They learned to co-exist with each other. Baatar wouldn't look at Kuvira. If she did manage to catch his eye, all there would be was resentment and accusation. Whenever they were in the same room, which was hardly ever, they would sit in silence. Worlds apart, yet only a mere few feet away.

After two painful months they progressed to short sentences. His words were far from ready to start the process of forgiving. The most she got from him was glares, sneers, and very hurtful remarks. His words held a power over her. Destruction and self loathing would follow suit after one of his snide comments. The knot that had taken up residence in her gut would twist and coil. His words fell from his lips easily as if it were nothing more than rotten trash.

He hated her ever since she had spilled her treachery. Baatar knew she was waiting for him. He let her wait and worry, not once in those two months did he show a spark of redemption. In a sick and twisted manner he took immense pleasure watching her suffer. Let her suffer and stew, it was his silent way of punishing her.

Once in passing she muttered, I'll do anything, how meaningless less those words were to him. He had just breezed by her after she uttered those pointless words. It had almost made him burst out laughing.

So now they sat, he at the table and she on the sofa. He felt every time her eyes would land on him. In the old days it was him that would cast her longing glances. Hoping she would take a break so they could have a moment to themselves.

Lin's words rattled around in his brain, "Either cut your losses and break up with her or try to make it work kid."

Baatar sighed pushing away from the table, "I'm going out for a walk would you like to join me?"

Kuvira fumbled he had spoken to her without saying something hurtful. "Yes." Hastily she pulled on her shoes and a light coat. She didn't want to keep him waiting too long lest he change his mind.

Baatar stood in the entry hall waiting for her, as soon as he saw her he held the door open. She gave him her thanks as she stepped out into the sunshine. He followed after her closing the door behind him.

Together the estranged couple began their walk through one of the parks, that didn't have the Avatar Korra statue. Kuvira and Baatar walked side by side there was no talking but at least he had invited her to do something. This was a start, dare she hope this was the start of forgiving?

Kuvira cast him a glance studying his features. He looked tired faint dark circles loomed under his eyes. His hair was mused and stubble had grown in. He sported a more rugged look, it was much different from his clean shaven and gelled back hair.

But still he looked really good. They didn't speak or get too close to each other. But it was okay at least they were doing something besides sitting in the house and being miserable.

They looped around the park a couple of time. It was a nice warm day outside. It was perfect, almost too perfect given the current situation.

Baatar spotted a bend nearby, he moved to go and sit down. His feet were getting a little tired. Kuvira followed sitting as well but kept a good foot away from him. If she pushed too hard Baatar would only snap and it might all be over. She was lucky enough that he was still here, still living in their house.

"Baatar…..about what happened with Kor-"

"Don't," He interjected, "I'm not ready to talk about that yet."

"I'm sorry," She said quietly, "I would let the whole nation burn just to take it back."

"Don't lie," His posture stiffened and his eyes darkened, "We both know push come to shove you would do it all over again in a heartbeat." He stood up, "I'm going to get ice cream." With that he walked over to the vendor.

Kuvira felt heartbroken, no he wasn't right she wouldn't hurt him again, if she had a chance to redo those days she would choose a different path. A better one where he was spared of all this hurt and pain she was the root of. But part of herself disagreed she would most likely repeat her past actions for the nation. She was the leader and she couldn't just fold because her lover was taken away from her.

Baatar returned to the bench, he wouldn't look at her but he stuck his arm out, "I know you're not fond of sweets so I got you a kiddie cone."

"Oh thank you," She replied taking the cone and napkin from his hand. He had strategically placed his fingers at the base so they wouldn't have to touch each other.

Kuvira and Baatar licked at the soft cool treat. Hers was gone sooner as she had a smaller size than Baatar.

With the warm air, it started to melt Baatar's ice cream. He quickly licked at the runny treat. Kuvira couldn't help but smile as she watched him. The ice cream was melting fast than he could lick at it.

Giving up on that, Baatar shoved the rest of it in his mouth. White smears went all around his mouth and on the tip of his nose.

