Chapter Text
Azula was conscious of her steps. They couldn’t be too fast, or slow, or loud. She wanted to head to her office. To be alone. Or was it a need to just get out of the lodge? No, no, she had work to do.
“You know our mission, Azula.” Her father looked down his nose at her. It wasn’t a question. He knew the answer and she knew the consequences of not upholding it. “Our mission and our reward to take pleasure in. I have deployed more families to make sure other beasts and creatures know who to answer to. ”
She swallowed despite her drying mouth. She remembered when Ty Lee learned about why she was monster hunting, as a supposed monster herself. Ty Lee didn’t view them or her as monsters, not that they weren't things that terrified the Ranger, but they were part of a diverse and wild system of life. Putting werewolves at the top would bring more than the reward of a whole swath of rolling hills. The pro won’t outway the cons was how Ty Lee saw it. She remembered how it broke the girl’s heart. She's been doing less of her father’s will. It brought her closer to Ty Lee. It made her happy and it was terrifying . She felt more like her own person for the first time in her whole life.
“I know you are capable of carrying your assignments out on your own but do not be alarmed if you run into more wolves.” He gave her one last look. Watching. “ Dismissed.”
She did successfully make it out of the office. She controlled her breathing as she navigated the winding halls to her office and closed the door. Leaning against it she ran a hand through her hair. She might have to tweak her outings with a certain Ranger.
No one has caught wind of her dealings and subsequent relationship with Ty Lee and she’ll make sure it stays that way. Just until she can find a way to break out.
***
Ty Lee let the group of kids run free after her tour. It made her smile as they asked her a bunch of questions and seemed really interested in what she had to say. The promise of ice cream probably helped out.
Whistling on her way back to the Ranger station she realized she wasn’t beyond exhausted for once. Maybe it was the sun or the fact Azula wanted more dates than hunts lately. She has enjoyed that. She even put a positive spin on accidentally turning into a werewolf a few weeks ago. She thinks it actually helped out the dull aches in her back.
Getting back behind the desk she tried to not let the emails bring her mood down. She could always get ice cream too if it was too much to bear.
“Excuse me miss?” Anything to get out of work emails be damned.
“Yes, what can I help you with?” Ty Lee moved her work to the side and did everything in her power not to flinch. Golden brown eyes, a familiar shade of gold, were staring at her. The twenty something was not Zuko, he would know who she was and wouldn’t call her ‘miss.’ She’s only known werewolves to have that eye color as golden eyes weren’t a common eye color last time she checked. She just never had the skills to spot them a few months ago.
He ran a hand through his shaggy hair and was pointing to places on the map and asking questions on trails and sight spots. Ty Lee brought herself back down to earth, noticing that she was staring and lightly gripping the edge of the desk, and answered his questions. It’s not like he knew anything about her newly gained monster knowledge. Or that she was dating werewolf nobility.
“Always love asking the rangers what the best spots are. I wouldn’t have known some of those points.” He flashed her a grin. She spotted sharp canines. Sharper than hers at least.
“Well that’s why we’re here!” She made sure to keep the chirp in her voice. “I hope you enjoy your time here.”
He gave a breathy laugh and looked as if he wanted to say something else to her but left her with a nod and a ‘thank you.’
Ty Lee watched him leave. The eyes and teeth were hard to mistake from what she knew now. She had to give herself a pat on the back for not freaking out and noticing werewolf traits. Smirking to herself she thought about how she was going to tell Azula of her field deployment of knowledge from all those late night lessons on the supernatural.
***
“So, yeah, I held my ground.” Ty Lee finished telling Azula of her encounter and pridefully placed her hands on her hips.
Azula crossed her arms and looked at her. She quickly then tucked an arm in her side and placed her chin in her other hand.
“Was I just being weird about it? I know nothing really happened but look! I listen to your lessons! I handled myself.”
Azula didn’t move and spoke through her hand. “I know you can handle yourself.”
Azula came over with food and a rental movie. Azula even wore her fluffy denim jacket that Ty Lee loved. Azula always wore dressy clothes at work but dressed down when they had their nights in. She's learned that the more casual clothes she wore correlated to how hard her day was. Ty Lee thought telling her girlfriend of her proud and brave moment at the desk today would be the perfect story to tell over dinner. She even assumed it would make Azula more gushy during the movie. But it seemed that she was…stressing her out instead?
Azula placed her hands in her lap. “You did good. That was good. What you did.”
