A/N: My newest story. I wanted to write another story set in the Southern Water Tribe. This used to be a chapter in The Tiger of the North, but I wanted to make it a story. Warning for this story will contain mature language, explicit masturbation, slash, references of being drugged and past non-con.


The sky filled with lanterns. Wolf Cove was covered in snow, with small houses and shops sprouting from land near the harbor. There were lanterns in the shape of a woman, women in heavy blue and dark purple parakas to honour Helak, the woman for whom this festival was named for. Jen LuXian amerced himself, in a true winter and the appearance of the southern lights across the sky on this evening. Wolf shaped lanterns were let into the sky, with the hustle and bustle in the harbor's market square and chatter filling the Southern Water Tribe capitol.

Jen LuXian was excited for festivals, no matter what time of year it was. The earthbender just finished a year's residence, as Avatar Korra's earthbending master and it coincided with the Festival of Helak. The man knew of the Southern Water Tribe's history and culture, before the Fire Nation nearly wiped it out. Fortunately, Chuje Island was full of Southern Water Tribe descendants or people mixed with southern tribe heritage. The people of Chuje Island shared the culture, with their nearby mother tribe. Jen LuXian had visited Chuje Island, an island between the Earth Kingdom and the Southern Water Tribe's coastal borders.

There was beauty in Helak's Festival, which happened after the Winter Solstice. It was a celebration of the Southern Water Tribe born Avatar Helak, who ascended as a goddess, after saving the southern sea from an extreme water cyclone, which could have destroyed everything. There wasn't much knowledge on Avatar Helak, because of the destruction by the Fire Nation. Every time the Southern Water Tribe was invaded, pieces of their culture and history eroded away.

Jen LuXian was accompanied by his bodyguard Su Yong, but the man beside him disliked festivals. He understood, Su Yong was a long way from home and he hated the southern weather. The man strolled into the market square, where the lights were the brightest and excited children sped past them with their own lanterns. His heart warmed, seeing happy people and people celebrating. Jen LuXian wasn't teaching, as it was a festival night. The White Lotus in all their repressive rules allowed Avatar Korra, to spend three days with her family, with two White Lotus sentries guarding her.

A sour mood graced Su Yong's face, scowling and folding his arms. After being approached by many southern tribe children. The children ran away, shouting that Su Yong was a cold ghoul. Jen LuXian smiled, knowing Su Yong was not cruel to children and was only cruel to those, who deserved it.

"For a small city, it sure is bright." Su Yong said, in a iron tone. He wasn't in the mood of celebrating anything without his family, who were in the Middle Ring of Ba Sing Se. A reminder of how far from home Su Yong was and how much he sacrificed to serve him.

The Second Young Master of the Jen family smiled brightly, "Su Yong, don't be harsh. He will be gone, as soon as the New Year celebrations come. For someone, I trust and value. You should be less hostile towards him."

"Why should I? Firebenders are defilers and you know it."

"You are being rude, A-Yong...no noble would get away with the kind of attitude, you have towards a prince."

"It's because being rude to royalty is a sign of poor breeding and bad manners." Su Yong sulked, folding his arms and frowning his eyebrows like a child being punished.

"What does that say about you?"

"I am doing my duty, Your Grace. To protect you from such men like him."

Jen LuXian was not in the mood to debate this, especially on a festival night. He looked at Su Yong, seeing the other man's harsh beauty. As cold as the frozen tundra, with Su Yong's thin lips pursing together and his ponytail swayed in the wind. Jen LuXian shook his head. Su Yong was sworn to protect him, not someone for Jen LuXian to objectify and look at in an inappropriate manner. His heart raced, gazing at Su Yong and realised his relationship with Su Yong was changing before his very eyes.

All Jen LuXian had to rely on was Su Yong. Being so far from home and away from everything he knew.

The earthbender knew in his heart, the fourteen year old Avatar Korra was lonely. The White Lotus did not want any distractions to the Avatar's earthbending training. He relented in allowing Master Katara's great nephew and niece Nuka and Anika to socialise with the Avatar, under his watchful eye. He took his lessons with Korra outside the compound, much to the annoyance of Grand Lotus Master Lao and his people. Jen LuXian disliked the southern youths being a bad influence, on the impressionable Avatar. But relented, as Jen LuXian saw the scale White Lotus had in keeping the girl under guard, like Earth Princess Pei Ling by the walls of Ba Sing Se.

After a year's residence, Jen LuXian grew irritated by the White Lotus and their politics. The power and resources the White Lotus had, made it easier for the Avatar's father and mother Tonraq and Senna to entrust them with the safety of their daughter, despite what happened before and they always had the fear of the insurrectionists returning to take the Avatar. He was wrapped in a forest green fur coat and in layers of warm clothing, due to his sensitivity to the cold and the effect it had on his health. Su Yong placed both his hands on Jen LuXian's shoulders, whilst in the square and seeing the wolf shaped lanterns float, and the bodyguard began rubbing Jen LuXian's shoulders.

Jen LuXian's face flushed red, as strong and capable hands massaged his shoulders. He could have told Su Yong not to touch him, but Jen LuXian felt safe with Su Yong and no one else could touch him, whilst Su Yong stood by his side. Jen LuXian saw blood stains on Su Yong's clothes from time to time; his bodyguard killed people and spirits alike to keep him safe. It was Su Yong's duty and he had no qualms about killing for the greater good. It was the harsh mentality Su Yong had, which Jen LuXian admired and wanted to emulate. He saw himself hidden behind the image, of the admired Tiger of the North, champion of the Tiger Goddess in the mortal world.

"I wish...I was more like you..." Jen LuXian confessed.

"What do you mean, Your Grace? You have everything anyone would want, why would you want to be like me." Su Yong asked.

"To be more ruthless...not caring about what happens. The last ruthless choice I made was swearing vows of abstinence, taking myself off the marriage market and from Ba Sing Se's throne."

"It's different for you, you are a hero adored by thousands in the Earth Kingdom."

"I'm honoured by the gifts, the temples and appreciation. You stick to your principles and don't care for the consequences. Sifu Duyi made the right choice in hiring you to protect me."

"Who is this Helak, the southerners are celebrating, when most of the world hardly know of her?"

"A-Yong...the fact Avatar Helak is somewhat known is a miracle, considering the firebenders nearly destroyed everything painted and written about her. The people of Chuje Island celebrate her in the winter and celebrate Avatar Kyoshi in the spring. Avatar Helak saved lives from a natural disaster, that could have killed hundreds in the Southern Sea islands. People died on an island in the Fire Nation, when the volcano erupted and Avatar Roku lost his life."

"I didn't know you were invested in Southern Water Tribe history so much, Your Grace." Su Yong grimaced.

"It's mandatory for a noble man like me to learn, especially with my status."

"How do you feel, Your Grace. Giving up your claim on the throne, to search for enlightenment and fight for the Tiger Goddess."

"The path I took. No decent earthbender would, because of a lifetime's work and discipline to stay pure of mind and body. Seeing the faces of the noble women pushed in front of me. The ambition of many families to have a daughter be my concubine. The Jen family were disappointed. My father's marriage to my mother yielded hope for them to one day have an Earth King with the Jen surname, but those hopes were thwarted. I swore vows of chastity and chased glory, instead of fidelity to my family."

"There has been rumours about you, Your Grace."

"I know the rumours. Just harmless talk."

"They say you associate with the cut-sleeves in Omashu, and your closest friend is the leader of the pack."

"The Earth Kingdom should move with the rest of the world."

Jen LuXian was astonished, when a laugh erupted from Su Yong's lips. It was his bodyguard's reaction to the idea of old traditions being challenged and the reality of it. The earthbending master was a traditionalist at heart, but his world view changed, once he stepped out of the cocoon of Bao Yun. Jen LuXian wanted better for his country and the people in it. It will take time for a fractured and broken nation to become strong and heal from the Fire Nation's war. The symptoms of trauma and pain manifested into a subconcious disease poisoning the Earth Kingdom. There was no hope for the Earth Kingdom people; the Hou-Ting Dynasty failed their subjects and such failure will not be forgotten.

