ATLA: Azlua

All I've ever Known

Mai's blood ran cold, and for a moment, she simply stared at him, her breath catching in her throat. "She... what?"

"It's fine," Zuko said quickly, his voice tight. He glanced over his shoulder, catching the look in her eyes, and added, "I pushed her too far. I knew what I was doing. I just—"

"She doesn't have the right," Mai interrupted, her voice low but sharp, her fists clenching at her sides. "I don't care what you said to her. She doesn't get to do this."

Zuko turned to face her fully now, wincing as the movement pulled at his wounds. "It's fine," he said again, his tone almost pleading. "I knew what I was risking. It was worth it."

Mai's eyes narrowed, her voice rising slightly. "Worth it? How could this possibly be worth it?"

"For a moment," Zuko said, his voice softening, "I got to see my little sister again."

Mai's anger faltered, her expression shifting to one of confusion and reluctant sympathy. "What are you talking about?"

Zuko's gaze drifted past her, his eyes distant. "Last night... for just a second, it felt like we weren't enemies. Like we were just... siblings again."

Mai let out a long sigh, her hand rising to pinch the bridge of her nose. "You're impossible, you know that?" she muttered. Then, without waiting for him to argue, she added, "Turn around."

"What?"

"Turn around," she repeated, her tone leaving no room for argument. "You're terrible at bandaging yourself."

Zuko hesitated, then complied, turning his back to her once more. Mai moved closer, her fingers deftly unwrapping the loose, bloodied bandage. Her hands were gentle but steady, her movements efficient as she cleaned the cuts with a damp cloth.

As she worked, she broke the silence. "What did you say to her?"

Zuko let out a short, humorless laugh. "You're not going to let this go, are you?"

"It takes a lot to make Azula lose her cool," Mai said, her voice calm but pointed. "I can count the number of times on one hand. So, tell me."

He shifted slightly, wincing as her fingers brushed against one of the deeper cuts. "We talked about Mom," he said finally, his voice quieter now. "It was... complicated."

"Complicated how?" Mai pressed, carefully wrapping a clean bandage around his torso.

"I said I didn't think she was dead," Zuko admitted, his tone flat. "That we could find her. Be a family again."

Mai paused for a fraction of a second before continuing. "And she didn't take that well."

"No," he said with a bitter chuckle. "She said I was naïve. That I didn't understand what Ozai was capable of."

Mai's hands stilled for a moment before she tied off the bandage and stepped back. "She won't hurt you again," she said firmly, her voice carrying an edge of finality.

Zuko glanced over his shoulder, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Thanks, Mai. But it's just how we are. Besides..." He smirked slightly. "Think of it as payback for me punching her on the beach."

Mai's expression darkened, her eyes narrowing. "I'm not joking, Zuko."

"I know," he said softly, his smile fading. He reached out, his fingers brushing against hers. Before she could pull away, he lifted her hand to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss against her knuckles.

Mai stiffened, her eyes flicking between his face and the hand he still held. "You're an idiot," she muttered, pulling her hand away quickly.

Zuko didn't respond, but the faint smile returned as he watched her retreat to the door. Mai hesitated, her fingers resting on the handle for a moment. "You've been through enough," she said without looking back. "You don't need this, too."