After the end of the world and the Harvest Moon crisis came the End of the World party. All the usual suspects met at a jazz joint in Fire Town. It was a regular hullabaloo. They not only celebrated their lives, they also prepared to say goodbye.
President Moon, though still salty about Kuvira's former attempt on her life, thanked Kuvira for her valiant effort in protecting the city. Still, she couldn't offer the former Great Uniter a full pardon. Instead, she banished her.
As for Korra, though understandably under the influence, she caused millions in damage and even some deaths. The deaths, though few, each meant something, each were a person – even the ones who chose to stare death down. Thus, repercussions were only fair, and Zhu Li banished Korra too.
Korra and Kuvira – both banishéd.
But Zhu Li wasn't heartless or unreasonable. She allowed them a week to gather their affairs before the invisible doors to the city would close to them forever, though Avatar Korra park would remain.
And so they came to the tiny dive of the dusty half-street in Fire Town to let loose. If they were going out it'd be with lowdown style.
Speaking of style, Varrick confessed to his involvement in the cactus juice enterprise and was sentenced to four years under house arrest. Fortunately for him, he could work on his inventions and designs from home, and it'd mean he'd become a stay at home dad for the bun Zhu Li was baking. That news would be kept mum until after cleanup was long underway.
The jazz band, led by Tahno on trombone, played zesty tunes that had the crowd jiving. Kya danced like an old hippie around Lin who tapped her foot reluctantly to the beat.
Opal dragged Kuvira to the dance floor, though Kuvira didn't put up a fight about it. They were dancing all hey nonny nonny, showing off their coordinated dance movements and leaning into each other until heat built up between them.
Bae, though not as sure-footed as the other women, made her way to the dance floor and swayed her hips to and fro. Kuvira's hand found Bae's hip and reached around to grip her booty as they danced, Bae blushing.
"I'm gonna get a drink. Want somethin'?" Bae asked Kuvira and Opal after a coupla songs.
Kuvira shook her head, followed by Opal. They continued dancing as Bae made her way to the bar, ordering herself a gin and tonic. She sat there, sipping her gin, watching Opalvira on the dance floor. They sure looked good together. She sighed.
Tahno, with his wavy black hair tumbling about his face wound up for a solo with the rubber part of a plunger wah wahhing at the bell. He was spectacular in a shimmery ruby colored dress and long mascaraed eyelashes.
Kuvira approached Bae, thinking she was also admiring Tahno.
"Hard to believe I used to hate that guy," Korra said.
"Really? He's fabulous!" Bae said shyly in Korra's ear. She was blushing. Couldn't help it – Korra was still the Avatar and Bae's longtime idol.
Korra got an idea and decided to go for it. She patted Bae's arm like old buds and headed toward the stage.
After Tahno finished his first set, he stepped in heels off the side of the stage and wiped the sweat from his brow. Korra cleared her throat and he turned toward the sound.
"My my, what a surprise," Tahno said with pointed disinterest.
"I just wanna say – you're amazing. The way you play your instrument – you sure can blow!" Korra said admiringly.
Tahno tilted his head back and laughed. "I sure can, honey."
Korra scratched her head. "So, it's been a long time since our pro-bending days. I was thinking… do you want your bending back?"
Tahno's eyes widened and he considered a moment before blowing the loose wavy strand of hair off his face. "I'll pass. Thank you."
"What? Why?" Korra was incredulous. Who wouldn't anyone want their bending back?
"Because, Uh-vatar," he said, dropping his voice an octave to emphasize the last part. "I've discovered who I am in these past years, and I had to lose my bending to find it. I wouldn't trade that for the world."
He walked over to his trombone case and strapped his instrument to his body before winking at the Avatar and returning for another set.
Korra was floored but respected Tahno's decision to keep on blowing sans bending.
Speaking of blowing, Mako was in the stall of the men's bathroom getting head from Prince Wu. He clutched the rail at the side of the stall with one hand, gripped Wu's chestnut hair with the other.
It had been so long since Mako got any type of relief, and he had just been rejected once again by Asami's assistant, Daisuke, who told him she wasn't into dating at all.
