|•|W I T 卄 E R||•| Zuko X Reader ⚠SLOWBURN⚠

Estranged Encounters

Things... Were definitely looking up.

You beamed and threw your fist into the air, "Cheers to the opening of your tea shop!"

"Y/N, I think those guys influenced you a bit too much...." Iroh laughed.

"Zuko was influenced by a magical illness!" You huffed.

Zuko sighed, "At least it was magical, unlike yours."

You gasped, "Pricko! I haven't called you that enough, have I!?"

"Gremlin." Zuko smirked.

"Prick!" You retorted.

"Gremlin!"

"Prick!!"

"Jook?" Iroh offered.

_________________///

The three of you stood in the back of Iroh's new shop.

Iroh donned a proud grin, "Who thought when we came to this city as refugees, that I'd end up opening my own tea shop? Follow your passion, and life will reward you."

"Congratulations, Uncle." Zuko said.
"I am very thankful." Iroh smiled.

"You deserve it. The Jasmine Dragon will be the best tea shop in the city."

"No, I thankful because you decided to share this special day with me. It means more than you know."

Zuko gave Iroh a hug, but not before pulling you in as well.

"Alright! Let's make some tea!" You cheered.
"Yes, let's make some tea!" Iroh exclaimed.

"Oh, and Zuko? Make sure to wash your hands eight times to get rid of your prickly-ness!" You snickered.

You went outside to try bringing in more customers, when you spotted a familiar face.

Katara.

Her eyes lit up with joy when she saw you, but when she noticed Zuko and Iroh inside the building, she froze.

The two of you stared at each other in shock, both unsure of what to say or do.

"...Y/N." Katara furrowed her eyebrows, "Wh... Why are you... With him?"

You let out a shaky breath, "I... Zuko and I are–"

"Are what!? Y/N, you know what the Fire Nation has done! What- What side are you on!?" Katara questioned, stepping towards you.

"Not everyone from the Fire Nation is the same, Katara! How do you think I sailed all the way back from it?" You stated.

"I wouldn't know, you never told me anything about your time there! Even then, Zuko's done nothing but chase us down and try to capture Aang!" Katara's eyes widened, "You... You were on his ship. Even then, you... You were on his side, weren't you?"

"Katara, I'm not picking sides or anything like that. I know the reasons behind all this, and I'm trying to solve it. Although they're from the Fire Nation, both Iroh and Zuko are people." You approached Katara, attempting to reason with her.

"So I'm not!?" She yelled, clenching her fists. "Back then, we always said that'd we stick together! And now... No, ever since the day you came back from that place, you've been so distant! Sometimes I can't even remember what your voice sounds like!"

You stiffened. "...I didn't... I didn't mean to distance myself from you. I..."

"You never realized it, did you? You never realized what you were doing since you're always off in your own world! I always wondered why you felt so far away, and know that I know, I wish I didn't!"