Don't Leave Me (Zuko x OC)

Chapter 19

The city of Ba Sing Se was truly gorgeous. Even though we were in the lower ring, it was still wonderful to just have a sense of community and metropolitan comradery. I spent all day trying to find us a decent apartment at a decent price and had spent ages buying little knicknacks to fill out the home a bit. When buying some fabric to make myself some clothes, I got to chatting with some ladies there. One noticed my knowledge on fashion and beauty and offered me a job at her own work, a seamstress' and clothes shop in the upper ring. I gladly accepted, knowing this was a wonderful opportunity for me with a good pay. The three of us were walking down the market street when Iroh wandered off and suddenly showed up again with a vase of flowers.

"I just want our new place to look nice, in case someone brings home a lady friend." Iroh nudged Zuko with a suggestive wink.

My mouth fell open in shock.

Was Iroh encouraging Zuko to cheat on me? Much less bring the girl back to our new home?!

"This city is a prison. I don't want to make a life here."

"Then why am I working so hard to make it a nice play for Zuko to bring a new girlfriend home." I huffed, storming off back home.

While they stayed out doing god knows what, I got to work making our apartment a nice place to live. I gave it a good scrub down, arranged what little furniture we had and added the little decorations I had bought to make it just that little bit homelier.Though Nalo kept trying to interfere for play time, I wouldn't let him distract me. Once I'd finished with decorating, I got to work on dinner, deciding to prepare a traditional noodle soup with dumplings to remind us of home. Just as I was serving it up, Iroh and Zuko walked through the door.

"Wow, it looks so nice! And what smells so good!" Iroh started to drool and I passed him a bowl.

"You're just in time for dinner." I commented blandly, not a trace of a smile on my face. "I made noodle soup and dumplings."

I felt Iroh and Zuko glance at each other, realising I was clearly still in a mood.

"Sorry we're back so late. We got jobs." Zuko told me, sitting down beside me but I subtly shuffled away. He noticed though and looked a bit sad, making a pang of guilt hit my heart.

"Oh really? Where?"

Iroh smiled while wolfing down his food, "A tea shop. Speaking of, we could do with some tea with his meal."

"I got a job too." I watched Iroh get up and walk over to the kitchen, "A seamstress' in the upper ring. Only part time though."

"Muri, that's wonderful!" Zuko was weirdly happy for me, his burst of excitement catching me off guard a little.

Iroh started mixing the water and tea leaves, "Would you like some tea?"

"We've been working in a tea shop all day!" Zuko pointed out, "I'm sick of tea."

Iroh was extremely offended, "Sick of tea! That's like being sick of breathing!"

He seemed to be looking for something, but couldn't find it.

"Have you seen our spark rocks to heat up the water?"

I narrowed my eyes, "They were there a minute ago."

Iroh groaned before leaving to go borrow the neighbours. I went back to eating when I suddenly felt Zuko's lips on my neck. I lept back, clutching where he'd kissed.

"What're you doing?" I exclaimed, fighting the blush that was creeping onto my cheeks.

"Trying to get your attention." He said simply, climbing over my body so he was practically laid on me and moving my hand so he could have access to my neck again. Zuko bit down harshly and I let out a small whimper. "Stop being upset about earlier. He was only joking, I'd never bring another girl home. Not when I have the most beautiful girl in the world at home waiting for me."