DISCLAIMER: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender.
CHAPTER 23: Closed Doors
"Nephew!" His uncle greets him with a hug the minute he steps into the Jasmine Dragon. "How was your trip?"
"It was… it was okay, Uncle," Zuko replies half-heartedly, and Iroh's bushy brows rise inquiringly. His nephew wriggles uncomfortably under his pointed gaze. "Really, Uncle, it was fine. It was nice to go back to Roku's, at least."
His uncle frowns at his obvious deflection.
"Any other adventures, my boy?" He tries again, already setting out a tea service so he and Zuko could talk more. "Oh, I remember how much you loved the beach when you were a child. You and Lu Ten would build sandcastles—"
"Yeah," agrees Zuko absently while checking his phone. Iroh rolls his eyes at the gadget and deftly sets a cup of tea between his nephew and the phone. Zuko takes the cup and finally turns back to him.
"Did Miss Katara's interview go well?" asks Iroh, and Zuko jumps and hisses as the tea spills into his hands and shirt. Iroh grimaces and rushes over with a rag.
"Oh, I do hate the sight of spilled tea…" he mutters, and he hears Zuko huff in exasperation.
"Uncle, it's just tea!" He whips the rag uncle's hands and sloppily wipes himself up. He stumbles for a moment at the disappointed look that Iroh gives him. "Sorry. It's just— anyway, Katara passed her interview."
"Oh, what good news!" exclaims Iroh. "You must tell her to come in sometime so we could celebrate!"
"No!" screams Zuko. "I-I have a girlfriend!"
"I did not mean it that way, nephew," Iroh says amusedly, and Zuko blushes. He mumbles something about opening the tea shop and stalks away.
"Well, then, I suppose Miss Toph will be kind enough to provide the details for me," Iroh says to himself, sipping his tea placidly over the sound of Zuko slamming things around in the shop.
The door tinkles open just as Zuko flips over the 'Closed' sign. He looks up in surprise to see Jin walk hesitantly through the threshold.
"Jin!" He exclaims. "I didn't know you'd drop by— I mean— uh, hey!"
He rushes forward to kiss her cheek. Jin smiles tightly at him, looking around at the empty tea shop.
"Um, your uncle told me you were coming back today, so…" she sighs and makes her way to her usual seat. "Zuko, I— we need to talk."
"Oh," responds Zuko, dropping into the seat next to her. "Um, if this is about me missing your birthday, I'm really sorry—"
"Oh, no, it's not that," says Jin, before averting her gaze. "Well, maybe it is. I don't know, but…"
Zuko tries to wait patiently, but her hesitation is setting his teeth on edge. Finally, she takes a deep breath and meets his eyes resolutely.
"I think we need to break up."
He blinks at her. Then blinks at her some more.
"I… I thought we were doing well." he says dumbly.
"We are. We're doing too well," Jin explains, and Zuko looks at her as though she has two heads. "We barely fight, Zuko."
"I thought not fighting was a good thing."
"We're supposed to fight. We're supposed to feel a lot of things," she says earnestly, then sighs. "We're supposed to miss the other person when they're not around. You didn't even remember to tell me that you went to Ember Island. I didn't even mind that you weren't at my birthday party." Jin looks down. "That's just not right."
"I—" What on earth was he supposed to say? He reaches over and holds her small hands in his. "I should have yelled at you more."
She grins ruefully. "Wouldn't have fixed what wasn't there."
"Maybe," he begins, "Maybe we could still work it out."
Do you even want to? the voice in his head says, unbidden. His mind flashes back to the beach, to Katara's sparkling eyes, to the way her laughter warmed him more than the rising sun ever did—
No.
Jin shakes her head. "I… we've run our course, Zuko. This is for the best."
Zuko swallows. Yes, maybe it is for the best.
"I'm sorry it had to end like this," he murmurs sincerely, squeezing her hand. "I should've been a better boyfriend."
