She opened her eyes. The fountain and the surrounding square, which had been completely dark mere seconds ago, were bathed in a warm light. The small flames inside the lanterns had been lit and their reflections were glistening in the fountain. Jin admired it with wonder. As promised, she had not peeked. She had not seen him lightening the flames with firebending. Still, once she overcame her initial surprise, she knew. She knew that this had only been possible with some form of magic or some supernatural force. She had never left the city and never seen a firebender herself, yet from what she had heard, Lee's physical appearance matched the descriptions of citizens of the fire nation perfectly. The pale skin, dark hair and the amber color of his eyes. The incident a couple of nights ago, when a confused boy with hooks attacked him in the tea shop, Lee's secretive behavior, it suddenly all made sense.

A sensible earth kingdom peasant would be scared. This was biggest red flag she had ever encountered. And there had been some before. If someone else were to tell her about some hot firebender living incognito in Ba Sing Se, she'd tell them to run. But still, why didn't she run? Why didn't this change her opinion of the boy standing next to her?

All she could feel was warmth and gratitude. He had risked being exposed just to alleviate her disappointment about the fountain. It seemed like it had been a completely altruistic act. None of the boys she went out with before had been sweet without having some kind of hidden agenda.

She tried to take it all in. The beauty of the lights. Lee standing next to her, feeling his eyes on her, knowing him observing her reaction.

She took his hand. Before she managed to say anything, he had pulled out a coupon out of his pocket and held it right in front of her nose She chuckled. "This is so sweet."

"Don't thank me, it was my uncle's…." he mumbled and paused.

Jin cut in before he continued "Lee, I have something for you, too."

She swallowed, raised her hand to cup his cheek. "Now it's your turn to close your eyes."

When he complied, she took a step forward and her lips met his. She felt like his lips briefly followed hers but he immediatley stepped back before she could respond to it and deepen the kiss.

"Whats' wrong?"

"It's complicated. I have to go." He made to leave.

"Stop." Was all she could utter. She ran after him and although she was wearing this long unpractical dress she somehow managed to catch up to him and grab his arm forcing him to stop. The were now standing in a dark alleyway, shielded from view by laundry hanging lowly on leashes spanned between the shabby barracks.

"I know what you did and you don't have to stay or go on another date with me but please don't leave just because you are afraid I might denounce you." The words were tumbling out of her mouth. "I'm sorry you have to hide, and I am aware that I have no idea what you must feel like…" She rambled on.

"… and sorry if I make you uneasy." Her outburst was followed by an uncomfortable silence. Jin lowered her eyes and focused on the muddy hem of her oversized skirt.

"You don't." He responded quietly.

She realized she was still holding his arm and quickly withdrew her hand. "Well, I'll leave you to it. Goodnight Lee."

She turned to leave when she felt his hand reaching out and brushing hers, leaving a warm sensation on her skin "Goodnight Jin."

He disappeared in the dark with a shy smile on his face, leaving Jin, retracing the spot where his hand touched hers.

He was long gone and out of sight when Jin sighed and began to make her way back home. Thinking to herself "This is a start".


I don't know where this is going. I have too much time on my hands because of Covid. Your reviews are appreciated. This is my first fanfic and English is not my native language, so please bear with me...