Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The last air bender nor Zuko, Mai, and the other few characters in this story.
Title: No strings attached
Chapter 1- Useless emotions.
The evening was filled with miracles and joy as everyone kicked back and let loose. Sokka had featured his drawing of everyone to capture the moment. Many protested but the infamous Toph said it was a masterpiece. Says the girl with no eye sight. Everyone, of course, laughed and settled back to think peacefully. But Mai sat at the table with Suki to play Pai Sho. The game was boring Mai as it reached it's peak. She was most likely winning, but she just wanted to be alone now. Ever since Mai abandoned her friendship with Azula she learned something about herself that day. She remembered it clearly like it was yesterday.
"I love Zuko, more then I fear you." Was said by Mai at The Boiling Rock. It brought a curve to her plain lips. Looking like a lazy smile. But quickly washed it away with her one motion to leave the table of Pai Sho. She put the fan she held as a means of communication down thus meaning she called it a tie. Suki shrugged and smiled as she looked at Sokka. "Hey Sokka, join me to restart a game?" She smiled at him. Mai walked out onto the patio of the tea shop. And viewed Aang and Katara walking in ever so happily.
She didn't show a sign of emotion and kept her pace of walking over to a small bench on the corner of the Earth home terrace. She realized night had fallen upon them in the celebration. And she sighed. Thinking about her long meaningful kiss with Zuko as he became the Fire Lord. She brought her hand towards her cheek. Lightly feeling the warmth from her body streaming into her cheeks. She felt her cheeks show a blush. She shock her head lightly trying to forget that but the thoughts of Zuko being Fire Lord came to mind. Would he ask her to marry him? To become the Fire Lady? He cared about her, of course. But she knew they were very young. Juvenile, the nation would say.
She faintly thought about becoming Fire Lady and smirked lightly then sighing she knew it may come with time. Maybe she wasn't ready as a lady. She did miss traveling. Just a bit though. Mai was Mai, a spoiled, well behaved, young lady that only spoke when she was spoken to and just didn't show any emotion. She didn't want to be well behaved anymore. Mai looked at the night time sky and saw the Earth kingdom sending off fireworks. She tilted her head lightly and wondered why the colors blended in with the other fireworks, like a painting merely done by a child. Or Sokka perhaps. She found herself laughing lightly as she thought about it. Zuko found himself looking for Mai, he walked outside and spotted her on bench rather tucked in a sloped corner away from everyone. The newly announced Fire Lord found his cranky girlfriend chuckling to herself as he walked up to her silently. She turned gently to look at him and stopped abruptly. Staring at him with glossy eyes. Zuko smiled at her and reached out for her cheek and planted a kiss on her lips. She closed her eyes and kissed back ever so slowly, like a sloth. She looked down and her bangs covered her eyes lightly. Zuko brushed his hand upward against her temple and revealed her beautiful golden eyes to him that were kept secret by the silky black strands. He then sat down next to her and placed an arm around her lower back and drew her in towards his body. He then put his head in the hallow of her shoulder. Perhaps to whisper sweet nothings in her ear.
"Did I forget to mention you look very pretty this evening?" Zuko said to her. Watching her reaction.
Mai narrowed her vision to look at her wooing boyfriend. "No, you didn't but did I forget to mention you look like a handsome woman in those common garments." She stared mockingly into the sky now.
He blinked then narrowed his eyes to the lower left and thought. Damn she's so blah. He looked back at her and had a slight smirk on his lips. "what's wrong with you, are you jealous towards me, because I appear better dressed then you?" he looked away as he shot her a joke right back.
Mai looked at him and cocked her brows at him and had a blank expression on her face. "Fine whatever you think. Don't let this go to your hot head, Dear Fire Lord." She frowned and looked away.
Zuko looked at her with a glare in his eyes and the fire showing through. She tilted her head towards him to see him standing up and tighten his fists towards her. "Mai, I will not be like my father." he retorted against her.
Mai smirked at him and stood up and pressed her body against him and pulled the collar of his ember robes close to her face. Then placed her lips on his. The heat he drew from that comment made her hot for him. But not easily showing that useless emotion.
Zuko looked at her with wide eyes and blinked lightly, then without thought just closed his eyes. Mai pushed him away and smiled. "Go on about not being a hot headed Fire Lord, Zuko?" She said plainly.
