Wu can’t quite believe it when he wakes up. He knew the day was coming. He knew it when he went to bed the night before. He’d been in meetings all week to plan the celebrations. But it was one thing to know his birthday was soon and another thing entirely to wake up with the knowledge that he had survived another year.
He wasn’t supposed to. He knew that. Between the assassination attempts, coups, brainwashing, and outright war, he knew that it was a miracle to make it to his birthday. He should be thrilled. He should be going dancing or charming the ladies.
He’s having a hard time getting out of bed. It’s his birthday, a time of celebration.To celebrate that Kuvira didn’t murder him. That he made it out of Republic City. That he left Gaoling with his mind intact. That he’s made it.
Another year, another birthday. It’s been five years since Kuvira’s coup. Five years as King. Wu’s ministers had managed to convince him that it was important for the city to celebrate for him. That it somehow mattered more for the citizens of Ba Sing Se to feel pride in the simple fact of their King’s life than for them to feel pride in their city. Or have a decent life. Wu’s attendance was, therefore, mandatory for at least part of the city-wide festivities held in his honor. He should have been excited. He used to long for the accolades and honors of being king. Now, he just wishes he could sleep in.
This year is different. For the first time since the fall of Ba Sing Se, Wu is looking forward to his birthday. His ministers have released him from the tedium of his official festivities and he has actual plans to celebrate. It had taken a while, but he had actual friends now—friends who wanted to celebrate his birthday with him, friends who he could be himself around.
Korra and Bolin spent most of his birthday dinner goading each other into increasingly ridiculous challenges, only half of which Wu was able or willing to attempt. Asami and Opal talked and laughed and kept him on his toes. And Mako. It was a rare night where Mako let his guard down. Let himself just be. Joke and laugh and be oh so beautiful. It was a good night for Wu.
His friends came again for his thirtieth birthday. His ministers had finally given up their crusade for a parade dedicated to the day, leaving Wu free to enjoy time with his friends. And enjoy it he did. Bolin had managed to rope them all into some kind of drinking game, which left them all on the farside of sober. Wu decided it was a good idea when Mako switched to water afterward. The last thing he wanted was to be sick on his own birthday, especially one with friends.
By the end of the night, after everyone else had crashed, Mako and Wu were left alone talking. It had always been easier to talk to Mako. He understood things in a way that no one else did. He was able to take the scattered jumble of Wu’s thoughts and hear what Wu really meant. Wu didn’t mean to share quite as much as he did, the problems with his ministers, the slow pace of democratization, the loneliness. And Mako listened, really listened, to it all.
Wu would have blamed what happened next on the alcohol, if he hadn’t stopped drinking hours before. And if Mako hadn’t kissed him back.
Year after year, birthday after birthday spent within the gilded walls of the palace. Some years, Wu was left to celebrate alone, but more often he was surrounded by friends and loved ones and his boyfriend. The Earth Kingdom marched slowly but surely towards democracy, demanding less of Wu with each passing year.
Wu can’t quite believe it when he wakes up. He knew the day was coming. He’s fifty years old. He made it. Through the assassination attempts, coups, brainwashing, and outright war, he’d made it. Through years of long distance and letter writing, he’d made it. Or rather they’d made it. Fifty years old and waking up in his bed in Republic City. He’s having a hard time getting out of bed. He knows that his friends have a full day of festivities planned. Wu feels Mako’s arm tighten around his waist and gives up any pretense of leaving the bed. He’d much rather just sleep in with his husband. He’s sure Korra and Bolin will understand. It’s his birthday after all.
