"Are you sure you're up to this?" asked Sokka sceptically. Zuko was standing stiffly, arms held out straight. Although he wasn't wearing a shirt, Zuko was so covered in bandages Sokka could barely see any skin. A servant slowly inched Zuko's arm through the Firelord's ceremonial robes, and Zuko winced.
"I'm fine," he choked out. The servant did the other arm, and tied the robes on securely. Zuko yelled in pain. Sokka tried to maintain a steady expression. The court physician had said that as the skin around Zuko's burn healed, he would regain sensation, making the pain even more acute now than it was immediately after the injury.
"I'm sorry, my Lord!" said the servant frantically, loosening the Firelord's sash.
"It's fine," said Zuko again, water welling at the corners of his eyes. Sokka shook his head. His friend was a nightmare.
Another servant approached with Firelord's large armored shoulderpads.
"No way," said Sokka. "If you put that on you will faint in front of my father and the Earth King, and that won't help anyone." Zuko sighed and waved the servant away.
"Everyone will wonder why I'm so casual," he complained, wiping moisture from the corners of his eyes.
"You're wearing a crown," said Sokka. "I'm dressed casually." He gestured to his own informal blue tunic with white edging.
"But I am Zuko of the Five Agni Kai!" said Zuko dramatically, raising a fist. "Ow," he finished lamely, dropping his hand.
"Okay, my Lord," said Sokka sarcastically. "Stop messing around. The reception is starting in two minutes! Do you remember what we talked about?"
"Yeah," said Zuko, focusing. "When I socialize, don't talk about 'aid,' just express my interest in seeing the Southern Water Tribe develop. And note the same enthusiasm about the Northern Water Tribe, because Chief Arnook is touchy about the split."
"Good," said Sokka, ushering Zuko out the door. Zuko shuffled slowly, moving like an old man. "Your legs aren't hurt, are they?" asked Sokka.
"No," said Zuko grumpily. "But when I walk too fast everything hurts." He can't go to a party like this!
"Wow, Zuko, this is pathetic!" said Sokka, switching tactics. "Your wedding is in two days? Mai is going to be so disappointed by your feebleness she'll leave you before you've been married a few hours."
"Doubt it," said Zuko, walking sedately out the door. "She's always liked my scars. She'll probably think this is an improvement."
Freaking Fire Nation. Sokka rolled his eyes and followed Zuko out.
Zuko stood outside the small ballroom, which had tall tables set up around the edges, around which groups of people gathered to chat. Small white lanterns hung from the ceiling, glowing as if the stars had fallen down to adorn his palace. In a corner, a traditional Fire Nation band played softly, and waiters wandered the room bearing plates of delicacies. Technically, this was his wedding reception dinner, since he would be married in two days, but in actuality it was a time to socialize with members of foreign nations. Zuko sighed. In some ways, he would rather fight another five Agni Kai. "Go ahead, I'll catch up," he told Sokka, lingering behind. Sokka shrugged and went inside.
"I hate all of this," said Mai to his right. She appeared from the shadows, dressed stubbornly in black and dark red. But she had done something different to her hair, or maybe her makeup?
"You look so beautiful when you hate the world," said Zuko, smiling.
"Well, you look terrible," said Mai. "Your mouth is still bruised." She stepped into his arms and touched the corner of his lip gently.
"Not too bruised," said Zuko, and he pulled her into a kiss. Frankly, it hurt, because Mai kissed him back hard, although her arms were gentle around his damaged torso. Her breath was hot, and what he had intended as a playful peck deepened into something more intense. Zuko pushed her back into the shadows where she had originally been hiding, his hands on her waist. They hit a wall, but Zuko didn't care, and apparently Mai didn't either, because she merely moved her hands to his face and hair to bring him closer. Zuko felt the cut on his lip reopen, and tasted his own blood, but Mai didn't pull away. Instead she brought one of her arms down to clutch the small of Zuko's back, but the movement brushed his still-aching burn on his ribs.
"Ahh!" Zuko yelled involuntarily, breaking the kiss.
"Sorry, sorry!" said Mai frantically. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," said Zuko for what felt like the hundredth time that day.
"I guess I'll just have to be more gentle with you," smirked Mai. Zuko rolled his eyes. "We should go in," he said. He took her hand.
"Firelord Zuko and the Lady Mai!" yelled a Guard when they entered. The entire room turned, and the Fire Nation citizens bowed. Some of them cheered. Zuko saw Earth King Kueh in a corner, talking eagerly with an uncomfortable-looking Malona. Suki was out of uniform for once, dressed in a bright green dress, and was laughing with Sokka by the food table. Aang and Katara stood by Southern Water Tribe Chief Hakoda and a woman Zuko didn't know. The Northern Water Tribe Chief Arnook was surrounded by a posse of blue-uniformed waterbenders, who seemed to be guarding him aggressively while he got a drink of punch. Zuko stifled a laugh. Finally, Akira was deep in conversation with the Mayor Morishita from Yu Dao, the largest of the cities in the Fire Nation colonies. Zuko guessed Akira could legitimately introduce himself as an advisor to the Firelord now that Zuko was allowing his input on the Soldiers Relocation program.
"I'm going to go rescue Malona from the Earth King," said Zuko to Mai. "Want to come with?"
