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2. Snow
His clothes were already weighing him down. The crown sat heavily on his head. Actually, no, it was loosening and about to fall off. Zuko sighed and ran a hand through his hair. He paused at one of the windows and stared out at the sight before him.
Winters in the Fire Nation were rarely very cold. But Zuko didn’t like the winter that much. Winters stifled his inner flame, which made him quite irritable.
This winter wasn’t like the usual. This one was cold . This was the kind that made one want to huddle under a blanket, the kind that numbed one’s fingers, the kind that everyone in the Fire Nation hated .
Zuko sighed and walked towards his chambers. It was nearly time for lunch. He would be inviting Mai to join him to dine. A chuckle escaped him. Mai liked winters but hated the cold.
She complained that it numbed her fingers, which made her suffer through her knife throwing . And she wasn’t a firebender, which meant she would be even more affected.
A smile crept up Zuko’s face, remembering the previous winter. Mai had been clinging to his side the whole time, complaining and quipping.
“I hate this.”
“I know.”
“I’m bored.”
“I know.”
“I’m cold.”
Zuko sighed. “Here,” he said, shedding his jacket. He’d started to wear extra layers, just so he could hand Mai his jacket.
“Thanks,” she said, tying the sash on it.
He started off to his rooms again. He opened the double doors to find Mai near the balcony. She was wrapped in a cloak but Zuko could see she was shivering. Her hand stretched out as she felt the snow.
She turned when she heard him approaching. She smiled .
"Aren't you cold?" Zuko asked.
"Yes," she replied shortly.
Wordlessly , he wrapped his arm around her. She leaned into him.
He looked at the falling snow. It didn't make a sound as it hit the ground, or they were too high up to hear it.
Zuko traced circles on Mai's back. She sighed .
"It actually looks kind of pretty," she murmured, eyes still on the landscape before her.
Zuko arched his brow. "I thought you hated pretty things," he said.
"It's pretty in a frosty, "'I can be beautiful but also kill you kind of way,"' she said.
Zuko snickered.
"And besides," she added, "I don't hate pretty things. I don't hate you."
She blushed at her admission. Zuko smiled.
"Come here," he instructed, opening his arms.
Mai rested her head on his chest and he tucked his chin on top of her head. She turned again to watch the snow fall, a smile on her face.
Maybe the winter could be bearable.