Chapter 21

Ty Lee was barely aware of going to work the Monday following her visit with Azula. She tended the merchandise and spoke to her kindly old boss and customers whenever she was questioned, but otherwise she was out of it. Her mind replayed everything about Saturday.

It had started out well enough in the common room. And then it got unbelievably better in a way Ty Lee hadn't even thought was possible, given the environment they were limited by. And then… Then I opened my mouth again.

She huffed quietly to herself as she folded a few fancy blouses before the boutique closed.

Azula was hurting more than she let on. Not that she ever let on about any feelings she may or may not be having. Ty Lee foolishly hoped that her borderline happiness the last few weeks meant that she'd resolved some of her past pains. This hope was totally crushed as soon as the toxic subject of the Boiling Rock was brought up again.

I don't know what else I'm supposed to say about that day. I would never let either of them hurt each other, and at that moment Mai was in the right. I did the right thing and I would do it again.

Unfortunately, this line of reasoning only enraged Azula. Ty Lee figured it was because someone so close to her had pulled a one-eighty reversal on her priorities. I would be hurt too, but I'd be able to move on. Right?

Then again… Ty Lee had other people to fall back and rely on if something like that happened. Her entire family was there for her, plus Mai, the Kyoshi Warriors, and even Zuko. Azula had, well, no one. Her bond with her mother had deep-seated troubles and Ursa was long suspected dead anyways, her uncle never tried to understand or be there for her, her two best friends deserted her at the same time, the relationship with her brother was hostile at best, and her father was imprisoned with rumors swirling that he'd spurned her help at the end of the war.

Ty Lee supposed she would feel enraged and hopeless too if that was her situation. It certainly would make accepting and recovering harder. Her throat tightened as she recalled the awful fight they had.

"I hate you."

A noise called out somewhere in the distance.

"Ty Lee?"

She had frozen midway through folding a blouse and raised her tearful eyes to face her boss.

"Oh, dear, what's the matter? Are you alright?"

Ty Lee didn't speak right away, as she tried to hold back the sobs racing to escape her mouth. It was no use, they forced their way out and Ty Lee stood with her hands pressed into her eyes thinking about how absolutely awful everything was. The pink of her aura was slowly being sucked away.

The old lady took the blouse from her hands, quickly folding it before leading Ty Lee to the back room. She sat her down on a little stool and brought her a steaming cup of tea. Ty Lee didn't bother trying to sip it and just slumped over on her knees. I just want to help you, to be with you.

It's never going to happen, is it?

Her boss let her cry softly in the back, while she finished closing up the shop. Ty Lee apologized profusely when her tears subsided and the woman just smiled sadly, wishing her well and telling her to take tomorrow off.

Ty Lee left the boutique in the early evening and strode straight home, unsure if her tears had stopped for good or just for a brief intermission. She didn't want to run through the streets of the city sobbing over their fallen princess, so she heightened her pace.

Entering her apartment, Ty Lee slipped into some comfy clothes and put a little kettle on for tea. It boiled quickly and she opened a cupboard to grab a mug. Her hand paused over an unopened bottle of rice wine. Grabbing it and the mug, she unsealed the bottle and poured a generous amount for herself. Ty Lee didn't drink too often, but after this weekend and today, she felt like she could use one. Bottle.

The kettle whistled softly and she took it off the heat, sipping the alcohol instead. She threw together a meager dinner of rice and some spicy roasted meat, continuing to nurse her drink until it was gone. Ty Lee ate quickly and decided to pour another mugful of the rice wine. Having not eaten much before dinner, her head was already feeling a little light.

She moved from the kitchen area to her bedroom and flipped the light on by her bed. Ty Lee was about to draw the curtains shut and collapse into her blankets, when she noticed an envelope wedged in the tiny window space she'd left open. Fearing the worst from Dr. Liu, she tore it from the window, ripping it in half in her haste.