The man was hopeful, of the heroic things he had done in the Earth Kingdom. Such deeds made an impression on the common folk, who grew resentful of the Avatar and needed someone to believe in again. Their hopes and dreams were in Jen LuXian's hands. He guaranteed the people of the Zeizhou Province a future, beyond being used as cannon fodder for the Sima Clan to hold onto their ill-gotten power. Lives were saved from an earthquake in the Great Divide, which could have affected the other villages nearby. Ensured peace between Jinshu City and Chameleon Bay, when they could have gone to war over trade tariffs. Restrained himself from the temptations of the fox spirits, whom were in Lansou Village feasting on the chi of the village people.

Those were the things the Avatar did, but Korra was a girl. A girl who had no idea of the world, that awaited her, when she turned seventeen. A resentful Earth Kingdom, who lost hope in the Avatar to worship and adore another in her place. A functional Fire Nation, the United Republic was mixed and the Water Tribes kept to their own borders. Jen LuXian achieved his childhood dream of helping his people, but it cost what he gave up for his dream.

Chilled winds blew in Jen LuXian's direction, with Su Yong grasping onto the earthbender's shoulders. The young master mused, how his bodyguard was prickly and moody. Jen LuXian was used to cold weather, but Su Yong grew up in Ba Sing Se, where the weather was always pleasant and it only rained a few times. The sight of people celebrating and laughting stung Jen LuXian, he was homesick and it wasn't the first festival he celebrated without his family. When Jen LuXian fostered in Omashu, he had his Uncle Xizuan to spend the festivals with. He developed a closer bond with the uncle, banished from the Jen family, for being a cut-sleeve.

From behind, Jen LuXian caught loud whistling and turned to see the tall figure of Sergeant Tarrick and Colonel Iroh at his side. He flinched, not liking how loud and boisterous the eldest grandchild of Matron Suki and the late Chief Sokka was. The southern tribesman was a shameless flirt with women, but never failed to compliment Jen LuXian's beauty, much to Colonel Iroh's bitter expression. His heart stopped, when the young master saw the Fire Nation prince with his childhood best friend. A bitterness sat inside Jen LuXian's chest, seeing Sergeant Tarrick as a handsome man, who had no problems attracting attention. The way Tarrick put his arm around Prince Iroh's shoulder had Jen LuXian wince.

Drowning out Su Yong's voice, as Jen LuXian's obsidian brown eyes were on Colonel Iroh. Every time Jen LuXian saw Prince Iroh's molten gold eyes. Those eyes were the same as the mystery man, who stole his first kiss in the Cave of Two Lovers. The earthbender wondered, who kissed him that night, but assumed his mystery man to be from the Fire Nation. Jen LuXian shook his head, thinking the unthinkable. The thought of Prince Iroh being the man, who gave him his first kiss.

It wasn't possible. For all Prince Iroh's flaws. He wouldn't infringe on the saintly warrior of the Earth Kingdom's modesty. Not long after blue fire destroyed a group of deadly, but seductive fox spirits who caused horror for the people of Lansou Village. Spirit killer was what Prince Iroh was titled after that, after a display of strength in the face of temptation from the malevolent spirits. Jen LuXian had been drugged, when investigating in a local brothel in the village by a barmaid, who turned out to be one of the fox spirits in disguise. That day changed Su Yong, after Jen LuXian slept off the medicine to cure the aphrodisiac in his body.

Su Yong's dislike for Prince Iroh emboldened after Lansou Village was saved.

Jen LuXian turned to stare at Su Yong, seeing if his non-bending protector had similar traits to the Fire Nation prince. The only similar thing Su Yong and Prince Iroh had in common was that iron stare in their eyes, whenever they conveyed dislike or jealousy. There was nothing for Su Yong to worry about. Jen LuXian was a good judge of character and knew the Fire Lord's son was not dubious and will use their friendship to deceive him.

The earthbender was aware, as he got older. More people commented on how attractive Jen LuXian was and how much like his mother he looked. Growing up had its own pains for Jen LuXian, but the thought of being the spectacle of beauty, his mother was frightened him.


Alone as Jen LuXian wondered off. Irritated by Su Yong's tirades, but Jen LuXian did it for Su Yong to see the error of his mistake and apologise. The man was the only other person Su Yong cared about outside his family and no one else. Jen LuXian saw his bodyguard made no effort to make any friends or socialise, during their residence in the Southern Water Tribe. The local tribesmen and women were good hosts and were more welcoming than their northern sister tribe.

The earthbending master's first year of residency was full of challenges. Homesickness and the difficulty in adapting to southern tribe life. He was a man, who was raised in all climates, but never for the extreme cold of the Southern Water Tribe. His long ink black hair was in a traditional topknot, Su Yong usually did for him. He wanted a modern style, which the nobles in Omashu wore and what he saw on the Fire Nation delegation at the Omashu royal wedding. Jen LuXian saw his reflection in the mirror, before he left the Southern Water Tribe palace. A humbler man compared to the spring flower encased hero, the Earth Kingdom people loved. His mother's beauty grew, as Jen LuXian matured and saw why the women and girls of the Southern Water Tribe tried their luck with him.

Jen LuXian's eyes widened. How bright the market square was, in contrast to the dark frozen tundra. Women and girls wore flower crowns made from blue water lilies, which looked beautiful and were the national flower of the Southern Water Tribe. The noble man fixed the ribbon that tied his hair, which was something simple compared to the lavish headdresses he wore years before. Jen LuXian kept a respective distance from Su Yong, wanting to escape the cage of Su Yong's watchful eyes and his lessons with Avatar Korra was the only space Jen LuXian had away from his bodyguard.

Through the light filled market square, Jen LuXian smiled, as he was alone and enjoyed his surroundings. The Spring Lantern Festival was always a grand occasion in the Earth Kingdom, the most gifted earthbenders were celebrated for being born in spring. His hand turned out to his palm, as clusters of snowflakes fell onto Jen LuXian's hand. His eyes were closed, reliving a childhood memory Jen LuXian suppressed, from the grief of his mother and father dying from the wasting sickness. It wasn't the first festival Jen LuXian celebrated without his parents, but he thought about them a lot.

How they would feel...about their son being a hero of the Earth Kingdom?

The man was used to the extreme cold, but it was never going to be easy. Homesickness was a paradox only a few could understand. For Jen LuXian, he was miles away from his homeland. His family and what he was used to living in relative comfort. His eye caught on a statue of what looks to be of Avatar Helak outside a mid-sized temple in Wolf Cove, which captured her dignity and strength on hardened ice. For the southern tribe people, Helak was an inspiration, during times of strife and constant attacks by the Fire Nation. A past life Avatar Aang found difficult to communicate with, because of Helak's grief and anger, over what happened to her people.

A hand was in front of Jen LuXian's eyes, another arm wrapped around his upper body. Jen LuXian felt warm, from whomever was behind him. The radiation of heat coming from the other person's body indicated it was a firebender. The earthbender mused, knowing Su Yong will use this opportunity to hurl insults at Colonel Iroh, perceiving this as a firebender taking liberties on him. An absurd fantasy Jen LuXian had of Prince Iroh, holding him in his arms in Omashu's sunset years ago. The hand was removed from his eyes, then Jen LuXian swivelled his leg over, and had Colonel Iroh laying in the snow, covered in cold sludge.

Jen LuXian pursed his lips, tighter than an Earth Sage's best robes. "Your Highness, you know Su Yong will use this as an excuse to insult you."

"I did not mean to startle you, Your Grace." Colonel Iroh replied.

"You were in the market square, with your best friend."

Colonel Iroh's mood soured. "It was Tarrick's idea. He wanted to flirt with Kalla, at her father's jewellery shop."

"Is that always a problem?"

"It has been...since Tarrick and Kalla got together."

"Good for him." Jen LuXian said, in a bitter tone.

The colonel looked at Jen LuXian, seeing the discomfort on his face. "Is there something wrong, Your Grace?"

"It's...nothing...nothing to concern yourself with."

"Has the White Lotus done anything?"

"A part from encroaching on my teaching...Grand Lotus Master Lao and his people want more influence, over the Avatar's training and education."

"I knew something like this would happen. The White Lotus have been stricter, since the insurgents tried to take the Avatar. They are not taking any chances on anything."

"The White Lotus are supposed to be neutral. They shouldn't have this much authority on the Avatar's education, that power should belong to her parents."

"I get why Grand Lotus Master Lao is controlling and paranoid. He lost a few disciples to the insurrectionists, who tried to kidnap the Avatar that night."

