(Thank you to those who have continued to read, review, and enjoy this fic. Stories like this that are meant to be silly, lighthearted, and kinky are a big stress relief for me and I'm glad there are others who see that as well. My schedule is extremely packed due to everything going on this year so I am trying my best to update when I can.)
Secrets Out
Korra swiftly walked through the double doors of the cultural museum, quickly smoothing out the wrinkles in her dress as she scurried to meet with the others. She wasn't wearing any makeup and only had time to brush her hair into a tight bun on the ride over. Luckily she packed appropriate clothes and shoes so she didn't look completely like she rolled out of bed.
She jogged into the anteroom hoping she wasn't unfashionably late. Tenzin was waiting for her dressed in a long brass colored robe with yellow and red accents.
"Tenzin!" Korra yelled in a hushed tone.
He turned and smiled, looking relieved to see her. "Don't worry you're just in time."
They embraced each other and she noticed he was looking at her a bit skeptically as they separated from their hug.
"I know I look a bit...rough," she sighed, "I overslept from my night with Kuvira." Her cheeks beamed a cherry red as her eyes averted his gaze.
"Oh," he replied, his brows raising as he filled in the blanks.
"So where are they?" Korra asked before he could comment anything further. Tenzin was open minded and understanding of a lot of things but that didn't mean Korra always wanted to air out her personal business.
"They are just finishing their tours of the museum and then we will unveil the artifact in the next room." Tenzin replied.
"I'm so excited!" Korra exclaimed. She had been trying to research all she could about the royal crown. She refused to believe it was stolen, war or not the Water-tribe were not thieves. If it wasn't stolen it could have been a gift, or perhaps a Fire Nation prince had traveled to the South and it was lost. All she really had to go off of was educated guesses. Fire Nation history was so patchy, possibly because they didn't want to relive hundreds of years at war.
As the Fire Nation troupe entered the room, Korra and Tenzin stood up straight and alert with gentle welcoming faces.
"Good morning, thank you so much for journeying all the way here to convene with us," Tenzin spoke.
"The pleasure is ours," the woman Korra recognized from last night replied. She was standing amongst a large group of individuals all dressed in shades of red and jewelry of gold. Korra glossed over their faces eagerly shaking hands and exchanging formal greetings.
"We have much to discuss but I will start by addressing the metaphorical elephant in the room" the woman continued. "We would like the cultural museum to keep the artifact here on display,"
Korra hugged Tenzin's arm happily, "We were hoping you would say that." She had spent the last few weeks finalizing the paperwork just in case they came to that decision.
"In your museum, you have a section dedicated to the other nations. Those who are your allies." She gestured to Tenzin, "Like the Air Normads, and we would like the world to know the Fire Nation is also."
"Wow," Korra took her hand gratefully, "A powerful and just statement for sure. I'd be honored to make that happen!"
"We both are!" Tenzin added.
A tall and lean man with a thin grey beard approached them holding a thick brown book. "The crown you found in Southern waters belonged to Prince Zuko, the disowned heir to the thrown 153 years ago."
He opened the book and flipped the pages until he landed on a black and white photo of a man dressed in traditional vintage garb. He was tall, long haired with squared shoulders and a scar over his left eye. Atop his head was the golden crown, with a thin rod pinned threw the base of the jewelry.
Korra was in awe, this discovery was bigger than what she originally imagined. There was more information here than anything she could find online.
"Prince Zuko became Fire Lord, he ended the war...I didn't know he was disowned." She sighed, trying to remember her studies.
"He overthrew the royal family, many don't know the complete history." Tenzin voiced.
"That is correct, there is a brief period in time where Prince Zuko simply vanished. We believe he spent his years in banishment traveling the world, making friends and allies, gaining the strength he needed to end the war."
Korra nodded, piecing together the story. "So the crown was a gift to the South!"
"We believe it was a way for him to show them his loyalty. That his lineage did not define him. A peace offering." The historian said. He flipped to another page and adjusted the monocle on his face.
"How it ended up in a cave we couldn't understand..."
"Oh," Korra sighed, rubbing her arm awkwardly. "Our temples were often raided and artifacts stolen and resold. The South was still a growing civilization during the war. Afterwards it was dwindled down and we lost a lot of our valuable history. Luckily this one was only lost."
