Author's Disclaimer: I don't own a thing belonging to "Avatar: the Last Airbender." Not one thing!
Author's notes: Back into the Zuko ribbing territory. You're welcome :P I have a title for the sequel; look for "Raking the Coals." Going in theme of fire in my titles (lol).
Maraghoul: Thanks again, my friend.
QueenTyzula: Thank you for the crazy and fun reviews :P I remembered to add the smoking thanks to you!
Thanks to all the guests: for wanting a multiple birth this time :P It runs in Ty Lee's family!
Harley Quinn Davidson: Thank you for the kind words as always!
Brittana4lyfe: Thanks for your lovely reviews :P Impromptu sequel WILL be happening with a look at the offspring of the families of course. It won't be updated weekly like this one but I will have it in mind :P
CharlieBarrow: thanks again for the ideas to slam on Zuko. I do it for all you guys.
"Stoking the Fire"
Chapter seventy-five "The Fire Lord Entertains"
Dinner was beyond an awkward affair. First there was the clinging intertwining chi of his sister and mate. It was obvious they had taken the time to join physically before dinner, and the way Ty Lee blushed toward Azula made Zuko scowl in his head. If his sister was trying to push his buttons, she'd found a way to smash them all and all he could try to do was get through the evening.
It didn't help that Izumi seemed to find Azula fascinating as well. She may not know the concept of mother when she grinned at Ty Lee, but she seemed to watch Azula with pure rapt attention. Bad enough it was happening, but Azula seemed to have noticed. The smirks she shot his way made Zuko seethe. Only Mai's hand on his knee and her twining chi kept him in his chair and behaving as the perfect Fire Lord.
The servants kept up their duties, refilling water and wine glasses and taking empty plates away. Zuko focused on helping Mai feed their daughter and he gave Azula a jaunty look about how easy he made fathering look.
Then his sister did, well, something under the table. It forced a hitched gasp from Ty Lee and Zuko's fingers tightened over the spoon of mashed potatoes he held for Izumi. Ty Lee wasn't touched in that way, but whatever Azula had drawn her attention to under the table, it had spiked the omega's chi into interested want. He glowered to himself and Mai caught the corner of his eye. She gave a sharp shake of the head and he forced himself to retract his anger.
"Can Izumi try any of the cake?" Ty Lee asked. She had managed to recompose herself, even if Azula was smirking at her side. Zirin pressed her brow against her hand on the princess's other side.
Mai nodded at her friend. "If we mash it up abit, she should try it…. I keep waiting for her teeth to come in, but we won't get any sleep when that happens."
There was a flurry of motion at the dining hall doors and a servant jogged in to bow before Zuko. "The royal mother and her family have entered," he announced belatedly. Ty Lee sat up straighter, nervous for some reason. Azula angled her chair closer to Ty Lee, and settled her hand over the swell of her belly. She rubbed it for good measure, watching her mother enter with her own band of misfits with hooded eyes.
Noren would never be as strong as Father had once been, but he looked positively ashen-faced, as if he had received some very bad news. Kiyi was between the couple, holding onto their hands and she made her way shyly to the table, feeling new eyes on her. Zirin blinked and turned her attention back to her wine glass. Azula smirked at her half-sister and Ty Lee stroked her forearm to soothe her ire.
Zuko stood and grandly pulled out a chair for his mother on his right. She and her family were between him and Azula's little party and really that could only be for the best. "Mother, good evening."
"Mother," Mai said politely.
Ursa received a small kiss on the cheek, and gave the Fire Lord a tired smile. Once seated, Noren asked a servant for wine. He took a second goblet off the offered tray and began drinking. Ty Lee raised an eyebrow at that. Lady Ursa looked upset, but was obviously trying to hold herself together. Kiyi babbled happily toward her beloved brother, while giving Azula looks out of her peripheral. Azula watched her back, unamused.
"Azula, it's so good to see you here," Ursa said. Kiyi watched, contemplative. Azula picked up a few pieces of meat with her chopsticks and popped them into her mouth. She smiled.
"Sorry we took so long. Had to travel at our leisure under the current conditions."
Ursa's eyes drifted down to Ty Lee's belly and she didn't know whether to feel annoyed she was with her daughter or not. Poor Zuko…. "Of course….Congratulations, you two."
