𝐑𝐎𝐎𝐓𝐒 • [ general iroh II x oc ]

mommy and me

They had made it to the palace; the large, towering building looking somewhat menacing in Aria's eyes.

Aria stood in complete silence as they approached the large front doors that guards were standing in front of, completely caught up in her thoughts, but Iroh's hand on her waist snapped her out of it.

"Hey, look at me," he said in a low, gentle voice, and she looked up at him, her attention brought solely to him. "You'll be fine. Just... breathe, be friendly, and smile. Okay?"

"Yeah, ok." She took a deep breath and out started walking. He patted her shoulder.

"Just don't smile too much, a comfortable amount-"

"Iroh, please shut up now. I got it."

A smirk tugged at the corners of his mouth at her slightly snippy tone, her words edged with irritation, but he obliged to her request and quieted down as they approached the large door together.

One of the guards standing in front of the door looked at the two of them, his eyes traveling down both of them quickly.

"General Iroh, it's good to have you back," the guard said, straightening up and standing to the side of the door.

Iroh nodded at the guard, his expression and tone polite but still disciplined. "Thank you."

The guard's eyes fell to Aria, studying her with a look almost of suspicion, and she stood a bit higher under his gaze, the slight anxiety and nervousness in her mind multiplying.

He wrapped an arm around her, his hand resting on her waist.

"You can open the door, we're expected," he said, his words aimed towards the guard.

The guard said nothing in response, but he nodded and walked up to the door and pushed on it, pulling it open.

Iroh's hand on her waist led her inside, and after the guard closed the door behind them and they walked deeper into the foyer, Iroh spoke to her quietly. "Just...be cool," he said under his breath.

"I'm always cool, I'm very cool." Aria murmured lowly, more to herself than him.

Their footsteps echoed through the large palace. Aria couldn't even find the words to describe how in awe she was. She felt as though her legs were about to give in any second.

She was afraid. Genuinely afraid. What if she was right all along? What if they were too different background wise? What if people saw right through her, saw who she was and where she came from.

What if this trip made Iroh have second thoughts?

The entrance hall and ceiling of the palace was so high it could make her feel almost small and small. Her gaze traveled from the tall ceilings to the walls, all of them lined with intricate fire nation designs, and then to the floor, which was spotless, without a single speck of dirt or dust.

Iroh glanced down at her as they walked, his eyes studying her expression, a hint of amusement in his features at her reaction.

"The fire nation royalty does like to keep up appearances." He said, a slight hint of dry humor in his tone. Aria couldn't bring herself to speak.

After walking for a bit, they finally approached another set of enormous double doors, and Iroh paused for a moment, taking a second to look at her. "Ready?"

"No."

"Well that's too bad, we're here." Iroh shrugged and smirked at her. He seemed to notice her slightly uneasy tone, and he gave her waist that was hooked in his hand a slight squeeze, his eyes softening for a moment.