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Everything Happens in Ba Sing Se	By : CanadianGirl Category: Avatar - The Last Airbender > Het - Male/Female > Mai/Zuko Views: 4070 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
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Chapter List
- 3
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- 5
Chapter 3: Something Simple
To appease his council and the nation in general, Zuko announced his engagement to Mai as soon as they returned home from Ba Sing Se. The council was pleased but immediately began to push for a wedding date. Both Mai and Zuko were ecstatic to be getting married, to make their commitment to each other official, but the thought of a huge, overblown ceremony with guests from all over the world, most of whom they didn't even know was daunting and frankly, sort of nauseating. But, the Fire Lord's wedding was supposed to be a spectacle, something for the people to enjoy, a showpiece of Fire Nation culture and pageantry. The couple had to accept that but they certainly didn't have to like it.
"If I see one more seamstress, I am going to throttle someone. They stick me with their pins and push and poke and are generally bossy little bitches. I have to wear three separate sets of robes during the day and they each weigh more than I do." Finished with her rant, Mai dropped down onto one of several plush chairs in their rooms, swung her shapely legs up over the arm and tossed a knife at the wall behind Zuko's head.
"Hey, be careful! You could have taken my eye out." He was smiling, though, fully aware that Mai never missed.
"If I wanted to take your eye out, I would have done it already." She smirked and then reached for another blade. Throwing them, the old familiar rhythm, always eased her frustrations, and right now she had plenty.
"I'm sorry that I can't give you the wedding that you want, Mai. But we can't get out of this; Kenji and I agree that it's important to keep some traditions. And the wedding is one of them. But we can do whatever we like for our honeymoon. That's something, I guess."
"Yeah, I understand. But it's such a personal, intimate thing; we're pledging ourselves to each other and a bunch of strangers are going to be watching."
Raised as a noble, Mai knew all about propriety and ceremony and tradition. They had all been a part of her life since birth, one she quickly rejected. But, it did have its place, as Zuko said. She knew that and accepted it now, but whining a bit never harmed anyone. Besides, she had Zuko to share her suffering with, someone who listened with care to everything she said. As a child, no one at home listened. Her opinions and thoughts weren't welcomed; only her compliance was.
"Feel any better?" Zuko inquired as the fifth blade went sailing over his head.
Mai thought for a moment, threw one final blade and then nodded 'yes'.
"Good, because tomorrow there's another fitting for each of us and the dance instructor is coming to teach us the wedding dance. It's very important and has to be perfect, or so I'm told."
"Since tomorrow looks to be insufferably dull, how about we do something fun right now." Mai's lips quirked upward in a smile and she examined Zuko carefully.
Desire instantly flared deep within her and Mai saw the answering desire in Zuko's eyes. She stood up and went to him, sitting on his lap, curling around him like a vine would a tree. He was already hard; it never did take much. Mai wiggled against him, and Zuko moaned just as she knew he would. They kissed then, slowly and softly at first, carefully exploring each other's mouths. Then slow wasn't good enough anymore and their kissing became intense. Zuko reached for her breasts and pinched erect nipples. Mai threw her head back and he kissed the creamy column of flesh that was her throat.
Suddenly intense wasn't enough and they both became frantic for skin to rub against skin. Mai unwound herself from Zuko's body and tugged on his hand, urgently leading him to their massive canopied bed. Clothes were tossed aside carelessly and then everything was perfect, as it should be. If it were possible, both Mai and Zuko would happily spend the rest of their lives just like that; naked, in each other's arms, joined together in every possible way. It wasn't possible. But that didn't mean the couple didn't take every opportunity that they could.
When they finished, they lay on top of the sheets and cooled down. A thin sheen of perspiration covered both of them and their breathing was still coming in deep, heavy gasps. Zuko kept a hand on Mai's belly, stroking it gently. His touch was soothing and relaxing and soon she felt sleep overtake her. The Fire Lord joined his fiancée shortly after, but not before watching the slow, even rise and fall of her chest, and admiring her beauty.
Kissing her forehead and tucking a damp strand of hair behind her ear, Zuko turned on his side and slung one arm loosely across Mai's stomach. His breathing soon matched hers, and he fell into a deep dreamless sleep that didn't release him until after the sun rose.
Mai had a natural grace, and she moved smoothly and silently everywhere she went. Zuko was graceful too, when he was firebending or using his swords or even just walking. But when it came to something like dancing, the Fire Lord was dreadfully uncomfortable. He knew the dance instructor was frustrated, though she kept those feelings to herself. Her rigid posture, set jaw and brisk almost guttural instructions told their own story.
"Hold her this way!" The woman adjusted Zuko's hand and then stepped back again. "No, no, that's all wrong. Start from the beginning."
