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Zuko grunted as she wiped down the counter with as much force as she could. There was a stain that has been bothering her, and the stupid thing wouldn’t go away no matter what she did. She’d tried everything, even spending time after hours to try and scratch it away with her nail. Nothing.
What the fuck .
And now she had every more reason to angrily wipe at it. Recently the avatar and his presence within the walls of Ba Sing Se were all anyone wanted to talk about. And unfortunately for her she worked in a tea house, an absolute gossip central for old people. She was angry she lost all courage to capture him, not that she doubted her abilities to capture him considering she’d come awfully close several times. She was more angry that if she did capture him, she wouldn’t go home. More like couldn’t, actually.
A lot had changed since Zuko became a refugee. One of those was the freedom he was given. During those weeks working odd jobs with her uncle she’d been given a hair pin. The type of pin with dangling glass beads that dangle down. The old woman said he should keep it as a future gift for a girlfriend. He scoffed but accepted it anyway, and it sat in the bottom of his pack for a long time. But it wasn't forgotten, no, it was very prevalent in Zuko’s mind.
She could have sold it.
Zuko always loved her mothers jewelry and pins, which were made to accentuate the beauty of the owner. Things like that made him jealous, she’d always wanted to try things like that but it wasn’t proper for a Prince.
But on the road with only uncle and plenty of freedom to do whatever she desired. So she imagined what it would be like to wear all kinds of beautiful hair pins and accessories. Her hair was short and still growing in, only about two inches long. Zuko longed for her old hair, silky and black as obsidian, just like her mothers. She had always longed to grow up looking like her mom. Zuko had believed it was because she actually cared for her, unlike her father. It wasn’t until now she realized the real reason.
While working odd jobs people would often try to gift her old clothes they had no need for. Once a family asked if Zuko had a sister or mother that would take the feminine robes they had. Uncle wasn’t in the room so she lied, took it and kept it from uncle's eyes. Until the day they moved into their apartment and was blessed with a room all for herself. So when the house was quiet and Zuko was sure Iroh was asleep she took out the robes. It was wrinkled from how long it had been neglected.
She put it on and stared. Stared at the beautiful silhouette it gave her. Admired the lovely patterns that adorned it. And at the time she was mostly indifferent to it, it wasn’t a huge concern oddly enough. It was innocent curiosity, but it slowly turned to a problem as she brought home more women’s clothing.
There was only so much spots she could hide clothing so one day Uncle found it.
Looking for dirty laundry he found her secret. Zuko was absolutely mortified, angry at her own stupidity and terrified for his reaction. After some questions, Zuko cried. Grateful that Uncle didn’t kick her out but instead gently consoled her. He then told her stories. Stories from when he was young and traveled, there were other people like her, people who enjoyed dressing in the opposite gender's clothing. Some that even went so far to change their names and become the opposite gender permanently.
Never once has she considered the possibility. How could she when she didn’t know people like that existed in the first place. She only suspected she was a homosexual, that was the only explanation for her affinity for women’s clothing. But she never liked the title because she never felt it applied to her.
She wasn’t a cross dresser, she was more than that. There was no such word that could accurately describe what she felt. She was a woman ultimately, that was the closest she could find to match her feelings.
But it wasn’t as though everything completely changed, it was if she simply tilted the mirror that held her entire perspective of herself slightly askew. And with the new perspective the glass was suddenly clearer, a little less unsightly.
So no, she couldn’t go home. Not even if she held the avatar in chains and had the promise of her fathers love. Not like it was possible anyway, not that she was like this now.
Not even all the riches in the world could compare to her current life. The work and grime of her new life was all worth it just for this.
This being her job as a waitress in this dingy tea shop. It was all worth it for these small glimpses of perfection.
“Lin, darling I’d love another cup of tea the second you have some time.”
She raised her head from the evil stain on the counter. Her lips curled in a small smile at the nice tone. The pet name was said by a little old woman who always called her things like ‘ma’am’ or ‘darling’.
She tucked her hair behind her ear. not even bothering with the burnt ear, any hair placed behind the disfigured ear was easy to slip right back out. Besides, she likes to cover the spot of skin that never managed to regrow hair.
“Right away,“ she tossed the rag aside and walked over to the table to retrieve the tea pot.
There were two other older women accompanying her today, both of which tracked her every movement.
