Prompt #14: Hope

Hope Comes from Hard Work

The Fire Nation was changing slowly but surely. Zuko made reform after reform to education, health, the military, industry and other areas of importance. His council didn't always wholly approve of these reforms, and meetings could get heated, but the Fire Lord was determined to alter the whole atmosphere and reputation of his country and the attitudes of its people.

He was thrilled that Mai had taken an avid interest, in her own bored, reticent way, and helped him come up with intelligent, solid presentations and ideas. Zuko honestly didn't know what he would do without her. Neither were experts in any particular field; but they listened to and called upon people who were and read anything they could get their hands on. It was difficult work; but doing it together was rewarding. And they got to spend a lot of time with each other.

"I feel like we've been stuck in this office forever," Mai moaned. "And these reports couldn't get any duller."

"I know, but I need to read them. I want to be informed, Mai. And things will get better. We're making a lot of changes in a short amount of time. Everything will slow down soon."

Mai sighed and went back to reading. She was reclined comfortably on a sofa in Zuko's large office and he was behind his desk. It was a familiar sight to servants, family and friends. Zuko, ink stained fingers and rapidly loosening top knot, earnest expression of concentration on his face, shuffled through paper after paper. He took notes in a special book he kept; jotting down ideas of his own along with his thoughts on the proposals of educators and industrialists, experts in agriculture and health.

Mai's lips moved as she read. Somehow she retained the information better that way. Her dress and makeup and hair were impeccable as always but she gave off a vibe of casualness nonetheless. She didn't take notes, but made the occasional remark to her fiancé. Whenever she spoke, Zuko put down his brush and looked over at her attentively. He loved hearing her voice even when it rhymed off statistics or lists.

"Do you know what we're doing, Mai?" Zuko asked a few minutes later.

"Personally, I'm trying to stave off sleep. What about you?"

The Fire Lord chuckled but his face grew serious again quickly.

"We're giving our people hope. We're giving the world hope."

"That sounds like something Aang would say," Mai observed.

"Yeah, it does. I guess he's rubbing off on me a bit. But it's true. Think about it. The citizens can speak freely now without threat of recrimination. There is no war and we're working toward keeping it that way. The rest of the world won't look at us as a horrible threat anymore. They have hope for a lifetime without fighting as well. And we're doing it together, you and me. Our children will have a legacy."

"And here I thought we were just reading documents," Mai quipped.

Zuko frowned, irritated at Mai's lack of seriousness. Quick to smooth ruffled feathers, Mai placed her papers on the floor, got up, stretched, yawned and then walked over to Zuko's desk. She placed a hand on his cheek and turned his head to face her.

"Hey," she began. "I understand what you're saying and I know that what we're doing is important."

Zuko looked at her with intense gold eyes. Mai paused for a minute and gathered her thoughts.

"Everything you mentioned is wonderful. But I have hopes for us, Zuko."

"What are they?" he asked softly.

"I hope that we're always happy together."

Zuko nodded. "We will be," he declared forcefully.

"I hope that we have healthy, well-adjusted kids," Mai continued.

Zuko closed his eyes briefly. The thought of children gave him a rush of joy right alongside a horrible jolt of fear. Sensing his tension, Mai gave him a lingering kiss and ran her hands through his hair. His crown fell to the carpeted floor unnoticed. When they finally broke apart, Mai whispered something else in his ear.

"I think I can guarantee that," Zuko answered with a smirk.