Lady Freyah

The rain over Zaofu didn’t just fall; it felt heavy, pounding against the curved glass panels of the isolated northern greenhouse like a steady roll of drums. Inside, the only light came from a dimly lit oil lamp. The lamp cast a low, weak glow. It was freezing. The damp chill midnight seeped straight through the floor, but Kuvira didn't move.

She was tucked away in the furthest corner, her back pressed hard against a stone planter, her knees pulled tightly to her chest. She still wore her earth toned training tunic, her bare arms covered in goosebumps. Her hands were locked around her shins so tightly her knuckles were white. Every few seconds, her breath hitched, a sharp, jagged sound that she desperately tried to swallow back down into the quiet.

The thoughts in her head were louder than the storm outside. They were the same old thoughts that had lived in the dark corners of her mind since she was eight years old, watching her parents walk away from her without looking back.

Too difficult. Too aggressive. Not worth the trouble.

She had conquered an entire continent, commanded legions, and built a weapon capable of leveling cities, all because she thought if she was strong enough, if she was important enough, someone would finally have to choose her. But sitting here on the dirt stained stone, stripped of the metal armor and the titles, she just felt small.

And then there was you.

Why did you let her get close?

Su had told her, more than once, that you were out here by choice. Opal had mentioned it over breakfast, casually saying how you stayed up late to rewrite logging her rehabilitation charts just to make sure the judge wouldn't find any flaws. They all said you cared. But Kuvira's chest ached with a dull, throbbing panic because she couldn't let herself believe it. If she believed you actually liked her, she would start to depend on you. And the moment you finally realized what a monster she really was under the surface, you would leave.

'She’s just doing her job', Kuvira thought, a single, hot tear spilling over her lower lash. 'The court pays her. She smiles because she has to keep the prisoner stable. That’s all.' The soft, metallic hiss of the greenhouse door sliding open cut through the sound of the rain. Kuvira went completely rigid. She tried to shrink back into the shadows of the ferns as the yellow beam of a hand lantern swept across the wet gravel path, cutting right through the dim light until it hit her.

You walked down the narrow gravel path, a thick wool shawl wrapped around your shoulders and a weighted blanket clutched to your chest. Your face was pale, your eyes darting around with a worried expression until you saw her. You didn't yell. You didn't ask her why she had slipped out of her room in the middle of the night. You just walked over, your steps slow, and quietly knelt down right in front of her.

"Kuvira," you said softly, your breath forming a faint white cloud. "Hey...I've been looking for you everywhere. You're completely freezing."

"Go back inside," she said. Her voice was raw and cracked, entirely stripped of the firm, clear tone she usually used. She turned her head toward the dark glass, staring at the rain so she wouldn't have to look at you. "You shouldn't be out here. It's past midnight."

"I'm not leaving you out here in the dark," you murmured. You shook out the blanket, leaning forward to drape it carefully over her shoulders. But as your fingers accidentally brushed against the cold skin at the base of her neck, something inside her snapped. The wall she had spent weeks building, the quiet, formal distance just collapsed. She flinched away from your hand so violently that her shoulder hit the stone planter behind her. She grabbed the edges of the blanket, pulling it around her like a shield, but her chest was heaving.

"Stop it!" she choked out. A harsh, broken sob finally tore past her lips, and she looked up at you, her green eyes completely swimming with tears, bloodshot and full of a wild, frantic pain. "Just... stop doing this. Stop coming after me. Stop acting like this!"

You froze, your hands still hovering in the air between you, your face dropping as you looked at her. "Kuvira... what's wrong? I'm just trying to—"

"I don't want your help!" she cried, her voice rising, shaking with a desperate sort of anger. She buried her face in her hands, her shoulders shaking violently as the tears finally came in a heavy flood. "You're just doing your job! The court ordered you to be here. You're forced to watch me, to sit with me, to tolerate a broken felon because it's your assignment! You smile at me because you're paid to keep me from breaking my parole!"

"That's not true," you said, your voice dropping an octave as you slid closer to her on the stone floor, ignoring her attempt to push you away. "Kuvira, look at me. Please. The court didn't force me into this. I volunteered for Zaofu. I stay here because of you."

Kuvira let out a short, miserable laugh that cut off into another sob. She pulled her hands down, looking at you with an expression so completely hollowed out by grief it made your own chest tighten.

"Why would anyone volunteer for me?" she whispered, her voice dropping into a small, terrified cadence. "My own parents looked at me and decided I wasn't worth keeping..that I was out of control. Su took me in, and I betrayed her. Baatar loved me, and I almost killed him. I am a monster."

"I’m just... I'm a stray dog nobody wanted."

"And you expect me to believe you look at me, with everything I've done, and actually want to stay? You're going to leave. The second your contract is over, you'll pack your things, and I'll be exactly where I started. So just leave now. Please, just walk away before I start to believe you."

She leaned her head back against the stone, her eyes closing as the rain continued to pour above you. She looked completely exhausted, like she had been fighting a war inside her own mind for hours and had finally run out of strength.

You didn't say anything for a long moment. You just watched her breathe. Then, slowly, you slid over until your side was pressed right against hers, the heat from your body cutting through the damp air. You didn't force her into an embrace she wasn't ready for. Instead, you reached out, slid your fingers between her cold, stiff ones, and pulled her hand into your lap, covering it with both of your own.

"I'm not leaving," you said, your voice entirely level and quiet, but so steady it seemed to cut right through the sound of the storm. "I don't care about the court contract, Kuvira. And I don't care about the parole board. I know how much it hurts to feel like people only want you when you're useful. But I see you. I see the woman who makes sure my tea is hot because she thinks I'm cold. I see how hard you're working to fix what you broke. I choose to be here. Every single day."

Kuvira didn't move. She stared down at your hands joined in her lap. Her fingers twitched against yours, and for a second, she looked like she wanted to pull away again, but the warmth of your skin was too much. Another tear slipped down her cheek, but her breathing started to slow down, losing that terrifying, frantic edge.

"You're... you're not just saying that?" she asked, her voice incredibly soft, lacking any confidence. She looked up, her emerald eyes searching your face, completely open. "Because I'm making a mess of things right now?"

"I've never lied to you, Kuvira," you murmured. You let go of her hand for just a second to reach up, your thumb gently wiping away the wet trail on her cheekbone, your palm resting against the side of her face.

"You are not a stray dog. And you're not an assignment to me. You're just you. And I'm right here."

A long, trembling breath escaped her, her shoulders finally dropping. The rigid, defensive posture she always held just seemed to dissolve. Slowly, with a hesitant, cautious movement, she slid her arms out from the blanket and wrapped them tightly around your waist. She pulled you forward, burying her face into the crook of your neck.

Her whole frame shook as she let out a quiet, relieved cry against your shoulder, her fingers gripping the fabric of your clothes like she was holding onto a lifeline. You wrapped your arms around her back, pulling the heavy wool blanket over both of you, locking the cold air out completely.

You sat there in the corner of the greenhouse for a long time, the lantern flickering softly on the gravel path. You just held her, letting her hide against you until the heavy, uneven hitches in her chest turned into a slow, peaceful rhythm.

When she finally shifted, pulling back just enough to look at you, the dark, suffocating fear was gone from her eyes. Her face was still flushed from crying, and she looked down at her boots, a sudden, embarrassed shyness taking over her features.

"I... I shouldn't have yelled at you," she murmured, her voice low and direct, but her fingers were still holding onto the edge of your coat, anchoring her to you. "It was completely uncalled for."

You smiled, letting out a soft laugh as you tucked a stray lock of her dark hair behind her ear. "It's alright.. sometimes it's best to let things out yknow..?"

Kuvira looked at you for a quiet second, her green eyes softening into something so incredibly tender it made the cold greenhouse feel completely warm. She gave a small, genuine nod.

Kuvira didn't say anything else, but she shifted closer, resting her head against your shoulder and letting her eyes close.

You couldn't help but feel your heart race just a little bit as you stayed in this position for a while.

Author's Note

Holy moly. Erm hey guys! 😣🤞 Y'all had it WAY too good with the fluff I've been writing and I felt like making angst today </3

"yeah? don't you like this?"

the lewd sounds of her fingers plunging in and out of you were audible around the women's public restroom, the entrance door locked up as you both clearly occupied it to the brim. your hands were set onto the sink, head down as you felt your grip weaken from how fast and deep she was—letting her fingers destroy you completely in front of the mirror.

in and out, wet and gummy. the sounds of your wet walls were urging kuvira to continue what she was doing. the way her digits were engulfed by your soft and slippery, gummy walls were enough evidence to make her go faster.

"nngh..." your voice came out hushed. her free hand was up your chin, three fingers inside your mouth as well at the same time she focuses your head to face the mirror to make you look at yourself—all desperate and a mess.

"did you really think you'd get away with talking to the other higher-ups with that sweet voice of yours? giggling like some kind of girl-in-love?"

kuvira hissed her words. her jealousy was beyond her control today, which was quite unusual in your relationship. the great uniter was usually confident you were loyal and devoted to her as much as she was to you.

"did you feel the desperate need to get my attention that bad? you wanted my attention, didn't you?"

although, that wasn't the case. it was true you had conversed with some officials and other politicians in thanks for supporting your dearest lover. though, you had never really thought she'd take it the wrong way, even when she's practically been neglecting you for a while now because of how busy she was. of course, it wasn't intentional, but it still left a small sting in your heart that she had focused more on controlling a whole empire than give you any sort of affection in return. you knew you were selfish for that.

"i—... hah, didn't—..!"

your words were muffled against her fingers, lightly choking on them once they've hit the back of your throat to silence you. kuvira only went faster, pushing you to arch your back even more with both of your hands trying to balance the weight of your body onto the restroom's sink.

"don't talk over me."

fingers pulling out of your mouth, her hands went underneath your leg, lifting it up to rest against the sink. she spreads your legs in a way where you only had to stand still on one of them. it was becoming difficult to balance yourself with how you were positioned. you watched as kuvira changed her spot, kneeling right behind you where her reflection disappears from the mirror. immediately, her tongue replaced the fingers inside you, slurping and sucking mercilessly whilst also rubbing aggressively against your clit. her fingers moved expertly, as if she knew the ways to make you feel like you'd cry out in pleasure—which you did. she knew that.

"you like that? do you like how i fuck you like this? how i eat you whole?" her voice let out a strong, yet, deep tone. your moans of ecstasy had her going wild that it was hard to control herself from completely destroying you all night in this restroom. it was tempting for her.

her mouth continued to work its way to give you the release you wanted, her fingers rubbing even faster to get you to cum on her mouth. your thighs felt sore with how her hands gripped both of them in place, eating you out relentlessly. she buried her face even more like a hungry woman she was that it was getting even harder to balance yourself.

and so, you came. hard. your legs were shaking from the position, trembling from the feeling of satisfaction and desire stopped after some time. your lover stood up, wrapping her arms around your waist from behind and rested her chin against your shoulder. soft kisses were given all over your skin, a hand on your lower tummy to soothe you from your release.

looking up at the reflection in front of you with small pants, the kuvira a few seconds ago was gone—completely replaced by softness now, peppering kisses up your shoulders to your neck affectionately.

"did i satisfy you?" she asked, her face nuzzling against the skin of you neck, feeling your soft pants from the intensity. you shivered slightly at the feeling, your bottom lip peeking out in a small pout as you looked at the both of you in the mirror.

"you're unfair, vira..." humming in response, kuvira turned you around to face her, pinning you to the sink's counter. "you've been so busy..." you added. she leaned down, placing kisses on your neck, down to your collarbone, and to your breasts. she pops a nipple into her mouth, pulling away after giving it a nice suckle. your back arched, feeling the arousal start to come back.

"forgive me, my love?" her tone was deep in a whisper. a hand started sliding down towards your pussy lips once more, kneeling down whilst maintaining eye contact with you. out of instinct, you spread your legs apart for her, making you lean back against the counter for support. your body trembled lightly once she took a long lick, spreading those lips apart with two fingers.

"i'll make you forgive me."

•

•

•

The silver training dome was freezing, filled with a heavy morning mist that rolled off the Zaofu peaks and turned the metal floors slick. Kuvira stood at the center of the ring, her breath turning into thick white puffs in the crisp air. She snapped her wrists forward, sending a heavy sheet of silver rippling across the floor and locking it into a perfect defensive shield. Her form was flawless, but her mind was completely somewhere else.

Ever since her world had fallen apart, Kuvira had believed love was a mistake. She had seen how it left people weak, and her past relationship with Baatar Jr. had ended in total ruin. She had built a massive wall around her heart, swearing never to let anyone get close enough to hurt her again.

Except for you.

You were sitting on a bench at the edge of the arena, wrapped tightly in a coat, a clipboard resting on your lap. Every few minutes, you would look up from your logs to give her a warm, encouraging smile. You didn't demand anything from her. You just showed up every day, treating her with a gentle kindness that made her entire defense mechanism crumble. You were the only exception to her rule, and it terrified her.

With a heavy thud, Kuvira slammed her hands down, sending the metal shields back into the floor. She stood panting for a moment, her knuckles raw and red from the cold, before she forced herself to turn toward you.

"Your pacing is ahead of schedule today, Kuvira," you called out, standing up from the bench. You tucked the clipboard under your arm and rubbed your gloved hands together. "But I think we should call it a morning. The temperature is dropping, and you've been at it for hours."

Kuvira watched you step onto the cold metal floor. The familiar, dizzying shyness flared up in her chest, making her throat tighten. She wanted to act like the unshakeable leader she used to be, but the reality of your presence made her insides feel like a melted forge. She forced her shoulders back, stepping directly into your path to stop you before her courage failed.

"I can keep going," Kuvira said, her voice dropping into a low, quiet cadence that still carried a natural weight. But as she stopped just inches away from you, her eyes caught the slight tremor in your shoulders. A sudden, bright prickle of heat rushed up her neck, her stern look instantly cracking. "But... you're shivering. Your lips are literally turning blue. You're supposed to be taking care of me, but you're freezing yourself out here."

You blinked up at her, caught entirely off guard by how close she was standing. "Oh. I'm fine, really. I just forgot my scarf in the main building—"

"Stop," Kuvira murmured. The word was quiet, but it had an absolute, unyielding weight that cut you off instantly.

Before you could speak up again, she reached out. Her frame completely blocked the biting mountain wind from hitting your face. She slid her calloused fingers beneath the high lapels of your coat to pull them tighter. But the moment her knuckles accidentally brushed against the soft, warm skin of your jawline, Kuvira's breath hitched. A deep crimson blush flooded her cheeks, completely betraying her tough expression.

Her hands trembled slightly as she tried to fix your collar, her fingers suddenly feeling incredibly clumsy.

"Just... just stay still for a second," she stammered slightly, her voice cracking a bit before she forced it back into a low, firm tone. She looked down at your face, her green eyes wide and intensely focused, dark with a raw longing she was desperately trying to hide. "You're too reckless. You'll catch a cold out here..."

"Kuvira, it's just a little wind," you whispered, your own heart suddenly skipping a beat.

Being this close to her was overwhelming. You could feel the intense heat radiating off her skin, and she smelled like jasmine and cedarwood. You didn't realize she was completely infatuated with you; you just felt incredibly small and intensely protected under her magnetic gaze.

