It was 6 pm and people had already started to fill up the large room in the Beifong compound. The twins of course were the main attraction, with the rest of the Beifong family still being supporting characters. Everyone else however were nothing more than background characters. Kuvira wasn't sure how she fit into the mix but she would see for herself soon enough.
The twins were already off socializing with anyone willing to listen. Bataar Junior wasn't invited, much to the chagrin of a particular group of ladies from Zaofu. Opal was off in some corner chatting it up with both Bolin and Mako who had so graciously made the trip from Republic city just for this. And of course Huan was sulking in another corner, trying to avoid any human contact at all. He could try to avoid anyone he wanted, but Kuvira was not so easily avoidable. She walked up behind the younger man and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Rough night already?" She asked empathetically. He huffed a bit causing his long hair to go all over his face.
"You don't even know the half of it," he stated. He seemed to be already over the party. Granted he never had been much of a party person.
"If you want to leave, go ahead. I can tell your mother that you weren't feeling well and decided to head back to your studio for some peace," Kuvira replied, trying to ease his overstimulated self.
"And why do you think she would listen to you?" This question caught Kuvira off guard and made her stumble through some reply.
"I don't think she has any reason not to listen to her dance protege or the captain of her royal guard," she said. After hearing the lame answer it clicked in Huan's head.
"Oh I think I understand now. You think she's going to believe you because you're together. Got it, can't argue with that," he replied as he stood up. Kuvira's heart dropped to her stomach and she quickly grabbed him by the shirt and pulled him out of the room.
"Explain yourself RIGHT NOW!" She whisper yelled after shoving Huan against the nearest wall. She wasn't trying to hurt him, she was just scared and frustrated. Huan took no offense to this however, as he had grown up with Kuvira and knew how she usually acted.
"I'm not stupid you know. Anyone with eyes can see how you look at each other. I don't know the whole situation but it seems that my mom isn't cheating on my dad. She still looks at him the same way she looks at you. I frankly don't care to know, I just know it to be true. And don't worry, I won't tell your secret. It's none of my business as long as neither of my parents are hurt," he said in a rather nonchalant tone. Kuvira let go of his shirt and sat down on the ground contemplating what to do next as he made his way back to his studio.
"It's that obvious? People can tell just by one look how we feel about each other?" She thought to herself. "Surely he's just extra observant? The quiet ones always are. No, there's no way anyone else could possibly know." She tried to reassure herself that no one else knew but it did very little to actually calm her nerves. Still she stood up and straightened herself out, determined to make it through this celebration for Suyin and Suyin only.
She marched back into the ballroom and was promptly greeted by the avatar, thanking her once again for her efforts in the rescue mission from the Red Lotus.
"It's no problem really," she said sheepishly. "If you'll excuse me I have someone I need to see." Kuvira excused herself before Korra could say anymore, knowing how much of a chatter box all of the most recent avatars had been. The young earthbender roamed the room for a bit before settling down at a table near the Beifong's. Opal and Bolin had moved away from the avatar's group and closer to the Beifong's table presumably to be more alone.
Kuvira was the only one at her table and she seemed quite lonely. No one came to socialize or ask how she had been. No guards, no dancers, and no Beifongs. She had been alone for the majority of the party until a familiar warm hand placed itself lovingly on her shoulder. Instinctively she leaned into the grip of her beloved and let out a happy sigh.
"You've been quite antisocial, my dear," her favorite voice said. The pulled a small smile out of the younger woman.
"Socialization goes both ways you know. Sure, I could've approached someone. But who bothered to approach me? No one but the host of the party," Kuvira replied with her half assed grin.
"Very fair Kuvira. By the way I wanted to ask, who helped you with your outfit? I know for a fact this is something MY Kuvira could never pick out on her own. I might have to pay whoever did this because you look absolutely beautiful."
"You might as well pay your own husband then. He picked this out all on his own. He told me you would probably find it attractive," Kuvira replied with a blush. Suyin went to gently cup the younger woman's face but Kuvira pulled away, the smile dropping from her face.
"Suyin. There's hundreds of people around some of whom just happen to be your children. Unless you're ready to take this public I'd advise against that," Kuvira said through gritted teeth. She had not previously been in a bad mood but now she couldn't help but sulk. Suyin got to be public with Bataar. She got to be publicly seen as his wife. She could kiss him and hug him and love him in the eyes of the public and not one soul would bat an eye. But it had only just occurred that their relationship could never be that way, not at least if Su had intended to keep her sparkling reputation. After thinking about it she crossed her arms before turning slightly away from the older woman. But what Suyin had the audacity to say in response gave her goosebumps.
