Authors Notes: This chapter is supposed to have another section or two, but I haven't finished it and I wanted to post something. It seemed a good closing point, so the next chapter should actually have been part of this one. A couple of the comments are requesting pregnancies (singular or multiple) and I just wanted to say that if you stick around it will happen. As always love all the comments and reviews, it makes my heart happy. Hope you enjoy this chapter, even though it's not complete.
The hotel they would be staying at was only a short distance from the train station. Opal had suggested they walk, and Korra agreed, glad to stretch her legs after the three hour train ride to Ba Sing Se. For some time they were all quiet as they walked through the city. It was amazing how much it had transformed in such a short time. The class rings still existed but the walls were removed and the lines had become more blurred. New, tidy store fronts selling frivolities and novelties, not before available in the lower rings, had popped up. And simple tea and noodle houses, a cheap way to get a bite, could now be found in the upper rings.
"Wow, look at the palace." said Korra. The old earth king palace could be seen from any vantage point of the capital. Korra had known Suyin had donated her own money to restore and update the grounds to be used as the new government hub.
"The restorations are almost complete." commented Opal "It has offices for the new government delegates, a courthouse, a social services resource center and living quarters for the elected president and their family."
"Suyin has done so much for Ba Sing Se and the rest of the Earth Kingdom." Interjected Bolin, obviously proud of his girlfriends family. "I think she will make a great president."
"You are talking like she has already been elected. She still has to win the ballot." replied Mako, rather dryly. "Voters might be tempted to go with other nominees since she picked Prince Wu to run with her as her vice president."
"Actually that could help her." said Opal, surprising Mako with her statement, "A Lot of people aren't so ready for change. Especially the older citizens. They are used to a Monarchy. Sometimes it's easier to be led and told what to do. New found freedom can be a scary thing. With Wu's linage to the old throne, it makes a connection, a familiarity, for those who aren't ready to transition to such radical change."
Mako nodded his head, "I guess I see your point. My grandmother would definitely vote for Suyin just because Prince Wu is her running mate."
Mako had worked for Prince Wu so long, that he often forgot he had potential in him. If anyone could straighten him out and bring out his strengths it would have to be a Beifong. That family produced tough women. He supposed he wasn't being fair to prince Wu.
Mako's line of thought drifted off and he also wondered if he was being unfair to Asami. He thought about their fight earlier and he thought about his discussion with Korra. He still felt they were being a little biased, especially Asami, but why shouldn't they be. At one point or another he had betrayed both of them. He suddenly missed Asami and decided he was going to spend some more time with her, be a little more forgiving and just try harder in general. He also didn't want to fight with Korra anymore. She was still giving him the cold shoulder and he deserved it. As soon as he got a moment alone with her he was going to apologize for his hurtful comment to her and reassure her that she and Asami were worth every drop of his blood, sweat and tears.
Mako never did get a chance to get Korra alone.
Inside the renovated palace the rest of the day was spent going over the plans for the morrow. The voting ballots had already been closed and counted for the rest of the Earth Kingdom. Everything, aside from a few controlled instances, had gone smooth up to this point. The other two kingdoms and republic city had lent some forces to make sure the process would be safe and seamless as possible.
Ba Sing Se, the capital of the soon to be Earth Republic, was the last city to open it's polls. The polling stations had already been set up around the city and they had to make sure administrative staff would be prepared and ready first thing the next morning to welcome it's citizens. However the most important plans were those involving security. While many citizens were happy about the change there were those who were protesting. Those who were not ready to let go of the Monarchy go without a fight, even though the prince himself supported it's dismantlement. Even at this moment protesters crowded the policed polling stations, picketing the change of power; calling to fellow citizens to rally with them against the new evil government that was being masked to them as a republic for the people.
