Chapter Twenty Eight

A year has passed since Asami's father got out of prison. So much has changed since then, but surprisingly, many things have stayed the same. The best thing is that all of our friends jumped in to be there for Asami, all in their own ways.

Bolin thought that it'd be funny to watch Orange is the New Black to cheer her up. We watched all the episodes in three nights. Jinora thought it was a good stress reliever to take up gardening. It turned out that Asami really loved it. She went overboard and bought too many statues for our new garden. Apparently, Asami has a thing for statues.

Kuvira allowed her to give her another makeover, complete with a shopping trip. That didn't end well though, when some guy grabbed Kuvira's butt in the store and she punched his lights out. I wish I could have been there to see it.

Kai took it upon himself to have a prank war with Asami. It escalated quickly to the point where he stole her motorcycle in the middle of the night and replaced it with a pink tricycle. Don't ask how, but hers ended up being on the roof. Okay, I do know how. I may have helped with that one in revenge of what she pulled on me with the video. She was so mad and so impressed at the same time.

But, we should all know by now not to mess with Asami. Someone anonymously had a billboard changed to say, "Congratulations, Kai, on curing your erectile dysfunction!" Bolin didn't let him live it down for weeks. She's the devil, I say. An evil genius.

Opal's brother was in town from Zaofu. He's a bright engineer himself and she was able to set them up with a meeting. He was working with a new type of energy. They have been keeping in contact ever since.

It turns out that Kuvira had traveled through Zaofu on her way to Republic City and had actually met Baatar Jr. before. They had had a one night stand and he'd been thinking about her ever since. Asami had thrown a dinner for everyone and Opal had brought him. His jaw dropped to the floor when he saw her.

After they told the story with Opal interjecting- "You slept with my brother."- "You slept with my brother and I've seen your boobs."- Kuvira then agreed to one actual date with him. They've been traveling back and forth ever since.

A month after Hiroshi got released, Asami called him over for dinner. I stayed until dessert and then excused myself so that I could visit Tenzin and his family while they caught up. It had been too long since I've seen them and I was beginning to feel guilty. Tenzin is like a second father to me and I should make more time for him, even if I have to sit through his lectures.

When I returned, I decided to take Asami to her gym where we worked out together until both of our bodies were pleasantly sore. Then, she said that we would be having weekly dinners with him. She was ready to try. Along with that, there'd be counseling sessions every other week. I was really proud of Asami for choosing love and forgiveness over hurt and anger. Besides, that's who she is. Forgiving and loving and good.

Hiroshi managed to land a job as a consultant for companies that were hoping to increase productivity and cut costs. He seems to be content just being able to be in an office. He's also been try to redeem himself by fixing cars for low income families that can't afford the cost. That has earned him a larger spot in Asami's heart, and a tiny one in mine.

Three months ago, the mover that I worked on, Tahno's Rising: The Legend of the Water Dragon, premiered. It did so well that I signed on for the next three movers as well as an exclusive contract with Varrick's Motion Pictures, Inc. For the next ten years, I don't have to worry about a job. On top of that, Bolin auditioned for the role of Tahno's sidekick. He got a call back, but the rumors are that they liked him so much that Varrick wants to give him his own mover. Until then, he plans to get MMA fighting.

#

It's moving day once again and I have a feeling that it's going to end much like it did last time. That is, in drunken antics. This time, Bolin is moving in with Opal at her condo. Turns out that Opal's family has big time money. Not like Asami, but when your family basically founds an entire city, you have money in the bank. She just really like the nightlife and bartending.

Of course, since Bo is moving out, Jinora and Kai are moving in together. Well, that is after I go with her and Kai to speak to Tenzin and Pema. I can practically see the steam coming out of their ears now.

'Here lies Kai, a once brave soul that ventured too closely to Jinora's heart.' That's what I'll get engraved on his headstone.

Why they waited until the very last minute, I will never understand. "So, how do you two incredibly stupid people plan on asking Tenzin?"

"We're not asking, we're telling."

I raise an eyebrow and snort. "The day of. Nora, you're usually much smarter than this."

"I didn't know how to tell him. You know how scary he can be." I look in the rearview mirror and Kai shivers.

"Well, maybe I'll hop back and forth to distract him while you grab your stuff and run. It's your only hope."

"Gee, what a plan," Kai remarks.

"Shit, it's better than this dumbass one of yours. Dumbasses."

"Korra!"

"What? You're lucky I love you two. I'm putting my ass on the line here. Are you having sex yet?"

"Korra!"

"Hell no."

They say at the same time.

I laugh. That will definitely be changing in the very near future from the way Jinora starts to blush and tangle her fingers together.

"Poor Kai is probably so backed up. When you do finally get to it, don't judge him if he only lasts two minutes."

"Sometimes, I want to choke you out," Kai tells me.

"You can try," I counter.

"It doesn't matter. It'll be perfect," Jinora says quietly, still looking down.

Good for her. Because, it I remember correctly, the first time is 'meh' the second, that's when it gets better.

"Okay, let's get you moved in."

#

"Absolutely not! You, you go to your room right now young lady and think about what you've done!" Tenzin yells, face tomato red, his eye twitching.

"What she's done is grow up, Tenzin," I say calmly.

"She isn't a little girl anymore, honey," Pema reasons, looking between Kai and Jinora with sympathy.

"She's my daughter. She will not move in with a- with a-,"

"Young man that loves her very much?"

"Exactly!"

"Tenzin, she's legally an adult. She's trying to be responsible by talking to you about it," I say.

"But in the end, it is my decision, daddy."

"If I kill you now, she'll have no reason to leave." Tenzin begins to stand up.

"Sir. Master Tenzin, I don't think-,"

"Tenzin, sit down now, or spirits help me, I'll cut you off for a month!"

