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It was days after Fire Lord Ozai's coronation, his wife's, Ursa's, mysterious disappearence from the Royal Palace, former Fire Lord Azulon's funeral and a roughly a week after the news of Lu Ten's unfortunte passing, and a terrible day for young prince Zuko in particular.
He's spent the entire morning moping and sobbing in the corner of the royal garden, hoping that no servant, or anyone else, will come around to bother him and chastise him for such display of weakness. Even though it has been days, he still doesn't feel one bit better about all of this happening. How could he? So many family members, gone, in such a small span of time. Such losses would be a heavy thing to process even for an adult, and he's just a lonely kid.
In his head, he's been replaying the scene of his dear mother waking him up in the middle of the night, and telling him words he didn't know would be the last he'd hear from her. He was tired, disoriented and confused. And the next morning, the gravity and truth of the situation shook him to his very core, like nothing before ever has. And to add insult to injury, his own father didn't say a peep about what truly happened on that day.
Suddenly, Zuko hears light footsteps approaching from behind. They don't sound like footsteps of an adult. It must be...!
''Azula! I already told you, just leave-'' He turns around, fists clenched, and face scrunched from all the anger, grief and bitterness he's been feeling these past few days. But the person who approached him wasn't Azula — it's Mai. Zuko's expression softened instantly, turning into a small frown mixed with surprise, and in a calmer, apologetic tone, he cut himself off. ''-Oh! I-I'm sorry... I wasn't expecting you. Hi Mai...''
Mai didn't say anything back for a few seconds. It seems to Zuko that she was taken aback by his outburst, her eyes wide, stance anxious. After a deep breath, she composes herself and replies in a worried and shaken tone.
''Hi Zuko... Are you, um, okay? I heard the news of, well- a bunch of your family members being gone, I guess. Azula also told me at school that you haven't been exactly taking all this well, so uh. I was wondering...'' She twiddles her fingers nervously. ''...If maybe you want to talk about it? Or if I can do anything to help you? I don't want you to be sad.''
Zuko tenses up at the mention of Azula. ''My sister! Where is she?'' ''Uh... her and Ty Lee went off to do something, just the two of them. Not sure what exactly, but... They're not going to be around to hear us talk, if that's what you're worried about.'' Mai reassures him in her usual, calmer, yet slightly shy manner.
''Okay then... we can talk.'' Zuko sits down on the ground and tries to make himself as comfortable as he can, and pats a patch of grass next to him with his hand, wordlessly inviting Mai to sit next to him. Mai slowly walks forward to sit down on her now designated patch of grass, and her heart skips a beat. She's not used to being in such close proximity to her crush, especially when there's not a soul around. In fact, she doesn't remember the garden ever being this quiet. It's kind of uncanny.
''So...'' Zuko starts in an anxious tone, his eyes visibly getting wet again. ''My mom is gone, my cousin is dead, and grandpa is dead too... One right after the other, I just-'' Zuko grits his teeth, his hands started shaking, and tears start streaming down his cheeks.
Mai blinks, takes out a handkerchief out of her pocket, and hesitantly moves her hand towards his face, eventually pressing it on his cheek, and gently wiping his tears away. As that contact happens, Zuko jerks his body a little, and opens his eyes wide, his tears immediately stopping from forming.
''What are you...?'' ''Um. Wiping your tears- is it okay?'' Mai instinctively moves the hand holding the now wet handkerchief away, her face getting scrunched with a hint of embarrasment. ''...It's fine. I don't mind.'' As Zuko says that, Mai reaches to do the same motion as before on the other side of his face.
''It's just that...'' He pauses and frowns. ''My mom used to be the person who'd wipe my tears when I was sad.'' He mumbles with a sad pout. ''Oh. Yeah, that makes sense.'' Mai replies as she finishes wiping Zuko's tears.
''Honestly... Your mother seemed really nice, Zuko. I completely understand that you feel this bad about losing her, and I'm sorry that it, well, happened. As for your cousin, I didn't really know him at all, but I'm guessing he was nice too since you liked him so much.'' ''Yeah...'' Zuko sighs. ''Me and cousin Lu Ten used to spend our summers together on Ember Island. My uncle was there too with us, since he was Lu Ten's dad. Those were good times. Too bad they will never happen again.'' Zuko looks sullen with his head down and hands closed in his lap. After some seconds of slightly uncomfortable silence, he shakes his head and looks towards Mai.
''You never told me about your parents. How's your mom like, Mai? Does she wipe your tears when you are sad?'' Zuko asks with genuine curiosity.
Something unreadable flickered in Mai's eyes as soon as Zuko dropped that question. It appeared like she was contemplating for a while what to answer. Eventually, with a hint of resentment in her voice. ''Well. I don't really cry much. Especially not when my parents are around. They don't really like it when I make a ruckus. Outbursts of emotion like that aren't befitting of a respectable noble lady when others are around to see, is what my father told me...''
Zuko frowns again, but this time it's an angry frown instead of a sad one. ''How could your parents say that! That's not fair! Everyone feels bad sometimes!'' ''It's just something I have to do. I need to be able to be composed and elegant everytime it's needed, you know. Leads to better opportunities in life, according to my father, and my mother agrees.'' Mai retorts flatly.
''That's unlike the lessons my mom taught me.'' Zuko crosses his arms and shakes his head. ''She told me I should be myself, express myself and never forget who I am. You deserve to have that too.''
''It's nice of you to say that Zuko, but they're my parents. I need to do what they tell me to do. Last time I made them upset by being disobedient, they denied me my favorite dessert for a week after every lunch.'' Mai pouts, genuinely upset it has to be this way, but adamant on her position that it just has to be this way. That it's just part of her life and something she needs to put up with.
''I see. But I still think it's unfair.'' Zuko retorts. ''Maybe...'' Mai trails off, and starts fidgeting with a random pebble on the ground.
''You know what?'' Zuko suddenly says with a hint of unexpected enthusiasm, and a small but warm smile. ''You don't have to worry about how your parents, or anyone percieves you here Mai. I want to know and see the real you. It's what you deserve. I can probably get some dessert for you too!''
''Ah- well... that's really sweet of you Zuko...'' Mai shifts around a bit and tilts her head away from him, as she feels her cheeks heat up a little. ''So what dessert would you like the most?'' Zuko presses for an answer.
''Hm... I guess a fruit tart would be nice right about now.'' She shrugs, trying to conceal how giddy she is from this development, since it would be a little embarrasing if Zuko sees, a voice in the back of her mind says.
Zuko immedietaly gets up. ''Alright. I'll snoop around the palace to see if can find any tarts.'' He smirks mischevioiusly. ''And if they don't have them, I'll just bring you my favorite. We can share. Just wait here, okay?''
Mai nods wordlessly as Zuko runs off.
She didn't expect their exchange to end like this. She didn't really want to make this about herself at all, at any point. But as long as Zuko feels better and isn't sulking anymore, it's fine. More than fine. That was her goal anyway, and seems she succeeded. Distraction sure is a potent medicine for heartache.
When he returns, she will tell him that she'll make sure he never feels alone again.