Chapter Ten
"How'd it go at the hotel? I was able to hack into it like I said, but did you have any trouble?" Opal asks Bolin as she towel dries her hair. She looks up at him through her vanity mirror and he wraps his arms around her, kisses the top of her head, and then picks up a nearby comb .
"I was like James Bond in there. Suave, cool, collected, and spy-like. There weren't any problems." He combs her hair for her and chuckles when she sighs in pleasure as he massages her scalp.
"What about info on-,"
Bolin silences her with a finger. "Babe. That can wait. I'll tell you all about it later. Right now, can we just both decompress? I want two beers and some pizza. Then, we can watch one of your favorite chick flicks, as long as it's a rom-com and we can cuddle on the couch."
"You are such a big teddy bear."
"Yep. Big heart, big hugs, big d-,"
"Bo!" She swats his arm as he chuckles. "Ugh, I love you, you big goofy man."
"I love you too, Ope. Forever and always."
She swats his butt. "Extra sauce and garlic butter crust."
He bows. "As you wish."
#
Iroh pops two more pills before getting out of the car and heading up the steps to Mako's place. Akari is out of town for work for the next few days and he wants to have fun in the meantime. He pulls the bottle of Fire Whiskey closer and knocks on the door. Fifteen seconds later, Mako opens the door, shirtless with black basketball shorts on. He's sweating. He'd been working out on the speed bag.
He eyes Iroh as Iroh eyes him, in a much hungrier way. Ignoring the feeling he gets, he asks casually, "What's up, Roh?"
Iroh steps inside with a grin, holding up the bottle. "Put a shirt on, show off. Let's kick back and have a few. We can play pai sho. Loser has to take two shots.
Mako groans and rubs his face. This isn't what he had in mind for his evening.
"I didn't come all the way over here for no, Mako."
Mako notices his harsh tone, but ignores it. He'd been ignoring a lot of things lately. "Fine. But, I'm not getting drunk. We're going to have another long day tomorrow."
"And we don't know if tomorrow is even promised. We have to live in the moment, Mako. You know what happened to Tahno, what could have happened to Asami, what did happen to Korra. Tomorrow, it could be us. So, let's drink, enjoy this night, and live it up. Stop thinking so much."
Mako sighs again. "Fine. I'm about to grab a shirt. You know where the shot glasses and game board are."
#
"I was in a relationship with a professor at the Uni. I didn't have any classes with him, so I didn't think it was really inappropriate. He's about eight years older than me and I didn't feel that our age difference really mattered either. Well, after a few months, I found out that he was cheating on me with another student. I found him in his office and we were arguing so loudly that he snatched me inside. I was so mad that I stormed off, but he followed me. I didn't even know he was behind me until I unlocked the door because I was so focused on my anger. He hit me once I got inside my apartment, but the door slammed and popped back open. Thank the spirits that Kai was coming around the corner and heard me scream. He saved me."
"Jinora…"
"Wait, I'm not done. I was so furious that I sent an anonymous letter to the school making numerous allegations, including detailing his relationship with the other girl. She was placed on suspension and he was forced to resign. I did that to her. It's part of why I was so okay with leaving school. I just had to get out of there. And, if it weren't for Kai, I would probably have been in the hospital."
"Oh, honey," Pema says, standing up to hug her. "We're just glad you're safe."
Tenzin stays silent for a bit before finally asking, "What's his name?"
"Daddy, it's handled. It doesn't matter."
"What's his name!"
"Ji-Jin Hatake."
Tenzin stands and leaves the room, his eldest daughter calling after him.
#
"I have some extra clothes that'll fit you in the guest room. Why don't you shower and change while I make you something to eat."
"Sure, I'll just uh, go do that then." Korra is nervous. She's nervous to wear the woman that she's crushing on clothes, to use her shower, to sleep in her bed… Well, not 'her' bed, but still.
She finds the clothes easily enough- a gray t-shirt and some blue basketball shorts. The shorts are long, but tight, and the shirt hangs loose since it's in guy's size. Then, she steps into the bathroom and stares at the shower. Double shower heads, no, one large one on each side of the large shower and two more under each of those. It's luxury. But, all Korra can think about is how it's made for two people. How tempting would it be to just ask Asami to help wash her back?
She shakes away the thought with a sigh and undresses. If she were lucky, those other ideas would happen sometime soon.
#
Tenzin is furious and Pema gives him the space that he needs to calm down. He didn't care if she was an adult, he didn't care about the mistakes she made. He didn't want anyone taking advantage of his daughter. No one put their hands on his kids. He'd searched his name and found him easily enough. Someone who owed him a favor was going to have a word with him. He'd moved to Omashu after all of that. He should have moved further.
