Loophole
"Korra you need to have a theme! Don't just throw things in your cart! Have some taste! A vision!" Wu exclaimed, the pitch in his voice loud and cheery. He walked through the boutique with the others trailing behind him. His eyes set on anything and everything tacky and expensive. He was wearing a silk scarf that wrapped around his head and partially over his mouth, per Kuvira's order in case anyone noticed who he was. Unlike Mako, she wasn't jumping in front of anything to save him.
"What do you have in mind oh' Prince?" Korra teased. She pushed her cart further into the next section of the shop with Bolin and Kuvira beside her. Wu began tossing extra items into her cart as he continued his rampage.
"A winter wonderland! Let's bring the North to Republic City!" He smiled.
The princess scoffed, "On who's budget? And more importantly, I'm from the South!"
Christmas music blared out of the store's speakers, patrons bustled all around them, buying everything red, green, and sparkly that they could get their hands on. Korra's shopping cart had minimal items all of which Prince Wu seemingly disliked. She was going for a cozy, simple approach but he had other plans.
Korra stopped once she spotted a floral arrangement and noticed it had mistletoes sprouting from it. She smiled softly and picked it up, imagining it over her doorframe.
The scenario that began to form in her mind was a warm light coming from her fire place, snow falling lightly outside her window and a mistletoe above her head. She wasn't alone in this daydream, her eyes trailed over a pair of full lips as they leaned in close to one another. Sharing in this tradition...
"give me a break..."
Korra snapped out of her vision to see Kuvira eyeing her like she was a smitten little girl reading a text from her school crush.
Korra looked at her slightly offended, "what?"
Kuvira gave her a 'don't shit me look'. "That's a good excuse to smooch Mako without consequence."
Korra blushed again and put the mistletoe in her cart. She proudly walked ahead uncaring to protest with Kuvira's statement. "You're right."
"Ah ha! So you two were fooling around!" Kuvira stalked up to her and stepped in front of Korra's cart. "I knew you would last hours alone in a room together."
"No!" Korra blushed. "The investigation is serious, and that's exactly how I'm treating it."
"Then what's with that?" She pointed to the mistletoe.
"Decoration." The princess declared and marched forward.
It was unrealistic anyway to assume she'd share that kiss with Mako. One, because of their current relationship limbo and two, the investigation consumed a lot of his time, he probably wasn't even thinking the same.
Yeah there was definitely tension between them but that's inevitable and not be be acted upon.
"Oh look at this Korra!" Bolin exclaimed. He walked over to a shelf and picked up a small polar bear ornament. "He looks like Naga! We have to get this!"
"That's perfect Bo," Korra smiled as he handed it to her. "This also fits the winter theme," She rolled her eyes sarcastically as Prince Wu continued to babble on even though they had tuned out of that conversation all ready.
Kuvira studied the ornaments in silence and Korra noticed she wasn't really jolly about this shopping spree. Her expression looked rather bored or that her mind was somewhere else entirely.
"Hey, you're on vacation." Korra gently bumped her elbow against her friends side, "Cheer up."
Kuivra looked up at her and smirked, shifting back into her unbothered demeanor that she disguised herself with so well. "I was never really someone who enjoyed holidays." She walked around a large display tree with her hands clasped behind her back, Korra followed.
"The orphanage didn't have much funds so the older kids like myself didn't get presents. I was too rebellious for my adoptive parents and when I was given to the Beifong's... Let's just I wasn't Su's favorite."
Korra's eyes lowered as she listened to Kuvira's story and as sympathy twisted her expression Kuvira gave her a weary look. "Don't cry for me princess..."
"Can I at least celebrate you then?" Korra asked, her blue eyes sparkling.
Kuvira paused, "Like what?"
Korra picked up an ornament that looked like a perfectly wrapped present and put it in her cart, "I know it's customary to not know what your present will be, but if you find something you want I'll buy it for you." She proposed.
Kuvira nodded and dipped into Korra's shopping cart and fished around for one of those large, tacky bows Wu threw in to purchase. She picked one out and placed it on Korra's shoulder, "I found what I want."
The princess blushed as Kuvira snaked her hand around Korra's waist and stole a quick kiss. Korra savored it a bit longer than she should have, softly moaning against her mouth as she bit Kuvira's bottom lip. They quickly separated as Bolin approached them from the other side of the large tree.
"There you are! We're headed to the tree lights now!"
"Right behind you!" Korra smiled as Kuvira tossed the bow back into the cart. Korra followed Bolin's lead and shot a quick glance over her shoulder at the General.
