A Civil Meeting

"Cheers to being gay!" Prince Wu exclaimed. He extended his cup high in the air with glee and waited for Asami to toast with him.

"Cheers." She laughed as they 'clinked' their half empty champagne glasses.

Taking a small sip she looked around the lavish room feeling a bit claustrophobic. Not because the room was crowded, this was actually one of the most exclusive suites the Secret Tunnel had to offer. She wasn't self-conscious about who was around at all. She felt nervous because, for the first time in her life she wasn't hiding. There was this overwhelming feeling that she was truly being seen by those around her. Whether their stares were encouraging or distasteful didn't matter in the slightest. The breath of fresh air that promised freedom was worth every second of silent judgement.

Her teens and early twenties were filled with such shame and confusion. A caricature of the woman she truly was and to make matters worse she made partners like Korra succumb to the same isolation and discomfort. Looking down at her cup she sighed, the vindication was bitter sweet.

Bolin and Opal came by to say congrats before leaving for the festival downtown. She received flowers from fans, tokens of success from distant relatives, letters from some of the representatives of Republic City and the Fire Nation, etc. All this praise and yet the two people she wanted to see the most wasn't around.

She got Mako's text, but it really wasn't the same. A deep rooted fear of hers was that things between them won't ever be the same.

"No wonder I wasn't your type.." Wu added with a passive wave of his hand.

"What?" She muttered breaking her train of thought. "Oh..yeah that's why," Asami laughed, ignoring the fact that Wu would flirt with literally anyone with a pulse.

He leaned in a bit closer like a seasoned gossip and whispered, "What's up with the two of you now that your marriage is a sham?"

Asami frowned, "Don't say it like that!" She crossed her legs and hugged Iroh's arm who was sitting next to her. He had a small glass of brandy and was slowly taking sips of the bitter liquor. "True we're not getting married but I'll always cherish him in my life...As for the news headlines I've already got a story ready to print..."

Iroh nodded in agreement, "My family knew what our plan was. Sato receiving his justice doesn't just benefit Republic City." He placed a gentle hand on Asami's knee, "Asami will always have a home with me, if thats what she wishes."

She smiled and eyed him curiously; what a crazy few months it has been. "I couldn't of done this without you.."

"You're very welcome...Tell me, How does it feel?"

She smiled again and he noticed how large and genuine her expression looked. Like an enormous burden falling from her shoulders.

"It feels..amazing." She set down her glass and fished inside her purse for her credit cards. "Can someone bring me a pair of scissors!" She called. Several of the wait staff quickly scurried to fullfill her request.

"My father has probably already frozen my accounts, but thanks to Varrick they've been useless for weeks.." She thanked a waiter who handed her a pair of heavy metal scissors with shiny gold handles. "Won't need these anymore!"

She snipped them all in half, then snipped those halves into smaller sections until they were nothing but little plastic shards on the ground. The staff quickly cleaned up her mess and she tipped them generously for doing so. She noted that Varrick ran a very tight-knit organization down in this little den of debauchery. Glancing around the room to see their absence she assumed him and Tarrlock must of took off for the night.

She was hesitant to accept his invitation to celebrate their charity and her coming out, but figured it would be more entertaining than going back to her pent-house and setting up Christmas decorations before going to bed. In the back of her mind she anticipated Varrick's next move. They bled her father dry financially, now he just needs to be removed for good.

She looked over to Prince Wu with a sly expression, "Besides! Men aren't completely off the table..." She winked.

"Ooh!~ Swinging both ways...we love that." Wu smiled.

"I did date Mako ages ago..." She pointed out.

Iroh adjusted himself in the seat beside her and the heiress could tell he didn't like hearing that. Mako was basically using Asami as a rebound at the time which is an unfathomable thing to do to a woman of her standard.

"Mako..." Wu muttered, "Korra's fling..."

Periodically, Wu's bodyguard returned from the kitchen with a new bottle of chardonnay.

"What?" Asami mumbled.

"Come on just one drink!" The prince whined as his cup was refilled.

Hong Li winced in response. "Sir...I don't think that would be very appropriate." Bolin got him this job and he wanted to do well and impress Kuvira. Hopefully, she'd promote him out of the kitchen as a result. He rubbed the back of his neck nervously as Wu snorted.

