Azula x Fem!reader Tags: lots of fluff, slice of life(ish), adult!azula, avatar: tloa, goofy af
Warnings/Tags: more feminist azula and reader mwah, azula attempts comedy...
Azula is bored. Sure, she's still the princess of the Fire Nation, but her duties to the throne haven't really changed since the end of the war. To keep his big sister from destroying any more training dummies, he decides to grant her an emotional support lady's maid... aka you.
✦•······················•✦•······················•✦
Five days until the wedding.
"Darling..." your fiancé whispers beside you as she strokes your cheek in an attempt to wake you up. You groan and stretch your arms before cuddling into her more. Azula huffs out a laugh, "you have to wake up. Council is being held today, and we can't miss it."
You sigh and open your eyes to gaze at her face. She smiles and sits up, pulling you with her. The two of you brush each other's hair and get dressed before having breakfast brought to Azula's rooms.
"Zula... I know it's out of turn for me to ask, but could I speak at Council today? It would be wrong if I didn't stand up for myself now, especially when my future is being debated."
Azula thinks for a moment, weighing her options. On one hand, if she let you speak, the members of the council could simply dismiss your testimony due to your rank. On the flip side, it would be a betrayal to you and your relationship if she silenced you.
"I suppose I will defer some of my time to you. Don't expect to get away with saying whatever you want, though. I was stupid to keep you away from palace life and now, as a future courtesan, your reputation is being closely monitored."
In court, you didn't take your usual spot beside Azula. Instead, you stood near other nobles and high-ranking families. Of course, you kept your eyes on Azula the entire time, and you noticed how she wouldn't look at you.
You assumed it was because she was busy casting a cold, sinister gaze around the room. It sent a chill down your spine, and this was the Princess Azula you had heard many tales of. The one who showed no mercy until she came to terms with her own insanity, and spend many years in spiritual training. The one who killed thousands, and set terror through millions.
"Next on the docket," the Chamberlain announces, "a proposal from Princess Azula regarding marital laws within the Fire Nation. Princess Azula, you have the floor."
Azula stands from her small throne that sits beside Zuko's and descends the steps to the platform as she speaks.
"Many of you share the same visions that my brother and I hold for the Fire Nation, one of them being advancement. Though we are an empire built on tradition, I hope you'll agree with me when I say that some of these traditions are outdated,"
"I am set to be married in six days to a woman that brought out the most in me, but due to old Fire Nation laws surrounding how married women are treated, I will be forced to relinquish any military duties I am responsible for in favor of an entirely domestic life. On top of that, I'll be expected to produce an heir, which is impossible."
Azula finally catches your eye and her gaze softens just a little. She holds a hand out to you across the hall and beckons you forward.
"I defer the rest of my time on the floor to my fiancé."
You clear your throat, looking anxiously at the crowd, but a calloused hand on your back gives you encouragement.
"Not only are we fighting for ourselves," you start, "but we're fighting for the common people too. Relationships like ours have been around for years, have been accepted since before many of us were born, and have gone down in history as some of the most powerful. For the Fire Nation to acknowledge lovers like us would only be bringing them up to speed with the rest of the world,"
"To anyone out there who is in love, just know that we experience the same feelings as you. There is no difference. Thank you."
With that, all citizens not apart of the appointed Council were dismissed, meaning you'd be leaving Azula here.
"I'll be in the gardens. Come find me," you whisper.
It wasn't until late at night, beneath the full moon, that you began to think you should leave the gardens and go to bed. The Council was taking forever, and Azula has been stuck with them all day.
You sat by the pond in the South Gardens, surrounded by moonflowers and jasmine. The garden seemed to glow with energy, and it helped to calm you down through the stressed time. You hear footsteps on the stone behind you, and you turn to see Azula standing there.
Her face is hard to read. It's a mixture of reservation and discomfort. You could immediately tell something was wrong.
"Zula? What is it? What's wrong."
"They denied our request. In fact, they completely outlawed our marriage, and the two of us will be executed by electrocution tomorrow. Fear not. We will be allowed to hold hands as we face an early doom."
Her voice was low and maniacal, much like what you had heard her yell at the training grounds last week. It made that same, terrified chill run up your spine. Your jaw hangs open and you blink a couple of times. Then, Azula breaks into a fit of awkward, forced laughter that catches you off guard.
"You are so easy to fool, my darling! Of course we aren't being electrocuted, who would electrocute us?"
She approaches and wraps her arms around you lifting you up and twirling you around. Her voice lowers into something softer and more sincere.
"They approved all of our requests. We'll be able to continue our lives, my love. I also got Zuko to throw in a little bonus," she murmurs, fishing a small gold tiara (much like her own and Zuko's) from her pocket.
"This is the crown of a consort. He agreed to making you royal."
When the maids attempted to predict who would be more of a bridezilla on this day, they would not have guessed it would be you.
"No, no! The firecracker buns are reserved for the Avatar and his friends! The plate should be placed on their table, not by the cake!"
You're running around like a maniac dressed in simple robes with your hair and makeup already styled. A prominent crease has already formed between your brows.
"Like I said, I want the spice cakes handed out to the guests, not the actual wedding cake! The wedding party will be enjoying that after the reception!"
Meanwhile on the other side of the palace, Azula is behaving like a cat drenched in water.
"You're pulling too hard! Why must I be primped like a doll by you when I can do it myself?" she yells at Katara, who was unfortunately recruited as a part of the wedding party.
"That mess of a bun you consider 'acceptable' will embarrass your wife. Quit complaining and let me help you for once."
Katara styles Azula's hair into a lovely half-up style and places her small crown on her head. When a maid approaches her with a white gown, Azula holds up her hand.
"Fetch the ceremonial black gown. I refuse to outshine my beloved on her day."
Katara chuckes, "it's your day too."
"My day is every day. This is the one time she'll be in the spotlight, and I refuse to let her be remembered for mediocrity."
As the ceremony begins, Azula walks through the throne room with poise and authority. The black ceremonial gown she wears is embroidered with gold dragons, and the sleeves drag on the floor like a train. She's breathtaking, and it seems her brother is incredibly proud of who his sister has become.
When the doors open a second time, you stand at the front of the hall in a gorgeous white and red gown. Iroh pulled it from the family vault, telling you it was what his wife wore for their ceremony. It was adorned with painted-on chrysanthemums and peonies in a deep scarlet.
When Azula saw you, she was speechless for the first time in her life. No words could describe the beauty approaching her, and nobody would ever live up to you again. You stand before her, holding her hands and trying not to cry through the ceremony.
As Firelord Zuko officiates the marriage, you and Azula aren't listening to anything he's saying. The two of you just stare at each other, taking in the moment that seemed to come just at the right time.
"Ahem," Zuko says, "I said you may now kiss. If you'd like."
Without hesitation, Azula pulls you in for a slow kiss, using the decorative hand fan on her wrist to shield you from the guests. The entire hall erupts with cheers and applause, which only fills you with more happiness than ever before.
"You know," Azula murmurs, "I never envisioned myself with a satisfying future. Only a powerful one."
"And what would you consider this?" you reply.
"Both," she says, with a tender, loving look that would mark the start of many decades.
✦•······················•✦•······················•✦
a/n: im not crying youre crying!!!! anyways, thank you all for reading this fic, it really means a lot to me that i've had support from the community <3 if you haven't seen it, i started a new Korra x reader that you can find on my masterlist! otherwise, i think this is it for Burnt Linens but make no mistake Azula will return in the future!!! much love everyone
