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Since befriending the stubborn, sardonic, misunderstood prince of the Fire Nation, uncle Iroh had somehow adopted a group of nephews and nieces and begun taking them into his tutelage for a myriad of things. Giving them words of wisdom that Zuko had rolled his eyes at — no one understood why, like they didn't understand why he said to take those words with a grain of salt because he could say the same thing in a way that made less sense. He also loved to feed them and try new tea flavors and ideas with them — mostly the water siblings, considering everyone else, his own blood nephew included, were less inclined to stifle their opinions for the sake of an old man's feelings. This bond was why it had never been a surprise to Iroh when one, or all, of them would pop into his humble little shop in the Earth Kingdom to simply say hi. Not even more than a decade later. Which is why when a certain excitable — no, passionate — innovative, hyperactive brunette walked in, it did nothing to surprise Iroh.
“Well, well. If it's not one of my favorite nephews. What brings you in today?” The elder said with a smile.
“Well, I was in town and, of course, had to visit my favorite tea shop.” Sokka said with a grin, placing himself at an discreet table to the side.
Iroh smiled as he shuffled over with a special tray. “Oh, you just know how to flatter an old man. If only my own nephew could know how to be so kind.”
Sokka chuckled at that. “First, you're not old. You're wise, so stop calling yourself an old man. Secondly,” Sokka paused as he took the proffered tea set and began setting it up. “Yeah, I can't help you with your nephew. I think he tries.”
The pair laughed together. He had always enjoyed when the brunette came in. Something about talking with him, poking fun at the whole crew while catching up had been a nice break in his day. He, Toph, and Aang were always so hilarious without trying. Setting up the treats, he watched closely — but discreetly — as Sokka prepared the tea as he'd been taught. A smile washing over his face as his body eased. They had all come a long way in the art of preparing tea.
“So, how are things with everyone?” Iroh asked, finally.
“Going well. Toph is in the police academy. We're trying to figure out why, most of us think it's simply because she wants to have a reason to restrain people with metal, but she won't tell us. Aang and Katara are busy with Republic City stuff, but they're happy. And, as for me... I'm sure you've heard.”
Sokka flushed, breaking eye contact as he poured a cup for the older man. He had been fairly certain his actual nephew had prattled on about him at some point. But, Iroh simply offered a grin as he accepted the warm porcelain, hugging it in his hands to warm his joints.
“But I want to hear it from you, nephew.”
Sokka had plenty of family, but something about hearing Iroh calling him ‘nephew’ made his heart burst at the seams. Another shy smile flashed across his face before he began to explain his life. How he had given his dad back the title of Chief while he chose to teach the children about how to hone skills in fighting or engineering or, on rare occasions, art.
“But the kids don't appreciate my unique style. They make fun of me and say I draw worse than them.” The brunette pouted before shoving a tea biscuit into his mouth.
Iroh smiled gently, “Children do not know of style or form yet. You must forgive their clouded judgement from the information they lack.”
Sokka sighed, rolling his eyes as he waved off the invisible children. “I guess I could allow this small transgression to pass.”
Blue eyes opened just in time to see a younger man, all of his hair tied into a neat bun atop his head, serving tea to a small group of younger women. They giggled and attempted to draw his focus, but he hadn't paid them any mind. It had been somewhat funny to watch the girls become frustrated at their failed attempts.
“And who might that be? Because, and do correct me if I'm wrong, your nephew is doing his duties in the Fire Nation.” He asked, not peeling his eyes from the other man.
Autumn colored eyes crinkled in the corners as they looked from the brunette to the man he was looking at. A small laugh exited uncle Iroh.
“Did you forget so soon about my nephew, Lee?”
As the raven disappeared to the kitchen, Sokka's attention returned to the man in front of him. “Oh! Of course! Slipped my mind since I can't remember when I seen him last.”
Iroh nodded, sipping his tea. “All is forgiven. He tends to keep out of the limelight. But what makes you ask about him?”
A smile crossed Sokka's features as he played into the game. “Oh, no reason. He just looked familiar is all. But now I know why.” He took a sip of tea before raising a brow at the older man, “Does he respond to everyone that way when they seek his attention?”
Lowering his head, Iroh shrugged. “I've only ever seen the girls try to flirt with him, but he always seemed focused in his work.” Another sip. “I couldn't tell you how he'd respond if someone such as yourself were to try and catch his eye.”
Blue eyes involuntarily flicked toward the man when he reappeared. “You think I'd stand a chance?”
“No young lady has yet. So, perhaps.” Setting his empty cup down, he stretched a bit before sliding away from the table. “But I think I might be distracting. Maybe I should go to the kitchen and give my nephew a break?”
Sokka couldn't help the stupid grin on his face now. He knew uncle Iroh had been one of his favorites with reason. “I'll be sure to let you know how it goes.”
“Of course, of course. Just don't let Zuko know I helped you with this. He'd have my head.”
With that, the old man shuffled back towards the younger man wearing an ivory and green apron. Sokka watched as Iroh clapped a hand on the young man's shoulder, telling him something before nodding towards the table he was seated at. A sudden attack of butterflies descended on Sokka's stomach as his nerves suddenly overwhelmed him. He knew, logically, that there wasn't a single reason why he should be nervous. It wasn't as if he were talking to someone new, which would have been an entire problem in and of itself considering Zuko probably would have branded the other person in warning before branding Sokka, as a reminder. But there was something about playing a game that he wasn't even sure the other man would play. There was only one way to find out.
