[ID: a digital portrait of Azula from Avatar: the Last Airbender. She is drawn from the chest up, facing the audience. She has one arm raised across her chest, her middle and index fingers pointing as two thin stripes of lightning branch along her arm. She looks down at the audience with a neutral expression. End ID.]
Request: Hii! Could you do a angst/fluff with Kuvira where r is like from an important family and they meet when they're young but then r joins the avatar? Finish how you'd like! Thank youu
Thank you to depressed-bi-bitch for the request, this was a lot of fun writing!
When Suyin was creating Zaofu, she knew she needed a dependable supply of metal. The valley, where eventually Zaofu would be erected, was a small mining village. It had an abundance of precious metals, but were predominantly used in trade with neighboring villages. There, Suyin met your family, the esteemed owners of one of the largest mines of the village. Suyin was eloquent with her ideas and clear passion for leading people. Her husband, Baatar, had already made a name for himself as an architect from Ba Sing Se. Meanwhile your family was one of the established families of the village, producing most of the metals and negotiating with outsiders trade deals. Together, your family and the Beifongs created Zaofu, a technological city of the future.
Growing up in a sprawling metal city was like living in a story tale. Big spiraling metal structures, an abundance of art and culture blooming all around you, and spending most of your childhood with the Beifong family were your earliest memories. You were surprised one day, while playing with Opal in the Beifong estate, to find Suyin bringing in another child. The girl seemed older than both you and Opal and she had a firm pout on her lips. Her clothes were more plain compared to what usual Zaofu citizens wore and she wouldn’t make eye contact with anyone.
“This is Kuvira. She’ll be living with us and be part of our family now, Opal. Think of her like your sister,” she introduced.
From being the adored only daughter to having to share with another little girl was not easy for Opal to adjust. Including sharing you, her childhood best friend.
“I don’t want a new sister!”
The way Kuvira’s face was already apprehensive, turned into a scowl quickly as she looked between the two of you before running off.
While Suyin sat down with Opal and tried to explain Kuvira’s situation, you went off to find Kuvira. She was sitting down under a low hanging awning by the river. You could hear small sniffles coming from her. Six year old you approached her without caution, bumbling up to her with the perkiness only a child could contain.
“Hi.” You introduced yourself to her with a wide toothy grin and a welcoming outstretched hand. She jumped and turned around, quickly wiping away a stray tear. Her deadpan glare penetrated your outstretched hand left open. Being a child, you didn’t let it affect you. Instead you asked, “Do you want to come to my house? I have a dollhouse we can play with!”
Kuvira hesitated, looking from your still extended hand to your beaming face.
“Opal doesn’t like me.”
“Opal’s not coming.”
Oh to grow up with Kuvira. She was quite hot tempered as a child. And you admit, some days it was hard being her friend. She let her emotions take control, most of the time not realizing that she was bending until the dolls were disfigured under her metal grip. You never blamed it on Kuvira though, and you always came back to each other at the end of the day. It took a long time under Suyin’s guidance for Kuvira to gain a better understanding of her own earthbending. But once she did, it was like a flip switched.
While gaining more control, she became more reserved. She pulled farther from the Beifongs and moved out of the estate, choosing to live with the guards in the dormitories instead when she became a teenager. It didn’t change your close relationship though. From running around your estate playing games to her joining you in your metals lab in your research to helping her study for her test to join the Metal Guards; you and Kuvira supported one another through everything.
In the back of your mind you always knew things weren’t great for Kuvira at the Beifongs. But it was always something so hard to bring up to Kuvira whenever you tried to get her to talk about it. It also complicated your friendship with Opal, navigating between their polar personalities was always a challenge. So you opted not to, instead playing mostly neutral grounds and after she moved out, things did get better.
As you got older, there was more pressure on you to take on the family business. Your whole life you’ve studied metals and how different properties of metals work together to create new things. An inventor, truly gifted, but there were always parts of you that wanted to leave Zaofu.
“I don’t want to study rocks my whole life. I want to learn from other cultures, get a bigger insight!” you confessed one day to Kuvira. You lay back on the soft grass of the lawn. You were visiting the Beifongs casually one afternoon when you ran into your favorite guard. It took minimal convincing for her to take a break from duty to lie with you. It was known that Kuvira always had a soft spot for you. It took one big smile to get her to crumble to you.
But seeing you smile was something she could never get enough of. “You wouldn’t leave me here alone, would you?” Kuvira semi joked.
“I’d take you with me, of course,” you laughed. “See the world together. Maybe fight some bad guys, who knows?”
Kuvira knew that would never be possible. Not with how Suyin ran things, but she didn’t say that, choosing instead to have a lighter hearted moment with you.
Going through the ranks, she saw potential in the Metal Guards, in the people of Zaofu actually. The fact that Suyin rejected most international requests, slowly infuriated her over the years. She watched as her fellow soldiers grew in strength, but all of it went to waste within the metal domes. Kuvira had long surpassed everything Suyin taught her, choosing to go off in her own studies to continue growing as a bender. When not on duty, you’d find her studying different types of bending in the Zaofu library or coming to your lab to practice with rarer metals. Sometimes it seemed like Kuvira never stopped at bettering herself.
You were mesmerized every time you saw Kuvira use her bending. Something as simple as making casual shapes from a slab of meteorite could keep you entertained for hours. It was times like these that were your favorite. She had her armor off and was sporting a long green sleeved spandex shirt with her dark green uniform pants. Her braid was slightly disfigured and helmet thrown off to the side somewhere. She was playing with a piece of meteorite, leaning forward on the bench as she manipulated it with firm concentration. The way her hands moved delicately through the air with precision; every crook and bend of her fingers and knuckles; how soft yet also strong they looked as they bent the metal into a small flower. It rested perfectly in her slender palm as she handed it to you.
It made your stomach flutter and a heat build in your chest. You reached out to take it from her and suddenly feeling nervous. Almost immediately, a gust of wind blew Kuvira over the bench making her tumble down and the metal flower scattering somewhere on the ground.
You both were left gaping. You were born as a non bender, so suddenly being able to airbend made you freak out. Kuvira grabbed your wrists, telling you to breathe as you started rambling off about never being able to bend before and not being the daughter of Avatar Aang and what if your mother had secretly had an affair with the AVATAR and oh god what would your father think-
“We need to find Suyin.”
Learning that Opal also gained airbending made you feel better, and it was something you two could bond over. Suddenly you were spending more time with Opal, trying to learn more about this new weird power to Kuvira’s dismay.
When Avatar Korra and her crew came to Zaofu to rebuild the Air Nation, you laughed off the idea of becoming an Air Nomad. Your future was set in the metals your family mined. You were supposed to live your life in Zaofu, continue your legacy here to grow the city.
“This is where I belong,” you said sheepishly. Korra seemed disappointed, but if that’s what you wanted there was nothing she could do. Although she did debate dragging you on to the ship, kidnapping an heiress to an empire would definitely cause an international crisis that Korra frankly couldn’t afford.
Kuvira was relieved to say the least. The fear of losing her closest friend didn’t sit well with her. But she also saw how you were with your new bending, carefully exploring what your bending could do; how it frustrated you when you couldn’t gain your own footing straight or when wind would blow back in your face.
“Maybe you should consider it.” Kuvira’s response surprised you. It was another day at your estate this time laying on the grass. It was one of Kuvira’s few days off. When she became the Captain, her free time became very limited, but this afternoon was a peaceful rarity. Tonight would be Opal’s farewell dinner, where you would be saying your final goodbyes before she boarded the airship to the Northern Air Temple. You were casually bending a circle of air above your heads, watching as leaves swirl around in a hypnotizing way. It immediately dissipates upon Kuvira’s confession, leaves slowly falling around the two of you.
“What?” you snort. “I thought you’d be the first person to ask me to stay.”
It left a lump in Kuvira’s throat. She never wanted to be the reason you held back your potential. She knew how talented you were as an inventor, but to bring that strength as an airbender? And the opportunity for you to build a nation that was up until recently deemed extinct? Kuvira knows an honor like that is something you’d thrive in, and the only way you could do that is to leave Zaofu.