"Don't call me sir! It makes me feel old!"

"Wu! what did you just say?" Asami insisted.

He only shrugged, "Mako and Korra go together right? I thought that was a thing?" He leaned back and crossed his ankles casually. Hong Li stood by his side, keeping his guard up.

"What makes you say that?"

"They are always together...no wonder I couldn't make a move on him" He pouted. "...Wherever she was, so was he. And even when he wasn't around he was talking about her, looking for her..."

Asami gulped down the rest of her drink trying to replay in her mind the last few months in a matter of seconds. She was so distracted with other things...but there's no way she wouldn't have noticed.

"Also I may or may not have overheard a phone conversation between her and Kuvira one lonely night..." Wu shivered as he remembered the explicit details Kuvira whispered about and how desperately he wanted to see the size of Mako's considerable length. Just to know if Kuvira was exaggerating or not.

"Don't tell her I told you I was eavesdropping! She'd end me!" Wu chugged his drink and lifted his glass for another refill.

"Kuvira I know about, but Mako..." Asami tuned out of the conversation as Prince Wu chatted with Hong Li. Her sightings of Korra and Mako..and Kuvira were far and few between. Hmm...they were always together weren't they? But that just seemed normal. Bolin expressed how he wanted them all to reunite. Mako said the same...but in what way did he mean when it came to Korra.

Her stomach dropped as she remembered her conversation with Korra after Mako's promotion. They kissed...then Korra said, she couldn't wait for her anymore. She told her, Iroh was a better choice and she should have no reservations in a relationship with him. Why else would Korra say something like that unless...

Asami finished the rest of her cup and gently set it down. She wasn't going to let this rather nonsensical assumption ruin her night. Her plans were to celebrate and enjoy herself. Besides Korra was right about one thing, there was no reason she should of been holding out for her all this time. The image of Korra kissing Kuvira at the bar during the gala flashed across Asami's mind. A fruitless future when another promising one was right in front of her face. The marriage was fake, but as the months went by, the feelings became real.

She owed Prince Iroh a lot, including her authentic emotions toward him. That's what made her so conflicted, how could you love multiple people at the same time? Was that even possible?

Asami glanced over at the Fire Nation prince and smiled, "You want to get out of here?"

He was admittedly tired and after a quick glance at his watch to see that it was almost 10pm, a nice long shower and sleep sounded great. "Sure. Home with a nice cup of tea?"

Asami laughed softly, for such a masculine man he preferred the softer aspects of life, she loved that about him. "I think I'd like to try something else..." She whispered. Her eyes slithered up to his face and she peered at him with vivid sultry eyes. Iroh's brows shot up in surprise. He eyed the amount of alcohol she had consumed and determined she was still of sound mind. Yes, they had gotten very close...but never quite all the way.

"Are you sure?" He asked sternly.

Asami stood up with a confident smile on her face and asked for his hand. She lead him out of the main corridor and into the lavish private rooms where anything and everything was off limits.

"Yes...I'm more than sure.."

-O-

Mako walked out of the guest room dressed in a sleek pair of pants, casual shoes, and a dark green knit sweater. His hair was neatly combed out of his face in soft waves and he smelled of sweet, floral, bourbon-tinged cologne. His signature scarf was draped over his shoulders, its deep burgundy color complemented the Christmas-green of his sweater. He mentally thanked Bolin for packing his bag with clothes he'd actually wear although ignored the new box of condoms his brother deviously snuck in as well. He checked the watch on his wrist as the clock struck 8 pm. He was right on time and expected Korra to take a few extra minutes getting ready.

"Wow look at you...I wish my friends got dressed up like that for me." Kuvira teased. She was lounging on the couch opposite the guest bedroom as the pair got ready for their not-date.

Mako ignored her attempt at pointing out that he did put a little extra care in the way he looked for tonight. Korra and him never established this as a date but it sure as hell felt like one. He wasn't going to define it though, just play it by ear and enjoy her company. Whatever happens, happens.

"Well maybe you need better friends.."

She rolled her eyes and threw a kernel of popcorn at him. "Movie night with Naga?" He asked.