"I'm the one talking right now," Kuvira corrected softly, her jaw clenching as she fought down the wave of shyness that made her want to run away. She placed her warm palms flat against your shoulders, holding you firmly in place so you couldn't move away from her. Her thumbs instinctively smoothed over the thick fabric of your coat, a deeply affectionate gesture hidden under a firm hold. "You're going straight to the sitting room. You're going to sit right by the fire, and you're going to stay there while I make you some ginger tea. Understood?"

Her words weren't military commands anymore, but they were still entirely hers, firm, direct, and completely unyielding. She was using her natural dominance to force you to take care of yourself, all while trying to hide how flustered she was by being so close to you.

You swallowed hard, your own face flushing a soft pink as you looked into her intense green eyes. "Yeah. I get it, Kuvira."

A tight, relieved breath escaped Kuvira's nose, turning into a faint cloud of white in the cold air. The corners of her lips twitched upward into a tiny smile before she caught herself and put her serious mask back on. She slowly let her hands slide off your shoulders, though she didn't step back, keeping you enveloped in her space.

"Good," she murmured, her voice vibrating with a low tone that sent a strange flutter straight through your chest. "Go inside. I don't want to have to tell you twice."

She turned on her heel, her stride stiff and formal as she marched toward the equipment racks to clear her training gear. But the exact second her back was turned to you, completely out of your line of sight, Kuvira tightly closed her eyes and buried her burning face in her hands. A soft, completely defeated groan escaped her lips, her heart hammering a frantic, fast rhythm against her ribs. She was entirely, hopelessly slipping, and she had absolutely no idea how she was going to survive making that tea without completely giving herself away.

The kitchen of the Beifong estate was warm, smelling of roasted spices and morning pastries. It was usually a busy place, but at this hour, it was empty..except for Kuvira.

She stood at the heavy marble counter, still in her green earth toned training tunic. Her jaw was clamped tightly, and her green eyes were fixed intensely on a root of ginger.

Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!

The heavy iron cleaver came down with a rhythmic, aggressive force that was way too much for making a simple pot of tea. With every slice, she felt that burning heat flare right back up her neck. Her mind was a total mess, stuck on a loop of how your skin had felt against her knuckles and the way your lips had parted when she stood too close to you back in the dome.

“I’m the one talking right now,” she had said. Kuvira groaned out loud, her face flushing an even deeper shade of red. 'Why did I say that? Why couldn't I just ask her normally? Why did every single interaction turn into me bossing her around like she was a fresh recruit?' Kuvira internally scolded herself in her head again, something she's been doing so frequently.

Thwack!

"You know, the ginger didn't do anything to hurt you," a smooth, relaxed voice called out from the doorway.

Kuvira jumped, her grip slipping on the handle of the cleaver. She snapped her back straight, her eyes widening in panic as she turned around. Suyin was leaning against the doorframe, wrapped in a comfortable silver robe, a cup of morning tea already in her hand. She was looking at Kuvira with pure amusement.

"Su," Kuvira blurted out, her voice slightly higher than usual before she forced it back down. She quickly set the heavy knife on the cutting board and wiped her hands nervously on a towel. "I'm just making some tea to help warm up."

"Right. Tea," Su repeated, stepping into the kitchen with a soft laugh. She walked over, peering over Kuvira’s shoulder at the perfectly thin, identical slices of ginger. "And here I thought you were trying to punish the root for existing. Kuvira, look at you. Your hands are literally shaking."

"They're not shaking," Kuvira muttered defensively. She quickly crossed her arms and tucked her hands away to hide the exact tremor Su was pointing out. She looked away, staring intensely at a copper pot hanging from the ceiling to avoid Su's eyes. "It's freezing today. My hands are just stiff."

"Uh-huh," Su murmured, a knowing smile spreading across her face. She reached out, picking up one of the ginger slices and tossing it into a pot of water sitting on the stove. "And I suppose that bright red blush taking over your face is just a symptom of the cold weather too?"

Kuvira closed her eyes tightly, letting out a heavy, defeated breath. It was useless to lie to Su.

"I talked to her badly," Kuvira confessed softly, her serious facade completely crumbling into a quiet whisper. She looked down at the marble counter, her thumb tracing a groove in the stone. "She was shivering, Su. Instead of just telling her to go inside, I... I pinned her to the spot. I grabbed her coat. I told her to stop talking and ordered her to go to the sitting room. I sounded...ridiculous."

Su couldn't help the laugh that escaped her lips, though she quickly softened it when she saw the genuine, awkward shame in Kuvira's eyes. She placed a gentle, comforting hand on the younger woman's shoulder.

"Kuvira, you didn't sound ridiculous. Well.. Maybe just a little bit..." Su said gently. "You've spent years hiding behind rules and armor. Now that you're letting yourself feel something like this, your brain is just defaulting to what it knows. You're trying to look out for her."

"It's not right," Kuvira whispered, her jaw clenching as her usual guilt reared its head. "She's my caretaker. She's here because the court ordered her to help me rehabilitate. It's not fair for me to force my... my clumsy attitude on her. She doesn't see a partner, Su. She sees a patient."

"Is that what you think?" Su asked softly, tilting her head. She squeezed Kuvira's shoulder, nudging her to look up. "Because from what I've seen, she doesn't look at you like a chore at all. She cares about you, Kuvira. You're the one building these walls. Not her." Su gently reminded. No matter how much Su assures her, Kuvira would still default back to that mindset again unfortunately.

Kuvira swallowed hard, looking at the steaming pot of water. "I just don't know how to do this. How to talk to someone normally without giving them a task or a job to do."

"You start by bringing her that tea," Su smiled, sliding a ceramic mug across the counter toward her. "Go sit with her. Don't give her orders. Just sit next to the fire, tell her you're sorry for being bossy, and just talk to her. Can you do that?"

Kuvira stared at the mug, her heart doing a nervous, fluttery flip against her ribs. She gave Su a small nod.

"I can try.."

"Good," Su said, giving her shoulder one last pat before turning toward the door. "Oh, and Kuvira? Leave the heavy knife in here. You've done enough chopping for one day."

With a playful smile, Su stepped out of the kitchen, leaving Kuvira alone with the bubbling water. Kuvira let out a long, shaky breath, carefully pouring the hot ginger tea into the tea cups. Her hands were still trembling, but as she picked up the small tray and turned toward the residential sitting room where you were waiting, she resolved to try and just be herself—even if it meant letting you see how nervous she really was.

Author's Note

I am on FIRE. This little mini scenario series is my all time favourites. As you guys know I'm a sucker for fluff and this is like an outlet for it. My most beloved Kuvira fans I hope you eat well with this one 😣

Don't forget to check out my master list for more content!

You were so glad to be done for the day. Planning a wedding was way more stressful than your family made it out to be. You didn’t have all of them to help, so that was probably why. But you knew they would have overwhelmed you.

You heard the door open and leaned over to see it was Kuvira. Almost immediately after Jinx hopped off of the couch to greet her. You smile when you can hear her saying something to the cat before she picks Jinx up.

“I hope she’s not the only one who missed me,” Kuvira smiled. She walked over to you and leaned over to give you a kiss.

“Of course not. Any time without you is too long.” You got up from the desk so you could finally relax.

“I brought some things home for dinner,” Kuvira told you as you gathered all the invitations together.

“What did you get tonight?” you asked curiously. You left the invitations on the table, or else they would get lost.

“I got some crab to make crab puffs. I can make some soup to go with it too,” she told you.

“Where in spirit name did you get crab this time of year?” You came into the kitchen.

“Oh, you know, a certain village that has the best crab fishers in the world.” She was referring to your home town. She wasn’t wrong though. 

“You spoil me,” you teased. “Do you even know how to make crab puffs? I’ve never seen you try.”

“Actually, I don’t. I was hoping you’d be willing to help me make dinner tonight?” she asked. It was so sincere and you couldn’t help but smile.

“Of course I would.” You give her a quick kiss before helping her get everything ready.

It had been a few years since you had made crab puffs. The last time was before you left home to join Kuvira to unite the Earth Kingdom. Your family never fully understood why you left and you never had the proper opportunity to tell them why. It’s not that you didn’t love them, but they were always so overwhelming to you. Even without siblings, you had all these cousins running around and dragging you everywhere.

You knew now with your own space you’ve grown into your own person. You’re more outgoing and there are no more days where you mentally and physically exhausted unless you’re sick. Kuvira would be lying if she said she didn’t notice how different you were from when you two first met. She wouldn’t change it for the world though.

You both moved in sync with each other, grabbing what you needed from either the cabinets or each other. You got the saucepan and poured some oil in it. You turn on the burner and place the pan down to let the oil heat up. You move to the counter and you gather the crab meat, cream cheese, and whatever spices you decide to add it. You made the decision to add some Cayenne Pepper powder, which is what your family liked to use instead of garlic. It sounds weird to anyone outside your family, but you all loved it. You wondered if it would be a surprise to Kuvira.

While you were making the crab mixture Kuvira was busy cutting up some vegetables and leftover meat for whatever soup she was making. You’d had so many over the five years you had been living together that you learned to expect something different every night.

“Which one are you making this time?” You didn’t need to turn to ask her.

“Just a simple Miso soup,” she answered. You knew that Miso soup was never simple in her eyes. With all the extravagant meals the chef cooked at the Beifong estate you completely understood why she liked it. It was simple, but also unique to each person who made it. It was never made the same way twice so she never got tired of it.

Once you finished mixing the crab meat you grabbed the wonton wrappers to place the crab meat in. You were glad that Kuvira had grabbed all the correct ingredients. You managed to make twelve of the crab puffs and put them in the oil to cook four at a time. When they were done you plated them and set the plate on the table. You looked over to Kuvira, who was already filling two bowls with soup.

You grabbed a bottle of sake and poured half a glass for both of you. Another thing you learned, Kuvira didn’t have a high alcohol tolerance despite the fact that Su would serve wine to those who could drink it for dinner. It surprised you when you learned she was a lightweight, but that just made things more fun.

She handed you your bowl of soup and a spoon so you can sit down and start eating. She joins you shortly after so you’re together. Most of the time you two eat in silence, you don’t need to talk now. There would be plenty of that after dinner.

“I hope you like them,” you smile when you see Kuvira reach for one of the crab puffs. You decide to leave out the information about the Cayenne pepper, for now. You waited to see her reaction, if she did have one, but she didn’t.

“You added Cayenne pepper didn’t you?” You were honestly shocked.

“How did you know?” you asked.

“I’ve learned my spices from the chef at the estate and I happened to bump into someone who told me it was a good spice to add,” Kuvira told you with a smirk.

“So you’ve met someone in my family then,” you confirmed.

“I guess I did. I suppose you won’t tell me who though.” She raised an eyebrow.

“Even if you did describe them I still probably wouldn’t know. I have way too many cousins to keep them all straight.” You got her to laugh a little.

“It’s true!” you pouted.

“I never said I didn’t believe you,” she laughed more.

You two finished your dinner shortly after. Both of you had finished the crab puffs and you each had more than one bowl of soup. Kuvira stored the remaining soup for another day, whenever you two weren’t together to eat.  She noticed you had left a piece of crab out and knew exactly who it was for.

Jinx was laying down somewhere else in the apartment, but when she heard her food bowl get filled she came trotting into the kitchen. Kuvira placed the piece of crab on top of the food, knowing Jinx would dig it out anyway.

You two cleaned the rest of the kitchen up while Jinx ate. It was nice, even though you never liked cleaning up after a meal. Right now it keeps your mind off of all the wedding thoughts.

When you two finish you both retire to the bedroom, tired after all the day's events. Kuvira more so than you. She’s been walking all day while talking with Su. She beats you sitting and writing invites for the most exhausting task.

You pick up the book from your nightstand and open it to where you had left off. In your absentmindedness, you had begun twirling the metal bookmark in the air. A habit you had to keep yourself distracted from even thinking about what happened during the day. Also something Kuvira has learned over the years. You only realize you’re doing it when you see her grab it from the air and place it back in the book. She knows you weren’t really paying attention to the story anyway.

“What’s bothering you?” her voice is full of concern. She could make an endless list of things that she thought could be wrong and not voice a single one of them. 

“My family I guess. Not in a bad way, but I’m worried about what they’ll think of you. They can get to be a lot pretty quickly,” you explained.

“I survived Opal and the twins. I’m sure your family isn’t nearly as bad as them,” Kuvira tried to make you feel better. It works a little, considering all the stories she’s told you of the three of them and the chaos they caused her.

“I just don’t want them to overwhelm you like they do with me,” you worded your frustration differently.

“I’ll be fine. Plus I can always find excuses to go back to you if they do become too much,” she reassured you.

“Y/N I love you. You know that right?” she asked in a more serious tone.

“Of course I do. We wouldn’t be getting married if you didn’t,” you joked.

“Well, then you should know that the way your family is won’t affect anything between us.” She placed her hand on your cheek to turn your head towards her.

“I know…” you sighed. Words were being frustrating at now of all times.

“It’s ok to be worried. You don’t think I am?” She asked.

“I have to deal with Su pestering me over every decision I make, not that it's abnormal for her to do,” Kuvira sighed.

“I can’t even imagine what she’s like right now,” you try not to laugh.

“Spirits, she is so detail orientated. Every little thing has to match. She keeps trying to change the flowers I chose but I won’t let her,” she complains.

“Oh, why’s that?” you ask. You had a feeling it was a more personal reason than just her own preference.

“She says they don’t match as well as some others will, but I chose your favorite. I don’t want to change that.” She looks away and you can see the blush on her face. You finally place the book back on your nightstand and roll back over to snuggle into Kuvira.

“I love you, Vira,” you smile. You feel her wrap her arms around you to keep you close. The bed dips a bit at the bottom, telling you that Jinx has hopped up on the bed. It was a nice ending to a stressful day even though there would be more stress to come.

*******************

It was the day of the wedding and you couldn’t be more nervous. Kuvira had gone to the Beifong estate, per Su’s request, to get ready. You were getting ready in your apartment, with the assistance of your mother and Bolin of all people. He refuses to not help because you’re his ‘best friend and that’s what friends do!’ Bolin was also good at keeping you calm.

“Bolin the shawl is fine!” you told him as he corrected it for the fourth time. Your mom was a little skeptical about Bolin when he came to help, but you assured her he was fine. He was fine, but right now he was being a little excessive.

“Now it is! Y/N you have to look your best today! I’ll accept nothing less,” he smiled.

“Thanks, Bolin,” you smiled. “You can go join the rest of the gang if you want to. There isn’t really anything else to do.”

“Well, then I’ll see you at the wedding. Don’t be late!” he joked as he left your apartment. That left you and your mom alone and for once it was nice. You hadn’t really spent time with individual members of your family, because everyone was always home. It was different, but you needed it still.

“How’s my little cherry blossom doing?” She stood in front of you. She was a few inches shorter than you, but refused to stop calling you that. It always made you blush, but you never asked her to stop. The nickname was a part of your unique connection with her compared to the rest of your family. She was the only one who could call you that.

“I’m great mom,” you smiled. There was underlying nervousness and excitement, but you did your best to keep that at bay.

“I know it’s late to ask you this, but does she make you happy?” she asked you with genuine concern. It had been a long time since she had last seen Kuvira. The last time was before you left to join her. Of course your mom was concerned. You knew she was worried about the person Kuvira had become during those three years.

“Mom, of course she does. It may not have always been perfect between the two of us, but we’ve come a long way since then.” She didn’t truly understand how, but she wasn’t going to try and change your mind. You were stubborn to a fault once you decided on something, much like your father.

