Mai
Part 21 – You're like an Old Married Couple but with more Sex
Mai's birthday, and it had been a wonderful one, was over. She and Zuko were back at the palace. The Firelord's last gift was there too. He had written Ty Lee, asking her to come home for a few days, offering to arrange the transport and clear it with Suki. Thank Agni for messenger hawks. They were faster than most ships and Ty Lee had enough notice to make it to the capitol by the day after Mai's birthday. Ocean traffic was heavier now as trade had opened up, and Earth Kingdom and Water Tribe ships no longer feared attack from Fire Nation ones.
It was barely a month since the two young women had seen each other, but so much had changed. Mai had a class to teach that afternoon and Ty Lee went along to watch. Talking would have to wait until later. They walked hurriedly since the knife thrower was a bit behind schedule.
"Wow," Ty Lee exclaimed when they approached The Royal Fire Academy for Girls. "I haven't been here since I finished a couple of years ago. Everything looks the same."
"It may look the same, but lessons will soon be very different. Zuko and Aang are very determined to make a lot of school reforms."
"You mean there won't be any more," Ty Lee cleared her throat and spoke in a deeper voice, "'The Fire Nation is the greatest in the world. We must share our greatness with everyone.'"
"Something like that," Mai agreed. "We have to go out back."
Mai walked swiftly, never losing her natural grace, and made her way to the grounds at the back of the school. Ty Lee kept pace, throwing in the occasional flip or cartwheel when just plain walking got boring for her. Mai's lips turned upward in a small smile. A lot was changing, but some things never seemed to.
The acrobat, clad in pink, not her Kyoshi Warrior outfit, watched patiently from a nearby bench as her friend instructed her pupils for a grueling two hour session. Mai was tough and didn't say a lot, but the girls knew when they did something right and when they did something wrong.
Lesson over, Mai bowed to her students and they returned the action.
"See you in two days," Mai reminded. "Next week, I'll be making a report to the headmaster."
"Yes, ma'am," they said in unison.
The two young girls walked back to the school and their next class. Ty Lee bounded off the bench and joined Mai as she returned the knives to their cases and placed them in an outdoor storage building.
"That was pretty cool, Mai. You're a good teacher. I never pictured you being good with kids. I mean, your own brother didn't interest you."
Mai scowled. "Thanks, I think. You're right. Tom-Tom didn't interest me. Maybe now he would but it's too late anyway."
"What do you mean?" Ty Lee asked.
"I'll tell you all about it when we get back to the palace. I don't want to talk here."
"So Zuko had this all made for your birthday?" the pink clad girl inquired.
They lounged in the outdoor area of Mai's new training room. A tray of food and a pot of tea sat between them on the bench. Mai sipped thoughtfully at the vanilla tea. Her friend, the one who had saved her from Azula's wrath, was here beside her and all she could think about was Zuko.
"Mai?"
"Yes," she said, meeting Ty Lee's eyes. "It's amazing, isn't it?"
"He must really love you.
"He does," she flushed recalling their previous night's lovemaking.
"Gee, Mai, I've never seen you like this. You really are happy. I'm so glad. You actually have some pink* and green** in your aura now."
"If you say so, Ty," Mai said in a bored tone. That whole aura thing of Ty Lee's was of no interest to her.
"So tell me everything that's been going on. You're living here with Zuko, right?"
"Uh-huh."
"In the same room?"
"Uh-huh."
"Your parents are back here now too."
"Oh, they're back, but I don't see them."
"Oh, OH," Ty Lee cried as she understood Mai's meaning. "They're upset that you're living with Zuko but you're not married."
"Right, I'm supposed to stay at home with them and have weekly dinners with the Firelord until he sees fit to ask me to marry him."
"But you guys have always loved each other. Don't they get that?"
"They don't care about that. They care about how my actions might affect their reputations. People know. People talk, blah, blah."
"My parents were upset when I joined the circus. That's not what they had in mind for me."
