ATLA: Bonds Within Bending

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Mai's POV

I decided today that I would force myself to walk into the tea shop and have a conversation with Zuko. Leaving things the way I did before wasn't fair on him. Although I really couldn't handle the situation and just needed to get away, we need to talk things through properly. I need to hold my feelings back for a while, just to hear him out.

I wasn't expecting the tea shop to be as busy as it is. I also didn't expect to find Zuko talking to Ty Lee at the end of the counter, with no Azula around this pair would never actively meet and chat. Have they both gone behind my back?

"Hey", I walked over to them, watching them both look at me in surprise, I don't like what's happening here. "What are you two doing?", I asked and sat at the end of the counter, placing my bag on the top.

"I came in for something to drink before gymnastics but saw how crowded it was and dragged Zuko down to have a quick talk and some tea", Ty Lee shrugged whilst holding her takeaway cup in both hands, her story does seem like it could be true. "What're you up too? It's not best friends day out is it?", She checked the date on her phone with a frown on her face, hoping she hasn't forgotten it again.

"No, that's a couple days away from now", I rolled my eyes at the name she keeps calling it, even though we had a mini fight in that restaurant we were forced to go to. "I'm here to talk to Zuko, we need to clear the air", I took a deep breath and looked at him, seeing his shoulders drop, relieved after I said something positive, he isn't out of it yet.

"Okay then, I'll catch up with you guys later", Ty Lee picked up her backpack and put it on. "Let me know if you need anything, thanks for the drink Zuko", she smiled and waved before quickly turning and walking out. As I looked back I could see that the bag she had definitely wasn't her gymnast bag. She has different bags for everything, so seeing her with the wrong bag seems suspicious.

But I need to focus on Zuko right now. Ty Lee can wait for now and continue hiding whatever she wants.

"Do you want to talk in the back?", Zuko asked and signalled towards the kitchen. I nodded in response and followed him through the doors to the kitchen that was full of steam and bags of tea all over the surfaces and broken cups on the floor. Iroh needs a break. I'll have to be quick.

"Okay, so I wanted to say that I-", Zuko began, but I couldn't let him go on another rant about how sorry he is because his words don't mean a lot to me right now, I need him to prove what he says with actions, but noting changes with him.

"I don't want to hear any more apologies Zuko, I've heard enough", I sighed and held my arms anxiously, getting that feeling back in my chest. "I felt like crap after you confirmed my worst fear came true, I always thought I wasn't what you wanted and you knew that, and yet you still pursued Katara, because some cooky lady said so", I shook my head, tensing my arms the more I speak.

"You know you messed up and I understand you're guilty but forcing that on me isn't making me feel any better. I really was stupidly in love with you, I don't know if you were or you got bored of me but those feelings were real. The only big thing I have ever felt and it was my fault for not showing you how much I cared. I don't want to create a rift in the friendship we had before becoming a couple", I frowned and shrugged, struggling to find the right words to what's going on in my head.

"You, Ty Lee, Azula and I are a powerful friendship group, we used to be so kick*ss, I don't want this to ruin other relationships we have. You hurt me and I don't think there's anything you can do to fix that, but don't hurt me more by ruining our friendship too", I smiled lightly as I spoke, watching him smile back.

"Okay, I am trying my hardest not to apologise so, instead I'll just thank you", Zuko rubbed the back of his neck, looking as anxious as I am.

"Thank me for what?", I raised a brow, not sure what he's on about.