The Truth, My Love
They sit in the soft grass together, the only tree on the hill spreading it's branches tall and proud above them. Red and orange leaves- autumn leaves- float gently down upon their heads, and the little boy reaches up and grabs one with tiny, chubby hands. He tells his mother how they are pretty like daddy's fire and she smiles and nods, saying yes, yes they are.
They are alone, the woman and her son, coming to this sanctuary before they have to go back to the palace. Back to the chaos. Back to Ozai's anger (of which the little boy was absolutely oblivious of). Back to the new baby girl. They were alone, the mother and her boy.
He rests his head against the warmth of her breast and closes his eyes (it's time to nap). His arms are around her, but he's oh so tiny and they barely wrap around her own arms. She cradles him to her and holds him close
The little boy slowly opens his golden eyes and looks up at her before the sun lulls him to sleep. One hand grasps her ebony hair and he clings to its familiarity. The mother runs her hand along his smooth left cheek and then she touches his hair, a smile appearing as she looks at his tiny ponytail.
The little boy's eyes are almost shut, and as he looks up at his mother, he unknowingly locks her away into his memory. Her black shining hair. Her red dress. Her crown. The motherly look in her eyes and the warm, contented smile on her face. He will remember her like this forever.
Before falling asleep, he asks, "Mama, do you love me?"
She replies yes, and he smiles. Now that he was assured of that…
"Will you always be with me, Mama?" Zuko asks sleepily.
Ursa gazes at her son for awhile before answering truthfully.
"No, my love."
But the little boy has already fallen asleep, safe in her arms.