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

『a boy following traditions

There isn't a friendly face in sight. The cautious whispers and steely gazes, no one demonstrates hospitality towards your group. You wonder if the same can be said about Avatar Aang and his group; they must have been lavished with food and booze.

"I'm sure the Avatar and his mini-me are around here somewhere," you mumble.

"Tenzin?"

You glance up at Haku and blink a few times. "Tentacles? What an odd name to call his son..."

"I didn't say--"

Iroh does nothing to help the confusion as he cuts into the conversation, "We should just look at the historic monuments and leave."

"We're on a journey, Iroh," you state in a sagely tone. Your hands rest on your hips as you turn to face him. He looks broodier than usual and it has you wondering. "Will someone honestly recognize you here?"

He shrugs, "I have to take precautions."

"What about you, Haku?"

"I grew my beard for this reason exactly," he says with pride. The both of you give him pitiful looks, and his attitude deflates instantly. "It IS a beard."

The sad excuse of a goatee cries for help as the strong winds of the arctic blow at them. They hold on for dear life, for if they let go, Haku's identity will be revealed..........................

Right on queue, the both of you turn to hide your fit of giggles. It irks the earthbender and he lets out a huff, "The both of you do not understand facial hair because of your youth."

"You're only two years ahead of us," Iroh laughs.

"That's two more years of experience that you don't have... Who knows, I might take [Name] away from you with that extra experience I have," Haku states with a sly smile.

Not a second is wasted as the both of you give him deadpan expressions, both pairs of eyes focused on his goatee as one strand of hair gives in and flies away into the wind.

"You both are cruel," Haku whines as he cradles his remaining 'beard'.

Once you both finish your looks, Iroh responds to Haku's comment. "Honestly, that's not much of a threat." He glances around and pulls his hood more forward before revealing a little bit more of himself. "After all, I'm betrothed to someone else back at home."

Although you've only been together for about three weeks, your heart is ripped into pieces, causing you to discover the true feelings that laid dormant in your heart. Your hand rises to clutch at your beating chest and only Haku notices your reaction.

Before he can ask if you were okay, you quickly follow along and mask your true feelings. "Haha, you really are following the tradition there... Having arranged marriages and all."

Iroh sighs and scratches his head, "I suppose so, but this girl isn't so bad... And it's not like I'm being completely forced into it."

All his response does is dig a knife deeper into your heart.

"I-I'm going to go check out their library. Let's reconvene later in the evening at the inn," you state with little energy.

Neither objects as it was clear they had no say in the matter. You just wallow away to face your own thoughts alone, to put yourself together after a surprising heartbreak.