Chapter Text
“We’re about five minutes out,” Asami said from the airship’s controls. “And again, we won’t be in Zaofu for long.” She looked at Korra. “So don’t get distracted.”
“I won’t. Promise.” Korra grinned. “I love you.”
“I love you too,” Asami said. “I just know how you are with stuff like this. You’ll start talking to Suyin, she’ll mention something going on in the city, and the next thing I know it’ll be after dark and we’ll be pushing the next leg of our flight to tomorrow.”
“Yeah, I know. It’s just been half a year since we saw the Beifongs last.”
Asami nodded. “Yeah, I wish we were here more too. We’re just trying to get to the Fire Nation as quick as possible.”
Left unsaid, Korra knew, was that Asami wanted to get back to piloting so she wouldn’t have to pay attention to their oncoming guest.
They landed smoothly, and the two of them went down to the airship’s door.
“Oh, hang on,” Asami said. “Before we go out, you’ve got something on your face-” She leaned in and kissed Korra on the lips. “Nevermind, it’s me,” she said, looking very self-satisfied.
Korra felt herself blush. “I can’t believe I actually believed you. Again.”
Asami shrugged. “Well, maybe one day you’ll learn.”
Asami opened the door, revealing the ramp down. They descended to meet the people below.
At the bottom, Suyin greeted them both with a hug and an “Oh, it’s so good to see you two!”
The rest of the Beifongs there greeted them in turn. Baatar Sr was polite and warm, Huan was moody, and Wei and Wing were just as boisterous as they’d ever been.
Korra had only just gotten out of one of Wei’s headlocks when she spotted their reason for coming here to Zaofu.
Kuvira stood back from the other Beifongs, looking somewhat awkward with the exuberant greetings taking place.
Kuvira looked…well. Physically, she looked good. She wore a red shirt with dark gray jacket and pants, somehow both sharp and casual. A heavy-looking bag slung easily over her shoulder, showing off a bicep even under her sleeves. Korra wouldn’t be able to tell unless she somehow got Kuvira in less clothes, but at first glance she looked as fit as she ever had.
Her hair was shorter now, with something of an undercut on both sides.
The one thing that worried Korra was the rather tired expression on Kuvira’s face, as if she hadn’t slept much recently.
But Korra watched as Kuvira brightened when they made eye contact, and she felt so incredibly lucky to see the small smile playing on Kuvira’s lips. It was a rare sight, after all.
Okay, so maybe Korra had a little crush.
Maybe a bit bigger than she’d realized, now that Korra was here and looking at Kuvira for the first time in months.
Obviously it couldn’t happen. Asami was everything Korra had ever wanted and needed. She was the only one for Korra. Past that, people would probably have some choice words if the Avatar started seeing the former Great Uniter. Besides, Korra wasn’t sure Kuvira would even be interested.
And yet, if things were different and Kuvira wanted something from Korra…
She did her best to snap herself out of it as she approached Kuvira and they shook hands.
“Avatar Korra,” Kuvira said, all business.
“Kuvira,” Korra said, “you know you can just call me Korra.”
Kuvira inclined her head. “As you wish, Korra.” She nodded towards the airship. “So, we’re leaving soon?”
“That’s the plan. You in a hurry or something?” Korra teased.
“Well, I assume if you’re taking me away on such short notice then there’s something urgent going on.”
“Oh, come on. Why couldn’t this just be us wanting to spend time with you?”
Kuvira glanced over Korra’s shoulder. “Yeah, that’s definitely it,” she said, sounding suddenly gloomy.
Korra understood a moment later when Asami stepped up next to her.
“Kuvira,” Asami said, looking sternly at the woman.
“Asami,” Kuvira said.
They stared silently at each other for a few moments too long, until Korra decided she had to break the tension and cleared her throat.
Asami blinked. “Put your bag in the airship, Kuvira. You’ll have the second door on the left.”
“Right.” Kuvira nodded stiffly, then started toward the airship without another word.
“This is going well,” Korra said to Asami when Kuvira was out of earshot.
“Clearly,” Asami said drily.
