AN: I originally wrote this for an Avatar RP. Mai and Zuko's relationship is suffering because they are constantly fighting, and don't spend much time together anymore.

Setting: Palace in Caldera (Fire Nation Capital) Zuko invited some friends to visit the Fire Nation, and they are all relaxing after a day out.

All Avatar characters belong to Bryke, whom I worship with every fiber of my being~


Chapter One

Mai's POV

"I don't want sex anymore," Zuko announced tiredly.

Almost more clearly than she saw the shocked expressions on her friends' faces, she felt the tension in the room tangibly jump. Her chest tightened painfully; she didn't know what to think.

"Oh?" she managed to say, keeping her voice level. "Okay." I will not react, Mai told herself. I will remain calm. This means nothing to me. It doesn't change our relationship.

"Good. It's settled, then," Zuko grumbled, scratching the back of his neck. His eyes avoided contact with hers, as if he couldn't handle even looking at her.

She nodded stiffly, crossing her arms. Instead of a nonchalant gesture meant to convey lack of interest, it seemed - to her, at least - defensive; like she had to hug herself to keep from breaking down. The glare she wished she could pin on him, she aimed at the wall past his shoulder instead. "Whatever. I'm hungry, I'll be back."

Sheepishly, Zuko asked, "Can you… bring a sandwich for me?"

Mai bit her lip, keeping her angry retort inside. Mastering herself, she answered without bothering to look at him. "Of course, Fire Lord."

Normally, she refrained from calling him that unless they were fighting, or teasing each other. However, she couldn't call this a fight…it felt more like an impass.

Ignoring everyone elses' presence, she stalked into the kitchen. In a brief attempt to bring order to her mind, she placed her hands on the counter and stared into space. The litany "he doesn't want you anymore, he doesn't love you anymore," refused to stop repeating in her mind. She didn't know what to do, or how to handle Zuko's statement.

Since they had started dating…and before then, Mai knew that he was a very emotional person, that he felt things intensely; but that he was more likely to blow up and rage over something little and stupid than actually confront the real problem. He attempted to show his feelings for her through extreme jealousy and stupid gestures. At some point, the gestures - packing a romantic picnic for lunch, fetching her an ice cream that she hadn't even asked for - stopped.

Then, she had told herself to feel grateful, rather than worried and disappointed. After all, she didn't have to put up with his embarassing, goofy behavior…. Inside, though, she couldn't help but wonder. Slowly, she had felt herself becoming distant from him…but she couldn't tell if it had been through her doing, or his.

When they were together intimately, at least then she felt like he still wanted her. During those special, beautiful moments, she knew he loved her. Now, he was taking that away, too. Why…How? How could he deny her something that meant so much to her? Something that brought her peace? Was he trying to tell her something, without actually having to say it?

…Did he want to break up? For real? For good?

Would he rather have Jin…or Song…or Katara…even Toph…? Wasn't she good enough to keep him interested? What was she doing wrong? Or was it something she couldn't fix, like her appearance? Her personality? She had always questioned whether or not she deserved someone like Zuko; someone important, and good, and breathtakingly perfect.

If he no longer wanted to be with her, she couldn't let him stay with her. She refused to hold him back. If he needed to leave her, she'd let him. If he didn't love her anymore, she would have to learn to let him go…even if he was the only one she ever loved, ever would love….

It would be for him. At least he would have the chance to find happiness, she consoled herself. In the end, he mattered more to her than anything else. He always had, and probably always would.

She fell to her knees beside the counter, her hands splayed on the hard, cool tile of the floor, her head hanging. Tears burned her eyes, and for once, she let them go without retribution, watching solemnly as they dripped from her face to pool on the floor. Choking back sobs, she sat there, praying that no one would come looking for her.

If someone saw her like this….

"I hate him…." she whispered. "I hate him for making me feel this way." She broke off into another sob. "I hate him for making me feel."