Chapter Text
Zuko didn't expect this. Absolutely did he not expect this. Out of everything that has happened today, this had to be the worst thing that has happened to him.
The day started off pretty normal. He woke up, ate some dumplings for breakfast with his uncle before opening his tea shop. It all started when he stubbed his toe on the corner wall. Which he cursed out at, but he could handle it. Then when he was steeping some tea in boiling water it overflowed and burned Zuko's hand. His uncle had him wrap his hand in bandages. Because of the bandages, he didn't have much mobility in his right arm. Which in turn caused him to drop one of the teacups, having it shatter all across the floor during rush hour. His uncle said that it was nothing and these kinds of things happen to everyone
He thought things couldn't get worse, but oh how the universe loved to prove him wrong.
While business was slowing down, Zuko decided to take a break, sitting down in one of the tables and drinking his own tea. He swears he almost spit out his tea and shattered another cup when he walked in. He had to keep a straight face. Maybe he wouldn't recognize him. Oh, who is he kidding? This mark on his face gave the whole thing away.
"Hey, do you, um do you work here," Sokka said, walking up to Zuko. Zuko was in shock. Was he playing with him? Sokka's facial expression didn't scream fearful or 'i know you tried to kill my friends before'. Zuko nodded and smiled awkwardly.
"Oh, okay great. What kind of teas would you recommend? I've never really had tea before" Sokka said, looking straight into Zuko's eyes. Zuko felt like he could read him like a book. He squirmed in his seat, nervous and trying to find an answer to his question.
"Me personally jasmine tea is my favorite. Our popular tea is black tea, which is not for everyone but with some sugar it good. Mostly old people order it" Zuko said, trying to avoid eye contact with Sokka but still trying to not act suspicious. Sokka smiled.
"I guess ill have some jasmine tea then" Sokka smiled. Zuko couldn't lie, his smile was contagious.
"I'll get that right to you," Zuko said, standing up and going into the kitchen to make his tea. As he was trying to find the jasmine tea his uncle walked in startling him.
"Isn't that the avatars friend?" Uncle Iroh said, nodding over to where Sokka was sitting. Zuko nodded.
"Yes, but I don't think he recognizes me. I mean how does he not recognize me?" Zuko said, still searching the cupboards for the stubborn tea.
"Maybe its the hair" His uncle pointed out. He was right, Zuko thought. The last time he saw the Avatar he had his hideous ponytail. Besides the scar, that was his most defining feature. And without the combination of both, he was just another boy with a scar on his eye. He finally found the jasmine tea and began to steep it at the temperature his uncle told him to. He waited until it was fully infused into the water and poured it into a cup. He added some honey to sweeten it up a bit and to enhance the flavors. He walked back to where Sokka was sitting and handed him the tea Sokka smiled up at him and once again Zuko found himself smiling back.
"Mhm this is really good," Sokka said, taking a drink.
"I added some honey to it because it helps enhance the flavors. My uncle taught me how to make tea the best so you can get the whole flavor profile" Zuko said fiddling with his fingers.
"You work with your uncle here?" Sokka said. Zuko nodded.
"Yeah it's just me and my uncle, his dream was to have a tea shop and I decided I would work with him," Zuko said. Sokka smiled up at Zuko while he sipped his drink. Zuko picked up his cup and took a sip as well.
"That's nice. what tea are you drinking?" Sukko asks, reaching his head out to try to see the tea inside the cup.
"Oh, this? Chamomile tea. I had a bad day so I needed to calm down" Sokka frowned at him.
"is that why the bandages are on your hand," Sokka said looking at the bandages wrapped around his hand.
"yeah, I burned myself with boiling water. Nothing too bad I'm-" Out of the blue, Sokka grabbed his bandaged hand and kissed the back of his palm. Zuko's eyes widen in shock and he blushed harder than he should have.
"I hope you feel better soon," Sokka said and smiled up at Zuko, letting go of his hand. Zuko stood there stunned and speechless.
"Did I leave pretty boy speechless?" Sokka said, resting his cheek on his fist looking up at Zuko. Zuko bit his lip still unable to form words and instead smiled. Sokka laughed.
"What's so funny?" Zuko said, his smile getting wider and laughing along with Sokka.
"This crinkle you get by your eyes when you genuinely smile, it cute," Sokka said. If possible Zuko's blushed a deeper shade of red.
"Bet you do this with everyone" Zuko raised his eyebrow. Sokka nodded.
"Nope, just you," Sokka said. Zuko huffed.
"Can I get more of this jasmine tea, please? " Sokka said, changing the subject. Zuko nodded and grabbed his cup, heading to the kitchen. He quickly grabbed the kettle and pour some more tea into the cup and stirred some honey as well. He heard his uncle walk up behind him.
"I think the avatars friend likes you," Iroh said in a sing-song voice.
"Uncle, please. Not now " Zuko said, still flustered. His uncle chuckled as he walked back to Sokka, handing him the cup and sitting across from him.
"you make really good tea. Did you put more honey in this?" Sokka said, stirring the tea around with his spoon. Zuko nodded.
"it's better this way," Sokka said. Zuko chuckled.
"My uncle said that people who like sweeter teas are wusses," Zuko said. Sokka glared up at him.
"I am no wuss! And I would be happy to show you" Sokka said. Zuko smiled.
"Oh yeah?" Zuko smiled wider and Sokka nodded.
"Okay then. It's a date" Zuko couldn't believe what was coming out of his mouth right now. I mean he was asking Sokka, the Avatars friend, on a date. He was never usually the one to initiate the first move. Well, technically he wasn't. he only asked Sokka out on a date because he knew he wouldn't get rejected.
"Okay then. Can you get the day off tomorrow?" Sokka asked. Zuko looked over at his uncle, who gave him a thumbs up.
"I can work something out," Zuko said. Sokka nodded, standing up.
"I should probably get going now, it's getting late" he was right, they were about to close shop and the sun was about to set.
"I never caught your name" That was a lie. Zuko knew his name. But he had bonded so quickly with Sokka he didn't want to spoil it. He felt genuinely happy for once. He was willing to resist getting killed to be with Sokka again. It sounded cheesy, but then again his life was anything but cheesy. He just wanted a sliver of normal for once.
"I'm Sokka, Yours?" Sokka said, looking deep into his eyes.
"Lee, I'm Lee"