Fugitives can love too
Kuvira was for every meaning of the word a fugitive, having escaped from the national city prison she went to the only place where she knew they wouldn’t look for her, the fire nation. After all that happened before her time, the fire nation took in stragglers from anywhere in the world, to help combat their past transgressions. All she wanted was to lay low and have a quiet somewhat fulfilling life alone until she met you.
-
The sun was on the horizon when you flipped the wooden sign to show that the shop was now open. Owning a cafe wasn’t too bad, people in the Fire Nation loved tea and you would often have many stray animals come and cuddle with the customers so you never ran out of business. The only problem you had in your life was that you were often lonely with the cafe taking up most of your time.
Sure you had a few customers you would call friends, but as soon as you closed the shop you would be alone again. You usually spend whatever downtime you have reading, or going through the bustling Fire Nation markets.
Today was a slow day, Saturdays always were, since that was the day more and more street performers would be outside. Diverting the attention away from the shops and to the streets. You didn’t mind though since you had a clear view of some of them from your vantage point at the counter, and today was no difference.
Performers litter the streets telling stories, whether original or fiction. There were two customers in the cafe right now, an old married couple that came every day, and ordered the same thing. Other than that it was kind of boring on Saturday, with nothing to do and no one to talk to, (bless the old couple's hearts but there are only so many times you can hear the same stories before going a little insane).
There was one other person that would come in on Saturday although it was a little sporadic. She would come in and sit in the back for a few hours without ordering anything, and then leave. You didn’t mind it, You're fine with people just sitting in the cafe as long as they're respectful and aren’t taking up space for paying customers, which on Saturdays she wasn’t.
She never said more than one or two words to you or anyone else, and you never saw her around town. You asked a few customers about her, but all they knew was that she sought refuge in the Fire Nation, no one even knew her name.
The bell rang signaling someone was there, you looked up to see the woman. She nodded at you going to her regular seat. Despite not knowing much about her you could tell she was from the Earth kingdom, not only from her green eyes but her stance, and the way she walked like she was in tune with the earth. She sat down pulling out the small notebook she would sometimes bring with her, and scribbled down some notes.
For the next few hours, all you did was sell a few pastries, watch the performers outside, or stare curiously at the mysterious woman. To you, she was an enigma: her long black hair, her ramrod-straight back as she sat down, and her piercing gaze that made your heartbeat quicken. You definitely weren’t crushing on her. Definitely.
Eventually, the old couple left, leaving you and the woman alone in the cafe. She looked up noticing she was the only one left in the cafe, she put her notebook away and stood up, giving you a short nod and swiftly leaving.
-
Surprisingly the next time you see the woman is when you’re taking a walk late at night. The soft sounds of nature surrounded you, as your shoes clicked against the ground. The streets were empty around this time, except for a figure sitting on a bench by the pond. You light a small flame in your palm walking towards the figure.
They turn around and you recognize it as the mysterious woman from the cafe, “Good evening,” she nods at you settling back on the bench. You sit down a respectable distance from her, slightly giddy at the fact that this is the only time you’ve seen her outside of the cafe. You both sit in peaceful silence, watching the koi fish swim around in the pond, the moonlight reflecting on its surface.
You feel eyes on you turning your head to see her staring at you, when she notices you she quickly turns her gaze back towards the pond, the sight endearing for the usually stoic woman you see at the cafe. This is the most relaxed you have ever seen her, her hair is down from her signature bun, her facial features are more open, and her stature is relaxed.
“I don’t know if you noticed me but I'm Y/n, I own the cafe just down there.” she turns to you raising a brow.
“I know who you are,” You mentally pat yourself on the back for being able to get her to say more than one or two words to you.
“What’s your name,” her brows furrow as if she’s debating on telling you.
“Call me Vira,”
“Okay well, it’s nice to formally meet you Vira,” You hold a hand out for her to shake. She stares at it for a few moments before grasping your hand in hers. Her hand is large and warm, and you can feel the callouses on it, all they do is serve to make your curiosity about her stronger. What did she do before coming here?
Her hand lingers a bit longer than what’s considered friendly but you don't mind, “So what brings you to the Fire Nation Vira?”