So with some more convincing from Kuvira, you came around to the thought of being an Air Nomad. Sure shaving your head wasn’t the most appealing thing, but to be able to explore the world outside of Zaofu? It felt like this was your true calling all along. And Kuvira was the one to help you realize that. You gaze softly at her face, trying to find any hint of doubt you could. But she wholeheartedly believed in you and that in the end is what had you knocking on Korra’s door before the big dinner.
“Avatar Korra, I’ve changed my mind. I will join Opal to the Northern Air Temple and help rebuild the Air Nation.” Korra’s face broke into a wide grin and she gave a big cheer, deeming another success in her Avatar duties. You smiled back, feeling giddy at the thought of finding something more than rocks and metals for your future.
Seeing you and Opal boarding the aircraft shattered Kuvira’s heart. Her face is stone and her back is straight, watching the two of you talk wildly about your new adventures to come.
It seemed like at the last second, you pulled away from Opal and turned around, catching Kuvira’s unwavering gaze. You bite your bottom lip and tell Opal to go on without you, that’d you catch up momentarily. She was confused, but realized what you were doing when you ran back down the ramp and towards Kuvira.
Before she knows what’s happening or can ask what in the spirits you were doing, you nearly plow Kuvira over with a bone crushing hug, knocking her helmet right off her head. Burying your face into the crook of her neck, you feel her muscles tense under your touch, and then melt right into your hug. Strong arms wrap around you and clunky armor gets in the way.
But Kuvira can’t picture something more perfect.
She is speechless and squeezes her eyes shut, willing any tears to hold back. This was a momentous day for you, and she didn’t want your potentially last moment with her to be a sniveling mess. Instead she tries to memorize the way your hair smells, how firm your torso feels under her arms, how soft and warm your skin is. Everything she possibly can in these fleeting seconds with you.
“This isn’t goodbye,” you whispered in her ear. The way your breath fanned across her neck made Kuvira’s eyes flutter. She could stay in this embrace forever. “I will see you again.”
“I know,” she breathed out, suddenly finding it hard to find her voice. “I know.” It was something she had to tell herself more than to you.
You hesitated, wanting to say more. But how could you tell Kuvira that most nights you fell asleep thinking about what her lips would feel like against yours? How could you tell her that you still dreamed of traveling the world with her one day? How do you tell your childhood best friend that you’ve been in love with them when you’re about to board a ship to a new life?
Instead you take the chance and lean in, placing a soft quick kiss on her cheek just below her mole under her eye. With one last watery smile, you turn and board the ship. Your future terrified you, but you know for certain that you will keep your promise and return to Zaofu for her. One day.
If you had turned around you would’ve seen Kuvira steeled in stoicism, seemingly unaffected by your gesture. Meanwhile, inside she was on fire. Her cheek was burning where your lips touched. She had to replay the moment again and again in her mind to make sure it wasn’t her own imagination making it up. But it was real; the feeling of your hesitant lips pressed against her cheek made the flush in her chest grow. Her breath comes out in one shaky stream as she lifts the radio to her ear for the guards to close the domes.
And as the metal flower-like structure enclose her in, Kuvira can’t help but let her eyes linger on the sky where your ship disappeared.
Happy Holidays everyone! Here’s an update for my Kuvira fic! I’m working on requests right now so please send more my way!
CRASH
“Kuvira! Again? Are you kidding me?”
“It wasn’t me! I didn’t do it!”
Yes it looked bad that her little feet were next to the shards of pottery. She was the obvious suspect to blame, but that didn’t mean she was the one to break the vase of flowers. “Oh really? Then who knocked it over?” She shook her head frantically letting her braid whip around.
“I promise, daddy it wasn’t me!” She clutched her toy doll to her chest. “I was playing with my doll, I didn’t touch it!” Her father rubbed an exhausted hand across his face, not bothering to look at her anymore. Her stomach filled with guilt.
“Kuvira, we’ve talked about this. You’re an earthbender, which means you have to control yourself more than other people,” he exasperated.
“I don’t know what that means!” she cried out, feeling the tears welling in her eyes. As far as she knows, she can control earth and move it sometimes. But she doesn’t know what being an earthbender means or how these things just happen sometimes without her control. Kuvira didn’t understand why things around their home were suddenly falling or getting thrown into other rooms.
“What are going to do with her?” her mother asked her father, looking down at her with disappointment. She brought out a dustpan to start clearing away the shards, carefully from around Kuvira.
“Mama, I’m sorry,” she muttered under her breath. She genuinely was, but there was still a hint of bitterness laced in her little voice. She was always getting blamed for things she didn’t do, or at least didn’t mean to.
“We can’t keep doing this.” Her father’s solid voice brought her attention and she looked up at him in surprise. It was different than all the other times she messed up. “We aren’t benders, we can’t teach her to control this.”
Her mother finished sweeping up the broken glass and looked up at Kuvira’s little face. She regarded the seven year old with tenderness, but also fear. Kuvira was a very powerful bender ever since she was an infant, and as she grew older, she knew that her daughter would only get stronger. If she was this strong of a bender without meaning to, who knows what she could do...or become. And it scared both of them to find out.
---
Kuvira jerked awake, her body sore and aching. Her neck slightly hurt from falling asleep in such an awkward position and she could feel a headache coming on. Her eyes adjusted to the dim light of the cave, realizing she had slept through the morning and judging by the way the light was shining in, it was probably afternoon now. Their cave was actually quite bright, as sunlight reflected off of the rocks and she had to squint to adjust to the glaring light.
She was sat up leaning against the craggily wall of the cave. Her back ached when she tried moving around and cracking the joints and bones. She realized the weight on her lap was Hiro’s head resting on it, her entire body jerking in her sleep as she fought off a nightmare.
Her heart began beating faster and she felt the flush come up her cheeks. Suddenly she didn’t know what to do with her hands. Before she woke up, her hands were tangled on top of Hiro’s messy hair, but that seemed too inappropriate now that she was awake. Was she allowed to touch her? Does she even want to?
For a moment, Kuvira slips away back to a time this sight was familiar to her. Hiro used to live in a small apartment in Zaofu. There were plentiful cold winter mornings cuddling on the couch together, Hiro’s tea is usually abandoned and left cold while Kuvira sipped on her coffee. Her other hand would slip down and pet her head tenderly as it rested on her lap. She’d let it travel down Hiro’s body, adjusting the blanket to cover her shoulders and rubbing soothing strokes across her back.
Kuvira’s breath hitches and her body tenses up. No. She wasn’t that person anymore who got to lounge around winter mornings. The weight of the world was literally on her shoulders now.
It was as if Hiro could feel her unease and she startled jostling more in her sleep. It was clear by the furrowed brow and scrunched scowl that she was having a nightmare. She was practically whimpering in her sleep and Kuvira grew anxious. Hiro’s body curled in a ball off of Kuvira’s lap.
Kuvira backed away, unsure of what to do. It was awful really. She was sure of everything she did, but with Hiro she didn’t know the first thing to do. Every decision she made seemed wrong or out of place. And it pissed her off to no end.
She clenched her jaw tightly before shaking the other girl awake, calling out her name.
---
“Hiro! Wake up! Hiro!”
It was Kuvira’s urgent calling that brought Hiro out of her nightmare. Her body was huddled in a small pile on the floor of their cave. Kuvira kneeled over her as she tried catching her breath, her hands pressed into the ground for some type of stability. Hiro squeezed her eyes shut tightly, feeling the cold sweat trickle down her neck. She was very aware of Kuvira’s eyes on her and she felt the shame well up inside her.
Kuvira’s voice got very quiet as she soothed her. “Breathe.”
Hiro shakily exhaled, the tears were free flowing and her body was stiff as a board. Kuvira’s face frowned with worry. Her hand warily lifted from her lap and she gently touched Hiro’s back, barely grazing the fabric of the uniform.
Carefully, she begins moving her hand in tentative patterns along Hiro’s back.
“Slower.”
Kuvira’s face twitched, startled by Hiro’s voice and familiarity of it all. She stoned her face and nodded once even though Hiro couldn’t see her.
It was purely a move based on instinct as Kuvira silently traced circles along Hiro’s back. She was apprehensive, only letting the pads of her fingers gently graze across the fabric. But she thought she could feel every breath and shake withering through Hiro’s body.
