Lover Boy
Korra burst through the front door of Tenzin's estate with Naga tugging her ahead by her leash. "Woah girl calm down!" Korra exclaimed, literally tripping over her own feet as her dog forcefully pulled her into the house. She knelt down beside her female companion and unhooked Naga's leash, earning a small lick on her cheek.
"KORRA!" Tenzin's children yelled as they all ran toward her happily.
"Hey guys!" Korra smiled as Meelo, Ikki, and Rohan greeted her still in their pajama's even though it was well into the afternoon. "Okay so, I have food for the next few days, don't over feed her even though she will whine! Take her out in the mornings for potty breaks, brush her so her fur doesn't get matted-" Meelo completely ignored Korra, took Rohan and placed his small body on Naga's back.
"Yip! Yip!" He screamed. Naga happily took off with Meelo running along side her with his hands on Rohan's waist for support. Their youngest sibling laughed hysterically as he bounced on Naga's back as they trotted around the house.
Korra cupped her hands on the sides of her mouth and yelled, "NAGA IS NOT A HORSE!"
They were already out of ear shot to hear her scorn them and all she could do was shake her head in defeat. Ikki assured Korra Naga would be fine before heading back to her room. Jinora wasn't with the others and Korra figured the teen was in her room as she usually liked to have some peace and quiet. The princess walked down the hall toward the living area and found Tenzin and Pema sitting in the lounge with a freshly brewed pot of tea.
"Korra?" Tenzin voiced.
"Yeah it's me!" She turned the corner, and waved. "Thanks again for keeping Naga. I don't know how long the work will take finding the crown so I'd rather not keep her alone." Korra figured there would be more late nights and stakeouts so she didn't want to neglect Naga in the process.
"I'm so sorry about the crown." Pema said with a small pout.
Korra shrugged, "I'm heading to the station now for questioning and I'm just going to do the best I can with what I know."
"That's all we're asking you to do." Tenzin replied. He stood up and placed his hands on Korra's shoulder encouragingly. "It's not your fault Korra."
She nodded stubbornly. "Yeah I know..." Her eyes trailed the floor as she barred her teeth.
Tenzin's brow arched curiously, "Is something else bothering you?"
Korra looked away, instantly transported to about an hour ago when she argued with Mako. She huffed, "No I umm...I'm just tired. Last night was... a lot."
Tenzin nodded, "It's a lot of work that can be dangerous so please let Beifong and her team handle it."
"I will," Korra agreed. As she turned to leave Pema stopped her in the hall and they chatted a bit about Jinora's not-so-secret boyfriend. Easing Pema's stress Korra made a pit-stop in-front of Jinora's bedroom door and gave it a light tap.
"Come in." Jinora voiced.
Korra walked in earning a surprised look from the teen. "Oh Korra, I didn't know you were here." Jinora was laying on her bed with a book in her hand. She carefully placed a bookmark between the pages and closed the thick novel.
"Just stopping by to drop off Naga, can we talk?" Korra asked. Jinora sat up in her bed as Korra awkwardly stood by her desk.
She didn't realize how nerve-wrecking this conversation could be. She never had siblings of her own to pass down this knowledge and her parents just said no sex until you're arranged to be married to some prince or high ranking military official. The fact that both Pema and Tenzin could acknowledge Jinora was at the age of budding adulthood and was capable of making adult decisions was astounding to Korra. Many young adults didn't get this privilege, herself included.
"Um, so to be frank. I didn't tell anyone about Kai however your parents are pretty much aware he exists."
Jinora looked panicked for a moment before sighing heavily, "I figured. I'm just not ready to tell them."
"Why?" Korra asked genuinely worried. They've been together a good amount of time in her opinion so naturally introducing him to her parents was bound to be the next step.
"You know how my parents can be and I'm already under so much pressure to be this perfect daughter and older sister and student and-" Jinora sucked in a deep breath, not wanting to get too emotional. "And..Kai isn't perfect."
