Author's Note: Only read if you like ZukoxJet, not if you're a Maiko fan, please, lol. This story is written under the (well, MY) assumption that Zuko and Jet felt something towards one another in Ba Sing Se, and didn't address it (b/c they were in denial lolol) until now. So if it seems like they SUDDENLY have all these feelings towards one another, that's not the case. They already felt them before, and now they realize the feelings were true x3

So don't flame if you simply dislike ZukoxJet, yaoi, or because Mai is OOC (which she IS, and I had to make her that way to carry the story, which is why I say…read for ZukoxJet and NOT for Maiko.)

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"Lee," Jet turned to Zuko, his eyes shining with affection, "I love you." He stepped forward and placed his lips against Zuko's, pressing his body up against his. Zuko started to pull back, then stopped and let Jet kiss him. He ran his hand through Jet's hair, his arm wrapped around his waist. There was no heat, the only warmth came from their kiss, a kiss which lasted forever, turning the moment into an eternity.

Zuko sat up suddenly in bed, doused in a hot sweat. At first he couldn't recognize where he was, but as his mind cleared his memories came back to him. He was lying in a bed, in a room located inside the Earth Kingdom Palace. After siding with Azula and helping her gain control of Ba Sing Se, she had given him the room to sleep in.

He sat on the edge of his bed, allowing his legs to hang over the side, and wiped the sweat from his face. The dream had come upon him so suddenly, so randomly, and yet he had enjoyed it. Shaking his head he stood and stretched. He had only enjoyed it because that's how he felt in the dream. If it had been real, he would've hated it.

After washing and dressing he exited his room to get something to eat. He yawned again as he entered the dining area. The Dai Lee had placed an assortment of delicious breakfast food on the long golden table before him. The smells mingled together, creating a magnificent aroma. He studied his options for a moment before reaching for a loaf of fried dough. As his hand clasped the food, fingers curled around his, and he turned to see Mai. She smiled and blushed slightly, then let go.

"Sorry," she said awkwardly, "take it. You got to it first."

"It's the last one," Zuko replied, "You have it."

"Oh no," Mai shook her head, "I couldn't."

"Just take it," Zuko turned away, "I've lost my appetite anyway." He walked away with a shrug, not knowing why he got mad at even the littlest things so easily.

He headed to the courtyard, grabbing his duel swords along the way. He had nothing better to do then practice, so he figured he might as well go ahead.

Taking a starting position he worked on his form and techniques, then started training his speed. Once he was warmed up he set the swords on fire and practiced; spinning them around in the air, creating intricate patterns of burning embers as they fell to the ground.

A few hours later he stopped, drenched in sweat, and sheathed his swords. He turned to leave, then noticed that Mai was standing there.

"How long have you been watching me?" he asked with a snarl.

"Not that long," Mai shrugged, "I didn't mean to get you mad."

"I'm not mad," Zuko replied, but the tone of his voice said differently.

"You sure?"

Zuko grunted.

Mai smiled, "You're really good." He looked at her without emotion, "It's been so long since I've seen you, Zuko. You've changed a lot."

He subconsciously touched his scar.

"I was wondering," Mai blushed; her cheeks turned pink, contrasting her usual attitude of boredom, "maybe we could..."

"Could what?"

"Get some dinner or something?"

Taken aback, Zuko's automatic reply was "Yes," and he blurted it out before thinking it over.

"Great," Mai smiled, "I'll meet you here at seven." With a small wave she was off, leaving him standing there alone, doused in his sweat.

He headed to the bath-house to wash up, wondering if he had to be dressed any certain way.

He heated the water in the bath himself, then lowered his body in, enjoying the steam as it swirled around him. He let his body relax, resting his head against the back wall, and drifted off.

"Jet?"

"I haven't left your side."

Zuko opened his eyes; Jet was still there, holding him. He had held him through the night.

"Don't leave me," Zuko whispered, "I've had too many people that I cared about leave me."

Jet leaned forward and planted a kiss on Zuko's forehead, "I'll never leave you..."

Zuko sat up suddenly in the bath, once again covered with sweat. He couldn't tell whether he was sweating because of the dream, or because of the hot water. Figuring he had begun to over-heat he got out, the temperature of the water dropping, and toweled himself dry.

He hung the towel over his bare shoulders, and wiped his damp hands on his pants. Ruffling his hair he left, heading back towards his room.

"Been working out?"

Zuko turned around and spotted Ty Lee walking towards him, "What?"

She pointed to his bare chest, "Last time I saw you, you looked nothing like that."

He stared at her for a moment, then turned and began heading off.

"Wait!" Ty Lee called, jogging to catch up with him, "I heard about you and Mai."

Zuko stopped walking, allowing her to arrive at his side and place a hand on his shoulder, "I think it's great you're giving her a chance," she smiled, "maybe you can get her to be more happy. She seems depressed lately."

"No kidding," he answered grudgingly, "now I've got to get back to my room."

"Oh," Ty Lee winked, "deciding what you're going to wear for your date?"

Zuko's face showed no emotion, "Sure," he said with a shrug. He walked off, allowing Ty Lee's hand to drop from his shoulder.

Upon entering his room he dropped his towel on the floor and fell back onto the bed. He rubbed his eyes and temple, then sat up and turned his face to his pile of clothes. What was he supposed to wear on a date? He thought back to when his uncle had made him go out with Jin, then approached his clothes and sorted through them. When he found something he figured would be acceptable he slipped it on, adjusting it to fit him properly.

He stared out his window for the next hour, and when the time came he headed out to meet Mai.

She waved him over, "Over here," she said quietly with a blush.

He made his way over to her and stood there silently, waiting for whatever was coming next.

"Ready?"

He nodded, "Where are we going?"

She shrugged, "You want to just get some tea?"

He grunted in reply.

"Come on," she took his hand and led him away, "I know a good spot."

They exited the palace walls and made their way along the upper ring, stopping in front of The Jasmine Dragon. Zuko's eyes widened at the site of it as guilt for betraying his uncle welled up inside him.

"I heard this place was really good," Mai said with a smile, "unfortunately, I also heard it came under new management, but we might be lucky and it still might be the best tea shop around."

Zuko turned to her innocently, "Any idea why it's under new management?"

Mai shook her head, "No."

With a sigh Zuko allowed himself to be led inside and placed at a table in the corner.

"Know what you want yet?" their waiter asked.

"I'll have a Jasmine Tea," Mai said.

"Same."

The waiter nodded at the two of them and left to fulfill their orders.

"So..." Mai said awkwardly. Zuko was reminded of his date with Jin, "what have you been up to lately?"

"Nothing," he answered curtly.

"Oh," Mai looked around for a moment before going on, "I've missed you."

Zuko smiled slightly, not sure how to reply.

"Did you miss me?" she asked him.

He blinked, "Yes."

Mai smiled and blushed slightly, then cleared her throat, "Tea's here." The waiter set the two cups down before them, then turned and headed off.

After the date the two walked home in silence, not knowing how to act towards one another. Zuko stayed with Mai until they arrived at her room, then turned to head off, but she grabbed his hand and held him there.

"What, no good night?"

He faced her with a bow, "Good night." He went to walk away again but she grabbed him and turned him to her, pressing her lips against his in a short kiss, for he pulled away quickly.

"You're supposed to kiss me back," she stated simply.

Zuko leaned forward, not sure what to do, and kissed her back. He pulled away, and with a fake smile he turned and headed off, shaking from confusion. When he had kissed Mai it wasn't her face he had pictured, but Jet's.