Hello my dear readers! It's been a long time since I posted previous chapter of Kuvira and Baatar: Love under house arrest. I am very busy with uni :( HOWEVER! I will post new FANART for this chapter on my INSTAGRAM so you can follow me there :)
WARNING! DISTURBING AND MATURE CONTENT!
Zaofu, the Beifongs' Residence, a few days after Baatar's return
It was early cold morning in the fall and the domes above the city of Zaofu opened just a while ago. Barely any leaves now stayed on the twigs and hoarfrost covered the garden. Winter was always fastly coming to the Zaofu mountains.
Kuvira was in her bed, laying in a fetus position facing the wall. She didn't know for how long she was awake but hearing changing guards from outside gave her an idea that she's been looking emptily at the wall for long enough.
It was a week since the argument she had with Baatar in the greenhouse and Kuvira was so angry at herself. How could she say those words to him?...Again….after everything that happened. She hated herself and felt so unwell. Everything she does just hurts Baatar even more. She still couldn't control her temper when being trapped in the corner. Her body was giving up from all the stress... She tightened her duvet closer to her body. Every thought of the argument made her heart rate go up. His words were so hurtful to her as well...
The days were long but felt empty, Kuvira wasn't allowed to leave the house arrest ward since the second day after the argument because the Beifongs were hosting guests in the residence. She was trapped in there with her thoughts, she wasn't sure she could carry on anymore... The pain coming from her head was going through her heart and stomach down to her tip toes. She couldn't cope with the fact that it's definitely over... Baatar put an end to everything and Kuvira had no longer the reason to live... someone to live for…
Thoughts of ending it all were stronger than ever... Kuvira's dark green eyes were looking at the scars on her wrist. The way out was so easy... She already did it once... but they found her too early. If she disappears forever then she won't be able to hurt him again... to hurt anyone ever again.
The knocking on the door disturbed Kuvira's thoughts and she slowly sat up. She was wearing her daily clothes as she didn´t have energy to change to her pyjama yesterday evening. With her messy low hairbun she went to open the door.
"Breakfast is here!" Lao announced holding a tray as Kuvira was standing in the doorway. There was a little kettle with tea and bowl of stir fried rice with eggs and vegetable.
"Good morning." Kuvira took a tray from old pirate chef and went to put it on the table. Cold mask on her face.
"Just one more day and you can go outside again!" Lao announced with smile and Kuvira looked back at him. He was the only one who didn't treat her as a burden... "Feeding five more people without your help is a challenge." he added and scratched his bald head.
"How are they like?" Kuvira asked and discretely tightened her grip on the edge of the table as her headache came in a wave.
"Those scholars seem to like Zaofu a lot. I can say they are impressed by the infrastructure and have questions all the time. They are also very hungry! Suyin joked yesterday that it's like having five more Baatars in the house." Lao laughed and Kuvira looked away. Lao realized Baatar is a sensitive topic for Kuvira and his smile faded away. "I should go. I have a lot of work. I'll be back with your lunch." he said nervously.
"Thank you." Kuvira said and watched how pirate chef closed the door. When she couldn't hear his steps anymore, Kuvira sat down on the chair and sighed. After a while, she took a sip of green tea and began staring at the door in front of her with sadness in her eyes. Kuvira didn´t hear Lao bringing breakfast to Baatar as well. He wasn´t even returning to his room for the night anymore… She knew it's because of her. Kuvira looked down at her breakfast but her stomach ached when she even thought about eating. Her body didn't want more food to keep going... It was giving up.
Kuvira looked at the window. The sunlight was casting through it and Kuvira made her decision. The one she had on her mind for a long time. She looked back at scars on her wrist and decided that this was the last time she sees sunrise...
Noon, the Beifongs' Residence
Baatar was sitting in his study starring at blueprints with dark circles under his eyes. He didn´t draw a single line in hours. During the last week, he was de facto living in here. He needed to isolate from Kuvira as much as he could. Her words hurt him like knives and he was in a very dark place again. "I wouldn't hesitate to end your life..." Kuvira's words from the greenhouse kept haunting him. She would get rid of him again... That's who she truly is.
