"Mako, Mako!" Wu came bounding through the front door, a little out of breath and obviously more excited than usual.
Mako glanced up from the dinner he was working on. He had invited Bolin and Opal to come over, and wanted to make them feel at home. He liked Opal and how happy she seemed to make Bolin, so he was wanted to show his support, especially now that everything had calmed down. "What is it Wu, I don't have too much time."
Wu was practically dancing in spot trying to contain himself. "I got an invitation to sing at a bar!" Wu exclaimed, throwing his hands up into the air.
"Congratulations," Mako smiled at him, lighting another burner to boil some water. "I know you have been working hard."
Wu suddenly moved across from the door into the kitchen, and pulled Mako into a hug.
Mako stiffened, before patting Wu's arm awkwardly. "What is this for?"
"Helping me," Wu pressed his face into Mako's shoulder. "Getting me an apartment across from yours, and a job, and helping me find a voice instructor, and not yelling at me too much when I am practicing late at night."
"That was… nothing," Mako insisted, relaxing a bit and continuing with his cooking, accepting that Wu was now attached to his back. "You put the real effort in, on top of all the political work you have been doing trying to ease the Earth Kingdom into a democracy."
"Yes, I am very impressed with myself," Wu said, sounding much more like Wu, and it made Mako chuckle. Wu grew tense at this, and Mako worried he had inadvertently insulted him. But then Wu said, his tone excited once more, "I made you laugh!"
Mako looked over his shoulder to find the ex-prince peaking up at him in awe. "I am capable of laughter, you know," Mako teased gently.
"Well good, you should make use of this skill more often," Wu informed him.
Mako raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
"It sounds nice," Wu said, grinning. "Take my word as a singer!"
Mako just shook his head and turned back to making dinner. Before he could stop himself, he found himself saying, "You want to stay and have dinner with Bolin, Opal, and I?"
He took the enthusiastic nodding against his back as a yes.