A/N: So many reviews since the last update! Thank you so much to MasterKriebel, Black Dragon Master, Guest, Sharpe, AsahixMe, Tertius711, kalu.23, IrishDreamer4, SailorPrende, BrightWatcher, CrazyPhenom, devilfiredog18, Adrnessela, and Aquamirra! All loyal, familiar names - you guys make my week!

Here's a long chapter for you.

28. Can I handle the seasons of my life?

Iroh is late.

He checks his watch again, just to confirm that he isn't absurdly early. Just as he concludes for the fourth time that he was, in fact, on time, and that Iroh is, in fact, twenty-five minutes late, the general himself hurries over to the bar and all but collapses onto the barstool.

"Sorry, got held up in Raiko's briefing."

He wordlessly passes Iroh a glass. It's the prince's usual: the mildly alcoholic pu-erh tonic (Iroh isn't much of a drinker) — and Iroh doesn't seem to care that it's lukewarm thanks to sitting on the bar for the last twenty minutes. He takes several large sips of the tonic and rolls his shoulders with a sigh.

"Long day?" he inquires when Iroh seems to have relaxed some.

"It wasn't too bad, until Raiko asked for an impromptu meeting."

"Again?"

Iroh huffs. "You'd think he was in charge of the army, the way he obsesses over the littlest details. Sometimes it feels like he doesn't trust me to lead the Forces."

"Raiko does like to micro-manage," he concedes.

"No doubt. Be thankful you have Lin to deal with him for you." Iroh raises his hand and waves for a refill, thanking the bartender who comes over to pour more tonic for him.

He wrinkles his nose at the strong aroma. "How do you drink so much of that?" he questions, eyeing the dark brown liquid in Iroh's glass with mild distaste. "It smells like old shoe."

"I suppose it's an acquired taste. You know they use the same brewing process to make pu-erh tea as well? They just let the leaves ferment longer for the tonic." Iroh offers him his glass, smirking slightly. "Care to try it?"

"No thanks. I'll stick with whisky." It has a higher alcohol content, but it smells much more appealing, and he's fairly certain it tastes better too. He feels that only an avid tea drinker could like pu-erh as much as Iroh does.

Iroh chuckles. "Suit yourself." He takes another sip of his refilled glass. "So, how was the date?"

Ah, the reason for their get-together today. He doesn't meet with Iroh half as regularly as he does with Asami, but he can discuss things with the other man that he can't imagine doing with Asami. He'd had a feeling that he might need to talk things over with someone after his first date with Zoya, so he'd arranged to meet Iroh at the first available opportunity after said date.

"It was actually…pretty good," he admits. "We drank coffee and talked for two hours. Got to know each other a bit."

"So I see. What'd you learn about her?"

"She was born in the Fire Nation, but her family moved to Republic City when she was two. Her dad's name is Haruko, her mom is Misazi. They live in the Harmony District."

Iroh looks thoughtful. "Haruko isn't a typical Fire Nation name."

He shrugs. "Apparently he was adopted. I'm guessing that's where the Water Tribe heritage comes from."

Iroh startles at that. "She's part Water Tribe?"

He looks sheepish. "Well, I assume so. Obviously I haven't met her parents, and if this Haruko was adopted they might not know if he actually has Water Tribe blood — but she definitely looks like she does. Her skin looks like Korra's."

Iroh stares at him. "You really do have a type, don't you?"

"Hey."

"Not judging, just stating a fact," Iroh says airily. He reconsiders. "Then again, there was Asami…"

"Okay now, let's not bring that up. Or do I need to remind you that you were attracted to her too?"

Iroh wags a finger in mock disapproval. "I told you that in confidence. Any man — and clearly, some women too — would be attracted to Miss Sato. Besides, that was a long time ago."

"So was my relationship with Asami."

"Fair point. Back to this Zoya, then." Iroh taps the counter contemplatively. "I must admit, I'm intrigued by her bloodline. It's rare for Fire Nationals and Water Tribespeople to intermarry, especially in the Fire Nation. Republic City is more cosmopolitan, but there's a lot of bad blood still between us and the Water Tribes."

"Is it really that bad?" He knows the Water Tribes — especially the Southern Tribe — suffered greatly during the Hundred Year War, but he hadn't thought the history still cut so deep in the current political climate.

"You don't see it so much in the United Republic — or even among the world leaders — but the regular citizens still cling to old animosity." Iroh sighs. "It doesn't help that almost every Water Tribe citizen probably knows someone — a family member, or some revered elder — who was directly affected by the Fire Nation's conquest. We captured hundreds of waterbenders and nearly wiped out the Southern Tribe. Their grudge runs deeper than the Earth Kingdom's."