Baatar sighed and massaged his temples. He wanted to get her out of his mind so badly. He was already planning on going to the kitchen in the evening and taking another bottle or two of any liquor he could find. He wanted to feel numb. He wanted to forget her.
Suddenly, his thoughts were disturbed when he heard familiar knocking. "Come in." he said emptily and watched Baatar Senior enter the study. "Father" he stated.
"Hello, Baatar." Baatar Senior said and walked closer to his son's table.
"What's going on?" Baatar asked his father while reorganizing blueprints on the table.
"I came here with an offer." his father said and Baatar looked back at him with a glimpse of hope in his eyes.
"I can finally work in the maglev factory?!" Baatar asked wishing for positive answer. He wanted to work there for so long. Beifongs´ patent for maglev trains construction gave Zaofu a factory that was built in a new city lotus next to airship station. Baatar wanted to do any kind of job there just to get out of this place… but his father´s face told him that he could throw his hopes away…
"Baatar you know it´s not possible…I am aware of how much you want to work there while your designs are coming to life but people wouldn´t carry it well… We can send you to BaSingSe or other remote areas from time to time but people here know you…It wouldn´t end well… Zhu Li and King Wu gave us a huge favor that you could be sentenced to house arrest. If people see you out there… It´s still too soon." Baatar Senior explained the situation to his son.
"Why are you here then?" dissapointed Baatar asked with zero emotions in his voice.
"Students would like to meet you, Baatar." his father said trying to cheer him up but Baatar frowned.
"They want to see a wreck of a criminal?" Baatar stated with disgust as he stood up. Just a second ago he heard how nobody wants to see him.
"That's not true, Baatar... I wouldn't tell you about it if I wasn't sure they want to learn new things. Nobody knows maglev trains and railway like you. You are the most competent person who can educate them about it. It would just be a private lesson here in your study." Baatar Senior tried to convince his son while resting his hands on his shoulders in comforting way. This gesture made Baatar relax a bit. He was looking in his father's eyes and was wondering how he was able to forgive him everything. All the bad things he had done. They say you forgive everything to your child...
"I am not sure it´s a good idea..." Baatar said and looked down.
"It's gonna be a good change. You are closed in here alone long days. It´s not the factory but it is at least something." his father tried to convince him and Baatar saw enthusiasm in his eyes. After a while of thinking things through he finally agreed.
"Okay... They can come here in the evening..." Baatar said and smile appeared on his father's face.
"Thank you Baatar. I am sure your experience will give them a lot and their presence will help you too." Baatar Senior said and left to arrange the meeting.
Baatar sighed and sat down again. He immediately regretted his decision but he wanted to do it. For his father... He owed him a lot.
...
At the same time, Kuvira was laying in bed in her room starring at the ceiling. Her heart was empty and numb... She only waited till night to finally stop all of this.
She wished to see her greenhouse again but knew guards wouldn't let her. The last memory of that place stays a fight with Baatar. Kuvira closed her eyes and with her fingers felt the texture of bedsheets under her. It was in this bed where she felt the emotion of love and happiness for the last time. Where her and Baatar were together. When hers and Baatar's body connected and they were laying in tight embrace. Kissing passionately while their skin was on fire. What happened afterwards was haunting Kuvira till this day.
If only she didn't make so many bad decisions in her life... Everything could be different...
But all the events of their lives let two broken people behind.
Zaofu, the Beifongs' residence, early evening
Baatar was nervously walking around in his study as he was waiting for students to show up. His palms were sweaty and his heartbeat fast. He could really use a glass of Fire Nation rum to numb him a bit but all the bottles were locked in the kitchen and the chef was still in there.
"Remember... You will only talk about engineering and maglev trains. You can do it." Baatar was telling himself. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. "It's gonna be okay."
