Authors Notes: Thank you TheToasterMarketingBoard for editing!
The dark sky was just starting to turn fuchsia as dawn began to break. The growing crack of the sun's light illuminated Wu, Opal and Mako's faces as they stood in front of the prince's personal airship.
The trio were still quite bleary-eyed from their indulgences the previous evening. They stood for a few moments in silence, listening to the clacking sounds of Yan-Yan making a few tweaks outside the ship.
Opal, feeling a strange awkwardness in the air, took the initiative and extended her hand to Wu.
"Thank you again Wu, for everything you did for us a few weeks ago. You made the rescue mission possible."
"Well, if you ever need a man on the inside again you know where to find me," Wu replied with a weak smile.
"Yes, my mother does and I am sure she will be reaching out to you in the next couple of weeks once things settle down."
"I look forward to hearing from her."
"Take care," Opal said as she gave the prince's hand one more shake before letting go. She looked back at the airship. "I'm going to go see if Yan Yan needs any help."
She waved to Wu and then slinked over to the airship. The two young men were left alone.
"Listen Wu… I…" Mako started.
"You don't need to say anything, Mako. Your place is in Republic City, I knew you'd go back sooner or later."
Mako looked down at his feet, pursing his lips and nodding slightly.
"Besides, if things get too awkward, you can always come back here for a little break."
Mako smiled and offered his hand. "Thanks Wu."
They shook hands, and then Mako walked to the airship. Wu wiped at his eyes and took a deep breath. The prince stayed to watch the ship close its hatches and its propellers spin into life. It wasn't long before the aircraft was higher than the palace's tower and sailing away from the sunrise.
Mako and Opal stood together by one of the large windows in the passenger deck of the airship. They watched as the ship flew over the inner, middle, and finally outer rings of Ba Sing Se.
"So no farewell kiss from Wu?" Opal asked with a smirk.
Mako let out a chuckle. "No, maybe I was just imagining things. I've been pretty paranoid lately. I'm looking forward to not being on either the receiving or giving end of suspicion."
"You're just headed into another kind of shit storm is all," Opal said, before stretching her arms up over her head, causing her shoulders to pop. She lowered her arms and shook herself off.
"I'm sure I'll get at least a few weeks or months before that comes out," Mako replied, crossing his arms.
"I guess we'll see."
After leaving Air Temple Island, Asami headed straight to her company's downtown office. The drive from the docks was quick, since there was little competing commuter traffic. She silently acknowledged it would likely be this way for a while; determined to enjoy it, Asami revved her engine and jetted down the street.
Asami was digging in her purse as she approached the main door of the building, and did not see Bolin until they collided.
"Asami! You're back!" he exclaimed, grinning widely.
Asami adjusted her bag back over her shoulders and smiled back. "Bolin, what are you doing here?"
"I was actually just leaving a note with your receptionist, but I can just tell you. My family is moving back to the Earth Kingdom. Tu has been out there for a while, and just sent word it's safe for them to go back."
"That's great, do they need any help?"
"Naw, we got it. I'm going back to the mansion to help them finish packing up," Bolin said, waving her off. He paused as if he was finished speaking, then his face lit up again. "Oh yeah! How was your vacation?"
"It was good, cut short again, but I can't really complain. Driving over here reminded me there is so much that needs to be done."
Bolin looked around them, nodding. "There is. Maybe when it's all said and done we could all go on a vacation together!" He looked back at his friend, his face starting to flush. "That reminds me, I was gonna ask if you had anything I could help out with again? I'm finding myself in a similar position I did a few years ago."
"Of course!"
Bolin shifted on his feet. "I was also wondering if you had some kind of training program, or something, so I could be useful even after all the rubble is removed? I'd like to be employable not just after someone destroys the city."
Asami smirked. "You want to get into construction work?"
"I think I'd be pretty good at it. Plus, I like the idea of doing something that doesn't involve a lot of talking."
"I mean this in the most loving way, but I don't know if you're capable of being quiet."
Bolin scratched at the back of his head. "Yeah… I guess what I mean is, I'm not being hired to be the voice of anyone else but myself."
Asami's expression softened and she stepped closer to her friend. "I'm know you've been burned a few times by people taking advantage of your charm for their own agenda. Future Industries would love to hire you purely for your body."
