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Katara was leaning against the headboard of the bed, her body slightly tilted forward as she gently stroked Azula's hair, which rested in her lap. The summer night in the Fire Nation was suffocating, and the heat wrapped around the room like a heavy blanket, making it difficult for Katara to fall asleep. Azula clearly could, but chose not to.
"Tell me something," Katara murmured, her voice soft as she continued to glide her fingers through the silky dark strands of Azula's hair.
Azula didn’t move, but her voice emerged, sweet and almost drowsy. "About what?"
Katara smiled slightly; it was always like this with Azula. Every conversation could lead them down unexpected paths. They talked and argued about everything; Katara was curious, and Azula had a head full of facts from all the books she read. It made them spend hours and hours talking.
"I don't know, something about you that I don't know yet," Katara replied as she gently brushed a lock of hair from Azula's face.
The firebender let out a soft laugh. "You know me better than I know myself."
Katara rolled her eyes, though she knew Azula was right. Playing with the firebender's hair, Katara let her mind wander until she found a key point about Azula that had been lingering in her mind for a long time. "Well, tell me something about Mai and Ty Lee."
Azula opened her eyes and looked at her with a slightly surprised expression. "What?"
"You three were the dangerous trio, and you fought so well together. I want to know how you became so close."
Katara still had the memory of the first time she saw that deadly trio, how Ty Lee had left her completely defenseless while Azula’s blue fire had left her speechless.
"We all met at the Fire Nation Royal Academy for Girls," Azula began, adjusting herself in Katara's lap to find a position where she could keep looking at her girlfriend. "My relationship with Mai was simple. We respected each other until… you know."
Katara nodded; Azula had already told her about the day at the Boiling Rock several times. Though it was a wound that hadn’t fully healed, Katara never pressured her for details.
"She taught me how to throw knives, and I taught her how to fight," Azula continued, a slight smile on her lips.
Katara let out a small laugh. "That makes a lot of sense now. Was Ty Lee the one in charge of teaching acrobatics?"
However, Azula didn’t laugh. Her expression changed, and her demeanor became more serious, "Ty Lee is… was different."
Noticing the change in her girlfriend's tone, Katara started playing with her hair again to try to relax her. "Why?"
Azula looked at her, as if evaluating whether she should continue. There was an internal battle reflected in her gaze, a conflict between opening up or keeping those feelings to herself. But in the waterbender’s eyes, she only found the affection that Katara offered her, the affection she thanked Agni for every day, that the waterbender was in her life and, for some reason, wanted to stay.
"I was in love with her since we were little, from the first moment I saw her, and without knowing me, she wanted to be my friend and teach me how to do cartwheels," Azula confessed, her voice reflecting a mix of affection and lingering pain that Katara didn’t fully understand.
"Did she reject you?" the waterbender asked.
Azula shook her head, her gaze lost in some distant point. "We were always very close, until she left for the circus. Then I went to find her for my mission, well, you know."
Katara wasn’t entirely sure what had happened there, but the way Suki tried to remind her how diabolical Azula had been when recruiting Ty Lee left her with a lingering curiosity. "And everything changed after that time apart?" Katara asked, trying to connect the dots.
"She had changed." Azula sighed. "She had always been very loyal to the royal family since she was little."
Katara frowned. She remembered how Ty Lee had switched sides and joined their team, but now Azula spoke of her as if she were no longer that devoted person. "Did she stop being loyal?"
"She became even more so," Azula responded, seeing the confusion on Katara's face, so she continued. "I guess the more time I spent with her, the harder it was to hide my feelings completely. I don’t think anyone noticed, but..."
"But Ty Lee did," Katara concluded, her heart tightening as she saw the vulnerability in Azula's gaze.
"Ty Lee did," Azula confirmed, her voice barely a whisper.
Silence fell between them, interrupted only by the soft sound of the wind seeping through the window. Azula seemed to be debating whether to continue, until she finally did. "Ty Lee noticed and 'confessed.' It was one night at one of the camps when Mai had gone to sleep early."
Azula closed her eyes. "She kissed me, and I kissed her. But I knew it could never happen, but she kissed me, and I kissed her anyways."
"From that moment on, I suppose we were ‘together’, even though I kept trying to be 'normal,'" her voice began to falter, and Katara, sensing the tension in her body, helped her sit up so she could be beside her. Azula understood the gesture and extended her hand, seeking the comforting contact. Katara took it in hers, caressing it tenderly.
