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If Mai had to decide the best thing about her job, it would definitely be the summer holiday. Being a teacher had given her a three-month break which helped her a lot with setting up dates, especially when her boyfriend was the busy Fire Lord.
It had been months since their last date. She was so glad to finally spend time with him. So to make the most out of it, he had offered her a full-day date service, including two meals at the best restaurants in the Caldera, a stroll through the market, or two, and a flight on his private hot air balloon.
Now the sun had sunk lower beneath the horizon, taking the unbearable heat away with it. Mai put her head on his shoulder, lazily gazing at the twilight falling down as a fresh breeze blew through her bangs. She would never admit this loudly but Zuko was getting better and better in all these romantic things.
“Enjoy your flight?” he asked.
“Yea… this is nice.” Mai exhaled, “I guess this is why your flying friend is always so at ease.”
“Haha, good point.” He laughed softly.
She let out a breathy laugh, leaning against him. The air quickly fell silent, then came a distant ring, marking the beginning of evening hours. Zuko closed his eyes, enjoying the scent from her hair. If he could have her in his arms like this every day. That thought brought a warm smile to his face.
“Where will we go next?” Mai asked as they landed.
“You will know when we get there,” he cooed, helping her get off the air balloon.
A guard came to him as they walked toward the carriage. Mai found her boyfriend getting serious while he listened to the middle-aged man's whisper, something she couldn't hear. After receiving a satisfied nod from the Fire Lord, the guard bowed and retreated.
"What happened?” Mai spoke up after they resumed their walk.
He had been oddly quiet, and his eyes fixed on anything but her. Suddenly her hand tightened in his. She knew she was selfish, but it was hard to not feel let down. This wasn’t the first time they had to cancel the date because of an emergency.
"Ah… nothing,” he snapped back to their conversation, blushing.
“He just wanted to inform me that our carriage is ready,” he replied lightly, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Really?” Mai raised an eyebrow, concerned.
“Everything is fine,” Zuko laughed quietly at her expression, trying to assure his girlfriend.
"I promised to spend a whole day with you,” he opened the door, offering a hand to help her get in, “and a Fire Lord won't swallow his words.”
“Okay,” she responded simply, feeling relaxed again.
The carriage started moving to their next destination. Zuko was sitting on the opposite side, his gaze wandering to the outside view. Next to him, Mai noticed, was a picnic basket. She smirked faintly, too predictable.
“What is in there?” Mai asked mischievously, reaching to open the lid.
“Hm!” the man jolted up, turning his focus back to her.
“No… Nothing!” he quickly put his hand on top of the small basket, blocking her way.
“What are you hiding, a dragon egg?” she joked, amused by his sudden reaction.
“What? No! Why would I hide a giant egg inside our picnic basket!?” he exclaimed, giving her a confused face.
“Then let me see the inside, I'm starving.” she complained.
"You can't see it!… I… I mean, it'll spoil your surprise.” he stumbled over his words.
Mai raised a brow.
"Please,” he begged desperately.
"Fine,” she folded her arms and leaned back on the cushion, watching him carefully move the basket out of her reach.
The carriage started shaking when it went up the sloping road. It could only lead to one place, Mai thought, looking out the window.
"The High Temple,” Mai whispered under her breath, taking his hand to get off the carriage.
"Yes,” he replied with a small smile.
"Honestly, I didn't expect to revisit this place today,” she commented, linking her arms around his.
They walked to the center of the temple, greeted by the Great Fire Sage.
"No peeking,” Zuko handed her the basket, so he could have free hands.
Then he kneeled down to open the door of the catacombs with a burst of fire.
As she came closer, he swiftly took back the basket. The man lit a fire in his palm, leading them down the spiraling staircase. Mai followed right behind him, her boots knocked on the stone stairs.
“Which chamber are you going to take me to for dinner?” she murmured, linking her arm around his.
The Dragonbone Catacombs was always colder than on the ground, better staying close to a fire bender, Mai thought to herself.
“I bet you can't guess it,” he smirked, guiding her through the long twisted hallways.
"You are acting really mysterious, Zuko.” Mai commented as they turned to a dark hallway, "Are you sure that we're heading the right way?”
"What? Don't you trust me.” He said casually, feigning offense.
“Yea,” she replied nonchalantly, the corner of her lip curved up as he chuckled.
“Here we are,” he announced.
“Wow, this is… interesting,” Mai murmured to herself.
