Lying down on her soft bed, Ty Lee felt her fingers start to stiffen and ache as her grip on her pillow wouldn't release. Her room was as dark as she could get it, the only ray of light coming from the window where the curtain didn't quite touch the floor. Closing her eyes, Ty Lee took slow and steady breaths as she concentrated on the sound around her so she wouldn't have to think about her feelings. She could hear three of her sisters arguing over a boy, another two arguing over the same hairstyle and it made her want to roll her eyes. Outside she could hear the faint sound of a bell ringing from far away, steadily chiming away.
Feeling the ache in her fingers start to get worse, Ty Lee released her grip slightly but still held onto the pillow as if it was a lifeline, something grounding her, something helping her remain calm.
Hearing a soft knock on the door, Ty Lee bit her bottom lip and ignored it hoping that the person on the other side would just leave her alone. She had been having a bad day and her thoughts had gotten the best of her, dragging her down and into a dark place.
The sound of the creaking of the door opening alerted her to someone entering. The added light hurt her eyes and she wasn't having any of it. Taking a deep breath in to yell at whoever decided they could disturb her, she stopped herself just in time as the faint smell of jasmine and vanilla filled her senses and she only knew of one person who smelled like that. Azula.
Watching as the light disappeared as the door closed, Ty Lee heard Azula walking over to her, soft footsteps crossing the old carpet of her bedroom floor. Feeling the mattress dip, Ty Lee waited to see what Azula would do. Clenching the corner of her pillow as tightly as she could, Ty Lee didn't know what to expect.
"What's wrong, Ty Lee?" Azula gently asked as she placed her hand on Ty Lee's upper arm.
Taking a deep breath in Ty Lee closed her eyes, and let the feel of Azula's hand on her arm comfort her for a moment. She would have liked more but she knew that if anyone found out no one would want to know her anymore, let alone get up close to her. "It's nothing," she softly breathed out. She didn't think she could deal with Azula leaving her today.
Feeling Azula's arms wrap around her, pulling her close, Ty Lee felt her entire body instinctively relax against the warmth of Azula's body.
"Whatever it is you can tell me, I don't like seeing your upset," Azula said, trying to get Ty Lee to talk to her.
Needing to see the expression on Azula's face, Ty Lee gently rolled over and faced Azula. Running her eyes over Azula's face she noticed how Azula's lips softly sat against one another, relaxed. There was no tension in Azula's jaw to give anything away. Meeting Azula's golden eyes with her own grey she saw nothing but kindness and affection in them, a look Azula only reserved for when they were alone together and it made her feel safe.
"If anyone finds out they will think less of me, hate me, and I've seen what some people are capable of. I don't want my friends and family to leave me over something I have no control over. I don't want to be alone," Ty Lee softly said, unable to look at Azula.
Keeping her eyes focused on the darkness of the room, Ty Lee felt Azula's hand gently run along the side of her face as Azula moved her hair back and out of her face. The light coming in from the bottom of the window was just enough to make out one another's faces.
"No matter what Ty Lee I'll always be here. You are my best friend and I don't think anything could change that, okay," Azula said, trying her best to make Ty Lee feel safer.
"I just wish it was more," Ty Lee replied, barely above a whisper.
"Ty Lee, please, tell me what's wrong," Azula tried again, wanting to know what was causing her best friend so much sadness.
"Promise me that you won't hate me or run away?" Ty Lee softly asked as the knots in her stomach pulled tighter.
"I promise," Azula replied, ungripping Ty Lee's hand from the pillow and holding it tightly in her own.
"I don't really know how to say this so I'm just going to say it. I like girls how we are meant to like boys and I'm scared that if anyone found out they would tell everyone and then something bad may happen to me like it has to everyone else like me," Ty Lee replied, unable to look at Azula for fear of what would happen.
"If anyone tried to hurt you I'd personally see to them myself and set them on fire until they learn their lesson and apologise," Azula responded, not liking the thought of someone hurting Ty Lee.
Letting a small smile grace her face for only a moment, Ty Lee looked down and took a deep breath in and slowly exhaled. "There is this girl I really like too, she's caring, loving, and has the most gorgeous smile."
"Well, I do hope it's me because I've been trying to flirt with you for ages," Azula replied, a small smirk on her face.
Sitting up on the bed, Ty Lee pulled Azula up so they were sitting facing each other. Gently cupping Azula's face, Ty Lee caressed Azula's cheek with her thumb. "Can I kiss you?"
Seeing a small smile on Azula's face, Ty Lee was a little surprised when she felt warm, soft lips gently pressing against her own. Closing her eyes, she felt sparks going off inside of her, warming up every part of her body. Butterflies did back flips in her stomach as she smiled into the kiss.
Hearing soft music starting to play in the park across from her bedroom, Ty Lee gently broke the kiss and rested her forehead against Azula's. "Will you dance with me?"
"Always," Azula replied as she led them off the bed and over to space in front of the window.
Feeling Azula's hands on her waist, holding her close, Ty Lee wrapped her arms around Azula's neck as they gently swayed together to the sound of the music in the dark room.
"I promise I'm never going to leave."