I Do Not Own Miraculous or Avatar.

Chapter Thirty-One: Meeting Adin.

"I just want our new place to look nice in case someone brings home a lady friend." Iroh told Zuko, holding up the flowers he'd purchased in Market square. Zuko's face went bright red as he thought about Mai, his childhood crush from the Fire Nation. No way was he going to get a girlfriend. He quickly covered up his embarrassment.

"This city is a prison. I don't want to make a life here." He grunted.

"Life happens where you are, whether you make it or not. Now come on! We don't want to be late for our new jobs! Gabriel is already at his work." Zuko sighed. He hated this. He really hated this. He was to be doomed as a tea server for the rest of his life while Azula would likely take the Fire Nation throne, rule the world, and please their father in a way he never could. All because he couldn't capture some stupid bald monk kid. It was horrible. Honestly. He was the Prince of the Fire Nation. He should have been able to handle some kid. His father was right. He was weak. They got to the shop and the owner, Pao, offered them their uniforms and aprons. Before Zuko could tie his on, Pao stopped him.

"You'll get to serving tea later. For now, I have a job for you. I have some tea that needs to be delivered at the bakery clear across town square. I need a strong young man to take it."

"But I hardly know the city." Zuko objected.

"I'll get a worker in the back to show you the way. You'll be incharge of making the deliveries to and from the bakery in the mornings and serve tea for the rest of the day. Wait here, and let me get you uncle more string for his apron." Pao said cheerfully before handing the pair some tea to drink while they waited. Eagerly, his uncle drank some of the tea.

"Eeow! This tea is nothing more than hot leaf juice!" He complained, spitting the tea out.

"Uncle. That's what all tea is." Zuko deadpanned.

"How could someone in my own family say something so horrible?" Iroh lamented, "We'll have to make some serious changes around here." Zuko face palmed. This was going to be the worst job ever. Not only did Iroh's Pai Shou addiction need to be fixed, but he was certain he needed to get rid of the old man's tea obsession if he ever wanted to have peace. Pao returned from the back with a box of tea and a young man who volunteered to show Zuko how to get to the bakery. Zuko really didn't want to serve tea or act as a delivery boy. He was a prince. Being demoted to the position of a common worker was beyond humiliating.

"And there is Talo's Bakery." The young man showing him through the neighborhood finished, pointing out a tiny bakery across the road, "Do you think you can find your own way back?"

"I'll manage." Zuko grunted. The boy smiled.

"Good. Well, I'll see you around Lee." He waved and left. Zuko moaned. He might as well get it all over with. Zuko entered the bakery to see a boy in a black gi with a green hat that covered the entirety of his hair sitting at the counter arguing with a woman.

"Honestly, Seng. I'm fine. I was just a little tired yesterday. I'm okay to work today."

"Are you sure? I wouldn't want to overwork you. You are still recovering."

"I've been walking much better, Mrs. Seng, and honestly, what does my ankle have to do with being tired?"

"If you are sure… If you need anything at all, tell Talo and he will close and take you home."

"I'm sure. Go on home. I'm sure Jeng is pretty bored right now." The hat kid insisted. Seng nodded, turned and left, brushing past him as she did so.

"May I help you?" The boy asked. As Zuko approached, he notice he had the greenest eyes Zuko had ever seen. Many Earth Kingdom people had green eyes, but none were as bright or gentile as his. They shone like emeralds, hiding a hint of mischievousness and a tinge of sadness under their kind gaze.

"Uh… I am Lee from Pao's Tea-"

"Oh! You are Pao's employee!" The boy said excitedly, "I'm Adin. We'll be working together quite a bit. Here, I'll show you what you need to take over."

"What about the counter?"

"It'll be fine for a few minutes." Adin promised. He reached under the counter and brought out a crutch. He tucked it under his arm and limped out from behind the counter. Zuko watched him with wide eyes. He considered whether or not to ask how he'd hurt himself and wondered if the boy should even be working in such condition.

"Come on."Zuko followed Adin into the bakery's kitchen where the baker was hard at work. The baker met eyes with Adin and acknowledged that he was there before continuing with his work. They made their way through the kitchen and came to a crate with pastries that the baker had wrapped up and was ready to be brought over to the tea shop.

"He just finished these this morning. Tell Pao he should try to sell all of this by today or tomorrow. Any longer and it may not be safe, okay? What ever profits he makes, he needs to take half for the tea we purchase and send you back over with the other half once you run out or you can't sell anymore. Also, he needs to send over a full inventory of what he didn't sell so we know what people do and don't like." Adin explained. Zuko nodded. Adin seemed to notice Zuko's discomfort and laughed.

"It's a culture shock, it's it? You're just as new as I am to the big city, and it isn't quite the same as were I lived. I guess it must be the same for you huh?" Adin asked.

"Something like that."

