꧁ chapter fourteen ꧂
the tale of meiluna

✧₊⁎⁎⁺˳✧༚˚✧₊⁎⁎⁺˳✧༚˚✧₊⁎⁎⁺˳✧༚˚✧₊⁎⁎⁺˳✧༚˚✧₊⁎⁎⁺˳✧༚

MEILUNA HAD FOUND herself, once again, unable to sleep.

She lay awake in the dark hours of the night, incapable of peeling her eyes away from the moon.

The sound of Sokka's light snores filled the room, while Meiluna sat by a large window. Despite her eyelids feeling unbelievably heavy, she refused to close them, scared that in doing so, she would miss a moment with her sister.

That, along with the looming threat of the war was enough to make anyone lose sleep, right?

Meiluna made sure everyone else was asleep before she slowly got up, sneaking out of the house.

Every night, she would wait until everyone fell asleep. Then, she would head out the door, straight to the Pao Family Tea Shop.

The first time she had tried their jasmine tea, she found herself unusually drowsy the entire day. Not the usual exhaustion she felt that would claw at the back of her eyes, but a softer, more welcoming feeling.

That night she slept sounder than any night since her last day in the North Pole.

★★★

The second time she visited the tea shop was when she saw that Iroh worked there as well.

A flash of recognition crossed his eyes as he saw the girl enter.

She had decided to walk up to him,

"Can I have one jasmine tea, please?"

The man looked shocked, thinking the girl didn't remember him. Although, her small smile and the look in her eye said otherwise.

He returned the gesture,

"Coming right up"

The shop was practically empty, only two other customers seated. Understandably so, given the time of the day Meiluna chose to come in.

She waited patiently, softly tapping her fingers against the table.

"The Princess from the North Pole is here" Iroh spoke, standing beside his nephew as he boiled some water for the tea.

"What?" Zuko turned to face Iroh angrily, "She's here again?"

Iroh raised an eyebrow, now noting that this wasn't the girl's first visit.

Before he knew it, Zuko had stormed out of the kitchen and straight to where Meiluna sat.

She looked up at the Prince, now standing beside her table with an angered look in his eyes.

"You don't have my tea" She peered down at his empty hands.

"Why are you back?" He seethed, as he placed his hands on the table, leaning closer towards her.

"Is that how you're supposed to treat your paying customers?" She crossed her arms defensively.

"There are a million places in Ba Sing Se where you can get tea," He pushed, "Why are you here?"

Meiluna remained silent, not meeting his gaze.

She heard him huff in annoyance,

"If you even think about telling-"

"I just want tea, okay" Meiluna interrupted.

Zuko narrowed his eyes at her.

If she wanted to tell her friends, she would've done it by now, right?

He stood up and stalked back into the kitchen.

★★★

The third time she visited, she hadn't waited to be seated.

She recited her order to Iroh who came to take it and then rested her chin her palm, her mind clouded with memories of Yue.

As the night fell, it seemed that Yue's death was the only thing plaguing her mind, leaving no room for any other thoughts

Zuko noticed his uncle preparing a pot of jasmine tea.

"I'll take that" He offered.

Iroh was unsure of what his nephew was plotting,

"It's for the Princess"

"I know"

He grabbed the cup and placed it on a tray before heading out again.

Zuko instantly spotted the girl at her usual spot. He kept the drink down in front of her, snapping her out of her daydream. She muttered a soft thank you before picking up the tea.

Meiluna felt the warm steam from the cup hit the tip of her nose as she noticed Zuko hadn't moved from his position in front of her.

She looked up at him,

"Can I help you?"

Zuko shook his head, realising he had zoned out,

"Tell me why you're here"

Meiluna sighed, realising he wouldn't give up,

"I haven't told anyone that you're here"

"I don't believe you"

★★★

The tenth time she visited, she had asked Iroh to join her for some tea.

The kind old man couldn't resist, of course, and seeing as she was their only customer at the time, he happily obliged.

"You make very good tea" Meiluna complimented softly.

"You seem to enjoy it enough to come every single day" Iroh smiled back gently.

