Not With Haste

Chapter 2

A/n Sorry this took so long I could never really make myself happy with this ending/most of this chapter, but this is the attempt I hate the least and it is getting ridiculous how long I have been trying to figure out how I wanted to do this ending.

The preparations for the wedding were in full swing. Senna had made sure everything was perfect, while Tonraq continued putting Asami through the traditional betrothal trials. There was less than two days until the festival of the spirits. Their friends were scheduled to arrive anytime now. Everything was just falling into place, and for some reason Korra could no longer find anything to object to. Sure, the wedding had been unexpected. She thought she would at least have some time after the proposal to wrap her head around it, but even with all of that she was completely content with what was unfolding currently.

It was the morning of the festival before she knew it. She awoke that morning to watch the beauty in her bed. Long black hair covered the pillows in a grace that should not be possible that early in the morning. Everything was perfect.

"Hey sleepy," Korra whispered into Asami's ear, "Guess what is happening today."

Asami stirred, opening her brilliant green eyes, "We're getting married."

Korra smiled, "Today is the day the secret is out my dear."

Korra rolled so she was on top of Asami, her short hair framing her face as she straddled her fiancée. Their mouths clashed and then tongues battled for dominance. This continued for a few minutes before Asami broke free.

"We need to stop, there is so much to do. Plus, tonight is our wedding. We should save this energy for later, don't you agree?" she asked, softly pushing Korra off of her.

Korra just buried her head in the pillows and groaned. Asami chuckled and got out of bed and sauntered towards the bathroom. Korra could hear the water start.

"Come on Korra, if you get up now we can shower together," Asami called from the bathroom.

Korra immediately shot out of bed and was in the bathroom in record time.

The ship was pulling into port. In mere seconds half of the most important people in the world would be here for the secret wedding. Korra couldn't stop squirming. She and Asami still hadn't figured out how to break the news that they all had to go to a special event that would result in their marriage let alone how to break to all of them that they were a couple before ushering them to the wedding. At this point she was just going to let them find out at the wedding.

Finally the door opened to the main bay of the boat and everyone started filing out. In front were the Tenzin's children and Bolin and Opal. They all ran over to Asami and Korra and hugged them. Soon after Lin, Tenzin and Pema were off the boat. The only person missing was Mako.

"Hey Bolin, where's Mako?" Korra asked, wondering where the oblivious detective was.

Bolin rubbed the back of his head nervously, "Uh… he's not coming."

Asami and Korra gave each other a concerned look. They had wanted the boy they had both fought over to hear from them and not someone else that his two exes were marrying each other. More importantly he was a good friend to them both and they had wanted him to be present for the wedding, but it seemed that fate had made other plans for them.

"Why didn't he come?" Asami asked, wondering what was so important that Mako would avoid spending time with his brother and friends without work getting in the way.

"He wanted to show up that he wasn't getting special treatment from the chief so he stayed behind and took over some of her duties," Bolin said.

Asami sighed, "But we specifically said that we had something special planned and that everyone needed to be here. We sent out hawks, radioed and everything just to make sure!"

Bolin just shook his head, "He told me that he is sure that the spirits would be fine if he didn't worship them properly."

Korra finally broke her silence. She had been fuming in the corner and by now she was ready for a full outrage, "He will follow me into battle, but he can't even bother to be present for one of the most important events in two of his friends' lives."

Korra grabbed Asami's hand and yanked her towards the palace. Asami knew that even though she was frustrated that one of her friends was so dense Korra's anger was much worse. Mako was going to have hell to pay, but right now she needed to figure out a way to calm her fiancée down before the wedding.

After about an hour Asami had managed to calm Korra down enough to get her into s reasonable state of mind. By then they didn't really have time to try and explain what was going on to their friends. They needed to get ready, since Korra's father was chief they had to look their best because even a few select press members were here to cover the festival.

By the evening everything was set. They were dressed in their best formal clothes. It was time for the banquet, and very soon the announcement that would change their lives forever.

