Author Note: Thank you all for your patience! With the holidays Toast and I needed a little break. Toast, thank you as always for editing, and keeping me accurate!
The day was clear and bright as a large Future Industries airship cut through the sky. Zhou Rhen and Jinora were sitting on steps on the spacious upper deck above the vast gasbag, while Korra was slumped over the railing at the prow.
Zhou Rhen was writing about the events of the past few days in his notebook, looking occasionally to see if Korra had moved from her spot. He noted the Avatar's mood had been sullen since their departure from her home village. He wondered if it had anything to do with the parting conversation with her parents.
The morning they left was spent around the large dining table in the Southern Water Tribe chief's palace. They had finished breakfast and were just waiting for a crew member from Miss Sato's cargo ship to escort them to the dock.
It had been a fairly quiet meal. Avatar Korra's parents were all caught up on the drama in the Spirit World the previous night, but it seemed no one had much to say now beyond the odd comment about the meal and the weather.
Zhou Rhen had been watching the Avatar push an otter penguin sausage around her plate, while he thought about anything he could or even should say.
He could hardly believe he was sitting with the Avatar's parents. There were so many questions he wanted to ask them, especially regarding the recent revelation about their daughter's love life. And not just that, but so many other enquiries he felt their past interviewers failed to ask each time they followed up with the couple.
Avatar Korra finally rested her fork and looked over to her parents. "So Mom, I uh, told Dad this, but realised I forgot to tell you; Asami and I are going to make a formal announcement about our relationship before it comes out accidentally. Her public relations team is going to help facilitate, so hopefully it will go as smoothly as possible."
"I guess I should give my council members a heads-up," Chief Tonraq said, more to himself than to his daughter.
"If you'd rather tell them personally, that's fine."
Avatar Korra rubbed the back of her head, an anxious habit Zhou Rhen had noted. "I'll call you before the story is dropped. We're going to do it through one of the major papers, I think. I can probably give you a few days notice. Please don't say anything before I give you the okay. We're trying to control the story."
Senna opened her mouth, then hesitated. Zhou Rhen could see the woman trying to forge the words in her mind. She let out a little breath through her nose then spoke. "Don't you think it might be a little soon? You girls haven't been together very long, and it's not like you're getting married. Making a big public announcement, you don't feel it's kind of awkward?"
Korra pursed her lips. "I want people to know we're not ashamed of being together. Besides, we don't have much of a choice. Not to seem conceited, but Asami and I have very public lives. Someone's bound to notice, or accidentally say something. Like I said, we're trying to control the story by getting to tell it our way first."
"Avatar Korra is making the wisest choice in these circumstances. If you aren't going to hide, you have to get in front of it," Zhou Rhen said, leaning into the conversation.
Senna turned to look his way and gestured at him. "You're a White Lotus member, what do you think about all this?"
Zhou Rhen felt the pressure of four pairs of eyes staring him down. He cleared his suddenly dry throat and looked around the table. His eyes moved from Senna, to Chief Tonraq, to Avatar Korra, ending on Jinora's hopeful gaze. He knew what he needed to say.
"It it my job to act as Avatar Korra's counsel, if she so chooses to utilize me," he quickly clarified, shooting a glance to the Avatar. Her expression was hard to read. "I will advise her on the best course of action through her decisions. I support Avatar Korra's choice to be open and honest with the public."
Tonraq smiled and nodded, while Senna's expression stayed neutral. She looked down at her hands which were now clutching an aqua blue ceramic mug.
"I'm just… scared… for you..." Senna stole a glance at her daughter before focusing on the mug again. "I know saying this to the Avatar sounds silly, but I worry about people hurting you. I hurt you and I'm your own mother."
"Mom… I appreciate your concern, but this is something Asami and I have to do."
Even now, sitting on the deck of the airship adding a few finishing touches to his drawing of the tigerpillar, Zhou Rhen could still see the determined look in Avatar Korra's eyes as she uttered the words to her mother. They weren't unlike the tigerpillar spirit's eyes, Zhou Rhen noted.
"So what do you think? Does it look like him?" Zhou Rhen asked, passing his notebook to Jinora.