"I guess it wasn't." Mai paused for a few seconds as she thought quietly about her parents. "It's okay," she continued. "I don't need them. I haven't needed them for a long time. I've got Zuko and my uncle and you and Iroh. And I'm actually starting to like Zuko's new friends. They're becoming mine too."
"What about Tom-Tom?"
"I don't miss him because I never really knew him. That's partly my fault. I was jealous. I know my parents were more excited about him than they ever were about me."
"Maybe when he's older, he'll sneak over here to visit."
"I doubt it. What about your parents, Ty Lee?"
"They're wondering why I'm part of an Earth Kingdom Warrior group. It's even worse than being an acrobat. At least that was for a Fire Nation circus."
"What's it like on Kyoshi Island?"
Ty Lee tugged on her long brown braid and contemplated for a minute.
"It's really pretty and the people are kind. There's a weird guy there who foams at the mouth whenever I walk by."
Mai raised her eyebrows but didn't say anything.
"The Kyoshi Warriors are great, Mai. I'm teaching all of them about chi-blocking and I'm learning all their skills and traditions. We live in a large building with our own rooms. It's not the palace but I like it."
"Any cute guys?" Mai asked with a smirk.
Ty Lee was always on the lookout for good looking young men.
"There are a few but mostly there are little kids."
"Do you miss the Fire Nation, Ty?"
"A little, I guess. I miss you and Zuko."
"I miss you too, Ty Lee."
"Mai, have you seen Azula? Has Zuko seen her?" the normally cheerful girl asked with trepidation.
A cloud passed over the knife thrower's face and it became hard and cold.
"No," she answered succinctly.
"I just thought that maybe if we tried to talk to her she would get better."
"I don't want to talk to her. I don't care if she gets better. She's where she deserves to be."
"Mai," the acrobat said sadly. "She was our friend."
"She wasn't. I've seen friendship now, and Azula was never one to me."
"Still, she's all alone now. Maybe I could see her."
"You'll have to ask Zuko about that. He communicates with the healers."
"I will," Ty Lee persisted.
" I don't want to talk about Azula, okay. Let's change the subject," Mai insisted.
"Fine, is the avatar still here?"
"No, everyone's gone except Toph. She doesn't want to go home and isn't sure what to do. Zuko said she could stay as long as she wanted."
"We should totally have a slumber party, just us girls. You can be away from Zuko for one night, can't you Mai?" Ty Lee winked and nudged the dark haired woman.
"Um, no. I mean, I can be away for a night, but I don't want a slumber party. I don't think Toph's into them either."
"Well, you guys are no fun. What else can we do?" Ty Lee griped.
"Did I just hear my name?" Toph bellowed. The tiny earthbender pushed her way between the two girls. "I just happened to be walking by your new training room, Mai."
"You did," Mai replied dryly. "Ty Lee was talking about the three of us having a slumber party. I said that you probably don't like them, right?"
"Hey, why not, I've got nothing else to do. How do they work, Ty Lee?"
Mai glared daggers at Toph, forgetting yet again that the girl was blind. She was so incredibly adept at getting around that her blindness was very rarely a factor. And even when it was, her other abilities more than took up the slack. So Mai resorted to smacking the girl lightly on the arm to express her disapproval.
Ty Lee got up from the bench and bounced excitedly on her toes.
"I'll explain. We spend the night doing each other's hair and makeup. And we gossip and tell secrets and eat a lot. If we were really daring, we would drink alcohol too."
"Yeah, I'm just the girl you want doing your makeup," Toph responded sarcastically. "Blind here!" she declared, waving her hands in front of her blank eyes.
"Sorry, Toph, but we can do your hair and makeup."
"Look, girls. I don't care about that stuff. I can't see myself anyway."
"Don't you want to look good for boys?" Ty Lee asked, shocked at Toph's disinterest.
"The only guy around here is Zuko and he's definitely not interested in me."
