Alternative (spicier) ending to chapter seven!
When it Rains: At Midnight
"I can't believe you got us lost!" She yelled.
"I asked what our exit was and you said the next one!" Mako returned.
"Yes Detective, I said that one hour ago!"
He pulled his car into a nearby parking lot where a shabby motel sat just a few yards away. It was pouring rain, thunder clapping, and streaks of light illuminating the sky.
"Well we don't have a choice now but to stop! I can't drive in this weather..."
He parked and pulled the keys out of the ignition. The windows of the car rattled against the heavy downpour as if the weight of the water would cause them to shatter.
"I shouldn't have let you drive at all." Kuvira snapped. She opened the passenger side and ran toward the front entrance, shielding herself with her arms above her head. Mako followed, instantly cold and drenched as he ran under the downpour.
They stopped at the last door on the top floor with little to no enthusiasm. Kuvira held the hotel key in her hand and sighed, "Only one room available..." She grumbled. They weren't the only ones finding refuge at this run down pit stop in the middle of the Kolau Reserve.
She unlocked the door and pushed it open. They stepped inside and flipped the singular floor lamp on. There was a bathroom, linen closet, computer desk, ice box, tacky striped sofa chair, coffee pot that probably hadn't been cleaned in months, and...
"One bed..." Mako whispered.
The General couldn't care less about their sleeping arrangements. She ripped off her sopping boots and chucked them at the door, leaving them on the mat outside.
"I need to get out of these clothes..." She sighed, everything else could be decided on later.
She looked like she had jumped in a pool, drowned and then climbed out. Her hair had slipped out of its bun and fell in tangled waves down her back. Her clothes were soaked and stuck to her body like a glove. Her uniform and other items were thankfully clean and dry, folded up neatly in her suitcase.
She paused, realizing their luggage was still in the car. Mako seemed to share the same thought and eyed her defiantly. "I'm not-"
"Well...go on!" She laughed. "There is no way I am stepping outside again." Mako looked at her in disbelief, "It's just a little rain..."
"A little too much..." she retorted.
He looked down at his muddy shoes and swallowed his pride. "Fine...I'll be right back.."
Upon returning, he ditched his shoes by the door and knocked for her to open. "One second chief.." She snorted.
Kuvira opened the door in nothing but a towel wrapped around her body like a strapless dress. Her face was bare and hair finger-combed down her arms. She looked...normal to him. As weird as that sounded, unlike the usual pristine ultra refined General he came to know.
Mako forced his gaze not to leave her face as he stepped inside. The towel she wore was only long enough to stop about mid-thigh and was thread bare. Kuvira obviously had a nice physique, but he wanted to be respectful. The situation was already awkward to begin with.
"I was able to pitch a line to the others letting them know we won't reach Omashu until tomorrow...hopefully..." The room telephone was severely outdated but Korra was able to get the message. Their little vacation was delayed because of course, Mako and Kuvira just had to work that extra day instead of hitch a plane ride with the others. A duo road trip was their only other option to get there in time.
"We will," He added. "If that's the last thing I do."
"Don't act too enthusiastic to get rid of me.." She scoffed.
He rolled his eyes, "I will when you do the same..."
Mako wondered why she was so on edge. The road trip had been smooth sailing up until they were hit by the storm, then all of a sudden Kuvira couldn't read West from East. It was admittedly a bit strange for a woman like her. She was always so well kept and composed, cool under fire. That seemed to evaporate as the rain fell.
Kuvira took her luggage from him and dug inside for her pajama's and undergarments. As she turned away Mako pulled his shirt over his head, finally ridding himself of his water dredged clothes. Kuvira was already making herself comfortable and he wasn't going to shy away from doing the same. They were both adults, there was no need to act coy.
She paused as her eyes lingered over his shape. The broad definition of his shoulders and thick corded muscles of his arms. Admittedly she liked how his hair looked wet. It fell around his face in a messy yet attractive way.