There was a large group designated to the security committee which included, Lin Beifong, Suyin, General Iroh, Tenzin, Tonraq and, of course, headed up by Korra and Mako who had been preparing the plans for the last several months. Hours went by as they surveyed maps of the city and discussed where their men/women would be placed and the separate tasks they would be assigned to, including the protection of the presidential nominees. They of course would be a main target of a possible threat. Finally, well into the evening it seemed there were no further adjustments to be made and no other questions to be answered.
Suyin invited the party to spend the rest of the evening at a restaurant, where she had reserved tables for them, for a late dinner and entertainment.
Mako sat with with brother, and some of the other men at the bar, while they waited for the women to arrive. Suyin had a taste for refinement, and the restaurant she had rented out was no exception. When the women found out where dinner was to be had, they decided they needed to go back to the hotel to change into more formal and appropriate clothing.
Mako tried to pay attention to his brothers chatter as he sipped his fire whisky. His nerves were on edge. All he wanted was for this night to be over so that he could have Korra alone and make things right with her. During the day's previous conference there were many times when he and Korra had to talk and work together, but she was matter of fact and to the point. As soon as the meeting had adjourned Korra had made sure to quickly separate herself from him. He was worried that he had gone too far this morning. It wouldn't be a stretch for her to think he was giving up on her after things got difficult, after all he did it to her before. A decision he would always regret.
"So is there or isn't there Mako?" Bolin asked, his green eyes probing Mako's face for an answer.
"Uh.." Mako tried desperately to search his memory for what his brother just asked him. He didn't want Bolin to think he hadn't been listening to him. "Yes." Mako answered, hoping he replied correctly.
"I knew it." said Bolin, "I figured that if you weren't there to answer my calls EVER it had to be for a woman. So what does she look like? Is she hot? Of course she is hot. You only date the hot women, Asami, Korra…"
Mako nearly spit out the whisky he had just drunk and it burned his throat and nose as he choked it down with several coughs. Bolin slapped his brother between the shoulder blades trying to help with the fit that overtook him.
Prince Wu who had been sitting on Mako's left turned towards them to see what was going on. "What happened to him, swallowed an Icecube?"
"I dunno" replied Bolin "I was just asking him about his new girlfriend, and he started coughing. Drink must have gone down wrong."
"Whaaat, a new girl friend. Mako, you dog! Tell me all about her. Does she have any good looking friends. Not that I need help getting a date. I have more women than I can handle right now." Said Prince Wu in his usual exaggerated fashion, puffing out his chest.
"No!" said Mako, finally getting getting control of himself. "There is no girlfriend. I misunderstood the question. I have just been busy with work lately." He figured he shouldn't leave Asami and Korra out of the equation as they would hopefully still be together. "And my new position has me spending a lot of time with Korra, so naturally we have become rather close again. I have been invited over often to spend time with her and Asami. Just as friends." he added rather quickly.
"Oh." said Bolin, looking a little crestfallen. He looked down at this drink "I was friends with you guys too. I guess you didn't think about including me."
"Bolin.." Started Mako as he tried to think of how he could rectify the situation. He didn't know how he could manage to hurt all of the people he loved in such a short time. Mako didn't have a chance to finish his apology when Prince Wu whistled in appreciation.
A group of beautiful women had walked in, and it took Mako a moment to realize that Korra was one of them. She was wearing a calf length, mint green, peony dress printed with pink and red flowers. Though the high collared dress could be considered conservative Korra did not wear it so. The soft silk hugged her womanly curves, the fabric straining against the swell of her pert breasts, and her long bronzed legs stood out provocatively from the pastel colors of the dress. Her eyes were kohled and shaded in light greens and pinks, and her lips were a wet red that matched the accent color in her dress. Her now shoulder length hair was pulled back into a hasty bun held together with jeweled chopsticks.
Bolin had walked away from him to meet Opal, another one of the beautiful woman in the group. He watched as Bolin kissed his girlfriend's cheek and led her to one of the tables.
"Too bad all of Opal's siblings are brothers." Commented prince Wu. "and Lucky for me that you and Korra are just friends." He winked at Mako and made his way to Korra, who was talking to Suyin and Lin.