Mai rolled her eyes and quietly groaned. The dance was dull and formal and stiff and she hated it. "Come on, Zuko. Figure it out already. I'm going crazy here."
"I'm trying; it's just, I feel self conscious when I dance. That's why I avoid it whenever possible." He breathed deeply and began again, concentrating with all his might, trying to let go of his inhibitions and just move the way he could when no one examined his every step.
"That's better, my lord. If I may make a suggestion, when it comes time to dance on your wedding day, focus solely on your lady. Don't worry about the guests who are watching. Simply please her."
Zuko certainly wanted to please Mai, but not with dancing properly. Mai giggled when she felt her fiancés arousal between them.
"You're insatiable," she crooned seductively and quickly pressed her breasts against him before pulling back.
"You're one to talk. Are you saying that you don't want me to please you?" His voice was teasing now, a voice he reserved only for Mai.
"Oh, I want you to please me all right. But let's get this damn dance figured out first."
It took another two hours, but by the end of them, Zuko could perform the dance flawlessly. He had the perfect motivation to learn.
Their wedding was only three months away now. Mai and Zuko were to be married at the end of summer, just a few days past the second anniversary of the war's end. Both their birthdays fell around the same time too, so Mai would be a fresh eighteen and Zuko a new nineteen. The preparations seemed endless and days were a whirlwind of memorizing the intricate and detailed ceremony itself, the words they would exchange, where they would stand and so on.
Another issue altogether was the wedding party to be held after the ceremony and sure to continue well into the next morning. The seating arrangements were the biggest problem. There was always one person who didn't get along with someone else designated to sit at the same table.
The wedding coordinator, an efficient, no nonsense woman named Hisae, had gone over the seating arrangements with Zuko several times already. Each time, the Fire Lord blew his cool and ended up shouting at the woman, ordering her and her stupid charts out of his office.
"I hear you had a little temper tantrum today," Mai teased her husband at dinner time. "The servants heard you yelling all the way in the library."
"I can't stand that woman. I've tried but she just irritates me to no end. And you should see the glares she gives me when I say that I don't know if General Fong should sit beside Kuei or someone else. How should I know? I forget who half these people are."
He pinched the bridge of his nose, harder than was necessary, and grunted out his frustration.
"Don't worry; I'll take care of it. I've notified Hisae to come to see me tomorrow. I'm finished with the whole colour scheme and table settings thing finally. So I have the time." Mai giggled when she saw the look of relief on her fiancés face. "Was it really that bad?"
"No, yes, I hate that kind of stuff. You'll know exactly where to put everyone and if they don't behave, you'll make them."
Admiration had replaced relief on his features now. He needed Mai for so many things, most far more important than making seating arrangements. Her ability to read people was an invaluable skill. He could name any diplomat, any military leader, and Mai could give him the most insightful observations, things that helped him in negotiations and with maintaining good relations. She'd been his savior on many occasions.
"I'm doing it; no need to butter me up anymore," Mai remarked with a roll of her eyes.
"Thanks, Mai." Zuko swooped in and planted a kiss on her cheek. He moved down to her mouth, next, kissing her sensuously.
"Mmm, okay, you're welcome. You can thank me again later." Mai's eyes sparkled with both delight and desire.
Later that evening, in bed, warm and satisfied, Zuko brought up Ba Sing Se. "I'd like to get away from all this for a few days. If we visit Uncle Iroh, no one will pester us about wedding details or make us practice that dance or discuss your hairstyle. We've got an open invitation; even if Uncle's not there, we can stay in our room."
"Sounds great." Mai felt so good that she would have agreed to just about anything.
"The day after tomorrow then; I'll make the arrangements." Zuko was smiling now, a big dopey smile that made Mai's heart constrict with love. Nothing made her happier than seeing genuine happiness on his face.
"The day after tomorrow," she repeated and then promptly fell asleep.
Early summer in Ba Sing Se was a bustling time. The farmers who lived and worked just outside the city were selling their first crops, strawberries being the most popular one, and there was a different festival every other week or so. The weather was warm, almost hot, but not the steamy heat of mid to late summer, when everyone wore a coating of perspiration, hiked up robes and unbuttoned shirts and tunics, just to get a bit more air.
Iroh was out shopping for provisions, something he liked to do himself, when they arrived at the Jasmine Dragon. As always, they slipped around the back of the building and entered through the rear door. Ping, Iroh's very capable and kind assistant was in the kitchen washing dishes and preparing for the next inevitable rush which came around lunch time. He gave the young couple a bow and explained the situation.
"Iroh will be back soon, I'm sure. But he's very fussy about his ingredients. Sometimes he has to walk all the way to what used to be the middle ring and back to find everything he wants."