“What a lovely young lady, you know I have a grandson who’s in desperate need of a future wife”
“And she moves so elegantly, you would think she were a Princess and not a waiter!”
Zuko gave them a polite smile, one that was more out of embarrassment than anything. “Thank you.”
“What happened to your hair darling? Don’t tell me you chose to cut it that short.” Said the woman who made the comment about her grandson, as if she just now considered how bad it would look to have a delinquent as a daughter in law.
“Oh, I had to cut it due to my injury, to get rid of the singed hair and keep the wound clean.” She recited with ease. Each aspect of her past was already considered. She had her whole fake life made up for questions like these.
The bell of the front door rings out and Zuko makes note of it. Her uncle could take the order if she couldn’t, so she stayed with the women.
“Oh poor thing.” The ladies coo over her and assure her she’s beautiful despite the short cut. Which is nice to hear even if she doesn’t dislike the current look too much. It grew back a little wavy, surprisingly. it also curls away from the nape of her neck in a way she likes. It’s grown out just enough so it looks like she has some bangs.
She excuses herself after a while and walks to the back with the pot. She walks by the customer and doesn’t even notice the blue they wear. Her uncle is preparing a pot and walks past her with the order she was about to get for the women. He slows his steps as he reaches her, “Take the customer's order. And remain calm.” He says before walking away.
She turns to look at said customer and nearly chokes on air.
Standing patiently at the counter is the watertribe peasant that travels with the avatar. He stares at the menu with a serious expression, obviously steeling himself for the conversation they were about to hold. She has no idea why they would search her and Iroh out but by the way he was acting like any other customer, she assumes he plans to go about this in an orderly way.
“May I take your order?” She grits out in a way she hasn’t done since the first few days she started working here.
His eyes meet hers and they widen with surprise. She confusedly stays silent for his answer, why does he look so shocked to see her?
“Uh…”
Zuko narrows her eyes at his stupid expression and open jaw. He looks utterly stupid, can’t he act natural?
“Can. I. Take. Your. Order?” She repeats slowly.
“Oh! Yeah, I’ll have that.” He points at the menu flippantly. He could be pointing out quite literally anything. Zuko guesses his order. She doubts he came here for the tea, he probably only ordered it to remain inconspicuous. Something to pretend to do while scoping out his enemies.
“Sit anywhere.” She says after he gives her a copper piece for the cup of tea.
She mentally prepares herself as she pours a cup of whatever pot is still hot. She needs to remain calm. She will not blow their cover.
She comes over to the table he chose, on the emptier left side of the shop. He fidgets with a napkin and refuses to look at her as she places the tea in front of him. The only acknowledgement he makes is a meek, ‘thank you’.
She sits across from him and he squeaks like a frightened field mouse. His face blooms with color as he stares wide eyed at her.
His entire demeanor is strange and it almost infuriates her. Almost. She’s calm and only slightly irritated at his confusing behavior.
“So?” She asks.
“Um.” Sokka’s body is frozen in place as his eyes flicker across her relaxed body.
“What did you come here for?” She resists the urge to call him a peasant, a habit she apparently still carries from when she would antagonize them. But it would be ironic to say such a thing considering her living situation.
“Tea…?”
“Spit it out, do you think I’m stupid? You came from probably the upper ring for some poorly made tea?“
He shrinks into his seat a bit. “Well I did come to the lower ring to hang these posters,” he reaches a hand into a bag before handing her a poster. With a painted picture of the bison, they lost it?
“But I came here to take a break.”
He must have not wanted to outrightly ask. “I haven’t seen it if that’s what you’re asking.”
“Yeah, I’ve asked loads of people today, I wasn’t expecting your answer to be different.” He takes a sip of his tea with a sad expression. “But can I hang some posters in here anyway?”
“Is that all you really wanted to ask?” Zuko looks at him expectedly. She was waiting for some questions about his purpose in the city, maybe he would insist Zuko was here to capture the avatar.
Sokka’s face flushes again, a bit difficult to see due to his complexion but the tint of his cheeks is definitely there. His eyes flicker from Zuko’s face to around the shop and back again. Then a look of understanding crosses his features, “Oh…”
“Well?” Zuko tilts her head on her propped up hand.
“Do you wanna hang out sometime?”
