AU where Zuko realises very early into his banishment that he’s been sent on a hopeless goose chase and, actually, he doesn’t want to return to the oppressive Fire Nation and his abusive father. And he sticks with this decision even after Aang wakes up from the iceberg
Except then Aang meets Zuko - probably when Zuko jumps in to save someone, because his sense of justice is too strong to just sit back while someone is hurt, even if he is trying to remain apolitical - and his brain goes “!!!!” Because that’s a good firebender. They do exist. And now Aang knows someone who can teach him firebending without trying to kill him
Except Zuko wants nothing to do with the Avatar. He especially doesn’t want to get entangled with his father’s war. So the rest of the season is about Zuko running from the Avatar, and Aang and co trying to capture the reluctant ex-Prince of the Fire Nation so he can be Aang’s firebending teacher
The obvious solution: Zuko’s naval vessel has been converted into a traveling tea shop.
They convert their naval ship into a floating tea shop oh my god
The Gaang ends up stopping by the tea shop one time not realizing it’s Zuko and Iroh’s ship and spot Zuko but Zuko is like “this is the busiest time of day on our busiest days at one of the busiest ports. I do NOT have time for this.” So he plays dumb. Like really dumb.
Zuko, sweating more: A wild tea accident. Very bizarre.
Toph, who knows he’s lying but is an agent of chaos: Lee? I remember you! You came to visit my town a few times. Do you still carry that lovely Jasmine tea?
Katara: Toph isn’t your town landlocked?
Toph: Yes, your point?
Katara: This tea shop is a giant naval vessel??
Zuko, panicking: THIS VESSEL CAN FLY
Toph: Yes, exactly.
Sokka: …Katara, let it go. Let’s just get our tea and get out of here before Aang finds out that–
Aang, sprinting over to them: ZUKO?
Toph, without missing a beat: No, this is Lee, humble tea server who got his scar in a wild tea accident.
Aang: What? No it’s not, it’s–
Toph: I can tell when people are lying Aang. Are you calling me a liar?
So I haven’t watched enough to know if it’s in character enough, but would Zuko attempt to not make a liar out of Toph? At least regarding the flying vessel bit? Would Toph lord over Zuko about how she helped him out? Not to the point of extortion, just big smug vibes?
Zuko, pulling Toph aside: Miss, I appreciate the help, but I’m in a bit of a bind. This is not, in fact, a flying vessel.
Toph: Yes it is. *metalbends it into the air*
Zuko: *softly but with feeling* what the fuck.
Aang, chasing Zuko all over the world: Please teach me, oh firebending master! You’re the only one I can possibly learn from!
Iroh, ten feet away, who taught Zuko literally everything he knows about firebending: It’s so nice to see the boy making friends
*sips tea*
Iroh is probably one of the reasons the gaang keep finding zuko
