A/N: First of all, I'm so sorry for the long hiatus. Yes, I'm still writing this story and yes, it will be updated more frequently from now on. I've been dealing with the end of finals as well as moving out from my old place and moving into my new one! So moral of the story now that it's summer and I'm all moved in, updates will be happening more frequently.
Anyway, I hope you're excited about this chapter because it's pretty much all Zuko goodness. For everyone who wanted more Kataang, there will be TONS more of it but allow me this chapter for my own pleasure. In my mind, Zuko is really older brotherly and gives lots of good advice when it comes to others but when it comes to himself, he's kind of like a lost puppy who is totally adoring and a little dorky. But anyway, the moral of this is that Zuko is a strong, independent [wo]man but he definitely needs Mai ;)
Please let me know what you think by reviewing – any suggestions for future chapters are always welcome!
CHAPTER 11: MISADVENTURES IN PROSE
Firelord Zuko had a problem. This problem was currently causing him to avoid all company and pace around his room, letting out frustrated grunts. This problem happened to be a horny little monk who wouldn't stop obsessing over his Watertribe girlfriend.
Zuko wasn't opposed to love, per se. What he couldn't stand was when people were so overly obnoxious in their emotions that you couldn't have a normal conversation without 'it' coming up. Ugh… the past few months almost everything Aang had to say – that wasn't official business – had to do with Katara.
'Did Zuko think Katara didn't like Aang as much as he liked her?'
'Didn't Zuko think that dress that Katara wore at that banquet absolutely showed her off in the right ways?'
'Did Zuko realize how lucky Aang was that Katara was his girlfriend?'
The conversations went on and on and on. Zuko couldn't handle that much emotion at once. What was the word Sokka used for it? Oogies.
It wasn't Aang's fault, really, that he was busy floating around in a Katara-induced trance. The girl was incredible and gorgeous to boot – even Zuko had to admit that. It was just… when Zuko wasn't rolling his eyes for the umpteenth time, or trying to push the image of the couple from his head without gagging, seeing Aang so happy reminded Zuko of how happy Mai made him. Er… maybe 'happy' wasn't quite the word to use when referring to Mai, but she completed him, and Zuko missed her more than anything.
It was this, more than anything, which had Zuko in a bind. You see, as much as the almighty Firelord liked to think that he was a self-sufficient man who 'didn't need no woman,' he desperately missed his girlfriend. It'd been two months since he'd last seen her and at this point (though he wouldn't admit it), he was almost as bad as Aang.
Whenever a messenger hawk came, Zuko would almost beat Aang to it – a feat he considered pretty impressive considering Aang was an airbender and could run as fast as the wind – if only to check for new letters from Mai. His dreams were filled with her; he could almost feel her smooth pale skin, and he would wake up feeling empty without her. Zuko's life had already started with Mai and without her, he was feeling more than a little lost and lonely.
And so, here he was now, pacing his room and trying to find an outlet for his feelings. Suddenly Zuko flashed upon an idea. If Katara wrote to Aang, why couldn't he do the same to Mai? Except for he was Zuko, ruler of the most powerful nation in the world. He couldn't just write letters to Mai, he needed something more…regal. Something more…expressive. Something more… 'Zuko.' Something that evoked a sense of desperate longing and unending trials and tribulation. Something like…poetry.
There's nothing better than a summer's day…
That is, except for you, Mai.
Prettier than a day in May.
Being around you is what separates me from the fray.
I'll never want to stray.
Promise you'll meet me halfway?
Zuko stared at the poem, his brush dripping with ink. It doesn't seem quite …right … yet. He huffed. This poem had taken him almost an hour but he was sure that he was on the edge of a breakthrough. The only thing he was having trouble with was, well, everything.
He groaned. I need something that rhymes with 'Mai' but doesn't sound idiotic. Hmm… hay…flay…gay…bouquet?
"Ugh. This isn't good enough. I'm starting over." So saying to himself, Zuko crumpled up his parchment and threw it into the dustbin. Time to start over with a clean slate.
Mai, when I'm around you,
I always want to put on a display, and
Everything else just seems so passé.
Without you I'll never be okay,
Don't ever go away.
Zuko looked it over. Ugh. Angst-y enough for my past self but now I just sound so creepy. I'm not like this at all! He looked around, hoping for some artistic inspiration. Mai, I miss you so much—I just want you to know how I feel. He decided to take another stab at it.
Mai,
My love for you will never decay.
I love you even more today,
Than I did yesterday.
I can no longer delay,
Screw this word play.
That is to say,
Will you be my fiancé.
He smirked to himself. Actually this isn't too bad. …if I was ready to marry her that is. But maybe I can use it in a few months or so…
Zuko was just tucking the last poem into his bag (for future use of course) when Aang walked in, surveying the scene.
