AN: So here we are again. Mako hate dialled down a bit, plenty of time for that in other stories, perhaps... Anyway read, enjoy (I hope) and review.
I did truly enjoy watching Korra lay into Mako, the jerk not having a leg to stand on, yet still trying maintain the high ground. At least he'd given a civil, if brief, greeting to the host of the party. I was only a tad surprised to learn of the firebender's role, or lack rather impediment, in Korra receiving her invite, he'd never been the most honest of people.
"Fine, if you don't want to talk seriously, I'll just be over there, keeping your parents company." Using her parents against her and making it sound like she's at fault, that's pretty low. As he left Korra's head ended up in her hands with a groan.
"What's up with him?" I don't remember Mako being groan inducing, though he hadn't spoken to me for awhile.
"He's been a complete jerk lately, not to mention controlling." I couldn't help but watch Korra's chest as she took a deep calming breath, so sue me. "I'm pretty sure he hid my invite for some reason, I found it in his room when we were giving my parents a tour of the air temple."
"That does seem suspicious." Quick sip, smile at the private irony, hope she didn't catch me staring.
"I know, why keep my mail in his room? And he defended himself saying it would probably be 'awkward' going to his ex-girlfriend's party, but I think he just wanted to make sure I spent the night with him and my parents."
"That's crazy, things have never been awkward between us." Okay maybe a little, but that was ages ago, Mako was obviously just using it as an excuse.
"I know, he's just so paranoid and possessive, trying to get me to do everything his way." Korra let out a sigh I felt guilty in an instant. Here was my friend, quite possibly my best friend, and she was stressed and distraught, and I was enjoying it. I couldn't help but hate myself a bit right now.
I let out my own sigh as I realised I'd now have to the thing I hate, be a good friend and nothing more. "You know you're going to have go back over there, right?" She looked over to her parents and boyfriend thoughtfully with a slightly pained look.
"Yeah I know. I just wish..." In my head I was begging her to finish that sentence, she looked so lost and confused; I almost asked her what she wished for, but I settled for just laying and comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Korra, are you okay?" She turned to me, our eyes met and my insides froze for a moment as I thought I felt a spark between us but I was too afraid to hope and act. The moment seemed to stretch on till Korra broke her gaze and shook her head for a moment.
"Yeah, I'm fine, guess I should get this over with, wish me luck." After a deep breath she set off across the room to the laughing trio. I let out a shuddering breath I hadn't noticed I was holding, had that happened? Or was just wishful thinking?
"Yuan for your thoughts." I almost jumped out of my skin as the chief had snuck up next to me whilst I was distracted by my thoughts.
"Have you been taking ninja lessons chief?" I honestly couldn't imagine how else she snuck up on me in heavy metal armour.
"No, you're just easily distracted." The chief took a sip from her drink before nodding in the direction that Korra had left, "I'm guessing that you didn't tell her then."
"Lin."
"Asami." First names twice in one night, that's new.
"Not the time." I sighed, knowing that I might as well relent. "And no, I didn't." I couldn't help but look over to Korra and her parents, despite Mako's presence, it was still nice to see the young avatar laugh with her parents. I smiled hoping that she was really enjoying herself.
"You could go over there."
"I'd rather not make things harder for Korra." She was covering her face now and her parents were chuckling, they must have brought up an embarrassing story or something.
"You're a good friend Asami." I shrugged unsure as to whether or not that was a good thing.
"Good for me, I guess." I raised my glass towards the chief. "To good friends." A small chink of glass later I was about to drink when I saw something that horrified me. Mako getting down on one knee. Taking out a ring box. Korra looking shocked. The entire world seemed to fall away at that moment
I cracked.
Throwing my head back as I downed my whole glass in one gulp. Little dizzy for a moment. I strode out to the balcony, glad of the venue I'd chosen. The night air was bracing and the moon shone bright in the black night sky. Leaning against the carved stone, I tried to get my breathing under control, I hadn't even noticed I was gasping shuddering breaths. My heart was pounding in my chest as my mind began to wonder as to the outcome; part hoping she said no, part terrified she said yes.
Another smaller part hating myself for not telling Korra before, whilst I had a chance, if I ever had a chance. Did I? I guess now I'll never know. I still didn't know her answer. All the little hopes for me and her, for us; they stung like a burning salted wound. What was her answer?
That familiar stinging feeling began to grow behind my eyes, but I would not cry. I did what I always did, swallowed hard, and stood up strong. I'd resisted my father's insanity like this, survived his hatred like this, I'd managed to drag my family's company back from the brink of bankruptcy like this, but now...
The stinging began to intensify as I thought that I might just cry, I couldn't remember the last time I did... Then...
"Asami, there you are, I've been looking all over for you." Korra, that was some sense of timing she had. "I didn't even see you walk out." The shock seemed to be the only thing keeping my composure together, barely.
"I just needed some air." It wasn't exactly untrue, the air did help some. The catalyst of my current hurricane of emotions came up beside me and learned against the stone railing, looking out at the city lit up in the night.
"You're not going to believe what just happened." She sounded happy. The terrifying idea of why made it hard to hear over the sound of my own heart beat. "Mako proposed to me." Chuckling, was that good? For me? Maybe.
"Really? So..." It took every scrap of self control I had to keep my voice level and not break down as I mustered up what courage I could to ask the question. "... what did you say?"
"I said..."
AN2: would you look at that, it seems as though I'm milking the previous chapter's cliff hanger, and feeling oddly amused, I wonder if this is what it feels like to be a super-villain; as always, please leave a review, they're great bits of motivation.