Iroh didn't move for a minute, but kept his eyes on the candle. He shook his head a few moments later. "You can keep it."
"I was just- it's just that the place was dark." I stopped myself before I could incriminate myself any longer. He had to know that I wouldn't steal from the place, right? I wasn't some common theif or anything like the sort.
"Are you here to meet someone?" Iroh broke the awkward silence with one of the most awkward subjects he possibly could in my opinion. I knew what he was getting at now. He probably thought I was some sleazy teenager here to get down and dirty with some strange guy.
"No, I'm not that kind of girl." I turned away from him to face the palm trees instead. "I guess you'd get the impression that being Osamu's sister, I'd be just like him."
"I wasn't assuming anything, it was just a question." I couldn't see his face, but the tone of his voice had a hint of amusement to it.
"Who are you here to meet?" If he could innocently ask, so could I. And unlike him, I was assuming that he was indeed there to meet someone.
"I'm not that kind of guy," he leaned against the railing too, looking out at the trees. "This is my family's home. That and I couldn't stay one more minute down at that party. I doubt Osamu has noticed I'm gone. Last time I spotted him, he had a girl stuck to his face."
I couldn't help but laugh at that. I was right, my brother was a man-whore. The thought of anyone being stupid enough to fall for his lame pickup lines was too much to handle. "You don't get to see a lot of action in training, do you?"
"Action.." Iroh must have known what I meant by 'action' but he didn't let on more than that.
"It's okay to admit that you both are the same when it comes to females."
"I'm not like your brother. Besides, there aren't many young women enlisting. I'm not about to make a move on a superior either."
"So why aren't you down there with a girl stuck to your face as well?" I looked back at him, honestly curious as to why the crowned prince wasn't surrounded by Ember Island's finest. Iroh wouldn't look at me so I nudged him with my elbow. "It was kidding. I don't think you're anything like my brother."
"That's the nicest thing I've ever heard you say," he smiled, his attention finally on me. I was about to protest that he had never given me one chance to say something nice to him. He was always too eager to get rid of me whenever he and my brother went off to do whatever they did, even as kids.
"I've changed since you two joined the Forces, I'm very mature now." I tried to keep the straight face, but it wasn't easy. They had only been gone for two years and no one could classify me as mature. In fact, I knew that I was childish and I didn't have the best temper.
"I can see that." Iroh's gaze lowered again, just for a brief second before looking back in to my eyes.
I froze right then and there. I couldn't have just imagined that, could I? It was a fraction of a second, but he had let himself check me out. I wasn't sure how to feel about that. I mean, he was Prince Iroh, for goodness sake! He was also my brother's best friend. Nothing could happen and I knew that. Still, my heart jumped about in my chest.
The conversation changed again as we both sat down and watched the breeze against the palm trees. We talked about life at home, I caught him up with what everyone had been doing for the past two years. He, in turn, talked about the training he and Osamu had to go through every day. I watched him as he talked about it. I'd known Iroh most of my life and I had never seen him so passionate about something like this. The way his eyes widened every time he spoke of all the good things this could bring to our nation, I was mesmerized by them.
"Some day, I'm going to do something great. I know I'm capable of it."
I smiled, knowing he could do whatever he set his sights on. I wish I could be like him, but I wasn't like him at all. I had no passion for anything and I doubted I would find something soon. I closed my eyes as the breeze get stronger, I had to take a moment to enjoy how good it felt on my face. When I opened them, I realized Iroh had stopped talking. He was looking at me once again. The smile on his face was faint but it was there.
"What?" I asked, feeling my cheeks beginning to burn again.
Iroh simply shook his head at me, not answering my question. Was there something on my face. I reached up with one hand, feeling my warm cheeks. Iroh leaned over, taking a hold of my other hand. Our hands touched for a minute before he grabbed the candle. I wasn't aware that I had been holding on to it for this long. His body was closer to mine and I slightly turned sideways. With our body's turning to each other, the candle was the only thing separating us.
I looked up at him, my head slightly tilted to the side. Iroh's eyes searched for something in my eyes, his eyebrows furrowed for a minute before he leaned down closer. I wanted to move in, I wanted to break the distance between us, but I didn't want to make a fool of myself.
Iroh brought his fingers up to the tip of the candle and set it ablaze. The warmth of the flame was comforting to me, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I felt Iroh's hand lightly touch my cheek before feeling his warm lips brushing against mine. My heart was literally beating out of my chest by now. Nothing could ruin this.
"IROH!" The distant voice of Osamu made me jump back at bit. Iroh and I both felt the melted wax from the handle hit our skin at the same time and he pulled away. He quickly stood up, looking back in to the house. Osamu had to be in getting closer because his calls got louder and louder. I stood up as well, with the now extinguished candle in my hand.