Finally, Tenzin turns to Pema who's waiting in bed with a new book she just started tonight. She lifts her head up once he sighs heavily.
"We can't protect them from everything, I know that. But, what if she's moving too fast with this relationship? What if this Kai character is just taking advantage of her insecurities? What if someone finds out that she had a relationship with him too? Her credibility could be damaged?"
"Sweetheart, those are plenty of what ifs and it's hard, but those are not our burdens. Jinora is a strong woman. She made a mistake in love. It happens all the time. But, she'll learn. She knows herself awfully well. Better than most people twice her age. Have faith in her. We need to be supportive."
Pema pats the bed beside her and when he sits down, she lays her head on his chest. Tenzin immediately relaxes and runs his finger through her hair.
"I love you," he says quietly.
"I love you too. You're a great husband and an even better father."
"Sometimes, it doesn't feel that way," he admits.
"That's the burden of being a parent. We always want to give more, but we've given plenty and our children have turned out better than we could have ever hoped."
Tenzin smiles. "You're right. We did do pretty well."
"You've got that right." She kisses his forehead and finishes her chapter.
#
Korra follows the scent of amazing food and her stomach growls, rushing her forward. She turns the corner to the kitchen to find Asami placing a plate of food on the table. She adjusts the dish two times with such concentration that Korra can't help but smile. Perfectionist. 'Well, she's already perfect herself, so it makes sense,' Korra thinks.
Korra is caught staring at Asami which causes her to blush. Asami flips her hair and turns back to the stove to make her own plate.
"Have a seat. I really hope you like seaweed noodles and gourmet BLTs."
"Are you kidding? Seaweed noodles are my favorite. Although, no one makes them like my mom, so you have some heavy competition."
"Well, then it's good that I didn't make them. Those were actually leftovers from last night, but I reheated them in my special sauce. The BLTs, those were all me. Three pieces of toasted bread, eight pieces of bacon, four different cheeses, lettuce, mayo, tomato, and a slice of turkey-hen."
"Well, it sounds delicious and I really appreciate it."
"Well, show me your appreciation by eating it all."
Korra takes a big bite of the noodles and hums happily as she slurps them all up. Then, she grabs the BLT, bites into it, and moans in satisfaction. "Asami, this tastes amazing. I mean, you can never go wrong with bacon. It has so many flavors."
Asami smiles in satisfaction. "I'm glad you like it. I'd offer you a glass of the wine I'm having, but with your meds, that isn't a good idea. So, I made you a smoothie."
"Thanks. But, after this, you don't have to do anything else to thank me. Don't feel obligated just because of today."
"Korra, don't worry. I'd never do anything for you that I don't want to do." She lowers he voice and gives Korra a serious look. Korra gulps and nearly chokes on a noodle which makes Asami laugh.
"I'm sorry," Asami says. "The last thing I need is for you to experience death by noodle."
Korra shrugs. "I could think of worse ways to go."
"Like what?"
"Like dying from eating Mako's cooking. That's just-," she shivers.
"Mako huh?"
"What about him?" Korra asks defensively.
"Nevermind."
"Uh uh. What? Go ahead and say it." She points her fork at her. "You don't- like him do you?"
"What? No. I mean, on a physical level, yeah, he'd seem like my type, maybe. But, he's not."
"Why?"
"Is this your way of trying to find out my type, Korra?"
"Maybe." She shrugs again and chomps on her food, trying to seem disinterested. She's almost ready for seconds.
"Well, for one, he's too serious. He wouldn't make me laugh and if he tried to, he'd be trying too hard. He wouldn't make me excited to see him every day, to be around him. I wouldn't be challenged to see things from a different perspective. I wouldn't feel a particular warmth and comfort when he holds me at night. There wouldn't be an easy understanding, a certain flow where you just know what the other is feeling and what the other needs. My heart doesn't bat fast every time I look into his eyes. When I see him, I don't see the future that I'd want to share with him."
Korra never finishes chewing her food as she was listening intently to Asami, her heart pounding in her ears. Asami looked at her the entire time, measuring her reactions, hoping she got the hint.
Mako's not you.
"I don't want to take care of Mako when he needs comforting. Not in that way," she says quietly.
Questions spin through Korra's head and she begins to feel dizzy. Asami notices the change in her skin color and gives her a glass of water quickly. Their skin touces and electricity sparks between them. Korra gulps the water and stands up while she still has the courage.
She goes around the table and reaches for Asami's hand. Asami looks at her questioningly.
