Second Chances

Something Good

"You know, now that everything is all sorted out, Zuko and Mai are going to finish their wedding plans," Ty Lee noted, sitting on the edge of her bed holding baby Maoro. She'd taken a real liking to the little boy and he seemed quite comfortable with her too.
"I still wish they hadn't put everything on hold because of me," Azula frowned, awkwardly holding up a onesie for Maoro. "Here, put this on."
"'Zula," Ty Lee laughed, "he's a baby. He can't dress himself."
"Right," Azula nodded. "He'll have to learn though."
"He will. My goodness this babysitting thing is going to be pretty weird for you isn't it?"
"Well, we did just get back from town and your sister decided to head into town for some "important" errands," Azula sighed, her brow furrowing.
"Ah don't sound so upset," Ty Lee shook her head, "Maoro is cute. Look at him."
"He's drooling," Azula winced.
"That's what babies do," Ty Lee laughed. "They drool and pee and cry and poop and drool some more."
"Pleasant," the princess groaned. "As long as he doesn't drool on me I'll be fine."
Ty Lee smiled to herself and bounced Maoro lightly on her knee as he sucked on his fist. His hair was a dark brown and surprisingly thick for someone his age, but not quite long enough for Ty Lee to braid...yet.
"Hey," a curt voice sounded from outside the door. "Open up."
Ty Lee watched Azula's expression change to one of suppressed anger as she opened the bedroom door to reveal Tanro.
"What?" The princess asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Ty Lat's away with her...husband, and I figured it's best if I take over the baby sitting gig," Tanro stated, his eyes scanning the room.
"Absolutely not." Azula glowered, moving to block his view from the room. "We can handle it."
"I'm sure one of you can," Tanro countered.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Ty Lee asked, her own sense of pride turning into a flame.
"You know what I mean, Ty," Tanro sighed. "She may be a princess but what does she know about babies? Besides, I bet Maoro makes you uncomfortable anyways. I'd be doing you a favor."
"I didn't ask for anymore of your favors you spineless simpleton of a man," Azula hissed, promptly shutting the door in his face.
A moment of silence fell over the room and Ty Lee noticed the agitated flickering of Azula's eyes. Considering the princess' last altercation with Tanro, Ty Lee couldn't blame Azula for the slew of emotions running through her head.
Seeming to sense the tension in the room, Maoro sat up straighter and stuck his foot out as Azula went to sit beside Ty Lee. "BA!"
"What do you think you're doing?" Azula asked, eyeing Maoro intently.
"BAAA!" Maoro giggled again, sticking out his other leg so Azula definitely couldn't sit down without squishing his tiny toes.
"What is this betrayal?" The princess glowered, looking legitimately offended by the baby.
"Maoro, be nice," Ty Lee laughed, smoothing out his hair, but Maoro decided he was going to be even more antagonistic and stuck out his tongue.
"What am I supposed to do with this? Flick him?" Azula asked, looking moderately distressed.
"No! You don't flick babies!" Ty Lee shook her head.
"My dad did it," Azula shrugged, before realizing what she'd said. "Oh. I suppose that would make it a bad thing to do. No flicking babies. Got it. Uhm, what about shoving him out of the way?"
"No. Try again."
"Moving his feet? Do you think he'll let me?" Azula asked nervously, reaching down to move Maoro's legs out of the way.
"Grrrr!" Maoro grumbled as soon as Azula touched him.
"Ahh," Azula retracted her hand immediately, "do they always do that?"
"No, he's teasing you," Ty Lee assured. "Maoro, let her sit. Please?"
With a smug look, Maoro pulled his legs back and Azula hesitantly sat down beside him and Ty Lee. Then, he cried out "BA" again and plopped his feet onto Azula's lap.
The princess stiffened and looked at Ty Lee for help. The acrobat just smiled endearingly and collected the little boy's onesie from earlier.
"Is there something I'm doing wrong?" Azula asked, staring at Maoro's small feet.
"You're fine, love, I promise," Ty Lee grinned. "He's just got a personality it seems. Just as mischievous as I was at his age. Now, to get him dressed for bed."
Azula watched as Ty Lee scooped up the little boy and set him gently on the bed. It was strange seeing her so comfortable with a baby. In other words, a small, fragile, and very breakable human being.
And, as much as Azula hated to admit it, she's never seen someone be a mother to a baby before. Never seen anyone change a diaper or get a baby ready for bed. She was surprised Ty Lee even knew how to do that.
