Zuko was smiling a little shyly as he was sitting as politely as could be by a beautiful little tea table in an equally beautiful room belonging to Omashu's royal palace.
And Iroh who was the other occupant on the other side just seemed entirely happy and content as he poured tea for the both of them.
It was just the two of them, enjoying a cup of Irohs new blend in the afternoon.
Zuko could not count the times his uncle had insisted they should drink some afternoon tea like this.
It seemed so long ago now though. And Zuko also remembered always being incredible moody and ungrateful for it.
It really seemed like such a long ago no… Since they were on that old ship. Zuko tried to remember if they had done it since then but had to admit that not really.
After that they had been on the run and didn't really have time for it. Then they had run into the Avatars group and that whole spirit thing happened where they had become separated.
Then they had shortly been rejoined at Ba Sing Se, but they had barely gotten any alone time together. There had always been someone else present in the house with them.
So really… This was the first time in ages Zuko got to sit like this with Iroh in private.
"It truly is wonderful to see Nephew." Iroh smiled kindly as he poured. "That you have finally found the value in taking a moment to relax. Even in times of trouble."
"I mean… It's not like there is much to do right now." Zuko hesitated.
"Still. Many others would insist they should be out there doing something. Even if it makes no sense at this time." Iroh shook his head. "Neglecting to remember. Everyone needs rest and time to rejuvenate. Otherwise you are just going to be exhausted as the upcoming battle arrives. A tired exhausted army, is an army which all ready lost. A well rested army will be deadly"
Zuko nodded very seriously as he listened.
"More than that." Iroh picked up his own tea cup. "It is very good to remind ourselves what we are actually fighting for."
"Children listening to fairy tales?" Zuko asked.
"Can you even imagine anything more worthwhile fighting for?" Iroh asked and Zuko smirked.
"No… I can't." Zuko admitted.
"We must live life ourselves to know why it's worth fighting for." Iroh said. "That's why the Avatar is always re-incarnated rather than just live on forever. So he may live life like any regular human being and know why it's worth fighting for."
Zuko nodded. Then smirked. "You know… It always astounded me how the smallest little things can make you so happy uncle." he said.
"Those are the things worth being happy about!" Iroh grinned. "What is life if you can't enjoy a cup of tea huh? Or a well played song. Or… Just getting to spend a moment in time with someone you hold dear." he said.
Zuko shook his head while smiling.
"So then. Aside from collecting breaking people out for prison and collecting an army. What have you been up to dear nephew?" Iroh asked.
"Oh erhm." Zuko hesitated. "I erh… I got to swim with Panda-Dolphins."
"Really? That's wonderful Zuko!" Iroh beamed.
"Yeah it was a lot of fun. Aang wanted to see if he could ride one. He couldn't." Zuko said and Iroh chuckled. "And erhm… We protected this fishing village by pretending that Katara and I was a spirit. And I met Toph's dad he was…. Really weird. And I visited master Piandao! He taught Sokka, it was great!"
"Sounds like you have been busy." Iroh smiled.
"That's not even half of it. I don't really know where to start." Zuko admitted. "Eeerhm… We went to sun warrior island. Like you told us to."
"Oh?" Iroh asked a light in his eyes and Zuko grinned as he held his cup.
"You liar!" Zuko chuckled.
"Now what brought this about?" Iroh asked feigning innocence.
"You never killed the last dragon! You never killed any dragon!" Zuko grinned.
"You got me." Iroh held up his hands. "So you met them?" he asked an excited look on his face.
"I did!" Zuko beamed. "They were amazing uncle! Aang and I danced with them. And they showed us all the colours of fire and I learned to do this!" he exclaimed as he held forward his hands and allowed a flame to appear with specks of all the colours of the rainbow.
Irohs eyes widened as he gasped. "That is… Amazing Zuko!" he said clearly stunned beyond words and Zuko grinned as Iroh bowed over to get a closer look. "Look at that! That's a true representation of your inner flame is it not?" he asked. "One most truly understand fire bending to do that!"
"Can you do it uncle?" Zuko asked.
"No." Iroh laughed. "And I have never seen anything like it before. Except for when the dragons themselves did it." he said. "You earned the title of the Dragon Prince dear Nephew." he laughed. "This is incredible!"
He cheered, the happiness and pride all over Iroh and Zuko blushed deeply which somehow only made the colours off his flame even more pronounced.
Just then the door opened up and there was Katara as she gasped. "Zuko! Mr. Iroh?"
"Katara?" Zuko asked as he made the flame vanish, for a moment he was scared something was wrong but then he realized she was nothing but a huge smile. "AANG!" she shouted. "Appa is coming this way! We see him in the air! Come on we gotta go meet them!"
