Fight # 009
Iroh should be glad.
Amon was defeated. The war was over. Slowly, all those whose bending was taken away were being saved. A celebration was even being held in their honor.
But best of all, everything was back to normal. Korra never again mentioned the kiss. It was as though it didn't happen.
Iroh should be glad.
Except he wasn't. Not even close.
He was thankful that Tenzin had invited him to live in Air Temple Island for the duration of his stay in Republic City. He couldn't even remember the last time he slept in steady ground yet it continued to elude him. He tried not to think too much of it. Instead, he spent his nights walking along the beach, relaxing his very tired bones.
The third night he came to the shore, someone was already there.
He watched silently as Korra went through her water bending stances, the sea in front of her obediently following. He took one step towards her and immediately hesitated. Technically, he and the Avatar haven't been in the same room with each other since the incident, mostly because of his cowardice. He was about to turn around and walk back to the house when a voice cut in.
"You don't always have to run away when you're with me."
Iroh cringed at the coldness of her voice.
So she noticed. "Korra, I-"
"Don't, Iroh." She said, cutting him off. Her eyes were still trained at the sea but her words were directed at him. "Just don't, okay?"
He continued to stand there, blankly staring at her as she continued to bend. The sheer force of her power causing the waves to grow stronger and stronger.
"Korra," he started softly. "Maybe we should talk-"
"There's nothing to talk about!" she screamed fiercely. "Nothing happened! That's the one thing you told me this past week! That's the one thing I can count on now a days, people treating me like I'm a dirty little secret. First Mako, now you! Why?" Tears streamed down her face as she turned to face him. Iroh stayed rooted on his spot as she looked at him, the waves behind her rose and fell at a great height but Korra didn't seem care. "Did I do something wrong? Why does this keep happening to me? I'm supposed to have the wisdom of a thousand years then why do I keep making the same mistake? I am nothing but disposable to you people. AND I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!"
Iroh could practically see it, the power inside her slowly taking over. He knew she had to keep her Avatar State near the surface because of the sheer number of times she returned people's bending. He could see her struggle for control within herself, she was about to cave in. Without thinking, Iroh tackled Korra to the ground.
The water crashed around their bodies as he pinned her to the ground, hoping to place some sense into her.
"Calm down." He practically begged, screaming as Korra's eyes started to faintly glow. "Everything is going to be okay. Please Korra calm down, please." He continued what he was saying like a mantra until her breathing slowed. Her body went limp in his arms as her eyes closed.
He let out a sigh of relief as he brought her to the shore. He held her in his arms as he slowly steamed her clothes dry.
It was a while before Korra stirred beside him. He watched as she slowly blinked her eyes open. As soon as her eyes met his, regret immediately crossed her features.
"I'm so sorr-"
He placed a finger on her lips to silence her. "It's okay."
"I could've-"
"But you didn't"
"I can't control-"
"C'mon." he said pulling her up and guiding her back to the house. "I think it's time for some of great uncle Iroh's calming Jasmine tea."
Fight # 010
"I can't believe it, Great grand nephew and named after the awesome Iroh and you can't even make a decent cup of tea."
"I'm not used to this kitchen, okay! I always cook in the galley of my ship."
"Mhmm, use any excuse you want, bottom line is you suck."
"I suck? You're the one who tried to cook eggs and failed. Tea is harder to make then eggs."
"I didn't burn them; I merely added some extra flavor. And eggs are way harder than tea. Tea is basically hot leaf juice."
The fake gasp that escaped his lips caused her to giggle. "How dare you!" he adapted his great grand uncle's voice, earning another laugh from her. "Tea is the only path to true spiritual enlightenment, dear Avatar."
"Said the man who can't even make a proper pot."
"You just have bad taste."
"I'm sorry I like ingesting things that are edible."
"This tea is perfectly edible."
"Try it then, I dare you."
"I prefer that my guest taste my work first."
"But there are still bits of whole tea leaves floating around."
"I'd laugh but I think it's true."
They found an easy rhythm of conversation. For the first time in a while, she relaxes. At least until the wooden door of the kitchen opens.
"Hey Korra, I've been looking – General Iroh, I didn't expect to find you here."
"Mako, good to see you up."
