As sort of promised, here's the epilogue. It is written in first person, similar to the prologue. This is still not my stuff.
Epilogue
A cracking noise jolts me awake. My hand settles on my M6C and the night sights dance before my eyes before my mind can take over and lower the pistol. The grip feels so right in my hand as my memories flood back into place and my mind realizes it was just the wind breaking a branch in this strange Fire Nation town. A grin tugged at my cheeks as I slid the pistol back under my pillow and remembered we were on a trip to meet the Fire Lady.
It has been weeks since we returned from fighting Koh. Thankfully, the two Marines, Edmonson and Conley acclimated just fine. They both started working with the Raiders and have become a valuable addition to the team. I tried to sleep, but was now wide awake. The sheets were cool and rustled slightly as I slid my legs over the side of the bed, sat up and ran my fingers through my hair. It felt good to have it short again. Korra had fussed, but long hair is a pain and makes my helmet sit funny.
Safe is all my mind can think at this moment. There is no longer the Covenant hunting me as I hunt them, no instructors coming from behind to drop me from the course, no spirits or mad men, just safety, and the lovely warm bulk in the bed next to me is safe as well.
I leaned back on one elbow to see Korra a bit better. She slept facing me, as usual, and the moonlight always made her look even more gorgeous. Her face felt smooth under my fingers as I brushed them against her mocha tan skin and reached towards her dark brown hair. It was a little coarse compared to many other girls who always tried to have their hair more soft than silk. Korra had been self-conscious of it recently and had been using different things to try to make it softer and more smooth, but I could help but like it a little rougher, just like she is. I watched her bare shoulder rise and fall in the moonlight as she dreamed of who knows what.
Carefully, I ran my fingers through her hair slowly until her eyelids fluttered slightly. Not wanting to wake her, I drew my hand back and watched as she sighed happily and returned to a deeper sleep. For some reason, a new thought entered my mind. Marriage. We were counting the days. The council had happily approved the wedding of the Avatar to a nonbender with the hope that it would quench the final hostilities between the factions and at first it seemed as if it had.
However, now threats were coming in about a fight and honestly, the wedding could be one of the more dangerous things we do and I can't wear my armor. I would have been content with a small ceremony, but it is important to Korra and I owe her a lot. I'd never admit it, but she did save my life before she even knew me, and heck, it's not every day you'll find an attractive girl who also enjoys a good sparring match.
Interestingly, she and I have yet to "do the deed" or whatever you want to call it. Spartans weren't exactly educated in the process of love making, and Korra with al of her Avatar training didn't know much either. After a bit of discussion, she and I agreed to wait until our marriage. We knew neither of us would want a gift from the other, so what better gift than ourselves. Plus it made the marriage that much more to look forward to.
My mind slipped to think back of Jonah for a moment. Without him, that monster Tarrlok would have been able to ruin all of this. I still have thoughts of "what if" but I know Jonah would hate me for it. He chose to die honorably on his terms in the only way he knew how, fighting. Hopefully it would be awhile, but I don't think Korra would object to naming one of our kids after my partner.
A cloud slid over the moon, dimming the entire bed room, but my enhancements meant nothing really changed for me. The darkness made me feel even safer. In training, the shadows were always our friends. You could hide yourself on an exercise, nurse an injury, and try for a bit of sleep in the relative safety of the dark. I always wondered how much our instructors let slide, but it didn't really matter. The shadows were always our friend on missions as well. I couldn't remember how many times some unwary foe wandered within inches of me, only to have his life ended moments later. To my mind, shadows always meant safety.
But shadows were darkness, and that caused me to think of Koh. His black scales and blood were frightening, and the changing of his faces had been unnerving. Because of him, I had nearly lost Korra again, and his blind followers nearly killed me.
With a deep breath, I let my mind go blank for a moment. Too many memories for right now. A second deep breath, but I still was to awake to lie down. My thoughts shifted to Mako and Asami. The two of them were also engaged to be married. Sooner than us in fact. Their wedding would also be controversial for a few reasons, but the largest was that Mako, the kid who grew up on the street, would be taking charge of one of the most profitable industries in the world.
Not long after their wedding, Korra and I would have to go to Omashu, and then to Ba Sing Sae for diplomatic meetings, and then we would only be a month away from our own marriage. If everything went well, there would be a honeymoon, and hopefully the world we leave us alone, but I am too much of a realist to believe that. So far the only downside to marrying Korra would be the whole she's the protector of the world and all and people just don't like to stay peaceful.
Again, too much to think about and another deep breath. With all my shifting around and even touch, Korra finally woke up to my breathing of all things. "What's the matter?" She moaned softly as her arms snaked their way around my upper body and her chin rested on my left shoulder. I felt her betrothal necklace digging into my shoulder blade a bit, but no feeling could have been better.
It was hard to focus at first because no matter how often it happens, I love this girl and my heart skips a beat when she acts like this. "We have a lot in the next three months." I finally whispered.
Korra sighed. "We do, but who cares right now?" She gently started to pull me back to the bed. "Let's just focus on us and get some sleep."
After a moment of resistance, I relented to her tugging and relaxed back into the bed. She immediately curled up into me and gave me a quick kiss. "Goodnight." She whispered sleepily.
I draped my arm over her and pulled the blanket up with the other. I settled my chin on her forehead and replied with "Sleep well."
She surprised me by pulling away a bit to look me in the eyes. I love her eyes. The pair of deep blue pools swirling around a dark pupil is easy to drown in and they stand out even more against her dark skin. "I will." She assured me. "Because I know you are right next to me…." A broad smile crossed her lips. I love it when she smiles, it adds so much to her complexion that sometimes I just want her to stay that way. "and no one can't take on a mighty Spartan." Her lips quivered a bit as she spoke, those silky, tan, gorgeous lips and whether she realized it or not, she was asking to be kissed.
I gave up waiting and cupped the back of her head with my hand and pulled her in tightly for a kiss. She moaned softly as our lips intertwined lovingly. With my free hand, I pulled her as close as she could be, until I could feel her heart beat resounding within my own chest. As she broke the kiss, I sucked on her bottom lip for a moment as my hand mingled itself with her hair.
"Sleep." She reminded me.
I didn't reply, but instead kissed her for as long as we both could stand before relaxing once more. I stroked her hair as she quickly fell back asleep. Korra was right, the issues to come could be thought of later. For now, Korra is a safe, she is with me, and I am the luckiest Spartan alive, no matter what anyone else says.
There you go. That should be about it for this story. I named the two Marines, and while I didn't go into them much, they will be fine. Mako is going to be in charge of Sato industries with Asami, and Roland and Korra have a lot ahead of them. I did set myself up for a sequel, but no promises. Please let me know how you think this story was by reviewing. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside when I read a good review on my work, so seriously, if you liked it, please review! You might just motivate me to write a sequel….
-Trey
