Zuko

It was hard to believe that I was actually there, the throne room. The last time I stood in front of those fiery steps, I was looking up at my father, listening to his and Azula's terrible plan of destruction. I took a breath and climbed, stood in front of the golden seat. The arm rests were cold and hard under my hands as I leaned forward, my eyes closed against the memories, my jaw clenched in disgust. Was this where Azulon thought up his plans, too? Did he sit in this chair and decide that the rest of the world should be under his control? I guess it didn't matter. The throne was mine and the only thing that mattered was the decisions I made there. And they'd be good ones.

"You know, there is a party going on outside," a soft, playful voice floated over to me. The corner of my mouth lifted, chasing away my serious thoughts.

"I've heard." I straightened and made my way down toward the doorway where she stood illuminated by the sun. Her arms opened and I didn't hesitate to walk into them. I buried my face in her hair and breathed deep. Lavender soap and just a hint of sharp oil, used to keep her knives clean. A scent that would always bring me a sense of peace and safety. Her fingers traced the hairline at the back of my neck and I sighed. "We should go back to Ember Island," I said.

"Hmm. Maybe after things quiet down again. I have a feeling you're going to be very busy for a while. What, with your new nation and all." She chuckled into my shoulder.

"I just hope I'm ready for it."

"Alright enough with the seriousness. It's time." Mai drew back and smirked, the closest she ever got to smiling. She adjusted my formal robes and then took my hand to lead me toward the balconies. My public stood waiting to hear how the new Firelord would lead everyone out of the war's end… through unity.

""""

He looked so different. Something about the way he stood up there, looking down at all of us. His hair was pulled up into a bun, golden flames peeking out the top. His long robes should have looked ridiculously big, like a kid playing dress up, but they looked regal. I glanced around at the crowd gathered in the square and counted citizens from each nation, even the Water Tribe. Everyone was so happy; hopeful. The war was over and we could look forward to peace together. At least, that's what Zuko was saying. I thought seeing him would be painful, but I didn't really feel anything. I hadn't for a while. My heart beat a little faster at seeing the Avatar, but mostly because I'd spent so long considering him a legend. It was odd to see a child up there, a child that saved the world and changed Zuko so completely. It was a strange idea, like trying to fit a hurricane into a shoebox.

My first real emotion in a long time came at the end of the applause, when Zuko and the Avatar had made their speeches and the crowd got their chance to worship them. Zuko glanced behind him and though I couldn't see his face very well from the distance, I could tell he was smiling. A tall woman, black hair and black silk robes, stepped out from the darkness and stood beside him. His arm dropped around her shoulders and he turned back to the crowd, holding her against him. The future Lady of the Fire Nation. I hadn't thought to feel anything, but jealousy surged through me, familiar and true.

"You were wrong. I'm leaving," I turned to say to the man beside me. His kind brown eyes widened with sympathy.

"Rei, I'm sorry—"

"It's alright, Tomi. I get what you were trying to do, but I told you it wouldn't change anything. I'll write when I can." My eyes shifted to the taller man behind him. "You take care of him, Nobu. He's very sensitive," I said with a smirk. Nobu chuckled and took Tomi's hand, but Tomi's eyes remained serious.

"Aren't you even going to try to see him?" he asked.

I snorted. "Why the hell would I do that?"

""""

Zuko

Ba Sing Se was always a peaceful place for me. I fought it in the beginning, like I do with everything, but now I truly enjoyed coming back here. Whenever I felt myself starting to get overwhelmed or frustrated with being Fire Lord, Ba Sing Se opened its walls to me. Inside Uncle's shop the bustling of the city outside quieted down and I felt like I could finally breathe. I changed into common Earth Kingdom robes and took my crown off, shedding the Firelord responsibilities and becoming a normal man again. I loved it, but I could never convince Mai to come with me. After everything, she was a Fire nation noble, through and through. That's something that would never change. I missed her on these visits, but she needed a break sometimes, too. Once in a while I could convince some of the old team to visit, but Aang liked to stay mobile, making sure the world stayed at peace. Katara, of course, went with him. Sokka, Toph, and Suki seemed to go their own ways and it'd been months since we'd all been able to meet for tea.

The Earth Kingdom is so different from the Fire Nation. Something about the people themselves… they seem calmer, life moves slower. I hated it when I first arrived, but then, I hated most things. Now it seemed peaceful. I always relaxed the moment the balloon touched Earth Kingdom land, then tensed for a while with her memory, then relaxed again. I had to work out a system for banishing her face from my mind because even after a year, she'd shove into my mind with no mercy, begging me to help her and blaming me for failing. I'd clench my fists, let my fire flare for a moment, and then let go. Usually, she burned away.

Uncle was busy with a customer when I walked into his teashop, so I went behind the counter to pour myself a cup. I peeked into his coin jar and rolled my eyes. He'd been undercharging again. As was becoming ritual, I dropped a few silvers in, nothing he would notice, but enough to keep him going. I turned to face the tables, leaned back against the counter, and smiled. Uncle was laughing, greeting his regulars. Hadn't even realized I was there, but that's fine. After everything he'd been through, everything I'd put him through, it was a gift to see him so happy. He wasn't expecting me to visit again so soon, but there was a lull between meetings at the palace and I had time.

