Kuvira was entering her room from the connecting bathroom when the green clad figure that was reflected on the mirror made her stop for a moment. The reflections' coal black hair appeared somewhat shorter than -when she left Zaofu but longer than when she emerged from the Republic City Spirit Portal. Her facial features appeared sharper, most likely due to the effect of the lost weight during her incarceration and later, her bout with hypothermia. The eyes staring back silently spoke of experience collected through pain, loneliness, and hardship. The subtle nick over left eyebrow and the scar raised at her shoulder reminded of the confrontation that faced her with her own frailness and mortality. Kuvira flexed an arm, noticing the muscles acquired through the new identity she adopted during her time in the South Pole. Her sight shot to the right hand that miraculously recovered from frostbite when death almost claimed her. With a grimace, she realized that her physique was still long ways from her prime but laboring in the rough frozen outdoors had returned definition and strength back to her limbs softened by long hours cooped up inside a cell. Kuvira gave the reflection an approving nod. The woman in the mirror felt more like herself unlike the stranger that bored back at her with empty, tortured eyes in prison. It felt peculiar seeing herself back in Earth Kingdom attire after years dressed in the simple drab prison uniform and later in the azures of the Southern Water Tribe. Perhaps going back to her native color scheme brought back the element she felt was missing, although blue was already feeling as much a part of her identity as green. The attachment to the hue had most likely rubbed off from certain someone but unfortunately, that someone had yet to make her appearance.
Kuvira concluded the brief self-appraisal with an approving smile and as she put away her things, she pondered on the events following the reluctant acceptance of Suyin Beifong to her presence as "guest" rather than prisoner under her roof. After they left the airship, the small party led by Lin Beifong went through a dull yet unavoidable reception process where they were assigned living quarters and instructed the Rules of Engagement to follow during their stay. While this happened, the members of Beifong clan and selected guests enjoyed in earnest their family reunion. Impatiently, Lin rushed through the process so she could have sufficient time to change and make her appearance in the family dinner. Once the logistical matters were dealt with, the six member squad from the United Republic prepared to escort Kuvira to her room while Lin made a beeline to hers. They were reaching a separate smaller building complex across the mansion when a man in Zaofu guard's garb intercepted them.
"Commander?" the man addressed the former leader. The voice had a familiar ring to her but it had been years since she'd last heard it. The soldiers looked around confused as they man moved straight towards a bewildered Kuvira.
"It's me, Hong Li. Don't you remember?" he said as he removed his helmet. A sudden pang of recognition hit the former captain.
"Hong Li…yes, I remember you" she replied as she noticed the upgrade in rank. "Congratulations on the promotion. For how long you've been captain?"
The dark haired soldier smiled proudly. "It's been about five years. There were many positions available after you left to Ba Sin Se with your group so it wasn't that difficult to promote" he admitted.
"I'm sure you would have probably done so even without the vacancies" the metalbender reassured him. She remembered him as an eager and disciplined troop.
"I'm not so sure about that" he retorted with a more serious expression. "When Aiwei tried to frame me, even when I was later cleared from any wrongdoing, my reputation had already been damaged." The man leaned closer. "I would have also left with your group hadn't been the pressure from my family to clear our name. I believed too something had to be done and I sort of had a crush on you back then" he admitted with a sheepish grin.
"Really?" she replied surprised at the startling confession which made her smile inwardly. A memory from more carefree days in this very place came to mind as she observed the man in the confident stance standing beside her. She remembered the fresh faced recruit that would stammer nervously when his name was called during formation. "You should thank your family for keeping you here instead. It's quite obvious what the better choice was in the end."
"It was but still, personally I think that what you did in Ba Sing Se was necessary. The guards left Zaofu with you not out of blind loyalty. They believed their purpose was the right one."
"Thank you. I've been happy to see a familiar face that's not been hostile towards me and I'm really glad you're doing well" Kuvira said placing a hand over his armored shoulder. He smiled in reply.
"I'll be working with Chief Beifong with your security detail so you shouldn't expect hostility from my team. "
"Thank you again Hong Li, I really appreciate that you're doing this…talking to me in public."
"I heard what Toph said. If that's enough for her then it's enough for me. We'll be seeing later commander." And with that, the captain left under Kuvira's grateful glance.
The unexpected meeting with her ex-subordinate stirred wistful memories that brightened her evening. After a shower and a quiet dinner, she finally brought out the book that she had intended to read on her trip to Republic City. Kuvira stretched out her limbs over the soft mattress with the intention of enjoying her tome on Water Tribe myths and folklore but her weary body decided that reading could wait and before long, she was fast asleep, the fatigue from long days of travel and intense emotions finally manifesting. That's how Korra found her hours later, resting on her left side with a book between her hands, yellowish light spilling from the lamp over the night stand. The guard on duty outside had no idea the Avatar was inside the room since she simply stealthily sneaked from Chief Beifong's room which connected through the bathroom to Kuvira's. When Korra found out about the room arrangement, as soon as the evening with Suyin and the rest of the Beifongs was over, she quickly hounded Lin. When the Chief questioned Korra why she should allow her to cross over from her room, the Avatar offered a lame excuse about wanting to check on Kuvira due to Avatar business of some sort. Lin let out a loud scoff.