"You were great, Zuko," she assures him. She smiles slyly at him from beneath her lashes. "And we had fun, didn't we?"
One corner of his mouth lifts higher than the other.
"Yeah," he agrees. "Yeah, we had a lot of fun, Jin."
"I hope it wouldn't be awkward when I drop by here," she says hopefully. Zuko manages a small smile and a shrug.
"Of course not," he assures her. "You're still our best customer."
Jin stifles a giggle.
"You're just saying that," she bites her lip uncertainly and stands up. "Well… I better get going. Tell your uncle hi for me, okay?"
"Sure."
Zuko watches as she leaves, feeling oddly detached from the situation. He barely startles when Iroh sidles up to him with a tray full of Jin's usual order.
"Oh dear, I didn't realize Miss Jin already left," he says, mournfully looking at the tea cakes fresh from the oven. "Did something come up, nephew?"
"She broke up with me," Zuko replies dully, still staring at the door.
"Zuko," murmurs Iroh, setting down his tray and engulfing his nephew in another hug. Zuko barely moves. "Well, you know what they say, my son. Looking back while trying to move forward can give you a sore neck."
Zuko hums in absent-minded agreement. Iroh's grimaces. Maybe a light-handed proverb isn't what his nephew needs right now.
"Or, as another saying goes," Iroh continues, "When one door closes, another one opens."
Zuko snaps out of his stupor and snorts.
"Uncle, I think every door is jammed shut for me now."
"Nonsense!" Iroh steers him to a table and forces the plate of cakes into his hands. Zuko frowns at them. "You are a bright, wonderful, healthy young man with so much to offer! Any woman would be lucky to have you!"
Zuko cringes.
"I treated Jin horribly, Uncle," he admits. "I forgot to tell her I was going on a trip, I forgot her birthday, and when we were in Ember Island, I— I— well, it doesn't matter now, anyway."
The door opens and a group of regulars walk in before Iroh could pry. Zuko stands up morosely and takes the group's orders, and his uncle could only sigh sadly.
"Suki, this is gorgeous!" Katara squeals, twirling around and letting the red wrap skirt billow around her shins. Suki grins from the edge of her and Sokka's bed.
"I'm so glad you like it!" She unfolds the other clothes she had unearthed from her suitcase. "When I heard you got into Roku's, I knew had to get you something with major beach vibes!"
"I'm not gonna wear this to class, though," laughs Katara, smoothing down the light fabric and kneeling on the floor to help her future sister-in-law unpack.
"Oh, of course," agrees Suki with a casual wave of her hand. "I just figured you needed it for all the fun you'd be having on the beach."
Katara's expression darkens at the last memory of her having fun at the beach. She and Zuko had been getting along so well, and she really thought he was so interested in her, in her past and in her culture, but then the jerk just—
She shakes her head and huffs angrily.
"Something wrong?" asks Suki, stopping her unpacking. Katara swallows against the lump in her throat.
"Oh, it's nothing," she lies smoothly, "I'm just a little nervous about going to class soon."
"Well, it is a big change, Katara," Suki studies her face closely. "Are you sure you can balance a full-time job at the preschool and going to class on weekends?"
Katara sits back on her heels and sighs.
"I have to," she tells Suki, playing with her mother's necklace anxiously. "I risk losing my job if I don't have an Education diploma, and the program at Roku's requires me to have practical experience, so I can't quit even if I wanted to. Principal Yugoda has been very kind, though. She offered me one extra day off so I don't get too overwhelmed— but I still don't feel too comfortable about that, especially since it means extra work for my co-teachers."
"Oh, honey," Suki sinks down to the floor beside her and wraps an arm around her shoulders. "You really have to stop worrying so much about others and start prioritizing your own growth."
"I know," she breathes out heavily and rests her head on Suki's shoulder. "It all just feels too much, you know? I feel like once I start studying again, I'll barely relax for the next two or three years."
