Day Eight: In Our Bedroom After the War

[peri_peteia]

Title: In Our Bedroom After The War
Rating: PG-13

For: icybrightMai rolled over, opening her eyes though the room was too dark for her to see. She ran her hand over the wrinkled sheets and stretched her fingers to the far edge of the bed. No one lay beside her, and the indentation his body had left was cold. She felt herself frown, lips pursed and

Comments

[jill_rg]

So realistic. This is excatly how I'd expect Zuko to feel about the responsibility he's been given and exactly how Mai would help him through it. Good thing he has her to keep him sane. And happy, as always.

[silly_izzy_me]

NO WAY I almost named my fic this. Best song ever for post-war Maiko y/y/y?

Anyhow, this was amazing. Beautifully written, very realistic... I adored every word of it. This is one of the best post-war Maiko fics I've ever read.

!!!

[icybright]

Oh my gosh, mystery writer! Oh my gosh. This is perfect.

I love Zuko's insecurity and neuroticism about absolutely everything, the fact that he felt like it was all Aang, I love Mai's beautiful, quiet reassurances and the fact that she's so sure of their relationship and of her place in the world now. I love the way this fic feels - I can see the four-in-the-morning darkness and the way everything can seem so dire at that time in Zuko's scrolls and questions and.

Writing letters to Maiuncle. agfdgfdgf

This feels like a perfect little slice of canon. It's everything I love about the dynamics of their relationship, the fact that Mai actually takes care of him and. Lucky shirt. All of the things Zuko is doing to help rebuild the Fire Nation...I almost cried, I'm not gonna lie.

In conclusion: HEARTS FOREVER. <3 <3 <3

(Lucky shirt.)

[ruebroadway]

Wow...
I could feel Zuko's anxiety in my own body...
I especially liked Mai's slight bit of emotion as she listed Zuko's accomplishments.
Great read :o)

[peri_peteia]

Mai knew, though he had never stated it so baldly, that she could follow Zuko wherever he went

I think this is my very favourite thing about this fic. The undercurrent as summarized here that sort of reflects on and provides context for the way that their relationship has developed in this not-so-distant future.

So much of their relationship is defined by separation, by Zuko going off somewhere and Mai not being able to follow, that it's just so poetic and achingly romantic that when they're both finally able to settle down (uh, relatively speaking!) he redefines it by removing all potential for walls and hinderances. Just guh.

Loooooove. <33333

Then, of course, as a reminder of the dynamic of their relationship there is adorable Zuko freaking out and Mai being all IT'S OKAY BB. <33

PENULTIMATELY, the description of Zuko's reforms and the world's reaction to him is just sjahdkflasd. Yeah.

Also:

"The Earth King was a figurehead his entire life, then spent six months riding around on his bear. I think it's safe to say you know

[ali_wildgoose]

I was just sitting here looking over the fic again because I'm self-absorbed apparently, and when I read the little paragraph about REFORMS and ERASING OZAI'S LEGACY and whatnot all I could think about was a certain new President going into office and rolling up his sleeves and I think I sort of broke something in my brain forever.

JUST SAYING!

[peri_peteia]

DUDE! Weren't you there when Tropie and I had the conversation about ZUKOBAMA/BIROH 08?

[ali_wildgoose]

I WAS NOT!

IT'S OKAY THOUGH NO ONE TALKS TO ME ANYMORE ANYWAY

*SIGH*