The woman placed a gentle hand on Korra's shoulder, "Well I am glad our shared history can be persevered in the present."
"This discovery is incredible. I can't wait for the world to see it. As for my father, I'm confident this is a grand compromise." Korra said. The crown would definitely pull in a surge of tourists and overall boost attendance.
A young man dressed in a nice suit walked over to Tenzin giving him a brief message before strolling away. Tenzin clapped his hands together, gaining everyone's attention.
"Let us now venture into the show room. I am told the antique is now on display."
They entered a dimly lit room where the crown was on a mantle. A large glass case surrounded it with a single spot light hovering over it from above.
For the next hour or so Korra and Tenzin mingled with the embassy and shared cultural stories and rich history. Even though she was still so exhausted from last night, Korra was enthralled to be present during a time where she truly felt like her career was so valuable. Gathering history in a literal sense.
As they continued to entertain the embassy another tour guide entered the room with two figures trailing behind her.
"Accompanying the embassy is the honorable General Iroh." She introduced.
Korra turned to greet him but stopped cold once she saw who was with him.
Asami...
Korra gazed at the two figures skeptically, trying to come up with a reason as to why they were together...again. The last time she saw them was at Tahno's bar a few months back. There was one very obvious reason presenting itself to her but she had to ignore it. Korra didn't want to even breathe life into the thought that they might be a couple.
She could be showing him around the city, she practically helped rebuild it after the riots. Maybe Iroh was making deals on new war tech with Hiroshi. Korra would accept literally any other excuse that came to mind.
Asami avoided her gaze and stayed behind chatting with the tour guide as General Iroh approached Korra eagerly.
Korra ripped her sight away from her ex-girlfriend trying to stay cool. She nicely took Iroh's hand and shook it enthusiastically.
"Korra of the Southern Watertribe. It's an honor to meet you."
"It's so great to meet you as well. Do you go by Prince or just General Iroh?" Korra asked.
She focused on his face although could feel Asami's timid gaze from afar. This was the first time she'd met General Iroh, although heard much about his success in commanding the United Nations. Korra could tell he was a nice man, but she couldn't help but dislike him. Simply for the fact that he had Asami by his side, she couldn't shake her jealousy. Unfair to him she could admit.
The muscular and squared jawed man laughed, "Prince sometimes feels like an archaic word, General is a title I actually had to work for. As the Watertribe heir I'm sure you understand what I mean."
"Of course! One of the reasons I moved to Republic City"
It was cool to meet someone who understood that aspect. He was a man who also didn't like things being handed to him. That was an alluring quality for sure, not to mention how handsome he was, and cultured, and a prince. Korra halted her thoughts once she realized she was comparing herself to him. Trying to deduce what Asami saw in him that she lacked.
"When we were told this artifact was found, I had to see it for myself, I've only ever known it in pictures." Iroh continued, his voice soft and raspy, almost reminiscent.
Korra smiled kindly, trying to get over her feelings and be cordial with the prince. "This must be such a big discovery for your family,"
"Yes it is! I've studied all I could about my great grandfather Fire Lord Zuko, but much of his history is shrouded in mystery." Iroh gestured to the historian behind him. The man came over and handed him historical reproductions.
"We know it belongs to him because each crown is individually designed and crafted for each specific person. My great grandfather had the insignia of a dragon carved right along the brim here." He pointed to the image and Korra leaned over his shoulder to see. She was so close to him she could smell his cologne. Like fresh pine and charcoal, weirdly a fragrance Korra could only describe as expensive.
They then walked over to the glass case together, "right there." He pointed to the crown and although eroded a bit, they could still see the design just as it appeared in the picture.
"That's amazing." Korra commented.
Iroh turned, "Asami! You must come see this as well!"
"Oh, yes of course!" She responded.
Korra took a big step back as Asami strolled over to them. Her eyes finally connecting with her heart shaped face and bright green eyes.
She's still so beautiful...
Korra blinked, trying not to stare but she couldn't break away. When she thought about seeing Asami again, she imagined the emotions she would feel; rage, sorrow, glee? It was nothing compared to the real thing, a horrible mixture of them all. Mako's promotion ceremony was in a week, she was mentally preparing herself to see Asami then. Now, it was so sudden that Korra felt jumbled up inside.