"Well, how 'bout a grand old relaxation time before you go, then?" Suki suggests brightly. "We can go to that spa that you and Toph talk about all the time, then after that, we can drop by that tea shop you love— nothing's more relaxing than tea!"
"Oh— um, I'd rather not," Katara tries to deflect, but Suki is already reaching for her phone. "Suki, I don't want to bother anyone, and besides, you just got back! Shouldn't you be, I dunno, getting it on with Sokka or something?"
Suki looks at her, horrified.
"Katara, I love you, but I'm really not comfortable with you telling me to 'get it on' with your brother. Who even says that anymore?" She scrolls through her contacts and rolls her eyes. "Besides, this is my last day of relaxation, too, y'know, before Captain Piandao decides to give me all the open cases that Chan and Ruon Jian can't solve."
"Okay, well, I don't want to go to the tea shop," says Katara desperately. "It's just too hot out to drink some tea! Why don't we go to the gym instead—"
"You wanna relax by going to the gym?" Suki asks her in disbelief. "Oh, hell. I'm gone for a week and you turn into Toph! Nope, we're going to the spa and the tea shop. You need to detox, dear."
Katara sighs and slumps back against the bed as Suki dials Ty Lee and Toph. She knows she could just tell Suki about what happened on the beach with Zuko, but she just couldn't take the idea of yet another person trying to convince her she is being unreasonable— because, no matter what anyone says, she is totally justified in wanting nothing to do with him anymore.
Whatever relaxed feeling she had back in the spa vanishes when they start walking to the Jasmine Dragon.
Ty Lee and Suki are talking animatedly ahead of them, regaling her and Toph of their adventures during their conference in the northern Earth Kingdom. Katara is barely listening— Iroh's tea shop is just up ahead, and she is still trying to make up some excuse not to visit, but she's coming up short.
"...so bummed I couldn't join you guys, but I knew Katara would get into Roku's anyway, so we could visit anytime," Suki says, finally drawing Katara back into the conversation. She whips her head up at the mention of her name.
"Oh, please, Sugar Queen wouldn't have lasted one second in the interviews if we hadn't dragged Sparky along," Toph snorts, and Katara frowns at her friend.
"Gee, thanks, Toph," she comments sarcastically, "It's so nice to have so much love and support from you— it's almost smothering me to death, y'know?"
Toph slugs her arm and grins widely.
"It's your job to smother people, Smother Mother," she slings back as Katara rubs the sore spot she left on her arm. Ty Lee laughs and laces her hands with her girlfriend's, leading them all into the Jasmine Dragon.
Katara makes a beeline for Toph's usual corner, trying her hardest not to seem like she is avoiding anyone— it apparently did not work, based on Suki's raised eyebrow.
"What's gotten into you?" Her future sister-in-law asks, but before she could make up an excuse, a shadow falls over their table and Katara finds herself looking up at Zuko's surprised face.
She clenches her jaw and turns away.
"Oh, hey, is that Sparky?" Toph guesses, and Katara catches the devious grin on her face. She scowls at her friend— not that Toph could see it— while Ty Lee and Suki greet Zuko cheerfully and place their orders.
The minute Zuko is out of earshot, Ty Lee leans forward and whispers, "Oh my gosh, I forgot how cute Zuko is."
Katara whirls on her with her jaw slack in surprise, but Suki agrees before she could speak.
"I know! I remember you pointing him out to me on my engagement party," she laughs and nudges Katara. "I couldn't believe he was that sexist jerk you told us about. But seems like you guys put all that behind you, huh?"
"No, we haven't!" Katara exclaims a little too loudly. Suki and Ty Lee draw back in surprise.
"But I thought you guys met his sister and he showed you around Roku's?" Suki asks incredulously.
"Yeah, and they spent most of that night cooped up on the beach instead of drinking with me and Snoozles," Toph adds blithely, and Katara shushes her frantically.
"Oooh, what happened on the beach?" Ty Lee piles on excitedly.
"Nothing! Nothing happened!" Katara denies. "I just found out he's still the same jerk that I thought he was, that's all!"
