"...so then I ask him to explain to me how there's a false correlation between the carbon dates and construction style, and the bloody dickhead won't elaborate!" Emma threw up her hands, but couldn't stop the giggles that left her. What else could she do in this situation? It was absolutely absurd.

Azula seemed to agree, too, since she was giggling along with Emma. It took the mongoose a few moments to realize that the raptor had a smile on her face. A genuine smile. Normally Emma would want to keep such a smile off the face of a known figjam like Azula, but past the bad first impression, she'd warmed up a bit to her. Sure, it took a few earbashings to get the doctor to finally stop offering her unsolicited advice, but she almost missed it now. Yes, Azula thought highly of herself and her abilities, but she genuinely was trying to be helpful, even if she did so in the most irreverent way possible.

"Some professors can be so arrogant," Azula chuckled. Emma had to keep from rolling her eyes. "I remember a time when my xenobiology professor tried to get me to agree to work for her without a stipend."

"She what?" Emma gasped, recoiling in shock. "Get out! What for?"

"Oh, she claimed it was part of my off-world transfer. My pay would go towards my travel related expenses. I knew better and threatened to contact the dean about it. It was a gamble and I was more than a little terrified, but she blinked first."

"Alright, back up." Emma held out both hands, palms facing towards Azula. Her brows furrowed. Did she miss something? "Why were you so keen to get away?"

Azula went silent as her smile faded. Her eyes shifted away and she cleared her throat. "It is a long story, and I do not intend to depress you with it."

"Doctor." Emma gently laid a hand on Azula's shoulder. The raptor instantly went rigid and tensed up, prompting the mongoose to quickly withdraw. "Shit, sorry. Forgot about boundaries there, mate."

"No, no, it's fine," Azula countered, turning back towards Emma. "I was unprepared. You may place it back. If you wish. If isn't awkward now." Her eyes shifted from Emma, to her hands, to her shoulder. "Yes, it is awkward now. Anyway, you were asking about me. I will keep the details brief and simply say that there was a lot of bad blood."

"With your professors, I take it?" Emma placed her hand back on Azula's shoulder and kept it there this time. The raptor tensed up once more, but quickly relaxed.

"Not exactly. Primarily with my family, and secondarily with some of my peers. There were certain societal expectations placed upon me that I did not wish to satisfy. If I had stayed any longer..."

She paused. Emma didn't question her further. It didn't need to be spelled out for her.

"...I'm glad you got out."

"Thank you." It took a few seconds for Azula to get those words out. "I am glad I got out, too."

Emma smiled at her and squeezed her shoulder. Azula smiled back. The mongoose's hand was still on her shoulder. She liked it.

---

The situationship evolves! Why won't these two just kiss already?!

(It's happening sooner than you think...)

Adorable art by   kitsunewaffles-chan

Emma MacGregor the mongoose and Azula the velociraptor are both owned by me