Zuko walked into Katara's office and sat on the couch. She sat in her usual spot and was nearly clutching her tea, she did her very best not to let anything show on her face how stressed she felt.
She smiled, "Hey Zuko, what shall we discuss today?"
His body language was a bit more closed off than usual so Katara patiently waited.
"So...I have this friend..."
"Alright?"
"And they have a crush on someone."
"Ok I'm guessing they asked you for advice?"
"Yeah...The person they're into is really close with their ex."
"Ah."
"And they're really jealous about it."
"Well it's a step to admit to jealousy, but to me it sounds like they need to work on trusting people more.'
He was quiet. He just didn't know what to say, especially when he's actually talking about himself.
"But I also don't know this person. There could be a reason to be cautious. What do you think?"
"I don't know. I'm not the best person to ask advice for this stuff."
"Oh? And why do you think that?"
He went quiet again. He couldn't hide anything from her for long. So he admitted, "I'm talking about me."
She had to hide her smile but continued, "I can work with this so tell me what is it about their friendship that makes you jealous?"
"I never even met the dude. I just can't imagine someone just being friends with an ex. None of my friends know either." She could tell he was getting frustrated. He was starting to clench his fists.
She said in a calming voice, "Well it is different for everyone. Some-"
"And that's what they all say but it doesn't help any! And what you say doesn't make sense either cause I don't get how you aren't fucking your ex!"
Both of them went wide-eyed.
He immediately tried to apologize, "I am so-"
She held up her hand, "No I'm sorry Zuko that you had such a toxic relationship that you can't trust anyone. I'm sorry that due to all of your traumas you have a list about ten miles long on what you need to work on. And Above all, I am SO SORRY that I-"
"Katara! Please!"
"NO! You are going to let me finish."
"NO!" He actually stood up and had to stop himself from crossing over to her, "I'm not going to let you finish. It's my fault and I am so sorry about that slip."
She now stood, "Oh So you really think that!"
"Katara! The point is You have NOTHING to be sorry for!" The gap between them was getting closer.
"IF I DO OR NOT THAT IS FOR ME-"
"NOT IF WHAT YOU'RE APOLOGIZING FOR IS OUT OF YOUR CONTROL!"
All of a sudden Katara felt tears flow down her face. The angered tension dropped the second he saw the tears.
He gently reached out to touch her arm, "Katara what's wrong? Are you ok?" His voice was concerned and cautious.
She took some deep breaths and wiped away her tears.
"I'm ok. Sorry for blowing up like that."
"You don't need to. But what's up? You normally don't react like that when I say something beyond stupid."
She looked at the floor, she knows she shouldn't tell him but she feels the words leave her lips before she can stop them, "My apartment was broken into the other night."
"What?"
"I called the cops and theirs an investigation going on. They left me a note."
He really doesn't like where his head thinks this is going, "What did it say?"
"All the therapy in the world can't help him. You should give up before something worse than leaving a note happens."
He can't help but gasp, which Katara was expecting but then the way he tenses and holds her arms like she's his lifeline makes her ask, "What is it?"
"I-it just sounds like something Azula would do..." She can see the fear in his eyes.
"Zuko, for both of our sake I hope you are very wrong."
"Me too." He dropped his head, "But if I'm not. You're in danger. I will help however I can."
"Thank you."
"You wouldn't happen to have a picture of the note would you?"
She pulled out her phone and sure enough, he recognizes the handwriting. He pales.
"You should call the police and say you have a lead. I match the criteria for the letter and Azula has been know to break into places."
"Are you sure it's her?"
"Yeah. She would leave me notes a lot when she would break into my place."
"I'll call them later. I'll stay with my brother till she's caught."
"What would happen to her if she is?"
Katara thought for a moment, "Well with the proof and files I have she would be convicted, but there's a chance she could plead insanity."
"I hope she does, she really needs help."
"I'll keep you updated." She felt her self lean on him.
He held her close, "I'll do what I can to help."
"What do we do about your appointments?"
"I should keep them, Azula probably knows when I'm here and we should keep it like that." He smiles very lightly, "Plus I can keep an eye on you for a little bit."
She smiles back at him and rests her head on his chest.
They stay in the hug for much longer than what was appropriate eventually they pull away from each other and go back to their original positions.
"Tea?"
"Yeah, I should have some."