Hey There,

Welcome! I apologize for the long pause in updates, and that I am only able to post this single-chapter today. I usually do a few at a time if not several. But I really wanted to show I haven't quit this story. I wanted to show that it is still very important to me. And in my defense I have been splitting my work between this story, my Zoey 101 fanfic (I am determined to finish after YEARS of hiatus), a Halloween one I'm trying to work on while it's still Fall and another fanfic that won't leave me alone either. That may also feature Maiko too... Between the four (or really five different projects), it's been a crazy couple of months and we're just getting started. But I am trying to work out a system where I am posting on all of these things regularly and weekly. Till they all reach their ends. But enough of my yakking. Let's get started.

Standard Disclaimers Apply - I do not own Avatar the Last Airbender, Nickelodeon, MTV, or any other trademarked things. I am merely borrowing all of these things for my own premises and ploys. Most will be returned unharmed.

Dedicated to that friend who inspired the start of this story one year ago today! You know who you are! Hope you're having the best day EVER! It's all for you!

Enjoy!

"They Forgot"

Chapter 25 - The Spoiling Spree!

(Zuko's Perspective)

When I woke up today, my first real day home. I really wasn't expecting to find myself where I was. I was anticipating the tiny smelly cot I'd been sleeping in for more than two months. In the dead center of the same hell I'd been fighting off, all of that time. I was anticipating Ty-Lee's moaning and groaning about the sulfurous smells, other warriors complaining about their shoes melting, or losing parts of their uniform to help clothe some of the people who'd lost everything. Ty-Lee's complaints about bugs or a spring in her cot poking her in the back and being too hot. Suki trying to keep everyone focused and upbeat. While her war paint was running and melting off of her face. Making her unbelievably more intimidating than usual.

I was mentally preparing to be whoever I needed to be for my people today. The level-headed leader, not sparking off at every little thing (even if that is more my nature). The caring leader who hasn't forgotten them. The ruler you better not cross or lie to when you're being questioned or interrogated. I had to be ready to be any one of those people on command, and I was expecting to still be there, in the middle of that living nightmare.

I had gotten so used to all of that, the peace and quiet of this morning, now seems eerie... and unfathomable. Along with the coolness in the air and non-gagging smells or heat. It all began when an unexpected volcanic eruption left several surviving Fire Nation Citizens without food, water, or homes. I rushed from my last meeting with dignitaries and Fire Elders, with a relief force to help out as much as I could. Knowing these people weren't just traumatized by the elements either. They would be in need of extensive care to EVER feel safe again. Some children were parentless, some elderly had no one to care for them, and even several people my age or my parents' age were affected. They had to know I was doing everything I could to help them. That they hadn't done anything wrong and new homes were completely possible for everybody. Along with security, feeling safe, and still living completely normal lives after such shock and real horror. I think we had done a pretty good job, volcanic activity like this sadly happens in all regions of our world. I've seen all the different beliefs responding to it. Aang had even walked me through how air nomads had dealt with it. I hoped we put the best of all of that knowledge to use.

I wanted my people to feel protected and cared for. I really hope we had done that. The warriors protecting me were just as dedicated to this message as I was. And they were a great help to me. Throughout everything.

The last thing in the world I was expecting to uncover during this relief force effort... Was an entire band of my father's providers, getting discovered, and being dealt with one terrible person at a time. But that is what had happened and we had to continue jumping back and forth between these two major issues. For countless weeks of strife and even some battle, in a place already so ravaged and ruined.

So when we weren't rebuilding, sheltering, and caring for survivors. We were soaking up as much information and research as we could on my father's plans. Because anything we uncovered could help us in the future, Even if it sounded meaningless now. I was expecting to be waking up from the same night terrors I'd been having for weeks. Instead of even dreaming of so many moments with Mai. I thought everything I'd seen last night had to be in my head and I must be running a fever or something. Not just because they were HOT either. For all of those imaginings to be so real and perfectly detailed. I had to be dreaming, right?

I really did think coming home and finding Mai already at the palace was a dream (Ch 24). You have to admit there were parts of it that looked like they could have only happened in dreams. Like snow… In Capital City where it doesn't typically snow. Finding Mai laying on the floor of the gazebo in the palace garden more than half frozen. And in a white dress? Big puffy evening gown, did I mention it was white? And my girl who loves black, burgundy, and some purples (if they're dark enough)… Wearing WHITE?