“I think it’ll get better.”
Asami smiled slightly. “Maybe.”
They drifted back into the group of Beifongs and chatted with them. Huan was in the midst of building a new art piece. Wei and Wing were both thinking about going to school in Republic City. Baatar Jr was mostly okay, but avoiding Kuvira like the plague.
After some time, Baatar Sr leaned in closer to Korra and whispered “Do you mind if I talk to you a moment away from the crowd?”
Korra nodded, and followed Baatar a short distance away. She could practically feel Asami’s curious gaze on her.
“What’s up?” she asked Baatar when they stopped.
He hesitated a moment, then started. “It’s about Kuvira.”
“Okay.”
“I’m a little worried about her, truth be told.”
Korra nodded. “Worried about her in what way?”
“I’m not sure how to put this. It’s just…well, okay. She seems despondent a lot of the time lately. Just going through the motions. Really, today is by far the most energetic and upbeat I’ve seen her recently.”
She frowned. “This is new, right? She has been a, uh, moody person for as long as I’ve known her.”
Baatar Sr nodded solemnly. “There’s moody, and then there’s this. For a few months, really. She won’t talk about it with us, but I really do get the sense that she hasn’t been happy lately.”
“Damn,” Korra said with a sigh. “I’m sorry. I’m not sure how much I’ll be able to do, but is there something I can do to help?”
“Probably more than you think,” Baatar said with a smile, “she did seem very excited by your visit when we got word yesterday. But mostly, I just wanted to let you know. If you can keep an eye on her and make sure she’s okay, I know Su and I would both appreciate it.”
Korra smiled at him. “Of course. You can count on me.” Fuck, there was that tightness in her chest. Not too much, at least. “I do have to ask. This isn’t a family problem or anything? I know she’s had her issues with you all.”
Baatar sighed. “I hope not. I can’t rule it out, but she’s seemed happy reconnecting with everyone. She gets along with us most of the time. Except for Junior.”
Korra nodded. “All right. Well, I’ll look after her.”
He smiled. “Thank you. It’s appreciated.”
Kuvira was back out from the airship by the time Korra returned to the group. She decided to stand near Kuvira as she joined the conversation again.
“It’s a shame you can’t stay longer,” she heard Su say to Asami after a few minutes. “The anniversary of Zaofu’s founding is in a few days, and the festival starts tomorrow-”
“There’s a festival?” Korra asked, interest suddenly piqued.
Asami shot her a warning look. “Okay, that’s our cue. I think it might be best for us to get going.”
“Oh, come on. One more day?” Korra asked.
“Hah. No, we need to get going.”
“It won’t make a difference. Let’s have some fun while we’re here!”
From beside her, Kuvira spoke up. “Absolutely not.”
Korra looked at her. “But-”
“Not a chance,” Asami said.
“Come on-”
“Fuck you,” Kuvira said.
“Wow,” Korra said, “don’t I get a say in this?”
“No,” they both said, almost as one.
“Help,” Korra said as Suyin covered her mouth and Wei and Wing started laughing.
Asami stepped closer, chuckling. “It’s not my fault you’re easy to pick on, love.”
Korra rolled her eyes. “Thanks, babe.” She closed the distance, giving Asami a kiss.
“I suppose we should go,” Korra said with a sigh after they parted.
They started saying their goodbyes, making their way back towards the airship.
Korra glanced over to see Suyin talking to Kuvira, then wrapping the younger woman in a hug. “Good luck, Kuvira. Be safe. I love you.”
“I will. I love you too, Suy - mother,” she heard Kuvira say.
“Awww,” Korra chimed in.
Kuvira gave her a withering look. “Shut up.”
Korra watched as Kuvira stopped at the base of the ramp and looked back at her family. “I’ll see everyone again soon, I hope. If not, I give you permission to move on after an appropriate mourning period. I’ll, uh…I’ll miss you all while I’m gone. Okay. Goodbye.”
With a wave, Kuvira started up the walkway and entered the airship.
Korra shut the door and raised the ramp, and moments later Asami brought the ship off the ground.
