Agape
"Agape is a love that impels one to sacrifice one's self for the benefit of the object loved."
Korra's eyes slowly trailed the polished floor, following the marble pattern and blurring reflection of lights before lifting her gaze to Asami, who was already staring back at her.
Unthinking, she began to charge forward. Her strides were long and fast as she cleared the distance between them in a matter of seconds. Silently, Korra wrapped her arms around Asami's torso and hugged her close. She buried her face in the side of her neck and squeezed her as tightly as she could.
Asami was frozen for a moment, her arms out stretched and still. She was truthfully shocked by Korra's reaction after watching all of this unfold. She had truly convinced herself that this was the end for them, the possibility of even remaining friends questionable at this point.
The realization finally settled in that this was indeed Korra's warm, muscular body pressed against her. She slowly wrapped her arms around her shoulders, embracing the hug she so desperately needed. They stood like this for what felt like minutes on end, suspended in time.
Korra let out a deep breath, feeling her shoulders drop along with Asami's; a shared sense of relief.
"I am so proud of you..Asami.." She whispered.
Everything seemed to fade away as Korra muttered those words. She was instantly transported back to all those years of hiding and shame but with a new perspective. One in which her girlfriend at the time was burdened with the threats of an honor and legacy being stripped away from her. A girlfriend who needed someone to champion for her, in times when she couldn't for herself.
Now she was defending others less fortunate in that same predicament. The Sato name would actually be put to good use, and she was finally liberated.
"Really I am..." Korra sounded a bit choked up like she was holding back from crying. "I knew you could do it.."
Korra couldn't find it in her to be angry, no matter how justified she was in her rage. The need for closure outweighed the desire to blame and argue. The solace she had found through Mako and her other companions washed away any residual pain she had felt after their break up.
They were all victims of circumstance using whatever means they needed to in order to cope and survive. She didn't know Varrick for very long, but after what they just watched and what Tahno had told her, he was manipulative and persuasive with his words and power. She definitely knew how one might behave when they are desperate enough to try anything.
Asami closed her eyes and dropped her forehead to Korra's shoulder. She didnt realize how desperately she needed to hear that coming from her. Nothing she did ever felt good enough or fully justified. Someone always ended up hurt, or with the short end of the stick. Never did she intend on impacting anyone this much; causing so much confusion.
"A few years too late I'm afraid..." Asami replied, her voice broken and soft. They stepped away, hands gliding down one other's arms until their hands were clasped together.
Korra didn't know how to respond to that and she could tell Asami wanted her to. Ideally that was true, that was all she ever wanted for her and Asami. To date openly and freely with one another, and now they could do that.
Mako watched as Korra ran to Asami and embraced her without even the slightest bit of hesitation. He could hear Tahno saying something to him but didn't comprehend the words. Everything seemed to dissolve into the background; the figures beside him like shadows, the twinkling lights above them going dim. Even the air he was breathing felt stiff and hard to swallow; like he was drowning. Asami's face nuzzled into Korra's shoulder...Korra's lips grazing her ear as she spoke to her softly.
The understanding that he might loose her again suddenly smacked him in the face. Mako was so swept away by their date, the investigation, that it completely slipped his mind that Asami accomplished exactly what she told him she would. Get rid of her father...and get Korra back.
He observed in silent torment. Their faces snuggled in each other's shoulders, soft words passing between their ears.
No...things were different now... He couldn't even believe that as he formed the thought in his head. This was Asami, not Kuvira, not Tahno... The whole reason this all started was because of her and now it was officially over. For the first time in months, Mako felt like the rebound again.
"I think we should move this into another room." Kuvira announced as people began to file into the space like any other normal night at the club.
As Kuvira spoke he shook himself free from his ongoing thoughts. "No I don't think that's necessary...I'm leaving. I'm sure Bolin is worried."
Korra turned as Mako began to walk away. She was puzzled by what he said because he was staying at her place for the weekend while Bolin was with Opal. Instantly she knew something was wrong.
"Mako wait!" When he didn't respond Korra took off out of the double doors behind him. He was already down the hall and making his way to the elevator when she caught sight of him.
"Wait! Mako!"
He pressed the button for the lift and stood patiently for it to get to their floor. His chest was tight as anxiety twisted his lungs, suffocating his words.
