I've just been inspired a bunch lately, and strangely daring. I don't normally share my stuff. I love the idea that Korra and Iroh 2 are childhood friends, and I feel like Korra has always loved surprising people (especially earth- and firebenders) with her Avatarness.
Disclaimer: I do not own Legend of Korra, or its characters, that goes to Bryke.
Korra had only spent one summer at the Fire Nation palace. It was when she was young and still under Master Katara's tutorage. Fire Lord Zuko had invited Aang and Katara up for the summer, and Katara had thought that it would do the young Avatar some good to see a bit of the world.
At first, it was horribly dull. Korra had not been able to bring Naga along, but would smile to herself when she thought of the poor White Lotus members that were supposed to be taking care of her in Korra's absence. Naga was still new to being a domestic animal, and was not all that inclined to deal with people who weren't Korra. They were surely struggling.
After a couple of weeks, Zuko's daughter came home from her travels, and with her was her son, only a few years older than Korra.
When they met, it was quite comical, because Korra liked to flaunt the Avatar title, and more so, the bending abilities that came with it.
Iroh had been practicing his bending by the pond, and Korra, who was only getting training in waterbending, was curious and stopped to watch. He hadn't noticed her, until he was finished.
"What are you looking at?" He demanded, trying to cover up his embarrassment.
"Your bending, it's amazing!" The Avatar exclaimed. The compliment only flustered the young firebender.
"Oh… Thanks, I suppose. I'm still only learning, I'm not that great yet though…"
"Are you kidding? You're great! Could you teach me something?" At this request, Iroh's face twisted in confusion.
"I suppose… But, I mean… I don't know what good it will do for a waterbender…" He uneasily complied.
"No worries, I'm a firebender." She replied smugly.
"Oh, um, I'm sorry for just assuming… that… you were… uh, water tribe… and therefore… a waterbender…" He flushed a deep red.
"Oh, don't worry about it, I mean, I'm a waterbender, so it's understandable." She held her smirk, and Iroh once again looked really confused.
"But…?" He questioned.
"I mean, I have Master Katara for waterbending, so I don't need any help there, and I'll be starting my earthbending training soon, so the Order of the White Lotus already have an earthbending master picked out for me. But fire… That I could use some tips for."
He stared at her, letting her words sink in. As the realization dawned on him, the confusion dropped from his face, to be replaced with a dumbfounded look. At that moment, his mother had come looking for him and he exclaimed "Mom! Mom! The Avatar is here!"
"I know dear, I tried telling you that on our way here, but you didn't seem interested. Now, come get cleaned up for dinner." She smiled at her son, and turned to the Avatar. "You too, Korra. Katara is looking for you."
After dinner, Iroh kept to his word, and gave her some basic instruction in the art of firebending. They became fast friends and spent the rest of the summer sparring to see who was the stronger firebender (Iroh easily won, being the more experienced of the two, but sometimes he'd let Korra win, or else she'd be mad and not talk to him for days until he agreed to a rematch), feeding turtleducks with Fire Lord Zuko and exploring the giant palace and it's grounds.
As Korra's visit came to an end, they promised that they would see each other again. And promised that once they were both masters they would have a sparring match again, to settle once and for all who was the stronger firebender.