Did anyone ask for some angst and MaiLee?
Muse
Zuko knocked lightly before opening his girlfriend's door. "Mai, do you-"
He blinked in shock as he watched Mai and Ty Lee jump away from each other, wearing matching blushes and lipstick smears.
"Oh." He said blankly.
The Fire Lord closed the door again, ignoring their shouts to wait or come back.
He wandered to the end of the hall, stepping out onto a balcony. It was a full moon tonight, and the waves were crashing against the shore- not angrily. Just, steadily. Calmly. It reminded him of someone else.
The ocean always reminded him of her.
It could be peaceful and serene, a beauty to behold, or it could literally kill you in righteous fury. How very similar to Katara.
He was brought back out of his thoughts as Mai leaned against the balcony next to him. She spoke softly, "Are you angry?"
Zuko studied her profile intently. She seemed embarrassed, apologetic. He answered truthfully, "No. Not really."
After all, Mai had never been his muse.
"I..." Mai swallowed. "I'm sorry. It's not like I've been cheating on you, Ty Lee was just telling me how she felt and I..."
"Felt the same?" Zuko supplied. She nodded cautiously. He hummed, looking back to the ocean. "I think we got back together because of expectations. Not because our hearts were in it still."
Mai squeezed his hand gently. "I... didn't want to hurt you."
"Yeah. Me too." He squeezed back. "But things have changed. Go, be happy."
She breathed a sigh of relief and kissed his cheek. She moved to leave but hesitated. "You know... she also might be with him because of expectations. You should tell her how you really feel. Her answer might surprise you."
Zuko stared out into the ocean, his mind a thousand miles away, with her.
But Katara was like the ocean: decisive and resolute. She was like the moon: out of reach. She was his muse; just an unobtainable goddess he could never truly touch.