Afterward Adventures (ATLA Zuko X OC)

Chapter Eighteen - Smoke and Shadow Pt. 3

"Where are you leading us, little wisp of smoke?" Aang asked as they all ran down the hall.

When they reached the end of the corridor, the smoke escaped from a dragon-mouth again.

"No, don't go!" Aang said as the smoke disappeared behind the wall. "Monkey Feathers!" he cursed.

"I bet this is another lock, Kei Lo, you think maybe you could," Aang tried to say but Kei Lo had already taken his daggers out and he started picking the dragon's nose. With a small twist the fat door opened.

There was nothing but darkness in there. Aang and Iris started waking downstairs with their flames lighting their way.

"Looks like a crypt," Iris said.

"I'm not going in there," Mai said.

"Kei Lo, maybe you could come along, in case there's something else to unlock," Aang suggested.

Kei Lo and Iris looked at Mai and Zuko, who stood side by side in front of the door.

"Sure," Kei Lo said unsurely, biting his lip watching his girlfriend with her ex in the same room, and that he had to follow the other two, leaving them alone.

"Common, let's go," Iris said tapping Kei Lo's shoulder and they walked in.

After a small moment of walking, Kei Lo reached beside Iris asking "Am I the only one annoyed from this?"

"Mai and Zuko?" Iris asked.

"Yeah,"

Iris sighed "It annoys me too but... what Zuko and I have is only temporary. He'd have to find a bride sooner or later," Iris said.

"I know, I've heard about your... problem," Kei Lo said sadly "...I'm really sorry,"

"It's okay," Iris said. "Do you love Mai?"

Kei Lo chuckled "Yeah... she's different. The most beautiful, interesting person I'd ever hope to end up with," he answered smiling.

Iris placed her hand on his shoulder "Then she's lucky to have you,"

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"Is this enough light? Because if the flame isn't big enough, I could-" Zuko tried to break the awkwardness.

"It's fine, Zuko. The less we see of this place the better," Mai said grumpily.

"Oh, okay, you're right," Zuko said "Kei Lo seems nice,"

"Yeah, he is," Mai said smiling.

"It's good to see you happy, Mai. Or at least happy-ish," Zuko said.

"I got to say the same. She makes you happy, doesn't she?" Mai asked with a small tone of jealousy in her voice.

Zuko noticed it and he tried to say "Mai, I'm really sorry, it's just-"

"Zuko, stop. You love each other, she loves you more than I could ever love you. We had our chance," Mai said.

"You don't feel about him the same way you felt about me, do you?" Zuko asked.

Mai heaved a sigh "I'll never feel the same way about anyone else," she said bitterly. "Look, Kei Lo likes me, a lot, surely more than I like him. But it's time for both of us to move on,"

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"Doesn't look like you need my help! Maybe I should..." Kei Lo tried to say, terrified to enter the crypt Aang and Iris had moved in and he stood behind the entrance.