Writer's Note: A prompt from Twistedfriction, looking for some Maiko fluff.
Warning: Occurs post-series and contains spoilers.
"Take it easy, Zuko, will you?" Mai's voice was sharp, and the knife she held close to his throat sharper. Zuko gulped, knowing she meant it but unable to really process it. "You've been running around the Palace without stop for days. You barely sleep. Now is the time to rest. Robes off, pajamas on, and hair loosed, or you're going to get it."
Zuko waited until she lowered the knife before he moved. Mai's hands vanished into her sleeves, her eyes bright with conviction. He knew what that meant, and slowly he went about doing what she asked – no, commanded .
He understood, really. He had been rather stretched too thin as of late. But there was so much to do and it seemed like there was no time to do it. All he wanted was the peace to finally settle in already so that he could sleep without dreaming of his own paranoia.
Mai took pity on him halfway through his undressing and helped him, loosening layers of silk and leather armour hidden beneath, tossing the articles aside like they were nothing but dusty refuse. Once he was clad only in his undershirt and pants, Mai's long fingers went right to his shoulders and dug in, and he groaned, melting under her grip as she massaged the kinks out of muscle and sinew.
"Idiot," she said softly into his ear, and he heard the worry in her voice. Zuko muttered something wordlessly, leaning back against her body and taking comfort in how soft and warm she was. "Bed, now."
He was practically shoved onto the bed, but he was so tired he didn't care. He didn't even have the energy for pajamas. He landed on his front, face-down in cool silk sheets, and he didn't even so much as blink when Mai sat down right on his back, her hands in his hair, freeing it from its topknot. He grunted at that, especially when she ruffled his hair out of the shape of the knot.
"Mai," he murmured, his eyes closed. "Come lie down with me."
"In a minute," she replied. She sat down on his backside and massaged his shoulders again, sending him into a moment of pure and unmatched bliss. He was almost asleep when she slipped down off of him. He heard the rustling of clothes and the sound of her blowing out the candles. Then, the best part – Mai herself, lying right beside him and sliding her arms around him, resting her cheek onto his hair. When she sighed deeply, every muscle in his body relaxed.
"Mai," he whispered again, and she snuggled closer, planting a soft kiss on his burnt ear.
"What is it?" she wondered, her voice so tender it shot into his heart.
"Love you," he mumbled, sleepy and drowsy and buried in bliss.
He felt her bury her face into his neck, felt how warm her cheeks were, and he smiled a little. "Whatever," she muttered back, and he reached out and slid an arm around her waist, holding her close.