Author's Disclaimer: I don't own a thing belonging to "Avatar: The Last Airbender"! Nada.
Author's notes: Oh boy, what you've been waiting for! THE NEWS! I'm sure some of you are going to diss Zuko for his actions next, but it's to be expected. Say it ain't so!
Maraghoul: My friend, Mai's (ahem) proactive parts wouldn't have existed without your input :P The outcome of this chapter came about due to that so thank you.
QueenTyzula: I made Zuko and Ty cry, are you happy? :P I jest. Enjoy, buddy!
Harley Quinn Davidson: Well, we'll see :P
"Stoking the fire"
Chapter nineteen "Bombshell"
"FINE. I'm pregnant."
Mai let her words crash down on Zuko and she almost held her breath. Zuko's eyes widened, and a myriad of emotions darted across his scarred features; confusion, hope, ignorance, then bitter understanding. He gasped audibly and pressed his hand against his chest as if to massage his heart.
"Whu….how…" he bit his lip realizing what a stupid question that was to ask. Mai watched his face fall under her brows. "Who?
Finally, a question that could be asked aptly for the situation. Mai laughed bitterly. "Are you sure you want to know?"
"Was it Kei Lo?" Zuko snapped. Jealousy seethed through him. His heart beat a staccato rhythm and he thought it was going to fly out of his chest. His fingers twisted over the fabric of his robe. "WAS IT?"
"No," Mai was glad she could ease out that bit of news. Zuko sagged almost with relief, but she was still pregnant by SOMEBODY.
"Who?" he demanded to know. Mai crossed her arms, feeling a slight twinge of fear. She was certain Zuko wouldn't strike her or hurt her…almost completely certain. In those moments, Zuko looked enraged enough to lift a hand to her.
"It serves you right….." she muttered. Zuko's golden eyes snapped brilliantly at her.
"WHO?!" he yelled. Steam rose from his clenched fists.
He didn't think he could be utterly surprised, but his wife proved him deadly wrong. When her lips formed his sister's name, he thought he was dreaming. The tinges of redness creeping into his vision certainly felt like a nightmare.
"A-zul-a."
Mai's lips wrapping around Azula's name, drawing out the three syllables made his mind go blank and then to rage.
"NNNNARRRRRRGHH!" Zuko screamed in rage. He paced back and forth, flits of fire spurting from the backs of his knuckles. Mai dodged his path easily. "How could you do this? HOW COULD YOU DO THIS?!"
"Look who's asking!" Mai pulled a dagger out of her sleeve and wagged it dangerously between them. "YOU chose to take my friend for a concubine, YOU turned on me first! I was mad at you! I'm STILL mad at you!"
"So you wanted to get even? Is that it?!" Zuko slammed a fist against the stone wall beside Mai. She flinched. The anger and pain in Zuko's golden eyes flashed to mind Azula's fits of rage. "I HAD to do it, Mai! I had to get an heir!"
"Oh, keep defending yourself, Fire Lord! Like you didn't enjoy fucking her!" Mai snapped. She placed her palm on his chest and shoved him from her. Zuko staggered back and caught his footing. He seethed. "Everything you do is sooo commendable and honorable! Fuck your honor!"
"I love you!" Tears abruptly wet the corners of Zuko's eyes and he blinked hard to clear them. They began to slide down his face despite himself. He scrubbed his eyes with his sleeve. "How could you DO this?!"
"Yes, you had it right, Zuko," Mai said softly. Zuko's rage dissipated almost as fast as a summer storm. Tears streamed down his cheeks. She touched his scar softly, then pushed his chin away hard. "I DID get even. And your sister was a GREAT fuck."
Zuko snarled and slammed his fists into the walls. Cracks lined the stone and his hands came away bloodied. Mai stood ready, dagger in hand, in case he turned to attack her. His hands groped for her, then he caught hold of himself and retreated. He clutched his hands against his chest, like a child trying to be good.
"Get away from me," he said softly. His golden eyes were wide with pain. Darts of rage swirled in his gaze. Mai wanted to bite out more information, how fiercely Azula had pounded her, how she had stretched her to an inch of breathing…but the groundwork was definitely laid. She smirked and swept to the sitting room door in a flurry of robes.