She pulls her hands away her face impassive, “Just looking for a change of scenery,” it wasn’t technically a lie.
You nod turning back towards the pond, dozens of questions fly through your head but you don’t want to scare her off, she doesn’t seem like the type to open up so easily. So you both sit in comfortable silence, content with just the sounds of nature and each other's breathing. You don’t know why but you feel at ease around her, maybe it was stupid because you didn’t even really know her. Despite her stoic and tense demeanor, you felt as if there was more under the surface, and you wanted to find it.
Eventually, she stands turning towards you, “It’s getting late you should go home, I could,” she pauses suddenly growing unsure before continuing, “I could walk you home if you want.”
Your eyes widen, before you quickly nod standing up as well. You felt as if you were getting somewhere with her, maybe a step closer to finding out what was under that wall she built so high around her. As you approach your door she gives you a nod.
“Good night,”
The next morning you find a flower on your doormat.
-
Since that night at the pond, small gifts, whether flowers or small trinkets, would be left on your doormat in the morning. You had a pretty good idea of who was leaving them, but you didn’t dare to ask her. She still would come in on Saturdays, but now there would be another day she came in, and this time she would actually order stuff. You two even had small talk but it never went deeper than that.
The bell rang which shocked you considering you just flipped the open sign, walking out of the back you saw Vira standing at the counter, she had an apprehensive look on her face, and her hands were clasped tightly behind her. She bowed at the hip towards you.
“Good morning Y/n,” you raised a brow at the fact that she stayed bowed while talking, but returned her greeting. “Would you do me the honor of taking you to dinner?”
Your heartbeat quickens, had you heard her correctly? Was this a date? Or was she just being friendly? Either way, you weren’t one to look a gift horse in the mouth.
“Okay,” she finally stood back up from her bowed position, giving you a sharp nod.
“Great I’ll come and collect you at closing,” with that, she marched out of the cafe her body still wracked with tension.
You spent the rest of the day counting down the hours until closing, you even considered closing early, but you didn’t want to miss the money that came with the lunch rush. Eventually, it was time for closing, and you excitedly made sure everything in the cafe was taken care of before leaving. Just as you lock the door up, you hear footsteps behind you. Turning around you see Vira with a small bouquet outstretched towards you.
You take the flowers breathing in their scent, “Thank you,” she nods holding out her arm. You take it letting her lead you through the city streets. With the sun on the horizon, it gives everything a warm glow including Vira, The sun accents her sharp features, in a way that takes your breath away.
The date itself is a tasteful dinner date, in which you learn more about her childhood, she ignores any questions about her teen life and up, which makes you slightly fractured, but you understand it will come with time. In the end, you both take a stroll through the city arm and arm, unwilling to let the date end.
“And that’s why I was never allowed in the kitchen again,” you laugh as she finishes telling you a story. It was endearing that she couldn’t cook to save her life, but it gave you an idea for a future date.
But like all good things it had to come to an end, you eventually saw your house in the distance and knew your time together was dwindling (for tonight at least). You stopped in front of your door smiling at Vira.
“I had a nice time tonight.” It was dark but you swear you see a pink tint to her cheeks.
“As did I, would it be too forward to say I hope there is more of tonight in our future?” Her hands are clasped tightly behind her back, something you know now she does when nervous, it’s adorable.
“Only if it’s too forward for me to say I’ll be counting down the minutes until then.” she lets out a small sigh of relief.
“Then you wouldn’t object to lunch, and a walk through the park on Saturday?” Instead of answering you take a step closer kissing her on the cheek.
“Sounds perfect,” you pull away, relishing in the darkening of her cheeks.
-
You watched from the doorway, amused at Vira’s attempt at making cake batter. A string of curse words left her mouth, and she dumped another failed attempt in the garbage can. You couldn’t help but laugh at the scowl on her face, which deepened when she noticed you.
“I don’t know how you do this. It must be black magic.” Watching her get pouty was the highlight of your day. You walk towards her putting your hands on her shoulders, and her’s immediately go to your waist pulling you closer.
“Or maybe you’re just not meant for the kitchen,” You kiss her nose causing it to scrunch up cutely.
Okay so maybe life with you wasn’t all that amazing.