Finally Hiro sat up, wiping her face from her leftover dried tears. When she looked up, Kuvira had quickly scooted farther back and was regarding her very seriously. She looked so diplomatic like that, with her back held upright and her chin tilted slightly forward to show off her cheekbones, and hands firmly on her lap. If they weren’t the only ones in the cave, Hiro might’ve thought it was someone else’s silky touch that was soothing her.
Kuvira was at a loss at what to do next. She knew how to comfort people, she’d done so plenty of times. When people were starving, give them rations; when people doubted her plans, show them her strength; when people were anxious, give them security; and when people were desperate? Give them hope. That’s how she won over so many of her military and Earth Empire citizens. She gave them a future away from anarchy and replaced it with a commitment to stay strong and prosperous. The Fire Nation people had their honor. The people of the Water Tribes are heavily spiritual. And the Earth Kingdom was unyielding through even the most desperate of times. Giving hope to the Earth citizens was comparable to precious jewels.
But when was the last time Kuvira opened herself up to comfort others? When was the last time she let the sturdy walls fall to empathize with another? She doesn’t know why she was feeling this way. The twinge of anxiety and unsteadiness built up like bile in her throat. Realizing that the faint feeling of doubt creeping up her throat was approaching, her walls hardened. Her eyes shut tightly and so did those weak feelings. Kuvira wasn’t weak. And she won’t let stupid feelings make her weak.
She abruptly stood up and walked outside of the cave and on to the ledge, radio in hand, demanding an update on her team’s rescue mission.
For a while Hiro only focuses on getting her breathing to steady. The anxious feeling inside her won’t go away, but at least she can try to minimize it.
She finally looks over, seeing Kuvira pacing outside their cave and talking frantically to Anjij. She’s giving orders, her movements stiff and with purpose like a general. As much as she tried to fight it, Hiro needed Kuvira right now. It was like her body was instinctively drawn to the woman. Maybe it was the lingering anxiety and the need for some comfort, or the fact that she realized how cold the cave has become, but Hiro took a chance. Any apprehension about approaching Kuvira was gone, replaced with a search for security.
She made her move when Kuvira sat down on the edge cross legged. Her back was hunched over the radio as she gave last orders to Anjij before the line died. Hiro sat down a few feet away from her with her knees tucked under her chin.
“Anjij and the others are on their way. They should be here soon,” Kuvira reports. “When we are rescued, you will return to Zaofu. I’m sending you to work with Baatar on his latest invention. Commander Anjij and I are continuing our goals onward to Omashu.” Hiro squeezes her eyes briefly, pushing out the haunting tone in Kuvira’s voice. She doesn’t want to know what Kuvira had in mind for Omashu, she didn’t want to know what consequences the people would face. “We must move forward and deliver what rations survived the attack. There, I will ensure a smooth transition to Anjij’s command, following-”
“Please, Kuvira,” Hiro cut off. She knew it wasn’t wise to interrupt her and Kuvira was rambling on more for herself than for Hiro’s sake. The way Kuvira wore the cloak of a commander with ease was something that she was familiar with, but right now Hiro didn’t need a military leader rolling off reports and duties. Hiro needed a different kind of reassurance. “I just don’t want to talk about this.”
Kuvira pressed her lips together, albeit a little ticked off for being cut short. “We do not have to speak then.”
“I mean, we can talk...just please, not military stuff.” The statement clearly caught Kuvira off guard and she raised a curious eyebrow towards Hiro’s direction, finally turning to look at her. Hiro looked considerably smaller curled up on the edge of their cliff against the backdrop of thinning white fog. It was getting lighter out now, and they could see more of the mountains that surrounded them instead of the thick fog. What should’ve been eerily quiet, actually put Hiro at ease. It felt like they were the only two people in the world, the moment forever suspended in time. Maybe this would be the only time they’d ever be truly alone together, and oddly enough, Hiro liked that privacy it gave them.
“What do you want to talk about then?” Kuvira asked apprehensively. Hiro gnaws on her lip, eyes darting around Kuvira’s face, searching. It felt stupid to ask her something as trivial as ‘how’ve you been?’ or another banal topic. She could make a joke about the weather, but really probably isn’t the time for jokes or light heartedness. And Hiro knew she definitely didn’t want to discuss her recent nightmare. So instead she chose to ask about something that had subtly been poking the back of her mind.
“When did you cut your hair?”
Kuvira paused. It was ridiculous enough that Kuvira almost burst out laughing at how random Hiro’s question was. Hiro swore she saw a faint shadow of a smile grace her otherwise pursed lips.
“Not long after you left.”
“So I was right then?” Hiro retorted with a hint of amusement lacing her voice. Kuvira’s long hair had always been a favorite feature of the former guard. It’s not even that short now. Sometime after the fall from the train, Kuvira’s hair had come loose and had been in messy wisps resting on her shoulders ever since. It still lay well-past her collar-bones, but Hiro remembers how beautiful it looked cascading down her back.
Now Kuvira had to let a ghost shadow appear.
“I suppose. I didn’t have time to braid it anymore.” The maintenance for her hair was something Kuvira quickly grew out of the older she got.
“Between you and me, I still think the bob would look nice,” Hiro commented, her voice a lot softer than when she first woke up. Her head rested on her knees as she studied Kuvira’s hair more, imagining how the bob would look on Kuvira’s shoulders and how it’d frame her already angular face.
Unbeknownst to her, Kuvira was giving her a look between soft and uncomfortable. She wasn’t used to being studied like this, that is as not a political leader. Not even by her fans when she visits villages. The way Hiro was studying her, made her feel admired like a painting in a museum.
“Why did you cut your hair?” she burst out, trying to get the attention off of herself. Hiro’s eyes shifted to meet Kuvira’s briefly before they fell down to the ground, clearly having hit a nerve.
“Not long after I left.”
The air turned slightly tense and Kuvira drew in her eyebrows, curious at how the topic had made Hiro’s demeanor change entirely.
“It suits you.”
“Thank you,” Hiro let a sigh escape her lips and running a hand through her short locks. “Sorry, it’s just…. I got it cut after I saw my family.”
Kuvira hummed, letting the newfound information sink in , “I had a feeling you would return home.”
“I didn’t, go, go home.” Hiro chuckled bitterly to herself before explaining further. “My grandmother didn’t even let me inside.”
“How come?” Kuvira gently pushed after a moment of silence. The topic of family was always tense for both of them.
“You remember when I sent them the letter about our engagement?” Kuvira nodded, anxiously listening to Hiro’s words. “Let’s just say, my grandmother wasn’t happy when she found out I was marrying a woman.”
“That’s why they stopped writing back?”
Hiro nodded solemnly. She remembered the glare from her grandmother standing in the doorway of the small home. Her brother looked on with disdain from his place behind the old woman, shutting the door firmly on her. She wasn’t even allowed up the steps. She was shut out in the rain, forced to trudge through her old town and sleep in an alley that night. The chill blowing through the cliff reflected how cold and empty she felt that night. “It was either I leave you and go home, or I lose them. I picked you.”
“You shouldn’t have done that.” Especially looking at how everything turned out. Kuvira wasn’t worth all this trouble. She wasn’t something to lose family over. As someone who was abandoned by her own family, the thought of someone leaving theirs for her sake annoyed her. Hiro shrugged, looking outside their cave as the wind picked up again. She debated returning back to the cover under the cave, but right now the cold numbed her body and relaxed her nerves.
“I can’t change what I chose, and I wouldn’t change it, now.”
“Why?” To Kuvira it seemed stupid for Hiro to decide to stay with her when this would eventually be their outcome, potentially dying on a cliff together.
“It was years ago, but I remember, I couldn’t picture my future without you in it. I would’ve given up anything to have been with you,” Hiro reminisced carefully.
Kuvira paused before asking again, “Why?”
“Because you were my person. And I cared so much about you,” Hiro sighed. She was looking at Kuvira’s eyes now, completely open and unabashed. “Maybe it was a naive dream, but at the time all I wanted was to get married to you and live in Zaofu for the rest of our lives. Looking back, I don’t know if marriage was something I truly understood then, but I know for sure how I felt about you.”
