Chapter Thirty Five
Korra had promised herself that she would never lie to Asami, but she found that the lie came easily to her lips when she was asked where she had been. She couldn't tell her what she'd done to her father. She didn't regret it either.
Though for the next few nights, she dreamed that she had actually done it. She hadn't decided if it was a dream or a nightmare yet.
Three weeks had passed since then and some things had gone back to normal for the rest of the krew. Korra was still on leave, but Asami had been going into F.I. for the past week I an effort to keep business afloat and to find a suitable replacement.
It was secret that the board wanted her.
And what did Asami want? Well, that remains to be seen.
#
"How's my tie?" Mako asks as he turns toward Iroh, arms outstretched.
Iroh smirks. "It's okay. Here, let me see." Mako steps closer. Iroh adjusts the tie and then presses a quick kiss on his forehead. "You look amazing."
Mako gives him a nervous smile. He's wearing all black- button up, pants, shoes- except for his crimson tie and belt.
"You do too," he says, drinking in Iroh's chiseled arms pressed tightly against his light gray silk dress shirt and black vest. His fit of his pants, from the press of the front, to the firmness of the back, makes Mako's heart do a little stutter.
Iroh doesn't fail to notice the way Mako stares. He'd give him a full view later. Now, they needed to head over to Akari's parent's house.
"This is going to be a disaster."
"Maybe. But, this means a lot to Akari, so we're doing this."
"Her parents are traditional Fire Nation. This is not going to work."
"Mako, let's try not to be so pessimistic. We can't just judge them if we don't want them to judge us."
"The things I do for love," Mako grumbles.
#
Jinora drops the files that she was reading when Kai comes up behind her.
"Shit," she cries as the papers threaten to fly off the balcony.
Kai nearly trips over her glass of wine as he tries to help her catch them.
"Damn, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."
They successfully gather all the papers and Jinora sits back down with a huff. "It's okay, Kai. I was just really focused."
He pulls up the chair beside her, glancing at the papers over her shoulder. "So, what do you think?"
He'd been through the files three times already. So had his captain. He knew what was in there and why getting Jinora's help was so important.
"I think that this is definitely a serial arsonist that has suffered from a psychotic breakdown in the past year. He's young, white male, no older than twenty five, and probably lives with parents that tell him he's worthless or roommates that are more successful than he is. He has a lot of rage about something. Probably work or a failed relationship. He's always had an obsession with fire, probably burning ants or small patches of grass when he was younger. Maybe even burning himself badly. Fire can be unpredictable, but he fancies himself someone who can rule over it. At least he wants to."
"Is he escalating?" Kai asks. That was the million dollar question. Family pets as well as strays were dead, but so far no humans were hurt.
"Definitely. He will graduate to people. My guess is in the next two or three fires, but I still need a little more time."
"Do you see a connection?"
"I believe so. I'm going to pass this on the Kuvira in the morning and I want you to come with me if you can. If they keep the case, it'll be a joint effort."
Kai presses a firmer kiss on her lips. "Thank you. We need to catch this guy."
"We will. You're the one that figured out that the fires were possibly connected. They're lucky to have you, Kai."
"I'm lucky. I've got a great job and I have you." He gently takes the files from her and places them under a potted plant so they won't blow away. Then, he takes her hand and pulls her on top of him.
She undoes her robe and he lifts up her nightgown. He presses fevered kisses over her exposed flesh causing goose bumps to coat her soft skin.
Jinora sighs. "Did my brain turn you on?"
"Always. Everything about you turns me on."
"Mm." She lifts up so he can slide off his shorts. She pulls him free of his boxers, her hand running purposely up and down his hard length.
They crash into another kiss as Kai rubs his tip against her clit. Both of their breath catches at the sensation. It takes tremendous effort for Kai not to just lose himself to the need. He trails kisses and licks to her neck, ear, chin, shoulder in no particular order with more composure than he feels.