Mai walked away from him and went into the well lit dining area where everyone still sat listening to tales of the future. Zuko followed Mai like a lost puppy and stood behind her as she took a seat on the bench near Iroh.
"Hey Mai what's your wish for the future?" Aang asked her.
She glared at him for pointing her out then narrowed her eyes lightly while in thought.
"To get a peaceful nights rest." She yawned towards them. Sokka laughed and interrupted, "But how can you sleep when your boyfriend is Fire Lord?" He smiled and looked at Zuko, slightly pointing. Katara smacked his hand with a fan and huffed at him. Zuko blinked at him and tilted his head slightly.
"What do you mean by that Sokka?" Suki asked him.
Sokka gulped then looked at everyone in awe. "Do I have to explain the plan to everyone. The strategy is Katara is with Aang, Mai and Zuko, and Suki and me?" He laughed aloud. Then realized he was the only one laughing. Toph heard his plan and scoffed. "Who do I get?" She stomped her feet on the ground. Momo jumped on Sokka's shoulder and gave him an idea. "You either get Momo or Appa." Sokka smiled. Toph closed her eyes and thought putting her hand on her chin as her arms crossed. "I pick Appa!" She laughed. Momo lowered his large ears and curled his tail against Sokka.
"What is your wish for the future, Zuko?" Aang continued. "What did everyone else wish for?" Zuko gestured back towards everyone to reveal their wish again.
"Stop stalling Fire Lord!" Sokka called out with his hands cupped around his mouth, like a loud speaker.
Zuko felt a blush come to his face then thought. "I want what everyone wishes for, peace between all nations." Zuko smiled with closed eyes. Everyone knew Zuko was in for a lot as Fire Lord. So they left him alone about that topic.
Zuko and Mai refused to think about that moment of the future. Mai didn't stop to think about her future relationship with Zuko. If there was one…
Later that night.
Whilst everyone was sleeping away their night. Mai was tossing and turning in her bed. She only had a small feeling Zuko was also. But she refused to think about anything else. Which was taking away the sand entrusted in her eyes. The sand that promised sleep and dreams to those lying down in their comfortable beds.
Zuko couldn't sleep as well. Mai's thoughts were correct, but she didn't think Zuko wouldn't even think about coming to her room in the middle of the night. Zuko opened his door and peeked out to see if the coast was clear. But while turning around and blowing out the candle in his room he ran into Sokka. He adjusted himself to face forward and found his face smack dap in the middle against Sokka's. They both clung against the opposite walls of the hall way and had flushed yet angered faces. "Watch out where your going!" Zuko said in a loud whisper to him.
Sokka fixed himself abit and smiled. "Hey sure, so you headed to Mai's room." He moved his eye brows up and down in a motion. Zuko cocked his brow in an anger appearance. "I get it, the silent treatment." He gave a smug look then made his way to Suki's room. Zuko didn't want to admit he was headed to Mai's bedroom. But it was true. He had seen Mai enter her room earlier so he located it quite swiftly. He lightly knocked on her door then felt it was unlocked as he twisted the old latch on the door.
"Mai?" Zuko whispered to her. No wonder she's asleep, she only wished for a good night's sleep. He thought.
Mai rose from her position in the rocky bed. She looked at him with her long covered earthy gown and rubbed her eye. "Zuko?" She said in a plain tone. Not surprised at all he was in the domain of her room.
"I couldn't sleep." Zuko said to her, finding his way to her bed, he took a seat on the edge of her bed.
She nodded once and turned around going back to her comfortable position. "Likewise." Mai said in a boring tone. Zuko looked at her and put his hand on her shoulder and forced her to look at him gently. "Mai I can't sleep." He admitted to her.
Mai sat up again and cocked her brows together and frowned. "What do you want me to do about it Zuko?" She argued back.
"Can you sleep?" he asked her silently. She looked at him and didn't feel a thing for that question. "Hm, no not now that you came into my room." She retorted back and went into her position for the third time.
"If you can't sleep Zuko go get a cup of Iroh's famous Jasmine tea." She grunted.
