Author's Note: Sorry another short chapter. I'm also breaking promises-No smut. Next chapter I promise (maybe). I put a little foreshadowing in this chapter, but I am not telling what it is. As always thanks for the comments/reviews. Enjoy (hopefully).
It was a beautiful midsummer's night for the outdoor ceremony of Bolin's and Opal's wedding. The people of Zaofu loved their previous matriarch and current president Suyin. The city and it's five sectors decorated and celebrated as if it were it's own small kingdom and the people were giving their princess away to marriage. Opal on this evening looked none less the part of a princess as she walked down the long aisle between rows of wrought iron chairs, in a full, modern, white gown and veil. Following behind her she had her best friend, Asami, as a maiden to help carry her long train.
As Opal made her way to her groom, with his brother Mako at his side, she was unaware of the eyes and camera flashes. Her attention was solely on the man she about to marry. She had dreamed about Bolin when he was a fire ferret and to her was little more than a description from a radio announcer. Then when Bolin was an actor in the movers she could shamefully say she had watched everyone just for him. A few years ago she would have never imagined that she would meet, fall in love and fight alongside of him. He was more than she had dreamed. He was sweet, funny, strong, incredibly handsome and loyal.
Opal's heart swelled as she met Bolin at the altar and he took her small hands in his. She had wanted the whole wedding very modern, from the white dress to having a maid of honor and a best man. The ceremony too strayed from the traditional Earth Nation custom wedding and followed closely to Varrick's and Zhu li's in a contemporary, popular style. She and Asami had spent so much time planning that she couldn't believe how fast the ceremony was going. Opal and Bolin had no sooner read their vows to one another when it felt that their introduction as man and wife was announced and permissions were given to kiss the bride. Bolin, of course, didn't need to be told twice and the witnesses cheered loudly once their union was sealed with a kiss.
As the guests made their way to the large reception hall in the Beifong estate one of Suyin's twins proffered Korra an arm, which she graciously accepted; mostly because prince Wu was trying to get her attention.
"Thank you, um.." Damn, Korra thought, she couldn't tell the boys apart.
"Wing, and please don't apologize" he said seeing the apology already forming on her lips. "Most people guess wrong anyway, even my mother sometimes."
"And I am sure you never used that to your advantage growing up." Joked Korra
"Never." replied wing, giving her a mischievous, but dashing smile. "I was an angel. Now Wei, that is a different story. He was the bad one, ugly too."
Korra laughed, "Twins, I don't know how your mother did it."
they reached the steps to the banquet hall and Korra stumbled,losing her balance, but luckily Wing caught her.
"Careful there. Good thing I was here to save you." He placed an arm around the back of her waist and took one of her hands to help her up the rest of the staircase.
Korra couldn't help but blush, slightly embarrassed. In a usual scenario the avatar would have tried to brush him off, but Asami had picked out rather high heels for her and she had an injured ankle as well.
Wing escorted Korra to an empty table. Wing's hands left the brunette only to pull out the chair for her in a gentlemanly fashion. "My mother wanted to seat you with the family, but you're with us at the kids table. I guess she thought you might have more fun that way."
"You make it sound like it bad thing." said Korra as she took her seat. " I am quite enjoying myself already hanging with one of Su's kids"
This time it was Wing's turn to blush, a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "I am glad to hear you say that. I should warn you that vice president Wu will also be sitting with us."
Korra groaned, "I thought Su liked me. Treacherous woman."
Wing laughed. "Don't be too mad at my mom. I think she just wanted a break. She does see him more than the rest of us. Tell you what though, I am making it my sworn duty to protect the avatar from the creepy attention from VP Wu, and to make sure that said avatar has a fun care free night. My first line of defense is to get you a drink to dull his overbearingness. What'll it be?"
"My Hero." said Korra jokingly, batting her eyelashes, trying to pull off her best Asami impression. "Any thing will do, just make sure it's strong."
"You're my kind of girl." Wing bowed with bravado "I'll be right back with your drink, hopefully before Wu shows up."
The wedding party was escorted to yet another location for photographs. They had not only to contend with the hired photographer, but also the camera's of news crews. The newlyweds were rather famous: Opal as the daughter of the first president of the United Earth Republic, and Bolin as a former popular pro-bender and mover. Suyin thought it was wise to allow a reporter from each nation and Republic city an official invite, as they would try to sneak their way in anyway. As such the interviews and photographs from the reporters could be built into the itinerary.
Opal, Bolin, and Asami seemed naturals in front of the camera's and questions. Mako, for as much as he had wanted fame in the past, felt uncomfortable. He was trying, for the sake of his brother, to appear that he was enjoying himself. The firebender though was on edge. He wanted nothing more than to speak with Korra, or even Asami. He and Asami had been together for the last several hours, but there was always too many eyes and ears around for discussion. Mako was pretty sure, by Asami's initial reaction, that she knew little more about Korra's news than he did. He replayed her words and the scene from that morning, in his head over and over. As a former detective, he was looking for some piece of information, or cue that he was missing. Why did Korra say what she said? What was her motive? Why did she keep this plan a secret, why not involve them in this...scheme?
