Happiness is a good home, good food…and a beautiful girl waiting to see you…
Iroh smiled goofily as he helped Zuko fix up his hair. He could see his nephew blushing in the mirror, wondering what Jin would think when she saw his new hairdo.
"I don't see you smiling Zuko. Er, I mean Lee." Iroh's grin lessened as he combed Zuko's bangs back. "Honestly, I think that is a kind of happiness that a man can work towards and not be disappointed. Having someone who worries when you do not come home on time is a human necessity, even if most do not realize it. A warm home filled with love, a table with something hot to eat, and a pretty girl smiling at you…tell me, what could be better than that?"
"Anything at all." Zuko moaned.
"Come on now. Do you know how many people don't have any of those things? No home, no food. Then…there are people who have plenty of food and a big house but no loved ones, and they are still miserable. Do not take what you have for granted my nephew, or it will vanish before your eyes."
"Can you please just finish?" Zuko begged Iroh.
"Don't be so sour. You are going to see a beautiful woman tonight. You better be nice to her, she's a good customer."
"Uh huh." Zuko lowered his head between his shoulders.
"All done. You look…" Iroh paused. His nephew looked incredibly dorky. "…nice."
"Tch." Zuko huffed out a sound and headed towards the tea shop's exit.
"Wait!" Iroh pulled out a small parchment from his pocket and shoved it into Zuko's hand. "That is a coupon for a free cup of tea. So the girl will definitively come back to see you."
"Yeah, yeah." Zuko didn't make eye contact.
"Okay." Iroh brushed off Zuko's shoulders, just to be safe, and his nephew sighed. "Go get her Lee."
Zuko rolled his eyes and left.
"I want a boy for my first grandchild!" Iroh shouted, purposely trying to embarrass him.
"You're not my father!!!" Zuko yelled, cheeks red.
Iroh's heart skipped a beat when he heard Zuko say that. Once again, Iroh was reminded of that painful truth. No matter how much advice he gave Zuko, no matter how many times he helped him, Zuko was not his son.