"Yeah. Well, back in Paris, we didn't have benders. Coming here and meeting earthbenders is pretty strange. Plus, I haven't ever needed a job before. My father was relatively wealthy before Paris was destroyed. But I'm fine with doing work. I actually prefer it. It makes me feel like I've earned something instead of constantly getting something. Can't wait until I can walk better, though. I'd take these deliveries over myself… but well... It would be difficult at this point." He smiled brightly. Zuko wasn't sure what to make of the guy. He was pretty positive, despite being injured, but something told Zuko there was something very… off about the boy. His smile seemed forced. His whole demeanor seemed stiff and uncomfortable with something. At the same time, he seemed genuinely happy and relaxed. It was beyond bizarre. Of course, if his father really had been rich, he might have been taught to act a certain way around people, hence his optimism.

Zuko bent over and took the crate.

"Thanks."

"No problem. I'm glad to have met you, Lee. Do you… uh.. Need directions on how to get back?" Zuko was about to say no, but then he realized he had no idea how to get back.

"Uh…" Adin rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, it's a big city." He teased, "Hey, Talo! Are you able to hold the counter for a little while. I'm going to show Lee back to Pao's."

"Sure. I have nothing baking right now, but be fast… and careful. You sure you are okay to walk that far?"

"Pft. I'm fine. I need to walk around more anyways. It'll be good for me." Adin countered. The baker shrugged and they all filled out into the main lobby of the bakery. Adin and Zuko left the bakery and Adin began to lead him towards the Teashop. He actually moved faster than Zuko.

"So… how long have you been in the city?" Zuko asked carefully.

"Several weeks. Almost an entire month, but not quite. My luck to get mugged by a swordsman on day one though. My father would have a panic attack if he knew about that."

"So the baker isn't related to you?"

"No. His daughter got lost in the market. I noticed and stayed with her until her mom could find her. I didn't want anyone to hurt the kid, you know? Them her mom realized I was hurt and jobless and offered. I accepted… pretty reluctantly though. I didn't want to intrude. I'm glad I did. The baker family is pretty great."

"If you don't mind me asking… where are your actual parents." Adin finally frowned.

"Mom disappeared years ago. After she vanished, father and I grew distant. We aren't all that close anymore. I haven't the slightest clue where he is. I doubt he knows where I am. It's better that way I guess." Adin said, "But I rather enjoy Talo. He is pretty nice to me… I guess."

"Sorry, I didn't mean to intrude." Zuko said quickly, realising he hit a sore point in Adin's past. He didn't want to make the boy sentimental or sappy. Besides, once he asked about Adin's family Adin was sure to ask-

"What about your parents?" -About his parents… great.

"Eh, Father stayed behind in my home, uh, village to… defend it. Mother left years ago when I was thirteen. I live with my uncle now."

"Must be nice to have an uncle. All I ever had going for me was Nathile. And she wasn't the best with kids. I love the lady and all that, but it's not really the same." Adin said, "Sorry about your mom though."

"You too, I suppose." Zuko muttered. People usually said that when they heard his mom was gone. Frist Mai. Then Ty Li. Then uncle. Then the crew of his old warship. Then random earth citizens who didn't even know his real name. Being sorry never changed the fact that she was gone. In fact, in made it worst. No one was ever supposed to pity him, the prince of fire, yet everyone did and he hated it. Besides, missing never meant she was dead. She was alive somewhere, he knew it. People had to stop pretending the opposite was true. When he was Firelord, he planned on doing all in his power to find her.

"Lee?" Adin asked, "Do you ever think your mother could come back? I mean. I don't know what happened. One day dad came to me and said I'd never see her again. I can't help but wonder…"

"I get it." Zuko grunted, "But I suppose that doesn't matter, now does it. She's gone, so drop it." Adin seemed to shrink at the remark.

"...yeah… I suppose." He whispered softly. They walked in silence for a little longer. Finally Zuko's curiosity got the best of him.

"What's with the stupid hat anyways?" Zuko snapped.

"I… just… like… stupid hats?" Adin said uncertainly. Zuko glared at him. Adin sighed.

"Bad haircut. I'm trying to hide it. It was my first time cutting it myself." He said.

"It can't be that bad." Zuko scoffed.

"It certainly turns a few heads." Adin chuckled nervously.

"Well it looks ridiculous."

"Jeesh. Chloe could have told me that!" Adin said with a grin.

"I'm not joking. It's a dumb hat. You should invest in a new one."

"I'm not the one walking around town square in a Pao's Tea Shop apron." Adin quipped. Zuko's face went red. The guy had a point.

"Fine. It's not a stupid hat." He decided.

"Thank you, Lee. I appreciate your support in my choice of fancy and eye appealing headgear. If you'd like one, I know a guy…"

"I'm good." Zuko said in disgust.

"Your loss, now, I believe this is your stop, Lee." He pointed at the tea shop down the road, "I've got to head back, but if you ever need anything, feel free to swing by the bakery and say hi. Oh! And welcome to Ba Sing Se."

"Thanks." Zuko said. He left Adin and entered the tea shop. It occurred to him that Adin had not once mentioned Zuko's scar like almost everyone did.

The guy wasn't so bad, he supposed. But he still stood by his precious statement. He did not plan on making friends or a life here. Sadly, something told him Adin was probably not going to give him a choice in the matter. Oh well. Might as well happen since everything else in his life liked to go horribly wrong. He was the unluckiest person in the world, and he'd accepted that from they day he was born.

That was just his life.