Hey there,

Welcome back, hope this is reaching you all with plenty of sunshine. I also hope that this is as much fun to read as it has been to write.

Special thanks to my friend Rose-Aki for her lovely reviews. You're praise means the world to me, I hope this chapter lives up to the others.

Dedicated to that dear friend with the GOLDEN stack of hidden and forgotten stories. You are a joy, and you know who you are, this one is for you!

"They Forgot!"

Chapter 11 - Rainy Night Musings

((Ty-Lee's Perspective))

Being stuck indoors all day… REALLY BITES! It's probably why I had originally helped plan so much to do while we're here. I had been afraid of this outcome from the start. Sitting on a tiny island with no one around and nothing to do. This storm killed the whole day and gave all the pairs a perfect chance to bail... The newly engaged couple of our group was no exception.

If this is how Mai has felt all of those times I bailed on her for a guy... I'm starting to understand her anger... and grudges. Clearly, I need to find a date... and quickly. But when you're stranded on a tropical island surrounded in deadly storms. It's kinda impossible to accomplish this.

But luckily I wasn't the only girl who was dateless and bored to death. Toph too was so done with all of the couples hidden away in this place. So we'd spent the day together running around and making certain everything was still kept up to Suki's standards. While dear Suki, one of the only decent halves of a twosome in this dump. Finally got to catch up on some sleep… At least SHE had still gotten up and done her job today.

As much fun as this actually turned out to be for me. I still think that Toph had way more fun than I did. Whipping the newbies into shape and commanding small crowds of warriors. I want to say that it was funny watching such a compact and petite little person demand effort and excellence like she did. But I found it way funnier, just how scared of Toph all of those older warriors actually were. The way some full-grown people were running from her… Even especially huge and muscular male earth benders from her school and otherwise... It really made my day. We may all be visiting but this was Toph's island and she wasn't letting anyone forget it… Hilariously! I laughed at the same time as I respect it, so much. No wonder she has so many dedicated students following her and helping out while they live here and trained in Toph's metal bending school.

I didn't see Mai at all until dinner time when the dining hall downstairs filled up with a lot of people from yesterday. Even if most people were still keeping to their rooms, not feeling well or sleeping. I was so glad that Mai wasn't one of the sick people. After waiting so many years for a party like this. She couldn't get sick now, that would just be too much! No one was shocked that Azula and her new doctor hubby were no-shows. While no one had seen them either we knew they weren't sick, they were just on their honeymoon. If we didn't see either of them the rest of this trip, I don't think anyone would be that shocked. It's kinda the honeymooner's free pass.

Zuko and Mai were joined at the hip when they finally appeared, as expected. Her customary outfit was now accessorized with her new engagement necklace. A trinket that hasn't left her neck since it was put there by Zuko. Mai confirmed this to me, first thing.

But thankfully they didn't sit at a table for two, they chose a long large table to occupy. Along with me and nearly all of the present team Avatar. I stole the seat between Suki and Mai and after I told Suki in detail what Toph and I had done. I waited for my chance to talk to Mai. She needed to be reminded of what I had told her early this morning. I still wanted answers, she wasn't getting off that easy, she still owed me, and I knew she hadn't given a single thought to her possible wedding ceremony yet. I needed to make her realize that she would have to start thinking about what it was she even wanted from her wedding. It was gonna be the most important day of her life for a while. She had to do things right! So did Zuko!

So with these things in mind, I waited for the Fire Lord who was sitting on the otherside of Mai. To slip into deep conversation with Sokka and Aang, along with some of the other guys. They ended up gathering all at the other end of the table. Thankfully this didn't take long at all to happen.

Then I asked Mai, "Soooooo?" Thinking she would know what I was asking.

She answered me flatly, "What?"

"Sooooooooo," I repeated, and elongated. "Feel up to sharing anything about what happened last night now-"

"New subject." Mai insisted, even though I was pouting.

"Awwwwwww, Come oooooon." I tried, "I haven't seen you all day, and it would have been a total bust if Toph wasn't such a delight. You gotta give me something more than 'it was nice.' Like this morning... Give us single ladies something to aim for."

Mai wasn't impressed, she repeated, "What happens between Zuko and me, stays between the two of us. I'm not here to kiss and tell."

"So there was kissing?" I read between the lines. Do you see how she makes me work for every little bit I get?

Mai only repeated, "Nope. Not going down that road. Sorry, not sorry, new topic please."

