Too Close

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"Here is your chai tea, and your muffin," Katara set a mug and a plate on the table as the two girls nodded their heads and thanked her.

"You holding up okay?" Zuko passed her as he had his hair in a low stub of a pony tail.

"I'm fine, I told you it's not a big deal for me to help," she snorted and let Zuko take a customers order.

"And I told you I'd be okay on my own," he sighed a little and started to make the tea orders.

"Hey I got nothing else to do, and it's getting busy," Katara waved him off and poured the tea into the cups it belonged to for the customers.

"Besides you close in a half hour anyways, I'll help you clean up and I'll head home," she smiled as Zuko gave her a soft look.

"I appreciate it kat," he nodded.

—

Zuko ran upstairs to get the keys as there was closing time and Katara stayed down to make sure the customers leave and no one else comes in once the clock hit 8.

Katara went to pick up some dishes left at the tables as she heard the bell behind her, a man came in as he wore a grey button up dress shirt and dress pants. He had a smile on his face as he had his hair in a too knot and large sideburns.

"Oh sorry sir we just closed, we're not making drink right now," Katara picked up the mugs and cups as she went to the side with the sink.

"I'm not here for tea, where's your manager?" The man asked calmly as he followed Katara to the counter where the register was.

"Um, the manager? Um I guess he's upstairs, he'll be back in a minute though, is there anything I can help you with?" Katara walked over to him.

"Is it the boy or the man?" He smirked at her.

"The owners nephew, what's the issue?" She asked getting nervous.

"Good, hes who I want to talk too," the man set a gun on the counter and Katara paled wide eyes.

"Z-Zuko?" Katara backed away.

"Don't worry I'm not going to hurt you, I just want to talk darling," he smiled smugly as Katara backed against the wall.

"You that brats girlfriend or something?" He asked.

"N-no I'm just his friend, please put.. put the gun away," Katara whimpered a little. He picked it up but didn't put it away.

There was a gun click and Katara froze.

"Get the fuck out zhao," Zuko stood in the door.

He held a gun in his hands, his right hand holding it sternly as his left hand supported under, Zuko didn't look pleased seeing the man as he walked out holding the gun without fear.

"You know your not welcomed here," he snarled.

"Long time no see kid, you might actually be taller than me one day," zhao smiled at him as he kept the gun in hand but pointed at the ground.

"What the fuck are you doing here? I know your afraid of iroh so what's so important your in my home?" Zuko clicked the safety off of the gun.

Zhao did the same and held up straight up back at Zuko. Katara watched Zuko wide eyes, he didn't flinch at the sight of a gun pointed at him. Zhao frowned at not getting a reaction from the boy, so he pointed his gun to the side at Katara.

Zuko stiffened and immediately shot a bullet.

Zhao dropped the gun with a gasp as there was a hole through his hand where Zuko shot. Kataras mouth fell open as she meant to scream but nothing came out as she covered her ears.