"Do you still think you made the right choice, Fire Lord?" Mai asked mockingly. Then she was gone.
Zuko stared at the open door. His legs trembled and he sank to one knee on the stone floor. Breathing was becoming very hard and he clutched his chest, willing his heartbeat to slow. He couldn't even think to do Aang's breathing exercises. His world had been tilted and tipped on its end and he wanted, NEEDED to scrape to find stable footing.
His footsteps took him out of the sitting room and he bypassed the odd Kyoshi Warrior and palace soldier. His wild gaze kept everyone away, and all too soon he was pounding on the door of Ty Lee's apartment door.
Ying opened up and started, noting the look on his face. "Fire Lord! Are you okay?"
Zuko wordlessly swept in. He found Ty Lee stretching in the main sitting room and she climbed to her feet. "Good afternoon, Zuko….Zuko, what's wrong?"
Zuko began to weep. The realization of his pain finally resonated in his mind and his body sagged in weakness. Ty Lee hurried to him. Her arm went around him and Zuko sagged against her. They went to their knees when Zuko's legs went out from under him and Ty Lee wasn't strong enough to hold him up. Her arms went around his back and she held him, wondering, as he sobbed against her shoulder.
"Zuko…." Ty Lee rubbed his back softly. Zuko ducked his head against her shoulder. "Zuko, what's wrong? What is it?"
Zuko sniffed, lifting his tear-stained face. His lip quivered as he realized this was going to hurt Ty Lee too. His own sister, chosen by his wife to sleep with….. and his concubine was in love with Azula. This was going to hurt her as well.
"I can't tell youuuu!" he wailed. He sobbed so hard, he began to hiccup. Ty Lee flashed a confused look over his shoulder to Ying. She pursed her lips and smiled sadly. She stepped to the other room to give them privacy.
"Why? Something is obviously upsetting you," Ty Lee tried to sound practical. But a dreaded anticipation sank in her belly like a stone. Whatever it was, she wouldn't be glad to hear it. "Did something happen? Look, your poor hands. You hurt yourself!" She held one of his bloodied hands up, trying not to squeeze the appendages.
Zuko sobbed for several long minutes. Ty Lee soothed him, glad she could be strong for him. But when he lifted his wet eyes and gazed into hers, she knew a flash of fear. Anguish, sorrow and guilt were in his gaze. "I'm so sorry….. I'm so sorry…." He said. Fresh tears tracked down his face.
Ty Lee touched his scarred cheek and tried to be brave. "What…."
Zuko swallowed and hiccuped. He took a few deep breaths to calm himself. He was going to need to be doing the comforting once he got the words out, after all. "I'm so sorry, Ty Lee….. it's Mai….."
Ty Lee looked wary. "What about Mai? Did something happen to her?" Fear flooded her heart. It made sense, with Zuko's tears.
Zuko shook his head. "No! Yes… well, kind of. She's okay. She's just…. She's….." he leaned close so his words for her ears alone. "Ty, she's pregnant."
Ty Lee gaped at him. "I thought she couldn't have children."
"Not with me apparently," Zuko laughed bitterly. "Agni take me, I caused all of this…."
"Who? Who did she sleep with?" Ty Lee's heart hurt for Zuko's feelings. But his next word lurched her world upside down.
Zuko's eyes were so sad as he held her hands in his. His bloodied fingers shook. "Azula."
Ty Lee's eyes widened. For an instant, she was certain Mai was playing a horrible trick on them. Just to get back at them for sleeping together, for her carrying the heir. But the dreaded sorrow in Zuko's golden eyes told her it was no joke, however much they both wished it were.
Just as Ty Lee was certain she could bear it, that she would get past the pain of that moment, Azula's wide smirk and sparkling golden eyes flashed through her mind. That wasn't for her alone. Mai had ensnared her, both of them had been naked and enjoying each other. Just to hurt them! It was a horrible image and one that Ty Lee couldn't get out of her head. She felt like scouring out the inside of her head so she wouldn't have to see the image again.
Ty Lee began to cry, fat tears sliding down her cheeks. She made choked strangled sounds that shocked her. Zuko bundled her in his arms, tears wetting the corners of his eyes. Azula didn't love her…..that was apparent. After everything she'd done to avoid her and not be marked, maybe she deserved it…..but the pain Ty Lee felt wouldn't leave. It clung to her breast like a fickle parasite and wouldn't let go.
