Title: The Strong
Prompt: #072 Pensive
Notes: I never noticed how weird the word 'strong' looks until I wrote this drabble. Takes place mostly in Mai's head but also during 'Avatar Aang' episode. More sympathetic Maingst. (I like Mai. The more I rewatch the series the more I like her.)
The Strong
She wonders when she reached this point. When she reached the point of not caring anymore that he doesn't love her, that she is not his princess, that she is second-third-fourth-lost in his affections. When she's willing to take the scraps.
They whisper behind her back that she's weak. So silly, to stay with a man that does not want her, that keeps her out of misguided pity and fond memories of first love. Can't she see? they whisper, like she can't hear them.
Sometimes, she agrees with them. She plays her Pai Sho game with Suki (wonders when she began to be friends with her enemies, wonders if that change happened at the same time she was reduced to waiting for the tattered remains of his love). Sees, from the very corner of her eye, the brilliant, beautiful look he gives Katara (that ). Watches the proof of his "infedelity", and thinks herself weak.
Sometimes (when she holds him close as he cries and tells her he's sorry but he loves Katara so so so so so much that it's breaking him apart on the inside and the outside) she thinks herself strong.