This is my first Avatar The Last Airbender fanfiction this chapter was not Beta read and if any are interested in beta reading my work before it's post PM

I would like to thank all my patient reads and hope you enjoy this next chapter and for all those reading please stay safe out there especially with the virus going around because if you don't stay safe how will you be able to read what comes next

sorry about the long absence there was a lot going on due to family and health stuff I was going through but regardless I won't give up on this story and have a lot planned for it and will finish it

Disclaimer I don't own anything related to ATLA

Zuko let another small yawn escape his lips as he swept the floors. It had been another long night, barely getting any sleep. Ever since Jet saw his Uncle fire bend his tea, he has been stalking them relentlessly. Zuko debated going across the street several times and deal with Jet personally. Though each time he felt his hand reaching for the door. He'd scold himself and pull his hand away. He had to be on his best behavior, they were in hiding after all and one wrong move could have them arrested or worse.

The guards and the Dai Li visited the tea shop often, which didn't help with Zuko's anxiety or his paranoia. He could always feel their suspicious hollow gazes on him. Although they never acted on anything, they just sipped their tea and left.

Iroh saw it as a blessing in disguise. They were living in the lower ring after all. And with the frequent visits from the Dai Li, it kept the more unsavory characters like Jet away and kept them out of trouble.

Zuko reluctantly agreed though it still didn't help much, he did his best to ignore them. He just focused on what he needed to do and who he was waiting for. He had expected Suki and Kyoshi Warriors to come by any day now and was looking forward to catching up with his new sisters. He even opened up more to his Uncle telling him more about his time traveling with them.

Iroh was very intrigued to learn of the group of female warriors. He was especially impressed by how much they truly knew his nephew and had forgiven him for his past deeds. He even decided to create a special tea blend for them as a thank you.

Zuko had rolled his eyes as everything his Uncle did, came back to tea. Shaking his head at the thought as he continued to sweep. "Nephew two ginseng for table three are ready," Iroh called out to Zuko as he placed a small clay pot and two cups on a tray.

Zuko groaned silently as he set the broom aside, retrieving the tray. "This is so demeaning," Zuko thought to himself as he began to serve the customers carrying over their tea.

"Blue!"

Just as Zuko set the tea down, his eyes shot open. He instantly recognized the high pitched squeal. But before he could react, a pair of slender yet surprisingly strong arms wrapped around his chest. Squeezing him like he was trapped in a python spider's trap. "Hey, Tam," he managed to speak, gasping a bit as the young warrior suffocated him.

"Hey Blue, we missed you!" Tam answered keeping her arms around him till he was nearly blue in the face.

"Ummmm Tam I think you might be killing him," Kikki noted making Tam quickly pull away in embarrassment. "Oops sorry," she giggled stepping away, giving Zuko a chance to catch his breath.

Kikki just laughed as the Kyoshi Warriors entered the tea shop. "She's right though we did miss you. Heck, even Aikio missed you," she said pointing to her.

"Missed is a strong word... especially if someone wants to keep their teeth," Aikio replied as she crossed her arms. Making Kikki gulp instantly regretting her words while Ami and Tam quietly giggled.

"Missed, haha I meant to say relieved you were gone. In fact, she was disappointed when she heard you were alive," Kikki quickly corrected herself to everyone's amusement.

Aikio let a small smirk cross her lips as she looked to Zuko. "See, didn't miss you, not one bit."

"Sure you didn't," Zuko rolled his eyes at her as the other girls came in to greet him. As they did it was almost surreal seeing them all in civilian clothes, no make-up, or weapons. He wasn't sure he would have recognized them if he just bumped into them on the street. Suki being the exception.

When Zuko's gaze met her eye's he could easily tell they were her's. There was no doubt in his mind. "Hey, Blue it's good to see you... glad to see you and your Uncle settling in," she said with a small smile.

"Yeah we are getting by," Zuko shrugged his shoulders as he looked to her. "Though I think my Uncle is enjoying this more than I am," he admitted, glancing to the old man as Iroh slipped around the counter to greet them.

