A Decade in the Life of Mai and Zuko
Year One
During that first tumultuous year of Zuko's reign as Fire Lord, he proposed to Mai. Zuko couldn't see the point of waiting. Yes, he was busy. Yes, some people wanted him dead. And yes, there were years of hard work ahead. But Mai's wonderful and continued presence in his life overrode all of that. Mai was his girl, his one and only girl and he wanted to marry her. So he asked one evening after supper, about six months after his coronation. He stumbled a bit over his words. Zuko was accustomed to speaking in front of people now, but Mai was different. He'd had something prepared in his mind but decided to speak spontaneously instead. Mai smiled a bit at his awkwardness. That was one of the qualities that endeared him so much to her. The young Fire Lord managed to get the words out eventually and Mai accepted without any hesitation.
Five months later, with all their friends and family present and in front of the Fire Nation, Zuko and Mai exchanged their vows. Reaching for Mai's hand and squeezing it gently, Zuko turned to face his people, more sure than ever that he could restore their honour.