Mako could feel the fire in his veins ignite just looking at Korra from a distance. He gulped down the rest of whisky, and hit his empty glass against the bar counter a bit harder than he expected. The bartender looked up from his task of wiping down the bar top "Another drink then?"
"Sure," Replied Mako, "I think it's going to be one of those nights."
The waiters had recently come and taken everyone's orders. Some of the large party sat at small round tables, while others stood at the bar, or near the stage where a band played jazz music. Korra was purposely ignoring Mako as she talked to other people. However, no matter who she was talking to, she could feel the heat of Mako's attention. Now and then she would steal a glance at him and every time she caught his wolfish, yellow eyes on her. He made no advancement however. He just stared at her as a predator does to it's prey. He wasn't the only one looking at her that way tonight. She was aware of how tantalizing she must look in her slightly small, form fitted, borrowed dress.
Korra wanted to go to Mako, but she was so angry with him right now. It wasn't that he fought with her or Asami but that he told her, in different words, that neither she nor Asami was worth the fight. Their relationship had yet to hit the hardest waters and he was already swimming to shore.
The music stopped and Korra turned to the stage as Suyin took the microphone with Prince Wu by her side.
"Hello everyone, before we enjoy our dinner tonight I just wanted to thank everyone who has worked with us up to this point." Suyin began. " Close to three and a half years ago It was requested that I take over the unity of the Earth Kingdom. As we all know it from history I declined. I did not want to decide for an entire Kingdom how things should be governed. However if I am elected president I would be more than happy to be the voice of the people. To be a leader and not a dictator. And if I don't win tomorrow I want everyone to know that I am still happy. Happy that it was the people who decided which leader would be best for them. Tomorrow we officially become the United Earth Republic. Something that wouldn't be possible without Prince Wu, selflessly giving up his seat of power in the better interest of his country." She motioned to Wu, who took a slight bow "and without the help and support from everyone In this room. I cannot express how grateful I am that all of the nations came together to lend support in this momentous occasion. Thank You."
The room erupted into cheers and and claping. Suyin waited for the cacophony to die down before speaking again. "On a more personal level I would also like to bring up a small victory. I would like to break the news that our family will be growing one more larger. Bolin has proposed to my daughter Opal and she has accepted his proposal. As my only daughter I would have hard time giving her away to anyone less loyal, brave, and forgive the pun, rock solid than Bolin." With a sweeping motion of her hand Suyin gestured towards Bolin, "Bolin, I think I speak for the whole family when I say welcome to our clan, we can't wait to make it official. Now everyone lets enjoy the night, we have our work cut out for us tomorrow."
The room once again filled with the noises of celebration and as Suyin stepped off the stage the music began up once again. Korra noticed for the first time tonight, Mako's attention was elsewhere. He along with several other people were crowding Bolin and Opal, no doubt offering congratulations. Korra was happy for the couple, but she couldn't help feeling suddenly sad. The crowded room felt hot, and too loud.
Korra stepped outside onto the balcony for some air. There were a few outdoor tables but they were left unoccupied for the chilly air of the autumn night. The chill didn't bother her as she was used to the freezing temperatures of her childhood. She rubbed her arms absentmindedly anyhow, as her bare arms felt naked with out her long arm shields. She leaned her elbows on the large cement railing and looked out at the city. It was a beautiful sight all lit up at night. She was so wrapped up in her thoughts that she hadn't noticed when someone came out to join her.
"You look ravishing tonight Korra"
"Mako?!" Korra jumped, her hand flying to her heart. "Don't sneak up on me like that. What if I just fire bended your face off in surprise."
"At least that would be something. Better than how you've been ignoring me. I don't like how you have been giving me the cold shoulder." he said, his golden eyes smoldering like glowing embers in the dark. He ran the back of his hand down her bare shoulder as he looked at her appreciatively in the low light. "I couldn't, however, imagine a more beautiful shoulder to do it." He surprised her even more when he leaned down her kiss her bare shoulder, his hands grasping each of her arms.