"What is there not to enjoy Nephew? Good tea, good company, and meeting so many interesting people with so many interesting stories," Iroh piped in as he came to Zuko's side. "My name is Mushi, it is so good to meet you all. I've heard so much of you all," Iroh bowed respectfully greeting the warriors as they all return the gesture bowing to the old general.

"It is an honor to meet you as well, we too heard stories about you... Mushi," Aikio said as she stood back up.

"Hahaha, I hope only good things," he said smiling up to Aikio. "Now come and take a seat and relax. I'll get you your tea's momentarily, and don't worry it's on the house," Iroh offered thankfully. He gestured and guided them all to a few open tables near the main counter, where they all began to take their seats.

Zuko almost as routine pulled out their chairs and gathered them up some menus. "What will you like to order?" he asked pulling out his notepad, but Iroh snatched the pad from him. "Don't worry I'll take care of it, join your friends," he said as he prepared to take their orders.

Zuko blinked for a moment before nodding his head gratefully. He pulled up a seat as the girls scanned the menus they were handed. Though they were surprised by the selection, not thinking such a small shack of a tea shop would have such a variety of teas and treats. "Oh, how about we get these egg tarts, oh or maybe these almond cookies!" Tam suggested listing off the many treats.

"Ummmm maybe we should have it with some green tea as well?" Ami asked softly as she eyed the menus carefully. But Aikio shook her head as she looked over her own sheet. "I think we should get some black tea instead, green tea is too light," she argued.

"Order whatever you wish I'll make sure it's all made to perfection," Iroh spoke up hearing the girls debating what to order.

"Thank you again, Mushi, but we won't eat you out of house and home," Suki chuckled softly as she looked at the menu. "Can we get two pots of green and black tea and... one plate of these almond cookies?" she suggested with no arguments from the others.

Iroh bowed his head and collected the menu's, "I'll have those for you shortly," he spoke as he retreated to the kitchen.

Once Iroh left Zuko and the Kyoshi Warriors began speaking about their time apart and them adjusting to city life. They all talked about their surprise seeing the Ba Sing Se's condition. Even though it was as grand and large as they've heard, it didn't match the actual condition of the city itself. "You know, to be honest, I prefer the smell of the stables back home than this place," Kikki said pinching her nose to drive home her point.

"Really? But you hate the smell of the stables," Tam noted.

"Yeah, that's the point I'd shovel the stables for a week to get the smell of human feces out of my nose," Kikki groaned.

"Has your time in Ba Sing Se been that bad?" Zuko questioned.

"Well, it hasn't been all bad. Ami do you want to tell him?" Suki said turning to the young warrior.

Ami blinked for a moment being put on the spot as she smiled weakly rubbing the back of her neck. "Uhhh, oh yeah well... I got into Ba Sing Se University. They have a few courses on herbology and medicines that I'm taking. I'm... I'm actually learning a lot," she said sheepishly though she was proud of herself.

"That's amazing Ami, congratulations," Zuko smiled making the young warrior beam even more with pride. "How did you get in? Did you guys pull strings" Zuko asked as he's noticed Ba Sing Se hasn't been very open, much of it reminding him of the traditions of the Water tribe.

"Sort of, since we are working at the border we convinced them that having more, educated healers would help prevent any sick from coming into the city," Suki explained as Iroh soon returned to bring their tea and cookies. "With the number of refugees coming in they decided to let Ami in and teach her, rather than risk a pandemic," she said as Iroh set the tea on the table and instantly the aroma filled the air.

"Mmmmm damn that smells good," Kikki said taking it all in.

"This truly smells delicious, Thank you Mushi," Suki said as all the girls began thanking him.

Iroh smiled warmly at the compliments. "You are very welcome, and please call me Uncle," he said as they began to take a sip of their teas.

Aikio was the first to sip her dark cup and her eyes went wide in surprise. She nearly sipped the whole cup in one go. "This is... this is good. Way better than Blue's. By better I mean it's not even a contest," she said already needing to refill her cup. Zuko would have argued at the jab, but even he knew Iroh's tea was better than his without question.

"She's right this is amazing."

"Truly outstanding."