Did he want to meet up somewhere more private? Did he really not trust this practically empty tea shop to talk in? Zuko suspected his group also found out about the hidden police force that listens in everywhere. But still that was an odd way of phrasing it.
“Sure, when?”
“Uh tonight?”
“That quick?”
Sokka chokes a bit on his tea. “I’m sorry I don’t know how long we’ll be in the city…” , he smiles nervously.
“That’s fine, what about my uncle?”
“Will he let you go out?”
“Yes. but do you want him to come too?”
“Like a chaperone…?”
Zuko squinted in confusion. Was he still trying to act natural? She swirled around in her chair to face the rest of the room, it looked ordinary. But she supposed there was always a chance one of those old weird guys was listening in.
She sighed, “Fine. I’ll play along. No chaperone, where should I meet you?”
Blue eyes brightened up. “Totally. Let’s go to a restaurant tonight, I’ll pick you up. Where do you live?”
She seriously doubted their little group didn’t already know where she lived. They were probably stalking her and Uncle for a good while trying to determine if they were a threat. She told him anyway.
By this point he drank his entire cup and only played with the rim of the glass. She took it from his wandering fingers and stood from her seat. “See you then, stalker”
She ignores his confused expression and walks back to the kitchen. Uncle pretends to be busy, “How was it, niece?”
“How do you think Uncle? You set me up!”
“It seems it went well, you remained calm. Mostly. I’m proud”
“Whatever. I’m gonna meet up with him later, it’s like he couldn’t talk to me here. He was acting strange…”
Iroh nodded and prompted her to continue.
“He acted like he didn’t even know me, I was expecting him to barge in to try and say I was going to capture the avatar or something. Instead we’re going out to a restaurant tonight, he was always strange, I guess.”
“Perhaps he behaved that way because he knows your goals have changed.”
“I doubt that. Maybe he’s trying to lure me into a trap.”
“Don’t be pessimistic. Maybe he wants to understand you better.”
“Well if I were them I’d apprehend them first, and ask questions after”
Iroh facepalms, “The past you would. You have no reason to be so distrustful now.”
“They would have every reason to attack me, so I have to be cautious. The way he was acting like he didn’t even recognize me was definitely suspicious.”
“Well it’s been a while since we’ve seen them last. You’ve changed quite a bit.”
“Not really.” Besides her hair there wasn’t any reason Sokka didn’t recognize her. It was obviously an act.
“You’re so much happier now, something as significant as that can really change how a person appears. Believe it or not.”
“I doubt my new lifestyle can hide this.” She points a finger at her own scar.
“It’s a possibility, and if he didn’t recognize you It makes it all sound like he invited you onto a romantical outing.” he laughs before turning silent. “Perhaps that is the case.”
Zuko’s eyes widened, she wiped around to make sure Sokka was gone and had not heard that. “Uncle! Why would you say that!?”
“Well when a young man asks a young lady to eat at a restaurant together it’s usually a romantic affair.”
“Maybe he said a restaurant for no particular reason. He would never- no one would- never mind!” She stormed out of the kitchen to grab her rag and continue scrubbing the counters with renewed vigor. All the while questioning why Sokka acted so unusual.
When they returned home it was an hour until sunset. Zuko rummaged through her clothes for what to wear. She couldn’t decide if she should wear something easy to fight in or something more casual. Taking her swords might be too odd, besides she could probably beat the water tribesman easily without them.
Iroh watched her from the doorway, a look of mischief in his eyes. “Having trouble deciding what to wear for your date?”
“Not a date. I just don’t know how prepared I should be.”
“You’re going to eat dinner with Sokka, alone. Wouldn’t his friends and sister tag along especially considering you were their enemy?”
“So?” It wasn’t that weird was it? Now that she thought about it he had a point. It’s not smart to have just the non bending boy meet up with Zuko, unless they don’t consider her a threat anymore? Which kind of offended her.
The location was also an odd choice. A restaurant might be too crowded. Somewhere private would be better, what did he even have to say to her that he couldn’t have said at the tea shop?
“And he insisted on picking you up.”
“Maybe so I would get there on time? Does it matter that much?” Her patience begins to wear thin, she’s looking through clothes just to pretend to be busy.
