Chapter Text
Katara to Strong Female Leads: why does pakku hate me
Katara: a ten-page essay because I missed ONE (1) class?
Suki: you should have told him you were sick instead of telling the truth
Toph: You’ve always been optimistic, but “Pakku will understand that I need to miss class for the Chong and the Nomads concert” was a bit of a stretch
Katara: I’d never missed a class before!
Katara: I thought he’d appreciate honesty!
Suki: and yet you’re at the tea shop writing while I’m still mourning the loss of my great grandma ☹️ and watching Bridgerton
Katara: FUCKED UP to lie to pakku about ur great grandma dying!!
Suki: it’s not a lie, she did die
Katara: when you were FOUR
Suki: I’m still sad about it
Toph: Aw I’m so sorry for your loss Suki ☹️
Suki: ty toph 😥
Katara: are we sad that I’m writing a 10-page political ecology essay as punishment for my Integrity?
Suki: no
Toph: Lol you brought that on yourself
***
Katara to Suki: I hate studying here alooooone
Katara: this is the best tea in the city so I GUESS it’s worth dealing with the surliest barista in the world
Suki: is he a barista if he works at a tea shop
Katara: u know I’m not sure
Katara: tea barista?
Suki: tearista? Idk
Katara: anyway today I gave him my order and he didn’t just roll his eyes, he LAUGHED
Katara: like he SCOFFED
Katara: as if he is a tea connoisseur or smth!
Suki: u got the unicorn pink lemonade iced tea with cotton candy syrup again?
Katara: yes except I added blueberry syrup too this time bc that makes it prettier
Suki: it is a little funny
Katara: how?! It’s a tea shop?! I’m ordering tea!
***
Suki to Strong Female Leads: toph, katara ordered the unicorn pink lemonade iced tea with cotton candy syrup again, except this time she added blueberry syrup too
Toph: Lmao
Katara: how is this funny?! It’s just tea!
Toph: You know they do traditional tea ceremonies there, right? Their blends have like, won prizes
Katara: I can’t believe you are agreeing with the Tearista Asshole. there is nothing wrong with liking tea that is pretty.
Toph: does it really count as tea if it’s 80% sugar?
Katara: ur feminizing my drink order and judging it due to internalized sexism
Katara: I feel bad for you both!
Suki: or is it due to UR internalized sexism that u believe it is inherently feminine to order bad tea?
Katara: BLOCKED
***
Uncle to Zuko: Did get a photo of that young woman’s tea before you gave it to her?
Zuko: uncle, her tea is a monstrosity
Uncle: It is beautiful! You have an artist’s touch, Nephew.
Zuko: I thought you of all people would scoff at her order!
Uncle: I do not scoff at what I know will drive engagement on the Instagram.
Zuko: social media has ruined you.
Uncle: Did you take a photo?
Zuko: yes.
Uncle: Did you ensure to filterize it?
Zuko: I already posted it ok?!
Uncle: Ah, I see now. Excellent work Nephew!
Uncle: Next time filterize it to make the colors pop more.
Zuko: I tried to get into tea FOR YOU, you know that?
Uncle: This drink IS tea, Zuko. A little bit of tea with a whole lot of sugar. And color!
Uncle: Maybe next time you can get her in the photo as well. She looks nice.
Zuko: I’m not going to ask someone to pose for an Instagram photo just because she’s pretty
Uncle: I meant she looks like she is a nice person, Nephew. But it is good to know that you think she’s pretty.
Zuko: …
Uncle: All the more reason for you to ask for her photo! You need more friends.
Zuko: I don’t need more friends.
Uncle: You need a lady friend.
Zuko: I just heard the front bell ring, I should get back to the register
Uncle: Nephew, I did not hear the bell.
Uncle: Nephew?
***
Katara to Strong Female Leads: Tearista Asshole Update
Katara: he was clearing a table of mugs and obviously felt super-assured about carrying them all because he is a pompous ass
Katara: and when he walked by my table he looked over at me and suddenly DROPPED ALL OF THEM!!!
Katara: and I got to laugh at him!!
Katara: how the tables have turned
Toph: Aww poor Zuko
Katara: don’t humanize him by using his name!
Suki: Idk Katara it kinda sounds like you’re making fun of service workers who sadly have to rely on customer generosity for their livelihoods ☹️
Toph: Zuko doesn’t owe you a smile Katara
Katara: I hate you both
Katara: …OK I did feel a little bad, he blushed A LOT and I helped him pick up
Katara: Happy now?
Toph: Interesting
Suki: hmmm
Katara: what?