Either way, Wu gave amazing head. It was so good that Mako couldn't focus on anything else, just the throbbing sensation of Wu's warm motormouth bobbing up and down and his soft manicured hands tickling his sensitive balls, gripping the shaft.
"Oh fuck!" Mako huffed.
The door of the stall accidentally popped open and Tu happened to be walking by to take a piss. "Whoa!" he said.
"Tu!" Mako exclaimed. "Get outta here!"
"Don't have to tell me twice," Tu did his business and left.
Mako slammed the stall door closed.
"Should I stop?" Wu looked up at Mako who grabbed Wu by the hair.
"No, never fucking stop," Mako huffed.
Wu lowered his mouth to the tip of Mako's bulging cock and began sucking once more.
Meantime, no longer able to contain her hormones and the invisible pull of her throbbing loins, Opal dragged Kuvira to the women's bathroom next door to have lesbian sex.
Kuvira had Opal against the bathroom sink and was kissing along her chin and neck. She smelled wonderful, tasted better. Idle hands found their way up the hem of Opal's dress as the young airbender felt along Kuvira's waist line.
The door swung open and music spilled in with Korra standing there; she shook her head before promptly turning around and exiting. Kuvira bent the door closed and melded the locks and sealed up parts of the frame sloppily.
It was the most careless she'd ever been as a bender, but that's because she was engaged in other affairs.
Opal lifted her dress over her head to reveal perky tanned breasts, which Kuvira cupped and suckled as Opal moved her hand down past Kuvira's pantaloon button to her other, more sensitive one. She dipped a finger inside Kuvira's pussy and delighted in its wetness, making a hook and pulling it forward.
Kuvira moaned into Opal's tits, her hand moving downward and making the same hooking motion. This time Kuvira was fully clothed with pants unzipped while Opal was naked save for her soaking panties.
They grinded on each other's fingers then, kissing and pausing to moan and huff when the pleasure became too significant.
Finally, Kuvira positioned Opal upon the sink. Bending gold into a strap-on dildo, she looked Opal square in the eyes and slowly entered her.
Opal cried out at the cool liquid metal filling and hardening within her until it pressed against the right buttons.
Kuvira grinded her hips against Opal's, penetrating her while moving the base of the shaft against her own clit. Too soon the former Great Uniter felt herself about to come, so she held back and focused all of her attention on Opal, who was huffing "I fucking love you" in her ear.
Kuvira angled the golden dildo, focusing on simultaneous deep penetration and pressure against the padded area along the front wall of the pussy. They rocked their hips against each other, fucking with reckless abandon, cries growing louder by the minute.
Keeping her eyes on Opal's expressions of unabashed pleasure made Kuvira almost come again. Opal gripped Kuvira's shoulders tighter, legs following suit about the hips, and as she came she breathed into it while Kuvira continued to grind at a slower pace until she eventually slowed to a stop.
Opal was huffing as Kuvira leaned against her, also out of breath. She kissed the back of the Kuvira's neck tenderly, playing with her sweat-drenched hair.
"I love you," Opal breathed.
"I love you," Kuvira responded, kissing Opal's cheek. It surprised her how naturally the words came.
"Wanna rejoin the party?"
"In a minute. I'd like to sit in this dirty bathroom with you just a little longer."
Despite not coming herself, Kuvira was content.
When Opalvira finally emerged from the bathroom, they walked with their fingers entwined like two people drunk in love.
Bae stopped them on their path to the bar for something strong to wash down their love lust.
"Bae! There you are," Kuvira said. She was grinning and glowing the way people do after freshly having sex.
"I wanna talk to you. Just you, Kuvira – sorry Opal. No offense." Bae said.
Opal shook her head. "None taken."
Kuvira detached her hand from Opal's, but not before kissing it, and followed Bae to the patio of the bar where people were smoking squares and puffing cigars and drinking martinis with fedora hats tipped at jaunty angles.
When they were in a private enough setting, Bae took Kuvira's hand.
"Kuvira, you mean a lot to me. I never thought I woulda ended up here, and I got you to thank for that."
Kuvira could feel a 'but' or something like it coming on.
Bae continued, "I think we're star crossed, and once those stars cross, they enjoy each other's company awhile... and then keep going on down their own paths."
