Abandoned

In a second, the world can change forever.

For Ty Lee, that second is when Azula's mother vanishes and her grandfather dies. It happens in one night, which, Ty Lee thinks is pretty suspicious, but she doesn't think she is smart enough to propose a connection. Azula doesn't show the slightest crack in her cold façade, but Zuko cries a few times.

Ty Lee is just in a daze. She doesn't really know what comes next.

She is not invited to the funeral, of course, but she doesn't know why Azula doesn't cry. Nothing has been the same for them since Azula found out the truth, but she thought Azula could at least be open with her and not all closed up like she is.

Azula sits down as she usually would.

"She no longer exists," Azula says and Ty Lee nods. If Azula says it, it is true. "I am several steps closer to being Fire Lord."

"Do you really wanna be that?" Ty Lee asks innocently and Azula nods at her. Azula's expression is as if Ty Lee asked if the sky was blue. "What about your brother?"

"He is unfit," Azula says and Ty Lee nods again. "Of course he is. More unfit than uncle and I'm certain father sees that. Mother was the only thing in the way of my greatness, like he always said."

Ty Lee rests her head on her own knee. "You don't miss her?"

Azula laughs.

"That was funny," she says, standing up.

Ty Lee wasn't joking, but she doesn't disobey her best friend.

She feels abandoned.

Azula doesn't seem to.


Doll

"You don't like anything," Ty Lee complains. It is the bluntest she has been with Azula. "I want you to have fun."

"I'm fine. Fun is a waste of time."

"He…" burnt all of her childhood relics. Toys, paintings, things that represented youth… or personality. Azula is now Ozai's protégée and he is not a good man. But he is Fire Lord, and he bought Ty Lee, and Ty Lee knows that.

"I still have you," Azula says honestly. "You were my favorite toy."

Ty Lee smiles. "I'm good at it."

"You are."

"I'm way better than any doll."

"Of course. You're a living one." Azula hesitates when she sees Ty Lee's expression fall. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Ty Lee sighs softly and shakes her head.

Azula demands again, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"I just want to be your friend. Not your doll."

Azula frowns.

"You are my friend. You are my best friend." Azula licks her lips. "Just don't tell my father, of course. He'll get rid of you if you're anything more than a toy."

"So, when we grow up…?"

"I'll find a way. I'm not losing you."

"What if he sells me?" Ty Lee's heart starts beating too fast. She is sweating. She doesn't understand the feeling inside of her.

"I won't let him. You can do my hair or something. It's not hard," Azula says lightly.

She suppresses her tears when she sees Ty Lee's silent disbelief.


Newbie

Mai is nice.

No, she's not nice at all. But Ty Lee thinks she's better than okay, and she really wants to be friends with her. She is betrothed to Zuko and seems to be in the palace often.

Azula likes her.

Ty Lee likes everybody, and loves friendship, so she makes sure Mai feels welcome.

That does not help the boiling anger and hot jealousy she feels every time Azula and Mai spend any time together.


Knotted

"Do you want to get married?" Ty Lee asks.

"No," Azula responds.

"Really?" Ty Lee's eyes widen.

"You can't. Why do you care?"

Ty Lee blinks. "I can't get married?"

"No. Of course you can't. I don't have to as long as I have some kind of heir. My father has… never been married, of course."

"Yeah." Ty Lee continues weaving their hair together into a joint braid.

Ty Lee wishes it weren't that way. She knows that every time she tries to daydream about her dream husband, she can see only her dream wife.

Azula. A girl who will be Fire Lord Azula.

And slaves don't marry Fire Lords.

Ty Lee ties the knot and gazes in the mirror at the black intertwined with brunette.

Slaves don't marry Fire Lords.