"Pema?"

"Mom?!"

"Oh, my, I did not need to hear that."

The silence in the room grows until it's awkward and uncomfortable.

"Jinora, you and Kai can finish packing your things, after we go over some rules." Pema smiles at both of them, tears shining in her eyes. "My little girl is all grown up and moving in with her boyfriend that is extremely grateful for all we've done for him and will never in a million years think about breaking my daughter's heart."

Wow, Pema. Passive aggressive.

"Never in a billion years, ma'am," Kai says, voice cracking.

I can't help but snicker. Tenzin looks at me like he wants to explode. But, some of the redness has subsided.

"Good. I'm glad that we could come to an understanding. Now, let's go over these rules."

#

Visiting twice a week, texting daily, allowing the siblings to come over at least twice a month, having the parents over for dinner at least once a month, and still training regularly. I think you guys got a great deal. I'll certainly help Tenzin rest a little easier knowing that you won't just be little sex machines closed off from the world."

"My mom pulled me to the side and said that I need to get on birth control."

"That's the responsible thing to do, and Kai had better be using condoms. If you get pregnant, I will kill you both."

"We'll be safe mom," Kai says sarcastically.

"I know, and Kai, if you do hurt Nora, you'll wish Tenzin killed you today," I warn. I allow him to see the promise behind my eyes. He nods. "Good. Now, let's get you all moved in."

#

It turns out that no one is in the mood for drunken antics after working so hard today. Instead, we decided on childish antics. Bolin and Asami are playing Pai Sho at the table. Opal, Baatar Jr., and Kai are playing Twister while Kuvira spins the arrow thingy. Right now, Baatar's butt is wiggling in Kai's face and Opal is two seconds away from knocking them all down. Jinora and I are playing Jenga.

I get ready to pull the little block with expert precision when Bolin's scream of defeat scares the shit out of me. My hand slips and the tiny tower comes tumbling down.

"Fuuuuck!" I exclaim. "Bo, I'm going to kill you."

"She's cheating, Korra. She has to be. I haven't won once."

"Well, you are playing a genius and you do have shit-for-brains."

"Some friend you are, choosing your girlfriend over your best friend."

"Well, your tantrum made me lose too, you asshole."

"Korra, you weren't going to beat me anyway. I always beat you at Jenga," Jinora says.

"Fine. Let's go make Opal laugh so she can fall," I suggest, pushing away from the table.

"Don't you dare!" she warns.

#

Asami and I hang out on Opal and Bolin's balcony as the rest of the group gets ready to leave. The night air kisses us as we watch the bright lights of traffic weave through the streets.

"This is nice," she says, cuddling closer to me.

"It is. I love th-," I pause my thought as I see two familiar shapes tumble out of the apartment door and press up against a parked car, making out like teenagers. Kuvira spins and slams Baatar against the car, before reconnecting their lips.

"Well, we know who's in charge in bed," Asami mutters.

"Yeah, I don't know what it is, but when I think about them having sex, it grosses me out."

"When you think about them having sex?"

"No! No, not like that, I mean, just imagining. Ugh, I mean look at Baatar Jr. He's just so, so-,"

"Unfuckable?" she finishes for me.

We both look at each other and then burst out laughing.

"See, you were thinking that too, weren't you?" I ask, wiping the tears from laughing.

"Possibly. I don't know what it is though, but he is the definition of friend zone."

I laugh again. "Hey, if she likes it, he must be doing something right."

"Kuvira probably ties him up, spanks him, and walks him around in a dog collar."

"Ew, Sami."

"What? You started it, dork."

"At least I'm a fuckable dork," I pout.

Asami leans into me again. "Mm, yes, you're very, very fuckable." She kisses me softly, rolling her tongue over my lips.

"Do you think Bo would be mad if we had sex on their balcony?" I ask, only half-joking.

"Korra, we are not doing that."

"Why not?" I groan as she bites my ear.

"Because, they just moved in together. They should be the first to have sex on their own balcony as a couple living together."

"So, that's not a no, never, it's a no, not right now?" I ask, hopeful. It would be so hot, and fun. And, it would probably piss Bo and Opal off. But, they did have sex in our kitchen once when we had a big sleepover, thinking that no one was going to wake up in the middle of the night. I sanitized that counter for hours.

"We'll see, I'm not going to promise you that." Asami kisses me again and pulls me back to the doors. "Come on, let's go home. I want to go for a late night swim."

"Sounds perfect."

Notes:

So, I had to summarize a lot because if I didn't, I'd be writing like ten more chapters and that isn't the plan. I hope that I painted a good picture of their lives in the past year. I'm starting to get all in my feelings about this because I really am almost done. I've started writing the next chapter already and depending on how much free time I have at work, I may get it done. (I have to write on notebook paper and then transfer it)

The part with Jinora and Kai made me remember when me and my then girlfriend (now wife) told my parents we were moving in together. At the time, my dad was still having a hard time accepting my sexuality, even though I had been out for about 5 years. I thought that the convo would go something like that, with him exploding. He wasn't happy, but at 20, I was grown and I it was time for me to move on. It's funny because, my mom already knew what I was gonna say. She was like, "So when do you plan to move out?" before I could even say it. But, the best thing now is that my wife and my dad have the best relationship. He loves her to death and they are always joking around back and forth.

Sometimes, it's hard when your parents like the person that you're with, but they just don't like who you are together. That's no longer the case. It's almost been 3 years since we've been married and now, they're just happy that I have someone that loves me so completely. So, again, if you're going through it right now with family, just pray about it, meditate on it, whatever you do, and keep being you. They'll either accept you or they won't and either way, that's their problem, not yours.

So, I love you all and you are all so amazing for riding with me thus far. Ride or die readers, I love it. Lol.