So far, the analysis leads me to believe dating you is worthwhile for me. It seems to benefit us both."
"I'm really happy you feel that way." Ty Lee smiled as she picked another flower. "I've never wanted anything in the whole world more than to be yours."
"And I must admit I quite like you being mine."
They stopped and kissed, bathed in the pale moonlight and surrounded by beauty.
The kiss intensified before they could stop themselves.
Slow, slow, slow.
They had to go slow.
Ty Lee dropped her flowers as Azula led her to the ground.
And they made love there in the courtyard, passionately and frantically and a little awkwardly.
As they finished, both in the gorgeous afterglow of sex, they stared up at the stars and did all they could not to look at each other.
So much for going slow.