"What are you trying to say?" Kuvira asked, though she had an idea.
"I'm saying, I'm gonna stay here in Republic City when you go. This is where I'm supposed to be, and I'm not ready to leave." Bae and Kuvira's hands had become sweaty. She unhooked them. "I'm sorry."
Kuvira, searching Bae's face for any signs of betrayal in her want found only resolve. She had nothing but love and respect for the woman before her. Nodding, she said: "I understand."
They embraced wholeheartedly as unknown enemies to friends to lovers back to friends again.
Kuvira continued to soak up the fresh outside air after Bae rejoined the inside celebrations. She leaned against the rail, looking up at the sky and the waning gibbous.
"Hey friend," Korra said as she approached Kuvira from behind.
Kuvira turned around to greet the Avatar who sidled up next to her and looked off in the same direction.
"I can still feel it you know – the power, everything," Korra said.
Kuvira broke her gaze to look at Korra.
"Did you know what was happening the whole time you were—"
"Out of it? Going berserk?" Korra shook her head. "In flashes, but I've never experienced an Avatar State where I've completely lost control."
"Well from what I hear you had a lot going on in there."
"Thank you, by the way, for being here for me," Korra said, bumping against her friend.
Kuvira laughed and punched Korra on the arm playfully. "Kyoshi told me to do it. Said you needed my help."
"I did… Sifu Kuvira. Which reminds me – I've been wondering since I came out of the pocket dimension what it means to be healthy - in body, mind, and spirit." Korra rubbed the spot where Kuvira punched.
Pondering this question, Kuvira had some ideas but couldn't provide a definitive answer.
Korra continued: "health is vital to life, and love is… love… in sickness and health."
"I'd like to be ninety-nine with my wits still about me and the loves of my life surrounding me," Kuvira said. "That'd be a life well met."
Korra considered a moment, replied: "I'd like to become master of myself."
"Master of the spirits within you, or?"
"Myself. I've been wasting time worrying about darkness within me, about right and wrong, moral or immoral. It's exhausting and, in the end, teaches me little. The real question is – how do I see clearly? How can I see what is?"
Kuvira patted Korra's shoulder. "We must all walk our own paths, my friend." She thought of Bae then and fell silent.
"Excuse me, may I cut in?"
They turned around and saw Asami there looking resplendent as usual. She wrapped her arms around Korra.
"By all means," Kuvira moved from where she leaned against the rail and motioned for Asami to take her place. "I'm going to check on Opal."
Before heading back inside, Kuvira exchanged glances with Asami who smiled in earnest, a silent acknowledgement of potential friendship.
"Speaking of Opal," Korra gabbed, grabbing a slip of paper from her pocket "did you see this letter from Bolin? They found it on his bed."
"No. I've been wondering where he was tonight."
Asami took the letter and read:
"Dearest Brethren, Sistren, Friends, Family, and Fellow Acolytes,
I, Bolin, am acting on my undying love for Sanyu and for the mutual call to adventure.
We are but two natural born romantics running away to the traveling circus. Through our travails, we hope to discover more about ourselves and our blossoming love. For love is all we need!
Worry not but think fondly of us. We are in our elements – with the wind and dirt.
I love you all, and especially you, Mako.
Love,
Bolin"
Asami folded the letter. "Wow, good for him I guess."
Korra shrugged. "I think so."
Asami gripped Korra's bicep softly in the way that always made her entire body electric.
"I'm giving it up," she said, looking forward.
"Giving what up?"
"My company – well, about eighty percent of it. Leaving Daisuke in charge. I just gotta iron out the details."
Korra looked at Asami incredulously. "What? That's everything to you. It's –"
"Not. I want a simpler life, a life with love, with you. Besides, my racing team needs a new star racer now that Chai Son's out."
"True." Korra sighed.
Asami pulled her lover close. "When I was trapped in that portal with you, it was the happiest time of my life. Part of me still feels like I'm there."
"Me too. Although, I still am… in here and here," Korra moved Asami's hand to her head and down to her heart.
"So what's to be done about this?" Asami said then, looking into Korra's eyes.
The wind shifted and mutual chill ran through them.
