Tea Shop Part Two: Zuko x female reader series
After saving Lee’s life he stops being so rude to you and is actually bareable to work with. You grow closer, even taking care of him when he gets sick and start to feel there could be something between you. Then the avatar shows up in Ba Sing Sei and Lee isn’t your priority anymore...until you find out he’s not really Lee at all but Zuko, the crowned prince of the nation that wiped out your entire culture.
Under Mushi’s watchful eye the tea shop flourished and so you weren’t suprised when business men showed up and offered Mushi his own shop. You watched amused as your boss tried to bargain a title with a tea shop and smiled proudly as Mushi refused your boss’s selfish offer and got his own tea shop. Afterwards your boss went to sulk and you walked up to your friend. "Congratulations Mr Mushi" you smiled "don’t forget me when your rich and famous". "I wouldn’t think of it" he cried "i’d like you to come with me". You paused "what?". "Y/n you’re a wonderful server, your efficient and smart, you’re exactly the waitress i need and i can pay you better than the peanuts we earn here". You smiled "you’re serious?". Mushi smiled "of course, so what do you say?". "When can i start" you grinned.
To celebrate Mushi invited you to his house for dinner and you arrived early to help him cook. You were both in the kitchen when you heard Lee emerge from his room grumbling to himself. Apparently he wasn’t as thrilled with the news and that didn’t suprise you. He went to complain about something but he hadn’t realised you were here and jumped when he saw you. "What are you doing here?" he asked in greeting. "Wow great to see you too! You’re so good at interacting with people Lee” you teased and he paused “I didn’t mean it like that...” he muttered awkwrdly. Mushi took pity on his nephew and stepped in "i invited y/n over for dinner to celebrate our new tea shop! She’ll be working with us at the new shop so get used to her being around". "Great" Lee sighed and you shot him a look. “I’m actually not being sarcastic” he said dryly and you smirked. "I knew there was some enthusiasm in that cold lifeless body" you grinned reaching across the counter to mess up his hair. Lee rushed to correct it, moving away from you but he seemed equally as embarassed as he was annoyed. You smirked and moved away to set the table.
Iroh smiled looking from your smirk to Zuko’s blush. His nephews blush seemed to grow everyday and you seemed to cause it more and more often. Iroh hoped your home visits became more regular soon. You began dishing up the food and Iroh watched as Zuko studied what you were doing and then started to help. You smiled as you noticed Zuko trying to help and Iroh saw Zuko was purposefully avoiding your eye so you couldn’t make a big deal out of it. For his nephew small acts of kindness meant a lot but Zuko had certainly been putting the effort in with you. Iroh supposed you’d won his respect when you saved his life but regardless of what it was, the two of you were getting along well and it made Iroh smile. Things were looking up for his nephew.
You’d been running the preparation of the shop for a few days now because Mushi told you there was a family emergency so he couldn’t. You hadn’t heard from him for a while now and were worried about him so after work you went to his house. You suspected the crisis involved Lee and sure enough, as you approached the front door, through the window you could see Lee on the floor in the living room injured. You knocked on the door but got no reply. You knocked again and went to leave when you heard a groan. It was Lee and he sounded in pain. You frowned but tried the door. It opened and you walked inside. "Mushi?" you called but got no reply. You sunk to your knees beside Lee and frowned, he looked bad. You couldn’t see anything physically wrong with him, there was no blood or wound, but he definitely looked in pain. You placed a hand on his head but removed it quickly, he was boiling hot. You spotted a bucket of water and soaked a flannel in it before placing it on Lee’s forehead. He stopped muttering when you did that and you smiled slightly. You pulled the blankets up to cover him more, not only for his modesty, but also because you knew it was the best thing to do for a fever. The flannel slipped and you moved to put it back onto his forehead when suddenly Lee grabbed your hand. His grip was tight and you flinched “Lee? Lee you’re fine, it’s just me!”. His eyes were wide but it still seemed to take him a minute to recognise you "y/n? Why are you here?". "I was coming to see your uncle...can you let go of my hand?” you asked as you started to lose feeling in it. Lee looked down realising he was still gripping you and flushed “ow sorry...”. He rubbed his face with his hands and you worried at how unwell he looked. “Lee i think you should lay back down". "No" he groaned but he was too weak to put up any fight. You eased him back down onto the pillow and put the cold flannel back against him. "Do you want some water?" you asked. "My father" he muttered "the fire lord!" he gasped. You frowned concerned, he was hallucinating. "Lee calm down, nobodies here but me". "No my father...fire lord Ozai, i can see him". You frowned patting his shoulder as he carried on. "They took my honour" he told you "they took my crown! I won’t let them keep it" he cried sitting up. "Lee stop" you said sharply "Lee lay back down it’s okay" you said grabbing his shoulders to stop him standing up. "Y/n?" he asked confused and you nodded "it’s me, lay back down, drink some water". You went to get him a cup but he grabbed the whole bucket and downed