"Ok," said the event planner who was hired to make the day run smoothly. "Now it's time for the dances and then dinner."
"Thank goodness." said Asami. "I feel like Korra thinking about food right now."
"How are you holding up?" Asked Opal, "Do you want me send someone for food to get you through until dinner."
"That is so sweet of you to ask." replied Asami, "But, I have made it this far I think I can make it another ½ hour until dinner." The raven haired beauty had known they were going to spend two hours or so after the ceremony on pictures, but she had no idea she would have been this famished. Before being pregnant she would be so busy she wouldn't eat until dinner and not feel hungry, but now the baby let her know when it was time to eat.
Mako and Asami stood off to the side as Opal and Bolin shared their first dance as husband and wife. Mako noted that Asami was watching the newlyweds dance with a tear in her eye. He didn't miss that she was more emotional with her pregnancy. She cried when she was happy, sad, frustrated...whenever really. He was so used to having to hide their relationship that he forgot, because of Korra, that everyone now thought they were a couple. Realizing this, he placed his arm around her waist and pulled her close to him, comforting her and placing a kiss atop her wavy black tresses.
When the orchestra started the second song it was Asami and Mako's cue to join the dance. Taking Asami's hand he led her to the dance floor. He was rather enjoying the dance with her and being able to show his affection publicly. He twirled her and then pulled her into him tightly. In return she placed her one arm around his neck and rested her other hand on his chest. They made a lovely image of a happy couple.
As they swayed to the music contently, Mako looked out carelessly to the tables of guests. He spotted Korra at a table not to far from them. She was gazing at Asami and him with an expression he couldn't measure. Mako felt an in-explainable pang strike his heart as she watched them. It was no question that Asami was part of their relationship, but having no one know that Korra was part of it as well made him feel like he was cheating on the avatar. The pang was replaced with a searing heat though when one of Suyin's twins traced his fingertips down Korra's cheek and followed her jawline; leading her attention away from the dancers and to his face. He said something inaudible that made her laugh. He trusted that Korra believed his actions innocent, but as a man Mako knew better. Mako recognized that the way the earthbender touched and looked at her was anything but friendly.
As the dance came to an end Asami could feel Mako's body become rigid. She looked up at him and followed his line of view. She was surprised to find Korra being overly friendly, almost on the edge of inappropriate, with one of Suyin's boys. Asami could tell that Mako was so preoccupied with Korra that he hadn't realized the song had ended. She squeezed his hand to let him know they were supposed to go to their table.
Dinner plates were being removed from the tables as the wedding cake, that had just been cut, was being served. Korra had told herself she was only going to look at the wedding party's table when it was appropriate to do so for Opal and Bolin. With the help of strong spirits and desirable company it wasn't as hard to do as she initially thought. Korra liked Suyin's children (and their respective dates), especially Wing. Though she had met him on several other occasions, she had never really gotten to know him. He was witty, gentlemanly, and handsome. The twins good looks reminded her of Mako, in a way, and thinking about him made her feel sad.
"What's the matter?" asked Wing, when he noticed her face fall.
"You just reminded me of my ex." Said Korra, not meaning to say the words out loud.
"I thought it was odd that a girl as beautiful as you, and being the avatar none the less, show up without a date. When did you break up?" Asked Wing
"This afternoon actually. To make it worse the person is here too, and with…"
"Another person! Scandalous. So who is it?" Wu interjected rudely, cutting Korra off. Wing gave Wu a look that he hoped would make the prince realize how insensitive he was being.
Korra crossed her arms. "It's a secret I am not telling." said Korra childishly, but really she couldn't tell any of them anything, not even as drunk as she was.
"Nor does anyone expect you to tell us your business. Though, I can think of a way to get him back a little bit." said Wing as he ran the back of his hand down the length of her bare arm.
"Oh, Wing." said Korra, realizing now that he liked her. "I don't think that would be a good idea. I don't want to give off the wrong impression. Besides it hasn't even been a full day, and I am the one who broke it off."
"I'm not asking you to fall in love with me. I am just asking you to kiss me. If the mystery man is here with some other woman, then he deserves to see what he has lost."
"And to confirm that he really has lost you." Added Huan, his pretty date nodding in agreement.
Korra felt confused; the liquor having dulled her cognitive ability to think on a rational level. In reality she hadn't even officially broke up with either of them. Asami and Mako didn't do anything wrong either, but she felt breaking up with them was the only way for them to have a real family with a baby on the way. They didn't deserve to have her do this to them. But maybe it would make it easier for them to move on if they saw she was letting them go.
Korra nodded her head, impulsively giving permission for Wing to kiss her. She half expected the kiss to be as terrible as she felt inside, but of course his lips were soft and pleasant; inviting her to enjoy the experience.