Jinora accepted the book and examined the image. The drawing was a bit crude, but effective. "I think it does. Korra should really take a look, she's had the most encounters with him." She glanced towards the bow and cupped her hands. "Hey Korra, wanna look at this picture?"
The Avatar flinched, and slowly pulled her elbows off the railing. "Not really."
"What's wrong Korra? You've been moping the whole trip."
Korra dramatically sighed with her whole body. "You're gonna make fun of me."
"We promise we won't," Jinora replied. She shot a quick wink to Zhou Rhen. He didn't understand the gesture.
"I'm worried about Asami…"
"Why?"
Korra removed herself from the railing and shoved her hands in her pocket. "Not like that she's in danger, but…"
"But…?" Jinora started, trying to suppress the corners of her mouth creeping upwards.
"Well, when I spoke to her on the phone before we left, she was acting kinda weird. Like she wasn't telling me everything." As she spoke, the Avatar's eyes narrowed at the growing grin on Jinora's face. "See, that's why I didn't want to say anything."
"I believe you, Avatar Korra," Zhou Rhen offered, breaking his silence.
Jinora jabbed him in the side with her elbow. "Don't be a suck up."
As if summoning her, Korra was now in front of them. "I'd be happy to look at your drawing, Zhou Rhen," she said, shooting Jinora a snide glance as she pulled the book from her and brought it closer for inspection.
"Yeah, that's him alright. What is his problem?" Korra asked herself. She stared into the wild eyes of the tigerpillar, hoping to gain some understanding through the drawing, but that's all it was. She sighed and passed the book to Zhou Rhen. "Not a bad sketch. Keep up the good work."
"Thank you… Do you think there is a reason why Miss Sato would be distant towards you? Did something happen before you parted?" Zhou Rhen asked as casually as he could muster.
Korra considered the questions. Even making brief eye contact made him so hopeful, that it hurt all the more when she turned her body away. "I'm going to go take a nap. Jinora, poke me if I don't wake up before we make it back."
Opal hadn't felt this tired since the long flight back from the Earth Kingdom after rescuing her family. Though she felt guilty evening thinking about complaining, as she thought back to the refugees she was walking beside earlier that day.
The land caravan was slow going. The bison were tasked with ferrying the refugees' belongings and anyone too vulnerable to walk. That meant most of them had to travel the whole way back by foot. Late that afternoon the caravan finally arrived in Republic City after two days of walking. The were escorted to the makeshift displacement camp President Raiko had been tasked to fund, and Tenzin to help implement. It wasn't much to look at, but they were all assured it was a work in progress. Once settled the travelers were encouraged to go into the city to see if their homes or business were still standing.
Tenzin insisted Opal return to the temple before she had a chance to find out if the people she had escorted had a place to go. She felt guilty leaving, but now that she was almost home, the prospect of a hot bath was all too exciting.
The grounds were strangely quiet. She knew a good portion of the temple was in town assisting the refugees, but it appeared the whole island was gone.
Opal made her way to the dorms to grab a few personal items to take into the baths. On her way in, she caught a glance of her reflection. "Ugh, Tenzin must have sent me here so I wouldn't scare the refugees away."
After a long soak, Opal felt human again. She towelled off and when she moved to pull out a fresh pair of underclothes from her trunk, she noticed a wrapped package on her bed.
She furrowed her brow as she stepped towards it. Had it been there the whole time and she was too tired to notice or was she not as alone as she thought? A small white envelope rested atop the package. Opal hastily opened it.
"Miss Opal Beifong, your presence is requested tonight at the Sunset Lounge. A dress has been provided for you. We hope it is to your liking. Please be ready at the docks by eight." Opal couldn't help but smirk as she rested the card on her bed and moved to open the dress box.
"You get a note too?" Opal called out to Korra, who was seated on the railing at the Air Temple Island dock.
Korra watched Opal descended the stairs. "I think our partners are up to something." Korra looked Opal up and down, then frowned. "I didn't get a new dress, though."
"Maybe this is Bolin's subtle way of saying he didn't like the last one I wore?" Opal offered, taking a seat next to Korra. "Well this is when Bolin and I said we'd be taking you and Asami out on a double date, but it appears I've been demoted to guest."
"Ahoy ladies!" a familiar male voice called out.