I went to the back room to fix myself something to eat. Uncle had tried to sell food along with his tea, but that didn't last long. Mostly because his cooking was awful. I had no idea how the man could work miracles with tea and then serve cookies that tasted like sugared dirt. I suggested getting a cook, but he didn't want the business getting too big. "It's a teashop, not a restaurant, Zuko," he'd say. The best response was always to shrug, take a sip of tea, and change the subject. The man had a vision, and it wasn't going to change. I grabbed a piece of fruit and pushed the curtains aside to enter the main seating area again when my heart dropped into my stomach and the fruit fell to the floor with a muffled thud.

""""

The teashop smelled delightful, like herbs and sweet smoke from the stoves. Out of all the places I've been, this shop was the closest I ever felt to a home. I heard Iroh's booming laugh the moment I stepped inside and my own smile answered. He was moving between tables, making sure everyone was enjoying the tea and having a good time. He looked so… unburdened. I stifled the envy and put myself between him and the next table. He was looking down and didn't notice, running smack into me.

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" He looked up at me and smiled in surprise. "Rei! I was expecting you yesterday." He laughed and brought me in for a hug. I stiffened in shock. I've visited a few times, but I didn't realize we were at a hugging point.

After a moment, I awkwardly put my arms around him. "Yeah, I ran into a bit of a rough patch coming from the Northern Tribe."

He pulled back and winced at me. "I don't suppose I should ask," he said, his voice low.

"Probably not."

He cleared his throat and smiled again, though it didn't look as easy as before. The only time I ever really felt ashamed was around Iroh. He was so good and I… well, there's a reason my visits were always short.

"Well, should we find a place to sit? Chen can handle the shop for a while." He waved at a young man sweeping over by the front door. Chen nodded and moved toward the teapots. Iroh took my elbow and led me toward the front of the shop, where there were a couple of empty tables. I eased my arm gently out of his grip with a grimace. It was nothing against Iroh, but I didn't like to be touched. We sat across from each other and I immediately started toying with the little menu of teas. As much as I liked Iroh, it took a little while for me to be comfortable sitting in a place like this.

"Rei, would you like some tea?"

"No, sorry. I'm okay, I have a water skin."

He chuckled. "Tea isn't for surviving, it's for living. For the soul, not the body."

"You should really start writing these things down, selling pamphlets or something. Iroh's Guide to Better Living."

I got a big-bellied laugh for that and I relaxed into my chair. "Rei, I've missed you! Have you thought about my offer?"

I rolled my eyes. "Not five minutes I've been here and you're starting already?"

"I only think that you would fit in well here. Chen could use some help and my apartment is more than big enough until you can find your own." He leaned in and lowered his voice. "You gave me shelter once, and I've been waiting to repay the favor."

"You don't owe me anything for that. Iroh, I'd lose my mind if I stayed here, you know that."

"I think that you believe you would. You travel around the world and back again, through little towns and big cities, never staying put long enough to grow roots. I've lived that life, Rei, it's a hard one and it takes a toll. The war is over, you don't have to keep running."

"You know, I think I will take that tea," I said with a sigh. We both made to rise, but I waved my hand at him. "Sit, sit. I can get it."

It wasn't until I'd almost reached the counter that I saw him. My eyes travelled from his Earth Kingdom sandals all the way up to his wide, golden eyes before my mind finally caught up and my mouth dropped open.

"What are you doing here?" he blurted.

I flinched back, my hand going to the counter for support. "I- you… Iroh. I'm here to see Iroh." I couldn't seem to look away from those gold eyes. Would they ever let me go?

At that moment, the man himself grunted behind me and laughed. "Zuko! How unexpected this is."

Zuko finally broke his gaze on me and looked over to his uncle. "I had a few days, thought I'd visit."

"Wonderful! Come, Rei and I were just sitting down to tea."

I hadn't told Iroh everything that had happened between Zuko and me, not even the details of what had happened with Kenshin. It seemed that Zuko hadn't either, which made this all the more uncomfortable.

I took a few quick steps back and said, "No, I'm intruding. You both need time to catch up."

"Rei, that's nonsense," Iroh said with a gentle smile. "Zuko visits all the time, I haven't seen you in months!"

"Maybe I should go," Zuko said quietly. "I should have written ahead, Uncle."

"Zuko, you don't need to—"

I put a hand on Iroh's shoulder. "I'll stay in Ba Sing Se for a few days, so I'll see you again before I leave," I told him. "Please, Zuko, stay. You're family." Before either could respond, I turned and walked quickly out of the shop. I kicked the leg of a table as I passed, causing the customer's tea to spill. I didn't pause long enough to apologize, I just kept running from those gold eyes.

I'm so sorry it's been such a long time since I've posted, and I apologize again for the little bit of a filler chapter.

The way things are going, it looks like the next chapter might be the last one. Let me just thank you guys for reading and sticking with Rei and me. I hope I can do the ending justice!