“You’re speaking in clipped sentences, I know what that means ‘Zula.” Ty Lee sighed. “You’re trying to be nice about it. I’m glad that you are trying but I’m about to have a week aren’t I?”
Azula’s eyes widened at that. “I will make sure of it that you will not.” She leaned forward intensely. Those golden eyes were shimmering. She could see how wildly she meant it. Ty Lee only nodded back and Azula relaxed slightly. “Plus werewolves can just enjoy national parks.”
She held her tongue. “Right. Yes.” She wanted to change the subject. “Why don’t we start that movie?” Ty Lee motioned for Azula to follow her to the living room. That was the right move, Azula shot her head up and her eyes dilated. She has learned that's the equivalent of a tail wag for the werewolf noble. “Although I’m not cuddling you with that jean jacket on. I love it but its not couch material.”
“As you wish.” Ty Lee smiled at that. Her movie nights have been rubbing off on Azula.
Ty Lee waited for Azula to step into the living room before sinking into the couch. She placed her hand on Azula’s cheek. The raven haired woman raised a brow at her while slowly leaning in. Rubbing her thumb in circles Ty Lee looked into soft golden eyes. If Azula said she wasn’t going to have a hard week then she’ll have to believe it. Not that monster hunting made life hard. She would’ve stopped a long time ago if she didn’t have fun.
***
Feeling this rested and light hearted so close to a full moon had to be a new record for her. Sure waking up to her girlfriend making breakfast (so she didn’t have to) and coffee probably had something to do with it. Walking behind the Ranger’s desk she set up her work, getting the money she’ll need for that morning-after-a-full-moon-breakfast.
“Someone seems happy,” Suki placed her bag under the desk next to hers. “Get bit by the lovebug, did ya?”
“Where!” Ty Lee shot up in her chair and frantically checked herself, slapping her neck and arms as if a bug was still actually there.
“Er-no, Ty Lee. It’s an expression.”
Ty Lee stopped. “Oh.” She gave Suki an awkward laugh. “Yeah, yeah I knew that.” She cleared her throat and tried to nonchalantly fix and fuss about her uniform.
“Your mood is definitely connected to Azula, fashionable jackets, and sharp eyeliner. Am I wrong?”
Heat rushed to her face. “…no.” She twiddled her thumbs. Puffing her cheeks she added, “and she made breakfast.”
Suki tried to fight back a smile. She had been the butt of teasing lately whenever she brought up Sokka. Ty Lee was about to say something back when a line started to form at the desk. She’ll have to get her back at lunch.
Ty Lee finished helping a family out with reading the park map but couldn’t shake a feeling of being watched. As they left she looked around. No one was staring her down that she could see. Not even a crow sitting on a branch.
“The meadows are beautiful.”
Ty Lee turned her head, wide-eyed, to see the same guy from the previous day. Those same eyes. They had to be the ones watching her. Where did he come from? She didn’t even hear him come up to the desk.
“Sorry to take you out of your daydream but I have another question for ya.” He put his elbows on the desk, clasped his hands together and leaned in closer than she liked. She took a step back.
“No problem.” She hopes it doesn’t become one.
“You’re so much colder than the other day. Put down that broom you’re gonna look a witch missy. Here I’ll help with that.” He placed a hand on his chest and bowed his head slightly, a smirk playing on his face all the while. “My name is Chan. I’ve moved here recently and just want to get to know more about the biggest attraction to the town. Better?”
Just put on your waitress smile for one more bit then I’ll get Suki over here. “Alright Chan.” She’ll play along. Tapping her name tag she went on, “I’m sure you can read so we’ll move past that. You’ve caught me in a good mood so I’ll humor you, what more do you want to know about Shenandoah?”
“The stories. I’ve heard stories about this place. The otherworldly ones. Why I just thought such an amazing Ranger like yourself would know about them.”
Ty Lee crossed her arms. What would a werewolf need to know from a park ranger? “Ha ha oh yeah we keep Bigfoot in the back.” Actually, I should make a note to ask Azula about Bigfoot.
It’s like a light sparked in his eyes. She felt her eyes fall down to the canines peeking out from his lips. Was he excited? “Come on, the ones about people getting scared about bumps in the night. Those who might want to party out in the wild and get mistaken for a witch coven. Come on, the fun behind the scenes stories.” He leaned in towards her and put on a suave air.