"I made something for you. It was a long time ago when I was training with Kuvira, but I've been working on it since," Korra began, reaching into her pocket.
"Oh that's funny, because I also had something made for you – been carrying it around a long time."
"On three, OK?" Korra said, her body buzzing in anticipation.
"One."
"Two."
"Three," they said in unison, each pulling out their item.
Korra dangled a tasteful gold chain leading to a pendant with simple yet elegant design.
Asami opened a jewelry box with a blue sapphire ring nestled in it. "Korra…"
"Asami…"
"I love you," they both said in unison again.
The couple laughed.
"How does this work?" Korra jested.
"We're clearly trying to propose to each other."
"There's a good chance we'll say yes."
Asami nodded. "I would tend to agree."
They both blushed. Korra found herself leaning toward Asami's lips but stopped herself.
"While we're at it, might as well keep going," she said.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, we don't need a wedding to be married. I will marry you right here and now. All we have to do is say it three times with the moon as our witness."
Asami's heart soared. "Yes, absolutely. I do."
Korra stepped behind Asami and placed the betrothal necklace around her neck. "Kuvira made the chain but you can wear it anyway you like," she said tenderly.
Next, Asami turned around to face Korra, taking the sapphire band and sliding it onto Korra's ring finger. "Do I get to kiss you yet?" Asami was almost in tears.
Korra shook her head. "Almost. Now we say our vows. I'll start – Asami, you have been there for me through sickness and health, through my darkest and brightest times. As far as I'm concerned, you're already my wife and partner. We just spent forever together, so what's a lifetime?"
If Asami was holding back tears before, she wasn't anymore. It was usually Korra who cried and she the consoler.
She began: "Baby, you gave me the greatest pleasure I've ever known. But even more than that, you gave me a home. You loved me when I was rich, and now I see there's no difference now that I'm less rich. Because, frankly, you don't care a lick about money, and that's partly why I love you. I was in love with you from the moment I met you – I just didn't know it yet. And so, it's my honor to stand by your side for the rest of our lives."
"And now," Korra whispered. "We say 'I marry you' three times and seal it with a kiss. Ready?"
They held each other's hands and repeated: "I marry you, I marry you, I marry you."
And with the moon spirit, Yue, as their witness, they kissed.
On the day of their exile, Korra and Kuvira walked arm in arm toward the edge of the city. There were no officials there to escort them out; their mutual expulsion was based on trust.
As a symbolic gesture, they stepped over the invisible line separating the independent Republic City from the rest of the Earth Territories.
Asami and Opal watched their women from behind before catching up and crossing the line too. Bae, meanwhile, stood symbolically behind but saw to it to accompany them up to that point.
Kuvira turned and waved at her former companion, remembering what they had gone through. She climbed atop Juicy with Opal while Korra buckled up in the passenger seat of Asami's car.
A final glace between old friends Korra and Kuvira before their respective parties took off, Asami lead-footing the gas pedal, kicking up dirt in her wake, and Opal declaring "Yip Yip," signally Juicy to lift-off.
With wind blowing her hair all higgledy-piggledy, Kuvira glanced over at Opal who controlled the reins. As if instinctively, Opal turned to meet Kuvira's gaze; a single look was enough to fill her up inside.
Smiling warmly, she said: "So what is this?"
"What's what?" Kuvira replied, though she had an idea. The sky behind them was full of cumulus clouds reflecting the oranges and reds and purples from the setting sun.
"Between us. Are we official yet?"
Kuvira nodded, studying the contours of Opal's face and lips and eyes. "Whatever it is, it's beautiful."
Author's Note
Thank you so much for taking this ride with me. I can't believe my first fic transformed into something I find profoundly meaningful. What kept me going and motivated me to finish were all the folks who voted and commented and messaged me. As a human and artist, those small connections are monumentally important.
A little about me: I'm mixed Southeast Asian/Irish-American. Interestingly, I was raised Buddhist and Catholic, and I think my writing reflects this contradiction, a sort of nexus between East and West.
ATLA and LOK have profoundly impacted my life in different ways and at different times. I'm sure I got some things wrong, and this is a first draft. But I tried my best, and ultimately it makes me feel good to share and be part of this fandom with y'all.
Anyway, that's all folks!