i was genuinely surprised to find out that people thought that Zuko refusing to give his seat to Aang in Ember Island Players so aang and katara could sit together was Zuko having romantic feelings for Katara
because it really read to me more like ‘ex-Prince Zuko, who couldn’t see a hint if it tried to eat his head, fails to see the complexities of a romance going literally right outside his door 24/7 now’
he sat down and he’s being obstinate and refusing to move, its not PERSONAL for him, he’s just an oblivious dork
Zuko was oblivious to Suki and Sokka’s romance in exactly same way just an episode before.
Zuko won’t see a hint until it hits him in a head. Which actually explains:
1) 45% of Zuko actions can be explained by him being totally oblivious.
2) Mai’s courting works, since putting a fish on Zuko’s head is exactly the thing that makes him pay attention. (that’s a joke)
Aang and Katara were dating for three months before Zuko had any clue and he literally had to see them making out before he caught on.
Sokka: “She keeps calling him Sweetie and holding his hand, what did you think was happening?!”
Zuko: “Look at him! HE IS A SWEETIE! I THOUGHT WE ALL CALLED HIM THAT!”
Aang: “That answers some questions I had.”
considering what happened when zuko entered sokkas tent, that is well within character