He mulls over the information. "I can see why the Water Tribes would hold a grudge, but why would Fire Nationals?"

"Whole generations of Fire Nationals were taught to believe the Water Tribes and the Earth Kingdom were our enemies, Mako. The colonies proved during Harmonic Restoration that Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom citizens could live together peacefully, but the Water Tribes had no such benefit. Isolated as they are at the Poles, it's easy for the average Fire National to perceive the Water Tribes as some backwater barbarian people who have no place in the modern world. My mother and grandfather have been trying for decades to change that prejudice, but there are still elders back home who hold to Ozai's ideals and impress them upon the younger generations."

"Is that why you joined the United Forces? To get away from that kind of thinking?"

"Part of it," Iroh agrees. "In the Forces, there is no division by ethnicity, only ability. If you're a bender, you wear the appropriate colour so it's easy for commanders to deploy you strategically — but everyone is subject to the same hierarchy and undergoes the same training. It's refreshing. But also —" Iroh winks. "I wanted adventure, and a chance to live life on my own terms for a while. I'll be tied down soon enough."

He raises an eyebrow. "Being under Raiko's authority is 'living on your own terms'?"

Iroh laughs. "Trust me, dealing with Raiko is nothing compared to the trappings of being Crown Prince of a nation. I mean that literally, by the way — it's a trap." He takes a swig that drains nearly the rest of his glass, and seems to debate whether to get another refill, before deciding against it and ordering flavoured water instead. "You know, Mako, sometimes I envy you."

"You, envy me?" he says disbelievingly. "You must be joking."

"I'm not. I know you haven't had an easy life — and there's things you've been through I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy — but at the end of the day, you're free. You get to decide your own destiny." Iroh's lip quirks in wry resignation. "Mine was decided for me before I was even born."

He stares at Iroh, taking a moment to truly observe the pensiveness on the general's face and the heaviness lacing his entire bearing. He's heard Iroh lament his political station more than once, but it's always been underpinned by an unwavering determination to do right by his country and an optimistic hope for the changes he can make. Today he senses none of that.

"What's going on with you? You're not usually this morose."

Iroh exhales as his fingers play with the rim of his water glass. "Mother wants me to come home. She thinks I've learned all I can in the United Forces, and she wants me to return to the Fire Nation to be groomed for taking the throne."

"Already? You're only — what, thirty?"

"Thirty-three. And no, Agni willing, I won't actually become Fire Lord for a couple decades yet, even if Mom decides to follow Grandfather's example and abdicate — but she wants me to be around, to observe and learn, and gradually take up more political duties."

"I'm guessing you don't want to."

"I know I'll have to, eventually — but I'm trying to put it off for as long as possible." Iroh shakes his head. "This isn't the first time she's asked me to come back, but these conversations are getting more insistent as the years go by. I can probably negotiate to stay for another few years, but it's unlikely I'll be able to remain in the Forces past my mid-thirties."

"Does your mother really think you need that much time to prepare for the throne?"

"Well…not entirely." Iroh coughs delicately. "There is, also, the issue of my marriage."

He blinks. "You're getting married?"

"Eventually."

"I didn't even know you had a betrothed."

"I don't."

He frowns. "A girlfriend, then?"

"No."

He's even more confused. "Why is marriage an issue if there isn't even a woman in the picture?"

"That's exactly the problem. There needs to be a woman in the picture. Continuation of the royal line and such, you know. And I have to be in the Fire Nation for that to happen."

He almost scoffs at that. "What, no Republic ladies for the esteemed general?"

"Me? Please. I'll marry a Fire Nation girl. I'll take my own sweet time to find someone I actually love, obviously — but as future Fire Lord there's no way I could marry a woman who isn't Fire Nation." Iroh pauses. "This may come a surprise, but I'm even less experienced in romance than you."

He gapes. That can't be right. "Iroh, do you mean to tell me you've never dated anyone?"

"I've been serving in the Forces since I was seventeen, Mako. There wasn't anyone who interested me back home before I left, and I've never sought a relationship with anyone here because I can't promise them a future with me. It didn't feel right to court a woman knowing it would have to end."

"Oh." He doesn't know what else to say. "That's…rough."

Iroh suddenly bursts out laughing, to his complete bafflement.

"What's so funny?" he asks, somewhat disgruntled.