You and your mother left your house with enough time to get to the wedding venue. You made sure to say goodbye to Jinx before you left just so she knew you loved her. Su, being Su, had chosen one of the open spaces of the Beifong estate. She asked you specifically about this to make sure it didn’t make you uncomfortable.

Your father was waiting for you both outside of the seating area. He was wearing a suit and you were surprised. He never wears fancy clothes unless your mother forces him to.

“Did mom make you wear the suit?” you asked as your father hugged you.

“Only the jacket and bowtie,” he smiled.

“Are you ready?” Your father asked after your mother had left to go sit down.

“Are you ready dad?” you asked. He wasn’t a man of many emotions, but the ones he had were strong. You could see the tears he was trying to fight and gave him a smile.

“Yes, and I couldn’t be more proud.” he smiled.

You two walked down the aisle and the music started to play. Nothing fancy, probably Kuvira’s doing, but it was still nice. The people seated began to quiet down and turned towards you and your father. Kuvira was talking to Opal about something before she heard the music and looked over to you. The adoration on her face was unmatched, even by your father. You both had waited and suffered through too much for this to feel real.

When you finally joined her your heart was racing. Yes, you both had practiced this before, but it was for real this time. You didn’t want to mess up now. You couldn’t mess up now.

“Please join hands,” the minister asks you both. You hold your hands out and Kuvira takes them. You can feel her usual steadiness is gone, replaced with the nervousness that you both feel.

"I ask you each now, to repeat the marriage vows." The minister looks at you both.

“I, Kuvira take you, Y/N for my wedded wife, To love and cherish, For better or worse, for richer or poorer, In sickness and in health. From this day forward.” Kuvira did her best to keep her emotions in check. You saw through the usual stoic expression she gave.

“I, Y/N take you, Kuvira for my wedded wife, To love and cherish, For better or worse, for richer or poorer, In sickness and in health. From this day forward.” You of course didn’t even try to hold back the smile that appeared on your face.

The minister grabs the rings from where they were placed after Naga brought them in. Kuvira thought it was completely unnecessary to have the Polar bear-dog bring the rings, but both you and Korra asked her every day for almost a week.

“May the Spirits bless these rings which you give to each other as your sign of Love, Devotion, and everlasting peace.” The minister held the rings up before handing both of you each other's rings.

“As you place this ring on your partner's finger I ask that you repeat these words.”

“This ring is my sacred gift to you, A symbol of my Love, A sign that from this day forward and always, My Love will surround you, With this ring, I thee wed,” he spoke the words. You both repeated him as you put the rings on each other’s fingers.

“For as much as Kuvira and Y/N have consented together in matrimony and have witnessed the same before the spirits and those present, and have pledged their faithfulness, each to the other, and have declared their love by giving and receiving rings and by joining hands, I now, by the authority committed unto me as a minister and a priest, declare that Kuvira and Y/N are wifes according to the ordinance of the spirits. Those whom the spirits have joined together, let no one put asunder.” The minister went through his required lines. You were beginning to become impatient, just wanting this to be official.

“May the peace and the unconditional love of the spirits surround you and remain with you,” he smiled.

“You may seal your vows with a kiss.”

You practically jumped on Kuvira. There were things about this kiss that felt the same, the feeling of her smiling as you kissed, the warmth it gave you. But there was the one big difference: this meant you two were married now. You never want to forget this moment.

Did you two kiss until you ran out of breath? Definitely. Neither of you minded and you didn’t pay attention to the raised eyebrows and smirks of others.

“Allow me to present Mrs. and Mrs. Beifong.” You both turned to everyone. You see your family all smiling at you, for once not being overwhelming. You see Su, Baatar, and the other Beifong kids smiling. Jr. looks a little upset, but that was a fact you knew.

You notice an older couple, around Su and Baatar’s age, sitting farther in the back. You don’t recognize their faces and you wonder who they are. You think back on the invitations and how you weren’t the one to send them out. You only wrote them, well almost all of them. An idea in the back of your mind made it’s home there, waiting for a better opportunity for you to ask Kuvira who exactly those two were.

The reception was much more familiar to your home life than the wedding was. The kids were chaotic as usual and there were the teens assigned to hunt them down. You missed this a little more than you cared to admit.

Catching up with family members was nice, most of them kept the conversations short so you wouldn’t get bored. You’d probably talked to half the people there by the time you decided to take a seat for a while. Even after years of not dealing with them, your family was still draining.

“Taking a break?” Kuvira had walked over to you after talking with your father about something. They got along surprisingly well and you were glad.

“Yeah. Already overwhelmed again,” you sighed.

“If you weren’t so keen on catching up with everyone as fast as possible, maybe you wouldn’t be so tired.” Kuvira raised an eyebrow. She sipped some of the wine in the glass she held when she saw you give her a mildly offended look.

“Yes, I know you’re far more social than I am,” she rolled her eyes. “But you really don’t have to do it so fast.”

“Habits I guess,” you shrugged. She grabbed your hand that was resting on the table and gently squeezed. It was the silent ‘I love you’ that she’s been giving you in the past few years. You give her a smile in return and she walks off to go talk with someone else. You watch as she walks over to the twins, who both give her a playful punch on the arm. The only two who could ever keep up with her in your opinion.

After she walked off you caught a glance of the older couple once again. They were sitting down and talking to each other. They looked happy, not as happy as everyone else, but simply content with where they were. You finished the glass of wine you had in your hand to help with whatever nerves you had. You were going to talk to them, learn who they were.

You were stopped by only a few family members while walking over to the couple. You kept those conversations short as well, but you took Kuvira’s advice and slowed yourself down. To your surprise, it actually helped you. You would have to thank her later for that.

You finally made it to the couple and they took notice of you right away. You felt a little awkward so you introduced yourself.

“I’m Y/N. I don’t believe we’ve met before.” You held out your hand. The man took it and gave you a firm handshake. His wife, you assumed, just nodded at you.

“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Ruong and this is my wife Keeva.” Ruong introduced himself and his wife.

“It seems like you two go well together,” Keeva pointed out. You could see she wasn’t looking at you, but over your shoulder. You guessed she was looking at Kuvira based on her statement.

“There have been a few ups and downs, but she’s amazing. A lot has happened since we got together. I don’t know how we would have handled it if we weren’t together,” you smiled. Keeva clearly liked you more than Ruong did. You could tell there was some disdain in his look.

“I don’t mean to be invasive with this question, but because I don’t recognize you, you have to be here for Kuvira don’t you?” you asked. Keeva gave you a small nod.

“We are…” Keeva answered. You could tell she wanted to say more. You weren’t sure why she didn’t. You struck a more casual conversation with them to ease whatever tension that had created. You knew they were Kuvira’s parents, they didn’t need to say it.

Kuvira had seen you leave your chair after she was done talking and messing around, a little, with the twins. She looked around for you amongst your family and when she did see you, in the obvious white dress, the feeling of dread crept up on her. She knew where you had gone and wasn’t ready for you to have done that yet.

She grabbed another glass of wine and downed it quickly, numbing her nerves so she could get the inevitable over and done with. She weaved through the crowds to where she knew her parents were sitting. When she saw you standing there with them, laughing and having a good time she was shocked.

She came up next to you and only startled you a bit. You smiled at her and she gave a faint smile back.

“Vira, I was just having a nice conversation with your parents,” you told her. She froze still because you knew. She didn’t blame you and your curiosity, but she wanted this whole interaction to be on her own terms.

“Could I talk to you for a minute?” she asked you. You understood now that talking to them on your own wasn’t what Kuvira wanted to happen. You heard the strain and hesitation in her voice.

“Of course.” You stood up and followed her. About halfway through her taking you somewhere to talk you took her hand. A reassuring gesture that you knew she needed right now. When you two got somewhere more quiet she stopped and turned to you. The look of uncertainty on her face was something you haven’t seen since she surrendered at Republic City.

“Hey, what’s wrong.” You placed your hand on her cheek.

“You mean other than the obvious?” She snapped at you.

“Vira, I didn’t know how you wanted me to meet them and I didn’t even know they were coming. I got a little curious.” It was sort of an apology and an explanation at the same time.

“I know, I just wanted to be there. My father can be a bit...harsh at times,” she sighed.

“Yeah, I think I got that. He doesn’t like jokes very much. Your mom seems to find me very funny,” you give her a small smile. She can’t help but laugh at that fact. Of course that’s how you interact with them.

“I wanted to be there with you when you met them.” You figured that when she dragged you off.

“I’m sorry.” You gave her a kiss, trying to make up for the panic you had caused her.

“No, it’s ok. I’m glad you met them. I honestly couldn’t have stopped you from doing that anyway,” she smiles.

“Yeah, you’re right about that,” you smirk.

“We should go back, I’m sure the music will start playing soon if my mother has anything to say about it.” You rolled your eyes at the thought and heard Kuvira let out a chuckle. You two had never really danced together that often. You were too embarrassed by your dancing skills, or lack thereof. You had some practice, but you felt like a clutz compared to Kuvira. She would always compliment you, which just made you blush and then mess up. 

When you two got back there was already music playing. There were a few people dancing, either couples or adults and kids. You looked over to Kuvira who smiled. She knew that this wasn’t the time to dance yet.

You had a plan for the dancing. You wanted at least a song or two to dance with her, one with your father of course, and then your song. Kuvira had no idea about your song, or that you were going to be singing in general. It was your big surprise for her.

She stayed close to you throughout the first song. You knew she was going to ask you to dance for the next song, you could see it on her face. That tiny smirk whenever she would look over at you.

The song ended and changed to a slower one. A favorite of yours and your father. He walked over to you and took your hand. You were thankful that your father wasn’t a skillful dancer like Kuvira, because he would have embarrassed you with it.

The dance was slower than the last. There was a feeling of peace surrounding you, that whatever stress accumulated throughout the day practically vanished altogether.

You looked over to Kuvira and saw her father walking over to her. You couldn’t help the smirk on your face and she was slightly confused by it. You indirectly watched their interaction, how her father didn’t look confident at all. Reminded you a lot of her trying to dance with you for the first time.

Your father looked at you with a raised eyebrow since he saw that Kuvira had actually accepted her father’s request to dance. You only smiled and shrugged. You didn’t have time to explain it to him and you knew he would ask them questions if you couldn’t answer them.

When you caught a glimpse of them together it was the first time you had seen Kuvira smile with her father. Granted she might have before, but you don’t really know. You would say this night couldn’t get any better, but there was one thing that could and you just had to wait a bit.

The song came to an end and you gave your father a tight hug and you both went to sit down for a bit. You watched Kuvira and her father have a short conversation before she came to sit next to you. You couldn’t tell what emotion she was feeling because there was too much to read on her face.

“Hey, you ok?” You grabbed her hand gently. You must have brought her out of her own thoughts because you felt her hand tense in response.

“What? Oh, yes I’m fine.” she still seemed out of it.

“You sure?” You didn’t want to press for details, but you weren’t going to just leave this be.

“For once I am.” You saw the content smile, that she’s rarely shown to anyone, appear on her face. You guessed her father had said something and you thanked the spirits that it wasn’t something bad.

“Good, there’s one more thing happening tonight that I think you’ll like,” you gave her a sly grin.

“Oh, and what’s that?” she raised an eyebrow.

“You can wait to find out.” You kissed her on the cheek before getting up. You heard her try and say something, but she was fumbling with her words.

You walked over to the band, already feeling everyone’s eyes on you. You had only told Su about what you wanted to do, knowing Kuvira wasn’t good with picking music. You looked over to Su and the smile she gave you made you more confident about what you were going to do.

The band knew what you wanted to do. They had music for this. The singer simply handed you the microphone and gave you a thumbs up. The band started with a soft, but upbeat sound. Setting you up for when you would come in. You took a deep break and turned around to start singing.

Some day, when I'm awfully low

When the world is cold

I will feel a glow just thinking of you

And the way you look tonight

Everyone had stopped talking when you started singing. It made your heart beat even faster knowing that, but you focused on Kuvira. This was your song for her. You wanted to know how she felt about it.

Yes, you're lovely, with your smile so warm

And your cheeks so soft

There is nothing for me but to love you

And the way you look tonight

You motioned for people to start dancing. It would help with your nerves and it was meant to be danced to as well.

With each word your tenderness grows

Tearin' my fear apart

And that laugh, wrinkles your nose

Touches my foolish heart

Your parents were the first to start dancing. Thankfully that encouraged others to join in. You even saw Kuvira’s parents join in. You were mildly surprised by that.

Lovely, never, never change

Keep that breathless charm

Won't you please arrange it?

'Cause I love you

Just the way you look tonight

You watched Kuvira get up and walk over to you. You were smiling while singing and she gave you that content smile that she had before. She held out her hand and you gladly took it. You knew you weren’t great at dancing, but right now you were focusing on singing. Kuvira didn’t mind either of those things.

And that laugh that wrinkles your nose

It touches my foolish heart

Lovely, don't you ever change

Keep that breathless charm

Won't you please arrange it?

'Cause I love you

Just the way you look tonight

You took the microphone away from your face and leaned into Kuvira, singing the last part just for her.

Mm, mm, mm, mm,

Just the way you look tonight

The persistent twinge in your upper arm flared up once more, throbbing with quiet protest as you sat and stared at yourself in the luxurious vanity Kuvira had gifted you. Frigid morning air chilled your bedroom, puffing the curtains up before they normally deflated, again and again. Goosebumps rose on your arms, unwinding as they stood. 

Hideous shades of green and yellow swirled together on your upper arm, tainting your otherwise flawless skin; a stark reminder of Kuvira’s claim on you. You were her bride to be and she could do whatever she pleased. Even if that meant hurting you in the process. After all, everything she was doing was for your own good- to protect you from those that wished you ill intent. 

You stared at the nasty bruise on your arm. She hadn’t meant to do it, not really. It was truly an accident and she had apologised profusely afterwards. She had just gripped you a bit too hard. That was all. 

She entered the room with a bang, narrowed eyes looking for you, widening in relief as she saw you. She stalked over to you quietly before wrapping her arms around your shoulders and resting her head on top of yours. 

“Kuvira?” You questioned softly. “What are you doing? You know it’s bad luck to see me before the wedding.” 

Kuvira hummed as she lifted herself off you. She reached for the hairbrush beside you, carefully de-tangling your hair with deliberate movements. “Can I not come and see my beautiful wife-to-be?” She questioned. 

“Well… I suppose. But you’ll be seeing me shortly- you know, when I walk down the aisle.” You hummed. 

“I missed you..” she admitted. “I had this terrible feeling that you were about to leave. Leave me.” 

Your heart sank at her words, your pulse beating just that bit more erratically as you locked eyes with her in the mirror. 

“You wouldn’t do such a thing, would you?” She asked, waiting for your response, tightening her grip on you ever so slightly. 

“No..” you whispered back. 

Her stony expression faded just as fast as it came, replaced with a pleased grin at your words. “You see… I knew that guard was lying- why would you have any reason to leave me? I give you everything you will ever need in life- that’s why I knew that there was no other choice to get rid of her.”

You reached up for her arms still entwined around your neck and pulled them down slightly so that you could swivel in your chair to face her. “A guard?” You questioned carefully, your voice even as you tried not to give anything away. 

