Avatar: The Last Airbender

Pillow Talk

Chapter 17: Choose

Being dismissed by the princess was nothing new to the black-haired daughter of the governor of New Ozai. Even as children, Azula always had to have her way, always had to be in charge. That didn't' mean she enjoyed or even accepted the constant dismalls of her presence, especially when she was spending some much needed time alone with her boyfriend.

Zuko had only just returned to the Fire Nation, had just gotten his honor back after three agonizingly long years and now Azula was surely complicating matters for the reinstated prince. It left a sour taste in Mai's mouth that was impossible to swallow.

And so Mai stood, rooted in place a few feet from where the princess had sent her away. And yet even here she could still feel Zuko's arms around her, feel the soft pressure of his lips against hers, lingering along the ridges of her mouth, and she missed it. She missed having him close to her, and the absence of his tender affections left an uncharacteristic chill in her being.

She wasn't certain what had bothered her most; knowing that her body ached with the absence of his nearness, or that she was even troubled by these cold, empty sensations at all.

It wasn't like her to be so completely enamored with one person. To need his touch and soft, gentle words that she found herself missing and even wanting when he wasn't there to give her that attention. She wanted it, craved it and even needed those sentiments and touches in the intimate moments of their quiet revere. And it scared her to think she had become so dependent on him. Scared her, but also emotionally filled her with a passion that she could not quite put to words. It was so much more different that who she really was, stoic and bleak. She hadn't even known when these changes began within her, and as of right now, she wasn't certain how she exactly felt about them.

As she continued her introspective self-exploration, the shuffling of footsteps drew her attention to the crimson-garbed princess who rounded the corner. "Oh Mai," Azula smirked, her voice dripping with unexpected discovery that did not reflect the piercing gaze fixed upon her. "Fancy seeing you still here."

"Yes well, it seems the tangles in Ty Lee's hair wasn't as bad as we feared," the taller woman droned as she crossed her arms. Rather than fix her friend with the usual gaze, her face was instead turned toward the direction she knew Zuko remained. For the briefest of moments, an apprehensive look crossed the knife thrower's face, betraying more than she intended to reveal to her astute friend before amending the expression with her customary, stoic features.

Catching the look with deep interest, Azula offered a knowing smile to her friend before sighing for no other purpose than to gather the other woman's attention. "If you're worried about Zuzu, don't be. You can have him back now, I'm all done."

But as she turned to leave, Mai's fingers clutched her friend's arm, halting her departure. It was a dangerous act, and Azula was not accustomed to being restrained by anyone, least of all one who served her. But for the benefit of her own interest, she let the offense go unchallenged. "Something you wish to say to me Mai?"

For a moment, just a fraction of a heartbeat really, Mai's hand slackened against her hold before reaffirming itself. She had already stepped over the line of protocol; she had nothing left to lose by surrendering to Azula's will. "I want you to leave Zuko alone, Azula."

The princess arched a dangerous eyebrow, the corner of her mouth seemingly uncertain whether to smile at the brazen demand from her friend or frown at the sheer audacity of this woman. In the end, it remained wholly unreadable and Mai was more disturbed by that reaction than any other. "Are you making demands of me Mai?"

"He's been through enough Azula," Mai remarked, and though her tone was indifferent, there remained an impatient bite of concern for the recently returned prince that the shorter young woman would not have expected from her friend. "Three years he's been gone. He's only just returned and getting his life back. I just want him to be happy."

"Zuzu…happy?" Azula barked a laugh of amusement that did not at all sound amused. "I think you have the wrong man if you're looking for his happiness. And since when did you ever care about making anyone happy?"

Mai however did not respond immediately and simply removed her hand from her friend's arm, fixing her friend with a piercing gaze that revealed too much. Azula seemed both startled and amused by the emotions she saw within. "Oh Mai, you terribly naïve fool. Are you telling me that…you care for Zuzu that much? Really?"

"He's all I want Azula," Mai said in her cutting tone that was as emotive as it was concise. "If our friendship means anything to you, let me have this…please."

It was the last word that had taken Azula by surprise the most, for Mai never pleaded for anything in her life. It was also equally gratifying to realize what was being offered her. Mai had exposed herself to the shrewdly minded princess; she revealed her one weakness to her. And for Azula's opportunistic mind, she knew Mai was surrendering all her hopes to the one woman who enjoyed nothing more than crushing other's dreams. It was a foolish move, and Azula was slightly caught off guard by the implications of what she could do with that knowledge.

"It all depends on Zuko," Azula said, taking the moment to check her fingernails as though the conversation was already boring her. "If he does something stupid, then I'll have to take action. Personally I'm not holding much faith for him…he's never been graced with an abundance of intelligence…or talent, or personality for that matter."

"Right," Mai replied in her customary droll while rolling her eyes. "Well, if that's all, I'll be getting back to Zuko now."

Now it was Azula's turn to halt her friend's retreating steps as her hand gripped Mai's sleeve. "For what it's worth Mai, I hope I'm wrong. But just so you know…I don't want Zuko coming between us."

"For that, it depends on you Azula," Mai said, her back still turned on her friend. "On whether you intend to come between Zuko and me."

With those words, Mai gently pulled her arm free of Azula's grip and made to join Zuko. She had a feeling he would need her company, even if he wouldn't tell her what he and Azula talked about.

Azula however stared at the departing back of her friend, wondering how she would twist this new information to her own advantage. She could not deny that she was troubled by this new defiance Mai was showing. It did not at all suit her and Azula certainly did not like it. But she was nothing if not patient. Azula would wait and see, and Spirits help Mai if she chose Zuko over her.

-End

A/N: Well, this kind of occurred to me during that scene where Azula dismissed Mai during The Headband. The look Mai gave was not at all submissive. Anyway, Mai doesn't get enough love, and I thought this was a sweet little exploration on Mai's feelings for Zuko. But I'm not really sure how this one came out.

Anyway, if you liked it or didn't like it, please let me know. I may be a review whore, but only 4 more to 100.