"Here," Kuvira said using her unused napkin to wipe away the ice cream.

"It's okay I got it," Baatar said gently taking the napkin from her. He wiped away the stickiness on his face. Baatar munched on the remainder of his cone.

Kuvira didn't know what to do with herself. Baatar didn't want to talk and she really didn't have anything to do. So she sat and waited for Baatar to finish eating.

Licking his fingers clean, Baatar stood throwing away his trash. He waited for a minute for Kuvira to join him then started to the trek home.

They again walked in silence side by side with a clear line that wasn't supposed to be crossed.

The bender moved behind him to let another couple with a baby stroller pass. Sometimes she was able to catch the longing on Baatar's face. Was it the yearning to have a family of their own or to be like every other normal couple?

She watched his face but he seemed indifferent as the couple passed. Maybe he had given up hope on that.

Baatar pushed open the door to their home. Shrugging off is coat he hung it back up in the closet.

The fell back into their separate routines. He went to his office and Kuvira took the couch drawing her knees up thinking.

And for a little while things were starting to smooth themselves out. Baatar was making an effort to talk with her and to be in the same room as her. He kept his hurtful remarks to a minimum. Every now and then one would slip out and jab her.

But it wasn't as bad anymore. The knot in her stomach was loosening up. She wouldn't berate herself as much every time she heard his spiteful comments.

Kuvira and Baatar were progressing, there were doing better. A few times they even broached the subject of her cheating. But all good things must come to an end. It came in the form of Varrick's party.

Somehow it came to be in their back yard. As Varrick put it they had the snazziest place for a little get together. Kuvira hoped that it wouldn't bring Korra. Chances of that were low as it was a lot of people from Baatar's work.

"I can't believe that man, who does he think he is? Just inviting everyone over without our consent." Baatar rambled. It was almost like things had returned to normal before her infidelity.

"Humph dumb son of a bitch."

"It will only be for a few hours," She took a step closer, "Then they will be gone."

"Yeah well he could have asked first," Baatar threw his hands into the air, "I mean why here of all places in Republic City? There are loads of better locations than our home and knowing Varrick something is bound to happen."

"We'll deal with it," She placed a hand on his shoulder, "We always do."

"I know but still, ugh that man and all this theatrics."

XXXX

There were people all over their backyard. Baatar had managed to keep people out of the house. Luckily for Kuvira Asami and Korra did not come. She felt relieved not seeing the avatar, it would only make her feel worst and would make Baatar angered.

Opal and Bolin stopped by so at least she had someone to talk with. Su refrained from having too much contact with Kuvira. She wasn't exactly trusting towards her former protégée. The metal matriarch still held a lot of resentment toward the younger woman. She hated that her son had taken her back.

Kuvira sat with Opal catching up. "So how are Bolin and your boys?"

"Bolin and I are doing great, our sons can be quiet the handful at times. Sometimes I feel like they are worst than Wing and Wei."

The two women laughed, "Worst than Wei and Wing is that even possible?"

"It is, how are you and my brother doing?"

"We're doing fine," Kuvira's voice took on more of a softer tone. Their personal problems were their own. She didn't want to admit that she had deeply hurt Baatar again. Opal was a sweet girl but she could be very judgmental like her mother.

"Really? That didn't sound like your fine." The airbender raised an eyebrow slightly.

"I promise Opal, we're okay," She lied.

"Then where is your engagement ring and where is his? I noticed that neither one of you are wearing them and Baatar never takes his off."

Kuvira froze, what was she supposed to say, the truth? No that would only further lead the Beifongs to distrust her. She was saved when Bolin came up to his wife. Informing her that her mom wanted a word with her.

Opal left and Bolin took her empty seat, "Some party, right boss?"

"Bolin you don't need to call me that, you don't work for me anymore."

"I know it's just a habit, you okay you seem kind of in the dumps."

"I'm fine Bolin," She dismissed.