Kuvira closed her eyes and turned away from Hiro, making her sigh. She sounded so fucking stupid. Why was she being so vulnerable to Kuvira? She was too hopeful and naive. Clearly the only thing she’d done was make things awkward.
The radio crackled back to life and Anjij’s voice rang through the air, making both women jump. Kuvira scrambled to grab on to the radio, nearly knocking it out of her own hands.
“We think we’re getting close!” At that moment, they felt the mountain above them rumbling. Kuvira could clearly sense strong distinct movements coming from above them.
“We can feel you,” Kuvira responded urgently. It was only a matter of time now before they were rescued. Hiro let out a breath of relief. The sun was nearly completely gone and their cave had chilled exponentially. “Keep going down, you should be reaching us soon.”
“Confirmed!”
With that the line died once more, but the rumbling didn’t stop. It was clear Anjij was getting very close now, and freedom was within their grasp. Hiro fell on to her back, and sucked in breaths to calm the joy radiating in her chest.
“For what it’s worth,” Kuvira spoke up. Hiro turned her head to look at her. Kuvira was standing now, tall on the ledge with her back facing Hiro. She was preparing to greet her Commander and fellow soldiers when they arrived, gathering her hair in a somewhat presentable state. “I may have done some regrettable things in our relationship, but the way I felt about you was always true.”
Hiro let her eyes close one more time, feeling the heat growing in her chest responding to Kuvira’s unusually gentle words. It gave her a tingling feeling down to her numb toes, and at the same time make some of the anxiety return. In her mind, the Pai Sho game continued, but who was winning was becoming less clear.
Happy Anniversary to these two women who stole my heart and still haven’t gave it back! Can you believe it’s been six years already? Here’s to forever with them!
AU: Something I’ve been thinking of lately as someone with metal sensitivities myself. I thought of this a while ago and thought it was really funny if Kuvira was with a reader with a metal allergy.
Summary: HC between Kuvira and Reader with a metal allergy
You were born with a skin allergy to most metals: so no metal jewelry, no metal clothing, and you had to be careful with what you interacted with on a daily basis.
Ironic since you were from the Metal Clan, born to metalbending parents as a non-bender
Kuvira was someone you met one day while working for the Matriarch of the Metal Clan
At first you tried your best to stay out of her way. She was the renown beautiful captain of the special forces and you were a simple secretary to Suyin.
She intimidated you in all of the ways that you wish you could be: powerful and fierce.
Because of your allergy, it was hard some days when your hands would brush something your skin didn’t like. You’d need to excuse yourself from situations to heal your skin from the inflamed hives blooming.
Kuvira noticed how sometimes you would leave meetings promptly and not return for a long time
That’s what started her fascination with you, trying to figure out this curious quiet young woman
It was very slow how your relationship built up: starting off with small jokes here and there, then leaving meetings together, to showing up to meetings together.
People would often catch you both together; sitting by the river having tea, an avid game of Pai Sho in the courtyard, you waiting for Kuvira after dance rehearsal, her not so subtly waiting for you outside of Suyin’s office.
So it wasn’t a surprise to most people when you two announced your official relationship.
Something bothered Kuvira though. She was aware of how you kept space between the two of you during the first few weeks of dating. She just chalked it up to you being traditional, something unusual but not unheard of within the clan.
She knew you always wore long sleeves and high neck collared shirts and she doesn’t even know if she’s seen any part of your body that wasn’t covered the neck down.
That part didn’t bother her, she respected how old-fashioned you were and even enjoyed how you reacted to her reserved demeanor.
She adored how your relationship bloomed in the most innocent ways, and craved knowing more about you.
But the lack of physical touch that was starting to get to her. She got in her head every time she reached for your hand and you’d hesitantly pull your fingers back, or carefully curl them around hers. It was as if you were cautious she’d hurt you. And that didn’t settle with Kuvira at all.
One day, Kuvira saw a magnificent gold bracelet in a boutique on the way to your apartment.
Usually she wasn’t one for lavish gifts to show her affection, but the second she spotted it in the shop, she knew it would look lovely on your wrist.
But when she presented it to you, you had to carefully put it back in the box and push it back towards her, telling her that she needed to return it.
It stung seeing the way you flinched away from her. She thought since you never wore jewelry that the gold band would compliment your complexion. The rejection was awful and she doubted if she really knew you at all and how stupid this idea was.
You quickly followed up, seeing how upset Kuvira was getting. You took her hands in yours and crouched to meet her eyes. She was seated stiffly in your kitchen and you rubbed soothing circles across her knuckles, trying to ease the tension.
“Don’t take it the wrong way, it’s beautiful. I love it.”
You blushed and turned away from her. “It’s actually kind of embarrassing…”
She’s very surprised to find out you have sensitive skin to most metals, except for platinum, the purest form of metal.
“I know it’s odd.”
“Yeah you live in a metal city, but you’re allergic to most of it.”
Her comment made you burst out laughing and you couldn’t help but throw your arms around her neck in a tight hug.
Oh the many shades of red Kuvira turned that day with your face buried in her neck. She wanted to hold on to your hips, finally feeling your touch after all these weeks, but she was suddenly very aware of the metal rings adorned on her hands and the metal armor plated on her uniform.
“Here I was thinking you were just very conservative.”
You raised a suspicious eyebrow, looking down on Kuvira while you had her face cupped in her hands. A sly smile crossed your lips and followed with you straddling Kuvira’s lap, making her flush even more.
“Oh, Vira, you couldn’t be more wrong,” you huskily whispered in her ear.
And Kuvira learned that night that you were anything but innocent or old-fashioned.
After that night, she was very careful with your allergy, opting for not wearing jewelry on her hands, afraid of copper or nickel scratching irritating your skin.
She takes care to put away her uniform and changing clothes before giving you hugs or climbing into bed with you.
One morning she rolls out of bed and the gold bracelet she tried giving you gleams up at her from her desk. She still thinks it would look so good on you with its simple design and careful molding.
She wonders if you ever had any custom metal jewelry made to accommodate your allergy?
Well time to find out.
So that’s how Kuvira got to work researching metal allergies and the kinds of metal that wouldn’t make you break out into hives.
Finding platinum wasn’t hard: Zaofu was abundant in all kinds of metals. Creating anything out of it was the hard part.
First off, Kuvira was a talented fighter and dancer. But being a jewelry-maker or DIY-er is not in her wheelhouse.
On top of that she couldn’t manipulate it with her bending; even she couldn’t bend platinum. So that meant she was going to get her hands dirty for this project.
She spent hours learning how to weld and grind down sheets of platinum in her room.
It truly was an annoying task, at first most of her creations resulting in crooked metal pieces with burnt ends and cramps in her hands.
She brushed up her roughed up hands to training and dance when you asked. She was a little embarrassed by how she was so dedicated to this project, choosing instead to keep it a surprise for when she was done.
Kuvira wouldn’t admit it, but she secretly also loved the attention you gave, kissing her calloused hands.
She hated the whole process knowing that literally all around her there was available metal she could easily bend to make her desired goal.
More than a few times, others would hear bangs and shouts coming from her room, as she threw the stupid platinum across her apartment in frustration.
At one point she just glowered at the rigid metal, seeing maybe, somehow, possibly her metal bending could solve her problems and she could miraculously bend the platinum.
And her perfectionistic self, hated every scratch or indent in the initial bracelets she made. She finally got over the hump of making something that looked remotely wearable, now was just design.
She just wanted it to be smooth cause if you cut yourself on a piece of metal at her expense, she thinks she would rather sink herself deep into the earth and die.
It was a month long process of trial and error. Of working in Baatar Jr’s lab on perfecting the small ring of metal. He was helpful during the process, more than she wanted to admit. Being an inventor and all, he knew more about manipulating metal by hand than she did.
(Truly it was his tips that allowed her to get her design right)
It was one night when you were cooking dinner, when Kuvira presented the gift to you, wrapped in a little white box with a lopsided green bow she obviously tied herself.
“Oh! What’s this?”
You had been busy chopping green onions when she suddenly took the box out of her bag and pushed it towards you.
Kuvira sat across from you at your kitchen island, nervously wringing her hands in her lap. She kept her eyes transfixed on the small package as you carefully untied the bow.
