"There's nothing to talk about," Azula murmured as Ty Lee cornered her on the boat.

They were on their way back from Ember Island and the memories of sea soaked sex were permeating Azula's thoughts. Her mind was better used for other pursuits than such human desires. And she found herself longing for more in ways that she did not want to think about, yet thought about all the time.

"You don't have to talk about it," Ty Lee said happily and Azula made a momentary face of displeasure. Ty Lee felt her heart skip a beat, but Azula's face returned to a smug neutral position. "I think we'll have some fond memories of this trip."

Azula examined Ty Lee for a moment. First image of her swinging on chandeliers, which brought a small smile to Azula's red lips. Second image of her slipping beneath the scratchy blankets of Lo and Li's house. Third image of the inevitable moment when Ty Lee would be taken away, possibly killed.

She stared at the water after that image forced its way into her brain. The first two brought her the pleasant warmth that came with their kisses. The ability to erase her constant nagging thoughts and plans and plots. The third one was more realistic; it was the one that haunted her.

Every time she had anything that made her happy, it disappeared. People she liked. Objects. Everything. Everything she had went away in the end. And the fact that she was getting so attached to Ty Lee perturbed her to the core and offended her to the soul.

Azula picked at her chapped lips and closed her eyes. Ty Lee was still standing there when she opened them, gazing intently at Azula. It made the princess uncomfortable because she wanted to take her and keep her and jealously guard her. But it would never happen.

"It was just sex," Azula finally decided. "You know that. You don't think... you don't think I like you, do you?"

Ty Lee shook her head too enthusiastically. The princess was picking at her skin and Ty Lee wanted to stop her but also did not want to be lashed out at. Skirting around violence was no proper idea of romance but she wanted it and craved it more than she wanted anything.

She always was glad that Azula called a little louder.

"It's just sex. I get it," Ty Lee said but her voice faltered slightly.

Azula tried to take pleasure in it but simply found it cold. That was how she often made things in her mind; cold and scientific. If things were icy and emotionless, they could not hurt. Attachments and romances were setbacks for the weak willed.

"Do you love me?" Azula asked, feeling needy and weak for asking. The bitter sea breeze brushed against her body and she ached.

"Obviously," Ty Lee said with such sass and casualness Azula should have burnt her.

Scarred her. Made her less beautiful and desirable to everyone. Made it impossible for her to ever realize Azula was a dead end and she would be better off finding a nice, stable, handsome, sturdy husband to build her a handsome study life. She simply wanted to chain Ty Lee to her hip but also push her away and just watch her go up in flames and it was all too confusing.

"Let's just be friends," Azula said and Ty Lee had to hold back a hollow laugh. Both of them knew very well they were not ever going to go back to just being friends.

"Let's be lovers," Ty Lee replied and Azula realized that Ty Lee had never opposed her. Mai had in passing, occasionally doubted Azula and it was usually helpful. "Come on. Run away with me and start another war."

Azula had to fight. Because half of her wanted it, wanted this romance. But half of her knew better, knew that it was short term and brought on by hormones and whatever chemicals are released when you fuck someone over and over and orgasm repeatedly.

"After Sozin's Comet, we'll be lovers," Azula said coldly, calmly, her voice purring and smug. And Ty Lee ate it up. "You can be my Fire Lady."

"Two kids," Ty Lee demanded.

"Girls."

"I was going to say boys..." Ty Lee frowned faintly but it was quickly conquered by a goofy grin.

"One girl, one boy. Compromise."

And Azula kissed her for a split second on the lips. It tasted nice. It felt nice.

Immediately afterwards, Azula disappeared to find Mai. It was too complicated being around Ty Lee.

As much as she loved it.

She may have been a weapon of mass destruction and the conqueror of Ba Sing Se, but she was also a fourteen year old girl... possibly in love. Possibly in love. The thought was revolting, enough to nearly make her hurl.

But it was, she decided, true.