Korra took his arm and pulled him around to face her. "Are you upset about the case? Is that what this is about?"
"No." He answered shortly.
Korra looked at him genuinely confused, she was silently searching his eyes for any indication of a clear answer. If it wasn't about what just went down, why the sudden change in attitude? The ding of the elevator sounded and groups of scantly clad people pilled out onto the floor.
Korra stalled, "Can we talk about what ever it is?"
He looked down at her big bright blue eyes with a tinge of fear. So many days, weeks, months of this relationship blooming ultimately to be tested...again. He promised he wasn't going to let her slip away this time. That she couldn't get rid of him that easily; which included the painful conversations they'd ultimately have to have.
He clenched his teeth and wavered, "There's nothing to talk about."
The detective entered the elevator and Korra stubbornly jumped inside as the doors closed. "Don't bullshit me, I know you well enough to see that's not true!"
The large metals doors closed and the lift began to descend. Mako didn't look her way which only infuriated her more.
"Korra it's late, I'm tired, I'm irritated that my investigation was hijacked, my career feels like one big joke.. and you-" He stopped, swallowing his words.
"What did I do!" She shouted.
The doors opened and Mako promptly walked into the vacant restaurant. He weaved his way through the circular tables and across the red carpets. The dim overhead lights lit their path as they walked across the large corridor to the main entrance.
Korra jogged after him, "I thought we were passed this! I thought we could have a decent conversation for once!-"
"I just need need you to be straight with me!" Mako stopped dead and turned around to face her. Korra tripped backward as she collided into him so abruptly.
"Just be honest." He ordered, looking stern and emotionless.
Korra shrunk back a little bit, falling prey to how intimidating he looked. "Of course." She replied, although her voice was small and unsure of what he was asking.
"Do you want me?" He asked clear and straight to the point.
Korra furrowed her brows genuinely confused, "I think I've shown you these past several months how much I want you-"
"No." Mako shook his head and approached her calmly. He was frustrated but not with her. "Do you want me?"
He dropped his head shamefully, "I know I rushed you the first time and I know we weren't going to put a label on it this time. I really enjoyed that, going on a date...not worrying about what we were. I felt like we were secure now..I wasn't threatened by anyone seemingly stealing you away.." He started to pace back and forth. "But its different now right?"
He peered up to see Korra listening intently.
"You could be different with her now...I know that's what she wants for the both of you...and I can't-I don't think I can do this again." He shook his head as his voice cracked by the slightest octave.
"If I would have known that random night I found you at the bar would have lead to all of this, I could of saved myself a lot of stress, and heartache!" He caught his breath, trying to match the pace of his words with the speed in which his mind was racing.
"but I also never would have experienced probably the most invigorating months of my life..." he looked her deep in her eyes, "when we started this, I wanted to avoid opening myself up to these feelings, but I trusted you and you taught me to trust myself as well...that I wouldn't disappoint you again. We could do right by each other this time...and for a while it seemed like we were working..."
He was nodding, hoping Korra agreed. "But if Asami is what you want just tell me now. Please tell me now and save me the heartache of finding out later-"
"I'm sorry Mako..." Korra finally intervened. She cursed under her breath as she realized how her interaction with Asami must of looked from the outside in. "I didn't mean to scare you like that. We-We are working..."
She looked away, nervously biting her bottom lip. "You know when this all started I had a long talk with Tenzin and he told me I needed to think about how all of this would end...and I've been doing a lot of thinking lately." She lifted his chin so that he could face her.
"I never imagined it would be this complicated...or that I'd be involved with so many people..." she blushed. "But you were the one constant in my life Mako...and I'm sorry I didn't realize that..I didn't appreciate you..I'm sorry I kept you waiting this long..."
He searched her eyes with a small glimmer of hope. Her thumb tenderly ran along the side of his jaw. "It was always you..." She whispered.
Mako wrapped his hands around her waist and pulled her flush against his chest. "Korra..." He breathed, his tone cautious like he was unsure he could celebrate.
She smirked as their foreheads touched tenderly. There was no need for worry this time. "it was always you Mako.." She repeated.
