Zuko hardly managed to sleep that night. He kept moving around in his bed, tossing and turning and screwing up his sheets and a couple of times he left his bed and took a walk around the room in an attempt to calm down but there was no use. The window from his room was facing Homura's house and during the night, he watched it through the thin white curtains. The house seemed still, as was his Uncle's house.
The hours passed and at some point, Zuko finally brought himself to lay back down in his bed. Even from a few rooms away, he could still make out his Uncle's snores. He vaguely remembered how hard it was to sleep with the man in the same house. It was a wonder Suki managed to sleep, or rather, that's what he supposed she did. The room next to his where she resided was still.
Anticipation for the day to come kept him up and when he finally did manage to sleep, after he had thought of countless ways the day could play out, the sun was making an appearance once more in the night sky and a few citizens of Ba Sing Se were already on their way to their work. He was usually rising early but today not even the sun could wake him up. It was hours later and after his Uncle had left to manage his shop that Suki got worried at the silence coming from his room, knocked on his door and when there was no response, got inside.
She couldn't help but smile. Zuko was sleeping, his breathing even as he rested on his side, most of his hair covering his eyes and part of his nose, the scarred part of his head pressed into the pillow. The sheets were just covering his waist and despite herself, Suki took a moment to appreciate the sight of a shirtless, vulnerable Zuko before she walked over and came to a stop beside him.
"Zuko," she murmured as she outstreched a hand and placed it on his shoulder. The moment she touched him, he jumped, a flame already forming in his palm. Suki ducked as she grabbed his wrist, her eyes wide. "Zuko, it's me!"
It took about a second for him to recognize her voice. The flame was instantly put out and he moved away as she let his hand go. He breathed heavily as he looked over at Suki, taking in the concern etched on her face before he sighed, his shoulders dropping.
"I'm sorry."
"It was just a reflex, I should have known better than grabbing you in your sleep," she murmured as she sat on his bed, the concern never fading. "I react that way too when someone attempts to grab me in my sleep. Are you alright?"
He nodded as he looked away with a frown. "I didn't hurt you, did I?"
"No, you didn't," she assured him as she sent him a smile. "Come on, now. You promised me a proper tour of the Upper Ring. I'm afraid someone slept in so we lost some of our time exploring but don't worry, I forgive that someone."
He couldn't help but smile back as he nodded and stood up, moving to his window. He moved the curtain to the side slightly to look outside and determine just what hour it was, only to realise Suki was indeed right. He had slept in for quite a while.
"I couldn't sleep last night," he admitted as he looked away and turned to face Suki once more. "You should have woken me up earlier."
"I figured you deserved some rest," she shrugged as he let out a sigh and leaned against the wall. Unable to resist the temptation, Suki raised an eyebrow at him.
"Are you going to put on a shirt or what?"
Zuko cleared his throat, a faint blush coating his cheeks as he nodded. "I-I should, Sokka will kill me if he finds out."
"Sokka won't do anything to you," she waved him off with a smile, "I've seen you like that already. Now, if one of your loyal servants were to know-"
"Yeah, I know-"
"What kind of Fire Lord would they think you are-"
"You're enjoying this quite a bit," he huffed as she laughed. "Where did you find these green clothes?"
"Iroh gave them to me," she admitted with a small shrug as she stood up. "I suspect there are clothes in your room. Search for yourself. I'll be waiting for you downstairs."
Zuko was left alone once more and as Suki suggested, he got dressed. He didn't want to keep her waiting more than he already had and so he hurried up and got down the stairs to find her waiting for him. Upon catching sight of him, she couldn't help but laugh.
"I'm not going anywhere, no need for such a hurry," she teased as she stood up and fixed a part of his shirt before looking up at him with a smirk. "Now, for that tour. I expect it to be better than Sokka's."
"Yeah, alright," he smiled as Suki chuckled. "Sokka doesn't know the Upper Ring the way I do."
"I'm in luck then," she mused as they left Iroh's home and got out into the square. At once, Zuko's attention fell on Iroh's tea shop that was already full with customers and if it weren't for Suki placing a hand on his arm, he was certain he would have gone there right at that second.
"We're going to see her in the evening, remember?" she asked softly, her eyes bouncing from the tea shop to Zuko and back. After a while, he nodded.
"Yeah. We'll see her later."
He turned to the other direction and he was just about to speak up and let her know of the places they would be seeing today when he caught sight of a little boy standing a few ways away by the street. He had dark, spiky hair and he was looking from Suki to Zuko with narrowed eyes. It was the boy they had seen with Homura last night. He stood up and walked over to them.
By now, Suki had noticed him as well. She sent him a smile. "Hello, young man. Can we help you with something?"
