jintletealeaf

[jintletealeaf]

🌿-- Silence settled across Jin's features as she continued to watch his hands . ❝ I think it is . ❞ Jin began gently , ❝ Everyone does something that helps them when they get nervous . Mine's playing with my hair , or my clothes , or my teacup , and yours is playing with your hands . I promise , it's not a bad thing . There are worse habits out there . ❞ His next words made Jin tilt her head slightly , as a question covered her features . She wanted to ask what he was distracted { [ f r o m } } while doing that , but she didn't want to pry . After all , they had only just met . It wouldn't be right of her to do . As he talked , Jin caught the sight of something { { m o v i n g } } out of the corner of her eye . She glanced down to see his hands once again shuffling and moving in a motion that reminded her of tea steam . She wanted to take them , but thought that might be too forward . She thought it was interesting how he seemed to play it { { o f f } } like it was just one of his quirks ; but , she knew it was deeper than that . She always knew things like that , even if he wasn't saying much about it .

❝ I'm sorry to hear that you have thoughts like that . if what you do with your hands helps , then I'm glad but , I know that it's not always that easy . I'm glad to hear that you're alright , though . Not everyone's as lucky as you are . ❞

She gave him a shrug , small but noticeable . The smile on her lips matched his , even as his hand extended to her out of thin air . Her eyes { { f l i c k e r e d } } downward to his hand , then right back up to his eyes . He made jokes ? She'd remember that . ❝ I would hope they're safe to shake . I just watched you use them for , about , five minutes . ❞

Her own teasing tone filled the space between them , but it was sincere in nature . She took his hand with her own , smiling softly at how his hand made hers look so small . He had soft hands , warm to the touch and comforting , like being welcomed home after a long day . Something she didn't expect .

It would seem that he was full of surprises .

❝ Jet , huh ? You don't hear that name in Ba Sing Se much . Where are you from ? ❞

It made him a little uneasy the way she stared at his hands as they moved anxiously, wondering why it was so fascinating to the girl and if it really was that obvious. Had others noticed? Or was this girl just very observant? "Is it... really that interesting?" He asked her, forcing his hands to still, despite the strong urge to keep them moving. "It keeps me distracted. Gives me something to focus on other than the thoughts in my head, but even if those, uh, certain thoughts weren't there, it's become a habit." He said, glancing down at his hands once more that had started moving again without him realizing it.

But when she called it healthy, it made him think. Was it? "Yeah, I guess so..." He shrugged. "All I'm doing is moving my hands.." Her interest in this was a little amusing, he had to admit, and it posed the question: what did she do when she was anxious? Though before he could ask that, she was apologizing for what had happened to him, even though she didn't know anything. He appreciated her sympathy and it showed in the small smile he offered her. "Thanks, but I'll be alright. Already am." For the most part, but he wasn't going to get into it.

Instead, he held out his hand. "I'm Jet. It's nice to meet you, too, Jin." A pause. "Don't worry, they're safe to shake, I promise." He teased her, referring to his hands.

[jintletealeaf]

🌿 -- Maybe she was too soft for words , but every time he said her name , and his golden eyes found her jasmine ones , Jin's heart skipped a million beats . It was like he always knew { { j u s t } } what to say , and how to say it . Even if it was just her name . There was something so { { i n t i m a t e } } about how he said it . It wasn't just like how others would say it . It was special , kind . It was more often than not something that she could hear in her dreams time and time again .

❝ Oh , you would have ? That's . . . oddly comforting . So , thank you ! Thank you , I think . ❞

He made her feel like a school girl with how { { s h y } ] she got around him . It was silly , really . He still had that effect on her , like the day they met , or the first day they shared eye contact . Her hands fiddled with her hair for a moment longer , eyes drifting between her tea and just past his ear . Her thick hair was her { { f a v o r i t e } } distraction tool . She was good at it .