"Why did you choose to come to Ba Sing Se?" Meiluna asked curiously.

Iroh set his cup down on the table,

"My nephew and I needed a fresh start," He began slowly, "I visited Ba Sing Se once before, it was different back then, but it's still one of my favourite places"

Meiluna listened intently, sipping her own drink.

He subtly glanced back to Zuko, who stood at the counter,

"He deserves a second chance"

★★★

"I insist"

Meiluna shifted nervously under the stranger's stare. He smiled at her the way a predator would to its prey.

The man had noticed her sitting alone at her table before taking it upon himself to approach her to tell her that he could 'take her out'.

"I appreciate it, but really I-"

The man's stare turned cold as he stepped forward to grab Meiluna's wrist, slamming it on to the table causing the cutlery to clatter.

"I'm not asking" He spoke in a low voice, moving very close to Meiluna's face.

All of a sudden, the man cried out in pain, releasing his hold on the Princess as he turned around.

Prince Zuko stood with a teapot in his hands, all of its contents emptied on to the man.

Zuko's expression remained emotionless as he spoke,

"Sorry"

The man fumed, holding his burnt arm in his other hand. He narrowed his eyes, sneering at the two before loudly exiting the shop.

"Why'd you do that?" Meiluna turned to the Prince.

Zuko's eyes remained focused on the door,

"He wasn't a good guy"

"And you are?"

Zuko froze in his spot. Not realising Meiluna was slightly making fun of him, he answered honestly,

"I don't know"

★★★

"Thank you!"

Meiluna waved happily, sending Iroh a flying kiss as she exited the shop, starting her walk back home.

"Why do you love my uncle's tea so much?"

Meiluna turned around and saw Zuko standing in front of the entrance of the shop. She rolled her eyes, turning back in the direction she needed to go.

She heard footsteps approach her and saw that Zuko was now next to her,

"You didn't tell anyone I was here,"

"I know, that's what I told you"

"Why?"

That was a good question. Why hadn't she told anyone that there was an enemy in their midst. The Prince of the Fire Nation, right under their noses.

"I think you deserve a second chance"

★★★

"You're always staring at the moon"

Meiluna looked away from the window and saw Zuko holding her tray of tea,

"Do you know how to have a regular conversation?"

Zuko paused for a moment, feeling the tips of his ears burn in embarrassment. Meiluna felt a ghost of a smile on her lips at the sight of the flustered boy.

"I just noticed"

"Would you like to join me?" She asked, motioning to seat across from her.

He stared at the seat for a moment before deciding to sit down.

An awkward silence fell over the two before Meiluna decided to speak up,

"Your uncle's tea helps me sleep"

Zuko nodded in acknowledgement,

"It is very good"

★★★

"What's you're favourite thing about Ba Sing Se?"

Meiluna asked the boy who sat across from her.

He almost looked shocked to hear that Meiluna wanted to know something about him.

"What?"

Meiluna repeated her question slowly.

"Oh, the weather?" He answered lamely.

Meiluna gave him a look before letting out a soft laugh.

Zuko stared at her while she laughed, she hadn't ever done that around him before.

He thought it sounded nice.

★★★

"Why are you so kind to me?"

Meiluna looked at Zuko, who seemed to avoid her eyes, with a puzzled look,

"What do you mean?"

"You're kind" He repeated.

"I can hit you with this chair if you'd like"

As time went on, Meiluna found herself sneaking out of the house to visit the tea shop, not exactly exclusively for the tea.

She watched as the corners of Zuko's mouth turned slightly upwards, but it was gone as quickly as it came.

"You're very different now" She observed.

"What?"

"Well, you're not trying to kill me"

"Oh" He looked around awkwardly.

"I like this Zuko"

★★★

Meiluna quietly cracked open the front door, slipping through quietly, making sure that no one had heard her. Shutting the door behind her, she walked over to where everyone else slept, noticing Sokka sitting up.

"Meiluna?"

Meiluna's eyes widened, she had been caught.

"Go back to sleep, Sokka"

He slowly got up, rubbing his eyes, guiding Meiluna to the front room so as not to disturb their friends.

