Chapter Text
Kya parted the curtains slightly and looked out at the big moving truck that was parked in front of the house next to theirs. She knew it was going to be occupied since the old planted 'For Sale' sign was finally removed not too long ago. Curiosity ran through her as she wondered who could be moving in and felt a little gleam of excitement in her chest at having a new neighbour.
"Honey! The house next door is finally being moved into" she shouted from the kitchen.
In the living room, the TV noisily relaying business news could be heard. There was no answer that came back but over the last couple of years she’s gotten used to it, the fairytale of being newlyweds doesn't last forever but they were still happily married.
"I hope it's another housewife!" She tried again, feeling her own enthusiasm.
Kya didn't have many friends despite the abundance of nice wives in the area. She heard that Buttercup Raiko; a staple woman in their neighborhood community, hosts weekly get-togethers but she's never gotten a formal invitation.
"Maybe one that's kind and doesn't exclude others!" she chuckled and smiled softly to herself. It wasn’t in her character to speak badly of others but a little jab wouldn't hurt.
Kya finished slicing the fresh vegetables and went over to the boiling broth being cooked on the stove and threw them into the pot. She turned the heat down a tad and crouched low in order to peer through the oven glass to see how the roasted duck was doing.
"A few more minutes for each should do it" Kya mumbled to herself.
"Baby! Get me another beer!" She heard the smooth voice of her wife from the living room.
"You'll get full before dinner, Mae. You can drink it while you eat" she said.
She wiped her hands that she finished washing in the island sink and covered the bowl of mashed potatoes that was resting to the side with saran wrap.
"Kya, I said get me another damn beer!" Mae shouted again.
Kya sighed. "It wouldn't hurt for you to say, please" she stated below her breath.
She went over to the fridge and grabbed a can of beer before crossing the open space into the homely living area where her wife sat on the double seated sofa. Kya rounded the armrest and held out the cold can to her which she grabbed without looking but when Kya didn't let go Mae lifted her gaze. Golden eyes that she remembered to be sweet and lively stared at her with confusion.
"What now?" She asked and Kya frowned slightly.
"Say please or you can kiss your dinner goodbye. It won't hurt you" she scolded.
Mae’s confused glance was replaced with a scowl before snatching the can from Kya’s hand who made a surprised sound.
"Don't treat me like a fucking child, Kya" she quipped angrily and then turned back to the TV.
Kya stared at the other woman feeling a tiny ache in her chest before turning away and heading back into the kitchen. There are times when she questions her wife’s actions but then she shakes it off because once you start questioning it, you lose confidence.
______
Kya looked at the different types of tea packages; Chamomile, Chai, Earl Grey? She wasn't sure which one would be the best to get but they were all flavors she’d already tried so it wouldn't hurt to get something new, right? She scans all the packages she's never taken a second glance at and decided on a red decorated one and popped it into her cart.
"Kya?" she heard her name being called.
Her head jerks up to see Izumi, the mother of a young son who she would look after from time to time when the older woman was backed against a wall with mountains of work, you could say she was the closest to a companion Kya had.
"Ah, Izumi. It's good to see you, it's been a while" she expressed with a smile.
The tall, lean woman sauntered over. Her lustrous black hair fell over her shoulders and the grey pant suit she wore accentuated her body.
"It has. How have you been?" She asked and Kya shrugged.
"Same old, same old" she answered.
"Well sometimes it's good to have stability but my life has been one hectic thing after another, going through a divorce and finding Iroh an all day daycare along with demands from work" Izumi sighed and Kya offered a comforting smile.
"I wish things would just slow down," the raven haired woman lamented. There was a brief moment of silence and Kya was about to open her mouth when Izumi beat her to it.
"I heard someone was moving in next door to you, have you seen them yet?" she asked.
The images of the moving truck and the bundle of workers going in and out of the house came to mind but even though Kya peeped through her kitchen window time after time, she never caught a glimpse of the person who had bought the home.
Kya shook her head and glanced down at her full basket. "I haven't. They’ve moved in for a week but they might as well be a ghost" she laughed lightly.
"I was thinking of giving them a welcoming gift tomorrow evening," Kya added.
Izumi nodded. "That would be nice. If it's you I'm sure they’ll feel more than a warm welcome".
A soft blush crept to Kya's cheeks at the compliment. The two spoke a little more before Kya bid Izumi farewell, ready to check out her groceries in hopes of making it home in time to prepare dinner.
Moments later when Kya parked her car in the driveway she found herself gazing at the neighbouring house and noticed that a car was parked in the driveway. It looked really sleek and expensive, not something you would normally see in such a humble area.
Kya felt the same wave of curiosity come over her that’s been nagging at her for days. She wondered if they were young or old, had kids? Were they married?
She had always been an easily intrigued child and it waned once she got older and settled but a little bit of that trait was still instilled in her. It was probably from her dad’s side of the family who were all travelers.
Kya turned to walk up her porch steps with a new resolve to do something nice for them and introduce herself as well as quell her curiosity.
"I hope they like it," she smiled to herself.