Chapter 21

I throw on my cloak and gather my things, but this time I'm not leaving. I scale up the building slowly, remembering how painful it was to fall from a much shorter distance, but I make it up before sunrise, which is perfect.

For awhile I practice my shooting, which is limited because I don't want to risk losing any of my arrows, so I stick to the closest target I have—a nearby clothes line. I drape my old cloak, which is now barely more than a large swatch of fabric, and shoot arrows at it.

It tears through the cloth every time, and each neatly land on the balcony of our apartment. When I'm out of arrows, I swing down onto our tiny balcony and enter the kitchen/dining room/living room. Iroh is already up, cooking something white and squishy.

I see Iroh give me a questioning look, but I don't care. I slide down into a plush cushion and curl up as tightly as I can in it, holding my warmth in, holding myself together, pressing the thorns of the rose into my body. Zuko shredded the petals, but I still have the stem, which is now brown and getting more brittle by the day.

I glance up, overcome with relief, when Zuko enters the room. He's yawning, and rubbing the sleep out of his eyes, but his face lights up when he sees Iroh.

"What's that smell?" he questions eagerly, his nose twitching slightly as he takes in the delicious smell. He walks right by me, seemingly not noticing me, but I wonder if he will take to avoiding me now that I know his past.

Iroh gives Zuko a wary look. "It's jook. I'm sure you wouldn't like it." His words surprise me. How could anybody not be tempted by the warm smell wafting from that pot? As if to prove I'm right, Zuko leans in calmly and takes a deep sniff.

"Actually, it smells delicious," Zuko admits, grabbing one of the three bowls beside the pot. "I'd love a bowl, Uncle." Iroh and I exchange alarmed looks. Zuko sounds positive, eager… happy.

"Now that your fever is gone, you seem different somehow," Iroh says carefully, ladling a generous portion of jook into Zuko's bowl. I make a small scoffing sound at his words, letting him know how much I think he is understating Zuko's behavior.

"Oh, morning Del," Zuko says when he notices I'm there. Then he turns back to Iroh and gives a small chuckle. "It's a new day. We've got a new apartment, new furniture, and today's the grand opening of your new tea shop. Things are looking up, Uncle."

The smile that appears on Iroh's face lights up the whole room.

Later, after I have bathed and dressed, Zuko comes into the room. I don't say anything to him, afraid I might shatter this new peace that Zuko exudes wherever he goes. I plan on being polite and neutral, so I am taken completely by surprise when he wraps his arms around me, lifts me up, and spins me.

"Oh!" I gasp when he puts me down. Zuko is staring at me contentedly, looking as breathless as I feel. I press my lips together, trying to hide my smile, and whisper, "What was that?"

"Something I should have done a long time ago," he whispers back. "When I met you, when you were with me in the storm, when we were in the flower shop, when you threatened Jet over my safety on the ferry—yeah I know about it—and when you showed me the rose."

"You didn't answer the question," I say. He shrugs.

"I'm doing what my heart tells me to," he says, and even though the words sound awkward, and even though I'm blushing, and even though I know he's a firebender, I don't pull away when he wraps me tightly in his arms.

I wish he would kiss me. The thought runs through my mind before I can stop it, and before I can reprimand myself, I realize how much I want him to kiss me. The top of my head is barely level with his chin, but if I tip my head up, I can see the smooth skin of his neck.

I press my lips against his throat and bite gently. Zuko makes an animalistic growl that makes me shiver with pleasure, but then he yanks himself away from me. I make a sound of protest, but he just smiles and says, "Easy there."

I flush and duck my head, but have to smile when Zuko takes my hand in his.

We finally make it to the tea shop, and Iroh beams when he sees that people are already beginning to mull around the front of the shop. We enter the shop, and Zuko and I scurry around, making sure that we know where all the supplies are, while Iroh heads to the kitchen to prepare brewing.

Additional servers are wandering around the shop, taking positions. When Iroh finally opens the doors, about two dozen people form a line and request tables. Others are still talking outside, waiting for the line to die down a bit.

Once all the tables are full and Iroh gets a few minutes of rest, he snags Zuko and I, who have been running around taking orders, and has us stand and just watch the shop for a few minutes. Finally, Iroh sighs happily.

"Who thought that when we came to this city as refugees that I'd end up owning my own tea shop?" Iroh muses. "Follow your passion, Zuko, and life will reward you." Though Iroh is speaking to his nephew, I wonder what my passion is and how I could follow it.

"Congratulations, Uncle," Zuko says, a bright smile on his face. His hand takes mine again.

"I'm very thankful," Iroh says, bowing his head, smiling.

"You deserve it. The Jasmine Dragon will be the best tea shop in the city!" Zuko says positively, so different from his usual self. I grin at both of the firebenders.

But Iroh just shakes his head, "No. I'm thankful because you decided to share this special day with me. It means more than you know." Zuko lets go of my hand, but it's to embrace Iroh. Iroh is startled for a minute, but then he returns the hug. "Of course you as well, Del. You have been a blessing to us these last couple of weeks." I flush, and Zuko wraps his arm around my waist.

"Now let's make these people some tea!" Zuko announces.

"Yes!" Iroh scurries off, his voice carrying back to us, "Let's make some tea!"