Cursing softly under her breath she pulled the letter from the envelope and matched the pieces together. As she did so, she noticed the royal seal. Breathing a sigh of relief, she began to read Zuko's handwriting.

She read it once. Twice. Her eyes sped over the short script a third time and she felt her throat burning again. Before she realized what she was doing, she'd already downed her second drink, put her shoes back on, and was running out the door to fall back on one of her people in a time of need.

It was still early enough that Ty Lee was not worried about Mai being asleep. As she ran through the streets, she clutched the torn letter in her hand, repeating its already memorized contents to herself:

Ty Lee,

Due to recent events, I have to ask that you stop visiting Azula. I have already instructed Dr. Liu to not allow you inside if you go anyways, as I suspect you might.

You are welcome to come to the palace to discuss this further.

Zuko

Ty Lee skidded to a halt in front of Mai's house and seeing a few lights flickering in the windows, she pounded loudly on the door. A window creaked open above her and Mai poked her head out to see who was making such a racket on a Monday evening. She sighed. Should have known.

"Hold on, I was just about to draw a bath," she shut the window and Ty Lee heard the lock in the door click after a minute. Mai opened the door wearing a silky looking dark red robe, her long hair was completely down and fell prettily against her back. "Hey, what's—?"

Ty Lee immediately burst into tears and ambushed her in a tight hug. Mai awkwardly shuffled backwards to lead them off of the street and into her house. She had a strong hunch this had something to do with Azula.

Mai pried Ty Lee's arms from around her waist and sat her quietly sobbing friend into one of the armchairs by the empty fireplace. She sat in the opposite chair and waited until Ty Lee finally regained enough composure to speak.

"What happened?" Mai folded her arms across her body. The silky robe she wore was embroidered beautifully with flames and flowers, but it was thin and not at all warm.

Ty Lee wiped her eyes, one hand still clutching the letter. Her head was starting to swim in the effects of her indulgence. She handed the two halves of crumpled paper over to Mai, knowing she wouldn't be able to read it out loud herself.

Mai's eyes quickly scanned the writing and her forehead wrinkled briefly, needing more information, "What "recent events" happened to make him ban you from seeing her?"

The former acrobat stared down at her lap, lip trembling. Only then did she realize that she had run out of her apartment in pajama pants. The absurdity of the situation and her reaction caused her to choke out a hysteric laugh, "We slept together," Mai's eyebrow shot up but she didn't say anything yet, "In her room, we slept together. Oh, spirits Mai, it was perfect. And then I messed up and we started arguing."

She recalled the entire visit to Mai, leaving out the steamy details. But as she neared the end of the tale, her voice hushed as she became confused. She looked up at her friend, "But, Zuko wouldn't stop me for a fight. He probably doesn't know about any of that, actually. Azula wouldn't talk to Dr. Liu about that kind of stuff…"

Ty Lee's eyes widened and she stood unsteadily, looking at Mai, "Something must have happened after I left! I have to find out, I have to go back to—"

A gentle shove from Mai pushed her back down into the squishy chair, "You can't. You read the letter, you can't go back. They won't let you in." What did they fight about to cause all of this?

"But something bad might have happened to her!" Ty Lee rubbed her temples. I drank too much too fast.

Mai spoke carefully, "I think you should stay away for now." She shifted uncomfortably in her chair. The movement caused the robe over one of her shoulders to slip and she pulled it reflexively back into place. Ty Lee glimpsed the pale, creamy skin and shivered at unwanted thoughts. Mai continued, "You've been falling deeper and deeper for her recently. I think you need to step back and think realistically about all of this."

Ty Lee glared, "All of what?"

Mai rolled her eyes, really hoping Ty Lee wouldn't fly into a rage tonight. It was Monday for Agni's sake; the week had only just begun.

