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Chapter Text

In the streets of Ba Sing Se, Zuko sat with his uncle in the shade, watching people pass by and hearing the occasional clink of a bronze or silver coin in their cup.

He felt the breeze in his short hair, and ran his fingers through the strands, the feeling of having a full head of hair still new to him. It felt better than his old style, more freeing, but in the heat it was honestly rather annoying.

He hated having to beg for money, but his uncle seemed to not to mind it much, which baffled him. Iroh even went as far as to dance for money, which Zuko protested against heavily. 

At that time, Lee had gone off, and around an hour later returned with a small bag of gold coins. Needless to say, Iroh and Zuko wanted to know where he had gotten it from. They knew he wouldn't have stolen it, but Lee was still evading their questions, which rose some suspicions from them.

Now, they were awaiting Lee's return once again from wherever he was running off to. Zuko fidgeted with his dog tags, previously belonging to Lee, anxiously wondering where his lover could have gone, what trouble he could be getting into. 

He was fed up with waiting and told Iroh he'd return momentarily. 

After getting a drink of water, he traveled across the lower ring of Ba Sing Se, keeping his distance from the other citizens. Laying low was hard at times, and Zuko always had to remember that. 

It took him a while, but he was determined to find Lee. Wherever he was. What if he was putting himself in danger just for a few gold coins? The thought never left Zuko's mind, and he knew he was prone to worrying about such things but he couldn't help it. Lee was far too important to him for him to just let it go.

A large crowd began to form near the center of town, which prompted Zuko to follow the others to a small stage. 

He was about to leave, but then the curtain were drawn, and in the spotlight was Lee, adorned in white. Under the soft light of yellow and orange lanterns, his hands brought to his chest and his head down, he could've been mistaken for an angel sent by the spirits above.

Zuko felt his breath catch in his throat.

A soft piano melody began.

Lee rose his head, a soft smile coming to his face, and he met eyes with Zuko far in the crowd. He seemed surprised for a moment- but it was only for a moment.

Lee averted his gaze a few times, looking out across the sea of faces, but he settled back on Zuko. 

He took a few steps forward as the music picked up with percussion and strings.

Zuko, too, moved through the crowd and closer to the stage. He stopped in the middle and the sound of Lee's voice filled the air. 

"Walking city streets with worn cobblestones, listening to people rushing past to rhythms all their own."

That strong, melodious voice Zuko had come to know so well. He wanted to close his eyes and bask in the sound, but he forced himself to keep them open, watching Lee calmly move across the stage as to interact with the people in the front rows. 

"Life passing me by, not thinking how the years have flown." Lee extended his hand to no one in particular. "Until, I met you."

"I won't say that it was fate, I won't say that it was destiny. 

"But if not what could it be, that drew you towards me?" He gestured to himself. "Could it be chance?"

"Til the day, that we meet again- where or when? I wish I could say. But believe- know that you'll find me." 

The affect Lee had on the crowd was palpable. The tears, the smiles, the awe- a reaction he had never received before. He wasn't a singer, he was a soldier. And yet, this is what the soft side of him wanted. To sing, to make others feel what he felt, to know those tears came from a good place.

"Promises to keep, we won't ever need."

His arms were extended as if he were to receive a hug, and he felt that same warmth from his admirers. He glanced down to the person who most caught his attention. Zuko, who was shifting closer and closer with each lyric sung. Zuko, who Lee had thought of every time he practiced this song.

Lee moved to the forefront of the stage, as if to try and meet his halfway. 

"It only I'd never known, all the burdens I was born to bear."

He recalled the times of his life when he had been terrified in the field, a child on the battleground, burdened with the responsibility of fighting for his nation. 

"Lived a life without a care in the world, save for you."

Those times when he had been reckless, only to get a lecture from the Prince of the Fire Nation. 

He lightly shook his head, that smile still on his face. "But that won't do.

"Til the day that we meet again, on our street, I want to believe in the chance that we'll share a glance."

Lee's eyes met Zuko's- amber met gold. This whole time and even now, Zuko couldn't help but stare. 

The others in the crowd seemed to notice their exchange and some made a path for Zuko to approach the stage. Maybe they thought it was for the show- neither cared. They couldn't afford to.

"Promises to keep, we won't ever need."

Lee's voice rose, as if to reach pasts the birds and into the heavens, his tone alluring- sinking into the deepest parts of one's heart. 

"Til the day that we meet again, at our place, just let me believe in the chance at you'll come, take my hand, and never let me go."

Under his sweet words were the hint of longing. The one he loved was so far yet so close. The one he loved was worried about what was yet to come. 

Lee wanted to soothe the one he loved through these lyrics of his.

He extended his hand and he wanted Zuko to take it.

