𝐑𝐎𝐎𝐓𝐒 • [ general iroh II x oc ]

unrequited

Aria walked through the familiar streets, the hustle and bustle of the city echoing in her ears.

Being back in the city was like being back with Niko, in a way.

Despite the bittersweet feeling, she couldn't deny the comfort of being home, knowing she had a fresh start ahead of her.

But before that fresh start, she knew there were two specific brothers she owed both a visit.

Aria made her way to the park area where Bolin and Mako typically were. Sure enough, there they were.

Mako was sitting on a bench with his arms crossed, laying his head back, taking in the new sun that came in with the blooming spring. Bolin was bending pebbles in the air.

A smile graced her lips and Aria walked up to them from behind. She stopped right behind Mako and put her hands around his eyes.

"Guess."

Mako quickly shot up from his seat in shock and looked at her. "Aria?!"

"Spirits, Mako. Relax, it was just a joke."

Bolin, sensing the commotion, stopped what he was doing and turned to look as well, a broad smile breaking out across his face.

"Aria! You're back!" Bolin said, waving excitedly.

Mako wasnt that enthusiastic, more irritated, yet he kept that to himself.

When a person you care about goes through agonizing grief for almost a month, then disappears for a week, you tend to get concerned.

"Where have you been?! I've been looking around for you for days!"

Aria ran a hand through her hair and smiled just at the thought of how'd they react. "You'll never believe me."

Mako's eyes narrowed in curiosity, his eyebrow arching up. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice tinged with skepticism.

Bolin also tilted his head in confusion, his expression of curiosity mirroring Mako's.

"I was in the Fire Nation!"

"The Fire Nation?" Mako repeated, his voice filled with disbelief.

Bolin's mouth hung open in shock for a moment before he spoke as well. "Wha- How?" he managed to squeak out. "How much money did you have saved up for a trip to the Fire Nation?!"

"I didn't pay anything."

"Woah, so you snuck on a boat? I've always wondered if that would work-"

"No no no, You know Iroh?"

Mako scoffed and crossed his arms. "Yeah, the royal dick you couldn't stand?"

"Yeah, him. Well, he's really not a dick. He's actually pretty great."

Mako felt something in him churn. Maybe it was his heart, or his stomach, maybe both.

"Here's what happened. One night, I was sitting at the docks, just you know, sitting there. And he shows up. And it starts raining and he started talking to me and he was telling me how he couldn't stop thinking of me, and how he really didn't hate me, he actually likes me, a lot, and I'm rambling right now- long story short- we're together now and he offered to to take me to the Fire Nation for a short trip." Aria rambled. "And I said yes, now I'm back home."

It was so weird, Mako usually loved hearing her ramble. He usually loved hearing her talk about stuff she was passionate about.

He didn't this time though.

Mako was watching the girl he considered his best friend and had a major crush on for years now blab about her new boyfriend.

Her new, handsome, general, arrogant, prince, boyfriend.