"Okay, okay, coral pink or ruby dust?" Ty Lee asks, squinting at the sides of the tubes of lipstick for their handwritten names.

She has expensive make-up, that is certain. It all seems to be handcrafted and the cases made of precious metals. Azula examines it closely and tries to make her mind up. Her own lips are cracked and chapped, dry from dehydration.

Azula has had more to be concerned about than make-up, but as she sits in this boring political event about Ba Sing Se, she feels vaguely exposed, a sensation unfamiliar to a girl who wears metaphorical armor even when she is naked and literal armor most of the time when clothed.

"Let's go to the bathroom," Azula demands, and Ty Lee is surprised she is taking such interest in make-up. Azula's hand seizes Ty Lee's arm with tenacious force and they are sent spinning into the hallway, sneaking out while everyone is distracted by some dull general's speech that was leaving Azula fantasizing about starting a fire just too escape.

They arrive in the bathroom, a red and gold, expensive, showy waste of space. Azula examines herself in the mirror and Ty Lee cannot read her. Ever since their return from their forced vacation, she has been slightly distant. Or maybe she has always been that way.

"Okay, okay, coral pink or ruby dust?" Ty Lee finally inquires in a breathy tone. A tone that makes Azula need to inhale deeply. It feels warm and inviting in a way that Azula is certain that Ty Lee does not mean.

"I think I need to see how they look first," Azula purrs, extending her arm.

It takes Ty Lee a few seconds to realize that Azula wants her to streak it across Azula's hand. Ty Lee hesitates before opening each bottle and leaving a small streak. One is dark red and the other a light pink.

The princess looks unimpressed. Ty Lee steps from foot to foot, nervous at Azula's cold expression.

"Which one are you wearing?" Azula demands, cocking her head to the side.

Ty Lee is transfixed by her eyes for a moment, like a hypnosis leading her to certain death. Azula clears her throat and Ty Lee jumps.

"Oh, uh, coral pink, princess," Ty Lee stammers and Azula blinks once.

"Give me the ruby dust." Azula holds out her palm and thanklessly takes the tube of lipstick. She applies it in the mirror, her motions all so perfectly calculated. Ty Lee is drawn in, deeper and deeper although she does not want to know how far she can sink into Azula's pretty words and lovely lips.

"Are you sure you don't want the coral pink?" Ty Lee's heart jumps into her throat. "I mean, uh, you look great!"

Gasp. Azula smirks; she likes people being afraid of her far too much for her own good.

"I was actually thinking of a mix of both," Azula says and she holds out her hand for the other tube.

Ty Lee pauses, closes her eyes, and goes out on a limb. She kisses Azula with a force, a passion that melts the shades of lipstick together. Their tongues meet, trying to taste as much of the other as possible.

They break apart and Ty Lee feels on the verge of hyperventilating. She can only see Azula in the dim light of a bonfire, wondering why she never made a move if she is going to be so jealous.

Azula looks stunned. She smirks faintly for a moment.

"That's a nice shade," she says, examining herself in the mirror.

"It is, princess." Ty Lee's heart has not stopped palpitating.

She catches Azula blush slightly and it is almost the cross between coral pink and ruby dust.

Success.