She looked like an angel... but she also looked a lot paler than usual (but that could have been from ALL of that white). More importantly, she didn't look as much like herself, and sort of looked like an ice sculpture.

Not only was this dress unfathomably colorless ivory, where it wasn't stained, ruined or torn. This dress had turned see-through when damp, and she was pretty soaked. The way the wet material had clung to her... and left no imagination... I don't think I'll ever forget it. Why wouldn't I think I was dreaming? The only other time I'd seen everything like that was when she'd walked to the shore in nothing at all. Our last trip to Ember Island, and then I'd had my bottom half better concealed in the ice-cold ocean. And I still needed to quickly dunk myself before swimming for the shore myself.

Sorry! That's not the story I'm trying to tell here!

When I found her, in the snow, I know from past history water always makes those kinds of dresses deadly. I had to use my swords to cut her out of that dress, and shared the palace's oversized bathtub with her (wink-wink my last post)… Just to make certain it stayed warm for her. That is my story, I'm still sticking to it. All of it still feels like a feverish dream. Even now.

But then I woke up today... and I realized.

I'm in my own bedroom at the palace. In my own bed, in the Fire Lord's Master Chamber and Mai was sound asleep on top of me. Keeping me there with her, like if she didn't trap me, I would disappear again. I could feel the rise and fall of every breath she took. I could feel her hands gripping me tightly, even in her sleep, and I never wanted it to end. She smelled better than I remembered, her presence was even more comforting than I'd recalled and I haven't felt this safe in months. Her hair was everywhere and down... it was the best extra blanket in the world. I'd missed all of this SO much!

Be it volcanic aftermath or the traitors I was interrogating for info, I had never been able to show a blink of doubt all that time. I had to be strong for my people, then even harsher and stronger to remain their leader. All while being defied and lied to left and right.

The nearing three months, I had been away from her had been eventful. We had pretty much rebuilt the entire village in a new location, where scientists had assured. It wasn't likely to ever endanger these people again. We had also managed to knock out a lot of Ozai Loyalist Activity in that region. But I wasn't naïve enough to think we'd gotten it all. I also knew that even while lying here with her, I still couldn't say it was all worth it either. It was too long! WAY too long! And no amount of make-up time could bring back all of the time I'd missed. I was going to have to pull out all stops making this up to her.

Today, right now, as soon as I could.

But...

Right now, I was so tired... So falling apart, exhausted, I couldn't even move hardly at all. And having her here with me didn't make me want to try.

I hadn't realized how tired I'd let myself get. Not till I was here with Mai again. And I could fully relax.

All I wanted to do was keep her. To not move and just let us be here for a little longer. Just till I could remember what it was like to have her this close again. The only way I had slept at all at night was by remembering this feeling. Getting to hold her tight and how our bodies fit so perfectly together. I'd imagined it so much I had to realize again that this Mai was real and my imagination had never done her justice.

I couldn't imagine how mad, and fed up with me, Mai must have felt. Her letter she'd sent me yesterday had given some great hints. But I knew that most of that letter had been written out of hurt feelings. And missing me just as terribly as I missed her. Not to mention the bitterness of not even getting to know exactly WHY I was gone so long.

This week needed to be all about her, making her see how much I had needed her with me. How she'd been on my mind the entire time, and I needed to think of the best ways to show her this.

My schedule keeper had gladly given me the time to do that. I'd asked for a month, but the week was all he could spare (Before my sister and mother's families would all be here taking over the palace for the week after this one), but he had advised that I keep my make-up efforts within the palace walls as much as possible. Otherwise, we took the chance of getting mobbed and our make-up not being private. That wasn't bad advice but it did limit what I could do. Even if having a castle at your disposal didn't limit how extravagant I could go.

I hoped I could somehow make amends for missing so much. With this girl who I love so much and have missed terribly. All I really needed right now was this... Togetherness like this… I hoped she needed this as much as I did. The time, just being together.

When she woke up she said, "Oh. You're still here." Flatly, but there was a warmth laced to it that wasn't lost on me.

"Yep, I thought I had been dreaming too." I said as she realized she had been putting her full weight on me in her sleep. She tried to shift to where she wasn't on top of me full length. But I kept tugging her back to that spot and refusing to let her go. Till she distracted me with a long deep kiss to trick me as she climbed out of bed and bolted for the bathroom. She told me to, "Hold that thought." As she closed the door.