"Grand Lotus Master Lao should stop trying to interfere with my teaching, or else I will leave and return to the Earth Kingdom."

The colonel placed a hand on Jen LuXian's shoulder, his lip trembling at the touch. "Lian...don't leave. Avatar Korra likes you and will be devastated if you leave her." There was a gentleness, in how Colonel Iroh spoke to Jen LuXian, compared to the people under his charge in the United Forces.

"It will be the last resort, if things don't improve."

"I'm glad...Your Grace."

Jen LuXian turned away, afraid Su Yong will be irritated by Colonel Iroh's casual act of platonic intimacy towards him. "Will you walk with me? I...don't want to be alone tonight." The earthbender asked, in the stiffest of tone he could muster.

A blush appeared on Colonel Iroh's face. "...I could never refuse. Your eyes make it harder to say no."

"Would Sergeant Tarrick mind? It's a festival night and you will leave soon after."

"...Your Grace, I might not see you again, until the spring. I will be in the Fire Nation for the Lunar New Year celebrations."

"I am making progress with Avatar Korra, despite her being rough around the edges."

"That's good.."

"Why...I treat Avatar Korra like any other student. Is there something I missed?."

"The White Lotus has kept the Avatar under guard, since the insurgents tried to take her. They don't want to risk her safety on anything, but the Avatar is also a teenager. A teenager being robbed of companionship with teens her own age and has not had much socialisation with her own tribe. You made a great difference to Korra's life, despite the White Lotus wanting to drive you away."

"I'm thankful to have someone on my side, besides Su Yong."

"Speaking of your bodyguard, did you run away from him." Colonel Iroh said, in a haughty tone.

"I need space from him, I spend every day of my life with him."

"What is Su Yong's problem with me? He was indifferent to me before, but he has changed since Lansou Village."

"Su Yong is a prideful man, Your Highness. He feels he failed in Lansou Village, not protecting me from being drugged and targeted by the fox spirits. Su Yong sees you, a hero who defended me when it was easier let me be violated and save yourself."

"I'm not sure, why Su Yong's hurt honour is my problem. I did what I did that day, to save you and the entirety of Lansou Village."

"You have an advantage over him. Please...don't hurt him over some perceived wound to your pride." Jen LuXian's eyes pleaded. They were a pool of dark obsidian and silver, which could bend anyone to submission. Jen LuXian wanted Su Yong safe and unharmed.

"I will not hurt anyone important to you. No matter how much I dislike them, on a personal basis."

"I don't care. Su Yong is the one constant I have in my life. Do this one thing for me, Your Highness and I will ask no more of you."

There was a tinge of sadness in Jen LuXian's eyes. He looked pathetic, a war hero of the Earth Kingdom begging the Fire Nation prince, for Su Yong not to be touched. Historically and currently, Fire Nation nobles and the common citizens were sensitive about their pride and honour, being put into question or mocked. Colonel Iroh's maroon red gloved hands covered Jen LuXian's hands to warm them, from being frostbitten. Comforting was the word, of the tingling warmth from the colonel's hands. The wolf lanterns scattered into the sky, was what Jen LuXian had his eyes on. It was like being home and seeing the lanterns up close, before they were cast into the sky.

Colonel Iroh's arm was linked within Jen LuXian, but he couldn't help but blush. The men strolled through the market square, with the ice statue of Avatar Helak peering over them. A group of children running with kites sped past them. A deep gaze from those molten gold eyes didn't bother Jen LuXian, but his stomach fluttered, as if there were a hundred butterflies inside him. He pursed his lips tighter and fixed his face, not admiting his adolescent feelings, as an adult man. Nothing mattered, Jen LuXian couldn't always have what he wanted, despite being a hero in the Earth Kingdom, with everything at his fingertips and any command obeyed.

His priority was teaching Avatar Korra, not the encroaching nightmare of the complex feelings Jen LuXian ignored, since he was sixteen. To keep his vows of abstinence to the Tiger Goddess and not wonder about earthly desires beyond his reach.

As a noble man of the Earth Kingdom, Jen LuXian was silent when sexuality was mentioned or heard. It was a sensitive subject, Jen LuXian never discussed with anyone and listened to the tongzhi and lala in Omashu's queer circles. Jen LuXian kept to himself, in the south pole and no one judged him for being friends with a firebender. If the earthbender had been in the Earth Kingdom, there will be gossip and talk. His people had not healed from the war and still had generationally ingrained hatred for firebenders. The sky coloured by the green and blue aurora of the southern lights, which appeared three times a year in the Southern Water Tribe.

The ice statue in front of Avatar Helak's temple, was foreboding. The temple was the biggest in Wolf Cove, with devotees across the Southern Water Tribe to worship her. Jen LuXian looked up, being close to the statue of an Avatar he knew little about. Jen LuXian's feelings for Su Yong changed, wanting an intimate relationship with the man sworn to protect him. The man from the Middle Ring was Jen LuXian's constant companion, as such intimacy was platonic because Su Yong knew his limits. A platonic relationship was allowed, but anything outside of it was not appropriate because of the class difference between them.

Jen LuXian's eyes were on the candles, lit inside the temple with people coming in and out. "The simplicity is beautiful. You only get this in small temples and shrines in the Earth Kingdom." The ribbon around Jen LuXian's topknot loosened in a gust of cold wind, causing his hair to cascade downwards. The jade green ribbon ended up, in Colonel Iroh's maroon red gloved hands. Just a simple ribbon loosened, but Jen LuXian's hair was never this loose in public.

A red blush appeared on Colonel Iroh's face, not sure if it was an effect from the cold or seeing Jen LuXian this pliant. "You look beautiful, Your Grace."

"It's not the first time, you have seen me with my hair down, Your Highness."

"You have grown from the petulant youth, I met in Omashu."

"Don't tell people, you saw me with my hair down. You will be accused of trying to defile me."

"Most of the Southern Water Tribe will have already."

"I'm glad the rules on hair are less strict here. People can wear their hair, in whatever style they like."

"The Fire Nation is slowly moving forward, when it comes to the norms about hair. My grandfather nearly had a heart attack, when he saw me with shorter hair. He thought I disowned him and my family. I love my grandfather, but he comes from another time, when it comes to the customs about hair."

"I would never think of doing something that ghastly. Not in the position I am in to inspire my people." Jen LuXian said, firm tone of voice. He pulled no punches, when talking to the colonel because they were friends and could be honest with each other.

"Is there something on your mind, Your Grace."

"It's just...I know my residency is short. I want to make the most of my time, in the Southern Water Tribe. I may not visit again."

The frost from the snowflakes falling from above was beautiful, twinkling in the light with the aurora cascading the sky. From outside, the temple of Avatar Helak was beautiful to admire, and Jen LuXian looked at Colonel Iroh with tentativeness in his eyes. There was no way, their relationship could remain the way it was. Both men grew from the petulant rivalry of their youth and put their differences aside, once they got to know each other at war.

They were the ones, who brought peace to the southern Earth Kingdom, after the war with the Sima Clan ended. Jen LuXian never believed in love, seeing it as a vice meant to possess the minds of people to forget themselves, and be consumed by love to damnation.

"How long has the temple been there?" Jen LuXian asked.

"This temple was rebuilt from a temple that existed, before the Fire Nation destroyed it." Colonel Iroh replied.

"Whoever rebuilt it, did great work."

"You stray too far into spirituality, Your Grace."

"Why...everyone in my family worships the Tiger Goddess and my great uncle Xiang is the Earth Sage of Bao Yun."

"Agni reigns supreme in the Fire Nation, even though we worship other deities."

Jen LuXian turned inwards, "You are the least faithful member of a royal family I met."

Colonel Iroh twitched, he kept his hands behind his back. "My sister Mizuki visits the palace temple every morning and night. She always had faith in Agni and has been rewarded for her faith."

"The people of the Earth Kingdom still worship Avatar Yangchen, despite her being an Air Nomad."

Jen LuXian looked above, the statue of Avatar Helak looking directly at the people coming into her temple. The statue of a relatively unknown Avatar had a homely look in her features, despite them being crafted by hard ice and the difficulty in getting the appearance of sincerity and kindness crafted. The earthbender never wanted to gain anything from a foreign deity, as some deities were not known outside their respective nations. He sensed neutrality coming from Avatar Helak's statue.

"Do you want to go inside, Your Grace?" Colonel Iroh said, in an intensive tone.

