Solace

He walked down the dark, empty pillared corridor, making his way to address his nation. It felt satisfying to suddenly have what was rightly his returned to him, but he didn't expect it to turn out like this. He stopped so abruptly that the woman walking three paces behind him flinched, her controlled appearance faltering.

"Is there something wrong? Why did you stop?" He tensed as he realised the reason himself.

"You...don't have to stand so far away."

"But my Lord, this is royal etiquette," she answered automatically, not taking her questioning eyes off him. This was, especially for him, a strange thing to say. She was trying to figure out what exactly was troubling him, though lately he was getting better at masking the emotions that he usually gave away in his voice.

"I used to keep everyone at a distance." He began quietly, "I have my home back now, though everyone that made it feel like home is...everyone I cared for and loved..." She held her breath. His voice was cold and bitter, and it frightened her.

It had only been a week since the battle, the fateful final battle that took every member of his family from him. Ever since then, she watched over his mental health, carefully anticipating the moments where he needed to be alone, and the moments where he needed comfort. An ill-tempered Zuko would be the result of confusing them. "...Everyone but you." He turned to look at her and she understood. He never quite mastered hiding the emotion in his eyes. "So please, stand beside me Mai." She didn't need to analyse the situation any longer. Letting a slow breath escape her, she skipped up towards him and stopped as she arrived by his side.

She felt his body relax as they started to walk, though she also felt her cheeks burn as his hand closed tightly around hers.