"Come with me to the cleaning supply room on the second floor and I'll fuck you so hard you'll forget you were ever in a sour mood," she said with her lips pressed gently to Kuvira's ear. The younger woman turned to face her quickly, but Suyin was already pulling away and gently coaxing Kuvira out of her seat.
Kuvira looked around her wondering if anyone nearby had heard. Opal and Bolin were still focusing only on each other but for a brief moment Opal's eyes met with Kuvira's and for some reason the tension shot chills down the earthbenders spine. The airbender quickly turned her attention back to her little fling in front of her, no longer showing any signs that she had heard the words her mother had previously uttered. As for everyone else, they were too busy gushing over the twins to notice the absence of the party's host or Kuvira.
Suyin left the room first so as not to draw attention to the couple, and Kuvira soon followed. On her way out of the room she ran into Bataar and all color drained from her face.
"Are you staying out of trouble?" He jokingly asked. "I noticed that Suyin had gone. You wouldn't happen to know where she is would you?" His words made Kuvira's heart drop only for a second. He reached out to place a hand on the younger woman's shoulder and let put a hearty laugh. His voiced lowered so that only she could hear the next few sentences he spoke. "I'm just kidding Kuvira. I know my wife, and I know how she is with her lovers. No one will notice either of you are gone. And if they do I'll cover for you both. Go have fun."
Hearing it straight from his mouth felt odd but it did ease her anxiety. Granted, it also made her feel unbelievably embarrassed that he had even known what was about to happen but it did make sense that he would know his wife better than anyone.
Kuvira promptly left the huge room and made her way up the stairs. Because Bataar had stopped her as she was leaving Suyin had a lengthy head start to the supply room and was most likely already there. When the younger woman reached the door on the second floor she hesitated for just a moment before swinging the door open.
Suyin wasted no time and quickly pulled her lover towards her. Their lips smashed together in a more or less passionate albeit sloppy kiss. The older woman slammed the door behind Kuvira with her foot, not bothering to lock the door at all. The younger woman fumbled the handle on the door trying desperately to lock it but Suyin had her too distracted to fully care.
"Pants down, now," Suyin growled. Being the stubborn person that she is, Kuvira scoffed and instead pushed her mentor against the the wall with a thud. The older woman's leg wrapped desperately around Kuvira as their lips locked again and again seeming to never tire of the feeling. The younger woman's hands began to explore her body acting as if it was all new terrain for her. Her large but rough hands made their way to Suyin's hips before one hand disappeared underneath her showstopping dress. Kuvira gently caressed her mentors sex, which granted her a gentle moan.
"More," Suyin begged. Just as the younger woman's hand made its way past Suyin's soaked panties the previously unlocked and unattended door swung open. Unfortunately, Kuvira and Suyin could not stop fast enough to avoid the person that had opened the door. The young earthbender's hands fell quickly from Suyin's body as they pushed each other away in embarrassment.
Looks of shock and wide eyes were a shared look between the three but was especially present on poor Opal's face as she had been the one to catch them. She took a few shaky steps back before stuttering and mumbling utter nonsense. Suyin immediately tried to reach for her daughter and instead she ran off.
Life as Kuvira knew it was over. She could feel everything fading from her reality as she realized what this had meant. Not only had they been caught fondling each other in the supply room closet but they had been caught by Suyin's one and only daughter. The same one that Kuvira had once been raised along side. Her teary eyes were glued to the floor as she dropped down on her knees. A full dissociative episode would have taken place if Suyin had not been quick to pull her back onto her feet.
"You can be upset later. We have to do damage control. You find the twins and Huan. I'll find Bataar and Opal, assuming that she's going to him first. Hurry. We can fix this I promise. I need you to meet me in the garden just outside when you have everybody," she said trying her best to keep it optimistic for Kuvira. The younger woman nodded lamely as she set off to find the boys. Together, they ran down the hall and down the stairs eventually splitting off to find their respective group.
In a matter of 30 seconds Kuvira found the twins being fawned over by their many fans. She pulled them both away from their fan club abruptly and not without a fight.
"What the hell? What's going on?" Wei asked while Wing was too busy pouting like a toddler in trouble.