“He also asked if I would be a chaperone? Why else would he ask?“
“He knows it’s me! He would never go on a date with me!” She practically yells. Her breaths came out slow and ragged like the statement was some sort of soul wrenching confession. But it wasn’t a confession, it was the truth, nothing more and nothing less.
But yet her soul cries a little at it, she’s never said it out loud before. Never faced the fear at the back of her mind that tells her she’s unlovable. She was unlovable before too, back when she was miserable and obsessed with the notion of honor. And now as a peasant girl who’s found peace with herself she still remains that unlovable creature. One that made her own father hate her.
Zuko doesn’t like Sokka. Doesn’t even know the guy, yet the prospect of any guy her age rejecting her has Zuko ready for a life of solitude.
Iroh sits beside her as she clenches the fabric of some random pair of pants in a fist.
“You won’t believe me but you are not the same person you were before. When you left the destiny your father forced onto you. You began a metamorphosis of sorts, battling between what you were raised to be and who you truly are.”
“It was just a stupid cold, uncle.” a while after her uncle learned her secret she got a cold. A strong one that forced her to be bedridden for days, afterwards her uncle insisted it was because she was fighting a battle within her own mind. The same nonsense he always likes to spew.
Strangely enough she did feel better about her decision to never go home after the cold. She also had several fever dreams about her decision. But she didn’t tell uncle that, not that she needed to. She bets he somehow sensed he was right.
Iroh continued without acknowledging her comment. “But you changed on the outside as well. You don’t need me to tell you about how you’ve blossomed into a beautiful young lady.”
Tears welled up in her eyes. Such a simple comment threatened to make her cry over her insecurities. “Thank you.” She made sure her head was tilted out of his sight so he wouldn’t notice.
“I’ll leave you be.” He said before leaving and shutting the door behind him.
Zuko stood up to get ready and leave already but noticed something behind her. A neatly folded dress.
She unfurled it to reveal a deep rich green dress with yellow embroidery at the neckline. It was beautiful and clearly new. She mentally cursed her uncle for buying such a thing for a meet up with the enemy. it was too nice to wear for anything other than a nice day out or date. So clearly it would go to waste seeing as how she works everyday and will not be going on a date soon.
Still she felt bad if she didn’t wear it, her uncle clearly bought it as a gift. And she would feel bad returning or selling a gift so…
Once dressed she stared into the mirror. Her hair was still too short to style but still it curled around her face in a pleasant way. The dress was more tight fitted than her everyday wear, the sash gave the illusion of a deeper dip of her bust to waist. And her muscular thighs gave the impression of any other woman’s wider hips.
She looked nice. Much like the older women at the tea shop described. Sometimes they would say she had the perfect body to become a model. That she had the slim and tall figure they had, and that her pale skin was flawless (other than the obvious).
If this were a date…she would be confident. So it was nice to pretend for a few moments that she was getting ready to spend a night with a nice guy. Someone that wanted to spend time with her by choice and not just to probably question her on why she was in Ba Sing Se.
“You look lovely, niece.”
“Thank you uncle.”
“Let me help you with your hair-“
“No thanks.” She dodges away from a hand that attempts to push back her bangs.
“Don’t stay out too long.” He said as she walked to the front door. She reached for the handle before being yanked back by the strap on her back.
“No weapons!” He chastised.
“But he’s still the enemy!”
“No.” He took her dao swords away and shook his head, exasperated.
“Fine. See you later.”
Zuko walked out to the front of the building and was surprised to see the boy was there. He was early.
“Hey.”
Sokka’s head whipped around to greet her. He looked nervous, which only made her suspicious. “Hey Lin!”
“I never told you my name.”
“I asked around for the name of the cute waitress, it was pretty quick to find out your name.” He smiled brightly.
Zuko cocked her head confusedly, “cute?” She wondered what kind of reason he had for saying such strange things. She always thought him stupid but this was a whole new level.
“Of course.” He offered an arm out. She stared.
“Um…”
“Don’t be nervous,” he reached out to grasp her hand and move it into place. The end result was her elbow resting intertwined with his.
“I’ve been here longer than you. I won’t get lost.”
“Maybe I don’t want to get lost. Or maybe I just want to be close to you.” He sends her a smirk.
With every word he says she only gets more and more confused. She gives up trying to decipher it by the time they arrive at the restaurant.
“I’ve never been here but I’ve heard the food is great, is that alright?”