"It was nice, feeling loved," Azula continued with a bitter laugh that made Katara feel a lump in her throat, "but I knew it wasn't real."
Katara's eyes widened in surprise. "What?"
"Ty Lee has always been a natural survivor, and given how the Fire Nation was, what better way to secure a good future than by being important to a member of the royal family?"
"You think she was with you because of your position?" Katara asked, her voice filled with disbelief.
Azula looked at her sadly. "I know she was with me because of my position."
Katara wanted to say something, but Azula interrupted her, her voice trembling slightly. "I heard her… talking to Mai when they thought I couldn’t hear them."
Katara looked at her, horrified, her heart breaking as she imagined Azula facing such a cruel truth. "But you didn’t confront her?"
Azula shook her head, and the confidence that so often defined her seemed to have completely vanished. "No."
Katara didn’t understand. "Why not?"
Azula averted her gaze. "She pretended to love me."
"But it wasn’t true, was it?" Katara insisted, trying to understand why Azula would have endured something like that. "So, why? Why did you stay with her?"
Katara took Azula’s face in her hands, gently caressing her cheek with her thumb. Azula relaxed at the touch, finding in it the strength to open up once more. With a sigh, she responded in a whisper, as if the words still hurt too much to say aloud. "I felt loved."
The pain in her voice broke Katara’s heart, and she fought to hold back tears. "She pretended to love me, and I pretended not to notice it was a lie."
"You knew it couldn’t last…" Katara murmured, aware that Azula already knew that.
"Our relationship was never going to be… I didn’t think same-gender relationships were possible," Azula admitted, her sad laugh echoing in the room.
"Then what was the point?" Katara asked, trying to comprehend the pain Azula had endured.
"I wanted to live that lie a little longer. I clung to that affection because I’d never felt anything like it," Azula replied, her voice breaking.
Katara wrapped her arms around her, hugging her tightly. She wasn’t sure if she was doing it to comfort Azula or herself, but in that moment, all that mattered was being closer.
"Even so, I don’t blame her," Azula continued, her voice choked by the tears that were beginning to fall. "In the end, we were both using each other."
Katara felt Azula's tears falling onto her chest, each one like a dagger to her heart. Unsure of how to respond to such painful information, she whispered, "I hope you know I could never pretend like that. I want to be with you, and I love you more than I ever thought I could love anyone."
Azula didn’t respond, but Katara noticed her body trembling slightly. She continued to stroke her back, trying to calm her. "I love you for you. I don’t care about the crown or any of that. I don’t care about your social status."
"Can you say it again?" Azula asked, her voice barely audible. "I know it’s strange, but…"
"I love you," Katara repeated, leaning down to gently kiss the top of Azula’s head. "I love you so so much."
Azula remained silent for a moment, absorbing Katara's words. Slowly, she lifted her gaze, her golden eyes shining with a mix of emotions, but mostly vulnerability and affection.
"Thank you," Azula whispered, her voice trembling slightly. "Thank you for… not giving up on me."
Katara smiled, her fingers still gently caressing Azula’s cheek. "I never will. I can’t imagine my life without you in it."
Azula lowered her gaze, overwhelmed by the vulnerability she was once again allowing Katara to see. "Sometimes, I still find it hard to believe all this is real… that you’re real."
Katara tilted her head, leaning in to plant a soft kiss on Azula’s lips.
"This is real, Azula," Katara murmured against her lips, "What we have is real. I love you for who you are, and I thank the spirits every day that you’re by my side."
Azula closed her eyes, letting herself be enveloped by Katara’s warmth, trying to hold back the flood of tears forming in her eyes.
"I love you too, Katara," Azula confessed, her voice broken but sincere. "I love you more than I’ve ever loved anyone."
Katara hugged her tighter, feeling one of Azula’s walls crumble as she finally broke down in her arms, in a way she hadn’t been able to before. Azula allowed herself to fall apart, feeling safe in the arms of the most important person in her life.
The Kyoshi Warriors had been assigned as part of Zuko's escort, at least until things calmed down and people stopped trying to kill him every day. They were trustworthy warriors, and above all, Zuko had complete faith in their leader. Ty Lee liked this arrangement because it allowed her to return to the Fire Nation without fully living there—perfect for keeping her family’s demands at bay and visiting Mai and her sisters. At least for a while.