Zuko ignored her last words and bent over and put his head on her shoulder. Wrapping his arms around her waist. "Zuko what are you doing?" Mai hissed as soon as she felt his hand cuff her breast. Zuko didn't speak but his body spoke clearly to her. Mai blushed and pushed his hands down from her chest. And closed her eyes. She refused to have him touch her in a place like this. Ideally they were not married so his desires were a disrespectful mannerism. Not just to Mai's parents, but his nation. Disrespect. Ran though her thoughts. She looked at him now and felt his warm breathe breath against her pale neck. She shivered quietly. "Mai." He breathed her name under his breathe. She looked at him and felt he was vulnerable. His expression on his face, made her gasp lightly. "Zuko." She sighed softly into his hair. His dark hair shimmered in the moonlight. As she shifted to face Zuko, he looked up at her. "Not here, not now." She said softly to him. She watched as the soft hair fell against Zuko's scar. He put his hand on her cheek and kissed her hard.
She pushed him away again as she felt his tongue try to enter her mouth. "Zuko." She retorted harshly in a low tone. "Mai?" Zuko said.
"Yes?" She looked at him with her brow brought together in an angered tone. What now? She thought.
"Let me fill you with emotion." Zuko said as he sat up and got on all fours.
Mai had an intrigued look on her facial features. "Boy, Zuko that was cheesy." Mai said plainly. Wondering what he was going to do now. Zuko crawled on top of Mai and pressed himself against her. "Zuko." Mai said sounding surprised. She blushed and closed her eyes. Zuko usually didn't control this relationship, but as he saw the innocence of Mai shudder he lifted himself up lightly to look at her. "I like your hair down." He smiled at him and kissed her lips lightly. He sent his hands wandering through her body lightly. Undoing her gowns sash sliding it off her fragile frame. He soon realized Mai was dressed in bandages as her stealth under garment. He growled a bit at this traffic. Stopping him from undressing her. Mai opened her eyes and saw him tinkering with her under garments. She smirked softly and scoffed now. "I have tricks up my sleeve too Mighty Fire Lord." She said plainly. He grunted and slid his hand against her inner thigh and found her throwing knife. He cocked a looked a her now and lifted a small piece up and cut through the center of the bondage from which was around Mai's body. She winced as she looked at him successfully undoing her unconvincing trickery. But she looked down and felt him cut her a bit. She hissed at him as he blinked at her and noticed he cut her. Softly he closed his eyes and reached down and began to kiss the starting of her wound inflicted by Zuko himself. Then he started to make his way up using his tongue wiping up the mess of clean blood. She fought from beneath him and arched her back lightly as she focused on the pleasure he was giving her. "Zuko…" Mai muttered a gasp now.
He looked at her and opened his eyes lightly noticing Mai was hurting softly. He made his way with his lips to her chest and kissed her erected nipple then to her collar bone. She fought to stop the pleasure lightly. Lacing her fingers around Zuko's larger hands to keep them from wandering. He smirked as he noticed her next trick. He unlaced them putting her hands gently on his chest and locked eyes on her. She looked at her hands for a moment then into Zuko's golden warm eyes. She melted in his stare and pushed free his chest from his captivated robes. He held himself up to kiss her roughly on the lips. She gave him the equal reaction back to his kiss. Zuko's hand slithered to her breast whilst the other was devoted to uncovering Mai's lower entrance. She quickly felt him reaching down for her lower body and met his hands. She gave him a grave but innocent stare.
"Mai." Zuko said softly. Knowing she stopped him for a reason. Was she ready? Or was she afraid?
"No, Zuko, please." She closed her eyes no longer wanting to gaze into his passionate heavy stare.
Zuko didn't want to say it. Even though they were in private. Sokka once told him to get to a woman's heart, better yet explained as in her pants, 'you give her what she wants'. But with Mai it was hard to tell.
"What's holding you back?" Zuko asked her.
She looked at him and closed her eyes again to think. "You have a nation to worry about." She scolded him. "That means self image." She said the following to him.
He growled at her lightly and saw her plain facial expression now. "But I need a companion. A Fire Lady of the Fire Nation." He addressed her as his.
She turned her face to look out at the moonlight through the open green screened in window. "I do not want your people thinking I'm a concubine, or your mistress." She growled plainly at him.