Jen LuXian's eyes widened, not knowing if it was appropriate to go inside a temple, that meant a lot to the people of the Southern Water Tribe. "I'm not sure...I am an outsider to their customs and lighting a candle doesn't seem wrong. If it is from a place of respect and humility."

"You shouldn't put yourself down, Your Grace. One candle and a few offerings wouldn't hurt."

"I want to be respectful, like most visitors are to Earth Kingdom temples."

There was gloom on Colonel Iroh's face, not sure whether it was because he was cold or was it something else. "My advancement in the United Forces is happening too quickly for my liking. I want to earn my own way and not have it done so fast, people suspect my royal blood being the reason why I am promoted."

"Isn't advancing a good thing, Your Highness?" Jen LuXian said, in a brighter tone.

"It means more responsibilities, and more time away from those I love."

"You joined the United Forces to make a difference, to make the world safer." Jen LuXian said, in a stern tone. He hated it, when Colonel Iroh had second thoughts about anything, because he always saw Iroh as someone, who had a goal and followed through with it. There was a twinkle in those molten gold eyes, which shone in the night. Jen LuXian pulled a strand of his hair behind his ear. Jen LuXian blushed, the mortification of his hair being loose in front of someone other than Su Yong. The rules on hair were lax in the Southern Water Tribe, but Jen LuXian was not going to be seen with his hair down, in front of outsiders.

Out of the blue, Colonel Iroh took Jen LuXian's frostbitten hand and the other man froze still. He didn't pull away, allowing someone other than Su Yong to hold his hand. The young master reddened between his cheeks, but he was warm wrapped in layers of furs and still was cold. Jen LuXian had no idea, Prince Iroh was that gentle, everything he heard and assumed firebenders were not gentle people and were the most violent benders in the world. Those rumours were wrong, and such things were sprouted by post-war narratives.

"Your Highness...what are you doing?" Jen LuXian demanded, his tone strict and thin.

"...I fight in the United Forces...to make the world better...you inspire me, Jen Lian." Colonel Iroh replied.

Jen LuXian lowered his head, allowing the gust of wind to pass him. "How do I? I inspire the people of the Earth Kingdom, but you must be an exception. No self respecting firebender with pride, will admit being inspired by an earthbender."

"I want to, Your Grace. No one will deny me the honour of fighting by your side."

"Years ago, Your Highness. We fought a war in the Zeizhou Province and people died. I wasn't going to rest, until the Sima Clan paid for what they did to Fu Zexi."

Colonel Iroh's eyes dilated, "I was glad to work with you, Jen Lian. To see you outside of the saintly image people created for you."

As Jen LuXian took in those sincere words. "Young Master Jen..." The calling of Jen LuXian's name in the distance. The voice was rich and deepened and he recognised it to be Su Yong. Jen LuXian let time pass and realised he forgot about Su Yong. Colonel Iroh still held his hand, but Jen LuXian didn't push or force himself from the firebender. Feeling anything outside of sworn brotherhood was an earthly desire. The man swore vows of abstinence and kept his mind and body pure. The sound of Su Yong's voice comforted Jen LuXian; it was familiar and safe. Nothing too challenging for him and provoking forbidden attachments.

Jen LuXian's bodyguard was a safe protector, and loyal companion to be around him.

From the distance, Su Yong's voice got louder. It meant Su Yong was getting closer, to finding his master. Jen LuXian didn't want there, to be conflict between Su Yong and Colonel Iroh. The young master's hand was released. Iroh realised he behaved inappropriately, with someone he considered a friend. Jen LuXian knew the evening was not over, but he felt sadness because Su Yong's voice prevented him from getting answers from the illusive Prince Iroh.

When it came to honesty, Prince Iroh was wholly honest with Jen LuXian about his feelings, and what he wanted in his life. The firebender was willing to be open to another man in a world, that was broken, beaten and scarred.


Nothing prepared Colonel Iroh for what was in Avatar Helak's temple. The interior was humbler and more homely, than the extravagant temples in the Fire Nation. The colonel entered with incense bought from the market square, to be shared with Jen Lian. Fur pelts from various arctic animals lined the temple floors and bones decorated the temple walls. Helak was an expert hunter before she realised her destiny, to be the master of the four elements. Iroh saw Jen Lian close his lips, not wanting to say anything. He couldn't help but gaze at Jen Lian with his hair loose, from his jade green ribbon blowing into Iroh's gloved hands.

His heart thumping against his chest, Iroh bit his lip as he lit incense at Avatar Helak's altar. An altar filled with offerings from all over the Southern Water Tribe, from bone jewellery to freshly made bread and blue water lilies on the altar, next to clay figurines of Avatar Helak. The smell of fresh bread hit Iroh's nose and didn't want to be a heathen, desiring the bread on a foreign goddess's altar and wanting to eat it. His eye was on Jen Lian, who put a white beaded bracelet onto Avatar Helak's altar, which was one of the many pieces, from the jewellery shop ran by Kalla's father.

The colonel had been in the market square with Sergeant Tarrick, until his fellow United Forces comrade found Kalla, one of Master Katara's best waterbending students and his current lover.

Another bite of his lip, molten gold eyes focused on Jen Lian muttering a prayer from the southern tribe dialect. Wanting to be respectful of the goddess, he gave a bracelet to. Iroh's eyes were on the figurines of the Avatar ascended goddess in the temple, which Jen LuXian had great interest in. The firebender dulled, for Jen Lian was a stranger on foreign soil and an outsider, when it came to the spiritual matters of the other nations, and the deities they worshipped. Spiritual matters were nothing, to a man who became a war hero by fate. A hero responsible for the extinction of the old and proud Sima Clan, in the southern Earth Kingdom.

"War is a terrible thing...Your Highness." Jen Lian said, in a softened tone.

"How comes, Your Grace." Colonel Iroh replies.

"It was mainly about Fu Cheng's revenge for his brother. He got what he wanted in the end, but lost something in the process."

"We are in a temple."

"Avatar Helak doesn't mind...she could use the company."

Colonel Iroh smiled, Jen Lian always thought of others. Even an Avatar who passed centuries ago and was re-immortalised in the Southern Water Tribe, thanks to their kin on Chuje Island. "You have been distancing yourself, bogged down in the Avatar's lessons."

"I have a duty to fulfil, Your Highness. I'm younger than what the White Lotus wanted for a teacher. If Sifu Duyi wasn't the State Preceptor of Ba Sing Se, he would be the one training the Avatar instead of me."

"What did the sour-faced Prince of Omashu lose, other than his younger brother?"

"Love...soiled in betrayal and whispers."

"Do you know who Fu Cheng loved?"

"Weng Jinyu. The Prime Minister's son...a snitch and a traitor. Fu Cheng distanced himself from such a man years ago."

Colonel Iroh whispered in his thoughts. "For whatever reason Jen Lian. I will never hurt you. I will never betray you. I will never dishonour you, for as long as I live in this life."

The incense in the temple began to thaw, due to the chill outside. A place as warm as most Southern Water Tribe homes in the capitol. Colonel Iroh liked the ambience being in a temple brought, for someone, who did not go to the palace temple back home, and stewed all the religious customs of his nation. Jen Lian was different; his great uncle being the Earth Sage of Bao Yun and the Earth Sages were brought back by Earth King Kuei, in the second period of his reign. The return of the Earth Sages brought spiritual piety back to the Earth Kingdom. The master earthbender meditated and prayed to the Tiger Goddess, to strengthen his cultivation.

From the missions Iroh had been on in the United Forces. He saw the Tiger Goddess was the most popular deity in the northern Earth Kingdom, and gained devotees in the southern Earth Kingdom because of Jen Lian's heroism. Everyone in the Fire Nation worshipped Agni, but the Earth Kingdom worshipped their own deities, in different states and regions. Colonel Iroh saw the paleness of Jen Lian's hands, he was outside long enough for his hands to be like this. Did Jen Lian have enough to wear? Did Su Yong do enough to protect his master from the cold?

The firebender shook his head; this was none of his concern. It was for Su Yong to deal with.