The Kyoshi Warrior tried her best to keep up a cheerful front and to come up with a better idea for their evening.
"It was Mai's birthday yesterday. That's why I'm here so how about we celebrate?"
"Yeah, I forgot to wish you a happy birthday yesterday, Mai," Toph said. "But you were busy having your little getaway with Zuko. How was that anyway?"
Mai flushed a deep pink. "It was really amazing."
She could hear the wheels turning in her friends' heads.
"No, he didn't propose. We want to wait to get married. Zuko just made it very special. He put a lot of thought into everything."
"Aww," Ty Lee said, grinning wildly. "That's the sweetest thing ever."
"Why don't we go out for dinner?" Mai proposed, changing the subject again.
"Sure," the other girls agreed.
"I'll just go tell Zuko that I won't be eating with him tonight."
Mai hurried through the palace heading for her room. Zuko was inside sitting at the desk. He was reading some letters and making notations on them. The Firelord looked both exhausted and antsy.
"Hey," Mai said softly. She walked to the desk and put an arm around her lover. "You look tired."
"It was a bad day. Lieutenant Jee had to restrain one of the council members. He made a lunge for me. He wasn't carrying a weapon, but the hate and disgust in his eyes was pretty evident."
"Who?" Mai asked harshly.
"Moki," Zuko replied, rubbing his hands across his eyes. "And he'd been very cooperative up until now. Maybe it was all an act. Or maybe the idea of Fire Nation soldiers working in the Earth Kingdom and the Water Tribes to repair damages just didn't sit well with him."
"But they'll still have jobs," Mai exclaimed. "If they come back here now, what are they going to do? I know that you'll still have that problem eventually but…"
"Oh, I'm sorry, Mai. I know you're visiting with Ty Lee. I don't mean to dump this stuff on you."
"I want to know if someone threatens you, Zuko. I'll remember that. Anyway, I came to let you know that Ty Lee, Toph and I are going into town for dinner. It's kind of a late birthday celebration."
"Good. Have fun. When you get back, maybe you can distract me for a bit. These scrolls are really boring."
"I think I can do that."
Mai bent down and placed a kiss on Zuko's lips, one full of promise for the night to come.
They ate dinner at a quiet restaurant with excellent food. Toph used her ladylike manners much to Mai's surprise. She knew Toph came from wealth and was raised as a lady, but she had never seen those manners in action. The girls chatted amicably about Kyoshi, Suki and Sokka, Zuko, Katara and Aang.
"Looks like we're the only ones still alone, Toph" Ty Lee declared mournfully.
"Uh, I haven't even turned thirteen yet. I've got lots of time," Toph answered. "I'm not even sure if I ever want a boyfriend. "
"Have you decided what you are going to do, Toph?" Mai inquired. "You were a big help to Zuko with the whole bodyguard thing. Maybe he could use your help with something else."
"All he has to do is ask me. I guess I can't stay here forever, though."
"What about helping in the Earth Kingdom? You're an incredible earthbender. There must be something."
"Yeah, yeah, I'm sure there's lots of work to do."
"I'm not trying to get rid of you, Toph. You're welcome to stay. You're fun to have around."
Mai grew quiet and turned her attention back to her food. It was surreal, sitting here with two friends, having a conversation that didn't involve strategy or insults to Zuko or vicious comments about various people who disappointed Azula. Again, like she had many times over the last month, Mai marveled at the changes in her life and in herself.
"Mai," Toph said, punching the Firelord's girlfriend in the arm. "Do you want dessert? You should have a piece of cake. It's your sixteenth birthday. Live a little."
"Yeah, sure, I'll have some cake," Mai agreed as she gently massaged her arm. "Then I'd like to get back."
"You miss Zuko, don't you?" Ty Lee asked. "You guys are like an old married couple but with more sex."
Mai flushed for the third time that day. "Ty Lee," she hissed.
"Well, it's true."