"Hi, Korra" Asami spoke. She stood next to him with her hands fidgeting by her sides. Korra noticed she looked a bit uncomfortable. Not something Iroh probably picked up on, but Korra knew her long enough to see when she was trying to save face.
"Hi, Asami" she whispered.
Korra tucked a few strands of hair behind her ear nervously as Asami looked her up and down. Suddenly she felt so self-conscious and began smoothing out her dress again. Why did she always look like a mess when randomly confronted by her exes!? At least this time she wasn't drunk!
"My fiancé has told me you two are well aquatinted?"
Korra stammered, her mind drawing to a screeching halt. She glanced around the room thinking he was referring to someone else. Her jaw clenched as he slipped his hand around the small of Asami's waist.
No, he...she wouldn't.
Korra fumbled with her words, she couldn't find her voice anymore. She glanced down at Asami's hand and saw twinkling diamonds wrapped around her engagement finger. She felt sick to her stomach.
"Y-yes..we were friends at the same university." Asami quickly answered once she noticed Korra's reluctance.
We were more than friends... Korra thought. But then again, no one knew other than a small group of trusted friends and family. Even now, Korra couldn't escape the act of "pretend" they always had to perform. She couldn't even be visibly upset seeing her ex again because to everyone else they were just friends who drifted apart. What cruel irony.
Korra huffed looking away from Asami's blinding engagement ring. General Iroh didn't seem to notice the obvious tension between them.
"Is that so?" He continued obliviously.
The Water-tribe girl took another small step back as if her body was physically repelled by the sudden news. Her flight response was signaling to every limb in her body to move as far away from this conversation as she could. She took a few moments to try and keep her composure, she felt tears begin to build under her lids and blinked rapidly in an attempt to keep them back.
Tenzin joined them once he noticed who Korra was confronted by. His hand rested on her shoulder, squeezing lightly in a gesture of support.
"It was..n-nice meeting..you," Korra mumbled. The longer she stood there the more it became harder to breathe. The wound in her chest was wide open and aching worse than before.
"General Iroh, the crown is beautiful. Has Miss Sato seen it up close?" Tenzin voiced.
"Oh no I-I haven't!" Asami voiced, her pitch dramatically enthusiastic. "Please lead the way."
"Sure" He took Asami's hand and they left to see the antique. Asami's gaze lingered on Korra's face somberly as they departed.
Their footsteps echoed as they walked away. The clicking of her heels sharp and loud, ringing harshly in Korra's ears.
"Korra-" Tenzin began, stopping as he watched her run out of the room.
He had half a mind to go after her but figured he'd let her go home and rest. Shake off the upsetting news without constantly hearing his profound wisdom. Sometimes it was healthy to just vent, he only hoped her coping methods had improved somewhat.
He began to work the room again, making sure none of their guests noticed Korra's absence.
-O-
As soon as she could, Asami snuck off to the restroom to have a moment of privacy. Once inside she pressed her back against the door and whimpered. The image of Korra's heartbroken expression burned into the forefront of her mind. She tried to keep up the act that everything was fine but she was tearing up inside. She loved Korra, but somehow always seemed to hurt her.
"Fuck.." she cursed under her breath, it wasn't supposed to happen like this.
Asami placed her hand on her chest as it began to ache, a pain that never really seemed to go away. For months she was ignoring it, but today it was unbearable.
She walked over to the sink and turned the faucet on. As the cold water flowed she splashed some of it on her face, trying to physically cool herself down. She just needed to get through the day. That's what she had been telling herself since she woke up this morning. That is what she had been telling herself everyday for the past few months.
There was an endgame to all of this madness, soon it'll be worth it.
"Your...fiancé."
She jolted up at the voice to see it was Korra standing behind her. Asami stood frozen for a moment, studying Korra's face as if she was only a mirage. Even under her current pained expression, Korra was still so stunning. Asami truly missed her; even now with all her anger she was still thankful to see her.
"Korra..." she whispered. She reached for a hand towel and carefully blotted her face. "I-"
She looked away, stopping Asami's sentence cold, "Just...tell me the truth..."
Korra knew something was up, she had to believe there was. There was no way in Hell Asami was marrying him, right off the heels of their breakup.