He was a run away orphan with a shady up-bringing. Didn't finish high school, has a good paying job and is now taking adult college courses thanks to Jinora's support. Tenzin had no problem with people of different cultural backgrounds but maybe might have some hesitations about someone with such a dodgy past.
"But he makes me happy...And I don't want that taken away." Jinora whispered. "He's the only thing keeping me sane right now.."
Korra inwardly swooned, seeing the parallels between her story and Jinora's. Mako was definitely not the perfect suitor when it came to her family's royal standards. Korra loved him still and kept him close to her chest just like Jinora was doing.
"I understand how you feel-" Korra spoke. "Luckily your parents love you very much and they just want you to be comfortable sharing your life with them. It's scary when your kids grow up and develop their own lives...you have to re-learn them all over again...that is, if they let you"
Jinora tilted her head, she never really thought of it that way. She definitely wasn't a kid anymore and outgrew a lot of things her parents probably think she still enjoys.
"and honestly it's causing them way more anxiety pondering up what could possibly be going on with you" Korra laughed.
Jinora laughed softly picturing her father's reddened face. Tenzin would for sure think of the worst case scenario before the plausible reality. "Yeah I think you're right."
Korra reached out to her and placed a welcoming hand on her knuckles, "No rush but I think in due time a little get-together to introduce them to Kai would be beneficial"
Jinora nodded and Korra awkwardly stretched her arms above her head. Okay...now on to the not so easy part.
"So...Pema wanted me to ask..." Korra muttered.
Jinora huffed as her cheeks grew a little rosy. She knew the topic of sex was also on the agenda. "We haven't done anything yet-"
"Oh Good!" Korra exclaimed, placing her hand on her chest in relief. Jinora shot her a very indifferent expression.
"Oh-I mean! Not that you shouldn't! You should! Well-only if you feel ready! And comfortable-I didn't mean it like that! It's not shameful! you're almost 18! And I know you are a very smart girl that knows how to be safe-"
"Breathe Korra." Jinora scoffed.
The princess sat down in her desk chair and swallowed her bumbling words. Jinora scooted a bit closer to her on the edge of her bed. Her grey eyes bashfully looked down at her feet. "we've done...things..just not all the way yet."
Korra nodded, "And that's totally fine, everyone moves at their own pace."
Jinora blushed, "I guess I...I want to... it's just 'first-time' nerves."
Korra smirked, it had been a very long time since she'd felt that same energy. The exciting part about discovering yourself as you get older and indulging in those needs with others who feel the same.
From her experience, when you're with the right person, that feeling never really goes away...Every time feels like the first time. She thought about Mako and how they always managed to keep that spark between them. That fiery passion whenever their bodies intertwined. Even when they weren't having sex, that innate magnetism between them. It was hard to ignore even when she was angry with him.
Mako treated her like it was his first time getting to have her. He savored it.. every time..
That was so rare to find...
Korra blinked, reluctantly pulling away from those thoughts and back to present day.
"The nervousness goes away pretty fast." Korra responded with a smile, "If Kai is the one for you, all you need to do is be yourself and relax. Everything else happens pretty naturally."
"What was your first time like?" Jinora asked.
"Oo-oh my first time?.." Korra stammered, "UUUhhhh.."
Instantly she remembered the hot and heavy encounter her and Mako shared in the locker rooms after a tournament. The adrenaline of a victorious win, the sweat, the passionate kissing, clawing of flesh and feverish biting...A love-hate fuck session definitely wasn't the lovely intimate story Jinora was hoping for. Korra never thought of virginity as this sacred concept, yes she was selective with her first partner but she didn't need the rose petals and cliche preparation that came with the moment of 'de-flowering'.
"Euuuhh...It was..great." Korra nodded shaking off the memory. "What's important is that you both communicate your needs and wants. You can always stop at any moment and y'know be safe and all that."
