Bolin is so nervous, Iroh can hear his heart beating. "Bolin, relax. You are not going to die."
"That's what they all say."
"Oh, you've died before?" he asks, sarcastically, before he knocks on the door.
"Yes. It was quite painful." he sarcastically responds back at him.
"Ah. I see." he nods. "Well, you won't this time." he says, and then turns to the door.
A butler comes to the door and pulls the wide doors open. He knew it would be any of the reaming family members, but he didn't know Iroh would've brought Bolin with him. "Greetings, General Iroh." he bows.
"Thank you, my good sir." Iroh responds, smiling.
"With all due respect, my prince, why have you brought this.. peasant?" he asks, a quite disgusted facial expression.
Bolin looks to Iroh, a pout on his face. "Is that all I am to your family? A peasant?" he asks, actually hurt. That isn't something that usually happens to him.
"No, of course not!" Iroh says, and looks to the Butler with anger. "My boyfriend is not a peasant. You will never refer to him as a peasant again, or I could have my mother banish you." he barks. "Are we clear?"
"But his attire, dear Agni."
"Are we clear?"
"Yes, my prince." he bows again.
"Dear Agni is right. Where are your manners, foolish butler? That isn't how you speak to a guest.." he says, walking past him.
The Butler remains speechless as Iroh and Bolin walk past him. Never before had he seen anyone such as Bolin enter the palace.
Meanwhile, Bolin snuggles up to Iroh's arm. "That was the nicest thing you've ever done for me." he says, with a blush."Thank you." he grins.
Iroh chuckles. "You're very welcome. If anyone in my family hurts your feelings, please tell me. I'll be sure to tell the that they don't act rude to guests. Certainly not guests as important as you are, my love." he smiles, pecking a kiss on Bolin's cheek.
Bolin blushes again. "I love you so much." he says, smiling.
"I love you too. I hope my great Aunt isn't rude to you. She's almost impossible to argue with. We'd need my great grandparents to do that, and neither of them can really hear or speak." he pouts. "So just keep quiet to Great Aunt Azula, okay? And perhaps she won't burn you to death."
Bolin's eyes go wide, and his looks to Iroh with a pout. "Would she really do that?"
"I believe she has shot the avatar and her brother with lightning when she was just fourteen years old. I think those stories are just a myth, though." he shrugs.
He gulps. "Did you wait to tell me about her until now on purpose?" he asks.
"You wouldn't have come if I hadn't." Iroh shrugs.
"You're so mean." Bolin sighs. "Are you sure I'll be alive and well after we leave today?" he asks.
"I'm absolutely positive. The royal family is much more intelligent and respectful than the butlers we hire. That's why they are butlers, rather than family members. They're less ranked in society for a reason. They don't know respect, and they still don't after you tell them to shut up." he shrugs, leading Bolin up the stairs to the second floor.
"Ah. Like that one?" he asks.
"He was an excellent example."
"I see." Bolin nods. "So what all are we eating today?"
"Actually, I'm quite unsure. Usually the maids just do as the Fire Lord, or in our case, Fire Lady, says, regardless of what everyone else is asking." he shrugs.
"Oh. I guess I'll manage to deal with it." he shrugs.
"You will. Or else mother will banish you." Iroh pauses, waiting for a reaction. But since Bolin isn't surprised, he continues "I'm totally kidding. She'd never banish her son's boyfriend." he smiles, giving Bolin a hug. "Actually, mother is the one you'll most likely get along with."
"Oh." he laughs. "But that doesn't change my thoughts; I'm still scared."
"I know you are. But they aren't as bad as you might seem. They won't burn your face off if you're disrespectful, which I'm sure you won't be." he smiles, but then remembers that's what happened to his grandfather when he spoke out of turn. But, since Great Grandfather Ozai can't bend anymore, Bolin's safe.
"I hope they won't." he pouts.
"They won't! Stop fearing the event, damn it. They will not lay a finger on you. I won't allow them to. I'd allow them to burn my face before I'd let them hurt you." he smiles, kissing Bolin's cheek.
"I'm sorry, but I think you'd look fabulous with a scar." he laughs, kissing Iroh's cheek back.
"Oh, so I don't look fabulous already?" Iroh asks, sarcastically, and pouts.
"No, no. You'd look fabulous...-er."
"So am I just not fabulous enough for you, Bolin?" he asks, faking his sad voice.
He laughs. "You're incredibly fabulous. Too fabulous for me, almost." he chuckles. "I'm just kidding, there's no such thing as too fabulous." he smiles, poking Iroh's flawless cheek bones.
He chuckles. "We're almost to the dining room."
"Okay.. I guess you could say I'm looking forward to getting there. Meeting your family finally seems nice." he says, less enthusiastic than what he could be.
"There's that mode of confidence!" Iroh grins, and laughs.
Bolin laughs back, but it's a sarcastic laugh. He's really scared. What if Iroh's family didn't like him? That would practically crush him.