Don't Leave Me (Zuko x OC)

Chapter 21

After a long shift at work I'd found my way to the tea shop, taking a seat by myself and waiting to be served. Zuko came over with a grumpy expression.

"What's the matter?" I asked as he poured my tea, "Is something wrong?"

He shook his head, "No, just sick of this place."

"We're not here forever Zuko. Things will get better." I told him. 

Zuko gave me a quick smile before going back to work. 

"So you're the genius behind this incredible brew!" 

I looked up to see a few men in upper ring garbs approach Iroh. 

"The whole city's buzzing about you! I hope Pao pays you well."

Iroh blushed, "The tea is it's own reward."

"But it doesn't have to be the only reward. How would you like to have your own tea shop?"

The old general's eyes lit up, "My own tea shop! This is a dream come true!

Pao came running over very quickly, "What's going on here?! Are you trying to poach my tea maker?

"Sorry Pao, but that's business for you, am I right?"

"Mushi, if you stay, I'll make you assistant manager. Wait! Senior assistant manager!"

"I'll provide you with a new apartment in the upper ring! The tea shop is yours to do whatever you want! Complete creative freedom!"

Iroh had stars in his eyes, "I even get to name the shop?"

"Of course!"

Pao was desperate, "Senior executive assistant manager?!"

Passing the tea pot to his old boss, Iroh bowed in gratitude to his new benifactor.

"Did you hear nephew? This man wants to give us our own tea shop in the upper ring of the city!" Iroh told Zuko as he walked past. 

"That's right young man! Your life is about for the better!" He announced proudly. 

Zuko walked out the door, "I'll try to contain my joy."

I sighed, getting up to congratulate Iroh, "That's wonderful news Mushi. I'm very happy for you."

"Are you excited, my dear?" Iroh asked me to which I nodded, he turned to the man, "This is my nephew's fiance. She's a part of the family so she'll be coming too."

The man smiled, "Of course! in fact, I believe I recognise you!"

I froze up. 

"You sold a dress to my wife the other day. She love it, wears practically nothing else anymore."

I calmed down and bowed, "I'm pleased."

"You best get packing. You move tomorrow!"

Once Iroh and I returned home, we started packing away all our things. I took the liberty of packing Zuko's stuff too just to get it done quicker since he still hasn't returned. Just as I had that thought, Zuko walked through the front door. 

"So I was thinking about names for my new tea shop. How about...The Jasmine Dragon?! It's dramatic, poetic, has a nice ring to it."

Zuko produced a flier, "The Avatar is here in Ba Sing Se. And he's lost his bison."

I went to go look at it over Iroh's shoulder. 

"We have a chance for a new life here. If you start stirring up trouble, we could lose all the good things that're happening for us."