"Yeah, don't get too jealous.." Kuvira replied. Her eyes traveled to the stairs as Korra jogged to the bottom of them. She was dressed casually too in a fitted blue off-the-shoulder knit top tucked into a pair of jeans and her usual sleek, brown boots. She had on light makeup and Kuvira noticed the slight red tint on her lips. If anyone was even remotely jealous right now, it was her.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Korra asked as she walked up to the couch where her friend sat with Naga curled up beside her. "I feel bad leaving you here.."

"Don't worry princess, resting at home with nothing better to do than stuff my face with unhealthy treats is a luxury compared to the compound back in Ba Sing Se. I'll take whatever I can get." She winked.

"Okay well let me know if you end up finding something to do tonight." Mako handed Korra her long-sleeved leather jacket from the hallway closet.

Kuvira saluted them as they turned to leave, "Will do."

Mako opened the door for Korra and they set out for down town near Republic City sea port. Surprisingly on the ride over their conversation flowed so smoothly. Korra wasn't nervous at all and it didn't seem like Mako was either.

Not that they should be nervous...it wasn't a date or anything...not at all.

"This is so ridiculous!" Korra yelled in-between bouts of laughter. The windows of his car were partially rolled down letting the cool night air wash over them and whip through her short brown hair.

"Hey! You wanted the full Christmas experience!" Mako replied. He turned up the music that was now blaring jolly obscenities. "That includes carols and cheesy music!"

Korra huffed and turned to him like he couldn't hear the lyrics. "He sees you when you're sleeping?!..He knows when you're awake?! This Santa guy needs to be arrested as a child predator!"

Mako cackled as he drove down the snowy streets of the city. Normally the lyrics aren't interpreted this literally and he thought it was so cute Korra's first exposure to them was that way.

"He's next on my list then!"

"Good! Then we can free all those reindeer while we're at it!" She joked. Korra turned the volume down a few notches so that they didn't have to shout at each other. She turned to look out of the window excitedly as they pulled into the venue and parked. Her eyes immediately lit up just as bright as the lights.

The festival was crowded, as they expected it to be. There were booths lining down the road with hot and fresh foods and desserts. A band played festive music by the city fountain and snow lightly fell from the sky adding to the overall ambiance. Luckily, tents covered the vendor stations so the snow didn't rain down on all their hard work. It was cold, and bright, the Christmas lights were twinkling like stars above them. Korra could admit she was pretty excited. Mako could see the highlights in her eyes practically beaming as she soaked everything in. Suddenly, she looked at Mako a bit concerned.

"If it's snowing, how will we light the lanterns?"

"Hmm..I was worried about that too, but if anything. We just won't release them in the air."

"Oh" she shrugged, "Makes sense."

They stopped at the junction between food and amusement. "Where to first?"

Korra eyed him playfully, "Do you really have to ask?"

Her tongue licked up the side of its hard exterior, gathering as much surface area into her mouth as she could manage. As she traveled to the tip she sucked it into her mouth, swirling her tongue around to taste it.

"Hmm...I don't think I'm a fan of candy cane..." She mumbled as she pulled it out of her mouth.

"Really? Why not? It's a Christmas staple.." Mako teased.

"Toothpaste tasting candy?" Korra laughed as she handed it to him. "Main-land customs are so weird..."

Mako smiled as they continued down the cobblestone trail. After a few licks of the same candy he tossed it in a near-by bin. They watched as vendors made fresh food and desserts, all within the theme of winter and Christmas time. The majority of people around them were either couples or families celebrating with their children. They did their best to ignore that.

Although this holiday was vastly different than Valentines day, love was surly in the air.

Mako playfully bumped her shoulder with his arm. "What else do you want to try?"

"Hmm..." Korra bit her bottom lip as she was struck with decision paralysis. She tried candy cane, a ginger-spiced cookie shaped like a man, and a very thick, dry and chewy fruit cake. That was only scratching the surface, there was food for miles, she couldn't decide. "You choose this time.."

"Okay," Mako shrugged. After a few paces he stopped at a smaller bakery stand and smiled. "Lets try this one!"

Korra took his arm as they walked up to a booth. He kept the smile on his face as they greeted an elderly woman behind the booth. "Just one please."

