Maiko
Mai/Zuko
Zuko's canon endgame is Mai, the knife-throwing noblewoman whose deadpan boredom hides absolute conviction — she defies Azula at the Boiling Rock with the line 'I love Zuko more than I fear you.' Their relationship survives his betrayal of the Fire Nation and her imprisonment for saving him. Fic explores two emotionally repressed Fire Nation kids learning honesty after the war.
What is Maiko?
Maiko is the fan-given name for the romantic pairing of Mai and Zuko from Avatar: The Last Airbender. With over 2,500 works on Archive of Our Own, it's one of the most popular ships in the fandom.
Why fans love Maiko
The girl who never raises her voice committed the series' single most romantic act of treason.
Most Popular Maiko Fanfics
The highest-rated Maiko stories on AO3, ranked by kudos.
Public Denial, Hidden Destiny
by onewomanshow
Katara is not in denial that she's in love with Zuko.Zuko is not in denial that he's in love with Katara. But, this was easier. Or: Having a piece of each other is better than nothing, until it isn't.
Such Sweet Treason
by MasterTheGreat
He failed. The war was supposed to end on the Day of the Black Sun… but he failed. He failed his friends, his team, everyone, and the whole world. Sleep never comes, his thoughts keep him awake as the weight of his failure bears down on him, suffocating even within the Western Air Temple’s refuge. A
Life Beyond The War
by MysteriousSouls
What I think happens after the 100 year War!
Old Friends, Gathered Again
by Poisonira
No summary provided.
Smoke, Shadows, and Reignated Fire
by Celestine_Castellane
After the discovery of those disguised as the Kemurikage, unrest still lingers in the shadows of the Fire Nation. Zuko and the daughter of a governor are quietly drawn back together as old tensions resurface.
The Dragon's Mate
by Arya2601
Some members of the royal family of the Fire Nation have a unique trait: they have predestined partners.Legend has it that some are like dragons, direct children of Agni, and those who are so have a partner assigned to them for life, chosen by the god himself. The Crown Prince’s partner is known as
people say I'm jealous but my kink is karma
Completeby asher_thestars
Azula is ready to talk to boys for the first time. Ty Lee helps her in the most crucial part for that evening—kissing. OR The Beach episode but Ty Lee helps Azula practice how to kiss.
Toward an unknown journey
by Mythical_Endora
Three years after the war, Suki finds herself changed in ways she can no longer ignore. The love she once held, the identity she once wore with certainty both feel misaligned, as if she has outgrown a life she never meant to leave behind. When that quiet ache becomes impossible to silence, she sets
More Than Friends
by DreamWriterKCP
What does it mean to be more than friends? After Sozin's Comet, Aang and Katara agree to try being more than friends as they navigate building a new world with the Gaang. Through relationships, reunions, and reparations the teenagers figure out what comes after you save the world. Deciding whether
I Don’t Listen To Beggars
by The_idea_master
With Zuko on his way to spend several months in Republic City, leaving behind a pregnant Mai to run the fire nation, no one is left to keep an eye on Azula, still plagued by mental illness. Thought she retains some independence, Zuko can’t, in good conscience, completely abandon his sister. Instead,
I want you not her.. (Zuko x reader)
by Mimi_5
You are a talented firebender born into power, the daughter of one of the Fire Nation’s most respected generals. Expectations have followed you your entire life—and you’ve met every single one. But even in a life shaped by perfection, there are things you cannot control. Like him. Because there’s on
What The Fuck Are You Doing On My Farm?
by sailormoon_15
The Gaang discover that Appa isn't the only sky bison after all! However, what they don't expect is who's been taking care of said newly discovered bison.
I WISH I NEVER MET YOU
by Shaboobamon
Ty Lee's stagnant relationship with her boyfriend comes crumbling apart when she reunites with Azula, her childhood crush and bully. What starts out as simple excitement transforms into something far more intoxicating... and sinister. OR Ty Lee leaves her boyfriend and gives all of herself to Azula.
Of Fires and Boomerangs
by UnicornPanda
Just stories about Zuko and Sokka that has been bothering me for these past few days.First story, 'Happily Married'. Where Sokka had an accident and is totally high with anesthesia after he woke up.Second story, 'Arrange Marriage'. Where Zuko, was forced to Marry a man *she just met.Third story, 'An
Winds That Cut
by mellowdreama
Air is the element of freedom, it embraces a lifestyle of constant movement and flexibility. With that said, it seems to be very ironic that as one of the last airbenders she now spends most of her time stuck inside a princelings prison ship.But if it means sabotaging his plans to capture Aang, she'
Mark 8:36
by kkinx
At a prestigious academy glorified for its elite students and exceptional academic achievements. Scholarship student Aang unexpectedly finds himself thrust into a world of wealth, obsession, and manipulation when he captures the interest of one of the most influential elites, Katara. As he ascends t
La Consejera del Señor del Fuego (Zuko X FOC)
by Gabeglow
Zuko es un Señor del Fuego consumido por el deber de regresar el honor a una nacion que todavía huele a humo y ceniza. Taqqiq es la curandera hija de un maestro fuego desertor que viaja por el mundo intentando llevar las enseñanzas de su pueblo. Después de que Iroh fuera herido de gravedad, Taqqiq s
To All the Girls I've Loved Before
by myriadsandme
Zuko’s letters are his most secret possessions. There are five total: Mai, his former neighbor, Song from the Hospital, Jin from the trip to Ba Sing Se, Suki from Model FN, and... Katara, but she's his best friend's girlfriend. (Inspired by “To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before” by Jenny Han)
Kitsune to Tsuki no Usagi
Completeby bathala
For a hundred years, a half-demon boy waited, sealed to the ancient tree behind a shrine. On a night of frost and silver, Katara unknowingly releases him.
Ripe Apples and Sweet Memories
Completeby Poisonira
Zuko wants to continue his peaceful day in the royal palace with his beloved Mai, who seems to be a bit off. He is determined to find out why and cheer her up, while Mai is actually unsure what's wrong, and is bothered by that. So, How are they going to figure it out?
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Common Maiko Tropes
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does Maiko mean?
Maiko is the ship name (portmanteau or nickname) for the pairing of Mai and Zuko. It's used by fans to tag and search for fanfiction featuring this relationship.
How many Maiko fics are on AO3?
There are over 2,500 Maiko fanfiction works on Archive of Our Own.
How can I read Maiko fanfiction on my phone?
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