Katara bangs on the door, still cranky from just waking up. Zuko always gets the bathroom before her in the mornings, which is annoying but justified.
Katara takes long showers. It's because she enjoys the feeling of the hot water on her skin, but mostly it's because she spends the first few minutes standing under the water spout, half asleep.
The bathroom door opens and steam rolls out, dampening her hair. Zuko steps out, hair wet and already dressed for the day. He wishes her a good morning and trots down the stairs, likely to find Aang.
When Katara walks into the bathroom there's a smiley face traced onto the foggy mirror.
She's tired and achy and she does *not* want to cook dinner.
Toph's is already at the kitchen table, waiting, and Zuko is sitting in a chair with his chin resting on his propped up hand, eyes closed.
Katara huffs and pulls at her hand in annoyance. "I'm tired of this heat. I feel sticky. And I know that I look awful," she complains, more to herself then anyone else.
"Nah, you look fine, Sweetness."
Katara feels herself smile; it quickly turns to a scowl. "That's not funny anymore." She slams a pot onto the stove. "And I look awful. I always look awful these days."
She sees Toph shrug. She doesn't see Zuko do anything.
The next morning Katara trudges into the bathroom after Zuko leaves, already dreading having to deal with her hair.
Zuko smiles at her, eyes alert and bright.
On the mirror are four words: You always look fine.