Zhau-Li sighed deeply as he walked through the palace hallways and tried to ignore the water tribe teen that was tailing him.
Ever since Zhau-Li had come sort of clean on their tour… Sokka had been squinting his eyes at him often and tried to follow him around. But hadn't approached him or asked any questions in the matter.
And what was really annoying was that Zhau-Li didn't even know where he stood in this matter! It's not like he had ever tried anything like this before or… had that sort of weird feelings. He had kind of ended up assuming that maybe, he just never would have that sort of feelings. Women had always been so nice to him, and people had encouraged him to ask some of them out but Zhau-Li had just never really… wanted too.
Zhau-Li bowed his head deeply as he sighed deeply.
"Hey! Zhau-Li!" Zhau-Li's eyes widened as he stood up straight, then slowly, slowly he turned to see a fellow servant casually coming towards him and Zhau-Li's cheeks heated.
The guy was only one year older than Zhau-Li, his skin was unusually dark for a fire nation man but that only made his warm orange eye stand out so much more against his dark skin and pitch black hair. His body was toned, his uniform finest silk as it was for those who were allowed to serve the royals directly.
"Oh! Ryoma!" Zhau-Li exclaimed as he stood up straight. "Hi!"
Ryoma stood in front of Zhau-Li as he lifted an eyebrow. "Is it just me or have you been avoiding me?" he asked. "You came back four days ago and when-ever I catch you you're apparently busy."
"No!" Zhau-Li yelped then glanced behind himself where he knew Sokka was hiding behind a pillar and then sighed. "It's not like that." he finally said.
Ryoma looked at Zhau-Li, his orange eyes ones again standing so clear against his darker skin.
"I'm sorry." Zhau-Li looked away. "It really isn't like that."
"No. No I get it." Ryoma sighed deeply. "You're not ready. I suppose you being so close to the fire lord you wouldn't want to risk your position like that."
Zhau-Li's eyes widened. Oh no! Ryoma got it all wrong! It really wasn't like that! Zhau-Li's cheek burned as he still remembered… A short kiss. Just a short little one before he left on his travel and Ryoma whispering to him that he should get him a souvenir.
"I guess I should go then." Ryoma said as he turned around, clearly about to leave.
"RYOMA WAIT!" Zhau-Li grabbed his arm and Ryoma halted. "It… It's really not like that."
Ryoma frowned as he turned and looked at Zhau-Li. "Listen to me Zhau-Li. You need to know what you want. I am not ready for this kind of stuff again where I am the only one willing to be honest."
"LORD ZUKO ALREADY KNOWS!" Zhau-Li sthoued and Ryoma halted.
"What?" he asked then turned back to Zhau-Li looked beyond shocked.
"I told him." Zhau-Li swallowed. "I told him I had feelings for someone… And it wasn't a woman… and I never had feelings for anyone before."
"Oh." Ryoma blinked astounded. "I… What did he say?"
"He was confused… But said as long as I was happy that was all that mattered." Zhau-Li swallowed. "The reason I have been… IS BECAUSE OF THAT ASSHOLE OVER THERE!" he pointed and Ryoma turned to him. "I know you are there Sokka! Get out here!"
It took a little while then slowly… A water tribe boy appeared looking up at them with his blue eyes.
Ryoma blinked. "Ambassador Sokka?" he asked.
"Isn't privacy a thing on the south pole?" Zhau-Li asked.
"Not really. We all live right next to each other in huts and tents." Sokka admitted. "I'm sorry I just… I never heard of… a guy.. and a guy. How would you even?" he asked.
"You told him too?" Ryoma asked Zhau-Li and Zhau-Li blushed deeply.
"It just… sort of slipped." Zhau-Li admitted as he swallowed.
"Does… everyone of your friends know?" Ryoma asked.
Zhau-Li halted… then looked down. "I'm sorry." he muttered.
"That…" Ryoma halted. "You don't need to apologize for that! It's actually… Great!" he said.
"It… is?" Zhau-Li asked.
"Yeah." Ryoma sighed. "I had a boyfriend ones before." he sighed. "But he wasn't ready… He wanted to keep it a secret. From everybody… All the time. So he would lie.. and make me lie for him. It was a living hell. I rather not."
"Oh." Zhau-Li realized. "I didn't realize."
