Writer's Note: This was a prompt from Floranna, with Zuko genderbent and Mai staying the same. It was written only as a one-shot, but later Lavanya Six requested a few more drabbles, and since then has taken a life of its own. Thus, here it is, but itself and as its own story.
Warning: Occurs shortly after Book Two's finale and contains spoilers.
It had been different when they were little girls together. They had grown up the best of friends, their opposite personalities and temperaments rubbing off on each other and getting the pair into a ton of trouble.
So it was hardly much of a surprise when both girls remained close beyond their childhood days. Mai made sure that her parents sent her to the same Girls' Academy as Kazuko and Azula, something that made Azula scowl but made Kazuko's face alight with such happiness and glee.
And thus it wasn't much of a surprise when the pair spent almost every waking moment together, and in turn spent their time doing things together that, while utterly normal for curious and budding girls, still probably would have been construed as strange.
In the end, though, Mai and Kazuko didn't care. Mai liked Kazuko, and Kazuko liked Mai, so of course they kissed and hugged and held hands. Of course they sometimes shared the same bunk and played with each other's hair and whispered silly confessions in the dead of night.
But then Kazuko spoke up in one of her father's council meetings, one that she wasn't even supposed to attend in the first place. And then her father took it upon himself to face his oldest daughter down in an Agni Kai.
Of course Kazuko didn't fight back. So of course she got burned.
Mai was heartbroken. She didn't even get to see her off. All she had were the bittersweet memories of what they had. But then, she had heard rumours that Kazuko's face wasn't the only thing that had been burned that day - it was her pride and happiness as well.
So when Mai walked into the throneroom and saw a short-haired and dark-eyed shadow of the happy and long-haired girl she had known, she couldn't help but feel...scared.
Kazuko herself was already feeling so broken and raw inside, having watched her own little sister murder the one hope for the entire world before her eyes. Seeing Mai, however, made something deep within her breast loosen and...it was something like comfort, something like relief...and something else, something that spoke of long hot days lying side by side with the other girl, giggling and laughing and exchanging messy kisses out of boredom.
And it was Kazuko that strode over to Mai's side, unable to keep a small smile from her face. "Mai," she said, her voice soft and a little raspy. "It's so good to see you."
Something flashed over Mai's face, something she was quick to smother, before she replied. "Same here. Want to take a walk?"
Bemused, Kazuko complied, and the two young women left the throneroom under Azula's sharp glare.
"You've changed," Mai said softly, the words breaking the thick silence. "You're sadder, now. Sadder than you were even when your mom died."
Kazuko winced, her eyes closing for a moment. "I know. I'm sorry."
Mai stopped, blinking. "Why are you sorry?"
"Because I'm not the same girl you knew? I'm not the same girl you thought you knew?" The worlds tumbled out of her mouth before she even had a chance to call them back, and she blushed.
Mai, however, narrowed her eyes. She leaned in close, almost pressing her body to hers, and Kazuko felt her cheeks burn hotter. "Are you stupid?" Mai wondered, actually sounding worried about it. "We both have changed. But some things don't."
Kazuko broke the gaze, her heart racing. "It's different, now," she mumbled, her hands clenching together. "We're not kids anymore."
"Good," Mai answered.
Kazuko ducked her head, and Mai growled something - a curse, a wordless grunt - and grabbed her chin with long and manicured fingers. Kazuko's own fingernails were broken and short.
"Kazuko," Mai said, a small, catlike smile on her face. "Just shut up and come closer."
She did, and Mai leaned close and brushed her lips over the rough patch of skin under her eye. Instead of flinching or jerking away as instinct normally would have dictated, Kazuko stayed put. Her eyes closed, a small sigh escaping from her.
When Mai's lips found hers, she didn't hold back.