The lavabender fell quiet, his gut was telling him something was wrong. The Kuvira he knew would never have allowed Varrick to spring this surprise party on them and in their home. And Baatar would be by her side, he hardly ever left her. Even uniting the Earth Nation he was always right there.

Speaking of Baatar where was he? Bolin searched the faces of the party goers. The lavabender picked out the engineer, he was taken aback at what he saw.

Baatar was dancing with another woman. It wasn't any dance it was that flirty grinding against each other sort of dance. Baatar spun the woman around drawing her in closer and kissed her.

"What?" Bolin said confused standing up. What the hell was going on? He looked to Kuvira there was hurt in her eyes.

Angrily she stood marching over to them, "Baatar fucking stop," She called as her finance ignored her and continued to hungrily kiss the woman. His hands were on her lower back and hers were in his hair. Baatar was hers and hers alone.

"Fucking stop this shit now!" She roughly grabbed the back of the woman's shirt and yanked her away from Baatar.

Everything was at a standstill the music and conversation had stopped. All eyes turned to the brewing storm.

Baatar glared at Kuvira, "Why the fuck did you do that?"

"You want to go fuck her is that it?" She gestured to where ever she had tossed the other woman.

"So what if I do? What of it?"

"Fuck you." She said shoving him.

"Yeah, well fuck you right back." Baatar growled pushing her as well.

"Hey Baatar," Opal said stepping in, that wasn't any way to treat his lover neither was grinding on and kissing another woman.

"What's this all about?" Su asked gravely.

"It's none of your business." Baatar averted his gaze from his mother's piercing eyes.

Kuvira took in a breath, "I fucked the avatar, I fucked Korra and now he's punishing me for it." The truth was out there.

"I knew you'd screw him up." Su said darkly.

"Baatar?" Kuvira asked.

"Why don't you all go fuck off." He seethed storming into the house.

The mummers started and fingers where pointing. Keeping her back straight and head held high Kuvira followed him into the house.

Away from the crowd she went to go and find Baatar. A hand on her shoulder stopped her.

"I think that you have done enough," Su said stopping the woman who had hurt her son yet again.

"He's my fiancé-"

Su roughly slammed the younger woman against the wall. The air in Kuvira's lungs left at the forceful slam. "Junior belongs to no one, especially someone like you." The older bender took Kuvira's shoulder sending her sprawling on the ground.

Baatar lay curled up on the bed when he heard the door open. "Go away I want to be alone."

"Baatar," It was his mother, no doubt she was going to rub his face in his mistakes.

"Here to tell me you told me so? That it was a huge mistake to get back with Kuvira again? Well guess what you were right as always. I was just too dumb to see that."

Su placed a hand on his shoulder, "No, I'm sorry that you're hurting sweetie." Her voice was soft, "I'm here if you want to talk or just need some comfort."

"Please leave," he repeated.

"You need someone right now. Why are you still living with her after what she did to you?"

"Lin gave me some bad advice." He commented.

"Lin?" She didn't think that her sister would be so….so kind and give out advice.

"Yeah she said break up or make up." He said drily.

"Break up and come back to Zaofu. I can arrange to have your stuff moved out of here tonight." Su applied pressure to his shoulder to roll him onto his back. "Don't stay here with a person that doesn't love you. Come back home."

"I don't want to go back to Zaofu."

"You can't honestly want to stay here. After everything she had put you through."

"I don't know what I want anymore. I know that being with Kuvira is toxic but I just keeping coming back. Holding onto this false perception that everything can be okay again, but I don't think that it can be, not anymore."

"I know that you will choose right," Su sat with her son for a good hour before she left. Bolin had disbanded the part and got everyone to leave. He listened as his wife and her mother raged on about the evils of Kuvira.

Baatar dragged himself out of his room, he ignored Kuvira. He grabbed a trash bag and went outside to clean up the backyard and it was a mess. Kuvira joined him and the two got their lawn back in order.

After cleaning up Baatar lounged with his head on the back of the couch. Kuvira took a seat on the far end of the sofa. They had been making progress but, after Varrick's little party they had regressed back to square one.

