Disclaimer: I don't own Legend of Korra and Avatar: The Last Airbender.
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A/N: I know my plot's a cliché… and I'm afraid there's more to come. You've been warned.
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Mania
Future
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"What do you think about marriage?" Asami asked softly, while she's sitting by the bench across him. Too soft that he would've not be able to hear it if he wasn't paying close attention to her.
He knew this would come up soon. He shifted his position so he can look straight into her. "I'm not going to marry you because you're pregnant."
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Asami willed herself not to look away from him. It's painful but somehow she knows that deep inside herself that she's expecting this. That's one of the reasons she didn't told him immediately that she's pregnant with his child.
In the past two and a half years that they've been dating, she and Iroh have not really talked about their future together. Planning about the next month's dates were the farthest they've talked about their future. Besides that, they totally run separate lives. Iroh's still the General of the United Forces and of course, a Prince of the Fire Nation. When he's not busy commanding a fleet, he's attending to his royal duties. Meanwhile, she's still managing the Future Industries in Republic City.
And now that she's having a baby, Asami know that this is definitely a major bump in the road for Iroh's plan for himself. She has a grave feeling before that this won't stop him, even if it means he's going to leave her. And now Iroh made it clear.
Feeling her hot tears coming, she closed her eyes shut. No, she won't cry in front of him. He'll think she wants his pity when all she wants from him is his love. She's never been really certain if Iroh had ever loved her. But one thing she's sure of, Iroh will love their child no matter what.
Asami believes that Iroh won't forsake his own child. Married or not, they still need to be friends at least for the sake of their baby. With that, she forced herself to open her eyes and face the situation. But she was startled to see Iroh crouching before her.
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Iroh smirked at Asami's shocked reaction. She was so caught up with whatever she's thinking that she didn't felt him moved closer to her. He then scowled at that thought. She should be more attentive to her surroundings.
But he can't really blame her. Knowing Asami, she probably already overanalyzed what he said. "Asami," he started, wiping a lone tear that escaped her eyes. "I'm not going to marry you because I got you pregnant."
"I heard you the first time." He felt her stiffened when he cupped her cheeks. "Iroh - "
He cut her off with a kiss. He kissed her until she responded to him. It might be the gentlest kiss they ever had. Soft, slow, and light. When they parted for air, he didn't let go of his hold on her. Their foreheads touching, her eyes closed.
"I'm going to say something so don't interrupt me." Iroh ordered gently.
"Okay," she rasped.
"Look at me."
She fluttered her eyes open. Golden sparks clashes with green ones.
He smiled at her. "I love you. That is why I'm going to marry you."
"What?" Asami asked incredulously.
Oh Agni, how he loved that expression. He took out a ring from his pocket. The very same ring that his grandfather Zuko gave to his grandmother Mai. He looks up to see Asami's questioning gaze, her mouth half wide open. She was about to say something so he didn't waste any more seconds.
"Asami, marry me."
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End
July 19, 2012
To my wonderful A New Beginning readers (if anyone of you is reading this), I'm getting there. Very soon.