Zuko gasped then send Iroh and apologetic look and Iroh chuckled. "It's quite all right Zuko. Go say hello to your friends." he said.
"You're coming too uncle!" Zuko said as he stood up grabbing Irohs arm. "Aang has been really worried about you too! He's going to be so happy to see you're really okay! And Sokka always felt bad about leaving you behind in Ba Sing Se."
"Well if you insist." Iroh chuckled as he let himself being dragged up on his feet. "It would be an honour."
Katara beamed. "We're going to the roof! We think that's the most likely place for Appa to land! Cause there's actually space there."
Zuko grinned as he did not let go of Irohs arms and together the three hurried up the stairs to true enough get on the roof where Ty Lee was all ready waiting. Jumping up and down in the air as she spread up her arms trying to draw the bisons attention.
"OVER HERE! WE'RE OVER HEEEERE!" Ty Lee screamed as if there was anyway for the people on the bison to hear them all though as Zuko looked up. Said bison was rapidly coming closer and closer over the air and Katara lifted her hand as well.
"AAANNGGGGG!" Katara shouted.
It seemed like they had been noticed as the bison now came directly towards them.
"We need to step back." Zuko said as he pulled Iroh back. "Make room."
And then finally the big bison came down, releasing a big gust of wind with it. The moment it touched the ground though a certain air bender jumped into the air as he laughed.
"HAHAAA! GUYS!" Aangs shouted happily as he zoomed down and dragged both Katara and Zuko into a hug.
"Aang!" Katara laughed as Zuko smirked then Aang looked up and saw Iroh as he gasped.
"Mr. Iroh… YOU'RE ALL RIGHT!" Aang screamed. "I'm so happy!" he cried as he embraced Iroh.
Iroh laughed as he padded Aang on the head. "Believe me. It takes far more to take me down." he assured just as two new heads appeared.
A young boy and a black haired woman.
"Sokka!" Katara grinned. Zukos attention though was solely on the other one and he felt a blush spread across his cheeks.
Mai how-ever leaned over the saddle as she smirked. "Hi Zuko."
"Hi." Zuko raised a hand, then was ready to kick himself over the lackluster greeting. Mai how-ever just smirked.
Quickly enough the two got down from Appa and Sokka immediately embraced Katara as Mai looked at Zuko. Then took a step towards him in the most seductive way possible.
Zuko felt the heat rise in his face and then suddenly… A mess of feathers and a turtle shell came flying straight for Zuko and crashed into his face.
"ARGH!" Zuko stumbled backwards then hissed as the turtleduck was clinging to his face. "Lin-Lin! Are you serious?!" he asked as he grabbed the turtleduck and then had to peel it off his face.
Aang chuckled. "He missed you Zuko!" he stated.
"And he's not the only one." Mai smirked as she moved closer…. And closer until she was right in front of Zuko. "Hello there handsome."
"Erhh… Hehe." Zuko chuckled nervously as suddenly realized someone was starring at him and Zuko turned to see Iroh wide-eyed looking at them.
"Oh! Uncle!" Zuko gasped. "You remember Mai right?" he asked. "She's my…. Erhm… My erh."
"I'm Zukos girlfriend." Mai simply said without skipping a beat as she grabbed Zukos hand.
Irohs eyes widened, his mouth turned into a big 'O' as he gasped. And then suddenly in a rush he was in front of Mai, grabbing her free hand with both of his own hands as he grinned shaking it violently. "What an absolutely delight to meet you young Mai! What a wonderful pleasure!" he exclaimed. "You must tell me everything. Simply everything!" he stated shocking even Mai before he let go and turned to Zuko. "Zuko! How come you didn't tell me?!" he exclaimed. "That is absolutely disappointing!"
"Well erhm… I…" Zuko stammered.
"Never mind that now!" Iroh snapped. "Here." he suddenly pressed something into Zukos hand and Zuko looked down to realize…
It was a tea coupon from the place where Iroh had been telling stories the other day.
"Why are you…" Zuko tried.
Iroh sighed deeply. "Excuse me Ms. Mai. This will only take a second." he said as he grabbed Zukos shoulder and pulled him away then hissed. "Take her out! You have been apart for over a week! You must take her out. Immediately."
"She might be tired though." Zuko hesitated.
"Then tea is perfect!" Iroh said. "Did you miss her while you were apart?"
"Yeah… I missed her a lot." Zuko said.
"Good." Iroh said. "Then let her know it! You need to spend the evening with her!"
"Erh." Zuko hesitated only for Iroh to turn him around and push him back towards Mai.