With caution Kuvira scooted closer to Baatar. Slowly she touched his left hand. His eyes opened at her touch but remained looking forward. She took his hand in hers drawing it closer to her body. Her left hand held his while her right ran over the ridges of his knuckles. The skin of his hand was dry and cracked. Just the way they always were, those familiar hands that comforted her, pleased her and held her.

Her left thumb ran over the softer skin of his palm, stopping at his ring finger. It no longer bore the engagement ring. She had it under her shirt on a chain along with hers. The same chain she wore during their rule over the Empire and in prison. Releasing his hand she placed it back next to his thigh.

In a bold move Kuvira slid her leg across him and sat on his lap. Her knees on either side of his body. She stroked his face, he wouldn't met her eyes no matter how she tried.

Kuvira leaned forward, pressing a kiss to his neck. She proceeded to leave light kiss along his neck working her way up to his firm jaw line. From his jaw up to his cheek and then over to his lips. Kuvira left her lips on his longer. He didn't respond to any of her affections. He sat as stiff and still as a statue.

Kuvira ran her tongue over his closed lips seeing if he would allow her entry in. She nipped at his bottom lip her usual demand. It didn't work he just sat there. Pulling back, Kuvira cupped is head in her hands. Her eyes stared into his light olive eyes. Leaning in again she took his bottom lip between her teeth. Lightly applying pressure and he responded to her.

His tongue flicked out making one pass over her teeth. Letting go of his lip she pressed her lips to his. At first he didn't reciprocate but, then he slowly parted his mouth. It started out slow and tentative. Their tongues explored the other's mouth. His hands stayed by his sides and hers roved over his head.

Kuvira broke their kiss going for his neck. She sucked and bit at the soft flesh, pushing herself closer to him. "Forgive…..please…..I'm sorry…..I love you…Baatar…forgive me…." She half pleaded in between her kisses. Stopping, she pulled away going for the hem of her shirt. Pulling it up and off, tossing it to the floor. Baatar took in the sight of her half naked body. Kuvira's hand took his guiding it across her tone stomach muscles. She moved his hand from her stomach up to her chest, pausing at her right breast.

Kuvira went in for another kiss, Baatar's right hand ran up her side and around to her back. He went for the clasp of her bra unhooking it. Her arms moved to toss the bra aside, her hands going for the fabric of his shirt. He lifted his arms up letting her take it off.

Both half naked now, Baatar went for her throat and she titled her head back. His right hand cupped her breast his thumb passing over her nipple. Kuvira let out a breath when he touched her there.

She ground her hips against his hardening member. Her hand squeezed between their bodies. She rubbed her hand over his erection through his pants. Kuvira brought her other hand down unzipping his pants. He lifted them both up as she tugged his pants down. He kicked out his legs shaking his pants off. In turn he tugged down at her waist line. Obliging she lifted herself up and he pulled down her trousers as far as they would go.

Kuvira got off of him stepping out of the remainder of her clothes, they were both fully naked now. The master metalbender climbed back onto the engineer.

They feverishly kissed, hands roving over the others body. He was getting harder and she was nice and wet. Arousal bubbled up in their bodies and minds. His fingers disappeared in her folds pumping in and out. Kuvira moaned in pleasure as he fingered her.

Extracting his fingers, Baatar stood and Kuvira wrapped her legs around his waist. He took them to her room where she had been banished to the last few months. He lay on top of her and she spread her legs farther apart telling him she was ready.

Kuvira's hands ran through his brown locks as Baatar sucked on her neck. His head brushed up against her slit causing her to moan. She wanted it but Baatar wasn't giving it to her.

Baatar's hand moved from her ribcage to her wrists pinning them on the side of her head. Kuvira raised her hips rocking against him in an attempt to pull him in.

"Baatar please," She whispered huskily into his ear. With his hips he pushed her back against the bedding. Reaching between them, he guiding himself to her waiting entrance.

Kuvira squirmed beneath him, he was teasing her. He was right outside of her, she could feel his head pressing at her at her opening. Pouting slightly, Kuvira angled her hips up trying to get him to make the connection.