"These cookies aren't bad either," The girls echoed their praise as they drank and ate. Iroh smiled delightedly at them happy to see they enjoyed his tea. "You know getting back on topic. How about you Blue what kind of education did you have?" Kikki asked curiously.

Zuko thought carefully on the question not wanting to say the wrong thing in case of any eavesdroppers. "Well... I was mostly homeschooled. My... parents did hire the best teachers they could afford. Even though my education was indeed extensive after... leaving my home, the rest of my education was overseen by Uncle," he explained being as vague as he could be.

"Huh, so I guess that means after Ami is done her classes, she may be the most educated person at this table," Kikki pointed out.

Zuko just rolled his eyes as the girls chuckled. "Well, I wouldn't say that..." Zuko retorted but girls played on his vague explanation.

"No no, you said it yourself you were homeschooled. At least we had more formal educations," Aiko spoke out teasing the older boy knowing he couldn't openly argue. Even Iroh joined in with the teasing commenting about his nephew's struggles during his lessons to everyone's amusement.

Zuko groaned in response as everyone cheerfully poked fun though he didn't take them too seriously as they did, as it was all in good fun. Suki too smiled at the pleasant bantering between them. Glad to see everyone talking and having fun once more. Even she was getting more at ease as they continued to talk and drink tea.

As the day went along the tea shop got busier and busier. Soon Zuko had to be pried away, to help his Uncle around the kitchen and serving the customers. The Kyoshi warriors questioned if they should head off, but Suki insisted they stay until they could properly say goodbye. Although in truth she was looking for an opportunity or excuse to pull Zuko away. She knew she had to talk to him today, she couldn't put it off.

As they continued to watch the two former royals serving tea, the shop's owner approached Iroh seeing the business he had brought to his humble shop. "I think you're due for a raise," he smiled thanking the old general.

Suddenly the front door of the shop was kicked open, the wooden door nearly ripping off its hinges. Everyone's eyes darted to the door watching as a young man stormed in, a piece of wheat hanging between his lips. "I'm tired of waiting!" he roared pointing an accusing finger at Iroh and Zuko. "These two men are firebenders!" Jet accused as he unsheathed his hook swords, the steel ringing in the air as he drew his blades.

Suki and the Kyoshi warriors tensed up as he flashed his weapons. Their minds all raced as they heard him, they all silently questioning each other. "How could this man have found out? Did they accidentally let it slip, did they expose them?" Suki's heart dropping at the thought.

Iroh and Zuko too quickly exchanged looks, not knowing what to do. They were both startled that Jet would be so bold to accuse them openly and were concerned about what he planned to do.

Jet saw no one said or reacted to his words as he had hoped. He then roared again. "I know they're firebenders, I saw the old man heating his tea!" he accused once more trying to expose them to the customers in the shop.

Zuko was ready to retort but was surprised when a soldier spoke up in their defense. "He works in a tea shop," the soldier said skeptically from his table, setting down his tea.

"He's a firebender! I'm telling you!" Jet argued as he raised his swords.

The soldier and his partner both rose from their seats putting their hands over their weapon. "Drop your swords, boy. Nice and easy," he said trying to deescalate the situation before someone got hurt. Thinking the kid was just confused and needed help.

Jet then smirked challengingly to Zuko, ignoring the soldier's commands. "You'll have to defend yourself. Then everyone will know. Go ahead, show them what you can do," he said tightening his grip as he began to slowly march towards Zuko and Iroh.

Seeing Jet moving closer, the soldier began to draw his sword. But without realizing it the weapon was snatched from his hand. He watched as the accused tea server unsheathed the broadswords splitting them in two. "You want a show? I'll give you a show!" Zuko announced brandishing the twin blades. Without hesitation, Zuko pulled the table in front of him with his foot and kicks it at Jet.

Jet quickly hooked his swords against the table shot towards him. Using the momentum to flip himself over and launch himself towards the accused Fire bender. Jet swings both hook swords down at Zuko, who deflects the attack and twirled backward on to another table. Jet swings one sword through the middle of the table, slicing it in half to knock Zuko off his feet. To Jet's annoyance, Zuko easily balanced on one of the halves, standing tall on the balls of his feet.