I told her, "Oh Boo! You're no fun at all."

"You say that like it's a new thing." Mai accused. As I saw Katara and Toph coming closer to join in on the girl-talk end of the table. Suki was already turned around in her chair facing us.

Suki even said, "Come on Mai, it's just us girls."

With their combined backup, I told Mai, "It's either telling us a little something that happened between the two of you that we didn't see for ourselves. Or talking about the wedding ceremony, I doubt either of you has thought of even once. It's your call?"

Mai bit back with, "Why are those the only things we can talk about? Are there countless other topics to tackle?"

"None as interesting or relevant as these." I pressed on.

Suki even added, and no newscrolls could be delivered today. No boats could could get near here, because of the storm."

Mai felt caught so she complained, "I don't see why it has to be about Zuko and me, we're not the only ones here?" When Mai saw that I wasn't the only one curiously hanging around to hear feedback. She even reminded, "Katara was locked away with Aang for a time, Sokka made sure everybody heard about that too. Suki was alone with Sokka too. Why aren't you Badger-moleing them for details."

Katara answered Mai for me, "None of us got engaged last night."

Suki added, "And none of us had our boyfriends looking at us. The way Zuko was looking at you all day yesterday… or tonight."

Our little powwow all turned to catch the Fire Lord once again staring. He didn't even care that he'd been caught. He just shot Mai a smirk before turning back to his own conversation.

Toph added, "Ty-Lee is asking so she knows what she has to look forward to. When she finally decides to keep one guy for herself and cut all the others loose."

Toph really is very wise for such a young person.

Mai admitted, "Okay! You got me! Zuko and I haven't even talked about the ceremony itself yet-"

I claimed victory, "Ah Ha! I knew it!"

Mai went on defending her reasoning. "But I really am still too shocked that he asked me at all. And as you know, I was not one of those little girls who planned their whole wedding when they were seven-"

"What's wrong with that!" I (Ty-Lee) demanded. Knowing full and well that this had been a jab at me, personally. "I'm a girl who knows what she wants. Where's bad?"

Mai went on to confess, "I wasn't expecting anyone to ever want to marry me. Hire me as a bodyguard sure, I've protected my father since I was a kid. But marriage… I'm still completely blindsided."

Zuko visibly froze in his seat for a second, I know he'd heard that. Even Aang and Sokka had paused mid-rant and looked at each other before continuing. It's amazing the things you pick up on when you decide to dedicate your life to protecting others, and you get used to watching EVERYTHING.

I needed to lighten up this discussion and fast. So I asked Mai more upbeat, "Remember all of the play weddings we used to throw when we were little?"

"Play-weddings? Plural?" Suki repeated.

I shrugged "Azula was a princess, we where hanging out in a castle a lot that had beautiful gardens just sitting there. It was too easy for us to do. We'd throw a big play-wedding every week for a little while. Before we all got tired of it anyway."

"Yes," Mai said flatly reminding me, "I was always the groom for both you and Azula. Even then I was never a bride. What do I know about doing any of this stuff?"

"That's only because Zuko wouldn't do it for me, I was an icky girl and all." I clarified for everyone who wasn't there. "And Zuko couldn't for Azula. I even admit that would be gross."

"He did give you guys away, before he ran off back to his dolls." Mai shared, to the laughter of all of us girls.

Which got louder when Zuko stopped in mid-conversation again. This time he turned to face Mai, insisting. "They were warrior figures! WARRIOR! FIGURES!"

Mai smirked cooly, "Riiiiiiiight, and warrior figures can't be a boy version of girl's dolls… No, how silly of me."

"They weren't dolls!" He insisted in a growl.

While Mai concluded, "They're all the same thing."

This conversation needed to shift back into my control. So I broke up their adorable little stare-down that wasn't even half-serious. By the time I was between them waving my arms demanding a "TRUCE!" They were already back to smiling and laughing together. I made them shack on the truce before, I said, "You guys need to figure out what you're doing. Otherwise the old people elder council of our Nation will plan the whole thing. Location, dress, flowers, ALL of IT! Then it won't even feel like the day was yours at all. It will just feel like a Fire Nation function where Mai got a new hairpin and way more weight on her shoulders... nothing more. I don't want that to happen to you guys."

Aang, had my back; adding, "Yeah! Those guys are backward traditional and too harsh as a rule. If they plan everything it really will be another Fire Nation Holiday. Ty-Lee's right about that."