"The two of you. I guess you love her, for whatever reason you do, and that seems like it hasn't changed after all these years. But Azula…" Certainly? Definitely? That's a little harsh. "…probably doesn't love you back. And probably nev—"

"Stop," Ty Lee blinked back more tears, eyes drifting over the delicate work on Mai's robe, "Don't say it out loud. I already know. B-but what am I s'pos ta do about it? She infected my brain and my body and my everything. She's like…" Ty Lee struggled to think of how to finish the thought, but her face lit up when she found the right thing to say, "She's like poison and the antidote at the same time."

Mai bit back a laugh at the utterly ridiculous, but somewhat accurate comparison, "I think time away will help. And you can always get more information from Zuko if you want it."

Ty Lee rolled her eyes dramatically, "Ohh sure, like Zuko's been so helpful so far. He almost killed Az-Azula with cooling her too much. He's been so mean, y'know? Never even visiting her and hating that I was in her room once. Well, a bunch of times, but he duzzint know that. And he won't. 'Cuz you and that doctor won't tell him. An' I won't tell him. Plus, I don't think he wants to hear about how I fucked his sister in her bedroom, prison cell, whatever it is." She laughed and mumbled more about the fun they had a couple days ago.

Mai just watched as Ty Lee unleashed this torrent of slightly slurred words. Suddenly, she noticed Ty Lee's unusually pink cheeks and the way her head swung around, glazed eyes never resting on one thing for too long. It dawned on her, "Have you been drinking?"

Ty Lee licked her lips and rolled her head back towards Mai, "Oops, you caught me!" She pouted and rested her suddenly tearless face on her fist, "I just wanted to relax. To get her off my mind for one night. C'you blame me?"

Mai looked on as Ty Lee swayed in her seat, "No, can't say I do." Those two siblings probably made both of us want to do this more often than we did.

The apathetic woman was mildly amused at seeing Ty Lee like this, despite the events that led to it. The seriousness of their conversation had worn off quickly and Mai supposed if Ty Lee was truly concerned about what happened with Azula, she would go talk to Zuko about it just like he suggested in his letter. Besides, if Azula had made it over four years in that place, nothing too bad could have happened to her over the weekend. Instead of focusing on either sibling, Mai switched her attention to the woman in front of her.

"Do you want any water or something?" she hoped Ty Lee hadn't had too much to drink; she didn't feel like babysitting a tipsy person tonight. It's only Monday.

"Mm, have any snacks? Somethin' spicy or sweet? Or maybe water, I dunno! Let's just snack an' talk about fun things," Ty Lee slumped onto the floor and toyed with her braid.

Mai stood from her chair and pulled Ty Lee to her feet. She didn't want to leave her alone in the study, so she dragged the inebriated woman down the little hallway to her kitchen and sat her down at the table. Mai quickly scanned her cupboards for snacks. There wasn't too much to look for. She was often abroad because of her diplomatic duties and so her house was poorly stocked with food, but she ended up finding an ice cream treat in her freezer and handed it over to a joyful Ty Lee.

"Oooh watermelon is my favorite! Thanks Mai," she ripped off the packaging and began happily licking at the cold snack. After an all too short lull in the conversation, Ty Lee spoke up again, "So no boyfriend still, Mai? You sure you don't wanna be back with Zuko? We can both be a parta the same messed up family, wouldn't that be super fun?" She laughed a little sadly, but stared at Mai, waiting for an answer.

"Ah, no. No boyfriend. I told you, I'm too busy for that right now. I'm fine on my own," she absolutely hated talking about this, no matter if Ty Lee was drunk or not.

"Aww c'mon, don't you miss dating someone? How long's it been? When was the last time you had s—?"

"Okay." The blunt question surprised Mai and she blinked furiously, as if that would hide the blush that crept across her cheeks, "That's none of your business." It's only been a... while.

Ty Lee ignored her and held up her fingers, "Two days ago for meee. With the princess. Of the Fire Nation."

Mai rolled her eyes and leaned against the polished countertop of her kitchen, "Yes, you mentioned that earlier."