Jet follows up his attack by cutting through the legs of the table but with each strike, he fails to knock Zuko down. Instead, Zuko leaped into the air and swung both broadswords down at Jet. He quickly vaulted back as Zuko's swords sliced across the floor. Jet growled under his breath as he landed on his feet. He then kicks off and charges straight at Zuko as their weapons clash.

Suki and the girls were all stunned as the fight broke out. The customers reeling back to avoid the two warriors that battled in the middle of the tea shop. "Should we... should we do something?" Kikki questioned openly as she watched Zuko battle the stranger.

"In my experience Blue can handle himself," Suki answered as she watches the battle rage on between the two swordsmen. Suki surprised that this man was able to keep up with Zuko matching his speed and ferocity. "But, we should still help him out, before he gets in trouble. The last thing we need is the Dai Lee taking him away," she says as she watches the fight. The strange swordsman kicking Zuko in the chest throwing him into the streets out the broken door.

Zuko rolled back to his feet as Jet slashed down upon him. Their swords locked together as they both tried to slice the other down. "You must be getting tired of using those swords. Why don't you go ahead and firebend at me," Jet taunted as they broke apart continuing to slash one another down.

They both struggle to gain control as a crowd forms the customers from the tea shop rushing outside to see the fight. Iroh standing in the doorway and watching, worriedly. The clatter of clashing swords filling the narrow street as both warriors battled breathlessly. "Please son, you're confused. You don't know what you're doing!" Iroh pleaded on deaf ears as Jet ignored the old man.

Zuko swings at Jet, but Jet catches Zuko's broad sword with the ends of his hooked blades, he spins around and deflects it to the side. "Bet you wish he'd help you out with a little fire blast right now," Jet says as Zuko spins with him and tries to counter-attack, but Jet hooks the tips of his swords together, and begins to twirl, slashing them at Zuko as he spins them around.

Zuko retreats back a few steps to avoid the bladed hilt. With each swing of the blade scratching along the floor, Zuko tries to time his moves just right. Just as the blade neared his feet Zuko plunged one of his swords between the hilt and the guard of Jet's sword, pinning it to the ground. Jet looks at it with annoyance before focusing back on Zuko. "You're the one who needs help," Zuko retorted as Jet pulls away leaving his hook sword pinned as he retreats.

But Zuko quickly advanced and swung his sword at Jet as he was left open. Jet bent backward just in time as Zuko's sword sailed over his head. The shimmering blade passing over Jet, cutting the wheat straw sticking out of his mouth. Once Jet regained his balance he jumped back onto the edge of a well that stood in the center of the street. By now several onlookers gather watching the fight.

Jet looked to the crowd that gathered and turned to them. "You see that? The Fire Nation is trying to silence me. It'll never happen," he says trying to goad the crowd to his side. Jet then leaped off the well sending a kick straight for Zuko as he defended himself.

But as Jet sailed through the air towards Zuko, a hook blade wrapped around his ankle, knocking him off balance as he was thrown to the ground. Zuko's eyes blinked in shock seeing Jet rolling across the floor, his eyes then turned to Jet's new attacker and saw Suki wielding Jet's discarded hook sword while Aikio used Zuko's dismissed blade. The rest of the Kyoshi warriors also armed themselves grabbing whatever they could find as they came to Zuko's side, and surrounded Jet.

"This fight is over now yield," Suki said sternly holding the hooked sword up to Jet's throat.

"I'll never yield traitor!" Jet scoffed in response his grip still tight around the hilt of his sword.

Suki blinked for a moment in shock before gritting and grinding her teeth from what she heard. This was the second time she was called a traitor and the words still stung. Suki then pushed the blade up to Jet's neck threatening to apply even the smallest amount of more pressure as she ordered once more. "I said yield!"

"Drop your weapons!"

All their attentions were pulled away as a pair of Dai Lee pushed through the crowd. The crowd that built up from the fight parting quickly as the Dai Lee approached.

Zuko and Suki lowered their swords stepping away from Jet as the Dai Lee approached. Jet taking this opportunity to rush to his feet. "Arrest them. They're Firebenders!" Jet accused immediately still brandishing his sword.