Mai asked me, "If we promise to talk about it before we leave this island? Will you get off our backs?"

I thought she was asking everyone. But everyone was looking at me, including Mai, so I said, "Yes! I just want you guys to have a single conversation about what you would like to do. Start figuring out all of those answers… just start on it… okay?"

Mai looked at Zuko who nodded at her, before she said, "... Okay… before we leave… Before we head home, we'll talk about it…happy?"

That was all I really wanted, besides their wedding day being a beautiful day that they never forget. And my date to this event STILL being my date by the end of the evening. Is that really so much to ask? I know it's not! I could see that bringing this fact up, had made both the Future bride and groom start to think about things. Even as the rest of us were talking about all kinds of different things.

For once I was so glad that they were both so distracted.

I let Mai go quiet for as long as I could, to let her think about what I'd said. Then I tried again. "Can't you share the teeniest tiniest tidbit with us. Just something to assure us of how happy the both of you are, if nothing more?"

I could see from the glare Mai shot at me that she still wasn't gonna make this easy. So I decided to share with our group, "Since she won't budge, I'll share something I noticed myself that I'm still freaking out about."

"Must you?" Mai asked.

Katara, Toph and Suki all leaned in to listen closely. Katara was even leaned in to prop her chin on her fist. Out the corner of my eye, I noticed that Zuko's uncle Iroh's chair had turned to face our conversation as well. When he'd caught wind of our subject. So very encouraged, I explained. "This morning when I snuck in to check on Mai. She wasn't ready to get up and start her day. But the thing that I noticed while I was there was something I've rarely seen even in all of our years of friendship-"

Mai crossed her arms in front of herself and said defensively, "You snuck in while I was still in bed, asleep."

"That's something I've done a million times." I agreed, turning to face Mai, "But what I noticed wasn't so likely." I shared as I turned back to my interested audience. I explained, "The rare thing I saw was that Mai had her hair down. Something she NEVER does! Not even during sleepovers with just us girls."

Suki had to say, "You know... now that you say that, I don't think I've ever seen her take it down either. Not even on beach trips or pool days."

Toph comically said, "I know, I haven't seen it."

Katara directed her question to Mai, "Why is that?"

Mai explains, "My family's all politicians who think image is everything. You do the math."

Which I admit is the short version of that story. But I had to ask, "Just how did Zuko manage to get you to do it when even I can't?"

"I like him more," Mai said simply. While she was turned in her chair to look at him, and gained a giggle from all of our group.

"Be serious, Mai!" I said more seriously. "That's HUGE. How did Zuko manage something so undeniably big?"

Still looking at him, Mai said. "He makes me feel safe... which isn't easy at all. Because I'm always so naturally suspicious and untrusting. But with him... it's never the same as anyone else. It's harder not to trust him, or to be tough on him when I need to be. I understand him, and... it's just easier with him." Then I felt myself sigh along with all of the other girls. And Mai appeared to realize what she had said was out loud. She popped her eyes as looked at all of us. I winked at her too. Mai re-crossed her arms and legs as she said, "So quit making such a big deal about it. Maybe I had a headache, or got my hair wet. You don't know."

But that was the something I'd needed to hear, and so did the other girls. Enough something for me to be happy. So not only did I get some detail from the night before, like I'd wanted. But I did get both of them to start thinking about the actual event of a wedding too. All around a good night, even if the morning sucked! The afternoon and evening were redeemable! And, all this talk about hair had struck an idea with Katara who came over to sit on the other side of Mai. They chatted about some hairstyle changes they could try between here and the wedding to change up a little, as well as make Zuko completely nuts.

All around, I'm a genius!

(Mai's Perspective)

I know I give her a hard time. But Ty-Lee was right about one thing, if we didn't start thinking about these things now. The Fire Elders would plan every single aspect of our wedding day for us. While I may have no clue what I'm doing, I've never planned anything like this before. Not even for pretend or fun. But I know, I don't want that. We'd end up showing up for a big fancy wedding that had nothing at all to do with us.

So when we were heading back up the stairs, to our room after sharing dinner with our friends. Zuko led me back holding my hand, exactly like last night…

Only tonight, he was much more stoic and reserved. I missed the goofy mess he'd been last night, smiling too much, who had been escorting me. He was rigid, completely silent… entirely too quiet, and I could just hear him overthinking everything, already. So when we were near our door and alone for certain. I tried to snap him out of it saying, "Hey? What are you already worrying about?"