"That's fine, Ping. We'll just put our bags up in our room and go out for a walk." Zuko spoke kindly to the man, who had become almost like a brother to Iroh.
"That's a good idea. It's a lovely day out. The gardens are beautiful this time of year and strawberries are for sale. You really should get some while they are in season. Have them with cake or a tart and tea this afternoon. You won't regret it."
"Um, sure, yeah, we'll get some berries," Zuko replied, a bit bemused by the man's enthusiasm.
"They must be some berries," Mai whispered as they walked up the stairs to their room.
After freshening up, and putting away their things, the young couple headed out the back door, through Iroh's garden and out the back gate. There was an alleyway that ran parallel to the main road. It was a good way to sneak from one section of the city to the next without encountering crowds. They both wore green, as they almost always did while in the Earth Kingdom, and Zuko's shaggy hair covered most of his scar, but there was usually someone who recognized them anyway.
"You look really pretty in that dress," the Fire Lord remarked randomly. "I think it's one of my favorites."
"Okay…thank you. I like it too."
It was a lovely gown, even lovelier for its simplicity; light greens on darker ones, with a cream trim that set everything off. A sash of striking forest green, tiny yellow flowers embroidered on it provided a flourish. Mai's way of dressing had changed over the past year. With dignitaries visiting and parties and functions to attend, dresses had become a way of life. She still wore flowing pants and tunics for training or less, if it was just her and Zuko. And casual clothes were fine for a normal day at the palace. Neither Mai nor Zuko wanted to wear formal clothing all the time. He couldn't wait to get out his Fire Lord robes and put on something light and easy to move in.
"How about we join the roadway here?" Zuko suggested. He stopped and peered up the alley that joined theirs with the main street of Ba Sing Se. "It looks like there are some fruit stands and some nice shops."
Mai shrugged. "Whatever." She followed him up the short side alley and out into the busy street.
The first thing that caught their attention was the mounds of red berries filling stand after stand. People were snatching them up quickly, stuffing them into their mouths as soon as they paid. Neither could keep track of all the red stained mouths wandering around.
"I guess we'd better get some while we can," Zuko muttered and approached one of the stalls.
"Can I help you?" the older woman asked pleasantly enough.
Fishing out some Earth Kingdom coins from his pocket, Zuko replied, "Um, yes, I'll take a basket of strawberries, please."
The woman topped up a basket with a few more berries, liking the look of Zuko, and handed it to him with an almost toothless smile. "Enjoy!"
"Thanks." He handed her the money and then rejoined Mai. "They do look good, don't they?"
She grabbed one from the top and took a bite. A bit of juice ran down her chin and she quickly wiped it away with her hand. "Wow, really amazing. Have one." She could understand now why everyone was sticky and juice covered.
Zuko ate one too, a smile of simple joy immediately gracing his handsome face. "Mmm, we should get some more, you know, for Uncle."
They wandered about the city, enjoying the sights and sounds and smells that such a huge population created. It really was an incredible place, so different from Capitol City in the Fire Nation. Where it was order and cleanliness and beauty, Ba Sing Se was colour and chaos and clamor. It made for a refreshing change, especially since Zuko's perspective on the city had changed much since the time he had lived there.
"What's going on over there?" Mai pointed to a group of celebrating people surrounding a very young couple dressed in what looked like their best.
"I think it's a wedding." Zuko observed some more. "Yeah, it has to be. The girl has a bouquet of orchids*. "
He and Mai stared wistfully as the couple, along with friends and family, walked on, doubtless off to some simple banquet in some simple home.
"Looks almost like fun." Mai was thinking about their upcoming wedding and what a contrast it would be. Her expression showed a combination of envy and sadness.
"Mai." Zuko stood in front of her, wanting her full attention.
"What is it?" Mai asked irritably as she strained to look around her fiancé.
"I have an idea." Mai stared at him then and waited for him to speak. "Why don't we get married here? I mean a simple ceremony just for us, with Uncle there to witness it. No one else has to know and we can pledge ourselves to each other with a lot more privacy and quiet."
Mai leaned in and kissed Zuko. There were tears in her eyes. "That's the best idea you've ever had."
As soon as Iroh heard of their plans, he sprang into action. "I know someone who knows someone who will perform the ceremony and keep his mouth shut about the whole thing. Yes, and we'll get some flowers and I must use those strawberries for a cake."
"Uncle, relax. It's supposed to be simple."
Iroh chuckled at the irony. His nephew was telling him to relax. "I'm simply excited, Zuko. While a big, formal wedding is interesting in its own rite, it lacks the intimacy that this one will provide for you and Mai. I'm so happy to be a part of it."