"Trust me, it's true," Toph chimed in. "Remember Mai, I can hear much, much more than most people."
Mortified, Mai buried her face in her hands.
"Hey, it doesn't bother me," Toph added. "At least you're happy."
"You can always get a room at the opposite end of the palace, Toph," Mai suggested. "You're almost right beside us now."
"Nah, I think I'll stay just where I am."
"Okay, you need a job. You have too much listening time on your hands."
Ty Lee giggled at the exchange and called the waitress over so they could order dessert. They each had a slice of rich cake and washed it down with green tea.
"Oh, Mai, I almost forgot about your present. Remind me to get it for you when we're back at the palace."
"Sure, Ty Lee."
When all three were finished with their cake, they paid the bill and walked back to the palace. The sun had already set and darkness was descending. They took their time, enjoying the cool air of the early autumn evening.
"So what should we do tomorrow?" the acrobat asked. "It's my last day here."
"Whatever you like," Mai replied. "I don't really care."
Back at the palace, Mai bid the girls a good night. Ty Lee threw her arms around Mai and hugged her tightly.
"It's good to see you, Mai. Oh wait, I have to give you your present!"
The chi-blocker darted into her room and found a package. She ran back to the doorway and handed it to Mai. The knife thrower opened it carefully and pulled out a fan, the same kind used by the Kyoshi Warriors. She smiled at the grey-eyed girl.
"Thanks, Ty," the ebony haired girl replied with a smile.
"There's not much to buy on Kyoshi Island. I hope you like it."
"I like it, Ty Lee. I used Suki's fans when she was here."
"Oh, cool. Anyway, I'll let you get back to Zuko. Say 'hi' for me."
Ty Lee walked back into the bedroom and shut the door. Mai was left by herself in the hallway .She walked to her room and pulled open the door, placing her gift on a nearby table and greeting Zuko. The Firelord still sat at the desk, although his posture had changed. His head was thrown back against the chair and his eyes were closed. An open scroll hung from his right hand and he breathed softly.
"Zuko," Mai repeated this time close to the man's ear; still no response.
"Zuko," she said a little louder.
This time he jerked his head up and dropped the scroll. He looked around angrily but his face softened once he saw Mai. The young woman picked the scroll off the floor and returned it to the desk.
"You're back," he said, stating the obvious.
Mai laughed. "You were working hard, I see."
"There are only so many treaties and letters making demands and proposals you can read before your eyes start to blur and your head feels like exploding. I reached my limit a few scrolls ago."
"It's time to call it a night then. Do you want some tea?"
"Mmm, sounds good."
"What kind?" she asked.
"Ginseng," Zuko replied. "I need some energy."
"Ginseng then, I'll be back in a few minutes."
She brewed the tea in the nearby kitchen and brought the tray back to their room along with a snack.
"Thanks," Zuko said as he reached for the cup and a slice of bread. "I forgot about dinner. How was yours?"
"It was fun and a little embarrassing."
"What do you mean?"
"It seems that Toph can hear everything we do in this room."
"Uh, oh wow, that's…..awkward."
He turned an adorable shade of pink and Mai wanted to take him to bed right then. She pushed down the impulse and continued the conversation in a neutral tone.
"Not for her. She doesn't care. That girl is a weird one, but I like her."
"She's different. How's it going with Ty Lee?"
"You know her, bubbly and enthusiastic about everything. She says 'hi' and she brought up Azula."
Mai's voice took on a harsher tone when she spoke the princess's name.
"What about Azula?" the Firelord asked crisply.
"She asked if we visit Azula and suggested that she and I should go and talk with her. It might help her to get better."
Zuko sighed. "And what did you say?"
"I said that we don't but you talk to the healers. Ty wants to ask you about her, though. I don't think she's going to let it drop."
"I don't care if Ty Lee visits her. I just can't do it yet myself. If she asks, I'll make the arrangements for her."
"She'll be pleased."
