Opposite Yet So Similar {Prince Zuko X Reader}

Chapter Eighteen: Tea Shop

Your pov
     I lost count of time by this point, not that it really mattered anyways. We've been working day in and day out. Today, though, we had the day off. "So, where'd old man Iroh go off to?" I asked as I laid on Zuko.

"Today's the day of my cousin's, his son, birthday."

"Oh." I felt bad for asking. "We should make him tea when he gets back. And by we, I mean me. You suck." I poked him in the cheek.

"Don't make fun of me." He pouted and turned away.

"I only do it because I can." It was getting dark now. "Let's hurry up and make that tea for him." I got off of him and started on the tea.

"Right." He nodded happily and followed after me.

     While the water was beginning to boil, he stood behind me and holding me close to him. "Why do you keep latching on to me?" I grumbled while I waited for the water to get hotter.

"I like being near you. It makes me... happy and special." He nuzzled into my neck.

"You're lucky I like you." I huffed as a small blush was on my face. "Otherwise you'd be platypus bear food."

"I know." He mumbled happily.

     The door opened, making Zuko take a step back as a deep blush was on his face. "Hello, you two! What are you making, (Y/n)?" Iroh asked.

"Tea." I simply said as I prepared it like he does.

"How lovely. May I have some?" He asked.

"Well, it's for you. So, yes." I nodded, holding out a cup for him. "I would've let Zuko make it buuut yeah." I shrugged.

"Well, thank you." He accepted the tea and happily drank it.

     I poured a cup for Zuko and I as we sat with him and drank the tea as well. We talked about whatever came to mind as we finished it. Eventually, we drank it all and went to sleep.

.

     While we were working, it seems two men had offered to give Iroh his own tea shop. He accepted, now he, Shi and I went back to the apartment to pack our things while Zuko went off somewhere. He came back, saying the avatar was in the city. "I thought we were over this." I huffed.

     They started to argue before he went off, presumably to find the avatar. I huffed as I help Iroh pack everything up. "I'm sure he'll come back safe." He reassured.

"He better." I huffed before going to pack up other stuff.

.

     Iroh had left after packing everything up, probably to find the idiot and bring him back. I put all of the chest filled with our stuff near the door, waiting for them to get back.

     They came back, waking me up. "Great. You're back." I would have said more if Zuko didn't fall to the floor, scaring both Iroh and I.

     Iroh and I tended to him during his sickness. "How did this even happen?" I asked, watching Iroh wipe his face with a wet rag.

"He was fine just before coming here." He sighed. "He is at war with himself."

"What the hell does that mean?" I huffed.

"He made a decision that went against with his self image. He must decide who he wants to be."

     I grumbled out many things as we waited for him to get better.

.

     A few days have passed, and it seems like his fever has come down since he was walking properly. Just in time too since today was the day Iroh's tea shop was opening up. Once the three of us had eaten breakfast, we went to the new tea shop.

     The shop was filled with people, a bright smile on all of our faces. Shi excitedly made pastries as tea was being made by Iroh. Zuko and I prepared the tea pots, cups, and other things as we waited for the tea. As we waited, he wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me closer to him. "You've been more clingy than usual. Is it because you almost died of sickness?" I asked, trying to hide the smile growing on my face.

"I just had a realization. That's all." He smiled at me lovingly.

"Oh yeah? What's that?" I asked, curious.

"The tea is ready!" Iroh shouted as he poured the tea into the cups.

"I'll tell you after." He kissed my head before leaving to go deliver the tea.

     I grumbled out swears, embarrassed about his display of affection continuing to work as well.

.

     The day was over as Zuko and I sweeped the floors of the shop. The old man was given a letter. Apparently, we were invited to serve tea to the earth king.

     The next day, we went to the palace. We waited at his throne room, soldiers surrounding us. Azula had now entered, making a speech as always. The three of us battled against them and rushed out. Iroh jumped out of a wall as the two of us stayed. 
     He was idiot, so I couldn't just leave him to fight alone. He was captured quickly, leaving me to fight. I would have never let myself been caught by these assholes, but since I had to protect Zuko as well, things didn't go as planned.

.

     We were shoved into what looked like a crystal cave. There, we met Katara. "(Y/n)! Get away from him!" Katara shouted as she started water bending.

"Why the fuck would I? You've got no authority to boss me around." I huffed and crossed my arms over my chest.

     When she realized I wouldn't listen to her, she started to belittle Zuko. I groaned heavily as she started to go on a rant about herself, like other people haven't lost things as well. I laid on the floor, sprawled out like a star fish as she made the whole thing about herself again. "You shouldn't lay like that." Zuko said as he pushed my legs together and placed my head in his lap.

    I simply hummed a response and let him stroke my hair slightly. "And another thing!" Katara shouted as she glared at Zuko. "You took my sister away! You kidnapped her and probably brainwashed her to love you or something! She would have never let you touch her!"

"Oh my god." I groaned as I got up. "If I really hated it, I would have killed him already. Stop trying to 'defend me' because I don't need it. If we're gonna be stuck here for however long it is, I'm taking a stupid nap since some idiot kept me up even though we had to get up early." I harshly said to Zuko.

"I said I was sorry." He sheepishly said as he turned away, red in the face.

     I groaned out a response and tried to sleep.