Chapter Text
Ty Lee came by the flower shop one day while Mai was working in hopes of adding some color to her dear friend’s aura. The other day she stopped by to visit Mai, only to be greeted by Aunt Mura and was disheartened to hear that her best friend was in fact not working that day and was at home babysitting Tom-Tom. Mura pulled her aside and told her about how Mai seemed really down lately, she was closed off more than usual, barely picked at her food, and laid in bed most days. She was concerned about Mai’s behavior and kindly asked Ty Lee if she could try to pull Mai out of her depressed state. It broke her heart to know that her best friend, the girl she loved more than just a friend, was feeling this way without Ty Lee even realizing. Hearing this, Ty Lee vowed to do what she could to make Mai feel better, so here she was at the flower shop once again.
The bell attached to the door chimed cheerfully as Ty Lee entered the store. Mura looked up from the arrangement she was working on and greeted her with a warm smile. Mai, on the other hand, did not look up to see who entered the shop and continued to absentmindedly prune the bonsai tree in front of her. Ty Lee’s heart clenched at the sight of the heavy grey aura that clouded around the girl she loved. She hasn’t seen her like this since their Ember Island trip during the war, though even then it wasn’t this concerning. Taking a steadying breath, Ty Lee bounced over to the counter and nearly hurdled it to embrace Mai.
“Mai, It’s so good to see you! Wow, that bonsai is so beautiful,” she said with a bright smile and a tight hug, hoping that Mai could sense her worry for her despite her normal sunny disposition. She didn’t want to jump into confronting Mai’s problems immediately, for that would only drive the girl away.
“Hey, Ty... I can’t breathe,” Mai drawled, patting Ty Lee on the shoulder.
Ty Lee loosened her vice grip, but kept her hands on Mai’s arms, knowing Mai liked physical comfort no matter what the stoic girl claimed.
“It’s good to see you too, Ty,” Mai said with a small smile.
Ty Lee was thrilled to see a smile on her friend’s face, but she couldn’t overlook the sadness in her eyes. Mai was known for being inscrutable, but those closest to her could tell when something was off.
She slid her hand down Mai’s arm and grabbed her hand, squeezing ever so slightly, “Why don’t we hang out for a bit? I have a day off from guard duty today. Please, Mai?”
Mai didn’t withdraw her hand, which was a good sign, but she glanced off into the distance and bit her lip considering her offer.
“I don’t know Ty, I’m working right now…” Mai explained without meeting Ty Lee’s eyes.
“Don’t worry about that, Mai,” Mura interrupted her niece, “It’s a beautiful day outside, why don’t you girls sit out in the garden. You need to take a break some time, my dear.”
Mai nodded slightly, “Thank you, Auntie.”
She redirected her gaze to Ty Lee, finally looking her in the eyes. Ty Lee could see them brimming with anguish despite her otherwise blank face, “Come on, Ty. Let’s head out back.”
The two girls went out back to the garden where Mura grew some of the flowers for the shop. It wasn’t as neat and perfect as the palace gardens by any means, but it was gorgeous, abundant, and well-loved. Ty Lee did a few cartwheels, enjoying the sunshine, then rushed back to Mai’s side. They sat down under the shade of a willow tree and basked in companionable silence, though it was a bit more charged than usual with unspoken words thick in the air around them.
Mai knew Ty Lee wanted to talk about feelings, so she wanted to stall that conversation as long as she could. Since the end of the war a couple years ago, her love for Ty Lee ventured past the realm of platonic feelings into romantic ones. For the longest time, she ignored these new found feelings, hoping that if she just locked them up and shoved them deep down inside with the rest of them that they would go away. Of course, that didn’t happen. To her dismay, they grew stronger, and Mai didn’t know what to do. She was afraid that if she voiced them, she would ruin one of her dearest and oldest friendships. This fear was eating her up inside, and she retreated into herself, spiraling down into musings of never being good enough and never being anyone’s first priority. She felt unneeded, unwanted, unloved-- simply useless. She couldn’t even fathom how she would begin to voice this to Ty Lee, so she didn’t. Mai heaved a heavy sigh and slumped back, leaning against the thick trunk of the willow tree feeling like a coward.
Ty Lee could feel the conflict and gloom that was suffocating Mai. She didn’t know what was causing her friend this much agony, but didn’t want to overstep and make Mai uncomfortable. She herself was unsure for a moment the best way to break Mai out of her head. She took in her surroundings, appreciating the beauty of the garden, and an idea popped into her head.
“Hey Mai,” she turned towards her companion and gently held both of her hands in her own, “Can I do your hair? I think that might help cheer you up!”
Mai blinked a few times, snapping out of her trance and exhaled deeply, not quite a sigh, “Sure Ty, if you want.”
Ty Lee jumped up and picked a few flowers from the garden, hoping that Mura wouldn’t mind. She rushed back to Mai, kneeling behind her and taking her hair out of her usual oxtail style. Mai reached into her billowing sleeves and pulled out some spare hairpins for her to use. As she combed her fingers through Mai’s thick, shiny black hair, she could feel some tension leave Mai. This closeness felt so intimate, and the two savored each second.
Ty Lee put Mai’s hair into a half up, half down style with those little buns she knows Mai loves, and braided pieces of hair to wrap around them. She ran her fingers through the hair she left down, and separated them into two equal sections on either side and began to braid them.
“Mai…” she broke the silence with some hesitation, “What’s wrong? Something’s been bothering you, I can tell. You know you can tell me anything, right? You are my best friend.”
Mai anxiously chipped away the black polish on her nails, something Ty Lee knew she only did when something was really wrong. She took a deep breath and spoke in a uncharacteristically soft voice, “I’m fine Ty Lee, there’s nothing to worry about.”
Pausing her braiding for a moment, Ty Lee frowned, “Mai, no one ever says that they’re fine and really mean it. I trust you and love you more than anyone else in the world, I hope that you feel the same way, or at least close enough to feel like you can confide in me and let me know what’s bothering you.”
Finished with her braiding, Ty Lee began to add the flowers to Mai’s hair, and in a soft voice she admitted, “You know Mai, it really breaks my heart to see you this way. I just want to do what I can to make you feel better. You’re always there for me, you are so strong and beautiful and brave. I really meant it when I said I love you, Mai, I will always be there for you.”
She placed a final flower in Mai’s hair and grabbed her shoulder, turning her around so she could look into her eyes. She tucked an errant strand behind Mai’s ear, “Plus, I can see in your aura that—”
Ty Lee was abruptly cut off by Mai pulling her into a quick, yet ardent kiss. When she pulled away, she could see that Mai’s face was bright red and that her eyes were wide and brimmed with tears. Ty Lee placed a hand on Mai’s cheek, wiping away a stray tear with her thumb, and placed a gentle kiss onto Mai’s lips.
Pulling away once again, Mai chuckled softly and wiped her eyes with her sleeve, “You know I don’t believe in auras, Ty.”
She giggled at that comment, feeling lighter, comforted by Mai’s ability to joke returning.
Mai picked up a fire lily that wasn’t used in her hair and tucked it behind Ty Lee’s ear, “I was afraid that you didn’t feel the same. I didn’t want to scare you away, I thought I would ruin our friendship…”
Ty Lee held Mai’s hand gently. She brought it up to her lips and placed a soft kiss on the back of Mai’s hand before pulling her into a strong, comforting hug, “You don’t have to worry about ruining our friendship. I love you so much, Mai. I always have, and I promise I always will.”