To be honest, you were more enthralled with the blush dusting her cheeks and how adorable it made her look.
When you opened it, you were very surprised, not expecting jewelry of all things for Kuvira to give you.
“It’s made of platinum!” she burst out quickly before you could question her decision. “I know you said you could only wear platinum, and there aren’t that many boutiques that sell platinum jewelry in Zaofu.”
She was shaking in her seat, the anxiety in her throat as she watched you pick up the metal carefully and examine the delicate piece. It was a simple twisted chain which ended up connected by strands of metal leaves in the center. The platinum glimmered brightly and you let it lightly settle in your palm.
The silence made Kuvira more anxious and she started going off in an anecdote about where she got the metal and her process while making it. You were very amused when she described how frustrated she was and how she had gone through many many sheets of platinum to create something substantial and beautiful enough to give you.
Your face broke out into a wide grin and before she knew it, you pulled Kuvira close to you, into a passionate kiss. Her heart fluttered and she sunk into your kiss, loving the way you gently cup her cheek. Her arms wrapped around your waist, pulling you even closer to her.
“You are incredible, you know that,” you whispered against her lips. “Can you help me put it on?”
Summary: Hiro broke off her engagement to Kuvira three years ago and left Zaofu. All she wants is to live her quiet life in Republic City, away from her haunting past. Kuvira's catching up to her, but is she going to find what she's looking for? Or is she only going to reveal the secrets Hiro kept hidden from her all these years?
Read on AO3
“We have been informed that there are dissenters in the western city of Omashu. They are requesting assistance to take down the rebels,” relays the scout. Kuvira is leaning on the table, flipping through the detailed report in front of her. Omashu had been one of the later acquired cities. She found them to be quite irritating to negotiate with and spent many months going back and forth with the old king about their treaty. It was easy to assume that rebel groups would pop up within it.
“We can send Commander Guan, he’s the closest in proximity and has the troops to take care of any dissenters,” Baatar suggests. “It’s about time we reel in Omashu, once and for all. Who better than our Southern Commander?”
Kuvira continues reading the report, letting the rest of her inner circle pipe up with suggestions and requests. Even though it does make sense for Commander Guan to go, due to the location of Omashu, it was hard keeping a stronghold of the mountainous city. They needed a consistent leader for the mountainous region in general. Especially since their plan to take Republic City was fast approaching, Kuvira needed to be at headquarters focusing on the Spirit Canon and Colossal. Her eyes scan across the table, eyeing her inner circle carefully.
She limited the amount of people allowed in her highest ranks. Various men and women of the sergeant and commanding rank sat around the circular table, all capable and willing to fight for their country. She needed someone unrelenting and dominant to maintain balance in the mountains. Most of all someone who she trusted, and the list was few and far between.
“Well, from previous reports, Commander Guan is already struggling to hold together the South East and coastal regions. Do you think it’d be wise for him to take on a new battle when he’s in the middle of one?” Kuvira turns her attention to a voice with sharpness that cuts through the room’s ardent dialogue. Sergeant Anjij was one of Kuvira’s oldest friends from Zaofu who joined her when she first began uniting the nation. She was a talented water bender, a rarity for the Metal Clan, but nonetheless accepted for her talent. She was an expert in combat and one of the front line soldiers during the first siege on Ba Sing Se. Her thick dark hair was held back in a high ponytail and eyes a dark sea foam color. She was known for being a serious no-nonsense woman by her colleagues, a quality Kuvira admired. “We cannot possibly let him leave the Southern coast unguarded.”
“I agree,” Kuvira speaks up finally. Any conversation left was shut down immediately. She turns her head slightly to face the woman. “Commander Guan is occupied with the coastal regions. We need to maintain order within the entire empire. Which is why it is important we have trusted leaders to ensure that the empire is united. Sergeant Anjij, how would you like to be the new Commander for the Southern Mountainous region?” It was an on the spot decision by Kuvira, but seeing Anjij’s cocky smirk only reassured her of her choice.
“It would be an honor, Kuvira.”
“It’s settled then. We will head to Omashu tomorrow afternoon,” Kuvira instructs, standing from her seat to regard the rest of the room. She turns to Baatar sitting directly to her left. “Send word to Commander Guan to send a small battalion to meet us there. We will be taking a few rations with us for Omashu. Bringing in supplies will be better for negotiations and to reassure the people that we are not their enemy. Baatar, I want you to keep working on the Spirit Canon. I expect you to have it done by the time I come back.”
“Yes, Kuvira.”
“With that, this meeting is adjourned.”
---
“Oh thank Spirits!” Hiro threw her arms around Kuvira, not even getting a chance for the woman to take off her helmet. She inhaled the scent of metal and filth, taking in her lover for the first time in what felt like the longest week of her life. All week she’d been sitting near the control center, awaiting news on a mission from Suyin and the Metal Clan Guards to rescue the Air Nomads. This wasn’t something that happened often, but the few times Suyin took the special task force outside the domes was always a big mission. Especially ones that involve the Avatar. Kuvira usually went on these missions and even though Hiro should be used to it, she wasn’t. It didn’t make her feel any more reassured that they would be facing the Red Lotus again. She still gets shivers thinking about their attempt to kidnap Avatar Korra in Zaofu.
Kuvira smiled and stroked Hiro’s back, hands gripping on to the material of the shirt. She exhaled and made sure to squeeze Hiro a little tighter. The smell of clean laundry and lavender shampoo filled her senses and she could rest easy now, taking in the heavenly scent of her fiance.
“I’ve missed you too, darling,” Kuvira muttered with her face buried into Hiro’s hair. She could tell that Kuvira was exhausted. They had just stepped off the airship, most of the other guards visibly wounded. She spotted Anjij limping out of the ship with a fellow guard towards the infirmary. Hiro cupped Kuvira’s face and started to examine it for any noticeable damages. It made Kuvira chuckle at the silly face her fiance was making. “Are you broken? I don’t want to send this one back for a refund because of brain damage.”
Kuvira swats Hiro’s hands away, but it only seems to make Hiro even more clingy, draping her arms comfortably around her neck. The reassurance she got back were calloused hands caressing circles on to her hips.
“I’m fine, no brain damage,” she teased. Humor danced behind the irritation in her eyes. After hours of being stranded in the mountains, all Kuvira wanted was a bath and a long sleep with her lover.
“What happened out there?” Hiro’s eyes glaze across the rest of the injured team. “Everyone looks shaken.”
“The Red Lotus were difficult opponents, but the mission was a success: Avatar Korra and the Air Nomads are safe, and the Red Lotus has been apprehended,” Kuvira reported.
“No bruises or new scars for you?” Hiro asked. She wanted to try to keep the air light between them, but her concern showed through brightly. It made Kuvira feel proud, in a way. It was the way Hiro was so openly worried about her that made her want to tuck woman away in her arms, away from all of the dangers in the world. When she was in the mountains with no real indication of when Suyin would return for them, Hiro didn’t leave her thoughts. There was no doubt in Kuvira’s mind that Suyin would come back, but the slight possibility of losing to the Red Lotus also came up. She vowed that she would make it out and return to Hiro just as she promised. Even when she saw the flying bison coming over the tops of the snow capped mountains, she still wasn’t satisfied until she saw the Zaofu domes come up from the horizon. It was only when she had Hiro back in her arms, did Kuvira feel that her mission had been complete.
“A couple of bruises, sore muscles,” she said offhandedly. “My shoulder in particular. I had to catch and heave a grown man from falling off the side of a cliff, but it’s nothing compared to the injuries everyone else sustained.” The thought of Kuvira carrying the weight of a man twice her size made Hiro blush and her jaw drop. Sometimes she forgot how strong Kuvira was and how intense those gentle green eyes could be.
“You’re incredible, you know that?” Hiro wanted to laugh, but could only muster a smile. This week had been very difficult and upon seeing everyone else’s current roughed up state, she didn’t let her guard down when Kuvira said she wasn’t injured. She definitely will be looking into that shoulder later.