They decided on the day after next. The sage was contacted and sworn to secrecy. Iroh closed the shop early the following day, much to the surprise and chagrin of his regular customers.
"What's going on, Iroh? You never close early," one particularly cranky man asked. "I'll miss my lemon jasmine."
"While I'm flattered, Chong, sometimes family takes priority over the tea shop. Shocking, I know. I'll give you a free tea and tart the day after tomorrow. Look…" Iroh grabbed a voucher from the counter, "…..take this."
Chong took the slip of paper and stared down at it. "Fine." He sighed heavily and left the shop.
"Some people are difficult to please," Iroh observed. "Chong is one of them."
"We're not causing you any trouble, are we, Uncle?" Zuko sounded concerned.
"No, no, my customers are very loyal. They'll just have to brew their own tea tomorrow."
"They'll appreciate yours all the more then." Mai drawled. "So this spontaneous wedding is a good thing for your business."
"Yes, yes, exactly," Iroh said with a wink and went back to work.
The ceremony was held in the early afternoon, outside in Iroh's garden. It was a lovely day, cooler than it had been, but bright with a clear blue sky. Mai, wearing the same dress that she had worn the other day, held a small bouquet of three white orchids. She had left her hair down and it danced about in the light breeze. With simple makeup and only a pair of gold studs in her ears, she looked lovely. Zuko wore a dark green tunic over black pants and a yellow sash. His hair was free too and hung messily across his forehead. Mai reached up playfully and ran her fingers through the mass of dark brown.
"Are you ready?" she asked.
Zuko nodded. His look was so intense that Mai's heart seemed to miss a few beats. Iroh grinned madly as he stood beneath one of the trees, near the green clad Earth Sage. The Fire Lord took Mai's hand and they walked the last few steps. Smiling at the young couple and then bowing his respect, the Earth Sage began the wedding ceremony. It was very simple. They each swore their love and their faith to the other, while the sage placed Zuko's left hand flat on top of Mai's, symbolizing their eternal joining. Lastly, they each sipped from a cup of Earth Kingdom wine. With the bitter taste still on their tongues, they shared a kiss, then pulled apart and looked to the sage.
"You are officially wed," he smiled. "But I won't tell anyone."
Iroh watched it all with rapt attention. He cried unabashedly, letting the tears flow down his cheeks and catch in the thick, wiry hair of his grey beard. "I'm so happy for you both," he choked out and then pulled them into a warm embrace. "Now, how about we have some of that cake?"
The three of them chatted and ate and drank and played pai sho for the rest of the day. It was relaxing and fun, just as Mai and Zuko had hoped it would be.
"Will you be able to tolerate your Fire Nation wedding better now?" Iroh asked as the evening wore on.
"Mmm, yes," Mai replied. "Now that we have this day for ourselves, it will be easy."
"Good; then we accomplished what we wanted to. I'm still looking forward to that huge affair, though. It will give me a chance to visit with lots of old friends and stay at the palace for a few days. I don't envy you, though." He laughed not unkindly then and took a last sip of his good old fashioned oolong tea.
"We'll get through it," Zuko declared confidently. "I'll just keep thinking about our real wedding."
"Just remember, everyone will be pushing for an heir next." With that final comment, Iroh got up from his chair and went to bed.
"Oh, that's just great," Zuko groaned. He slapped a hand to his forehead and slumped his shoulders in defeat. "There's always something with those damn council members."
"Well, the practice is certainly fun," Mai reminded him with a lewd smirk. "Why don't we get some in now?"
That idea brightened Zuko's suddenly sour mood considerably. He ran up the stairs after Mai and their bedroom door closed with a firm click.
Two and a half months later
Zuko and Mai looked out at the ocean of faces, faces attached to people who were all in the Fire Nation capitol to witness their marriage. Every dignitary and every general in all the nations was there along with his or her family. The sight was staggering and despite their nervousness, a smile tugged at both their mouths throughout the entire elaborate ceremony. This whole thing was unnecessary. They were already married and no one but Iroh knew. It was an amusing secret and it buoyed them throughout the remainder of the stressful day.
"That was so beautiful," Ty Lee declared at dinner. "Mai, you are the most gorgeous bride ever and Zuko, Agni, you look so handsome. And everything is just so romantic. What a perfect wedding day."
"Well, thank you, Ty Lee." Mai couldn't help herself. She kicked at Zuko underneath the table and then began to giggle.
"What is it?" Aang asked with wide grey eyes. "Did I miss something?"
"No," Mai replied with a smirk. She looked at her husband of almost three months with sparkling eyes.
Zuko returned the gaze, his own alight with love.
*symbol of love and fertility in Chinese culture
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Everything Happens in Ba Sing Se