Amethyst

A/N: And suddenly I realized how much I actually like Asami. :O Perhaps after this challenge I'll write something Asami-centric (with Irosami, cause I love it). -thinks about possible plotlines- Cause I love drabbles, but I like longer stories more. :)

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Look

Asami knew how much power a single look could have. She knew that if she turned her face a certain way or met someone's eyes from just under her eyelashes that she could get what she wanted. She knew that a single glance and a slow smile could get some of the business heads involved with her company to sway in her direction. But that was business. With Iroh, she created a whole new art style.

And she wasn't alone.

She was quick to realize that Iroh had his own style of glances, and whether he realized it or not, they had quite the effect on her. Some were quick looks paired with small smiles, others were lingering stares that made her skin crawl. She'd try to match his look with one of her own. She liked the face he made when she glanced up at him from across the table the most.

Somehow, it turned into a game. A game of who could make the other more uncomfortable. Whoever broke first lost, and Asami wasn't about to lose that game.

It started with a bit of teasing. A glance or two while they were talking, a lingering look while they were walking. Iroh would pull a face and she would laugh. It was lighthearted and silly. But as the game continued, it became more serious and daring.

She knew things were taking the step to the next level when he came to one of her production meetings with her buyers, he had sent her a scorching look from across the room. He was honestly there for business purposes on behalf of the United Forces, but the look he gave her had such a heated shiver racing down her spine that she struggled to continue to be professional throughout the rest of the meeting. She sent him a glare every time she saw his smug smile.

Not soon after, they got an invite to have dinner on Air Temple Island. Asami was excited to go see their old friends again, especially Tenzin and Pema and spoke animatedly about the event for a couple days. As they prepared to leave for the island, Asami started to notice the suspicious looks Iroh would give her. She realized he was still waiting for her to make her move in their little game. She tried to hide her smile of amusement as they road the ferry to Air Temple Island.

"We're just here for dinner," he verified for the third time.

She smiled and nodded. "Just for dinner."

"No surprises?" he asked suspiciously.

She shrugged. "If there are, they're not from me."

He wasn't convinced, but kept his suspicions to himself as they docked.

Korra was excited to have Asami back on the island and greeted her with a hug. Mako and Bolin greeted her warmly as well, the former with a little less excitement than the latter. The younger firebender held a slightly distrustful eye for the General of the United Forces, but tried not to make it too obvious. Iroh noticed, of course, but decided not to comment about it. Asami just ignored her ex-boyfriend's strange behavior.

Pema and Tenzin met them at the doors of the temple, the air children running around wildly in excitement. Ikki tailed after Asami, asking her a whole slew of questions with made the older girl laugh. Sometimes she missed spending time at the island. All the people there held such a familiar warmth.

They sat down for a lovely dinner prepared by Pema, crowding around the small table. Asami took up a spot between Tenzin's wife and the girl Avatar while Iroh sat across from her beside Bolin and Jinora. He gave her a questioning look, but she merely shrugged and turned to speak with Pema.

Dinner went on without a hitch. The food was well-received and the conversation was lively. Bolin was animated as he spoke to Iroh. They seemed to hit it off better now that they weren't tied together and behind bars. Korra was a little quieter than Asami expected, but she could tell that the girl Avatar was a little worried, shooting concerned glances at the more broody than normal Mako. It was clear that he still wasn't too keen about Iroh, and the scowl on his face was becoming more prominent with every passing moment that his brother became more chummy with the General. He looked like he was about to say something, but Tenzin said something first.

"Iroh, how is your grandfather doing?" he asked.

Iroh finished the food in his mouth before giving him his attention. "Very good, thank you. He's taken to writing haikus lately. He's actually quite good at it, and now he thinks he missed his calling in life."

A chuckle ran around the table.

"He sounds like a cool guy," Bolin said. "Is he always so chill?"

"He's lightened up a lot since my mother took over the duties as Fire Lord," Iroh answered. "But he's still really serious about his training."

"Man, he must really be an awesome bender," Bolin gushed. "Was he the one that taught you that flying around with firebending thing that you did when the planes took off during the fight with Amon?"

Iroh gave a small chuckle. "Actually, my mother taught me that one."