"I don't want this to be one of those things where you're seeing me as your hero and I'm seeing you as the beautiful woman I saved. I know how I felt the first time I saw you, but right now, my emotions are raw and we have a big case to work on. So, once the case is finished, or at least once we find out what those people are really up to, and all my bumps are healed, I'd like to take you out on a date, Asami. I really like you and I think you are amazing. I would like to get to know you better." Korra blushes furiously after she breathes through her confession, still holding onto Asami's hand.
It's shaking slightly, but Asami pretends not to notice. What she does notice is the way her heart begins to thump as Korra looks at her nervously.
"I'd like that a lot, Korra," she says with a smile. "But, relax. I just want you to be yourself. Be the easygoing work wife I know and love."
"Okay. I can do that. You'll have a great time, I promise."
"Korra, I already have a great time when I'm with you."
#
"Fuuuck," Mako cries as he takes his fourth shot. Iroh smirks in amusement at the way his face twists up in reaction to the potent elixir.
"Try winning one and you wouldn't have to worry about it."
"You're the strategist. All that time in the military has given you an unfair advantage."
"Pai sho runs in my blood," Iroh says proudly.
"Well, next time, let me pick the game."
Iroh grabs the bottle and chugs it for a couple of seconds, savoring the burning and warmth to his center that follows. Mako just shivers in disgust.
"I've got a better idea," Iroh begins. "Akair is out of town and we both have our needs. So, why don't we try a few things without her?"
Mako's entire face turns red. "What? No. I'm not… I can't do that. Not without her, man. That's weird."
Iroh raises an eyebrow. "Why is it weird? It's not like I don't know what you like. We've done it before."
"Yeah, with her. In the moment. I'm not bi, Iroh. People like me don't like guys."
"What the fuck does that mean? People like you? Because last I recall, you liked me plenty when my mouth was on your-,"
"Hey! Seriously dude. It's not the same though. I don't- I can't…" Mako hangs his head down in shame.
"You can't what? Admit that you like boys too. That you may like me a little bit."
"I don't want to talk about this shit."
"Why? You not talking about it isn't going to make your feelings go away. I fucking like you, Mako. I like touching you whether there's Akari there or not. I've come to terms with that. Everyone has different sexual needs. If you don't want to label yourself bi, then that's fucking okay. That's no one's business how you define yourself. But, don't you dare sit in front of me, pretend like you don't like it, and then demean yourself like you're wrong for feeling what you feel. We don't have to date, hold hands in public, but I want you, Mako, and I'm not ashamed to tell you."
"Get out," Mako growls.
"Mako, don't-,"
"Get. Out!"
Iroh gives Mako a look of anger and betrayal before storming out, leaving his bottle. He slams the door behind him. Mako stands up, rubbing his hands through his hair before flipping over the pai sho board. He freezes until he hears a car speed down the street and then takes the Fire Whiskey and pours it down the sink, needing to be rid of the alcohol and thoughts of Iroh.
#
Asami and Korra never made it to the beds. They stayed up all night watching all both Avenger's movies and eating popcorn. Now, Asami's legs were in Korra's lap under the blanket they shared on the couch. Korra's growling stomach is what wakes her up. She looks at her surroundings with confusion at first, and then smiles as she touches a silky leg.
Without thinking, she begins to massage Asami's calf muscles. She begins to stir with a sleepy moan and yawn. With one eye open, she looks at a smiling Korra.
"How do you make sleep look so beautiful," Korra says without realizing that she said it aloud. "Sorry," she mutters.
"No, it's okay. You're sweet." She looks at her phone. Up twenty minutes before her alarm. At least now she'll have a little bit of time for breakfast. "How did you sleep? Are you hungry?"
"I slept fine," Korra says, gently removing Asami's legs so she can get up and stretch. Her shirt lifts up, revealing her perfect abs and Asami finds herself wanting to reach out and touch that brown skin. "And yes, I'm hungry. I'm always hungry." Korra's words snap Asami out of her trance.
"Well, I'm going to make a couple omelets and you can make us some oatmeal so I can eat and shower. I gotta get out of here. Coffee, yes, I need coffee too."
"Asami, don't leave me here all alone. Sneak me in through the back. They'll never know I was there," Korra whines.
Asami laughs and stands, touching the top of Korra's nose. "You need to take the day off. Lay in bed and relax. Take another hot shower. Let your body heal, Korra. Otherwise, you won't be in any shape for our date, remember."
Korra begins to blush as she recalls her promise to Asami. Now, with her waking up next to the beautiful woman, she doesn't want to wait for any date. She wants to pull her in close right now and kiss her. But, she has more self control than that.
She hopes.
"Can you at least video chat me. I can work from the laptop. I want to be useful."
"Oh, I'm sure you have your uses, but right now, just relax and help yourself to anything. Don't make this harder than it has to be. It's not like I want to leave you here all alone in my house. I'm going to be thinking about it all day."