Taking a seat on the floor, Sokka brought the Princess to sit across from him before questioning her,

"Where were you?"

"A tea shop" Meiluna answered, avoiding eye contact.

"This late?"

Meiluna sighed wondering whether she should tell Sokka.

The burden of grief she felt for her sister was so immense she thought keeping it to herself would make sure her friends wouldn't be worried.

"I couldn't sleep"

Sokka continued to study the girl with concerned expression.

"Don't look at me like that" Meiluna mumbled, looking down at her hands in her lap.

"You can talk to me," Sokka assured softly, "I'm worried about you and I just want to know you're okay"

Meiluna looked up, feeling tears form in her eyes. Listening to the way he spoke to her with genuine love and care almost made her break down.

"Luna?"

Hearing the pet name escape from Sokka's mouth was the last straw for Meiluna. She burst into tears, holding her head in her hands as Sokka moved closer to wrap his arms around her.

Meiluna bit down on her lip trying to muffle the sounds of her cries as she buried her face into the boy's shoulder. Sokka held the girl gently, close to him.

"I miss Yue," She whispered, "I thought I could get through it after all this time, why can't I move on Sokka?"

Meiluna begged the question. Her eyes still full of fresh tears. She tried her hardest, every night to accept the past, but she felt stuck.

"It takes time," Sokka told her softly, "But it will get better, you know? We're all here for you"

"It doesn't feel like it will," Meiluna shook her head as she slowly unwrapped her arms from him, immediately wiping the stray tears on her cheeks, "I think of her every time I see the moon, every time I see my hair in my reflection, even when I look at you"

Meiluna hesitated before voicing the thoughts she thought she'd never share aloud,

"I don't want to live without her"

Sokka felt his heart grow heavy at the sight,

"I know how you feel"

Meiluna looked up at the boy sadly.

"Katara and I lost our mother when we were very young," He explained quietly, "I feel like I get reminded of her every time I'm around Katara"

Meiluna placed her hand on top of his.

"But as much as I miss her, I would never want to get rid of the memories of her, no matter how much it hurts, I love her more"

Meiluna felt a small smile grow on her features as Sokka stood up, holding out his hand to help her up.

She accepted it gratefully before pulling him into another hug, holding him tightly,

"Thank you Sokka"

★★★

"What is so special about the moon?"

Zuko had decided that Meiluna's tradition of having tea inside the shop be moved to outside where she could better see the sky.

"She's my sister"

Zuko stopped facing the Princess to look up at the moon with a quizzical look.

"I miss her a lot"

She then turned to face Zuko,

"Why do you always sit with me out here?"

Her voice wasn't accusatory as Zuko had expected. She sounded genuinely curious, like she couldn't imagine why anyone would want to spend time with her.

"You're nice to be around"

★★★

"I had a date"

Meiluna was surprised to hear Zuko had decided to open up to her as she smiled at the boy,

"How was it?"

"Good"

"That's it?" Meiluna gave Zuko a pointed look.

"Oh," He felt nervous under her gaze, "She was pretty"

"How'd she make you feel?"

Zuko looked over at Meiluna who had her eyes focussed on the him, admiring the way her bright blue eyes reflected the moon's pale shine. Her chin rested in her palm as she looked up at him with the sweetest smile Zuko had ever seen.

"Happy"

★★★

"Uncle,"

Zuko looked to Iroh as the two of them settled inside their small apartment.

"What is it, Zuko?"

"I think I have allergies"

Iroh looked to his nephew strangely, waiting for him to explain.

"My face gets very hot and my hands get a bit sweaty, my heart beats so fast. I think there's something wrong," Zuko told him, "Also, I feel like I'm going to throw up"

"You look fine to me right now" Iroh said as he placed the back of his hand on Zuko's forehead.

"Well, it only happens sometimes" Zuko spoke quietly, looking unusually shy.

Iroh waited for him to explain further.

