Iroh II x Eska? (Yes this is extremely rare xD)
Extremely rare in that I think I'm the only one who has written this? Both fics, Hard Bargain and Deliverance, pretty much sum up my thoughts on the ship. I think they'd be a disaster for each other.
From what we see of Eska's canon relationship she's very dominating. She's a strong personality who knows what she wants and when and how she wants it, and seemingly is interested in a submissive partner who enjoys delivering on her expectations. She also comes across as somewhat morally grey, and while she does wind up on the side of the good guys at the end I don't get the impression that she's someone with a particularly strong moral compass. I think Eska would do well with a very submissive yet ambitious partner with a praise kink (e.g. Baatar Jr.), or someone opportunistic but very, very laid back (e.g. Wing Beifong). Those are my top Eska ships.
Iroh is none of these things.
As I write him (owning there is not much of him in canon), Iroh is a tootsie pop of a man with a hard coating, ooey gooey chocolate center, and a stick up his butt. In canon we see him continually put his life on the line to protect others. He has a map. He's memorized the telegraph codes to contact the other United Forces divisions. He's standing on the front lines in front of Kuvira's robot and pissed as shit when he can't shoot at it. He tells Korra her plan sucks, but is also collaborative and adapts his strategies. This isn't someone who I think is looking to be molded by a partner. They might fold his socks wrong. But Iroh is also someone who I think brings that intensity as a way to compensate for crushing feelings of inadequacy growing up as a boy named Iroh in Firelord Zuko's shadow. He’s a romantic who craves someone who sees him and wants what’s inside. I think Iroh would do well with a compassionate, capable partner who aligns with his values and who can use kindness, loyalty, and mutual respect to get past his defenses and eat all the ooey gooey chocolate in the middle.
In my mind, an Iroh II/Eska combination only hardens Iroh's heart as Eska becomes more and more disappointed in him and he feels more and more unloved and unwanted. It's a downward spiral.
That said, I'd love to see someone else try to write them!!