"Look, Mai," Zuko said, his tone serious, "one of those scrolls I was reading, it was from your father."
He reached for another slice of bread and refilled their teacups.
"My father," she said, her voice betraying no emotion. "Is he worried about his position or something?"
"Yeah, he's no longer Governor of Omashu, obviously. He's wondering about a position in the new council I'm forming."
"And.."
"And, I'm not sure what to do. He's got nerve asking me about a position when he so clearly dislikes me. He won't talk to you because you're living here with me. But he needs a position of some kind so he can look after his family. He's willing to look at me in the meeting room almost every day to achieve that."
"Well, they're worried about moving down the social ladder instead of up. They did well under Ozai. Now they're unsure. My mom would die if they lost that house. All her 'friends' would disown her."
"What do you think I should do?"
"A small part of me wants to see them lose their status, but a much bigger part doesn't want to hurt them, despite the way they're treating me."
"So I should find a place for him?"
"Why don't you talk to him and size him up? Maybe he would be good as a councilmember."
"I guess I could do that. I'll write back and ask him to come over tomorrow afternoon. But I'll be suppressing the urge to firebend at him the whole time. I don't like his attitude toward you."
Zuko composed a quick note and put it in a pile that needed to get delivered the next morning. He rubbed his eyes tiredly and got up to undress.
"Gods, I'm tired, Mai. Are you ready for bed?"
"Yeah, I'll be ready in a few minutes."
The couple slid under the red silk covers. Mai tucked her head in the space between Zuko's head and his shoulder. He wrapped a warm arm around her and they both fell asleep almost instantly. Mai's promise would have to wait until another day.
Mai spent the next morning with Ty Lee. They walked the palace gardens, talking about this and that and recalling incidents from their childhoods, a good portion of which were spent at the palace. They enjoyed lunch together and Toph joined them afterwards for a walk through the busy but very ordered capitol city. Ty Lee good naturedly described everything for Toph, from homes, to shops to people. She also told Toph tales of young Mai and Zuko.
Toph cackled when she heard about the two shy kids who had crushes on each other and blushed and fumbled anytime the other was near.
"I knew then that they were meant to be together." Ty Lee declared, sweeping her arms outward in a wide arc.
Mai rolled her eyes and sighed. "Well, you did say we looked cute together. I won't forget that day."
"Ah, the fountain," Ty Lee reminisced. "Azula and I were kind of mean to you and Zuko."
"Kind of," Mai agreed wryly.
"At least you guys had other kids to play with," Toph moaned. "I had nobody."
"Azula wasn't really into playing sweet little games, Toph. She liked hurting people, especially Zuko."
"Yeah, I guess that never changed, did it?" Toph remarked.
"Stop it," Ty Lee yelled.
People walking by turned their heads and looked at the group of girls curiously.
"What?" Mai asked with a hint of cruelness. "Do you want me to tell Toph that Azula was the best friend you could ever have and that she was kind and gentle? I think Toph knows better than that."
"She's sick, Mai. You shouldn't talk badly about her."
"She was going to kill me because I helped Zuko. She tried to kill her own brother several times. I can't forget that."
"It's not like we were perfect, Mai."
"Are you guys going to finish this little drama soon because I'm bored?" Toph asked.
Both Mai and Ty Lee shot glares at the sturdy earthbender then looked at each other.
"I know we weren't perfect, Ty. But the things Azula did were different. You feel bad for her. I don't. Maybe in time…."
"Just forget it, Mai. I don't want to fight with you. I'm leaving tomorrow and it might be a long time before I see you again."
"I mentioned to Zuko that you would like to see her," Mai stated, reaching out to the gymnast. "He said that it's fine with him."
"Really, that's great. Thanks, Mai. I haven't had a chance to talk to him yet."
"You'll have to come back here again, Ty Lee," Mai qualified. "The healers don't think she's ready yet to see people. Talk to Zuko about it before you leave or write him from Kyoshi."