With a swift thrust he pushed inside, they both let out a moan at the sensation. His hand captured her wrist again, she was completely under his control now. He waited a minute for her to adjust to the new sensation.

Kuvira felt a fire in the pit of her stomach spreading to her ears and down to her toes. Baatar started gently rocking them, he pulled out so his tip was just barely in. Then plunged his whole length back in. Her warm walls surrounded him again.

"Faster," She managed to squeak out. He picked up the pace, their moans of pleasure rose in volume.

Kuvira locked her legs behind his back. She could feel him starting to throb and swell in her. He was getting close to release. She shifted her hips up matching his rhythm together they moved in sync as one. The sound of skin hitting skin and their moans and gasps filled the room.

With a final forceful thrust he buried himself deep in her. He let out a deep groan as he emptied himself. Kuvira climaxed after she felt the first burst of warmth. Her walls tightened around him milking out everything he had. She tightened her legs around his waist pulling him as close as she could.

Pulse after pulse he unloaded deep in her womb. There was so much that it started to seep and drip out.

Their trembling and moans died down as they came off the high. His ragged breath in her ears. Kuvira turned to kiss his cheek but he leaned away just out of her reach. He closed his eyes regulating his breathing. Baatar pulled out rolling off of her.

He sat on the edge of her bed head bowed down. Kuvira lay on her back a little while longer. Sitting up on her knees she felt wetness. Looking down she saw a blob of white running down her inner thigh. Ignoring it she sat directly behind Baatar.

"Baatar?" She asked softly placing a hand on his shoulder. He was back to being that statue. Kuvira wrapped her arms around his front laying her head on the back of his shoulder. Her bare breasts flushed against his muscled back.

His hands went up to her arms undoing her hold. He turned to face her and aggressively kissed her. He ravished her mouth his hands going to grope her breast. Kuvira responded to him straddling him lap. Her left hand grabbed his hardening member. Running her hand the length of him five times. With her hand still in place she lowered herself onto him. Swallowing him whole, she started to grind her hips into him.

She rocked her hips against his and he found her pace. Kuvira rocked her hips down against him and he pounded up into her. She was about to hit her high when he suddenly pulled out. She pouted at the loss of him.

His hands went to her waist stopping her.

Pushing her away he pulled out, his hands on her waist flipped her onto her stomach. Baatar put his weight over the top of her pinning her down. He guided his stiff erection to her entrance forcefully breaking through.

Kuvira let out a gasp of ecstasy and pain. He was pounding into her again and again her hand clutched at the pillows. It felt so good and a bit painful, like the first time he had claimed her all those years ago in his bed at Zaofu.

Thrust after thrust Baatar pumped into her tight walls. He started twitching and swelling once more. He grabbed under her hips pulling her ass into the air and let go again. He saw Kuvira's legs shaking her hands bunching up the pillows. She was orgasming with her walls constricting around him.

Their pleasure wore off and their breathing returned to normal. Baatar kept his hold on her hips still deep inside. They stayed that way for a while longer finally Baatar pulled out and left the room. Kuvira lay there dazed that wasn't her usual Baatar. Her soft sweet Baatar that always waited until she was ready and comfortable to kiss her, tease her and enter her.

This new man roughly took her without a second thought. She couldn't help as her body reacted with every thrust of his hips. Kuvira's heart dropped when she heard the sound of the shower going. It was like he was washing away his impurity, to rid himself of her grime.

Kuvira curled up into a ball the rest of the night. What he left behind with her started to drip out.

XXXX

Kuvira jolted awake feeling nauseous again. She rushed into the bathroom emptying her stomach again for the sixth time that night. Dizzily she lay against the cool tile. Her skin was clammy and sweaty. She had a headache that she could feel through her front teeth. Kuvira moaned dragging herself back up to the toilet. Her body tensed and her stomach clenched. The bile was rising up and out.

