The Boiling Point

Author's Note: This story takes place three days after the last episode of Book 3. I had the idea for this fiction before the release of the comic books (which are fantastic), so for the purpose of this fic, they will be omitted. Please enjoy.

I do not claim to own or be a part of Nickelodeon or its affiliates or own any characters, universes, and so on, that rightfully belong to the creators of Avatar: The Last Airbender, Brian Konietzko and Brian Michael DiMartino, or the rest of the team that brought us this incredible story that we all know and love.

For Zach, my best friend.

Chapter 1: Some Things Never Change

"I hope the new Fire Lord has time to treat with a the lowly governor's daughter." The figure in the doorway teased, a smile on her tone and the sun shined behind her.

Fire Lord Zuko had a long day, the longest one since the Hundred Year War ended. Reflexively, the half-naked king in his bed rubbed his eyes to be rid of this troublesome dream. Unfortunately for him, a blink would not efface the presence of the girl at the threshold or the too-early-rising sun from out his window.

"Mai, please." Zuko groggily replied, not even sure of what he was trying to achieve with that statement. All the fire bender knew at that moment was that he sincerely needed more sleep. "The rooster-pigs haven't even..." He paused, "Made that sound that they make yet."
At this, Mai shook her head."Didn't you know? Azula banished all of the animals in the palace. It's past dawn." The austere girl with the buns replied with a malicious glee. It was a shame that this couldn't last any longer as Mai was enjoying the sight of the most powerful ruler in the world sprawled out on his bed, his face covered with messy hair like an ordinary teenager, like how she remembered him. The numerous, red-tinted bandages Zuko sported seemed the only thing out of place in an otherwise familiar setting. Well, she had already given him some extra time to sleep in.
"How many hours past?" Zuko slurred as he slowly rose to his feet. His fundoshi loincloth did not follow him as he looked out the bright window, instead deciding to fall uselessly to the floor around his legs.

"Were you having nightmares again?" Mai asked, her hands now covering her eyes while her cheeks warmed from the sudden show of royal parts. Zuko's back glistened with sweat, confirming her fears, marring the moment with worry while at the same time improving the view. "Oh, err, just a few hours... Maybe three, bu-"
"Three hours!?" The shout rang out across the palace, and if a certain decree had not been made a few days ago it would have roused every sparrowkeet from its perch for miles around.
"Zuko, your uhh..." Mai pointed a finger directly at the Fire Lord's exposed rear. Thankfully, the mirror helped the boy in finding just what his friend was pointing to, and his eyes widened in surprise. For now, immaculately woven silk sheets bunched up in hand would have to do for royal undergarments, but nothing could hide the embarrassment on the sixteenth noble Fire Lord of the glorious Fire Nation's face.

Zuko brought the raspberry torte to his mouth, chewed, and swallowed hastily.
"Zuko, I really think you should slow down and actually- y'know- eat instead of whatever it is you're doing."
"Don't be ridiculous, Mai." Zuko retorted, his face flecked with whipped cream and sprinkles.
Her eyes narrowed. "I'm never ridiculous, and you've been working on this decree for eight of the past twelve hours." She had counted, and at the same time hoped that the scarred boy couldn't catch her intense worry and mistake it as babying.
Zuko couldn't even notice her manicured finger pointing to a candle at his desk that sparked four times. Right on cue.

The Fire Lord did not move his gaze or quill from the decree he had been writing, his one hand carefully holding the sleeve of his robe so as not to smudge the ink.
"Mai, do you want the people of the Earth Kingdom to have a kingdom again?
"Of course I do, Zuko, but I don't want you going and rebuilding it brick-by-brick until you're so exhausted you pass out while I'm sitting here bored out of my skull. " She caught herself taking a deep inhale from her outburst and mentally cursed at herself. "Can't you let Lo or Li take care of that? Aren't they your attendants or something?" She asked with genuine concern as she knelt down at his side and looked up at him.
"They're my firebending teachers." He replied curtly.
"What? But they're not bend-"

A pair of quick claps from the doorway caused Mai to shriek and almost fall over. Zuko, on the other hand, did nothing but put down his quill and sigh as if he had done it a hundred times before.

"The Fire Lord looks hard at work. " Lo said, her smile as wide as her sister's.
"And as proud as we both are," Li said, and in unison they continued, "Perhaps our benevolent ruler should heed his queen's advice."
"Queen?" Mai whispered, curious as to how the unfamiliar word felt on her lips.
Zuko rose from the chair, and made sure to keep his robe tucked neatly under his sash, lest the bandages show themselves. His muscles still ached as much as they had when the then prince had been lying on the cobblestone of the courtyard, writhing in pain as electricity surged and stung every nerve in his body.
"I don't need a break, I don't need anyone else to do my job, and I don't need anyone else to run my country!" Zuko exclaimed, his hand balling into a fist more from the pain of standing than actual rage.
"Then what of your servants, my lord? What of your diplomats and ambassadors relieving the Fire Nation banners from Omashu or Gaoling? What of your master of coin, of agriculture, or anyone else who humbly serves the Fire Nation? Are their services not just as essential?" Both sisters asked, taking a few steps forward into the room in unison.
"Yes, they are." Zuko said after a pause. He never liked it when Lo or Li talked to him like that, as they did since he was a child, but they only ever provided sagely advice and wisdom for him, just at the most inopportune times.
"And do they not also take vacations?" They asked.
"Yes. Wait." Zuko's eyes widened and he took a step back. "Please don't tell me you're taking us to Ember Island again."
Their intelligent eyes flicked to each other. "Well, no-"
The teenagers deeply sighed with relief.
"But you are taking a vacation."