"Why are your eyes glowing?"
"What?" I'm shaking a little. Isn't he gonna... No of course not.
"Your eyes... glowing... explain."
*Sighs* "I'll be blunt. I can fire bend. My eyes glow when I do."
"So your an avatar?"
"What? No. No. You know perfectly well that's not possible. I don't know what I am. I think I can do it cause of my dad, but I'm not sure."
"Your dad?"
"You seriously don't remember? My dad was part of the fire nation before he died. He hated Ozai and left to live in the earth kingdom."
"And he was a bender?"
"I don't really know. I was nine when he died remember?"
"Did you tell Uncle?"
"No but I have a feeling he knows already."
"How?"
"How's my nephew doing?" Iroh came in with a tray of tea.
"That's how." I stepped out of Zuko's embrace my cheeks still flushed. "He's fine. In my opinion, he was being dramatic." Thank Koh that was awkward.
"Was not."
"Was so."
"In any case, I'm glad you're awake nephew." He set the tray down pouring two cups of tea. "I have to go back to the tea shop now. It's the grand opening. If you want to join me I'd be happy to have help."
"Sure Iroh. I'd love to help, but first I need to change."
"Yea I do too Uncle." Cmon just leave me alone for two minutes.
"And Jay. Don't feel too bad about being who you are."
"Thanks Iroh." He left us alone, and I waited till I felt him completely leave. I turn to face Zuko my face back to normal. "You shouldn't be working stupid."
"Just shut up."
"Excuse me?" He strode over to me with a stern expression on his face. "What're you d-"
"I said shut up." He's... kissing me... He eventually pulled away when we were both gasping for air.
"Why did you... But you... I don't understand."
"I honestly don't either, but I know that the way I'm feeling isn't really platonic."
"So... What now?"
"Look. Maybe I wasn't ready to admit it before, but I'm trying to now. When I kissed you a few months ago, I didn't know what to make of it. I was lost, and I still am. I'm trying to be good." I'm smiling. Genuinely smiling. I can't really remember the last time I was this happy.
"Well maybe you could start off by warning a girl first before you kiss her. I swear to Koh I was going to burn you."
"No you weren't! You were mesmerised by me."
"Was not!"
"Was so!" I conjure my green flames and a solid boulder.
"I will end you Zuko! End you if you don't shut up!"
20 minutes later in front of the Tea shop
"That hurt JJ" He rubs his neck trying to relieve the pain. "You could've killed me."
"Stop being so dramatic ya big baby."
"Love you."
"Love you too hothead." Well this is a huge change. It doesn't seem real. He's acting so different. Could this be what Iroh was talking about?
Flashback to when Zuko was sick
"Iroh his temperature rose again!"
"Just stay calm and keep changing his washcloth Little Jay."
"I'm trying, but it's getting too warm to fast."
"Just breathe. He's going to be ok."
"What's happening again?"
"Zuko has changed his destiny by choosing good. The part of him that so desperately want his father's approval is fighting against that, however he's in control."
"Then why is he sick?"
"He's going through a metamorphosis. Just be patient, my little one."
End of Flashback
The shop Iroh got was huge and beautiful. He did a great job on the interior design. Zuko walked around taking orders and smiling at all of the customers. He's so happy I just can't bring myself to think that it's actually true. For a second I thought I heard Katara, but when I turned around nobody was there.
"Hey...um Uncle... I'm going to take my break now ok? There seems to be a stop in the rush we've been having all day." I'm still not used to calling him that.
"Ok Izumi, but hurry back. I have a feeling things will be picking up soon."
"No problem" I set down my apron and left to walk around the upper ring.
It's weird being up here. Must be because of the person who offered his shop to be up here. I kinda feel bad for the shop owner but such is life. I mindfully put my hand over the necklace that reminded me of home. I wish that there was something left there. Something for me to return to. Even if it was rubble, I'd like to at least've seen what used to be there. But that's impossible, all the ash blew away leaving nothing behind.
Zuko POV
"Hey Uncle? Where did.. uh Izumi go?"
"She took her break a while ago. She should be back soon. Why do you want to know? Do you miss her?" He's smirking at me. My face flushed a little.
"No!No! Of course not. Why would I miss her?"
"Relax nephew. I was only joking." Dammit I gave myself away.
"Anyway... Can I take my break then too? I need to run some errands. It was her birthday a few weeks ago, and we didn't celebrate. I kinda feel bad cause I ruined it, so I want to get her a present to make up for it."
"It was her 17th birthday?! Why hadn't she told us?"
"I don't know. It probably brings up bad memories since ya know... her parents."
"We should make her a cake then and surprise her with a party. She's with us after all."
"That sounds like a great idea. I'll go now for her present. Make sure she doesn't see the cake. Act natural."
Jay POV
I walk back into the shop seeing Iroh hustling around. Shit.
"Sorry Uncle I'm back now. Where's Lee?" I tie the apron around my waist tight and quickly pick up the slack.
"He just left for his break. Thanks for not letting me run behind though."
"No problem. I would've been back sooner, but I got lost in my thoughts."
"Ah don't worry about it. Everything's fine now that you're back."
As soon as the rush was over, Iroh closed up shop. At one point I thought I felt Zuko's heartbeat, but I never saw him and neither did Iroh, so I shrugged it off. We walked back to our nice apartment together, but suddenly Iroh began acting a little funny. His heart rate sped up.
"Is everything ok?"
"Everything's fine." His heart jumped a beat. He's lying. Why would he be lying? I opened the door to the apartment to find Zuko surrounded by party decorations.
"What's going on? Is this to celebrate the opening?"
"JJ you're so stupid sometimes."
"What do you mean by that?"
"We're celebrating your birthday Little Jay." WHAT?!
"But it's not my birthday."
"Shut up. I know stupid. It was a few weeks ago, but we never got to celebrate it, and I feel bad for messing it up."
"Oh um thanks..."
"Do you not like it?" Iroh looked at me like he was going to cry.
"No, it's not like that. I'm just surprised is all." They both looked relieved.
"That's great. Shall we start with presents?"
"Oh you guys didn't have to do that."
"Yea we did now here." He handed my a small box wrapped in green cloth. I unwrapped it and found a pendant that reminded me of the fire nation.
"It's so pretty."
"Yea I just thought you'd like something that reminded you of me and of the innocent citizens you said you saw there."
I do hate the fire nation for what they did to me, but there isn't anything evil behind this. "Thanks Zuko. It's perfect." We all sat down to have cake when I remembered something. "Oh um Iroh this is for you." I pulled out a scroll placing it in front of him. "Apparently the Earth King would like some of your tea tomorrow."
"What?! This is huge! Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"I'm sorry I forgot with all the rush."
"I have to prepare!" He rushed around gathering supplies and yelling out tea combinations then shutting them down.
"He's really excited, but I have a feeling he's going to be really nervous. Maybe we should help him tomorrow."
"Yea we should. Oh and JJ?"
"Yea?" He leaned in and gave me a soft warm kiss.
"Happy Birthday."