"How could she…..do that?!" Ty Lee gasped against Zuko's chest. He tried to hum under his breath to calm her. His hands trembled on her back as she shook against him. His voice finally broke and he began to cry softly.
"She wanted to get….back at us…" Zuko sniffed. He patted Ty Lee's hair, wincing at the blood dotting the back of his knuckles. "She HATES me, Ty….."
Ty Lee heard the pain in his voice and clutched his back. "No, she loves you…. Even now, she still has to! It's me she hates, Zu…. Me! How could she….."
But Ty Lee knew it sounded hypocritical. It was only natural to be in pain, but after all the liberties she had taken with Mai's husband, she felt she almost deserved the turnabout. Zuko frowned, his mouth drooping sadly. Only the blackness of the moment, the rough stone floor and rug beneath them, served to root them together. Zuko leaned on his legs, cradling Ty Lee in his arms. She sagged down against his waist. Her fingers clutched at the fabric of his robe.
After they'd cried what felt an ocean of tears, and their heads began to ache from the pressure of sobbing, their cries slowed. Both looked weary, as if they'd been physically assaulted. Their hearts were decimated and only the embrace they lay in tried to keep the flickering darkness away. Ty Lee licked the corner of her dry lips. She was shocked when Zuko kissed the corner of her lips.
"Zuko…." She said in surprise. She closed her eyes as he tenderly pressed kisses across her face and eyelids. The touches were soft and felt entirely too good after crying so hard. Ty Lee sighed raggedly, heart heavy in her chest. "You don't have to…."
"I want to…." Zuko cradled her face between his palms, golden eyes sorrowful. A touch of his old fire was in his gaze and Ty Lee's heart lurched noticing it. "Please…. Just let me…" his hands grew bolder, seeking out her curves. Ty Lee was ready to turn away, but his fingers slid her nipples between them, stiffening them. Warmth flooded between her thighs.
Ty Lee gasped and shrugged out of her loose tunic. She rolled onto her back, tugging at the waistband of her loose flowing pants. Zuko yanked them down and scrambled to untie the sash from his robe. It fell open around his hips.
Ty Lee widened her thighs and tugged him on top of her. Her mouth opened, hot and insistent under his and she worked a hand between them to cup the base of his cock. Zuko gripped himself, fingers sliding against Ty Lee's as he angled himself.
The Fire Lord bit Ty Lee's shoulder softly as he entered her in one swift thrust. Ty Lee gasped, feeling the pressure enclosing her heart ease for a moment. She wrapped her thighs around his waist and held his face in her hands.
Zuko thrust harder and harder, trying to make the moment last. It had been weeks since he was last inside Ty Lee and he thought it wouldn't ever happen again. Screw his wife, she certainly didn't care what they did now. But Ty Lee was so wet, clinging to his rigid shaft with pulsing throbs. Zuko gasped as he thrust harder and harder. Ty Lee's hands clawed his back, shoving at his robe. Her teeth found his shoulder as she panted louder and louder.
Zuko forced his weight on one hand beside Ty Lee's shoulder, trying to stay off her belly. He grunted as he snapped his hips low, his thrusts growing wilder. Ty Lee was clenching him in just the right way, that it felt too good to erupt and let go. She wailed against his shoulder, fingers clawing him hard enough to leave marks. His bruised heart perked at the physical display of affection as he pumped hard. The heaviness along his cock throbbed as he released over and over, and then gradually faded to softness.
Ty Lee clutched him as he sank against her. She closed her eyes and tried to catch her breath. "What…."
Words escaped her. The moment felt better because they had found solace in each other. The pain redoubled back and when Zuko opened his eyes, she could see it reflected back in his gaze. She clutched the back of his neck and pulled him for a deep kiss.
They stroked tongues slowly and focused on each other. "Please….please….." Zuko was murmuring against her lips and Ty Lee didn't know who or what he was begging. She cupped his cheek with one palm.
"Zuko…." Ty Lee twined her fingers into his hand and his soft gasp of pain startled her. She loosened her grip in alarm. "Are you okay?"