Hiro held her face, this time gentler. Kuvira let a quiet moan escape her lips as she let her head be cradled. Hiro thought the tired pout on her lips and scrunch of skin between her eyebrows made Kuvira look unusually vulnerable. It must’ve taken a lot out of her for her to be sharing such a tender look with her in such a public area. It wasn’t easy for Kuvira to communicate her emotions, and Hiro never pushed her to do more than what she was comfortable with. At most, Hiro could get a short squeeze of her hand letting her know that she was okay or a hug that meant she just needed something to ground her. But it seemed that at the end of the day, her strong Captain was still a human who craved affection. And she was so honored to have the privilege to take care of such a powerful and beautiful woman.
She left a careful kiss on her lips before pulling her to go home, promising to draw a hot bath and warm spicy curry for dinner.
---
Hiro tapped the pencil on the table as she looked over her notes again. Zhu Li gently set the cup next to her.
The two of them had been pretty silent this morning, going about an easy routine with an ease they’ve created. Hiro spreads out the notes on the table to be examined. Truly she was getting down to having nothing left to share. She had drawn up an updated map of the city. Due to the renovations, some streets were shut off and new buildings erected in previous vacant lots. Most of it was resource centers for impoverished citizens amongst other government buildings. There was a network of phone wires that had been cleaned up to maximize contact for the police force radio communications. A more linear pipeline system replaced old lines that appeared to not have been changed since their existence. It was all in actuality mostly maintenance stuff, and if any of it could be of use to the Empire, she had no idea what for.
“You ever thought about working in urban development Zhu Li?” Hiro asked offhandedly. She was seated at the table with her feet kicked up on the metal surface and leaning on the back two legs of her chair. Zhu Li set down the teapot and quietly examined the new documents handed to her.
“No ma'am.”
Zhu Li was a quiet woman. She limited most of what she said to short questions and nods. Hiro didn’t mind her, but she noticed with the addition of Zhu Li that Kuvira wasn’t coming around anymore. It definitely made things harder for her because how could she take down the Great Uniter if she can’t even see her. As much as Hiro wanted to ask Zhu Li, she kept the small woman at arms length. It was too soon to let down her guard and start asking her questions about Kuvira. She needed to feel out the situation before making her next move.
Hiro realized soon after Zhu Li’s appearance as her ‘assistant’, that the air changed around the maglev. The guards watching over her were more lax, probably because they realized the Great Uniter wouldn’t be paying them as frequent visits. Occasionally Zhu Li would leave and deliver the completed workbooks to an unknown receiver.
This was disadvantageous. She needed to get Kuvira’s attention. She was running out of time before they deemed her as unusable and sent her off to a reeducation camp. I mean, she used to know what would get Kuvira’s attention back at Zaofu. The thought was quickly erased from Hiro’s mind and she let out a small cough. Zhu Li glanced up briefly in suspicion.
Honestly, the thought did cross her mind to potentially seduce the Great Uniter, but even she had to laugh at that idea. She hadn’t forgotten about the interaction she witnessed between Baatar and Kuvira the other night, but ever since then she hasn’t seen either of them. This isn’t working. She needed to think of something else. Hiro gnawed on the inside of her cheek, looking at the map of Republic City in front of her. I won’t run away again. But I can’t do this alone-
“This is quite the setup you have here.” Hiro turned her head to see a familiar dark haired woman coming down the steps. “It’s been a long time, stranger.”
“Anjij? I didn’t realize you were here.” Before all of the nonsense with the Earth Empire and Kuvira taking control, Anjij had been one of the few people Kuvira considered a friend. It wasn’t atypical for Hiro to find them engaged in a thoughtful conversation while waiting at the transport station or grabbing a casual lunch on their break together. When Hiro was stationed in Ba Sing Se, Anjij was occupied on the front lines and Hiro only saw her in quick glimpses and at meetings. Now it was clear that Anjij was doing very well for herself. Even after years apart, Hiro still remembered the higher pitch and smooth melody in the way she spoke.
Anjij definitely broke enough hearts in her life and will definitely break more. There was an intimidating aura to this woman and it certainly attracted people. This harsh demeanor was accentuated greatly with her crisp Earth Empire uniform and sly smile.
“Well not for much longer. Kuvira and I are headed to Omashu tomorrow,” Anjij explained. She looked around at all of the scattered maps and diagrams. “Looks like the same old Hiro. Tell me, are you still a pro Pai Sho player?”
Hiro smiled slightly. Although it was comforting having someone so friendly and familiar, she still felt out of place. Afterall, the armbands indicated on Anjij’s armband had moved up to be a Commander now.
“I’m a little rusty,” she admitted. Zhu Li was silently setting up an additional teacup, but Hiro couldn’t help but feel that the other set of ears was taking in this interaction carefully.
Honestly Zhu Li was very hard to read. When she first started coming a few days ago, Hiro was very cautious. They talked minimally, only when Hiro showed her what she had written down or drawn up. If Zhu Li asked a question or implored Hiro to explain further, it felt like a business transaction. She gave no indication of her personal opinions or thoughts about what Hiro was sharing to aide in Kuvira’s empire. As someone quite reserved herself, Hiro knew better than to underestimate her. “You said you were headed to Omashu?”
“Correct. Have to whip those mountaineers into shape, you know?” Anjij chuckled at her own light heartedness and Hiro tried to match it. “Your name came up in today’s meeting. I wanted to see for myself, Hiro Zhao, returned in the flesh.”
Hiro tried to keep the surprise from her face.
“Well, in case you don’t know, this isn’t a willing return.” Anjij raised an eyebrow.
“From the looks of it, you’re anything but a prisoner right now.” Anjij glanced over at Zhu Li placing the delicate teacup on Hiro’s desk. “But, regardless of the reason, I’m glad I got to see you.”
Hiro’s face faltered. Hiro wanted to reciprocate Anjij’s honest admission, but she couldn’t let their current standings overcome that. In the end, Anjij was a Commander for her enemy that kept her prisoner. And the reality was also that they were no longer young women in Zaofu inviting one another over for dinner or sparring together.
“You too, Anjij.”
Anjij’s gaze shifted as she carefully took in Hiro’s tense expression. She lifted a hand to gently rest it on her shoulder, and Hiro had to resist wincing. She had been touch starved this past week, mainly keeping to herself and shying away from guards when they escort her to her room. She would be lying to herself if the little human contact didn’t comfort her. If Anjij noticed any of this, she didn’t show it.
“Let me know if you need anything. I’m your friend, Hiro, prisoner or not, and I mean that.”
Hiro wanted to believe her. She wanted to believe Anjij when she shot her a determined look of comfort. She wanted to trust Zhu Li as a possible ally to her mission. She wanted to believe that she had someone on this damned maglev to help her. But no matter what Anjij said, she had no one.
---
Most nights Kuvira ate alone. She always opted to eat alone in her office so she can work simultaneously. It was efficient and productive on her part. Sometimes Baatar would join her, but with his dedication to the Spirit Canon, he would be in the lab all night. So when she heard a knock on the door she was surprised.
“Kuvira, mind some company?” Anjij asked through the door. Kuvira called for her to enter. Anjij walked in confidently and shut the door behind her. “I don’t mean to intrude, but there are a few more things I want to go over before we leave tomorrow.”
Kuvira nodded, putting down her current work and giving Anjij her full attention. The taller woman took a seat at the chair facing her desk.
“The dissenters seem to come from civilians, mostly destroying incoming Earth Empire rations and supply lines,” Anjij reported. “We should be safe passing through on our own as no one will be expecting our arrival. We have suspicions as to the exact perpetrators, but if you ask me, I think the previous king and his council are calling the shots.”
“As far as we know, they’ve been complicit in their surrender of Omashu,” Kuvira answered back. “But you’re correct, they’ve given us the most resistance since their acquisition. We must approach this with discipline. No one is above my mercy. Not even a former king and his court.”
They continued like this, exchanging knowledge and strategies to finding the dissenters to crush their uprising. It was easy to get people to do what you want, it was harder to keep them in line once you had them. If anyone were capable enough to be her commander, Anjij had shown her worth.
As they wrapped up their conversation, Anjij shifted as if weighing her next statement.
“Before I leave, I wanted to mention...I saw Hiro today. She seems off .”
“What do you mean?”