Until , he made her realize that she didn't { { n e e d } } to be good at it . Her doe eyes blinked as she fixed on the satin ribbon in his hands . A warm smile graced her lips as she steeped in the warmth that he radiated so effortlessly . She reached for it , fingers just about to curl around the ribbon , ❝ Thanks , Zuko , I - ❞ { { S i l e n c e } } washed over her as they kissed . Her right hand curled around the ribbon , while her left came to rest on the side of his neck . They parted , but she didn't want them too . Her eyes searched his as she gently chewed on her lip . ❝ I don't have any reason to { { n o t } } let you . ❞ She muttered between them before tugging him right back down to her by his collar for another kiss .

He loved the way she lit up the room without even trying, the way her excitement spilled out in gestures and half-finished thoughts. The way she was trying not to stare at him, but kept doing it anyway. Her words tumbled out fast, nervous, sweet, a little unsure, but he didn’t miss the way her smile nearly outshone the sun, or how her fingers toyed with her hair when she didn’t have a ribbon. She was trying not to hope too hard, and that hope, so honest and open, made something in his chest go still and quiet.

He glanced away for a second, lips tugging into a half-smile before he could stop it. “Jin,” he said, eyes meeting hers again, “if I didn’t want to go with you, I would’ve told you already.” He watched her fidget with her hair, then stepped forward, reaching into his sleeve. He always kept one on him. A habit from training days, back when ponytails were regulation. He held the ribbon out to her.

“Here,” he added, softer now. “You forgot this.” When Jin reached for it, but before her fingers could close around the fabric, Zuko leaned in and kissed her. When he pulled back, he didn’t move far. Just enough to rest his forehead against hers, the morning light warming both their faces. “I’m looking forward to spending time with you,” he said. “At the festival. And after, if you'll let me.”

[jintletealeaf]

HEADCANON ADDITION: The Day She Knew

🌿-- The war ending had brought a seemingly interesting veil of peace of around the world , including to Ba Sing Se . Jin didn't mind it . In fact , she was happy to know that everything had been wrapped up nicely because of the Avatar . It was a nice change .

One day , the sun rose over the horizon and the mail came as it always did . This day , however , was a little different . She covered herself in her sage - green robes , attempted to toss her hair up but , ultimately , decided to leave it down , before she headed to the mail slot near her front door . She took the handful of papers and then headed back to her kitchen . A letter from her parents wishing her well , and a clipping of the news with a portrait , attached , and another clipping of the news . As she leaned against the kitchen counter on her left forearm , Jin read the first clipping word for word . The Fire Nation had a new Fire Lord . She supposed that was glorious news , given how things had gone with the last one .

She smiled and shrugged off the information , and was about to make herself tea , when she grabbed the portrait . Jasmine eyes studied the picture long and hard . { { F i r e L o r d Z u k o } } was etched across the top . She looked at the portrait -- more importantly , Jin looked at his { { s c a r } } . He looked like . . . No , it couldn't be . Could it ? Then again , how many people had that exact scar on their faces ? Especially people in Ba Sing Se ? That was when { { e v e r y t h i n g } } made sense . How he was able to light the lanterns while her eyes were closed that night , and why he disappeared without a trace . He wasn't from Ba Sing Se at all . He was pretending to be someone else . . . He had been { { r o y a l t y } } that entire time ? Is that why everything he did was so graceful and calculated ? But also , romantic and charming ? He was a Firebending Prince .

Her friends wouldn't { { b e l i e v e } } her , even in her wildest dreams . That was okay , maybe this could be her little secret ? She hoped it would be .

But , that wasn't the only thing that caught Jin's eye . Another clipping was tucked in her pile , with the words , ❛ Fire Lord to be a Father ❜ written across it . Those words alone made Jin's heart sink , and her nearly sick to her stomach as shaking hands slowly pulled the clipping further into view . With every line she read , Jin's heart slowly began to break .

❛ Fire Lord Zuko and Lady Mai are to welcome a child into the world , and the next heir to the Fire Nation . Childhood sweethearts . . . ❜

She read those words a million times over until her tears started to fall onto the parchment . ❛ Childhood sweethearts . . .❜ She gripped the parchment tight as she dragged herself from the kitchen counter onto the floor . She tucked her knees to her chest while the paper lay crumpled by her feet . Tears fell one right after another onto the sleeves of her robe , feeling like how she felt that night with Lee all over again . . . but ten times worse . Not only did he lie about who he was , he had someone else the entire time . . . She wasn't sure what was worse ? That the reason he left her standing there that night was because he lied about his identity , or that he let her standing there alone that night with her tears falling into the fountain { { b e c a u s e } } he had someone else back home ?