"Behave..." She whispered to her mischievous friend.
Kuvira circled the top of her head with her index finger, mimicking the shape of a halo. Sure Korra was temporarily celibate, but that didn't mean she couldn't kiss anyone...Or perhaps even fool around a little bit? A little smile curled at the edges of her mouth as she discovered this potential loophole.
Did Korra even specify what exactly was off limits? Now that she thought about it, what actually constitutes as sex? An orgasm? Penetration? If so, foreplay was still very much on the table.
As they walked through the store Korra could feel Kuvira's gaze on the back of her neck. Admittedly their kiss felt like quenching a dry thirst after days without water but Korra couldn't give the feeling much attention. It was far too tempting then she'd ever like to admit and she knew it wouldn't take much from them to get carried away.
Korra's eyes strained as this part of the store was covered top to bottom in festive lights. There were so many different colors, shapes, designs, fixtures, and materials that she could choose from that she was suffering from a bit of fatigue. The princess knew Christmas was a very popular holiday, but never really saw first hand how fanatic the celebration was. Did all of this really matter that much just to be packed away for another eleven months? And by the following year all your decorations aren't in trend so you just end up buying more anyway. Not to mention all the plastic, wrapping, and other martial waste this holiday produced. In the South they re-used everything and never out-sourced or overfished their resources. As much as she wanted to endulge in this holiday a part of her couldn't ignore how over commercialized it was.
After a few minutes of picking "just the right lights" to hang outside her house, they chose an icy blue color and a bright white.
"It'll look so good against the artificial snow!" Wu smiled.
"We're adding snow now!" Korra exclaimed, so baffled she actually laughed. Mainly because it already snowed in Republic City but Wu didn't like how "dirty" it got over time.
"I can't decorate the rental I have to stay in," Wu frowned, "So I'll use your..humble abode as my muse!"
Korra tilted her head, pondering if her house being called 'humble' was a complement. "I'm flattered..."
"Great! Let's hit the clothing section now!"
Korra watched him scurry off in amazement. Honestly she gave up at this point, as long as Wu put down his credit card and not hers she couldn't care less.
Bolin was tasked with towing his shopping chart and gleefully went along. He was just happy to be around friends and festivity and not the compound back in Ba Sing Se. Plus she could tell he was trying to shop for the perfect present for Opal which she thought was so endearing.
They walked through a section of ugly Christmas sweaters and stopped to pick through the racks.
"So how's the investigation going?" Kuvira asked.
"Mako told me it's pretty dry." Bolin added. He picked up a green, furry sweater with a red panda on the front with a Santa hat on top of its head.
Korra reluctantly nodded, "It was until yesterday. We combed through the footage and spotted two suspects..." She hesitated on what else she was allowed to say. "The South is involved and I reached out to my father this morning...After hours of arguing and being run around to different sources I finally got ahold of my cousins and Uncle...He has a pretty solid alibi."
Korra clicked her teeth, warring with herself internally on whether she was relieved or pissed off by that fact.
"So..We'll see what Mako will do with that information."
As of right now, Mako was out with his team looking for her former White Lotus guards. Korra gritted her teeth at the thought of their betrayal. If they turned out to be the thieves they could kiss those titles goodbye. Matter of fact, General Iroh might be too nice to suggest sending them to the Boiling Rock, but with how Korra was feeling she'd escort them there herself.
"Bolin put that back!" Wu shouted. "It's hideous!"
Bolin pouted, "It's ugly, that's the whole point!"
Korra and Kuvira continued to look around as the boys fought with each other over the concept of ugly sweaters. The princess was only skimming through the clothing, not really wanting to update her wardrobe. Although a few of the Christmas themed lingerie did catch her eye. The see-through red mesh with the white fur trim would look amazing on a few people who crossed her mind.
"You don't see anything you'd want to try on?" Kuvira teased.
"Nice try." Korra laughed.
"Hold on, I'm not done looking yet," Kuvira paused and threaded her fingers through the hangers. Korra reluctantly turned around, goosebumps already trailing up her arms at the tone of Kuvira's voice. She wasn't subtle at all in this little performance of hers.
"Find anything you like?" Korra asked.
"Yup, let's try it on!" Kuvira took a mesh bodysuit off the rack and took Korra's hand. She quickly guided her behind the heavy curtain of a changing booth just a few feet away and quickly closed it behind them.