Her ex-girlfriend struggled on what to say, there was so much to say. She truly didn't know where to begin. She wanted to apologize, make amends, catch up on lost time. She wanted to hug her again...kiss her again. All of these wants swirled in her head and she found herself stalled in the moment.
Asami sighed, "Yes...he is."
Korra cringed, her brows scrunched together as if she was flinching from an oncoming blow to the face. "Is he why you broke up with me?" She whispered, dreading the answer.
"No!" Asami yelled, she turned around and strode up to Korra. She grabbed her ex-girlfriend's hands desperately, "No! It had nothing to do with him!"
Korra ripped her hands out of Asami's grasp. "We broke up only a few months ago.." she whispered.
She now understood how Mako felt all those years ago. Ending a relationship only to find your old lover has found someone new. It hurts to see them move on so quickly, like their time with you was insignificant.
"I was being honest with you when we...broke up. My father didn't approve, he was going to take everything for me."
"Then why!" Korra responded, "How could you?" Her voice cracked and she wished she wasn't so emotionally invested. It only reminded her how much she was still hurting over this breakup. "Breaking up with me is one thing but this. This just feels like a stab in the back!"
Asami sighed, "Korra my father-"
"Of course!" Korra threw her hands up in frustration, "How long are you going to let him ruin your life!"
If Asami didn't fight for their relationship she could at least fight for her own well-being. This wasn't like her at all.
"I don't have a choice." Asami leaned against the bathroom counter and ran her fingers threw her hair.
Korra glanced over at her silently. She saw how distressed Asami looked and tried to sympathize. She knew her father could be very over-bearing. Korra spent her entire childhood with a domineering family.
"Asami forced marriages are illegal in Republic City, he can't do this to you!" Didn't matter how rich the man was he shouldn't be allowed to evade the law.
"It's not a forced marriage Korra..." Asami looked at her shamefully, her eyes glossy. "it's arranged, and neither are illegal in the Fire Nation."
Korra scoffed, "I'm confused...you just said you didn't have a choice but if this is arranged you're doing it willingly."
"It's a lot for me to explain right now!" Asami replied. "Marrying Iroh is a smart move, not a romantic one,"
"How far are you willing to go before you refuse to live a lie?" Korra looked at Asami with grief.
Asami picked up the towel and dabbed her eyes. Her lashes were damp from her tears and she didn't want to ruin her makeup. She still needed to look presentable for the embassy and her "fiancé".
"I have to do this for right now, but I am thinking of my future...of ours."
Korra gazed at her in disbelief, "Our future, it's a little too late for that,"
Technicalities aside, this was the worse break up Korra had ever endured and whether they still loved each other or not. There was no going back to how they used to be.
Asami seemed offended by Korra's response, her eyes narrowed defensively. "You're right. You and Kuvira seemed pretty cozy together,"
"What are you talking about?" Korra asked. Asami was absent the entire conference weekend. How could she have possibly known about Kuvira?
"I saw you two kissing at the bar during the gala." Asami placed the towel on the counter top and cocked her hip to one side. It was unfair for Korra to be angry at her for moving on when she did as well.
Korra groaned, holding back the cliched response "it's not what it looks like". She couldn't tell her what was going on. Not about with Mako or Kuvira, and honestly she didn't think she needed to defend herself.
"You're getting married Asami, I think that one-ups a kiss." Korra scoffed. They weren't together, Korra wasn't tied down to anyone, she could kiss whoever she wanted.
The water-tribe girl turned on her heel and fled the bathroom before Asami could say anything else. She was not in the mood to be judged on any of her previous actions. Especially not from Asami, the reason she was so depressed in the first place.
Her car engine roared as she set her sight on the police department down town, she needed to have a word with Detective Mako.
-O-
Korra burst into Mako's office, striding towards his desk with rage fueling her steps. "Did you know!"
He jumped up from his desk surprised to see her and in such a state of distress. "Korra! Wait what happened? Are you okay?"
Korra stopped in front of him with her eyes glaring, "did you know?" She asked again, this time slower but with more tenacity in her tone.
Mako swallowed, reading her expression and the pain behind her eyes. She knew..
"Yes I did." He replied trying to sound self-assured.
Korra rolled her eyes, "Why am I not surprised..." She turned to leave with half a mind to call Tahno and have him prepare a drink for her in advance.