"What's up Hotman? Why are you all covered in ink?" he asked, bouncing on his toes. He glanced from Zuko's blushing face to the ink brush to the papers crumpled up in the dustbin and a smirk spread across his face.
"What were you writing Zuko?" Before Zuko could do anything, Aang swiftly ran to the garbage and lifted the two poems Zuko had been struggling with.
"There's nothing better than a summer's day," Aang began to read aloud as Zuko looked on furiously.
"That is, except for you, Mai." Zuko lunged for Aang, trying to take the piece of paper away but Aang just danced out of his reach.
"Prettier than a day in May – I really think that rhyme doesn't even really count, Zuko," Aang commented as he kept reading.
"Being around you is what separates me from the fray, I'll never want to stray." Here, Aang opted for dramatics, getting down on his knee and clutching the poem to his chest.
"Promise me you'll meet me halfway?" Aang finished with a flourish, saying the last line in a singsong voice before falling on the ground giggling.
Zuko frowned at Aang. "Are you done?"
Aang gasped, trying to catch his breath as he rolled around the floor laughing.
"Are you done, Aang?" Zuko restated, his face a tomato.
Aang smirked. "Actually, now that you mention it, I recall lifting a second poem from the pile…"
He held up the paper and dangled it in front of Zuko's nose. "What's it gonna take for me to not read this dramatically over dinner when we get back?"
Zuko narrowed his eyes. "You wouldn't."
"Oh, I totally would."
"But you're my friend!"
Aang grinned wickedly. "Exactly. Now, what's it gonna take?"
"Aang! I'll tell Katara about that time with the mud baths."
"You're dumb Zuko that was her idea."
"Then I'll walk around shirtless in front of Katara."
"Doesn't matter I've been working out too."
Zuko groaned. How the hell do I not have anything on this guy?! After all the time I've spent around him! The only thing he'd be afraid of his….that's it!
"Aang, I'll tell Sokka about that dream you were having…"
Aang stopped mid-laugh and paled. "You wouldn't."
"Aaahh young pupil but that's where you're wrong. I believe we went over the fact a few moments ago and agreed that that's what friends are for."
Aang looked at Zuko in disbelief. "That's different!"
Zuko smirked. "Fair is fair. You burn both poems right now in front of me or Sokka hears about the fact that you were moaning Katara's name…and that you might have been a little excited when you woke up. In fact, I might even exaggerate the details."
Faster than you could say 'Avatar,' Aang whipped out the poems and was burning them to a cinder.
"I swear on my honour as the Avatar that I'll never tell anyone about your poems. Now swear to me that you'll never say a word to Sokka."
Zuko smirked. "On my honour as the Firelord, I will never say even a whisper to Sokka about this."
"Now spit on it."
"Ew no!" Zuko exclaimed, taking a step back.
"Zuko," Aang said, looking at him completely seriously.
"Ughhhh," Zuko groaned before spitting on his palm as Aang did the same. They shook on it and then looked at each other.
"So that's that then?" asked Zuko, wiping his hand on a handkerchief in disgust.
"Yupp," agreed Aang, before breaking into a smile. "So what were you doing writing poems anyway?" he asked.
Zuko groaned. "You know, at the time, I thought it was good idea…but now I'm starting to think it might not have been…although I did end up keeping one for later. But long story short I mostly just miss Mai."
Aang smiled knowingly. "Dude I know. These women. They make us go crazy but we still can't live without them."
Zuko nodded in agreement. "Actually I was thinking. I miss Mai and Katara's birthday is coming up. I was thinking we take some time next month to pause the tour and go see the girls and the rest of the Gaang for a couple of days. We could probably manage it so that it'd take us about four or five days round trip if we take Appa – we'd each get two days with our girlfriends if you drop me off first and then we can meet up with everyone for the third day somewhere in between!"
Aang broke into a grin. "That's a GREAT idea Zuko! Maybe we can surprise them?"
"I love it," agreed Zuko.
XXX
A/N: …here it is, the end of the chapter! You know what to do…tell me what you think and click that 'post review' button!
A few notes for my reviewers:
Ashley Barbosa: I thought about it and decided you're right and went back and edited the ages/years
My French Fan: I was absolutely talking about you! Thanks for your support and for the idea – I'm definitely gonna try and work it in if you don't mind!
Kira97:Thank you again for the lovely review/ideas!
Thanks also to everyone that inquired as to where I was – sorry again! Finals are the worst.
Next Chapter Preview:
Something fluffy and Kataang-y that involves kisses XOXO (Sorry this last chapter was a little short but hopefully the next will be longer!)
