![]() ![]() “Then let’s go, Mister Firelord!” Tom-Tom sprang off his chest and out the door. “You okay, Mister Firelord?” The little boy asked, peering down at Zuko’s pained expression. Tom-Tom thudded harmlessly against his chest. His heel caught the hem of his robe and he slipped backwards, falling flat on his back. ![]() Zuko dashed over and caught the boy in his arms. “Yeah, I thinks–”¬¬ Tom-Tom lost his grip on the cabinet and fell with a yelp. Zuko could barely keep the amused grin off his face. It was dark red with black stripes, narrowed eyes and a large frown. Before Zuko knew what had happened, he had climbed up to one of the top cabinets and was waving a mask frantically. “It’s a little big for you, how about this one?” He held out a smaller orange and yellow mask with wide eyes and a large smile. “Ooo, I likes that one!” Tom-Tom exclaimed. “This is where I keep all my masks.” He reached up and unlocked one of them, pulling out his Blue Spirit mask. Zuko took the boy into a small room lined with cabinets. With that, he grabbed Zuko’s hand and started dragging him off. “Oh, we will, Mai-Mai! You wait an’ see!” “Not gonna happen, Zuko.” She growled softly. “Of course she’s coming.” He bent down and looked Tom-Tom in the eyes. “’Cuz she don’t really like ta’have fun!” He whispered the last part, but loud enough that Zuko knew Mai had heard. “Mai-Mai?” He mouthed at her, his eyebrow arching in amusement. He ran to Zuko’s side and tugged at his tunic. ![]() “Ooo, masks! I love masks!” Tom-Tom cried, leaping out of Mai’s lap. “C’mon, Tom-Tom, let’s go find some masks.” Zuko couldn’t help the stupid grin that slid up his face. You’re the Firelord now.” Mai said dryly. “You can’t just walk out in public, Zuko. Right now, we’re going to go to the Fire Festival.” “Zuko, I thought you had plans…” Mai trailed off. “It’ll be way fun!” Tom-Tom threw his arms in the air. There was something infectious about Tom-Tom’s innocent and childish ways. He was grinning from ear to ear and his gray eyes were shining. “Really?” Tom-Tom asked, tumbling over Mai’s shoulder and into her arms. “Why don’t we go to the Fire Festival, then.” “Hey, you know what?” He asked, getting to his feet. He hefted a long sigh and squared his shoulders, his mind set. One look at Tom-Tom’s innocent face reminded the Firelord of what he’d always imagined his little sister could have been. She wanted the most normal childhood for him and she wasn’t about to let anyone tarnish his innocence. But he could also see an immense and fierce love for her brother. He had cancelled all his appointments for the evening so he could spend it with Mai. Mai glanced back quickly at her little brother and then gave Zuko a pained smile. “No, I wanna go to da Fire Festival tonight!” He rushed over to Mai and climbed up on her back, grinning. “Err…isn’t there something you wanted to play, Tom-Tom?” Why would’ja wanna kiss ‘er just ‘cuz you like her?” And I umm…I mean…she means a lot to me and err…yes, possibly I was.” Mai ducked her head, hiding her face with her sleeve. “She’s ‘pecials to me too, Mister Firelord.” Tom-Tom replied, making a very serious face. “Umm, well, Tom-Tom, you see…err…your sister is very special to me and I–” Zuko looked pleadingly for help from Mai, but to his surprise, a faint smile was on her lips and her shoulders were shaking slightly. “Mister Firelord, was you gonna kiss my sister?” “Not ‘til I knows ifs he was gonna kiss you!” He turned to Zuko and tugged at his robes. The little boy crossed his arms over his chest stubbornly. “Tom-Tom, why don’t you go feed the turtle-ducks?” Mai asked gently, offering him a piece of bread. Not with her little four-year-old brother. As Firelord, he didn’t have much spare time and he wanted to spend as much of it as possible with Mai. Mai’s little brother had ruined a rare and special moment. Zuko’s face was so red he felt that it was on fire. “I didn’t know you was gonna be doin’ all dis lovey stuff wif him!” He stuck out his tongue. “I was bored and Auntie Mura said I could come.” He looked over at Zuko. Mai’s little brother grinned up at his sister. “You didn’t even hear me comin’, did’ja?” He asked with a smile. Tom-Tom grinned up at them, his chubby arms clutching the trunk of the apple tree. Zuko’s head shot up and he gasped, nearly tumbling backwards in surprise. Zuko reached out and wrapped his fingers around her warm cheek. Mai reached up and pulled out his topknot, letting his brown hair fall in spiky locks around his face. A smile tugged at the newly-crowned Firelord’s lips and he lowered his head towards hers. She gazed up at him and he could see the love and warmth in her eyes. He moved his head to look into her tawny eyes. Zuko’s arm slowly slipped around Mai’s waist. ![]()
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