The Unpredictable Fire Adventurers [General Iroh II x Reader] [Legend of Korra]

『evaluate and execute

A/N: Slight angst, slight comedy, slight fluff? Just check mark all of the above. -w-;

[x]

"I used to have Izumi play here all the time," Iroh's grandmother states as she walks over to where both you and Ren stand. She stares at Ren with a fond expression while the boy dances around the tree.

"Is that so?"

Sweet memories widen her smile. "Yes, she was always hanging out with Bumi. Once, I had her climb the tree with her teeth!"

You eye her oddly before returning your view on the tree. "Is that why Fire Lord Izumi has had dental issues all her life?"

The idea puts pause on her positive outlook on the recollection. It finally makes sense. Neither Zuko or she had dental issues so it was odd for Izumi to obtain that, but to admit fault will bring her a bounty of troubles. "...No?"

The energy to contest her lackluster refusal escapes you at the sight of Iroh's return. He's haggard from work, the usual since having a child as he now does as much as possible within his four-day work week to then return home for three days. Not only does he work to the bone, the exhaustion of travel destroys the last of his constitution.

"Look who's here, Ren!"

The three-year old boy immediately tenses up and whips his head around in search of his father. Within seconds, he discovers Iroh and accelerates in his direction. "Weekend daddeh!!"

You freeze as does Iroh. The boy crashes into his father, bringing him to the floor and embracing him tightly. As your eyes meet with Iroh's, your expression morphs with a guilt you cannot conceal. Meanwhile, his grandma cackles like a maniac and exits the area in search of her husband to tell him of her new discovery.

Before Iroh can even address the problem at hand, he reciprocates Ren and hugs him back with equal enthusiasm. "Hey, Ren! Did ya miss me?!"

"Ye! Ye! Ye!"

"Have you been learning a lot?" he asks while looking at you despite the question directed at his son.

Your gaze flies up as an interesting species of bird graces the blue skies. Ren, who is unaware of issues he's created, nods his head. "Ye! I learn more words so weekend daddeh is happy with me!"

Iroh's smile widens though happiness does not reach his eyes. "You're as smart as your weekday mommy!" With that, he stands right back up and brings Ren onto his shoulders. "Let's go take a bath before we have family dinner."

"Okee!" Ren exclaims as they both leave you in the gardens.

[_]

"So, who was it that taught him that?"

You moisturize your arms as part of your nightly routine before bed. The question returns the worries you've held earlier, and your head turns to avoid his knowing stare. "Taught him what?"

Iroh furrows his eyebrows. "You're not a very good liar." 

"wHaT mAkEs YoU tHiNk ThAT?"

Iroh's lips press together as he forms a deadpan expression; you can practically feel it on your skin. The truth you want to conceal has no manner of escape especially when he calls for you. "[Name]?"

Slowly, you bring your gaze onto him as he sits beside you on the bed. "Iroh?" 

"If it had been like 'smelly daddy' or 'great hair daddy', I wouldn't put this much interest in a nickname," Iroh explains. "But this one feels loaded with bitterness."

Your lips tilt downwards. Finally, the hurt he experiences is plain on his face which burns you with more guilt. It catalyzes you to bring yourself over to his side and sit on his lap. "I'm sorry, Iroh. I guess all of us have been using it as a joke, but it got stuck--"

"All of you?!" he exclaims as your mouth seals shut. "What do you mean all of you? Not grandpa and granny too!"

"Zuko may have joined in as a joke..."

"Ugh, you guys are incorrigible sometimes!"

"It was mostly your sister and I," you squeak.

"But how did it start?"

You recall the initial use of the title. "I... was lonely and a bit angry that you weren't home yet. So I started mumbling it to myself, your sister overheard and started using it. After that, everyone thought it was funny, and it snowballed from there."

Iroh brushes his thumb against your cheek. "Babe, I'm coming back three days now instead of two."

"That isn't enough sometimes, Iroh!" you snap at his measly sacrifice. Upon realizing your burst of anger, you flinch and hush up any proceeding malcontent.

To your surprise, Iroh catches on to your troubles. "Are you okay?"

You cannot look at him any longer and rest your forehead on his chest. The sentiments you've buried deep inside struggle to make their appearance, but you fear the consequences. 

"No," you whisper out, but your response grows louder as those restrained emotions slip out the tiny crack he's made. "No... No, No! I am not okay! I want you here for everything that goes on with Ren. You miss so much, and when you finally return, you're too tired to even do anything with him. You aren't present, and it's exactly what I was afraid of when we spoke about children."

There's a lack of shock on him that has you concerned, but then his façade crumbles. "I know I'm fumbling the ball here, but don't you have my family here too?" he asks as his voice shakes slightly.

"Yes! But Ren wants his father! Iroh, he wants you so badly!" you yell. You direct a glare up at him, but your anger dissipates at the sight of his tears. "I-Iroh?"

He clenches his teeth as he tries to stem the flow of his sorrow, but it's too much. "You know, I've been feeling so guilty with how crappy I am as a father, and it's so obvious that I'm not fulfilling those promises I made to you."

Your lower lip trembles. "I'm trying to be as understanding as I can be. I know you love your job."

"But I don't love this job as much as I love you and Ren!"

You wonder if his words derive from honest sentiments and try to untangle the truth. "We're your family, but this is your dream..."

"I can have more than one dream." He gently grabs your face, forcing you to witness his desperation. "I climbed the ranks and found fulfillment in service, but I realized that you are equally important. Now that I have you back, you're my entire world along with Ren."

"Iroh," you whimper his name as you begin to cry as well.

His lips crash onto yours for a passionate kiss despite it being slobbery. Short as the kiss is, your hearts connect once more and bury the concerns you've both once had.

Upon releasing your lips, he states his resolution with a determined face. "I'm going to retire from the army and return to the palace. I'll take over my dad's job here so that he can finally relax with my mom."

It's everything you ever wanted, and relief fills your soul. "R-Really?"

His boyish grin shines through the tears, "Yeah, I'll be here all the time, and then you can call me full-time daddy."

You finish off your sobs, wiping away your tears with his help. It takes minutes for the hiccupping to stop, and you laugh amidst your turbulent emotions. "I'll only say that in the bedroom."

Iroh lets out his own laugh and returns his lips onto yours. Despite your heads hurting from the crying, neither can pull apart from one another. As he softly descends you on the bed and hovers above you, his smile turns devious as he begins to undo his shirt.

"Do you think you can say it tonight?" His question is emphasized by the row of abs that follow. Military service has certainly come with its boons, the view of his perfect abdomen being a great example.

"You're... definitely insatiable," you mumble as you go along with his wishes.