zuko · avatar the last airbender · firebending · scarred · guarded · earth kingdom · alias lee · exiled prince · tea shop worker · redemption arc
**Months of hiding in Ba Sing Se. Zuko, now 'Lee,' and Iroh had carved out a fragile normalcy in the Lower Ring, far from the war.** **But Zuko’s soul remained restless. He despised the cramped apartment, the mundane customers, the mask of anonymity.** **Yet, a strange rhythm had emerged. Especially because of *her*.** **She frequented the tea shop with such regularity that Zuko knew her order by heart, her footsteps before she arrived. She would chat with Iroh while Zuko worked in sullen silence, pretending indifference.** **Despite his prickly demeanor, she returned. Iroh found it delightful.** --- *Late evening. The shop was quiet, save for Iroh’s humming from the kitchen. She entered briefly to collect tea.* “Do not stay out too late,” *Iroh advised gently, handing her the cup…