"It's complicated. I need one of you to go get Huan, he's in his study. And if you see Opal, steer clear. Got it?" Kuvira kept her response vague as she knew it was best to hear the whole thing from Suyin. Reluctantly, Wing dropped his moody toddler demeanor and quickly brought back Huan. The four of them walked as calmly as they could to the garden where Suyin, Bataar, and an irate Opal stood. Kuvira was sure the airbender would've been shouting had it not been for Suyin begrudgingly keeping a piece of metal over her mouth.
"Mom?" Wing asked as his face twisted into a look of confusion. "What's going on? Why did you want us out here?"
Their mother took a deep breath before grabbing her husbands hand and extending an arm to Kuvira. The younger woman wordlessly joined Suyin.
"I need you to hear this from me and not someone who just happened to walk in on the situation," she started with as she finally let the piece of metal drop from opals mouth.
"Mom is ch-" Opals harsh words were cut short by Suyin's shouting.
"ENOUGH! You will allow me to explain this. You know nothing about this situation!" She yelled as loud as she could without alerting any guests. Another deep breath was taken. It seemed like everyone was afraid to say anything. Then, a voice broke through the outstanding silence.
"Kids, what your mother is trying to say is simply this; she has a lot of love to give. Your mother and I have been married for 20 years now and I wouldn't trade a second of it for anything. And because we've been together so long I know all of her deepest darkest secrets," Bataar finally said. The look of confusion still remained.
"Your mother has been know to date people other than myself. Men, women, others. I have known about all of them. In fact, I support your mother with all of my heart. She's got a lot of love in her heart and I know it wasn't making her happy just being with me. I truly feel as if supporting her relationship with others has tremendously improved our own relationship. I have never loved your mother more than I love her now," he continued as he gently squeezed Suyin's hand. She was trying hard to keep herself from crying as she knew this would all be a massive shock to at least a few of her kids. All of their kids remained silent as if waiting for more of a response. This time it was Suyin herself that spoke.
"It is true that I have been with multiple people at once. But for the past five years I had only been with your father. Until about a few months ago." A look of horror spread across Wing and Wei's face as they realized what was about to be said. Kuvira's heart was in her throat and she felt like she might have either passed out or thrown up, maybe even both. But still, she stood there grasping the hand of the woman she was so desperately in love with.
"What we're trying to say is…Kuvira and I are romantically involved, and your father has known about it the whole time. We've been trying to find the right way to tell you all, but ultimately decided it wasn't time. The only reason we're standing here telling you now is because if we hadn't, Opal would have said something. It was a rational reaction to seeing your mother doing…inappropriate things with her guard captain and for that, I'm sorry." Suyin turned to face only Opal at that point.
"I'm sorry you saw anything at all and I hope this doesn't make you think less of me. If you would like some time to process this all I completely understand."
The silence was the loudest it had ever been. All of the Beifong children stood in shock. All but Huan that is. Normally the quiet child, he stepped forward to offer his opinion.
"I knew about it from the start. I-" his train of thought was interrupted by a hard blast of wind to the face. Opal was absolutely seething with resentment.
"You knew?! You knew, and you just sat there making your stupid little sculptures which, by the way, no one can even tell what they ARE. You KNEW? You knew what she was doing. And you just thought it was okay?" Opal just kept going on and on. Wing and Wei looked as if they could've been sick. And Huan was now fighting with Opal. The whole situation was a disaster, and one that Kuvira felt she caused.
"I have to go…" Kuvira let go of Suyin's hand and silently left the garden.
"Kuvira wait! Please! This doesn't change how I feel about you!" Suyin was grasping at straws just to keep her lover there, but the anxiety was already eating her alive.
"Leave me alone. I'm not doing this right now," she replied very cut and dry. Kuvira was absolutely and utterly done. She knew this situation was a possibility and unfortunately it was the path that they had all found themselves on. And she truly felt that it was the end of their relationship. No more could she bring herself to be with Suyin if it negatively impacted their family so deeply and so often. No, she just couldn't. It was in the moments between leaving the garden and reaching her small home that she decided she would leave for good and finally be rid of the Beifong family. She would finally go where she could no longer hurt them or furthermore hurt herself. Somewhere she could change regardless if it was for better for for worse, she no longer felt the need to care. Kuvira felt nothing, empty in fact. The feeling she felt that day…well, it truly felt like the start to her villain arc.