Her robe slipped down her shoulder again, but this time Mai didn't notice. She was too busy concentrating on not listening to the graphic details pouring from Ty Lee's mouth. Mai put her face in her hands and tried to ignore the ramblings of her friend, but she couldn't deny that a few snippets of what she'd heard sounded interesting at least.

She flinched suddenly at a hand gathering the hair cascading down her back and twisting it over her right shoulder. When did she walk over here?

"I'm curious…" Ty Lee barely whispered.

She's too close. Mai was about to turn to question what Ty Lee was up to, when she felt a pair of lips ghost along her exposed shoulder. She inhaled sharply at the contact, but otherwise froze in place. Move. Warm breath puffed along her skin. Move! Lips found the base of her neck. MOVE. Teeth bit down and Mai gasped, finally pulling away.

She yanked her robe up and stepped back to face a flushed Ty Lee, "W-what are you thinking?!"

Ty Lee looked unabashedly at Mai and took a step forward, inching the other woman into a corner, "I just wondered. I just wondered what it'd be like, that's all." Why she chose you… She kept walking towards the rare sight of a flustered Mai. Her cheeks were stained with pink and the skin beneath her robe was covered with goosebumps.

"You're still weirded out about Azula and I, aren't yo—?" Lips against lips. A tongue forcing its way in for a brief second, before Mai came to her senses and pushed Ty Lee away by the shoulders. She tastes like watermelon.

She held Ty Lee back at an arm's distance, trying to ignore her wild heartbeat, "Don't. You've been drinking and you're confused and depressed about Azula and that letter."

Ty Lee inhaled, she's right, it's all wrong. She smells different. Her lips are too thin. I couldn't feel fire running through her blood. She waved her hands, dismissing her actions, "Sorry, sorry. Just um, wanted to try it." She pasted a huge grin on her face, but Mai could see it was not genuine.

"Are you okay?"

"Course I'm okay, everything's perfect and great. I got to be with Azula for a while, then she said she hated me, and now I'm banned from seeing her. S'all so good," her shoulders sank in Mai's hands.

She's in bad shape. Damnit Azula. Mai wasn't exactly sure how to respond. Ty Lee was teetering on the brink of a breakdown and Mai really didn't want that to happen. She steered Ty Lee upstairs and began filling the bathtub with steaming water, "Why don't you relax in here for a bit? I'll go make tea and bring it up to you once it's ready."

Ty Lee nodded slowly and looked around the lavish bathroom. It was all beautiful dark marble, with silver fixtures. Mai had a few candles on the counter where the sink was and Ty Lee watched as she lit them carefully. There were bottles and bottles of perfumes, shampoos, soaps, bath bubbles, oils, and lotions. Geez, so fancy.

Mai was watching her look over all of her things, "You can use whatever you want. I'll be back in a few minutes." Before heading back downstairs, she got a fluffy black towel out from a cabinet and tossed it on the counter.

Ty Lee listened to Mai's steps fade as she exited the room. She ran her fingers along the cool marble surfaces and began reading the labels of all of Mai's toiletries. Fire lily, cinnamon, spiced apple, rose, ginger and lemon, morning dew… There were at least fifteen bottles and jars. Ty Lee picked up the simple rose scented one, scattering a few of the others across the counter because of the dizziness in her head.

She leaned against the counter and stared at the large oval mirror above the sink. Her reflection swam in front of her, rosy cheeks and unfocused eyes gave her current state away immediately. She shook her head and regretted the action, instantly clutching it in her hand as she felt her brain whack around inside her skull. Ohh, tomorrow is going to be bad.

Ty Lee poured a little of the rose scented bath gel under the gush of water escaping the faucet. Bubbles began to froth up and soon the water was covered in a white, foamy sheet. She undressed and stepped into the delightfully hot water, releasing a sigh of sudden relief. Tipping her head back, she closed her eyes and forced her mind clear as she soaked pleasantly in the tub.