“It’s fine.” She says disinterestedly. Sokka’s face falls as he notices her irritated expression.
Zuko says nothing as they eat. Why would she? She came to listen to what he had to say, not the other way around.
But the time they’re almost done eating Sokka speaks up, “So how long have you and your uncle lived here?”
“I think it’s pretty obvious we’ve only been here for a couple months.”
“Right…” he glances at her scar and winces. “So you guys are refugees?”
“I guess.”
“What do you like to do for fun?” He’s playing with his food by this point, probably working up the nerve to ask some serious questions.
“Nothing.”
Before he could respond, a waiter walks to their table and directs a question to Sokka, “Excuse me Sir, would you and your girlfriend like some dessert?”
“This is not a date!” She exclaims which sends the waiter scurrying away.
When she looks back to Sokka the boy looks absolutely heartbroken.
“This isn’t a date? But I thought…”
“You thought you were on a date with your enemy? Sokka, just tell me what you really wanted to know so we can both go home.” What kind of odd torture was he trying to subject her to? To treat this like a date, it had her almost enjoy going out with him. Was their plan to make her confused to the point where she would never face the avatar and his group again just to avoid Sokka and the feelings he made her have tonight?
“Wait a minute…” he squinted and tilted his face. For a few moments he was just staring at her and mumbling something underneath his breath.
“ZU-“ she slapped a hand over his mouth, keeping her hands firm over his lips even as he struggled.
He tried to wiggle out of his seat but the force of her hands in his face kept him in his seat. “Do Not. Say. That. Name.”
He stilled underneath her and she let him go. She didn’t dare look around the room knowing that they were probably receiving stares.
“I don’t understand- how- wha- why are you here!?”
“We’re. Refugees.”
“You’re here for Aang aren’t you. Here under some beautiful disguise.” He gasps. “You’re trying to seduce me so you can get to Aang!”
“Shut up you idiot!” She grabs him by the hand and yanks him outside all while shielding her face from pure embarrassment.
“You almost got me but I found out your wicked plan!”
“You absolute buffoon! How could you think I was anyone else other than me? I have one of the most recognizable scars in the nation!”
“I’ve met a lot of people with a lot of scars. Besides, you look so different…” his gaze trails down her body and she flushes.
Zuko digs her nails deep into his wrists so hard he squeals from pain.
“I thought you asked me here to interrogate me! I thought you were being smart by leading me to a safe area where no one would think to listen in on us, where we wouldn’t have to worry about the secret police force listening in on us!” She hissed quietly.
“Secret police force? I brought you here as a date! I swear I didn’t know it was you!”
She lets go of him and sighs deeply. So it was a date, she’s dreading her uncle's reaction. “Still. Why would you ask me on a date.” She whispers to herself.
“Because you’re hot duh!” He defends himself before backtracking, “But totally evil so the date is off!”
“I’m not evil!” Zuko hisses. “I'm not after the avatar anymore if that’s what you’re implying. I'm just trying to live a normal life here.”
“ Really ?”
“Yes. I was here working in a pathetic tea shop weeks before you guys even got here!”
He considers this for a moment, “Okay then I take back what I said.” He says before grabbing her hand.
“What?”
“I got all nice for a date with a cute girl, so if you’re not evil I’d like to continue please.”
“Are you crazy?! Why would you want to continue a date with me?”
He stops walking and looks at her, “I already said why, and besides I didn’t know I was into mean girls but I guess we’re all learning new things tonight.”
“I didn’t learn anything other than the fact that you’re an idiot. Oh wait. I already knew that.”
“Nope, you learned that you’re into stupid yet handsome watertribe ‘peasants’.”
“I am not-!”
“Don’t lie, you're totally into me! Halfway through our walk here you were totally clinging onto my arm. Probably feeling up my muscles.”
Zuko turns red with a mixture of embarrassment and anger. She recalls leaning closer than necessary with a momentary lapse in judgment. In her defense she was pretending she was on a real date with a normal guy at the time. She did not do it because she was interested in him.
“You are insufferable .”
“You’re not denying it.” He says simply before dragging her back into the restaurant. She ignores the glares they receive, they’ve caused quite a scene tonight.