The girls turned to see Bumi at the helm of a small boat. He had changed from his air suit and instead was donning his military jacket and hat. "Going ashore?"
Korra and Opal made their way down the steps and boarded Bumi's boat. The older man helped them in, since they were in more confining clothing than they were accustomed to.
It was a thankfully short ride across the water. Bumi only had time for a brief tale about his times at sea. Once at the Republic City dock, he gave the girls a sweeping bow as they exited the boat. Waiting for them at the pier was an older man in suit jacket and chauffeur's hat, standing in front of shiney black closed-roof Satomobile.
"Good evening Avatar Korra, Miss Beifong," the driver said, taking his hat off and bowing. "My name is Hong. Miss Sato and Master Bolin request your presence at the Sunset Lounge right away."
"Master Bolin?" Opal repeated with a snort. "So you really didn't have any idea about all this?"
"No, I was stuck in the South Pole, I just got back this evening too," Korra replied with her hands up defensively.
"What were you doing all the way out there?"
Korra let out a full body sigh. "Spirit Portal stuff, long story."
"Ah, the Tigerpillar chase you there?" Opal asked, stepping into the vehicle.
"I'm gonna figure out a way to get through to that moo-sow-headed spirit."
When both women were seated inside, Hong closed their door and moved to the driver's side.
The passenger area of the Satomobile was quite spacious. There was a bench in the rear facing forwards, and a second bench that put your back to the driver. Opal and Korra choose to sit side by side facing forward. On the adjacent bench they both noticed a bottle resting on the seat with ribbon around the neck and a note card attached.
Opal made the move to collect the gift. She pulled off the note and passed the bottle to Korra.
"M'ladies," Opal started. "Please enjoy a glass of wine, before you join us to dine. We hope you are not too late, to our very first double date. Until we see you, we'll sit and pine. Dinner starts quarter to nine. Bolin must have written this one. I can't imagine Asami being this cheesey," Opal said with a chuckle, examining the card's writing.
"Bottle's already open and uncorked. See any glasses?" Korra asked.
They both turned to their seat's armrests and found the answer to their question.
"You think you can do this without spilling?"
"I'll bend it. I have much better control that way." Korra removed the cork, then coaxed the liquid out and into their glasses with a few waves of her hands.
Opal gave her a quick applause. "You should do parties."
"I don't want to be known as Avatar that did parlor tricks. I'm trying to cultivate a more mature public persona."
"How's that going?"
"Untested…" Korra muttered.
Opal lifted her glass and Korra mirrored the action. "To your more mature public persona."
Korra grinned and moved to clink her glass with Opal's.
"Oooh this is so exciting! Everyone should be showing up real soon!" Ikki chirped, pacing back and forth in the foyer of Asami's mansion. "Where do you think we should hide? All together in one spot, or surprise them from all angles?"
"Yeah," Mako replied blandly, taking a swig from his glass.
"Aren't you excited?" Ikki asked, stopping in front of Mako to get in his face. "Your brother is going to get married!"
"I am, I am," Mako muttered, leaning away from the enthusiastic young girl.
"You sure aren't acting like it. You better pretend harder when Bolin and them arrive."
Mako sighed as he looked into his vanishing drink. He was truly happy for his brother. He was just also tired from setting up a party and anxious about seeing his two ex-girlfriends fresh off a hot date together.
The front door opened and Hong entered, removing his driving cap. "Miss Korra and Miss Beifong have been delivered. I will leave in about an hour to collect them. Is there anything else you need me to get before guests start arriving?"
"We have plenty of snacks and drinks." Ikki put a hand to her chin as she thought. "Do you have any noise-maker thingys? Or any other kinda party favors?"
"I can check, Master Sato held a party or two here back in his younger days," Hong replied, heading towards the sitting room. He walked through a door located right outside in another hallway. He flicked on the lights and disappeared inside one of the servants' corridors before Ikki could catch up.
She eventually did and parked herself in front of the door to a closet he was searching through. "Have you always been Asami's butler?"
"Yes, all her life."
"So you're kinda like her grandpa?" Ikki asked
"You could say that I suppose."
"This is a really big closet, even if there are any party supplies, you think we'd ever find them?"
Mako could faintly hear Ikki's chattering so he closed the door of the foyer and breathed a sigh of relief. All that mindless talking reminded him of Prince Wu.