"I hit the wall," Zuko admitted. He eased his hips back to tug out of Ty Lee, but she clung to his waist with her legs.
"Stay….don't leave," she begged. Zuko's eyes widened in concern. It was a naked request and he couldn't cause Ty Lee any more pain. He leaned down against her shoulder.
"Will anything be okay again?" Zuko mumbled. Ty Lee ran her hand through his hair. His Fire Lord's top knot ornament had been knocked loose to the ground and his hair was unbound.
"I don't know. Oh, Zu, what are we gonna do?" Ty Lee asked plaintively. Zuko lifted his head and caressed her cheek fondly with his shaking fingers.
"I don't know, Ty." He honestly didn't know what to do. His sister was out there, planning a coup to overthrow his reign, and his wife was pregnant with her pup. He'd publicly announced his own heir to be born, but they knew the truth of its paternity. Uncle Iroh was on the alert for dissenters working under their noses, but even with the Kyoshi Warriors at guard at his door or Ty Lee's, he could still feel it threatening to all crash down around him.
All of it.
"We should see to your hands. Zuko, what if you broke some fingers?" Ty Lee asked worriedly. Zuko leaned down and covered her lips with small pressing kisses.
"Please… hold me…." He pleaded. His heart surged with fresh hurt. Ty Lee held his head between her hands and pulled him down. Their kisses were desperate for peace.
After Zuko pulled out and they covered themselves again, Ying sidled out to help clean and dress Zuko's hands. He sheepishly apologized but Ying had to have heard some of the hulabaloo. She waved a hand, quieting him.
"We're here for you, Fire Lord. No matter what," she swore. Zuko looked down at the clean white bandages lining the back of his knuckles. His lips pursed sadly.
There was so much to discuss. So much to plan. Would Mai want to keep it? What was he going to do? Would he publicly put her aside or divorce her if she chose to keep it? What?
Zuko pressed his wrist to his aching head. He and Ty Lee collapsed on the sofa in the sitting room.
Without being asked, Ying sent for calming herbal tea and it came with Iroh. He cast a worried look to the pair on the sofa but Zuko didn't even open his eyes. Iroh left, just as confused for a change.
Ying sat by the resting pair, who lay with their aching eyes closed, but not sleeping. She opened a scroll and continued reading about the adventures of Kyoshi's daughter out loud. Both barely listened.
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Mai allowed her servant to unfasten her elaborate robes. Sliding into a simple shift, she climbed into bed in her the room she kept at her family's apartments. Tom-Tom had scampered up as she entered from her escapade with Zuko, and halted merely reading the look on her face. Mai was glad he was keeping his distance for now, but it tore her heart that her kid brother had to watch any of his actions.
He hadn't done anything wrong, after all.
"Do you need anything else, my lady?" her servant asked. Mai flicked tired eyes to the watchful woman. She waved a hand, trying to look bored.
"No, that will be all."
The servant left, shutting the door and Mai burrowed under the comforter, as if to hide from the world. She had gotten a moment of satisfaction springing her situation on her husband, but more than likely she'd pushed him back toward Ty Lee. Mai growled to herself, rubbing circles over her flat stomach. Maybe she should seek Azula out, see what she could…..no.
The jade ring on her left hand flashed and Mai held her hand aloft, gazing at the symbol of her marriage. She may hate her husband and what he was doing, but she was no traitor. Even while Zuko sat the Fire throne, she wouldn't help Azula unseat him. The thought of treason galled her.
Not to mention the thought of her pregnancy. She had fits just thinking about having Azula's child on her own. At least in the comforts of the capital, she would have her family's and servant's help. As Mai's thoughts circled to two main decisions, her resolve seemed to settle on Keep It rather than Kajihana.
Well, if she was going to stay, she and Zuko had some talking to do. More like planning. Mai glowered in her head, but smirked that no matter how they went about it, Zuko was well and truly cuckolded. He wouldn't like anything they had to do about it.
Remembering his tears made Mai falter. It galled her she felt guilty for the pain she'd caused him in any way. 'No, he deserved it! I shouldn't feel bad about any of it,' Mai thought fiercely. But her actions had dangerous consequences. It wasn't irreparable; she could make a tea of kajihana in her family's kitchen this very moment if she chose to.