“Mhm,” she hummed in affirmation, nose leaning in to rub against your own. “She said that you were planning to leave- right before the wedding. Seemed to think she’d have a chance of settling down with you once you escaped.” 

“I see…” your fingers rested against her cheeks. Soothing circles rubbed into the soft skin there as you tried to placate her brewing wrath. Yes. You were planning to escape. And, yes. It was supposed to be now. 

But something had stopped you. For once you thought about the life you shared with Kuvira, you could only focus on the good. Your mind went straight to the pure love you had shared before she donned the title of ‘Great Uniter’, before she had uprooted your lives, so placed you from your families. Before she had made you solely depended on her and only her. 

Perhaps your hesitance came from the memories of before. 

Before all this madness started. Before Kuvira became somebody you couldn’t recognise. Before the woman that you loved became a… monster. 

Perhaps your hesitance came from you knowing, deep down, that Kuvira was only doing what she believed to be right. 

A whisper of your name brought you out of your musings. Her eyes once sharp and judging held a certain lilt of insecurity- and if you looked closely enough, you could see the tears that threatened to fall. “You didn’t answer me..” 

“I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you.” You confessed, because you had been too caught up with your own thoughts to take any notice of her. 

“You-“ her voice cracked ever so slightly. “You are mine, aren’t you? You’ll never leave me? Never stop being mine?” 

Your eyes stared into the green of hers. Today you had chosen to stay but you weren’t sure if that would always be the case, so, instead of answering her verbally, you pulled her into a kiss. One that could hopefully convey the feelings you were so desperately trying to present to her on a silver platter. 

And hopefully, she would buy into your ruse for just a while longer. Just until you finally made your love to escape from her clutches. 

LIN is abrasive.

her hands are rough from years of fieldwork; her voice is hoarse from barking out orders. when she tries to soften either of them out, the attempt itself feels incriminating, a public admission of guilt—she doesn’t know how to love you gently. in fact, she doesn’t know how to love you at all, so, really, she’d rather save herself the humiliation. she can’t, of course; she’s tried. when you get under the shell she’s hidden herself in, the comfort of its restriction greater than the pain, her blunt nails are quick to tear into the tender, sensitive meat of her body, and once her thrashing proves futile, once she has to admit that she can’t claw you out, her efforts rewarded with the sting of the wound reopened, she does her best to keep her blood flowing: as long as the bleeding doesn’t stop, the scar tissue cannot form, and the two of you won’t be bound. she’s wrong. naturally. everything must come to an end—not even she can keep hurting herself forever, and so, in spite of her most fervent wishes, lin’s stuck with you. permanently. though you aren’t the worst thing she’s had to learn to live with, you are the most embarrassing one by far, and that embarrassment turns her brittle, turns her brash, turns her brutal. it reminds her that, at the end of the day, all she can ever do is try.

SUYIN is smooth.

it’s cruel—even her name is melodious. it rolls off your tongue, pleasant as ever in your mouth, and the smile she gives upon hearing it is a private one, the kind that makes you feel as though you are her partner in crime, her precious confidante. it’s not difficult to believe them, those sweet nothings whispered in that mellifluous voice, so believe them you do: you let the tale, however ludicrous, seduce you. to the pull of her hands, guiding you through your days and nights until their flow is flawless, each component coming to completion in one fluid arc, you provide no push, and to the caress of her palm, smoothing out an anxious crease of your brow with the ease of an experienced lover, you lean in eagerly. the fluidity of it all, the magic of the metal turned so pliant and malleable it might as well be silk, lulls you into slumber, dulling down your senses, so it takes a while for you to notice that there are no stars in zaofu. were it not for the narcotic nectar of her lips, you might have realized sooner that the flower su’s lured you to is platinum-petaled, rooted deeply in a mountain-cupped, secure valley, but you hadn’t, and by the time that you do, it’s already too late: it would take a miracle to pluck you out of her gentle grasp, and, however delighted to fulfill your wishes, not even she is that generous.

KUVIRA is extreme.

you’d think that one would cancel the other out, wouldn’t you? she can’t be a guard dog and a black sheep, a family prodigy and a family failure. if she’s cold and calculating, she shouldn’t be hot and impulsive, and if her palms are harsh and forceful, they shouldn’t come with tender, delicate fingers. smart enough to recognize flattery, yet accepting of it for her hunger for recognition; efficient enough to live off the scraps, yet too voracious not to climb up the table for more, she’s layered, as complex as the armor she sheathes herself in, and the swiftness with which she unfurls, strips peeled apart by no more than a thought, a beautiful bracelet turned a noble sword—turned a deadly whip, is startling enough to give you whiplash. making peace with this, learning to trace the shrapnel in the soft tissue of your shared flesh without gasping and trembling, is part and parcel of surviving kuvira. you have to accept that she’s pulled apart by her extremes, not mellowed out by them, and you have to understand that you are no exception for her: though you may be her lover, you are also her problem, an impure stream threatening to corrode the sterile walls of her mind, so it’s both to preserve and eradicate you that she’s tempted, two desires intertwined. you’d be wise to remember that one cannot exist with the other, in her heart.

PEMA is audacious.

it’s hard to explain why you feel so duped: after all, it’s not as though she’s lied to you. no, it was you who took one look at her doe-looking eyes, irises the shade of boiled greens—served daily in the canteens of the air temple island, and decided that she must be a benign, innocuous woman. a glance, and you felt as though you knew her already—if not from personal experience, then from the stories of others, fictional worlds populated with timid-looking, mousy women, all equally eager to boast about the stacks of recipes they keep in the biscuit tins on the topmost shelves, away from their loving, but absent-minded partners and their well-meaning, but mischievous children. baby bangs over a forgettable face—quite cute, obviously, but not exactly someone you expect anything exceptional out of. which is, in retrospect, pretty stupid: anyone who’d take a back-breaking slab of wood over a cushy, feathery bed must have some guts, at the very least, so it shouldn’t surprise you that, once she’s made up her mind about you, pema pursues you with the passion of a true believer. she isn’t repelled by your uncertainty, your unease, and she takes your recoil at having been proclaimed her soulmate in stride, a knowing smile on her lips. there is no uncertainty, not with her—she’ll get what she wants. the universe has a way of rewarding those who wait.

ASAMI is desperate.

The quiet of the upper library was entirely absolute, broken only by the rhythmic, soft scratching of Kuvira’s ink pen against paper. She sat rigidly at the heavy oak desk, desperately trying to focus on her mandatory daily reflection ledger, but her gaze kept fracturing from the door then onto her paper as if hoping to see you open that door just to check on her like always.

She was deeply, completely in love with you. For a woman who had once commanded legions with absolute certainty, this total loss of control was terrifying. Her mind, usually having flawless organized thoughts now turned to absolute mush whenever you simply walked into the room.

The heavy double doors of the library creaked open, breaking the silence as you walked back into the space. You were balancing a fresh crystal pitcher of mountain spring water and a clean glass on a silver tray.

"Hey Kuvira.. I've brought you some water," you announced cheerfully, walking over and setting the tray down on the corner of her desk. "It’s freezing cold, just how you like it."

"Thank you," Kuvira said, keeping her voice carefully level, aiming for the smooth, authoritative tone she used to wear like armor. "Your promptness is,as always...commendable."

You paused, pouring the water from the heavy crystal pitcher into the glass, and looked at her with an amused, slightly puzzled expression. "Commendable? Kuvira, are you giving me a performance review or a thank you?" You let out a small chuckle.

Kuvira’s composure immediately fractured. A bright prickle of heat flared right back up her neck. "I am merely expressing gratitude in a proper, structured manner."

"Well, you're very welcome," you said, your voice softening as you lifted the filled glass to hand it to her.

As Kuvira reached out to take it, her fingers brushed against yours. It wasn't just a fleeting contact this time; her thumb accidentally slid against the warm, soft skin of the back of your hand. A physical jolt ran up her arm, and her grip loosened in absolute panic. Her hand flinched, clipping the heavy crystal pitcher that was still resting on the edge of the tray.

With a loud clatter, the pitcher tilted, sending a wave of ice cold water spilling directly over the back of your hand, splashing across the silver tray, and soaking right into the leather binding of her reflection journal.

"Oh!—I am so sorry," Kuvira blurted out, her voice spiking in pitch.

She surged out of her chair so quickly it rattled loudly against the floorboards. Terrified that she had hurt you or made a total mess of your hard work, she grabbed a clean linen cloth from the nearby tea tray and immediately reached for your hand.

"I am incredibly clumsy," she muttered frantically, her usual poise completely vanishing. She took your hand in both of hers, using the cloth to gently, carefully dab the freezing water away from your skin. "I did not mean to—I should have been more careful—"

"Kuvira, hey, it’s just water," you said softly, completely startled not by the spill, but by the sheer, trembling intensity of her reaction.

Kuvira didn't listen. She was too busy realizing that she was currently holding your hand.

Your skin was incredibly soft, a stark contrast to her own calloused, metal strained fingers. Without the barrier of the cloth, her thumbs instinctively smoothed over the back of your knuckles, trying to warm you up, trying to prolong the touch for just a single, selfish second. She looked down at your hands joined together, her breath hitching in her throat. She wanted to lift your hand to her lips. She wanted to press it against her cheek. She wanted it more than anything.

Slowly, she looked up from your hands to your face.

Because she was standing and you were still slightly leaning over the desk, your faces were only inches apart. Kuvira could see the golden sun's reflection in your eyes, the gentle rise and fall of your chest, and the slight, curious parting of your lips. The silence between you grew heavy, thick with a sudden, unspoken tension that made the air feel completely electric.

For a terrifying, exhilarating second, Kuvira thought, This is it. 'She knows. She has to know.' Her green eyes darted down to your lips, a raw, desperate longing washing over her features before she caught herself.

Panic, cold and sharp, slammed into her. 'What are you doing?' she scolded herself in her head, her heart dropping into her stomach. 'You are invading her space. You are making her uncomfortable.'

With a sharp intake of breath, Kuvira abruptly let go of your hand, taking a giant step backward until the back of her knees hit her chair. She pulled her arms tight against her chest, her face burning a deep, agonizing crimson.

"I... I apologize," she stammered, looking wildly around the room, unable to meet your eyes. "I am not... myself today.. I will request a new one from Suyin. Please excuse my lack of decorum."

You stood there, holding the damp cloth, looking at her with a mixture of confusion and deep concern. You hadn't realized she was in love with you; you simply saw a proud woman who seemed entirely overwhelmed by stress and guilt, breaking down over a simple spill.

"Kuvira, you don't have to apologize," you said gently, taking a step toward her, your hand extending slightly. "It’s completely fine. The book isn't ruined. Are you okay?"

"Yes! Perfectly functional," Kuvira squeaked out, her voice completely betraying her. She desperately needed to escape before she confessed everything right then and there. She picked up a random, heavy history text from the desk, holding it against her chest like a shield. "I think... I think I require some air. I shall review the agricultural archives in the courtyard. Alone."

Before you could say another word, the former Great Uniter turned on her heel and marched out of the library, leaving you completely baffled but feeling a strange, fluttery warmth in your own chest.

The heavy double doors of the library slammed shut with a definitive, ringing thud that echoed off the high silver arches of the corridor. Kuvira didn't stop walking. In fact, she practically marched down the hallways of the Beifong estate, her stride carrying the fierce, rigid intensity of a military commander retreating from a disastrous ambush. Her green eyes were fixed straight ahead. All she could see was the memory of your face, just inches from hers, and the terrifying, electrifying sensation of your soft skin beneath her rough, calloused fingers. Her cheeks were burning so fiercely that she was certain the heat could melt metal.

She rounded a corner into the sun drenched northern gallery, clutching the heavy agricultural history textbook against her chest like a physical shield to hide the frantic, erratic hammering of her heart. "You are a fool", she scolded herself, the internal lecture sharp and unyielding as she fought to regulate her breathing. "A pathetic, undisciplined fool. She is a court-appointed professional tasked with monitoring your psychological rehabilitation. Get a grip on yourself." But the moment she closed her eyes, the subtle, calming scent of your vanilla soap and the crisp autumn wind rushed back into her mind, completely dismantling her defenses all over again.

"Well, look who finally crawled out of the library," a sharp, dry voice called out, shattering Kuvira's internal torment.

Kuvira snapped to attention, her posture instinctively straightening into perfect alignment as she looked down the balcony. Lin Beifong was leaning against the silver railing, her arms crossed tightly over her armored chest, a cup of strong black tea resting on the ledge beside her. A few paces away, Suyin was elegantly tending to a row of hanging orchids, using subtle, fluid hand gestures to bend the metal wire supporting the pots. Both sisters turned their sharp eyes toward Kuvira, and Su’s expression immediately shifted from calm focus to one of quiet amusement.

"Kuvira, dear, you look like you’ve just run a marathon," Suyin remarked softly, setting her tools down and walking over with a gentle smile. "Your face is entirely flushed. Did your metalbending exercises this morning catch up to you, or did you accidentally trigger one of the security panels in the library?"

"Neither, Su," Kuvira stammered, her voice lacking even a fraction of its usual commanding authority. She cleared her throat quickly, desperate to summon her old armor, but the burning heat in her cheeks betrayed her completely. "I am... perfectly functional. I merely found the atmosphere in the upper library to be somewhat stifling. I decided to bring my mandatory reading out to the courtyard for some fresh air."

Lin snorted, taking a slow sip of her tea without breaking her piercing gaze. "Stifling? The library dome has twelve active ventilation grates and a glass ceiling that opens to the mountain breeze. Try again." She stepped forward, her armor clanking softly against the stone floor, her eyes narrowing as she inspected Kuvira's tense frame. "You’ve got that exact look on your face that Baatar Jr. used to get whenever he accidentally blew up a prototype in the workshop. Like you’ve done something incredibly stupid and you’re waiting for the ceiling to collapse on you."

Kuvira’s jaw clenched, her fingers tightening so hard against the leather binding of the textbook that the cardboard beneath groaned. "I assure you, Chief Beifong, my conduct remains entirely within the boundaries of my parole. There has been no breach of protocol."

"Oh, leave her alone, Lin," Su chided gently, though the playful glint in her own eyes showed she wasn't entirely fooled either. She placed a comforting, elegant hand on Kuvira’s rigid shoulder, tilting her head. "Though, did something happen during your reflection hours with your caretaker?"

Hearing you mentioned sent a fresh, agonizing wave of embarrassment straight down Kuvira's spine. The memory of how she had practically screamed an apology, grabbed your hand, and stared longingly at your lips before running away like a startled sparrow made her want to earthbend a hole into the floor and disappear forever. "It was nothing," Kuvira muttered, looking down at her boots, her voice dropping to a quiet, vulnerable whisper that sounded entirely foreign to the proud woman she used to be. "There was an accident with a water pitcher. I... I exhibited a severe lack of decorum and clumsiness. I simply chose to remove myself from the situation before I caused any further inconvenience to her."

Lin looked at her sister, then back at Kuvira, a slow, incredibly rare smirk spreading across her scarred face. "Clumsiness? You? The woman who can catch a flying dagger just admitted to being clumsy around a court assistant?" Lin shook her head, letting out a dry, rumbling chuckle. "You're not clumsy, Kuvira. You're completely distracted. I've seen rookies in the Republic City police force act exactly like this when they get partnered up with someone they've been staring at in the locker rooms for six months."