The moment I was free, I wanted to start figuring out just how I could spoil her. Starting with a shared breakfast being brought to us here. Sleepwear is mandatory, especially when it's whatever the heck Mai's wearing right now. She just couldn't have looked better. I wanted to remind her of our vacations, and our time on Toph's island. When we'd managed to sneak in quite a few meals this way. I had been replaying those moments and conversations in my mind over and over while we were apart. Making some new ones to take with me for next time was imperative.

When Mai came back I asked her what she wanted to do today. And she told me, "You're the one who has been gone all this time and hasn't caught a break. You know what I want for you?"

"What?" I asked.

She told me, "A full day where you don't do anything at all."

"Not any thing?" I repeated, laughing at the very idea. It was usually something we could only dream about even in the best of times. Mai knew that.

But Mai went on anyway, as she laid back down next to me and let me hold her. "Nothing but rest, or whatever you want to do. I doubt you were ever allowed even a moment's rest or a blink of hesitation in all our time apart. You had to be so serious about your cause, consistent in your decisions, or confident in your reign since taking the throne. When you faced so many people who still believe your Father should be ruling. And I want you to take that break now… You're only human, an imperfect creation that has a limit... can we do that?"

"I don't know," I answered her honestly. Trying to hide the affect her warmth, smell and the sound of her voice were all having on me. She still felt too much like a dream. "That never seems to be a possibility around this place. But nobody knows I'm home yet... we could maybe pull off one day of nothing. If we're really really quiet and don't leave the palace at all."

She snuck a kiss and said, "The palace? I wasn't even talking about leaving bed."

"Well, I love where that's going." I teased and snuck a few kisses of my own.

"Seriously though," She insisted. "You need to rest, and recuperate... I hate to say it, but maybe I shouldn't even be here-"

"Then don't say it-Don't even think it." I told her as I rolled to trap her. Letting her know, "A lot of why I couldn't relax all of this time was because you weren't with me. If you go I definitely won't rest, and I won't believe any of this is real. Please stay... please."

She took a breath through her nose and finally said softly, "okay." And I should have known better than to believe it could really be all that simple. "But if I'm bothering you, if I'm distracting you. If you feel like you can't rest with me here. You better tell me."

"Mai, it would be a whole lot worse if you weren't here." I tried to tell her how I felt. Never something I've been good at explaining. "It wouldn't even feel like I was really home without you here. And I'd be trying to get out of bed, and plan a way of getting to you. If you weren't already here, you're saving me a lot of effort just not making me do any of that already."

She didn't look like she believed me, but when I rolled to the side and still held her tightly against me. She finally relaxed in my hold and didn't press the subject anymore. I think I must have somehow fallen asleep, after that. I was so drained and done, and she really felt too good. I hadn't been this comfortable in the longest time.

When I opened my eyes again, the smells of breakfast and tea weren't just here. But they were hot and closer than I expected and made to be enjoyed in bed. So we lounged and ate leisurely together. Just talking, catching up and sharing so many things that had been going on. Things we hadn't been able to talk about till right now. But the breakfast was so much more than I was used to eating anymore. And it put me in a food coma, where as I started to sleep again.

I complained, "No, I don't wanna sleep anymore. I want to talk more and hear more about what you've been up to."

She'd said with that same quiet warmth, "But you need to sleep, that's why it's happening. Don't fight it, I'll be right here with you every minute. We can talk more after you've rested, I promise."

"You promise?" I asked like a little kid. "You'll stay? The whole time?"

She lied, trying to make me feel better, "I'm sleepy too, I have had the hardest time sleeping all this time without you too."

I'd kissed her for that, even if I knew she was lying. And the kiss had lingered, neither of us had wanted it to end. But when it did, sleep was imminent. And I was gone again quite completely.

(Mai's Perspective)

I lay there with Zuko, letting him hold me as he slept. I had a few books in my purse I could read, and I should have been reading. But I honestly didn't those few precious hours between breakfast and lunch. I lay there rememorizing his face, the way our bodies fit together and I STILL. Had to keep telling myself this was real. That I really was here with him and I wasn't dreaming. I had plans for keeping him here as long as possible, as well as plans for when he needed to be up but not out of the palace. I hadn't been idle all of these months Zuko was away. I had been preparing for whenever he got home and planning out with the staff here a list of things we needed to make up for. The staff had started calling it, "The spoiling spree." Because this span of planning was all surrounding the Fire Lord's peace of mind, comfort, and making up for all lost time.