it. You frowned at the mess but he laid back down so you were happy. You covered him back up and he blinked at you "y/n are you still there?". "Yes i’m here" you told him for what felt like the hundreth time. "Why are you here?" he asked suddenly. "Because you’re not well". "You shouldn't be here" he said groggily and you smirked that even ill he didn’t want you around. "Well i’m not leaving you alone while you’re like this so you’re stuck with me". Lee made a noise and you smirked. "Just go to sleep and it’ll be like i’m not even here". Lee nodded "go to sleep" and closed his eyes. You smiled as his breathing settled down and tucked the blankets around him and placed the flannel back on his forehead. You brushed his hair out of his face and looked at his poor pained expression. You got the sudden urge to stroke his cheek but you didn’t, even if he was asleep. You looked down at his face, examining it from his scar to his sharp jaw line. The boy always had his head down, eyes low, so you’d never really got a good look at his face. Now you did you we’re pleasantly suprised. "You know you’re not bad looking when you’re asleep and can’t glare" you thought aloud "the fact you’re not talking probably helps too" you smirked. "Y/n?" someone asked suddenly and you jolted. "Mushi" you jumped up moving away from Lee "i came to make sure you were okay, nobody answered but i could hear Lee muttering so i opened the door, i’m so sorry for letting myself in". "No it’s alright, Lee’s been ill for a few days, i went to make tea and fell asleep, thank you for looking after him, i hope he wasn’t too much trouble". "No we woke up a few times and was babbling but i managed to make him go back go sleep and tried a cold compress, will he be okay?". Mushi nodding, smiling at the concern in your voice "he’s okay, he just needs some rest". The flannel fell as Lee turned and you sighed kneeling back down to place it on his forehead again. You frowned worried and Mushi carried on "i’m sure he’d be happy to know you were here". You laughed "one of the first things he asked was why i was here in his demanding tone, he didn’t seem happy" you smirked and Mushi smiled "my nephew was probably just embarassed, he struggles letting people in but you are good for him, you don’t give him a choice". You blushed "I don’t mean to impose on him" you frowned. Mushi shook his head "no and you never do, i just meant you don’t allow him to mope, you are firm and honest with him and none of his family or friends ever were, that’s why he rebels against you so much, I don’t think he’s met someone as honest as you". "I guess that makes sense" you smiled looking down at him. You went to move a piece or hair from his face but stopped realising Mushi was watching. You stood up blushing "i should go but let me know if you need any help i’d be more than happy to assist you".
You didn’t expect to see Lee at the opening of the restaurant a few days later but he appeared looking well, better than well he looked refreshed, relaxed, maybe even happy. He nodded to you in greeting and you smiled "good to see you're feeling better". Lee stopped and nodded "my uncle told me you helped look after me, i can’t remember it". You laughed "thats no suprise you had a pretty bad fever, you were mumbling about all sorts of things, the firelord, your dad, crowns" you chuckled. Lee paused and stared at you "what did i say exactly?". "Nothing really it was just one or two words, you wanted your father and then a crown, never took you for a guy who likes jewellery but i bet it’d suit you" you smirked. Lee studied your body language and tone closely but sighed in relief, you hadn’t worked out who he was. Lee’s shoulders relaxed and he smiled "well thank you for looking after me" and walked away. You stared after him confused, Lee had just been polite and kind with no hint of sarcasm. How odd.
"Uncle two more teas!" Zuko called "we’re so busy" he grinned at you and you paused "who are you and what have you done with Lee". Zuko rolled his eyes but still smiled "it’s my uncle’s grand opening and it’s going great! Can’t i be happy?". "Yeah but i’ve never seen that on your face before...i believe its called a smile right?". Zuko blushed smile gone but he noticed you were grinning at his reaction "that looks good on you too" you smirked before moving away to serve more tea. At that comment Zuko's smile reappeared.
"You and y/n are handling the rush very well" Iroh smiled as soon as he got his nephew alone and Zuko nodded "yes she is very good at her job, you made the right decision hiring her". "I’m glad you think so" Iroh smirked and Zuko frowned "why do i get the feeling you mean something different to what i mean?". Iroh smirked "i don’t know what you mean...just so you know i asked and she’s not seeing anyone at the moment". "Uncle!" Zuko snapped and Iroh grinned "what? She’s a lovely girl you’re a lovely boy....". "I’m not dating y/n!" Zuko cried but his face had gone bright red. “Lee I need your help at table three” you called and Zuko nodded “be right there” and took a few breaths to calm his heart rate. Iroh smirked “you better go, she’s waiting for you”. “I’m going” he snapped and stormed away from Iroh who was chuckling at the fact Zuko’s blush had gotten even worse.
The day had flown by and after the resounding success you made your way back home in a very good mood. For the first time in a year you were very excited about life in Ba Sing Sei and it was all down to your new job. If everyday was like today, if Lee was always like this...lets just say your life was looking up, so of course it had to change. When you got home someone was waiting for you, the avatar.