Bolin gave a low whistle as a chorus of amazed sounds went around the table. Korra's face lit up at the sound of a powerful female bender. Asami smiled at Ikki's quiet exclamation of "sweet!".

"Man, that's not fair," Bolin said. "Your whole family is just made up of awesome benders."

"That's not actually true," Iroh argued. "Between all four of my siblings, only my younger sister and I can bend."

"Then the crown prince of the Fire Nation is a non-bender?" Mako asked in disbelief.

Iroh was calm, but Asami caught the sharpness in his eyes at the accusation. His response was easy and time-worn, like he had defended his brother's honor many times before.

"My grandfather trained Kuzon in the art of swordplay and meditation, just as he did with the rest of us," he said with a sip of tea. "His skills are unparalleled, but it is his dedication to his studies and strategy which make him a worthy heir for the throne. A great leader does not need to be a powerful bender."

Something about the way he said it resonated through Asami. She met his eyes from across the table, holding them for a long moment. He recognized the admiration she had for his words about his brother, and his obvious stance on how he viewed non-benders. As a non-bender who grappled her way through the oppression of the Equalist revolution, it was refreshing to have such a powerful bender see non-benders in such a favorable way. She gave him a slow smile that spoke volumes about her feelings about it. He met her look with a smile of his own.

"Well, I think Kuzon will make a wonderful Fire Lord," Pema announced. "It's refreshing to see some decent non-benders in positions of power for once." She adjusted Rohan's blankets as the baby shifted in her arms. "Personally, I'm still hoping this one turns out to be a non-bender." She smiled at Tenzin's disappointed face. "No offense, dear."

"It's alright," Tenzin sighed as a laugh passed around the table. "I'm sure Rohan will be great, regardless of if he can bend or not."

They smiled at each other before Ikki jumped from her seat, announcing that it was time for dessert. They enjoyed Jinora's first attempt at baking cream puffs and laughed as the night took a lighter turn. The stars were well in the sky when they finally prepared to leave, and they shared a few promises to have another dinner again soon. Mako took a moment to speak privately with Iroh before they left and they all waved goodbye as their ferry left the docks. Leaning against the railing as the cool night breeze blew through her hair, Asami glanced over at Iroh standing beside her.

"What did Mako say to you?" she asked.

Iroh's lips lifted a bit. "Oh, nothing really. He just professed his undying love for me." Asami gave him a disbelieving look and he struggled to keep a straight face. "Okay, okay. He only wanted to apologize for what he had said about Kuzon."

Asami let her lips lift up in a half smile. "You didn't seem that surprised that he said that."

Iroh shrugged half-heartedly. "There are a lot of people that prefer me to be the heir over my brother. It's an old tradition to have a firebender on the throne, and my family's decision to crown Kuzon has been difficult for many to accept. It's been an upward struggle for him to earn the respect of our people."

"I'm sure he'd appreciate what you said about him," Asami told him. "I know I did."

He gave her a careful smile. "I'm glad to hear that."

She smiled, and leaned into his shoulder. He contentedly put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer. They enjoyed the view of the night sky and the slowly approaching harbor in content silence, the soft sound of the boat's engine pushing through the water humming in the background.

"You know, I was convinced that you were going to pull something back there," Iroh admitted softly.

She gave him an amused smile. "What do you mean?"

He gave her a suspicious look. "Don't act like you don't know."

She laughed. "You mean, something like this?" She met his eyes from just under her lashes and held it there, her smile creeping up as his expression froze, his eyes flashing something dark and dangerous. His fingers gripped into her shoulder and he dipped in to press his lips roughly against hers. The kiss was hot and heavy, and when he pulled away, Asami struggled to catch her breath. The look he gave her had an excited curl of fear to pool in her stomach.

"Promise me something," he whispered against her lips. Her eyes darted down to his parted lips. "Never look at anybody else like that."

She gave a breathy laugh. "I promise."

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A/N: Well… this was surprisingly long for something that didn't sit too well with me. This is an example of why writing every day is really a challenge. Some days, your best ideas just refuse to come out. Salvaged it a bit in the end. I tried! Thanks for reading anyway, guys. lol