Iroh was the first to speak up to the Dai Lee. "This poor boy is confused. We're just simple refugees," he explained as others begin to speak up as well.

"This young man wrecked my tea shop, and assaulted my employees," the tea shop owner spoke out pointing accusingly to Jet. Even the soldier whose swords were taken by Zuko confirmed their story. "It's true sir. We saw the whole thing. This crazy kid attacked the finest tea maker in the city."

Hearing the compliment a small blush rose to Iroh's cheeks. "Oh ho ho. That's very sweet," he smiled bashfully.

The two Dai Li turned to each other like they were silently debating the facts before turning to Jet. They walked up to him as he looked at them disbelievingly. They like everyone else refused to believe his story. They refused to believe him.

"Come with us son," the Dai Lee agent commanded. This enraged Jet as he openly slashed his sword at them in anger. The agent easily grabbed the sword catching it in his stone gloved hand. Both agents twisted Jet's arms behind his back as they disarmed him. "You don't understand! They're Fire Nation! You have to believe me!" he pleaded out as they cuffed him and began to drag him away.

Zuko watched silently as Jet was dragged off, apart of him felt a bit guilty about how things turned out. Jet was right they were fire benders and he was about to be punished for telling the truth. Zuko then quickly shook those thoughts out of his head. In the end, Jet was prepared to attack him and his Uncle, he was the one who lashed out and has been stalking them. There was no one to blame but himself.

"Okay, that's enough everyone move along nothing more to see here," the two soldiers began to dismiss the crowd beckoning them to head off and clear the streets. Slowly people began to head off as the streets gradually cleared. "That was some impressive swordsmanship," the soldier said as he walked over to Zuko. "The army could use someone with your skills. You ever think of enlisting?" he asked genuinely.

"No thanks I'm already apart of a group don't need to be apart of another," Zuko said as he and Aikio handed the man back his two swords. The soldier slipping both blades back in his scabbard. "That's too bad, but if you change your mind we'd be lucky to have you," he said with a bow.

Zuko bowed back respectfully as the two soldiers parted, heading off down the street. He then let out a heavy sigh of relief as the evening events were finally over. He and the Kyoshi warriors began to head inside the now deserted tea shop. Iroh too heading inside after talking with the shop owner, stating they will clean up letting the shop owner head home.

Once inside, Zuko shut the door as it hung off its hinges, and as soon as it was shut Tam spoke up. "Blue we swear none of us told anyone you were a fire bend-!" as soon as the words left her lips Aikio clamped Tam's mouth shut with her hand. "Are you stupid!? What if someone heard you!?" Aikio growled lowly as the rest of the girls, even Suki stared daggers at Tam's obliviousness. Tam tried to apologize her voice muffled under Aikio's hand.

"Sorry about that... but she is right we never said a word to anyone," Suki said with a heavy sigh as she looked at Zuko.

"I know, it's not your fault... It's his," Zuko said as he pointed to his Uncle who had retreated to the kitchen. "Jet saw Uncle fire bend his tea. Since then he's been stalking us to find proof." He confirmed as Suki began pondering his words. "So Jet was his name," she thought. She remembering what Jet said about heating tea, but her mind was so worried at the time that she let it slip, she didn't pick up on it.

"Look you all should head home. I need to help Uncle clean up," he huffed as he looked at the mess created from their fight.

"You sure? We could help clean up as well," Suki offered as the girls quickly agreed.

"No it's fine we won't be long and it's late you guys need your rest," he said thankful for their offer, but it was his mess he should be the one to clean it up.

"Well if you are sure... maybe we can stop by tomorrow morning before heading to work?" Suki said as Zuko nodded in agreement. "I'd like that," he said with a small smile.

"Well, thanks for the dinner and the show it definitely wasn't disappointing," Kikki chimed in as patted Zuko's shoulder as she passed him.

"Tea wasn't bad but you still need to work on your stance. That Hook guy shouldn't be able to push you off your feet like that," Aikio pointed out as she waved her farewells. Tam was able to speak up but Aikio and Kikki quickly dragged her off. A hand clamped over her mouth as she was pulled out of the shop her only able to wave bye on her way out. "Bye Blue," Ami smiled as she followed along.

