ATLA: Book Two: Earth {Makki}

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Twelve: Zuko's Critical Decision

Makki |~|

A few more weeks of living in Ba Sing Se have passed. But now, Zuko and I are a couple, and things have just seemed to appear... brighter than they usually are. And Zuko and I are more open about our feelings towards one another. And Iroh is super happy about it... and even our home seemed more lively and the tea shop was getting even more customers than usual. Things really seemed to be working out here...

"So, you're the genius behind this incredible brew," one customer, dressed in expensive Earth Kingdom robes, approached Iroh. "The whole city is buzzing about you! I hope Pao pays you well."

"Good tea is its own reward," said Iroh.

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

Whoa! That's Iroh's dream!

"My own tea shop?" Iroh asked, absolutely stunned. "This is a dream come true."

"What's going on here? Are you trying to poach my tea maker?" Pao asked defensively.

"Sorry, Pao, but that's business for you, am I right?" said the man.

"Mushi, if you stay, I'll make you assistant manager. Wait, senior assistant manager," Pao bribed.

"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," the man countered.

"I even get to name the shop?" Iroh asked.

"Of course!"

"Uh, senior executive assistant manager?" Pao offered desperately.

As his answer, Iroh simply handed Pao the teapot he was holding and bowed to the man.

"Did you hear, Nephew?" Iroh asked Zuko as he passed by. "This man wants to give us our own tea shop in the upper ring of the city."

"That's right, young man. Your life is about to change for the better," said the man.

"I'll try to contain my joy," Zuko growled before placing his tray of cups on a nearby table and walking out of the shop.

I sighed to myself at his poor attitude before walking up to Iroh and placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Congratulations, Mushi!" I exclaimed.

"Thank you," Iroh smiled before placing his hand on top of mine.

"I'll talk to Lee. I'm sure he's just a bit tired," I winked.

I took my hand away from Iroh before following Zuko outside. I closed the door behind me and looked around the front of the shop. He wasn't there.

Did he run home?

I walked a bit in front of the shop to check and see if he was staying in between the shop and a nearby building, but something caught my eye and I looked up. Zuko wasn't by another building, he was on the roof of one.

"Wha-- What are you doing up there?" I exclaimed.

Zuko looked down at me from the roof before starting to climb down.

"Are you crazy? What were you doing?" I asked as he got back onto the ground.

"Nothing. I just– I thought I saw a storm coming," he explained.

Have you always been such a bad liar?

I sighed, "All right... But, why are you upset?"

"I'm not upset," Zuko avoided eye contact.