That night, the heat in the Fire Nation was suffocating, even more than usual. After finishing her shift, Ty Lee decided to take a little break and headed to the peaceful Turtle Duck pond. Sitting at the water’s edge, she dipped her feet in, enjoying the cool relief the water offered in contrast to the scorching temperature.
“If one of them bites your foot, I don’t want to hear you complaining.”
Ty Lee smiled, recognizing the voice of Mai, the future Fire Lady, who approached to sit beside her. “I’m convinced you came here to do exactly the same thing.”
“I just wanted to get away from Zuko. He’s sound asleep because he can use his bending to cool down,” Mai said, clearly frustrated. “Which means he’s generating even more heat than usual.”
Ty Lee chuckled softly. “That’s your fault for dating firebenders.”
Mai rested her chin on her hand, watching the turtle ducks as they floated lazily in the water. “I think it has more to do with the person. Apparently, Katara handles it much better.”
The mention of the waterbender made Ty Lee tense slightly. If Mai weren’t her friend, it would have been undetectable, but luckily or unluckily, she was.
“Ty Lee…” Mai called her softly.
“Sorry,” Ty Lee replied with a nervous smile, “it’s just still so strange.”
Mai reached out and placed a supportive hand on Ty Lee’s shoulder. “You should talk to her.”
Ty Lee didn’t respond immediately. Instead, her gaze drifted to the reflection of the moon in the pond, watching as the turtle ducks slept peacefully. “What’s the point?”
“Wasn’t she your friend?” Mai insisted.
“At some point, I suppose she was,” Ty Lee replied.
Mai stayed silent, watching as Ty Lee got lost in her thoughts. “Azula doesn’t hold any grudge against you. She understands why you did it.”
“Have you talked to her about it?” Ty Lee asked, surprised.
“Yes,” Mai confirmed with a serious tone. “You’d be surprised how much she’s changed, simply trying to find some peace for herself.”
Ty Lee nodded, letting out a soft sound of acknowledgment. “Our situations aren’t the same...you never did…we’re different.”
“No,” Mai replied, looking at her intently, “but with you, the apology would mean more.”
“You think so?” Ty Lee looked at her skeptically.
“Ty Lee,” Mai sighed before continuing, “she already knows you didn’t love her in that way.”
The revelation left Ty Lee speechless. “Wait, what?”
“Azula’s not stupid. She never has been.”
“But then, why…?”
“Ty Lee, think for a moment about her life, about the people around her,” Mai said as Ty Lee looked at her, confused. “You were probably one of the few people who showed her even a little bit of genuine affection in her life.”
“Agni…” Ty Lee murmured, processing what Mai had just said.
“Agni indeed,” Mai responded with a touch of irony.
“I did care for her, it’s just…” Ty Lee began, but her voice trailed off.
“But not in that way,” Mai finished for her.
“Not in that way,” Ty Lee repeated with a sigh.
The two friends sat in silence, lost in their own thoughts. Finally, Ty Lee broke the silence. "I feel so bad about it. I know she owes me an apology for a lot of things, but... I didn’t want her to break down like that."
"She’s in a better place now," Mai said, her voice softer.
"Who would’ve thought she’d end up living on Ember Island with Katara? The same person who defeated her," Ty Lee said, a touch of amazement in her voice.
"Azula was never someone with a... common life."
Ty Lee chuckled and said with a nostalgic smile, "Sometimes I miss the days when it was the three of us, pulling pranks or spreading fear wherever we went,"
"Well, it was more like you two while I made sure you didn’t get caught," Mai corrected.
"As if you didn’t enjoy it," Ty Lee teased.
"That’s irrelevant," Mai responded, maintaining her serious tone.
Ty Lee grinned mischievously and splashed a little water at Mai. "Party pooper!"
"I should protest, but with this heat, I almost appreciate it," Mai admitted.
Once again, silence fell between the two friends, but this time it was a more comfortable silence.
"Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if I had loved her the way she wanted," Ty Lee said quietly, almost to herself.
"You’d probably be shattered right now," Mai responded bluntly.
Ty Lee raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Really?"
Mai sighed and looked her friend in the eye. "Don’t tell anyone, but I’ve never seen two people more ‘meant’ to be together than those two."
"Well, I guess that’s a good thing then," Ty Lee said, feeling somewhat relieved.
Silence fell over them again, but this time, it didn’t last long.
"Mai," Ty Lee said, her voice more determined, "I think you’re right. Talking things out would be good for both of us."