The General quickly looked away as he turned to catch her staring. He slowly pulled his jeans down his legs, cringing at the cold, uneasy feeling left on his skin. He felt clammy on top of already being irritable from the drive and all the arguing.
Kuvira stood up and walked over to the bathroom. "I don't know about you, but I like hot water with my showers..." She opened a small heater adjacent from the restroom. It was filled with ash and coal, only needing to be lit aflame.
"Can I borrow a bit of fire Detective?" She asked.
At the promise of a little heat he complied. Mako strutted over to meet her, uncaring that he was only in his briefs at the moment. He ignited the furnace and met her eyes attentively.
"Thank you.." She managed to say for once.
"Make it quick, that won't be enough to last within an hour before it burns out..."
She smirked, glossing down his chest to his soaked underwear that left very little to the imagination. Mako noticed her not-so-subtle eyes and found it comical she cared none to give him the same privacy.
"You could join me if you'd like, save some time and water..."
He ignored her bluff and turned away, "I'm a patient man..."
She only shrugged, "hm..suit yourself.."
Kuivra showered fast and Mako soon did the same. Even though the fire was out by this point, the room was toasty enough to ease the chill off the room. He swiped his towel threw his short black hair, ruggedly drying it off. Kuvira realized he intended on sleeping shirtless with only a pair of oversized shorts. That wasn't what bothered her though as she climbed on to the bed.
Mako pulled back the curtains to see it was still storming outside. The sky was black and wind blew so harshly the trees bent like waves. At least when they got to Omashu they'll be higher up in altitude to avoid the flash flooding.
"Close the blinds.." Kuvira cringed.
Mako turned to see her nestling under the blankets on the bed. The one, singular, Earth-Queen sized bed.
He turned with his arms crossed and glared at the small sofa chair then back at Kuvira who already staked claim on the mattress. "I'm not sleeping on that..." He said sternly.
Kuvira shrugged, "That's fine..." She tossed one of the pillows on the floor along with a make-shift blanket from the closet. "I'm sure the floor would be just as comfortable as this rock hard excuse of a bed..."
Mako picked up the pillow and blanket and tossed them back on the bed. He arrogantly climbed on top, shuffling Kuvira to the right so that he could lay on the left. "We each paid our share of the room, so I'd like my half of the bed."
Kuvira leaned away from him, her face slightly flustered. She could feel the heat emanating from his body and hated to admit how much she liked it. Firebenders always had a warm internal temperature and the prospect of snuggling beside him was a tempting thought to have.
"Then sleep that way!" She pointed to the opposite end of the bed, insinuating he lay his head there.
"I'd rather not have your feet in my face.."
Suddenly, thunder boomed and knocked out the electricity in the room.
Kuvira groaned, her voice strained like a pitiful whine. "..Great."
"Guess that's the end of it.." Mako concluded.
"Could you be quiet for a second?" She cried, her tone shaken.
Mako lit a small flame in his fist and looked over to see a bit of worry in Kuvira's eyes. She was hugging her arms to her chest, staring towards the window.
"I'm sure the lights will be back in a few minutes..No reason to stress..."
She looked back at him and immediately glared, "Goodnight.." She flopped over, promptly ending the conversation.
After about thirty minutes of feverish tossing and turning, Mako laid flatly under the blanket unable to sleep. The patter of the rain wasn't helping ease into his slumber at all. He rolled over in a last ditch attempt to get more comfortable and stopped moving when he noticed Kuvira's uneven breaths. He followed the line of her shoulders to her arms and saw that she was too tense to be passively sleeping. Suddenly, lightning crackled across the sky and she jumped, flinching against the sound.
His eyes lowered, watching intently. The sky snapped again, and again, she shuttered. This time pulling the blanket up to her chin.
The Detective finally understood why she had been in such a pensive mood all night. He wasn't a stranger to the pride of not wanting to admit when you are afraid.
He didn't know what came over him, wasn't entirely sure if this was the most appropriate thing to do, but he scooted closer to her. Obviously, she felt him move and froze in response, becoming keenly aware of his presence.