As the woman prepared their food Korra watched as Mako reached into his wallet to pay for it. It was only then that she realized he had been paying for everything she'd consumed thus far.

"Oh, let me get it this time!" She retorted, lightly placing a hand on his arm.

"No, it's fine." He smirked. They locked eyes for a moment as they usually do when Korra challenges him. He could tell she wanted to protest but yielded once she was handed a small cake-like dessert.

"ooh, what's this?" she took it from the baker curiously.

"It's called bread pudding.." Mako replied.

They walked away toward a sitting area where Korra grabbed two forks for them. "It's not the most appealing, but it was cheap to make..just as tasty though."

"Pudding? This doesn't look like pudding at all?"

"Honestly I don't know why it's called that. It's ah' mix of a bunch of different things?"

"ew like the fruit cake?"

Mako chuckled, "No much better..."

They sat down at an empty table and Korra handed him one of the forks. "You're mom would make this?" she assumed.

"Yeah," He smirked crookedly, remembering how his mom somehow found a way to take stale bread on the verge of expiring and turn it into a sweet treat for him and Bolin. "I used to hate it actually..."

"Really!?" Korra looked at it, now second-guessing giving it a try. "You're really selling me on this-"

"No, no it's good! I promise." He stabbed off a piece with his fork and Korra did the same.

She took a bite and moaned in response, "mm!" The flavor of chocolate and orange sugary sweetness filled her mouth. The cake was soft and thick, oozing with chocolate and orange filling. "This is really good!"

Mako smiled with his mouth half full. "Told..you..."

Korra grinned and ate another bite. She looked down at the table and chewed slowly. It was nice hearing his childhood stories, how his parents tried to make the best of their circumstances. They seemed like such a lovely family.

Mako tilted his head to one side once he saw her smile fall. "What's wrong? I thought you liked it?"

"No it's not the pudding." She sighed, "I never thought I'd say this but I actually miss my family right now."

Mako hummed, "I see, Well if you were with them now what would you be doing?"

Korra seemed to light up in response, "Oh! Tonight we'd be gathered under the stars, watching the Southern lights."

Mako's brows shot up in surprise, "In the South pole there are lights too?"

"Yes, but it's a rare phenomena. My tribe believes it's symbolic of the spirits dancing high above. Our ancestry, our guides watching over us..."

"That's beautiful..."

Korra sighed and leaned her head against his arm, "I would snuggle up next to my mom and watch the blue and green ribbons feather across the sky as my father and uncle recited a few prayers. I'd be fast asleep by the time it was over."

Korra laughed and Mako couldn't help but smile in response, "My mom still makes fun of me for it. I'm much older now but still...I'd be so at peace that I'm out cold. Not very 'Princess-like' "

"That sounds incredible Korra..."

"I wanted you to see it so many times..." She muttered. They were silent for a moment as her words lingered. There was no need to dig up why that wasn't a possibility.

"I'd like to see them."

She lifted her head to meet his face, "What do you mean?"

Mako replied confidently, "I'd go with you next year. Or whenever you'd like me to."

Her eyes twinkled as she stared at him in disbelief. "I couldn't ask you to do that. I know how my family is and I've already accepted that they are just going to be stuck in their ways and you don't have to subjected to that-"

"I think in time, things could change..and more importantly, I don't ever want to miss out on those moments with you, ever again."

Korra was at a loss for words, her heart swelled and eyes watered ever so slightly. "Mako.."

He leaned down to meet her lips as her gaze lowered and hand gently cupped the side of his face. As their noses touched, inches before their lips they heard the cry of a familiar voice.

"Mako! Korra!"

They quickly separated to see Bolin and Opal practically skipping through the snow to greet them. "Don't let us interrupt!" Opal said cheekily.

"You're not interrupting anything." Mako replied.

Korra got up from the table and hugged Bolin. They exchanged a few quiet words that Mako couldn't make out before she turned to embrace Opal happily. "Hi Opal! How've you been? How's college life?"

"Great! It's refreshing being away from my mom." She made an exaggerated face like she was in pain, "Smothering is an understatement."

Korra laughed, nodding in agreement.