Oh. Oh was he trying to ask her out this way? “I’m not allowed to comment on that. Those fun stories are for Rangers only, sorry Chan.” She gave him a tight lipped smile that anyone would have labeled condescending. It did not stop him.
“Ty Lee, I think you know more than you’re letting on,” a cold sweat formed on the back of her neck. She sacrificed a quick look to find Suki who was occupied with people and her back turned towards her. “I think we could go out sometime. You know, show me around town.”
Every nerve and muscle in her body tightened. Did he know--- No. No way he knew of her nights with fae, gnomes, golems, talking shapeshifting crows and werewolves.
“Gonna disappoint you there. I have someone I go home to already. That I happily go home to before you say another word.”
His nostrils flared. Could he smell her on her clothes? He clapped his hands together and backed off the desk a bit. “I hear you. I should’ve guessed someone like you would have someone. I will keep my interactions strictly park related.” He stepped away from the desk and waved bye to her. “Until next time Ty Lee.”
She gave a two finger salute to him as she felt her muscles loosen the farther he got. She wasn’t expecting to see him again and he probably smelled Azula on her. If he was a werewolf. Then he probably did. It’s not like it was confirmed she reminded herself. Was he slipping up saying she knew that she knew more? She didn’t slip up…she thought. It was a weird excuse nonetheless to try and get her out on a date.
“Hey I’m sorry they wouldn’t let me go.” Suki came up beside her and placed a hand on her back. “I thought he looked like a good subject to test my new biceps on.”
“You have been hitting the gym lately. Nah, I handled it, he might come around again but it’s not like I’m always here.” She clicked her tongue. “I hope you know that means I won’t stop you.”
“I thought you’d join me actually.” Suki slapped Ty Lee’s back lightly before settling back down in her seat. “After that I’ll let you have the first break.”
“Really?”
“As long as you go right now before I change my mind.” Suki was bombarded by a quick side hug and watched Ty Lee run out. She couldn’t help but lean over the desk to make sure the woman wasn’t running out to use her biceps. She didn’t hear anything hit concrete so she shrugged her shoulders and got back to work.
What Ty Lee needed after that encounter was her meetup with Mai. She couldn’t do breakfast the other day so she made sure she could do lunch with her friend. Sunlight blazed down on her as she got out of the shade of the building. Cicadas and birds were buzzing and swooping around the trees and high grass. A light breeze rustled her hair and her collar. Chan couldn’t ruin a day like this for her. Shielding her eyes she saw Mai leaning against her car, dressed in all black with a pair of matching black sunglasses. She waved to Mai on her way over carrying a quickness in her step.
“Hi Mai! Oh,” Ty Lee held up a hand as she used her other free hand to fish in her shirt pocket. She pulled out a shiny trinket with gold finish, “I found this little bird pin the other day. I told you I would bring you anything I found.” She held her hand out to her friend.
“Hi to you too.” Mai sighed and shook her head but took the pin and pocketed it anyway.
“Don’t worry I haven’t told Azula I take care of your crow side.”
“Speaking of,” Mai leaned harder on Ty Lee’s car and lazily pulled her sunglasses down, “you smell like Azula.”
Ty Lee blinked. “Uh, well, yeah it’s not like I don’t see her like all the time. I saw her last night and this morning.”
“Yeah but like a lot .”
“Okay I’m trying to learn how you, Azula, and Zuko communicate but, what? Is-is that code for wet dog. Just tell me if I smell bad its okay.” She waited a beat. “I mean its actually not okay if I smell bad but I’m pretty sure I don’t.”
“No not wet dog. Just. Has she been around your clothes? How did she act around you last night?”
Ty Lee tossed her hands in the air. “I don’t know Mai. I guess she nuzzled a lot more than usual last night. I caught my uniform all wrinkled and on her side of the bed. And--ugh.” Ty Lee wiped her hands down her face. “Ugh, I think it would have to do with something that happened to me yesterday…and today.”
“Pop your keys in the ignition and tell me all about it. But try to keep it brief. And I don’t need any romantic details either.”
“So you told Azula about this Chan guy? I guess the eyes and teeth are a big enough indicator of werewolfism as any. I think you might be right there. It might have set her off enough to become-”
“Possessive and guarded. Of me.”
“Him asking you out will not help that either. I mean if you decide to tell her.”
“You think he smelled, you know, Azula,” Ty Lee picked up a fry then quietly whispered, “ a werewolf.” The din of the restaurant and the background noise of conversations kept their booth conversation more private. She hoped.
