#bender!au

You cleared your throat, clutching the teacup in your hand. You ignored how it began to steam, your emotions causing the fire inside of you to stir restlessly. Beside you, your best friend and fellow bender Jongdae tried to ease and settle the tension.

"Is there a reason why a water bender is here?" Jongdae asked. He wasn't harsh - his usual smiley face was present and he seemed relaxed. Can't relate, you thought as your knuckles grew paler the more you clutched onto your teacup. You felt a slight knock to your knee, ignoring it as you knew it was just Jongdae trying to get you to calm down.

"Wonwoo was hurt," Yeeun sighed. She was your voice of reason - the one who made everyone think before they attacked, even if it went against their instincts. It helped that she - and you - were the only ones who'd perfected the art of lightning bending. It made your intimidation scale raise just a little. "None of our usual herbs or techniques are working. Seungkwan can heal and he agreed to help."

"As long as no one aims a flaming arrow at my head!" Seungkwan grinned. It reminded you again of how out of place he seemed. With a grinning face and shining eyes, the boy truly stood out from the usual stoic and brooding fire bender faces. Other than Jongdae, there weren't a lot of smiles to be passed around. Sure, the war was over and the Avatar was saved, but tensions were still high and the fire nation still had a small air of superiority. "I can heal, but I don't know how bad that'd scar."

"We'll try to aim for your kneecaps, then," you joked. Well, you knew you were joking. But you didn't smile and you didn't laugh - Yeeun even tensed for a minute until she rolled her eyes. Seungkwan was still smiling, though, and annoyance as well as admiration sparked inside of you. It takes a lot to smile at a threat, you thought.

That was where you parted ways. Seungkwan left with Yeeun to do as he planned - heal Wonwoo and get the hell out of the Fire Nation. You wouldn't blame him if he ran screaming for the hills - that'd happened more than a few times. You left to practice your bending, excitement dancing with the lighting in your veins as you watched a cloud rumble and boom. Storms always soothed you - they were loud and dangerous and the smallest wrong move could set an entire forest on fire.

Getting to a moderately open and empty field, you sighed and closed your eyes. You could almost smell the electricity in the air, breathing deeply only to settle your nerves even more. Who cares if there's a Water Tribe boy here, you scoffed to yourself. The thunder began to rumble and your fingers flexed and tensed in anticipation. Even if he's a cute boy, he'll go home soon and forget about everything here.

You told yourself you'd be fine with that when you really wouldn't.

As the first strike of lighting shot out form the sky, you calmly stuck out your hand. You watched as the electricity bounced from your fingertips. Inhaling, you allowed the energy to shoot through you as you passed the lightning from one hand to the other, shooting it back out to the sky.

You usually went into thunderstorms to think. Bending something like lightning was exhausting when you had to conjure up your own. But, being in the middle of a thunderstorm, it was relaxing to just let the energy flow through you. Your thoughts left Seungkwan and his whereabouts, worries dissolving as you focused on the next strike of lighting.

However, the blond boy who wouldn't leave your mind was in the same dilemma. Sure, his hands were plunged into a glowing water that shadowed over Wonwoo's chest. And, yes, Seungkwan was aware that he was conversing with Fire Nation citizens and that he should maybe be a little afraid. But, Seungkwan just couldn't get the way you looked out of his mind.

To him, you were dainty. From the way you sat perfectly straight to the way your lips pouted when you sighed - he was enamored. Seungkwan could see the fire that danced in your eyes as your thoughts evaded your mind. But, instead of being fearful and anxious, he felt warm.

And that was scary for someone who grew up in ice.

Maybe that was why Seungkwan found himself unconsciously looking for you. Before he knew it, the blond was trekking his way around the one nation everyone was still afraid of. Seungkwan didn't hold a grudge against you for the wrongdoings of your hometown - he found himself intrigued instead. His eyes were wandering around, slowly taking in every detail he could until he found you.

And find you he did.

You were in the middle of grabbing another lightning strike when Seungkwan saw you. Your face was glowing a pale purple and white from the lightning you held. Seungkwan watched as you took a deep breath, only releasing it when you let the energy go. His eyes ghosted over the small smile that formed on your lips and the way your posture relaxed.

Seungkwan hated to admit it, but from that moment, he was completely smitten.

The blond left the Fire Nation, shoulders shrugged down as he trekked his way to where he was staying briefly. Seungkwan swore he could feel your eyes tracing his back, watching him leave. Maybe you didn't want him to leave as much as he wanted to stay. Risking a glance back, Seungkwan watched as you blinked, eyes dancing away from him. It made him smile, seeing you almost flustered that you were caught staring at him.

You didn't see Seungkwan until a few weeks later. As a way to get used to each other again, the nations were in a fair trade. Sighing, you grabbed the different colored cloths in front of you, going to meet a few Water Tribe members. Fire Nation clothing were fireproof, but also warm for someone who lived near ice. They gave you fish in return, a few members smiling bravely at you.

"Y/N," a soft voice spoke. You turned to see Seungkwan, almost beaming as he caught your attention. You nodded in greeting, turning to leave while the Water Tribe members went the opposite way. A hand wrapped around your wrist lightly. Where ice and fire met, steam formed and drifted off of your arm where Seungkwan grabbed you. "Uh, sorry. Just, um."