Zuko rolled his eyes and brought her face to gaze into his eyes. "Mai, I thought you didn't care what anyone thought about you." He retorted to her.
Maybe he was right, but now he was Fire Lord. Lord of a proud nation. Mai was a well behaved lady. She closed her eyes and felt the word, disrespect run through her mind again. "Maybe I don't, but you should." She lied.
Zuko looked at her with wobbling eyes. "Mai, I could care a less of what anyone thinks about us. My feelings are my own." He smiled at her. She looked at him and felt a blush come upon her face. She closed her eyes now and huffed from embarrassment. "Fine." Mai hissed. Then released his hands, but slightly regretted her own actions.
"Mai…" Zuko breathed her name as he kissed her lightly. Zuko took her breathe away with each passionate kiss given to her lips. His hands warmed her inner thigh to open her legs for him. She felt him massaging her down under. She turned her head swiftly to not envision his actions. But only focused on this thought in her mind. She tightened her legs and didn't want Zuko to play with her emotion like this. He looked at her wincing slightly with closed eyes. He smirked and used his strength to pry her legs open. Mai only thought about his body moving into hers. Making themselves one. Whole. Mai blushed deeper thinking about his next movements. She felt his hot breathe on her eyelids. He kissed her lid watching her swiftly opening her eyes. Soft eyes locked onto her. She had a blank expression on her face and put a hand on his cheek. Instinctively, her arms moved to his shoulders fingers lacing around his neck to hold now. His hands were now on her waist. Ready for something romantically epic between the two. Zuko breathed through his nose thoroughly now. Readying his lungs for a motion of unforgettable passion. She held her breathe for some slight reason. Thrusting inward into her body Zuko's breathing repeatedly sped up. Working his hips in a inward and outward motion he quickened his movement. Mai's eyes forced open slightly to look at Zuko. She couldn't hold her breathe in anymore. She gasped from his thrusting into her. She felt his pace incise.
"Zuk-o..." his name was muttered by Mai in retorting to her pleasure in which he was feeding her.
He looked at her gently and kissed her breathing into their lip lock. His pleasurable exercise movements in Mai caused his loss of breathe. She pushed her forehead against his and looked into his golden eyes and touched his face. She cleaned the beads of sweat off of him. She generated some herself from the warmth of each other. He breathed her name into their kiss. She had flinched to his reaction tightening her legs together. His hips slowed down as he growled from the tightened space Mai gave him now. Mai stared at him now and opened her mouth to gasp for breathe. Her lungs being pressed against by Zuko's chest. She was flustered by him now and closed her eyes.
"It hurts Zuko." She pushed him, fighting him now. Feelings his manhood's growth in her body. When he was thrusting into her she didn't think about this. But since the air was still she felt it more. It incised again as her breathing was against Zuko's skin. He was attracted to her anger towards him. Zuko now made his hands meet her inner thigh and spread her legs for his pleasure. She tightened her eyes shut and gridded her teeth. Afraid of the pain he brought to her. Or just afraid of the meaning this action brought these two. Emotionally she wasn't a spirited girl, ready for these actions meant you showed a lot of emotion towards your love for someone. She does love Zuko. And he her. Just she couldn't quite put her finger on it. Like Zuko long ago, he couldn't tell the difference between right and wrong. Mai's mind wandered now. She shock her head lightly, feeling the pain surge through her body now, but the pain soothed to a twinge. She felt Zuko panting against her and realized she missed abit of the action between each other. She blushed as her lips allowed a moan leave her mouth. In the dead of the moment Mai was lost in thought. Something Zuko usually did. She was panting herself which caused her to blush. She opened her eyes to see Zuko lying against her chest. He caught his breathe and rolled himself off of her. She felt her body shivering. He caressed her in his arms and smiled at her lightly. "Mai…" He breathed in her scent in his nostrils. She looked at him through narrowing her eyes upward and stayed silent for a moment. She wanted Zuko to choose her, to sleep in his arms forever. To accept her. She knew it was to come in time. She decided to forget about her thoughts and rested in the shelter of Zuko's arm. She dug her face under his chin and sighed contently. He looked at her with wide eyes, then realized this was Mai's way of saying she's happy. Zuko soon found himself falling asleep now.
