Cinnamon and Honesty
"Zuko I don't want a soft pretzel" Azula sighed as Zuko speed walked to the mall's soft pretzel stand. She wanted to get Ty Lee's gift and leave but she knew it wouldn't be that simple. Zuko wanted to talk to her so she mentally prepared herself.
"Cmon Azula you know you want the cinnamon covered pretzel"
"No I don't"
"Yes you do"
"Fine, but only if you're paying"
The siblings approached the pretzel stand and Zuko immediately ordered a soft pretzel with pepperoni on it. Azula hesitated but decided a cinnamon soft pretzel with frosting would be the best choice. She glared at the employee for no reason, Zuko noticed and elbowed his little sister.
Azula stopped making the poor employee terrified and turned to her brother to talk to him while they waited for their pretzels. Zuko poked her upper arm trying to get her to start the conversation. And when she didn't Zuko had to take matters into his own hands. "So sis how are you doing, since the breakup?" he asked cautiously. Azula's eyes flashed "We aren't broken up!" she said scowling.
Zuko stepped back noticing his sister's hand was balled into a fist. "sorry sorry my bad" he said laughing nervously. Azula felt a little bad seeing her brother be so scared of her when he was only trying to help her. I guess I'll answer his question, i can trust Zuko.
"It sucks I miss her a lot, how is she?" Azula said trying not to meet her brother's eye
"Azula you can ask her that yourself"
"Zuzu I don't want to bother her"
"FIne, she's doing okay"
"great"
"that doesn't mean she's not upset, you know she loves you"
"I can't give her what she wants"
"Why not"
"Our pretzels are ready"
The two sat down on the mall bench and ate their pretzels in silence. Zuko kept an eye on his sister trying to figure out how she was feeling. She looked upset, but she also looked content with her pretzel. Their mother used to bring them to the mall for pretzels after school on Fridays. That is if Azula didn't have sports practice that day after school. Cinnamon was always Ursa's favorite kind of soft pretzel, Zuko was a little surprised that it became Azula's favorite too.
"So why don't you think you can give Ty Lee what she wants?"
"Because she wants me to change"
"Change for the worse?" Zuko asked raising an eyebrow
"No for the better" Azula replied "Ty Lee wants me to meet her parents and spend more time with her friends, and she knows I can't do that"
"Okay so did you tell her why you didn't feel comfortable doing that?"
"No, i just told her to stop asking"
"See that's the problem"
"what do you mean?" Azula said setting her pretzel down
"See the reason she's upset is because you shut her down instead of communicating with her so you guys can find a solution that makes you both happy" Zuko explained
Azula paused and chewed on the corner of her pretzel, trying not to let it show that Zuko's words were making an effect on her. "You may be right, maybe ignoring her concerns wasn't a good idea, Agni If I had just talked to her about what was wrong then I wouldn't be away from her" Azula mumbled.
Zuko grinned "Did you just admit to doing something wrong?" he teased. Azula rolled her eyes and punched his arm "Yes I did, now I should apologize to her and let her know i'm ready to communicate so we can reach an agreement" Azula said crumpling the pretzel wrapper up so she could get going to find Ty Lee. Zuko grabbed her arm
"wait don't you have to pick something up?" he asked
"OH YES! TY LEE'S GIFT I CAN GIVE IT TO HER AND THEN I CAN SAY SORRY AND THEN-"
"woah wait, no you can't move this fast again. You two need to be on a break a little longer so YOU can reflect some more on yourself and make sure you can offer her what she needs" Zuko said calmly. Azula considered going against his advice and going to find Ty Lee and apologize. But Zuko was in a healthy relationship with Mai he knows what he's talking about.
Azula head to the Gucci store with Zuko following behind her, she reached for her wallet in her back pocket and made sure she had brought enough money. I've brought more than enough, she's going to love her gift. Once they entered the cold air conditioned store Zuko quickly turned to try on sunglasses. Azula headed up to the counter already seeing the bracelet for Ty Lee on hold behind the counter. The saleswoman smiled and before she could issue a welcome Azula spoke.
"I'm here to pick up what's on hold for Azula" she said quickly. Zuko was striking poses in the store's mirror wearing some obnoxiously shiny sunglasses. Azula sighed and turned back to the saleswoman who was packaging up the bracelet in red wrapping paper that Azula specifically called ahead for. Zuko tipped over a purse display on accident Azula winced with second-hand embarrassment. Azula suppressed a laugh and paid for the bracelet. She put the present carefully in the bag and left the store.
She and Zuko discussed further how Azula felt about everything until they stopped so Zuko could tie his shoe. She groaned and turned away from him so she could act like she didn't know him. Her eyes scanned the stores around her out of boredom. Suddenly to her dismay Azula saw something she wasn't sure she wanted to see. What the fuck is she doing here now?
Ty Lee and Yue were buying some sort of iced coffee drinks from a stand in the mall, Azula was frozen. She hadn't seen Ty Lee in a while and weirdly she had forgotten how starstruck she'd get by Ty Lee's beauty. The way her laugh would bounce off walls and make Azula unable to hear anything but it. She had forgotten the dazzling smile that was now being shown to the barista handing Ty Lee and Yue their drinks.
