Zuko wandering through a quiet market in disguise, hood pulled low, just trying to enjoy a rare moment of normalcy.
He pauses at a small herbal stall - nothing unusual. Just bundles of dried leaves, soft scents drifting through the air. The vendor starts talking, enthusiastic, recommending blends for stress, for sleep… for connection. Zuko, already half-distracted, hears “calming,” “good for the mind,” “shared experience” - and that’s enough for him.
He buys it without thinking much of it.
-–—• Later, back in the palace;
The two of you sit together, cups warm in your hands, the faint aroma curling between you. It’s peaceful. Quiet. Exactly what he’d hoped for.
At first, nothing seems different.
Zuko relaxes a little more than usual, shoulders easing, voice softer. His hand finds yours like it always does, thumb tracing slow, absent patterns.
But then… He starts looking at you more. Not just glancing - looking. Like he’s noticing every small detail all over again. Studying.
“…You look nice tonight” he says, a bit more openly than he usually would.
You blink. “Thank you?” You noticed his gaze and returned it “Don’t I always look nice lord Zuko?”
“Of course!” he replies immediately - too quickly, almost flustered. “I just-“ He stops, brows furrowing slightly. “I mean it more right now.”
That’s when you start to suspect something. Your eyes left his gaze to wonder around the table in front of you. Some biscuits and the cup of Zuko’s tea empty - yours, half empty. You made the mistake of adjusting yourself by standing a little. His hand tightens around yours unconsciously, like letting go isn’t an option.
“Stay” he murmurs, even though you weren’t going anywhere.
“I wasn’t- oh” you felt the kisses on your neck. You didn’t dare to stop him - in fact, you were pushing his head towards your sweet spot.
Eventually, the realization hits. Maybe it’s the way he leans in without hesitation - or how unusually sweaty he’s being without hardly moving a muscle. Perhaps it’s the label you finally notice on the leftover tea packaging.
Couples Herbal Infusion — Encourages emotional openness and bonding.
“…Zuko.” You look back at him. He lays you on your back to get a better access to your neck. He hums softly, still close, still making out with your neck leaving his marks visible everywhere. Clearly not connecting the dots or questioning the heavy breathes he is breathing.
“My love, do you know what you brought?” Cue confusion. Slight embarrassment and Zuko going very, very still as it clicks. Not removing his head from your collarbones to break the long saliva connecting from his mouth to your skin. 
“…Oh.” A pause. “Oh.” His ears redden almost immediately.
“I didn’t know,” he says quickly, pulling back just enough to look at you - half-apologetic, half-couldn’t care less. “They said it was calming.” You try not to laugh. He notices.
“…Don’t.” That only makes it worse. “Why isn’t it getting a reaction out of you?” He begins stripping your ropes off - leaving your skin bare for him to attack.
“I had only three sips” That’s what does it.
Zuko stills, moving back to meet you. Eyes flicking from your face to the tea on the table you both lay in front - something quietly calculating settling behind his expression.
“Only three?” he repeats. Almost offended. You nod, unaware of where his mind just went. A brief pause. He raises himself just enough to reach your cup.
“If it’s affecting me more…” he mutters, almost to himself, “then it’s not equal.” You blink in utter confusion. He takes a sip of the tea but he doesn’t sallow - instead, his eyes met yours again. You swore you saw him have a smirk before coming in to force a kiss from you. Zuko transfers the tea into your mouth - not allowing you to move. Just in case you wanted to spit it out.
“Sallow” he ordered. There’s no teasing in his voice - just quiet intensity he carries into everything, hardened by the warmth still lingering from the tea. Due to his grip on top of you, holding you down with his body weight. You had no choice but to sallow - if it wasn’t for that, you would’ve teased him just a little longer. Zuko watches the entire time.
“You said it encourages the same reaction” he adds, a little more carefully now, like he’s piecing logic together as he goes. Lowering his head in between your chest. You were enjoying this far more than you dared to admit - he was acting like an animal in heat still trying to hold whatever composure, sanity in had left in him. 
Your fingers brush lightly through his hair, slow and that small gesture seems to undo him just a little more. His breath catches, shoulders easing as he leans into the touch instinctively.
“This tea was a mistake” he mutters, though he makes no move to pull away. Before you can answer - a sharp knock breaks through the moment. Both of you freeze.
“My lord,” a guard’s voice calls from the other side of the door. “There is an urgent matter that requires your attention.”
The words hang in the air like a cold splash of water. Zuko exhales slowly, the sound quiet but strained, like he’s being dragged back into reality too quickly. For a second, he doesn’t move at all - still close, still holding onto you. Then, reluctantly, he lifts his head.
“…Of course there is,” he mutters under his breath, resuming back to leaving bite marks just on top of your chest. “Ignore him”
“Zuko” you cupped his face - pulling it back to yours “imagine how much more fun it’ll be when we let the tea linger a little longer” 
“My lord, are you there?” The guard questioned. You licked his lips before answering that ‘he’ll be there in a minute’ - a little cherry on top. His body not moving from on yours for just a moment longer before he straightens, composure snapping back into place piece by piece - shoulders squaring, expression settling, FireLord once more.
“I won’t let that slide a second time woman,” he says, lower now, meant only for you. You quickly adjusted, picking yourself up from the ground having a teasing smile on your face.
“Don’t go anywhere” As if you would. He steps away, heading for the door, there’s a faint flush still lingering on his face - and just before he leaves, he glances back at you.
“By the time I arrive, that tea better be finished my dear”