Baatar was trying to calm down but the knocking on the door some time later still covered his arms with goosebumps.
"Come in!" Baatar called as he opened his eyes.
Four students together with Baatar Senior entered the study and Baatar greeted them. It took all his strength not to run away from the place. Four male students sat down on the green sofas in the corner and the fifth female student that entered the study as the last one caught his attention. She had shoulder length raven black hair with braided crown, light green eyes and very sweet smile. She was wearing light green long sleeved knee length wrapping dress and darker green tight trousers.
"Dayiu, here you are. I was just telling the boys earlier that all the projects of five smaller domes that surround Central dome of Zaofu were named after my five children." Baatar Senior said and showed her where to sit.
"Oh that is very interesting. I am sorry for the delay Mr Beifong." Dayiu apologized as she sat down next to her classmate. Baatar was surprised by her soft voice and repeated her name in his mind Dayiu. Such a nice name he thought for himself.
"That's okay." Baatar Senior said and walked closer to his son. "Baatar, let me introduce you to the best architecture and engineering graduates from BaSingSe University. From the left Hayato, Wan, Atis, Lee and Dayiu" his father added and Baatar nodded.
"Very nice to meet you." Baatar said and felt a bit nervous as students' eyes were scanning him.
"This is my son Baatar Jr. Beifong, father of the maglev industry." his father announced proudly and Baatar felt bad. "and the industry of deadly weapons..." Baatar added in his mind. He is not supposed to be celebrated like this... His biggest success was overshadowed by his war crimes.
"Stop it, dad." Baatar said quietly under his breath but Baatar Senior didn't understand. His hearing got worse with age and Baatar felt uncomfortable. His eyes were looking around the room to find a way out of this situation but it landed on Dayiu. She gave him a soft smile of support and Baatar felt something unexpected. Butterflies in his stomach.
"Shall we begin?" Baatar Senior said and Baatar nodded. He wanted it to be over as soon as possible. Baatar took a deep breath and began talking.
"You are currently sitting in the room where first maglev tests were performed and where an idea itself of the fastest railway system firstly occurred..."
Baatar was talking about maglev experiments, first prototypes and construction of railway in the Earth Kingdom and Fire Nation. He was showing students old blueprints and demonstrated how the railway works on a little model... The domes started closing when Baatar finished his speech and was surprised when students began clapping.
"Very good, son! I believe it's time for questions at the end!" Baatar Senior said with excitement and one student immediately asked.
"Till this day, the Earth Serpent remains the most breathtaking and majestic bridge in the world. What inspired designs of this technological wonder?" Hayato asked and Baatar was surprised by his question and interest. The Earth Serpent was his only aesthetical bridge design and it was built during Earth Empire era. The memory of the bridge brought flashback to his mind...
Yu Dao Valley, 7 years ago
The day has finally come, years of work led to the grand reveal of the biggest railway bridge of the Earth Empire and the whole world. It would connect the Empire to the United Republic of Nations and would also have a key role for future invasion to Republic City.
It was called by different names. Some called it the Empire Gate, others the Earth Serpent... but for the one who created the bridge from the first lines on the blueprints... The bridge carried a name of his muse. He dedicated the bridge to his beloved fiancee. Kuvira...
Suspension bridge with monumental curves and arches. Made out of the finest metals and decorated with traditional ornaments carved into the arches. Towering above the canyon that stopped Fire Nation armies from invasion more than 100 years ago. Technical wonder created by Baatar Beifong Jr. The second in command of the Earth Empire and the head of technological division. His designs were always practical, he rarely added the touch of art into them. That was always his father's job. But this time, Baatar was on his own. And he found inspiration in his love. More specifically in a way she always slept in their bed after a passionate night. Surrounded by pillows and blankets. Her naked body resting on fern green bedsheets. Her arms resting on the pillow framing her face.
...
"Baatar, that bridge is beautiful." Kuvira said while standing in front of the drawing board in their private wagon. The bridge was wonderful on a blueprint and even more beautiful when she saw it for the first time in person today. It was late evening after grand reveal and Kuvira was wearing her dark green bathrobe while her black hair locks were down covering her back.