"And let me be clear!" Sokka exclaimed. "That's not what I wanted either! I was just curious okay?" he asked. "And Zhau-Li is an honorary member of the southern water tribe! So that means he's kind of like my tribe brother you know? And he looks after Zuko when I am not here! So I just want to make sure he doesn't get himself into something bad with some dude none of us know."
Ryoma lifted an eyebrow and Sokka approached him looking up at him. "Palace servant hmm? And high ranking. You are allowed to serve the royals."
"Yes I served fire lord Ozai personally on occasion." Ryoma informed. "Servants were hand picked for the fire lord. Based on skill, family and looks."
"Servants are picked for their looks?" Sokka blinked.
"Of course. It's part of the aesthetic." Ryoma shrugged. "Also how I managed to dodge the draft." he smirked. "I worked at this palace since the age of ten and when it was time for the draft. I was so well trained and good looking they didn't want to get rid of me."
At that Zhau-Li's eyes widened and he turned his head away as he blushed deeply.
"You're not that good looking." Sokka commented dryly.
Ryoma just shrugged and then cast a bit of black smooth hair behind his shoulder. "Fortunately for me your opinion doesn't matter." he smirked.
And Zhau-Li's cheeks burned even hotter… he had to disagree with Sokka… Ryoma was gorgeous. Also his confidence was… Something else.
"And you served Ozai." Sokka commented dryly.
"On occasion." Ryoma informed. "And thank Agni not for long! Servants who served Ozai didn't tend to last that long. Just one wrong move and out on the field you go." he waved his hand. "The turn over was insane. Quite frankly."
"Then… Why serve?" Sokka asked.
"Well… It was either that or the draft so." Ryoma clicked his tongue. "And I got three younger siblings who relies on my income. Dad's a decorated lieutenant out on the field which is how I could get a job here, as a favor…. After he got killed that is. And mom used to be a stay at home wife tried to earn some money sewing clothes but well… Because she never had to work before. It really wasn't the highest quality sewing jobs if you understand what I mean. Still aren't… I mean she tries. But yeah… Doesn't beat a palace salary." he shrugged.
"Oh… Okay… I see." Sokka sighed.
"He's cool Sokka." Zhau-Li assured.
"Just be careful okay!" Sokka exclaimed. "You are very close to the fire lord! There are a lot of people who would like to take advantage of that."
"Sokka seriously?!" Zhau-Li exclaimed.
"I'm just saying." Sokka held up his hands.
"I'm… So sorry." Zhau-Li looked at Ryoma.
Ryoma how-ever laughed. "I tried much worse believe me!" he stated. "And I still can't believe you just told everyone! You got guts!" he beamed. "That still makes me smile all over just thinking about it." he looked softly at Zhau-Li.
"Oh erhm." Zhau-Li reached into his pocket and finally found a package which he offered to Ryoma. "Here."
Ryoma blinked.
"A souvenir…. From Lu." Zhau-Li blushed and Ryoma smiled as he slowly started to open it, then brightened up as a small golden knife was revealed. With a beautiful golden handle and a shining blade.
"Well… This sure is a fine gift." Ryoma said as he looked up. "Should come in handy too."
"I'm glad you like it." Zhau-Li blushed. "I didn't know what you would like to be honest."
"You're cute." Ryoma smirked then kissed Zhau-Li on the cheek. "I love it… Meet me in the garden after dinner? And perhaps… without Mr. Ambassador here?"
"Sure!" Zhau-Li exclaimed and Ryoma grinned then winked.
"I'll count the seconds." he said. "Sorry Zhau-Li. Ambassador Sokka." he made a formal bow. "Duty calls!" and he headed off.
"Show off." Sokka huffed.
Zhau-Li how-ever was touching his cheek where it had been kissed, and he was a big smile as Sokka glanced at him.
"Oh… So you really like him." Sokka concluded.
"Yeah…" Zhau-Li hung his head. "I think I really do." he swallowed.
"Oh." Sokka quieted. "I'm sorry I made it awkward for you." he said sincerely. "He seems nice."
"Heh… Thank you." Zhau-Li smiled lightly in a deep blush. "Well I am glad everyone is taking it so well."
"Of course we are. We're your friends." Sokka said. "If anyone weren't taken it well….. They wouldn't be a real friend at all!" he said.
"I guess that's true." Zhau-Li had to admit.