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Ty Lee has had a shit day.
It’s not often she says that. She tends to try and keep a more positive outlook on her life, one that allows her aura to brighten so much that she’s glowing, but today is an exception.
Because today has been a shit day.
She was late to her first class, she spilled her bubble tea all over her skirt and had to go change which made her late for her second class, she left one of her assignments in her dorm, and she got a call from home saying one of her sisters had been injured.
Plus, she hasn’t seen her girlfriend for the entire day. Forgive her if she’s a little bit upset.
She knows she’s being rude right now. Aang has been talking about something Appa did for the past five minutes, but she really can’t find it in herself to pay attention. She’s doing her best, and she loves Aang, but she just… can’t today.
“Aang,” she interrupts, feeling smaller when he stops mid-story to hum inquisitively. The fact that he didn’t even get offended at the interruption made her feel worse. “Um… I’m not feeling very… social today. Do you mind if I leave and go back to my dorm?”
Aang’s eyebrows furrow. “Oh, that’s no problem, Ty Lee. You should’ve said something sooner! Do you want me to walk you back?”
Guilt claws at her heart. “No thank you. I’m sorry for ditching.”
He sends her a sunny smile. “It’s no big deal. Take care of yourself first.” What an Angel.
Ty Lee hurriedly grabs her bag and stands up, walking to where the dorms are. She passes by a few people she knows from the martial arts club she’s in, and it takes everything in her to give them a halfhearted wave.
By the time she reaches her dorm, she’s emotionally exhausted.
She opens the door and steps in, kicking off her shoes and dropping her bag at the entrance. She’ll pick it up later. She shrugs off her jacket and throws it to the side. She’ll pick that up later too.
She walks to the living room and sees the empty cup noodles from last night, along with the assignment she forgot to bring today. And it’s just—the sight of the stupid paper sitting innocently there snaps something in her.
Oh, how her mother would kill her for her next course of action.
She picks up the paper and rips it to shreds, throwing it onto the floor. It flutters uselessly to the ground.
She then registers what she just did and promptly breaks the fuck down.
It’s just—it’s been such a long day okay? And she’s so tired of… everything, honestly. She’s usually a social butterfly, thriving off communication and interaction, but she’s been in a slump recently and she’s so tired of pretending to be fine. She’s so fucking tired.
The door opens, and Ty Lee jumps, hastily standing up from where she had been crouching and wiping furiously at her eyes.
“Ty? Aang texted me saying you seemed upset, what’s wrong?”
Mai. Sweet, lovely, beautiful Mai, who’s so nice to her and came to check on her as soon as she heard that she was a little bit sad. God, Ty Lee doesn’t deserve her. The thought makes her burst into tears all over again.
She knows Mai is probably startled, but she can’t help it. Helpless sobs tear through her throat and her shoulders slump in defeat. Her aura must be so dim by now.
A gentle hand touches her shoulder, turning her around. Ty Lee is hit with the smell of Mai’s perfume and the warmth of her gaze. She sniffles uselessly while Mai wipes her tears away.
“Come to bed,” she mumbles. Ty Lee’s too tired to protest.
It’s only around four in the afternoon, but Ty Lee finds herself sinking into the bed like she hasn’t slept for three days. Mai crawls in beside her, taking off her rings before helping her untie her braid. The tender action makes her tear up again.
“Wanna tell me what’s wrong?” Mai asks as she runs soothing fingers through her hair. It’s not a demand, or even a request. It’s an offer to listen.
“I’m just tired,” Ty Lee whispers.
“Of what?”
“I don’t know. People?”
Mai’s hand stills. “Do you need me to leave?”
The thought of Mai leaving even the room is enough to make her panic. “No! Don’t, please don’t.”
“Okay,” she replies simply.
Ty Lee falls into Mai’s embrace, letting the comfort of her girlfriend’s arms soothe her. A tentative arm wraps around her stomach and she sighs, closing her eyes. Mai presses soft kisses on her neck, leaving fleeting fires in the wake.
She doesn’t know how long they stay like that. Mai rubs circles into her waist and Ty Lee lets all the tension she’s been building up release, sinking into the mattress. She can feel Mai’s heartbeat against her back, steady and firm, and she relishes in the feeling of being held.
They cuddle until Ty Lee apparently falls asleep, because when she wakes up, it’s to the smell of pizza and the warmth of a blanket wrapped tightly around her. She sits up and rubs her eyes, wondering where Mai went.
A few seconds later, Mai’s head pops into the room, amusement in her eyes. “Oh. You’re up. Was it the smell of our dinner?”
Ty Lee rolls her shoulders to get rid of the knots and grins, feeling much lighter. “You didn’t.”
“I did,” Mai replies solemnly, stepping into the room to reveal a box in her hands. “Comfort food for the pretty lady.”
Ty Lee giggles as Mai slides back into bed, immediately latching onto her arm. She takes a slice of pizza almost greedily, but before she eats it, she pauses. Turns to Mai. Leans forward to place a soft kiss on her lips.
Mai’s eyebrows raise in surprise. “Wow. Me over the pizza?”
“Always,” Ty Lee nods seriously, her heart jumping when Mai drops her a kiss back.
“I’m honoured.”
“Mhm. Plus a thank you. For earlier.”
“Anytime, love.”
They share a smile, and just for a moment, it feels like everything will be okay.