Bolin walked up to Mako and they exchanged a quick handshake. "So, how's everything going?!"

Mako rolled his eyes, knowing exactly what his brother was insinuating. "Nothing's going, we're just having a good time. That's all..."

"Yeah and by the looks of it, a real good time." He leaned over to him and cupped his mouth. "You saw the condoms in your bag right-"

"Bo stop it."

The two women sat down and the four of them chatted and ate some additional festive foods. The snow began to fall a little heavier now but not enough to call off their good time. At some point in the conversation Asami's Christmas party was brought up.

"You're going right?" Bolin asked.

"Yeah I am." Korra replied. "You can bring a plus one so I'm sure Asami won't mind if you come too Opal."

"Yes, we saw her earlier today and she invited me herself."

"Right the ceremony...We saw glimpses of it on the news." Mako added.

"It was crazy!" Opal exclaimed, "And so awkward with my family sitting next to Kuvira.." She paused, "Sorry I know she's your friend."

"It's okay," Korra smirked, "She's not very fond of you guys either."

"Fair"

"Asami's speech was so passionate! And she looked so confident!" Bolin swooned, "I'm so proud of her.."

"We all are," Mako replied. "It's been a long time coming.."

Korra bit her lip but didn't say anything. Mako noticed her awkwardness and thought it best they continued their night with just the two of them.

"Well we're gonna keep going on our food tour. See you around?" Mako stood and Korra followed his cue.

"Yeah see ya!"

"Find us during the lighting ceremony!" Opal chimed in.

"Sure thing," Korra waved as they walked away toward the refreshments.

As soon as they were longer than an ear shot away Korra huffed sarcastically, "That was starting to feel like a double date.."

"I know," Mako sighed tiresomely. "Bolin has been really on my ass-"

"He's just looking out for you."

"I know, in his own unique annoying little brother kinda way."

Their journey lead them toward the spiced-rum, spiked eggnog and other alcohol infused Christmas drinks. By the time they finished the trail they were both a bit buzzed. Mako however, was careful not to overindulge since he was the technical designated driver.

They finished off with a small cup of hot chocolate, alcohol free. "Mmm." Korra hummed as the sweet and hot liquid coursed down her throat. "I like this one, so far Christmas drinks are way better than the food."

Mako nodded in agreement as he blew on the steam emanating from his cup. They stopped at a small gazebo and watched a group of carolers sing the chorus of a Christmas song Korra wasn't familiar with.

She listened to the lyrics carefully, "First Santa Claus now Jack Frost nipping peoples noses..."

Mako chuckled, "The fend."

"He's next on the list officer..." She smirked.

"At this rate we should become a team," He turned to face her with a slick smile.

Korra placed a soft hand on his chest. "I think Tahno called us..'Bonnie and Clyde' "

Mako glanced down at this watch, it was now almost 10 pm. "Oh! It should be starting soon, we gotta go!"

They hurried toward the Republic City docks where a large number of people gathered. When the lanterns are lit and released they usually drifted over the water, shimmering along the shore with warm, radiant reflections. Mako tried to hide his worry as they didn't see a single light or flame of fire.

Korra took his arm as more bodies closed in around them. "You see Bolin?"

"No not yet, I don't see any lanterns either..."

Korra scrunched her face, not wanting to voice her assumption that the snow was enevitbely going to be their down fall. Like clockwork, a voice sounded over the crowd from the city's megaphone.

sorry everyone, the lighting ceremony will have to be canceled...

an uproar of groans, booing, and swearing filled the air as the announcement sounded.

the downpour of snow was more then anticipated and it would be unsafe to continue...Thank you for your patience and enjoy the rest of the festival

Korra pouted and kicked a small hill of snow by her foot as people dispersed around them. "Well there's that, where to now?"

Mako didn't respond. She looked up to see him scouring over the crowd with a dense analytical gaze.

"What are you looking for?"

"If I remember correctly..." his eyes opened in relief, "he's still there! Come on!"

He reached for her hand and Korra took his eagerly. They weaved their way through the mass of people until they were on the very edge of the festival boundary.

Mako read the wooden signs of local shops above them and escorted Korra down an isolated corridor. Korra continued to blindly follow him, although she knew what usually happened when they ran off for some private time.

