Chapter 6
Later that night, Mai was escorted to Zuko's room, but there honestly wasn't any need. She had grown up in the palace, and she had visited his room many times. There were few in the palace that didn't know of her childhood crush on him, but no one really knew if those feelings had continued. Nothing in her manner seemed to lean one way or the other.
The guards were most curious about such things as they escorted her. One even attempted to question her but was met with a blank glare. There were no questions after that.
This time, Zuko awaited outside. He had dressed up royally, wearing the gold and red colors of his nation. She wore a similar outift, but more feminine in fashion. He gave a single nod to the guards and they went inside.
Zuko was fidgeting, though he tried very hard not to. He had only learned of her feelings while she was at the Girls' Academy, and he too wondered what might have been. She had changed over the years, becoming sullener and more withdrawn. She had displayed those tendencies as a child, so it was no surprise to him. Still, her parents worried. Initially, they had dismissed it as moodiness. As it became more and more frequent, they had attempted everything in their substantial power to make her happy. Nothing had worked. Now, they mostly just left her alone, which seemed to be doing more for her than anything else.
Zuko hadn't figured out an activity, having gone to his "exercises" with Iroh, a royal diplomacy meeting (where he mostly just reported on the Tribute with his mother's immense assistance), and had just returned in time to get prepared for Mai. Despite his best efforts, she didn't seem impressed in the slightest.
They sat, neither one speaking. She seemed bored, though he knew that was probably not due to inactivity, but personality. She endured the silence much better than he did.
He continued fidgeting, unsure of what to do or say. She was casually glancing around the room, her eyes half-lidded. She sat still for the most part, merely turning her head to capture the sight.
Since her last visit those years ago, his room had changed drastically. It was now quite the room for a prince, and she couldn't help but wonder at the rumors of Zuko having become the Fire Lord's favorite. With the tribute, there was scarce argument against it.
Finally, Zuko couldn't take it anymore. "Doyouwanttogotothetheaterwithme?" he blurted out in a rush. She blinked, attempting to decipher the words.
He cleared his throat. "Do you want to go to the theater?"
She shrugged. "It sure beats hanging around this place," she said dryly. Her voice was low and somewhat rough, probably from lack of use.
He stood, and offered her a hand, which she ignored. They walked to the door in silence, until Zuko had a thought.
"Put this on," he told her, handing her an old cloak from off of the coat rack. She looked at it skeptically.
"Why?" He grimaced.
"People are likely to take notice if we go. I don't want them to recognize us."
She too the cloak and draped it over herself without another hesitation. "Going to the theater incognito. Never thought that'd happen."
He raised an eyebrow, amused at the sarcasm. They covered their faces as they exited.
Mai glanced around. "Where are the guards? Shouldn't they be protecting you?"
Zuko winced at the implication. "Elsewhere. They leave when I have a tribute in my room." She silenced at the innuendo.
They crept out from the palace, silently navigating to one of the passageways. Azula had discovered them when they were younger, and they had often played together in them, typically racing. Or hide and seek.
Neither acknowledged the others' presence, treading through the passageways in silence until they arrived at the marketplace. The bustle and light greeted them.
The entire marketplace was lit up with lanterns, stalls cluttering the streets. Festivals were being held across the entire Fire Nation, a celebration for the Tribute. It was a reminder of better times, and a Tribute was a sign of strength and promise for the Fire Nation. Zuko only wished that it were someone else.
He glanced at Mai. Or maybe he didn't.
Zuko located the theater quickly, having frequented it often as a child. His mother would take him there, as she used to be an actress. Many happy days had passed enjoying the stories portrayed. He had nothing but good feelings for the theater, and his shoulders relaxed as he entered the vicinity.
They arrived a tad late, the play having begun a little over twenty minutes ago. He recognized the piece quickly. Dancing with Dragons. One of his favorites.
They removed their hoods as they sat, and Zuko glanced around. Everyone was intensely focused on the play. He turned to watch.