When the raven approached, Sokka heard an audible sigh and did his best to stifle a laugh. Laying on the charm, he leaned his cheek against his palm while glancing out of the corner of his eye.
“Well, hello. Are you here to take over for your uncle, or do you have time to join me?”
Gold eyes rolled as ‘Lee’ crossed his arms. “My uncle said that some playboy had wanted to test his luck. I was told that you could, apparently, charm me.” Taking the seat formerly occupied by his uncle, he rested his chin against his palm and smirked. “Woo me.”
Sokka wasn't prepared. Not by far. Repositioning himself, he leaned in to look at the raven, “What's someone as handsome as you doing in a place like this?”
Palms smacked down in the table as ‘Lee’ moved to stand. “I'm done here.”
“Wait!” Sokka shouted, reaching out to grab at the wrist of the man across from him. “Okay, so... That wasn't my best. And I know it. But I ask, one more chance. I just... I don't know how to act around someone who's beauty is so stunning that even the most practiced artists wish to capture it.”
The raven felt his cheeks warm a touch, but refused to react.
“Please. Sit back down. I promise that you'll wanna talk to me more if you just give me a chance.” Sokka pleaded.
He didn't know why he was so desperate to win over a man he'd already had, but something about this felt different. It felt like he was truly attempting to win the man over for the first time. As if they were just getting to know each other all over again outside of the forced proximity that their relationship had started in. With a defeated sigh and an imperceptible smirk, ‘Lee' sat back down.
“Fine. You've got one more chance. Don't make me regret taking my break here.” A daring grin splayed on his face now as he grabbed a tea biscuit and snapped it in half in his mouth.
Sokka's heart pounded against his ribs as he watched the other man.
“Fine, let's start simple. My name is Sokka, I'm twenty-six, and I'm single.” His thought was interrupted by a snort from the man across from him, he met it with a glare. “I love creating things, art in all forms, and food.”
The raven snorted again. “I'm Zu—”
Sokka held up a hand to stop the man. “No. If I'm single, you're not Zuko. Your uncle told me who you were, so don't lie to me.”
Zuko sighed, rolling his eyes as a smile formed on his face — less by choice than by design. “My name is Lee and I'm twenty-seven. My relationship status is of no concern to you; however, I like tea, reading, and thunderstorms.”
“You like reading? What do you like to read?” The brunette asked, leaning in.
Gold eyes turned to the dining room to avoid looking at the man before him. “Anything really. Why?”
A wicked grin played on Sokka's face now. “Maybe I could write poetry for you to read one day?”
Another roll of golden orbs. “You don't write poetry. You're just saying that so that I can ask and you follow it up with some cheesy line.”
The younger leaned in closer, eyes tracing memorizing paths along the other's face. “Trust me. I don't need poetry to come up with cheesy lines.”
He wasn't sure what had compelled him at this point, but he felt the need to ask. Matching Sokka's pose, Zuko leaned in on one elbow, “Alright then. Give me your best worst line.”
“Sounds like a dare?” Sokka questioned with a grin.
A small shrug. “If you can give me a cheesy line that can successfully make me react, I'll give you one thing that you want.”
“And if I don't?”
Zuko sat up, and with the most deadpan expression, stated, “I don't wanna see you back in my shop. Dishonor and all that."
Sokka tried not to flinch, not to falter in his confidence because that wouldn't sell the attempt. So, taking a deep breath, he raised his (now empty) tea cup and began his line.
“So, Lee, tell me. Are you a boomerang?” A brow arch from the other man. “Because every time I let you go, you seem to keep coming back.”
He emphasized his point with a wink and a tilt of the cup, then waited. The raven seemed to be processing the information for a long moment before his features softened and a snicker escaped him before a full fit of laughter bubbled out leaving the brunette to wonder his level of success. Sokka had wanted something stronger than tea. When the laughter finally slowed down enough for the raven to breathe, glowing eyes glanced at the other man.
“You're right. That was truly cheesy. But,” he paused, enjoying the sight of his boyfriend-not-boyfriend squirm under pressure, “not cheesy enough to ban you from my uncle's shop.”
Sokka sighed in relief, “So I can keep coming back?”
“For now. And, who knows, maybe I'll even let you flirt with me again.” Picking up a tea biscuit, he snapped it in half and plopped a piece in his mouth. “Or whatever this was.”
The grin on the younger man's face stretched wider now. “So you like me?”
“I didn't say all of that.”
“You wanna talk to me again, no?” A waggle of brown eyebrows an accent mark.
“I've changed my mind, leave the shop.”
The bickering continued, Sokka laying the flirting on, thick, and Zuko denying every second of his boyfriend being right in even a roleplay context. Sokka didn't need to know that he could win the raven over in every lifetime.
Uncle Iroh stood behind the counter, watching the pair laughing and arguing, playfully, when a white-haired woman approached. “Ah, watching young love blossom is a beautiful thing, no?”
Iroh hummed in agreeance. “It is. I think that young man might be a great fit for my nephew.”
Another stolen glance to the table offered Iroh the sight of Zuko blushing, furiously, as Sokka held his hand in some quiet proclamation. Yeah. This one would be good for him.