Realizing he couldn't stop what he already started, he slowly wrapped his arm around her torso and hugged her against his chest. To Mako's surprise, she fell against him, lightly threading her fingers through his and placing their intertwined hands on the center of her chest.
Kuvira closed her eyes for a moment and sighed, taking the first normal breath since they laid down to sleep. Damn him...she thought. He did feel nice and so warm. It was instant relaxation for her nerves.
Mako felt her begin to calm down and in turn it gave him the same comfort. He rested his head on the pillow, breathing in the subtle scent of the motel's cheap shampoo in her hair.
When the thunder boomed, she squeezed his hand, holding her breath until it passed. He could feel the pace of her heart and felt relieved it had steadied to a regular rhythm.
"Who knew General Kuvira was afraid of a little lightning..." He said softly, trying to distract her thoughts.
Kuvira smirked, realizing how ironic that was considering this man could wield said lighting from the very tips of his fingers. Maybe that was why she felt so safe with him..
She swallowed roughly, realizing that what she was about to say was going to damper his attempt to ease her discomfort.
"My birth mother...literally dumped me on the side of the road..." She clamped her eyes shut, the memory so stark it felt real. "All I can remember is the rain...and that it was so cold...freezing even..." She squeezed him again.
"and the lightning..."
Just a small, defenseless girl looking up at the orphanage in despair. It was so dark and she was all alone on the barren steps, drowning under the storm. It is said that people only remember how a situation made them feel and less about the specific details. It was so long ago and yet that sentiment was very true. Every storm after that night always brought back the same emotions. They washed over her like waves on an ill-tempered sea. Her defensiveness toward him was just a front to shield that scared little girl.
Mako hummed, allowing the moment to exist without the need to respond. What could he possibly say to remedy that? It was better to hold her and allow the emotion to pass. Kuvira appreciated that he understood the power in that silence. She spent a good portion of her life having people speak every bit of encouraging and 'self-help' advice that existed. She took every step she could take to make a name of herself, despite her troubled past. It was nauseating at times, always hyper-fixating on the 'good'. There were times where wallowing in the grief, the fear, was necessary.
Mako knew that very well.
"There were plenty of nights Bolin and I sheltered ourselves from a storm. It never really gets easy..." He pondered if telling her Bolin still preferred a night-light was crossing a boundary and decided against it.
"Although...you are a lot easier to cuddle with than Bolin..." He added with a small laugh. Admittedly he enjoyed the way their bodies formed to one another so effortlessly. He was happy to share the warmth.
She blushed, thankful her back was to him and that he couldn't see her reddened cheeks. She shifted a bit, pressing her lower half against his front, their hips flush together. It wasn't a sexual gesture, just the urge to be closer.
"...And who was there to shelter you?" She asked softly, already knowing the answer.
Mako lowered his head a bit more, dipping his nose into her mass of black curls. "Me...I guess..." He had to be strong for Bolin, and therefore, had to become his own source of strength as well. It was just the role he had grown accustomed to. Always being the one to give comfort instead of receiving it.
"..Then we are the same.." Kuvira rolled over to face him, making sure his arm remained resting at her waist. Her green eyes looked softer to him now, more relaxed than earlier. The blue moon light from the cracks in the blinds illuminated the scene just enough to see the compassion on her face.
Her lashes were thick and heavy and he couldn't tell if her jaded expression was from sleep or another emotion. As she closed the gap between them he found his answer in the delicate press of her lips against his. She rested her palm under his chin as they continued to share several slow, deliberate kisses. Each one held the intention to give him a moment to receive the same solace he provided.
Mako welcomed her embrace gratefully. He held her flush against him, drawing their chests to touch under the blanket. Kuvira continued their kisses with a bit more intensity once she realized he hadn't pulled away yet. As the thunder boomed and lightning crackled, she gripped him tighter, wanting to drown out the noise with a preoccupied mind and body.
He eagerly matched her pace and quickly accepted her silent proposition. He didn't want to question or think about what they were doing, only act, only indulge. Mako had never known the more vulnerable parts of Kuvira and he was happy to explore them with her. He was honored she opened up to him in this way, she seemed to only truly have this type of connection with Korra.