Korra knew Jinora was mature enough to understand the use of condoms and other precautions and didn't feel the need to get too specific.
Jinora nodded taking in all Korra had to say. They talked for a few minutes longer before Korra had to reluctantly head to the police station. On her way out Tenzin greeted her at the door with a concerned look on his face.
Korra laughed, "Don't worry, Jinora is fine. You raised a very mature young lady."
Tenzin breathed softly, letting his anxiety flow freely. Korra hugged him goodbye and promised to come back soon if the case of the stolen crown resolved itself swiftly. Although a part of her was convinced it wouldn't be that easy.
Kuvira paced around the holding room with a look that could kill. Her stiletto heels tapped along the hardwood floor as she stalked about in a less than pleasant mood. She ran her fingers threw her long black ponytail, combing the strays into place.
After her and Wu were questioned she hoped to send him off with a few body guards to tend to his every annoying whim but unfortunately they were being held up.
"Just relax, I'm sure we can come up with a solution." Prince Wu spoke. He was laying back in a chair with his feet propped up on another chair infront of him.
Kuvira stopped and glared at him, "When I want your opinion, I'll ask for it."
"If it wasn't for all of those rioters and thieves I'd have the money to afford my own security guards." Wu whined. The palace and other off-shore royal reserves were looted leaving Wu with a small amount of allowance. His family although still wealthy didn't allow Wu access to much of their inheritance. For good reason, he'd probably spend it all in a day given the chance.
Kuvira rolled her eyes, "Why don't you get back on a plane and go help those people in Ba Sing Se Wu?" She asked. "Since you don't have shit else to do..."
Wu sucked his teeth, "Then I'd miss all this quality time with you Kuvira." He batted his eyelashes playfully coy as she went back to angrily sulking.
"IT'S OVER!" Mako exclaimed as he charged into the room and stopped a few paces from Kuvira. Prince Wu popped up from his seat at the sight of his newly formed crush.
Since he was promoted to detective he was no longer required to wear their dinky gray uniforms and instead wore a fitted back crew neck and nice straight-leg pants. Wu eyed the shape of his toned arms and firm chest with lustful intrigue.
"This is NOT going to become a regular thing!" Kuvira interrupted. Mako barging in on her unannounced with his boyish problems was not another task she wanted to take on right now, or any other time for that matter.
She turned to Prince Wu, "Stay here until I hear word from Beifong."
Wu put his palms up innocently as her order sounded more like a threat. "Ugh can do! All these questions so early in the morning has me tired anyway"
Kuvira ignored Mako and headed out of the room.
"Wait!" Mako pleaded.
Kuvira gestured to the prince sarcastically, "Prince Wu. You remember my...friend Detective Mako right?"
The prince waved to Mako. "Of course I do," He cooed.
Kuvira smirked, happily amused. "Good, Talk to him!"
She stormed out of the room and down the hall of the police station. She trotted over to a cafe cart and ordered a black espresso. If alcohol was allowed in this place she would have ordered a shot instead. Anything stronger to help her get through the day.
The mysterious case of the stolen Fire Nation heirloom meant that now Beifong's staff was spread very thin and she might just end up being Wu's baby sitter for the remainder of her trip. Her little vacation tarnished as it barely begun.
Mako glanced at Wu hesitantly, "Uh, sorry." He mumbled before running after Kuvira. He spotted her down the hall and hurried along as the other officers went about their day. "Kuvira! We need to talk."
"No. You want to talk to me." She replied sternly. She handed the vender her credit card as Mako stood beside her.
He leaned down with a hushed tone, "Don't you want to know what happened?"
She paused, contemplating if this was worth getting involved. "Leave me alone officer..." She took back her credit card as the payment cleared and gasped, "Oh wait. I guess to you 'leave me alone' means pester the fuck out me until I tell you what you want to hear."
Mako sighed, "I get it, alright?"