"I need to feel you inside me," she finally whispers. The wind picks up, hardening her nipples even further.
Kai lifts her up and pulls her down, pushing himself deep inside of her. She lets out a sound, somewhere between pleasure and pain, as it's almost too much to take.
For a second, they pause, reveling in the connection, foreheads pressing together. Then, Jinora begins to lift slowly off of him, half of his shaft exposed to the air before she grinds down again.
"You're so wet," he whispers.
That's all it takes for her to become undone. She picks up the pace, throwing her head back in pleasure as Kai holds on tightly to her hips, pumping as hard and as deep as he can.
"Don't you ever stop loving me," she cries.
"Never."
#
Akari meets them once they step out of the car. She had waited in her own for them to pull up. She closes her eyes, breathes slowly for ten seconds and then steps out. Her short heels 'clack clack' against the pavement. Mako exits the car first, holding a bouquet of flowers, followed by Iroh who has a bottler of wine and a pack of Akari's father's favorite cigars.
"Hello lovers," she says, trying to lighten the mood. The tension is a thick and heavy fog.
Despite their nervousness, they can't help but to smile at their girlfriend. Her perfect teeth, sparkling eyes, shapely body. Just seeing her makes them remember why they're there.
Because she's worth it.
"Hey, you," Mako smiles.
"Kari, are you competing with the stars and the moon again? You know they don't stand a chance," Iroh remarks smoothly.
She blushes. "I'm not that beautiful."
"But you are," Mako says firmly.
"Save some of that charm for my parents."
They all get quiet as Akari walks ahead of them in her thigh-length royal blue dress with ¾ sleeves. They both watch her butt as she switches up to the door.
Iroh makes a choking sound and Mako punches him lightly.
"Time to walk the plank," Iroh says with a chuckle.
#
Korra finishes her last pull up and drops to the ground to finish her last set of push ups. She blinks away the sweat dripping into her eyes and welcomes the familiar burn to her muscles.
The workout helps her rid her mind of her earlier confrontation with Tahno. She had gone to see him. Hell, she had used nearly every favor she had to get him off. The charges dropped. He didn't even thank her.
Twenty five.
Down.
His eyes were so full of hate.
Up.
Twenty six.
Down.
"I don't need your pity or your guilt, Korra."
Up.
Twenty seven.
"It's not like that, Tahno. I-,"
Down.
"You what?"
"You owe me this? It's because you know you were wrong. You forgot about me. I was your partner. Shit, I thought I was your friend. You didn't know what I was going through. You didn't even ask- no, you didn't care. But now that poor Tahno fucked up, the golden girl comes to the rescue. Do I owe you a thank you? A pat on the ass? Where were you when I got shot? Huh? Be careful. I've heard you aren't really doing a good job protecting your new partner either. How is Asami?"
Korra grabs Tahno by the front of his shirt, anger boiling in her veins.
"Careful, Korra. That temper will get you nowhere."
She shakes her head and lets him go. "I'm going to forgive you because you're partly right. I wasn't good to you. But, I paid my debt. Don't ever come near me or Asami ever again."
"Whatever you say, your highness. Whatever you say."
Up.
One hundred.
#
Iroh and Mako have been standing in the living room alone for two minutes in silence. No one had come to the door when Akari knocked. She had to use her key and then she stomped up the steps and they've heard raised voices ever since.
"Well, I think if we leave quietly, they won't even notice," Mako suggests.
"Out of the question."
"They don't want to meet us."
"Maybe they're arguing about money or something."
"Really, Iroh?"
"Optimist."
The voices become hushed and then they hear footsteps.
"See. Now, put on your best smile, lover boy. It's showtime."
Akari has a smile on her face, but her eyes don't hide her anger. Behind her are her parents. The woman, tiny, hair done up in a bun, hair completely gray. She's wearing a purple sweater, black stockings, and hose. The man is wearing a green polo and khaki pants with semi-fashionable glasses. Both of them stare at the men in front of them.