Apparently your uncle had found his air bison and given the bison a message to help the avatar find you and he had. You couldn’t believe you hadn’t known the avatar had been in Ba Sing Sei for weeks and felt bad you’d been so distracted from your real mission. So you decided to drop everything to assist the avatar. You left for the western air temple the next morning hoping Mushi and Lee wouldn’t be too angry or disappointed in you.
When you never showed up for work the next few days Zuko was concerned, it wasn't like you but neither he nor Iroh knew where you lived. It was then Zuko started wondering how much he actually knew about you and he was suprised he wished he knew more. When Azula captured him Zuko's worry turned to downright fear. He figured Azula must’ve captured you too just for be associating with him and Iroh. That must be why you’d disappeared and he hoped to see you safe and well when he was placed in the earth kingdom prison. He saw a girl and rushed to his feet, relief filling him that you were here, atleast now he could help you. "Y/n?" he called and then flinched to see it wasn’t you. It was the water tribe girl Katara and she seemed angry. "Y/n?" Katara snapped "how do you know y/n?". "Wait how do you know her?" Zuko asked and just like that your real identity was revealed to him.
You returned home early from the air temple because Aang got a vision Katara was in danger and sure enough upon your return you couldn’t find her anywhere. You and the gang all paced in their home trying to think of where she could possibly be. "There has to be a way to find Katara" you frowned when Toph looked at the door "an old friend of mine is here". You looked towards the door expecting some reinforcements and in walked your boss. "Mushi?" you asked and they all looked at you, even Iroh seemed shocked. "Y/n? What are you doing here?". "Me...you're not here to see me? I know i’ve missed quite a few shifts...". "Wait you work for him!" Sokka cried. You frowned "why do you say it like that?". "Y/n he’s Iroh, dragon of the west". You looked at Iroh shocked "no...you can’t be!". "It’s true, i’m sorry for deceiving you y/n but me and my nephew couldn’t reveal who we were to you and i see you have skeletons you kept hidden too" he nodded to your present company. "Wait so if you’re Iroh the firelord’s brother than that makes Lee...". "Zuko prince of the fire nation" Iroh nodded and your jaw dropped.
With Iroh’s help you realised Azula was probably keeping Katara in the same place as Zuko and so set off to rescue them together. The plan was Aang and Iroh, would go save Zuko and Katara and you Toph and Sokka would stop the coup. You didn’t mind the plan mainly because it gave you more time to process everything. Mushi started to walk beside you and there was an awkward silence. Finally he broke it, "I’m really sorry we lied to you" he told you. You didn’t reply unsure what to say so Iroh carried on. "Neither of us wanted to do it but we knew it would put you in danger knowing who we were, if anyone found out you knew...". You nodded your head "i can see that, it’s just the actual idea of you both being royalty" you frowned "i yelled at the future firelord". Iroh laughed "he needed it, trust me Zuko will forgive you for that". You shook your head still not used to Lee being Zuko. "It makes sense now" you frowned "why Lee was so sad...i just figured he was a moody teenager but i know what it’s like to have your home taken from you, i get why he was so angry". Iroh frowned, saddened at your anger but nodded "it was hard on him but things were getting better, he was enjoying things here, you helped with that". You blushed and shook your head "i didn’t do anything, i wish i’d helped him more". "There’s still time" Iroh smiled "we are going to rescue him right now". You nodded not sure if you were more nervous or excited to see Zuko again. "Yes we are".
Of course the plan failed. Toph and Sokka never returned from going to warn the earth king and you and Appa were getting ready to launch an offensive attack when suddenly they appeared but without Aang or Katara.
The evening drew on and still Aang didn’t appear with Katara or Zuko. You paced worried it was all taking too long...what if Azula had them? What if she’d forced Zuko and Iroh to return to the firenation as her prisoners? Your mind was freaking out when suddenly a figure appeared running towards you. You knew something was wrong because Katara was alone and she was cradling Aang in her arms. Nobody seemed to be chasing her so when Sokka made Appa take off you jolted. "Wait what about the others". Katara shook her head bitterly and you frowned moving closer to her. "What happened?" you asked “where's Lee and Mushi...I mean Zuko and Iroh?". "They stayed back" she said and you turned frantic "what? We can’t leave them! We have to go back”". "Y/n" Katara said sharply "they chose to stay back, Zuko sided with them, he was fighting against his uncle to get us...i don’t know who you met here but he’s doesn’t exist anymore”. Katara’s words hung in the air and you sat down stunned. “If he ever did” she added bitterly and you shivered but not because of the cold. Lee had betrayed Mushi and sided with his sister? Maybe Katara was right and the boy in the tea shop didn’t exist anymore. Now he was Zuko of the fire nation, crowned prince and Lee from the tea shop was no more.