Korra's back met the wall only because there wasn't much space in here to begin with. A tiny wall length mirror on her right and hooks for clothing on her left. Kuvira stood in front of her, their bodies practically atop one another as she dropped the mesh play suit without any care in the world.
"You know I don't really thinking changing clothes is a two person job," Korra teased. She swallowed hard as Kuvira pulled her long sleeve button up over her head and tossed it the ground. Her hair was a bit disheveled as her head came out of the scoop neck but her eyes were steadily focused on Korra's face.
The princess lewdly glanced down at Kuvira's breasts, primly propped up in a black push up bra. She was usually bra-less so seeing her round and plump flesh cradled in the two cups was an enticing view. Korra had half a mind to reach out and grope them but quickly clutched her fists as an act of defying those thoughts.
"Well, I need your opinion on whether it looks good or not," She said with a smirk, clearly just playing along.
Korra looked away, trying to lubricate her now dry throat. She glanced over Kuvira's shoulder at the curtain that separated them from the rest of the world and could imagine someone pulling it back and exposing them both.
"We can't-I can't. You know that," She stuttered.
Kuvira reached out and placed her flat palm on Korra's firm stomach. Her fingers gently dug into her shirt eliciting a small groan from the back of Korra's throat. "You said you couldn't have sex, but you never really specified what that meant..."
Korra's brows rose as she realized what Kuvira meant and how technically she was right. The taller of the two leaned forward, brushing the tip of her nose along Korra's bridge. She traced their lips together, adding the slightest amount of pressure. Korra's lashes fluttered as she fought the desire to press their lips together.
So close...so so so close to taking what she wanted.
"Like a kiss..." Kuvira breathed against Korra's mouth as she kissed her. The princess moaned against her, unable to deny the pressure quickly building in the dressing room. Korra contiuned their kiss as Kuvira began to pull away, sliding her right hand behind the back of her head to hold her in place. It felt so good tasting her lips, fondling her tongue as they gasped for air.
"Or...a touch..." Kuvira's hand slipped under Korra's shirt and traveled up her chest. Korra gasped, her back arching as Kuvira grabbed her breast, squeezing it in her palm before pulling down the bra cup and circling her index finger around her nipple.
Korra hissed, her eyes clamped shut and body tense. "Fuck...stop."
Kuvira instantly obeyed but was a bit confused as Korra placed her hand over her own, holding her hand to her boob. Her thighs were pressed together as she stood there silently catching her breath. She was inwardly debating how far they should go, this stupid "loophole" was the last thing she needed to be aware of right now.
Her body was hot and agitated, she wanted to be touched so badly she was wet just thinking about it.
Kuvira chuckled darkly, "We can stop princess-"
"Don't patronize me," Korra scolded before lurching forward, pulling down the straps of Kuvira's bra and latching her mouth onto her small brown nipple.
Kuvira grunted, grabbing the back of Korra's head as she began circling her bud with her tongue. "Fuck.." She breathed.
Korra palmed and squeezed her other boob as she feasted on the one in her mouth. She pinched and flicked her nipple, enjoying how Kuvira's body responded to the slight pain.
Feeling the fat of her breast heavy in her mouth, and Kuvira's sensitive bud dragging back and forth over her tongue was driving her wild. Secretly Korra had been replaying their threesome from the other night, over and over again in her head, wishing they could have an encore. This option would do just fine though.
Korra dipped onto her knees and kissed down Kuvira's stomach as she went. Her hot flesh against the press of her lips was something she didn't realize she missed until now. Kuvira was so muscular and hard Korra almost wanted to bite her and knew that Kuvira would encourage her to do it.
She unbuckled her pants and ripped them down her legs. "God, you're eager." Kuvira whispered, her voice hot and heavy. Normally she would want to be pleasing Korra, but decided it was best to let Korra get out all of her frustration however she wanted to.
She lifted her left leg and bent it over Korra's shoulder. She pressed her palms against the back wall, curving her body over her friends. The dressing room was so crapped but she was utilizing the space as best as possible. Korra cupped the back of Kuivra's thigh as kissed her clothed sex, feeling the imprint of her outer lips and clit on her mouth. She kissed her sex, nipping and slightly tugging on her panties until they were soaked through.
Kuvira moaned through her teeth as she usually did, fighting her own vocal pleasure, but Korra enjoyed it either way. She pulled her underwear to the side and sucked her clit between her lips. Kuvira's head fell back against her shoulders as she moaned, her breath filling her lungs and escaping from her mouth in spurts of frustration.