"Go-Go-Go!" Iroh exclaimed as Zuko stumbled forward nearly falling right into Mai who lifted an eyebrow as she looked up at him.
"Erhm… erh.." Zuko hesitated. "So erh. I realize you might be really tired… And you might want to settle in. I was just wondering… If maybe. You would come have a cup of tea with me?" he asked. "I know this place and erhm."
"You mean like a date?" Mai asked.
"Well I guess that's what it is." Zuko said.
"So just the two of us?" Mai asked.
"Yeah… I know Ty Lee has missed you a lot too. And I bet you missed her. So I get it if you don't want… I mean." Zuko tried.
"Aang told me that Omashu was the city of 'No take backsies'." Mai smirked. "So no take back Zuko. Me and you alone. Tonight."
"Great!" Zuko grinned though still nervously.
"You're adorable. I love you so much." Mai smirked as she briefly kissed Zuko on his lips and he relaxed as he sighed.
Aang chuckled into his hand. "So where's Bumi?" he asked. "Our bigger group is outside. With Hakoda and Suki too looking after them. But we kind of lack a bridge." he said.
"I think he's somewhere in the palace." Katara said. "Come on. I'll help you looking after him." she beamed.
"GREAT!" Aang beamed.
"MAAAAAIIII!" Ty Lee shouted as she tackled her friend. Embracing her in a tight hug. "I missed you soooo muuuuuch." she cried.
Mai shook her head as she smiled. "I missed you too Ty Lee." she assured padding the girl on her head and Ty Lee beamed
"Come on! Let me show you where we sleep!" Ty Lee gasped as she grabbed Mais hand. "I saved the spot next to mine!" she said. "We also share a room with boys. But I bet you don't mind. You already napped with Zuko." she chuckled as she dragged Mai out. But not before Mai managed to send a last smile at Zuko.
"I'll be seeing you later." Mai smirked before she finally vanished with Ty Lee.
Iroh turned to Zuko. "Napped?" he asked.
"Yes! Only naps!" Zuko exclaimed. "It… It's nice." he said and Iroh chuckled.
"And are you sure it's only naps?" Iroh asked. "I don't mean to intrude. But you are a crown Prince. So I fear you have a greater reason to be careful than most."
"I KNOW HOW IT WORKS!" Zuko shouted. "And do not speak another word of it! I love you uncle. But I do not want this talk with you!" he stated.
"I'm just trying to look out for you nephew." Iroh stated. "I was young too ones you know."
"I seriously do not need to hear this." Zuko grumbled.
"You're lucky." Sokka muttered. "I've been stuck with my dad for the last week. Man I wish he would lay off the sex jokes. I swear he's only doing it to freak me out! I could barely get a moment alone with Suki!"
"Seems like this is a man worth allying with." Iroh contemplated.
"DON'T GIVE HIM ANY IDEAS SOKKA!" Zuko shouted as he hit Sokka over the head.
"Hey it's not my fault the adults wont just leave us alone with this!" Sokka exclaimed. "And Aang is super noisy too!"
Zuko groaned as he covered his face with his hand. This was a nightmare wasn't it?
Iroh though merely chuckled. "Come on then Zuko. You should get ready."
"Ready for what?" Zuko asked.
"You date!" Iroh exclaimed. "You don't intend go looking like that do you?"
Zuko looked down at his regular clothes and then looked up. "What's wrong with the way I look?" he asked.
"You need to make her feel like you put an effort into it!" Iroh exclaimed. "Make her feel special! Come on then!"
Later that evening as Zuko finally met Mai she nearly keeled over laughing.
"HAHAHAHAHA!"
"Shut up." Zuko muttered.
"Your hair!" Mai laughed. "What did you do to your hair?!"
"You know. Believe it or not. That's not the worst hair cut Zuko ever had." Sokka informed as Zuko glared at him.
Zukos hair had been slicked back in an honestly weird style and Mai snorted as she stepped forward. Then finally ruffled Zukos hair up for him. Then padded his shoulders has to brush strains away. "There you go." she smirked as she glanced up meeting his eyes.
For a moment they both stood then finally Zuko cleared his throat.
"So erhm. Shall we go?" Zuko asked.
Mai smiled. "Yes." she said as she grabbed Zukos arm and allowed Zuko to guide her outside
"Soo…" Now Suki stepped up to Sokkas shoulder. "Any plans for us?"
"You bet!" Sokka exclaimed. "Finally we can go somewhere where dad isn't breathing down our necks all the time! The world is our oyster!" he proclaimed.
"So take me oh great water tribe warrior." Suki smirked.
And Sokka laughed as he grabbed his beloved girlfriends hand and ran out as well. This was sure to be a great evening for all involved.