He'd stalked out of the meeting when they'd started in on 'unification' and 'for the good of the world'. He smiles when the little ones try to come back, probably sure he has something in his sleeves for them. But the mother turtleduck herds them away. Somewhere, a hawk cries, and Zuko looks up, tracking the messenger hawk with his eyes.

"We could say no." He finally settles on. He's the Firelord; he's pretty sure he can do that. She's a powerful bender from a strong people. No reason she couldn't say no.

He knows it won't happen. But it feels good to say it, to know that the option is there, even if they can't take it. He wonders... just what would it be like to not have to marry for politics. He'd thought about marrying Mai. She'd keep him in line. But she'd left. No one knows that, yet, because he'd kept his ache quiet, just like he always did, but he'd thought about it.

And then there was Aang....