those amber eyes (slow updates)

Goodbyes

Y/N's POV
As I entered the infirmary, on my last day before heading back, my eyes met with his and the butterflies in my stomach went wild.

"Good morning, Y/N. How's the wound feeling today?"

I smiled sweetly and responded, "a lot better, thanks to you!"

He nodded, "that's good. Right, so if you could just lay down right here for me, I'm gonna take of the bandage to have a quick look at how it's doing."

I nodded and complied, he was so handsome I was almost flustered in his presence.

As he began to unravel my bandages, I asked, "so, Tunuk...  I think you're kind of cool... and I'd love to get to know you more..."

He raised his eyebrows before clearing his throat and asking, "oh?"

"But I'm going back to Shu Jing with the General to assist him in finding the criminals that did this to everyone and to find my brother. So, I was wondering if... well-"

He pulled some water from the basin behind him before interrupting me, "how does that feel?"

Is he... changing the subject?

"Oh... umm... fine, I guess?"

He nodded before continuing, "well, I only have two more patients today so how about you meet me here in about an hour, and we can hang out a bit and see how this goes?"

My heart fluttered and I croaked, "oh, yes... umm, sure!"

He nodded and slightly smiled, "okay."

He concluded that I was healing well before wrapping a new bandage around my wound and letting me leave.

I paced straight back to my room and freshened up a bit; fixing my hair, changing my clothes, spritzing myself with whatever the spray in the bathroom was.

Once I was ready, I made my way back to the infirmary and waited on the bench outside for Tunuk to finish.

—

"Hi, Y/N."

I jumped to my feet, "hello, Tunuk. So, uh- what do you want to do?"

He paused for a second before looking around and suggesting, "do you want to go into town? We get get some food if you'd like, my treat."

"Oh, really? Are you sure?"

He sent me a warm smile, "of course, let's go."

He was surreal, there wasn't a single thing I could point out about him that wasn't perfect.

I sat opposite him in a little Fire Nation restaurant, shuffling in my seat as he called over one of the wait staff, "Hi, Tunuk! Good to see you back! The usual?"

He smiled at her and nodded, "yes please, Akana. And for you, Y/N?"

"Oh... umm... whatever you recommend would be great."

Akana smiled, "so make that two?"

He nodded and thanked her as she scurried off to the kitchen to prepare our order.

There was a moment of silence between us before I asked, "so... you're a regular customer here?"

He nodded, "yeah, it's run by Water Tribe folk, they were originally war prisoners but made a life here when the war was over."

"Oh, that's so cool. So, you eat here every time you come to the Fire Nation?"

He nodded, "Anyway, are you excited for the whole mission thing you're doing with General Iroh? You're basically a real soldier now."

I sighed and relaxed a bit, "I suppose, I dunno... I just want to find my brother, I have no interest in actually joining the military."

"You're strong enough to, though."

"I know. I just- I don't really know what I want in life right now. Being a soldier is dangerous, what if something happens to me and my brother is alone again?"

"Well, fortunately for you; if you were a member of the United Forces, I'd always be there to patch you up."

He teasingly winked, earning a chuckle from me.

—

When we finished up, he held out his arm for me to link and led me out of the restaurant, "So, how has your last day before you head back?"

"It was fun, thank you, and thanks for the food and for tonight overall."

He smiled at me, before brushing his thumb across my cheek bone, peering down to my lips before pulling away, "You had an eyelash..."

I felt my cheeks heat up as I inhaled, "oh, right. Well, um, l- thanks."

Why am I stumbling over my own words? Pull yourself together, Y/N!

As we approached the ship, Tunuk pulled my hand into his, "you know, Y/N, tonight was nice, you're a really interesting person and if you're still interested, I'd love to-", he traced his hand up to my cheek and gently brushed his thumb against my skin, "see where this goes..."

He looked down at my lips and my heart skipped a beat as he leaned in so closely that I could feel his breath against my skin. It was warm, and his skin smelled like sea salt and something sweet that I couldn't quite put my finger on.

He moved his finger back down to my lips and gently brushed his thumb against my bottom lip before looking back up into my eyes. His were a piercing blue, beautiful, like the ocean.

He leaned in closer, our foreheads were touching and his hand was on the back of my head, intertwined with my hair, the other one had found it's way to my waist and he finally gently leaned in and placed his lips against mine.

I closed my eyes, and melted into the kiss, placing one of my hands on his arm that held my face, and the other behind his neck.

His grip on my waist was strong, and his kiss was so passionate, but gentle and soothing.

When we finally pulled away, we were both grinning from ear to ear, he walked me back to my room before placing another gentle kiss on my cheek, "Travel safe, Y/N."

I felt my face heat up and I waved him goodnight.

Tomorrow's the day.