"Who do you take me for Korra? I'm the Chief of Police. You couldn't even fool a toddler with that silly excuse of yours. For the record, I already know you two are sleeping together."
"Lin, it's is not like that…Kuvira and I…" the Avatar stammered as she felt heat rising to her face under Lin's scrutinizing green glare. The elder Beifong sister rolled her eyes with a long sigh.
"I know, you're on a relationship. I confirmed it with the little talk I had with Kuvira at the island when she tried to flee. Anyone who's really been paying attention could piece it together and arrive at the same conclusion. Just make sure you're careful and try to make it out early before anyone can suspect something. I can't imagine what Suyin would do if she found out."
Judging by what she heard at the dinner table about what had happened when the deposed leader arrived, Suyin would most definitely not take the news well. She was more than glad that she had avoided participating on the drama. Besides, she had dealt with her own quota of drama with Asami and her disclosure of her relationship with Bataar.
"I'll be careful Lin. I promise."
"And Korra?"
"Yeah"
"Keep the volume down. Some of us are trying to get a good night's sleep" Lin added with a smirk.
Korra coughed loudly at that blushing a darker shade of red. She grabbed her clothes and without looking at the Chief in the eyes, rushed out of her bedroom and entered the bathroom for a quick shower and then into the neighboring room where Kuvira stayed. That's how Korra found her, already sunk in deep slumber with a peaceful expression that she found simply adorable. The Avatar finished drying her hair and with a grin, turned the lamp off and approached the opposite side of the bed, scooting until she met the metalbender's back with her front. Her nose caught a familiar scent that made her chuckle inwardly. Soft verdant notes emanated from the hair spilled over the pillow. Korra pulled the blanket and after carefully covering the two of them, she threw her arms around the slumbering metalbender leaving a feather kiss over her cheek on the way. Kuvira stirred lightly inching closer towards Korra. The Avatar couldn't help but smile and as she tightened her hold on the sleeping commander.
"Korra…?" the metalbender whispered almost inaudibly as she glanced back over her shoulder and found Korra's blue eyes locking with hers in the darkness.
"Hey" the Avatar replied quietly as she reached for one of Kuvira's hands.
Kuvira's voice was low and heavy with sleep. "I'm really glad to see you. Where were you?"
"Long story. I'll fill you in in all the details tomorrow but right now all that matters is that I'm here." Korra inhaled deeply filling her lungs with the pleasant scent of her hair. She was glad that sleep had surprised the former commander before she could braid it. It had become a sort of battle of wills with Kuvira braiding her hair just to have Korra unbraid it when she was asleep.
"Uhum" Kuvira hummed as she interlaced her fingers with Korra's. "How are things with Ms. Sato?"
"Improved actually but right now I want to forget about Asami and Suyin and everything else. I really want to have this moment. Just you and me." And as if to emphasize her meaning, she draped one leg over the metalbender.
"Okay…" Kuvira let out a soft giggle.
Korra glanced at her pleased. "Oh, you're giggling! You're getting all cute on me commander."
"Your fault" the former commander retorted. Fortunately for her, the shadows concealed the soft pink that had lodged in her cheeks.
"Is it? Then I take full responsibility" the Avatar replied playfully.
"Korra…" The metalbender craned her head to the side.
"Uhm?" Korra mumbled while stifling a yawn.
Kuvira's alto was barely a whisper. "I love you."
Her eyes caught slivers of pale light filtering from the nearby window, making the emerald depths that gazed tenderly at Korra shimmer. Korra's breath caught on her throat as she turned the metalbender towards her. A soft, warm feeling spread all over her chest as if the sun had snuck inside her. The smile that flashed on her lips was wide and bright.
"I love you too" Korra breathed, her voice drowned in emotion as she bent her head and touched Kuvira's soft lips with her own, the exhausting journeys and the tense conversations of the day melted away until the only thing in existence was this single perfect moment isolated in time.
Hours later, the rising sun of the morning found Korra holding tightly at the metalbender, the subtle smile she had when she surrendered herself to sleep still perched on her lips, and with arms unwilling to let go of the woman that with just three words had made her heart overflow with profound joy.
Notes:
This chapter is considerably shorter than the previous ones but I just didn't wanted to spoil the warm and fuzzy mood with other unrelated scenes. The drama is far from over so stay tuned!