Mai took a fry off her plate. She had only really pushed her food around and enjoyed stealing off of hers more. “We still have a big if over this right?” Ty Lee nodded her head. “Then yeah, if he is. I’m sure you’ll have another meeting with him.”
“What!” Ty Lee cried out. When she saw people staring she scrunched into her shoulders and gave an apologetic smile to the restaurant. When people turned around she started again quieter, “isn’t Azula some high up in your world. Wouldn’t he stop?”
“That should be the right course of action. But of course he may not know. Ugh I can just barely handle two werewolves here I can’t take all of the ones coming in and their crows.”
“Huh? Is there something going on?”
Mai raised her eyebrows slightly. “Oh right you guys had a fight last time he was mentioned.” Mai rubbed the back of her neck and rolled her shoulders before she leaned in close to Ty Lee. Her voice was uncharacteristically soft. “She’ll have to tell you soon especially after this but her father summoned more wolves to come here and help him. I think she hasn’t been doing as much as she’s done in the past, no I know she hasn’t.”
Ty Lee’s heart swelled at the last part. She decided to keep that soft admission for herself to treasure later to focus on the looming part of Mai’s message. “More werewolves are coming to…harm the park?”
“Yeah. Chan seems to be getting information about the park from you. Weird to ask about the supernatural from Rangers though. Unless…”
“Yeah. Unless.” The clinging of silverware, conversations, and servers calling out to each other felt so far away. Was it possible to need to pop your ears after hearing hard news? She felt her shoulders sag.
“Oh Ty Lee, hey look at me.” Ty Lee slowly brought her head up to look at Mai. Mai doesn’t think she’s seen those gray eyes bigger and more sad than she did right now. Ty Lee was more likely to be tired and scared. Not the jumpy scared either she’s seen her before. That was more from excitement and nerves. That excitement made her and Azula realize how wonderful their world is. To have someone with new eyes be filled with wonder at everything they’ve shown her no matter how mundane. That’s something both have kept close to their hearts and will probably take it to their graves. Soft. She’s grown soft. “Azula, Zuko, and I are doing what we can. We will try and stop it as much as we can.”
“What about me?”
“Ty. You look tired. You said Azula wasn’t going to let you have a hard week right? Well that stubborn ass means it so let us take some work off your shoulders.”
“But I want to help.”
“I know.” Mai sighed. “I know. Just. Wait to do anything, okay? Before you get hurt.”
Ty Lee could only manage to nod her head.
“I guess I’ll pay today,” Mai playfully rolled her eyes. They both hated heavy conversations. “I don’t think I could stand to see you pull out your puppy dog eyes.”
Ty Lee pulled out her signature puppy dog eyes anyway. “Thank you.”
“Keep that gushy stuff to a minimum please .”
Ty Lee giggled as Mai gathered up her stuff and made to leave. “Awww someone likes me.”
Mai pushed open the door and leaned in so no one could hear. “I don't just let anyone hug me.”
“Or cuddle your feathers. They’re just so soft.” The smell of the diner wafted through the warm air as they walked across the hot blacktop back to the car. Ty Lee quickly checked her watch and thought she’d have to press on the gas a bit. Being lost in thought she didn’t notice Mai had stopped walking and bumped into her.
Grabbing her shoulders and peeking over she could only see a piece of paper tucked into her windshield. “I mean it’s weird Mai but I don’t see anything wrong.”
Mai must’ve seen something she didn’t because she snapped the paper out of its place and held it like the wind was going to carry it away forever. Continuing to stand on her tiptoes she read the paper over her friend’s shoulder: You should’ve recommended this restaurant.
“No way is that from…”
“Let’s get you back.” Mai placed her sunglasses back on her face. Ty Lee tried to ignore the hairs standing on end on the back of her neck. Mai will tell Azula as soon as they get back into the park.
***
Getting through the rest of her day was rough. She felt on edge when the door opened or someone with pulled back dark hair walked through. She tried her best to keep up her strength around Suki.
She really did like the new world she stumbled into. Didn’t mean it was all rainbows and she was glad she kept ibuprofen on her person now, she’ll just say that. But dealing with a creep? She shook the thought out of her head. It was causing a dull ache to form behind her eyes. Hell no .
