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

『against their fathers' wishes [1]

Haku drums his fingers against the wooden surface of the table, the anticipation of meeting his father nipping at his nerves. His frazzled expression does nothing to calm the uneasiness in the room as the other two mirror his same state.

Tenzin strides into the large igloo with his back straightened. Dignified and proud, he announces the arrival of the world leaders. "They're here."

The room falls silent and in enters dignity and honor: a man tall and lean with tan skin and a measly goatee; a man with hair as luscious of Iroh's in Fire Nation gear; a brawny man with Water Tribe gear, and Avatar Aang. On your end, it's Haku, Tonraq, Iroh, Tenzin, you and Hammy.

"Are these your fathers?" you ask in Iroh's ear. He shows no signs of responding or moving or breathing, and that catches your intrigue. "Iroh?... Wait, why do all of you have weird faces on?"

Thankfully, Tenzin musters enough strength to display some courtesy in quelling your confusion. "Yes, you are in the presence of all our fathers."

"Even Hammy's?" you gasp.

"It's nice to see you again, [Name]," Avatar Aang hums. 

A squeak tumbles out your mouth when you hear him utter your name. Starstruck as can be, you stammer out a greeting but it turns out to be a failure of epic proportions, "YES. OF COURSE. YOUR MAJESTY!"

He chuckles, "Your majesty?"

"UH UM..." You look at Iroh for help but he shows no signs of aiding your disastrous conversation. Once you realize this, you try to push the subject onto him. "I did it, your majesty. I'm dating the guy I told you about, thank you for the advice, oh chosen one!" You raise your hands in the air to motion towards Iroh, whose eyes grow wide at the attention. 

Avatar Aang breaks out into a wider grin at the news, but it's the Fire Nation man that shows the most amount of emotions. Shock spreads across his face until it morphs into that of happy confusion.

"Iroh, you're dating someone?" he asks with a smile. 

You blink a few times and realize that this must be Iroh's father. "Oh, crap..."

Although Iroh did not feel ready to showcase his relationship to his parents, he certainly feels no shame. Yet he does not know how to respond in fear of the repercussions. When he nods his head, his father mirrors the same smile as Avatar Aang. "That's great."

The quick acceptance of his girlfriend stuns the boy. "That's it?"

"Well, you chose her... and I recognize that girl from back in the day. Our nation's pride and joy genius," he beams. "But above all, if you're happy, I'm happy too."

You can see where Iroh gets his easygoing nature. Despite his father's stern exterior, the kindness in his eyes holds a great sense of stoic comfort. He expresses absolute love for his son, no matter the torture Iroh has put him through when he ran away.

"But we should discuss something of the more serious variety," his father's smile fades as he enters his political role. You gulp and await his next set of words, but they never come; instead, the man in blue garbs speaks up.

"The disappearance of such important figures," he growls out. "Missing children of world leaders... Do you have any idea of the repercussions? And the manpower to find you? The irresponsibility!"

You glance to see the expressions of your team. Neither can look at their father's faces, instead opting to stare at the table. You are well aware of their guilt and feel a need to respond.

"Well, something must have been seriously wrong for them to leave." You know the words are harsh and lean away from any sort of diplomacy. However, you recently have been allowing emotions to overtake your reasoning and such is how you will act. "They were raised to be loyal to their important titles... but for them to throw it all away, did you ever think why?"

Haku's father grunts his disapproval of your interjection, muttering under his breath about your insolency. "The nerve..."

"Who is she to intervene in such matters?" the water tribe man questions calmly with a trace of bitterness to his tone. "I know she is in connection with the Fire Prince but that does not mean she has a right to speak on these matters."

"Father," Tonraq warns. "She is a dear friend, who with her ingenuity has saved all of us countless times. Without her, we would not be here seated in front of you."

"I banished you. You were supposed to follow the Avatar's instructions to your new home in the outskirts. That was our deal," he stated in an effort to silence Tonraq's strong disposition. "Yet you disobeyed me and ran off to get yourself almost killed."

You eye Tonraq, who appears to be mildly disturbed. "That was a death trap, father. The ones waiting for me at the camp were bandits, not water tribe soldiers."

The man blanches at the news. At first, he shows signs of disbelief but Tonraq's honesty shows in his expression.  His anger is now but a quiet flame as he mulls over the information.

In that time, Haku's father feels a need to rip his son a new one. "That still does not excuse your disappearance."

"Dad, I can explain--"

"I don't want to hear your excuses," he growls out. "How dare you insult our ancestors by shirking your responsibility to... be a nomad. You have no idea--"

Before he can go any farther, Avatar Aang drops his hand on the man's shoulder as he stares at the terrified group. "There are always reasons for people's actions, but please know that your fathers' anger stems from worry."

Haku's father grits his teeth as he seethes in silence. The Avatar's silent words for him to stop are absolute and he must proceed with great caution. The other fathers glance at each other as the debate on how to proceed.

You straighten up your form and do your best to speak in an even tone. "I understand you came here today to see your sons but it was under the pretense that we speak about the Glacier's Spirit Festival. We need this festival to succeed to build new relationships with the world and strengthen the bond between the Northern and Southern brothers. And above all, we need to reconnect with the spirits."

Aang nods his head. "Exactly, there are many things that have been offered by other nations, but it must be agreed upon."

Iroh's father crosses his arms as he stares directly at you. "I will agree to aid the festival with our Fire Nation ships... on the condition that Iroh, Prince of the Fire Nation, returns home after the festival is over."

Your heart sinks, and the next in line follows suit. 

"I will agree to share Republic City's resources on the condition that Haku returns to Republic City," Haku's father states.

The Water Tribe leader says nothing; he stares at Tonraq's face as he mulls over his options. "I do not want to involve my family's grievances into this. Please return Tonraq into our custody, and let us have nothing to do with this festival."

No one speaks at the expected outcome. The leaders are far too powerful to allow any room for negotiations, but it provides heartbreak on their sons. You stare, wide-eyed as your mind races for an answer. Any answer.

"N-No!"

Their fathers all slide their stern gazes over to your determined gaze. Aang smiles widely at your outburst, finding it quite amusing, "[Name]?"

"I reject all your offers. These three are staying right here with me!" you exclaim as your brain scrambles on how to proceed next... after all, you just said no to the some of the most powerful people in the world.

[___]

[A/N]: GO READER GOOOOOOOOOOOO! Save them boys from their fathers!