Raised in Earth (OC x Zuko) book 2

Chapter 13

It had been a week since Zuko had gotten better and woken from his freaky sickness. Freaky. That is exactly how I would describe him now. Something was just... off. I always wanted Zuko to be happy, but this was a step too far. Always smiling and being pleasant, even laughing on occasion; and not that smirk or that chuckle I loved, but something much... freakier. He hadn't complained about the new tea shop once and was always happy to help out with anything.
Today Iroh sent me out to get some supplies from the high class market a few streets down, and he offered to come, just to help carry things! Where was Zuko?!
I told him that I could and would go by myself and that is what I did. I went to a few shops and got the necessary spices and plants Iroh requested and put them in the basket I had been given. I then headed back to once again meet those overly happy pair of amber eyes, and that genuine smile that I still found off. Whatever though, he was happy so so was I. As I was about to go through the main entrance, some girl in blue crashed into me.
"Hey! Watch it!" I shouted after her, gathering the things that had fallen. She didn't even turn back to apologise, nor even give me a glance. Wonder what had her all hyped up.
I went inside and placed the basket on the counter in back. Iroh stood there making six pots of tea simultaneously. Even for him that was too many. I tied on my apron and started to help by heating up the pots of water. He gave me a grateful look and started to divide and mix the leaves I had just returned with before putting them in the pots I had prepared. Zuko came back, tray in hand, and smiled when he saw me. He came over and kissed my cheek sweetly before grabbing another few finished pots of tea to bring to the customers.
"Everything go alright at the market?" He asked.
"Ya. Of course. It's so much more organized than in the lower ring." I focused on the pot I was now cleaning
"Good." He grabbed the final teapot. "I'll see you on the next run." I nodded and he left. I didn't mean to seem rude, I was just getting used to the 'new him'. Somewhere in the pit of my stomach I knew that something was going to happen, both to Zuko and his mood. A little voice in the back of my head telling me it wouldn't last forever. I shook it away and continued focussing on my new job as dishwasher for the moment.
A while passed and customers came and went, all with smiled on their faces as they had just been served by the 'best tea maker in Ba Sing Se.'
We eventually closed when the last of the customers finally left for the night. I was out doing cleaning duties when some guy in a uniform walked in.
"A message from the royal palace." He called out. I stepped forward and took the scroll he was offering before he ran out the door again. I handed it to Iroh who read it at first in worry but then his eyes changed to hold astonishment.
"I...I can't believe it." He said near gasp.
"What is it Uncle?" Zuko walked over with the broom he held.
"Great news! We've been invited to serve tea to the Earth King!" Iroh sounded so happy, but something wasn't right. I dropped the mop I held and took a step back from them, but I wasn't sure why. They both looked at me with concern, but I put on a fake smile and waved them off.
"That's great Iroh!" I picked up the mop. We went about busying ourselves for a while, cleaning and preparing for tomorrow's special occasion. When we finally went back home, Zuko was in the other room while Iroh and I sat in the kitchen drinking... you guessed it, tea.
I put poured the water into the teapot slowly as I scraped the depths of my mind that may hold the answer to why I had such a bad feeling, but nothing presented itself. I left the kitchen and decided to go to bed as I pondered my own lack of enthusiasm for the next day. Zuko eventually joined me and wrapped his warm arms around me.
"What's wrong?" He asked soothingly into my ear. I could name a list of things that were wrong, starting with his new... Whatever you wanted to call it.
"Something just doesn't feel right about the whole tea with the king thing."
"What do you mean?"
I turned over to face him as we lay there. "I don't know. Something's just off I guess. It's probably just me being me though." I shrugged and nuzzled my head into his shoulder.
"I wouldn't want you to be any other way." He kissed the top of my head and held me close as we both fell asleep in peace

A/N:
Okay, so I might have lied a bit. This is just a filler chapter because I
1: need more time on the next chapter and didn't want you guys to be left hanging.
2: nearly skipped this whole part of the story.
So here you go, anther shortie. I hope it was decent enough.
Please comment any questions or, well.. comments.
Thanks for reading!!
~Caramel Rage