After a few minutes, a quiet creak signaled Mai's return into the room. She brought a small cup of tea for Ty Lee and set it on the wide ledge of the bathtub's side. Ty Lee cracked her eyes open and smiled at Mai, "Thank you… I'm sorry I—"

"It's alright. Just relax," Mai turned to leave, but Ty Lee reached out and grabbed the sleeve of her robe.

"Stay. Please. I donwanna be alone," she looked up with pleading eyes.

Mai sighed and slumped her back against the side of the tub. The water was quite high and so she leaned over to shut the faucet off. Mai stretched her legs out in front of her and crossed her arms, tilting her head back to rest against the tub. Not knowing what to really talk about, Mai stayed quiet as she inhaled the calming rose scented water.

Ty Lee swirled the foamy bubbles around with her finger. She was starting to get sleepy. Drinking always makes me so tired.

"Mai?" she looked at Mai's profile as the girl softly mm'ed in response. "Can I stay here tonight?"

Mai turned to face Ty Lee with a raised eyebrow, "Do you think I'd let you walk home alone, full of alcohol, at this time of night?"

Ty Lee smiled and sank an inch lower into the lovely water, "Mm noooo. Thanks Mai, you're a good friend."

The knife-wielding woman smiled to herself and resumed her position of silence against the side of the tub. After another ten minutes of Ty Lee quietly splashing around and sipping tea, Mai spoke, "You're going to roast if you stay in there much longer."

Ty Lee examined her fingers. Ooh, so pruney. Her skin was pink all over from the heat of the water and she agreed with Mai's not-so-subtle suggestion to get out. She reached for the towel on the counter and wrapped it around herself as she stood from the bath. The heat combined with the rice wine caused an intense dizzy spell and Ty Lee had to take a minute to stand still and clear her head. Mai helped her step out of the tub and she led Ty Lee to her bedroom.

Looking around, one could instantly tell this was Mai's room, though it was hard to say why, exactly. Perhaps the cleanliness, scarcity of sentimental tokens, and clearly displayed collection of small knives all contributed to it.

"You can stay in here, I'll sleep next door in my office," Mai placed Ty Lee's clothes that she'd taken from the bathroom onto the table by her bed. She also grabbed pajamas of her own to change into and stole a pillow too.

Ty Lee yawned, barely able to keep her eyes open, "You don't hafta give up your room, I can stay in the other one…" Even as she said the words, she collapsed onto Mai's bed, still in just her towel.

"I'll be fine. Here, you can borrow these tonight," she tossed a pair of shorts and a t-shirt over Ty Lee's face. "Get dressed before you fall asleep." She didn't want to wake up to a hungover, half-naked, or fully naked, Ty Lee roaming around her house. Mai turned around to wait while Ty Lee changed.

"Oh, right," Ty Lee sat up and pulled the shirt quickly over her head, loosening the towel after she did so. She put the shorts on and clambered to her feet. Mai turned around and stretched her hand out to take the slightly damp material, laying it over a hamper by her door to dry.

"I'll be next door if you need anything," Mai was about to shut the door when another sentence fumbled out of her mouth. "I think you should go see Zuko tomorrow. To ask about what happened. You like talking things out, it might make you feel a little better."

Ty Lee murmured in sleepy agreement and within the next thirty seconds, she had passed out completely on top of Mai's silky sheets.

Mai shook her head, closed the door, and made her way downstairs to her study. She wasn't tired yet and she wanted to read that letter again. She admitted she was starting to get more and more curious about news regarding Azula. Usually she refrained from asking Ty Lee, knowing that the acrobat held back information on purpose to be considerate. But now… She sort of wanted to know about what was going on. What had been going on for the past few years. She supposed being more informed would help lift the burden off of Ty Lee as well. If Ty Lee could openly talk about Azula to someone else, she might be able to better deal with everything.

Mai sighed and sat in one of the chairs, perusing the ripped letter again.

She was starting to understand a little of Ty Lee's dedication to the princess. Her predicament certainly was interesting.

Damn you Azula, why can't you be boring like everyone else?