Candles
She concentrated only on breathing. There was a slight, reddish tinge to the darkness, somehow comforting. Inwardly, she sighed with content. Asami never knew how peaceful the quiet could be, and she was surprised with the relaxing effect it had on her. With every day that passed since she started meditating, she felt lighter and, in a sense, freer. All of her burdens - a dead mother, a lost love, a wicked father - began to disappear.
"Just breathe."
She couldn't help it. Hearing his voice sent shivers down her spine, gave her goosebumps. She imagined how he was sitting with his hands poised on his knees. Was he looking at her? Asami knew she was blushing, but it didn't worry her; the candles cast more shadows than light. Her thoughts started whirling and she found herself thinking about his hair, swept dramatically out of his eyes and just above his brows; his adorably long, almost curled eyelashes; his rather thin lips that always seemed to be pinched, pursed together in a frown he tried to keep off his face; his broad shoulders, consistently squared, never drooping; his thick arms that could move fluidly like water. Oh, but his personality! He was kind, and generous, sometimes humorous, but extremely serious when the situation called for it. He was a man, one of honor and respect.
He exhaled loudly, as he always did when the meditation was coming to an end. Asami opened her eyes, immediately focusing on him. The candles' flames created a beautifully mysterious background behind him. His gaze was on her, intent, warm and golden with the strangest flecks of brown. Absolutely breathtaking. He was breathtaking.
Iroh smiled at her, his face lighting up, bright enough to give power to Republic City. It was so different from his perpetually hidden scowl; it suited him.
Asami smiled back shyly.