"I hope no one is overhearing this conversation, cos this sounds bad out of context," Bolin said as he feigned looking around for observers. "Thank you Asami."
"I'll let you know as soon I have something for you to do. In the meantime, come over the Air Temple Island tonight if you have time? Korra and I will be there and we can properly catch up."
"Great! I'll see you there later."
"Bye," Asami said with a wave, before entering the corporate tower.
Kali rose from her desk chair as she saw Asami exit the elevator on her office's floor.
"Miss Sato! Welcome back!"
"Thank you Kali, did I miss much?" Asami asked, walking past the young woman's desk, and unlocking her office door.
Kali gathered up a few stacks of papers and folders and scampered into the office behind her. "A lot of paperwork has come in from President Raiko's office and a young man just dropped off a letter for you."
Kali started stacking the papers on Asami's desk, separating them by folders and date while Asami opened the blinds of her many large windows.
"That was Bolin, he's a dear friend. When you get a chance, can you look for an open position for him in the construction and demolitions departments for the city's clean-up contract? He's an earthbender."
"Yes Miss Sato, I will call their office now."
Asami gave Kali a nod, and the young woman bowed slightly before closing the door behind her.
Asami walked over to her desk, eyeing the many folders and stacks of letters her assistant had left. On top she noticed a small green envelope. She sat down in her desk chair and opened the letter. She couldn't help but crack a smile; it was a thank you card from Grandma Yin and the rest of her very large family. The small card was covered in their signatures.
Asami propped the card up on the end of her desk and looked at the floral pattern printed on the front. She stared at it for a long time. This was a moment she was both looking forward to and dreading.
"What am I going to do with the mansion now?"
Zhou Rhen and Korra silently made their way over to the air gate training area. While Zhou Rhen took a seat on the steps, Korra kept walking over to the gates. She placed a hand on one of the wooden panels and gave it a push, causing the gate to spin. It twirled a few times, but quickly lost momentum.
"I don't miss training on these," Korra said to herself, slapping the panel once again. She watched it die down, and then started smacking it over and over to make it go faster.
"Avatar Korra," Zhou Rhen said, clearing his throat politely.
The Avatar stopped fanning the panel and blushed.
"Yes… sorry," she murmured, shuffling away from the gates.
"I can tell you are apprehensive about talking to me, but I am here to help."
Korra shifted on her feet, remaining a few steps above the one the young man was sitting on. "I guess I don't really feel like I need any help right now. For the first time in a long time, things are going well, and I'm hopeful about the future."
"With Miss Sato?"
"Yeah, with Asami, and my work as Avatar, everything really," Korra replied, shrugging. She shoved her hands in her pockets and decided to pace along the space between where Zhou Rhen was sitting and the gates.
Zhou Rhen nodded and made a few pencil marks in his book. He then turned his head around to try and make eye contact with the fidgety Avatar. "May I ask, when did this relationship with Miss Sato start?"
Korra slowed her pace, facing away from Zhou Rhen when she answered. "I-I don't really feel comfortable talking about that with you just yet..."
"I apologize for the bluntness, but you must be aware that if you choose to go forward with announcing your relationship with Miss Sato, many people will be asking you that very question."
"It's not really anyone else's business," Korra said, turning to look at Zhou Rhen.
"By going public, the world will feel entitled to make it at least somewhat theirs. Avatar Korra, the situation you are in is not entirely unique; a relationship between two prominent public figures will always spark the curiosity of the public, along with the rejoicing or concern of other world leaders."
"Concern?" Korra asked, walking down the steps so she was standing on the same one as Zhou Rhen was sitting on.
Zhou Rhen pressed his middle finger on the rim of glasses, pushing them back up his face as he looked up at the Avatar. "Well, in this instance the relationship between the Avatar and a wealthy and prominent business owner would give some people pause over the possibility for conflicts of interest."
"Asami would never use her relationship with me to her own advantage."
"I'm not trying to make any insinuations; I am only trying to give you insight on the outside perspective of your situation. You are not the first Avatar to be romantically involved with another powerful figure of their time."
Korra scowled and crossed her arms. "I'm sorry, I just want to make that clear. Asami has given back so much to Republic City and just the thought of people saying otherwise..."