He kissed her hard and fast, cementing her declaration with a firm and heartfelt kiss. The muscles in his arms flexed as he pinned her to his body. He seemed relieved and excited, he inhaled a deep breath through his nose as he spoke, "Say it again.." he ordered.
Korra moaned against his mouth, feeling a deep sense of mirth blooming inside her. "It's you Mako."
He pushed her against one of the decorative tables as his tongue slipped between her teeth. She clasped her hands on either side of his face, trying to keep up with the pace of his ferocious kisses.
"Again-" he groaned.
"I want you"
He moaned in her mouth as she spoke those heavenly words that sent him over the edge and into a carnal state of mind. Mako squeezed her hips as he picked her up and set her down on the edge of the dark mahogany. He pulled down her off-shoulder sweater, letting the fabric pool around her waist.
She unhooked her strapless bra and tossed it on the table while trying to maintain his rampant kissing. "I love you-"
Mako's hands were already undoing the buttons of her jeans, fumbling as a barbaric desire overcame him. The yearning to fuck her was more unbearable now than ever before. Korra could hardly keep up with him but she loved every second of it. "I love you Mako." She spoke between gasps of air.
"I love you Korra-" he ripped her pants and undergarments down her hips, "I love you so much.."
Korra fell back on the table as Mako bent down and removed her boots and pants along with them. He buried his face between her legs, hungrily sucking her clit in his mouth. Korra arched her back and belted out in ecstasy as shivers rippled up her skin. Her voice echoed off the walls like a sultry hymen. Mako moaned at the familiar taste of her sex, she was already so wet and ready for him. Just as he was hard and aching for her.
"MM!" Korra rolled her hips against his face and hooked her legs over his shoulders. Mako grabbed the fat of her hips and squeezed them tenderly. His tongue swiped and wiggled between her inner lips, brushing her entrance back and forth at a quickening pace.
"Ahh!" Korra hissed, "Fuck me!" She cried. There was no way she was going to last very long. Her adrenaline was high and entire body aflame. "Ahh! M-mako"
He heard her pleas but didn't care. He wanted to make her come with just his mouth, then they'd do it all over again. As Korra's legs shook he knew he was massaging the right spot and continued to let her ride his face until she came hard. As she writhed and panted for air he undid his jeans and freed his stiff erection.
Korra opened her eyes to the sigh of his cock in his hand, gently pressing against her opening. She sat up and grabbed the back of his neck as he plunged himself inside her. "Yes! ah!" Korra screamed.
Mako moaned just as loud. The sensation of her tight, warm pussy around his shaft was never something he'd take for granted. He gripped the table and began to fuck her rough and fast. His strokes were long and deep as he made sure their hips met each time. Korra's voice was like silk, her words mumbled and soft, starkly contrasting her screams and heavy moans.
"f-fuck.." Mako leaned forward and pushed her leg out to the side, giving him more space to move. His hips were controlled and yet wild, his rhythm fast and then slow; milking her for everything she's worth.
"ohh..You feel-mm so good!"
"y-yeah?" She sighed with labored breath. "Y-you like that?" Korra couldn't close her mouth for more than a few seconds even if she tried. Her moans were uncontrollable, her breath jagged and uneven. She was genuinely awestruck by him, even after so many encounters, so many ways they've had sex, this felt so different, so new. She tore at the hair on the nape of his neck, trying to keep herself anchored to him as they threatened to break the integrity of table she was sitting on.
Mako tore his teeth into his bottom lip and groaned, "yeah..fuck yes..." He stood up a bit taller and cupped her face for a kiss, "I love it.."
Korra smiled against his lips as she wrapped her arms around his neck. She was tried, covered in a blanket of heat and sweat that matched his own. Her second orgasm was quickly building and she hoped Mako's would follow soon after.
"Good..because..I'm-" Her body began to tremble before she could even finish the sentence.
Mako kept the even pace of his strokes as his hands caressed her back muscles, massaging every dip and curve. Korra cooed in response. Her lips grazed his ear, "You're go-ahh..gonna make me..cum!"
Mako groaned, inwardly fighting his ongoing climax. He wanted her to finish first or at least at the same time as him. "Cum for me baby.."
She hugged him tighter as her body tensed. "ahh! y-yes just like that!"
He clawed at her hips and anchored her to the edge of the table as he met her request. He probed that tender spot inside her with the tip of his cock guiding the way.
