A World Of Grey (Legend of Korra)

Chapter 17

His wife did not look up when he stepped into the kitchen. She kept her eyes on the papers in front of her, pen gripped just so in her hand as she transferred thoughts to ink. He said nothing himself, moving over to the sink and filling a glass with water. He raised it to his lips to briefly sip before turning, his gaze falling upon her back. She did not slouch, the line of her shoulders even. Gan took another sip of water, a larger one this time, before speaking.

"I'm going out," he said.

Hana paused to look up at the clock fastened to the wall. "It's late."

He did not agree with her perception of the time. The night was still very much young. He remained silent however, waiting. As her head dipped, Gan knew she had returned her eyes to her work, and not a moment later he heard the resumption of words being scratched out onto paper.

"Where are you going?" she said eventually.

"For a few drinks with a few friends," he replied.

"Do I know these friends?"

Gan took another sip of water. "Not very well," he said.

"I see."

Hana continued to work, and he continued to watch her back. When he had emptied the glass, he set it down in the sink, turning on the tap to rinse it out before storing it in the rack beside the basin to dry. Hana spoke up again when he made to leave the room.

"When will you be back?" his wife asked.

"Late," Gan answered as he stepped into the hallway, retrieving his coat and pushing his hand into its pockets to find his keys. "Don't wait up for me."

Hana's writing hand paused. "Fine," she said evenly.

Gan walked over to the front door without another look back. He pulled it open without another word.

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He waits for her outside her building, leaning against the bonnet of the car with arms loosely folded. There is already something of a smile upon his lips. It arose the moment he left his home, in fact. He is, for the first time in hours, happy and relaxed. He can't wait to see her.

Gan has finally agreed to Serra's offer to let her take him out. He spent far too long giving her his excuses. Some were genuine, he knows, others not so much. He has known his thoughts for weeks and months now, though he has made sure to keep them to himself. Gan never lets his eyes stray when she looks at him, nor allows his tongue to rule itself and utter certain words he knows he cannot take back. He has been unsure of himself all this time, but today – tonight – he is beginning to decide that he will not hold himself back any longer.

Gan emerges from his thoughts as the doors of the apartment building are pushed open and Serra steps out onto the walkpath. He is smiling the moment he sees her. She is dressed in black and blue, the sleeves of her thin jacket casually rolled halfway up her forearms. It's a warm evening, and the zipper of her jacket is drawn no higher than her stomach. Gan quietly appreciates the swell of her chest, the light blue material of the vest Serra wears underneath the jacket curving to hug her luscious shape. Luscious…Gan tastes the word upon his tongue. It's good. He samples several more as she walks towards him.

Alluring; the way her hair falls beyond her shoulders and frames her face, unbound, thick and dark.

Exotic; the tone of her skin, like nothing he has ever seen before, dark like a delicate blend of coffee, and as smooth as its taste.

Mesmeric; her eyes, bright and blue and warm. They sparkle with humour, glimmer in fascination, trapping him whenever he meets them.

Enchanting; the sound of her voice, strong, confident and resonating with surety, surety in herself and the words she speaks.