"Take my hand, and believe, we can be- together evermore."

Cherry blossoms carried by the wind circled Lee as the music slowed and he kneeled in front of Zuko, who he reached out for. 

There was a pause for Lee and Zuko to simply stare back at each other. The world faded into the background. 

Zuko mouthed the words "I love you" and Lee squeezed his hand. 

Their time was up soon enough, and Lee stood up.

He looked out at the crowd, then his gaze fell to the ground. The music, slower, almost sadder, carried the bittersweetness of his lyrics, the hidden longing from before.

"Walking city streets with worn cobblestones, s truggling against the crowd and finding ourselves all alone."

As if a warning, Lee sang his next lyrics while he looked at Zuko, and Zuko alone.

"Fate and destiny, are no guarantee."

When he looked up at the moon, Lee felt his eyes suddenly well with tears. Maybe he was exhaused from singing, maybe the emotion was too much for him.

Maybe his dreams, those he kept from the one he loved, would come true. The ones from which he'd wake up crying, dark mysteries lurking beneath. 

"Still, one day I hope you'll come and find me."

He closed his eyes, and let the wind tousle his hair. 

"Still, one day I know you'll come and find me."

A few stray tears fell down his cheeks as the audience erupted into cheers. Usually, Lee would wave goodbye, but tonight he rushed his way offstage. He had enough of the spotlight. 

He wanted to see Zuko again, to actually be able to kiss him this time. He wanted Zuko to tell him the dread he felt was unreasonable. That he didn't have to worry.

Or, if something were to happen...

He wanted Zuko to hold him, one last time.

Chapter Text

"We have to find Lee, Uncle." Zuko's words were panicked, rushed, as he and Iroh pushed through crowds in search of their boy.

The smoke had cleared, and yet Lee was nowhere to be seen. Zuko didn't even remember what started the big fight- nor did he care. Was it Fire Nation soldiers? He would've heard if that were the case.

Either way, there was a breach in Ba Sing Se's defenses, and people got in with the intention of attacking.

Lee was among those fighting back, and now, Zuko still couldn't find him. 

He fought back tears- oh, Lee promised he wouldn't die. Those precious promises replayed over and over and over in Zuko's mind. His Lee, his soldier had promised he'd come back after every battle, after everything...

How Zuko longed to hear his siren voice and gaze into those eyes, like pools of melting honey, and know everything would be okay...

He was so trapped in his mind, considering every detail, trying to force away all the terrible thoughts, that he didn't even hear Iroh calling his name.

Lee couldn't be dead. But where would he have gone?

Iroh took Zuko by the shoulders and turned him around, bent on getting his attention-

-and was surprised to have Zuko throw himself into his arms and begin to sob. Zuko rarely even cried, let alone around anyone. But if he were to cry, it'd be around his two most precious people.

Iroh led him to a bench, where he held his nephew tightly in his strong arms, then wiped away every tear he could manage. He couldn't bear seeing his nephew this way. 

But he knew, he knew that Zuko had held it in for far too long. And so he let him cry, he let him mourn his life in the Fire Nation, his father's love, and his boyfriend's potential death.

-

"So, what do you think?" Iroh asked, looking up at the sign above the door, a proud grin across his features. 

Zuko curiously looked up, brushing some of his hair away from his face, and squinting from the sunlight. "Jasmine Dragon..." 

Iroh gestured as if he was awaiting a response. 

Zuko shrugged. "A tea shop is fine, I guess..."

He fidgeted with the dog tags around his neck.

"I think Lee would've liked it," Iroh said.

"...I don't like talking about him like he's dead."

A beat passed, then Iroh nodded. "Then, I'm sure he'll like it when he comes home," he said, offering another smile.

Zuko nodded as well.

"Who would've thought when we came to this city as refugees, that I'd be owning my own tea shop?"

"Things are looking up, Uncle." Zuko smiled briefly. "Congratulations."

"I am very thankful."

"You deserve it."

Iroh paused, considering his next words. "I think we need to make a change."

Zuko turned to face him, curiously. "Oh?"

"Our names alone give far too much away."

"Right..." Zuko trailed off and lowered his head.

"I've already considered names for myself, and I've come to like the name Mushi. I think it suits me quite well." 

Zuko only nodded in response, his hand immediately going to his dog tags as he began to think as well. He brought his thumb over the words punched into the tag.

Lee. Fire Nation Army. 41st Division. 

He glanced down at them. Reading over the words, getting lost in the memory. 

"Lee," he said, abruptly. 

Iroh shot him a glance. "...What about him?"

"I want to be called Lee."

Iroh noticed him fidgeting with the tags, and gave no further comment.

"Lee it is," he replied.