They had more in common than he realized, and surprisingly that included an underlying mutual attraction. One that allowed a space for bickering, fear, vulnerability, and comfort to exist simultaneously.
Kuvira groaned against his mouth, hiking her knee up to rest on the side of his hip. Mako dragged his hand down her thigh, pulling her knee tighter against him. She could already feel him getting harder between the press of their bodies. That sensation alone sent her imagination spiraling. Mako was an attractive man, it would be a lie to say she hadn't thought about him in a more carnal way. They had always just remained the more cordial ones in their small group of friends. After tonight, she was open to broadening the definition of their relationship.
It took a very strong person to make her feel safe. To submit to the idea of being supported both physically and emotionally. Mako did so, so naturally it was almost admirable. It only made her want to experience more of him, whatever he had to give her.
Mako ran his hand down her sternum and between her breasts. She shivered at his touch and instinctively arched her back, encouraging him to grope her. He cupped the fat of her boob and swiped his thumb across the bud of her nipple. Kuvira moaned at this, her lashes fluttered mimicking the tingling sensation he brought on. She was so soft in his hands, her thin cotton shirt ruffled as he continued to knead her chest.
"M-mako.." She kissed him eagerly and he understood that she had very little patience for foreplay.
He slipped his hand down the front of her pants and enjoyed how she stiffened against his touch. His hands weren't cold at all, quite the opposite. They were hot, which only melted her muscles into his grasp.
Kuvira moaned as he slowly began to massage her clit. His middle and ring finger gently circled in long, even strides.
"mmmh" She muffled her cry against his mouth, loving the exchange of their hot breath. Her hips fidgeted now, bracing for him and then timidly pulling away in a slow, rhythmic motion.
As lightning struck, she jumped making Mako pause.
"You..okay?" He asked, his voice so deeply raspy.
"Yes," She smirked, "Don't you dare stop now.."
He smiled against her lips and carefully pushed one finger inside her. "Didn't..plan on it.."
Kuvira moaned, her mouth falling open in pleasant surprise. She ran her fingers along his scalp and grabbed at his short brown hair.
Mako kissed the bend of her neck, trailing his lips along her collar bone as he inserted the second digit. He loved the noises she made, such a contrast in the tone of her voice from her usual demeanor. She sounded light and feathery, her moans little sensual gasps and muffled groans.
"ooh!" She hugged him closely as her hips bucked, pushing him knuckles deep. "mm!" She rocked against him, enjoying how his fingers curved and stroked along her walls.
She dragged her left hand between them and lightly began toying with his bulge. He was thick and hard under the tips of her fingers. The thought of him plunging inside her with each considerable inch was enough to keep her hips writhing.
Kuvira grabbed under the elastic band of his shorts and began pulling them down. She was happily amused to see he wasn't wearing undergarments. Once she freed his erection she took hold of it, all five fingers wrapping tightly around him.
Mako shuttered, his teeth bit into his bottom lip as she gently stroked him. She paid close attention to his head, massaging the curve of it in her palm, lightly swiping the tip.
Mako returned the favor and lowered her bent knee just enough for her to straighten her legs and remove her bottoms as well. Even as they were naked beneath the thin, scratchy comforter, their bodies were still so hot.
Kuvira gasped as Mako pulled her against him again. He scooped up her thigh, propping it on the side of his hip.
"oooh..yes.." She sighed as he slid the length of him back and forth between her parted legs. He rubbed along her clit and outer lips, teasing her already agitated nerves.
After a few moments of collectively rocking their hips, he grabbed the base of his shaft and guided himself insider her.
Kuvira froze as she expanded her lungs with a shaken breath. She melted against him at the moment of contact, shell-shocked by his girth and slick heat.
"..shit..." She breathed, her voice pleasantly lighthearted.
Mako smiled crookedly, the sight of such a high ranking General so overcome was a notable turn on he didn't even know he had until now. He began to thrust, his right hand holding her hip steady.
