Disclaimer: I do not own nor do I claim to own any characters or concepts related to Avatar: the Last Airbender. This is a nonprofit work of fanfiction.
This drabble is set post-series.
Out of the masses
He followed her as she led him, passing from the Jasmine Dragon proper onto the terrace, where a cooling breeze came upon them.
"Ugh," Mai said. Her cheeks were flushed, her throat damp. "I thought I was going to die in there."
"I'll get you some water," Zuko said.
"Don't bother," she said to him. "I'm fine now."
Zuko looked to the shop, then, resolved, started forth.
Mai caught his wrist; her lacquered nails pricked his skin. "I said, don't bother."
"Mai--"
"Zuko," she said. Mai ran her nails down the inside of his wrist, tracing tendons, sketching veins.
She said, "Stay."
He stayed.
This story was originally posted at livejournal on 09/04/2009 for lj user squeemu.