She pulled away from him angrily and slapped him hard across the face. "You don't get to touch me." said Korra angrily. "Especially since you think I'm not worth the trouble." she turned to walk back inside.
Korra had hit Mako so hard that he could taste blood, but he wasn't letting her walk away even if it killed him. He grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her back to him. The movement caught her off guard and she tripped, the motion sent her crashing hard into Mako's chest. The fire bender took advantage of the moment. He wrapped his arms around her and pushed her body closer to his, causing the soft swell of her breasts to smash into his chest. She had no choice but to lift her face up towards his, and when she did Mako Kissed her.
Korra could have easily used any of her four elements to make him release her, but as it was the taste of Mako's tongue in her mouth and the feel of his body against hers, she had very little desire to do so. Against her own will she reached her arms around Mako's neck and ran her hands through his smoothly styled black hair, turning it into a chaotic mess, as she pulled at it. The avatar wanted to make him hurt just a little bit so she bit into his lower lip, almost drawing blood. In response his hands moved roughly down her back to cup her butt with his hands. He lifted her up as he bit into her neck, drawing her breath from her, and she wrapped her legs around his waist causing the tight dress to ride up and expose most of her legs.
Mako carried Korra to the closest table and placed her on it roughly, it's legs grinding audibly on the balcony floor, as Mako pressed himself heavily between Korra's legs. He wanted to make sure Korra could feel his erection, between her thighs, through the confinement of clothing. The avatar balanced herself on her elbows as her firebender loomed over her, his hands on either side of her, kissing her neck and gyrating his hips into hers.
"Mako." Korra whined, trying to not let her hips rise up to meet his. "You are not fighting fair. I am still angry with you."
Mako stopped nuzzling Korra's neck and made to pull back, but Korra's legs stayed firmly wrapped around his waist. Korra sat up and placed her head on Mako's chest.
"I don't want you to leave. Ever." she said, tracing circles on his chest with the fingertips of her right hand. "I'm sorry if I wasn't being fair to you earlier today."
Mako sighed as he held Korra, "I should be the one apologizing", he said. "Everything you said was right. I am not spending enough time with Asami. I am treating this relationship like it has three people when it's convenient for me, and two when it's not. I am lucky to have one amazing woman, let alone two. You and Asami mean everything to me. I know now that to be twice so lucky I also have to work twice as hard. Don't get me wrong, you two are trouble but you are worth every bit of it."
Korra looked up at Mako with a radiant smile and tears in her eyes. "I can't believe I'm crying."
"I can." said Mako as he kissed the place on either side of her cheek where the tears fell. "You are terrible at hiding your emotions, but I wouldn't have you any other way."
Korra rewarded Mako with a short, sweet kiss. "We should probably go in, dinner will probably be served soon."
Mako still held fast onto Korra, but he released his one hand so that it could travel the length of her leg. "The only thing I want to eat right now is you."
He captured her mouth with a heated kiss as he once again leaned her back against the table. His one hand roamed to the inner thigh and he massaged the supple skin. Korra moaned into his mouth as his fingers found the way under her panties to tease the sensitive flesh of her clitoris. He abandoned her mouth to explore the under side of her chin and neck and she tilted her head up to allow him better access. Mako took the delicate fabric of Korra's panties into his hand, ready to remove them…
"Korra" called Tonraq as he came out onto the balcony looking for his daughter. He was quite surprised and embarrassed to find not only his daughter but Mako as well, and in quite an indecent position for a public place. His daughter was an adult and he would never tell her how to live her life so he considered walking back the way he came, but it was clear they were caught as they separated rather quickly and guiltily. He couldn't help himself from asking: "Are you two back together?"
"This isn't what it looks like."said Korra straightening out her dress, while looking at the ground.
"No! Together, we are not together." replied Mako just as quickly.
