While Strolling Through the Park One Day
As the song by Ed Haley begins, so does our story:
"While strolling through the park one day,
In the merry, merry, month of May,
I was taken by surprise, . . . "
They had been walking side by side, mostly in silence, for about five minutes now.
Zuko cringed inwardly. This wasn't going at all like he had hoped. The beauty and splendor of the imperial gardens seemed lost on her. He would try to make conversation. He'd say something, he'd get a short reply, and there would be silence again.
"It turned out to be a beautiful day, didn't it?"
"Yes."
He snuck a look at Mai and wondered if she was bored.
"I was afraid you wouldn't take me up on the invitation." No response. "Maybe you are sick of flowers?"
"I am," she replied in her usual flat tone.
"But you came anyway." Zuko grew hopeful that he was the reason she had agreed to the stroll.
It was, but he received no confirmation of it from her. Truth be told, Mai's attention was on something much more captivating than Zuko's presence or nature's magnificence. From the start she had been surreptitiously examining what was at the end of the leash he held.
He tried again, "Do you find it boring?"
"The flowers? Hmm. I've seen flowers." Curiosity boiled over and she gave up feigning disinterest. Pivoting on her heel, she suddenly turned to face him. "But him? Now he's interesting."
Zuko let out a soft, "Oh."
Mai was animated now that she was openly focused on Druk. Zuko tamped down the pang of jealousy. He had to remind himself to take things slow and follow her lead.
He had brought Druk along on their walk as the little dragon couldn't be entrusted into just anyone's care. Aang couldn't dragon-sit because he was on a date with Katara. Sokka and Toph were a generally a bad influence, and Uncle was away on some Fire Nation cultural outing which served as an excuse to drink more tea and play more Pai Sho.
Mai stared intently at the dragon, turning her head this way and that as she studied him. Druk returned her interest and studied her.
She sighed heavily. "So, what does one do with a dragon? Can you pick him up or pet him like a cat?"
"Uh, yeah, I guess. But I don't know how he'll react to you."
"Will he bite, or set me on fire?"
"He can't breathe fire yet, and he has been known to nip. He nipped Sokka once. Take it slow. He'll let you know if he isn't comfortable."
"Okay." Mai seemed unconcerned, immediately bent down and leaned in to get a better look. Druk sat still and sniffed at her. Decision made, he moved in, nuzzled against her, and wrapped his tail around her ankles.
Zuko lit up when she proclaimed, "He's warm . . . like you."
Carefully, she reached out to touch Druk. He uncurled himself from her; but didn't pull back. Gently, she began to stroke his back and then between his ears.
"Just like a cat," she hummed.
Zuko watched Druk delight in her caresses. Her smile was brilliant. It had been a long time since he had seen her so relaxed, with her guard down. Happy possibilities sprang to mind. Images of the two of them curled up with Druk between them played out in his imagination. Maybe all was not lost. Maybe Druk was just what he needed to break the ice and reconnect with Mai.
.
.
Deeper in the gardens . . .
"It's beautiful, Aang!" Katara marveled at the beauty around them. "I'm glad you thought of it."
"I figured since we were done meeting with Zuko we could explore a little. This is only one of the places Kuzon showed me. There are plenty more. After this, we can eat at this little place by the water. I bet Momo is hungry. Aren't you boy? Momo?"
"Momo?"
.
.
Momo was indeed hungry and while searching for nuts, he had come upon Druk, Zuko and Mai.
The dragon immediately sat on his haunches and sniffed the air excitedly while Zuko scanned the area for signs of trouble.
"What's wrong?" Mai asked Druk.
Suddenly Momo landed next to the group, chittering.
"Uh oh," Zuko cried in alarm.
"What do you mean 'uh oh?'"
Zuko reeled in the leash and braced himself. "Druk, no."
The little dragon and the winged lemur faced off. Tails whipped side to side. Ears flicked. Bodies poised to pounce.
Mai's eyes went wide. "Zuko let go," she warned. "Let go, Zuko."
Mom flinched. Druk lunged. The game of Chase had begun.
"Zuko!"
Momo darted. Druk pursued him happily. Zuko desperately pulled on the leash and dug in his heels.
Momo kept taunting Druk and darting out of his reach at the last second. Determined to catch his friend, Druk persisted. His determination spelled disaster for Zuko who was dragged forward and finally fell on his face.
Peals of laughter filled the air. Mai was enjoying herself. The sight of the two darting in and out of the shrubbery was fun enough. But the sight of the Fire Lord clumsily picking himself up and brushing himself off brought memories of a time long ago when the Fire Nation Prince had fallen, and mud was involved.
Zuko would have been mad, but for Mai's laughter. It was rare and it was ages since he had heard it.
Momo took flight, heading for the safety of a tree. Druk followed suit, or at least he tried. Zuko had grabbed hold of the leash and Druk was pulled back to the ground.
.
.
"Mai! Zuko!"
Aang and Katara arrived at the scene.
"Oh, no. Momo!"
"Uh, Zuko? I'm sorry about Momo. He was with us one minute and then . . ." Katara poked Aang in the ribs. She pointed at Mai who was grinning ear to ear.
Looking worse than he felt, Zuko smiled at Mai, who smiled warmly back at him.
She moved in and tenderly started to pick things off his clothes. "You, okay?"
"Yeah, I am now."
She stiffened, realizing what he was talking about. The space she kept between them, for her heart's sake, was effectively gone.
Zuko held his breath. Was she going to retreat behind her wall again?
Just then, Druk made another grab for Momo who had dropped from the tree. They chased each other around Zuko and Mai, wrapping them up in the leash as they ran and pulling them down one on top of the other.
Zuko could feel his fire roar with anger, but it soon abated. Mai was on top of him, laughing. She placed her hands on either side of him and drew herself up. She considered him for a moment and then placed a kiss on his lips.
"Should we help them?"
Katara shook her head. "Ah, we're going to take Druk and Momo and you guys can, uh . . . catch up."
"Does this mean that you don't hate me anymore?"
Mai smirked. "I have a hunch that life with a dragon isn't going to be boring."
Zuko smiled wickedly and pulled her down to him for a deeper kiss.
Author's Notes:
Alas, Maiko Month 2023 never transpired. But we don't need an official event or prompts to celebrate Maiko, do we?
The "prompt" for this story came from mai-fruit-tarts, a fellow ATLA Maiko fan. Thank you.
Psst. Anyone remember 101 Dalmatians, the scene where Pongo tries to get Perdita's attention? Hmm? What did you think?