The story was focused primarily on the last two dragons, only learning of each other's existence by ancient spirits. Each had thought they were the last of their kind. They crossed over bizarre lands, each searching for the other. It was tragic, but ultimately very romantic.
Having seen the play dozens of times, he looked over to Mai, expecting her usual bored self. He was surprised to find her watching intently, eyes narrowed in concentration. He couldn't help a smile. So she still had some feeling after all.
The play went on, her eyes never leaving the stage. Being a low-class play, she had never actually watched it before, her parents seeing it as beneath her. She now regretted that.
About halfway through, Mai jolted in surprise as one of the character's was ambushed. Her reflexes immediately attempted to arm herself with needles, but her sleeve was empty. Tributes weren't allowed to have weapons.
Zuko caught her arm mid swipe, keeping her from making a scene. No one appeared to have noticed, so he relaxed.
Unbidden, she slid her hand into his grasp. He looked at her in surprise, but her focus was still on the play. Her hand encircled his, grasping him tightly. Her face betrayed nothing. She seemed to be unaware of anything but the play.
His breath hitched. With his eyes back on the play, he linked his fingers through hers, with her responding in kind. They sat there peacefully, hands between the seats.
As the play neared the end, Mai naturally laid her head on Zuko's shoulder. He placed his head on hers gently and began tracing her hand with his thumb.
Zuko suspected that Mai would deny all of this as soon as the play ended. In fact, she didn't even seem to be acknowledging anything now. As usual, he supposed.
Of course, even when he was younger, he had seen the signs. He just hadn't known what they had meant. Azula had teased Mai endlessly then, for reasons he now understood. They were always on the same team, no matter who picked the teams. She had always protested otherwise.
His thoughts caught him again. Always on the same team. He wondered if that was still true.
The final scene broke him from his thoughts. Both dragons, finally coming together, lay dying. Though this was the first time they met, they declared the love that they had developed for each other through their trials. The somewhat cheesy lines still stirred something in Zuko's heart.
He had always thought it sad that they only met briefly. Many times, they had crossed paths, both disguised. It had always frustrated him that they hadn't realized that their love was right there, and neither of them had mentioned anything to the other, fearing the danger associated with trusting in a stranger.
Another thought struck him, and he could almost hear Iroh's voice in his head. Isn't it sad that they wouldn't say anything to each other because they were scared? He turned his head to look at Mai.
She felt his head turn and lifted hers to face him. Her dark eyes met his. One moment passed, then two. He thought he could see something in her eyes. Sadness? Regret?
Slowly, she moved closer, shrinking the gap between them until there was only an inch or so left. Then she paused, unsure of herself. She began to pull back, looking ashamed.
Zuko kissed her. He felt her twinge somewhat in response. Then she returned it.
The play ended, and people began applauding, but neither of them pulled away. She pushed harder against him, deepening the kiss. Her hand grasped at his shirt as he reciprocated, the kiss becoming more intense.
Zuko faintly noticed that the applause was still going, but he pushed the thought away. Until he noticed that the lights were on. He pulled back quickly to face the applause.
The entire audience was watching them, cheering delightfully. A few whoops rang out. Embarrassed, the couple flushed red and quickly put their cloaks back on, hiding their faces. Partially from the crowd, partly from each other.
They exited quickly, the small crowd behind them, still cheering. They didn't slow until they reached the passages, and they didn't stop until they reached his room again.
They immediately disposed of the cloaks, and Zuko realized how late it had gotten. His lips were still burning from the kiss.
"I'll take my leave of you now, my lord," Mai said neutrally, and she quickly turned tail. Her face had returned to equilibrium, her face betraying only boredom.
He opened his mouth to speak before sense hit him again. "Until next time," he called after her as she left.
She looked back at him at that. Before she snapped through the door, he detected the faintest blush on her cheeks.
And Mai was smiling.
Sorry for the wait. It's been busy.
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