The Girl and the Fire Lord

18 Uncomfortable - Kaori's POV

I couldn't concentrate. It wasn't that the play wasn't good - it was actually pretty interesting - I just couldn't stop thinking about Hiromi and the Firelord. She was sitting up in his family's box. And why did he point at me? 

Maybe he was pointing at something else and I'd just mistaken it for being me. If that was the case, Hiromi probably wouldn't have jerked him away like she had. I fought the urge to look back up there. 

Our waitress came and brought Yasuo and I another round of Sake. It was good, but I preferred wine. He moved his hand and took mine, showing me a quick grin and then turning back to watch the movie. His jawline was especially striking when he smiled. Something about his smirk made me think he knew that. 

When the show ended, he paid for the drinks and we joined the crowd to leave the theatre. 

"That was a beautiful show, don't you think?" He asked politely. His eyes sparkled a bit when he looked at me. 

"It really was! I loved the costumes. They were the best part I thought." I replied, and he laughed. 

"More than the firebending? I thought the benders they got were just incredible."

"Yeah, firebending's not really my cup of tea. So what are you doing tomorrow?" I said, trying to change the subject. It worked.

"Well, I have a morning shift, I'm visiting my sister and her family for dinner, and then I'll be free later that evening." He raised his eyebrows. "And I'm certainly free this evening." His tone shifted ever so slightly, and I could hear the suggestion in his voice. I didn't know exactly what to say, so I didn't reply. When we reached the front lobby, it was absolutely packed with elegantly dressed ladies and handsome, rich-looking gentlemen. The lobby was absolutely stunning, with two curving staircases trailing down from the upper floor, brilliant red carpets in some areas and marble floors in others, and floor to ceiling windows that were at least fifty feet tall. When I turned to look again at the beautifully grand stairs, I saw Hiromi and Firelord Zuko walking arm in arm. She looked absolutely infatuated with him. 

"I'm going to run to the restroom before we head back. Is it alright with you if I leave you here for just a moment?" Yasuo said. 

"Oh, yes - I'll wait right here for you." I replied. I didn't take my eyes off of the two as they walked down the stairs. Yasuo let go of my hand and walked away, but I barely noticed. The Firelord looked away from Hiromi for just a moment and we met each others eyes. My heard sped to a speed I'd never felt before. His smile was so soft and genuine, his eyes were so bright, and neither of us took our eyes off of each other. He leaned down to Hiromi and whispered something in her ear, and she walked back towards the theatre doors. 

Goodness gracious it really looked like he was walking towards me. I fluffed my hair, stood up straight, and smoothed my sapphire dress. I was right - he was walking to me. He pushed by a few people and then stopped just in front of me. 

"Hello ma'am, you look very familiar and I wanted to come up and say hello." He said. I mustered up my nerves to respond.

"Good evening, Firelord Zuko. Did you enjoy the play?" I asked as formally and politely as I could. I wasn't sure exactly why he wanted to talk to me, but regardless, I wanted to be as kind and respectful as possible. He was in charge of our nation, after all. Oh, and he was dreadfully handsome. 

"I did. Now about you being familiar - you're our gardener, aren't you?" He continued. I nodded.

"I am! I absolutely love it. It's so peaceful in the garden, don't you think?" 

"It is! I really like walking there to clear my head. I think I saw you there once..." 

My chest seized up a bit. Hopefully he was talking about the time he was with Hiromi.

"Oh yes! The other day when you were with my friend Hiromi!" 

"Um, yeah, then... but also a different time I think." He started fumbling over his words a little and my nerves rose. "You were feeding the turtle ducks, and, um... you ran into me." 

My cheeks felt hot. "Oh, yes sir, I really do apologize for that. I've been going on morning walks to feed them for a long while now and I had never seen anyone there that early. Well, until then. I really didn't mean to be walking around in my nightwear, and I certainly won't do it again." 

"Yeah I was just kinda stressed and went out early that morning. Oh, and don't worry. It was-" He stopped and my breathing did too. "-pretty. Really pretty." 

I didn't know how to respond. It kind of felt like I was floating, and his cheeks were bright red so I knew he meant what he said. 

"Thank you, sir." was all I managed to get out. 

"Zuko I am so glad you decided on the black robe. It looks so hot on you." I looked just behind him and saw Hiromi walking to him. His head snapped back to look at her, and she was wearing a sultry smirk. I forced myself back into reality as I watched her slide her hands around his neck and plant her lips on his. 

"Are you ready to go back to your place?" She whispered far too loudly. The real world slapped me in the face, and I remembered that Zuko was not, in fact, trying to hit on me. He probably didn't know what to say. I probably made him uncomfortable! Speaking of - Hiromi was all over him. She kissed him, pulled him into her, and started tugging on his robe.

"Hiromi, can we not do this right here?" He asked quietly. She moved her kisses down to his neck and his eyes widened until they were completely round. 

"It was nice talking to you, sir!" I said quickly, turning and practically running away. Sheesh. She wanted to make a point, and she definitely did. I saw Yasuo walking out of the bathrooms and walked to him. He was cute. It might be nice to hang out with him a little longer. 

"So, you're free tonight?"