"I am glad you like it." Baatar said with smile as he walked out of the bathroom heading closer to her in his dark green pyjama trousers. He was standing behind her and felt butterflies in his stomach when he realized Kuvira is in the mood for a romantic night. She reached out to his arms and wrapped them around her waist. Baatar felt excitement and hugged Kuvira lovingly from behind.
"It's rare to see you so artsy." Kuvira said and looked at him over her shoulder with mischievous smile.
"That's because you inspired me." Baatar said and rested his chin on her shoulder. Kuvira felt butterflies in her stomach in return. She always loved when they could share their closeness behind the closed door. And she liked how shy Baatar always was in a cute way before he made the next move.
"I inspired all of this? How" Kuvira asked as she was scanning the blueprint in front of her with her dark green eyes.
"Do you really want to know?" Baatar whispered in her ear timidly.
"Tell me." Kuvira answered and looked at him over her shoulder with passion in her eyes teasing him.
"It's better when I show you." Baatar said and felt exciting nervousness as one of his hands traveled from Kuvira's waist to her cheek gently caressing it. Kuvira's stomach butterflies were flying like crazy.
"The first bridge arch, the smallest...the one that carries your smile." Baatar whispered and Kuvira's heartbeat got faster. "The second arch, the inverted one. The one I love to kiss..." Baatar continued as his hand moved to her shoulder and he put a very passionate kiss on her neck. "The third round arch, the bigger one. The one that's hiding your heart." Baatar unwrapped Kuvira's bathrobe and his hands traveled to her breasts. Kuvira moaned when he massaged it and arched her back. "The fourth arch, the inverted one, the one I always tickle." Baatar continued as his fingers traveled down her spine making Kuvira smile. "And finally... the fifth arch, the biggest..." Baatar's hands traveled to Kuvira's hips and buttcheeks. She pressed her butt against his crotch and felt a huge bulge.
"The one I want you to be in." Kuvira finished the sentence for him and turned around looking into his eyes. She put passionate kiss on Baatar's lips and wrapped her arms around his neck. Baatar felt how Kuvira´s bare chest touched his and he started undoing his pyjama trousers desperately. "Baatar..." Kuvira moaned when Baatar picked her up and she wrapped her legs around him.
Baatar carried her and together they climbed on the bed, making out lovingly. "I take it as an approval of my bridge." Baatar said with a grin as his hand was reaching the bedside table drawer for a condom.
"Your inspiration will be our secret." Kuvira whispered with mischievous smile and pulled Baatar to kiss by grabbing his military dog tag... "I love you, Baatar. I want you." Kuvira whispered.
"I love you, Kuvira." Baatar answered before he turned the light off and they began making love as their train headed back to Gaoling... It was the last night before they began fully planning invasion to Republic City...
End of flashback
...
Baatar woke up from his flashback and emptily stated: "I was simply inspired by the Earth Kingdom's landscape. All the mountains and valleys... " He felt down again and began collecting all the blueprints from the table.
Students expected more concrete response but they accepted it. Baatar was tired and hoped they would leave already. His memory of Kuvira's Bridge hit him hard. He designed that bridge with love for her.
"More questions?" Baatar Senior asked the students with smile and Baatar wished his father would stay quiet because the next question was the one Baatar hoped to never get...
"How did you manage to control spirit vine energy? It could be a great power source for trains. It worked very effectively with weapons, didn't it?" Atis asked with serious expression and Baatar's heart began beating fastly. This was exactly of what he was afraid of when he agreed with the lecture.
"Atis?!" Dayiu said and nervously looked at her classmate signaling him to stop. Others did the same.
"I... I won't answer this question." Baatar managed to say and turned away walking back to his table.
"Why? Are you afraid we could use the energy more effectively than powering guns? Kuvira could give us another lecture. Where are you hiding her anyway?" Atis added and the mention of Kuvira was the last drop.
