#she wishes Zuko and Mai could see their own auras because they're so beautiful

[lydiahosek]

#I gather that in traditional Chinese weddings it's actually the groom's family that's served first #let's just say that the Fire Nation does it differently #or that Zuko and Mai deliberately switch it round #because they know how it's going to be #zuko spends ages choosing the perfect tea for the ceremony #ty lee is there #in the Chief Bridesmaid role of providing and clearing away teacups at each stage #she's so excited #she wishes Zuko and Mai could see their own auras because they're so beautiful #she gets roped into the roughhousing and cuddles too #well she kind of ropes herself in #but no-one minds

Maiko wedding: the tea ceremony

Fire Nation weddings include an elaborate tea ceremony where the newly wed couple serve, in turn, the family of the bride and the family of the groom. Mai’s family includes both her parents, at least one uncle, at least one aunt, probably some grandparents, possibly some cousins, and her little brother.

Zuko’s family… well, he just has Uncle.

Ozai is in prison and is definitely Not Invited. Ursa is missing, presumed – well, Zuko’s not given up hope, but there are no leads. Azula is… recovering, but neither she nor Zuko is really ready to see the other again yet (and her therapist advises against it). Zuko feels incredibly guilty about it, but he and Mai both still feel tense (read: scared) at the prospect of being around her, especially at such a time of heightened emotions. 

They consider delaying the wedding, but (quite aside from any question of ensuring the succession, which is a valid concern) Zuko knows how much Mai needs this expression of commitment and Mai knows how much Zuko needs this expression of acceptance, and they can’t put off moving forward with their lives for the chance that a future time will be better.

So it’s just Uncle, for Zuko’s family. And Zuko loves having tea with his Uncle, these days, but thinking about the contrast with Mai’s big family makes Zuko lonely.

Zuko wonders if he can, should, could, invite Aang. He is his great-grandfather, kind of. But Mai counters by suggesting they invite the whole of Team Avatar to take part in the tea ceremony as Zuko’s family. Zuko is hesitant – will they really want to? Would they really want him? He stumblingly checks with Uncle first, afraid he’d be offended, but Uncle is fond of them all as well and is nothing but happy to welcome them as family. 

Of course when he does ask, they all accept with joyous glee.

On the day of the wedding, they have a very formal tea ceremony with Mai’s family first. It’s awkward. Mai’s mother’s attempts at currying favour with the Fire Lord are embarrassing, and she’s definitely judging Mai. They’re supposed to be avoiding politics, but Mai’s father crassly drops hints anyway, ‘if you need my advice’. It’s awkward with Mai’s uncle because of the whole Boiling Rock thing. The only family members they are at all comfortable with are Mai’s Aunt Mura and Tom-Tom. 

Zuko has to pull out his Lee-from-the-tea-shop persona to get through it, topping them up quietly and efficiently and trying to stay in the background. He only notices that’s what he’s doing when he has to stop himself from asking ‘Can I get you anything else?’ after the third cup.

But then they repeat the ceremony with Uncle and the Gaang and it couldn’t be more of a contrast. 

It starts in the traditional ritual manner, even if the participants aren’t so traditional. Mai and Zuko serve Uncle in the role of Zuko’s parent, and then Aang as Zuko’s esteemed great-grandfather. Zuko has tears in his eyes as he and Mai address Sokka as ‘brother’ and Suki, Katara and Toph as ‘sister’. 

The tea is drunk and appreciated; Zuko is pretty good at making tea these days. But the formal ceremony quickly degenerates into joshing and teasing and putting people into headlocks and massive cuddle piles. Uncle watches with a smile and suspiciously damp eyes. It all feels warm and loving and companionable and… safe. 

It feels like family. 

[avayarising]

Maiko wedding: the tea ceremony

Fire Nation weddings include an elaborate tea ceremony where the newly wed couple serve, in turn, the family of the bride and the family of the groom. Mai’s family includes both her parents, at least one uncle, at least one aunt, probably some grandparents, possibly some cousins, and her little brother.

Zuko’s family… well, he just has Uncle.

Ozai is in prison and is definitely Not Invited. Ursa is missing, presumed – well, Zuko’s not given up hope, but there are no leads. Azula is… recovering, but neither she nor Zuko is really ready to see the other again yet (and her therapist advises against it). Zuko feels incredibly guilty about it, but he and Mai both still feel tense (read: scared) at the prospect of being around her, especially at such a time of heightened emotions. 

They consider delaying the wedding, but (quite aside from any question of ensuring the succession, which is a valid concern) Zuko knows how much Mai needs this expression of commitment and Mai knows how much Zuko needs this expression of acceptance, and they can’t put off moving forward with their lives for the chance that a future time will be better.

So it’s just Uncle, for Zuko’s family. And Zuko loves having tea with his Uncle, these days, but thinking about the contrast with Mai’s big family makes Zuko lonely.

Zuko wonders if he can, should, could, invite Aang. He is his great-grandfather, kind of. But Mai counters by suggesting they invite the whole of Team Avatar to take part in the tea ceremony as Zuko’s family. Zuko is hesitant – will they really want to? Would they really want him? He stumblingly checks with Uncle first, afraid he’d be offended, but Uncle is fond of them all as well and is nothing but happy to welcome them as family. 

Of course when he does ask, they all accept with joyous glee.

On the day of the wedding, they have a very formal tea ceremony with Mai’s family first. It’s awkward. Mai’s mother’s attempts at currying favour with the Fire Lord are embarrassing, and she’s definitely judging Mai. They’re supposed to be avoiding politics, but Mai’s father crassly drops hints anyway, ‘if you need my advice’. It’s awkward with Mai’s uncle because of the whole Boiling Rock thing. The only family members they are at all comfortable with are Mai’s Aunt Mura and Tom-Tom. 

Zuko has to pull out his Lee-from-the-tea-shop persona to get through it, topping them up quietly and efficiently and trying to stay in the background. He only notices that’s what he’s doing when he has to stop himself from asking ‘Can I get you anything else?’ after the third cup.

But then they repeat the ceremony with Uncle and the Gaang and it couldn’t be more of a contrast. 

It starts in the traditional ritual manner, even if the participants aren’t so traditional. Mai and Zuko serve Uncle in the role of Zuko’s parent, and then Aang as Zuko’s esteemed great-grandfather. Zuko has tears in his eyes as he and Mai address Sokka as ‘brother’ and Suki, Katara and Toph as ‘sister’. 

The tea is drunk and appreciated; Zuko is pretty good at making tea these days. But the formal ceremony quickly degenerates into joshing and teasing and putting people into headlocks and massive cuddle piles. Uncle watches with a smile and suspiciously damp eyes. It all feels warm and loving and companionable and… safe. 

It feels like family.