Mai smiled slightly. "When have I ever been wrong?"
Ty Lee burst into laughter. "I recall when you dated that guy while still thinking about Zuko," she said, teasing her friend.
Mai rolled her eyes. "Look who’s talking, the one who was dating three Kyoshi Warriors at the same time."
"I wasn’t dating them, we were just having fun," Ty Lee defended herself, crossing her arms.
"Until all three figured it out," Mai replied, raising an eyebrow.
"Details," Ty Lee said, brushing it off.
As they continued to watch the turtle ducks, an idea crossed Ty Lee’s mind. "Hey, what if we..."
"Strawberry or vanilla," Mai interrupted with a smile, knowing exactly what her friend was about to suggest.
"See? That’s why you’re my best friend in the whole world!" Ty Lee exclaimed, hugging Mai enthusiastically.
Mai quickly pulled away. "Agni, no, you’re all sweaty."
Ty Lee pouted, but then she remembered the promise of ice cream and jumped up, her energy renewed.
Ty Lee had written a letter to Ember Island, addressed to Azula. For some reason, likely Mai, she knew that Azula and Katara were planning to travel to the South Pole, and along the way, they would pass near Kyoshi Island. Although Azula was unsure whether she should accept the invitation, her doubts vanished when Katara saw the letter and read it over her girlfriend's shoulder.
"We can stop at Kyoshi Island, so I can catch up with Suki," Katara had 'suggested' as she read.
Taking a deep breath, Azula knocked on a wooden door painted a deep pink. Within seconds, a girl dressed in pink energetically opened the door.
"Azula! You came." Ty Lee greeted her with a broad smile, a warmth that hadn’t been present in their recent encounters. That smile made Azula’s shoulders relax, slightly easing the anxiety she had built up.
Without a word, Azula nodded and stepped inside. The house was full of vibrant colors and personal touches, radiating Ty Lee's essence everywhere. The decor, with pastel-toned furniture and hanging ornaments, brought a small smile to the firebender's lips. The house was... well, it screamed Ty Lee in every way.
"Sit wherever you like, I'll make some tea," Ty Lee said.
Azula settled into one of the armchairs, watching as Ty Lee appeared with a tray, carrying two cups and a teapot. "Could you heat it up? I know you'll be much faster," Ty Lee asked with a smile as she set the tray on a small table.
Nodding, Azula took the teapot and began heating the water inside with her firebending. While she did, Ty Lee sat across from her, clearly nervous. The tension in the room was palpable.
"Sooo," Ty Lee began, trying to break the awkward silence.
"I'm sorry," Azula suddenly said, without any preamble. "You didn’t deserve the way I treated you... I... I know it’s no excuse, but I didn’t know how to do better."
Ty Lee looked at her, surprised by the sincerity in Azula's voice. It was rare to hear the fire princess apologize so directly. "Really? Wow," she said, still in disbelief.
Azula raised an eyebrow, continuing to heat the tea. "What? You didn’t expect me to apologize?"
"No, it’s not that," Ty Lee replied, waving her hands as if trying to clarify her words. "It’s just... I didn’t expect it to be so straightforward."
"Should it not have been?"
"No, no, I mean, I appreciate it, don’t get me wrong, it just caught me off guard."
Azula chuckled and set down the teapot, the water now perfectly heated. "Maybe it was because I had the teapot in my hand."
"That definitely didn’t help," Ty Lee laughed softly, taking the teapot and pouring the tea into both cups. "But thank you, apology accepted."
"And that’s it?" Azula asked, frowning.
"Well..." Ty Lee seemed to consider how to continue. "I suppose I owe you an apology too, for how I played with your feelings."
Azula took her cup of tea, watching the steam rise from the liquid. "I don’t blame you. Maybe I would’ve done the same in your place."
"Yeah, but..." Ty Lee lowered her gaze, her voice filled with regret.
“I’m not going to pretend it didn’t hurt… but it’s not like I didn’t know,” Azula said with a sad tone.
“Even so, I’m sorry,” Ty Lee insisted.
“It’s okay,” Azula responded softly. “We were a mess.”
“For the record, I did care about you,” Ty Lee sighed. “Just… not in that way.”
Azula looked at her in surprise, and as Ty Lee met her gaze, she added, “You and Mai were my best friends. I still remember a lot of moments together with fondness.”
