I smiled as I approached Zuko. He was sitting on the grass in front of the turtleduck pond, tossing bits of bread to the younglings and their mother. I made sure to make a reasonable amount of noise as I got close, so I wouldn't startle him. Zuko's hand tightened around the loaf he was holding as I sat down next to him, but he didn't startle otherwise.

"May I?" I asked, holding my hand out for some bread. Zuko handed me the rest of the loaf, and I pulled a few pieces away from the loaf before tossing them into the lake. The mother turtleduck snatched up the largest piece before letting her younglings squabble over the remaining pieces.

"Have you eaten lunch?" I asked.

Zuko nodded, "Uncle ate with me."

I smiled and nodded. We were quiet as I waited for Zuko to speak again. He still didn't talk much, but I found that if I let him start the conversation, he'd be more willing to talk.

"Where is everyone?" he finally asked. I tossed the last crumbs of bread into the pond and looked at Zuko. He was frowning up at a cloud.

"The surviving tribesmen stuck around until they were well enough to sail home. Dad and Sokka left with them about two weeks after the comet. Suki left at the same time to return to Kyoshi Island." I smiled, "Ty Lee went with her. She wants to train to be a Kyoshi warrior."

"Aang is still here, as you've seen," I continued when Zuko didn't give any comment, "although he's mentioned wanting to leave soon so he can travel and uphold his Avatar duties, whatever that entails."

I smiled, "Toph left a few weeks ago. She's decided to open a metalbending academy - can you believe it? She must have really enjoyed teaching Aang."

"And you?" Zuko asked, still not looking at me. I noticed he was picking at his fingernails, and I took his hand in mine before he could pick open his cuticles. Zuko relaxed slightly.

"I don't know," I sighed. "I was going to return to the South once you got better. The North has sent a team of waterbenders to help us rebuild, and I was planning on helping them. But now… I don't know if I want to go back home just yet."

When I chuckled, Zuko finally looked at me. "I've really enjoyed working in the palace infirmary. There were a lot of people who needed a healer, right after… everything. It felt good to put my bending skills to use in a way that helped people, rather than hurt them. Iroh has even offered me a position as a nurse in the royal hospital. Begged me to take it, actually."

"You'd stay?" Zuko asked quietly.

I nodded and gave Zuko's hand a squeeze. "I think I will."

"Master Katara?"

I hummed to let Lunu know I was paying attention, although I didn't look away from my paperwork.

"Is it true you used to date the Avatar?"

I sighed as I looked up. Why was this always one of the first things new nurses would ask me? She gave me a sheepish smile. "It's been four years. Why is this still on everyone's mind?"

Lunu giggled as she shrugged. "The other nurses said as much, but I wasn't sure if they were pulling my leg. That's so cool!"

I rolled my eyes. "Now that it's been confirmed - yet again - please get back to work."

"Yes, Master Katara," she said, lowering her head before returning to her task of logging the medicines in the cabinet.

A knock at the door prevented me from returning to the hospital budget I was trying to review. Holding back another sigh, I called for whoever was at the door to enter.

I was surprised when Iroh walked through the door, followed by two royal guards. "Fire Lord Iroh," I said, smiling as I got to my feet.

Lunu gasped and spun around, nearly dropping the handful of glass bottles she was holding. After hastily setting them down on a nearby table, she bent at the waist in a deep bow. "Blessed day, Fire Lord!" she squeeked out.

Iroh chuckled as I also bowed, and he motioned for us to rise. "Katara," Iroh said, opening his arms as I came around my desk. I hugged him tightly, smiling at his unique and familiar scent - a mix of jasmine tea and those lemon candies he enjoys so much.

"What brings our illustrious Fire Lord to the royal hospital?" I asked as we separated. "You're feeling alright, I hope?"

"Yes, yes," Iroh said, dismissing my concerns with a wave of his hand. "I was nearby on business and thought I'd drop by to say hello."

It was an obvious lie - if you had business with the Fire Lord, you came to him at the palace. And while Iroh's voice was as jovial as always, his eyes held a secret. "Lunu, please go check on the patients in the burn ward," I said. "You can leave that for later."

Lunu nodded and hurried out of the room. With a meaningful look from Iroh, his guards also left the room, closing the door behind them.

"Please, sit, Iroh," I said, motioning to the guest chairs in front of my desk. Once he had sat down, I returned to my seat. "So, why are you really here?"

Iroh gave me a tired smile. "I have decided to abdicate the throne."

My eyes widened, "What?" Iroh held up a hand, preventing me from asking any questions.

"I will announce my plans to the nation at Zuko's naming ceremony."

Iroh had pardoned Zuko's banishment as soon as he became Fire Lord, but he had yet to reinstate Zuko's royal titles. He was still the prince, technically, but Zuko had not decided on whether he still wanted to be the heir to the throne. He didn't seem to want it, that was, until about six months ago. It was planned that Iroh would hold a ceremony to rename Zuko as his heir during next month's summer solstice celebration.

"Does Zuko know?" I asked.

"I have already worked out the details with Zuko," Iroh nodded. I wondered if this was why Zuko had changed his mind about becoming heir. "There will be a year-long transitional period, and then during next year's summer solstice celebration I will officially abdicate and pass the crown to Zuko."

I let out a sigh. "Wow," was all I could think to say. "Is he… do you think he's ready?"

Iroh knew I wasn't just talking about Zuko's ability to handle the duties of being Fire Lord. He'd been trained from birth for the job - there was no person better prepared in that sense than Zuko. But had he healed enough from the war? Was he ready to take on such a stressful position?

Iroh let out a sigh of his own, but he nodded. "We all have our scars from the war, some that run deeper than others. But Zuko has thrown himself into his work as a member of my council and - dare I say it - seems to actually enjoy it!"

"It's all the arguing he gets to do during council meetings," I said, grinning.

Iroh chuckled, "He does often emerge as victor during our debates."

"Am I allowed to talk to him about it?" I asked.

"I wouldn't have told you about it otherwise," Iroh said, smiling softly. "He needs someone to talk to about it, as we haven't even discussed it with the rest of the council."

I bowed my head. "I'm honored that you trust me with this knowledge, Fire Lord."

Iroh rose from his chair, and I followed his lead. "Please join us for tea tonight," Iroh said, making his way to the door. "It's been a few weeks since you've graced us with your presence at the palace."

I smiled and nodded. "I'd love to."