Jin decided that it was worse that he had someone else back home . She could get past his hiding his identity . Most people in Ba Sing Se were refugees , but she couldn't get past him hiding that he had someone else . That was what really hurt the most , and what she'd never forgive him for .

She never told anyone that she went on a date with a Firebender , or that that certain Firebender turned out to be the Fire Lord . That was a secret that Jin would take with her to the grave . He was the best first date she'd ever had , and she wasn't going to forget him . . . Even if it turned out to be a waste of time because he clearly had forgotten about { { h e r } } .

[jintletealeaf]

When he walked across the ballroom floor ,

He was like a thing devine ,

And all the ladies turned their heads ,

And naturally I turned mine .

[jintletealeaf]

HEADCANON ADDITION : He Was Real

🌿 -- The night that she had her date with Zuko -- { { L e e } } -- Jin had been so excited about it . She had gushed about it to her small group of friends the entire day . All three of her friends thought she was being silly , but they were happy for her . They'd heard about her making excuses to walk by that little tea shop for { { w e e k s } } , but Jin knew they did because , eventually , they stopped coming with her . Soon , she became the girl who sat alone in the teashop in the same booth by the window in the corner .

Frankly , she didn't expect him to say yes . When she asked Lee on the date , she thought he would blow her off . Every other boy she'd ever liked did . She understood why . She was { { a w k w a r d } } , and sometimes struggled with words . She had thoughts about the world that most boys in Ba Sing Se didn't care for , and concerned herself with small things like plants , rather than more girly things like dresses and makeup . When he said { { y e s } } , Jin was ecstatic . She kept her cool in front of him , but as she walked away , her smile was as big as the sun .

It all went well . Slightly awkward , but well . It was , arguably , the best first date she had ever been on . Then they kissed , and Jin's entire heart { { f e l l } } for him in every definition of the word . He kissed soft , like he was afraid he was going to break her , and he kissed her { { b a c k } } , like he wanted there to be many more nights .

. . . Then he ran away , and Jin never saw the dust of the stars in his eyes again .

She stood there , tears in her jasmine eyes , as she counted the steps he took as he headed down the street . That feeling of love that was in her heart { { v a n i s h e d } } , as heartbreak replaced it . She went home that night and asked the moon how soon would it be until she found a boy who { { a c t u a l l y } } liked her for her and didn't run away . If Lee left . . . there really was no hope for her . That night , she cried into her pillow .

Her friends called him a jerk for making her cry , but Jin couldn't do it . As they passed the teashop the next day , Jin's eyes lingered through that small window where her seat stood . She could see his silhouette , hear his voice . . . but she didn't go inside , even though she { { c r a v e d } } hearing his reasoning . She couldn't stomach looking into his eyes and hearing that he didn't like her . So , she didn't . Jin just kept walking with her friends , forcing a smile and { { t r y i n g } } to forget him . The next day , he was gone . The shop still there , the shop still thriving . . . but he was gone . It was like he didn't exist . At some point , she thought she was going { { c r a z y } } . He was real . She knew he was . He { { k i s s e d } } like he was . She prayed every day that she would hear word from him , but just like his reasoning for leaving , it never came . She wondered what was worse : that he existed only in her memory , or that . . . he left without saying goodbye ?

[jintletealeaf]

Late-night talk on a balcony with the stars and moon

[jintletealeaf]

the intimacy of "just wanted to hear your voice" actually means a lot

[jintletealeaf]

[jintletealeaf]

[jintletealeaf]

[jintletealeaf]

[jintletealeaf]

🌿-- She waited for his answer , her heart { { f l u t t e r i n g } } in her chest as she looked up at him . The way the morning light seemed to { { c a p t u r e } } his the glimmer in his golden eyes was enough to send shivers down her spine . She adored him , every second . Of every minute . Of everyday . She hoped that he would say yes . Festivals were her absolute { { f a v o r i t e } } thing this time of year .