"Enough! Spirit energy research is strictly prohibited by law! All the documents and samples were destroyed and I advise you to not ever try to even get close to the vines!" Baatar shouted angrily at Atis and felt the veins in his temples pumping blood like crazy.
"The lecture is over." Baatar Senior said strictly and stood up. "Please leave." he added and looked at his son with worries.
Baatar turned back away and was furious. How naive it was to hope they would forget his past. That they would look at him differently. He hit the pile of blueprints on his working table and it landed all over the floor. He wanted to hit the chair as well but the feeling of hand on his shoulder made him stop.
"Leave me alone father!" he called and turned at him angrily but was caught off guard when he saw Dayiu's face instead of his father's. She was watching him with worries. Baatar's breathing was heavy and after a while of looking in her eyes he said: "I... I am sorry."
"I am sorry for what happened. Don't let Atis's words hurt you. We are very thankful that you agreed to teach us. His words were really out of line." Dayiu said calmly and Baatar's breathing slowed down.
"Thank you for thinking that but your classmate was right." Baatar stated and sighed.
"What you said about maglev technology was so interesting. You are not defined by only the bad things." Dayiu tried to comfort him and Baatar was surprised by her optimism.
"Oh I am. I am..." Baatar said and began collecting the blueprints from the ground. "I am sorry you have to see me like that it's just that I-…"
"I understand. It has to be hard. All the pressure." Dayiu said calmingly.
"I wish we could talk under better circumstances." Baatar said and stood up as he was putting his blueprints back at the table. He looked back at her. She was very pretty…
"Maybe we can... I am going home to Omashu for two weeks and then I will be returning to BaSingSe. There might be time for a short stop in Zaofu..." she said with kind smile while looking in his eyes.
"I am interested." Baatar said seriously and was surprised by his sudden answer. Dayiu nodded.
"I also have a science knowledge to share with you. But that's for another day… I have to go now." She said mysteriously and turned away leaving Baatar's study.
Strange feeling took over him. What just happened? He thought for himself. Baatar fixed position of his glasses and sat down to his chair. He felt anger, stress and something he couldn't even describe. The storm of thoughts took over him. Without realising his hands found the blueprint of The Epire Gate…. Kuvira's bridge…
Late night, The Beifongs' Residence
Kuvira's time has come. She wondered whether she should write some note or not... but she couldn't really think of anyone who would care. She just wanted to leave... She just wanted all of it to stop...
She was sitting on the edge of the bed still and was emptily looking at the door on the other side of the room. Nobody would find her till the morning. She had plenty of time... The only thing she needed was a sharp tool...
Kuvira heard the patrolling guards change and knew it was exactly midnight. Kuvira took a deep breath and stood up. She took a wooden cup to her hand and legs carried her out of the house arrest ward. She wanted two guards to be present.
"Where are you going? You are not allowed to leave till Sunday." guards patrolling the ward stopped her and Kuvira showed a cup to them.
"My throat is sore, I just want tea. The guests are asleep now..." Kuvira said and guards looked at each other. "Nobody will see me." she added.
"You should go with her." one of the guards said.
"It's your patrol now." the other guard said as his shift was already over.
"I can't leave the place." the first guard argued and frowned.
"Five minutes..." the second guard finally said and frowned at Kuvira.
She nodded and walked to the kitchen for one last time. First part of her plan worked. The corridors were dark and quiet. It was strange feeling to see the places where she lived for so long for the last time...
She just wished she could say final goodbye to him.
In front of the kitchen door, Kuvira decided to turn left and legs carried her to the main ward of the residence. This was the corridor that Baatar used every time when he went to eat in the kitchen so the two of them wouldn't met. She was in his territory now.
When she saw a double wing door of his study, her heart jumped. Golden light coming from under the door and from the thin gap between the two wings. He was in there...
Kuvira looked around carefully and when she knew, the guards were nowhere to be seen, she quietly walked closer to the the door. Kuvira looked trough the small gap between the two door wings with her dark green eye and saw him...