All things even his newest staff knew he would be worried about. Probably even trying his best to plot the moment he arrived home. Not knowing I had him beat after watching him for these first few times he's woken up and fallen back to sleep though. It really is just as I had been preparing for. Today I really don't want him to do a thing, but sleep, eat and heal. He's only been telling the good stories this morning. I know there's a lot more bad stories he still hasn't shared, and he still needs to. He'd dipped into a little with me late last night. I knew that wasn't over.

For a little entertainment (you know, besides all the hand-holding, making out, and cuddling that went on) We took turns reading a new book I had wanted Zuko to hear. It was really dark but funny and he seemed to really love it. I read for all of the female roles, even the dragons who had been female. He'd read all of the male roles and it had been so nice. It was the way we'd used to read together when we were little.

When we weren't reading, and talking, he was sleeping. And that gave me time to set all of my plans in motion. For whenever he recovered enough to leave his room. So three days of nothing but rest later, (I'm still so proud I got three days with him like that.)

Phase one of the spoiling spree was all set, all Zuko had to do was wake up and follow the clues to find me. I hope he likes what we've put together for him. I'll only know when he walks in.

(Zuko's Perspective)

The first thing I'd noticed was that Mai was gone, and I'm already too used to her being there again. We haven't left my quarters for three whole days, so I was surprised to not find her somewhere around there. I was really alone for the first time since I got home.

At first I had to convince myself that those last three days had really happened. And they weren't a dream, I really was home, and Mai really was here... somewhere.

The moment I left the master bedroom. I noticed the lit lanterns all through the ceilings in the halls just like at Christmas time. I hadn't gotten a chance to be here for any of the festivities this year. But I had made certain the palace had still been decorated on the outside. So we at least matched the rest of our city on the exterior.

But all of the indoor decor, like this, hadn't even gotten put up this year. Because next to no one was inside the palace with me gone. At least I didn't think anyone had, but I find out now, that Mai had been planning this reception for me. All through my absence, she had been sneaking to the palace and helping decorate during the season. And made certain it was left there till I was home. But not used till I was here... who would think to do something like that? Mai would, that's who.

I followed the lanterns, as well as several signs had asked me to. I discovered Mai, waiting for me in the Conservatory, with her BIG Surprise. She'd decorated the whole place to look like I had just walked into Christmas. Lanterns all in the trees and shrubs, The fire pit in the center of to room all set up for a family gathering and Mai dressed up for Christmas, Even though that had been months prior.

The girl who lived for Halloween, darkness and the occult. Sporting jingling bells, red and green. And wishing me a "Merry Late Christmas."

I asked her, "What is all of this, it's not even Valentine's Day anymore. Isn't this a little too late?"

"No," She said flatly before explaining. "Christmas, New Year's, and Valentine's can all wait for you... just like me."

"Mai..." I hardly knew what to say. "This is all so beautiful. You, most of all."

"You think?" She asked sounding nervous.

"YES!" I insisted, "I think I've been completely outshined and you'll have to take over holiday decorating from now on. This is way better than anything I've ever done in here. But what made you want to do this?" I knew she was gonna have some motive or story to tell. And I was more than here for it.

Mai explained. "I did this late Christmas thing because I figured you all have missed enough time together. It's a priority for all of you to still be a family, and I thought this could help. Maybe it can even start a new tradition for whenever things like volcanos and traitors happen. And the Nation needs you, this way we still all know we're family." Then she added. "Oh! And Azula, Kavin, Lady Ursa, Ikem, Kiyi and Uncle Iroh are all in on it too. So is little Tom-Tom, I hope you don't mind. He came with me several times during the season and helped. He's also all excited to see Kiyi and play with her again. Even if he still wishes Halloween was closer-"

"Who doesn't wish for that?" I asked, knowing how happy she had to be over her brother loving Halloween as much as she did. And fighting the urge to kiss her.

Mai must have noticed it too, because she said, distractedly, "None of them could be together during December either. So everyone's been waiting to celebrate all together."

I was so touched and loved this idea so much. I didn't even know what to say, she made "thank you" seem so small. For all of the work I know had to have gone into this. For taking such great care of me and the family that would soon be hers officially too. She was already taking great strides in that direction. And she just made me want to do everything I could to give some of that back to her. But all I could do was wipe at misty eyes, kiss her finally and say "Thank you."

Before I pointed to the mistletoe hung over our heads and asked. "Does that stuff still work in March?"