Late that morning…
Mai and Zuko awoke to a loud booming noise of people outside her door. Zuko looked at Mai trying to go back to sleep. Not in a place like this to be sleeping late. Zuko thought to himself. He touched her slender shoulder with the back of his hands. Smooth against his rough skin he felt her shivering. Then he put a smile on his lips. Feeling a ego grow upon the brim of his thoughts. His hand was swatted away by Mai's hand as she knew he was grinning like a fool. "Idiot." She said to him as she turned in the bed to look at him. Their passionate physical contact the early that morning must have meant something to Mai, Zuko thought. But he didn't let that occupy his thoughts. Zuko smiled at her and found her stroking his scar given to him by his father. He never flinched at the collision of her soft skin against him. Mai thought about last night for a moment and felt like she went into a comatose for a while. Because she didn't remember the climax in their sexual active. Her perception was faded by her thoughts. She scrutinized at Zuko's collar bone and realized her nails manipulated his skin. Making scratch marks in his flesh. She didn't remember doing this. But thought it most have pleasured him, so she left it at that. Zuko's lips met against hers. Then she lifted his arm and merely walked to her luggage and found a glossy fire gown that her mother packed away for her. Returning home, Mai would choose this over her old garments. She moved the dress in front of the large one-eighty mirror, against her body. Viewing it's glory against her plain frail frame. She sighed as Zuko made his way to the edge of the bed and looked at her with a expression. She stared at him through the mirror and rolled her eyes. In a plain tone she said, "what are you looking at?" She then unlaced the ribbon of her dress from the back. Her eyes narrowed at how inappropriate the back was designed. For woman with beautiful shoulders she thought. She sighed again then slid the dress against the ground and brought it against her chest. She needed help with the back and without her maids it was up to Zuko. He looked at her and saw her eyes inching over to him.
"What?" He looked at her. Bringing a smile to his lips. Knowing Mai needed his help. She didn't beg, and or show any emotion. She was fully capable of putting on a simple dress. She sighed some more and laced the back up a bit with the help of the mirrors vision. Then she felt the Fire Lord's eyes inspect her long body and sent a slight shiver down her spine, but she kept it quite hidden. Then she fought to get the last ribbons in place. Zuko's eyes wandered to view the room she was staying in that night. Lilies and coy painted on the walls, in a earthy purple and lime green. The fish appeared to be flowing with the elegant flower. The petals containing beads of water on them. So realistic he thought. There also was an embroidered tapestry hanging from the bedside. Just above it, showed a story of a crane that appeared as noble and graceful as Mai. A strong symbol to be hanging in Mai's room. He grunted lightly thinking about her right now. She gave up for a moment and started pinning her hair up in her usual manner. Zuko stood up and tied the robe he wore the night before around his waist. Coming up against Mai with his bare chest. He stood a good inch or two above her. Her golden eyes taking in his wonderful muscular build. She didn't flirt with the idea, just analyzed it lightly.
"Do you burn for the thought of me?" Zuko smiled at her taking the orange lace and slipping it through the loops of her dress and quickly knotted the ribbons together graciously. He grabbed her hands and brought her hair down as she was fixing it still, making it spill to her waist again. She grunted at him and restarted, but this time Zuko held her hands and lowered his face to be supported by Mai's shoulder. He moved his lips near her ear and whispered to her.
"We're going home today?" he asked her. She silently nodded to him. Then he kept his questionnaire going. Then he closed his eyes and breathed against her skin, just taking in her scent lightly.
"I'm going to be busy when I return to the nation." He told her. She narrowed her eyes to not look at him. He took that as, she understood. "Mai, I…" he stopped then looked down. She brought her eyes over to him not looking through the glass anymore. She turned to him. Her dress flowing in front of him. The golden stitching created a flame in the long gown. It sparkling from flame crystals embroidered into the silk. The halter top sown into the back encircled around her neck flowing down to the center of her back. Showing off her slender porcelain shoulders. Zuko slipped a kiss on her shoulder and felt her skin react from the sudden kiss. She closed her eyes and combed her fingers through his hair and pushed his head away. "Of course I'll miss you if that's what your asking." She said plainly crossing her arms. He knew she understood the complications of their relationship now. "Promise me something?" Mai looked at him now.