Katara: what?!
Toph: Hmmm
Suki: hmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Katara: WHAT?!
***
Uncle to Zuko: Did you drop all of those mugs because you were distracted by a pretty girl?
Zuko: what?! no!
Uncle: You’ve never dropped anything before.
Zuko: I have dropped stuff loads of times
Uncle: You have?! But that is fine china!
Zuko: I mean no, I don’t drop stuff, that was the first time
Uncle: Thank you, Nephew.
Uncle: So, you’re just clumsy.
Zuko: No!
Zuko: If you must know, she was reading a book that I’ve read before and I got distracted so I tripped a little and the mugs came…crashing down
Uncle: So you have similar taste and you think she’s pretty.
Zuko: Uncle, it’s a book I had to read for class, it’s nothing about taste
Zuko: she’s probably taking the same class I took
Uncle: Hmm.
***
45689 to Katara: Thank you for joining The Jasmine Dragon rewards program! Enter your number when you order, and after 10 drinks, you’ll get one free! Text STOP if you signed up in error.
***
Sokka to Katara: aang, toph, and haru are coming over tn jsyk!
Katara: nice do you want me to pick up chips?
Sokka: have I ever told you you’re the best sister?
Katara: probably not
Katara: doesn’t seem like you at all
Sokka: you wound me
Katara: can I invite suki too?
Sokka: oh
Katara: um
Katara: I don’t have to?
Sokka: no you should! You totally completey should
Sokka: it would be cool. Really cool.
Katara: completey
Katara: he said completey
Katara: you’re being weird but I’m going to invite her?
Sokka: cool!
***
Katara to Aang: I saw the asshole tea shop worker again today!
Katara: it’s like he’s the only one who ever works there
Aang: yeah I don’t get it, it’s either him or his uncle, they must be super busy all the time
Katara: his uncle?
Aang: you’ve never met his uncle? Iroh is great!! I love him
Katara: oh so he’s not a starving artist or anything, his uncle owns the business
Aang: well I wouldn’t make any assumptions about him? But yeah Iroh owns the shop and Zuko is his nephew
Aang: what did zuko do this time?
Katara: he laughed at my drink order :(
Aang: your unicorn tea invention?
Katara: yes! my genius invention!
Aang: so rude! I love your unicorn tea!
Katara: ty! that’s what I want to hear!
Aang: it reminds me of when I was a kid and I used to eat frosting out of the can
Katara: ok that’s way less of a compliment Aang
Aang: I used to bring frosting to school and just eat from the can with a spoon during lunch
Katara: that’s…so gross.
Aang: hey I didn’t shame you!
Aang: anyway I’m omw to your place!
***
Sokka created the group Team Avatar
Katara: what does that even mean
Sokka: idk it sounds cool
Suki: I like it
Sokka: ty suki ☺
Katara named the conversation the gaang
Aang: I like that one. first the unicorn drink, now this?!
Toph: oh yeah that’s brilliant
Katara: maybe I should be the one that’s the family engineer!
Sokka: I’d like to see you do calculus
Katara: I would Not like that
***
Katara to the gaang: has anyone seen my laptop charger?
***
555-678-6789 to Katara: Hi, is this Katara? This is Zuko from The Jasmine Dragon tea shop. I got your number from our customer rewards program. I tried to give you a call but your voicemail is full. I think you might have left your laptop charger here—it was plugged in where you were sitting last. If it’s not yours, you can just ignore this message.
Katara to 555-678-6789: omg yes! tysm for reaching out
555-678-6789: No problem. We’re closed on Sundays but I will put it behind the counter for you and you can pick it up on Monday.
Katara: Oh. Um. Could I…head over right now? I kind of need it tomorrow…I have a big paper due or I swear I wouldn’t inconvenience you
555-678-6789: Oh, yeah, sure. I’ll be here.
Katara: Wait, you’re closed now aren’t you?
555-678-6789: Well, yeah, but it’s not a big deal. I have a book I’m reading. I can wait.
Katara: ok tysm I really appreciate you!
***
Katara to Zuko: ok so I actually… I don’t think I will be there I’m so sorry to keep you waiting
Katara: I’ve been drinking and I can’t drive and I though I could get one of my friends to take me but they have also allll been drinking so. it’s fine I’ll just be by Monday morning.
Zuko: I thought you needed your charger tmo?
Katara: I mean I need a computer but I’ll just go to the library or something it’s whatever
Zuko: you don’t have any files you need on your laptop?
