𝐑𝐎𝐎𝐓𝐒 • [ general iroh II x oc ]

Docks

That same day, Iroh woke up to the morning  breeze coming into his private hotel room. He couldn't help but sigh with relief.

He had been called to observe some of the new United Forces fleets coming into the ports. He saw the new ships blow their horns and lower their anchors, and he felt the most calm he had been in a while.

He took a deep breath of the salty ocean air through his nose and closed his eyes. The familiar offshore winds crashing into his face.

His hangover had been getting progressively better as time passed, he had decided that he would never get that drunk again if he could help it.

His back still ached from that horrid pull out couch he had to sleep on. Every time he moved, he was faced with the constant reminder that he looked pathetic that night. Aria, saw the weak, sappy, and most pathetic version of him.

He didn't know why he was bothered so much by it. Even while drunk, he was still more important to society than she ever will be, right? She meant nothing, she was just some irritant he kept crossing paths with.

He sighed and opens his eyes, walking off the ship and back onto the pier. He walked with confidence and ease, people saluting him as he walked passed.

Until something, or someone, caught his eye. A young boy, sitting on a pier bench overlooking the docks, all alone. He looked sad, his hands sitting in his lap. When he got a clearer view of his face, he almost cursed the universe as he knew it. Niko, he believed his name was. Aria's younger brother. Why was he all alone? So far from his neighborhood?

Iroh swallowed his pride and walked up to the young boy. Despite his aversion to his sister,
he liked Niko, he reminded Iroh of himself in a way. And he couldn't live himself leaving this young boy alone. The boy looked at Iroh approaching and saw his general uniform. He looked in awe for a moment before looking away.

"Niko, right?" Iroh spoke up. Niko nodded. "Mind if I sit?" The young boy looked up at him and motioned with his head to the spot next to him.

"You're that guy, that slept with my sister." Niko looked at the man next to him. Iroh nodded.

"I didnt sleep with your sister, I slept in the same bed as her."

"Do you hear yourself?" Niko murmured. "You're in the United Forces?"

Iroh nodded. "Yeah, I am. I was appointed General about a month ago." His eyes fell onto Niko, who was staring out into the ocean. "You're a long way from your neck of the woods." Iroh mumbled.

Niko shrugged. "I like the ports."

"You walked all the way from your apartment to the ports? Alone?" He raised an eyebrow. Niko looked at him and shook his head.

"No, I walked with my sister to the doctor. Then I walked to the ports."

Iroh nodded, his jaw clenching at the mention of his sister. He looked around for her. "Where's your sister now?"

Niko shrugged and looked at his shoes.

"I like the ports too." Iroh hummed.

"Cool."

The two sat in silence for a few minutes, just listening to the birds cry, the boats roar, the way the wind flapped against the sails.

"My sister doesn't like you that much." Nikos raspy voice spoke through the silence. Iroh nodded.

"Yeah." His jaw clenched.

"If it makes you feel any better; I think you're a pretty cool guy."

"Thanks kid." Iroh smiled. "Speaking of your sister. Don't you think you're a little young to be alone out here? Is she looking for you?"