"Oh, and why is that?"
"Because, it would be much more interesting with both of us here."
"Asami Sato, what are you saying?" she asks playfully.
Asami sighs and flips her hair. "I'm saying that you have good taste in movies."
Korra squints at Asami. "You're an ass."
"No, you are. Stop assuming. You know what they saying about assuming. You're cute and all, Korra, but you're not irresistible."
That does it. Korra grabs Asami quickly and roughly and Asami lets out a surprised gasp as she's pinned between Korra and the wall. She holds her breath as Korra leans into her, her breath tickling her ear. Three seconds tick by and then Korra finally speaks.
"I like bacon, cheese, and bell peppers on my omelets."
Asami releases the breath she's been holding and tries not to be angry that she's just been played. Korra chuckles as she realizes that she's won that round. She feels a tinge of satisfaction in knowing that Asami would have let her if she'd taken the chance and for now, that's good enough.
#
Kuvira kisses Baatar one last time before heading to the shower. She'd barely gotten any sleep and envied her husband as he snored lightly in their soft bed. 'It was worth it,' she thinks as she turns the hot water up and tests it.
Most people thought Baatar to be a weak, small man that had no business being with someone like Kuvira, but for her, the truth is, he's exactly who she needs. Baatar is thoughtful and encouraging, kind and generous. He is intelligent and challenging and is the peace and quiet in her crazy world. When she's with him, she gets to be the person that no one really ever sees. The person that only he brings out. When she's with him, she feels whole and good.
He'd make a wonderful dad.
The though hits her and so does the feeling as if everything is so clear now. When she finishes the shower, she steps back into the bedroom. Her heart is pounding, but her gut is sure. She smiles and shakes her husband gently.
"Hmm," he mumbles groggily.
"Six months," she says.
"What?" he asks, waking up more. He rubs his eyes and sits up, squinting at his wife without his glasses.
"Let's try for a baby in six months. It'll give us time to start saving, to read up on everything, get my body where it needs to be, and give me time to be a little more established at work."
"Six months?" He grins. She nods. "Six months and we're going to try to make a baby?"
She laughs. "Yes, jr. Think you can wait that long?"
He jumps out of bed and lifts her up, spinning her around as she squeals like a little girl. "I'll think of it like waiting for Christmas." He kisses her on the cheek and puts her down. "I can't wait to have a baby with you."
"I love you, jr."
"I love you too. I need to call mom."
She grabs his arm before he can grab his cell. "How about we wait until I'm actually pregnant."
#
Bolin paces back and forth, waiting for Opal to get out of the shower. He'd had to work quickly and quietly, tipping the guys extra to help him set everything up quickly and efficiently. Luckily, Opal takes long showers. They get the job done and now all that's left to do is wait. After three minutes, the shower cuts off. After five more minutes, Opal leaves the bathroom.
"I know you like to cook breakfast, babe, but I was thinking maybe I should-," she pauses mid sentence and Bolin smirks as she has clearly found the rose petals on the floor. He knows that the hidden cameras will show her reactions later.
He steps closer and she peeks around the corner with wide eyes. He grins at her and motions her forward. She glances at the men standing behind Bo, one sitting at a keyboard, the other standing next to it. Bolin grabs Opal's hands and walks her to the chair in the middle of the floor, taking extra care to make sure her silk robe stays closed.
The keyboardist begins to play a tune that she immediately recognizes. She puts her hands over her mouth, but Bolin removes them, holding them tightly against his chest. Once the singer gets to the chorus, he eyes begin to tear up.
Cause all of me, loves all of you.
Love your curves, and all your edges
All your perfect imperfections…
They continue to stare deeply into each other's eyes, as they continue to play the beautiful John Legend song. Then, it's over and Bolin releases her hands.
He pulls a tiny box out of his pocket and gets down on one knee. Opal gasps.
"Opal Beifong, I know without a shadow of a doubt that never in a million years will I find another person that fits me so completely. Every day, I wake up and thank the spirits for you, and every day I want it to be a new day I spend with you as my wife. Will you do me the honor of marrying me?"
Bolin's heart pounds so loudly in his ears that he thinks he's going to bleed. The two seconds that it takes for her to answer is the longest of his life.
Finally, as a lone tear runs down her cheek, she nods and says, "Yes." He slips the princess cut solitaire diamond on her finger and then she jumps into his arms, her arms wrapped tightly around his neck. A perfect fit in all ways. He laughs and whoops before kissing her passionately. The two others quietly mutter congrats before excusing themselves.
"How much time do we have before work?" she asks breathily.
"Enough."
"Good." She pulls him closer by the back of the neck while he walks her to the bedroom. She'd kill him if the hidden cameras recorded what's next.