Kuvira sank back down shivering. She was cold and wanted to get back under the warm covers. But she didn't have the energy to move. Most of all her needed Baatar, needed him to just hold her. It had been weeks since they had had sex on her bed. They were back to not talking and ignoring each other. Now she felt sick to her stomach and really just wanted some comfort.

Baatar angrily stuffed a pillow over his head trying to block out the sounds of Kuvira's retching. This was the third time this week that Kuvira had gotten sick. He wanted to go in there and yell at her to stop it. But he couldn't bring himself to, not after what occurred a few weeks ago. He had fucked her, he didn't know why he did that. It was a very bad idea.

Throwing back the covers Baatar stormed out of his room.

Kuvira felt herself being moved in at sitting position. The sound of the toilet flushing rang in her aching ears. A wet cloth was dabbed on her forehead and at the corner of her mouth. Cracking her eyes open she saw Baatar hovering over her. She opened her mouth to apologize for walking him up.

"Drink," He ordered putting the glass to her open mouth. She gulped down the whole glass of water coughing as she finished. Baatar lifted her from the ground placing her back in the bed. He would only stay with her until she fell asleep.

An hour later he was still awake and so was she. Kuvira was shaking and breathing heavily. He sighed in exasperation. She felt as his weight left the bed she had been lucky that he had stayed for an hour. Now he was going to leave her. What she didn't expect was for him to carry her back to their bed. It was the first time she had been back in their room. He laid her on her side of the bed pulling the covers up.

He laid facing away from her and on the edge of his side. Just being back in their room and bed was enough for her to in her to stop trembling and for her breathing to even out. In mere minutes she was out like a light.

It was Kuvira that woke first in the morning. In her sleep she had moved on top of Baatar. Her head rested on his chest her legs in between his. She smiled a bit of joy grew in her chest. The steady drum of his heart lulled her back to sleep. She was going to enjoy this time before he woke and pushed her off of him and away.

Baatar felt extra weight on his chest, prying his eyes open, he looked down. Kuvira lay on top of him. He wanted to shove her off of him but something stopped him. He contemplated on what to do, he settled on waking her up.

"Kuvira," He prodded at her, "Kuvira wake up."

She stirred giving a weak murmur of protest.

"Kuvira' it's time to get up," Baatar said once again.

"Can't we stay like this?" She turned her head to look at him.

"No, I have thing I need to get done."

Kuvira sat up kneeling in-between his legs. He hadn't shoved her off when he woke. That was good and he had let her sleep in their room again and he had stayed with her during the night. That was even better but, why couldn't they just talk, thing though, why did it have to be so hard?

Pitching forward, she locked her hand behind his neck. "No, we need to talk Baatar. We have put this off long enough," She said firmly just like in the old days.

"Talk about what?" He held her gaze.

"You know about what. I slept with someone else, I hurt you and I'm so and I'll be sorry for the rest of my life. Please Baatar,…..I…I love you." She confessed with all honesty and love. Because she knew why he slept with her and let her back into the room, he was on his last legs. And one of two things were going to happen. Either he was going to forgive or that was their last time together before he left…for good.

"Kuvira, I...I don't know if I can or even want to. I feel like it's just not worth it anymore. I'm tired, I'm tired of trying to fix something that just can't be fixed again. I think it's a lost cause."

Kuvira briefly looked down sorrowfully, "I've loved you sine we were kids and I know you loved to since than to. A love like that doesn't go away that easily."

"Then maybe that's the problem, love what a stupid thing. It takes so long to build and yet is so easily destroyed in a matter of seconds." Baatar pushed himself into a sitting position.

"We made it work again, why can't we try again?"

"Because," He looked deep into her eyes. That soft sweet gaze of once of a man who would to anything for her came out. "I'm burned out."

"Don't," Kuvira's breathing hitched, this felt like the end. "Baatar….." Quickly she clamped a hand over her mouth and made a mad dash to the bathroom. Kneeling next to the toilet she threw up.

Baatar stood in the doorway, " If you're sick then you should go to the healer." He stated.

Kuvira had a sinking feeling about this.