In a matter of seconds she unraveled under his grasp. He could feel the muscles of her thighs and the muscles within her begin to tighten and release. "Mako!"
"Korra.." He breathed, finally letting his orgasm peak. He fell forward, leaning his weight partially on her chest as all the energy seemed to drain from his body. Usually he would ride out his climax but he was too spent to do so this time.
He moaned softly at the tender touch of her fingers combing through his hair. For a few minutes they just breathed in silent unison together.
Korra came to her senses first. She took a deep breath and awkwardly looked around Tahno's restaurant. "I think we should go home..." She laughed. "Especially before we get caught.."
Mako smiled as he slowly found the will to move. "I thought that was all apart of the thrill?"
He lifted himself off of her and pulled up his jeans. Korra was also adjusting her clothes, smoothing out the wrinkles of her sweater. She watched him help her slip on her jeans and zip up her boots with a small blush. He was always so attentive to her but now, there was this residual feeling of gratitude that she couldn't deny.
Korra hopped off of the table and pulled the hem of her pants up over her hips and fastened the buttons. After finger coming her hair and wiping her smudged red lips, she deemed herself worthy enough to go back out into the world.
Mako tilted her chin up to face him and placed a heavy kiss to her mouth, "You look perfect."
"So it is true..."
They turned at the sound of a third voice in the corridor and froze at the sight of Asami approaching them.
Korra swallowed, as she gently covered her chest with her arms. She glanced over at the table in horror as she realized that she forgot to put her bra back on.
"Asami...I can explain-"
"Korra you don't have to do that." Mako interjected. He held out his arm ushering her behind him in a protective gesture which also allowed her to slip the bra off the table and clip it back on without Asami watching.
"It's exactly what it looks like.." Mako added.
Asami crossed her arms casually and looked past Mako's shoulder. "I'm not angry with you Korra." Her eyes flickered to Mako, "You wanted us to talk?"
"Yeah I did." He replied.
"So talk" she snapped.
Mako shrugged off her hostility, "There's not that much to say that you probably don't already know"
"I beg to differ! If I remember correctly you called me a few months ago saying you randomly ran into our ex-girlfriend. You conveniently asked me about our break up and I thought you were genuinely concerned about my well-being" she stopped and glared at him, "You just wanted information. You needed to make sure we were over before you made your move!"
Mako stepped forward, placing his hand on his chest. "No, I was genuinely concerned-"
"About covering your own ass! I told you what I was doing from the beginning!" Asami met his steps, eyeing him with a piercing gaze. "All that shit you were texting me at the Gala! D-did you even mean it?! You made it seem like you two weren't even talking to each-other! Trying to 'get along'.. You sure as hell we're doing a lot more than that!"
Korra was done fixing her wardrobe malfunction but it was already too late to enter the conversation that now turned to a full on argument.
"Actually I didn't know what you were doing!" Mako replied, "No one really knew what you were planning Asami! You were too busy playing both sides!"
"But you knew why I was doing it! All of this was for Korra..." Her voice faltered, but she was too angry to let her sorrow peak through. "You knew that! You knew I was doing everything I could to get my father out of the picture!"
Korra tried to interrupt, but they were too blinded with rage to hear or see her at this point.
"So you're allowed to have General Iroh, you're multimillion dollar legacy, AND KORRA! I know you're used to getting everything you want Asami but sometimes your actions have consequences! You didn't do this for Korra you did this for yourself!"
"That was the only reason we broke up! You don't think I regret loosing her! But that didn't stop you from swooping in and taking her from me!"
"KORRA DRUNK HERSELF HALF TO DEATH BECAUSE OF YOU!" He yelled.
Asami took a step back in shock as his words brought tears to her eyes. A deep silence fell over the three of them as they all collectively composed themselves.
Asami turned with a pained expression on her face, "Korra...is-is that t-true?" she whispered.
Korra's eyes began to water as she struggled to respond. That all seemed like ages ago; a memory of an entirely different person. She honestly wished Mako never sad anything about that night, it wasn't exactly one of her proudest moments.
"You don't have to answer that." Mako replied, turning around to give her some encouragement. When he saw Korra's face he was instantly filled with regret. Of course she didn't want to be reminded of that. His anger slipped away peeled away his mindfulness.