"I'm not worrying," he tried to correct me. "I'm just… doing as Ty-Lee said. Thinking about the actual ceremony..."

"I have been thinking too," I admitted. "I feel completely out of my depth." Like I had been sharing earlier with the girls. I wasn't one of those girls who was planning their wedding when I was a kid. I was building up immunities to any poisons I could, and trying to master self-defense. You didn't need to contemplate the perfect place, dress, shoes, flowers and themes to do that. I was trying to gain the approval of a martial arts master, then learn how to take them down. Those were my early aspirations.

Before Zuko said anything else though, I shushed him with two fingers and said. "Let's keep this talk for our room, where we're assured a little more privacy please."

"Good idea." He said, when I took my fingers back.

When we were safely behind closed doors, the room was dark and had gone completely cold. Shivering I asked him to rekindle the fireplace and lanterns. Zuko listened but was still completely silent as he went around lighting them all. I didn't like the set of jawline or the worried lines trying to etch their way into his face. So I needed to get him thinking of anything else.

So I excused myself to get ready for bed, but I doubt he even heard me. After his reaction earlier, the stark contrast wasn't lost on me. I needed to cheer him up and fast.

In the bathroom, I secretly slipped out of my everyday clothes and into one of his shirts. Since everyone had been teasing me so much before dinner about me probably never taking off my engagement gift. I considered taking it off, just while I slept... but then I couldn't do it. Zuko had put it there and I didn't want to ruin that. I decided I needed to do everything I could to recapture his notice. Including taking down my hair again, even though I could kill Ty-Lee for tricking me in front of the other girls. I needed every possible aid utilized.

It would be taking a major gamble since all of our rooms were freezing cold, even the bathroom was chilly. Zuko had been more than a little distracted, so this could all be a bust. But I was determined to recover my fiancée's full attention. And reclaim the happy bubble of newness we'd been residing in since this had become our shared room. And more than just my birthday celebration. It was a bet I was going to have to take. So after brushing my teeth, and wrapping a blanket around my shoulders. I came back out and told Zuko it was his turn to get ready.

He didn't look at me once, because if he had, he would have definitely reacted. My bare legs were in plain view, because the blanket was around my upper body. Good thing I'd grabbed that blanket for my arms, I needed it. He must have just grabbed his things and disappeared. So I know his mind was in overload. I sat by the fire, trying to stay warm. When my teeth began to chatter again, I grabbed the heavier blanket we'd been sitting on before and draped it over my legs. It did help, but if Zuko did look at me at all. He wouldn't know what I was wearing now... till I showed him. That could definitely be used to my advantage.

When he returned, he sat next to me but didn't say anything. He didn't flirt, kiss me or touch me at all. He just sat there, with enough space between us to fit another person in. He looked at the fire like he had too much on his mind. Like if he stared long enough the answers would appear in the flames. So still covered in blankets. I turned to ask him, "What is it Zuko? What's got you so troubled, that you will barely look at me."

"I've been thinking about what Ty-Lee said," he shared. Repeating his words from earlier, before he added. "I didn't like where that trail of thought went at all."

"Why?" I dared to ask, knowing all too well that the Elders were probably the part that was making him anxious. Even if he really had been given a choice, as he'd said.

He confirmed, "While the Fire Elders had let me know that I had a choice in my Fire Lady. As I said I only think they allowed that for two reasons. I think they all approve of you. I also think they felt guilty for what had happened to my immediate family. Because they had all played a role in putting my parents together."

"I remember you telling me that before." I nodded, but I could tell he wasn't done explaining yet.

He explained, "When they told me I had a choice in who I was marrying. They were also letting me know that that was where their leniency ended. Whoever I chose would have to deal with letting them decide everything for our ceremony. The location, the day, even the meal served at our reception would all be up to them. So they advised I select someone who would understand why these decisions belonged to them."

I let him know, "I'm not really all that surprised, to hear that. I've had to deal with those rusty old geezers all my life too, ya know? You weren't the only brat brought up in the high society of the Fire nation in this relationship. Prince or not."

"I know," he shared and he finally imparted exactly what was bothering him. "But I just keep thinking. Things would have been so much simpler if we weren't going to be Fire Lord and Lady. I keep wishing I'd done this with you back when I was helping my uncle run his tea shop. When I was nobody and no one would have cared who I married or what happened to me. I could have given you the choice then… anything you wanted, we could have made it happen."

