Week 6 of sending out my letters and week 2 of hearing from Katara that she was coming. I haven't heard from uncle yet but to be honest that is pretty normal for him.

Last time I asked him to visit he showed up on a random day with no warning and ended up redecorating the east wing with peacock cat statues that weighed around a ton. They were the ugliest things I have ever seen. I put them in the northern water tribe ambassadors' room after he and I got in a disagreement.

Hahn was an ass and Katara didn't like him anyways. That was all I needed to know about him. I told him it was as a special gift to show respect we could disagree and continue discussions. (Total lie)

They are right next to his door and stare at him sleeping. Rumor has it he drapes a blanket over their eyes when he visits to sleep. I have never been more thankful of my straight poker face when I told him they cannot be moved due to our resident earth bender being out of the country.

I am having breakfast in my antechamber again alone. With no family or wife to spend time with it is easier to just eat in my room than in the formal dining room. I wonder if Katara will agree to this when she visits. Maybe she would prefer breakfast in bed? Hmmm… that might be fun. Spending all day in my room with nothing to worry about except each other.

She could lay her head in my lap and let me pet her hair and read her a book. I look out the window to the garden and wonder if I can see the turtle ducks from my viewpoint. I need to get out more and not be stuck in meetings so much.

A knock on my door brings me back to focus.

"You may enter." I announce loud enough to make it through the door.

A petite servant girl comes in with a small smile and waits in front of me with her hands clasp. She is new here and not jaded by my father or sister. It is refreshing.

"A woman has arrived at the palace to see you, my lord. I was going to put her in your throne room."

Katara is here already? That is fast even for her. My heart starts to beat a mile a minute as I nod and dismiss the servant. She is HERE!

I wipe my mouth and then lick my lips in anticipation. Uncle hasn't arrived yet and I was kind of hoping he would be first but she is here now and I don't want her to leave.

Alright, I admit it. I doll up a bit and put on my best robes and make sure everything is in place with my hair before I strode down the hallway. I need to look regal and good for my girl after all.

As I round the corner and the two guards open the double doors I am hit with a wide thought of her launching into my arms laughing. My throat closes as I look upon not Katara but Mai standing in the center of the room.

Clearly my throat I greet her by her name and walk to an area designated to sit together and motion for her to join me. Damn it, I haven't handled this part yet. The servant had no idea who she was. Mai hasn't been in the palace going on 4 months now. While I should be relieved this reminds me to break up with her I am disappointed it wasn't who I wanted.

"Zuko, I assume you are now prepared to break up publicly?" Mai says with her typical bored voice.

My eyes widened in response. She isn't wrong but how would she know?

"Oh please, you are easier to read than a children's book. When Ty Lee wrote to me and explained the Avatar and the waterbender have separated I immediately came here. You thought you were what… subtle?" She says while looking around as if this is the first time in this room.

Mai was always too sharp. The woman could cut you down with a look just as fast as her knives, it was something I loved about her once.

"Ah… yes… well…" my speech has left the building. I take a glass of water from the table and rethink my words. "A public announcement is all that is needed. Will your parents be alright?"

I know for a fact she has not told them of our pending separation. Her father has been flaunting the idea of having the future Fire Lady in his house for years now using it for favors and gifts. I have a sudden concern for her knowing this will cause issues.

"They will be fine. I have started privately seeing a high-ranking navy officer in your fleet actually. Once the announcement is made, he plans on proposing I suspect." She throws out there as if it is common knowledge. For her it might be, like I said… sharp.

"Ah well. You don't think that getting engaged will look bad so soon after a separation?" I ask. I don't care if she was seeing someone, I care that I don't look weak as I rule.

"Rumors about how I lost your favor have been circulating for around 6 months now. This will come as no shock to anyone that I moved on." Her response is slightly biting and I decide on a verbal retreat. I didn't mean to make her look bad, we just didn't work out.

"OK, well thank you Mai for being so understanding and allowing me to keep associated with your name for this long while I…. Waited." I say with a lame ending. How exactly do you say 'thanks while I pinned for another' ?

She stands up clearly done with our meeting and I join her. I wish it had been Katara coming through the doors but at least this part is done.

Mai gives me a look and with a big sigh reaches to give me a hug. It was unexpected but soon I hug her back grateful for everything she has done for me.

"I could have really loved you if your heart wasn't already given to another you know." Mai whispers into my ear. My eyes slide close as I really let the weight of her words surround me. In another life, she would have been a great Fire Lady. Katara is like an eclipse to me now, I don't even see anyone else because my personal moon blocks ever other woman from my thoughts.

When I pull away, Mai keeps her hands around my neck and I keep a hold of her waist. "Mai… I hope you have a good life." I I say with a gravely voice.

"I plan to." She responds and leans in to kiss my cheek. Always my good side like she can't stand my scar. Katara was the only woman to ever touch it and small things like this remind me of it.

When she pulls away the doors in front of us open. I am holding her waist while her hands are around my neck pulling away from giving me a kiss on the cheek. Right now, everyone assumes we are still together so this is not that big of a deal and I don't acknowledge someone interrupting right away. The words of how grateful I am bubble up to "Mai, I love you..." with the emotion. I love her like a sister, a friend, a childhood girlfriend that holds a special place for me. She has been very thoughtful throughout this all for me. She gives me a smile and I morph my expression into the mask of annoyance while I look on to the interruption.

There is the servant who told me Mai was in the throne room and directly behind her is Katara.

Shit…

Fuck….

I am frozen in fear as Katara looks from me to Mai and her cheeks flush taking in our embrace. She starts looking around the room and shifting side to side like she shouldn't have come.

She is here and has caught me in the worst possible way. I am torn wanting to throw Mai to the side and rushing to her or trying to explain this isn't what it looks like because well it isn't.

"Katara!" I squawk while fist my hands back to my side. The Fire Lord doesn't squawk, what is wrong with me?!

Mai smirks at my side and walks up the her. "Katara, I was hoping to run into you before I left to head back to the Earth Kingdom. Ty Lee told me about everything that happened and I wanted to let you know I am a friend you can reach out to while you stay in the fire nation. I can help and explain any… customs that come up and you want help with."

I watch the interaction with curiosity. Mai is offering to help Katara with the courting customs of the fire nation though Katara doesn't know it yet. Well this is a pleasant surprise.

As Mai turns to me, she bows far too low for a current girlfriend. "I await your announcement, my Lord." She leaves without another word looking as if she is gliding.

Katara and I make eye contact and don't say anything. The servant bows as well and shuffles out of the room quietly as the click of the door echoes around us.

Ok, game time.