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Mai stirred awake, though her eyes stayed shut and her body refused to move. After a long week at work, this was the very first time she had a real sleep in days. Outside, rain tapped steadily against the window while the winds rustled through dry branches. Suddenly the blanket around her felt warmer and softer - too perfect to leave.
The sound outside felt like a weirdly comfortable lullaby. Burrowing deeper into the blanket, Mai drifted back to sleep. But the door suddenly creaked open and the light flicked on. Wincing at the bright light, the girl grumbled, pulled the blanket to cover her face.
“Are you awake?” a familiar, raspy voice asked as the side of the mattress dipped under someone's weight.
Mai peeked out of the blanket just to find her boyfriend smirking down at her. She pulled the blanket back on, hiding a slight smile on her lips.
“No… I haven't slept enough,” she groaned.
“Come on, Mai, it's already ten. You have definitely slept enough,” Zuko laughed softly, tugging the blanket off her face.
The girl grumbled. Mai rolled over to the other side of the bed, dragged the blanket along. “It is freezing out there. No thanks, I will stay here with my lovely blanket,” Mai replied, wrapping the blanket around her body like a cocoon.
“Mai…” The boy carried a hint of mischief.
“I can keep you warm too, if you want,” he whispered into her ear. Then, with a swift move, he slid his arms around her waist and yanked her out of the blanket.
“Hey!” Mai wriggled, trying to break free from his grip.
“Let… go of me!... Haha… Hey…hey, let go! Hahaha…That tickle!... Zuko!” Her laughter came in gasps as her boyfriend nuzzled her neck, tickling her mercilessly.
“Haha, make me.. Ow! ” The boy doubled over, rubbing his stomach, “What was that for…”
“That was for dragging me out of my blanket,” She said, shoving him down on the bed. “And this is for tickling me,” the black-haired girl said in an ominously sweet voice.
She straddled him and attacked, using her swift, merciless fingers against his ribs. Zukor's laughter turned helpless, and his eyes were watering.
“Ok… hahaha ok… You win… you win…haha…” Zuko surrendered.
But somehow, despite Mai's caution, he still found a way to flip her over. And the wrestle continued until both of them were breathlessly collapsed side by side.
“You know what?” The boy spoke first, turning his body to look at her.
“What?” Mai sighed dramatically as she turned her head to face him.
“It was fun.” He said softly, locking eyes with her. “I missed you so much, Mai.” He admitted.
Looking into his eyes, her lips curled up into a small smile. Mai moved closer and put a quick kiss on his forehead.
“I missed you too,” she whispered, feeling his arms wrapped around her.
“I'm glad we still have the weekend to spend with each other.” He mumbled as he pulled her closer, burying his face in her silk-like hair.
Mai pressed her face against his chest, intoxicated by the scent of smoky wood.
“So, what do you want to do today?” She asked, her voice was barely above a whisper.
“Well… There is a new live-action series of Love Among Dragons. I wanna give it a try.” Zuko said with a tiny hint of amusement.
“Really?” The girl gently pulled back to face him.
“I swear to Agni, you butcher the Love Among Dragons 2010 live action movie every week, Zuko. Are you sure about this?” She raised her eyebrow, creating a doubtful facial expression.
“I don't know… the cast gives me hope.” He shrugged.
“Okay then… but I need to take a shower first,” Mai said as she slowly pulled out of his hug.
An hour later, Mai finally stepped out of the bedroom. She had tied her hair up into two loose buns and put on an oversized maroon sweater, which clearly wasn't hers.
As the girl approached the kitchen counter, the room was filled with the warm smell of jasmine tea. Sitting on the stool, Mai was amused by her boyfriend's apron, tied in a hopeless knot. He was never good at tying things in general, let alone tying something he couldn't even see.
“Mai,” the boy exclaimed, slightly surprised to see her when he turned back.
“You look comfortable,” he said, looking at his girlfriend. Mai was a neat person, with tight hair buns, fit clothes, and sharp eyeliner. She was stunning, he never denied that. But sometimes, he loved to see her like this too, having little messy buns and swimming in his sweater. She looked softer and less cautious. The idea of her letting him see her vulnerable side always made his heart warm.
“Here, I made you some tea,” he said, pushing the mug toward her.
“Thanks”
She held the mug in both hands, letting the heat of the tea warm hers. Breathing in the floral smell of the tea, Mai took a sip. The liquid slowly went down her throat and spread warmth around her body. What a wonderful feeling. It successfully put a smile on her face.
“This tastes way better than the 'hot leafs juice' in those fancy coffee shops,” Mai quibbled.
“Haha, I know,” the boy laughed. “After all, I have learned from the best,” He added proudly, sipping his tea.
There was a comforting silence between them. Each enjoyed their cup of tea while listening to the sound of the rain. The rain began to tap harder on the window and the thunder rumbled.
After finishing the tea, they decided that it was time for lunch. Zuko opened the fridge, checking what they had.
“We haven't been to the supermarket for a while. There aren't many things left.” the boy commented.
“Maybe we could order something instead-” He suggested.
“Nah, I have had enough of those fast foods for this week,” Mai said flatly, drying her hands after cleaning the mugs.
“Let me see,” The girl moved next to her boyfriend, looking into the fridge.
“Chicken, carrots, hm….” she mumbled
“Do we have any potatoes left?” Mai asked.
“Well, let me check,” he said as he opened a cabinet, “Yea, a few.”
“Good, wanna eat curry?” the girl perked up at her partner.
“Sure, it is perfect for the weather.” he smiled.