"Nothing, sorry, just —" Iroh catches his breath. "A family joke." He chortles with mirth again. "'That's rough' is Grandfather's go-to phrase when he has no idea what to say. It drove Grandmother mad."

He has trouble imagining Lord Zuko ever being at a loss for words, but he'll take Iroh's word for it. The more important thing is that the laughter has lifted Iroh's mood, dispelling much of the prince's brooding.

Iroh shakes himself. "Spirits, listen to me, unloading everything to you like you're some sort of counsellor. I'm sorry, Mako. We met up to talk about you and Zoya."

"Don't apologise, Iroh." He waves it off. "My mind healer keeps emphasising that it's good to talk about things that are bothering you. I've found it quite helpful, myself. I'm happy to listen whenever you need an ear."

Iroh smiles sincerely at him. "I appreciate that, my friend. But come on — tell me more about Zoya. I promise not to go on a tangent about Fire Nation and Water Tribe politics this time."

"Well, she's…nice." He thinks back to how Zoya had giggled without restraint, how frankly she'd spoken about herself. "She's very expressive, and she says what she means. She has no problem carrying on a conversation, and somehow it's easy to talk to her. It's natural and I don't have to think." He recalls how the waning sun lit up her amber eyes while she asked just as many questions as she answered, the way her black hair brushed her shoulders as she leaned over to pass him a napkin. "She's very pretty. Not a standout beauty, maybe — but sweet and genuine all the same, and it shines through her eyes."

Iroh studies him carefully. "Do you like her?"

He opens his mouth, but he's not sure how to answer. Does he like Zoya? "Yeah, I think I do."

"Did you make plans to see her again?"

"Yeah, next week. Dinner at The Phoenix."

"And are you looking forward to that?"

He thinks about it. There's a pleasant anticipation at the thought of meeting Zoya again. "Yes, I am."

"Well, then, this sounds promising," Iroh concludes. "I don't have any romantic experience to speak of, but if you want my advice…?"

"Please."

"Take it slowly. Give this relationship a chance to find its footing on its own terms, without comparing it to your previous experiences. And if, at any point, you start doubting whether you can be with Zoya because you still have feelings for Korra — just remember that what you choose to act on is more important than what you feel."

He looks at Iroh quizzically, and the prince clarifies, "You may still love Korra, but in this relationship, how you decide to treat Zoya is more important than what you feel for Korra. If you're open to Zoya, the love will grow."

He takes a second to ponder that while Iroh finishes his water.

"Are you sure you've never been in love?" he asks finally, half-jokingly. "You sound too wise about it."

Iroh smirks. "I've read a lot of philosophy. And I said I never sought a relationship; I didn't say I've never been in love."

That gets his attention. He sits up straight and looks Iroh directly in the eye. "Wait, so have you…?"

"Story for another time, Mako." Iroh pulls out his wallet and withdraws several yuans to settle his bar tab (and he knows there's enough there to cover his drink too, despite the number of times he's told Iroh otherwise). "Keep me updated about Zoya."

He recognises a conversation closure when he hears one. "Will do. Let me know how it goes with your mother."

Iroh acknowledges him with a salute before striding off.

He hangs back for some time, reflecting. With his recent promotion and this budding romance with Zoya, it feels like he's entered a new phase of his life — and, judging from their earlier discussion, it seems as though Iroh too is fast approaching a change. He imagines he won't be seeing much, if anything, of Iroh once the prince leaves Republic City.

Just when I was getting comfortable with the way things are, he muses.

But then, isn't that the point? The one constant about life is that it always changes — and he'll just have to adapt.

He's gotten pretty good at adapting.

A/N: I am taking the opportunity to explore Iroh's character as well, because he's another one with untapped character potential - not to mention he's a great foil for Mako. Also, there will be a Fire Nation arc later on, so I'm laying the groundwork now.

...can you tell that this story has taken on a life of its own?

Pu-erh tea is a real tea. It's made from the leaves and stems of the Camilla sinensis plant - the same plant used to make green, oolong, and black teas, but the manufacturing process is different. For pu-erh, the leaves are first dried, and then they really are left to ferment for some time in high humidity. Some people consider it to have medicinal properties, like improving cholestrol and liver health - but there isn't sufficient scientific evidence to support this. Since alcohol is also made via fermentation, I felt pu-erh was an apt option for Iroh's drink of choice - because Iroh, naturally, is a tea drinker like his namesake (complete headcanon, but I can't see it any other way).

Lyric is from 'Landslide' by Fleetwood Mac.