He looked at her and blushed as she pointed her fingers in his chest again like she did at his coronation. "Yes?" he said sweetly into her ear. What am I saying of him? Why I mean. She thought to herself.
"Shelter only I in these arms of your's." She said without raising that as a question. Zuko grinned at her lightly like he usually did and smiled softly now. As he saw Mai flicker a blush at him. He nodded to her and spoke, "Of course these arms are only meant to hold you."
She put her head against his chest as they shared a embrace so long. She looked at him and felt to lazy to put her hair up in there usually buns. She sighed and stretched her eyes above her head lightly. Regaining herself she looked at him and sighed again. "Hmmm." She grunted at him and walked past him and walked outside now. Seeing Zuko in his half tied robe, he found a blush come upon his cheeks. He put the robe against his back and tied the sash on his waist for full support. He made his way back to his room silently trying not to cause a commotion. He followed the same stone path he took getting to Mai's room and found his ransacked room. He stomped into the room now, upset. To find Sokka and Momo digging through his bed.
"What on Earth are you mad people doing to my bed?!" Zuko yelled. Sokka and Momo bounced on his bed and took a grape from the bowl of fruit on the night stand. "I was just messing it up for you. Showing everyone you slept in it last night." he grinned at him as he slyly out smarted Zuko. But Zuko blinked trying to regain himself. "Why in your right mind would people think I didn't sleep in my own room?" He growled at Sokka. Who was sulking in his bed right now.
Aang and Toph walked by as the moment grew worse. "So what are-." The avatar stopped to glance at the event before him. "I'm going to take it, my lessons up?" Toph said looking in the general direction. But seeing nothing. "Um Toph, Sokka and Zuko are in the same room together." Aang blinked.
"HA!" Toph said. As she stomped her feet on the stone ground. "Sokka you lied." She yelled back at him. Zuko felt his worse night mares come to life as Sokka and Zuko were being accused for sleeping together. "I most certainly did not sleep with him." Zuko protested angrily.
Katara gathered in the bunch as did Suki and Mai. Iroh was last to join when Sokka said, "Well gee, Zuko I'm hurt." He said emotionally. Zuko felt his pride slowly losing. As a innocent Sokka played a game in front of everyone. He continued to joke around. "Oh Zuko, but your arms were so strong last night." he chuckled. Zuko instantly grabbed his clothes laid out for him and directed himself for the bathroom. Locking himself up in there for a good while. He heard everyone talking and giggling about the little mess in his room earlier.
Finally after a couple of minutes he heard the talking end and put his clothes on firmly and tied his hair up in a ponytail to make his way to the air ship. While he opened the large stone door he found Momo about to scarf down the bowl of fruit. He stopped and sighed feeling abandoned by Mai and his new friends. He only felt his arm raise on and place his hand upon his forehead. Thinking to himself. This is my life. Normal? I think not. He lowered his arm now and went over to his small woven bag, like he used to have in the olden days, to sling over this shoulder and say good bye to his room for awhile. Leaving his Uncle would be a hard choice, but knowing Iroh was plenty content at staying here. He smiled knowing his uncle made a wise and clearly good choice. But more as Zuko thought he didn't really have a peaceful career ahead of him. He shrugged his shoulders and thought this job was made for no one better then himself. To fill the world with peace. A serene moment, ending by Mai sighing.
"Thinking again Fire Lord?" She waved a brief smile at him.
Zuko managed to smile back and didn't think anymore. Alas, he walked up to Mai and brought his arm around her slim waist and said, "Only about you." He slightly lied. She cringed her nose then looked at him again. Knowing he was just being himself she sighed again. "This is boring, let's get going." She moaned from boredom now. Famously, that is what Mai was good at. Pointing out the boring moments. In speculation her life was easy, but everything was merely boring to her. Like the time she was located in Omashu. That brought back memories to her. She decided to break the silence and stare at him. "I do not want a honeymoon in Omashu." she growled lightly and walked out from his room. He blinked at her and sighed like her. He found his feet moving one foot in front of each other. To make his way to the air ship.