"Thank you," Ty Lee murmured. Zuko wiped Izumi's mouth with a cloth napkin gently.
"About what you wrote about…we can commence details when ready," Azula said and made it sound a command. Mai gave a neutral look.
"Of course. Your uncle will have the details."
"Of course," Azula purred. Ty Lee found herself holding onto her mate's knee under the table. She took a deep breath. Azula growled in her mind and wafted her chi toward her mate. When she felt Ty Lee relax beneath it, her heart eased up.
When Zuko's eyes met hers across the table, a predatory smile was on Azula's lips. She delighted in seeing her brother pale further.
"Is Lord Iroh joining us?" Ty Lee asked to one in particular. Azula didn't care about the flurry of chi activity toward that simple question as Noren, her mother, Zuko AND Mai all managed to look uncomfortable at once.
"Probably not," Azula said dryly. Ty Lee blushed.
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"Azula, are you coming with me?" Ty Lee asked. Azula crooned and pressed soft kisses atop her head. Her hand rubbed her belly, soothing her mate's aura.
"Go ahead and have the servants draw your bath. I'll be in soon," Azula promised. Ty Lee faltered nervously. The dark looks exchanged between the siblings across the dinner table filled her with dread, but Azula's chi signature was so jovial, she almost couldn't find it in her to pursue the matter. Well, at least not fully….
"Really? What are you planning?" Ty Lee got straight to the point.
"Just going to tie up a loose end. And get you some herbal tea," Azula promised. Ty Lee had complained of indigestion after dinner, and even rubbing her back hadn't done her any good. She needed a remedy to help.
"Don't do anything rash," Ty Lee begged. Azula's heart melted. She cupped her chin and leaned down to kiss her.
"I'll be back before you know it. And should you require my attention…"
Ty Lee giggled as Azula's hand caressed her hip in a non-subtle manner. "Oh, stop it. Rub my back and we'll see how I'm feeling."
"Yes, mate."
With another few kisses, Azula made her way out of the guest suite. She stalked a few corridors over, and tapped a sequence of stones in the wall. A hidden passageway ground open and as Azula was ducking in, she heard a throat clear. Ducking back out, Azula wasn't surprised to see Zirin waiting, arms crossed.
"Royal bedchambers?" Zirin asked. Azula leaned against the opening in the stone wall, appearing casual.
"You know me too well."
"If you kill the Fire Lord, we'll be in chains in a forgotten hole for the rest of our miserable lives," Zirni commented. Her raised eyebrow asked if that was what Azula had been planning.
Azula shook her head. "Zuzu would just stain my clothes and this IS a fine outfit. No, too messy. But he won't like it."
"I'll stand guard." Zirin moved into the opening with her and Azula closed up the passageway. Stone grated on stone and sounded horrendously loud in the small corridor.
"Of course you will." Azula's tone was almost fond. "Let's go."
Through several looping corridors, and Azula stopped almost at random. She peered through a slit in the stone, past a torch sconce from inside. She peered past the flame into the bedroom. It was empty and devoid of the Fire Lord and Lady. Azula grunted with satisfaction and pushed a stone beside her. The back of the wardrobe latched open and Azula clambered out. If anyone were to witness her entrance, they would have had a short fit of terror. The wardrobe looked far too narrow and small for a human to fit through, but the door at the back opened deceptively wide to fit one.
"I'll just hold this," Zirin said, keeping one boot in the door. Her voice wafted strangely through the open wardrobe door. Azula chuckled.
She looked around. Zuko and Mai's scents were everywhere, and Azula's heart clenched strangely noticing Izumi's blankets and other baby items scattered about. Her child's energy signature was all over and did strange things to her heart and to her mind. Azula shook her head sharply and peered under the wide canopied bed. Father's old silver case was still down there and when Azula retrieved it, she noted that his fine cigar collection was mostly intact, with a few gone. Zuko must have used them. No matter, so would she.
When Zuko entered his bedchamber, he almost pissed himself. Azula was waiting, perched on the edge of his bed, smoking one of his cigars and looking like she owned the place.
"Azula?!" he asked, darting a glance over his shoulder. Obviously, he was debating whether he had time to dash back and call for Suki or the imperial guards. Who were over half the apartments away and out the front door. A cold line of sweat beaded along Zuko's brow in that frenzied moment. He was only too glad Mai AND Izumi hadn't entered the royal apartments yet. Azula puffed a few smoke rings his way and laughed.
