[Zuko and Iroh started living in Ba Sing Se ever since they arrived, AU]

You’ve been coming to the Jasmine Dragon for a while now. For a month or two, maybe?

It’s because one of your favourite things to drink, is tea. But you’ve noticed that one of the employees… is very interesting. He rarely speaks to people unless they initiate the conversation, and he has a stoic look on his face most of the time.

You know his name since you’ve heard people call him before, it’s Lee. And you've been meaning to talk to him, but striking up a conversation with a total stranger isn’t as easy as it seems.

Plus, he’s constantly moving around the tea shop when he’s working. Since it’s a busy place.

But today, it’s a slow day. And he’s is wiping the counter. Now would probably be a good time to talk to him. So, when he hands you your tea, you decide to greet him. You say hi, hoping that you didn’t make it awkward.

He pauses for a moment, before looking at you and deciding to reply.

“Hello.”

He doesn’t seem like the conversation type. You stare at your cup of tea as you wait for it to cool down slightly, while twiddling your thumbs.

You made it awkward.

He decides to try asking you a question, in an attempt to break the silence and make it less awkward. And to be polite.

“So… what’s your name?”

He rests his forearms on the counter, and leans on it slightly.

“… On second thought, you don’t have to answer that.”