3
"Po," Zuko called out to the head cook awkwardly as he made his way into the kitchen.
"Fire Lord Zuko!" Po exclaimed in shock. "Forgive me, but you are early sir. I'm afraid I don't have your noodles ready just yet."
"That's alright," Zuko said as he walked over to the raised island counter and leaned against it. He rubbed the back of his neck and sighed. "I actually came in here to apologize to you."
"Oh?" Po asked, genuinely surprised. "What for?"
Zuko sighed again. He had never been too good at apologies. "Remember last month when Katara kept getting sick?"
"I do," Po answered, a twinkle in his eye.
"Well, I just want to say I'm sorry for yelling at you and blaming you for her sickness. Uh…food wasn't actually the reason, turns out."
Po waved him off. "Nonsense. You were merrily worried about the woman you love. Any man in your position would have done the same."
"What?" Zuko choked out.
"Well, it's obvious that you and Lady Katara—" The cook stopped himself when he caught Zuko's expression. He smiled at the Fire Lord knowingly. "Right, never mind."
Zuko turned his head away and stared at some of the pots and pans hanging against the wall. "Lady Katara is taken. She has been for some time now," he said quietly.
"Oh. That is a shame. Hopefully she is happy with whoever she is with. I must admit, I have become quite fond of that girl."
Zuko's lips pulled up into a smile.
As have I.