ZUKO SMILED TO HIMSELF, a new habit he had formed after his so-called metamorphosis. things seemed to just be lighter now. he was less frustrated, less angry. he found joy in small things, like a particular customer.
he listened as his uncle joked with the girl from two weeks prior, who had become a new regular. she always ordered the same thing- a cup of jasmine tea, with a carrot custard bun. it was like clockwork, every two days she would come in just after they opened, and stay till early afternoon, reading and writing in the corner, with her second cup.
and every time, before she came to pay, zuko would refill her teacup a third time, and forget to charge her for it.
his uncle, of course, noticed. his nephew wasn't sly at all and it was impossible not to see the lovestruck haze the boy fell into in her presence. so today, as the girl came up, book tucked between her arm and chest, and hand outstretched with coins, iroh dipped into his bag of tricks.
"what was your name again?" the old man asked, smiling big. the girl looked at him, confused for a second. "we like to know all our regular's names, especially our most beautiful!" the classic, old man charm had never failed him before.
she smiled and laughed, a warm chuckle that was clearly more for humor than flattery, nodding as she handed him her money. "i'm hoyi evih," zuko's ears perked up from behind his uncle where he had been polishing their sets of porcelain, now much more aware of his surroundings. he had never asked her name. it was nice.
iroh smiled at evih, placing his hand on his chest after he stowed the silver pieces in the drawer. "a lovely name, for a lovely girl," zuko cringed, tensing as he heard his new name. "you've met my nephew, haven't you? lee."
evih flushed a bit, mauve dusting her freckled cheeks, though it was hardly noticeable at all unless you looked for it. "i think so, yeah," her tone changed, elevated now. "he's very nice."
iroh suppressed a laugh. nice had never been a word that many used for prince zuko. "im glad you think so, miss hoyi!" the man said, leaning on the counter with his right hand, "maybe you two should talk more!"
"uncle!"
iroh threw a shit-eating grin over his shoulder, brief and unmistakably shameless. "humor an old man! we've just moved to this ring, and im afraid he's had quite a hard time meeting people," the boy repressed the urge to stare in horror. spirits help me.
"i understand that," evih replied, nodding. she did- she had never been good with people, her status made it difficult for others to approach her and she was far too nervous to go out of her way to do so herself. "i think i would like that, if you would too, of course." she angled her head to look over the tea-shop owner, brown eyes meeting gold.
zuko paused, staring at her at a brief loss for words. she smiled at him, painted lips forming the most delicate grin. she seemed so genuine, and zuko wasn't sure what it was, but some part of him was drawn to her.
he nodded, smiling at her, and moving to take his uncle's place so the two could converse a bit more, and settle on a plan.
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the air was hung with humidity, fresh puddles still littering the ground from the chilling evening rain. zuko stood on the steps of the jasmine dragon, leaning on the railing for the stairs.
evih had stayed so much longer than usual, after close and just before the sun had set- their short conversation had turned to the pair simply enjoying eachothers company, and talking about anything they wanted to.
zuko had practically shoved his umbrella into her hands when she finally realized she should be getting home, ignoring her protests and reassurances that she would be fine.
she relented much easier than she probably should have, but the gesture was sweet, and she didn't want to ruin such a sweet moment.
the former-prince thought over their interaction, a warm feeling filling his chest. his face remained stoic, but his eyes shone with a look that was entirely unmistakable. he enjoyed her company, he liked having her around. for the first time in a while, maybe ever, he could genuinley say he had found a friend that he cared about.
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AUTHORS NOTE !
hiii stars
this chapters a bit short but im trying to finish and edit this at a quicker??? pace so i dont lose motivationnnnnn
AGAIN. romcom vibes bae we're balling
with cute ooc moments
YOU ARE READING
TOO SWEET FOR ME | zuko
Fanfiction"you treat your mouth as if it's heavens gate..." in which an earth kingdom girl from ba sing se stumbles upon a tea shop, and falls for who she thought was a waiter and refugee with bad hair. "...soft as the rain, pretty as a vine, sweet as a grape...
