"Limerence": (English/n.) the state of being infatuated with another person.
The moment their eyes locked they knew - the flames within him twisted while the water within her turned. It was a connection, a connection that would lead to love, adventu...
(English/adj.) Being attracted to a person's lips.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
~ Fire Lord Zuko ~
"Smile - it's the key to unlocking people's hearts, Zuko." Uncle Iroh said with a great smile on his face, his hands placed in front of him. I looked at him and scoffed, "What hearts do you think I'll be unlocking during my visit Uncle?"
We stood at the edge of the pier. It was early in the morning, the sun starting to rise and cast a vibrant range of reds and yellows along the water. Everyone was set to depart for our journey to the Southern Water Tribe, well, expect me.
I stood on the dock with Uncle Iroh as the guards and servants stood off to the side, waiting at the ramp for my departure. Uncle Iroh chuckled, shaking his head at my refusal to 'unlock people's hearts'. "It's an old saying I heard long ago, but I have good feelings about this trip. I feel like you'll return as a different man." A tiny smile flickered across my lips as I crossed my arms across my chest, "That's the point, a nice vacation. Spend some time with old friends."
I was genuinely excited about the trip but also apprehensive.
The notion of leaving the kingdom for a bit was not unnerving to me; I was leaving the Nation in good hands. Instead, it has been a while since I could relax, and I wondered if I could even handle such a simple task anymore. Suddenly political meetings seemed more straightforward than kicking back and letting the sun soak in my skin...or cold in this case.
"You left the Nation in good hands, and maybe when you come back I'll have a new holiday set in place, Oolong Tea Appreciation Day..." Uncle Iroh mused.
I let out a sigh, "Something tells me you aren't joking..."
Uncle Iroh must have heard as he let out a hearty laugh, his hand falling upon my shoulder. My eyes widen, completely caught off guard. The sudden contact was foreign, and for split second, I found myself as stiff as a board. I never realized how isolating being Fire Lord was until moments like these, moments of affection. Uncle Iroh noticed, his playfulness disappearing, a look of sympathy erupting as he gave my shoulder a soft squeeze, "I'm proud of you Zuko. Now go and enjoy yourself..."
Without thinking twice, I reached over and hugged him, something I haven't done in a while. I could feel the smile Uncle Iroh held as he hugged me back instantly. Not a single word was spoken between us as the hug itself spoke plenty already.
Slowly we parted, and with that I walked towards the ship, ready for my long voyage. Standing at the ramp, I turned around one last time, Uncle Iroh waving gleefully.
"Fire Lord Zuko, permission to depart?" A guard spoke from behind me.
I waved to Uncle Iroh, bidding him my final farewell, before I noticed a figure standing off in the distance, near the main gates. Long black hair, half buns, red robes that were too long...Mai. My shoulders tensed as I could feel her piercing glare from inside the ship. My waving hand dropped to my side once again, my lips pressing together tightly, forming a thin line on my face. The last time we spoke was our argument.