Now Ty Lee was sitting on the floor of her living room as she insisted on having a meetup at hers hoping that being in her space would ground her. Plus Chan might know where Azula lived if he was part of her father’s call. Ty Lee was finally out of her uniform. It felt restricting as if it was a flashing sign to everyone that she was close to Azula and the supernatural. She clutched a soft bear plush as Azula and Mai laid on the floor with her, catching the werewolf up on Ty Lee’s new admirer.
Azula could barely keep her fangs behind her lips. “He has no right to even think the way he has.” Ty Lee heard Azula swallow a growl.
“He seems to be targeting park rangers instead of bumps in the night.” Mai said.
“We need to run him, and the others, out.” Azula looked at Ty Lee. “I ,uh, remember last time. I didn’t like it anymore than you. I was,” she stopped and got close to whisper to Ty Lee. “I was angry about… a lot but I thought about what you said. Thought about you. Thought about what I wanted.”
Ty Lee gave the woman a warm smile in return. Her expression then turned hard as she cocked a brow at the werewolf. “And that means being overprotective, huh? Like, some may say, a guard?” Ty Lee knew she could have a more emotional moment with Azula in private. She would tell her she was proud of how far she came on her feelings later right now she wanted to hear her girlfriend admit something first.
Mai scoffed and settled deeper into her seat on the carpet. Azula scrunched her brows just enough to form the cute little crease Ty Lee loves to see. “I don’t think I’ve done anything of the sort seeing as I am just now fully caught up on the situation. Your previous story did not ring any alarm bells for me. I’m not sure my routine behavior changed in just twenty four hours.”
Ty Lee and Mai’s faces slowly melted into smirks. Exchanging a knowing glance with the gloomy girl before speaking, Ty Lee theatrically explained, “well, Mai here said my uniform smelled like you. Like a lot .” Azula opened her mouth for a rebuttal and Ty Lee shut her down. “Before you say, ‘well duh we spend a lot of time together,’ I need you to explain all the wrinkles in my uniform from me catching you sleeping on it this morning.” Azula’s brows scrunched further and her lips became pursed.
Azula brushed a bang behind her ear as she gathered herself. Ty Lee watched every movement. “Easy. That’s because-”
“Easy, she made Ty Lee smell overwhelmingly like herself, a werewolf, so another werewolf would back off all while throwing him off the trail that Ty Lee, the Park Ranger, is not involved with werewolves and the like. Dog brain won out this time with its brilliant plan,” Mai finished cutting in, a devilish gleam in her dark eyes the whole time.
Ty Lee could imagine steam coming out of Azula’s ears out of embarrassment. Ty Lee thought it was cute when Azula just let her instincts beat out her logic. “No comment,” was all Azula could muster out.
“The thought was very cute, baby, love you too.” Ty Lee said, placing a kiss on the cheek of the raven haired woman. Azula let her bangs fall in front of her face as she nodded at Ty Lee’s words.
“There’s nothing that can fully wipe that smile off your face.” Mai’s lips upticked slightly too.
“Aw shucks,” Ty Lee playfully said. “What’s a threat to the forest when your girlfriend indulges ya?”
“Which we should get back to.” Azula gained more steel back into her voice.
“Well, what should I do?” Ty Lee leaned into their circle.
“I will need you to stay here and be safe.” That might be Azula's way of breaking it gently to her or her way of showing concern but Ty Lee was lost at that. She wanted to help. “Don’t give me that look. I can’t have you out there, it's too dangerous.”
“I know, I know. Not my guard dog and you don’t want me killed.” Ty Lee shook her head as if she was shaking the disappointment off. “I’ll be here. Probably playing my music too loud and working out to keep up with you on the next run.”
“Azula’s poor wittle ears coming home to loud music.”
“Are you only here for jabs?” Azula tiredly looked at Mai.
“Right, that was low hanging fruit. I’ll do better.”
“Can you guys stay tonight?” Ty Lee blurted out. She stopped herself from clamping her mouth shut to clarify. “Er well I don’t want to be alone, I don’t want you guys to be alone or to get caught in any danger tonight and I can make a little blanket nest for Mai and Azula you be nice she is your friend and-”
“Okay Ty we got the picture. It’s okay. Yes I can be…nice to Mai.”
“I don’t sleep as a bird Ty!”
“Well I don’t know! I think that sounds comfy!”
Azula sighed and heaved herself up and walked into the bedroom to bring out pillows and blankets into the living room. She wasn’t going to argue with Ty Lee. Or ever let herself get vulnerable enough to ask for a sleepover herself.