The entered the hall together along with Korra's family. They were announced as they took their seats at the head table. Asami was on the right side of Korra and next to her was the southern tribe diplomat stationed in republic city. She could see her friends' faces in the crowd. She could tell Tenzin and Lin knew something wasn't quite right. She wasn't important to either of the tribes, and yet she was at the head table. Bolin, Opal and the air bender children were oblivious to the oddity that it was.

After some time of socializing and drinking it was time for the chief's announcement for the feast of the spirits. Tonraq stood up from his seat, and the band in the background stopped playing. Everyone stopped talking.

"Hello," Tonraq began, "I am so glad to see so many representatives from the northern tribe. We have come a long way these four years and I am so glad that our tribes have come to a peaceful alliance. This festival was set up to venerate the spirit, over time the traditions have changed, but in this new age we no longer are separate from the spirits. This year this feast is going to have a different ending than there has been in years past."

The room was quite. Everyone was wondering what Tonraq meant. The festival's feast had always ended the same. It had always ended with the meditation of the spirits.

Tonraq motioned towards Korra with a smile, "My daughter has so graciously agreed to participate in an age old tradition that many have forgotten."

Korra blushed at being mentioned. She looked into the crowd, she could see that Tenzin was slowly grasping what was happening. Unlike the others he was well verse in the traditions of the southern tribe.

"In days past many saw this day as the time when two spirits could join to become one. It the ages old many would go through trials, which are still our betrothal trials today, to show that their spirits were ready for this joining. Which is why today my daughter is going to be joined to her promised," Tonraq said, the cameras from the three present paparazzi flashing.

"You're gonna get married!" Bolin yelled across the room, his mouth full of hors d'oeuvres.

Opal immediately reached over and smacked the back of his head. She whispered angrily into his ears, telling him off for interrupting an official address made by on the rulers of the six major governments.

Tonraq waited for the room to settle down from Bolin's outburst, "Today the Southern tribe is gaining a new sister. Asami Sato has tried her best to help the Southern Water tribe and the world, which is why I can think of no better person for my daughter to marry."

The room was still silent. Everyone had a shell shocked look on their face. This continued until clapping came from Kya and Katara's table. The two of them had stood up and were cheering. Soon everyone, except a few prejudice northerners, was cheering.

Asami and Korra felt immense relief. Maybe they would be able to get through this evening in one piece.

The ceremony itself was much quieter than the reception beforehand. Only a few of the honored guests were allowed into the ceremony and the front rows were only filled with family and friends. As Korra stood at the front waiting on Asami should could see the happiness in her mentors' eyes. Katara smiled giving a small thumbs up. Tenzin had this look of pride. Bolin was the only person not happy. He had this look of confusion and perhaps anger that he wasn't told about this relationship.

Korra was ripped from these thoughts though when the music started and Asami made her way towards the front. They had decided that they would keep some of the old water tribe traditions, but they had made an exception. Asami had long dreamed of the day her father would lead her down the aisle, and though he wasn't there she was still getting her dream as Tonraq led her towards Korra.

"Hey beautiful, I've been waiting for you. Get lost on your way here?" Korra playfully asked as her father handed Asami off to her.

Asami smiled, "You never rush a bride on her wedding day, Korra."

After a moment the officiant began. His strong voice clear and loud, "Today we have gathered to witness an event that only comes once a generation. The joining of souls is not something to enter lightly. It is permanent and goes on from now until the afterlife, and on through every reincarnation. This joining is more than just a symbol of your love, it is a sign of sister souls. Are you both willing to proceed knowing this?"

Asami and Korra both said, "We are sure."

After the ceremony they stayed back for a few minutes to talk with their friends and family, but afterwards they sneaked away from the closing celebration. No one would really care anyway, it was their wedding day.

"So, we actually did that," Korra whispered as she kissed up Asami's neck.

Asami smile back, weaving her hands in Korra's hair as she backed away from the kisses so she could look at her wife. She whispered, "Yeah, we did."

The two just sat there, smiling for a little while. They had a lot to face once they got back to republic city, but for now they were just going to enjoy this. They had managed to get their fairytale in a world filled with pain and destruction. They were going to enjoy it before it was inspected by the outside world. They would be able to withstand all the criticism and whatever else they may face as long as they could retreat to these moments. They had loved with urgency, but not with haste.