+Bouquet+
Ty Lee and Zuko spend the next day shopping in the multitude of Caldera flower shops, seeking utter perfection.
They have to find the perfect thing if either of them will stand a chance in their friendly competition. Yet, they worked together, a brother in law and sister in law unified by their quest.
They find themselves in a flower shop far from the royal and noble areas of Caldera. Ty Lee's sister recommended it, and so Ty Lee brought Zuko there with her.
"Looking to make a statement?" asks a woman as she emerged from the back rooms. Ty Lee jumps; Zuko stays calm and stoic.
"A statement?" he asks, examining the woman. He glances around at the almost infinite supply of flowers in the shop. It is more impressive and well-stocked than anywhere he went with Ty Lee in the wealthy areas of the city. Surely, this place must be very popular with the common people to be so full of flowers.
"Yes, my shop and my help is based around the ancient Fire Nation language of flowers. Lovers, friends, they communicated with bouquets. And I believe in that magic. Even without knowledge, the proper bouquet can have amazing effects."
Zuko scoffs.
But Ty Lee says with wide, eager eyes, "I believe you. I trust your aura."
Zuko cocks an eyebrow. Of course. He honestly wants to leave, but he is too afraid to let Ty Lee win somehow.
The woman hands over two weathered scrolls.
"Choose what you want to say, and I will put together a striking bouquet of the words you choose.
They take their time, painstakingly.
Ty Lee selects yellow acacia (secret love), anemone (illness), pink carnation (I will never forget you), lavender (distrust), marigold (grief), and yarrow (everlasting love). Somehow, the mixed bunch of flowers becomes a more stunning bouquet than even those at Ty Lee's wedding.
Zuko selects borage (bluntness), candytuft (indifference), yellow carnation (disdain), honeysuckle (bonds of love), peony (happy life), and red tulip (passion).
They pay twice the usual price for the bouquets to thank the woman, and then make their way to the palace.
When they arrive, they both find Azula and Mai lounging on one of the patios, Azula languidly fanning herself with one of Ty Lee's old Kyoshi Warrior relics, and Mai squinting unhappily at the sky.
Ty Lee moves first. She knees before Azula, takes her hand and kisses her knuckles.
She hands her the flowers.
"Do you like them?" pleads Ty Lee.
"They are beautiful," says Azula coldly. She takes them, sniffs them, and then sets them on the dilapidated Pai Sho table beside her. She pulls Ty Lee to her feet and drags her wife onto her lap to kiss her passionately.
But no emotion. No tears. No smiles. No confession of love.
Zuko snorts. He knew Ty Lee could not win even with the best bouquet in the world.
He walks to Mai and humbly hands her the flowers.
"I wanted to show you how I want to be romantic until the day we die. You deserve this for all you put up with," he says.
She wrinkles her nose. She does not smile. Or laugh.
"I hate flowers, but thanks. I do deserve some gifts for all you put me through." Mai yawns. "Come inside with me. Maybe I have a gift for you of my own."
She takes Zuko by his hand and leads him to the bedroom.
Azula pulls Ty Lee closer on her lap and kisses her neck.
"I told you I wouldn't let you win your stupid contest. And if you think you can defeat me, you have to try a little harder than flowers."
Azula kisses her again.