For Awapuhi, who requested one-sided Mai/Zuko with Zuko rejecting Mai. (This is sort of that.)
Essential
When Mai sees Zuko again it is instinct that takes over. They were seperated on the cusp of adulthood, before the strange new thoughts and feelings could be explored, but past the point where they could be forgotten or ignored.
Standing alone in a clearing with moonlight spotting the ground through the trees, the shock in his eyes when he realizes it is her, the way that he mouths her name to himself...this is all that it takes.
She closes the distance between them and presses her mouth to his like in so many of her dreams. He does not resist, returns with fervor (like he's searching for something), and the heat of his skin keeps away the night's chill. She leaves long scratches on his back and a bitemark on his neck and he never says her name.
After, he stands and turns away, shrugs off her hand when she touches his shoulder.
"We shouldn't have," he says and she hears regret, is terrified to strain for more.
"You wanted to," she replies forcing her voice into an even tone and stepping towards him again. "Obviously."
He faces her and she flinches because there is such sorrow in his expression. "I thought that-- I've wanted a lot of things... I wanted you," he says and she knows he does not mean her flesh. "But when I lost everything, I learned how to go without."
"And now?" she asks, though she does not really want the answer.
"I hoped I could go back, but I can't." He runs a hand over his head, short crisp hair and negative space where his queue should be. "That's why we shouldn't-"
She slaps him before she can realize what she is doing and he rubs his jaw as she hastily pulls her clothing on.
"I'm sorry," he says. "You have to believe-"
"You're not," she interrupts and does not allow her lip to tremble as she releases a catch in her sleeve and knife falls into her hand. "But you will be."