Iroh strikes down his last enemy with no trouble. As he watches the body fall limp before him, the satisfaction of victory washes over him. He grins to himself, dusting off his shoulders and assessing the damage. His uniform has been torn to tatters again and a few more scars adorn his arms and right hand. Nothing life threatening, nor exceedingly painful. His track record is getting better by the day.

"Iroh," he hears Korra call from his right.

He turns, only to be engulfed by an armful of avatar.

"Korra," he reprimands lightly, drawing back somewhat.

Korra is too busy smiling to pay him any mind. "We won!" She shouts in jubilation, her grin reaching from ear to ear. "And did you see me? My air-bending totally rocks now!"

Iroh chuckles lowly. He smiles at her, brings his slightly burned hand up to stroke Korra's soft, chestnut locks. "You were extraordinary, Korra."

She beams at him, cheeks flushing a light scarlet. "So were you," she adds shyly. "No one bends fire quite like you."

Iroh laughs. "Are you sure about that?"

Korra scowls and punches him in the arm. "Shut it, old man! I was trying to give a compliment!"

"Fine, fine," he says. "Calm down!"

Korra huffs at him, puffing out her cheeks and taking on a child-like disposition. Iroh smiles to himself. He has always admired her childish charm. Until recently it has been the constant reminder he needs to keep his distance. Korra is still a girl, after all, and he must wait until she is a woman.

His honor demands it.

"Your hand…" Korra begins, frowning slightly at the burns the reach across the top of his right hand, red and angry.

"Don't look so worried, Korra," Iroh says offhandedly. "I've survived much worse than a few measly burns."

She scowls. "Give it to me," she demands, taking his hand into hers before he can protest.

He watches fondly as she summons water from the nearby ocean and sets to work healing his burns. He has always admired her skill with waterbending as it has a reckless touch to it. As odd as it might sound, her waterbending has always reminded him of his own firebending—straightforward and powerful. Not gentle and patient like most waterbenders. He supposes he should have expected such from the Avatar.

"There," she says warmly. "All done!"

He looks to his hand—good as new. "Thank you," he says.

Korra looks up at him now, her cheeks still flushed and her eyes glazed over with soft admiration. Iroh swallows nervously. He has seen that look before.

"Korra," he says in warning.

She smiles defiantly and advances towards him. Suddenly, her arms are around his neck, her fingers threading through his short hair and her lips are being pressed determinedly against his own.

He means to push her away, he really does. But his traitorous body defies him and his hands come to rest on her hips, his own lips moving in tandem against hers. And, god, she tastes of the ocean, the air, the earth and wood fire all at once. She is warm and his and he never wants this moment to end.

But then his senses catch up with him and he pulls away from her, his own face ablaze. "C-Can't," he manages, tearing his eyes away from her inquiring cerulean gaze.

She glares at him. "Why not!" she all but shouts.

"You're still—and I'm a—"

Korra's face goes red with rage. Her eyebrow twitches and before he has time to react, a gust of wind has blown him from where he was standing and into the ocean. He resurfaces quickly. "K-Korra!" He shouts angrily.

Korra, however, is already stomping off in anger.