Oxygen
Ty Lee forgot to breathe when she discovered that Azula wanted her to stay. It wasn't the most articulate, enthralling or romantic conversation in history, but Azula did agree to let Ty Lee in, to let Ty Lee help her with the baby ‒ not that, Azula clarified, she needed any help ‒ and that it was maybe going to work out for them.
"It's okay to be scared," Ty Lee said and Azula laughed bitterly. It was the kind of laugh that made Ty Lee's breath quicken and her heart ache and burn, like it didn't even want to breathe. "I'm just telling you that it is."
"I'm not scared. There is never a good time to have a child, and so I might as well," Azula said and Ty Lee wanted to argue. She didn't really have much of an argument, however. "You must be scared. I have no idea why you want any part in this."
Ty Lee shrugged. She knew, though, that she should offer explanation, as much as she didn't want to do it.
"I always wanted a kid, so that I can… not fuck it up," Ty Lee said, finding the right words difficult to say. Maybe the right words for this situation didn't exist, just like not the right time to have a child. "I had a really bad childhood. I know that this baby has nothing to do with me, but you have everything to do with me."
"Aw, well I know that of course," Azula said, her lip twitching. Ty Lee smiled with her. The room felt too hot. It felt suffocating, as if she were locked in a wooden box with the air being siphoned out. "I'm not saying we can be together ‒"
"I'm not saying I want to be with you," Ty Lee protested and Azula ignored her.
"I'm just saying that you seem really set on doing this. I am awarding you the privilege of assisting me in every single way during the remainder of this pregnancy. I am very kind," Azula said and Ty Lee rolled her eyes.
"You are," she said weakly. "I don't think you'll fuck up your kid."
"Yes, you certainly are the real risk," Azula said and Ty Lee sighed and smiled.
She knew that Azula appreciated that.
Ty Lee kissed Azula, and it took Azula's breath away.