The temple lights were minimal, but Iroh's eyes were still on Jen Lian's hands. The nature of the Earth Kingdom's strict social norms made staring at a noble's hands erotic. There was something about hands, arousing the colonel to where he lost sleep over it. He couldn't voice it or express it in a temple. Avatar Helak's temple deserved respect and reverence, because the Fire Nation nearly wiped out her existence from the Southern Water Tribe. A chill entered the temple, whilst Jen Lian finished his prayers to Avatar Helak's statue, at the center of the altar. Colonel Iroh tried to ignore, how elegant Jen Lian's hands were. His thoughts extended to more than his hands.

Those hands touched Colonel Iroh once, not in sworn brotherhood, but in a passionate ardour. In the Cave of Two Lovers, Major Iroh and Jen Lian were alone together. Trying to navigate the wide labyrinth and searching for a way out. Colonel Iroh heard from Great Aunt Katara, a kiss between the lovers will light the way, out of the cave. As a youth of sixteen, Iroh never considered kissing a boy, who challenged him to a duel of dao swords and liking it. The tension thawed, after Iroh stopped treating Jen Lian like an inferior, and more an equal. An equal and in some parts better than him.

Jen Lian never relied on his bending, but used non-bending martial arts to win against his opponents.

"Before I came here, I knew nothing about the people. Their customs and their culture. Being here after a year and I see what you love about visiting here. Everything a book cannot capture. People are thriving and at peace, after generations of turmoil inflicted on them." Jen LuXian declared.

"Tarrick bet you would quit, because life in the south pole, is different to what you are used to. I never lost faith you would adjust and stay for the Avatar. Never did your noble sensibilities curse the southerners and deem them uncouth savages, like their sister tribe deem them." Colonel Iroh replied.

"I'm not Chief Unalaq, Your Highness. I don't intend to give the southern tribe people a bad impression of me. No noble in the Earth Kingdom would give up their comforts, to stay in a nation, the size of the Shimsom region's biggest island."

"I'd like to spar with you, before the year ends."

"After I defeated you a year ago, Your Highness." Jen Lian said.

Colonel Iroh chuffed, not allowing the comment to hurt his pride. "I was distracted..."

"By what...delusions of grandeur or whatever your United Forces comrades were doing."

"I was distracted, by the scent of cherry blossom in your hair, the sudden increase in my chi when our hands joined together." Colonel Iroh thought acutely. His disciplined mentality folding, thinking of things, that should never be said in a temple.

"I don't understand you, Jen Lian. You gave up your claim to the throne and could have taken any woman, for a concubine. I met greedier men with less than what you have and want more. You could have been a general in the Earth Kingdom Army with your talent and skill. Why give up a promising future to search for enlightenment." Colonel Iroh asked.

"My people need someone to look up to. Someone who will care for what they want and inspire them. The Avatar has failed the Earth Kingdom, no thanks to Aang and Roku and my people don't respect the position anymore. Avatar Korra will have a hard time, getting the people of the Earth Kingdom to respect her for her merits. Avatar Korra should not be hated and loathed, for the mistakes her predecessors made in the Earth Kingdom."

"It's different in the Fire Nation, from wanting to kill the Avatar to revering the Avatar."

"...Your Highness...Su Yong is looking for me, it's time I left...before his concern causes complications."

The icy tone Jen Lian spoke in, dampened Iroh's mood. The other man gathered his bearings, finished his prayers at Avatar Helak's altar and was leaving the temple, especially when his vindictive bodyguard was searching for his master. Colonel Iroh didn't want to be at the end of Su Yong's sword again, but no blood will be spilled because Jen Lian will punish Su Yong. The firebender actively avoided where Su Yong was, unless the prince wanted to welcome death with open arms. Colonel Iroh understood Su Yong's duty to protect Jen Lian; he matured and grew his mother's beauty and attracted attention from the worst kind of admirers.

Despite what Colonel Iroh did, he ached to hold Jen Lian's hands. As strange as it seemed, Iroh liked baiting Jen Lian, dragging him out of the saintly image of a devoted warrior and bringing his tiger's fire and fierce temperament out. A fired up Young Master Jen was reckless, ruled by his passions in a way Iroh only saw in firebenders. Earthbenders usually controlled themselves and were disciplined to the core, unless you got in their way or threatened their loved ones. For the colonel of the United Forces, Iroh liked covertly flirting with the Tiger Goddess's most devoted believer and champion.

Jen Lian will not entertain Iroh's flirtations; he swore vows of chastity and his bodyguard was overprotective of him.

His hand reached out to hold Jen LuXian's left hand, in the confides of Avatar Helak's temple. Colonel Iroh took a breath in, brushing his fingers against Jen Lian's. Soft hands that were calloused from years of earthbending training and martial arts. The firebender wanted those hands, to touch him outside platonic comradery. He couldn't because it would defile Jen Lian's chastity. Iroh had to keep his hands away, but Jen Lian never told him to get lost after initiating contact. Even though Jen Lian was his friend, Colonel Iroh knew the lines blurred between them, when they kissed in the Cave of Two Lovers.

The universe or the gods deemed them lovers. Iroh wasn't sure if Jen Lian liked men or was their kiss just a spark and meant nothing.


"You should have a life of your own, Su Yong." Jen LuXian suggested. Removing his outside robes and changing into his nightly shift. The earthbending master worried for his bodyguard, spending too much time with him and not socialising or amercing himself into Southern Water Tribe life and meeting new people.

Su Yong scoffed, under his breath with his arms folded. "I'm hired to protect you. I can't protect you, when I spend the night with anyone else but you."

"What about the herdsman with Sergeant Tarrick, who stood next to him when the festival was opened by the Water Sages."

"I'd rather stay away from the locals and focus. Especially with that firebending scum sniffing around you again."

Bitterness sat on Jen LuXian's tongue. He was tired and it had been a long day of revelry and celebration. The man had two weeks off before getting back into training and teaching Avatar Korra. A stubborn teenager was the least of Jen LuXian's problems and the man protecting him was slowly becoming one. There was a time, Su Yong was indifferent to who Jen LuXian associated with and didn't care, only concerned himself with his master's protection. What happened in Lansou Village changed Su Yong, for the worst and he became overprotective to the point of suffocating him.

The earthbender brought a household of followers and a second bodyguard, in the form of a Kyoshi Warrior named Kumi. Jen LuXian was in his guest bedchambers, prepared and given to by the Chief of the Southern Water Tribe's most trusted servants, when he arrived a year ago.

The man kept few keepsakes, due to the time he had here. Relocating to the Southern Water Tribe was what Jen LuXian had to do, to become Avatar Korra's earthbending master. The contingent of White Lotus members in the south pole kept control of the Avatar, and secured permission from her parents to protect her. Safety was an illusion Jen LuXian knew too well. When Jen LuXian's retinue was attacked in the Western Sea by daofei looking for jewels or gold. Most of the daofei pirates were killed or thrown overboard. His life being threatened was a regular occurrence, a part in parcel of being a heroic figure. Jen LuXian was safe, thanks to Su Yong and Kumi protecting him, but he is light on security compared to most travelling nobles.

The earthbender dressed in a nightly shift of heavy sky blue and white robes. Removing the ribbon that held his topknot and allowed his hair loose, in the privacy of his sleeping quarters. Jen LuXian was in a state of undress, but he was comfortable being alone. His cheeks reddened, by the thought of Su Yong looking at him, more than a protective manner and in a way that was romantic.

Jen LuXian took a breath out and moaned, "Su Yong...I can't hold you back from living your life. When was the last time, you slept in a bed that was not mine." His face blushed. Jen LuXian had no qualms sleeping in the same bed as Su Yong, because it was normal for his bodyguard to do so. To protect him in his sleep and to be closer to his side. As custom in the Earth Kingdom, there is no problem with bodyguards sleeping in the bed, as their employers of the same gender. It was normal and a sign of trust. It was another story, if the bodyguard and master were the opposite gender.

That custom is the reason why, the Kyoshi Warriors, were be hired as bodyguards, for the daughters of the Earth Kingdom's elite.

"I don't mind, Your Grace. My solemn duty is enough for me." Su Yong replied.

"Sergeant Tarrick's herdsman friend Yukan likes you. He must be too shy to tell you, because of your demeanour."

"I'd rather pick up a man of the evening, than one of Sergeant Tarrick's friends. A conflict of interest for me."

"Why."

"What makes you think Sergeant Tarrick is not using his tongzhi friend, to lure me away from you, so that firebending defiler takes you into his bed."

