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

『an awkward date [3]

You stand paralyzed at the sight before you. The three boys of the group, plus Hammy, have decided to crash your date with a haughty attitude. It wasn't that hard to recognize who they were, but one glace at Li's face and you can tell how confused the boy actually is. 

Your loss for words gives Li the chance to speak up in a timid manner. "Um, can we help you?"

"Yes, you can." Iroh shreds off his disguise, and a confident smirk permeates through his thoughtless actions. "If you want to marry her, you have to go through us!"

"Aren't you her...brothers?" Li tilts his head as you just slap your forehead.

"Hahaha, it seems that we fooled you," Haku cackles before erupting into a coughing fit. You watch as his body attempts to regain any form of oxygen and then a crack is heard. "MY BACK!" In pain, he collapses and falls backward into the fountain.

'I have to remind him never to laugh like that again...' you make a mental note as you gaze drops to the floor. You really don't want to witness the trainwreck that was happening in front of you. 

Despite your need to disappear from this embarrassment, Li's confusion continues.  "Fooled me?"

"We actually are her partners," Tonraq states, clearly not following the other two's plans of dishonesty.

"Partners... Wait, she has a boyfriend?!" Li gasps at his own conclusion.

"She has three boyfriends actually," Iroh hums with glee. He consciously avoids your deadpan stare as he keeps up his disguise. "If you want to be part of the [Name] tribe, you have to know how to share."

You watch as Haku crawls out of the fountain, nodding eagerly, while Tornaq shows little emotion to keep back his disappointment.

"HOW CAN I COMPETE?!" Li groans as he collapses to his knees. When his eyes meet yours, his moment of despair quickly dissolves and is replaced with anger. "A-AND WHO ARE YOU TO BE RUNNING AROUND WITH THREE BOYFRIENDS?!" He points at you as disgust paints his expression.

If it weren't for the fact that he royally creeped you out with his delusions of a married life with you, you would have tried to clear up the misunderstanding. Alas, you possess no desire to continue developing your relationship with him and submit to Iroh's plans. "It's the life I want to lead," you say with a shrug.

He opens his mouth to insult you but Hammy beam himself to the middle of Li's forehead. The tiny rodent ricochets off his forehead to jump onto your shoulder. All of a sudden the boy bursts into tears and runs off into the sunset.

Sure, you feel a little bit of guilt, but that's all erased when you see Hammy's attire. "Wow, you even have a crown and scepter. You're so cute," you coo as you pet him with the pad of your index finger.

Tonraq is the first to approach you with a look of concern. "Are you...mad at us?"

Your face is unreadable for a few moments as everyone watches you with bated breath. Finally, your face relaxes into a small smile. "Nah, I'm actually relieved it was you guys following me and keeping me safe."

"It was all my plan," Iroh smirks with pride.

"I can tell it was you. Those rushed disguises, terrible excuses, lack of unity. Also, couldn't you decide on another excuse rather than making me a polygamist?"

Iroh lets out a shaky laugh. "Welll...."

"We should head back before we draw any weird attention," Tonraq suggests. No one disagrees, and you leave behind a broken heart at the fountain of Ba Sing Se.

[____]

As the group returns to the inn, you say your goodnight's and retire to your room; Haku quickly heads to the baths, leaving the other two in the room. 

It's quiet in the room as Tonraq gazes intently at Iroh, his eyes keen on the boy's emotions. Iroh notices his stare but doesn't say a word. He knows the questions that Tonraq holds; despite his wild looks, he's the most empathetic person in the group. Maybe it's because of his water bending skills that he's attuned spiritually and emotionally? Who knows, but the last thing he wants to do is explain himself.

"I'll join Haku in the baths..."

Before Iroh can escape, Tonraq takes the chance to speak up. "If you cherish her so much, you should tell her your title."

Iroh pauses, fingers pressing into the cotton towel tightly. "...I don't want my title to get in the way of things."

"Things... As in your friendship with her?"

Iroh gazes down and takes a while to reply. "Yeah... That."

"...You should tell her your feelings," Tonraq bluntly responds, causing Iroh to flinch.

"And creep her out?!" Iroh spits out as he turns to face Tonraq with a conflicted expression. "Tell her how amazing she is in every way? That a guy like me will only bring her down with my title. I'm tied to all these responsibilities and expectations-- I don't want her to be stuck with me. I want her to be free." His anger lessens until it's a silent whisper.

"You don't think the benefits of being royalty would expand her world?"

Iroh's gaze is listless as he turns his back to Tonraq. "It never expanded mine... I would never want that for her."

Tonraq heaves out a sigh as he shakes his head. "But you would want that for your current fiance?"

"...Mel is the only person that doesn't care about her world expanding. It's perfect for me."

Tonraq doesn't press the issue any further. Clearly, resentment for the crown paralyzes Iroh from acting upon his feelings. It's woven deep into his heart, and as a banished prince, he finds no purchase in being the one to save him.