"..fuck.." He moaned, slowly loosing his focus.
The rain pattering outside was the least important thing to him now. He was almost grateful for the supposed unfortunate event. It ultimately brought them closer together and was the better alternative than warring with one another plus a torrential downpour. The only thing he wanted to be dripping in was her.
Kuvira craned her head, grateful they were laying on their side and she could brace herself against the mattress. She grabbed his bicep with clawed hands, trying to anchor herself to him as they moved.
Her hips met every single one of his strides, driving him in deep and purposeful. "Mako.." She moaned.
"yes.." He replied, his minding whirling with the rotation of her hips. As much as he tried to control the pace, she commanded the rhythm. Her muscles tightened and relaxed with so much intention he submitted to her influence. "Fuck yes.."
He went faster as it quickly became a loosing battle to prolong this any further. It was so well into the night and the last thing they needed was the krew wondering why after time in a motel to rest, they were so exhausted.
"ooh-oh..ha!" Kuvira's voice grew louder, thankfully blending with the acoustics of the rain. Mako adored the pitch of her moans, the soft curve of her eyebrows and small "o" shape of her mouth. Her long hair fanned partially in front of her face and across the length of the pillows in a beautiful mass of black tresses.
He looked down, barely making out the shape of their bodies in the dark, but loved the sight of him fucking her. The sound that accompanied the action was just as lewd and distasteful. She groaned as he never broke his stride, his stamina a perfect match for her own.
"Kiss me..." She breathlessly ordered.
He found her lips in the dark and swiped his tongue against her bottom lip as she embraced him. The practice of keeping their mouths connected in-between muffled groans was a perverted game Kuvira thoroughly enjoyed. There was something so sensual about wanting to kiss and yet being so swept away by the sensations of their bodies that each nip was disrupted by a desperate plea.
"oh!-Mako!" She cried and buried her face in the crook of his neck as her body began to tremble.
"I'm with..you" He sighed. His climax was building, admittedly long before hers, but he was determined to get her there too. He rolled her on her back with him on top and enjoyed her surprised yelp in response.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him close. "Yes! ah!..yes!"
Kuvira angled her hips upward toward his downward strokes. He was probing her deeper now, curving his body over her in a protective cradle. Her hand dragged along the side of his jaw as her lips parted desperately. "Don't-stop!"
Mako leaned down and kissed her, "I got you.."
Kuvira's teeth tore into his bottom lip as her climax struck with his next few strides. She rode out each passing wave, letting the tremble of her muscles lull her to submission. Mako soon followed, withdrawing from her and spilling his seed along her abdomen and inner thighs. She shivered at this, finding sick pleasure in something considered partially degrading.
Mako fell on the bed beside her with his arm draped over her stomach. Kuvira lightly traced the veins along his forearm as they rested. She listened intently and noticed the storm had settled to a delicate drizzle. Although she was no longer afraid, she wanted to keep him close.
"Be right back." he spoke. He stepped off the bed and went to the bathroom.
The security blanket of his body next to her was becoming a private desire. The absence of it left her feeling indifferent. Did she truly need an "excuse" to make him stay? What will become of them once morning comes and they go to join their friends?
Mako returned with a damp cloth and a dry towel for her to wipe herself down. Kuvira smirked at his chivalry and after a moment to clean up they nestled back under the comforter.
Kuvira rested her head on his chest and for a moment just listened to the steady beat of his heart. She needed to be certain and make sure they were on the same page. She wanted to continue this exploration outside this shabby motel, but did he?
"In the morning-" She mumbled.
"We'll take things slow.." He replied with a gentle hand on her waist. He was having the same thoughts, but didn't want to overwhelm her with an immediate decision.
Kuvira paused to think about his response. She had a good feeling he wasn't just talking about their drive to Omashu.
Taking things as they come seemed so promising and Mako's lead was something she could follow.
A sense of ease washed over her as Kuvira closed her eyes and they both calmly drifted to sleep.