"Korra how could I have possibly told you?" He jogged after her and stopped when she spun around to face him.
Korra looked up at him feeling betrayed, "Quite easily actually! But you were probably too distracted with your cock in my mouth."
Mako cringed, he quickly closed his door so no one would hear them. "Stop it Korra, you know it wasn't like that."
She crossed her arms over her chest waiting for his lame excuse.
"You had drunk yourself half to death. When you came to me asking to reconnect...I wasn't just going to drop another bomb on you and watch you relapse."
"So when exactly were you going to tell me? A few more months? Or maybe when their wedding invitation showed up in my fucking mail box!"
"I will fully admit that time had gotten away from me. You were doing so well and..."
"Stop using that as an excuse Mako! Look how I am right now! Wouldn't it have been more beneficial for you to tell me instead of me stupidly standing there in front of them!" Korra groaned, lowering her voice somberly.
"The only person oblivious to what's going on! How is that helping me?"
"Asami didn't want me to tell you!" Mako shouted. He lowered his voice cautiously, not wanting others in the department to hear. "That is the truth Korra. Asami did not want you to know. So with my loyalty to you and to her I-I didn't know what to do."
Korra paused, seeing as Mako sounded genuinely frustrated. "She told you...but what difference-I don't..." she plopped down in his office chair and dropped her head in her hands.
"You didn't even seem to like to hear the sound of her name, all you wanted was my company. So for the time being, that was the compromise I kept in my head to please both of you. What alternative choice did I have other than upsetting you both,"
Mako sighed and sat beside her, "But then we became friends and that compromise didn't sit well with me anymore." He paused, taking in a slow breath.
"I'm not supposed to be telling you this."
Korra peaked up at him threw her hands curiously. Mako figured since Asami's plan backfired, everything is on the table now.
"She was going to do it in secret. Just a legal document type wedding. The quicker it could get done the faster they could end it. She was communicating with Iroh secretly until her father had traced her emails and wanted it to go public. That's why Iroh is here. That's when, we were struggling on the best time to tell you. It was supposed to be after my ceremony"
Korra groaned, cursing under her breath.
"Let me guess...you stormed away before she could explain what she's planning,"
"I don't want to be lectured right now." She grumbled.
"In Hiroshi's mind. Asami marrying General Iroh is just a grand business plan. He'd have a direct line to the United Forces."
Korra sat up gradually connecting the dots, "So then why would she marry him!"
"Because she's going to use the union as leverage. Hiroshi selling tech to terrorists is still a public offense in multiple countries around the world. Asami never closed his case, she knows it inside and out. If she is part of the royal family-"
"She can take his assets..." Korra finished, "He can't disown her if she seizes control and sends him to jail."
"She can't do it on her own. Iroh is a family friend and more than willing to help out. The Fire Nation definitely wants to see him in jail, he only has immunity in Republic City because of former president Raiko. The company is already under, so doing this will do great for their public image. A clean slate." Mako replied.
"Asami by herself is just one girl, but with their marriage. All of Iroh's family authority becomes hers."
Just like that, all the pieces lined up perfectly.
Korra remembered her lunch with Bolin, when he said Asami was intelligent enough to come up with a plan. He must of known as well and was trying to subtly tell her.
She cupped her hands over her face and cried, she felt so foolish. The first conversation with Asami in months and it ended in an argument. Asami said she was thinking of their future and Korra prematurely lost faith in her.
"I feel so stupid.." Korra cried.
Mako rubbed her back in soft circular motions. "So many times I wanted to tell you, but Asami wanted to be the one to do it. Things just got so messy."
Korra breathed for a few seconds, collecting herself. This day was not even close to what she had planned. All she wanted to do now was burry herself in bed and forget everything.
"Thank you for being there for her. This all sounds so overwhelming."
She stood up and walked away feeling numb, but she didn't want him to worry. "I'll be fine, I'm just gonna go home."
"You have my number if you need me." Mako replied. He walked her out to her car and watched silently as she drove away.
-O-
Once home, Korra slept for the majority of the day.