"Oh no, honey, what did he do?" Suki asks in concern, and Toph snickers and gets comfortable on the couch.
"Yeah, what did Spice King do, Sugar Queen?"
Katara scrunches up her face and crosses her arms.
"He's contributing to capitalism— and— and destruction of cultural heritage and— and corporate greed!" She replies hotly, and Suki raises her eyebrow at her.
"He works for his uncle's tea shop, Katara," she reminds her slowly, but Katara shakes her head adamantly.
"I meant, before! Before we met him!"
"I don't see why that has to be a problem now," Ty Lee says reproachfully, her eyes wide. "I used to work for a circus that did such bad things to animals, but look at me now— I've gone vegan and I will never wear fur!"
"That's— that's not— that's different!" sputters Katara. "You wouldn't understand."
"Yeah, we don't, 'cause it's silly," pipes up Toph. "See, Fussy? Told you— you're just being stubborn."
"Well—" Katara starts, but she sees Zuko approaching them with a trayful of their teas. She narrows her eyes at him and turns up her nose haughtily, making sure her voice is loud enough for him to hear her next words. "I don't care. He broke my trust, and he's never going to win it back."
The group falls into an awkward silence as Zuko sets down the tray a little too forcefully on the table.
"Here's your tea," he announces coolly. "Uncle extends his greetings and will be right out to see you. Enjoy your visit."
The others murmur their thanks— Toph slaps his shoulder playfully, making him stumble— but Katara refuses to even look at him, instead concentrating on pouring honey into her oolong.
"Ladies! It's been far too long since I've seen your lovely faces!" Iroh greets them, catching Zuko on his way back to the counter and tucking his reluctant nephew to his side. He basically frogmarches Zuko back to their table and pulls up two extra seats, smiling charmingly at Suki as he sits Zuko down in one of the chairs.
"I don't think I've had the pleasure of meeting you before, Miss…?"
"Suki," she responds, shaking Iroh's hand. "I'm Katara's brother's fiancée."
"Ah, all the good ones are taken, huh, my boy?" Iroh claps Zuko's shoulder, and his nephew groans and pinches the bridge of his nose. Iroh shakes him genially and gestures to Katara. "Well, not all the good ones! Miss Katara, my nephew tells me you did wonderfully on your interview!"
Katara chokes on her tea and just barely manages not to spit some of it out.
"Oh, um, yes, I did, Iroh," she coughs as she reaches for a napkin. Iroh smiles widely at her.
"Roku's Academy is a fine institution!" He exclaims, oblivious to her discomfort. "I hope Zuko showed you around the campus?"
Katara tries her hardest not to grimace.
"Uh, yes, he did. Kiyi insisted we go to all the buildings," she replies, and Iroh beams proudly.
"My, my, I see you've already met the family," he replies with a grin as devious as Toph's. Zuko huffs, pushing himself off his uncle and standing up.
"Uncle, this is stupid. I'm going to go help the other customers," he says firmly, tucking his empty tray under his arm and stalking away before Iroh could reply.
His uncle sighs mournfully as he watches his retreating back.
"You'll have to forgive his rudeness," he says to the girls, and Katara has to bite her tongue to stop herself from snapping something about not forgiving Zuko for anything. Iroh whispers conspiratorially, "I'm afraid my nephew's still nursing a broken heart."
Katara jumps at that— he broke up with Jin?— but she instantly shoves the thought away. She doesn't miss the pointed, sidelong look that Suki gives her, though. Katara shakes her head minutely at her— no, I don't care how much pain he's going through. I'm never forgiving him!
"Aww, I thought things were okay with his girlfriend? Right, Toph?" Ty Lee asks. When Toph just shrugs carelessly— muttering, "We've never even met her, babe," under her breath— her girlfriend turns to Iroh. "What happened to them?"
"Alas, I don't know. Miss Jin just dropped by earlier this morning and Zuko will not tell me the rest of the story," the old man tells them wearily. "I was hoping you girls could get his mind to lighter things."