"Or just I guess just Wu now…" Mako muttered to himself. The realization wasn't new, but he still had trouble dropping the title; perhaps it was because the foolish prince was always so insistent on being called as such.
Mako exited the foyer from a second door into the mansion, parallel to the one he had closed Ikki behind. Looking around the large hallway, he recalled it really wasn't so long ago when he was visiting Wu and his grandmother here. It felt a lifetime ago when came as Asami's boyfriend.
Mako found himself outside the pool room. He closed his eyes remembering the time they were all together in the water. Back when he was with Asami, but wanted Korra.
"I'm sorry Asami, that must have sucked."
"What must have sucked?" Ikki asked, poking Mako's arm. He flinched and jumped away from the young girl.
"IKKI!" he hollered. "Don't do that!"
"Sorry, I was calling for you, but you just kept staring at the pool. So what sucks?"
Mako winced at her word choice. She was right next to him now, her big inquisitive eyes staring up at him. "How Korra, Asami and I have been to each other in the past."
"I guess that's true. I was kinda bad too, I told Asami that Korra liked you, before you started dating."
"Clearly it's not a problem between you three anymore. None of it is. Everything was fine, is fine! Korra wants me to be happy. Asami too."
Ikki took a few steps away, startled by his outburst, but kept her eyes intently on him.
"Don't be sorry. You deserve to be happy," he could hear himself saying to Korra out in the Earth Kingdom's desert.
"So do you," Korra had answered back.
"I guess I don't know what will make me happy… If I'm honest, being with either of them never actually did."
"Your brother getting married makes you happy, right?" Ikki asked.
Mako slouched and groaned."Yes, of course. I promise I'll be more enthusiastic when they get here."
"Sometimes when I feel down, I think about people I care abouts happiness. And I try to focus on that, to help jumpstart my happy again."
"That's not a bad idea."
"I think it will help your new-girlfriend prospects too. That grimace on your face isn't doing you any favors," Ikki said with a smirk.
"Thank you for your counsel."
Ikki clasped her hands together as if to say a prayer. "Now bow to your sensei."
"Don't push your luck," Mako muttered, scowling.
"Miss Ikki!" Hong faintly called from another room.
"He must have found some!" Ikki squealed, bounding away.
After exiting the Satomobile, Opal and Korra stood directly outside the Sunset Lounge. It was located in the heart of downtown Republic City, tucked down a side street between two tall commercial buildings. The building's elaborate upward curving roof gave away that it was a Fire Nation restaurant, along with the wooden exterior being painted black with red trim and accents. A red carpet was laid out in front of the entrance, stopping short of right where the duo stood.
A woman in traditional Fire Nation robes stood by the door, unmoving until Korra and Opal came closer. She bowed deeply before opening the door for them. Korra awkwardly waved to the woman, as she trailed behind Opal.
"And I thought the Sighing Lotus was posh…" Opal murmured, looking around the foyer of the restaurant. "This feels kinda wrong, all things considered."
"What do you mean?" Korra asked, before a man clearing his throat grabbed the girls' attention.
"Avatar Korra? Miss Beifong?" asked a tall man with grey streaks in his silky black hair and tightly trimmed beard. They could feel his eyes roaming up and down their attire. They nodded awkwardly.
"Normally we enforce a dress code, but I guess we can make an exception for the Avatar. Follow me, the rest of your party is this way." The host sharply turned on his black shiny heels and began walking away before Korra could even rebuff his statement.
"Again, why didn't I get a new dress?" Korra asked, exasperated.
"Do you think she liked the dress? It won't come off as criticism of her other clothing, right?" Bolin asked, turning towards Asami in their dimly-lit booth.
The seating was very intimate. A small round table nestled inside a dark oak booth, padded bench seating all the way around. The opening to the booth was about the width of a chair, so only one person could stand in front of the table. There was an ornate arch over the opening, and a deep red curtain hung on one side. If you wanted more privacy you could close the curtain, completely sealing you away from the eyes of the other patrons.
"For the hundredth time Bolin, no. That was a sweet gesture and she will definitely love it."