"Good." Kuvira took her cup of coffee and promptly continued down the hall. After a few paces she unsurprisingly heard his voice again.
"You were right." He spoke.
She stopped and slowly turned over her shoulder. "I'm sorry what?"
Mako put his head down and timidly stepped closer to her not wanting anyone to over hear. "You were right."
Kuvira smirked, getting a sick pleasure from his defeated attitude. She ran her index finger across her bottom lip playfully. "One more time, I didn't quite catch that."
Mako looked at her with a warm hazel gaze and if Kuvira knew any better she'd guess he'd been crying. Taking a small sip of her coffee she dropped her sarcastic facade and gave the man the pity he now desperately needed.
The detective strolled toward his office door and Kuvira followed him inside.
"Let me guess. You did the exact opposite of what I told you to do and now everything blew up in your face like I said it would."
Mako dug his knuckles into the top of his desk, the imprint of Korra's naked body laid across the freshly waxed surface still fresh in his mind. "Yeah..."
"I swear you guys think I talk out of my ass.." Kuvira scoffed sipping her drink.
"What do I do?" Mako asked.
"Oh are you going to listen to me this time? Assuming there is a solution here. Which honestly." She plopped down in his guest chair casually, "I don't think there is."
"I should have left Korra alone. I rushed a response out of her and now..." he sighed with his shoulders slumping in defeat. "I guess I got carried away the other night. I shouldn't have said anything!"
Kuvira could tell he was really upset by this, "It's not like you're back at square one. You just can't have sex anymore..." she shrugged.
Mako shook his head, "it's more complicated now..."
She waved her hand dismissively, "yeah yeah you said you loved her but-"
"She said she loved me too." Mako interrupted.
Kuvira swallowed her bitter drink and blinked, "She did?"
"Yeah,"
Kuvira shook her head, that wasn't the shocking part honestly. "Wait I'm confused, the feeling is mutual and yet?"
"It's not enough..." Mako breathed, "Like you said, Korra doesn't want a relationship right now.."
"well..I told you she is still dealing with her own emotional turmoil. All you did was light a match to it. Korra's been doing great up until now..."
"I know it's my fault I get it!"
"No I'm serious. Korra was on the right track. She even made amends with Asami during your promotion."
"That's not exactly true. Korra said she just didn't want Asami thrown in to this mess and honestly she was smart to do that." Mako could only imagine the drama that would unfold if Asami knew about any of this.
"Korra's emotionally aware, so much so that she's cutting you out so you're not stupidly chasing her..."
"You have to admit this isn't heathy!" Mako retorted, "Using people for physical comfort in order to neglect your own emotional needs isnt heathy,"
She snorted, "Speak for yourself."
"You're unbelievable."
"And you are a masochist." She snapped.
The detective made a twisted face. "You've been fucking Korra, knowing how in love you are with her while this entire time she's been able to completely ignore those feelings for you. What did you think would happen at the end of this? You'd run off into the sunset together? You did this to yourself."
That was the part of the contract they forgot to address, when would all of this stop. Would they just go back to normal?
"You didn't answer my question."
Kuvira clicked her teeth, "Korra...it's not my job to tell her when to stop, neither is it yours."
Mako could sense her hesitation, "you're full of it."
"And you're possessive! Korra fully told you her intentions. You set the trap and you walked into it."
If Mako could take one thing back it would be that.
"Where was this discernment several months ago when you gleefully took on the roll of friends with benefits?"
"I was in a different place then." Mako replied, feeling like he was being lectured by a temper mental professor during office hours.
"And now Korra is too...and now this place she's in, she doesn't need you."
Mako grunted, "and yet Tahno can so easily take my place?! Fuck that!"
Kuvira spit out her coffee in shock, "What?!"
Mako's nostrils flared as he started to unwillingly get angry again. "You said she was at Tahno's so I went there and she was there and we argued and-"
"Hold on back up! Korra and Tahno hooked up!?" Kuvira's face twisted like she smelled something sour. She chucked her coffee in the trash after suddenly loosing her appetite.