She rolled over in her bed to see it was 4 in the afternoon. She groaned, shaking off the after effects of a deep sleep. Her body still felt heavy and head slightly foggy. Naga twitched in her sleep and Korra looked to the right side of her bed to see her large, fluffy dog sleeping on her mattress. Normally she would scold her for not laying in her own, very expensive, doggy bed, but decided to let it pass this time.
She lazily reached for her phone and saw one missed call from Kuvira.
"Oh yeah," she breathed.
She told Kuvira she would go back to the hotel after the meeting with the embassy was over and completely failed at keeping her word.
Picking up her thin device she contemplated calling her back. She still felt so numb, afraid to let the sorrow in and spend the next several hours crying again.
Kuvira was leaving though and she figured having a friend over might make her feel better. Didn't hurt to try. Gaining some of her wit Korra dialed Kuvira's number and slowly pressed her phone to her ear.
"I was starting to think you forgot about me princess." Kuvira answered after the first ring.
"Im sorry, I ended up leaving the meeting early and just headed home. Do you want to come over?" Korra sniffled.
Kuvira could tell something was wrong from the sound of Korra's voice. "Is everything alright?"
"Yeah um...Do you want to spend the night? I'll drop you off at the airport, no worries,"
Kuvira hesitated, thinking it strange Korra would ask that knowing she paid to stay an extra two nights in the resort.
"Sure..." Kuvira sounded skeptical but wasn't going to deny an invitation for another night with Korra. Especially because her friend seemed a little out of sorts. Something must of happened during her meeting earlier in the day.
"I'll see you in a little bit."
"Okay, thanks."
It was around 8 pm when Kuvira pulled into Korra's driveway to see another car already parked there. She was unfamiliar with whom it belonged to and didn't realize Korra invited others to her house tonight at well. She walked up to the front door holding Korra's duffle bag and her own neatly packed suitcase.
Standing at the doorstep was Detective Mako, ringing the doorbell.
"Mako." Kuvira voiced.
The man jumped, slightly startled by her presence but quickly straightened his posture. "G-General."
He had a large bag of takeout in his hands and Kuvira wondered if Korra called him too. He looked like he had just gotten off of work, so maybe just stopping by.
Mako tried not to stare at her but couldn't help but feel a tad embarrassed. Especially since she glanced over his body with no shame or subtlety. Kuvira was always a confident woman but now Mako realized she was the type that was perfectly aware of how alluring she was. It was intimidating to some, but to others, more specifically Korra, it was probably enticing.
Just last night the three of them had...well... what would he even call that? A remote controlled threesome? He wanted to say something about it, it was a level of intimacy none of them had shared before, but Kuvira seemed completely unbothered, rather disinterested.
They heard Naga barking which meant Korra was heading toward the door. The few seconds of silence between them seemed to stretch on for what felt like forever.
Mako looked her over, noticing Kuvira was dressed very casually. Black slightly oversized pants that tapered at her ankles, combat boots and a thin short sleeved turtleneck shirt. Her hair was pulled black into a ponytail that swept down her back to her waist. A few strands tucked out of the hair style fell down the sides of her face, making her look weirdly more feminine than she usually presented herself. She also wasn't wearing a bra and he noticed the slight impression of her nipples against her shirt.
"I like what you've done with your hair." He voiced, trying to break the tension.
"I don't care what you think."
Nice, he thought with a shrug.
Korra opened the door and was surprised to see them both together. Her gaze bounced between the two of them waiting for an explanation. "Hey..."
"I just wanted to make sure you're okay. I didn't like how things left off earlier, but if you have plans already" He glanced to Kuvira, "I can go."
Korra looked to her stern friend silently asking if she'd be okay with adding another person to their night. Mako had already brought food and Korra felt guilty just shooing him away.
The General only shrugged, "No stay, I'm sure we can find lots of things to do." She smirked at him with knowing eyes. Admittedly she wasn't interested in Mako, but did enjoy his onlooking. It really boosted her self-esteem when people realized she was out of their league.
Korra cleared her throat, ignoring what Kuvira insinuated. "Thank you for checking up on me Mako, I appreciate it."
Kuvira stepped inside first and handed Korra the things she left at the hotel. "Thanks," Korra grinned, "I like your hair by the way."
"Thank you" Kuvira smiled, looking genuinely pleased Korra noticed.
Mako rolled his eyes and followed behind the two women nonchalantly.
Sleep over it is.