Phoenix Fire (Avatar: The Last Airbender) #Wattys2016

||Chapter 38 - And so it begins... ||

Here is the fanart of Lea that @crowkmc made of her! Thank you!

Lea's POV

"Come on, we have been gone for a while." I told Shinya grabbing his hand and walking with him back to the party. I could feel the smile on my face never leaving, my cheeks slightly hot from our confessions to each other. I was happy, really happy to the point I could jump into a volcano and bathe in it. I'm that happy. I felt Shinya give my hand a light squeeze once we saw the party in sight. I looked over to see Sokka acting as if he knew karate, Suki watching him in amusement with her hands on her hips. I giggled at the sight while Shinya chuckled

"And then I would be like- Hwauh! And then I would save the damsel in distress~! Perfect plan!" Sokka stated loudly, swiping his hands in the air and kicking. I didn't know what topic that led to this but I was thoroughly enjoying it. Sokka caught sight of us, letting his eyes roam downwards at our conjoined hands before a big grin reaching ears appeared. He grabbed hold of Suki and shook her while pointing at us

"My advice worked, my advice worked!!!" Sokka stated and Suki rolled her eyes at him before shaking her head and smiling. I looked over at Shinya to see him whistling, feigning innocence

"Shinya, what does he mean by that?"

"Nothing! Nothing at all to worry about." He made sure to not lock eyes with me knowing he would fess up right away if he did

"Uh huh, whatever you say Shindrool." He tensed beside me, stopping in his tracks

"Haven't heard that nickname in a long time, Leandot." He told me laughing lightly

"Well it's a wonderful occasion, I decided it's about time we call each other by our nicknames again." I told him with a grin and he nodded. We continued on walking through the party, making small talk whenever it got too quiet between us. Our nicknames? We made them up when we found out hideout in Ba Sing Se, Shinya's nickname was because he used to drool when he slept and mine was because I was tiny back then he would call me Leandot just to annoy me, which always led to me calling him Shindrool. Creative I know right? He smiled shaking his head at me when Aang noticed our conjoined hands, stopping in his step and eyes widening. Katara, who was walking beside him stared confusedly at Aang

"What is it-?" Aang pointed over at us causing me to blush madly. Katara directed her attention over to us, her eyes travelling down to our conjoined hands before squealing loudly almost jumping out of her skin. I cringed in embarrassment as all eyes fell on me and Shinya. I felt Shinya's hand begin to sweat nervously, his cheeks and ears tinted red in embarrassment. Suddenly, Sokka ran over to us and barreled Shinya in a hug

"YOU TOOK MY ADVICE, HE TOOK MY ADVICE!" He laughed happily, pulling Shinya away from me to pester him with many questions. I looked over to see Zuko eyeing Shinya up before looking at me, a look of regret on his face confusing me. He walked over to me and I squeaked like a mouse in fright knowing how he can be sometimes. He pulled me into a hug

"If he ever hurts you, lead him to me so I can burn him to a crisp before throwing his mangled burnt body into the mouth of a dragon for dinner, understood?" I gulped nervously, eyes wide at how descriptive his proclamation was. I nodded in his shoulder and he pulled away from the hug with a smile before looking over at Shinya to see him covering his ears as Sokka annoying yelled trying to get his attention captured again

"SHINYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!" Sokka yelled and I covered my ears backing away slowly to get away from his loudness only I bumped into Suki who smirked mischeviously grabbing my arm before grabbing Toph and Katara. I groaned throwing my head back in demise. I looked back at Shinya who was already looking at out retreating figures

'Help me.' I mouthed to him and he shook his head in response

'No.' He mouthed back and I glared at him and continued to glare until we turned a corner. I huffed in annoyance, mumbling threats under my breath making Toph snort unattractively at my demise

"You aren't very good at mumbling are you, Miss 'I will throw him into a volcano when I get free...'." Toph used air quotes and I sighed. Suki lightly laughed before stopping once we came to a corner where there was seats. When she sat me down I immediately got up and was about to make a break for it only for Katara and Suki to pull me back onto the chair. I crossed my arms and pouted, waiting for them to start their onslaught of questions about how it happened.

To Be continued