"Oh, relax, Zuzu. I just came to share a smoke with you. Like when we were kids. Remember?"
Zuko did remember. Azula had dared to sneak into Father's chambers (his now) and retrieve his special silver case. They had watched Father and Uncle smoke often and even if Mother frowned on it, they wanted to give it a try. Zuko had retched, sick immediately, but Azula had managed half her cigar before falling to nausea. The shared bravado made Zuko feel ill at ease. Maybe that was Azula's point. To draw his defenses to a sense of false security with a childhood memory.
"If you wanted one of Father's cigars, you could have asked," he said curtly. Azula held her fingers out. Zuko found himself taking the offered cigar and taking a long puff. He exhaled, smoke billowing from his nostrils.
Zuko passed the cigar back, trying not to feel like he had agreed to civility with a demon for being polite and offering it back. Azula accepted it with long graceful fingers and inhaled again. She leaned back on one hand.
"Just wanted to drop in on you before wifey and baby got here."
Zuko cringed. His fists clenched, and his legs tensed, ready to surge him toward the door or fly into battle if need be. "And?" he asked.
All pretense of feigned happiness dropped from Azula's voice. She regarded her brother with half-hooded eyes, promising physical harm and she slowly smoked. She exhaled a stream of smoke directly into his face.
"I know, Zuzu. And believe me, when I say 'I know', this is one thing you'd rather I didn't know about."
It was happening. The bottom fell out of Zuko's stomach as his heart and soul fell through, to his feet and sheer dizziness rushed at his head. He staggered and put a hand against one of the posts of the bed.
"You can't have her," Zuko said hoarsely. Fire lined the knuckles of his clenched fists. "Ty Lee gave me her WORD…."
"Knock it off, Zuzu." Azula's barked command made Zuko's knees turn to water despite himself. "You can keep your throne, and you can even keep the babe. I was nowhere near this equation when Ty Lee made that choice for the princess. But know this…."
Azula stood up, her face a few inches down from his. Zuko blinked. "If you mistreat her, if you punish her for ill reason or no good reason, I'll know about it. My little shadow girls are still around. They'll tell me." Her Kemurikage were all presently in prison, but what Zuko didn't know wouldn't hurt her. "You may have taken her with my mate's blessing, but my seed still inherits through you. Pleasant dreams, Zuzu."
Azula flicked the still burning butt of the cigar into the corner and Zuko had to put it out with his bending before the curtains went up. As Azula stalked through his bedchamber and toward the sitting room and front door, he thought he heard a loud snapping sound from the wardrobe. A quick dart to the doorway told him Azula had left the royal apartments. There was a raised question from Suki and the Kyoshi Warriors, but she was well and truly on her way.
Listening to the nagging voice in his head, Zuko darted back to the wardrobe. Opening the double doors, he felt along the back but only felt wood. What WAS that sound? He knew it had come from directly inside the piece of furniture.
Far more distressing was Azula's surprise visit. She knew. She knew Izumi was hers and she wasn't making plans to take her back. Relief flooded Zuko's gut and he almost fell to his knees. His daughter was safe. She would stay with him. He hated that he should feel relieved Azula had decided not to take action. If she had, he had the Kyoshi Warriors and his imperial soldiers. But still, raw relief flooded through him. For the moment, all was as it was earlier that day. He still wore the Fire Lord's ornament and Princess Izumi would remain that way.
"Mai?" he called, darting to the sitting room. Opening the front door, Suki escorted him down the palace corridors until they found his wife and child with Lady Michi.
"Lord Zuko, what in all….." Lady Michi was saying when Zuko burst in to take Mai and Izumi into his arms.
"Well, isn't this dramatic," Mai said dryly, but her eyes were swimming with concern. Zuko kissed her softly. His ragged chi slowly, very slowly, relaxed beneath her gentle probes.
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Azula passed by Zirin who had found her way out of the hidden passageways. She smirked at her loyal follower and entered the guest chambers.
"Good night, Zirin," she said. Zirin merely stared at her and bowed her head. Ty Lee was waiting in a robe for the water to fill the in-floor bath tub. Her brown hair was loose and being combed by a servant.
"Azula." Her mate seemed to melt with relief seeing her hale and in one piece. Without evidence of a scuffle or otherwise. "You forgot my tea."
