the-badger-mole:

zutarawasrobbed:

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.

Zuko: How could you, Mai?

Mai:Pretty easily, it turns out. A few well placed letters, a quiet word of warning, and she scampered off like a frightened little rabiroo.

Zuko: Why? Why would you do that to her? She has never been anything my but-

Mai:Please spare me the righteous indignation. Was I supposed to sit by and watch my boyfriend pine over another woman and do nothing?

Zuko: I am not pining for her! Katara has never done anything to come between us! But if you think I’m marrying you after this-

Mai: Oh, I think you will. You see, Zuko, I was not the only person who noticed your little crush on the water peasant. Several members of your council saw it, and they want to put an end to it. They have spoken to me and they agree that the best thing for the succession is for you to marry a suitable woman as quickly as possible, and in a rare show of common sense, they have decided that I am most suited.

Zuko: They can’t make me marry you. I am the Fire Lord.

Mai: Yes you are! And if you want to stay the Fire Lord, you had better start sending out those wedding invites. Honey.

Zuko: No. If they want me to marry a Fire Nation woman, then I will, but it won’t be you.

Mai: I thought you might say that. That is why I have a little insurance.

Zuko: What do you mean?

Mai: Do you know where your little friend ran off to? I do

Zuko: What are you going to do with this information-

Mai: I have instructed a close confidant of mine to send a letter to the avatar of her whereabouts if you make me leave.

Zuko, gritting his teeth: What do you want?

Mai: Simple, once you formally announce our engagement, I’ll instruct my contact to destroy the letter. But if you don’t, I’ll make sure there’s nowhere she can hide where the avatar can’t find her. She’ll be living in terror the rest of her life, and it will all be because of you.

Zuko, Begging: Mai, please don’t do this. Hurt me? Fine. But she’s done nothing to deserve this. I’ll do anything.

Mai: Send the invitations. We’re done here.