ATLA: Azlua

Aftermath part two

Zuko held her tighter, his chin resting gently on top of her head. "You're not a shitty person, Mai. You're just... human. We all are. We make mistakes, we hurt each other, but we can also choose to make it right. And you're here now. That's what matters."

Mai closed her eyes, her tears finally escaping and rolling down her cheeks. She let herself be vulnerable, truly vulnerable, for the first time in what felt like forever. She clung to him, her fingers gripping the fabric of his shirt, as if afraid he'd disappear if she let go.

Minutes passed, and the silence between them spoke more than words ever could. The warmth of Zuko's embrace slowly began to soothe the chaos within her, and she felt herself start to breathe easier. The anger, the fear, the pain—it was still there, but now it was bearable. She had someone to share it with.

She pulled back slightly, just enough to look at his face. He gazed down at her, his eyes soft, filled with understanding. It was a look that made her chest tighten, but also one that gave her a sense of calm.

"I... I'm not good with words, or emotions, or any of this," Mai said, her voice shaky. "But I do know that I love you, Zuko. And I'm sorry for everything that's happened. I don't know how to fix it, but I want to try."

Zuko smiled, brushing a tear away from her cheek with his thumb. "We'll figure it out. Together. One step at a time."

Mai gave a small nod, her lips curving into a faint smile. It wasn't a resolution, not entirely. There were still things to work through, things to confront. But for now, this was enough. Being here, in his arms, was enough.

She rested her head against his chest, letting out a long, steadying breath. Her thoughts drifted back to her confrontation with Azula. She still didn't have all the answers, but as she stood there with Zuko, she realized something important. She didn't need Azula's approval. She didn't need to prove herself worthy of trust. She just needed to be true to herself and to those she loved.

Maybe, just maybe, she could find her own path—one that wasn't dictated by fear or loyalty to anyone else but herself.

"Thank you, Zuko," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

"For what?" he asked softly.

"For reminding me of who I am."

He pulled her even closer, and they stood like that, wrapped in each other's warmth, the weight of their troubles momentarily forgotten.

--

Azula sat in her private chambers, the dim light of dusk filtering in through the large, ornate windows. The room was silent, save for the occasional crackle of the torches that lined the walls. She was seated at her desk, an array of tactical documents spread out before her, but her eyes weren't on them. Instead, they were fixed on a single point, staring through the papers, through the desk, through everything in front of her.

She was thinking about Mai—about what had happened on the blimp. The words they had exchanged replayed in her mind, each one cutting deeper than she cared to admit. Azula clenched her jaw, her fingers drumming lightly on the edge of the desk as if to dispel the discomfort that gnawed at her. She wasn't used to this feeling—this unease, this uncertainty. Emotions were supposed to be a weakness, something that she had learned to control, to wield against others. But now, they felt like they were turning against her.

"Trust is for fools." She had meant it. She still did. But why, then, did Mai's words cling to her like a shadow? Why did it bother her so much that Mai had accused her of not understanding what true friendship was? Azula scowled, a flash of anger bubbling up inside her, directed at herself. How had she allowed herself to be caught off guard like that? How had she allowed someone to make her question herself?