---
As the sun started to set hours later, Korra yawned and stretched out in the co-pilot’s seat.
She stood when she finished. “Think I’m going to make some dinner.”
Asami looked at her. “What are you making?”
Korra thought for a moment. “Probably noodles with some mushrooms and vegetables mixed in.”
“That sounds good to me. The kitchenette should be stocked.”
“Awesome. I’ll probably wake up Kuvira once I get it going.” Korra frowned. “She’s been in her room almost since we took off.”
“She has. Does that seem weird to you?”
“Maybe…I told you that Baatar Sr talked to me about her before we left.”
Asami nodded. “You did. He said he’d been worried about her lately, right? That Kuvira hasn’t been...happy.”
“Yeah. He asked me to keep an eye on her.”
“Well,” Asami said, “I’m glad he asked you. I expect I’d have a hard time feeling bad for her.”
Korra winced. “Fair. I’m sorry to insist on bringing her along.”
“I know,” Asami said, sighing. “It’s okay. I know why you’re bringing her along, and I think it’s reasonable.” She looked at Korra intently. “You might want to explain to her why she’s here soon, though.”
“I will over dinner,” Korra said. “I just expected her to come out here before then.” She moved in and kissed Asami on the lips. “All right, I’ll go get started.” Asami gave her another kiss and a grateful squeeze before Korra left arm’s reach.
Korra set to work on the noodles. She quickly chopped mushrooms and an assortment of vegetables while setting her noodles to boil.
Once chopping was finished, she crossed the cabin to Kuvira’s door and knocked. “Hey, Kuvira. Dinner will be in a few minutes. Feel free to come out.”
Korra listened at the door for a moment and didn’t hear anything. “Kuvira?”
Nothing.
“I’m coming in,” she said, and opened the door.
The sheets on the bed were messed up, and Kuvira’s bag was here and open, but Kuvira was nowhere in sight.
Korra felt her stomach drop. She crossed the room and looked out the window, noticing it was open a crack.
She glanced outside and saw Kuvira to the left. On the airship’s outside, there was a precariously thin walkway and metal railing. Korra saw Kuvira in a dangerous position, sitting on the walkway and holding the railing above her. It looked like a lurch could send her falling.
Korra tapped on the window. “Kuvira!”
She watched as Kuvira started and looked at her, then hauled herself up to standing on the walkway. Korra noticed that Kuvira had bent part of the ship into a small footrest below the walkway, but Kuvira bent that to its original position before Korra could say anything.
Korra pushed the window open and stepped aside for Kuvira to clamber inside before slamming the window shut.
Now that Kuvira was close, Korra could see that her eyes were lightly red-rimmed, as if she’d recently been crying.
“Hey, are you okay?” Korra asked quietly.
Kuvira didn’t answer that. “Can I help you, Korra?” She asked, her voice slightly shaky.
She wanted to press it, but decided against it. “I just wanted to let you know that I’m making dinner. It’ll be ready soon.”
Kuvira nodded. “Okay. I’ll be out in a minute.”
Again, Korra wanted to ask what was wrong. Instead, she left Kuvira’s room and shut the door behind her.
From the pilot’s seat, Asami shot her a quizzical look. Korra didn’t answer, keeping an ear on the room.
She got back to making the food, more distracted and worried than before.
Kuvira came out of her room as Korra was finishing up and dishing out the noodles into bowls. The red rims around her eyes looked to have faded, and there was no more sign of vulnerability she could see.
Korra gestured for Kuvira to take a bowl, then grabbed one herself and took the third up to Asami in her pilot’s seat.
Asami took the bowl happily, and started eating where she was while keeping an eye on the flight.
Korra and Kuvira sat down a short distance away, on opposite sides of a built-in table.
“Wow, that’s pretty good,” Kuvira said after she took a few bites. “To be honest, I’m a little surprised either of you can cook.” Her tone was exceedingly regular.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Asami asked.
Kuvira shrugged. “Only that I usually wouldn’t expect two people of your importance to need to know how.”
