The Tea Shop-(Zuko x Reader)

The Motive

                                                                          (Zuko's POV)

The old tree against my back is still the same, the bread in my hand is still the same, and the eager little turtle ducks are still just as excited to be fed. They flutter their little wings and climb out of the crystal clear pond. Their happy little peeps remind me of mom, and how I could almost always find her here, doing the same exact thing. I'm home, but for whatever reason, I don't feel at home.

My father now talks to me. He praises me for killing the avatar and being the man he knew I could be, I'm back home, I'm no longer banished, yet I feel so empty. I know uncle will never forgive me, not that I can blame him. I can only wonder where (y/n) is, and hope that she's safe. I didn't kill the avatar, so why did Azula lie to father for me? I talked to her about it but she kept giving backward empty answers. She would never give up the chance to have all the spotlight, our father's love, all she wanted was to be an only child and be the one to take the throne as fire lord. So why did she lie? I know somethings up and she's not telling me. She has only ever done things to benefit her. Now I just need to figure out what she's hiding.

                                                                         (Y/n)'s POV)

I can only assume I've been here for days, the only indication of time I have is the small window high on the wall and when the guards bring me my daily meal. None of them have been mean to me, one woman will even have short conversations with me. I've gotten much better at picking up hushed chatter now that it's the only thing to entertain me, but they haven't said anything interesting yet.

"So do you think the prince actually killed the avatar?" I freeze. The avatar? What are they talking about? Even if the avatar is alive Lee...Zuko could ever kill someone. But I guess all that I know about him isn't true.

"Of course, if Ozai believes it then why wouldn't we?"

I sit back and wrap my arms tightly around the thin, coarse blanket I was given. I hear gentle, quiet food steps pass by and I run to the door to see who it is. I press my face against the cold metal bars to see a large figure, covered by a long red cloak. I watch them disappear into another hall and sigh, why am I even here? I sit down against the door and cry.

                                                                      (Zuko's POV)

I don't know if Azula was trying to hide my uncle from me, but it was too easy to find where she put him. I'm ashamed, the last thing I want to do is see him but something inside of me is telling me to go, a pained feeling in my stomach starts to boil up when I think about what I did, and when I think about how I betrayed him, and (Y/n). I make my way to his cell, the guard at his door quickly gets into a defensive position. I move my hood to reveal who I am and he quickly stops.

"I'm going in for a visit, and you're going to stand guard." I open the heavy door and see my uncle huddled up in a corner.

"Uncle?" He doesn't answer, he doesn't even stir. "You brought this on yourself, you know?" Why am I talking? Why am I even here? I came here for help yet I'm yelling at him like what I did is his fault. He doesn't flinch even when I raise my voice, I can't stand being in here any longer so I quickly leave, I'm sure I can find answers somewhere else.

I walk down the dimly lit corridor, it's unsettlingly quiet. A slight chilling breeze sweeps eagerly past me as I reminisce about the past. I go to my room and open the heavy doors, I came here to relax...I wasn't expecting this

"You're finally here, I've been waiting for you," Mai's voice has a slightly excited tone.

I was gone for so long, and I was doing so much, but how could I forget about her?!? Not once did I think about her...Especially when I started dating (Y/n). She quickly hugs me, I reluctantly hug her back but all I can think about is how disappointed (Y/n) would be.

"I missed you," she sounds too sincere, I don't know how I'm going to tell her I found someone else...Maybe she found someone else too and I'm just reading this situation wrong...

We hug for a long time but all I can think of is (Y/n) and if she's ok. Mai is only over for a while before she leaves. The moment she does I quickly make my way to Azula's room. I burst through and see her brushing her hair.

"...Oh hi, Zuzu" a slight smile comes across her face. "I saw that Mai came by." She says like she just found out.

"What did you do," I don't have time for her games, but she never gives up.

"I'm a very busy person, you're going to have to be more specific," She continues to stare at herself in her vanity mirror.

"Why did you lie to father about me killing the avatar?" She turns her head and shoots me a look that she often gives me.

"Oh, you're seriously still on that..." She says as if she wasn't expecting me to ask that. "Well, I just thought it would be nice to give you victory for once." She stands up and walks closer, still giving me that look. "But I have to ask...Who was that girl in Ba Sing Se?"

I get nervous and feel like she's planning something, "She was just an employee..." It pains me to say but I didn't want her to be Azula's target.

"Is that so? Well good, I was worried you would break poor Mai's heart for a slum girl." She smirks and expects a reaction, I do my best to hold my anger in.

"Shut up..." I turn and leave, but before I close the doors she says something.

"Too bad, I was hoping you would go look for her or something, oh well," I quickly turn around and run towards her before she could try to get away.

"WHERE IS SHE!" Her expression is unmoved, except for a hint of amusement.

"Oh? So she wasn't just an employee?" I realize what I did, "No, in fact, she was your girlfriend wasn't she?" She reaches for her pocket and I see the glint of a gold chain necklace, with a little jade circle in the middle. "You were the one who gave her this, right?"

My body is filled with rage, I reel back for a punch and she stands completely still, that stupid smile on her face.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you, I'm the one who has your little girlfriend, remember?"

I stop and put my hand down, "What do you want from me?"