He grinned, showing them a smile that lacked a few teeth. "I'm Chin and you must be Suki and Zuko." They exchanged a surprised look as the boy's grin widened even more. "Homura's told me a few things about you. I'm going to tell her you're here!"
With agility one could only have if they were around young kids often - Kiyi was an excellent example - Zuko grabbed Chin's arm just as he was about to run off and stopped him. "Don't tell her, Chin. She doesn't know we're here, it's a surprise."
His eyes widened even more than before. "She'll be really excited to see you! She's told me she misses you and I know a few of your adventures!" He turned to Suki. "You're even prettier than I imagined." Ignoring Suki's grin, he turned to Zuko. "And your scar's so cool!"
Zuko blinked as he let him go, not looking away from the boy. "You think it's cool?"
He nodded at once. "Yes! You must be really brave! She told me you're really brave. And where are your double swords?"
His eyes widened. "You know about the double swords?"
"Of course I do! I need you to teach me - I've asked Homura to teach me with one sword but she says I'm too young for this. But you can teach me, we don't have to tell her!"
Zuko cleared his throat, "I don't know if that's a good idea-"
"She's told me you're a great fighter and all about the adventures you had together a while ago when an evil lady from the Fire Nation wanted to kill you and how you managed to win! You were amazing in the story! You're my hero!"
Zuko's eyes widened almost comically and Suki beside him was having trouble keeping herself from laughing. Chin seemed oblivious to their reactions as he looked between Zuko and Suki. It was evident after a while Zuko was not about to speak up and Suki took over.
"Do you have anything to do today, Chin?"
He shook his head at once. "No. I'm waiting for mum to come back from work in the evening."
"We were thinking of taking a walk around the Upper Ring," she smiled, "would you like to join us?"
Chin's and Zuko's eyes widened for different reasons as the boy clapped his hands. "Yes!"
He walked over to Suki and grabbed her hand. She couldn't help but smile as he started dragging her away and Zuko had no other choice but to follow after them.
Chin didn't stop talking for the duration of their tour around the Upper Ring and he reminded Zuko of Kiyi. He didn't attempt to stop him as Chin and Suki talked to each other with no issue. He told her all about Ba Sing Se, she told him about her home in Kyoshi island and bits and pieces from all the places she had been to. By the time they returned, Zuko and Suki knew everything they could ever know about the little boy - including his opinion about Homura, something that had made Suki and Zuko turn to each other and share a smile at the obvious soft spot the boy had for her - and by the end of the day, Zuko needed to spend some time away from kids. Suki, on the other hand, didn't share his opinion.
"He's such a sweet boy," she spoke as she turned to face him on their way to the tea shop. "I can see why Homura likes him so much."
He sighed, "He talks a lot."
"Doesn't mean he's not sweet." She grinned. "You're his hero! Imagine what Homura has told him about you."
He blinked as he turned to her. "Shouldn't you be jealous she mentioned me more than you?"
"Jealous?" she scoffed, "I don't need Homura to tell him how awesome I am for him to like me. Did you hear him? He adores me already."
Zuko couldn't help but chuckle as they got closer to the tea shop. His eyes took in the shop that hadn't changed at all since he had last visited. He could hear his Uncle talking to someone in the back of the shop, inviting them to dinner, and then a small laugh was heard he had come to know well and an affirmative response was given before a young woman got in the front of the shop, dressed in a long green dress with white patterns, her dark hair let loose. She was smiling as she turned her attention to the entrance of the shop, and the moment she saw them, she froze. Before Zuko could think to say anything, Suki had rushed forward. She had crossed the shop in a few long strides and as she reached Homura, she pulled her in for a tight hug she instantly returned.
"Suki," she spoke softly as she held her tightly, her eyes never leaving Zuko as he started walking towards them, smiling at her the entire time. "How did you find me?"
"We know you," Suki muttered as she pulled back with a smile. "You scared me. Don't you ever disappear like that again."
"I couldn't just stay," she muttered as she turned to face Zuko who had finally reached her. "I'm so sorry for everything."
He only shook his head, his smile widening as he reached her. He raised a hand to her cheek, caressed it as she leaned in his touch. He pressed his lips to hers softly before he pulled back once more. Homura was speechless, and judging from his amused look, he knew all about it.
"Such a sweet reunion."
Homura couldn't help but chuckle as she turned to face Iroh while Zuko beside her let out a sigh. "I knew you'd see this, Uncle."
Her eyes widened at once, her cheeks flooded with colour as she turned to Zuko. "He's your Uncle?!" She turned to her boss. "You're General Iroh?!"
Iroh only nodded in response with a smile. "I see you were acquainted with my nephew all along. I probably told you a few things you already knew."
It was Zuko's turn to blush now as he turned to Iroh. "You've told her about me?!"
Suki's laughter in the background only added to their embarrassment.