"Okay, okay. I've never bought her clothes before. A whole new relationship experience, you know?" Bolin leaned in. "I feel like I can barely see you, should I ask for another candle. I'm gonna go find someone…"
Asami rested a hand on his shoulder. "I know you're fretting about little things, so you don't fret about proposing, but I need you to calm down. They'll be here any - here they are."
The pair shot up straight in their seats and flashed big, not-at-all-innocent-looking, grins. The host stood in front of the booth with Korra and Opal at either side.
"A waitress will be with you shortly to take your drink orders." The host gave a slight bow and left.
Once he was gone, everyone relaxed. Korra and Opal squeezed into the booth next to their respective partners.
"Oh Opal, I've missed you so much, even though you didn't say goodbye!" Bolin sighed, taking both her hands into his.
"I didn't have a choice! Tenzin just woke up that morning and decided who was going on the spot."
As Bolin and Opal lightheartedly bickered back and forth, Asami and Korra turned to each other.
"I missed you," Asami whispered, laying a hand on Korra's thigh.
The Avatar blushed and moved one of her own hands to cover Asami's. "I missed you too. I was worried… you were so evasive on the phone. I completely forgot we were already planning on going out with them this weekend."
"Sorry about that. I wanted it to be a little bit of a surprise for you too."
"It is. Thank you..."
"Asami! She loves the dress!" Bolin interrupted.
The women turned to look back across the round table to see the other couple.
"I told you," Asami replied with a smirk.
"Asami it's perfect. Thank you for helping him pick it out," Opal said, placing a hand on her chest.
Bolin flinched. "Wait, how'd you know-"
Opal winked. "Please, I know you couldn't pick out something this tasteful on your own."
"Bolin had the final say, and paid for it." Asami offered.
"It's wonderful," Opal murmured as she leaned over and kissed Bolin.
Korra cleared her throat. "Is there a reason why I didn't also get a new dress for the evening? That host guy almost didn't let me in. Which, considering this is traditional Water Tribe formal attire, is a little racist, right?"
Asami learned to whisper in Korra's ear. "Shooshh. You'll see why later." To cover, Asami then pecked Korra on the cheek.
A waitress appeared and the four moved apart from each other, to fumble for the pile of menus on the table.
"I can come back if you need more time," she offered, with a knowing smile.
Bolin waved a hand. "No don't be silly, I can order for the table. Where is the wine list..."
The waitress pulled a second, slimmer menu from the table and passed it to Bolin.
He took it with an awkward grin. "Let's see, how about we share a bottle of…" His confidence waned as he looked down the extensive list. "Hoo boy, there sure are a lot of different kinds of wine..."
Asami found a second wine menu, glanced at it for a moment, and then leaned in towards the waitress. "Can you please bring us a bottle of the Ember Field red?"
Bolin slapped down his own menu. "Yes, exactly. Was just about to say the same thing." He folded his hands together over the menu and grinned again at the waitress.
"I'll be right back with the bottle," the waitress replied with a bow. The group relaxed after she departed.
Opal looked to the curtain beside her, and reached up to touch the velvety fabric. "This a privacy curtain?"
Asami hummed and nodded.
Opal gave the fabric a test tug, before dropping her hand. "Seems a little much. In case you want to makeout over dinner?"
"Discretion is one of their selling points. Basically this is a fancy restaurant for people who don't want to be recognized when they go out," Asami explained.
"So politicians, mover stars and people having affairs?" Opal asked.
Asami waved her hand. "I'm sure one of each of those is dining here tonight."
"We have the mover star," Korra added, pointing to Bolin. He pretended to be bashful and gave her a little wave.
"Would you and Asami be considered having an affair?" Bolin then asked wiggling his eyebrows.
Before Korra could respond, the waitress appeared with the bottle and four glasses. She placed one in front of each of them, then moved to open the wine. They all watched as she slowly maneuvered the cork from the mouth of the bottle.
The waitress then poured a small amount into Asami's glass. Like a connoisseur, Asami collected her glass, and raised it to her nose. She then swirled the liquid around a few times, before finally taking a sip. Opal, Bolin and Korra unconsciously leaned in, awaiting her verdict.
After a few small smacks of her lips, Asami smiled and nodded to the waitress. At the command she began pouring more generous servings to each of them, and left once finished.
Alone again, they reached for their glasses.
