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

『around the temple

After following the signs, the group is given a lift to the Northern Air Temple via hot air balloon. There's no charge for the transport since it is provided by a group that maintains the temple per the request of Avatar Aang. Once you guys make it to the top, there's a chill in the air but it's overshadowed by the serene view and the reappearance of Hammy.

"There you are!" you exclaim with relief. The hamster appears annoyed to have waited this long to be found. Picking him up, you place inside your coat pocket for some much needed warmth.

"Welcome!" a woman chirps from behind you guys. Her garbs resemble that of an air bender, but you recall how there are currently air nation devotees preserving air nomad traditions. You glance around and notice how many of them are stationed around. 

Unaware of your inspection, the woman continues. "You must be tourists!" You guys nod your heads, and she begins to hand a few papers to your guys. "Here are some activities you might enjoy. Everything is free except for the gift shop."

"Thank you--" You pause as the wind blows hard against your hair, causing it to whip around. You take a moment to hold your hair down until the winds quiet down. It was times like these when you wished you had brought more than one hair tie with your only one breaking not too long ago.

"They have some cool technology inside," Iroh hums as he reads the paper. "I'm gonna go look at them."

"I'll join you," Tonraq says as he follows him into the temple, leaving you with Haku.

Haku sends you a curious look, and you respond with a bright smile. "Want to check out the meditation lawn?"

Haku returns the smile. "I would love to."

You both travel around the temple where a dedicated air servant is tending to the garden. They spot you two and bow slightly before returning to their job. You set yourself on the stone bench and pat the seat next to you, wordlessly offering it Haku.

Enjoying the view, you both bask in silence. Although you've had Haku join the group a month ago, you still did not know much about him besides the fact that he is Haru's grandson. There were so many questions you wanted to ask him throughout your journey, but just as how you preferred anonymity, you decided that he probably preferred the same and never asked.

"I can tell you have questions..."

You jump in your spot, and it is then you realize that you are staring intently at him. "O-Oh, sorry."

"Don't be. I'm happy to answer anything that might be troubling you," he speaks kindly.

"Are you sure?"

He smiles and gives you a small shrug, "I'll try to."

You brainstorm the best question to ask. "Um... What's your purpose as a diplomat?"

"... I should have expected an in-depth question from you."

"I-It's just that I read a lot about them, but I've never truly understood what their job entails. To me, a diplomat's job is based solely on the agenda of who they are loyal to--not the one who hires them."

"That's an interesting approach to it." Haku strokes his goatee in thought. "I try to go about it the way that my grandfather did. We try to benefit our country in a way that will benefit everyone on this planet."

You blink a few times. "That's a massive scale."

Haku laughs, "Avatar Aang affected the world in that manner because of his powers. My grandfather did the same in his own way... Then my father followed that path to create the Republic City that the Avatar dreamed of."

"And now what are YOU doing?"

"I... don't know."

"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to pry so much!" you exclaim upon realizing you hit a button.

He shakes his head. "It's not you... It's just that... Everyone knew about my grandfather and then my father. They both have unique legacies."

"I'm sure you'll find yours, Haku."

"... I couldn't even get the girl of my dreams to even like me. She found me inadequate."  

"That's her loss then!" you gasp. 

"But it's true. I've always been mediocre compared to my family. Even my brother is creating waves as a diplomat to the queen."

"But you're only nineteen. You still have a lot to do in your life before you start making waves."

"Yes, I suppose you're right." He keeps to himself for a few minutes. "That girl..."

"Hm?"

"The one I'm in love with... She said she preferred boys with facial hair."

Everything clicked, and your gaze lowered upon his barely-there goatee. "Ah."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"...What interesting taste she has."

"She still rejected me with this."

"I can tell."

"..."

"L-Let's just keep meditating," you sigh as you refrain from asking any more questions.