disclaimer: Not mine.

a/n: This ficlet kind of took me by surprise, can you tell?

THE MYSTERY OF PAI SHO

"Zuko, it is time you learned the mysteries of Pai Sho."

"…No, Uncle."

"Zuko, come now. Be reasonable. As the Fire Lord—"

"I said no, Uncle."

"—as the Fire Lord, you should learn Pai Sho."

"Why?"

"Don't you want the Order of the White Lotus on your side, nephew?"

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"Everything, and yet nothing, at the same time! Such is the beauty of Pai Sho."

"…You're crazy, Uncle."

"I am not! But I understand."

"What? …Why are you staring at me like that?"

"I must say, if we'd been having this conversation two years ago, you would have stormed out by now. Possibly spitting fire."

"…"

"It is obvious, Zuko, that you have mellowed out."

"…You say that like it's a bad thing—"

"No, no, of course not. No need to sound so defensive."

"…I'M NOT DEFENSIVE!"

"Now, now, nephew, calm down!"

"UNCLE—"

"Zuko, sit down. It's too early in the morning to be angry, so don't make me call your wife. Maybe—"

"NO. ABSOLUTELY N—I mean—no, Uncle. That won't be necessary."

"Really?"

"Really. If you wake her up, she'll get mad and—"

"…Hm. She's been that tired?"

"Don't interrupt. She won't let me anywhere near her."

"Take it easy, nephew. I know you're frustrated. Pregnancy is hard."

"I'm not frustrated."

"Now, now, Zuko, lying doesn't befit you. What happened to honor?"

"Stop it, Uncle. Don't pat me like everything's going to be fine. Don't—Uncle, I said don't touch me—"

"Hm. Will the baby be a Waterbender or a Firebender?"

"Uncle, stop looking off into space—stop patting my head—Uncle, are you even listening to me—"

"Will the baby have blue eyes—"

"Uncle—"

"—maybe pale skin? No, maybe dark—"

"UNCLE—"

"…I wonder if scars can be genetically inherited—"

"UNCLE—"

"—gold eyes, perhaps? An Avatar for godfather, of course—"

"UNCLE, SHUT UP AND JUST TEACH ME PAI SHO."

"I knew you'd come around, nephew."

"Asd;flkj."

"Stop spewing nonsense; you'll wake your wife."

"…Shut up. Just shut up and drink your tea, you crazy old man."

"With pleasure. Now, Zuko, look here. In Pai Sho, the lotus tile goes here, and the monkey tile moves left to take advantage of the pansy…"

From behind the door, Fire Lady Katara stifled a laugh and rested one hand on her growing belly.

a/n: Reviews make me write!