"Lin!" Su gasped, though she couldn't hide the delighted laugh that escaped her lips. Kuvira felt entirely exposed, stripped of her titles, her armies, and her pride, standing before the family she had once betrayed while harboring a massive, humiliating crush on the one person who had shown her unconditional kindness. "It is not appropriate," Kuvira said softly, her emerald eyes glassy with a mixture of raw longing and deep seated guilt as she looked out over the large windows. "She is here because it is her duty. She looks at me and sees a patient, a broken soul that needs guiding. I am a convicted felon, Su. I shattered this nation. To harbor these... these ridiculous, selfish feelings for someone so entirely pure and untouched by my sins... it is a dishonor to the grace this court has shown me."

Su’s smile faded, replaced by a profound, gentle seriousness. She reached up, gently cupping Kuvira's cheek just like you had done in the courtyard weeks prior. "Healing isn't just about paying for your crimes, Kuvira. It’s about allowing yourself to be human again. You are allowed to love. And from what I have seen over the past month, that young woman doesn't look at you like a chore. She looks at you with an immense amount of care."

Before Kuvira could digest Su's words, the heavy metal doors at the far end of the terrace slid open.

You walked out, holding a freshly dried ledger and a small basket of seasonal moon peaches. You had been looking down at the paperwork, but the moment you heard the murmur of voices, you looked up, your face instantly lighting up with that warm, effortless smile that always made Kuvira's knees feel entirely weak. "Oh, hello, Su, Chief Beifong," you said cheerfully, stepping forward with a light, easy grace. Then, your eyes locked onto Kuvira, and your smile softened into something incredibly tender and concerned. "Kuvira, there you are. You ran out so quickly, I wanted to make sure you didn't leave your notes behind. I brought some fruit, too, since you barely touched your lunch."

Instantly, the atmosphere of the room shifted. Lin crossed her arms, watching the interaction with an intensely amused, observant silence, while Su stepped back with a knowing nod, giving the two of you space.

Kuvira froze, her breath catching in her throat as you stepped into her personal space. The proximity was intoxicating; the cool air seemed to vanish, replaced by the sheer, overwhelming warmth of your presence. She looked at the basket of peaches, then at your gentle hands, and finally up to your eyes. Her heart was hammering so loudly she was absolutely certain the Beifong sisters could hear it ringing off the metal walls.

"I... I am grateful for your diligence," Kuvira managed to say, her voice dropping an octave as she desperately tried to sound like the poised, formal woman she desperately wished she could be for you. She reached out to take the ledger, her movements intentionally slow, agonizingly careful to ensure that her fingers didn't accidentally brush against yours this time. "You did not need to follow me. I am perfectly capable of retrieving my own materials."

"I know you are," you said softly, tilting your head, completely unaware of the absolute war raging inside her chest. You reached out, your fingers lightly touching the edge of the heavy textbook she was still clutching like a shield, gently nudging it down so you could see her face properly. "But I wanted to. You seemed really stressed back there, Kuvira. If I did something to make you uncomfortable, or if the pace of the parole reviews is getting to be too much, you can tell me. I’m here to help you, always."

Kuvira stared at you, her green eyes wide, completely captivated by the earnest, unshakeable devotion in your gaze. She wanted to drop the book, reach out, and pull you into the quiet safety of her arms. She wanted to tell you that the only thing making her uncomfortable was the terrifying reality of how much power you held over her heart without even trying. But the intense shyness slammed right back into her, making her throat dry.

"You have done nothing wrong," Kuvira whispered, her voice thick with an emotion she hoped you wouldn't fully understand just yet. She quickly averted her gaze, staring intensely at a distant metal dome across the valley to hide the deep crimson blush rising on her cheeks. "The... the fault is entirely my own. I merely require a moment of quiet reflection. With the book."

You smiled, a soft, affectionate chuckle escaping your lips as you shook your head at her stubborn formality. "Alright. I'll leave you to your quiet reading. But eat the peaches, okay?"

With a cheerful wave to Su and a respectful nod to Lin, you turned on your heel and walked back toward the silver doors, your light footsteps echoing peacefully down the hall.

Kuvira watched you go, her eyes tracking every single movement of your retreating figure until the metal doors finally slid shut, cutting off the warmth of your presence entirely. The moment you were gone, she let out a long, heavy, utterly pathetic sigh, her shoulders slumping.

From behind her, Lin took another slow, deliberate sip of her tea. "Yeah," the Chief muttered dryly. "You're completely doomed."

Author's Note

Oml I love Kuvira so much, she got me in a chokehold like the rest💔 I genuinely do enjoy creating Kuvira x Fem readers a lot, I could make this as a lil scenario series thingy. Oh Kuvira my most beloved 😣 I wished people made more fics of you 🙏

Anyways 💔 here's my master list for more content ^^

The persistent twinge in your upper arm flared up once more, throbbing with quiet protest as you sat and stared at yourself in the luxurious vanity Kuvira had gifted you. Frigid morning air chilled your bedroom, puffing the curtains up before they normally deflated, again and again. Goosebumps rose on your arms, unwinding as they stood. 

Hideous shades of green and yellow swirled together on your upper arm, tainting your otherwise flawless skin; a stark reminder of Kuvira’s claim on you. You were her bride to be and she could do whatever she pleased. Even if that meant hurting you in the process. After all, everything she was doing was for your own good- to protect you from those that wished you ill intent. 

You stared at the nasty bruise on your arm. She hadn’t meant to do it, not really. It was truly an accident and she had apologised profusely afterwards. She had just gripped you a bit too hard. That was all. 

She entered the room with a bang, narrowed eyes looking for you, widening in relief as she saw you. She stalked over to you quietly before wrapping her arms around your shoulders and resting her head on top of yours. 

“Kuvira?” You questioned softly. “What are you doing? You know it’s bad luck to see me before the wedding.” 

Kuvira hummed as she lifted herself off you. She reached for the hairbrush beside you, carefully de-tangling your hair with deliberate movements. “Can I not come and see my beautiful wife-to-be?” She questioned. 

“Well… I suppose. But you’ll be seeing me shortly- you know, when I walk down the aisle.” You hummed. 

“I missed you..” she admitted. “I had this terrible feeling that you were about to leave. Leave me.” 

Your heart sank at her words, your pulse beating just that bit more erratically as you locked eyes with her in the mirror. 

“You wouldn’t do such a thing, would you?” She asked, waiting for your response, tightening her grip on you ever so slightly. 

“No..” you whispered back. 

Her stony expression faded just as fast as it came, replaced with a pleased grin at your words. “You see… I knew that guard was lying- why would you have any reason to leave me? I give you everything you will ever need in life- that’s why I knew that there was no other choice to get rid of her.”

You reached up for her arms still entwined around your neck and pulled them down slightly so that you could swivel in your chair to face her. “A guard?” You questioned carefully, your voice even as you tried not to give anything away. 

“Mhm,” she hummed in affirmation, nose leaning in to rub against your own. “She said that you were planning to leave- right before the wedding. Seemed to think she’d have a chance of settling down with you once you escaped.” 

“I see…” your fingers rested against her cheeks. Soothing circles rubbed into the soft skin there as you tried to placate her brewing wrath. Yes. You were planning to escape. And, yes. It was supposed to be now. 

But something had stopped you. For once you thought about the life you shared with Kuvira, you could only focus on the good. Your mind went straight to the pure love you had shared before she donned the title of ‘Great Uniter’, before she had uprooted your lives, so placed you from your families. Before she had made you solely depended on her and only her. 

Perhaps your hesitance came from the memories of before. 

Before all this madness started. Before Kuvira became somebody you couldn’t recognise. Before the woman that you loved became a… monster. 

Perhaps your hesitance came from you knowing, deep down, that Kuvira was only doing what she believed to be right. 

A whisper of your name brought you out of your musings. Her eyes once sharp and judging held a certain lilt of insecurity- and if you looked closely enough, you could see the tears that threatened to fall. “You didn’t answer me..” 

“I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you.” You confessed, because you had been too caught up with your own thoughts to take any notice of her. 

“You-“ her voice cracked ever so slightly. “You are mine, aren’t you? You’ll never leave me? Never stop being mine?” 

Your eyes stared into the green of hers. Today you had chosen to stay but you weren’t sure if that would always be the case, so, instead of answering her verbally, you pulled her into a kiss. One that could hopefully convey the feelings you were so desperately trying to present to her on a silver platter. 

And hopefully, she would buy into your ruse for just a while longer. Just until you finally made your love to escape from her clutches. 

The persistent twinge in your upper arm flared up once more, throbbing with quiet protest as you sat and stared at yourself in the luxurious vanity Kuvira had gifted you. Frigid morning air chilled your bedroom, puffing the curtains up before they normally deflated, again and again. Goosebumps rose on your arms, unwinding as they stood. 

Hideous shades of green and yellow swirled together on your upper arm, tainting your otherwise flawless skin; a stark reminder of Kuvira’s claim on you. You were her bride to be and she could do whatever she pleased. Even if that meant hurting you in the process. After all, everything she was doing was for your own good- to protect you from those that wished you ill intent. 

You stared at the nasty bruise on your arm. She hadn’t meant to do it, not really. It was truly an accident and she had apologised profusely afterwards. She had just gripped you a bit too hard. That was all. 

She entered the room with a bang, narrowed eyes looking for you, widening in relief as she saw you. She stalked over to you quietly before wrapping her arms around your shoulders and resting her head on top of yours. 

“Kuvira?” You questioned softly. “What are you doing? You know it’s bad luck to see me before the wedding.” 

Kuvira hummed as she lifted herself off you. She reached for the hairbrush beside you, carefully de-tangling your hair with deliberate movements. “Can I not come and see my beautiful wife-to-be?” She questioned. 

“Well… I suppose. But you’ll be seeing me shortly- you know, when I walk down the aisle.” You hummed. 

“I missed you..” she admitted. “I had this terrible feeling that you were about to leave. Leave me.” 

Your heart sank at her words, your pulse beating just that bit more erratically as you locked eyes with her in the mirror. 

“You wouldn’t do such a thing, would you?” She asked, waiting for your response, tightening her grip on you ever so slightly. 

“No..” you whispered back. 

Her stony expression faded just as fast as it came, replaced with a pleased grin at your words. “You see… I knew that guard was lying- why would you have any reason to leave me? I give you everything you will ever need in life- that’s why I knew that there was no other choice to get rid of her.”

You reached up for her arms still entwined around your neck and pulled them down slightly so that you could swivel in your chair to face her. “A guard?” You questioned carefully, your voice even as you tried not to give anything away. 

“Mhm,” she hummed in affirmation, nose leaning in to rub against your own. “She said that you were planning to leave- right before the wedding. Seemed to think she’d have a chance of settling down with you once you escaped.” 

“I see…” your fingers rested against her cheeks. Soothing circles rubbed into the soft skin there as you tried to placate her brewing wrath. Yes. You were planning to escape. And, yes. It was supposed to be now. 

But something had stopped you. For once you thought about the life you shared with Kuvira, you could only focus on the good. Your mind went straight to the pure love you had shared before she donned the title of ‘Great Uniter’, before she had uprooted your lives, so placed you from your families. Before she had made you solely depended on her and only her. 

Perhaps your hesitance came from the memories of before. 

Before all this madness started. Before Kuvira became somebody you couldn’t recognise. Before the woman that you loved became a… monster. 

Perhaps your hesitance came from you knowing, deep down, that Kuvira was only doing what she believed to be right. 

A whisper of your name brought you out of your musings. Her eyes once sharp and judging held a certain lilt of insecurity- and if you looked closely enough, you could see the tears that threatened to fall. “You didn’t answer me..” 

“I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you.” You confessed, because you had been too caught up with your own thoughts to take any notice of her. 

“You-“ her voice cracked ever so slightly. “You are mine, aren’t you? You’ll never leave me? Never stop being mine?” 

Your eyes stared into the green of hers. Today you had chosen to stay but you weren’t sure if that would always be the case, so, instead of answering her verbally, you pulled her into a kiss. One that could hopefully convey the feelings you were so desperately trying to present to her on a silver platter. 

And hopefully, she would buy into your ruse for just a while longer. Just until you finally made your love to escape from her clutches. 

The autumn chill had settled deep into the bones of Zaofu, turning the vibrant green valley into a quiet expanse of rustling bronze and gold. In the secluded courtyard of the Beifong estate, the silence was heavy, broken only by the rhythmic, hollow scrape of a broom against stone.

Kuvira swept with an intense, almost frantic focus. She didn’t look up as you approached, though the rigid set of her shoulders proved she knew exactly who was there. Her uniform was gone, replaced by a simple, earth toned tunic that looked far too thin for the biting October wind. She was trying to lose herself in the manual labor, trying to sweep away the ghosts of her past with every aggressive stroke.

You paused at the edge of the terrace, holding a warm jacket over your arm and two cups of tea, watching her. You didn’t rush her. You had learned over the past few weeks that Kuvira could not be rushed.

"Those are sure a lot of leaves," you said softly, your voice carrying gently over the crisp air.

Kuvira’s hands tightened around the wooden handle of the broom. She stopped, staring down at a pile of brown and orange leaves that the wind had immediately scattered back across the path she had just cleared. A tiny, frustrated breath escaped her nose, turning into a faint cloud of white in the cold air.

"They are persistent," Kuvira replied, her voice rough, lacking its old, commanding tone. It sounded tired. "No matter how many times I clear them, they just return. It feels... futile."

"Then stop fighting them for a minute," you said. You walked over, your steps slow and deliberate, giving her ample time to retreat if she wanted to. She didn’t. You set the cups down on a stone bench and held out the jacket. "You’re shivering, Kuvira."

She looked at the jacket, then at your hands, her jaw clenching. "I don't need it. I am perfectly capable of enduring the weather."

"I know you are," you murmured, stepping just an inch closer. "But enduring isn't the same as living. Let me."

You didn't wait for her to argue. Very gently, you draped the jacket over her shoulders. Your fingers brushed against the bare skin of her neck, and she flinched not out of anger, but out of a raw, exposed vulnerability that broke your heart. For a second, she looked as though she might throw the jacket off, to prove she was still the iron willed Great Uniter. But as the warmth settled over her, her shoulders dropped a fraction of an inch.

"You shouldn't be doing this," she muttered, looking away from you, her green eyes fixing on the distant, jagged mountains. "You shouldn't be here at all. The guards outside look at you like you've lost your mind. They might be right."

"Let them think what they want," you said, picking up the two cups and offering one to her. "I'm exactly where I want to be."

Kuvira slowly let go of the broom, letting it lean against the stone wall. She reached out from beneath the blanket, her hand trembling slightly as she took the warm ceramic cup from you. Her skin was freezing. Instead of pulling your hand back, you let your fingers linger against hers, offering your own warmth. She didn't pull away.

"They hate me," she whispered suddenly. The words were quiet, stripped of the armor she usually wore. "Su looks at me and sees a betrayal she can never forgive. The rest of the world sees a monster in chains. And yet... you're still here." She let out a humorless, bitter laugh that cracked at the end. "Why? Why do you look at me and stay?"

The pain in her voice was palpable, a deep, aching wound from the realization of everything she had broken, including herself. You turned your body fully toward her to properly talk to her.

"Because I don't see a monster, Kuvira," you replied, your voice steady and filled with an unshakeable certainty. "I see someone who lost her way because she cared too much about protecting her people, and carried the weight of the world until it crushed her. And I see someone who is actively remorseful from the guilt of it all, but still trying to stand."