"Seungkwan?" You lifted an eyebrow. The blond was looking at you like he was enchanted - like you'd just performed a magic trick he couldn't wrap his head around. You tilted your head, watching as a pale pink blush trickled across his nose. "Something you need, water boy?"

"It was a water bending trick," he spoke quickly. He honestly just didn't know why he stopped you - he didn't know why he wanted to talk to you so badly. He cleared his throat, letting go of your arm as you just stared at him blankly. "The lightning technique you did; it was a water bending trick."

"You watched me bend?" You blinked. You hadn't noticed him there - actually, you never really notice anything other than the tingling from the lightning. You hummed, only nodding your head curiously.

"Yeah," Seungkwan breathed. He watched as you bit your lip, focusing on him completely. Seungkwan gulped, suddenly feeling sweaty and nervous as your gaze never left his form. "It was fascinating. I'd be scared to be anywhere near lighting, but you looked like you were just opening your arms for a hug. Like a 'welcome home, I've missed you' thing."

"You ramble," you smirked. The blond flushed again, nervous giggles erupting from his chest. It made you smile - this Water Tribe boy is amusing. "But, yes. General Iroh taught Fire Lord Zuko the bending trick. It was just passed down to the rest of us."

"You're the only one who can bend it, right?" Seungkwan asked. He was curious - how could you bend something so powerful but smile so gently? Seungkwan knew each element had a deeper side to it, something extra that a bender could do if they wanted. "You mastered it quickly - it was all the rest of us could talk about."

"Yeeun can, too," you nodded. It was no shock people spoke of your abilities - the same happens when an earth bender learns to metal bend. "But, yes. We're the only two so far who have completely mastered it."

"Amazing," Seungkwan muttered. He didn't mean for you to hear him - he didn't want you to hear him. Seungkwan coughed awkwardly, feeling his cheeks flush again as you peered at him in amusement.

"You should get back to your tribe, water boy," you spoke finally. Seungkwan stuttered before nodding, sending a rather shy smile your way. "It was fun talking to you, though. Don't be a stranger."

"You too, Y/N."

Seungkwan found you again when you were wandering around the forest. He followed you quietly, stumbling over rocks and branches but still keeping an eye on your form. You sighed, rolling your neck as you felt the thunderstorm coming. Humming, you cracked and stretched your arms and fingers, preparing yourself for the lighting you'd soon touch.

Coming to an almost-completely-empty-clearing, you nodded in satisfaction. Closing your eyes, you heard the first rolls of thunder. Opening your eyes, you watched it start to rain with a small smile. The thunder came again, and you prepared yourself for the lighting that would follow.

It shot out, purple and white dancing in streaks as it attacked your hand. The small tingle comforted you; your stiffened shoulders relaxed as you sighed again. Wrapping the lighting around your fingers, you transferred it from one hand to the other before going to shoot it out again.

"That was mesmerizing," a voice called lightly. You jumped, control over the electricity faltering. The world seemed to slow down as Seungkwan watched your eyes widen, a small shriek leaving your lips as the lighting burned your forearm. You crumpled to the ground in pain, wincing and trying to hold your tears. Seungkwan rushed up to you immediately, panic settling in his veins. "I'm so sorry! Oh, my god, I'm so, so sorry!"

"Shut up," you hissed weakly. Seungkwan kneeled beside you, watching as you sat yourself up tiredly. You winced again as Seungkwan touched your wrist lightly, rolling your burnt sleeve up to examine how badly you'd been burnt. "Why are you even here, Seungkwan?"

"I like to watch you bend," he spoke quietly. Seungkwan's eyes danced across the burn, looking as it looped from your elbow just to the edge of your wrist. It was steaming lightly, probably looking worse than what you were feeling. Seungkwan reached up, collecting a small amount of rain before placing his hand gently on your burn.

You winced again before a cooling sensation took over, almost numbing the pain you felt. You watched as the water began to glow, the blue lighting Seungkwan's face in a way you could only admire. His eyebrows were furrowed in concentration, lips pulled in a small frown. In a few minutes, your burn had scarred into a light pink, pain almost gone.

"Huh," you spoke. You watched Seungkwan touch the ground beneath you, giving the rainwater he'd used to the roots below. Blinking, you were met with an apologetic Seungkwan who wore a guilty smile. "Looks like I'm not the only one with extraordinary gifts. That was something else, Seungkwan."

"It was my fault you got distracted," Seungkwan shrugged. He felt giddy to hear you compliment him, a small blush coloring his nose. "It was the least I could do. I'm really sorry, Y/N."

"It's okay," you reassured the blond. You nudged him lightly, wincing when a raindrop fell onto your still sore and raw scar. "I know you didn't mean to."

"That'll take a few sessions to heal completely," Seungkwan spoke after a moment of silence. His fingertips gently brushed against your forearm, retracting when you winced again. "Unless you want to heal it naturally. It's going to scar regardless, though."

"I guess I'll be seeing you more often, then," you hummed. Seungkwan looked at you, eyes wide at your playful tone. You rolled your eyes, a small grin forming on your face. "Don't look at me like that, water boy. This is just so you can apologize."

"Right," Seungkwan nodded. He wasn't certain, but a small part of him thought you were flirting. The blond shook his head - there's no way, right? He helped you stand up, walking you to your small house. Seungkwan smiled at you, shy smile on his lips. "I'll see you soon, Y/N."

"I'll be waiting, water boy."