"Uh-huh." said Tonraq as he looked from Korra to Mako, looking more like guilty teens than young adults. "Well then Mako you might want to wash my daughter's lipstick off your face
lest people come to the wrong conclusion."
Mako looked at Korra and she gave him a small wave, gesturing for him to go. Mako felt cowardly as he left Korra with her father. He may have faced down some the most world's most dangerous people but Tonraq still scared the shit out of him.
Tonraq waited for Mako to be out of site before speaking. "Korra sweetheart," he said in a concerned voice, "what are you doing?"
Korra crossed her arms defiantly, "Dad, I am not having this conversation with you. I am not a child anymore." not to mention how embarrassing this was. Two more minutes and Mako would have been going down on her.
"Fair enough," he said holding out his hands in calming manner "But, I would like to think I gave you a fair amount of freedom. Especially with being the avatar, I have always trusted your judgment. I just want you to make sure you know what you are doing. You and Mako don't have the best track record. As a father it's hard to see his daughter falling for a man who already broke her heart. Not to mention me and your mother kind of thought that maybe you and Asami…"
Korra's eyes widened. How on earth could her parents of guessed she and Asami were dating?
"Me and Asami what?" said Korra, feigning anger and ignorance.
Tonraq looked away, embarrassed. "Well you know...you two are living together now...and well uh...nevermind that. Dinner is out, so why don't we put this behind us and go inside."
Korra rushed through dinner and made her excuses to retire for the night. Mako, being the gentleman that he was, left early as well to escort Korra back to the hotel. The short cab ride to the hotel felt much longer than it was
They entered the hotel elevator alone and as soon as the doors shut Korra and Mako kissed violently; their hands tearing at one another. The ding of the elevator hitting it's destination resounded, and they pulled apart breathlessly before the doors could open lest anyone should be waiting to board. They passed two other people in the hallway, and they waited for them to be out of site before entering Korra's room together.
Mako pushed Korra up against the door that had just shut behind them and he once again ravaged her mouth. He let go of her swollen lips only to kneel down and run his hands along her legs and up under her dress. He grabbed at her inner thighs and he ran his thumbs over the thin, lacey garment covering her womanhood. Korra whimpered as he teased her. Mako moved his hands to her butt, kneading it, as he kissed her vagina over her panties. Korra's hands were in his tousled hair, pushing Mako's face closer to her feminine parts.
"Mako, stop procrastinating." she cried, wanting the pleasure he promised her.
"So impatient." replied the fire bender, his voice muffled as his mouth was against her crotch. Mako removed the brunettes panties, obliging her. He took her one leg and placed it over his shoulder, allowing him better access to her naked womanliness. Korra's breath caught as the fire bender's tongue teased her entrance. He playfully bit and sucked her labia before claiming her clitoris. While his one hand caressed Korra's leg that was over his shoulder the other was used to enter her vagina again and again.
The repetitive administrations to her nether regions caused Korra to cry out. Her legs were growing weak with pleasure. She pushed her back harder into the door and raised her other leg over Mako's shoulder. He held her rocking hips, to help support her, as she climaxed. The sounds that escaped Korra as she orgasimed were an aphrodisiac to Mako. He continued to devour her as her body trembled until she asked him to take her.
"Mako," Korra said his name breathlessly, "I want you."
The fire fender released Korra, letting her legs down. Mako kissed several parts of Korra's torso as he stood. Face to face he kissed her lips and wasting no time Mako unzipped her dress and peeled it off of her shoulders and past her hips, where it slid to the floor. Mako just as quickly rid Korra of her bra, to leave her completely bare.
Still kissing Mako, Korra fumbled for the light switch she knew was somewhere next to the door that was behind her. Finding it she flicked it on, and they both closed their eyes having to adjust to the sudden brightness.
"What do you need the lights on for?" asked Mako, his voice heavy with desire.
"Because," Korra said, placing her hands on his chest, making him walk backwards to the bed. "I want to see every part of your perfect, naked body."