"Yes!" Mako snapped.
Kuvira cocked her head to one side a tad annoyed. Korra ignored all of her texts to spend the weekend with Tahno of all people!? Okay, maybe it was time for an intervention.
"When the fu-"
"They went on a date Friday night and she spent the weekend with him." Mako grumbled, not really wanting to relive that.
"Hmm." Kuvira hummed. Korra and her have been on a few dates together but why did this seem different? Her and Tahno...No wonder Mako was mad. He gets snipped out in place for the best guy-friend.
"So where does that leave us? Hell where does that leave me?"
"I don't know, you'll have to ask Korra. She wants nothing to do with me." Mako crossed his arms over his chest like an angry child.
"Calm down hot head Korra doesn't want to lead you on...She wouldn't spend all this time wanting to be your friend just to throw it all away. Just be a friend to her and get over it."
"So you're okay with her being with Tahno?" Mako asked. The friend part wasn't bothering him as much as this new found discovery.
"I'm surprised but Korra can do what she wants with whoever. Be it her standards are dropping a little low...I'm just using whatever ounce of affection I get from her as a blissful distraction, and she knows that."
Mako looked away, was he the only one so caught up in the act? His heart and his cock were intertwined.
"It's not her fault you're so pussy whipped.."
Mako strutted around his desk and stood before Kuvira in a matter of seconds. She leaned back as he pitched forward, his large veiny hands gripping the sides of his chair as he invaded her personal space. Kuvira lifted her chin clearing the space between them and got so dangerously close she could smell his cologne.
Their eyes lingered on one another for a few seconds as she accepted his impulsive decision. Her gaze bounced from his lips to his eyes several times as if granting him permission to kiss her. He stood frozen, crouched over her like a statue.
"You can't do it can you?" She whispered. Mako gripped the edges of the chair tighter in frustration. The tension was there, the intrigue. Their lips were only a few inches apart...all he had to do was commit. Prove that he wasn't as devoted to Korra as she thinks he was.
How pathetic, loyal to someone who doesn't even want him.
"She said...Tahno doesn't expect anything from her." Mako whispered.
Kuvira nodded, that made sense now as to why Korra chose to seek comfort in him. There wasn't any contract attached to their little fling.
"Then there's your answer detective." She breathed. He needed to let go of what he expected their relationship to be. He needed to relinquish that control over the narrative.
Mako gazed into her eyes searching for the solution. Could he actually be as detached emotionally as Korra was?
"I want to try...with someone else...with you."
Kuvira was brash, cocky, attractive, confident and oddly enough, loyal with her words and actions when it came to most things. Mako could admit to having formed some time of weird, combative bond with her. Enough to be somewhat submissive, an attempt at role reversal.
Kuvira's brows shot up in surprise while keeping his gaze tightly on her. She's seen Mako in action and he was quite the spectacle. If given the opportunity maybe she'd indulge.
"You...you want me to peg you?"
Mako groaned and backed away, "oh my-never mind!" He rubbed his eyes erasing the imagery she knowingly placed in his head.
"I'm not judging! Bataar Jr. actually enjoys-"
"That's not what I meant-" Mako winced.
"You just asked me to have sex with you.."
"That's not the way..that's not what I-"
Mako had never done anything like that and that for sure was not what he insinuated. In all his sexual history the most he had ever done in that arena was in single digits. Literally one finger, many years ago...
A knock sounded at his door and an officer entered, "Korra of the Southern Water Tribe is here for interrogation." He announced. "Beifong is waiting."
"I'll be right there." Mako replied. "Thank the universe" he muttered as he glanced over his shoulder at Kuvira who seemed all too pleased with herself.
"Good luck lover boy." Kuvira teased. "And if you ever change your mind-"
Mako flipped her off as he walked out of his office.