"We've been here for several days now, you lot" Kuvira was anxious to make a move but quickly pulled back out of the way of a handful of fire that had grazed her cheek
"fuck you"
"no thanks, I may be bi but you've never interested me, Mako"
Opal just about managed to stifle a snort of laughter and Mako glared at her. "cool it Mako"
"Shut it all of you!!"
"w... Independence D... Only a few days away now, preparations for the fourth of July fireworks are well underway, admittedly there has been s... Disturb... Radio and TV transmissions but it shouldn't interfere"
"this independence Day thing must be some kind of local celebration day, sorta like Avatar's day is back home"
"hush!" everyone else glared at Mako
"It's only been a few days since the murder of six people in broad daylight in the middle of downtown Manhattan..."
"Has it only been a few days?"
"but the search continues for those involved, the two unnamed female victims believed to be members of a smallish party resist all attempts to be identified by police..."
"Korra..."
"Asami"
"We need to give them a proper ceremony" Kuvira admitted. She didn't really like the situation she found herself in, but the others she was with did save her life from those Harvester... Things.
"I agree" Lin nodded, quickly seconded by Kya
"maybe she's not dead?"
"Jinora?"
"yes?"
"What... How did you get here?"
"I've alwaysbeen here"
"Whatever, it's too late now, the portal is gone"
"Unfortunately"
*
They made their move that night, Lin and Bolin tunnelled their way under the police station that they had seen, Kuvira and Jinora leapt up through the hole and explored the building. It took them a few hours but they eventually found the morgue and in it, Korra and Asami. Both women were ice cold to the touch, Jinora stifled a sob, to her surprise she found herself in strong arms. "Kuvira?"
"Yes, Jinora?" the older woman whispered back
"You're hugging me"
"i know"
They stayed like that for another few minutes. "i... I'm alright now" Jinora stuttered
"I don't mind waiting"
"no let's get this done" Jinora worked herself free and moved over to touch Asami's forehead. "not even in the same freezer" Jinora commented bitterly
"Well?"
"They're definitely gone, but so is Raava"
"she's gone?"
"yup"
"where?"
"I haven't a... Clue?"
"what?"
"let's get outta here, I'll explain then"
"right" Kuvira grabbed both Asami and Korra's lifeless bodies and they left in a hurry
*
Jinora saw Kuvira watching her closely, "Lin's pregnant" she burst out, nearly tripping over in the tunnel Lin and Bolin had made for them
"what?!"
"Trust me, I don't understand it myself..."
"Of all the unexpected things..."
"Indeed"
"are you sure?"
"yup. Although it might be best if we keep it from the others for now, in case in reading her aura wrong"
"of course"
*
"how far is she?"
"Can't tell" they had returned to their 'home' and had been preparing to cremate Korra and Asami, Kuvira had made any excuse she could to stick near Jinora. "too soon for her to notice"
"obviously"
"we ought to start coming up with a list" Jinora muttered
"a list?"
"ofnames" Jinora hissed while Bolin bumbled past with Opal. Neither of them had so much as kissed since their friends were murdered over money but they stayed together for most of the time. Bolin had been busy making a makeshift incinerator outside, Opal had searched through the house and found an old box of matches which she had played with until her hair had caught fire. Kya had extinguished her but smiled. They were both thinking the same thing.
Mako had gone back to brooding, reluctant to talk because he knew he would have to be the one who did... It. "fuck off" he growled when Opal sat next to him
"you know you might not have to do... It"
"what makes you say that?"
"These do" she held out the box of matches and then lit one
"..." Mako gulped. "i don't have to do it?"
"you don't" Opal confirmed
"Thank the spirits"
After that, Mako became much more sociable, he laughed and joked along with his fellow Purple Lotus members at the good times they had. That evening they moved outside, Lin lit one of the matches and applied it to the large pile of wood they had collected. "go in peace" she whispered. The flames caught hold and gave Asami and Korra, who were led intertwined with one another, a peaceful send-off. In death they had been granted their secret wish to hold one another. "I'm so sorry" Lin sobbed and tears ran down both cheeks, she had remained stoic and strong the past few days for the others but the sight of their bodies together at last was enough to break even her self-control.
"goodbye" Mako muttered before he walked away and back into the house
"fuck me" Kuvira hissed angrily, preparing to go back in there and beat the shit out of him for walking away
"don't" Bolin had grabbed her arm, "he's never been great with his emotions"