"Can we get moving?" Toph interjected. She was banging her foot angrily against the ground. Small, hard dirt projectiles flew through the air, some hitting passersby.
"We're going, we're going," Mai replied. "I think it's time to get back anyway."
Toph and Ty Lee smirked. "Are you down a kiss, Mai?" Toph needled.
"Whatever," the young woman rasped. "Let's go."
Mai found Zuko in his office, buried under yet another mound of paperwork. He tapped his fingers on the rich looking desk while his eyes scanned line after line of characters. Being Firelord held little glamour and a tremendous amount of responsibility. She waited quietly until Zuko noticed her. His eyes brightened and a small, tired smile curved his mouth upwards. He reached across the wide expanse of the desk and grasped Mai's fine, pale fingers.
"Hi," he began. "I'm glad you're home."
She returned his smile but said nothing. They looked at each other longingly for a minute before Mai spoke.
"How did it go with my father?"
Zuko rubbed his hands over his eyes and yawned. "I made him a councilmember. He's going to help with the restructuring of our economy. That's what he seemed most interested in. And if Moki keeps threatening me, we might need a new councilmember anyway."
"Did you talk about me?" Mai asked, unconsciously reaching into her wide sleeve and gripping the hilt of a deadly blade. Its coolness felt good in her hand.
"I mentioned that you attend meetings sometimes and that he might see you."
"What did he say?"
"Nothing, it was like he didn't care. I also told him that you're safe and happy here, that I've promised my loyalty to you and that I love you very much."
"Let me guess, he was unimpressed."
"Well, he's not as outspoken as your uncle and he was much quieter about it, but I could still sense his disapproval. I don't think it's going to change, maybe not even after we're married."
"Yet he'll use you to keep up appearances."
"Yes. But he seems like a decent man, Mai. I don't know what will change his mind."
"Like I told Ty Lee, I don't need them, Zuko."
"I feel like I've torn you apart from your family," the Firelord admitted, looking forlorn.
"I made my choice and they made their choice. I'm not as important as their place in society. And let's face it; they haven't been a part of my life for a long time."
Zuko sighed.
"I brought up your little brother too. He'll let Tom-Tom visit if you want. Maybe you two can have a better relationship than Azula and I," he said wistfully. "You should try, Mai. At least your father is doing that much."
The young woman frowned thinking about the little boy, a boy she never showed any interest in at all. Why should she now? Why shouldn't she? Maybe she could teach him knife throwing too, when he gets older. Maybe it would be nice to have a little kid around once in awhile. She would have to learn to deal with them eventually. And it's not like he had done anything wrong; he wasn't even three yet.
"Would you like to meet my brother?"
"He's your brother, so yes," Zuko answered emphatically.
"Okay then," Mai decided.
The dark haired beauty waved goodbye to Ty Lee. The acrobatic girl was standing on the deck of a small Fire Nation ship bound for the Earth Kingdom by way of Kyoshi Island. She smiled broadly and her grey eyes danced as she returned the wave with more vigor than Mai had used.
"Bye Mai, I'll write you soon," she shouted above the noise of the docks.
Burly workers loaded crates of goods onto ships, grunting and sweating with the effort of their work. Mai walked delicately around these men, looking back occasionally to give her friend another wave.
She cared for Ty Lee but being around her took effort and tired Mai out. And there was school to think about for that afternoon. And she planned on letting her parents know that she and Zuko wanted to see Tom-Tom. It would take a carefully worded letter. That was something she had not done a lot of in her life….asking people for things, negotiating with them. She was used to letting life slide over her and around her, never quite grabbing onto it fully. She was changing, of course, but that change took time. Fifteen years of reserve and quiet were not that easy to let go of.
Back at the palace, she sat at the desk in hers and Zuko's room. She spread out a piece of parchment, opened her new writing kit, took out a brush and put a bit of ink in the inkwell. Then she sat still, thinking carefully about what to write. Mai closed her eyes for a moment and pictured her parents opening the letter and reading it. It should be brief and to the point and perfunctory.