“Okay,” Mai said, putting the ingredients on the counter. Then she took the apron hanging on the side of the fridge.
“Need some help?” a playful voice spoke up as she was trying to tie the strings. The black haired girl turned back, looking at her boyfriend's innocent face, then turned back again.
“Just make sure you won't tie a dead knot again,” She teased, remembering the last time they cooked together.
“I won't,” he said confidently, tying the laces into a little bow knot
“Done! Oh, if you could see my perfect bow, Mai. It looks cute on you,” He commented with a dramatic tone.
“Ha, can you remind me why you didn't join a drama club before?” She smirked, putting the vegetables into the sink.
“Well… you know ‘daddy issue’,” the boy ironically replied as he marinated the chicken.
The conversation went on as they continued with their work. Mai hated getting food's smell on her clothes, which is why she always did the prework. Besides, she actually had amazing knife skills.
After drying the cleaned vegetables, the girl started to chop them. Her movements were fast and even, the carrots and potatoes were quickly chopped.
“You have such good knife skills, you know that?” the boy commented as he observed the perfectly sliced carrot. He had finished seasoning the chicken and left it aside to marinate.
“You should give the credit to my mother. After all, she was the one who forced me to join the cooking class when I was younger,” Mai smirked.
“She tried to teach me everything she thought I would need…..except the fact that I have the right to make my own decision,” she said flatly, her smirk turned into a dry smile, continuing to round the sharp edge of the potato cubes.
The thunder roared and the room suddenly became silent. For a few seconds, the sound of the rain was the only sound in the room.
“Well… at least, things are changing. You just had a conversation with her last week, didn't you?” Zuko said, putting his hand on her shoulder.
“Yea…” she replied, her voice was calmer.
“After my parents separated, I didn't expect her to contact me….” Finished rounding the last potato cube, she turned slightly to meet his soft gaze. “I'm glad we finally can talk to each other.”
“Well, your veggies are done. I'm gonna cook rice,” She said after a long silence, breaking eye contact. The boy still stayed in the same spot, watching her apron's bow swaying as she moved swiftly to the cooker.
“Oh my Agni! This smelled amazing,” The black-haired boy exclaimed dreamily as he opened the simmering pot.
“You look like you are having a daydream.” Mai teased while crushing a few tiny goldfish crackers in her mouth. She was the type of person who couldn't wait till the main meal.
“I bet it tastes really good, wanna try?” he said proudly, pouring curry into a small dish.
“Sure,” she said, carefully taking the small dish from his hand.
“Hmm….” the girl mumbled, tasting the warm soup.
Mai had to admit that if she had to choose a dish to be her comfort food, it would definitely be his curry. It was always well seasoned and had the weird power to make you feel safe and healed. She guessed he was right when he said his mother had given him her secret ingredient, love. The black-haired girl shook her head at the sappy idea.
“Is something wrong?” he worried, confused by her action.
“Ah, no… nothing. It tastes really good, just like usual,” she smiled softly.
“Told ya,” he smiled back.
“Let it simmer for… five more minutes and we are done,” He said, putting the lid back on the pot.
“Well, in the meantime, I can set the table and you can turn on the film,” Mai said, opening the upper cabinet.
“Okay,” He said, moving to the living room.
After a few minutes, everything was ready. On the table, two plates filled with steaming hot rice and curry had been set. The aprons had been taken off and the film had been turned on. The couple sat side by side, shoulder to shoulder, enjoying their delicious meal.
The rain kept falling. The film kept going. They kept silently eating. And that was their perfect weekend.
Well…. Almost perfect….
“Ugh! I can't believe it! After fifteen years, they still sexualize the main female character!” Zuko groaned, sitting straight up, offended. “And THAT director dares to say he grew up with Love Among Dragons!”
“Somehow I don't feel surprised at all,” Mai commented nonchalantly, stealing a big potato cube from his barely half-finished dish. Let's just say he was busy criticising the film.
“The CGI almost makes me like this series- Hey, hey! That's my potato!” The boy yelled.
His girlfriend was in the middle of stealing another potato cube. With a smirk, Mai quickly put the cube into her mouth.
“It is mine now,” she declared, chewing the potato like a champion.
“You want another dish?” he chuckled helplessly, looking at her empty dish.
“Yea,” she nodded.
“Okay,” He said, picking her dish up and heading toward the kitchen, “Just don't steal my potato while I go,” he added teasingly.
“I won't,” she promised and swallowed his carrot slice.
On the TV, the couple was having a cheesy goodbye, and Mai couldn't care less about it. She was focused on the boy in the kitchen. It looked like he was reheating the pot and humming some random song.
Sometimes, Mai couldn't believe how people could change so much. A few years ago, Zuko had been such a hothead jerk, imagining stealing potato cubes from his dish, he would probably blow up. But after a lot of screaming, tears, and years convincing themselves they didn't need the other, here they are. Living in the same apartment, cooking together, sleeping together, what a twist of fate.
“Here you go,” the raspy voice dragged her out of her own thoughts.
“You look zoned out, are you ok?” He sat back down on his spot, looking at her.
“Nah, I just can't put up with those cheesy scenes,” she shrugged, turning her gaze down to her steaming dish. It was hard not to notice the extra amount of potatoes on her dish. She smirked then glanced at the boy, who was eating nonchalantly.
“You are such an idiot,” she mumbled, scooping a spoonful of potato.
“Hey, what did I do this time?” The corner of his lips curled up, still focused on his dish.
“You are always an idiot,” she said, leaning on his shoulder again.
Okay… maybe the film was a disaster but clearly it didn't ruin their perfect day at all.