Escape

Mai: Why are you always looking at that scar?

Zuko: What?

Mai: The one on your chest. It doesn’t cause you pain- at least not physically. And every time you do, you smile. Why?

Zuko: It’s important-

Mai: Stop lying to me!

Zuko: I don’t understand-

Mai: The scar isn’t important. She is, isn’t she?

Zuko: I-

Mai: *Rolls her eyes* At least look me in the eyes.

Zuko: … *Sighs* She’s my friend Mai… Of course she’s important to me.

Mai: I don’t see why you care about her so much. She’s just a peasant. And I don’t know why you so easily offered her a place to stay here.

Zuko: She needed safety!

Mai: From her boyfriend? So what he had a temper tantrum-

Zuko: He could’ve killed her!

Mai: She doesn’t need to be here. If you won’t kick her out, I’ll just tell Aang where she is-

Zuko: Don’t. You. Dare. If you tell him she’s here, he’ll just guilt her into forgiving him.

Mai: She should forgive him. It’s not like anyone else would love a Southern Water Tribe peasant anyway-

Zuko: *Warning* Tell him where she is, and I’ll consider it an act of treason.

Mai: …

Zuko: *Realizes* What did you do?

Mai: *Smirks* I had to keep you distracted long enough for her to leave the capital. I doubt she’ll come back now that she thinks you were the one who sent him her location.