Baatar was sitting by the table in the golden light coming from a lamp. His hair was messy and he had that concentrated look on his face. He was looking at something and Kuvira's eye was looking at every detail of him. He kept her alive for many years without even realizing but now it was over. She will miss him so much.
"I love you, Baatar..." Kuvira barely whispered saying goodbye. She rested her forhead and left hand on the door. Single teardrop coming from her eye.
After a while, she took a deep breath and turned away. It was time to go... But before she could realize it, her sleeve accidentally caught onto the handle making Kuvira drop the cup on the floor...
...
Baatar was looking at the blueprint of Kuvira´s bridge that fell on the ground earlier all evening. His flashback from that day kept returning to his mind. They had it all… when Baatar suddenly heard noise coming from the corridor. It was like someone was knocking but it was so late at night...
"Who's there?" Baatar called as he directed his sight to the door but no one answered. Baatar frowned and stood up. Maybe he already went crazy from everything but he was sure he heard something.
Baatar walked across the study and opened massive double wing wooden door filling the corridor with golden light. He looked left and right but didn't see a soul. He sighed and thought he was hallucinating. Baatar went closer to the large window that was against the door and rested his hands on the sill. Little did he know Kuvira is standing less than a meter away from him hiding behind long dark green curtain.
His fingers felt the texture of the sill. They have the same one in the house arrest ward. The same window just with platinum bars added. Last time he touched the sill Kuvira was sitting on it... He remembered how they were kissing, touching and the way she leaned against the bars with moan when he put his fingers inside of her. The way her bathrobe fell over her shoulders... His heart rate went up. Why was she still in his thoughts?
Baatar took a deep breath and looked in the direction of the house arrest ward. Many memories, many feelings. Was it all fake from her side? Light in Kuvira's room was off. Everything was different now...and maybe Daiyu could be his way out of this spiral... but Kuvira was still in his mind. He wished the bridge between them was never destroyed. He knew in the moments like this…only a bottle gave him peace.
...
Kuvira was standing still behind the curtain barely breathing. She leaned her head back against the wall and saw a glimpse of Baatar's face. Her heart was racing. She saw his fingers exploring the texture of the sill and his eyes looking outside of the window.
Throughout his life, she hurt him the most. Such a precious loving soul he always was and she stabbed his heart numerous times. She wondered how he would react to her end tomorrow. Would he care? Would he be sad? Or would it be a relief... No... Kuvira thought for herself. He would realize it's because of their argument. He would blame himself for her death... and it would cause him another pain.
Kuvira never wanted to hurt him again. Never... Leaving seemed like the best option but now when looking at his sad eyes and her heart beating fast, she wasn't sure... She wanted to end everything so badly but something was telling her otherwise.
"I can't do it to you Baatar... " she thought for herself. "I promise I won't hurt you again."
When Baatar turned around and disappeared back in his study, Kuvira got from behind the curtain watching the closed door thinking about what just happened. The light coming from under the door went off and Kuvira was breathing heavily. She realized she has to get out of here immediately.
With cup in her hand Kuvira rushed to the kitchen and fill it with water, the guards won't find out it's not tea. She had to get out of there before Baatar comes...
"Five minutes exactly." one of the guards stated when she got to the house arrest ward and Kuvira thanked them. She disappeared in her room and closed the door behind herself. It was dark. She sighed in relief and drank the cup of clear water that she was holding. Her heart was racing. Suddenly so much pressure fell on her and she felt pain in her stomach. Just a few moments ago she was decided to never wake up again. Her brain had hard time supporting her body again. Realizing that this is not the end. Kuvira felt vertigo and headache. She tried to hold onto the table but her balance betrayed her and the pressure took over her. Kuvira fainted and fell on the room's floor. Her destroyed soul was lost in the world of chaos…
That't the end of new chapter! Intense things going on! I will be so happy if you leave a comment with feedback :)
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