Katara: I will make do it’s really not a big deal
Zuko: look I’m in a perfectly fine state to drive, I can bring you your charger
Zuko: I mean, if you want
Zuko: I won’t, if that’ll be weird or anything
Katara: oh
Katara: omg zuko that’s…that’s so nice
Katara: you’re so nice
Zuko: haha um so where do you live?
Katara: In the southwater apartments near campus. #500
Zuko: ok I’ll text you when I’m there. 15 minutes?
Katara: you are a SAINT
Katara: St. Zuko
Zuko: ha it’s really no big deal
***
Suki to Strong Female Leads: lmaoooo I thought you hated Zuko
Katara: I do, what are you talking about
Katara: FUCK that guy
Toph: clearly you want to
Katara: what?!
Suki: hahaha
Suki: the man brings you something you left at the tea shop and you invite him to our party
Suki: doesn’t seem like you hate him to me
Katara: ok stop he’s right next to me I don’t want him to see these texts!
Toph: oh we know he’s right next to you
Suki: looking verrrry cozy
Katara left the group
***
Katara to Zuko: hey I’m really glad you came inside to hang out. I had a lot of fun with you
Katara: I’m sorry if I was weird or anything. I know I had a lot to drink
Zuko: don’t apologize you were perfect
Zuko: I mean you weren’t weird
Zuko: you were completely normal
Katara: oh ok. good. You were also normal!
Katara: you weren’t wondering that. but you were!
Katara: and a very good beer pong partner!
Zuko: good to know
Katara: um, so Sunday is your day off?
Zuko: yeah, sort of at least. I’m finishing up my degree at BSSU so Sunday is when I get all my schoolwork in
Katara: what are you majoring in?
Zuko: political science
Katara: me too! But I’m a sophomore
Zuko: yeah I thought so
Zuko: wait that sounds creepy
Katara: ..you know I’m a sophomore?
Zuko: no, I thought you were studying poli sci
Zuko: some of your textbooks are from classes that I’ve taken too
Katara: oh no way! So you could have been tutoring me all this time
Zuko: haha I wouldn’t say that
Katara: you have a full-time job AND you’re a full-time student? you must be pretty impressive in class
Zuko: eh, you’re thinking too highly of me
Zuko: I don’t get enough sleep to be an impressive student haha
Zuko: my uncle needs me in the tea shop and I owe my uncle a lot, so
Katara: surely he could hire some other people?
Zuko: that’s the plan...in the future. Rn idk if he could afford it
Katara: you don’t know? doesn’t he know that you’re stretching yourself pretty thin?
Zuko: well…no not exactly
Zuko: he makes me promise that I only work as much as I can to still apply myself in school
Katara: Zuko, maybe you should be honest with him
Katara: clearly he wants you to do well
Zuko: but he also wants to own a successful tea shop! And I want him to be able to realize that dream
Katara: what about your dreams?
Zuko: um. Well
Katara: wow, I’m so sorry, you don’t even know me and I’m asking you about your dreams
Katara: I’m clearly overstepping
Katara: please forget I said anything
Zuko: no! don’t apologize
Zuko: I really appreciate this actually. It’s not something…I’ve really thought about
Katara: oh. ok. well if you’re sure I’m not overstepping
Zuko: I’m sure. You’re not overstepping.
Katara: ok. you haven’t thought about your dreams?
Zuko: not really? I want my uncle to be happy. He saved my life
Katara: he did?
Katara: omg I’m so sorry
Katara: I don’t want to pry
Zuko: lol you’re not prying if I brought it up
Zuko: I went to live with my uncle after some…shit…happened at my dad’s house. And I was not easy on Uncle at all
Zuko: I um burned down a building
Zuko: so we had to deal with that
Zuko: but he got me therapy and even family therapy with himself and my sister
Zuko: and was there for me when I…threw it all away and burned down another building
Zuko: he’s never given up on me. so, I’m not giving up on the tea shop.
Katara: omg zuko.
Zuko: it’s a lot, I know. I was a teenage deviant.
Katara: that’s not what I meant…it sounds like you’ve been through so much
Zuko: yeah, so I know sometimes I can seem like a real jerk. And sometimes I AM a real jerk. I know I was to you.
Zuko: I tried the unicorn drink btw. It’s so good, you’re very talented.
Katara: isn’t it?!
Katara: keep singing my praises!
Zuko: you’re very talented. and a really kind person. and super smart.
Katara: hey you have no idea if I’m smart or kind
Katara: you ONLY know I’m talented
Zuko: let’s just say I have a hunch
Katara: well you’re pretty talented yourself mr. tea ceremony
Katara: and that joke you made about hot leaf juice was very funny
Zuko: ha, I wish my date had thought so too
Katara: oh, what?