"Mom, dad, this is Mako and Iroh, my boyfriends. Mako, Iroh, these are my parents, Aya and Jirou."
Iroh reaches for a handshake. "Mr. and Mrs. Himura, it is a pleasure to meet you."
Reluctantly, they both step forward and shake both of their hands.
"These are for you."
Mrs. Himura eyes the gifts suspiciously as Akari clears her throat.
"Thank you. It was very thoughtful. I'll put these in water and here, love, take the cigars. They're your favorite."
"What are you two doing with my daughter?" Mr. Himura's deep voice rumbles.
"Dad!"
"No. It's a valid question, Akari. They have a right to ask. They are your parents."
The response from Mako startles everyone. Her parents narrow their eyes.
"So, answer the question then, young man."
"I don't really know where to start." He laughs nervously. "None of us planned for us to end up this way, but we did. I fell in love with her and with Iroh. I don't know if she explained that to you, but he's my boyfriend too. I don't expect you to approve, but this is our lives. Akari is precious to me, to us. She's intelligent, focused, kind, funny, caring, and patient. Iroh and I have stressful careers. We deal with the worst of society every day. It's hurtful and sometimes we take that home with us, that brokenness, that sense of despair. But, with Akari, it's like a light, a sense of peace. She's our home. I don't know how she balances us both out, but she does. She's incredible."
He smiles softly at Akari and she wipes away a tear.
"And what do they give you, Akari?" her mother asks.
"Protection, understanding, passion, a challenge. They make me feel more than I am, and I have never been more happy than I am now. They are a part of my life and I know that it will take time for you to accept, but they are both good men and if you love me, you'll at least try."
"I agree with Akari, but I won't throw this in your face. This is your home. If you don't want us here, we will go. We mean no disrespect, Mr. and Mrs. Himura," Iroh tells them.
The seconds tick by and finally Akari's father speaks.
"When you first told me that you were in a po-poly-whatever relationship, I felt… let's just say, many emotions. I wanted to get a look at the men that were corrupting my daughter. Now that you're standing before me, I don't know what to believe. I don't know if I can do this."
Akari opens her mouth to argue, but he silences her with a hand.
"But, we will try. One dinner at a time. I will not lose my only daughter. Not for anything."
#
Korra flips over on her back, sprawled out on the floor, chest heaving, muscles screaming. She had just finished her workout and scented the aroma of strawberries and coconut oil.
"How long have you been standing there?" she asks. She never heard the door open.
"Long enough that I thought about joining you. But, I was definitely enjoying the show." Asami continues to lean against the front door, arms crossed. She's still wearing her black motorcycle jacket and boots. The site admittedly turns Korra on a bit.
She sits up and puts her back against the sofa. "How did the tests go?"
They needed Asami to come in and oversee some test drives of new Satomobile models they were working on, but she needed to blow off some steam, so she decided to do most of the test drives herself.
She can't help but smile. "It went really well actually. They incorporated some of my designs on the engine and took my advice about upgrading the fuel economy. I went over some minor changes that could be made on one vehicle, started ideas to improve the aerodynamics of another. It was a good day."
"Good, good. That's good. You're being productive."
Asami notices the look on Korra's face and frowns. "Korra, you're being productive too. You're healing and you've been taking care of me. If it wasn't for you, I don't think I'd have even made it out of bed some days. So, don't look like that."
"I'm ready to go back to work, Asami."
"Why don't you just enjoy the time that you have away from it without the stress. You meet with the psychologist in a couple days. She might clear you to go back."
"And what about you, will you come back?"
"Wh-huh? What do you mean?" she becomes defensive.
Korra begins to take her frustrations out on her. "You know what I mean. I think that the idea of being CEO in a big tower, safe, is a lot more appealing to you than chasing bad guys with me, with the team."
"And what if I were thinking about it, Korra? Could you blame me? Really? Recent events have made me realize how short life is. Maybe I don't want to make it any shorter."
