5 Years Later
Zuko stood on the Fire Nation Palace balcony off his bedroom, and stared up into the night sky. He clutched the golden railing with his hands and sighed, looking up at the full moon standing out amongst the black sky. Tiny stars here and there dotted the heavens and seemed to lead the eye to it's prize possession; the moon.
It had been five long years since Zuko had last laid eyes on Jet, but he hadn't forgotten what he looked like. Whenever he closed his eyes, he could see the teen's mischievous smile, his beautiful eyes, his shaggy brown hair...his lips...
Whenever he concentrated he could feel the teen up against him...his body...his breath...
So many dreams including the two...wonderful, amazing dreams...but none as great as the real thing...
So long had Zuko gone without laying eyes on Jet...but he hadn't forgotten him. He hadn't given up hope. Jet was out there, he knew it...he would wait an eternity to be with him...
...but that wasn't an option...
The door to the balcony flung open and two kids ran through; a four year old boy, and a three year old girl clutching a small doll. The boy chased the girl out onto the balcony; Zuko turned his head to look at them, and smiled.
"Daddy, daddy!" the little girl exclaimed, hiding behind Zuko's legs.
"What is it, Ursa?" Zuko asked his daughter.
"Brother said that if I don't give him my dollie to sacrifice, that the night monster will come and eat me!" she wrapped herself around Zuko's legs as he smiled and patted her on the head.
"Honey, there's no such thing as monsters, okay?" he turned to the little boy, "Iroh, apologize to your sister."
Iroh shook his head and scrunched his nose.
Zuko shot him a warning look, "Iroh, now."
His son rolled his eyes and sighed, "Okay, okay. Sorry, Ursa."
"Hmpf," she turned her chin away and crossed her arms.
Zuko chuckled, "Now, kids, it's late, go back to bed."
"No!" Iroh shouted, pouting.
"Iroh," Zuko raised his eyebrows, "what did we discuss about talking back to your father?"
Iroh exhaled exasperatedly, "Sorry, father."
Zuko smiled, amused, "That's better. Now, off to bed."
Iroh kicked at the floor, "Fine."
"You too, sweetie," Zuko said smiling down at his daughter, "there's nothing to worry about. It's safe. There are no monsters."
Iroh slammed the balcony door shut after him, angry that once again, he hadn't gotten his way.
Ursa blinked, unsure, "I guess. But just in case, can I sleep with you?"
"Well..." Zuko smiled, "just for tonight, okay?"
"Yay!" she smiled largely and hugged his legs.
"You go on inside," Zuko kissed her on the forehead and steered her towards the door, "and I'll be there in a bit."
"Okay, daddy," she smiled at him, held her doll against her chest, and headed in. Zuko stared after her, then turned back to the moon and smiled sadly, eyeing it like a lost love.
A small sigh escaped his lips and a tear slid down his cheek.
The balcony door creaked slowly open and Mai stuck her head out, "Zuko?"
"Yes, Mai?" he asked, not bothering to turn and face her.
"You should come to bed," she walked out onto the balcony, clearly pregnant, "it's late, and cold." Pulling her robe tighter she shivered.
"I'll be in soon," Zuko turned to her and smiled, "Ursa's sleeping with us tonight. Go in and stay with her before she gets nervous being alone again."
Mai chuckled, "That girl, I'll tell you, she's scared of everything."
"Can't blame her when she grew up with Iroh."
Mai smiled and touched his arm, "Why do you always come outside and stare at the moon?"
Zuko's smile dropped from his face and he shrugged, "I'm not sure really," he semi-smiled, in thought, "it just, means something to me. It's beauty..."
"You're out here every night."
"So is the moon."
Mai smiled, "You'll be in soon?"
Zuko nodded, "Yes, just a little bit longer."
"Okay," she placed his hand on her stomach, "say goodnight to little Jet."
Zuko leaned forward and kissed her stomach, "Goodnight. I love you, Jet."
Mai pulled off her robe and handed it to him, "At least wear this, I don't want you to get sick."
"Thank you, honey," Zuko leaned forward and kissed her, "I'll be in soon."
"Okay," Mai smiled and walked off, closing the balcony door gently behind her.
Zuko turned back to the moon and smiled, this time more happily. He tilted his face up to it and closed his eyes, breathing in the fresh night air. He held Mai's robe in his hand; she didn't understand that the cold air was comforting to him, soothing. It chilled his face and bones, adding to the feeling of being drenched in the moon's glow.
After a few more minutes Zuko opened his eyes, and sighed, folding Mai's robe in his arms. He gave one final glance at the moon, then turned and stepped towards the balcony door.
Suddenly, he froze, aware of movement behind him. There was a muffled thump as though someone had jumped and landed, creating the noise upon impact. Before he could react, he was pulled backwards and shoved against the wall; Mai's robe slipped from his fingertips. A pair of eyes, beautiful brown eyes, appeared in front of his own.
"Jet..." Zuko whispered, unable to believe it.
"Hey," Jet whispered back, smiling slyly, "How's my Fire Lord after all these years?"
Zuko smiled in return, "Perfect, now."
Jet pressed his body up against Zuko's and kissed him, the two of them melting into one.
"I have always loved you, Jet."
Their kiss continued on, both of them seeming to glow in the light of the moon. After five years, five long years, Jet had returned for his Prince...
...and his Prince had waited for him.