"Where are we going city boy?" She had no reason to worry but they were now heading away from the festivities.

They came upon a very small shop tucked away near the the street. Korra read the makeshift wooden sign that it was a local convenience store/vendor.

Mako approached the counter top that was about as tall as his hips and rung a small bell. "Mr. Ikoshi?"

Korra stood beside him curiously waiting. She eyed all of the little twinkles around the shop and figured they looked home made.

After a few moments a young woman probably no older than them stepped up from behind a thick red curtain.

"Ikoshi is my grandfather.." she smiled, "Nice to know he is remembered."

Mako placed his palm on his chest, "it's been over a decade for me. But my family would come here when I was a kid."

The shop owner placed her hands on the counter opposite them, "well what brings you back after all these years?"

Mako glanced over at Korra briefly before replying. "A paper lantern. I remember he'd sell them here. Much cheaper than-"

"The big fancy ones." She smiled. "Ahh.." she looked around to the items hanging above her head. "I might have one left. One sec.."

She quickly disappeared behind the curtain.

Korra looked to Mako with her lips slightly puckered, almost contemplating if she should say what she was thinking. Being the impulsive woman she was, she spoke anyway.

"She's kinda cute.."

Mako chuckled, "yeah I thought so too.."

She returned shortly, holding a small tan colored lantern. She also supplied them with a frame to keep it open an a single match.

"How much do I owe you?" Mako pulled out his wallet.

"It's on the house," she smiled.

They both looked surprised, "thank you but I don't mind."

"It's okay, they cost practically nothing to make and it's nice to see people still remember my grandfathers craft."

"Wow, thank you" Korra reached for her hand and shook it gratefully. "What's your name?"

"Ayane"

"Thank you Ayane." Mako spoke. He pulled out a few bills as a tip and they were on there way.

As they made it to a secluded spot to light the lantern Korra thought of what she would wish for.

Mako walked beside her awkwardly looking down at the folded lantern in his hands. He side-eyed Korra silently before mustering up the courage to ask.

"So ah' would this count as a 'civil meeting?' "

Korra's head practically whipped around to face him when he said that. Those silly rules were set and broken so many weeks ago it's funny he still remembered them.

She smiled cheekily, was it any more use to deny the obvious?

"mmm...no, this is definitely a date."

Not that it mattered, obviously the rules went to shit long ago, but Mako was relieved. "Good.." he breathed.

A small pause fell between them as they came to a secluded spot by the far south of the docks. The festival was about 30 yards away, the music could be heard faintly in the background.

Korra and her date carefully unfolded the lantern and placed the frame and wick holder inside. Korra held the fragile decoration as Mako struck the match and lit it from the inside.

"It's cold, so we gotta be quick" he spoke. He looked around cautiously, "I also don't want to get caught."

"Oh no officer I hope they don't arrest you." She laughed. He glared.

They faced one another as Korra held the little light between them. Mako cupped his hands under hers and they both took a deep breath to clear their heads and focus on their intentions.

They wind blew against them slightly sending shivers up her back. "Do we do it now?" She whispered.

Mako chuckled, "just think of a wish. For now or in the new year. Whatever you want..then I'll count to three and we'll blow it out."

Korra nodded. She lowered her gaze on the tiny yellow flame illuminating their forms and focused, almost like a silent meditation, allowing her deepest wants to take form. Suddenly, she was struck with the same vision she did back in the onsen.

That little blue flame...

"Ready?"

Korra finalized her well wishes and smiled, "yes"

They leaned down and blew out the light together.

"Thank you for this Korra..."

The smoke from the flame settled between them as snow began to pile inside the lantern. Korra looked up at him to see his bright hazel eyes already peering her direction. Their faces were only inches apart from each other and Korra only wanted to be closer. No interruptions this time.

"Can I ask what you wished for?"

Mako eyes lowered as if to conceal his answer that she'd surly see in his gaze. "if I did..it wouldn't come true would it?"

Korra tilted her head and brushed her nose against his. Not even the chill of snowy weather could smother the warmth brewing in the pit of her stomach.

She smiled against his lips as they kissed.

"tell me yours...and I'll tell you mine"