Chapter Text
To say that Zuko was early would be an understatement, considering the cafe wasn’t even open yet and he seemed to be the only one on the street. Looking down at his phone it was only around 6:30am, and Zuko was struck with the realization that he had nowhere to wait since most shops weren’t open for another half hour. The night before, Sokka asked him if they could walk together to the shop, and in his panic, Zuko said he needed to leave early for something. He locked himself in the bathroom and took a shower, waiting until he was sure the other boy was asleep before leaving. With a sigh, Zuko turned and walked to a nearby park that had caught his eye when he first arrived.
The park was small but comfortable, although there wasn’t a playground, since children young enough to enjoy it were few and far between in this part of town, with most residents attending the university nearby. The park was lined by a wrought iron fence with benches situated up and down its length. It looked like it was designed for college students to study outdoors, since it was mostly lawn, however, Zuko noticed a small pond in the corner.
Zuko smiled, the pond reminding him of one of the few good memories he had of his childhood home: feeding the turtle ducks with his mother in the garden. Zuko gently placed his things on the bench closest to the pond and, feeling nostalgic, gave his sister a call. He missed her, after all.
The phone rang for a few moments before it picked up. “Hello, brother dear. May I ask why you're calling me at the ass-crack of dawn?” She asked with faux sweetness. Fuck . He forgot just how early it was, the sun only just peeked over the treeline. Azula never got up earlier than she absolutely had to, something about her beauty sleep or whatever. She was always ten times scarier after being awoken from her rest, and Zuko hoped their sibling bond would save him from her bloodlust.
“ Shit , sorry Azula, I didn’t realize how early it was or I wouldn’t have called,” Zuko blurted, “I’m just nervous is all.” It was all he could to stop his voice from shaking. This was Zuko’s first (not) date since his childhood boyfriend (which didn’t really count because the relationship lasted all of three days and they were thirteen ). Suffice to say, Zuko didn’t know what to expect. He was too awkward ( and afraid, a voice whispered) in high school to talk to any boys, and this was the first time he’d ever had genuine feelings for someone.
It was still far too early to call his feelings for Sokka love, but Zuko felt that it would be so easy to love him.
He heard her scoff through the speakers. “I suppose I’ll forgive you just this once , but don't let it happen again, Zuzu. Now, who do I have to hurt?”
“What do you mean hurt?! ” Oh, spirits what had he done.
“Don’t be stupid, you don’t get this worked up for no reason. When’s the last time you got out of bed before the sun was high in the sky,” she laughed before her voice turned serious, “Now who do I have to hurt, and what did they do to you?”
Zuko was tempted to roll his eyes, but he was touched by her overprotectiveness. He knew it was her way of showing she loved him. “No one did anything to me, so calm down. I have a date- ahem , I’m meeting a friend at a coffee shop, and I…” he trailed off. “Wait a second. How do you plan to hurt anyone from all the way on Ba Sing Se ? You and Uncle live nearly an hour away!”
“You should know by now that the rules of time and space don’t apply to me.”
“I- okay.”
“Oh, and don’t think I missed your little slip up there. You like him don’t you~,” she sang, “Come now, tell auntie Azula all about it.” Her smugness was palpable. When he was home, she was always trying to set him up on dates, once even going so far as to trick him into a blind date with a guy she knew from his grade. He managed to avoid it thanks to Mai, one of the few people not willing to put up with Azula’s bullshit, no matter how well-meaning she was.
“Ugh, shut up. He’s my roommate, Sokka, and yeah maybe I have a teensy crush on him but that’s it . I mean, it would be pretty cool if he was into me too…”
“Oh Zuzu, it's worse than I thought,” she sighed. “Ok. here's what you’re going to do…”
⚜⚜⚜
Two hours later, inside the coffee shop they agreed to meet at, Zuko mentally reviewed what Azula had told him. Firstly, he needed to actually be able to carry on a conversation, which is harder than it looks for someone as socially awkward as Zuko. She also instructed him to ‘ smile for once because you look like a crotchety asshole with that scowl on your face’ , which hey . She also told him to wear his glasses, which he hated. But she probably knew him better than most, and Zuko desperately needed guidance.
It was then that Zuko remembered that Azula was even worse at flirting than he was, and his anxiety increased tenfold. He was screwed. Looking down at his phone, it was probably too late to switch to his contacts.
He debated making a run for it, but his attention was drawn by the sound of the door opening. Looking up, Zuko met the gaze of the very person who had occupied his thoughts almost nonstop since they met.
There’s no backing out now
.
⚜⚜⚜