Kuvira’s breath hitched. She closed her eyes tightly, a single, silent tear slipping past her long lashes and tracing down her sharp cheekbone. She looked so fragile in that moment, the formidable metalbender reduced to a soul longing for acceptance again.

"I ruined everything," she choked out, her grip tightening so hard around the cup you were afraid it might shatter. "I hurt the people I was supposed to protect. I don't deserve this jacket. I don't deserve this tea. And I certainly don't deserve you."

"Hey," you murmured. You carefully took the mug from her shaking hands and set it on the bench, then reached out, placing both of your hands gently over hers. "Look at me."

It took her a long moment, her chest heaving as she fought to regain her composure, but she finally opened her eyes. They were glassy and filled with sorrow.

"You don't get to decide what you deserve right now," you told her, your thumb gently rubbing the back of her knuckles. "Just let me give it to you. Let me be here. We don't have to fix the whole world in one day. Take it one step at a time..."

A broken smile touched the corner of her lips, vanishing almost as quickly as it appeared. "You are incredibly stubborn.."

"I learned from the best," you teased softly with a genuine small smile on your face, the humor lightning up the heavy atmosphere.

Slowly, testing the waters with a careful deliberateness, you reached up. Your hand moved to her face, your palm cupping her cheek. Her skin was warming up from the tea, and she leaned into your touch almost instinctively, closing her eyes as a soft sigh escaped her lips. It was a slow, surrendering motion, a complete difference to the woman who used to command armies. Here, in the quiet courtyard, she was just a woman letting herself be held.

"Is this okay?" you whispered, your thumb brushing away the path of her tear.

Kuvira opened her eyes, looking down at you with a softness that made the autumn air feel suddenly warm. "Yes," she whispered back, her voice barely a breath. "Please."

She slid her arms out, wrapping them slowly around your waist. She pulled you in close, hiding her face in the crook of your neck. You could feel the trembling of her frame, the silent, heavy sobs she was trying so hard to suppress, but you just held her tighter, wrapping your arms around her shoulders and burying your face in her dark hair. It smelled like cedar and the crisp, damp leaves.

For a long time, neither of you spoke. There was no need to. The slow, rhythmic rising and falling of her chest against yours spoke volumes. It was a gradual, quiet healing, a love that wasn't born of a sudden spark, but built steadily with that time and patience you took your time from the very start up to now.

When she finally pulled back, just enough to look at you, her green eyes were clearer than they had been in months. The guilt was still there it would be for a long time but the suffocating isolation was gone.

"I don't know how to do this," Kuvira admitted softly, her hands resting against your lower back, keeping you anchored to her. "How to be... regular. How to rebuild."

"You don't have to know," you spoke softly to assure her. "We'll figure it out together. One day at a time."

She nodded, a genuine, peaceful expression washing over her face as she leaned down, narrowing her eyes onto your soft lips before averting her gaze away, feeling embarrassed of that thought coming across her mind. Just for now, this embrace is more than enough for the start of a new beginning.

Author's Note

Hey guys🥹 writing this while it's heavily raining outside rn made me lock in for this, I've been postponing this for a lil while because I like to procrastinate 💔

Anyways, hurt comfort with my beloved Kuvira (⁠ ⁠ꈍ⁠ᴗ⁠ꈍ⁠) I feel like Kuvira is for the women 🙏 in my opinion please don't burn me at the stake 💔

I really want to make a cute mini series for this😣

A – Affection (How does she show affection?)

Highly practical and disciplined. She provides the finest luxuries her empire can offer—custom metal armor, private quarters, and personal security. She expresses love through absolute protection and total integration into her daily military routine.

B – Blood (How messy does she get?)

Extremely clean. She is a dictator, not a chaotic slasher. She prefers bloodless neutralization, using her rapid-fire metal bands to pin rivals down. If blood must be spilled, she delegates it to her loyal military forces so her own hands stay clean for you.

C – Clingy (How attached is she?)

Stoic but omnipresent. She will not constantly smother you with physical affection, but you are required to be by her side at rallies, military briefings, and dinners. Her presence is heavy, looming, and inescapable.

D – Domestic (Do they want a family/home life?)

Yes, but on her terms. She envisions a highly structured, flawless domestic life inside a secure stronghold like Zaofu. Any children or home routines will be managed with strict efficiency.

E – Esteem (How does she view her darling?)

She views you as her ultimate prize and her equal in importance, if not in authority. You are the gentle peace she fights for, the only person allowed to see her vulnerability when her commander’s facade drops.

F – Fight (How does she handle a rival?)

Like a political dissident. She doesn't throw public tantrums; she quietly abuses her power. Rivals are blacklisted, reassigned to distant, dangerous outposts, or sent to reeducation camps under the guise of "national security."

G – Game (Is it a game to her?)

Never. Kuvira is intensely serious. To her, securing your love and loyalty is a critical strategic campaign. She calculates every move, conversation, and restriction to ensure you stay dependent on her.

H – Hell (What is her worst nightmare?)

Abandonment. Because her biological parents cast her aside as a child, you leaving her or betraying her trust will completely fracture her composure, triggering a cold, ruthless lockdown.

I – Ideas (What is her ideal relationship?)

You standing proudly beside her as the Consort of the Earth Empire. She wants a relationship built on absolute loyalty, order, and mutual respect—where you willingly accept her absolute authority over your safety.

J – Jealousy (How jealous do they get?)

She will not yell; her eyes will simply narrow, and her posture will stiffen. The person who made her jealous will find themselves facing the full, intimidating weight of the Supreme Commander's military pressure by sunset. She just makes herself incredibly intimidating towards that person.

K – Kisses (How does she kiss/show physical intimacy?)

Dominant and possessive. Her touch is firm, often grabbing your jaw or waist to anchor you to her. Her kisses are a silent reminder of exactly who you belong to.

L – Love (What kind of love does she have?)

Authoritarian and protective. It is a "velvet glove over an iron fist" dynamic. She genuinely believes she is doing what is best for you, completely blind to how her suffocating control might be harming you.

M – Muzzle (Will she restrain her darling?)

Without hesitation. If you try to run, she will comfortably pin you to the floor or wall using metalbending. You will be placed in a high security, platinum reinforced room where your movement is entirely subject to her permission.

N – Naughty (How does she punish disobedience?)

Through cold isolation and the stripping away of privileges. If you break her rules, she will restrict your visitors, lock down your quarters, and treat you with a chilling, detached military discipline until you submit.

O – Oppression (How much does she restrict freedom?)

Totally. Your schedule, your friends, your diet, and your location are all logged by her intelligence officers. You live in a beautiful, luxurious cage that is heavily guarded.

P – Patience (How patient is she?)

Extremely patient when executing a plan, but entirely impatient with emotional defiance. She expects her orders to be followed immediately and will swiftly crush any rebellious attitude with cold logic. (#my brat tamer gf😣 srry gang I'll continue writing 💔)

Q – Quiz (Does she test your loyalty?)

Yes. She will create subtle trials such as leaving an exit unguarded or asking your opinion on a political rival to see if you choose her over the outside world.

R – Regret (Does she ever feel guilty?)

Rarely. Just as she justified crushing cities for the "Great Unification," she justifies her tyranny over you as a necessary evil to keep you safe from a chaotic, dangerous world.

S – Stalker (How does she track you?)

Through state-sponsored surveillance. She doesn't hide in bushes; she uses a network of military spies, guard patrols, and scout airships to ensure you are never truly alone. Connections are indeed powerful and she fortunately has those privileges to surveillance.

T – Tears (How does she react to your crying?)

It softens her iron exterior, but it does not change her mind. She will wipe away your tears and hold you tightly, whispering that she takes no pleasure in locking you away, but that you "forced her hand."

U – Unfair (How hypocritical is she?)

Completely. She is allowed to have secrets, command armies, and make life-altering decisions for both of you. You, however, are expected to have absolute transparency and zero independent secrets keeping just one would not do with her, it's just best to be as transparent with her.

V – Value (How far will she go for you?)

She would divert an entire military division or utilize her spirit-vine weaponry to retrieve you if you were taken from her. You are worth more to her than the crown of the Empire.

W – Wit (Can you outsmart her?)

It is incredibly difficult. Kuvira is a master tactician who anticipates her enemies' moves three steps in advance. Any escape plan you concoct will likely be predicted and countered before you even attempt it.

X – XoXo (What is her soft side like?)

Rarely seen, but incredibly intense. When you are entirely alone in her private quarters, the rigid commander melts away. She will rest her head on your shoulder to lazily play with your hair, letting out a rare sigh of relief, exhausting her heavy burdens only to you.

Y – Yearn (How does she handle long separations?)

Terribly. If military campaigns keep her away from you, she will demand daily, detailed radio reports on your well-being. Her focus on the battlefield will noticeably sharpen, driven by a desire to crush her enemies quickly so she can return to your side.

Z – Zenith (What is the absolute breaking point?)

Seeing you actively side with Team Avatar or the rebel forces against her. Believing that the one person she trusted has betrayed her will trigger a terrifying psychological break leading her to permanently lock you away in a hidden underground bunker, ensuring no one else can ever look at you again.

Author's Note

AAAAHHHHH MY GF KUVIRAAAAAA. I LITERALLY LOVE HER SO MUCH EVERY TIME I SEE HER ON SCREEN I JUST EXPLODE. I NEED HER BRUV LIKE LOOK AT HER. IDYDHSJJD IM FOAMING AND DROOLING FOR HER GANG. 😣😣😣

LOOK AT HER AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH DUVDNFIDHDHDHFHD

— 𝄞⨾ after conquering zaofu, she needed a getaway. she instructed bataar jr to remain in charge for the time being... to continue work on the secret project and hold down the fort.. she didnt know when she would be back but quickly made up that she needed time to... clear her head... and recenter herself

— 𝄞⨾ not much a fan of the city, she still wanted to show you around. the first place on the list was the dance studio. you two easily spent hours there, goofing off and just talking. it was nice seeing her in this laid back setting

— 𝄞⨾ since the beifongs were... not at home... she had no problem getting comfortable at her old stomping grounds. she gave you the grand tour of course. it felt weird at first, and it was honestly hard to remember the position she was in... or had placed herself in. i guess there really wasn't much time to dwell on it, since she wouldn't keep her hands off of you. when night fell, she even made a 20 ft tall open sphere, giving it the feeling you were engulfed by the sky. the two of you laid in the middle surrounded by pillows and blankets, where you had a breathtaking view... you know, since she removed the domes...

⸻ First Date

< back to tlok's masterlist

ONE SHOTS ; sfw — nsfw

resume: where Kuvira takes you out on your first date.

domestic ; fluff ; fem!reader. . .|

⸻ Everlasting Love

resume: where Kuvira and you started something you didn’t know how it could end.

fluff ; angst ; fem!reader. . .|

⸻ Last Piece

resume: where Kuvira and you had been best friends since kids, but, as many friendships, you start to fall apart.

fluff ; a bit of angst ; fem!reader. . .|

⸻ Always Forever

resume: where you were Kuvira's right hand but... are you really?

comfort ; angst ; fem!reader. . .|

SERIES ; finished — ongoing

Focus, focus, focus.

Two, three, four, and bend. Two, three, four, hands. Two, three, four, stay still.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “UGH! Gorgeous as always!” Suyin exclaimed with a smile looking at the group of dancers, she clapped for a couple of seconds. “That's all for today, people! You can go rest.”

After those words, you were quick to touch ground again thanks to the one lifting you up and smiled big once your best friend was at your sight. “How was it?”

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “You could work on your posture, you look hunched.” the captain said in a fun tone, you knew it was a joke when a tiny smile started to form in her lips. Your hand hit her softly in the shoulder.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “Yeah, sure.” you started to walk over to your stuff.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “It was great as always, miss perfect.” she followed you, helping with the bag of clothes you always brought to practice and hers was on the other arm.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “You owe me dinner, Kuvira.” you changed topics to look at her with a big smile and a bottle of water on your hand. “How about you pay your debt?”

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “How about you pay your debt and do the dinner? You are the one owing me a dinner, not the other way around!” and both of you began your way to either home.

Kuvira and you had been best friends since you can remember, maybe it was around the time Su took her under her wing when you met Kuvira. You remember how a little earthbender walked over to you asking if you wanted to share moon peaches with her after she caught you looking at her and ever since that day you both have been inseparable.

She helped you to improve in your metalbending making you one of the best engineers in the city alongside Suyin's oldest son, when someone was bothering you she was the first to jump to defend you, when you had a bad day she always found a way to comfort you and make you feel better. She was your rock, the same way you were hers.

Everyone in Zaofu knew how close you two were and the appreciation one had for the other, but not a single soul knew how there was something more than friendship between you two. It was so secret that not even you both knew.

Both have had relationships before, even if they didn't last enough, you were certain to recognize the feelings between friends and lovers' affection. Or so you thought.

Your own feelings were questioned one of the days the avatar and her team arrived to the city, you were helping them with anything asked for as one of their hostess.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “Hey, you and your girlfriend look cute together. Are you in the guard too or is just her?” you heard the waterbender ask, your shoulders tensed at the noun used for Kuvira.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “Oh, uhm, it's just her.” you answered, surprising yourself when you didn’t deny the claim. “I'm actually an engineer. I like to work with metal.”

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “I'm an engineer too!” the other girl exclaimed excited to meet a fellow engineer, thankfully that changed the subject to machinery and inventions with her and made you forget the moment before.

Even though you were a junior engineer, that didn't stopped you to talk for almost an hour with the girl about the struggles as an engineer and shared advices one with the other.

When you talked to Kuvira about your nerdy rant with Asami, her face had an indescribable grimace painted in it.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “So you like her.” she said abruptly, cutting your train of thought and making you blink in confusion.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “I mean, yeah?” you said more in a question than in an answer. “It's nice to have a chat with someone about this stuff other than Baatar Jr who loves to cut me off or not pay any attention.” you shrugged.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “And she's pretty too.” Kuvira voice felt as she was thinking of something else, her focus somewhere else.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “She is.” you backed up the statement. “But what does that has to do wi–.”

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “I have to go, I need to take care of some business. See you at dinner.” she spoke as if being rushed and started to walk away from you, leaving you even more confused.

In Kuvira's mind, there were alerts and sirens left and right, warning her about something, something she had repressed too deep to understand it now.

The events following your talk gave no one time to think, it was one thing after the other and that kept Kuvira away from you since she was the captain for the military guard so it made you grew closer to the young inventor and she was aware of it.

After the avatar left, Kuvira seemed distance with you. Only talking when you looked for her, she still walked you home, but the talks were ephemeral, she answered with monosyllables or head movements and you only could hope to find a way to get your relationship back to how it was.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “I'm leaving,” she said one day, interrupting your commentary about how the practice was boring. You stopped in your steps, Kuvira stopped a couple after. “The Earth Kingdom is in need of a leader and I offered myself to Republic City's president to help get the Kingdom united until the new monarch takes their place.”

Your eyes were trying to look for hers, she was evading your gaze by keeping hers pinned behind you.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “What–”

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “I leave tomorrow.” every single word felt like a bucket of freezing water pouring over you. “Bataar is going with me, I need an engineer.”

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “You tell me now?” the question left your mouth as a whisper. “Why didn’t you tell me earlier? Didn't you think I would like to know your plan? Or I would like to go as your engineer? You don't trust me anymore?” for the first time, she looked at you while calling your name, you shook your head. “Kuvira, I'm your best friend... I would go with you anywhere.”