Sokka simply continues to finish his plate of food without a care in the world. Zuko sees no reason to deny delicious food that will be paid for her. Still, she glares whenever the man across from her sends her disgustingly sweet heart eyes. Now with the context of why Sokka brought her here the situation makes a lot more sense. He was asking her questions about seemingly nothing important, trying to make conversation with his date. She feels kind of bad for him, this must have been the worst date he’s been on. She’s not even sure why he would want to continue it.
“So…” Sokka begins. “Maybe now you can relax and actually talk to me.”
“Talk?” She stabs her food in one sharp aggressive motion before bringing it up to her mouth.
“Yeah. Like normal conversations you would have on any other date? How about we revisit some questions I asked you earlier?”
“I already answered your stupid questions.”
“Yeah but I asked you what your favorite color is and you said you don’t have one.
“I don’t.”
“Okay. Have you ever been on a date before?”
“No. I don’t have time for things like that.”
“So you rejected every guy who asked you out?”
“What do you mean?” Her eyebrows furrow, “What guys?”
“The line of suitors that you probably have? What about that girl who was in the tea shop?”
“You mean the one that was by herself? Yeah I don’t know what her problem is, she’s in there everyday.”
“Oh she’s definitely into you. Besides, I wasn't lying when I said it was easy to find your name. I seriously asked around for the name of the cute waitress and they knew who I was talking about.”
“Lin is a common name. They probably gave you the name of another girl.”
“Nope, they were definitely talking about you. They said a lot of people have tried to get your attention, some people started wondering if you were even into guys.”
Zuko’s nose scrunches up in displeasure, “so that’s why people were always bothering me.”
Sokka laughs, despite the fact he was definitely laughing at her it doesn’t grate her nerves like she expects. She could tell it wasn’t truly meant to mock her even if it was at her expense.
“I thought you were some intimidating girl who had super high standards, but you didn’t even know! And I was so scared when I talked to you.” He wipes a tear from his eye. “It felt like you knew I was there to see you. You were all like,” Sokka stands up straighter and looks down at Zuko with lidded eyes, a weak attempt at looking sultry.
“,is that all you wanted to ask?” He flutters his lashes, Zuko scowls.
“I do not look like that.”
“Maybe you didn’t notice, it seems like you don’t notice a lot of things.” He teases.
“Just because a few people tried to get my attention by being a normal customer! Does not mean I don’t notice things, it’s an utterly stupid method to just get some tea a few times and expect me to be interested just from that!”
“Good thing I asked outright then. hey, wanna get going?” He gestures to their empty plates. Zuko nods, Sokka waves down a waiter.
Sokka offers his arm when they begin walking. Zuko smacks the outstretched elbow and huffs which earns an obnoxiously lovely laugh out of him.
“Where are we going?”
“I don’t know the area so I thought we could wander for a bit?”
“Sure.” It’s not as though Zuko had a place to suggest, she didn’t have much time or reason for exploring the city.
The resulting silence only lasts a minute before Sokka speaks up again. “I wanted to ask…”
Zuko inwardly cringes, she could already sense where this was going.
“What changed, last time I saw you…” he glances over at her, “you had that horrible ponytail. And I never would have guessed you would join our side.”
“It wasn’t by choice. After the I left the North Pole I was branded a traitor. So I had no choice but to stay in the earth kingdom with my uncle.” Zuko grimaces, utterly ashamed that her actions led to her uncle becoming branded as a traitor alongside her.
“When we got to Ba Sing Se, I got to choose my own name. I went with Lin instead of the name I was using before; Lee. It fit better, and now I didn’t think I could go home even if my father invited me back. I’m happy here, so you don’t have to worry about me attacking you guys anymore.”
“Well then I’m glad your nation thinks you're a traitor-“ he winced, “-I mean I'm glad that you ended up here despite the circumstances, and figured your shit out.”
Zuko’s lips twitch into a hesitant smile. “I'm glad I ended up here too, and that you found me. Even if we had that misunderstanding. I wanted to tell you I'm sorry for chasing your friends around the world, I was so obsessed with capturing the Avatar because that was the only way I could go home.”
“What do you mean? You weren’t allowed home?”
“I was banished, the only way to go home was to bring back the Avatar. I mean that’s why I had a phoenix tail.”
“I thought you just had horrible taste in style?!”
“It’s dishonorable to have your hair cut in such a way, I only had it cut like that because I lost an Agni Kai. Then I was banished.”
