Maiko Month

Prompt #9: Lightning

The Important Things

His frustration was building up; Mai could see it in his face. She pretended to file her nails, staring down at them intently. But really, she watched her lover attempt, over and over again, to make lightning.

"Grrr…" he growled after one more try. "What is wrong with me? Why do I always fail?"

He stared up at the sky as if searching for answers there before letting a huge fount of flame loose from his fist. Mai sighed and muttered to herself about melodrama and angst and temper. She stood, leaving the stone bench behind and crossing the courtyard.

"Let it go," she advised, resting a hand on Zuko's shoulder. "Maybe you're not meant to make lightning."

That sounded fatalistic but it could be true. He might be incapable of the process. But Zuko was the most determined man or person she had ever met. His capacity for trying and trying again, and then again, was endless. She admired his tenacity, she really did. But when his well being was affected, Mai stepped in.

"My whole family can do it," he whined, dropping his head into his hands. "I must be doing something wrong, one tiny thing. If I correct that, then it will work." He assumed a stance again, shrugging Mai's hand off.

"No." Mai shifted her position and stood in front of the Fire Lord. "And if I have to pin you down, I will." Her pale gold eyes were narrowed and she meant business. One hand held a blade. She twirled it, casual and skilled, never looking once, keeping her focus on Zuko.

"But, Mai….."

"No!" She guided him over to the bench where water awaited. "Drink this." Zuko drank. He wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand. "You're not your family; you're Zuko. Stop comparing. Stop trying to be them. I love you, everything about you, even the things I hate. Do you get that?"

"Maybe if I get Iroh to show me again; maybe that will work."

Mai wondered if he was listening at all or lost in his own head. He had an infuriating tendency to over think everything, analyze and pick apart. He wanted to find a way. If it existed, Zuko would eventually discover it.

"Did you hear what I said?" This time Mai took his chin in her hands, forcing him to look at her. "Sometimes I just want to slap you."

His eyes opened wide for a moment. Then he blinked. "What did I do?"

Rather than hit him, Mai gave him a kiss. "You're perfect, well not really, but for me, you are. Stop worrying about the lightning. There are more important things." She put a hand to her belly then and gave it a gentle caress.

Zuko picked up on the subtle gesture and grinned. "You mean?"

"Yes, I do."