I was speechless for a split second before the gears in my mind finally gave me an answer. "But Zuko, we were too young back then."

"Even so," He insisted. "It would have been a whole lot better than no choice and no sentiment at all. What was I thinking waiting all this time?"

It was so sweet, my heart was clenching in my chest. He wanted me to have it all my way, so badly that he was feeling inadequate. I couldn't let this go on another minute. I scooched closer to him and asked him, "Did you not hear what I was telling the girls earlier? I really don't have a clue about what I want our wedding to look like or be like-"

He cut me off to say, "Yes, but if this was just you and me. We would get to figure it out together. The way any normal love match gets to. We'd get to decide where, when, how… who to invite, how to dress, and what to eat. Where we would go on our honeymoon afterward…None of that is likely to be an option for us, and you deserve better than that. Better from me and I really don't know if I can give it to you." I tried to put my arms around him and hold on to him. But I shivered, and he noticed.

He asked me, "Are you still cold?"

"A little." I confessed.

He turned to fully face me and pulled me into his lap. As he scolded himself saying, "SEE! I can't even take good care of you when it comes to small things. How in the world am I gonna make this right?"

I had to tell him, "Don't beat yourself up, you take great care of me, you really do."

He muttered, "Yeah, you'd say that no matter what."

So I reminded him, "Who planned this whole long weekend? Who stole me away from my house and took me to a place full of people we both love. To celebrate with? Who's always making me feel safe on the bad days? Who creates more good ones for me than anybody else? That's all you. You really should give yourself more credit."

When he stubbornly didn't lighten up, I said. "Okay. You won't listen to me, words aren't cutting it. I'll have to go with plan B."

"What's plan B?" He asked all snide and smart alike. Determined to remain this down casted.

I took off the blankets that had been hiding my nightwear choices. And I got to watch Zuko's jaw nearly hit the floor.

When he said, "Mai." He even sounded like all of the wind had been knocked out of him.

I shrugged, "I wanted to ensure I had your undivided attention. I hoped this would work if nothing else did."

"Well, you've definitely got it now." He said coming closer and pulling me against him.

He apologized, "I'm sorry for checking out on you like that."

I said, "Hey. You've got a lot on your mind, I get it. I'm right there with you, this time. Wasn't it you who said, the Fire Lord's job never sleeps? I bet you the Fire Lady's job is just as demanding."

"I did say that." He admitted. "But I also don't want to waste our time. That's not fair to either of us."

"It's not a waste of time to tell me what you're feeling." I hope he heard me. "I want you to always know you can tell me anything. I never want you to be afraid to tell me everything, okay?"

"Okay," He agreed, as he held me so tight.

I was getting too distracted, it wasn't easy. But I still managed to say, "When it comes to our possible wedding… I think you'll be amazed how little I care about all of that crap. As long as at the end of the day, we're together. The rest of it can be whatever it needs to be… Really. Okay?"

"Okay." He agreed as he rested his forehead to mine. Letting out a breath that loosened some of tension in his posture.

I said, "There… we talked about it… Our promise to Ty-Lee is fulfilled."

Before Zuko stood up still holding me tight and started carrying me towards the bed. Zuko said, "I think I'm done talking about this, for tonight."

"Me too," I agreed as I let him place me in the bed's center before he crawled in with me. "The rest can wait for later. Right now I want to take care of you, and remind you why you wanted to do this in the first place."

Zuko chuckled, "If this is how you take care of me, I'll never argue with your methods."

I spun us to pin him in place underneath me. Asking him, "Can I get that in writing?"

He stole a few kisses before he said, "ask me again, dressed like this, and you'll get anything you want."

Hopefully the rest of the night I was able to erase his worries. When I wasn't reminding him exactly why we were talking about marriage in the first place. It all boiled down to us loving each other so very much. I really couldn't care less about how he became my husband. I just needed him tied to me in every way, for the rest of our lives. That was all I needed, as long as we accomplished that… I wouldn't have a complaint in this world.

At least that was how I felt, with Zuko that night.

That's all for this chapter!

But don't worry more is on the way! I'll post as soon as I can. Please review if you can, I love to hear from you. Hope you're having an AWESOME day. Take care and Much Love!

~DarcyBeDippy85!