"No, I think I'll wander," said Mai vaguely. Zuko half-thought she planned to disappear behind a curtain or something, but shrugged and moved on. Pity their reception couldn't actually be fun.
"And that's why I thought I should join the circus, because Bosco and I really had excellent stage chemistry," Earth King Kueh was saying eagerly to a disgusted-looking Malona. "Have you ever felt such a bond with an animal?"
"Never," said Malona flatly.
"Malona prefers numbers," said Zuko, intruding. "She's been an excellent Minister of Treasury."
"Firelord Zuko!" bleated Kueh. "I didn't expect you to make it, after hearing tales of your…eh…exploits two days ago! Such brutality!" He shuddered.
"Yes, the Firelord was magnificent," said Malona seriously. "He made his country proud. If you'll excuse, my Lords." She literally bowed out of the conversation, inclining her head and walking backwards to get quickly away. Zuko surveyed Kueh a bit awkwardly. The last time they had met in person was in the Fire Nation colony of Yu Dao, when both had brought their armies to fight over the city. Since then, Zuko and Aang had been pushing to give the colonies a degree of autonomy from both the Fire Nation and the Earth Kingdom, but Kueh was predictably resistant.
"Thank you for coming for the wedding," said Zuko uncomfortably. "How have you been?"
"Not so good," Kueh sighed. "My ministers are always talking about this thing or that, and I haven't even left my palace recently. Apparently my citizens aren't happy with how I'm handling things." Kueh looked downcast.
"Ah," said Zuko, shocked into pity by Kueh's candor. Well, having an entire nation of your own people hate you was something he could relate to. "It's been a difficult few weeks for me as well," he said warmly.
"Yes, because of your bastard!" said Kueh eagerly. "I heard all about it!" Zuko scowled. What made Kueh think it was acceptable to call his son a bastard to his face?
"My son, Kazuto, has been an immense joy to me, even if politically it's been a challenge," said Zuko pointedly.
"Oh yes, children are lovely," said Kueh reassuringly. "When Bosco was a cub he was the most precious thing…" Great Fire Sages, if Zuko had to listen to Kueh talk about his pet bear for another moment he'd scream.
"We have much to discuss," Zuko said. "But I have to attend to my other guests. Perhaps I can introduce you to my Minister of Industry, the Lady Ilana?" Zuko dropped Kueh off, made some introductions, and hurried off.
"Chief Hakoda!" Zuko greeted Sokka's father.
"Firelord Zuko," said Hakoda, extending his hand to clasp forearms with Zuko. Zuko smiled through the jolt of pain that followed. Maybe he should follow the royal doctor's advice and drink some wine, but he didn't want to cause an international incident by getting drunk.
"I'd like to introduce Malina, a key player in the reconstruction of our city. She is also my fiancée," said Hakoda.
"A pleasure," said Zuko honestly. Malina was petite with short red dyed hair, and looked sharply intelligent, contrasting with Hakoda's brawn.
"Sokka's been telling me about your interest in investing in our city railroads, Firelord Zuko," said Malina.
"Yes, he's been instrumental in explaining the work that's being done in the Southern Water Tribe," said Zuko. "I have scores of Fire Nation engineers who would love the opportunity to build something new, if we can work out an agreement." He left out the fact that they were all military engineers, but Malina could probably read between the lines.
"We can talk in detail later!" said Hakoda. "For now, you should be enjoying your reception!"
"Right," said Zuko. Where was Mai?
Suddenly, the band petered out. Zuko looked over at the tsungi hornist and drummers with confusion. Aang was gesturing wildly at the musicians, with Katara standing behind him, hand on her forehead. What now?
Then the hornist nodded, and played a loud and haunting note. The drummers kicked in, hitting the drumskins with their hands forcefully.
"Let's dance!" Aang shouted. "This is a party!" He grabbed Katara and they ran to the dance floor, already dancing vigorously on the way. Across the room, Zuko saw Akira turn his head towards the music, and ask one of the Yu Dao women to dance.
"We should join!" said Malina, tugging Hakoda's hand. Soon Sokka and Suki were on the floor; even the Earth King swayed with Minister Ilana. Seriously, where was Mai? Zuko pushed through the dance floor, looking for her.
"Zuko, come dance with me!" said Aang. "Monk Gyatso always said that dance was the best form of diplomacy! We can do the dragon dance!"
"I'm looking for Mai!" yelled Zuko over the roar of the music. Also, there was no way he would do the dragon dance in front of a crowd, even if he wasn't injured. Finally, he spotted his fiancée, talking to the Northern Water Tribe Chief, Arnook. Zuko nodded politely to the chief and then pulled her away.
"I've been looking for you!" he said.
She laughed genuinely. "Arnook is the best!" she yelled. "He's absolutely terrified to be here, so I've been telling him ghost stories! It's been amazing!"
"You're going to start a war!" said Zuko, also laughing.
"Then you'll have to fight it for me," said Mai, pulling him close. Even though he couldn't move much, they stepped from side to side on the side of the dance floor.
"I love you," Mai said suddenly. She lifted her head to look at Zuko. "I probably don't say it enough. But I do. Even when I don't show it."
"I know," said Zuko. In the midst of the chaos, dancers swirling around them and lanterns swaying above them, he kissed her.