"No need to apologize," Zhou Rhen said quietly, as he made a few quick pencil marks in his notebook. "Now Avatar Korra, the potential difficulty of your situation is compounded by the fact that not only are you and Miss Sato public figures, but also both female."
Korra rolled her eyes at the young man, and pivoted her body away from him. "I know, that's why Asami has her public relations team working on the best way for us to announce our relationship, before it accidentally comes out." The Avatar emphasized her point by uncrossing her arms and waving them about in the air.
Zhou Rhen cleared his throat before speaking. "You know, many public figures, including Avatars, have engaged in controversial relationships, but used their resources to keep their private lives, well, private."
Korra's eyes opened wide as she listened to the young man speak.
"There has never been an openly homosexual Avatar, and historically only a handful of open national leaders, so, we have no idea of how the public at large will react to your announcement. People may-"
Before Zhou Rhen could finish Korra clenched her fists and moved closer, so her body was looming over his. Startled, the young man had to stop speaking.
"You want to talk me out of doing it. That's what this is all about, isn't it?"
Zhou Rhen cowered, holding his hands up defensively. "No, no! I am merely helping you look at this situation from all angles. I want to be sure you know all of your options. Honestly, we were surprised Miss Sato wants to go public; between significant wealth, and a considerably private personal life, it wouldn't be hard for you two to remain friends in the public eye. One of you would just need to be seen out entertaining a man every now and then."
"All angles huh? I think you have an angle, and I do not like it." Korra turned on her heel and marched towards to the temple. "Tenzin!"
Zhou Rhen tried to get up and follow Korra, but stumbled over his own robes, knocking himself back to the ground. His book and pencil flew out of his grasp "Avatar Korra! Wait!"
Korra did not stop, and was quickly out of Zhou Rhen's sight.
Furious, Korra stormed into the temple. In the same hallway was a young male acolyte walking towards her. He looked up and saw a fuming Avatar coming towards him; he cowered against the wall, letting her pass.
Korra came to the dining room, and threw open the screen with a loud thud.
"Tenzin?"
Jinora was still inside reading and looked up at the sound of her father's name. "Korra?"
"Where's your dad? I need to talk to him," the Avatar commanded impatiently.
"What's wrong?" the young airbender asked.
"That Zhou Rhen guy, I don't like him," Korra said curtly, gesturing in the direction of the training gates.
"What'd he say?"
The Avatar paced a bit, considering continuing to look for Tenzin, but then she shut the door and moved to sit by Jinora at the other end of the room. Jinora closed her book as Korra sat down.
"He was trying to talk me out of going public with Asami about our relationship. I don't want to talk to him anymore," Korra grumbled, plopping her elbows on the table and then planting her face in her hands.
Jinora snorted and shook her head. "Called it…" she muttered under her breath.
After a few minutes of silence Korra let out a loud groan, pulling her face from her hands and then slapping them on the table. Jinora jumped back in her seat, startled.
"He even suggested 'we should be seen entertaining men every once in a while.' Like go out on fake dates! Which is stupid for so many reasons!" Korra barked, looking intensely at the young airbender. "The worse thing is, he made me question the decision, only for a second, but I did…"
"It's okay Korra, you don't have to talk to him. Zhou Rhen is here if you want him to be, and if you don't you can send him away," Jinora said, reaching out to the Avatar's right hand and covering it with her own smaller one.
"Do you think the White Lotus sent him here to sway me out of doing it? Your dad was the one who called him here, do you think he was in on it too?"
"My dad? No, no… why would he care?"
Korra solemnly looked down at the wooden table. "I dunno, Tenzin said he had reservations about me doing it… but he also said he was happy for me…"
"If my dad didn't want you to do it, he'd tell you himself. He wouldn't go through all the trouble to send some White Lotus lackey."
"You're probably right…"
Zhou Rhen's heart was beating so fast he thought it was burst right out of his chest. He was looking for Master Tenzin or the phone room. Whichever he came upon first, he decided, would be his next course of action.
The temple halls were empty. No one was around for him to ask for directions. He had been shown the phone by Pema, but he could not remember where it was located. All the temple looked the same, and he had not quite grasped navigating its halls on his own.
A door slid open, catching Zhou Rhen's attention. Tenzin's son Meelo sauntered out, a finger carelessly poking into his nostril.
