Candles
Pairing: Mai/Zuko
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It had been nearly an hour since sunset. The sky went from being many different shades of orange, red, gold, and violet, to a dark blue, almost black. Stars flickered across the night sky, a bright crescent moon shone overhead. A perfect night too, and not a cloud in sight. Mai sighed softly as she looked out the window. The streets were deserted, not even a merchant's cart. It was dismal, and yes, very depressing. The quiet in the girl's room was almost unbearable.
The letter left on her bed was a lie. She was sure of it. Zuko would not run off without telling her first. She trusted him. She believed in him.
In her mind, the letter was a fake. A nasty prank played by Azula. Ever since Zuko started showing weird behavior Mai could tell Azula was suspicious of their relationship. She felt if Zuko were to turn traitor that Mai would follow suit Betray her supposed "best friend" for her boyfriend. Well, why wouldn't she? Zuko had been much kinder to her than Azula ever had. And according to witness reports of Azula's battle against the Avatar during the invasion, she no longer had much need for her friends anyway. But Azula had always been possessive. She would not want her friends to betray her.
However, Mai was too sharp for this. She could smell a fabrication when she saw one. Azula was obviously trying to make her mad at Zuko, to think he'd just leave her in the cold like that. No. She knew him better than that! …Or did she?
Slowly, and gracefully, Mai grabbed a spark-rock and a candle, and set it on the windowsill. She lit it and watched the first drop of wax bead and drip down the length of it to pool milky white at the bottom. They had been together for over a month. Surely Zuko would want to celebrate this with her. Most of the Fire Nation was celebrating their victory even as she thought this. She was certain, once he was done toasting with his father and the nobles, he'd come over there, same as always, to share the moment of glory with her.
She pulled a blanket around herself as she lay down on her couch. For once, silence was golden. Mai listened for sounds of footsteps approaching her door. Each time a flicker of hope would spring in her chest. The door would open and Zuko would sit down next to her. The entire time she waited, she watched the candle. Hours passed. The wax dripped and the long stick shrank to a tiny stump. Cheers from the royal palace dulled until finally it was as quiet as her family's home. Mai didn't even notice the candle burn out, casting her room into darkness. She was already asleep.
Miles away, outside the Western Air Temple, Zuko had found himself a cozy campsite. He was crouched over a roll of parchment, ink-dipped brush in hand, the glow of candlelight spilled across the page. He knew he made the right decision. His country was in danger, not just the rest of the world. He had to save it…from itself. The tip of his tongue flicked against the wooden end of the brush as he pondered what to write. A suspicion, deep in the pit of his stomach, told him Mai had gotten his message. Yet was still waiting for him, despite the fact he knew he would not be there. Perhaps he would write something nice. Describe the wildlife outside the walls that used to surround him. No…There was nothing to say. Zuko knew that when a drop of ink splattered on the page. But he didn't want her to give up hope. So he rolled the scroll up, deciding to wait until tomorrow. Maybe, by chance, something will happen that will inspire a better train of thought.
"Wait for me…" He whispered into the cold night air.
With that, he licked his fingertips and put out the candle with a soft hiss. Engulfing himself, and the world in darkness.