Korra's tongue feathered her opening, sliding up and down her core, passing over her clit, down her lips, then back up to her sensitive bundle of nerves.
Kuvira bit into her bottom lip as her body began to involuntarily tremble. She wasn't used to being submissive and it was a jarring transition to see how her body responded to being pleasured as opposing to giving it. She hissed as Korra began sucking her clit with a wet, closed mouth. The flat ridges of her tongue rolled and wiggled on and around her clit, winding her up for release.
Kuvira looked down between her legs to see Korra's eyes closed, her right hand grabbing Kuvira's thigh while her left was between her own legs, vigorously working herself. As Kuvira watched Korra finger herself while simultaneously eating her pussy she lost it. Korra looked practically feral, drunk with lust and that sight along induced what little grip she had left on her orgasm.
"Fuck!" Kuvira cried as her muscles twitched. Her hips bucked and thighs twitched as she came into Korra's mouth. The princess licked her clean, practically drinking every drop of her as she finished.
Kuvira grabbed the back of Korra's head and pushed her away. "Korra...let me.." She grunted.
The princess still fingered herself, trying to reach her climax as well. "No," She replied stubbornly.
"YES." Kuvira sneered. She dipped down and picked Korra up like she weighed nothing at all. She pressed her against the wall and hiked her leg up to her hip.
She forced her hand under the hem of Korra's pants and pushed two fingers deep into her core. Korra screamed and quickly clamped her hands over her mouth, fearful she was going to get them caught.
"Ah..Fuck," She trembled, glad Kuvira was supporting her wighter otherwise her knees would give out.
"Do you want me to stop?" Kuvira asked, her breath hot against Korra's face.
"No. No!," Korra's hips skillfully rocked against Kuvira's hand, pushing her fingers deeper and deeper with each thrust. "No!..Fuck me..."
Korra wrapped her arms around Kuvira's neck and she buried her face into the crook of her neck. "..Finish me.."
Kuvira fucked her senseless without another word. Her long fingers curled and thrusted back and forth, finding the inner space that would draw forth all of Korra's desire. The princess quickly saw the light, her head falling back as she met a crushing end. Her muscles deliciously melted as her body shivered in Kuvira's grasp. Her tongue dragged along her bottom lip before she bit down and groaned.
Well...that celibacy rule lasted less than a week... Korra huffed and Kuvira realized that's what she was thinking. There was no way this didn't count as sex.
"I won't tell if you won't." She whispered.
"What was the point of even trying," Korra said irritably. Even when she made the rules she broke them.
"It was noble and quite frankly, you could try again...Clean slate starting now?" her friend shrugged.
Korra only sighed as they untangled their bodies. "I'm going to tell Mako, its only fair.."
They quickly got dressed, leaving the mesh suit on the hook as if Kuvira changed her mind about the purchase. Korra pulled back the curtain and froze as Bolin was on the other side of a nearby rack, holding up a sparkly sweater for Prince Wu. As they locked eyes, Korra's face flushed a bright red. Kuvira looked completely unfazed and walked out of the dressing room.
"Uh-ah Prince Wu!" Bolin held up the sweater so that the Prince couldn't see the women exit. "How's this one!"
Prince Wu took the sweater happily, "Perfect! I'm gonna go try it on!" He turned the opposite direction and walked toward the male dressing rooms. As he slipped his scarf off his face Kuvira ran after him. "Hey! put that back on! I'm not warning you!"
Korra awkwardly rounded the clothing racks as Bolin met her half way. They were looking at one another shyly, Korra fidgeting with her hands as if she was in trouble.
"Bolin..it's not what it looks like."
"It's okay Korra." Bolin nodded confidently, "Really, it is."
Korra looked at him with wide eyes and it finally struck her. Bolin didn't look surprised, shocked as anyone would be to catch two people walking out of cramped dressing room with their clothes wrinkled, but not like he expected anything different.
"Oh...Mako told you didn't he?" She whispered. That was the only explanation. Her cheeks flushed a bright red and she suddenly felt the need to explain herself. "When Asami and I broke up-"
Bolin stopped her, "You don't have to Korra. He only told me what I needed to know and I don't think any less of you."
Korra hooked her arm around his and they started to walk toward the front cashiers, taking their time weaving in and out of random isles as they conversed.
"Mako seems to be okay right now. Focused on the case, but satisfied just being friends with you."
"Yeah and so am I," She shrugged. "It's still hard being around him," She blushed, "If you know what I mean...but we're tame about it."
"And..do you think there could be something more?" Bolin replied, "I'm asking for myself, I won't tell him you said anything."