Mother and Father,
The Firelord brought it to my attention that you will allow my brother to visit us at the palace. We have time this Saturday. Have the nanny deliver him to the gate for noon.
Mai
The pale young woman sighed and placed the brush down on its holder. She felt a twinge of sadness at the state of her family. Mai never experienced a real sense of belonging with her parents. She had always felt more like an accessory. Sometimes they pulled her out and showed her off and sometimes they shoved her away in a drawer; hidden, smothered.
Tom-Tom was too young to have a real opinion of Mai and he didn't know Zuko at all. Perhaps they could achieve some sort of bond so that she could call him brother and mean it.
Saturday came swiftly. Both Zuko and Mai were anxious, neither having experience with young children. They both wondered what exactly they were playing at. Mai met Tom-Tom and his nanny at the main palace gates. She looked toward her parents' house and saw a small figure standing on the steps looking her way.
"Mai," Tom-Tom said; it was spoken as a question.
"Yes," Mai replied.
She dismissed the nanny and took the young boy's hot, moist hand. He began to cry and Mai was at a loss. She pulled him along by the hand, through the gates and into the gardens where Zuko awaited.
"He's crying," the Firelord stated.
"I know," Mai replied, rolling her golden eyes.
"What's wrong with him?"
"How should I know? This whole thing is a bad idea."
"Wait a minute, don't give up yet. We just have to take his mind off whatever is bothering him."
"Okay, and how do we do that?"
Zuko scratched the back of his head and thought. Tom-Tom stared at the Firelord in fascination. The toddler walked toward the man and tugged on his loose fitting training pants. Zuko had been getting in some much needed firebending practice. Tom-Tom pointed up at Zuko's face.
"I think he wants to see your scar," Mai said in a matter of fact tone.
"Great," Zuko said quietly.
He knelt down on the ground in front of the boy and allowed him to touch the leathery, bright red skin. Tom-Tom smiled and then he giggled.
"Well, I'm glad that you find my scar so amusing," the firebender huffed.
Enamored with Zuko, Mai's brother wrapped two chubby arms around his neck and situated himself on Zuko's lap. Mai hid an amused smile behind her hand.
"Hey, Tom-Tom, I'm Zuko."
"Zu," the toddler imitated.
"So help me, if you end up calling me Zu-Zu….."
"You just gave him the idea, Zuko," Mai laughed.
"Forget it kid," he said in mock seriousness. "How about we go feed the turtleducks? I've got all kinds of bread waiting by the pond."
Tom-Tom just smiled as Zuko got off his knees and carried the young boy down the path. Mai walked alongside, sneaking little glances at her boyfriend. Zuko had spoken sometimes of his fear of fatherhood. His comments were never direct but always subtle, disguised as conversation about something else. But she was very aware of his fear. Rationally, the man knew he was not like Ozai, was not capable of the same cruelty and dismissal. But in some dark place, Zuko was terrified of having a child and breaking it, like Ozai had broken him. Mai pointed out his good influences (Iroh and Ursa) and his obvious differences from the now jailed, former leader of the Fire Nation. Zuko knew compassion and kindness, bravery, loyalty and love. She hoped that spending time with Tom-Tom might ease his mind.
Mai herself never gave becoming a mother any thought. It was always some improbable event, years away. When Zuko was gone for those three years and she didn't know if they would ever meet again, the idea of marriage and children was especially foreign. The thought of being with anyone but Zuko was inconceivable. Hence, a family was not in her future. And, if she were honest with herself, in her mind, Tom-Tom was nothing but a drooling, crying annoyance that her parents both doted over.
But now Mai was with Zuko and they would be married eventually and be expected to produce an heir. Somehow that thought wasn't repulsive. In fact, a family of her own with the love of her life sounded good. Mai wondered what kind of mother she would make. Like she reassured Zuko, he reassured her, declaring that she would make an excellent mother. First, though, she would try to be a decent sister.