In front of them was a large rounded chamber without a door, more like a man-made cave, in her opinion. There was a deep red picnic rug in the center of the space, with scented candles and rose petals. Woody and smoky, what a cozy atmosphere.
“How could you hide such a nice spot from me this whole time,” Mai asked, sitting down next to him.
“Have to save the best for last,” he gave her a proud smile.
“So what do you offer for dinner? I'm really starving.”
She moved closer to have a peek into the basket, but his hands blocked her view. However she didn't have to guess, the rich scent of dim sums was already flying to her nose. Mai could feel her mouth watering when he opened the steaming hot bamboo steamer.
“Hm… har gow, give me the chopsticks.” Mai exclaimed dreamily.
"Sorry, I just brought one pair,” he smirked, picking up a siu mai for himself.
"What!?” she frowned.
"Let me feed you,” he whispered huskily, bringing a glossy, steamy har gow to her mouth, “I brought some story scrolls too, could you read it for me?”
“Fine,” she bit the dim sum off his chopsticks, “but I have to warn you, I don't have a very expressive voice.”
“I don't know, your stories are my favorite in our story nights when we were small.” His reply came with another har gow.
"Let's be honest, Zuko, you looked like you would pee your pants.” she said casually, chewing.
"Hey, I didn't.” he huffed.
"Now now, give me a siu mai,” Mai laughed, “Let's start with the legend of the painted lady.”
“Ohhhh… I haven’t heard that story in years,”
And with that their night went on. He constantly fed her, reacting to plot twists and dropping comments here and there while she chewed her food.
“Although their family had tried hard to bring them back together, Kyo and Kinjuro decided that soul mates didn't have to be lovers. And they lived happily ever after-” Mai read aloud.
“As friends,” he added, giving her the last dim sum.
“As friends. The end.” she finished with her sarcastic monotone voice.
“Ah… Classic,” Zuko exclaimed, leaning back on his hands.
“I still can’t believe you are into this kind of melodrama.” she mocked, putting the scroll back in place.
“The story of Kyo is so good, especially through your voice.” Zuko turned his gaze on her.
“Really?” she smirked, “I'm flattered, but that's it for tonight. I have to save my voice for the next school year.”
“Well, perfect time for desserts!” he announced, sitting up.
“What do you have in your mystery basket?” Mai joked, already knowing what he would bring out, “Fruit tart?”
“Not just any fruit tart,” he said proudly, "It's a giant fruit made with Earth Kingdom berry, Ember Island freshly harvested cherry and topped off with beautiful rose petals from Hing Wa Island.”
“How specific!” Mai was amused, “How long did it take you to prepare these ingredients?”
“Three months and twenty five days,” he smiled, “Here take the spoon, it's all yours.”
“Wow, really? I don't think I could finish this all alone.” Mai commented, amazed by his words.
"I'm gonna lay here, you can still feed me if you want.” he invited.
She raised an eyebrow, making a face at his unusual flirtiness, and he responded with dreamy eyes. Spirits! She better distract herself with a spoonful of fruit tart. Digging the spoon through the cream, she scooped up a perfect bite.
Zuko found his gaze softening as he caught the glimmers in her pale golden eyes. His girl surely enjoyed her treat a lot. He breathed slowly, admiring the faint pink on her cheeks, and the tip of her ears too. Was that the candle lights or was she truly glowing?
“Open your mouth, dreamy boy.” Her voice cracked through his daze.
“Uhm… this is so good.” he murmured, savoring the sweetness on his tongue.
"Good, then sit up and help me finish it before I turn into a berry tart.” she said ironically, feeding him another spoonful.
Then it was his turn to read her some old scary scrolls. It always gave him the creeps, at least, she loved it. After what seemed like forever, they finally emptied the tray. Thanks to Agni, he could feel the chill in his spine when he finished the last story.
“All these stories and dessert make me so sleepy,” Mai let out a yawn, leaning on him.
He glanced at her, using his thumb to wipe off the cream left on the corner of her lips. So sweet.
“Then, let's lay down,” he pressed a soft kiss to her lips, pushing them down to the rug.
Mai giggled, returning his kiss with equal heat. Their limbs quickly tangled in each other. Somehow they managed to roll over the rug without setting it on fire. After passionate minutes, they separated, gasping for air. The space went still, for a while there was only their uneven breathing.
“So quiet,” Mai spoke softly after a long while.