"A toast?" Opal asked, raising her wine.
"Yes!" Bolin puffed up his chest and raised his glass higher. "I want to remind us all why we are here. Not too long ago, our dear friends, Korra and Asami disappeared during a certain wedding party, leaving us all to wonder; what the hell happened to them?"
"We're never going to hear the end of that," Korra muttered under her breath.
"I mean you left a note, so we knew where you were, it was more a question of why? And somehow, Bumi totally called it. Like, just blurted out he thought it was a date, in front of everyone, Tenzin, your parents."
Opal poked Bolin in the ribs and shot him a warning look.
"But in all seriousness, while debating your love life, Opal and I realized that, through fate or mere coincidence, meeting you, Korra, forever changed the course of our lives. Opal and I would have never met." Bolin looked to his girlfriend. His heart swelled as she warmly smiled back at him.
Opal turned to Korra and Asami. "So at that moment we decided we could at least take you, and your possible, now definitie girlfriend out to dinner to say thank you." She then clinked her class to Korra, and they all started tapping their glasses together.
After taking a sip, Korra sighed. "Thank you, but I didn't actually do anything. You two came together on your own."
Opal shook her head. "Don't fight this. You know what we mean."
"It's true Korra, you changed all our lives. I often wonder about the person I would have been, had you never come to the city," Asami added.
Bolin nodded vigorously as he waited for Asami to finish. "Yeah me too. Sure, Mako and I weren't on the streets anymore, but you joining our pro-bending team was what really brought us to the next level. And most importantly of all, fighting alongside you made us care about things that are bigger than ourselves, you know?"
"Well, I hope you all realize I owe the same to you. I was a cocky, stubborn brat. I grew up sheltered with everyone around me saying I farted sunshine. I'm the person I am today because of my experiences alongside all of you. Mako too. Who knows Asami if you and I would have met if you hadn't run him over?"
Asami chuckled and took a sip of wine. "Does that mean we need to take Mako out to dinner too?"
"When he dates again, why don't we make it a triple. I think that would be less awkward than Mako alone with three women he's dated," Opal offered.
Bolin leaned back in his seat. "Oh man, I'd kill to be a fly on the wall for that evening."
"He doesn't perform well at dinner under pressure. I witnessed that first hand."
"Too bad it didn't work out with that woman," Korra sighed.
"Trust me, it's for the best." Opal urged. "She was too clever for him."
About an hour later the dinner was wrapping up. Everyone but Korra had pushed their plate towards the center of the table to gesture they we done.
"So how do you two feel about coming back to the mansion for dessert? I got some imported tea from the Earth Kingdom that is to die for," Asami asked as she watched the waitress leave with their plates.
"What do you think, Opal?" Bolin asked, flashing a big nervous grin.
"Sure, I don't want to derail you guys' big plans." Opal shrugged.
Asami and Bolin dared a look to each other. Bolin's lip started to quiver.
"Sounds good to me," Korra added, clueless to the growing tension.
"Is something wrong?" Asami asked cautiously.
"No, it's just…" Opal sat back in her seat more casually, crossing her arms across her chest. "You want to ruin this evening?" she muttered to herself.
"Opal honey, you can tell us."
"Ugh. I can't shake this guilty feeling I've had all night."
"Guilty?" Bolin repeated.
"Yeah, after walking besides so many people who've potentially lost everything, then in the same day go out to a fancy dinner. It just feels a little wrong, you know? And it's not you guys' fault, this was planned beforehand and it's been wonderful. I am just having a hard time enjoying it."
"I should have been there with you. I had no idea the Air Nation are was planning on doing that" Korra admitted.
"Like I said, Tenzin sprung it on us. Besides you were stuck in the Spirit World."
"Accomplishing so much in there…" Korra muttered to herself.
Asami leaned towards Opal. "How are the accommodations for the displaced citizens?"
"They're fine, I guess, depending how many there truly end up being. We were having them go check the condition of their homes, some people still might have a place to go back to. Then we gotta deal with the rest in the long term."
Asami bowed her head and pinched the neck of her wine glass between her two fingers, gently swirling the remaining red liquid.