“I have no idea what that is.”
“It’s too much to explain in public.” Never mind she had no idea why she decided to spill everything to him.
Sokka nodded and stopped walking when they arrived at a fountain. The area was empty and darkly lit, the light posts were void of their usual fire. The darkness made it easy for Zuko to look Sokka in the face. Made the eye contact a little less nerve wracking.
“At least you got rid of that ponytail, this haircut really suits you.” He brings a hand up to trail the locks on her temple, his hand dips down to push hair behind her ear. Zuko stays still from the contact, she can hardly breathe from how intimate it is. She could almost imagine this was a date with someone she likes. Someone sweet and considerate, who can make her smile and keep a conversation alive when Zuko doesn’t know what to say.
Someone who knew Zuko at her worst and can accept her shameful past, and accepts her as her new self.
“Thanks.”
“No prob.” He pulls away and takes a seat on the fountain edge.
Zuko joins him, “are you going to tell your friends I’m here?” The avatar would likely not mind but his sister was a worrying factor. He was lucky enough that Sokka only freaked out instead attacking her.
“Maybe. But I don’t think Katara will react well, she’s not a forgiving person. And I wanna keep you around for a bit.” He smiles teasingly, the only light source being the moonlight that bounces off the water.
Zuko flushes, thankful that the darkness will help hide it. “I’m surprised you forgave me so easily, I did antagonize you guys.”
“Eh. You ran into us like six times? It wasn’t that bad.”
“I’m glad you don’t have any hard feelings about it.” She leans forwards with a smile that ends up looking a little threatening with her canines. Sokka gulps and leans back with a nervous laugh.
“Totally…”
Regaining a little of her confidence she shifts a little closer. After all this is a date, and Sokka isn’t the worst person to go on a date with. And it would be pointless to not try and flirt a little.
“I like your hair too by the way.” She reaches out to one of the braids that frame his face. Running her pinched fingers down the braid and fiddling with the beads on it. “These new braids are really nice.”
She gets a little nervous from touching his hair because of its implication in the fire nation. But Sokka did it earlier as well and they weren’t in the fire nation so…
With the attention turned solely onto Sokka he began to freeze up. “Thanks. I would offer to braid your hair some time but…”
Zuko ignores the flash of heat that courses through her at the offer. “I would accept but I doubt you will stay in the city for long”
“If all goes well the war would end soon, I wouldn’t mind making a trip back to Ba Sing Se after I visit home for a bit.”
“I'd like that. To hear the story from yourself on how you managed to do that.” She replies in an obviously unbelieving voice. Zuko doesn’t outwardly mention how unrealistic it is that the war will end anytime soon. This is all a hypothetical, just a way to keep hope.
Sokka looks ready to blurt out how he plans to do it before he stops himself abruptly. “I’d tell you but it’s kinda confidential.”
“Right. And this isn’t exactly a good place to spill your plan.”
“Because it’s not exactly romantic to talk about while on a date?” He teases.
Zuko rolls her eyes. “Sure.”
“But seriously, what do you like to do in the city? You can’t be at work all the time.”
“I don’t go out much, I’m boring like that.” A complete lie, but she can’t exactly talk of her escapades as the Blue Spirit.
“I mean it’s pretty peaceful here, the most exciting thing that’s happened to me is being attacked by a guy during my shift.”
“Woah! What?!”
“He thought I was a bender .” Zuko says hoping he understands what she means. “I guess that’s what I get for helping a rebel group once .”
“ I don’t go out much .” He repeats in a mocking manner.
“That’s really the only thing that’s happened. What about you?”
“I mean it’s always exciting when traveling the world with the avatar. Oh man, I don't even know where to start.”
Eventually he leads with a story of a haunted swamp. Led by the story of how they found Aang’s current earth bending teacher, Toph. He never ran out of energy to explain their many adventures. Zuko was pleased she could just sit and listen without spending endless mental energy on keeping the conversation alive.
After a while Zuko gets to recount stories of her own. Much more dull ones that entail dealing with rude customers but Sokka is entertained anyway.
“Y’know Aang still needs a firebending teacher.” He says in a serious tone when their topic of conversation dies off.
Zuko faces the water, runs her fingers around the surface, creating ripples that glow with the moonlight.