Jen LuXian rolls his eyes. Having warned Su Yong many times, not to say such things in front of him. He understood why Su Yong had a venomous dislike for Prince Iroh, but he didn't think Su Yong followed what everyone else in society, thought about firebenders. His protector came from Ba Sing Se, a city which saw the worst of the Fire Nation's nature, when it came to the invasion of the capitol city and the trauma lingered for more than what can be described on scroll. Jen LuXian saw the lingers of trauma and brokenness in his country, whenever he travelled. The future of entire generations robbed by the firebenders, what they lost could never be restored, and faith in the monarchy has dwindled, since Yi Ming the Engineer.

"Su Yong...he blames himself. When I was drugged in the brothel, by the fox spirit disguised as a barmaid. He came when the crisis was over and spat bitterly at Iroh, the Captain of the United Forces for no reason, when the prince saved me. A redeemable error changed Su Yong forever, no more being relaxed and indifferent. A bitter and prejudiced man stood in the old Su Yong's place. Su Yong is punishing himself for failing in Lansou Village, and resolves to correct that failure in the harshest way. Suffocating me, until I have no space left."

"Your Grace...are you listening to me." Su Yong called out, his voice strained in bitterness.

Jen LuXian snapped out of his thoughts and looked up. "I am a man grown, Su Yong. I know myself and I am perfectly capable in, protecting myself from a firebender."

"Don't keep me out of a job, Your Grace."

The earthbending master smiled, "No...I wouldn't. My aunt Madam Teng sponsored your education, it is the least I can do. I trust you more than most."

"Why did you run away from me?"

"I am tired of your discriminatory tone. I don't care what you say to other people. When it front of me, watch your tongue or else I will replace you. There are plenty of non-bender swordsmen in the Earth Kingdom, who can do the job you do and have better manners."

At that moment, Su Yong held his tongue for the first time in years. Knowing dismissal from Jen LuXian's service will bring dishonour to his family in Ba Sing Se. Jen LuXian threatened Su Yong swiftly, unless he changed the way he behaved. The man was astounded, how rude and unmannerly Su Yong was towards royalty, maybe it was a product of his upbringing in Ba Sing Se to be apathetic to royalty of all kinds. Jen LuXian had no choice, but it had the desired effect he wanted. Su Yong valued his honour and bringing acclaim back to his family. The earthbender's bodyguard was entrusted by Madam Teng, Jen LuXian's maternal aunt and Sifu Duyi, Jen LuXian's earthbending mentor to protect him, and feared the consequences of failure getting back to them.

"Leave this room, spend the night in the market square or a village with anyone you like. Kumi will take over the night shift." Jen LuXian said, in an iron tone.

"Are you kicking me out?" Su Yong replied.

"I am...only for tonight. It is a festival night and you deserve to have fun. I don't want to be center of your life or your everything."

"What if I say no."

"This is an order, not something you can disobey."

Then Su Yong fell to his knees, kneeling many times for a reprieve. "Whatever I did. I can fix it, Your Grace. I won't say such things in front of the Fire Nation prince and the Chief's son. Please...Your Grace...don't send me back to Ba Sing Se in dishonour."

"Su Yong...I am not dismissing you. I am allowing you a night off. Any other bodyguard will take the night off when told. You work too hard and I want you relaxed and happy. I may employ you, but you are the master of your own fate. I'm not the Earth Queen, working her servants to the bone."

"I'm glad...I will not let you down..."

Jen LuXian never wavered on what he said. It was hard for Su Yong, not to be so dogged, forsaking his own life and wellbeing for him. He rewarded loyal servants, but never kept them against their will and let them leave his service when they wanted. Someone like Su Yong was unwavering and loyal, but not at the cost of his life and youth. Youth that was the cold beauty on Su Yong's face, which had Jen LuXian blush and rethought how he saw his bodyguard. The other man protected Jen LuXian from all kinds of threats, spiritual and human. Jen LuXian never wanted to rob Su Yong of his life, chaining him to the service of the Tiger of the North.

He turned from Su Yong, twiddling his fingers. Second guessing his judgement on his bodyguard. Jen LuXian had to remain firm, never let Su Yong walk all over him. Establishing boundaries between them, kept things professional and orderly. The lines cannot be blurred and turn into something else. Jen LuXian knew Su Yong liked men and never wondered if his bodyguard showed any attraction towards him. Su Yong knew his place, and never wanted to infringe on the modesty of his master. A cold breath exited Jen LuXian's lips, he stood firm in his decision and kept Su Yong inches away.

Su Yong was human with the desires of a man, and deserved to enjoy what life had to offer.

Nevertheless, Jen LuXian's priority was teaching and educating Avatar Korra. Never allowing himself time off, for his responsibilities were too great and were beginning to suffocate him. Festivals and days off were his chances, for time off from the stubborn girl. Jen LuXian never wanted to remain idle, especially when so much work needs to be done on Avatar Korra, her earthbending and her lack of etiquette and feminine qualities, which are expected of girls of upper class status around the world. The Avatar is no different, from a young miss from a rich family or a princess of their country.

He needed a break, but never expected to enjoy taking a break, than he normally did.


Su Yong left Jen LuXian's guest bedchambers and went out the palace.

Jen LuXian wondered what happened in Avatar Helak's temple and how his hands felt. Warm and tingly when his hands were held by Prince Iroh. The man ran out of the temple, sweating and heavy breathing from mere handholding. His fingers still tingled, after his hand was let go. His thoughts were on the Tiger Goddess, whom he prayed to since childhood and nothing went wrong. Swearing his vows shut Jen LuXian from earthly desires, and found a deeper meaning to his life, than being a pawn for marriage. The same earthly desires threatened to awaken at Avatar Helak's temple.

The way Prince Iroh looked at Jen LuXian, was different to how he looked at other people.

The man thought nothing. Nothing...because sworn brothers were platonically intimate with each other. "What if you wanted more. Measly handholding isn't going to sate what you want, Your Grace. What you want could have happened in the Cave of Two Lovers, if you wanted more than a rough tumble." Jen LuXian's thoughts were becoming more intrusive, lewder by the years.

Going to sleep will get rid of these intrusive thoughts. A good night's sleep without Su Yong's casual prejudice and Jen LuXian's inner thoughts threatening him. His favourite licentious thought was a recreation of the time Jen LuXian and Captain Iroh went swimming in a lake in Nanyan, after the situation in Lansou Village had been solved. An innocent activity between the men could have turned erotic at anytime, but the situation in Lansou Village dampened, whatever feelings both men had. Such earthly desires were forbidden, Prince Iroh being a firebender and firebending men have a bad reputation in the Earth Kingdom, for being rapers in the Hundred Years War and stealing princes from their homes.

As the young master got into his bed, a book sat inside the draw on his right side. That book was one of the popular editions of longyang, homosexual erotic material, a part of the small collection Su Yong kept to himself. If Su Yong left to see other men in any given night, Jen LuXian would think about the material and wonder about the things the men did together in the pages. Reading longyang or chungong was considered filth for noble gentlemen. For Jen LuXian, all books were created equal no matter what. Longyang coloured the dreams Jen LuXian had, of sweetened adolescence and the nature of his first kiss.

Jen LuXian's dreams are distrubed, for Colonel Iroh left the man something to dream about. Meditation cleared Jen LuXian's thoughts and his heart of earthly tethers. Praying to the Tiger Goddess, for absolution in the way the monks did, when faced with temptation from the outside world. Earthy desires were tempting, but Jen LuXian swore of abstinence, took himself off the marriage market and the throne's succession for a reason.

He wanted to find a enlightenment, find a purpose other than, being on the altar of filial piety.

The man felt a pull through a red string, from his righteous path into the abyss of his heart. His duty to the Avatar and his people presided above all and Avatar Korra will need Jen LuXian's guidance for more than bending lessons. Turning a misbehaving girl into a future diplomat was a difficult task, but it can be done. Anyone can be made into a lady with a few lessons and the right teacher. The earthbender had a lot of work ahead of him, but wasn't shy of the challenge and relished, in what next year will bring.

Whether Jen LuXian's challenges came from an undisciplined Avatar, or a impetuous prince. He will succeed, putting the White Lotus and their Grand Master to shame for doubting him, due to age and lack of experience. What happened in Helak's temple will be a distant memory, a mirage to be forgotten and Jen LuXian will rest easy. No more amorous firebending princes to worry about, when Jen LuXian had a duty to the Avatar. To guide Korra where the White Lotus failed and do right by the Avatar, who looked up to him as a hero.

