Writer's Note: This one is for Tsukiryuu, who wanted an AU that has Mai a little too savvy when it comes to Zuko for Zuko's taste.
Contains spoilers for The Day of Black Sun, Parts One and Two
Zuko had it all planned out, in his point of view, perfectly. Now that he had escaped his father's wrath, the only thing to do would be to find Iroh, beg his forgiveness, and then run to the loosely-guarded yard, where they kept the hot-air balloons, and swipe one before the guards could get wise about it.
But even that had fallen through, so now he wondered just how badly his luck was going to continue to spiral downward. When he ran into the warehouse, therefore, he was shocked to see it deserted. He was even more shocked when he saw that one of the balloons had been left not only inflated, but abandoned.
He darted over, wondering if this was the spirits' subtle way of apologising for the recent bad luck. Already, his heart was racing with the anticipation of what he would do or say once he caught up with the Avatar; would he be accepted? What would he do then?
His thoughts short-circuited when he jumped over the lip of the balloon's basket and was greeted with a sour voice saying,
"Going somewhere?"
Zuko yelped and jumped back before even registering who was seated there. "M-Mai?" he spluttered, peering over the basket again, shaking from both adrenaline and barely-restrained hope.
She was sitting in front of the furnace, her arms crossed and her face dark. Her face was the most shocking part, for she didn't bother to hide anything. She just... glare, her eyes blazing, her lips pressed so tightly together they almost vanished.
"Mai, what are you doing here?" he demanded, jumping up and standing in front of her, barely inches away from her.
"Go back to the hideouts! The fight is still going on!"
"And what about you?" she snapped back, standing up and getting into his face. He swallowed hard, his heartbeat suddenly speeding up. It always did whenever she was this close, but this time.. this time, it was for different reasons. "Are you going to go back? Or have you burned your bridges and are reading to go and chase the Avatar?"
"How...?" he stammered, feeling a wave of embarrassment and dread.
"I know you, Zuko. 'Go hide with Ty Lee'? 'I'll meet you after it's over'?" Her eyes narrowed into slits. "And, I bet you left a note, didn't you?"
And now he was speechless. He stared at her, feeling his hands shaking at his sides, unable to tear his gaze away from hers.
"You're not going alone, Zuko," she added. "I'm coming with you."
Now he had a voice. "No, Mai. You can't. You have to stay here, stay out of danger. Stay safe."
"And you think I don't feel the same way about you? You idiot. I don't trust you enough to take care of yourself."
"But, Mai-" his voice broke, and Mai's eyes softened, just a little. But he knew better than to think that he had won. He knew he had lost... in a way.
She looked away, turning towards the furnace and tossing in another chunk of wood, before looking over her shoulder and giving him a pointed look. He stared at her for a long moment. Was he willing to risk her? Was he willing to let her come with him, to face dangers that he had trouble facing at times?
But his heart, his damned heart, suddenly warmed within his breast. Mai. Mai was beside him, looking at him. Angry at him, but... he could stand that.
Zuko walked over to her side and held out his hand, tossing a ball of flame, then pulled the cord. Slowly, the balloon floated off from the ground, making its way from the warehouse and into the sky. Without thinking, he reached back for her hand. She took it, her fingers cool, and he squeezed.
"Moron," she said.
