Author's Note: Hey, guys! Okay, here it is. The moment of truth. Read on to find out. - Fira
Forty-two
Early the next morning, when it was still dark, Maya awoke from a nightmare with a scream and sat up in bed. She was at an inn that Uncle had found in the seaside town where Zuko's ship had exploded. A lot had happened since the night before, and a lot was yet to come. But at the moment, Maya only cared about the fact that Zuko was alive. In fact, that was what the nightmare had been about. She'd dreamt that he hadn't made it, and that his dead body had slowly risen to the surface of the bay facedown, bobbing like a cork.
The door to her bedroom opened, bringing her back to the present. In the dark, Maya could not see his face, but she knew it was Zuko.
"You shouldn't be out of bed, Zuko," she murmured. "You should be resting."
He ignored her, like always. "I heard you scream. Are you okay?"
She smiled without feeling, even though she knew he couldn't see it. "Yeah. I'm fine."
He stepped fully into the bedroom and shut the door. "No. You're lying. I can tell. What's wrong, Maya?"
She did not say anything. They stayed in the darkness together for a few long seconds, and then he said, "I'm not leaving until you tell me."
She laughed, quietly. "Even when you're worrying about me, you're a jerk."
"Thanks. Now tell me."
She sighed. "I had a nightmare. That's all."
"About?"
"I dreamed that you died in the explosion and your body rose to the surface of the water, facedown and bloated. It was horrifying."
"Well, I'm not really dead, so that should make you feel better." Underneath the sarcasm, there was something gentle.
Maya knew that if she didn't tell him now, she would never tell him. "I have to tell you something, Zuko. But I don't know how, because I don't know what your reaction is going to be."
"Just tell me, and if I don't like it, I promise I won't blow anything up."
Maya flinched. That expression hit a bit too close to home, but she knew that Zuko hadn't even been thinking about that when he'd said it, so she took a deep breath and let it go. "Okay…" She took another deep breath. "I… I love you, Zuko." She didn't let him respond. "A-and I know that we don't… know each other that well. And I-I know that I'm not even fully Fire Nation. And… I know that up until a few weeks ago, you and I didn't really get along too well –
"Maya! Shut up for a second."
Surprised at his sudden outburst, she closed her mouth.
He came and sat down on the edge of the bed. "Did you just tell me you love me?"
"… Yes?" she said, hoping he wasn't about to punch her or something. "Is that a problem?"
He gave a single laugh. "A problem," he repeated. "I'm such an idiot, aren't I?"
"What?"
"All the signs were right there. But then again, you didn't know it either."
"What are you talking about?"
"Love. What else?"
Maya's heart gave a hopeful leap. "Does this mean you love me too?"
"I think so." He sounded genuinely confused.
She couldn't help but laugh. "Well, it's a start."
He chuckled. "Yeah."
They were silent for a while, sitting beside each other. And then Maya said quietly, "Zuko?"
"What?"
"I want to give you something."
"What is it?"
She leaned toward him, so close that she could feel his breath on her face. "Guess."
He gave a soft chuckle. "I don't have to." And then he leaned the rest of the way and their lips met.
It was a soft, sort of awkward kiss. Neither of them had ever kissed anyone before. Zuko had gotten close once, with a girl back home named Mai. But they'd never actually gotten around to it. And Maya had never even had a crush on a boy before then, though she knew that what she felt for Zuko was a lot stronger than a crush.
And so, it was a little embarrassing and a little exciting for both of them. And after a few moments, they pulled away.
Maya was honestly surprised. Zuko, she knew, was a very physical, very energetic person. She had expected him to be rougher, less gentle. But he had been very kind about it. There had been no tongue, and no shoving. It was a pleasant surprise. She smiled.
After a minute or so in the silence, Zuko sighed. "We should probably go back to sleep. We've got a lot to do tomorrow."
Maya sighed as well. "Do we have to?"
He laughed. "Don't miss me too much. It's not like I'm going to be in the room right next to you or anything."
Maya smirked. "Okay, Mr. Sarcasm. Good night."
He stood and went to the door, looking over his shoulder at her. "Good night, Maya."