Azula winced and went to her mate. She knelt down and took Ty Lee's hands, kissing the backs of them in apology. "I'll send for it right away. I didn't mean to forget, my sweet."
"It's okay, Zula." Ty Lee smiled, squeezing her mate's hands. Her servant finished with her hair and tested the water, turning off the water tank.
"Here, let me," Azula told the woman. She firebended, adjusting the water temperature. The servant bowed and left in a hurry as Azula began to strip, tossing her fine clothes to the floor. Ty Lee's eyes gleamed at each bare scrap of pale flesh that was revealed to her.
Azula helped her mate pin up her long hair and she helped her into the tub. Ty Lee settled back into Azula's strong arms, trailing her fingers along the fine muscles along her forearms.
"Where did you go?" Ty Lee found herself asking. She felt more than saw her mate's furtive shifting. Azula's lips pressed along her shoulders. When she trailed her mating mark along her shoulder, Ty Lee shuddered.
"Not far. And I'm back," Azula promised. "Let's get you relaxed."
"So lucky," Ty Lee sighed. Azula began to wash her back and her kisses went along the back of her throat and shoulders in passing. Ty Lee was so relaxed, she was ready to drift off in the hot water.
Ty Lee's eyes opened. She was in midair, legs dangling over Azula's arm as she was carried from the bathwater. Ty Lee buried her face in her mate's bare shoulder, sighing when she was laid in bed.
"Knew you were tired," Azula murmured. Ty Lee sighed as her limbs were toweled dry. She opened her arms, gesturing Azula into them.
Ty Lee smiled as her mate settled along her torso. She stayed on her side, coiling around Ty Lee's round belly. The omega smiled as sleep made her yawn and collapse, feeling the warmth of her mate around their child.
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The signing of funds with Lord Iroh proved a lot easier than expected. Iroh must have been anticipating this day for some time, for he had papers brought in at a finger snap. Ty Lee watched her mate sign page after page. Azula did so idly; she didn't even care when Zuko's scroll of royal amnesty was handed over. Azula took a few bags of gold and arranged for the rest to be locked up in a safevault on Ember Island. Azula was behaving herself far more than Ty Lee could believe but still she was glad to see the palace behind them growing small as their carriage bounced along the capital streets.
Zirin lounged opposite, elbow across her upturned knee. "Well, nobody died," she said dryly.
Ty Lee frowned. Azula gave a careless shrug, but flared her chi, rubbing her palm over her round belly. Ty Lee calmed instantly.
"Do you want a go at your parents, Zirin? We do have time now," Azula suggested. Zirin thought about it. She smiled.
"Yes. I'd say that would be a just reward," she said. Azula waved a careless hand.
"We'll do whatever you want. I seem to recall you saying their estate was everything to them. We could have it left to you in a hurry."
Zirin barked a laugh. "That would be fitting!"
The days turned into weeks and Ty Lee grew rounder and rounder as the child grew. They wound up back on Ember Island, and it was quickly becoming "home" in everyone's mind. Two others seemed to feel the same way, for Tsung and Ying returned one bright morning, worn from travel but smiling.
When Ty Lee greeted them, she could see the reason for their joy. Ying was pregnant, belly pushing out subtly, jutting her traveling robes.
"What did you do!" Ty Lee yelped. She and Ying wrapped their arms around each other, talking at once as young mothers often did. "Did you…."
Ying hugged her friend's neck tightly. "Not what you'd think. This is all Tsung's doing…."
Ying didn't know how, with Tsung's beta status. But she gladly hugged her friend, leaving it at that.
Azula shared a wry look with the other expectant "father." "You could have asked me to share my seed. Who did you get to…"
Tsung had the grace to look stung. She gave a polite bow of the head to the princess.
"Not as you'd think, Princess Azula. Just know it's ours."
And it was. Tsung remembered dunking into the icy cold pool inside Kyoshi's Cave, climbing out with the means to impregnate her wife, and falling into her arms. They had loved for days, taking time out to eat, giggle and sleep in their tent outside. Always it was back to the Cave to form a cock between Tsung's legs. Ying welcomed her between hers and they rolled against each other, pushing and thrusting to release again and again.
