He offered his hand with a comforting smile. Asami reciprocated half-heartedly, her nerves tying into a messy bundle. The darkness of the night was offset by the streetlights and moon. It actually took her three hours to get ready, even with the constant pressure Iroh stressed on arriving before it's too late to officially introduce her. It was worth looking like the epitome of regal beauty. She had walked out of the hotel in a high-neck, red flowing dress that was simultaneously respectable and figure fitting. Her hair was styled up with only one escaped long lock of hair. All in all, she looked good.
They had just passed through the gates to the courtyard. The large, hard intimidating Royal Palace loomed down on her. Asami sensed the unimaginable power it held, wondering if it emanates from the stones or the people inside.
Honestly, it's not like she hasn't met royalty before. She knows her manners and knows how to stay in people's general good graces.
But she's meeting his family as someone romantically involved with him. It's bad enough that they'll already have high standards since he is a high ranking general, but they'll have even greater expectations since he's a prince. A wave of nausea hit her while the cool night air chilled her blood.
Almost a natural reflex, her hand went to the crook of his arm as he helped her out of the Satomobile.
Iroh kissed her forehead. "Don't be nervous. I'm right here."
Her heart tugged in the familiar way he affected her. Lips curling softly, she whispered in a surprisingly steady voice, "I'm fine."
Before they took another step towards the Palace, she stopped. Something told her that she had to do this in that moment. Already a little taller thanks to her heels, she smoothly caressed his face. She had to say it.
"Iroh, I… really care for you. It's more than that but words fail me," her voice tried to convey in deep, breathless tones what she couldn't say.
He kissed her needy lips. "I understand. Asami, you're precious to me too."
Misty-eyed at the soft confession, she had to look away before she started crying (and ruining her makeup). The long path to the palace was daunting but she no longer felt any fear. I found my motivation again, she thought with a smile.
"Let's go," she brusquely pulled him to begin.
She honestly underestimated the walk. Luckily, she didn't break too much of a sweat since it was such a cool night. By the time they finally reached the front foyer, a little bit of her former nervousness crept into her gut. The inside was as lavish as what can be expected of any royal dwelling but this had the trimmings of excess, all down to the diamond chandeliers. She was so absorbed in her new environment she didn't notice they arrived at the enormous doors to the throne room.
Iroh whispered the word, "Breathe."
Asami tried to and realized she didn't notice that she was holding her breath. The doors opened to reveal three thrones: two were lower than the last one which lorded on top. The room itself was spacious with formal red-and-black patterns on the back wall. She glanced over the older couple on the lower thrones and trained her eyes on the old man on the third throne. If it wasn't already obvious by the crown, the legendary burn mark held the tell-tale sign.
She immediately bowed. "Fire Lord Zuko, I am deeply honored to be in your presence. I am a great admirer of you and your heroism."
To her greatest surprise, the old man slowly stood from the throne and bowed back. "The honor is mine, Asami Sato. I have heard much about you."
"Me?" she was caught off-guard. She glanced to her side at Iroh but his eyes were fixed on his grandfather.
"Yes. You are a close friend of the Avatar's. You personally helped to bring down Amon."
"It was the right thing to do," she replied easily.
"You also personally helped to bring down your father."
The truth of that stopped her heart momentarily. Shocking her further, Zuko gradually walked towards her. The couple made a move to help but he held up his hands to keep them at bay. She didn't dare move. Her mind was reeling with the stories she's read and been told about the original Avatar team. Zuko's story always felt the most tragic, the most real.
When Zuko was a foot away from her, he locked eyes with her. Old age had shortened him with deep set wrinkles but he was still lean. She couldn't help but note the same amber eyes Iroh had. Somehow, despite being old, he looked very solid, like he would endure and survive another hundred years.
"I did the same."
The image of electrocuting her father flashed before her eyes. A single tear slipped down her cheek. "We had no choice."
He allowed a small smile on his face. "We did have a choice and we chose to do the right thing."
She couldn't help but glow under the approval of the legendary man. Her face flushed as she couldn't hold back an endearing and goofy smile.
Iroh finally interrupted, "I'm surprised to see you all still in the throne room. I would have thought you'd move to the personal rooms by now."
Zuko turned to him, deathly serious. "There have been some… issues recently. But we can talk about that later. You should take Asami to her room. We can catch up bright and early in the morning."
Iroh placed a guiding hand on the small of her back. "Goodnight, Grandfather. Goodnight, father, mother."
"Have a good night," Asami simply said with a bow of her head.
Once they were outside of the throne room, Iroh grumbled, "It's a shame we can't share a room."
"Of course not!" she gasped, "General Iroh, we're not married."
He smirked, "That can be easily rectified, Ms. Asami. Here's your room."
A dark blush that rivaled the red of the halls flooded her cheeks. She quickly pecked his lips with a shy "goodnight" and ran inside.
Once safe inside, all the lovely warmth of love curled inside her. She closed her eyes and sighed, "I love you."
AN: I know, it's a teaser but I really don't have time to add more. But I do have a very promising scene written out. Two words: Asami badass.