Korra bit her lip, "I just feel like this whole "Friends with Benefits" thing was just a way to avoid how I really felt when Asami left me. And I knew that...I was okay with it even, but like Tenzin said, I can't go on forever and what would be left when this all ended? I can say I'm friends with her but it's like-"
"You need that closure." Bolin finished. Korra smiled softly, "Yeah, I'm trying to make peace with everything and everyone, and I'm realizing that's not possible."
"You feel like you are betraying yourself trying to please everyone else." Bolin commented, his eyebrows furrowed as he was interpreting the feelings Korra was trying to convey. "Spreading yourself too thin."
"It doesn't feel right letting Mako back in just yet, I still haven't told him about everything."
"I think he might have a hard time understanding polygamy but you should still be honest no matter what."
Korra's eyes were wide, "Yeah...You're right. I'm still deciding if I'm better off single honestly..I love him, but it's foggy with all this drama.."
Bolin swayed the jewelry bag in his hand nonchalantly, "Love should be easy...it should feel peaceful, not chaotic or confusing." Korra could tell he was reminiscing about how he felt with Opal and she couldn't help but admire their relationship.
"You should take your time Korra," He laughed, "Mako isn't going anywhere.."
Korra's lashes flustered, for some reason that made her feel at ease. It showed how much Mako really had changed. She sighed, feeling much better after talking it out.
She noticed Bolin's purchase and pointed to it, "Did you find something for Opal?"
He looked down and blushed, "Yeah, during our first trip as a couple we went to the Cave of Two Lovers in Omashu, I stole a piece of the glowing crystal which you're not supposed to do," He laughed nervously, "It was only a really small piece! But I finally found a ring for it. I just have to get the stone fitted!"
He open the box to show Korra the delicate gold band with an oval crest fit for a jewel. "Wow, that's beautiful Bolin, a ring..really?"
Bolin blushed, "Oh no! Just a promise ring! I don't think either of us are ready for marriage just yet."
Korra hugged his arm, "Well, I'm sure she will love it."
"Thanks! We were talking yesterday and I have a good feeling that she'll be 'surprising' me with a visit tomorrow. I'm getting Mako's apartment set up when I get home today!"
Korra raised her brow, "You're going to have a romantic evening with Mako sitting on the couch?"
"Well no," Bolin laughed, "He's letting me borrow his place."
"That's nice of him,"
Bolin rubbed the back of his neck, remembering his conversation with his older brother. "Yeah, not to offer up your place or anything, but I did mention that maybe he could stay with you instead of checking into a hotel.."
"Oh," Korra seemed flustered at that thought.
"Y'know! Since you are both working on the case and stuff! You're usually together a lot anyway so-"
"Uh well, he's always welcome. It's really up to him." The princess shrugged.
Bolin nodded his head, that answer was fair...he just knew Mako was stubborn.
They met up with Prince Wu and Kuvira at the front of the boutique. He had an extra cart full of clothing and offered to pay for Korra's items as well. "Charge now, pay later." He said smugly as he handed the cashier his credit card.
They all went back to Korra's place after shopping and a light lunch and began unpacking and hanging up all of Wu's elaborate decorations. Although Korra was worried at first, Prince Wu did have an eye for design and he pulled together the perfect mix of simple like she wanted, but with a touch of extravagant.
Later that night, while Korra was fast asleep she was abruptly woken up by her phone ringing. Lifting the device to her view she saw Mako's face on the caller I.D. She quickly sat up in her bed and answered his call. "Is everything okay!"
It was a few minutes past midnight so hopefully he wasn't waking her up to more bad news.
"We didn't find them," He grunted, "But I want to continue the search and umm...wanted to know if you cared to join me?"
"Oh.." Korra's eyes aimlessly glanced around her dark room. "But I thought Beifong said to keep me off the ground work?"
Mako laughed, his chuckle lighthearted and teasing. "Since when did you care about obeying the rules?"
Korra smirked, he knew her too well. "Give me five minutes..."
She quickly rounded the hood of his car and slid into the passengers seat once she was dressed and ready to go. She looked over and noticed he was dressed in black with his red scarf around his neck and a beanie on his head. Korra quickly realized Mako was also in the mood to break a few rules.
"...You're dressed pretty casually detective..." She clipped her seatbelt in place.
Mako started his car engine, "I'm off the clock but I couldn't sleep without checking ALL our resources." His hazel eyes met her gaze, "I need to talk to a few old friends.."