Sokka follows the movement, eyes tracking the movement of her slender fingers before looking up to her face. “I’d like to see you again, you're not so bad when you aren’t obsessed with chasing us. And once we leave I won’t know for sure when or if I can see you again.”
“Sokka…”
“Your uncle can come too, we can use all the help we can get.”
“I don’t know if I can handle so many people knowing about my past.”
“They’ll forgive you-“
“Not that. I’m different from when you guys saw me last, I don’t like people knowing about it, I was surprised you didn’t mention it.”
“I didn’t mention it because it doesn’t matter. It’s not a big deal in the Southern Water Tribe, they won’t care.”
“ I care, do you know how terrified I was to tell my uncle? In the fire nation…it’s unheard of. At least here no one knows who I was before.”
Sokka brings her hand up and places it over his heart. Presses his own warm palm over hers. “It’s not shameful, it’s a part of you, and your journey. I promise I won’t let anyone make you uncomfortable over it.”
“You know a few hours ago we were enemies” she halfheartedly jokes.
Sokka lets out a curt laugh before moving her hand away, but still keeping it connected to his. He finds one of the floating lanterns in the water and pushes it over to her. “Think about it?”
With her free hand she drifts her finger along the lantern and the candle that sits atop of it. She lights it with the tips of her fingers and turns to meet Sokka’s gaze with the newfound light. “I’ll think about it.” She promises.
Sokka smiles and his eyes glint beautifully. He looks down at her and shuffles impossibly closer, his other hand coming up to grasp her waist. When Sokka inches closer she lets him, tilting her face upwards. Zuko accepts the invitation and presses their lips together.
It’s a small short kiss. But to zuko it’s everything. It’s her first kiss embarrassingly enough. If she wanted to continue it she wouldn’t know how, but she’s sure Sokka would be able to lead her. (She definitely wants to explore that option some time) but for now this small peck is enough for one night, her face is red and she wants to hide away in her room and squeal with delight.
She pulls away and Sokka beams down at her, his dopey smile is blinding so she pushes his head to face away so she can smile shyly without being teased. Eventually after some stutters and smiles being exchanged they agree to walk home. Of course Sokka insists on walking her home before going to the trains alone.
Once they make it within the radius of Zuko’s house she lets go of Sokka’s hold. Arm now empty he sends her a distraught look. As if he doesn’t know what to do now that Zuko isn’t pulling him along the route home.
But knowing her uncle he could pop up at any moment.
“I think we’ll be here for a while, as long as Appa is lost and the earth king refuses to meet with us.”
“Sorry about your bison.”
“Thanks. I’m sure we’ll find him soon.”
A pause, Sokka stands close and relishes in the close proximity. Meanwhile, Zuko shuffles nervously. Sokka leans forward to press another kiss against her lips and she leans backwards and shoves a hand in between them.
“It’s a coupon for a cup of free tea.”
Sokka smiles, not even fazed by the rejection.
“Stop by the tea shop whenever you're free.”
“I definitely will. I mean as long as that cute waitress is there.”
“She’ll be there.”
Sokka beams.
“About that, I wanted to ask if you actually asked around for a ‘cute waitress’? Or was that a joke, I’m not good at telling the difference.”
“Oh no that was serious, I asked for your name that way. And I’m not lying that everyone knew who I was talking about. They also called you the niece of Mushi? ‘The best tea brewer in the lower ring’?”
“Yeah, that’s Uncle.” Zuko doesn’t mention that she also apparently has the reputation of being a cute waitress. She doesn’t know how to feel about it yet.
“Impressive.”
“Sure. Anyway,” she pushes forwards with her tippy toes, not much seeing as though Sokka is only a little taller than her, and gives a quick peck. She couldn’t risk her uncle seeing them kiss so she settles for something small. “I’ll see you later?”
Sokka stutters for an answer before registering the question. “Yeah.”
She lets herself inside while peeking out to watch Sokka flush. Laughing as he pouts and waves a hand goodbye. “Goodnight!” He yells.
Zuko actually recognizes that people might be sleeping so she waves goodbye and quietly responds. “Goodnight.”
Then she shuts the door and is met with the sight of her uncle.
“How was your date?”
Zuko groans and stomps to her room before slamming the door. She spends approximately two seconds in the darkness of her room before opening the door to respond properly. “It was nice. Thank you for the dress, uncle.”