Mama

This is a drabble I did for Kuzon in 'Kiss of Fire', reflecting on his feelings for his stepmother. You may want to read that story to understand this drabble, but it really is not necessary.

Disclaimer – Avatar: The Last Airbender belongs to Nickelodeon, DiMartino, and Koneitzko. But this drabble belongs to the Spleef!

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A gentle hand on my face, hair, hands, or back. A soothing voice that always dispenses kind words, encouragement, or a soft lullaby. Graceful arms that are always open to me, and close around me when I need them to. Smooth lips that are eager to offer me a smile, place a kiss on my brow, or tell me a story. And last but most certainly not least, there are the blue eyes that always glitter with happiness when they fall upon me.

I am glad that she is here.

I have no memories of the woman that gave birth to me. Not even the slightest dream or memory, no after images or recollections whatsoever. I feel nothing for her. I have nothing to feel bad for, since how can I when I did not even know what I was supposed to miss? She was gone before I could remember anything, and she left nothing behind for me. I never thought of her as a 'mother', because I have no feelings for her. I had others to care for me – my nurse, servants, guards, tutors… but even then, I knew that I was missing something.

Then my sire, my lord brought the blue-eyed woman to the Palace, to be his wife. He had never had a wife before, not even the woman who birthed me. I knew she was different, because my lord introduced her to me. He never introduced any of his old concubines to me, and I rarely saw these other women. They were never around for long. She had such lovely blue eyes, and dark skin that looked warm. I was curious about her skin, and had wanted to touch it and see if it really was warm.

After the first night, I did not expect to see her so soon. But I was happy when I did. Her hand touched mine, and it was indeed warm. Her blue eyes shone and I felt happy around her. She listened to me, and asked me questions. I was happy to be her friend. Whenever she came to see me, my heart would leap with joy. Whenever I received an invitation to have supper or take a walk with her, I never turned it down and always hastened to her side. I felt at peace around her, and I felt loved. I knew that I loved her too, and wanted to make her happy. I wanted her to be proud of me.

I knew that the courtiers whispered about her, how different she was, how she was not of Fire Nation or noble blood. What did that matter to me? She was far sweeter and kinder than any of these perfumed ladies could ever be. And it was her that my sire, the most powerful man in the land, chose over all of these other women to be his partner. I see how happy she makes him, and she makes me happy too.

I know that my lord ordered me to always refer to her respectfully, as 'my lady'. And I respect her, I really do. But whenever she holds me, whenever she smiles at me or tells me a story, whenever she places a kiss on my forehead or plays games with me, whenever I feel her hand on my face, I can only think of one word, one that is truly befitting of her.

Mama.