Submitting Paperwork

A fan fiction story based upon characters from the Nickelodeon cartoon Avatar: The Last Airbender

By Storywriter1id

Disclaimer: The characters in this story are the sole property of the producers of Legend of Korra. I claim nothing.

"Commander Bumi reporting as ordered, General!" Bumi smiled as he executed a sharp salute.

General Iroh looked up from his desk and returned the salute and scowled. "Is this another one of your practical jokes, Bumi? It's not funny if it is," he said indicating the form on his desk.

"No, Sir. That form 1487 is completely legitimate. I am officially requesting retirement and my accumulated leave. It just needs your signature and I can submit it to the personnel office. I believe I've earned it," Bumi answered, completely serious for once.

Iroh smiled briefly at his old friend and mentor. "Of course you have. 32 years is a long enough career for anyone. I guess I always knew this day would come. I just wasn't expecting it to come today is all. I'll miss your counsel."

Bumi laughed. "Not that you've ever paid much mind to it, Sir. Which is probably why you're the General. Truth be told, I might have hung it up years ago if your mother hadn't asked me to look after you," he teased.

"Do you have any last words of wisdom for me as we straighten out this city after this Equalist mess?" the General asked.

Bumi smiled, "Yes, Sir. Don't get too wrapped up in your work. Take some time for yourself. Maybe find a young lady to court."

Iroh's eyes widened in surprise. "You mean the Avatar? I was under the impression she was involved with that Mako character."

"No, no," Bumi explained. "That would be like you courting my dad, and that's just weird. I was thinking about Miss Sato. She'd be quite a catch. If I were 20 years younger, I might chase after her myself."

"You courted my mother, at one time," Iroh teased.

"That was a long time ago, Sir, before you were so much as a twinkle in your mother's eye," Bumi smiled at the memory. "And it wasn't so much courting as it was a mutual partnership to prank your grandfather. Anyway, I still think you should take a little time for yourself."

Iroh smiled, "I'll take it under advisement. What are your plans?"

Bumi stroked his beard thoughtfully. "I'm going to move to Air Temple Island, annoy my brother, and generally be a bad influence on my nieces and nephews."

A/N This one-shot is based on head-cannon of mine that Bumi II had always been a mentor of sorts to Iroh II. Iroh had advanced quickly through the ranks of the United Forces because he was very focused and driven, and Bumi had constantly tried to get him to lighten up. Bumi and Iroh's mother had briefly dated, never seriously, and remain good friends.