“I had to help out with cooking when I was growing up in the south,” Korra said, “and nowadays I find it calming so I do it pretty regularly.”
“That’s interesting,” Kuvira said. “You?” she asked, gesturing at Asami.
When Asami answered, her tone was guarded but polite. “I’m not as good as Korra - never really had to learn growing up and never wanted to - but I’ve learned some helping her lately. It’s fun.”
Kuvira nodded as she swallowed another bite. “Nice.”
“What about you?” Asami asked.
“I can make simple things,” Kuvira said, “nothing more complicated, though.”
“Never tried or just can’t?” Korra asked.
She watched Kuvira hesitate for a second before answering. “I tried once when I was a teenager. The chef said I was being too intense.”
“You know,” Asami said, sounding amused, “that makes sense.”
“It really does,” Korra said. “What were you doing?”
“Well, I was trying to make a multiple-course meal by myself. I remember yelling at anyone who tried to help, even though I was fucking up all the timings.” She ate another bite of noodles. “Looking back, it was pretty stupid.”
“Sounds like it,” Asami agreed.
Korra chuckled. “Well, you’re always welcome in the kitchen. I wouldn’t mind your help, as long as you promise not to yell at me.”
“I never want to yell at you,” Kuvira said, then paused. “Again,” she amended.
“Good,” Korra said. “Just let me know if you want to help out with the cooking.”
“Of course,” Kuvira said. “I do have to ask, though, will we have much time for that? I imagine our attention may be elsewhere.”
“Right,” Korra said with a sigh, “we’ll probably be busy. I guess I should explain why you’re here now.”
“You could just show her the letter,” Asami said, her gaze returned to the darkening sky outside.
“Good idea. One second.” Korra stood up and walked to their room, opened the nightstand and pulled out an envelope. She returned and placed the envelope on the table in front of Kuvira before sitting down again.
“From Fire Lord Izumi,” Kuvira said, her eyebrows slightly raised. “Interesting.” She opened the envelope and folded open the letter.
Korra watched Kuvira’s eyes skim quickly over the letter. Korra definitely wasn’t stupid, but it always amazed her how some people like Asami or Tenzin or Kuvira could quickly read through things. Regardless, Korra had done her best to memorize the letter:
Avatar Korra -
I would like to invite you and any of your companions to my court in Royal Caldera City.
I greatly regret that I have not invited you before, as the situation now demands that I ask for your assistance.
There is much I should not say in this letter, but I will say that internal affairs in the Fire Nation have taken a nasty turn. There is increasing unrest and violence, including the return of piracy and banditry. I suspect this turmoil is due to an active effort by some as-yet-unknown entity.
In addition, the unrest is allowing the ascendancy of a particularly militant faction within the nation. They decry my apparent weakness as a ruler and seek a return to the warlike days of old. I could be wrong, but this movement appears similar to the one led by Kuvira Beifong during her ascent to power.
It is not necessary for you to put everything else aside and travel here as soon as you receive this, but some haste would be appreciated. I suspect the Avatar’s presence would go a long way towards quieting the tumult, and any further help would be appreciated. While I do not expect this crisis to escalate to an unmanageable level, that is harder to guarantee without your assistance.
Please respond at your earliest possible convenience. I hope both you and Asami Sato are well.
- Fire Lord Izumi
“Very interesting,” Kuvira said after a moment. “I think I understand why you want my help, but I’d rather you spell it out.”
“Okay,” Korra started. “Look, you have a lot of experience with restoring order - even if you went about it the wrong way after a while. And, well, Izumi does say that this group isn’t too different to the one you led. So I was, I don’t know, hoping that you’d be able to offer some guidance once we’re there?”
Korra watched Kuvira carefully fold the letter and stick it back in the envelope, then place her hands on the table and look into Korra’s eyes. “I’m not sure this is a good idea.”
“What do you mean?” Korra asked, confused. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Asami shift, clearly listening to the conversation. “I don’t think there’s anyone around who’s better suited for this.”
“It’s true that I have experience putting down unrest and bringing order. And it’s true that I know a thing or two about, ah, ‘nationalists’ is probably the best term. But none of that is good experience.”
