He sighs, and doesn't release her hands. He's not sure that he wants to. The burn on his chest is bright red against pale skin. Zuko takes a deep breath. "I've always known I'd have to marry for political reasons. I thought, with Mai, the politics were taken care of." He admits all this because he wants her to know these things. "But, there are worse things than marrying a friend?" He offers, almost tentatively.

He wants them to be friends. All the other stuff can come later. They'll figure it out as they go along. But right now, he needs friends. Even if he has a feeling one those friends, who just happens to be the Avatar, is going to have words for him.