Holy cow, I'm legitimately shocked right now. 4.16 thousand views! How does that even happen?! Also, thank PokemonFan0093 because they convinced me to finish this story.

I sat at the table watching Uncle Iroh cook breakfast, gook, I think he called it. I know how this possibly looks, how could you leave Zuko? He needs you! Well, as much as it shocked me, his slumber when I came to check on him again last night had fallen into a much more natural state, and his fever had rescinded tremendously.

I took that as a good enough sign to enjoy my morning rice soup in peace. However, what I hadn't been expecting was Zuko walking in, fully dressed and ready, rubbing his eyes childishly.

"What's that smell?"

Uncle looked away from his cooking at his nephew. The look he had showed that he was as shocked as I was. I'm glad I'm not alone here. "It's jook. I'm sure you wouldn't like it."

I was going to agree with him, except Zuko did something that made me question my entire life. Do you ever have an experience that goes against everything you understand about the universe? Yeah, well, I can thank my brother for this one. It may even beat out changing universes.

He sniffed the breakfast soup and smiled. Like, one-hundred percent satisfied, happy-to-be-alive smile. The kind that I never thought possible from him. Everyone pack your bags, the apocalypse is coming.

Sure he's smiled before but not like this. He held out a bowl. "Actually, it smells delicious. I'd love a bowl, Uncle."

Even Uncle looked suspicious. "Now that your fever is gone, you seem different somehow."

I laughed. It was too much. The two turned to me. "I'm pretty sure it may have something to do with his sudden sunny disposition. Who are you and what did you do with Zuko?"

Zuko chuckled at my response. I mean, sure, at least it isn't a glare, but that's what it should be. He should not be laughing. I glared at him, hoping for a proper response. "What can I say? It's a new day. We've got a new apartment, new furniture and today is the grand opening of your new tea shop." He sat down at the table across from me and took a sip from the jook. "Things are looking up."

I rose an eyebrow. "I know I told you that you needed to not be so glum all the time, but I'm not entirely sure I trust this new positive Zuko. Are you sure you're okay? Maybe you should go back to bed."

He smiled as he continued to eat. "I feel great. Better than ever, in fact. I just feel like nothing can possibly go wrong, you know? I have no reason to be bitter."

Uncle joined us at the table, passing me a bowl as he sat down. "Well I, for one, am glad that you finally see things my way. Come now, eat. We must be ready to open shop soon."

I frowned. I was happy and all that he's finally being optimistic, but I wasn't so sure that it would last. He content with what good things are happening now, but what if hardships come? What would he do then?

Unwanting to spoil this happy morning with my brother (I swear those two phrases don't belong in the same sentence) and Uncle, I finished my breakfast and made my way to prepare for the day.

As soon as I was dressed, we made our way down to the shop. It was so much nicer than I had expected. Tables were spread out evenly and the floor had a green rug at its center with two golden dragons. The cool tile floor accented perfectly with the beige walls and black lanterns. I let out a low whistle when I walked inside.

"Talk about an upgrade. I don't think I've had the money to walk into a place like this, let alone own one. Good going, Uncle."

He smiled. "I thought you might like it. Who knew that when we came to this city as refugees that I'd end up owning my own tea shop. Follow your passion and life will reward you."

I rose an eyebrow, moving to make a comment about how that's probably how I ended up in Ba Sing Se with fictional characters, but Zuko beat me to the punch. "Congratulations, Uncle."

You know, I may be over them being fictional, but I'll never be over Zuko being cheerful. That just seems so much more unrealistic for some reason. "Yeah, you deserve it after having to deal with Junior for so long."

Uncle smiled gratefully despite the sarcastic comment. "I am thankful."

"She's right." Did he just agree with me? "You deserve it. The Jasmine Dragon will be the best tea shop in the city."

Uncle turned to him with a knowing smile. "No. I am thankful because you are sharing this special day with me. It means more than either of you know."

I smiled at the two of them before Zuko went in for a hug. I frowned slightly. It wasn't even that I was left out of the hug, it was the fact that Zuko hugged him. Not the other way around. I don't know, maybe I'm being close-minded. Maybe my brother is capable of this change, but it was just so sudden. It was like there's no explanation besides that weird sickness he just got over. It didn't quite add up for me.

However, a certain suddenly-happy someone noticed the look on my face and dragged me in for a group hug before parting. "Now let's serve people some tea!"

I rose an eyebrow as Zuko walked back into the kitchens and Uncle followed behind. "Yes, let us serve tea."

☆¤☆¤☆

After attempting to keep up with orders for several hours (it had been much easier to do so with Pao and his not-so popular shop), I finally took a place as greeter at the front door. Although, technically I would suppose I'm considered a hostess.