"Oh, Meelo! Can you help me find the phone room?" the young man called out, trying to sound calm.
Meelo eyed Zhou Rhen suspiciously, and continued to dig around in his nasal cavity. "What's in it for me?"
Zhou Rhen's shoulders slumped. "I don't really feel this is something I need to barter with you for."
"You look pretty desperate," the young airbender said, removing his finger from his nose, and flicking it against his thumb. "Who do you need to call?"
Zhou Rhen rolled his eyes and brushed past Meelo.
"You're going the wrong way."
Zhou Rhen turned to look back at Meelo, but he was gone. The White Lotus member pulled off his glasses and began to rub right above his eyes.
'Remember these are civilians, their ways are different.'
After a few moments of collecting himself Zhou Rhen resumed his search for the phone room, and eventually found it. He quietly slid open the screen, and was relieved to find the room empty.
He closed the screen door and took a seat in the chair placed in front of the small desk holding the phone. He stared at the phone for a few minutes, trying to decide if he should call his superiors or not.
Zhou Rhen removed his glasses again and tossed them carelessly next to the phone.
"Oh Master, Avatar Korra is nothing like Avatar Aang…"
The young man clasped his hands together and propped his elbows on the table. He bowed his head against his fist and closed his eyes, like he was praying. In his mind he could hear Jinora's scolding words.
"Korra is not a subject you study in school, she is a person! Good luck getting her to talk to you."
Zhou Rhen lifted his head and looked at the phone in front of him. "Master Jinora is right. My superiors cannot help me, I must try and learn from her… If she'll help me."
Opal set the radio's microphone back into its cradle and watched through the airship's window as they approached Zaofu's gleaming towers, now ringed by the skeletal framework of the new domes under construction.. She could hear the excitement in her mother's voice as soon as she announced herself over the radio. It hadn't been that long since they had seen each other, but it seemed her mother was becoming more sentimental these days.
"Do you think I could get a meal somewhere while I am here?" Yan Yan asked, looking over at Opal.
"Of course, you're welcome to stick around as long as you want before heading back to Ba Sing Se."
"Oh, I can't stay too long, I just need a little food and to stretch out my legs is all," the old pilot said, rubbing at his stomach.
"I'm hungry too, I guess we all left without having breakfast, huh?" Opal murmured, more to herself than anyone in particular.
The airship touched down and Opal, Mako and Yan Yan were greeted by Suyin, flanked by Wing and Wei.
"Opal, I'm so glad you decided to stop by," Suyin said as she wrapped her arms around her daughter.
"Might as well, since I'm out here," Opal replied with a shrug.
"And Mako, good to see you,"
Mako smiled and shook Suyin's hand.
"I thought you'd be coming with your partner, what was his name again?"
"Kai," Opal replied. "He went back to Republic City early. I met up with Mako who was doing some work for the Earth Kingdom. We're hoping to head back tomorrow, can you provide us with an airship?"
Suyin nodded. "I'll make the arrangements."
She ushered Opal, Mako and Yan Yan away from the airship and towards the city. As they walked together, Suyin slipped her arm around one of her daughter's and leaned in close.
"How is he doing?" Suyin asked quietly.
Opal blinked a few times and turned to her mother. "How'd you know something was up?"
"What do you mean something's up? What happened, is Jr. okay?"
"Baatar Jr.? I thought you were talking about Mako."
Mako glanced back at the sound of his name. He saw the angry look in Suyin's eyes and quickly turned back around.
Suyin stopped walking, jerking Opal back. "Didn't you go and see your brother while you were in Ba Sing Se?"
Opal hesitated. "No…"
Suyin let go of her daughter's arm. "How could you not go visit your own brother! He's all alone over there."
"I'm sorry, I was there for one night, it slipped my mind. Besides, he hasn't been in jail that long, you're talking like he's been locked up for years with no visitors."
"I can't believe you're still holding such a grudge."
"Ugh, Mom, I didn't do it on purpose. And yes, maybe I have a bit of a grudge still, but just because Baatar Jr. is being punished for what he did, doesn't make it all magically better. It's not like turning off a switch."
Opal eyed her disappointed mother and continued. "It's hard! And don't think I don't love him anymore, it's because I love him that it makes this all so difficult to process!"
