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The events of the past few days were catching up to Mai, and she felt like she was moments away from exploding on Azula, Fire Lord or not.
“Do you think Fire Lord Azula will be getting a consort? I heard that she needs to consider an heir now to secure her line.”
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“Fire Lord Azula would absolutely want legitimate heirs. She has to take a male consort.”
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“Nothing against Fire Lady Mai, but it’s not like they can have children together.”
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“The council has been extremely insistent lately. I think The Fire Lord might agree just to shut them up.”
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“Do you think I might have a chance? Like I’m decently good looking, and The Fire Lord even praised my performance once.”
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Honestly, if it weren’t for Azula herself never being around anymore because she's so busy, she probably wouldn’t even care about all of this. But after only seeing her wife for a few moments before bed and maybe during meals if she has time, it really was becoming too much, even for her. Don't get her started on the nothing reaction she gave when finally questioned on the topic.
It was one of the times Ty Lee came over for a friendly dinner. Azula was still busy, but she took time to eat dinner with the 2 women who were apparently the most important in her life. Mai might’ve felt a bit frustrated that her wife hadn’t done so for the past few weeks, but she held it in. She was determined to enjoy this one meal with both of them without issues.
Unfortunately for her determination, Ty Lee had spent the day with her alone since Azula couldn’t join them. Meaning that their oldest friend had been overhearing the same things that Mai had been. And unlike the older woman, she couldn’t hold back her curiosity.
“So Azula. What’s all this I hear about you getting a male consort?”
It was quiet for several moments until across the table Azula lifted a single eyebrow at her, and Ty Lee flushed before looking back at her food.
“Ah, never mind.” And the topic was quickly dropped, just as quickly as it arose.
But that non-answer to the question Mai herself had been holding back from asking was just crossing a line she wasn’t aware she even had. She had zero intention of sharing her wife with anyone. No matter the reason.
So now she was awake and waiting for her wife to finally enter their bedchambers much later than she ever would’ve returned just months ago. Why did it seem like Azula’s workload only increased several months after receiving the title of Fire Lord rather than right away when she was actually anticipating it?
That line of thought didn’t matter much because she soon shifted her focus to the door once it started to open.
Azula was quick to notice her wife sitting still on their bed, and she shook her head lightly before walking over to their vanity to remove her outer accessories. “You didn't need to stay up to wait for me.” Her tone was casual as she worked carefully to keep all her items in perfect condition.
Mai rolled her eyes but didn't bother to respond to the statement. It was her choice to stay up or not, but in this specific case she was going to have this conversation with Azula now before she ended up doing something she would regret to the next person that brought up her wife getting a consort.
“Oh I see. I must be in trouble then if I'm only getting silence.” Those gold eyes stared back at Mai through the mirror's reflection. There was a hint of amusement in her voice, but her eyes had the focus they normally did when Mai genuinely wanted to talk.
A scowl took over Mai’s face, almost in stubborn retaliation to the warmth that spread through her. The scowl didn't last long and soon dropped with a bitter sigh. Azula wasn't one to beat around the bush, and everything would just go smoothly if she just said what was wrong.
“There's been talk lately.”
Azula chuckled and put down her final headpiece before approaching Mai slowly. Still dressed in her formal robes, but she didn't seem to care. “When isn't there talk? The rabble seems to find most of their enjoyment from running their mouths for days on end.”
Mai resisted the slight urge to smirk. This needed to be focused, because if it wasn't, then she would let it go and continue feeling bitter inside until the truth came out. “Do you plan on getting a consort?”
At that, Azula froze in place, her hands previously reaching to hold onto her wife stopped just seconds before contact. At the reaction, Mai’s eyebrows furrowed deeply, and her chest felt alight all of a sudden. Indignation she wasn't ready to feel but came on suddenly was strong, and she took a step back. “I have no intention of sharing my wife, Azula. And if you would dare to bring someone else into our bed, you would wake up to find them full of holes.”
The Fire Lord continued to stare, though her eyes seemed to scan every part of her, mostly focused on her face. Soon her shock cooled into something familiar. A slight smugness but overall satisfaction. “And if I used a different bed? This is a castle after all; there are plenty of options.”
Mai closed her eyes, and it didn't erase Azula’s amused expression, but she could see some of the tension leave her wife's shoulders, which was what she wanted. Azula approached again this time and placed both her hands on Mai’s arms.
The older woman stood there for several moments just accepting the moment for what it was, before she turned and walked towards their bed. “I think I'll be resizing all of our guest room beds. The expectation is that our guests would all be able to have their own room, correct? Whyever would they need such big beds? It's indulgent.” Her tone was just as dry as it usually was, and Azula didn't last before she gave a genuine laugh. One that was only expressed in the present company.
“You are Fire Lady; this is your palace as much as it's mine.”
Mai didn't say anything as she finally climbed into her space in bed. Azula was quiet as well as she finally took the time to change her robes before doing the same.
Their usual comfortable silence was held for several moments before Azula let out a mix of a sigh and a scoff.
“I have zero intention of taking a consort, male or otherwise.” She let that statement sit for a few seconds before continuing. Slightly quieter but no less sure of her words, “I haven’t brought this up to you yet because I wasn't sure if it was too soon for us or not. But I've been thinking of adopting.”
Azula swallowed but didn't stop, even after seeing Mai’s eyes widen.
“We haven't talked about it before, and I didn't know how you felt about it. We could raise a kid ourselves that would become my heir, or if you're opposed, I can wait for some time and sponsor someone talented and raise them that way.”
Mai sat up suddenly, “How long have you been thinking about this?”
The younger woman didn't bother sitting up; instead, her gaze shifted to the ceiling. “Do you truly think I would ask you out without considering our future? I've never considered a consort once.”
Mai stared down at her wife as several seconds passed before she sucked in a surprised breath, as if she only just processed what was said. Azula finally looked back at her, and Mai felt the rest of her stress fall away. She should've never doubted this woman. “I don't know if we're ready yet, but I would love to raise a child with you, Azula.” And despite never having the thought before this conversation, her voice was soft and full of emotion as she felt them completely and surely.