Azula looked down at her cup, avoiding Ty Lee’s eyes. “I don’t remember a lot of moments, mostly because I don’t recall much of my childhood.”
Ty Lee looked at her, puzzled, so Azula added, “But I do remember the feelings, and I guess the happiest ones were with you and Mai.”
Ty Lee looked at her, feeling a small knot in her heart. “Can we be friends again, if you want?”
“You don’t hate me?” Azula asked, surprised by the offer.
“Hate is a strong word... but no, I don’t hate you. I hated you a lot in the past, but I’ve come to understand many things over time.”
Azula stared at her, trying to decipher the intentions of her old friend. With a knowing smile, Ty Lee added, “Besides, you’ve changed. You seem happier now. Why not give this new Azula a chance?”
Azula let out a small laugh. “That was a weird sentence.”
Ty Lee stuck her tongue out playfully. “And here I am, complimenting you.”
That little gesture broke the tension that had built up between them.
“So, friends?” Ty Lee asked with a broad smile.
“Yes… I’d like that,” Azula replied, feeling something finally settle into place inside her.
With a mischievous grin, Ty Lee continued, “Well, since we’re friends, I need some very detailed details on how you and Katara ended up together.”
Azula looked at her incredulously. “Seriously?”
“A girl’s got to be curious,” Ty Lee said, shrugging.
Azula sighed, a mix of resignation and amusement on her face. “I might be a new Azula, but you’re still the same Ty Lee.”
“Nice try, spill it,” Ty Lee insisted, laughing.
And so, they spent the afternoon talking about everything they had gone through, burying the hatchet and rekindling the friendship they once shared, becoming once again those two girls who met at the academy, unaware of all that the future had in store for them.
That same night, on the ship taking them to the Southern Water Tribe, a certain waterbender had a satisfied smile on her face.
“I’m breaking up with you right now, and I’m going to head back to Ember Island, which is much more luxurious than a tribe at the South Pole.” Azula threatened as she climbed into the cabin bed, where Katara was already comfortably lying.
Katara, ignoring the empty threat, simply stretched out her arms, inviting her closer. “Say it,” she whispered.
Azula settled into Katara’s arms, but still resisted. “No.”
“Why are you so stubborn?” Katara asked with a hint of frustration.
“I learned from the best,” Azula replied, leaning in to kiss her, but Katara turned her head away, pulling back.
“No kisses until you say it,” Katara insisted, her voice firm but playful.
“Why are you so obstinate?” Azula retorted, frustrated, knowing Katara wouldn’t budge.
“I learned from the best,” Katara said, mimicking Azula’s voice with a teasing smile.
Azula rolled her eyes, knowing she had been defeated. “Come on, it won’t kill you,” Katara coaxed gently. “You know I’m right. You feel better now, and you’ve got your friend back.”
Azula stared at her, and Katara moved closer. “You know I’m right.”
Azula held her gaze, her lips just barely brushing Katara’s, but she knew if she tried to kiss her before keeping her promise, Katara would pull away. Finally, Azula let out a heavy sigh. “You were right.”
In that instant, Katara kissed her, their lips meeting in a gesture that was as comforting as it was satisfying. “See? That wasn’t so hard.”
“I feel like you did this more to be right than for me,” Azula muttered, though a smile played on her lips.
“I made you do it for you,” Katara replied, smiling as she cuddled closer to Azula. “Plus, I bet Suki that you’d be friends with Ty Lee again.”
“Really?” Azula asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Does that offend you?” Katara laughed, her voice light.
“Depends on what you won.”
Katara let out a soft laugh and hugged her tightly, resting Azula’s head against her chest. “Let’s just say I have a Kyoshi Warrior uniform in my suitcase.”
Azula didn’t pull away, but she understood what Katara meant. “It’ll be months before we’re back on Ember Island.”
“Well, I can wait,” Katara said, her voice full of anticipation.
“Do I have to wear the makeup?”
“Full experience,” Katara responded, amused.
“Do you have to return it?”
“Of course not.”
Azula sighed, resigned. “Suki understood immediately, didn’t she?”
Katara didn’t respond with words; instead, she gently kissed the top of Azula’s head. “Goodnight, love you,” she whispered, with a tenderness that made Azula’s heart warm.
Azula could have kept joking, but instead, she decided to hold Katara tighter and whisper back, “Love you too,” before falling asleep in her girlfriend’s arms. After all, she fit perfectly in them.