It had probably been about an hour of seating people (a shocking 35 people, thank you very much), before I nearly shrieked at the appearance of a familiar face. A tanned girl with dark brown hair, a blue outfit, and blue eyes made her way towards the front entrance of the tea shop and I had no time to run and hide. Don't get me wrong, I was glad to see that she was all right, but last time I talked with them, well, we weren't exactly on pleasant terms.

She approached the front door, seemingly yet to notice it was me. "Table for two please."

I choked. "Um, yeah. This way."

She jumped at the sound of my voice. "Wh--what?"

I smiled at her sheepishly. "Yeah, I've, uh, got a job here. I wasn't expecting to see you here. . ." I looked around. "Where are the others? Just you and Momo?"

"I thought you were with Zuko. Last I saw you, you were dying with a burn wound."

I shrugged, feigning indifference. "I healed. Uncle Iroh is surprisingly efficient at it. I'm just glad it wasn't left to m-- Zuko. Have you tried his tea?" I shivered in disgust at the thought.

She rose a skeptical eyebrow. "And you aren't with them anymore?"

I had to force my eyes from darting to the kitchen. "Your table? This way--"

My change of subject did absolutely nothing as my idiot of a brother decided to call out an order. "Uncle, I need two Jasmines, one green, and one Leeche!"

I heard Katara gasp audibly as she noticed the two supposed villains. "I'm brewing as fast as I can!"

Katara shot me a seething -- and rather scared -- look before running away in terror. "No, wait! Come back!"

I attempted to chase her down, but she was long gone and any calls to her landed on deaf ears. Well, so much for a grand opening day. I sighed in defeat and went to go seat some more people.

I made a right proper attempt to be as casual and friendly as before, but the run-in I had with Katara really threw me off. What was she going to do? Was she going to run back to Aang and have the three of them ruin the peace we finally achieved?

Had I actually been right about things going downhill from here?

I growled, accidentally scaring the poor customer who had come up to me. I quickly apologized to them, pointing out that I had been lost in thought and promised not to do it again. Thankfully, it had been some guy probably three years older than me, and he simply smiled. "No problem. Rough day?"

"Always. I can't wait to get home right now. I'll be better tomorrow, I'm sure. New job, lack of sleep."

He chuckled slightly. "I get it. Anyways, I needed a table for three. My parents are coming in behind me, and I told them I'd go ahead and get a seat."

I nodded and saw one of the other employees, Zhang, I thought his name was, clearing off a table. "Yeah, it'll be just a moment."

☆¤☆¤☆

I was thankful to say after that encounter, there weren't any other major mishaps -- other than LeeAnne the waitress spilling a tray of tea all over herself after colliding with Zuko, though I think she did it on purpose. She totally had a crush on him.

I was so glad that despite being so upbeat now, Zuko has yet to tune into his emotions (or anyone else's for that matter), so he did not question me on why I had been off later in the day. I knew it had to be obvious, but both Uncle and Zuko had to of just left it up to a busy, and slightly stressful, first day at the Jasmine Dragon. Thank heavens for my already awful people skills.

But, I digress.

It was the end of the day, and Zuko and I were doing some last-minute cleaning when a man arrived announcing that he had a message from the royal palace. Royalty just sent us mail. We didn't get mail. Forget even imagining receiving it from the royal family.

Uncle had taken it and read it, and as he did so, his expression became one of pure joy. "I can't believe it."

Zuko took a step forward as I stopped wiping down a table to pay better attention. "What is it, Uncle?"

"Great news! We've been invited to serve tea to the Earth King!"

I rose an eyebrow skeptically. I mean, sure Uncle had quickly gained a reputation within the city for his tea, but to be invited by the king himself? We just opened up today. Surely news wouldn't have reached him that quickly. Would it? What did I know, though? I'm just now getting a hang of the currency here. How would I know how quickly gossip speeds worked? Was spam mail a thing? "Yeah, it seems almost too good to be true."

Smiling my way, taking my sarcasm as a compliment, Uncle ran back to the apartment to ready everything for our trip tomorrow. Instead of correcting his interpretation, I simply got back to work.

Once I had the table cleaned off, the last thing remaining was the sweeping and Zuko was nearly done with that, so I left him to close up shop and headed to bed.

One more chapter to go. Once this is done, I'm doing a complete rewrite. Also, the last chapter is going to be in the third person for two reasons. 1) my writing style has drifted in that direction and writing in first is like dragging my head through the mud. 2) I want to make the last one of better quality. I'm hoping to make an attempt to making it worth your time.

Anyways,

Architect out.