But the alternative had drastic consequences on their future. For one thing, Mai had no hope their marriage would survive. It was probably well and truly done with as it was today.
Despite herself, Mai buried her face in her pillow and began to weep. The love she and Zuko had shared had been pure and real. They had both done their fair share to damage it; probably beyond repair. Mai's sobs rose in volume and she clasped the pillow to her mouth to muffle them.
No matter where she looked, there was a dangerous turn to trespass. They had been through war and battle, and the nation was supposedly in a time of peace. Why couldn't they just be happy? Mai lay, crying, her hair falling across her face.
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Azula strode through Lady Sachiko's manor gates, her Kemurikage and two lines of soldiers behind them. She cut an impressive figure in her elaborately stitched tunic and her trousers were freshly pressed. Even with the two day trek to the lady's manor, she had traveled with style. The soldiers were glad to be called from the fields, trading peasant clothing for imperial armor once more. They set a fine camp and they pushed the trek as hard as Azula did.
Now inside Sachiko's courtyard, her guards closed the double gate doors behind them and old Lady Sachiko herself was on the porch path outside of her sitting room, leaning on a strong servant's arm.
"My Princess! I take it the time is close?" she called. Azula waved a hand, dismissing the Kemurikage and soldiers to take up housing and rest. Without being told, San and one of the other Kemurikage went to keep guard at the gates. Zirin stalked behind Azula's left elbow to the sun porch.
"Yes, my lady," Azula purred. She allowed Sachiko to take her strong hand between frail bony fingers. "How many soldiers are you giving me?"
"For the siege of the capital? Take thirty, my princess. My finest men and women, all fierce benders," Sachiko declared. She had already hand-picked who would go and they were ready.
Azula smiled widely. 'Soon, Zuzu….. you will be at my feet and I will destroy you.'
Ty Lee's face flashed through her mind and Azula growled. 'HER as well… she left me.'
Zirin watched Azula warily. She touched her sleeve. Azula gave her a smirk. "Shall we retire, Zirin?"
Zirin scratched her knee. "I suppose I'll take a bed warmer myself."
"If it please you," Azula purred to Sachiko. The ancient lady laughed.
"My days of heat are far over, but far be it from me to keep you two from it." Sachiko clapped her hands and called for a few servants. Azula felt generous and let Zirin have her pick first. Zirin was a beta, but even she wasn't immune to other's charms.
Azula took the remaining three girls and retired to her own chamber. A bottle of sake was brought in and one girl kept pouring cup after cup for the princess who kept losing articles of clothing between two of the girls. The girls giggled as the pants came off and the princess's erect cock sprang free.
Azula threw one of the girls on her back, stripped her and mounted her. Another girl clung to her back, pressing kisses along her back. Azula smiled as she felt her breasts press into her back.
Azula raised on her knees, buried to the hilt inside the girl, and the third to her side poured another cup of sake into her mouth. Azula swallowed half, leaned down and let the rest dribble out into the girl's mouth in a harsh kiss. The girl moaned, sucking at her lips, swallowing the sake.
Azula reflected she would have everything, and there would be plenty more omegas to warm her bed. If Ty Lee got in her way, she would kill her. Azula banished the dark thoughts and focused on the pleasures at hand. After she finished off the girl under her, she pulled out, and was rolled to her back by the girl behind her. Azula allowed her to climb on top of her straining cock. Her hands clutched the girl's hips as she thrust upward hard.
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Suki sighed as she entered to the Kyoshi Warrior apartments. Tsung and Yoshiko were reading in the main room, their make-up scrubbed off. They nodded as their leader entered.
"We finished patrol," Tsung announced. Suki looked distracted.
"What's wrong, Suki?" Yoshiko asked. Suki paced back and forth.
"Something's wrong. Aside from the guards, have you heard anything else disconcerting?" Suki asked.
Tsung sighed. "The other Kyoshi Warriors are trailing a select few. They're definitely planning something. But what else could be so troubling as THAT?"
"Mai and Zuko," Suki admitted. "I checked in on the Fire Lady and she looks positively ill."
"Could be a flu," Tsung suggested. Suki's mind turned over in uncomfortable ways.
"Maybe….but Zuko's holed up."
