Letters From Iroh

Departure

I woke up to the sound of the radio. I rubbed my eyes with the back of my hand. "What?" I croaked. "W-What time is it?" I slouched out of my bed and fumbled over to open my window, and peer out into the early morning sky. It was a wet morning. A light fog filled the trees and small specs of early morning dew covered their leaves. The sky was a deep pink, and I could see little bits of orange flaring up behind the mountains. It was just before dawn. I walked over to my bathroom to comb my hair and brush my teeth. I switched on my smaller, personal radioand began to attempt to dance around while packing, humming to the tune "I left my heart in Republic City." I heard a knock on the door.

Dammit. I sneered, thinking it was Iroh. "Bao?" I heard a female voice call. "Are you getting ready?"

"yeah, ma!" I yelled over the music. "Imma be out soon!" I felt lighthearted, happy.

"well, dear." She continued, not leaving the door. "You should go wake up your boyfriend. He's not up yet." She seemed to giggle a bit.

"Um, okay!" I called back. It seemed a bit strange to me that Iroh wouldn't have woken up already. He seemed to me to be one of those dreadful "morning people." I trekked over to switchoff the radio, and then opened my door and walked over to the guest bedroom.

The door was closed, so I lightly nudged it, and it opened. I switched the small gas-lamp beside the bed on, slowly giving it more light. I didn't want to scare Iroh or anything. When the light was bright enough to see Iroh asleep, I couldn't help but stifle a laugh. I had always expected him to be a very militaristic sleeper. I always pictured him sleeping on his back, very formally, and not snoring or anything remotely unpleasant.

When I saw him in the dim light, however, he looked different from what I had pictured. Very different. He was on his stomach, one arm flung over his head, and he was snoring. Snoring? I couldn't contain my joy. I was happy he did that. It made him seem more real, more normal. I slipped over beside him and sat at the foot of the bed. I lightly tapped his leg, which made him turn over and grumble. I couldn't help but smile. "Iroh". I whispered. "Irohhhhh", "wake up."

I heard a muffled "mhmmm" before I laughed out loud, unable to keep up my silent mirth. Iroh rolled over and opened his eyes. He smiled. "Aw. B, was I snoring again?" he sighed, noticing my expression.

"yes. Yes you were." I laughed. "and I think it's hilarious."

"the men always get on my case about that on board the ship." He said sheepishly. "I can't help it, okay?" he leered before sitting up. I noticed the sheets slip down around him. He was only wearing his boxer-sleeping shorts. I looked down at him, obviously intrigued.
"What?" he laughed. "You've seen me shirtless before." He looked up at me. "You're too easy to read Bao."

"I haven't seen you in my house in a bed wearing no clothes and-"he cut me off.

"Get used to it, love." He cooed, before he leaned over and pulled me next to him, in an embrace.

"Iroh!" I shouted. "The door is wide open. I guarantee you matki will come in."

"Let him!" he laughed before letting me squirm out of the bed. He paused, clearing his throat, resuming his professional demeanor. "Well, love. I wouldn't want to be improper, but I must say, I don't have a brother, and I find yours very intriguing. My family has always entertained a highly tense and rigid atmosphere in our home, and the relaxed casualness of your home makes me feel...." He trailed off, looking up at me, smiling.

"Safe?" I asked. "Unafraid? Secure?"

"Exactly." He replied. "Something about this place is really soothing."

"Tell me about it." I laughed, smiling, before looking down at him, and then playfully covering my eyes. "You better get dressed. I wouldn't want to see you in-"I let out a fake gasp. "Your underwear." I smiled and attempted to slink out of the room before tripping over Iroh's bag. Well. I couldn't keep up being smooth forever. I was Bao after all. I stood up and laughed before slinking out of the room. I heard iroh shut the door behind me.