Love Without War

Chapter 1

"Hey."

"Hey..." Zuko shifted his weight awkwardly, not quite meeting Mai's stare.

"You wanted to see me?" She prompted.

Zuko nodded, "Yeah, I had something I wanted to tell you."

"Good, so did I."

He tilted his head in surprise, "Oh, you did? Do you want to go first?"

Mai scoffed, "And let you keep stalling? No way, spit it out."

"Oh, okay," Zuko relented sheepishly. "Do you want to uhh, sit down? Sorry I didn't meet you at the door, I was feeding the turtle ducks."

With a hum of agreement, Mai sat down on the stone bench and gestured for Zuko to join her. "We're sitting now, say what you have to say."

Zuko took a deep breath and, after a small pause, launched headfirst into a rant.

"Well, I know it's been a while since we broke up," he started. "And so I probably don't have to tell you this, or like, get your approval or anything. But we are still friends so I didn't want it to come as a shock when I told everyone else and-"

"Oh for Agni's sake," Mai groaned, "I'm dating Ty Lee."

Zuko froze, caught off guard by her words. "What?"

Mai rolled her eyes in exasperation, "You were taking too long. And I assume you're going to tell me something similar?"

"Well yeah, I mean no. Uhh, kind of?" Zuko groaned in frustration, "Sorry, start over. Since when?"

"Since, like, three days ago," said Mai, "She's been dying to say something but since you wanted to talk, I convinced her to wait a bit so you'd find out first." She let slip a little smile, "But back to you, is it Katara?"

"Uh no, she's still with Aang," Zuko stammered, trying to regain control of the situation. "It's Sokka actually. Although I haven't asked him out yet."

At this Mai actually laughed, "He got you too, huh? I remember when Ty Lee had a crush on him too." She shook her head, "Good for you."

Zuko blushed, "Uhh, thanks." He let out a heavy breath, "I guess I was more worried than I had to be."

"What else is new," Mai deadpanned. She stared for a moment at Zuko's worried expression and sighed, "The Avatar's made you go soft. But you may have a hug."

Zuko tried and failed not to perk up too much at this and wrapped his arms gratefully around Mai. "Congratulations to you too," he said, "And thanks for being a good friend."

Mai groaned and pushed him off of herself, "Okay, that's enough. Besides, I figure you need as many friends as you can get." Her expression softened, "We all do, right?"

"Right."

"So what are you waiting for?" Mai said. She stood up and gestured for Zuko to follow her to the door, "Go find him already. And then we can tell the others together if it makes you feel better."

Zuko scrambled to follow and gave her a lopsided grin, "That sounds like a great idea."

Mai rolled her eyes, "Always so emotional," she chided but didn't say anything else as they went to find their friends.