scarredbetrayal:

            Despite his effort to avoid it, Zuko rolls his eyes at her quip, “Yeah, guess not.” 

        It was meant to be playful, but somehow it only added to the ongoing anxiety that crept up his nerves. There were enough executions, half of them not even entirely his decision, but still, too many more and the court might accuse him of some form of blood lust.

        Unlikely, but he wouldn’t put it past him if they did. 

        “—what do you mean you’ll do it?” He almost hadn’t heard her—or rather, chose not to. 

        Situations like these were delicate and best isolated and handled on his own. “You’re not doing anything. It’s not your job to.” 

        More so, he wasn’t even sure how to handle the situation himself. Sure,the initial approach was exactly what they were talking about—no one really gets to kill a king and get off with so much as a prison sentence. But here, the playing field was far too complex. 

        “I’m not letting you get involved. Not if I can help it. There’s no reason to drag you into something that involves me.” 

        The longer he speaks, the more he thinks, and the more aggravated he becomes. “Stop trying to protect me. You’ve done enough.” 

        “Besides, what use would that do when find out that a nobleman was killed by his own daughter?” 

He was tense, that much was obvious, and it made her pause and footnote in her mind to proceed with caution.

❝ You know I mean only as a last resort. If we can eliminate their threat without having to… dispose of my father, then of course I’d rather we do that. But if his actions end up cornering you…“

             She trailed off, only to scoff at Zuko’s next comment. It wasn’t her job to? Not letting her get involved? No reason to drag her into something that involved him? Was he being serious?

❝ You’re so dense sometimes. I got involved with this the moment Azula came to me telling me I needed to help her track you and your uncle down. Actually, if we’re being realistic, I got involved with this the moment I met you.”

          He wasn’t the only one getting increasingly aggravated, as soon enough Mai had crossed her arms over her chest. She wasn’t about to back down.

❝ Look, all I’m saying is that, if my father pushes you to where it has to be done, then I’ll handle it. I know you. Since he’s my father, you’d just dwell on it even if I tell you you had no choice and that I’m not mad at you for it. Even if you’re not that’d actually go through with it, you’d blame yourself. I’m not allowing that to happen, if I can help it.“

            A pause, then an exasperated sign blended with a groan.

❝ ………. My father is a traitor that blames his misfortune on others not giving him exactly what he wants, when he wants it. He not only tried to use me, his own daughter, but intended to brainwash his son into being the same by exposing him to danger. I doubt sensible people would mourn his passing.”