The smell of fire had finally faded from the air, the rebuilding had begun three days after the war was over on the day of Zuko's coronation as Fire Lord. The hours following he hadn't gotten a moment to himself. There were people to heal, damages to report, orders to send. He was running on empty, only resting when Katara reminded him that was struck by lightning. For the past three hours, Zuko had been pouring over documents, writing orders to generals as the fire nation military made their way back home, but now, as the sun started to rise, pouring light over his nation, Zuko stood by the window. The cool morning breeze passing over his face, brushing his bangs over his cheeks. He sighed heavily and let his head fall, bracing his hands against the window ledge and closing his eyes as his eyelids dropped slightly.

Zuko started slightly as he felt a hand fall on the back of his neck, fingernails raking over the skin there lightly. He sighed and turned his head to look at Mai, who was just staring at him with a smirk on her face.

"You're exhausted," she said, her grainy voice a welcome to the silence he'd endured for what seemed like hours. It was Mai's turn to sigh, her smirk fading off her face and taking a step up to him, wrapping her arm around his neck and pulling him away from the window. "You need to sleep."

Zuko didn't say anything. He lowered his head and kissed her softly, wrapping his arms around her waist, pulling her close. He pulled away from her just as softly as he had kissed her, dropping his forehead against the slope of her neck, breathing in the smell of her skin.

"Thank you," he muttered into Mai's ear, the bridge of his nose brushing against her earlobe. "For being here with me, thank you."

"I'll always be here, Zuko," said Mai gently, wrapping her arms around his neck, holding him close to her.

"Marry me."

Mai blinked, not quiet sure she heard correctly. Pulling away enough to look him in the eye Mai raised an eyebrow, giving Zuko a look. "Say again?"

"Marry me, Mai," said Zuko, his eyes piercing into hers. Mai didn't say anything, she just stared at Zuko seriously, trying to decide if he was joking or not.

"Are you being serious?" she asked him finally. Zuko frowned at her and pulled his hands from her waist, placing them on either side of her face and kissing her tenderly.

"You're the person I want to spend the rest of my life with," Zuko muttered against her mouth before kissing her again. Mai kissed him back, her eyes unwillingly filling up with tears as she tightened her grip around his neck.

"I guess I could put up with you for the rest of my life," said Mai with a slight shrug, unable to keep the grin off her face.

"I'm glad."

disclaimer: I don't own Avatar.
This is my first Avatar fic, so any and all comments would be appriciated.