Zuko: I might have said the same joke to a date last night and she rolled her eyes at me
Katara: she clearly doesn’t have good taste
Zuko: haha
Katara: I mean it! I’m going to bed now but…you should text me tmo?
Zuko: I do have the whole day off work
Katara: ok ☺
Zuko: goodnight Katara
Katara: goodnight Zuko
***
Katara to the gaang: look at what zuko made me
Katara: *picture attachment*
Katara: it’s a red and orange version of the unicorn drink! He called it a phoenix isn’t that so smart
Suki: oooh it’s so pretty
Suki: any chance he gave you that for free?
Katara: lol yes he did actually
Toph: hmmm a free drink what could that mean
Katara: that we’re friends now, and that we’re both good at inventing drinks
Suki: you’ve certainly been spending a lot of time at the jasmine dragon to just be friends with him
Toph: 👀
Katara: we are just friends!
Suki: why is a detailed calendar of zuko’s work hours in your planner then?
Katara: you looked through my planner?!
Toph: lmao, I’m choking, there’s no way
Suki: there IS
Katara: shut UP suki
Suki: what it’s totally fine to have a crush on the tearista asshole
Katara: don’t call him that
Suki: that’s YOUR phrase
Katara: STFU suki
Katara: why don’t you go make out with my brother?!
Aang: um
Suki left the group
Sokka: um?
Katara: forget I said that! doesn’t mean anything!
***
Suki to Katara: you sent that to the FUCKING group chat
Suki: you sent that to SOKKA
Katara: I’m sorry! I thought it was just us! I didn’t realize!
Suki: didn’t you?!
Katara: no, I didn’t, I swear
Suki: fuck off katara
Katara: I’m sorry
Katara: Suki?
Katara: look I’m really sorry
***
Katara to Toph: suki’s really mad at me
Toph: yeah, I know
Katara: I don’t know what to do
Toph: don’t worry too much Sugar Queen
Toph: she knows it was an accident
Toph: she’ll come around
Katara: when though?! what if I’ve lost her as a friend because of a gd group chat mistake
Toph: she’ll come around very, very soon. and I think you probably won’t actually appreciate it.
Katara: what are you talking about?
Toph: you’ll see
Toph: or hear. Lol
Katara: what??
***
Katara to Zuko: I think I just messed up with my best friend
Zuko: What? Are you ok?
Katara: no
Katara: I sort of accidentally might have shared a big secret of hers
Katara: and I don’t know what to do. I’m freaking out
Zuko: Ok first, take a deep breath.
Katara: ok
Zuko: and it was an accident. You can just apologize
Katara: I did! She told me to fuck off
Zuko: she might just need some time, but you can still be honest with her.
Zuko: what happened?
Katara: I was mad at her and I tried to make fun of her about something but I accidentally sent it to a bigger group chat
Zuko: ok I don’t really follow but I can sort of imagine
Katara: yeah
Katara: she um she likes my brother. And I made it pretty clear that she does. In a chat. With him.
Zuko: Oh.
Katara: Yeah. I messed up.
Zuko: I think anyone who knows you would forgive you
Zuko: because if they know you, they know you’d never hurt a friend on purpose
Zuko: I already know that about you
Katara: thanks zuko ❤️
Zuko: ❤️
***
Katara to Toph: Hi
Toph: Hello
Katara: so I just woke up because I can hear moaning and a bed creaking through the bedroom wall
Toph: I thought that’d be likely
Katara: Suki and Sokka are fucking rn aren’t they
Toph: well I’m not there
Toph: but I’m gonna go with yes, yes they are
Katara: this is my punishment
Toph: I would think so
Katara: I suppose this is the best case scenario.
Katara: but ew
***
Katara to Zuko: update
Katara: my brother, who is also my roommate, likes my friend too
Katara: and they are very loud
Zuko: oh noooo
Katara: so I don’t think I’m in trouble anymore
Katara: except for the fact that I want to die
Zuko: I am so sorry
Zuko: I wish I could rescue you :/
Katara: lol pls do
Zuko: haha I’m not even that far away, I’m closing up the tea shop
Katara: oh
Katara: do you want to go to the midnight breakfast buffet?
Zuko: really?
Katara: um, yeah, but I know you’re busy
Zuko: I’m actually pretty hungry, there are only so many pastries you can eat for dinner
Katara: I’ll change out of my PJs
Zuko: maybe you shouldn’t…that sounds adorable
Katara: they’re covered in polar bear dogs…
Zuko: ok now I have to see them