Thanks Znkp again.
~ Lake Laogai (Part 1)~
Ryuu POV
"So, you're the genius behind this incredible brew. The whole city is buzzing about you! I hope Pao pays you well."
Two men stood before Iroh, holding tea respectively. I leant foward on the counter to get a better chance at hearing what the said in the hubbub of the Tea House. Zuko came out behind me - wiping his hands on a towel. He put a hand on my shoulder and was about to tell me something but was stopped when he saw the two men talking to his Uncle.
"-How would you like to have your own tea shop?"
Pao overheard the conversation and started begging for Iroh to stay. Zuko bit his lip and spun back to face me. Distracted by this, I glanced at him. He took both my shoulders and a couple of deep breaths before starting a sentence:
"Ryuu... despite knowing you for only about..."
"Seven months...I think," I grinned, tapping my chin.
"Yeah - that. Uh-" he took his hands from my shoulders "- I think that I-"
"Did you hear, nephew? This man wants to give us our own tea shop in the Upper Ring of the city!" Iroh interrupted eagerly. Zuko growled but didn't continue his sentence. I shrugged it off and congratulated Iroh on the new tea shop.
"That's right, young man, your life is about to change for the better!" One of the tea poachers crossed his arms.
Zuko rolled his eyes and sarcastically muttered, "Ill try to contain my joy."
The customers surrounded us and - with a mix of groans and congratulations - started ordering the last round of Iroh's tea. Zuko and I were rushed off of our feet. Pao mourned to himself about the loss of the greatest tea maker in the city.
Something began raining outside. I put my tray on a nearby table and went to pick one up. Neither Zuko or Iroh had noticed it. The raining sheets made me gasp with irritation. The Avatar was also in Ba Sing se. If Zuko saw this... I couldn't hide them all from him. He noticed I was stood outside, so came towards me.
"Hey, Yoshi. What I was going to say earlier. Well, here's the thing, I think I lo-"
He stopped short and picked up a flyer. A literal flyer in this case. I gaped my mouth open and closed as his eyes widened. He looked up towards the crystal blue sky. My shoulders sagged as he picked up another and the old savage and determined grin returned.
He realized that the Avatar was close. I wrenched one poster out of his hand and snarled.
"Don't-"
"I can regain my honor... The Avatar. "
Screwing up my nose, I ripped the other poster from him , " You have a new life! Don't throw it away."
He ignored me and I could practically see the flash of old Zuko in his eyes. The Prince who wouldn't give a second glance at peaceful actions. He ran off into the house to start preparing for another round at ye olde Avatar hunt. I followed him, let go of the fliers and got ready to fight if necessary. Anything just to stop him doing anything he'd regret later.
Inside the house, Zuko was searching for his dual blades. He ripped up the sleeping mats and snorted at their lack of existence. I balled my fists to hide them shaking; from both anger and fear.
"It's useless to try stop me, Ryuu," Zuko snapped, "I must do this."
He found the blades inside a chest at the foot of Iroh's mat. Huffing, I took a step closer. He got to his feet and glared daggers at me. His golden eyes flickered with the flame of madness. Another step closer to Zuko - I put one fist up.
"You don't have to. "
Snorting at my comment, Zuko tried to step past to search for his Blue Spirit mask, which was in my satchal. I blocked him. He raised a hand and tried to move past again. This time, he got really annoyed. He grabbed my collar and twisted around - so he shoved me against a hard clay wall. I gritted my teeth and grunted on impact.
"I do. It's the only way of true happiness. "
I spat out forced laughter, "True happiness? Or illusion?"
He tightened his fists on my collar. I tried self defence but Zuko anticipated it. He blocked it and put himself closer to me - to stop any further attempted attacks. He stared down at me with a cruel snarl. Over seven months, I had grown about an inch - but so had Zuko. He was still taller.
He leaned so his nose just grazed mine, his teeth bared, "Please, Ryuu, Home is the only place I can be happy."
"But also where you're supposed to feel safe! And wanted! And loved! None of which your Father gives you. But - but - Gah, Zuko! I love you..."
He took some ragged breathes and started thinking about what I said. I put my hands up and onto his sides as my face flushed at the impromptu confession. He relaxed his position so I could move better - but not enough to run. He closed his eyes and pulled his mouth into a softer position. When he opened his beautiful eyes - he did something I had not expected.
He kissed me.
The warmth of his lips pressed against mine - shocking me to stillness - my eyes fluttered closed. The Spiced Tea sent was almost overwhelming and, oddly enough, his breath that got caught in my mouth tasted too of the tea. But his lips tasted of Sweet Cream. He slipped one of his hands up and pressed my neck with his palm - to deepen the kiss. I still had my hands on his waist, so I gripped his tunic with both hands.
It was my first kiss and - my - what a heck of a kiss. I'd never been into romance. Whenever anyone would even look at me in anyway that I concluded to be romantic, I would try my best to avoid them. But with Zuko - I didn't realise I fell in love with the Prince until it was too late.
Zuko brushed his other hand across my cheek - in return, I brought one hand up and ran it over his scar. The effects of the lack of air were getting to both of us. Desperately wanting the kiss to last longer, I pressed my lips further against his - chasing him as he pulled away.
"That's what I wanted to tell you... I love you, Ryuu."
I went to kiss him again, but before our lips could meet for the second time, Iroh pushed the door to the apartment open. He sounded worried as he called out Zuko and my name. Well - until he found us in the corner of the bedroom. Zuko shrieked. Genuinely shrieked. I burst out laughing as he fell over.
"Uncle! Why are you here?!"
Iroh darted his eyes between Zuko and I and started backing towards the door.
"I was worried... you both ran off in an argument so I thought something terrible happened when you disappeared. I'm terribly sorry to disturb you."
Zuko got up and brushed himself off. As I was still against the wall, I tried to style it out by crossing my arms but it just looked awful as I could feel my face was still flushed bright red. Iroh had gotten to the door, by now.
"We were just- talking. Weren't we, Ryuu?"
I nodded and grunted in agreement. Iroh was incredulous as he opened the door. Zuko coughed awkwardly and went to follow his uncle. Sighing, I followed Zuko. Something stopped him - however. Iroh had retreated to his place in the Tea House. Zuko and I were stopped in the door.
"Ryuu... Do you really love me?"
Narrowing my eyes, I took his hand, "Pfft. Zuko, are you kidding me? We literally just kissed. I do love you, you dork."
He let a smile slip onto his face as he squeezed my hand, "Just- just wanted to know. I love you too, My- err- flame."
He started to move across the street; still holding my hand. I snikered at his new nickname for me.
"My Flame? You are a dork."
Zuko frowned, "How dare you! It's the first thing that came to mind."
He gave my hand a final squeeze before letting me go. The Tea Shop was more flooded with people than before. Word had probably spread that it was Iroh's last ever shift there, so they all wanted to savour the brilliance of his tea mastery.
Pao was counting the money out behind the counter and directed both Zuko and I into action almost as soon as we entered the Tea House door. Iroh was boiling up as much tea as possible to serve the ever increasing amount of customers. It was chaos.
