Prompt: Aladdin

(Word) Magic

(Character) Iroh II (-Irah II since this is genderbend)

(AU) Genderbend

Word count: 1065

The great hall of the palace was filled with guests from all four kingdoms, laughing and dancing and socializing with each other. Korren sat on his throne, just off to the left of his father's, and while his eyes drifted over the crowds, his mind was elsewhere. Piercing amber eyes invaded his thoughts, and a dopey smile took over his face as he recalled his encounter with the mysterious girl who became his best friend over the years.

His revere was broken when the hall quieted. His father stood and began to make an announcement, the loud booming voice of King Senn echoing throughout the open space. Korro was only half listening, but when the words 'engagement' and 'treaty between the two kingdoms' was uttered, his attention snapped back to what the king was saying.

"And as the next generation of royalty unite, so will out kingdoms prosper. The unison of Prince Korro and Princess Irah will change the course of history and lead us into a new age of prosperity."

Korro sat dumbstruck, gawking at his father, and watched as the guests of honor, the royal family of the Fire Kingdom, approached the thrones.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," a young lady, not much older than the prince himself, offered her hand to him, which he warily took. "I'm princess Irah II. It's very nice to meet you."

The slamming of the great, heavy door startled the white furred animal as her master stomped into the lavish room. Korro paced around the tiled, marble floors angrily as Naga followed his movements curiously with her head, her ears perked up as the great beast panted with her tongue lolling out. The prince suddenly turned and kicked the bedpost in irritation, leaving an indent in the polished wood.

"How could they just decide that this is okay? I'm not a prize or a bargaining chip! Why would they even consider this without talking to me first!" He paced some more and then collapsed onto his back next to his pet in defeat. "You get it don't you girl?" he asked the polar bear dog, "I don't want to marry the fire princess, no matter how much everyone wishes it."

His thoughts drifted to the girl he met in the market on one of the occasions that he snuck out of the palace, and just the thought of her amber eyes left a bittersweet feeling in his chest. After that fated meeting, the prince took any chance he could to sneak away to meet up with the beautiful girl, going on adventures throughout the city, discovering new things, stealing small kisses. What if he would never see her again? "How do they expect me to rule one day if they treat me like a child? I can't even go into my future kingdom's streets without people fearing that the world will burst into flames and collapse on itself. And marriage?! I am not ready to be married and if I was it wouldn't be to Irah." He absentmindedly began to pet the soft fur as Naga listened intently to his ranting. "Remember the girl I always tell you about? Well I'm gonna see her again. Tomorrow I'll sneak out and it'll be great and I'll be happy at least for a little while longer. Mom and dad can just deal with Princess Irah themselves for a day."

He stood up his plan putting him at ease somewhat, and sluggishly walked over to his bed, falling face first into the pillows and promptly drifting off to sleep.

The sounds of Naga's growling woke the young prince, instantly building up his guard as he launched for the dagger near his bed. He was on his feet in seconds, ready to fight, but the silhouette by the balcony made him lower the weapon almost instantly.

"Well you certainly know how to make a girl feel welcomed," the figure said grumpily.

"What are you doing here?" the prince asked the girl incredulously.

"I've heard about your little wedding plans and figured we have one last adventure before you tie the knot."

"Maka, I didn't know about that, I promise. I don't want to get married to her."

"It's okay, not like you were ever gonna be with a street rat right?"

"Maka-"

"It's fine Korro, I promise. Let just…let's enjoy tonight. I actually have a surprise for you."

"You do?" he asked sadly, wearily. The thoughts of whether he should keep stringing the girl along nagged at him, but he pushed them back. He wanted to be with Maka, not some random princess.

"Yeah. You'll never believe what I found." She eagerly grabbed his hand and led him out to the balcony, and over to the railing. She climbed up onto it, much to his surprise, and before he could react she stepped over the edge.

"Maka!" Korro leaned over the banister desperately, dread seeping into every pore of his being, but before he could do much more, warm lips clashed with his. Long arms wrapped around his neck and his thumping heart began to beat to a different emotion other than the terror that gripped him moments ago.

He broke their embrace and looked around Maka's frame to see that she was standing on a- a carpet? "How are you doing that?!" he exclaimed.

Maka giggled, and gave him another swift kiss before whispering against his mouth, "I took a little field trip to a desert."

Although he was still confused, he let it go for now and focused his attention on the familiar lips of the girl that showed and gave him more freedom than he ever had.

"How about I take you on a ride on my magic carpet?"

"Keep it in your pants pretty girl."

"Oh my, prince. You should get you mind out of the gutter, since I was just suggesting a nice trip to show you that a whole new world is waiting for you out there."

"Stop teasing me, I liked you better when you were grumpy and mean to me."

"Just take my hand," Maka said as she offered it to him.

He turned back once to look at his room, deciding to forget his troubles for the night, took a deep breath, and let his fingers grasp the slender ones waiting for him before jumping over the marble barrier.