For the sake of the world and its future.


When night was on Wolf Cove, the stragglers were still out celebrating. Colonel Iroh was in his guest bedchambers, wanting a quieter evening, after the excitement of the festival and spending too much time, being a third wheel between Tarrick and Kalla. The western villages were fun, watching waterbenders test their strength and prowess against each other for money, glory or lessons on improving their skills. Watching benders duel was a fact of life, even in the United Forces with the troops wanting to improve and be better than their comrades. Sergeant Tarrick was a non-bender, but he participated in the duels and defeated the tribe's best waterbenders.

Colonel Iroh wasn't sentimental in keepsakes, keeping a few things and not too much for members of his personal household, to clean up the Fire Nation royal family's townhouse in Republic City. Iroh never stayed in the townhouse long enough, due to his ascension through the ranks. Dedicating his life to serving the United Republic was exciting and the possibility of adventures ahead. The man saw Tarrick like the brother he never had, growing up with two sisters and many cousins in the royal palace.

As his best friend, Tarrick never deferred to Iroh as Your Highness or by his given name Taxue. The southern tribesman respected Iroh's wishes and Tarrick didn't see the importance of titles and the conventions on names, which existed in the Earth Kingdom and Fire Nation.

Laying down in his bed, partially drunk of the jade wine Tarrick brought earlier in the evening. Jade wine was rare in the Southern Water Tribe, whatever jars were brought were given to Chief Hakoda and his wife Chieftess Mika, as a gesture of goodwill from Jen Lian, when he arrived in the Southern Water Tribe. The people of the tribe accepted this gesture of good faith from a man, who looked the image of spring beauty and Earth Kingdom pride. The women of the southern tribe, liked the look of Jen Lian and they appreciated a war hero. Drunkenness begot jealousy, especially when those same tribeswomen, used their wiles to charm Jen Lian.

The tribeswomen failed, Jen Lian swore vows of chastity and dedicated himself to the Tiger Goddess.

Whilst in his bed, Colonel Iroh rubs his eyes. A mirage of Jen Lian appeared, similar to the disguise the fox spirit wore years ago. A lewder and seductive version of Jen Lian, a version only saved for his imagination and nothing more. A man that chaste and righteous, will never act like that in real life. The mirage was all in Iroh's mind and his subconscious, leaning above him with hands pressed on the bed. His hand trailing down his body, flustered at the mirage becoming Iroh's deepest desire. A half naked Jen LuXian, his erotically elegant hands and fingers trailing down the firebender's body.

In real time, it was Colonel Iroh's own hands fondling himself and breathing warm air from his lips. The man touched himself many times before, on lonely nights on the United Forces ships, when the other soldiers would bring company into their cabin rooms.

The rumours of Colonel Iroh having a woman on each port were somewhat true, but he had a particular taste few satisfied. Prostitutes and port women, whom resembled the beautiful members of the Teng family were rare. The closest thing Colonel Iroh had to a regular bed partner was Lieutenant Xun of the Earth Kingdom Navy, a prideful man and attractive enough to sleep with, but not enough to continue such a relationship. Hands roaming, pulling Colonel Iroh's maroon red night shift upwards, was his own hands disguised as a mirage of Jen Lian's hands on his abdomen. His fingers brushing against, the scars healed over time.

"I never expected a chaste gentleman like you, knows such things." Colonel Iroh drawled, his mind was on savouring the arousal and not blowing it all in minutes. Iroh envied the lovers Tarrick took to bed, before he hitched with Kalla. Iroh would rather get lost, in an illusion than face reality.

A gentle smirk was on the face, of the illusion of Jen Lian. The one the fox spirit transformed into in Lansou Village. "It's not wrong to touch someone, Your Highness. Look at yourself...aroused and flustered by the mere touch of my hands. I wonder if making love to me will be too much, for you to bear."

"No...I can't..."

"Afraid...I thought you firebenders took what you wanted. Have you gone soft?"

That tone of voice was nothing like Jen Lian. The voice was liken to the fox spirit, through the skin of Jen Lian's body. Colonel Iroh understood why the Fire Sages swore vows of abstinence, when joining the religious sect in the Fire Nation. The temptation of desire was too much, for mortals to comprehend and banal desire always had an edge. Not for Colonel Iroh, who disciplined himself and had sex in moderation, not to distract from his missions. The Badgermole Throne in Ba Sing Se's royal palace was a tempting place to fornicate, especially with the man who gave up his claim on said throne, to become a hero worthy of ascension.

Why did Colonel Iroh imagine the fox spirit's attempt, in sounding like Jen Lian? Mimicking his voice to incite the Fire Nation prince, into giving in and soil his trousers.

His will was strong enough to resist the fox spirits, but Iroh's will was bent when alone in his room. Stroking his hardening cock, at the thought of the fox spirit in Jen Lian's skin. The history of Avatar Kuruk's time in the Spirit World hunting down threats, to the mortal world interested Iroh. It made him wonder, if Avatar Kuruk struggled against the manevolent fox spirits too. The colonel couldn't help, but reimagine his experience in Lansou Village erotically, despite the torment the fox spirits put him through. Colonel Iroh's long days on the United Forces ships bored him, he needed to incite his imagination and keep him stimulated before the next crisis.

"You look cute, when you blush like that." The voice of his inner desires spoke. A voice mimicking Jen Lian's but was empty enough to be decried as false. The Jen Lian, Colonel Iroh knew for nine years would never say those things. It was beneath a virtuous man, to participate in earthly things and straying from his path to the Tiger Goddess.

"What are you?" Colonel Iroh replied.

The illusion of Jen Lian smiled, obsidian brown eyes brightened. "A fragment of the desires you sought to suppress. In this mirage, you can fulfil what you want, without sullying me in real life and paying for port women, who look like this."

"You sound and look like him, but you are not him."

"What am I to you, Your Highness?"

"The fox spirit, who transformed into him in Lansou Village."

"I am not that spirit, but a mirage created by your subconscious. Your self control is a wonder to behold. What you want is not complicated, Your Highness. You want this face in real life, body and soul. You want what is forbidden to you, for a prince used to getting what he wants."

"What will you do for me, if you were created by me?"

"Whatever you please, whatever shape you want. This form seems to be your favourite and I intend to keep it."

The mirage of Jen Lian using the hands Iroh fantasised about, to rub down his shaft in a motion not foreign to him, when he did have a port woman in his bed. What the mirage did was make Iroh believe Jen Lian's dominant hand, was pleasuring his cock, with a gentle hand and his length stiffened at his own hand doing it. The colonel's dream was Jen Lian fondling the firebender's erection in the same precision, as his earthbending training and teaching. A dream like that was too good to keep to himself. The man centred in Colonel Iroh's mind was, whom the people of the Earth Kingdom viewed as a heroic and chaste man.

Biting back a moan escaping Iroh's lips, in reality jerking himself off to an illusion of Jen Lian parting his lips to suck him off. Iroh witnessed his platoon members be orally pleasured by the tongues of their temporary bed partners. He hoped and kneeled before Agni's altar, one of the only times Iroh did so. The prince needed absolution, when he woke up dreaming of his lips on Jen Lian's in Lansou Village, under the flowery aphrodisiac they were on. It was an irrational fantasy, but the illusionary fantasy soiled Colonel Iroh's trousers and disrupted his sleep. Iroh wasn't like Tarrick or any other member of his platoon, who came too soon.

The mirage of Jen Lian's tongue suckled the head of Iroh's cock, with the colonel using lubricant oil, to stimulate the act of someone's mouth on him. It was working, edging the twenty four year old firebender and he held back on soiling himself. His mind dominated by the mirage of Jen Lian's mouth, bringing Iroh close to completion, in a way no man or woman had done in years. The colonel was no stranger being orally pleasured in the Fire Nation, especially by Lord Ukita's second born daughter Kaida. Kaida was a dutiful and filial daughter in public, but had a reputation for pleasing with her mouth and every nobleman in court wanted to marry her.

A spark of fire left Colonel Iroh's lips in an outwards moan. Despite Iroh giving himself pleasure, creating a mirage of who he wanted to fulfil his bedtime desires. As slow as Iroh wants, liking the slow burn and not the quickies the soldiers of the United Forces were used to, in every port or town they stopped into. Years of military discipline made Iroh more patient, for the things he wanted, but self pleasure was one of the times Iroh could be alone.

