Amethyst

A/N: You know guys, I'm sad but really excited that Amethyst is almost done. It's been a HUGE project that's really challenged me at times. (Updating every day is REALLY hard!) But, I'm not through with Irosami yet. I've got a few things in the woodworks, especially now that Irosami week is coming up!

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Promise

It was the right time of year for a vacation: a beautiful day with a gorgeous sunset, the waves of the calmly shifting ocean lapping up at her feet as she walked the beach. She wore her new two-piece swimsuit with a lightweight flowered sarong around her hips, and her recently air-dried hair hanging down loosely. It was a beautiful trip to a well-known Fire Nation resort, with beautiful scenery and a great atmosphere, but despite the promise of beauty and relaxation, Asami was mad.

It wasn't over anything worth being angry about, but she was feeling a little more than put out by recent events. Originally, Iroh brought her to this lovely resort for a quick week-long get away from their lives but while things started out nice and calm, it quickly went from bad to worse. It started with bad room service followed shortly by unwanted attention by the hotel assistant, but what really had her frustrated was how awkwardly attentive Iroh was being to her. In retrospect, he was probably just being respectful and doting upon her in a way that he believed she deserved, but everything he did for her just added to her annoyance. Finally, she snapped, snatching her hand away from him when he reached to take it.

"I'm not a child," she quipped with a glare. "Quit treating me like one."

She purposefully ignored the confused look upon his face and they walked back to their room in silence and for the rest of the afternoon she sat by the window, stewing about how Iroh acted and wondering if she was too harsh. It was her pride that stopped her from apologizing first. The longer she waited for him to apologize, the more irrationally upset she became until finally, she decided to go on a walk along the beach. One beautiful sunset viewed husbandless later, she was starting to regret being so hardheaded.

Asami gave a deep sigh and kicked the water moving around her ankles. She felt so uncomfortable. This wasn't the first time she had fought with Iroh throughout their relationship, but it was the first time she had truly felt angry at him to the point that she almost didn't want to make up. She wanted to be mad and pick a fight with him, but the thought made her so sad and when it came down to it, she really just wanted to make up with him and get back to enjoying their rather late honeymoon. But here she was, still being stubborn and reluctant to make things better between them all for the sake of her pride. And damn, was she being childish about it.

She kicked the water again.

She didn't really know what had come over her. Maybe it was the result of building frustrations, but she quickly started noticing all the little things Iroh was doing, like holding doors open or explaining her situation for her to somebody who asked. Somewhere internally, she knew that all of that was a result of his upbringing, respect your wife and treat her kindly, but she was an independent woman who struggled to prove herself capable of caring for herself day in and day out.

She glared out at the sunset doubtfully. Maybe she was too hung up on independence.

Or maybe he really was being overprotective.

Asami groaned.

"This is so stupid. Why am I still upset about this?" she asked out loud. "I'm ruining a perfectly good vacation by getting upset about independence, of all things. What is wrong with me?"

She gave the water another good kick, the cold liquid splashing all the way up to her stomach. She gave a weary sigh and wiped the water off her warm skin. Here she was, walking around stewing through her confusing angry emotions, but when it came down to it, she really just wanted a hug. She was suddenly struck with the idea that he would be mad at her for being mad at him, and she was reminded so sharply of how badly things turned out for her the last time she fought in one of her relationships. She was right, of course, but it hurt so bad to see Mako's glare pointed her way and hear his accusing voice rise with hers. She struggled not to let him see how badly his actions had hurt her while her whole world crumbled around her. She was bent on proving that she could handle herself and that she wouldn't back down that it worried her even now.

Despite the fact that she knew Iroh loved her and she knew he wouldn't leave her for a silly little argument, she worried that things wouldn't go back to the way they were. She worried that her stubborn desire for independence would come off as callous indifference and anger. But she never wanted that. She needed him more than she was willing to admit to, and the idea that she might push him away with her irrational behaviors was like a sharp stab in the heart.

She bit her lip and stared out at the slowly falling sun. She really should have gone back and apologized to him. It wasn't his fault she was feeling uncomfortable and irritable that day. She cast a wistful look back over her shoulder to where she left him and jumped in surprise. From a couple paces away, Iroh gave her a sheepish look.

"I was rather hoping you wouldn't notice me for a little while longer," he said. "You have an absolutely stunning backside."

Her heart settled heavily in her chest. "Iroh…"

He met her eyes and gave a quiet sigh, rubbing the back of his neck. "I've been following you since you left. I was worried I might have said something that made you angry and I just wanted to apolo-"

"Stop." Iroh hesitated, his words dying on his tongue. Asami let her eyes fall to the sand. "You shouldn't have to apologize to me. It wasn't your fault."

"But I still-"

"Iroh, please," she begged. "It will only make me feel worse."

Reluctantly, the firebender closed his mouth, his golden eyes burning holes across her skin as he tried to read her. She stared at the ground, feeling lower than the sand that wormed its way between her toes. Eventually, he took a couple steps forward and, to her surprise, pulled her into his arms. Her face pressed against the warm skin of his chest and his fingers comfortingly threaded their way through her tangled dark hair. He leaned in and softly left a lingering kiss beneath her ear, his warm breath passing over her skin like tiny fingers.

"What are you torturing yourself for?" he asked in a whisper.

"I'm scared," she admitted. Her hands rose up to clutch him close to her. "I don't want to lose the one good thing I have in my life by being selfish."

He held her closely for one long moment. "How can you lose something that's already yours?"

"That's a question too easily answered," she said reluctantly.

"I seem to recall making you a promise a couple weeks ago." He pulled her away far enough so that he could look into her eyes. "And in that promise, I recall saying that even in the bad times, or the times where we disagree, I will continue to love you unconditionally. You will have to do a whole lot more than glare at me and say a couple harsh words to get me to break that promise, my love."

She gave him a small smile. "I'm sorry."

He kissed her forehead. "So am I. Now please, love. As much as I like standing on the beach talking about our feelings, I have other things in mind for tonight."

Her small smile took on a devious look. "I think I can agree to that."

"Good," he said, scooping her up in his arms. "Because I promise that you'll forget everything you were angry about once I'm through with you."

She laughed and kissed him fully on the mouth. "I'm holding you to that promise, love."

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A/N: pfft. That ending. Oh well! Internet was being a butt for me today, otherwise I would have posted this earlier. Thanks for reading you guys! Two more to go!