"With Ty Lee?" Yoshiko raised an eyebrow. Suki tried not to fidget. To say she wasn't jealous would be an understatement. Something had happened to make Zuko not care about keeping away from his concubine. Zuko had vanished into Ty Lee's apartment earlier and so far he, Ty Lee nor Ying had left.
She knew Zuko considered her a friend, but he was taking apparent solace in Ty Lee's, and by extension, Ying's company. She sighed.
"I'm taking a bath," she announced. Both women nodded. As Suki scrubbed the make-up off her face, she hoped he would take solace with her too.
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The next day found Zuko at the royal council chamber, irate and tired. His head pounded with constant threats of headaches and even though he and Ty Lee had enjoyed each other again, and tried to eat something, rest had been fitful. He was all for blowing the council meeting and ordering a sleeping draught for them. He then remembered pregnant women shouldn't take sleeping draughts and sighed. He'd probably help massage Ty Lee to get her to relax. She needed sleep more than he did.
"My daughter's being examined by the court healers," Lord Genma proudly told the other lords as they took a break in discussing policies. Zuko was glad for that, but his concubine's father was too wheedling by half. "She'll start showing soon, won't she?"
Zuko blinked. The question was directed to him and he nodded, bringing himself back to the older lords beaming at him. At the very least, the talk of the baby perked them up.
"She will. She's in such great shape, she could keep her figure awhile longer," Zuko said idly.
"My lord, you won't say that when she's round and you can feel the child move within her. There's nothing else for it. You'll feel a connection the first time you feel it kick," one of the older lords offered his advice. Zuko rubbed his dark-lined eyes with one wrist and nodded, allowing a small smile.
"I can't wait," he said honestly. As the other men offered their advice, being fathers themselves, his mind flew in fits to the other child at hand.
He had to talk to Mai. Even if he felt like smashing his fists on the wall again at the mere thought of it.
"The soldiers in the surrounding towns have begun helping with the harvest. Progress is being made," another lord read from a scroll. Zuko nodded. He was secretly pleased with his idea. Apparently, the mechanics of it worked.
"The winter's going to be a bad one. I can feel it in my bones," the oldest lord said. He hunched over in his seat, white beard streaming down his chest.
Zuko raised an eyebrow. "I sincerely hope the snow won't fall for another few months at least."
"Oh no, it's coming. I can feel it," the lord shrugged. Zuko felt a shiver.
"It's still hot as Agni's fire. Enough of this gloom and doom talk," he tried to smile and some of the lords laughed. But Zuko could feel a slow dread building and looming on the horizon.
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After the council meeting, Zuko adjusted his tunic and cloak and made his way to Mai's family's apartments. A servant answered and straightened at his arrival.
"My lord!" she gasped. Zuko tried to be cordial even though he wanted to be sick. "Is Fire Lady Mai available?"
He almost wished the servant would say no. But she admitted him in. Tom-Tom ran out to the main room and charged him for a hug. Zuko made himself smile at the boy.
"Tom-Tom! How have you been?" he asked. The boy beamed up at him.
"I'm okay! Mother makes me study way too much," he complained. Zuko laughed.
"Study hard enough and you'll be a magistrate or official."
"Truly?" Tom-Tom blinked. Zuko nodded. He was about to continue when a figure slid into the main room. He straightened noticing his wife's dour expression.
"Mai," he said. His heart lurched unpleasantly. Tom-Tom slid off the couch and hugged his sister.
"Go on, he's waiting," he offered helpfully. Then the boy left them.
Mai and Zuko stood watching each other for what felt like an hour. Zuko finally sighed and rubbed two fingers against his temple.
"Can we go somewhere more private?" he asked. Mai gave a curt nod. She pulled a shawl over her shoulders and followed Zuko out of the chambers. When she saw he was leading them to their old shared chambers she halted.
"Here?" she asked.
"Yes. Here," Zuko said dryly. He shut the door to their apartments and made his way to the sitting room. "Shall we?"
Mai crossed her arms and followed him warily. "Done crying in Ty Lee's skirts?"
Zuko crossed his arms and glowered at her. Only his scarred side was visible and the eye on that side always seemed to squint at her. He squinted it now.
"Shut up. We need to discuss our little problem."
"Our problem, huh?" Mai lowered herself onto one of the sofas. She arranged her robes around herself.