"Korra, where have you been? We've been looking for you all night."
"You know, around." They share a look causing the worried eyes to darken in suspicion.
"What do you mean?"
"I was just showing Korra the proper was to make tea."
"More like the proper way to cause food poisoning."
The general doesn't miss the sudden shift of mood as the man in front of him fidgets. He let out a cough.
"Well, I should best be going."
"Oh." She didn't bother to mask the disappointment in her voice as she watched him get up.
"Good bye; Mako, Avatar Korra."
He hears the raised voices coming from the room he just exited and used all the will power he has to walk away.
Fight #011
Korra was unbelievably and undoubtedly tired.
She buried her head in her hands, her eyes nearly dropping into sleep. She had spent her day inside ex-councilman Tarrlok's office, returning people's bending. Hundreds of people lined up outside the room, awaiting the return of their bending and one by one Korra tended to them. Each was tearful when they could bend again, Korra was happy she could serve her people like a proper Avatar but now she just wanted to take a breather.
"You should get some rest."
She didn't bother turning to around, already knowing who the voice was. She sank deeper into the step she sat on, on the brink of passing out because of exhaustion.
"I should be getting back to work."
"Korra," he growled from behind her, she could hear him slowly approach her as she closed her eyes with a tired sigh. "You've been working for days." She felt his stiff uniform brush against her arm as he sat down beside her. The smell of tea wafted around the air.
"Here, have a drink."
"No, thank you."
"Tenzin made it."
Her eyes peeked through her fingers eyeing the drink suspiciously before greedily grabbing it, drowning the drink in one gulp.
"Thanks," she said wearily, placing the porcelain cup beside her on the floor. Without thinking about it, she leaned on Iroh's shoulder. She felt his usually stiff body relax underneath her, his arm spreading out behind them.
"You need rest." Iroh whispered. His soft breath blew against her hair while his heartbeat tripled.
"Judging from your heartbeat, you need respite too."
"Never mind me." He said dismissively. "I haven't seen you sleep for a week now."
"I slept for at least an hour today."
"That's not enough."
"Just let me take a break for a few minutes and I'll be alright."
Comfortable silence fell upon them as her breathing slowed significantly. Her eyes once again dropped to a close. She started to relax, at least until the wooden door creaked open. She kept her eyes closed as light footsteps approached them. Tenzin's voice – a little hoarse – echoed across the silent room.
"How is she?"
"Tired." Iroh softly replied.
"Do you think she can still heal tonight?"
"I know she'll force herself to." Iroh paused before speaking once more. "She needs to rest, Council man."
"I know, I know. We all do."
The two let out a small – almost bitter – laugh.
"General, would you please escort Korra back to Air Temple Island? I will speak to those waiting outside the office, reason with them that the Avatar needs to sleep too."
Korra was about to speak out, say that she was fine and that she could heal a few more before going home but something was pulling her down. The sleep was strongly over taking her, somehow; it felt unnatural. It was then she realized, Iroh placed sleep serum in my tea. She wanted to scream or speak or move but it was as though she was paralyzed.
'Iroh I am going to kill you' was Korra's last coherent though before she blacked out.
Fight #012
"Uh, General Iroh, what are you wearing?"
"Well, Mako, I believe it's hay."
"Okay, wrong question, why?"
"Someone took all my clothes and all they left was all this hay."
"At least it's all natural."
"I'm not really sure if that's a good thing, Bolin, but I'll keep that in mind."
"Who would-"
"GENERAL IROH!"
The four turned to face the Avatar who was standing on a sky bison, it's herd flying right behind her.
"THIS IS FOR MAKING ME TAKE SLEEP SERUM! ATTACK!"
"BUT IT WAS FOR YOUR OWN-"
His words we were drowned out as the herd surrounded him. The Avatar landed gracefully as the bison's started stripping the General off of his clothes.
"Korra! I can't believe you-"
"Don't worry, Asami, I left him some underclothes to wear."
"Oh, then, good for you."
Sorry for the late update, dears! I'm so buried in Physics homework omg. I hope you like this story and I can't thank you all enough for the positive feedback I get from this story, really, it warms my heart. Actually, can you guys recommend me a good Iroh II/Korra fic/art? It would be greatly appreciated.:)
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