A/N: I hope you like it :)
Even during her time in the Earth Kingdom, dressed as a Kyoshi warrior, Mai had never worn so heavy clothes. However when she stepped on deck of their ship, she realized that she could have used even more clothes. Zuko and her were on their way to spend Christmas at the South Pole and despite that it had sounded like a romantic trip, Mai had underestimated how cold it would get.
"You could have warned me how cold it would be. You know, me never having been to the South Pole and all." She greeted Zuko when she joined him in looking out to their destination.
"At least now I have an excuse to do this." Zuko smiled lovingly at her and pulled her closer to his side. Activating his natural heat, he watched her eyes soften and her shivers stop. "Better?"
"I don't think you really need an excuse, Fire Lord Zuko." She smirked at him but returned his warm embrace.
A comfortable silence settled over them. A few minutes later both watched the South Pole come closer and they could make out the figures of Katara, Sokka and Hakoda in the distance.
When the ship finally arrived they were greeted warmly and Hakoda gave them a small tour around their village. They had even prepared an extra igloo for them and Zuko smiled at the thoughtfulness. Sometimes he still couldn't believe that the world was finally at peace and that he had such great friends and a wonderful girlfriend. Speaking of Mai, he smiled when he saw her looking around with fascination. It was hard to impress Mai, but seeing snow for the first time seemed to do the trick. Seeing Mai like this made his heart beat faster. Her eyes were shinning and her cheeks were slightly red from the cold. She had never looked more beautiful and hadn't it been for Hakoda talking to them, Zuko might have kissed her right then and there.
After the small tour Hakoda lead them to a big fire close to shore where Katara and Sokka had waited for them during the tour. Around the fire were furs to sit on and when Hakoda gestured for them to sit, Zuko and Mai did just that. Despite the warmth from the fire Mai sat as close to Zuko as possible, their shoulders touching and their hands intertwined under the fur blankets.
"I never got to thank you for saving my life." Hakoda looked at Mai when everyone had settled down.
"You don't need to thank me." Mai answered softly. "After everything I put your children through, you shouldn't have even invited me."
"Katara and Sokka have forgiven you a long time ago and so have I. Besides I don't think Zuko would have agreed to come if I hadn't invited you as well." Smirking he turned to look at Zuko. "Isn't that right, Fire Lord?"
While Zuko blushed, Sokka found pleasure in the teasing and continued where his father had left off.
"You know what, Mai? Zuko was gushing about you on the way to the Boiling Rock and after you saved us he was so worried. You were all he could talk about when we sat together in the evenings. Though I have to wonder how he got you to agree to be his girlfriend. He is not exactly smooth."
Zuko's face turned redder with every word spoken by Sokka and when he finally found his voice to speak up, Mai beat him to it.
"He is a dork, but he has his good sides." Mai smirked.
"Mai." Zuko looked shocked at his girlfriend, who earned the laughter of Sokka and Hakoda with her words.
Katara watched her family interact with Zuko and Mai. It was still fascinating to her how much had changed in such a short time. Since they had found Aang in the iceberg they had all gone on such an important journey. Even though Zuko had joined them much later, he was their friend. Katara could still remember how wary she had been when Zuko had become a part of their group, but when he had come back from the Boiling Rock she had changed her mind. Not only because he had helped saving her father but also because for the first time Katara had seen some off the difficulties that Zuko had gone through.
It had been easy to see Zuko as the angry and aggressive enemy when she had first met him, but that had changed. That evening after the Boiling Rock when they had all sat together, Katara had overheard Sokka talking to Zuko about Mai and for the first time Katara had seen true sadness from Zuko. Katara had felt sorry for him because when he had spoken of Mai there was so much emotion in his words and so much grief for having left her at the Boiling Rock.
Back then Katara had already realized that Zuko truly loved Mai and looking at the couple now it was even more obvious. Since arriving on the South Pole they had never been apart and in some way they were always close. If it was holding hands or like now where they sat so close together that their shoulders were touching. Mai was not as easy to read and Katara hadn't known her as long as Zuko, but despite that she could see that Zuko's feelings were returned. From Ty Lee she had once heard that Mai had fallen for Zuko long ago when they had been children and that since then her feelings for him had never ceased. At the Boiling Rock she had even risked her life to save him. If that wasn't proof enough, it was the way she looked at Zuko.