It hurt to hear outsider's reactions to their new progeny growing inside Ying, but those on Kyoshi Island that knew the secret of the past Avatar's daughter gave their congratulations with a twinkle in their eye.
"Looks like we'll be giving birth within a month or so from each other," Ying said excitedly. "Princess Azula, could you….."
Azula waved a hand, knowing what was to come. "I'll have you both set up in your own home. You can't want to share your good fortune with the old bats in your current condition."
Tsung sighed with relief. "Thank you, Princess. I am at your service to repay your debt."
"Just help me patrol our homes," Azula said. Seeing the two women share a relieved smile did things to Azula's heart. Aside from her mate, she had made two others equally happy. It was strange but…good.
As her mate smiled at her, radiant with her own pregnancy, Azula could count herself so lucky to be loved this well. Love she now understood. She didn't feel like a fool for trusting Ty Lee.
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Azula knew she had to be dreaming when she felt tiny warm hands tugging at her trouser legs, reaching for the hem of her sash and tunic with gently grasping fingers. Azula merely continued walking, making small grunts and listening to high-pitched giggles as she lifted tiny wriggly bodies, one on each leg at least, with her. Azula knelt down and even though she couldn't see the tiny faces in her dream, she could hear each small giggle and feel warm arms latch onto her torso. Azula hugged the babies tightly, eyes squeezed tight. She could feel small tears leak from the corners of her lashes, but she didn't care.
"I should have known they would have laid siege to you, beloved," Ty Lee called. Azula's eyes opened. In the landscape of her dreams, Ty Lee was wearing a beautiful red dress that billowed with soft snaps of the afternoon breeze and pulled at her luscious breasts and hips. Her braid was pushed over one shoulder and a wide warm smile was on her lips. Azula strode forward, their children hanging onto her, and took her mate in her arms. Small giggles filled the air as she bent her omega in her arms, taking her lips in a kiss.
"They take after you," Azula teased. Her mate's arms were around her neck, fingers teasing the hairs at the back of her neck.
"I love you."
"I know, I…"
Azula woke slowly, feeling an arm slung around her naked hip. Warmth pressed up behind her and Azula kept still, feeling the outline of Ty Lee's belly, and breasts, pressed into her back. The omega whimpered against her shoulder in her sleep. Azula laid a hand over Ty Lee's and pumped her chi out in soothing waves. Ty Lee's breath evened out and she slept peacefully. It could have been her imagination, but Azula was certain she felt small thumping along her back. She wondered if the pup could kick yet and resolved to find out when Ty Lee was awake and more open to her prodding.
Azula closed her eyes, feeling utterly calm for one of the first times in her life. This was where she wanted to be.
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Ty Lee clung to her mate's back as she dreamed. In it, she was overwhelmed, the acrid smell of firebending filling her nostrils as she sought to separate several small children. Of course they would all be benders! Just her luck.
"Azula, where are you?" she called. Her pups howled as she separated them, and she yelped, drawing her hand back as one singed her wrist. Sucking on the burn, Ty Lee's eyes filled with tears. "Azula!"
As if summoned, her tall mate strode out of the fog of her dream and made a sharp gesture. Her pups scrambled to obey, lining up before their papa, eager for approval. Ty Lee's heart gladdened, and she smiled through the pain as Azula tutted her. She soothed over the burn with her bending, taking some of it as she could. With a final kiss, Azula had her set to rights.
"Papa, teach us more!" one of the children called.
"More, papa," another urged. Azula turned and knelt. All of their children leapt into her open arms. Azula stood easily, holding all in her embrace.
"In a moment. It's time to stop running your mother ragged. Come, Ty," Azula said. Ty Lee gladly followed her mate, their children's giggles echoing in her ears. Slowly, the acrobat's eyes opened. She could make out the curve of her mate's shoulder in front of her and Ty Lee clasped her from behind. Her belly pressed up between them and Ty Lee tried not to grimace as her back began to spasm uncomfortably. She rolled onto her back, feeling like a downed turtle-duck. It touched her Azula followed her warmth in her sleep, pressing her cheek to Ty Lee's breast. Her hand laid over the swell of their pup.
End for now
End notes: SO CLOSE TO THE END! Stay strong, my lovelies. Drop a review and share your words if you like! Debating whether the next one is the last. It very well could be. Bear with me if I don't post it within a week. It is coming.
Most sincerely, pen
1/22/2018