Korra plopped her arms on the table, then shifted to hold herself up by her elbows. Her table manners were starting to finally wane. "Raiko's being helpful through this too? I'm really starting to not recognize him…"
"Listen, I'm sorry to bring this all up now over our date… but I guess I do feel a little better at least talking about it."
"I'll go with you tomorrow to help," Korra offered.
"Me too, if my boss doesn't mind," Bolin asked, looking to Asami. She was still mulling over her wine, but looked up when she felt his eyes.
"I can donate my mansion. We could turn it into a transition home for our more vulnerable displaced citizens."
Opal held up her hands, as if to defend herself. "Asami, I didn't mean to guilt you into giving up your home."
"You didn't. Since Bolin's family left I've been trying to figure out what I was going do with it. It's way too big and I've lived in an apartment downtown for years at this point. Since my father went to jail it hasn't felt much like home… and now that's wherever Korra is," Asami said, stealing a glance at her girlfriend. "So why don't you all come back for dessert and to scope the place out. We can start planning the new layout so we have something to present to Tenzin."
"I think I we could do that," Opal replied.
"Alright then." Asami glanced at her watch. "Hong should be waiting outside. Bolin, you want to come with me to pay the bill and to check for him?"
"Yes!" Bolin cried almost jumping from his seat.
When cool night air hit Asami and Bolin's faces they both breathed sighs of relief.
"Oh my goodness that was close… thank you Asami, I owe you a new mansion."
"Are you ready? You got the ring?"
Bolin patted his jacket's pockets until he located the one containing the ring. "Yes, still got it."
"Remember which pocket so you don't fumble for it." Asami looked down the alley and waved for Hong. He pulled up to the curb and lowered his window.
"Everything set up?" Asami asked, stepping up to the satomobile
"Yes Miss Sato. Little Miss Ikki has been quite the taskmaster."
"Great." Asami glanced behind her to see Opal and Korra exiting the restaurant. "We're ready to go home."
The ride to Asami's mansion was fairly quiet. Hong stopped the Satomobile in front of the main entrance. He then swiftly moved to open the passenger door. The two couples exited and made their way to the front steps.
"I hope that special tea is caffeinated," Opal said through a yawn.
Asami smiled. "Oh I think you'll perk up from sheer excitement."
"This must be some tea," Korra muttered.
"You could even call it, matra-mone-tea," Bolin said, flashing a grin to his girlfriend.
"Wha?" Opal breathed.
Bolin put a balled fist to his face, and cleared his throat. Then dramatically he brushed out the tails of his jacket as he descended to one knee. Opal slapped her hands over mouth and took a few steps back as she watched him pull a ring from his pocket.
"Opal, my darling. You mean the world to me and I want to take on the world with you. Will you officially make my family yours, and your family mine, and be my blushing Air Nomad bride?"
"Of course I will," Opal muttered through her tears. "Just as long as you stop speaking in verse."
"Whatever you wish my love!" Bolin cried jumping back up. He held out his hand for hers, and Opal shakily put her left hand in his. Bolin slipped the right on and then pulled her into a kiss.
Once they separated, Bolin grabbed his fiancée by the hand and pulled her into the house. The foyer was so dark, they couldn't see an inch in front of their noses.
"Why are we-" Opal started to protest but stopped when the lights switched on revealing a crowd of expectant people.
"She said yes!" Bolin cheered, holding their clasped hands up victoriously.
The crowd broke into an applause and cheers. Ikki bounded towards them with a colorful tube. She ripped a string from the back and colorful strips of paper flew at the couple.
"Congratulations!" the young girl cheered, bouncing up and down.
Mako appeared before the couple with three glasses of fizzing liquid and passed one to each of them. Then he held up the one he kept for himself. He turned back to the group, showing his raised glass. Everyone with a drink mirrored his action. Mako then turned back to his brother and Opal. "To Opal and Bolin!"
"To Opal and Bolin!" the crowded parroted back.
Mako clinked his glass to Bolin's and then Opal's. "Opal, now we made it official."
Opal chuckled and clinked Mako's glass one more time.
Bolin quirked an eyebrow and looked between the two. "Wha?"
"Don't worry about it," Opal muttered before taking a sip.
"You said yes, my days of worry are finally over!" Bolin exclaimed encircling Mako and Opal's heads under his arms and squeezing them close. "Let's party!
To be continued…