Mako smirked at Korra's unabashed, carnal appreciation of his physique. The back of his legs hit the foot of the bed and Korra no sooner climbed atop of him when he sat. His hands roamed her bare back as she left a series of kisses on his lips, chin and neck all while loosening his tie.
Korra removed the black tie from around his neck with a quick whipping motion. "Move back" she demanded as she rolled off of him.
Mako did as he was told and situated himself against the headboard. Korra crawled over to him, his tie still in her hands as she straddled him.
"Put your hands up." Korra instructed.
Mako laughed "Are you serious?" he questioned. He raised his arms anyway even though he assumed she was jesting.
"Very." She said, as she bound his wrists tightly between the slats of the headboard, making him wince slightly. "You hurt my feelings this morning." she said with a seductive pout. "You didn't think you were going to get off that easy, did you?"
Mako could have easily burnt though the bindings holding him captive, though he willing to play whatever game she had in mind.
"Of course not." He replied as the brunette kissed his throat. "I expect to be punished for my bad behavior."
Korra bit Mako's lower lip hard enough to draw a drip of blood. Mako drew a sharp breath. He hadn't expected her to actually cause him pain. To his surprise he found it erotic and it only added to his arousal. The Avatar licked the blood that beaded on his lip. She then trailed hard kisses, her teeth scraping his skin, under his chin and down his neck until his shirt got in her way. She started to undo the buttons on his shirt. For every button released she left a kiss, down his chest and to the navel.
His shirt unbuttoned, Korra opened it to reveal the hard muscles of his torso. She ran her fingertips over his chest, and traced the hard lines of his abs. It was a ticklish and frustrating sensation. He wanted to grab her hands and make her stop, being unable to do so, his body shivered underneath her. Just when he felt he couldn't take it anymore she used her mouth once again to kiss and bite at his exposed chest and abdomen. She teased one of his nipples with her tongue, while at the same time she scratched at expanse of skin over his ribs; leaving angry, red welts in their wake.
"Korra." Mako moaned out her name in a mixture of pleasure and pain. His own tie biting into his wrists as he wriggled beneath her.
The avatar kissed her way down Mako's torso until she was seated between his legs. They looked heatedly at one another as she undid his pants, and removed them to reveal his hardened erection. She once again straddled him, her warm wet femininity placed directly over the shaft of his swollen member. She grinded herself on top of him, the pressure and wetness teasing him, without swallowing him; holding him down instead of allowing him to enter her.
He looked into Korra's sapphire eyes "Now you are just being cruel." He told her throatily.
"I know." was all Korra said. She knew he wanted to touch her, to be inside her. She wanted it too, but she wasn't giving in just yet.
She grasped her own breasts, and teased her nipples into hardened peaks. She bit her lower lip as she touched herself, watching Mako's features become more twisted with lust. She threw in some exaggerated moaning, just to drive her firebender more crazy. Still leaving one hand on her breast, she slid her other hand slowly down between her breasts, and past her ribs and abdomen, to her pelvic. She rubbed her own clitoris as Mako bucked his hips up trying without success her enter her. His frustrated noises were animalistic growls, that made Korra want him badly. The bindings around his wrists were starting to smoke. He was heating them up, and Korra knew if she didn't give in he was going to get what he wanted anyway.
She raised her hips granting him access to her. As Mako penetrated her they both cried out in long awaited pleasure. Korra tried to ride him slowly as she still wanted to tease him, but her own base instincts took over and she increased her movement. Each time she lowered herself on his solidity, she came down harder. Mako in return thrust his hips up with equal velocity so that he moved deeper within her.
Mako held out as long as he could, but the friction of being inside her, coupled with the image of her body bouncing atop him while she touched herself was too much. He was able hang on long enough to feel her vaginal muscles contract in orgasm around his throbbing member and then he released himself inside of her. Korra continued to ride him until nothing was left, their sounds of pleasure climaxing and then slowly diminishing.
With shaking hands Korra unbound Mako's wrists and she collapsed on top of him.