AN: Fifteen days to go! This time, it's Maiko, sent in a request through private message. Keep 'em coming, guys, and I'll see you tomorrow. :)
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"Alright, close your eyes."
Mai looked at him skeptically. "Why? It's just a fountain. What's it going to do, blind me?"
Zuko sighed impatiently. "You were just complaining the other day that I'm not romantic enough. Well, it's not every day we get to go on vacation. Just play along, this once?"
"Zuko, I hardly think a diplomatic trip to Ba Sing Se qualifies as a vacation."
"Agh, forget it!" He turned, starting to storm away.
Her hand caught his arm. She smiled, the way she did only for him. The way she knew drove him crazy, in a good way. "Still as quick-tempered as ever. You know I'm only playing with you." She gave him a gentle hug, then when he reached to catch her face, stepped away. "You wanted me to close my eyes? Fine."
He watched as her eyes closed, checking to make sure she wasn't peaking. This had been so much easier, last time. Mai made everything difficult. They couldn't even get away together for one night without her constantly changing their plans, making him fight for even the slightest holding of hands or light kisses, or just generally making things much harder than they had to be. She knew she had him under her thumb, and she enjoyed it that way.
It was exactly what he loved about her. He smiled, turning away from her. Life in the palace would have been dull with anyone but her at his side, and when she did finally give in and yield, he felt so happy…
He took a breath, clearing the thoughts from his mind, focusing on the candles all around them, at the wicks that stood straight and unlit, just like he had requested. The fountain in the middle could barely even be seen right now, but he knew when it was fully lit, it was going to be beautiful. Perfectly romantic.
His arms snapped up, moving immediately, shooting fire in all directions. Left, right, higher, lower, in front, left! His eyes flicked from lantern to lantern, never resting on any individual one for more than a few seconds, his aim never faltering.
Zoosh, zoosh, zoosh!
Shing, shing, shing!
He faltered, surprised, as three knives spun out, just as he had been about to light the last candle. Dozens more followed, spreading in all directions, cutting the wicks at their bases. He watched in dismay as light after light went out, leaving them, once again, in complete darkness. "I thought I told you not to open your eyes?"
"Who said I did?"
Zuko turned back towards her, to see her throw one more knife, severing the last of the lights. Before it went out, he caught a glimpse of her eyelids, still shut as tightly as ever. She was… amazing. "I… I don't understand." It was going to be beautiful. Any other girl would have….
Mai, who had no need for pretty things, smirked as she reached forward, grabbing his arm. "It's simple," she said, her voice losing all of its normal edges. "I want it dark. It's more private that way, you know?"
"Oh." A lopsided smile filled the fire lord's face, as she pulled him into the shadows.