The morning light was bright. Vivid, to see the clear blue sky. With it's different shades of white and blues. They all blended into each other well, like a canvas painting. Known for it's detail, the world has been known to be the best painter alive. Zuko stepped onto the grass landing and smelt the fresh air. Guessing this was their farewells for the mean time. Mai waved lightly to him as for she was standing next to the captain of the ship. Ready to board, he acknowledged. But Zuko needed to say bye to his new companions. Aang and Katara made their way to greet him. The Avatar bowed lightly and gave him a goofy smile. Katara looked at Aang and blushed lightly at his actions. She put her arm in front of herself and looked at the newly pronounced Fire Lord. "Glad working with you, but don't mess up. I'm not going to always save the day with Aang." She smiled at him. Zuko blinking at her, wondering why she was so straight forward. Guessing that was her way of saying good luck? He took her hand and smiled back with a wobbly voice he said, "Ah-thanks."
Sokka and Toph a long with Suki stood just staring at the a strange friends. "Let's not see a strange hug like you shared at the Fire Nation Coronation." Sokka let out laughing at them. Zuko and Aang realized they had a friendship, but didn't think hugging was fully needed. "Ah-Sokka it was a sign of our friendship." Aang said clearing his throat.
Toph grinned back listening to the people conversing. "You guys hugged." She laughed. Suki blinked at them and thought. "Hey, I think that's nice of them. Getting along." She tilted her head to smile. Toph looked at her and frowned. "Remember what I told you the day Ozai was taken down. 'Leave the jokes to us, honey." She gave a plain facial expression. Suki only looked at Sokka for comfort. He shrugged now and said, "What, she's right." Suki just dug her face behind a fan and turned away to move to the dining room they all sat in the other night.
Sokka walked over to Zuko and smiled. Brightly showing on his pearly whites. "Buddy, for a gift, I'd sure like my messenger hawk back." he smirked at him now. Zuko blinked at Aang and Katara now and mumbled. "He had a messenger hawk?" He asked.
"Ah, Hawky flew away, long story." Katara replied back. Sokka smiled at him again and his eyes fluttered towards him. Zuko only walked away and made his way towards Mai. "Hey Zuko, we never had our enlightening journey together." Toph screamed to him as the air ship started to create smoke. It was generating enough power to get a move on. Zuko smiled and nodded to her. But knew she was blind. Still leaving it at that. "Ah guys is he gone?" Toph looked around. They all laughed a bit and wiped the tears from their eyes. "That's messed up." She stomped her feet and threw her hands in the air. Causing the land around them to move a bit. Because of her Earth bending.
"Hawky?" Zuko muttered in laughter as they took off from Iroh new home. Mai looked at him and cocked her brow lowered. "You hugged the Avatar?" She almost wanted to laugh.
Zuko lowered his brows at her and brought them to make one brow. "Mai, he's a friend." He argued. She smiled lightly at him and put her hand around his shoulder. "I was just playing with your hot head." She said plainly. Zuko smiled at her contently. He paced himself to the captain's room and let Mai get comfortable by herself. Alone, she went up to the deck where a couple of Fire Nation soldiers were positioned. She wasn't alone. But felt it surge through her mind. She was above the air ship and looking down at the landscape. She sighed. Mai trudged against the railing. Leaning on the metal fencing now. She found herself thinking more. Clearly she thought about what was going to happen. She felt Zuko could handle the Nation. But not everyone would agree to a peaceful era. She closed her eyes just letting the breeze blow against her long silky black hair. She didn't feel the same. Sighing again she turned against the railing and looked up fully. Blocking everything and everyone. She couldn't shake this feeling off. The heat between Zuko and her last night made her wonder. Zuko had his way with me… She thought. Then blushed. Her brows were in an angered pose. She always knew she was in love with him. She heard a couple noises but still ignored the world. The air just whistled in her ears. Her feeling was settle. She was interrupted by a loud slamming noise. She growled and opened her eyes. There were no guards around only Zuko dressed in his dark red royal garments. Wearing his hair up, looking at Mai. She saw he brought out a long couch for them to lay upon. She arched her brow at him and waited for his gesture.
He smiled at her and sat down on the couch. Patting the small room on the couch. Wanting her to come fill this empty space. She looked at him more and walked over to the furniture. She laid back and pressed her face into his chest. "Mai." he said. Looking down at her. She came up to him and nestled her body against his chest and put her head near his. To listen. "Don't say anymore." Mai closed her eyes as she kissed him. She just cuddled into Zuko more. Silence. They loved it. It might be the only silence they get for awhile. He embraced her now. Placing his arms around her body. The noise of traveling made them be aware of their surroundings. But they learned to resist it.
