Fanning The Flames part 2 Title: Fanning The Flames Rating: PG-13 (Just to be safe) Pairing: Zhao/Azula Summary/Author's notes: "And this was how we were...when we were younger"; The early days of Zhao and Azula's rather complicated relationship *snicker*. These are in no particular order timeline wise. Maybe once I finish, I will arrange them appropriately. Til then, just enjoy :D
This is an unofficial claim from 15_flames. This is the second set of drabbles (6-10).
These are set in a RP AU universe. For more information concerning this AU, please check here
6--Give me what I desire
He watches her sleep while sipping tea and pondering over his intentions in his mind. Le Inc. was within his grasp. He could almost feel it, grasp it and hold it tight within his hands. And it would all be thanks to the sleeping girl in his bed.
Yet, Zhao swore beneath his breath at the thought. He had never meant for this to affect him. He was as strong willed as the fire that blazed from his fingertips. What spell had this girl placed on him?
It would be much easier if he could simply use her and toss her to the side as he did with everyone else. She begins to stir and sits up, stretching her bare arms above her head and sighing contently. Zhao curses the spark that passes between them when their gazes meet.
7--Nothing is black and white
Ursa is surprised when she discovers Zhao is Azula's chauffeur. And so she manages to catch him one day while he waits to whisk her daughter off to school. "How is the day faring for you, Mrs. Dao Le?" He asks, a thin veil of sincerity coating his words.
"I did not expect to see you here," she answers, ignoring his question all together. To the best of her knowledge, Zhao belongs in the security office, not behind the wheel of her daughter's limousine.
"It was a special request." He smiles at his charge when she emerges from the house, school books in arms and a surprised expression on her face. Ursa looks back and smiles softly at Azula before facing Zhao once more. Her face becomes hard and her eyes flash with a serious, burning passion. "Watch yourself, Mr. Xiang," she says, her voice cutting like ice, "She is just a child."
Zhao bows politely to Ursa before reaching for the door and opening it for Azula. "I do not think "child" is the correct term, madam." He shuts the door and looks at his employer's wife. "Miss Dao Le is not so easily define." And with those words he leaves her.
8--Waiting
Zhao is surprised when he discovers Azula in his office, waiting for him at his desk. She is sitting on the edge, her slender legs crossed and a sardonic smirk on her lips. "You are late, Mr. Xiang," she says.
He hangs his coat up and crosses the room to stand in front of her. "What can I do for you, Miss Dao Le?" He asks her.
Azula's smirk turns into a mischevious grin before she waves an invitation in front of him. "I have been invited to a party of my dear cousin's. And I am in need of an escort. Since you provided such wonderful services last night, I would ask that you be my escort again."
"Would you not prefer a boy your own age?"
Azula hops down from the desk and straightens Zhao's tie as she speaks, her words laced with silken fire. "I am not interested in boys, Mr. Xiang. I am interested in men."
9--Why is...?
"Tell me something, Mr. Xiang. Why is it that every time I see my daughter, you are generally never far behind?" Ozai asks one day when he sees Zhao in a lonely hallway.
Zhao freezes where he stands and straightens his tie before turning to look at Ozai. "I do not recall ever placing you on her security detail." Ozai comes to stop in front of him and his golden eyes seem to burn holes into Zhao's head.
A knowing smirk spreads across Ozai's lips as he notes Zhao's reaction. He clasps his hands behind his back (and Zhao notes how similar he and Azula look) and continues on toward his office. "I should not have to tell you this, Zhao. But I will for your benefit. Distance yourself from her. Or our next conversation will not be as friendly."
10--Profanity
"Love" was the most profane word in his vocabulary. He did not apply it's meaning to anyone. As it stood, there was no one else in the world worthy of it's definition.
He kept his relationships a strange mixture of casual and formal because doing otherwise would be tantamount to assigning value to them.
And so when he met Azula, the line he had drawn became distorted and blurred and Zhao found quickly that he did not like that. He did not like that she could so easily burn down his protective walls and get him to say things he normally would not. He did not like that she could (and oftentimes did) cause him to make a costly mistake.
He masked all of this with a cool indifference whenever she was around and by refusing to lable whatever their relationship had grown into. Because after all, "love" was not in his vocabulary.