A couple of seconds you both stood in silence looking at each other. “I'm sorry.” was the only thing she could think of saying to you.

Your hand rearranged the gym bag's strap over your shoulder. “I'll walk myself home, hope you have a great journey.”

You walked pass her and Kuvira fought against herself not to run after you, to tell you that she was sorry, she wanted you there with her... But her pride was stronger, she stood there.

That was the last time you two had a proper conversation, you didn’t attend to her farewell event nor talked to her before that. However, after two days of her being on the road, a letter with your handwriting arrived to her wishing her luck and health in her journey. But that was all, no more letters neither from you or her, you two took separate ways after that. Regardless of the years passing by, you couldn’t help but find yourself thinking about Kuvira every once in a while.

With Bataar gone from Zaofu, you moved from engineer junior to senior and with that more responsibility came along, enough to keep your mind occupied.

Suyin grew closer to you as you usually tagged along with her husband to talk work related things and city matters. She knew about how close you and Kuvira were, so every information she had she told you.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “I heard they just went to Qinchao.” the matriarch said while serving tea on your cup, you smiled a little bit her way.

Deep down, you were grateful with her for that, those comments were enough for you to make sure that at least Kuvira was still around. But one day she stopped talking about the metalbender and you didn’t want to appear desperate to know about her, so you didn’t ask anything.

You thought she was on her way to pass the now united Earth Kingdom to Wu, but were met with the news that she planned to invade Zaofu.

You helped with what you could to stop her, however when the Beifongs were captured, you got captured too. Instead of going to the same air-suspended prison, someone took you to Kuvira's train and made you sit in –what you thought was– the reunion wagon. A map of the kingdom displayed infront of you and a table with a bunch of blueprints on its right, sitting impatiently you were waiting for something... or someone.

The sound of the metal doors opening behind you made you sit straight again, one pair of shoes were making noises so you thought it was the last guard. Your mouth opened to talk and ask what you were doing there instead of being with the Beifongs, but your words caught up in your throat at the sight of the ex–captain.

Her eyes shined with distress, unsure of what to say or how to proceed, almost like waiting for a signal from you to tell her what to do. You only looked at her with a gaze she could not interpret, silence reigned for what felt hours while the two green-eyed were looking at each other.

At the same time, the two of you decided to break the silence colliding your voices. Kuvira blinked a bit and shook her head. “Sorry, you talk first.”

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “Can you uncuff me?” you asked quickly at her making sounds with the platinum around your wrists.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “Shit, yes, one second.” Kuvira was fast to take out the key while walking behind you to take the cuffs out so you could be more comfortable. “There, uhm, you're free.”

Your left hand was quick to touch your right wrist once you were able to get your arms to the front, you looked for Kuvira. “Why am I here?”

The leader stood up again and walked to be face to face with you again, she still couldn't read your expression. “I wanted to talk to you.”

Your heart skipped a beat and Kuvira was able to see how your eyes softened a little bit, she was able to see that one girl a couple years younger that could make her world shake with her mere existence.

It took Kuvira three years away from you to know that she did love you like she had said a lot of times, but she loved you on another level which she never thought could've happen.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “To say... What? To boast about how you were capable to unify the kingdom on your own with... tyranny?” you words were harsh on her, she knew she deserved them either way.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “I did what I had to for my people.” she said back, almost in a sharp serious tone. “And I know you won't understand this now, but I did it for them... I did it for us.”

You stayed quiet, just looking at her, admiring her face like you used to do back in the day. “You never wrote to me.” your mouth talked in a low voice. “I was surviving with what Su told me about you and it wasn’t nearly enough.”

Kuvira's shoulders fell, her whole serious leader facade disappeared. You were the only person with the ability of making the ex–captain soft at your very liking.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “I didn't know what to say.” she said, raising her brow with tenderness. “I tried so many times to write you, tell you that I missed you, ask you if you wanted to join, but I never found the right words to do so.” Her gaze looked to the floor. “I needed you by my side.”

You felt dizzy, but in a good way. It was almost as if those feelings repressed by you all those years ago were creeping back in a plodding way.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “If you had asked me two weeks ago if I wanted to join you on unifying the kingdom I would've joined.” you said after another round of silence, the lighter green eyes shot back to you in surprised. “Hell! If you had asked me yesterday if I wanted to join I would've say yes, Kuvira... Because I need you too.”

For the first time in so long, the military leader had no answer to give, her mind was cloudy with a bunch of thoughts unclear to her right now.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “All those years made me realize that I can't live without you by my side,” you continued when you realized she wasn’t going to speak. “You are the air that I breathe, even when we fell apart I still woke up everyday with the motivation to see you again and tell you that I love you.” your voice lower at the end, maybe you went a little bit too far by confessing to your best friend that.

A smile began to make an appearance on the pale girl's face, your heart beating so fast that you thought it was going to leave your chest to fall at her feet. “It's so good to know that you would be by my side.” she started, squatting infront of you. “I'm so sorry it took me this long to realize that I love you too and I can't continue this without you... If I want the Earth Empire to together I need you with me.”

Your eyes sparkled with emotion at her, getting closer to her face you whispered. “I would walk through hell if that means I get to be with you.”

Blue eyes wandered around the landscape with such fascination, you were so immersed in your own thoughts about the city that didn't realize when the group stopped by a big salon, your body bumped with Mako.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “Shit, sorry...! Where are we?” you asked to the bender, clearly you didn't pay attention to anything said before.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “Meeting the mother of the airbender.” he said making you face the other way were some metalbenders were doing a choreography.

Now you stood still watching the dance unfold right infront of you. You were so amazed at the way they used the metal to catch people and how easy it looked to bend.

At the final stand, your sight got caught by one of the girls at the very top, even from afar you could spot a little dot below her left eye.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “Let's take a break, everyone!” you heard the matriarch say and giggle a little bit at how fast everyone scatter.

Your eyes followed the girl and Kuvira could feel your gaze in her, so when she turned around to get a glance of who was looking at her your hand waved timidly.

Korra called your name when she saw you distracted, her head made a movement about going out of there and you were quick to follow.

It was safe to say that now the metalbender was all you could think of, you went with the team to the city in a mission to meet the new airbender and take her to the north with the rest of the nomads, but that was all. You couldn't do much as a waterbender in a city made of metal, so you went wandering around the place, still mesmerized with the architecture.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “Hey!” you smiled at the captain when both paths bumped each other. “You're the one in the dance group, aren't you?”

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “Kuvira.” the soldier presented herself, you said your name back. “You're the one that came with the avatar.”

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “I am, she's with Su's daughter right now.” you explained, tilting your head to the left. “And I wanted to explore a little bit...” both your hands went to your back, you didn't lose anything trying to shoot your shot, right? “Do you know any good guide that could show me around?”

Kuvira looked confused for a good second, she couldn't seriously don't catch that. “I thought Aiwei showed you around.”

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “I mean... Not really, he showed us like two places at best.” you said, shrugging. “Just if you can, maybe you can show me around?”

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “Oh...” you saw the girl's cheeks change to the most subtle tone of pink, her head moved trying to hide it. “Well, right now I'm on duty, but..”

She stood in silence, thinking for a bit while your bottom lip was trapped between your teeth for what felt almost an eternity.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “How about at dawn we meet at the door of your dorm?” she finally said, you nodded way too fast for your liking.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “Would love to!” your smile grew being met with one smile of hers, a little bit smaller. “See you at dawn, then.”

She made a little bow which you reciprocated and both continue each respective way. 

The rest of the day you were humming a melody while walking around, sitting down or even just existing. Your friends were quick to catch up your change of acting. The first one to point it out was the avatar.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “Spill it, what got you so happy?” she asked once your group was alone, Asami giggled.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “Not what, who got her happy? Is the real question.” the inventor corrected the girl, Korra opened her mouth surprised looking back at you after looking at Asami.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “No one!” you started, trying to hide a smile, a couple seconds where needed for you to get closer to the girls. “Okay, there's this girl in the guard team...” your friends assemble with you, Bolin taking place beside the non bender, interested too in what was said about your new crush.

Mako rolled his eyes funnily before getting pulled in by his brother.

Now that your friends knew, you totally regretted it when the time came and you were waiting for Kuvira... with the rest of the team at your back. At the very sight of the metalbender, you were so quick to get water out of the container you always carry on you and threw it at them gaining a small scream from the earthbender and some grunts from the fire nation pair. A mufled 'bitch!' was said by the avatar in a friendly way, everyone went inside to hide giggling when they heard the captain greet you. Clearly peaking out the window, fighting each other in whispers and dropping to the floor when Kuvira almost got them in the act.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “I'm sorry if I made you wait too long, there were some matters I needed to take care of.” she excused herself, you were quick to shake your head.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “Don't worry!” you almost shouted, blinking a couple times before clearing your throat. “I mean, uhh, it's okay, let's go.”

Almost in a desperate manner, you took Kuviras wrist and made her walk with hurry away from your friends, you already knew they would make fun of you.

The first ten minutes were a bit uncomfortable for both parties, Kuvira would point a spot and tell you the history behind it and you would nod while looking at her instead of where she pointed, but you making questions about them was what made the metalbender relax in your presence and once you felt that from her, you relaxed too.

At one point of the night, Kuvira led both of you to a viewpoint in the city, the moon was starting to rise in-between the mountains surrounding the valley and the captain stopped right at the handrail.

She stopped your talking about how the night started to feel cool and pointed for you to look: they were closing the domes, your mouth opened amazed at the view of big pieces of metal rise on your surrounding and close on top like a cocoon would. While looking up you walked backwards and bumped into the dark haired making her laugh in low voice, her arms got you so you wouldn't fall.

Once the show was over you turned to the body next to you and took a step back from her almost embarrassed, Kuvira stopped her hands from looking for you again. “Sorry, heh, I don’t have good balance while looking up.”

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “It's okay...” she murmured smiling a little bit, her hands rubbed against each other before putting them behind her back. “I think that's all the history and places of Zaofu that I can teach you so far.”

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “It was great,” you confessed, your body looked to sit on the handrail, moving your feet in the air. “You should be a tour guide, it suits you.”

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “I'm okay being a captain.” she said after laughing at your idea, you smiled big. “Want me to walk you back?”

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “Let's stay a little bit more, yeah?” you requested leaning on your hands. Kuvira nodded before starting a new conversation.

The next couple of days were mere chaos for everyone since the infiltration of the Red Lotus, so you and Kuvira saw each other less and less, but everytime both were in the same area she would wink at you and you would smile back or vice-versa. Before leaving the metal clan to follow Aiwei on his plan you left a note for Kuvira on her hand on your way out and waved her goodbye without saying a word.

“I had fun with you this days, call me when all of this is over. ;)” followed by your land-line number and your name as signature.

If you were honest, the following days were a big blur in your memory. Fighting some crazy powerful benders and seeing your best friend so close to dying got the best of you, but you were so glad to have all of your friends alive and well.

A couple of weeks passed and after Jinora's ceremony and Korra's departure to the south, you received Kuvira's call.

You were so happy when you heard her voice again, the feeling was the same from her side. The first call would be filled with silence and some other typical question from the other, but both of you dragged it as much as you could to not hang up so quickly.

The next calls were more interactive, she would tell you about her day and you would tell her about yours, the thoughts on your mind, her descriptions about training or dance practice, both promising to visit the other as soon as possible.

But it didn’t last long.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “You... You want to unify the Earth Kingdom?” you asked stopping your pace in your apartment, on one hand you had the phone's base and the other the phone close to your ear.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “Someone has to.” she said, on her end you could hear noises of people walking and talking about loading stuff. “Bataar and I are going to take the role on that since Suyin is too self-centered to do so.”

Your body had moved to the closest sofa and you sat down in there while bitting your nail. “Are you sure about this? It could... I don’t know, be a bad idea? There are way too many bandits in every state. They will eventually choose a monarch, no? They can handle it.”

A deafing silence filled the line, Kuvira sighed.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “I knew you wouldn't understand it, your nation is not the one on the verge of falling apart.” her voice hardened, you blinked surprised. You tried to call for her by name. “I have to go, there are things I need to do.”

And she hung up leaving you with a frown while looking at the phone.

That was the last you knew about her, you tried to call her back but only got through Bataar and when asking about the metalbender he would just say she wasn't there and hang up.

Weeks passed, everyone started on their own things and you could only get more worried about the girl. You knew Bolin got into her team and you thought that if maybe he was there it meant that the situation couldn't be that bad, right?

Wrong, as the time passed by you only heard bad to worse things about Kuvira. They called her the great uniter and with that name you heard about the way she would make the states surrender to her. After three years you had totally gave up on having contact with her, but you continue to have contact with Bolin, after all he was one of your best friends and you wanted to know about him.

He would tell you about the train, the destinations and how Kuvira was doing in a "discreet" way since he knew about how you liked her, Bolin was lucky to not be near you when you read those parts.

On the day of the coronation, you were in the north water tribe with your family; you've been living there after the second year with the excuse that your parents needed help at home and it would also give you time to breath familiar air with the whole team dispersed, but your peace wouldn't last much as you heard on the radio news about how Kuvira named herself the leader of the new Earth Empire.

It took a call from Mako saying how they needed all hands on deck to stop Kuvira to get you back in Republic City. Bolin was in charge to update you with everything after you greeted everyone with a hug.

You couldn’t believe how the ex–captain got so power-hungry to the point of initiating a dictatorship, you felt as she was a completely different person to the one you met at Zaofu.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “You need to talk to her.” you heard the detective say, snapping you out of your thoughts.

After blinking for a moment and digest Mako's words, you frowned. “Why me? Korra should try to talk to her again.” you pointed to the shorthaired one.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “Because she's crazy about you.” Asami said in a almost funny tone. “Bolin told us how she would ask him all the time how you were doing.”

Your eyes shot to the earthbender, clearly he hid that from you, the boy tried to shrink himself in his place.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “She used to say she wanted to talk to you and try to make you part of the army somehow, I used to tell her that it was a crazy idea because you are a waterbender and the army was all earthbenders... and Varrick, but he was the engineer and she would say that you could be her right hand at everything and–” his word vomit got interrupted by the avatar.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “See?” the other waterbender took your hands into hers. “Try it, for us... For the city, we don't have too many options and I know you still care about her.”

Korra said that last part with such caution, trying to not get a bad reaction from your side, expectant to your gestures and face. You were static in your place, how could you do that? It was true, you didn’t disagree with the avatar, you still cared for Kuvira. After all, the time shared with her was one that you always thought about when you felt nostalgic, she made you feel good, you had discovered feelings you didn’t thought you ever had with anyone ever and it did hurt seeing how the earthbender changed for worst.

Your hands squeezed the ones holding them and a faint smile appeared on your face.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “Okay, I'll try it..” a cheer burst in the room by your friends.

You were amazed at how fast they got Kuvira on the line ready to talk to you, with everyone at your back you took the radio on your hand and cleared your throat. She talked first, calling you by your name.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “Hey, you.” you said, nervously and bitting your inner cheek. You would never know, but she softened at the sound of your voice, thankfully she was alone. “It's been so long, huh?”

A small giggled left her mouth and you got goosebumps at the sound. “It has... I'm sorry at how I ended things.”