Mai shook herself out of her reverie as they approached the pond, filled as always with a family of turtleducks. Zuko placed Tom-Tom on the ground gently and reached in a basket that was filled with stale bread. He handed a piece to the boy. Immediately, the toddler put the bread to his mouth and began to chew on it.
"It's for the turtleducks, Tom-Tom. Watch me."
Zuko ripped a piece of bread into little pieces and threw them into the still water. The mother and her turtleducklings pounced on the food right away. One baby quacked indignantly as its sibling nicked a piece of bread right out of its beak. Tom-Tom kept his eyes on Zuko and copied the man's movements, ripping up his own bread and throwing the pieces as far as he could. Some bread landed on the grass and one brave baby left the safety of the pond to retrieve it. Mai's brother watched delightedly as the creature came almost close enough to touch.
Zuko looked over at Mai. She stood back a few feet surveying the scene. Her boyfriend waved her closer and handed her a piece of bread.
"C'mon, Mai," he encouraged.
Mai took the bread and soon all three of them were tossing it into the water. The turtleducks ate whatever came their way and swam off only when the bread supply was exhausted. Tom-Tom kept a hand on Zuko the entire time and looked up at the Firelord's face often.
"You have a fan," Mai remarked dryly.
Zuko just shrugged. Tom-Tom tugged again at Zuko's pants. Golden eyes looked down at golden eyes. The boy gave Zuko a huge grin and the Firelord couldn't resist returning it.
"He's cute, Mai."
"I suppose," she agreed.
She reached for the boy's hand and he took it almost grudgingly.
"Do you want to play in the garden, Tom-Tom?"
"Mmmhmmm," he replied, "pay."
"Let's go then. How about we find the fountain?"
"That wasn't so bad, was it?" Zuko asked Mai after they handed the boy over to the nanny a few hours later.
Mai thought for a moment. "It wasn't as awkward as I figured it would be."
"He's a good kid," Zuko observed.
"Well, he sure liked you."
"I like him too," Zuko replied.
The Firelord smiled and looked slyly at his girlfriend.
"So, after we're married, you won't mind having a couple of kids, will you?"
"No more than two," Mai cautioned.
"Two's fine," he agreed.
"Good."
"How do you feel about seeing your brother, Mai?"
"I feel like he's a stranger. But I want to form some sort of relationship with him. I never imagined I would say that."
"Well, you're changing and I like it. I'm glad that you're reaching out more, Mai. I've always had a problem with it too. Doing things on my own, being on my own was the ideal, I thought. But I was wrong. It's okay to need someone."
"I need you," she admitted shyly.
"I need you too."
They joined hands and chatted quietly as they walked back to the palace.
*Pink in an aura denotes love and affection, tenderness and compassion.
** Green denotes growth and balance and change.
Author's note: I toyed with the idea of Mai and her parents speaking again but decided to use Tom-Tom instead. I wanted to make it clear, though, that Mai's not all gaga over him, but is instead attempting something she hasn't before…forming a connection with her brother.
I think she's resigned to the fact that her parents are history but her brother could be part of her future, her new future.
Both Zuko and Mai I see having misgivings about parenthood given their histories.
I can see her parents letting Tom-Tom visit simply because it would benefit him down the line. And they want their boy to be someone, I'm sure.
I also think that Zuko would be awkward for a bit, but warm up to the kid quickly. He's got a soft heart. He was good with Li from the episode 'Zuko Alone'.
Also, Hoshi needs to be doing something. I liked him having to go to Zuko looking for work.
As for Ty Lee re: Azula. Of anyone, I see her feeling sorry for crazy girl. Mai wouldn't.
Re: the title of this chapter Somehow it fits. Mai and Zuko are like an old married couple. I mean that in the most positive way. They know each other so well and just fit together. But they still have that sparkle of newness in their relationship.