He faced Asami again, trying his best to contain himself. "I'm sorry...but I was split between two very difficult decisions. My loyalty to you is not stronger than my love for Korra..."
"I don't want to talk to you anymore! Korra can speak for herself..."
"Well you're gonna have to speak with me." He stepped in front of Korra as Asami tried to walk past him. "You weren't there..and she needed me...I didn't mess up anything for you. SHE asked me to be here when you were off planning this elaborate scheme..." Mako shook his head absentmindedly.
"You broke her apart and left her to pick up the pieces...I don't think you deserve the version of her put back together."
Korra grabbed Mako's arm and physically reigned him back in. "Mako...that's enough.."
She stepped forward, cautiously not wanting to add anymore heat to this ongoing flame. There was no need for anymore shifting the blame.
"It's true Asami...I didn't take our break up very well...And I just wanted to be numb to it all." Korra flinched as she remembered tipping back drink after drink, shot after shot. "Luckily...Mako found me..and he took me home...and took care of me...and I wanted him to stay..."
Asami's face fell as guilt twisted her expression. "I didn't know it was that bad-"
"I know.."
"I would have never left you like that!" Asami pleaded.
Korra nodded, her chest twisting with anxiety. "I know.." She repeated. "I've been putting on a brave face for a while now...not wanting to disappoint you...You are not at fault for how I chose to cope."
She cupped her hands together and shrugged. "It wasn't right away, when all of this became...All of this...Mako is telling the truth. He didn't know what to do that would please both of us in the end. We decided to keep this a secret, although we we're very good at it. I thought that in the beginning I just wanted sex, that's what we agreed we both wanted, but it evolved to be so much more than that...I'm sure you're familiar with that feeling."
Asami knew she was referring to her pending relations with General Iroh.
Korra sighed, "For the first time in my life I've never felt so liberated. So like myself.."
"And I wasn't apart of that.." Asami added, finally letting the weight of their words settle.
"I understand why, I really do Asami and I can never bring myself to hate you..." Korra took her hand. "I told you it would have been best for us to move on...And I didn't mean it at the time-"
"I knew you didn't.."
"But I'm glad I said it." Korra finished. She looked back at Mako and then at Asami again. "Because that was the right choice. It is a little too late now, but that doesn't mean what you did was in vain!" She wanted to make a point to reassure her of that fact.
"...But what Mako and I have gone through, what we've learned about ourselves and each other together...that's wasn't in vain either..I can't throw that away."
She took a timid step back from her, letting their hands drift apart. "I can understand if this will take you some time. If it's better for us not to be around for a while..."
"I knew this wasn't going to be an easy conversation." Mako added, "But it was a necessary one."
Asami nodded her head and sighed. "I guess I just needed that final confirmation...It's better to know" She bit her lip as her eyes lowered. This was inevitable and yet was still sore to process.
"Are you going to be okay?" Korra asked.
Asami looked up and offered a small smile, "yeah I will be."
Korra approached her and gently pulled her in for another hug. Asami hugged her back, savoring the moment as long as she could.
"I'm always here for you Asami...Always.."
-O-
Back home, Mako and Korra silently entered her front door to see a slumbering Naga passed out on her couch. Kuvira wasn't there so they assumed she must of still been at the Secret Tunnel. It was very early in the morning, silent and peaceful as snow fell outside, draping over decorative Christmas lights. Korra was grateful to be somewhere safe and familiar again. She hoped for the remainder of their holiday break there wouldn't be so much stress.
They removed their shoes at the door, hung up their jackets and began to head to bed.
Korra walked to her stairwell and took Mako's hand as she noticed him strolling in the opposite way, "Where are you going?"
He rubbed his eyes and looked at her nonchalantly, "Well I assume Kuvira is taking the guest room so I was gonna crash on the couch?"
Korra blushed, finding it cute how he didn't just assume things would be different now. "Sleep with me Mako"
It sounded like a cross between a question and a command, both of which he wasn't going to protest. Mako followed her steps up to the second floor and into her master bedroom. They changed into something comfortable, slipped under her comforter with matching sheets and promptly fell asleep intertwined in each others arms.
Korra slept peacefully knowing that this was the first night of them together, with many more to follow.