"I did a brief stint as a baby sitter," Ty Lee explained, seeming to read Azula's mind. "It's also something I've always had a knack for. Not sure how."
"Well, thank Sozin you're here," Azula muttered, "I'd have lost him by now."
"Give yourself more credit," the acrobat  sighed, sparing Azula a glance. "You're much more compassionate than you think. Besides, Maoro will learn to like you. Won't you?"
"Mlem," Maoro groaned, stretching his arms overhead and yawning.
"All dressed," Ty Lee smiled, speaking softly. Maoro'a eyes were heavy lidded, and he seemed content to fall asleep then and there.
"Here," Azula sighed, standing quickly and drawing back the covers of the bed. Ty Lee set Maoro in the middle and took the spot beside him. Azula did her best to tuck the little boy in before turning to Ty Lee. "Would you like to be tucked in?"
"Yes please," Ty Lee snorted, her eyes soft and full of affection. Containing a smile, Azula tucked the acrobat into bed before taking up her spot on the other side and turning out the lights.
— — —
"Morning sleepy head," Ty Lee whispered, nudging Azula awake when a meaty hand slapped the princess hard on the forehead. "Maoro!"
"Ow," Azula frowned, opening one eye to glare at the evil looking baby. "Can you not?"
"BAAAAA!" Maoro shrieked.
"And that's my queue," Ty Lat laughed, entering the room at the sound of her son's gibberish.
"He slept great and he got along great with Azula!" Ty Lee grinned.
"He just slapped me," Azula glowered.
"Like I said," Ty Lee snickered, "they got along great."
"Was someone being stinky and not nice?" Ty Lat asked, taking Maoro carefully from Ty Lee. Maoro looked sheepishly at the floor. "Be mixer next time okay, baby? Say sorry to the princess."
"Azula. You...you can just call me Azula. If you want," Azula shrugged.
Ty Lat looked surprised by this but nodded, "say sorry to Azula."
"Sobwy!" Maoro cooed, looking as adorable as he possibly could.
"Thank you, now let's go get breakfast okay?" Ty Lat smiled and kissed her son on the cheek.
Seeming rather pleased with himself, Maoro wrapped his arms around his mother's neck and was carried from the room.
"Is your face okay?" Ty Lee asked, eyeing the red outline of a baby hand on the princes' pale skin.
"I've had worse than a baby's slap," Azula replied, nestling down into the covers.
"Still tired?"
"I slept horrible last night. That thing was clinging to me like a lemur koala," Azula frowned, well, pouted.
"That thing is my nephew and he happens to be clingy like me," Ty Lee joked, latching onto Azula like a lemur koala.
"Nooooo, you're too warm. It's hoooot," Azula hissed, trying to squirm away.
"But snuggles," Ty Lee mumbled, turning on her best puppy dog eyes.
"Cuddles after I cook off from having a tiny human as a blanket all night in top of the other covers I had," Azula sighed, tapping Ty Lee lightly on the nose.
"Promise?"
"Promise," Azula smirked, closing her eyes and rolling over. Smiling to herself, Ty Lee traces shapes on the princess' back with her index finger. She drew a shaky penguin, and elephant seal, then she drew Appa, and lastly Momo, before Azula deemed herself officially cooled off.
Ty Lee was quick to resume her previous lemur koala position and nestled her face in the princess' neck. They remained silent for some time just listening to the other breath before Azula broke the silence.
"Do you think Zuko is good with babies?"
"I don't know. He might be."
"I hope not," Azula admitted.
"What? Why?" Ty Lee exclaimed.
"Well, then he'd be better than me at something," Azula shivered. "I can't have that happen."
"'Zula!" Ty Lee laughed, rolling her eyes. "Be serious."
"I don't think I'd be a very good aunt, that's all. Not like you are with Maoro," Azula sighed. "I don't want to mess up another relationship. Especially with someone so impressionable."
"I think..."Ty Lee whispered, "that you'd be a wonderful aunt. Protective, caring, a good listener, and a wonderful role model."
"I don't know," Azula shook her head, chewing on her bottom lip. "I hope I don't have to find out."
Ty Lee wanted to argue, saying Azula wasn't giving herself enough credit, but she knew the princess wouldn't listen. Instead, the acrobat stayed quiet and just listened to Azula's heartbeat. Today was going to be a good day. Ty Lee was sure of it. Or at least, she hoped it would be a good day. Azula had had enough bad days, and frankly, so had Ty Lee. They needed  something good for once. Even if morning cuddles was all they got.