She gently brushed his long bangs to one side, her slender fingers caressing his scar. Zuko smiled, turning his face into her hand, the tip of his nose rubbing against her skin.
“A fine place to rest, right?” he said drowsily, placing a kiss on her hand.
“It’s too cold,” she remarked, shivering slightly.
“That’s not really a problem for past Fire Lords–” he replied, his voice hoarse with a hint of laughter.
Then he shifted a little closer, pulling her into his arms, wrapping her in his body heat. Mai let out a relaxed sigh, wrapping her arms around him.
“–isn’t it?” he finished whispering into her ear.
“Mm, I guess so.” she smiled faintly. “So has the Fire Lord reserved a place for himself with his ancestors yet?”
“I thought you would never ask?” he joked, pressing a light kiss on her hair.
“I was thinking…” Zuko continued, his voice becoming a bit more serious, his hand threading into her hair.
“You were thinking?” she pulled back slightly to look at the man in front of her.
“I was thinking this place would be a wonderful location for our tomb.” he looked at her.
“Our?” Mai raised an eyebrow slightly, she could feel her body temperature rising along with the rapid beating of her heart.
“But I–” she hesitated, not daring to continue the tangled thoughts in her mind.
“You will,” he spoke, gently helping both of them sit upright.
Zuko quickly took out a wooden box from their picnic basket. Then he turned to look at her again, his face slightly flushed. He let out a small breath before looking at her again, truly looking at her.
“I’ve wanted to ask you this for a long time…”
Mai stayed silent, watching him open the box. There was a delicately carved tsuge comb laying atop the red silk. She could hear her heartbeat pounding as if it would burst her eardrums. Because she understood the exact meaning behind that comb. It was the old way, ancient even, and somehow that made it harder to breathe. She wanted to turn away to hide the blush on her cheeks, but his golden eyes seemed to hold her tightly in place.
“Mai, will you give me the honor of becoming your husband?” His voice was so soft yet seemed to echo through the space.
Mai looked at him. She heard every single word clearly but somehow her brain took a long time to process them. Her lips moved slightly, but there was barely a word coming out. The question, the comb and his hopeful eyes, Mai felt her heart beating at full force before she managed to speak properly again.
“Of course, Zuko.”
Everything seemed to burst open. His gaze, those golden orbs, seemed to melt like a surging stream of gold. Mai saw herself in that gaze, only her, wrapped in his warmth.
“Zuko,” Mai moved a little closer, “are you crying?”
“Oh, Mai… I–” he exclaimed, shyly turning away, setting the box aside.
“Zuko, turn back here.” she let out a small hint of laughter, raising her hand to guide his face toward her, “Look at me.”
“Oh, I’ve dreamed of this day hundreds of times. But when I actually hear you… you–” The young man choked up, trying to wipe away the tears gathered on his eyelids.
Mai smiled, looping her arms around his neck. He awkwardly wrapped his arms around her.
“Alright, you crybaby, you don’t need to say anything anymore.” she pressed a kiss on his temple, stroking his broad back.
“I love you, Mai.” he whispered.
“I love you too.”
When they stepped out of the temple, the whole city had already gone dark. Their hands intertwined as they strolled down the sloping road toward where the carriage was waiting.
“You know,” Mai spoke, her hand shifting to wrap around his firm arm.
“Yes, love?” Zuko smiled, looking over at his fiancée.
“I don’t think your ancestors would be happy with their resting place being used as a proposal spot.” she continued with her sarcastic voice, ignoring his sappiness.
“Hm… I don’t know.” he began
“On the bright side, now they all know you’re the girl I want to love for the rest of my life.” His voice was low and husky, his eyes gentle as he looked at her.
“That’s so cheesy, Fire Lord,” Mai replied flatly, but her hand still tightened around his arm.
“I’m in a good mood today,” he hummed.
“Then please hurry up and walk, I’m very sleepy already.” she teased.
“You’re sleepy?” He asked.
“Mm– Ah!” she startled as he lifted her up.
“Hey, over there is a cliff,” Mai quickly wrapped her arms around his neck to keep her balance.
“You said you were sleepy, so sleep. I’ll carry you to the carriage.” Zuko replied casually, adjusting her in his arms so they were more comfortable.
Mai looked at the man grinning as he walked. She couldn’t stop herself from letting out a helpless sigh.
“I can’t believe I said yes,” she mocked.
“Too late, my lady, all of my ancestors have already heard you say it.” He still grinned brightly, his steps steady down the sloping path.