"It's our problem when you're married to me," Zuko snapped. "What are you going to do?"
The dual solution hovered unspoken. Mai crossed her arms. "This could be my only chance to have a baby. It's not like you could give me one."
Something nagged at her mind at her words, but she focused on Zuko's flush of shame and rage.
"You seriously want to have Azula's baby? She'll think she has a claim on you!"
"What do you care about that?" Mai scoffed.
"Love isn't so easy to turn off. Despite you trying your hardest to," Zuko frowned. "Do you want a divorce?"
He made the words sound so easy. Mai felt her heart lurch despite herself. "That'd be an easy out….."
Zuko's brow staggered and he leaned against the back of the sofa. Mai craned her head to look over her shoulder at him. "Do you?" he demanded.
Mai looked away. Despite herself, her heart hurt and her frown softened. "I'm not sure…. Not right now."
Zuko clenched a fist and tapped it against the back of the sofa. "You have to make a decision. I tried to make you stay before and it made you leave. I won't trap you again."
Mai's expression turned heartbroken. "Stop it, Zuko. Stop hurting me."
"I still love you, Mai. Despite everything. IF you want to keep it….you have to tell me. We have to make arrangements that will benefit both of us," he admitted. Mai leaned closer, as if co-conspiring with him.
"Is that the Fire Lord speaking?"
"No. Your husband," Zuko admitted. He reached to touch Mai's cheek and she didn't move. His fingers faltered and he withdrew his touch. "I'll leave you to your thoughts…."
Mai stood, robes flowing and moved to the front of their shared chambers. "I'm going back to my family's."
"Good night, Mai," Zuko said. He watched the Fire Lady leave and he staggered against the back of the sofa. After idly cleaning the room of odds and ends, he opened the front door of the apartment.
Tsung and Yoshiko were on guard. He nodded at them and closed the door behind him. "Let's go to Ty Lee's," he said. Both Kyoshi Warriors followed him and stood at guard at the concubine's apartment.
Inside, Zuko found Ty Lee wearing a simple shift as if to ready for bed, slumped on the floor. Ying cradled her bent posture between her knees; she was rubbing her shoulders in a strong and brisk manner. Ty Lee slumped forward. She opened dark-rimmed eyes to Zuko and tried to smile.
"How did it go?" she asked. Zuko's heart lurched. He took off his cloak and rolled up the sleeves of his tunic. He raised an eyebrow at Ying and she moved aside to let him take her place. Ty Lee gladly leaned back against his chest. Her elbows rested on his thighs on either side.
"As well as things can be," he glowered. Ying sat opposite Ty Lee and took one of her feet in her hands and massaged her.
"You have to relax, Ty Lee. You have to sleep," she urged. Ty Lee's fingers clutched at Zuko's knees.
"Don't you think I want to? I just…. I can't," she admitted. Zuko massaged her firmly. She gave a soft sigh.
"We'll get you to loosen up if we have to massage you for hours," Zuko said. Ty Lee smiled gratefully over her shoulder.
"I just want to sleep. I just want to sleep until all this is over," she said. Zuko smiled ruefully.
"But you'll miss your pregnancy. My lords tell me it's such a magical time for a woman," he teased. Ty Lee bapped his knee with one fist lightly.
"I'm not looking forward to looking like I ate a watermelon. I'm starting to feel awkward already," Ty Lee admitted.
Ying raised an eyebrow at her. She was wearing a similar shift and her make-up was scrubbed off. "You still look good. Come off it."
"Oh you," Ty Lee smiled at her best friend.
The three tried to relax, but the stress of the situation pressed on all of their minds. Zuko tried to relax Ty Lee enough to sleep and gradually she did doze off. He picked her up and laid her in his lap on the sofa. Ty Lee slept heavily, only waking slightly when Ying brought Zuko a sleeping draught. Ying stayed up awhile, watching over the Fire Lord and her friend as they both finally were able to rest.
End for now
End notes: Trouble, trouble and more trouble! Do you have any opinion on what should happen? I know how the story is pretty much going to go but if you have an opinion, please let me know. Also, you like the story, smash that button and do that review thing :P Stay strong, my lovelies!
Most sincerely, pen
12/10/2016