"Well guess I'll see you tomorrow Blue... and tell your Uncle we said bye too," Suki said as she glanced over at the kitchen then back to him.

"Yeah I'll tell him... see ya tomorrow Suki," Zuko said as he waved bye to everyone seeing them off as he went to grab a broom.

Suki bit her lip for a moment as she stood in the doorway glancing at the girls then back at Zuko as he began cleaning. She still had a lot on her mind she needed to talk to Zuko about and this could be her best chance to talk alone. "Hey, guys you go on ahead. I'm just gonna stay and help Blue out for a bit," she called out to them to everyone's confusion.

"You sure?" Aikio asks with an arched brow.

Zuko too looked at her confused. "Yeah you don't have to help it's fine," he said as Suki looked at them both.

"Yeah, I'm sure. You guys go on ahead I'll be back shortly," she said to Aikio smiling at her.

She paused for a moment, twisting her lips slightly before nodding her head. "Sure see you back at the apartment. Come on guys let's go," Aikio ordered turning and walking off. "See ya guys don't out too late," Kikki uttered as she was still pulling Tam along while Ami trailed behind.

"Goodnight," Suki waved as they made their way down the street as she turned to head back in the tea shop. "So where shall we start?" she asked rolling up her sleeves eagerly.

"You sure you don't want to head off? I can do this alone, it's not a problem," Zuko said not wanting her to think she had to help him.

"It's not a problem for me either. So are we gonna start cleaning or would the prince rather sit and relax while I do it all myself?" Suki teased as she tugged the broom out of his grasp, dragging the bristles along the floor as she stepped back.

"Fine, you can sweep while I collect the trash. I wouldn't want you to strain yourself after all," he retorted as he went to grab the pieces of the broken table off the ground.

"Are you saying I'm weak?" she challenged.

"Don't know? Were you saying I was lazy?" Zuko questioned with a smirk as he collected the wood pieces. They both began to clean up the shop almost like it was a competition to see who could clean up faster. Iroh couldn't help but smile at the sight, the two of them together.

Iroh had finished washing up the dishes as he peeked out at them from the kitchen. Once he had finished cleaning he decided to head out leaving the two of them alone. Before he snuck out the back, he left a small plate of cookies, a pot of tea, and a note on the counter. It read that he was tired and left, leaving Zuko responsible to lock up for the night once he was finished cleaning.

Zuko soon collected all the trash and wood, tying and bagging them all up as he went to throw it all out in the back. Suki following him after sweeping up the broken pottery and shattered ceramic plates. "For such a quick fight you two made quite the mess," Suki commented as they both headed through the kitchen.

"I didn't start the fight," Zuko groaned as he hauled the trash around the counter.

"You didn't finish it either, I did," Suki said smugly pulling the trash along as they entered the kitchen.

Zuko rolled his eyes listening to her but immediately stopped once he saw the kitchen, seeing his Uncle was nowhere in sight. "Uncle? Are you here?" he called out setting the trash bags on the floor as he looked around.

Suki too looked around the kitchen not spotting him anywhere. She looked around the room till spotting the note with the tea and cookies. "Awww isn't that sweet," she said picking up the note and looking it over.

"What is it?" Zuko asked as he looked at the note in her hand.

"Your Uncle left us some tea and cookies for helping him clean up. And he also left you in charge of closing up shop," she explained showing him the small note before slipping a small cookie in her mouth. "These really are delicious," she smiled chewing on the treat.

Zuko too snagged one of the cookies, stuffing it into his mouth. "Yeah their not bad," he stated as he grabbed a cup of tea to sip down.

Suki smiled and she and Zuko both enjoyed the tea and cookies slowly eating them as they sat up on the counter. "This is nice," she said softly her finger tracing along the edge of her cup. "Hey, Zuko... now that we are alone. There is something I've been meaning to talk to you about," she said feeling her stomach sink as she sipped on the tea to help calm her down.

When Zuko heard her say his name he immediately knew whatever she needed to say was something serious. "What is it Suki?" he asked sitting up a bit as he set his cup of tea aside.

