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The celebration of the Summer Solstice- the first one in more than a century where people from any nations were invited, the first since peace was finally settled as it could be at home and abroad, half a decade after the end of the Hundred Years War- went on for a full week beforehand. (And would probably continue informally for a week afterwards as well.)
They share a meal with friends who’d come to visit for the celebration- personal and lighthearted instead of the endless political dinners, a welcome relief- before returning for the bending and fireworks display. Sokka and Suki- released from guard duty for the evening- disappear to find a quiet hillside to watch from. Aang offers the two of them a lift that they decline, before waving cheerfully and flying himself and Katara to a nearby palace rooftop to watch.
Zuko smiles at the cheerful parade winding it’s way through the courtyard from the balcony where he and Mai sit to watch. The glow of the sunset cast a shadowy dimension to the many lanterns and decorations.
The booms and bright colors fly through air, joined by the oos and aahs of the crowd.
Mai carefully moves her seat closer, reaching out to take his hand. He takes it, interlocking their fingers with a smile, then a hesitation. Mai looks serious, even for her stoic nature.
“Is... everything okay?” Zuko asks. The fireworks flash green for a moment, highlighting Mai’s face.
“You don’t love me.” She says bluntly.
Zuko sits up, turning to face her, suddenly feeling slightly panicked.
“What? Of course I love you.”
She shakes her head, holding up a hand.
“You do love me, and I love you, but you aren’t in love with me.”
Zuko stares at her, gaping. He’s thankful to have been taught so many ways of meditation and breathing, otherwise he thinks he might pass out.
“What, I don’t-”
Mai squeezes his hand.
“I’m not upset, Zuko. I just wanted to tell you that I know, and it’s fine.”
Zuko sputters for a moment and the corner of Mai’s mouth twitches.
“How can you say something like that?”
“Zuko, we’ve been seeing each other off and on for around six years now, and you’ve never once talked about us having a future together. Nothing about things like marriage or kids or living together or anything.” Mai says softly. “And that works for me, honestly, I like what we have. Just-”
Zuko stares at her, frozen, unaware of the booms of red light going off. Mai sighs.
“Just tell me if there’s anyone else, okay?”
A burst of green, then blue lights up the sky. Zuko is suddenly aware that he’s gripping Mai’s hand tightly and abruptly loosens his grip. A shower of orange and yellow sparks fill the sky.
“There’s no one that you need to worry about.” Zuko can never help but be honest.
He can’t quite manage to stop the glance towards the palace rooftop. Mai follows his gaze to where Katara and Aang sit perched together, clearly delighting in each other’s company and the light show.
“Her?” Something like shock colors her voice.
Zuko absently rubs the scar on his chest. Something like grief aches in his breastbone.
“No.” There’s an unbearable tightness in his throat, clenching around his voice.
It’s Mai’s turn to swivel to face him abruptly. She looks pensively between him and where the distant outline of the Avatar sits.
Then she lets out an undignified snort and sits back in her chair.
“Should have known. You did dedicate your life to him years ago, after all.” She tilts her head, considering. "You've liked far stupider people."
Zuko sits back as well, feeling shaken in the almost-naming of such an unnamable, unattainable thing.
“It’s not, it’s not like that, I don’t-“ He doesn’t have the words.
It’s not a romantic thing, he doesn’t think, but brothers- as deep and succinct as it is- seems to fall short of what they are. For what any of their little group are to each other. That he and Aang exist to balance the other and he isn’t sure what he would do in a world without him.
“He’s going to propose properly to Katara in a few months.” He says quietly. “On the anniversary of her and Sokka finding him. I’ve been vetoing betrothal jewelry designs for weeks.”
Mai’s shoulders shake in quiet amusement. Then she slowly releases his hand before sliding out of her seat and into his lap. Her slight weight is grounding and familiar.
“I understand if you want to leave.” Zuko says, arms automatically supporting her as she loops an arm around his shoulders.
“Don’t be an idiot. I already told you I don’t care. I love you and we’ve been happy enough this long, right? Why break what isn’t broken?”
Zuko is quiet for a long time. They watch the fireworks continue.
“My mother,” He finally says. “was forced into a loveless marriage with a Fire Lord and it nearly killed her.”
Mai hums understandingly.
“But we already know it wouldn’t be loveless, just maybe not quite the romantic epic the poets will write it to be. Also, you don’t have to train me in knowing Fire Nation politics or nobility etiquette and my family name is old enough to carry good weight with the even the more reluctant nobles. You’ll need a blood heir eventually too, so unless you want to try and find someone else willing to carry your spawn-” Zuko makes a horrified face and she cracks a smile. “-seems like I’d be a pretty good option to be a Fire Lord’s wife.”
Zuko stares at her. Mai looks patiently back.
“You- You’d really be alright with all of that?”
“Theoretically, you know, just in case a Fire Lord would like to be polite and propose to me one day. Because that would totally be his job, not mine, being royalty and all.”
Zuko drops his head to her shoulder, hugging her lightly.
“Thank you.”
She strokes his hair gently.
“Pretty sure I’m getting the way better end of the deal, but you’re welcome.”
The finale of the fireworks show ends and the crowd applauds and cheers.