"Zuzu we have to leave now" Azula hissed once she saw that Yue and Ty Lee were about to turn around. Zuko stood up and looked at his frozen sister, "Azula what's the problem-oh shit" he said once Yue locked her eyes on the two dark haired sibling. She shouted out for Zuko and started to walk over Is Ty Lee walking over too? I don't want to look. Azula took out her phone quickly and started to mindlessly check her email I have to do whatever I can to avoid talking to Ty Lee, she needs her space.
Yue jogged up to them and threw her arms around Zuko "OH MY GOODNESS ZUKO?! WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL US YOU WERE AT THE MALL TOO WE COULD'VE MET UP WITH YOU!" Yue squealed untangling herself from Zuko who was now looking frantically at Azula who had her eyes locked on her screen.
She thought her little plan was working until she heard the soft voice of her favorite cheerleader. "Hi Azula, how are you?" Ty Lee said quietly. The tone in her voice was what set Azula off why is she acting like we are strangers, when that isn't the case.
Azula slipped her phone back into her pocket and looked at Ty Lee up and down, she was wearing a fancy outfit today. I guess the mall is a big deal for her or something Ty Lee's outfit was a pair of flare out skinny jeans and a lacy white crop top, she looked perfect just like always. Her platform white heels are what confused Azula. "I'm fine how are you?" Azula replied calmly, she wanted to hug Ty Lee right there and tell her just how sorry she was. No i need time to self reflect and I don't want to spring this on her.
Ty Lee smiled weakly as if Azula saying she was doing fine hurt her. Why would she be upset over that?she's enjoying her time in fancy outfits and hanging out with friends Ty Lee licked her thumb quickly and wiped the corner of Azula's mouth. Fighting the urge to jump back Azula let it happen, she raised an eyebrow in confusion though. "Oh! I'm sorry you just had some cinnamon on the corner of your mouth" a blushing Ty Lee giggled. Azula nodded sharply and mumbled a thanks.
Agni why is this so awkward? I have to say something, I have to do something?! but before she could do something she noticed a purple bruise on Ty Lee's neck. It was well hidden by her chestnut hair but not well hidden enough. Ty Lee noticed Azula staring at her neck and she turned scarlet. "Okay Azula can we talk just for a second, don't yell okay?" Ty Lee pleaded. Azula remembered what Zuko told her so she didn't yell instead she nodded and waited to hear the explanation.
"Yue needed some practice kissing, so I just figured that i'd help her out? I don't have any feelings towards her though!" Ty Lee said in a reassuring tone. Azula felt her blood boil inside her veins she took a deep breath and looked at Ty Lee "I'm not going to yell, but really? What made you think that was okay" Azula said trying to mask the heartbreak in her voice. Ty Lee's eyes flashed with regret as she looked at Azula "I'm sorry" she said softly. I'm not going to be angry but we weren't together at the time, so I guess technically she didn't do anything wrong.
"It's fine Ty Lee, you didn't cheat because we aren't together. But that doesn't mean I'm not hurt" Azula said sharply, she knew Ty Lee was surprised at Azula's somewhat composed response. But that wasn't good enough for Ty Lee she really was sorry, and she just wanted things to work out. She loved Azula so much and she felt it in every thing she did, she couldn't look at Azula without feeling her heart rate fly.
"Azula I'm really sorry I"m afraid this is gonna make things harder when we get back together"
"You mean if we get back together" Azula said as she watched Ty Lee's face fall. I'm not gonna show that I'm angry, I'm going to respond to this politely. She didn't do anything wrong, but if she can kiss new people....so can I.
Ty Lee swung her arms around Azula pulling her into a hug, the hug was desperate. Azula gingerly placed her arms around Ty Lee and let her head fall on Ty Lee's shoulder. She smelled the vanilla and felt the warmth of Ty Lee again before she remembered that they weren't together anymore and moments like this could no longer be enjoyed. Azula broke the hug and Ty Lee nodded towards Yue and Zuko walking over.
Azula fought every voice in her head telling her to cuss out Yue, but she didn't. "Hi Azula, we never talk but i'm happy to see you!" Yue said sweetly grazing her hand down Azula's arm. The pink flush across Yue's face was hard to miss. Ty Lee gritted her teeth and looked away, Azula was truly confused as to why Yue was showing some sort of strange interest in her. Out of the corner of her eye Azula saw Ty Lee's fuming expression, and Azula felt the corner of her own mouth twitch into a smirk.
She looked at Yue and smiled sweetly back, she reached her hand out and twirled a piece of white hair around her fingers Ty Lee loves it when I play with her hair. Yue's eyes widened in astonishment at Azula actually paying some attention to her. "You truly have gorgeous hair" Azula said to Yue who blushed dark red. Zuko noticed the tension and decided it was time for him and Azula to leave.
But before she left Azula decided to do one thing for Ty Lee, she wanted to try and communicate. So she walked back up to the cheerleader and tapped her shoulder "Thanks for being honest with me Ty, I'm upset but I appreciate you not hiding what happened from me" she said through her teeth. Ty Lee smiled softly and Azula knew she was happy that Azula had communicated.
The siblings left the mall to go back to their home, but Azula already missed Ty Lee.