"Only if you say this really is our Christmas day Late, Tonight can be New Year's Eve and Valentine's can be tomorrow." She bargained as she put her arms around my shoulders.

I reasoned, "As long as I get to spoil you the rest of the time till our families arrive. I will agree to those terms."

"Nope." She flatly refused. "This time isn't about me, I've been home with nothing but time to plan out this whole Spoiling Spree. You've more than earned it and you will let me carry on as I see fit."

"No." I argued lightly, none of the negotiations I'd been put through had been spoken this tender. In all of the time I had been gone, "I need some time to make you feel like a Queen or else no deal."

"Nope, that wasn't on the calendar for this break." Mai pinned me to the couch behind us. "I can only agree to let you run the next break you have like this. Because this one is already maxed out and all mine. Or else I walk." She said keeping me in place with her body and not letting me move an inch. Not that I had been going anywhere.

She finally let me kiss her and I was lost for a little while.

I was getting too distracted, I almost forgot what we had even been arguing about. Then I remembered and complained, "That's not fair! We don't know when another week like this could be possible."

She didn't play fair as she wrapped her legs around me and nuzzled my ear saying. "But I'm not the one who needs to bend. You are, your majesty and if we do things this way. I trust you'll be that much more motivated to make another week like this possible. Won't you?"

Damn! Why does her logic have to always be so sound, and how does she ALWAYS know how to get exactly what she wants? HOW? I ask you?

Reluctantly, I agreed saying. "Okay. You can have this week. But next time I get to spoil you for an entire week uninterrupted and I want it in writing before the night is out."

She answered me as I have answered her several times by now. "We'll put it in our vows if you like. Whenever one of us spoils the other, expect the same treatment back."

From that moment on the rest of the day really did feel like Christmas Morning. We exchanged gifts, we ate the same things usually served on that day and ended the night with Dancing to Christmas music. We let the Kiyoshi Warriors and any other staff join us. Like every Christmas, and Mai pulled out all stops making me feel like I didn't miss a thing. She'd even recruited Suki, Ty-Lee and a bunch of my protectors to help out with that. That night we were dancing together to Christmas music by the lantern lights on the trees. Counting down to midnight, like it was New Year's Eve. I may have not gotten a kiss at midnight at the actual beginning of the year. But that kiss I had gotten tonight had been more than worth the wait.

After ringing in these two belated holidays, I got to say goodnight to the staff and take Mai back to my room with me. I couldn't believe we'd been teenagers who both hated dancing so much. When we'd danced the whole way back to my room tonight. I didn't want to let her go, not even to let her get ready for sleep. I was still too terrified that this was all a dream. And any moment now I would wake up and still be back at the eruption site. That I would just be deluding myself into getting a few hours of sleep, with this dream. I would still be ages away from ever getting to feel this safe, or happy.

But Mai must have sensed my thoughts and feelings exactly. Because she took both of my hands and promised, "I'll only be a minute. Then we'll have the rest of the night for me to prove I'm still real."

Call me selfish, call me anything you like, but I did tell her to, "Hurry back, please."

I had said 'please,' and she had finished in record time. I had gotten ready inside of my closet and all I needed to do was brush my teeth. So I kissed her hair as I passed her and told her. "Just give me a minute, now."

And she told me, "Hurry."

Like I'd needed the push.

When I came back, she was sitting on the bed fingering through a new book I'd brought her, with two others next to her. She hadn't even crawled under the covers yet, she was just sitting on top of them and I tried to commit the image it memory. It was exactly where and how I'd pictured her being when I'd bought them. Only the real thing was more than worth the wait. Her hair was down, her nightgown made her body look soft somehow and hugged her in all the right places. I went over and started turning down the covers and helping her climb under them. Before I finally got to wrap my arms back around her and pull her close.

I tried not to squeeze her too tight, but I could feel my elbows locking around her. One look in my eyes and Mai smirked, "These can wait another night."

I helped her put them on the nightstand before I trapped her there with me and told her. "Now let me show you how to start a new year right."

That's all folks!

But don't worry, I'm almost done with the Valentine's Day chapter too, it just needs a bit more fine-tuning. And I will be posting again soon. Not to mention, Azula's week following this spoiling spree will be madness, planning a formal wedding for her and Kavin...oh so much fun to be had! Thanks for reading this far! Please review if you can, I would love to hear from you. Hope you're having a great day! Take Care and Much Love!

~DarcyBeDippy85