"Zuko... you know that I care about you right? That I... I really, really like you and, I wouldn't do anything to jeopardize that," she began getting more and more nervous with every word that left her lips. Even Zuko got nervous as he heard her already dreading whatever she was about to say.

"Let me... let me start from the beginning," she said taking a deep breath. "A few days ago, a little bit after you left on the ferry. I bumped into an old friend of mine. He and his friends were trying to cross into Ba Sing Se too," she began to explain doing her best to avoid revealing anyone's identity dreading what that info would do. "After we talked for a bit I agreed to help them out. He was a friend after all... so I went with them and a few refugees, helping them over the serpents pass."

Zuko listened silently and intently as she continued. Hearing how they marched and crossed the thin mountain pass that cut through the massive lake. "After we managed across making sure they were on the other side I said my farewells to them, but... my friend he... I guess he misunderstood why I helped him out. Maybe he thought what I did was for other reasons..."

"What happened?"

"He kissed me," Suki finally blurted out. Her heart twisting as she finally spoke the words. "It just happened, one second we were just talking, and then his lips were on mine," she said as she averted her gaze from Zuko staring down at the cup of tea in her hands. "I didn't know what to do. I froze. I felt terrible and I didn't know what to do," she repeated as the deafening silence grew between them.

Suki got even more worried as Zuko didn't say a word, she was afraid to even look up to see his reaction. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. I swear I didn't kiss him back... look I understand why you are angry, I'm angry at myself too-."

"Do you... like him," Zuko finally spoke cutting her off.

Suki fell silent for a brief moment as she finally heard him speak and she quickly shook her head. "He's a friend, but no... not in the way you might think. I don't like him that way," she explained as best she could.

Zuko fell silent once more, glancing towards Suki then to the floor. Zuko was deep in thought remembering back through his life, and his mistakes. The things he's done and the things he regretted, and Suki was not one of them. "Suki the first time we met... I attacked your village," he said before grabbing up and taking a small sip of his tea.

Suki was immediately confused as he brought that up, but she remained quiet letting him continue. "The second time we met I stole food from you and attacked you. And since then I lied to you, about who I was... who I am," he said as he finally turned to meet her gaze. "And after all that... you forgave me. You said you loved me," Zuko said setting his cup of tea aside. "I fought my sister to keep you safe. I risked everything to keep you safe. I'm not going to let something like this... something this small, ruin it."

"You aren't mad?" she asked stunned by his words.

Zuko then shook his head in response. "I didn't say that, but if you were willing to forgive me for all my mistakes what would it say about me if I weren't willing to forgive yours."

Suki couldn't help the small smile that crossed her lips her eyes watering a bit at his words. "I don't deserve you," she whispered as their hands met and their fingers curled into each other. She was genuinely and happily surprised that he was willing to forgive her. She honestly wasn't sure how he'd react or that she deserved it. But no one was more surprised than Zuko himself. Maybe If he was more like his old self he would have reacted differently, maybe he'd let his anger take control. But at that moment he began to truly see how much he had changed, how different he was or different he could have been, and how Suki was the reason why.

"Zuko, I love you," she whispered as their eyes met.

"I love you too Suki," Zuko whispered in return as he began to lean in against her. Slowly their lips met as they began to kiss. Suki instantly melting into the soft, warm touch. This kiss was much different than the one with Sokka. Instead, this felt right.

Soon they both began to pull away their lips lingering a bit before they finally pulled apart. "Was it... was it better?" Zuko asked quietly as Suki chuckled and nodded her head. "Much better," she answered honestly as they gazed at each other.

"So what was this guy's name?" Zuko inquired.

But Suki quickly shook her head in response. "Nope."

"Nope, what?" Zuko asked arching his brow at her quick response.

"I'm not gonna tell you his name, " Suki said with a soft chuckle. "If I tell you who he is you are just gonna go after him. And he is still a friend of mine," she answered.

"Worth a shot," Zuko too chuckled as he glanced down at the teapot, picking it up. "Would you like some more tea then?" he asked as she grabbed and held up her cup.

"I'd love some," she smiled as he poured her another cup as they enjoyed the rest of their tea together.

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