“It doesn’t have to be good experience if you’ve learned from your mistakes. If you’ve learned why you were wrong,” Korra said. “I think you’ll be useful, and I’m here to keep you on track.”
Kuvira sighed. “Fine,” she said, although she didn’t sound convinced. “I also want to point out that I don’t know much about the Fire Nation.”
Korra shrugged. “I don’t either. Asami knows a lot from her business stuff, though.”
“Don’t oversell it,” Asami said from the pilot’s seat, “I know a little.”
“So you’re just in the same boat as both of us then,” Korra said to Kuvira. “Is there something wrong? I thought you’d want to do this with us.”
Kuvira shook her head. “Okay. Okay. There’s one reason I don’t want to do this.”
She hesitated for a moment, and Korra leaned forward to touch Kuvira’s arm comfortingly for a moment.
“You see,” Kuvira said, “I don’t think this is a good idea because I shouldn’t be anywhere near important decisions again. I know I wouldn’t be making decisions, but if you say I’m there to offer guidance - look, I don’t know if my advice would be any good, but I know it’s a bad idea for my advice to be anywhere near the halls of power.
“It’s not just because my guidance might be terrible,” Kuvira continued, “it’s that I can’t guarantee I wouldn’t get worse personally because of it.” She swallowed. “We both know that I’ve made…progress since I surrendered to you. I want to think I’ve changed. But I know that I’m still the same person. And I know that I’m capable of doing some truly fucking awful things. So I can’t…I don’t know if I can risk it.”
Korra’s heart sank. “You’re scared that if you do this, you might lose yourself again.”
Kuvira nodded. “Yeah. I know it’s kind of stupid. I wasn’t like this when we went to deal with Guan, but I wasn’t thinking about it at all then. I was reckless.”
“Well, Kuvira,” Korra said, “for what it’s worth, I think that being more aware of your weaknesses is a good thing. I know it’s not pleasant, but that’s what you’ve got me for. You’re definitely not about to be put in charge of anything, and I’ll be around the whole time we’re in the Fire Nation. I just want Kuvira’s help. Not the Great Uniter’s.”
Korra wanted to do more. She wanted to soothe all of Kuvira’s worries, to hold her until she felt okay again. Korra didn’t, of course. She didn’t act on as many of her terrible ideas these days.
Kuvira seemed a little better, at least. “Okay. It’s good to hear that. I’ll be okay if you want to pick my brain, and I’m always happy to be muscle. Just keep me far away from power.”
“Of course,” Korra said. “That is one perk of you being my captive during all this. You have no authority to hold any power.”
“Oh?” Kuvira said, raising an eyebrow, a corner of her mouth lifting in a slight smirk. “What are the other perks of me being your captive?”
Korra felt her face heat up. “You stop that.”
“Hmm no.”
“You’d think,” Asami said aloud, “one of the perks would be that Kuvira has to stop when you tell her to.”
“Wait, that’s right. She does!” Korra said, at the same time that Kuvira said “Sorry, I’ll stop.”
“How come you listen to Asami and not me?” Korra grumbled aloud. “Wait, nevermind. I get it.”
In a moment, there was quiet except for the sound of the engines and the wind. Unwittingly, Korra had stumbled over the elephant-mandrill in the room: that Kuvira had killed Asami’s father. It had been almost two years since, and Asami and Kuvira could coexist peacefully for a time, but Korra knew the topic would never be anything but painful.
“I don’t think anyone here actually wants me to answer that,” Kuvira said.
“Probably best,” Asami agreed.
“Yeah, my mistake,” Korra said.
There was awkward silence for a few seconds, until Kuvira stood up. “All right, this was a lovely meal. I can wash these dishes if everyone’s done.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Korra said with a dismissive wave.
“I insist,” Kuvira said. She summoned Korra’s utensils to her palm with a single motion, then gathered Korra’s bowl in her other hand.
Korra watched Kuvira walk over to Asami. “May I?” Kuvira asked.
