Amethyst

A/N: Some of you really know where this story is heading. lol All in good time, lovely readers! ;D Today is my dad's birthday, so I'm going to make this one a little short. Expect a longer one tomorrow! Also, thank you for 100 follows!

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Summer

Summer in Republic City was a mild one. The sun stayed out long enough to lightly tan everybody's skin and warmed enough to make going to the beach a popular leisure activity. Even the busy people, like Asami and Iroh, found time to put on their swimsuits and play around in the sand.

The day Asami and Iroh went to the beach, it was packed. People were everywhere. They considered just going back to Asami's house to swim, but Asami wasn't about to let a crowd of people keep her from her suntan. Ignoring the looks and whispers, they found a nice spot to lay down their towels and Iroh helped her put her suntan lotion on her back.

"Are you sure you're okay with this?" he asked her quietly. "We're not going to get much privacy here."

"It's fine," she responded, carefully braiding her long dark hair. "I'd still like to enjoy the beach, wouldn't you?"

His hands were warm against her exposed skin, and she caught his smile. "You're right." He finished rubbing the lotion onto her back and stood up as she laid down on her towel. "I'm going to go get something to eat. Would you like anything?"

"No, I'm okay," she said, closing her eyes. "Thank you."

She listened to Iroh step through the sand toward the food stand on the boardwalk a ways off, and she shifted into a comfortable position to start tanning. The sun was warm on her skin, and soon she was dozing off a bit, the sounds of the people playing and splashing around almost comforting, in a way. Just as she was falling asleep, a shadow fell over her. She blinked uncomfortably, not bothering to hide her annoyance when she saw the cockily grinning teenager standing over her.

"Hey there, babe," he said.

"I'm not interested in anything you have to say," she said, closing her eyes. "Please stop blocking my sun."

"Now, don't be like that, sugar," he said, leaning over to block more light.

Asami sighed, giving him a glare. "Look, I'm trying to enjoy my day off, and you're really not helping. Please leave."

"No need to be rude, little momma," he said. "I just want to have some fun."

"I believe she said she wasn't interested."

Asami gave Iroh a frustrated look for stepping in to help, but kept her protests to herself when she saw the tense set of his shoulders and the wicked glare he had set on the presumptuous teenager. The kid stepped back warily.

"Hey, man, I didn't mean anything by it," he said, cautiously looking behind him before darting off. Iroh followed his run with his eyes before taking up a seat beside Asami, a dripping pair of ice cream cones in his hands.

"I can handle myself, you know," Asami said a little harsher than she intended. Iroh gave a small sigh and let the tension drop from his shoulders as he met her eyes.

"I know," he admitted. "But something came over me when I saw him talking to you. I'm sorry."

She heard the sincerity in his voice and let her annoyance at being helped slip away. She eyed the two ice cream cones with a lifted eyebrow. "I thought I said I wasn't hungry."

"I know. These are both for me," he said with a smirk. She smiled at him and snatched up the treat he had bought for her. The cold cream was delicious on her tongue. It really hit the spot.

"Thank you, anyway," she said between bites. He gave her a small smile, reading her double meaning.

"You're welcome," he said.

They ate in silence for a while, the laughs of the people around them permeating the air. She cast him a small look from the corner of her eye, a devious smile lifting up as a thought came to mind. Scooping a bit of her ice cream with her finger, she dropped a bit of the chilled treat onto Iroh's exposed back. He gave an undignified yelp and jolted up, attempting to get it off. She laughed loudly.

"Oh, you're asking for it," he said with a glare, holding his own cone up threateningly. Her eyes widened and she bolted from her spot, laughing and screaming as he chased her, trying to get revenge.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

A/N: Just a little fun. :) Please review!