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “You don't have to apologize, Kuvira, I'm just glad you're okay..” you said in a whisper, there was silence then, you were thinking and she was waiting for you. Korra poked your side making you wiggle a bit, saying non-verbally that you needed to start. “But you are in time to stop your plan.”

She sighed exhausted, shaking her head a little bit. “I knew this was about the unification.”

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “Kuvira, you need to stop.” the avatar tried to jump in, your arm stopped her from taking the radio off your hand.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “...Can we talk privately? Just the two of us.” she talked to you, saying your name at the end. You turned to your friends who were looking over your shoulder expectant.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “I got this,” you assured the group with a smile. “Please leave us alone, it will be fine.”

Everyone was hesitant about leaving, but finally let you by your own with only the radio.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “Kuvira, please, think this through.” you started once they left the room.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “Join me.” she spat suddenly, taking the words out of you. “Be my right hand in the unification.”

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “Kuvira... I don’t—”

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “Rule the Earth Empire with me.” she interrupted. “There was not a day I didn’t imagine us together ruling the empire, of us being together.”

Your mind turned blank at what was said, she didn’t stop thinking of you. Just like you didn’t stop thinking of her...

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “I would give my army if that means you will be with me in this new era for my nation.” Your eyes were dancing everywhere, looking for something that could give you answers. “Please, primrose, be my consort. Rule with me.”

The nickname and title said threw you out of yourself.

You were ashamed to say there was a part of you considering the offering, but how could you do that to your friends? to Republic City? Your feelings for Kuvira were strong, but were they that intense to betray everyone else? To betray the friends who lend you their hand when you needed them? Those who you have gone through hell and heaven with, the ones on the other side of the door waiting for you to have an answer for them, the group of people that wanted to save a whole city and called you in because they knew it would work out with you there as well.

After giving her your answer you stopped the communication and went to open the door, making the four fall at your feet as they were over the door trying to listen. “Oh, hey, how are ya?” Bolin asked like nothing.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “And? How it went?” Korra asked once she got back on her own feet, one look at your expression and she knew something was wrong with you. “What happened? Are you okay?”

You nodded and breath in deep before breaking the news. “We need to get ready to defend the city.”

Hands covered with white gloves moved around the map to corroborate your binnacle.

Northwest, near Zigan Village... wait, didn't the military already helped that village...? No, you would've registered it when—

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “HEY, MISS GEOGRAPHY!” Bolin screamed walking to you, giving you a tiny heart attack. “Watcha doin'?”

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “Fucking spirits, Bolin...” you said out of breath, turning fully his way. “Do you need something?”

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ "The boss wants us all reunited, we are close to the town." your friend let his arm rest on your shoulders. "Should we go reunite with Mako and Asami while we are there?"

A sound of consideration vibrated in your throat while your face made an expression of thinking. “I don't think they can, Bo, Mako is occupied being a detective and Asami has a whole company to run, remember?”

You felt how your friend got discouraged after that, a small sigh left his lips.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “Maybe you're right..” he said in a small voice.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “But maybe we can reunite with them after the coronation. Who knows? Korra could be back in the city by now too.” you tried to encourage the lavabender back, poking his side. He smiled.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “Oh! I wish! She hasn't answer any of my letters to her, you know? And I wrote to her with dedication.” Bolin ranted making you laugh.

After the avatar left Republic City to heal in the Southern Water Tribe, Bolin had found out Kuvira's plan to save the Earth Kingdom from chaos herself and he decided to walk in the team as he really wanted to have his and his father's nation back to peace. One week later, he came to you talking you into joining too, assuring it would be to have the nation united until the new king took possession of his place.

You did take a couple days to consider his proposal and ended up showing to the train with your stuff, being met with a big hug from your friend and a welcome speech from the leader.

The team was small when you joined, so you had the honor to see Kuvira recruit more people for the good cause... At least that was what she made everyone believe, even you.

You were able to take a good position in Kuvira's circle, you managed the villages reports for her and that made you be close to her. She remembered you from the team's visit to Zaofu where you would be kind to everyone, she taught you some new metalbending moves you didn't know and that was also part of the reason you joined: Kuvira herself.

Having to be almost every single hour of the day by her side gave you the opportunity to meet her in more depth than how it happened back in the metal clan's city and in a blink of an eye, there wasn't a way anyone could see one without the other. Everyone started to notice how important you began to be for the young leader. Unofficially, you were her right hand, but even with such a high rank there were stuff Kuvira kept from you.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “Everyone has a room assigned, we'll take the presidential suite.” Kuvira informed, pointing at you and then back at her. “We'll meet outside before the event.”

Baatar looked at you with narrow eyes before walking behind his new roommate Bolin. The metalbender and you made your way to the suite and began to settle; since the presidential suite had two connecting rooms she took the principal one and you the small one.

After leaving your stuff, you walked to her room and sat on the bed while she was getting ready for the coronation.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “Are you sure to go on with your plan?” you asked after a small talk took place about the room being pretty, her sharp eyes looked at you from the mirror.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “Of course, this new little king they want on the throne is nothing but a buffoon.” she answered, her eyes went back to her reflection. “And the Kingdom needs someone strong and respected to keep it together.”

You sighed and nodded with a little 'I guess' coming out of your mouth. The black haired walked to you, sitting by your side she took one of your hands.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “Trust me, this is for the best. The new Empire will be stronger and far better than the previous Earth Kingdom.” her eyes searched for yours and when they met, her gaze softened. “You trust me, don't you?”

A sweet smile began to creep in your face, your head nodded once more. “I do, I trust you blindly.” your free hand reached for her cheek to leave caresses on it.

The door opened without any warning and the engineer walked, freezing after seeing you two close. He cleared his throat making the two sets of eyes turn his way. “All set, we need to go.” and he left.

You looked back at Kuvira with a funny smile, she shook her head. “Let's go, new leader.” A quick kiss on her cheek was left before distancing from the girl and walking to the exit.

At the coronation, everything went like you thought it would: People opposing, people showing support and Wu looking defeated at the border of a tantrum.

Bolin looked at you confused and you shrugged a little bit, like saying he needed to talk to her directly about it and that's what he planned to do after the ceremony.

When you came back to the room after having lunch with some of the soldiers to make time, you saw Suyin leaving the same, she looked at you and shook her head almost with disappointment before continuing her way.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “Hey, what happened? I saw Suyin leave.” you asked directly coming in, Kuvira was standing with her arms crossed.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “We are leaving to Zaofu.” she limited to say, going to her room for her stuff.

You knew what was going to happen, she have been thinking about getting Zaofu into the new Empire for quite some time now, it was almost all she spoke about while talking about not letting the king rule.

Near the city, Bolin was called and told to be of company to both her and Bataar in a negotiation reunion with the matriarch of the city and her family, you were requested to stay on camp to keep working and that's what you did.

While looking through some paperwork that you knew got mixed up with Bataar's in his tent, you found blueprints for weapons you've never seen before, notes on the weapons about them being deadly and how each one could help in different areas. Your brow frowned and then, the dots connected.

Trying to look calmed you took your papers and walked back out like nothing. Bolin was also walking out of Kuvira's tent with a pale face, when he spotted you his feet almost ran your direction and took you by the shoulders.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “Kuvira is not what we think she is!” he screamed in a whisper, your eyebrows raised, he knew too.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “What? Why–” he pulled you to your tent so you could talk. “What are you talking about, Bolin?”

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “She just threatened me,” your eyes widened. “She wants to take the city by force, that's what we have been doing all this time! Taking cities by force and apparently making them work like slaves too!”

You blinked to all of the information. “Holy fuck, so that's why...” your sentence stopped, now you understood why there were documents with censored information being delivered to you instead of the official ones.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “Yeah, holy fuck that's why!” he backed up, pulling down his face. “We need to do something, there's no way we'll leave it like this.”

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “Let me... Let me talk to her, you need to go for Varrick, I know he can help us, he was captured because of the vines I heard.” you said, spaced out on your spot, you looked back at him. “Try to get out of here with him and talk to the team, I know they can help us, Korra will help us.”

The guy nodded before going out like a man on a mission, you stayed to clear your thoughts and try to come with a way to persuade her. After collecting a couple of documents that needed approval, you made your way to her tent, Baatar was there.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “You can leave.” she said to him, the man left with a grimace, you rolled your eyes at him. “Hey, I was about to look for you, want to eat dinner?”

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “Oh, sure.” you smiled, standing still with your folder, Kuvira raised an eyebrow.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ “Is... something wrong? Something happened with the reports?” she asked meticulously, almost like fearing any discoveries you had made.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ "No, sorry, I just... I feel tired." you walked to her and handed the folder. "I need your approvals here so I can send these."

The girl nodded and took the paperwork to start the process, you bit your bottom lip before breathing in deep.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ "Listen, I talked to Bolin..." her hand stopped and she froze. "Kuvira, I know you want to have the whole Kingdom united, but taking the city by force is not a good idea."

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ "Sometimes you need to do whatever it takes to make a greater good." her response left a bad mouth taste, she looked back up at you. "I know this is something you don't want to hear, but we need to make them join to our cause so we can move forward as a nation together. I'm doing this for us."

You stood in silence, that was definitely a different Kuvira talking and it scared you a little bit.

It took you that conversation to come up with a plan, you'd stay with her to try and stop everything from the inside and fortunately you weren't alone. Zhu Li had a similar idea with the canyon they were building and so you relied on her, both had meetings from time to time to discuss progress, but it was until the Beifongs were freed and she left with them for her safety that you were all alone. You trusted she would tell everything to the team.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ "Okay, you can look now." your own hands moved from your eyes, confused you looked up to see a giant robot and now both eyes were wide open. "Do you like it? It's to take Republic City back."

Your blood froze in your veins at the view you were having, it was not only the giant robot, it was the fact that you could see a canyon on its right arm. "I thought... I thought we were going to do a big canyon."

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ "That was the first plan, but Baatar came up with this new model and it would be easier to mobilize around the city." you nodded still hypnotized by the weapon.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ "I think this is going to be such a great idea." you said what she wanted to hear, Kuvira smiled satisfied. "What will I do?"

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ "You will be with me on the main control room." your mind was running miles trying to devise a plan to let the team know.

With the luck against you, you found yourself at the control room without being able to warn anyone about anything. Horrified at the sight of the canyon destroying everything in just seconds, you were grieving silently what had been your home for all those years alive.  When the president surrendered the city, you felt your soul fall to your feet, but her instructions to them gave you an idea.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ "I'll go!" you almost screamed at her, she turned your way confused. "With Baatar, Korra is my friend, she trusts me, I know she won't try anything with me there. You'll have the city, the army and the avatar." You nervousness made your hands twitch a little bit, you hid them in your back.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ "Okay," she said after a few seconds of silence, Kuvira walked up to you and cupped your face in her hands.‍ "Be careful, I'll wait for you so we can rule together." She left a kiss close to the corner of your lips.

A soft smile was your response while your eyes scanned her face one last time, trying to burn the image of her in your brain and after that, you left to meet the engineer.

The first half of the journey was quiet, both of you were walking towards his office, but with healthy distance between the two.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ "She likes you, you know?" he spoke out of the blue, catching your attention, you looked up from the floor and back at him for a second.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ "What...?"

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ "Kuvira, she likes you." he continued, you stopped a second in your steps, confused.‍ "We were trying something at the beginning of all of this, but after Bolin got you on the team she had been distant to me and this morning she said we needed to talk after this is over, I know she likes you, I've seen the way she looks at you."

You blinked in awe to what was said, that explained why he always looked at you with some type of resentment, you laughed a little bit to the thought of him hating you for ruinning his 'chance' with the leader.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ "The destiny is such a funny thing." you murmured, it was almost relieving to know that maybe you did had your chance with the metalbender, you wished the situation was different so you could maybe be with her dispite all, but now you had one mission: stop her.

Once at the door, you unlocked it and walked in, as soon as Baatar walked you heard him grumble. In an automatic way, you adopted a defensive position, however when the avatar looked at you, a smile as big appeared on your face.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ "Korra!" you exclaimed walking towards her to embrace a hug, she giggled.‍ "I'm so glad to see you here."

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ "I'm glad to see you too," she said smiling, a couple seconds later, she distanced herself.‍ "Zhu Li told us everything, we're taking Baatar, are you coming with us?"

Without a second thought you nodded and followed the girl out of the airship.

Once at Asami's factory you greeted everyone with joy, feeling like a weight was lifted up your shoulders and when you saw Bolin your eyes watered a little bit.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ "I thought you did die!" you said while hugging him with a little strength, he was giggling with pauses.‍ "I didn't have any way to communicate and then Zhu Li left and I was all alone."

The older woman patted your back with a comprehensive smile, while everything went down you stood at the back with your friend, waiting for a conclusion. When the engineer talked to her, your stomach felt fumbling and it didn't get better listening to her answer him. She asked for you and the man told her that you were with him, they had taken you too.

Seeing how the leader shoot at the factory without considering if any of you two would make it out alive somehow made you feel sad, but there wasn't time for any of that as everyone got to action trying to stop her. Lin had given metal string for you to move around and a quick tutorial on how to use it, it took you a couple of falls for you to have the transportation managed.

The fight was intense, there were times were you thought you would not make it alive in one piece. All your muscles were aching in pain at the overwork with your bending, sweat was dripping off your face, but when everyone got into the suit you took the time to rest a little bit with Asami by your side when you went to look for her after she was ejected from the hummingbird suit. Your arms were around her, giving her comfort in her now grieving time.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ "I hope they can defeat her." she said, resting her head in your shoulder. You looked to the robot's way and saw fire reflecting, a tiny smile appear.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ "I'm sure they will." you said back.‍ "I just wish things were different... I don't recognize Kuvira anymore."

Asami was attentive to you, she gave you a comprehensive gaze.‍ "Things happen for a reason."

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ "I know that, but-" your talk was interrupted by an explosion, Asami and you covered your head with your hands and looked up afterwards.

The giant robot was halved by the vines power, with no time to waste, you ran to the scene. Before you both arrived, another explosion took place, Asami was quick to pull you to a train entrance for cover. When that one settle, your eyes shined with the new spirit portal in the heart of the city.

A small call for Kuvira left your mouth unconsciously, so you joined the rest of the group to look for the avatar while also you looked for the leader. Your mind was going a thousand per second until you saw the southerner walk out of the portal with the metalbender by her side, you sighed.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ "Wait," you called to the Beifongs before they could take her farther.‍ "Can I... talk to her? It will be quick."

Lin and Suyin took just a step back, always vigilant to the leader.‍ "I'm sorry," she started, not allowing you to say anything.‍ "For everything, I'm so sorry for making you go through all of this."

One of your hands look to get one of hers, a melancholic smile was drawn in your face. "You'll do better from now on, I can feel it."

Kuvira let a couple of tears fall from her eyes, you took a step closer to her and your lips met hers in a delicate kiss. The leader was shocked, but tried to reciprocate as fast as she could. You could hear a couple of gasps at your back, but that wasn't your main focus at the moment.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ "I'll wait for you." you told her, trying to sound calm. Kuvira's eyes shined with concern.‍ "Just know, I have always loved you... Always."

She smile a little bit and murmur a little 'I love you too' before she was taken away. Turning around to your friends, they all had a shocked face.

‍ ‍ ‍ ‍‍ "So! Korra saved the city!" you tried to sound as happy as possible for your friend, Bolin gave you back up and cheered for the avatar.