"You took an oath."
"You've got to be kidding me." Asami tries to storm away, but Korra jumps up and blocks her path.
"You've sworn to protect and serve. You're going to throw it all away, all the help you've done?" Her voice cracks.
"Our first real argument and you want it to be about this? How am I wrong, Korra? Huh, how? Or, do you just have a special gift at making everything about you; is your pride that fragile?"
Korra narrows her eyes. "Careful."
"Or what, Korra? I've done nothing to deserve you snapping on me. You of all people should understand what I've lost. Instead, I come in here and try to make you feel better and you turn it against me. What is wrong with you!"
"You'll outgrow me!"
"What?"
"You'll move on and you'll outgrow me. You can be more than a police officer, but I can't. I don't know anything else. I'm not good at anything else. If I get hurt like this again, they may be done with me. I'll end up like Tahno. Bitter, angry, lost, and alone. You'll leave me."
She hangs her head down in shame. She didn't want to admit it. Not to herself or Asami. But, it's something that she's been thinking about and her conversation with Tahno hasn't helped her mental state. Sometimes the truth is a hard pill to swallow.
"Korra. If you think so little of me then you don't know me at all. I don't love easily and when I do, I cherish it. I don't fall for people on a whim, I don't give a part of myself, share my life with someone that I can't sustain a relationship with. I love you for who you are, not what your career is or how much money you make. If you don't trust that, then we have a deeper problem. Beyond that, I don't know what I want. F.I. has been a part of my life for hell my entire life. I don't want to see it go to someone else. But, I've had my own dreams and I love being a detective. I don't know what I'm going to do yet. But, whatever I do, if you get your head out of your ass, then I'd like to do it with you. But right now, you're pissing me off. So, I'm going to take a shower and when I get out, you are going to have some food waiting on me and then give me make up sex. Is that clear?"
"Crystal."
"Good. Now, move."
Korra moves and Asami stomps past, slamming the bathroom door behind her.
#
"Well, that went much better than I expected," Akari says to the boys as they leave the house.
"Yeah, especially when Mako nearly spilled the peas on your father's head," Iroh snickers.
"Shut up. No one told you to tell that joke right when I was grabbing it."
"It was a good one. It almost made my mom laugh."
"It made you laugh," Iroh tells her.
"It did. And I want you guys to know how much this meant to me. I know it was hard to come here, but you did. I love you two for it."
"And we love you. It wasn't a problem," Mako tells her.
She lifts up and kisses both of them softly on their lips.
"Thank you."
Iroh takes a step back and looks at both of them. They both notice the change of demeanor.
"Roh?" Mako asks.
"I want a future for us, however uncertain it may be. And for this to work, I can't have any lies between us. We also need to set clear boundaries and make sure we are all on the same page. We can do this and I'm willing to make an effort. With that being said, there's something that you both deserve to know."
"What is it, honey?"
"I've been battling an addiction to pain killers. Opal found out about it and was trying to help me, but I made her think that I had it under control. I don't. I function, but I'm still very much at my addiction's mercy. I need help. Real help," he admits.
"How long?" Akari asks quietly.
"A very long time, love."
Mako sighs. "We need to go to our place and talk about this."
"You're right and I'm sorry I never told either of you."
"We know now. It's a start."
"We'll figure this out. All of it together, okay."
"Okay."
#
A man stands outside a home for the sixth night in a row watching the routine of the family inside. The boy goes to his room first and closes the curtain. It takes an hour for the other lights to cut off. When they do, the boy exits the room and goes to his little sister's room. He stays there for only twenty minutes, but twenty minutes is enough.
Innocence is stolen once again.
The man leaves and returns in the morning once everyone has left for the day. He breaks in quietly and plants his accelerants in the correct places. Then, he leaves.
The little girl would spend the night at a friend's house tonight. The next morning, the house would be ashes and the boy would be cleansed…