Skyhigh18: It tried not to make it rushed. I guess in the end my feelings were warring with each other and it showed up in my writing. Hence Mai getting Airbender power. Aang still has to be around her, HA!
KyoshiWarrior: Thanks for the heads up. I swear I thought I fixed that. The downside of automatic spellcheck strikes again. I'll try not to jump around. I will definitely be more descriptive. I know this pairing is kinda of the odd duck but I'm a sucker for the underdog.
Aryck1095:Thanks for reviewing and reading even though you don't like the pairing. That is very cool of you. As for Zuko and Katara they'll be happy sorta. I mean they did screw up big time. I have one or two other Kataang ideas brewing.
Willzling:This is a real ending. Not an alternate. Oddly I have noticed stories where Aang and Katara don't end up together but is still in the Katara-Aang Section. So go figure.
Guy: Thanks.: This is what I love about writing. The different view points. I'm glad this pairing has found an audience.
doctor anthony: Thank you. I will.
Mai had not moved from her spot. She knew she was going to be sore as soon as she got up but the quiet of the room had cleared her mind of all the clutter. She was so entranced that she yelped when she felt the arms circle her waist.
Her eyes cracked open and she could feel the wetness being absorbed into her robes. She twisted in her seat and faced him. Aang stood before her, his face downcast. Mai dangled her legs and spread them enough so he could fully encircle her. He buried his face, crying into her chest.
His sobs were short but raw and full of terror. Terror of the unknown territory that they had to cross. Terror of what would happen to their group of friends now that both had made their choices. "I still love her, Mai. Deep down I think I always will."
She kissed the downy hair and soothed him as he cried himself hoarse. He spilled every fear and doubt and she let him. It was what he needed to let it all out so he could reassemble his life. She had done the same after her talk with Zuko and already she felt a peace she had not known before.
"Aang, it's ok to feel that way. She was a huge part of your life and that's good to remember those we have loved and shaped us. I feel the same about Zuko but that only reinforced how much I want to make my life with you."
He blinked but the water clung stubbornly to his long lashes, "I do too. Even with this I know that I want to be with you. If you'll still have me," he said.
"Let's take some time to recover and then we can decide. Between the temples and your work, we will have plenty of time to be together and really explore what we feel for each other."
Aang nodded and wiped his eyes. He helped her down and laughed as her legs gave way beneath her. "How long have you been sitting there?"
She shrugged but didn't let his grip on her slackened, "a while. I was waiting for you. It was worth it. Are you hungry? because if you are I better get a move on starting dinner."
"I'm not. I think I'll just go to my room for a while. I need to meditate."
"Aang, remember we now have all the time in the world," Mai replied kissing his cheek softly.
It was a novel idea and that alone buoyed his spirits. "All the time? I've never had all the time. I've always been on some schedule." He regarded her silently feeling incredibly grateful for having met her in his greatest time of need. 'Everything happens for a reason.'
Dinner that night was unnaturally uneventful. Katara had chosen not to hide and was eating with them. Uncle Iroh had apparently left with Zuko and Suki and Toph were busy putting the finishing touches on the archways and pillars. Not even Sokka was willing to acknowledge the ambience.
Mai and Aang had made it a point to not stray to close to each other but not stay too far away. Katara had offered her a tiny lift of her lips. Mai did the same and she grew even more uncomfortable around the younger girl.
"So you guys staying past tomorrow?" Aang asked by way of conversation.
"No, I'm sorry Aang. We have to leave at first light. I got a messenger hawk and Dad is kinda sick so we need someone to take over his role of chief. Katara and Toph and Suki are all coming. Sorry to make you spend your birthday alone," Sokka apologized.
"Don't worry we'll just have a nice quiet meal. Maybe we could visit your parents, Mai."
Mai made a face of disgust and the group laughed nervously, "hey Toph why don't you come with. I bet you haven't seen your parents in a while."
Toph walked over and plopped down next to her, "sounds good Miss Sunshine."
"Miss Sunshine?" Aang raised an eyebrow but was hit for his effort. "Dammit, Toph must you always be so violent."
"Sorry, twinkletoes force of habit. Anyway while Mai and I visit the parents you could meet with the council of twelve. I've heard rumors that they feel the Avatar is being lax in his work."
"Great, just what I need. Rumors." Aang replied gloomily staring into his food bowl.
"Don't worry just go to the council and your appearance will no doubt shut them up." Mai said cheering him up considerably.
Katara watched the exchange, she could feel the bile rising in her throat. It was like all her misery was desperate to escape. "I'm turning in. In case I don't see you. Aang. Happy Birthday."
"Thank you, Katara. Goodnight." Aang tried to be cheerful but the way she ran out just deflated him.
The rest of the gang exchanged looks. "I'm turning in too. Night Aang." Mai's hand slipped over his but she pulled it away before he could really grab it.
The next morning everybody left except Toph who had decided to stay on to go to Omashu to see her parents with Aang and Mai. Toph had noticed the mood of the aforementioned couple was considerably sour and both had taken to being separate for the most part.
Toph finally sick of it cornered Mai near one of the towers. She was standing on a balcony that was ridiculously close to the edge. "Alright, what gives? Sugarqueen is gone and everything had been resolved so why the heck are you and Aang moping?"
"I'm not moping Toph." Mai sighed.
"Please, all you need is a scar and you could pass for Zuko. What's the matter did you change your mind?"
Mai whirled on her, "no, I would never. I love Aang."
"Are you afraid he changed his?" Toph asked curiously.
"He slept in his own room and he hasn't really talked to me since yesterday. I'm just fooling myself, aren't I? He'll never forget her and her ghost will always be between us," Mai finished.
"Mai, he's been through so much. Getting it all out has left him wounded and bleeding. He is just coping the best way he knows how. If you really want him to heal you have to just let him be. He'll come around in no time. You'll see." Toph replied.
Mai looked at her, "you astound me Toph. I never pictured you as the wise one."
"What can I say, I'm the full package. Come on. I have to clean Appa and there's no way I'm doing that alone. I'd let him be but he smells something awful."
"I've done it alone. That is pain that has no name. Let's go."
For three weeks they continued in this vein. Toph and Mai would do chores in and around the temple.
Sometimes they would spar and usually Mai ended up covered in mud with Toph pinned to some wall. Aang had taken to leaving for long flights on his glider. The only time he saw them was in the evenings during dinner.
In fact Mai and him had not slept in the same room since the night he had the talk with Katara.
He knew he was being unfair, that he had made his choice and he was happy with it but something kept him holding back. He was afraid of totally opening up to her because he feared he would just hurt her. 'Maybe as the Avatar his duty would be to be alone. If it couldn't work with Katara, then how could it work with anybody else? '
These thought bore into his head and refused to budge.
'But she is not Katara. She's Mai, she's different. Stop comparing them.' His mind argued back.
He was slowly turning into everything he had worked so hard not to become. He was being distant with Mai and he thanked the fact that Toph had decided to stay on.
Otherwise she no doubt would have left him. He would deserve it if she did and the fact that she hadn't done so was what kept him from giving in completely. Aang was trying to snap out of it. If he didn't get his act together soon, he was gonna lose her.
Already he could feel himself reaching a breaking point.