As soon as he granted her his answer , Jin sat up in her seat just a little straighter . Her smile dare { { c h a l l e n g e } } the sun by how bright it was . His soft tone , and the way he looked at her , were enough to make { { a n y } } girl melt . Her fingers moved slowly across her jaw until her index finger rested between her teeth and her lips . She smiled at the table , stealing glances at him from beneath her bangs .

❝ I think you hold a special place for lanterns in your heart . ❞ She remarked as she shifted in her seat to fully face him . ❝ Great ! Then it's a date . I think it'll be fun , ❞ She shook her head a little , letting her hands talk for her as she started to get nervous . She started to mess with her long , { { t h i c k } } hair -- trying to pull it up into it's signature high ponytail despite her not having a ribbon to finish the look . ❝ And you can tell me if you're bored , I won't mind . I know festivals aren't everyone's sort of thing , but that's okay . If anything , you'll find some really good food . ❞

@jintletealeaf said: Jasmine green eyes gazed at Zuko from her seat at the kitchen table . Her chin rested in her right palm , her left arm folded under her chest against the table . She steeped in the warm glow he created just by existing . Jin kicked her feet under her chair , excitement pouring into her words ,

“ There’s a festival in town today , would you want to go with me ? ” She moved her right hand to brush her long hair off her shoulder before returning it under her chin . “ There’s food and music , flowers as far as the eye can see ! And the lanterns always have the prettiest glow you’ve ever seen . ”

Zuko stood at the counter, the gentle clink of teacups momentarily filling the space between them. He glanced over his shoulder at her, at the way her hand cradled her chin, her eyes bright with hope. The invitation lingered in the air between them, wrapped in the scent of jasmine and soft morning light. For a moment, he said nothing. His fingers curled loosely around the teapot’s handle, grounding him.

“You really think I’d say no to lanterns?” His voice was quieter than he meant it to be, but there was a thread of amusement in it, softened further by fondness. “Or to spending the day with you?” He turned fully then, letting the smallest smile tug at the corner of his mouth. “Yeah. I’d like that a lot.”

[jintletealeaf]

HOW DO YOU NEED TO BE TOUCHED ?

🌿-- FERVENTLY .

You crave a hug that cracks your ribs... the feeling of your wandering soul being crushed back into the bones that can't seem to hold it. you need a hand gripping yours so tightly you almost fear it may leave a bruise, a reminder that you are here. and that you are not alone.

🌿 { { t a g g e d b y } } : @honorforged { [ thank you ! 💚 } }

🌿 { { t a g g i n g } } : @lastairmaster , @inaudible-summoner , @infideliis , @charmedcoven { { sokka } } , @bolinity && YOU ! STEAL IT FROM ME ! 💚

[jintletealeaf]

🌿-- @coffeemusings continued from HERE .

🌿-- Jin's eyes quietly fixed on his hands , watching how they shifted and morphed . Not in a bad way , or a judgemental way , but in a way of sheer { { c u r i o s i t y } } . It worried her , a bit , to see him so stressed . She wondered what it was that was plaguing his mind so much . She wasn't going to pry . It wasn't her place to dive that { { d e e p } } when she wasn't certain if he'd want to talk about it in the first place .

So , Jin clasped her hands in front of her as she looked across the table at him . She smiled , it was gentle and pure . ❝ If it helps you , then that's all that matters . Everyone has things that they do when they're stressed , or when they are feeling anxious . Sometimes , the best thing that you can do is move . ❞

She looked from his hands to her own , thinking about her own methods to calm her worried thoughts and { { e n d l e s s } } anxieties about the world . ❝ I think i like your method for how you handle those sorts of things . It seems . . . Healthy . I'm glad that you've found something that helps you , but , for what it's worth . . . I'm sorry that you feel like you have to do that at all . ❞ She lifted her jasmine green eyes up to his earthy brown ones , ❝ I'm Jin , by the way . It's nice to meet you . ❞

[jintletealeaf]

Hey (with the intention of dancing with you in the kitchen while we cook dinner)

[jintletealeaf]

falling for someone's soul hits different, like yeah you're cute, but the way you just exist? that's what gets me

[jintletealeaf]