The repetitive jerking sparked vivid memories, of Jen Lian's lips kissing him, in the Cave of Two Lovers. In the dark cave and only their hands to reach each other, but the blue-green crystallised lights appeared above them. The colonel's hands gripped Jen Lian's thighs in the cave, how strong they were from years of earthbending training and martial arts. Looking in the eyes of Master Jen, whilst in that moment of passion and he didn't stop kissing him, until the voices of the Omashu young masters were heard further away.

For years Colonel Iroh wondered if Jen Lian liked men, or did he happen to be friends with known upper class cut sleeves in the Earth Kingdom. It mattered not, for Jen Lian was the object of the affections of common and noble admirers, who converted to the Tiger Goddess's worship to get closer to him. Bitter jealousy seeped in Iroh's bones, those people did not know Jen Lian, the way Colonel Iroh did and never knew, Jen Lian suffered for his people's salvation.

"Lian...Lian..." Colonel Iroh cried out. He was one of the only people, allowed to call him by his given name. Their kiss in the Cave of Two Lovers and many times in his thoughts. Nothing can compare to someone real in Colonel Iroh's bed. The mirage had been right about Jen Lian being his favourite, because he was forbidden to him.

A taste for the forbidden was tempting for a man, who prided himself in discipline and self control. No one in the Fire Nation or Republic City provided the interest Jen Lian did. The earthbender was a man, Colonel Iroh couldn't touch, without suffering the social and spiritual consequences, in ruining a man the Earth Kingdom adored. Had the Fire Nation not ruined enough in the Earth Kingdom? Iroh didn't want to give his nation, anything more to be ashamed off. His decision was made out of duty, to the United Forces and the balance of the world.


The mirage of Jen Lian returned, using his mouth to pleasure him. His slender and elegant hands, stroking beneath his throbbing cock. The thought of Jen Lian's hands on the base and fingers on the perineum sent chills down his spine, in a way Colonel Iroh's previous lovers haven't done. Not because they were inadequate, but they never invoked the eroticism the Avatar's earthbending teacher had by his beauty and chaste heroism. The colonel melts into himself, he has done this many times before. Not when Jen Lian dominated his every thought. His knees weightless and skin flushed, but couldn't hold back and allowed himself release from his desires.

The colonel's trousers were a mess after completion, but he didn't care. At that split minute he was happy. Never having his time interrupted by Tarrick, who wanted to string Iroh along with Kalla everywhere they went. The firebender was tired of being the third wheel, between his best friend and his waterbending lover. It made him look gloomy. A prince with nothing better to do, other than masturbate over a man he can't have or agonise over Mizuki's engagement to the obnoxious scholar Gong Lichen. The Lunar New Year celebrations couldn't have come sooner for Iroh, he will be in the Fire Nation, away from Jen Lian.

After the New Year celebrations, Iroh and Tarrick will return to the United Forces barracks. Luckily, Colonel Iroh will never see Jen Lian again until the spring. Meaning months Iroh will be free from the romantic feelings in his heart. Colonel Iroh can have anyone he wanted, but not this man. Not the Tiger Goddess's most loyal devotee. Not the Second Young Master of the righteous Jen family and certainly not Avatar Korra's earthbending sifu. Iroh has to face the reality, the fox spirits told him in Lansou Village. The thought of longing for ten years, after refusing to be swayed by the fox spirits and stood firm in protecting Jen Lian from them.

How could Colonel Iroh face Avatar Korra? He shamelessly lusted after her earthbending teacher. On his return in spring, Colonel Iroh will make things right with the Avatar, to redeem what took place in this room and who brought him to completion. A diplomatic relationship with Avatar Korra cannot be ruined, because of Iroh's affections for her teacher. Things like this will confuse a girl like Korra, naive about things outside the compound. His relationship with Jen Lian had to remain, within the confides of sworn brotherhood.

The firebender was not sure what he wanted. Keeping balance in a world without an Avatar of age was good enough. As good as he had it, Colonel Iroh wanted more and that stared him in the face at Avatar Helak's temple. What Iroh wanted didn't belong to him, and must leave it alone. Earthly desires were normal to most people, but not to devoted warriors put on pedestals, to be heroes for a torn and battered nation. Giving their people hope, for a return to the glory, seen before Avatar Kyoshi died.

His room silent and wistful, just as Iroh wanted and no Tarrick to bother him. One festival ended and another was on its way in the Southern Water Tribe. Iroh in a change of trousers and a bath was comfy in his bed and thought about going home for the Lunar New Year. One of the only times Iroh went home, and was involved in the festivities of the New Year celebrations, with his family and the childhood friends he still had. Better focus on family, not on chaste earthbenders, whose apperance was a favourite in the pleasure houses in the Earth Kingdom and grew popular in the brothels of Republic City.

No matter how much, Iroh wanted to stop the brothel owners, from profaning Jen Lian's heroic image.

Nothing stayed the same. For Iroh, everything was changing. In the prime of his twenties and rising through the ranks of the United Forces on his own merit, but there was a sweetness of life that cannot be had at sea. Home was where the heart was, but Iroh's heart was a complicated mess and nothing made sense anymore. Why did the bonds of sworn brotherhood blur because the other man was attractive and burned his heart. This time next year, things will be clearer and Iroh will have a direction to go in. His heart and mind were at war, but the head and unemotional logic won.

Iroh was honour bound to bring balance to the world. Not navel gaze on feelings, which might not be returned. His flame burned as bright as the lanterns, given to Avatar Helak by the people of the Southern Water Tribe and guests alike. He looked out the window, commiserating after a change of trousers and wondering about his softened heart. Better contribute to world harmony, than pursing a man people admired and beloved by his people. The Avatar, as young as she was, needed Iroh help keep balance in the world. While she mastered the elements in seclusion.

Love meant nothing to Iroh, not when the world was at stake.

For the sake of the Avatar too young. For the sake of the colonel with a promise to honour, for the sake of the devoted earthbender, with the weight of a entire nation on his shoulders. When the time comes, Jen Lian will not carry the weight of a nation's hopes and dreams alone. The colonel and the Avatar will help share the burden, to redeem the mistakes their predecessors made in the Earth Kingdom, and give the people what Avatar and the Fire Nation stole from them.

A reborn Earth Kingdom was Jen Lian's wish. Iroh will be damned, if his position in the United Forces wasn't used to make Jen Lian's wish a reality. For the best interest in world harmony, it was to have the Earth Kingdom back were it belonged, before Avatar Roku and Earth King Jialun ruined everything. Making Jen Lian's wish come true, was the closest thing Iroh could do for him, in doing something good for the world and devote himself to the Tiger of the North's worship.


PS: Yi Ming was an Earth King, who reigned in Avatar Kyoshi's later years. Mentioning his name is an expression to Jen LuXian, because Yi Ming was the last Earth King moderately popular with his subjects, before the kings after him.

- Jen Lian is Jen LuXian's given name and few people can call him by his given name. Colonel Iroh calls Jen LuXian by his given name or Your Grace to show reverence to him, by his bloodroyal status or their seven years of sworn brotherhood.

- Agni is the main god, the people of the Fire Nation worship. The Fire Nation people may worship different deities, they worship Agni above else. Iroh has a lack of faith, when it comes to gods and spirits and reasons are a vague spoiler.

- Ah or A is a Chinese prefix put in front of a person's personal name. An informal calling of someone's name in an intimate or familiar manner. Su Yong and Jen LuXian have known each other for years and their relationship has developed to where, Su Yong being called A-Yong is a regular thing outside his family.

- The Tiger Goddess is important to Jen LuXian's story. He devoted his life into being her champion, for the Tiger Goddess's devoted followers are expected to cultivate in abstinence. Only a few can handle the discipline the journey entalls. In the Earth Kingdom, Jen LuXian is seen as a heroic warrior, because the people of the Earth Kingdom gave up on the Avatar and decided to adore another and believe in him.

- The reason why Jen LuXian has a claim on the Badgermole Throne is because of his mother's royal blood. The current members of the Teng family are descended from Earth King Kuei's aunt and her Teng husband. Jen LuXian's mother Teng Jiaowen is the eldest of four siblings, meaning Jen LuXian's claim is before his cousins, the children of his maternal aunt Madam Teng and the children of his two maternal uncles.