Watching the young couple, Katara was sure that Zuko and Mai had found true love in each other and she hoped with all her heart that this love could guide the Fire Nation to the peaceful future they all hoped for.
Smiling, Katara decided to save the Fire Lord from even more teasing.
"I think we should stop making our guest uncomfortable, don't you think?"
"But it's so much fun." Sokka smirked at Zuko, but stopped when Katara looked seriously at him.
With that they ate together while talking about old stories and embarrassing moments with a lot of teasing between the siblings. For that evening the responsibilities of the Water Tribe, the Fire Nation and the word were forgotten and they just enjoyed the festive atmosphere and the good food. Moments like these were rare and everyone of them cherished them.
When it got later Mai got tired. She really appreciate that they were welcomed so warmly, but she wasn't used to having so many people around her. It was Christmas Eve and Mai wanted to spend the rest of the evening with just Zuko. With all their duties back in the Fire Nation is was rare that they had a peaceful evening to themselves, so she wanted to use this opportunity. Pressing her shoulder a little more into his, it didn't take long for Zuko to look at her and without words he understood what she was trying to tell him.
Zuko waited for a good moment to excuse Mai and himself, but he got more impatient by the minute. Mai squeezed his arm gently and with all the social grace she was raised with, spoke up.
"Chief Hakoda, if you would excuse us. It was a long journey and it's already late."
In times like this Zuko admired Mai even more. She was so graceful and where he lacked tact she was the one who could handle everything with a certain calmness. The last few months had been stressful. Considering that he was the youngest Fire Lord who ever reigned and had to lead the Fire Nation to a peaceful future, it was no wonder. Mai had been by his side not only as his girlfriend, but also as his most trusted adviser. He valued her opinion more than that of anyone else and her support had made his new position bearable. With everyday he spent with her, he fell more in love with her and he hoped that soon she would official reign with him as his Fire Lady.
"Of course." Hakoda voice brought Zuko our of his thoughts. "Your journey must have been tiring and I'm sure that you two want to spent the rest of this Christmas Eve alone together."
There was the teasing again, but while Zuko blushed, Mai just bowed and pulled Zuko up with her.
"Thank you for understanding. Have a good night." She said and offered their friends a small smile.
The three water triple members returned the smile and Mai pulled Zuko with her to their igloo.
"With them on the throne the Fire Nation is in good hands." Katara said when they watched the retreating couple.
"Wise words." Hakoda smiled at his daughter.
"How come you never say that to me?" Sokka complained after his father's words registered in his mind.
"I wonder why." Katara rolled her eyes.
Hakoda smiled at his bickering children before taking another look at Zuko and Mai. His daughter was right, with Zuko and Mai reigning together the future of the Fire Nation was looking bright. Peace was valuable and he knew that they would make sure to preserve it, together.
When Mai and Zuko arrived at their igloo they saw a bed with lot of furs for warmth and a small fire place. Smiling gently Zuko lead Mai over to the bed and with her closer to the fire place lay down with her in his arms. With a flick of his wrist the wood in the fire place caught fire and light up. The warmth settled over them and Mai had to admit that coming here for Christmas had been a good idea. The flames were casting a warm glow over them, but Mai couldn't help but notice something.
"Orange is really an awful color." She mused but still relax with the warmth that the fire brought.
Zuko pulled her closer to his chest and watched the flames dance contently.
"You know, apparently there are different types of woods that, when lit, produce flames in different colors. Hakoda told me about it. Here they light this special wood to welcome the new year."
"That might be mildly interesting to watch." Mai smirked before she turned in Zuko's arms so that she could look at him. "But I don't mind the orange too much when it's your fire. I love your fire, especially when it's so cold ."
Zuko saw Mai's eyes soften and a light blush was dusting her cheeks after her own words. This was her way of expressing her feelings for him and he smiled softly at her.
"I love you too." With that he closed the space between them and kissed her lovingly.
This was their first Christmas together and Zuko planned to spend their next Christmas on the South Pole as well, with the only difference that hopefully Mai would be his Fire Lady by then.
A/N: Merry Christmas :)