Opal let out a long sigh and moved to embrace her mother. Suyin rested her head on her daughter's shoulder. "I'm sorry mom. It will get better, but it's going to take time."
"I wish we could have kept him here… kept him close by so he wouldn't be so isolated," Suyin murmured into the red fabric of Opal's airsuit.
"I know mom," Opal whispered, rubbing her mother's back. "Wu is still interested in working with you; you can tell him you'll meet in Ba Sing Se, so you can get in a visit with Baatar Jr."
Suyin nodded and the two women continued to hold onto each other.
It was late in the afternoon when Tenzin came upon Korra and his eldest daughter practicing some airbending stances in the courtyard. He had been busy most of the day, and was unable to check in with Korra about her conversation with Zhou Rhen until now.
Tenzin cleared his throat and the girls looked over at him.
"Hi Dad," Jinora called out casually, not breaking her stance.
"Hello girls, mind if I interrupt your practice? I'd like to know how Korra's chat with Zhou Rhen went this morning."
Jinora followed through on her move and then relaxed her body. She looked to Korra, who was still waving her arms and body around in practice. The Avatar's expression was cold and unreadable.
"I'm going to go see if Mom needs any help with dinner," Jinora announced, making a swift exit.
"Korra…" Tenzin started gently, sensing hostility from her, even though her back was facing him. "Can we talk about Zhou Rhen?"
"There's not much to say," Korra said curtly, kicking at the air. "I don't want to talk to him anymore, you can send him back."
"I'm disappointed to hear that. May I ask why?"
"You know why…" Korra challenged.
"I wish I could say I did, but I don't, Korra."
The Avatar stopped her movements to look back at Tenzin. She scanned his face, and saw the gentle, aging face she knew so well. She could see he was sincere.
Tenzin slowly moved closer. "What did he say to you that upset you so much?"
Korra bowed her head and thought back to the conversation from the morning. She felt a need to be a little more level headed in her explanation to Tenzin. She wasn't as physically upset anymore, but the encounter had still left a bad taste in her mouth.
"When we were talking I really got the feeling that he doesn't want Asami and me to go public. Made me wonder if he was sent here purposefully to persuade me out of it. The White Lotus doesn't want me to, do they?"
Tenzin fidgeted with his beard. "Mostly likely, they do not. But it wouldn't be because of prejudice, but out of concern for your safety."
"He said that most people in my and Asami's and position use their power to keep relationships secret. It that what Aang did? I guess it was easier because he had a wife…"
"What do you mean?"
"I've been reading Aang's journals and I haven't gotten very far, but I'm assuming he had some relationships with men and kept them hidden…" As Korra spoke she watched Tenzin's face grow pale and his eyes bulge. The Avatar took a step backwards. "Uh… did you not know this...?"
Tenzin blinked his bugged eyes a few times and stiffly looked around. Korra watched, unsure if she should say anything more. After a few moments of awkward silence Tenzin turned on his heel, his cape dramatically whooshing around him, and started walking towards the temple.
"I have to call mother…" he muttered under his breath.
Korra leaned in to barely catch what he uttered and watched him stiffly walk away, looking as if he really needed to relieve himself. She stood for a while, feeling her stomach start to clench in a nervous way.
"Shit," the Avatar whispered to herself.
"Korra!" a familiar male voice called out.
The Avatar looked in the direction of the voice and saw Bolin and Asami walk towards her. She put on a smile and waved. Once they all met up, Asami gave Korra a quick peck on the cheek and Bolin gave her a tight hug.
"Alright ladies, I want to hear all about your vacation in the south! Were they ecstatic about you having a rich girlfriend Korra, or was it awkward with your parents?" Bolin asked, putting his arm around the two girls' shoulders and walking them towards the temple.
"I think it went well enough, my mom's getting there, but my dad is surprisingly really cool with it."
Bolin turned to Asami. "And your report, Miss Sato?"
Korra looked over to her girlfriend, also curious about her thoughts. They never did get a chance to talk much about it that aspect of their trip, the Spirit World having dominated their post-vacation conversations.
"I would say the same as Korra. Senna seems like a very sensitive and caring woman, I think her reservations are just because she doesn't understand. But I sense a desire to."
"Hey, that's not bad. Getting along with the in-laws is tough, whether you're gay, or you worked for a dictator that imprisoned them. It just takes them time to get used to ya."