A few birds flow by the ship and chirped at them. The clouds made the background foggy. Romantic to them. They were used to sunsets and beaches. This was a change from their old ways. But once they were back home Zuko would take his duty serious and she would become secondary. She felt herself looking while her eyes were closed. Zuko just chuckled seeing her examining the world with closed eyes.
"Look at me." He smiled at her. She blinked refreshing her eyes then placed her vision on him.
"You've been very quite, since we were together last night." Zuko told her. She then looked down and stared into the crimson fabric of the couch. She placed a hand on it feeling the velvet pattern on her palms. "What else do you expect from me?" Mai said plainly. Zuko found himself leaning down to kiss her on the lips again. A passionate sucking noise came from both of them. Enjoying the kiss. She broke away and stared in the other direction. "We're going back home." He told her. She knew this. She wasn't very happy about it. "Yeah." She muttered under her breathe. She grunted at him now.
While she was looking into his eyes. The ship made an called for move. Making Mai float in the air for a moment. She clung to Zuko and dug her head in his chest. He smiled at her and laughed a bit. "It's okay Mai." He put his head against hers.
"Make time for me." She looked at him after a few minutes. Zuko winced and looked at her. She revealed her feelings to him. Guessing this is what was troubling her. She blushed lightly and looked away. While Zuko settled into his position. "Of course Mai." He smiled at her. He found kissing Mai made her calm down. He kissed her so hard that he used the heat from his fire bending and breathed a bit into her body. She pulled away from him and her eyes glistened towards him. While the brim of her bangs covered her brows.
Zuko looked away. He felt pain in his heart from those eyes. Just like at Boiling Rock. When he slammed the door on her and locked eyes with her. She gulped and looked away, touching her lips. Warmth, is what she felt. "I l-…Ah like this view from up here." Zuko looked at her now, slightly in awe. Mai looked at her and nodded. "I hate orange in the sky." She growled. Then put her head to the hollow of his shoulder.
A couple days passed as Zuko and Mai finally reached the Fire Nation capital. They slept in distance rooms on the air ship. Ate together in silence. Spoke on the couch briefly. But mostly just enjoyed each other's company. And awaited this day. Where the ship landed and the people were looking at the famous Fire Lord. He made his audience happy. Mai followed a long side. Just a bit behind him. Feeling the shun of the crowd. But kept her emotionless face on at all costs. There was a ride waiting for Zuko and Mai to make their way to the rest of the palace. She sighed coming back to reality. Servants, parents and manners. She sighed again. Zuko looked at her and allowed her to get onto the carriage first.
He grasped her hand as they made for their seats. Mai looked at her cuffing hand and sneered into a light smile. She put her head on his shoulder. She saw up ahead a man with a couple servants waiting for Zuko. He had a long roll of scrolls under his arm sleeve. She sighed and told Zuko to stop the carriage. "Stop this, Zuko." She growled under her breathe. Then he gave them the warning and Mai got off. She looked at him narrowed her eyes to the left and right. Then bowed in respect for the honorable Fire Lord. "Good day." She said plainly.
He looked at her and blinked lightly. "Aren't you coming home to the palace with me?" Zuko said.
"Things might have changed for you, but I know this is my home." She started to walk towards her mother. Who was holding a baby. Tom Tom chewed on something while looking at Mai. "Darling, you're home." She smiled at her and started to walk inside the home. Where her father was. Mai stopped to turn and look at Zuko.
She mouthed something to him. "See you tomorrow." She whispered. He looked at her and found Mai was acting strange. But perhaps liked it. Showing some emotion made her a bit more appealing to him. As Zuko stepped literally a couple of feet to the left of Mai's home. He was stopped by an advisor. He smiled humbly at the Fire Lord. "We have a lot to discuss, Fire Lord." He said. He moved his head to the back a bit and narrowed his eyes. Thinking what he got himself into.
Zuko faded into the palace as Mai stared through the window. Smiling lightly. "That's my boyfriend." She uttered to herself.
Alas await for the next chapter.