“Nothing obvious! I know from today’s meeting she was regarded as a recaptured Earth Kingdom citizen seeking redemption, but don’t you think that’s a bit brash?” Anjij asked. She quickly followed up upon seeing Kuvira’s gaze harden. “With all due respect of course! I am not trying to question your course of action, but have you thought of a smoother way to transition her to the Empire?”
Kuvira eyed her commander carefully.
“Continue,” she demanded. She saw Anjij’s shoulders relax as she patiently waited.
“Well I was thinking, if you made her a corporal and gave her more leniency, she might be more willing to be of service to the Empire.”
Kuvira scoffed. “I didn’t take you to being so keen to Hiro before? What, an afternoon rekindling old memories made you soft?”
Anjij didn’t react.
“She doesn’t have to know that she’s still being closely watched,” Anjij calculated. A growing smirk danced on her lips. It was one Kuvira was familiar with. It brought her back to days in the Metal Clan. It mirrored the look of success and satisfaction every time Anjij would get the upper hand in sparring matches. Their subtle rivalry was what drove them to excel in their field. As time went, Kuvira turned out to be the stronger opponent, but she never forgot that when she saw that smirk appear, there was a deceptive move coming next. “The false comfort to do what she’s good at, will make her let down her guard. Meanwhile, we keep a close eye on her, make sure she doesn’t slip up. And when she inevitably does, we let her think she has the control-”
“When in reality, she’ll play right into our cards,” Kuvira finished. Her calculating gaze never wavered from Anjij. Her blue eyes were piercing with deceit and Kuvira could see how she was enjoying the idea of this. “What do you mean we?”
She shrugged.
“A first step could be bringing her with us to Omashu. Keep a close eye on her and away from the rest of the troops. The more you let her open up to you and see the work of the Earth Empire helping people, the more she’ll be inclined to help us,” Anjij said simply as if it was the easiest thing in the world. She leaned back comfortably in the chair across from Kuvira. “C’mon Ku, this is Hiro we’re talking about. She’s practically a genius with her technology and can learn any new skill like it’s nothing, but what she doesn’t have is a backbone or awareness.”
Kuvira clenched her fists on the table.
“Fine. You’ve made your points. She will be joining us on our mission to Omashu,” Kuvira concluded. Anjij nodded with the cocky smirk still on her face and got up to leave. “But Commander, I do need you to keep your guard up. Like you say, she’s a genius. We cannot let ourselves be underestimated by her.”
Kuvira didn’t like how her words came out like she was defending Hiro rather than warning Anjij.
“Of course, Kuvira.” The words were empty and it was clear Anjij didn’t see Hiro as a threat. She left Kuvira to eat her now cold meal.
“Commander,” Kuvira piped up, stopping Anjij as the door was halfway shut. “This was your idea. So if anything is to go wrong, I am holding you accountable.” Anjij studied Kuvira carefully once over before nodding once and leaving Kuvira with her thoughts.
The thought of manipulating Hiro into the guise of comfort had crossed Kuvira’s mind. And Anjij was right, Hiro isn’t aware enough of her surroundings to judge twice. But something in her gut told her it wasn’t a good idea to play this game. If she were to do this, Hiro would be moved up the ranks and would be working a lot closer with Kuvira, something she just told Baatar she would be doing the opposite of.
The more she thought about it though, she didn’t mind having Hiro around her. As annoying as she was, she was useful. And that’s what mattered. She was useful.
---
“Have you been to Omashu before?” Anjij asked.
“Never,” Hiro answered. She stole a glance from the Pai Sho game in front of her to look out the window of the maglev. A thick fog coated the outside as they traveled to a higher altitude and through the mountain range. She was never a fan of heights, but what made her more uncomfortable was sitting at the meeting table with Anjij across from her and Kuvira to her left, examining documents. Kuvira had been studying them as soon as she stepped in the room, not even acknowledging Hiro’s presence or the fact that they were playing a Pai Sho game in what was supposed to be the meeting room. Anjij called her in for a friendly game and a debrief of their current mission.
“We’re providing extra aid to the people of Omashu. Due to their location, it’s hard to get supplies out there so we try to deliver big bouches at a time,” Anjij explained, moving another piece of the game. “We’ll be here for about a day or so, but I’ll be staying behind to make sure the rations are properly distributed.”
Hiro anxiously glanced over at Kuvira for any reaction or addition, but the woman seemed very engrossed in the designs she was looking at. If Hiro had a better angle she could see what had all of Kuvira’s attention. Quickly she drew her eyes back forward and Anjij was giving her a kind smile that didn’t reach her eyes. Hiro moved a piece in the game, not thinking much of it.
“And that's the game,” Anjij boasted. With her final piece moved, Anjij had successfully completed her Pai Sho board. Hiro folded her hands on her lap, accepting her defeat.
“I told you I was rusty,” she shyly admitted. “It’s been a while since I’ve played an actual game.”
“No one in the big city plays Pai Sho?” Anjij questioned.
“Not really, not like how we played in Zaofu. Most people played fast Pai Sho,” she explained. Asami was the only people she knew in Republic City who still played the traditional form of Pai Sho with slow methodical moves. It had been a while since Hiro played against someone new.
Anjij stole a glance at Kuvira before getting up.
“I’m going to check on the conductor and the other guards. We should be arriving within the next hour. Zhu Li, if you will come with me please, I’d love for you to make more of that jasmine tea,” Anjij flirted. Kuvira resisted rolling her eyes and a clipped warning. Zhu Li simply nodded and followed. Anjij, a flirt as always , Hiro thought.
It left Hiro and Kuvira in an awkward train car alone with cold porridge and documents stacked on the table. Hiro started packing up the Pai Sho game, letting her thoughts take her away from this maglev. As this was only one of the few train cars taken for their mission, it was very quiet. This was the first time she’s seen Kuvira in almost a week. It was almost unnerving how stoic the woman was.
“Do you still play?” The question stuttered out hung in the air, but Hiro couldn’t back out now that the words were already spoken.
“Are you asking for a game?” Kuvira asked carefully. She glanced down at the neatly set up Pai Sho board in front of her. Hiro shifted uncomfortably under her gaze and took a big gulp of the scorching tea to calm her nerves. She was surprised when Kuvira set the papers down and moved to sit across from her in Anjij’s previous seat. Hiro noticed how she placed them face down so she wouldn’t be able to sneak a glance at what she was looking at. “I’ll go first.”
The first few moves were done in silence. Hiro tries to focus on the game and not how this game brought back nostalgia. They’ve played plenty of Pai Sho games in the past, and Hiro knew Kuvira's strategies. Even though it was just a game, something told her that she had to win this one. So she maneuvered her pieces with deft and purpose, different from how she played with Anjij.
“Why did you let Anjij win?” The question caught her off guard and Hiro hesitated while picking up her next piece.
“What do you mean?” She placed the tile down, realizing now that Kuvira was already going in for an attack strategy to win.
“You had her cornered for most of the game. All of a sudden it was like you stopped playing,” Kuvira observed, moving her tile to another space. “So tell me, why would you let her have the upper hand? Most of all, why make her think she got it in the first place?”
Hiro wasn’t surprised by Kuvira’s observation. In fact she knew the whole time that even though the other woman was engrossed with paperwork, she was acutely aware of her surroundings. Nothing could get past Kuvira...which is exactly what Hiro wanted. Her lip quirked up in a half smile.
“Still being very attentive of me, I see. I’m flattered,” she taunted. Her eyes conveyed that she knew what kind of dangerous game she was playing alongside the Pai Sho game. She smoothly transitioned her next piece over by the one Kuvira just moved. “Anjij was always a challenging player. She moved her pieces seemingly sporadically without thought, when in reality she’s trying to out maneuver her opponent as quick as she can, that way she can finish her board. If you play against her the way she wants you to, she won’t even realize you’re the one winning. Pai Sho when played quickly can be fun and exciting and Anjij has found a way to mix the two.
But I’d argue that careful and thoughtful movements with purpose allows you to see your opponent clearly than going fast can. I could’ve slowed Anjij’s gameplay down and ended it sooner, but she’s the type of woman who likes the thrill of the game.
And once she’s won, she’ll utilize the same strategy until she realizes too late that she’s used up all of her cards and tricks… and you as her opponent have bested her at everything she can give.”