Korra, Asami and Bolin eventually joined the airbender family, minus Tenzin, in the dining room. Zhou Rhen was also absent.
"Well look, the gang is back together," Pema said with a smile.
Bolin beamed and straightened his back. "Yeah, we just need Mako back here and it will be like old times."
"What about Opal?" Korra asked.
"Her too, then it will be like old, new times."
"Well why don't you kids sit down and grab something to eat," Pema said, waving the three towards the table.
Asami walked over to Ikki and took a seat next to the younger girl. "Hi Ikki."
"Hi Asami," Ikki replied, rather unenthusiastically.
Bolin and Korra sat down next to Meelo. Korra caught Asami's eye, having seen the tepid response from her girlfriend's 'sidekick.' Asami shrugged.
Bowls of steaming soup were passed down to each of the new arrivals, followed by a basket of buns.
"So are you kids still planning on going to the Spirit World tomorrow?" Pema asked, looking down the table at Jinora.
Jinora looked to Korra. "I believe that's still the plan."
The Avatar struggled to swallow a large bite of steamed bun before answering. "Sure is." She was about to take another bite but stopped and turned to Bolin. "You should come with us, we could use another bender around in case something happens."
"Sure. What's going on?"
"Time has been acting weird in the Spirit World, we're going to go in and see what we can figure out," Jinora replied.
"Alright, back to some Team Avatar Spirit World adventure action again! I haven't been in there since Unavaatu. I'd like to see the prettier parts I keep on hearing about."
"It is beautiful, you should take Opal sometime," Asami added.
"No more vacations there until we can figure everything out," Korra said, taking a big bite of her bun.
"You're welcome to sleep here for the night Bolin, if you all are planning on getting an early start tomorrow," Pema said across the table.
After dinner Korra, Asami, Jinora and Bolin brought their discussion about the Spirit World to the gazebo, to enjoy the cool evening air. Once the conversation started to become less about business and more about their own experiences during the Kuvira incident, Asami quietly slipped away.
She walked along the narrow beach of the island hoping to find Ikki, and her intuition was right. The young girl was sitting on a rock, tossing smaller stones into the water with soft thunks.
"Mind if I join you?" Asami asked in a gentle voice.
Ikki smiled. "Sure."
Asami reach behind her thighs and pressed down the back of her skirt as she sat. "It's nice seeing you smiling, I was worried something was wrong by the way you acted at dinner."
Ikki sighed and tossed another pebble into the water. "I'm sorry, nothing's wrong…"
Asami cocked her head. "Are you sure?"
Another pebble went thunk.
"I mean. You didn't do anything, it's my sister."
Asami nodded. "I'm sorry she yelled at you this morning, that wasn't necessary. Korra and I weren't bothered by what you did; maybe just knock next time."
"No, she was right, that was rude," Ikki sighed, and then turned away from her older friend. "Jinora said I had a crush on you, right in front of my mom today."
Asami blushed, and stiffened slightly in her seat.
"Don't worry, it's not true. It was just embarrassing, especially with my mom there."
"So you were feeling self-conscious about me tonight?"Asami asked.
Ikki looked back at the older girl. "Yeah, sorry."
"Don't be sorry, I was just worried I had done something to upset you."
The two sat for a while in silence. They both turned their gaze to the ocean. The calm waters lazily moved back and forth against the rocky beach. The sun had set, but there was still a splash of leftover color along the horizon.
"Will Jinora ever stop being mean to me?" Ikki asked after a while.
Asami let out a long sigh. "I don't have any siblings… but it must get better. Look at your father; I'm sure he, Bumi and Kya all drove each other crazy when they were younger.
"They did."
"And look how they get along now," Asami said with an uncertain grin.
"They still seem to drive Dad nuts...but I know they all love each other."
Asami reached out and placed a hand on the younger girl's shoulder. "And I know Jinora loves you, even if doesn't always feel like it."
Ikki nodded.
"That being said, I know you want to get along better with your sister, so let me give you this advice. You can't change other people, you can only change yourself. Does that make sense?"
"I think so," the airbender said softly.
Asami smiled. "I won't be able to spend time with you for few a days, but once I get back from the Spirit World, let's do something fun."
"Yes please."
To be continued...
