"Uh, 'Roh, are you sure this is a good idea? What if they don't like me…?"

"That's stupid, Bo, of course they'll like you. They have to, anyways."

…

They entered through the palace gates, where Bolin could spot a tanned young man off in the distance.

"That," Iroh said, pointing to the man, "is my younger brother, Lu Ten. Be warned, he's a bit wilder, like father…one second thought, I think you and him will get on well."

Lu Ten caught sight of them and began waving and grinning like a maniac, running towards his brother and Bolin. He had Bumi's wild hair, but it was jet black, and his tan skin was just a few shades lighter than his eyes.

"Hi! I'm Lu Ten, but you can just call me Lu. So you're Iroh's new boyfriend? I heard you're not the pole up your ass type either, gosh, I hope you can balance him out, he's soooo boring. Oh, I'm his younger brother, I'm eighteen, and I'll be Firelord because 'Roh's too busy with Forces stuff, so yeah. So you're an earthbender? That's so cool! I've actually never directly talked to one, outside Aunt Lin, bust she's really scary. Care for some tea? "

Bolin saw a bit of Ikki in the future Firelord. But, Iroh was right. Bolin saw himself becoming great friends with Lu Ten. So far, so good. But there were more people to impress.

"Hi! I'm Bolin, but…you probably already know that. Um, what kind of tea?"

…

"So, what did you think of my brother?"

"Oh, gosh, he's awesome!"

"Yes, well, I got that. You two were talking for almost an hour. My sister will be a little harder to sway. She's very cynical, dry, critical, and—she's coming this way. Oh joys."

Ty Lee looked much like her Great Aunt, what with her brown hair, creamy skin, grey eyes, and perfect figure, but with her tone of voice, her mannerisms, and exceptional manipulation skills, she reminded Iroh of his other Great Aunt, Azula. Minus the evil of course, but then again, Azula turned good in the end.

"Oh, Iroh, back so soon? I thought the war might be longer, both a shame and a blessing it wasn't. I don't particularly like war, but at least I was free of your presence."

She suddenly realized that Bolin was there.

"Oh, dear brother, is this the present you have brought me back from Republic City? One of its finest men? Hmm, and this one is quite the lad. So well-muscled," she mused, circling around a nervous looking Bolin. "An Earthbender, I presume?" She asked, running a finger down his chest. Bolin nodded, gulping audibly.

"Okay, Hands off Ty, Bolin's mine."

The girl's devilish smirk was immediately replaced by a pout, making her dry disposition shatter immediately. "You always take all the good ones, fuck you, Iroh!"

The fourteen year old stalked off somewhere to go brood, in the noble tradition of her grandfather.

…

"You may enter the chambers of Your Highnesses, Firelord Ursa and Lord Bumi," a page told the two young men mechanically. They heard a loud cough from behind the doors, and the page rolled his eyes, and said, "Excuse me. You may enter the chambers of Your Highnesses, Firelord Ursa and…Firelady Bumi…" Then he just slowly walked off, shaking his head at the antics of the Firelord's husband.

They both entered the room, and Bolin was very glad to see a familiar face.

"Commander Bumi!"

"Hello, son!" He jumped off the throne and wrapped Bolin in an enormous bear-hug. "Oh, Hi Iroh." He gave a bored wave to his actual son.

Iroh rolled his eyes at his father. Bolin on the other hand was glad to see a familiar face, and returned Bumi's hug. Noticing the Firelord and gasping, he ran out of Bumi's grasp immediately and went to kneel down at her throne.

"Oh, uh, hello Mrs. Firelord, Ma'am. I'm um…dating your son. Iroh, in case you didn't know which one…but you probably did. Um, well...yes. Oh, and I'm Bolin."

"Oh. You mean you're dating my daughter Iroh? Figures. He's a priss, needs a manly man like you. I'm sure Lu Ten said about the same thing, yes?" Ursa remarked, amusement in her eyes at her indignant older son.

"Uh, yeah…"

"Bolin, m'boy, your stuttering. Been hitting the cactus juice?"

Bolin loosened a bit at Bumi's joke. "Well, you know, it is the quenchiest."

Suddenly, and old man with a scar on his eye popped out from behind a curtain. "I JUST CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE! THIS ONE IS AMAZING, IROH!"

"Father?" Ursa asked, confused. An old woman followed behind her husband. "Mother?"

"Mai! Weeding preparations! Scarlet or Chartreuse for the robes? Oh forget it, we'll have both!"

"Uhh…"

"Uhh…"

"Uhh…"

"Uhh…"

"Uhh…"

"What?" Zuko looked around at all the slack-jawed people in front of him. "He reminds me of Sokka!" Then he skipped out the back doors of the chambers, mumbling happily about different kinds of cake.

Bolin tilted his head, and Bumi leaned over, whispering to the boy "Don't worry. He said that to me, too."

"Why?"

"I dunno…"

Mai sighed. "Iroh, gather your siblings. I think it's time I told everyone exactly how close your grandfather and Sokka were."