"Don't cha worry, Gramps, we'll get right on that," Toph says, without a hint of irony in her tone. Iroh claps his hands joyfully.
"Wonderful! The burdens of life are eased by the joys of friendship," he says, standing up and winking at them. "Now, I must entertain my other guests, or else they'd know that I play favorites!"
As he walked away to greet his other customers, Suki bears down on Katara.
"Really, Katara?" She asks in disbelief. "You're not going to let up even when your friend is going through something?"
"He's not my friend," she replies defensively, yet memories of all the stories they've shared with each other spring to her mind.
He wouldn't have told me all of that if we weren't friends, a small voice in her mind reproaches her. So what if he was part of First Sozin? He also left First Sozin.
But he betrayed my trust, she reminds herself vehemently. I opened up to him about the most important parts of my life— everything was going so well between us— then he just had to tell me about that stupid project and his clients and his sister—
"Look, I don't want to talk about it anymore, okay?" She says— whether to herself or to her friends, she doesn't know. "Can we please just drop it?"
Toph huffs and throws her hands up. Ty Lee and Suki exchange doubtful looks before nodding reluctantly and drinking their tea.
"Hey, Hotstuff, wanna go grab a drink?" Toph asks Zuko the minute he walks into their apartment.
This has become a habit of hers for the past two weeks— asking him to hang out with her, like boxing at the gym, taking hikes, going for drinks at every sleazy bar she could think of. At first, he thought it was because she had some ulterior motive (as Toph usually does) but as the days go by, he's beginning to suspect it's because she wants to cheer him up.
The idea is so funny to him, he would've laughed himself sick if he isn't so miserable.
"I'm really tired, Toph—" he starts to say, but his phone vibrates in his pocket. He fishes it out and groans when he sees who it is.
"Buddy! Hey, what's up, how ya doin'?" Sokka's voice cracks on the other line.
Zuko pinches the bridge of his nose in exasperation and goes to his bedroom and closes the door before Toph could convince him and Sokka to go out.
He knows he is new to this kind of friendship, but truth be told, all the attention has been quite grating. He was not used to people trying to cheer him up (especially not Toph) but in addition to that, Sokka has been relentlessly following through with his promise to try and soften Katara's wrath— so relentlessly, in fact, that Zuko is beginning to wonder if Sokka is in dire need of a hobby.
"What is it now, Sokka?" He asks gruffly, sitting down on the edge of his bed. "What's your wacky, time-wasting plan now?"
"Man, you really need to lighten up," Sokka jokes, and Zuko rolls his eyes to the ceiling and falls back carelessly on the mattress with a huff. Sokka clears his throat on the other end. "A-nyway, I just thought of the perfect plan! You're going to 'run into her' at her yoga class—"
"No," interrupts Zuko firmly. "No more stalker-y plans. Besides, you want me to earn her forgiveness by stretching and contemplating my place in the universe? Really?"
"Well, I'm not hearing you come up with plans," Sokka says petulantly.
"What does it matter anyway?" Zuko runs a hand down his face tiredly. "She clearly wants nothing to do with me, and it's not as if I could do anything about the past—"
He stops himself and sits back up as a sudden, wild idea pops into his head.
"Sokka, what tribe-related things did you and Katara do with your mom?"
"I'm not sure if I should be offended by 'tribe-related,'" Sokka comments sourly, "But Mom used to tell us old folktales— like the one about the Ocean and the Moon Spirits— before we went to bed. Oh, and she cooked stewed sea prunes whenever we got sick, 'cause it's supposed to be full of nutrients or something."
"Would that work?" Zuko absently mutters to himself, so caught up in the raw idea taking shape in his mind.
"Would what work?" Sokka asks curiously. "Bud, wanna clue me in on this? I'm your plans guy!"
"I'll call you back," Zuko replies distractedly, before ending the call and hurriedly searching for nearby shops that could have what he is looking for.