Traitor - Zuko X Reader

Chapter 19

"I told you, my train was late," I crossed my arms.

He maintained eye contact and I held it without fault as he spoke, "I don't believe you."

"You don't have to, because it's none of your business," I was beginning to grow frustrated. I didn't want to have this conversation. I wish he would just drop it so I could stop lying.

"It is my business. What if you got caught up in the wrong crowd? You would have no one there to protect you. No offense but your judgment isn't too great," he retorted.

My cheeks heated, "What is that supposed to mean?"

Sokka spoke quietly, breaking eye contact, "I don't know."

"I think you do know. What did you mean?" He stayed silent, keeping his eyes trained on the ground. "I can handle myself, Sokka. Believe it or not I was doing just fine on my own before I joined you guys." He opened his mouth to speak but I raised my hand, "You know what, we'll finish this later. I'm going out. See you later."

I didn't give him a chance to respond before walking back into the house. I grabbed my sickles and my bag and waved goodbye to the kids, telling them I'd be back later. I made my way to the train station and before I even knew what happened, I was in the lower ring. I stepped off the steps of the station and began to aimlessly wander the streets. I had no destination in mind when I left the house but I guess my mind and body both wanted to come here so I figured to just go with it. I passed buildings of all kinds, cartography shops, butchers, and bars. Each one had a smell and sound of their own emanating from the open doorways. But one in particular stood out, the refreshing smell of jasmine wafted into my nostrils and the sound of idle chatter passed through my ears.

I stood in the entrance to read the sign which said 'The Pao Family Tea House'. The name sounded familiar and as I tried to remember why, a familiar voice exclaimed, "(Y/N)! You came to visit and so soon too!"

Iroh came up to me, a teapot in hand. I mentally facepalmed for not realizing sooner that this was the tea shop he and Zuko said they were working at. I smiled despite my realization, "Well, I needed to get out of the house so I figured why not stop by and say hello." That was when I saw Zuko. He was serving tea to an elderly couple, wearing a green uniform. My cheeks heated and I spoke fast, "Well now that I've said hello I better get going. It was great to-"

"You can't leave without having some tea first," Iroh stated, ushering me to sit down.

"Oh, um I don't want to get in the way of you two working," I tried to hide my face with the menu to avoid Zuko seeing me.

Iroh grabbed the menu from me, "Nonsense! You won't be in the way at all." He then turned to where Zuko stood, "Nephew, get (Y/N) some jasmine tea, on me!"

Zuko's head immediately shot up at his uncle's exclamation. Our eyes met and I felt my palms get sweaty as I offered him a small smile. He gave a small wave, looking as if he was in a trance, before he shook his head and looked down at his uniform. I could see his neck flush pink before he went to the back to make my order.

"You'll have to bear with him. He's just now learning to make tea and so far, he's hopeless," Iroh laughed before leaving to go take another table's order.

After a few minutes Zuko exited the kitchen, he stopped to whisper something fervently to Iroh before his uncle practically pushed him in my direction. He awkwardly set my tea on the table in front of me, "Here's your tea."

He was about to walk away before Iroh came up behind him, "Zuko, it's time for your break."

"Uncle I just had a break not even twenty-"