“Thanks,” Asami said, not looking at Kuvira but pushing her bowl and utensils toward her. Kuvira scooped them up in the same way she did Korra’s before stalking over to the kitchen and setting to work cleaning the dishes.
Korra sighed and stood up, then went over and hugged Asami from behind. “Sorry about that, love.”
Asami shrugged. “It’s all right. Not like we can avoid the subject forever. And it didn’t really come up there, either.”
“I suppose. Are you sure? I just want to make sure you’re okay.”
Asami turned and gave her an almost amused look. “I’m not fragile, Korra. I’m fine. Really. It’s not like I’m going to fall apart at the slightest mention of his death.”
Korra kissed her on the cheek. “Good. I love you.”
“I love you too.” Asami turned far enough to kiss Korra on the lips. She paused and squinted past Korra. “Now go help your dictator friend. I think she’s using way too much soap.”
---
Korra was left to pilot the ship after Asami went to bed a couple hours later. Piloting in Korra’s case meant more ‘keeping the ship straight and running to get Asami if anything happened’ than anything else, of course.
Now a little past midnight, Kuvira sat next to her in the co-pilot’s seat warping a small piece of metal with her bending. They sat together in a companionable silence, occasionally making some minor comments. Just as they had since Asami left the main cabin.
It was nice, Korra decided.
She watched as Kuvira bent the metal into a few circles, the smallest of them inside a larger one inside the largest, and then spun them all in different ways at the same time. Although Korra could see how Kuvira was doing it, it was still very impressive.
“Have you had many chances to practice your metalbending lately?” Korra asked.
Kuvira formed the metal into a kind of spiky ball. “I’ve had the chance,” she said. “I can’t say I’ve taken advantage of it much in recent months, though.”
“Just haven’t felt like it?”
A sigh. “My motivation has been sparse lately. I’ve mostly kept my physique up, but I haven’t done as well with my bending as I’d like.”
“That’s okay,” Korra said. “There’s nothing wrong with that. I do have to ask, though, if you think you’re still good to fight.”
“If you’re asking if I’m still as capable as I was when I was on campaign, the answer is of course not,” Kuvira said. “I haven’t seen actual combat since that whole Guan event, and I was out of practice even then.” She molded the metal into a set of knuckles and slipped them on. “If you’re asking if I’m able to fight mostly effectively, the answer is yes. I was once the best metalbender in the world, after all.”
“Fuck, Kuvira, how get you get so humble?” Korra asked with a laugh.
Kuvira looked away for a second, and Korra could swear she saw a momentary smile on her face. “Hush. I think it’s an honest evaluation. I know I’m not the best currently, at least.”
“Oh yeah? Who do you think the best is now?”
She watched Kuvira think for a minute. “Lin or Toph, maybe. Or it could be someone I’ve never heard of.”
“It couldn’t be Su?”
“Not a chance.”
Korra chuckled. “Well, I’m glad you feel confident in yourself anyways. Hopefully we won’t have to find out whether you’re right.”
Kuvira shrugged. “If I’m wrong, I guess the good news is that you won’t be bothered by me anymore.”
Korra’s stomach twisted. “Please don’t joke about that.”
“Sorry.”
“I just don’t…” Korra swallowed. “I don’t want you to think like that. You matter to me.”
Korra heard Kuvira’s breath hitch. “I don’t understand.”
“Don’t understand what?”
Kuvira gestured at the two of them. “How I matter to you.”
Korra shrugged. “I can try to explain why, but really I just want you to know that you do.”
Kuvira nodded slowly. “Okay. I’ll try not to be too negative.”
“Good.”
“While you’re around.”
Korra shook her head. “Ugh. Seriously though, how are you doing?”
“I’m fine,” Kuvira said.
“Okay. I’m just, you know, worried because I found you hanging on outside the ship. And crying.”
Kuvira scowled. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
“All right, you don’t have to,” Korra said. “You can always talk to me, though. I’m here for you.”
“I appreciate that,” Kuvira said softly. “I’m…here for you too, for what it’s worth.”
They lapsed into companionable silence again, the hum of the engines a soothing sound in the night.