'Treasures' Restaurant and Collectables

(Tag: Ryari)[/center]

Casually, Shtiya ignored the word slip-up. He knew all too well what it was like to have people scrutinize every word one said. It was an unpleasant feeling at best. As Kwan fumbled over his words, the healer smiled. "Don't worry about it," he said. Shifting his bag, he laughed a little as the taller, broad man tried to backtrack by saying that Shtiya wasn't bad looking. He knew perfectly well that he was... petite... and rather girlish looking. Certainly not 'gorgeous' by any means. The comment about already having someone, though — that caught his attention.

Could it be?

The memory of how hard his father had hit him when he'd found him kissing Toki behind the house was strong in Shtiya's mind, even now, years later — so strong, in fact, that he violently shied away from thoughts about getting involved with someone else. Even the whisper of a questioning thought felt treacherous and wrong. Surely Kwan hadn't meant it like that. He shouldn't think so quickly. His lip ached a little with the memory of his father's backhanded slap. Biting that very same lower lip, Shtiya decided not to say anything. He was overly familiar with the pain of admitting that he liked other men... like that. Instead, the slim young man focused on the clothing, and tried to give off as soothing a vibe as he could. It was a bit more difficult, he realized, when not in the clinic. At the Apothecary, he could easily be calming and authoritative with his patients. It felt like second nature. But outside? He felt off-balance, out of place. He felt like a very small child about to told off. Kwan cut a very imposing figure, and Shtiya felt awkward when people stared. He didn't, however, notice that Kwan was busy staring at him.

One thing he did notice a bit later was that Kwan returned with a parcel. It was even gift-wrapped! How nice it must be, the young Waterbender thought with just a little pang of envy, to have disposable income. Shtiya hadn't been able to give a purchased present in years. Not, of course, that he had anyone to give a present to. He didn't. His own family had no contact with him, and he certainly didn't have a boyfriend. He lived in the back of the Apothecary, so he didn't even have a roommate! The young man's bright blue eyes passed wistfully over the colourful paper and ribbon before he turned away, saying nothing about it. It was rude to pry when someone wasn't his patient.

-x-

The restaurant smelled fabulous as usual, all golden spice and thick sauces. They served rich, warm food at that establishment — simple, but filling. It wasn't an expensive place, and Shtiya tucked himself into the corner of a booth quite easily, asking for genmaicha and brushing hair out of his eyes again. They made an interesting picture, the two of them — Kwan so broad and tall and Shtiya so dainty and small. The young healer was honestly not even sure of what he ought to say next. Should he talk about the weather? Inquire about the man's employment?

He adjusted a bandage on his arm and wrapped slim fingers around the hot cup of tea as soon as it arrived. Smiling a little nervously, he took a breath. "S-s-s-so," he said, breaking eye contact due to the force of getting the words out, "ah — w-what do you do?"