Zuko shook his head slightly,
"You see, when I sit with the Princess-"

Iroh cut him off with a loud laugh.
"Prince Zuko, that is not an allergy, you have been struck by cupid's arrow"

He continued to laugh joyfully, patting his nephew on the back as Zuko furrowed his eyebrows.

"Uncle, I'm serious," He crossed his arms, "I'm sick"

"You are sick," Iroh nodded, his smile not leaving his face, "lovesick"

"No!" He denied, "It must be some kind of illness from the North Pole, she must've passed on a bug to me"

"You're right, Prince Zuko," Iroh agreed thoughtfully, "I think I know what this bug is"

"How do I get rid of it?" Zuko asked urgently.

"I'm afraid you can't," He answered as Zuko's face fell, "Once you have been bitten by the love bug, there's no coming back"

"Uncle!"

★★★

"Do you miss your home?"

Meiluna looked to Zuko curiously. He either didn't hear her or completely ignored her question as he didn't meet her eyes.

Prince Zuko didn't want to think about his uncle's crazy theories of why he felt his heart race whenever he looked at her. So his simple solution was to avoid her gaze.

He found it wasn't very effective as his mind couldn't help but wander and think about the way she would smile at his awkwardness or the way she would look at him without a trace of hatred in her eyes.

He could go on to list the things he liked about her, but he had a serious illness to focus on at the moment.

"I miss the North Pole"

Meiluna decided to keep talking, shifting the focus back to herself, thinking that she had overstepped her boundaries,

"I loved going on the boat rides through the canals"

Zuko thought for a moment. He decided to flicker his eyes towards the Princess, instantly feeling a blush creep up his neck as he admired her. The last time he saw her, when they were on opposite sides of a fight, he remembered how her hair was neatly done up, but now seeing it down, he noticed made her looked so much more relaxed and calm.

"I miss the turtleducks"

Meiluna smiled.

"I've never seen one before"

★★★

Iroh smiled as he watched his nephew sitting beside the Princess. She seemed to be talking animatedly, waving her hands around, facing the sky. Zuko looked at her with wonderment, completely unaware of the dreamy smile on his face.

Meiluna noticed how Zuko sat silently listening to every word she said, making her believe she was boring him.

"I should probably go now"

Zuko snapped out of his stupor as he stood up,
"Come with me"

Meiluna raised her eyebrows, looking at his with confusion.

"I want to show you something"

She hesitantly stood up next to him.

"You're not trying to attack me, are you?"

Zuko smiled slightly as he replied,

"Not this time"

He began leading her through the dim streets of Ba Sing Se, together they walked in silence.

It wasn't so awkward this time.

Meiluna felt comfortable with the quiet, her shoulder occasionally brushing the boy beside her as they made their way though the city.

Zuko stopped them in front of a small pond in the middle of a park.

Meiluna looked to him in confusion when she heard a small noise come from the water. She turned around and saw a small group of turtleducks splashing around.

"Oh!" She gasped as she ran up to sit at the edge of the pond, "They're adorable"

Zuko walked forward to stand next to her.

"My uncle told me about this place"

"Be sure to thank him for me" Meiluna smiled, watching the small animals adoringly.

She turned to look up at Zuko, who had kept his eyes trained forward.

"And thank you," She spoke quietly before looking to Zuko once more, "For bringing me here"

Meiluna couldn't deny how touched she was that he had thought about her, to do something like this for her.

He shook his head slightly, feeling slightly embarrassed,

"It was nothing"

Zuko decided to take a seat beside Meiluna, making himself comfortable on the soft grass.

"I've been meaning to ask you something"

Zuko felt extremely worried at these words as he turned to look at the Princess.

"Why'd you change your hair?" She asked innocently as she reached up to pat his short hair.

Zuko smiled at her. He was glad it was dark out so the Princess couldn't see his face completely flush from her contact. Her fingers tapped his head lightly, so gently he almost didn't feel it.

"You changed yours too" He observed, pointing to the white wisps of hair framing her face.

She let out a soft laugh, feeling her cheeks tinge with a light blush as his hand almost touched her hair. His closeness allowed her to feel the heat he emitted from his body, which is what she decided to blame the heat she felt on her face on.

"Do