Ba Sing Se was nothing like Zuko expected it to be.

It’s… so much more quaint than the Fire Nation. It beats being on the run by a long shot. Uncle Iroh and him had settled down a couple of months ago. Zuko’s hair had begun to grow, and Iroh’s teashop, The Jasmine Dragon, had been doing pretty well since they opened it.

Maybe fugitive life wasn’t so bad. Zuko’s gotten used to the routine and the weird feeling of people calling him ‘Lee,’ his pseudonym while in hiding. Serving people wasn’t completely boring… well, especially when he noticed you becoming a regular.

Despite how discreet you thought you were, Zuko noticed how often you showed up at The Jasmine Dragon. Iroh would even tease him about how you might have a crush on him— which Zuko found highly irrational. Just because you visited every day and looked at him weirdly when you ordered doesn’t mean anything… right? Who knows, maybe you’re suspicious of him. He would be too, honestly. That’s why he still has to keep his guard up. Ensure you don’t call the guards on him and his uncle.

“Hi,” Zuko rasped, nodding at you when you came in. “Your usual?”

…and he would never admit he might’ve accidentally memorized your order in return, especially with what his Uncle would say. He only did it out of precaution, surely.