The Tea Shop-(Zuko x Reader)

A Proposal

Over the next few days, Lee nurses me back to health, staying by my side the whole time. It's the first time I've seen him like this, completely selfless and caring. He's only left me a few times to get more medicine, food, and clothes from his apartment. I always thought that I was the one to care for him since he seemed so lost, confused, and angry. But lately, he's been the exact opposite, it seems like somehow he has suddenly found himself, it seems like he is happy with the person he is.

The moment I lose my fever and headaches I head back to work. Lee insists that I should stay in bed for at least another day, but I refuse to miss another day of work. I miss my job, I miss waking up early to walk the same route to the little tea shop identical to all the other buildings around it, but to me, it is one of a kind. The fact that Lee has been paying for everything since I fell sick has been weighing on me as well.

Today feels like the first day of work all over again,  I get up early and take a nice warm bath, washing all the sick feeling off of my body with a lemon-scented soap, filling the air with sweet citrus. I give my untamed, knotted hair a nice comb through, something I haven't been able to do for what feels like forever. I throw on my favorite floor-length dark green high-necked dress, I twirl in my mirror just for the sake of my happy mood. I twist my hair into its usual neat high bun, but I secure a dark green flower pin into it, just for something extra.

Lucky for me, I have just enough time to brew myself a cup of tea in my little black clay teapot. I watch as the little loose leaves flutter to the bottom, dancing in little circles as red ribbons of flavor slowly escape the small leaves. After I finish my much-needed cup of tea, I make my way to the tea shop with a cheerful smile on my face. I quickly grab my apron and start my shift. I guess the shop got much more popular since I was gone because I couldn't find time to even take a breath.

At the end of the day, a few minutes from closing time, three rich-looking men step into the shop.

"We would like to speak to Mr. Mushi, if he's in today," They speak in a serious tone that I'm not used to. Before I can call out for Mushi he's already bursting into the front room.

"Yes? How can I help you?" Mushi beams like always, talking to them like they are life long friends.

"We couldn't help but notice you are one of the finest tea makers in all of Ba Sing Se...How would you like to have your own tea shop? we'll even get you a new apartment close by!" They say in an excited tone.

Mushi looks extremely excited, then Mr. Pao steps in like I thought he would. I walk into the backroom to see Lee sitting in a corner, stacking tea into their little tins.

"Did you hear?? You guys are getting your own tea shop!" I expect an excited reaction but instead, he looks at me in shock.

"My uncle agreed to get a shop in the upper ring!?!" he looks angry, I haven't seen him like this for a while.

"Yes, but you're also getting a better apartment in the upper ring too! So you won't have to walk all the way there," I assume that's why he's upset.

"Great," He growls in a sarcastic tone and gets back to his work.

There have been so many times where I wanted to pry for answers. When we first met and he was threatened by me, when we were talking in his apartment, the other day when he told me, "I'll tell you everything, I'm just not ready yet." and now this. What could possibly be wrong about getting to move to the upper ring??

"Why are you upset?" I ask without thinking, I feel like I just made it worse.

We sit in silence for quite some time, until he finally opens his mouth, "I just like it better here ok. I don't want to be around people like that." He continues to focus on the tea tins, signaling for me to leave him alone. At least I actually got him to tell me his feelings.

I continue to close up shop, doing dishes, sweeping, emptying the last bit of hot water from the kettle, while Mushi joyfully talks to people in the front room until they leave. He comes into the back room, his smile bigger than I've ever seen.

"I know you were busy so I didn't want to bother you, but I'm glad you're alright," He smiles at me.

"Thank you, but really I really should thank Lee for being there for me," I turn towards Lee who looks up from his work.

"You would do the same for me," Little bits of rosy blush bloom on his cheek as he speaks."Why are you still working, Lee? As of today, we have our own tea shop!" Mushi takes off his apron and folds it up neatly.

Oh, that's right. How could I forget about that fact? From now on, I work alone. I won't get Mushi's warm greeting or Lee's pouting sessions. Now it will be difficult to see Lee, will he want to break up with me because of that? While my nerves take over my thoughts I try to stay collected. We all walk out and Lee turns to me, grabbing my hand and intertwining our fingers.

"Want me to walk you home?" He asks, but his tone sounds like it's not a question, expecting my answer to be yes.

"Oh no that's ok, you should set up your new apartment instead...I'll see you later," I quickly peel my hand from his and walk home.

I didn't think I could keep myself collected, and I was right. Tears stream down my face as I walk as fast as I can, my vision blurred by the tears. I feel selfish for not being happy for them, but my mind is racing with every possibility, we'll stop talking, he'll break up with me, people will stop coming to Pao's tea shop and I'll lose my job, I'll have to get a job at a fruit stand again. My emotions get the best of me all night and I barely get any sleep.

I finally start to fall asleep early in the morning. I expect to get only an hour of sleep, when suddenly there's a heavy knock on the door, making me shoot out of bed. I slowly open the door to see Lee.

"What are you doing here?" I ask, trying to figure out what time it is.

"I'm here to pick you up, we need to design the shop and I thought you should have a say in what it looks like since you'll be working there too."

My eyes shoot open, "You mean...You want me to work at your  tea shop??"

He laughs and takes my hand, "Of course, now come on, we want to open the shop as soon as possible."