Hiro had been studying Kuvira’s body movements this whole time as the woman played with the piece in her hand, eyes drifting up to meet Hiro’s in what looked like surprise. Hiro bit the inside of her cheek as her face broke out in a smile and crossed her arms.
“I believe it is your move.”
While speaking, Kuvira didn’t even notice that Hiro had successfully cornered her, one move away from winning.
---
Kuvira narrowed her eyes. Her keen ears perked up and she turned her head from the game abruptly to the windows. She squints, no longer paying attention to Hiro. Somewhere within the fog, a shadow moved. It was swift and if anyone else had seen it they would’ve waved it off as a mirage. But Kuvira knew better. She knew to trust her own instincts.
Without another thought, she gets up and grabs on to Hiro’s arm, pulling the other woman up with her. Some of the Pai Sho pieces jerked across the table, messing up their almost completed game.
“H-Hey!” Hiro stuttered, surprised at the sudden jerking movement.
Kuvira shoved Hiro to the floor with her falling on top. Soon after, the window that was previously next to them exploded in a flurry of shards and the train car lurched. Hiro gasped, her next words choked in shock. Kuvira felt the rest of the metal churn and jerk as the rest of the windows blew out in the left side of the car. It’s when she feels the train rocking to the side that she feels panic bubble up. But Kuvira wasn’t paying attention to that; not the way her body was being thrown around or the ringing she felt in her ears.
Kuvira closes her eyes and lets her senses take over on the metal around her. That’s her default, she centers on what feels familiar and how she can regain control. Her awareness focused on the metal lining of the train, the plates of metal on the floor, the armor attached to her body. It felt like time slowed down as the train tipped over the edge. Hiro’s screams were only vaguely in the background of the ringing of metal hitting metal and the creaking of the maglev as it tipped over the mountainside, completely detaching from the tracks.
“Hold on.” She felt two arms wrap around her shoulders tightly and bury her face into Kuvira’s collarbone. The car tipped on its side and the rest of the windows shattered underneath them. By now the once pristine meeting room was trashed as furniture, documents, and weapons were tousled to the side of the train. Hiro grunted as they tipped alongside with it, their bodies crashing into a nearby table as the train began sliding off the mountain. Kuvira opened her eyes and inspected the shattered window now above them. The train began skidding down the mountain and slowly building momentum, tumbling further into unknown depths.
I have one shot. One move. Only one split second to get this right.
Fluidly, her arm shot out and with it a thin metal cable attached to her belt. The end of it escaped into the white abyss of the train car empty window. It all depended on the angle, the speed and most of all, luck. Kuvira searched aimlessly for something sturdy to hold on to, but the panic was settling in her bones as they skid further and further down the mountain. Hiro clung to her crying helplessly. She clenched her teeth. C’mon. There has to be something-
There
The green in her eyes sparked to life and the tug from her cable told her to hold on tight. With a flick of her wrist, she latched on to whatever support she found. And the next, she was hoisting both her and Hiro out of the train car and into the white chasm. They flew through, suspended in the air at a fast speed.
Kuvira twisted her body, feeling the ache in her arms and back as she was trying to control her momentum while carrying both of them through the air. Hiro gasped and Kuvira felt her grip loosen slightly. Kuvira was quick and with her free arm, and held Hiro tight to her. In response, Hiro wrapped her legs around Kuvira’s waist, holding on as tight as she could.
She couldn’t see more than a few feet in front of her, but the dark mass of rock was a breath of relief. It came a lot faster than she intended and her body harshly crashed against the side as they bounced off.
“Do not let go,” she grunted, seeing the mountain coming up again as they swung back towards it. With another grunt and contortion, she managed to get one foot settled firmly on the mountain. All it took was for her to feel the familiar rock underneath her feet, for her to finally let go of the breath she was holding. Her chest heaved and she heard a large thud from far below. She couldn’t completely relax yet, because she still had Hiro clung tightly to her chest. With her bending and pure physics on her side, her metal cable was holding on to something far above them, keeping them from tumbling with the fallen train car. The sweat poured from her forehead. “Hiro, I’m going to pull us up.”
Hiro blinked a couple times, her small body still shaking. Kuvira feels the woman nod against her chest and clench her body even closer. With the reassurance that Hiro wasn’t going to fly off, Kuvira’s attention settled on the metal and slowly they began moving up. Hiro unconsciously gnawed on her bottom lip as they ascended, careful not to make too many movements to disturb their rise. Meanwhile Kuvira focused on keeping supporting both of their weights as they ascended through the misty mountain air.
It was a gangly looking tree growing out of a shallow cave that saved them. It wasn’t very wide and it sloped off to only hold enough room for both of them to lay down and catch their breaths. The cave was damp and cold, but all Kuvira could feel was the burning from her muscles ache. She moved on to her hands and knees, the adrenaline still pumping through her as her hair flew out in tangles against her face. Leaning down, she pressed her forehead against the damp ground, thankful to feel the comforting rock beneath her.
Kuvira cursed, letting herself settle and finally picking up to the frantic shouts coming through the radio attached to her hip. It was staticy and hard to hear, but she could just make out Commander Anjij’s shouts.
“Kuvira! Are you there!” She presses the button on the radio, trying to catch her voice. She sits up, letting her elbows fall on to her bent knees. Looking over at Hiro next to her, she sees the other woman has rolled on to her side with her back facing her. She didn’t seem to have any visual injuries, which was a relief.
“Yes I’m here. Are you hurt? How are the others?” she asked.
“We’re all fine! What about you?”
“I’m alright. Hiro and I are safe.”
“Thank Spirits you both survived!” Anjij sighs. “Where are you?”
“In a cave on the side of the mountain. I can’t tell how far we traveled down.”
“We’re coming right now! Hang tight!” With that the radio died on the other end. Kuvira gripped it tightly and resisted the urge to crush it or throw it off the ledge. It was her only contact with the rest of the world now. It was the only chance she had to escape this. She looked over at Hiro again, who seemed to finally quake her shaking body.
“Hiro, are you alright?”
“I think so.” The other woman sat up carefully, and despite definite bruises and scrapes, she was safe. The thick material of the Earth Empire uniforms definitely took on most of the impact. Her glasses are gone, and her weary brown eyes fixate on Kuvira. “Thank you.”
Kuvira doesn’t respond, but lets out another sigh and leans back against the wall of the cave. Her eyes fall on the empty whiteness outside the cave.
“Don’t thank me. I should’ve taken more safety precautions,” she muttered bitterly to herself. It was a mistake to go into Omashu blind. At this point she knows it was the previous king of Omashu who attacked her. No one else had known that they were arriving. The thought of being crossed made her jaw clench. They would not be getting away with this blatant terrorist attack on her train.
“Kuvira? Are you okay?” the voice cut through her negative thoughts. It was the genuine concern in Hiro’s voice that made Kuvira look up. She didn’t even realize that her hands had balled into fists and the small sliver of earth beneath them was shaking. Looking over, Hiro sat on her knees with a tentative gaze. She kept her hands firmly on her thighs, but she wrestled back and forth reaching out and holding Kuvira’s hand.
One side broke over and Kuvira felt the warmth of Hiro’s hand settle atop her clenched ones.
“I’m alright,” she let out a long shaky breath through her nose, slowly easing her nerves. The feeling of Hiro’s hand touching hers all at once put her at ease and made her nervous. “They are coming to rescue us now.”
Hiro shivered and wrapped her arms around herself, taking away the contact between them. It was quite cold and the harsh wind that occasionally passed made it worse. The adrenaline was wearing off now and Kuvira realized just how much of a dangerous predicament they were in. It was still the morning so there was plenty of light out, but if they weren’t found before sunset, they wouldn’t survive the night. Kuvira stood up abruptly, trying to peer up through the fog at anything. Even if she could launch herself up there, there was no way she could carry both of them all the way back up by herself. And there was to guarantee that there’d be another ledge stable enough to hold them. Right now she could only hope to be found.
---
Hours passed. Even though dusk was still many hours away, their ledge had become freezing. This whole time they were silent and sitting apart with what little space they could find between them. Hiro tried to keep her shaking to a minimum, not wanting to set off the other woman in any way. Hiro’s mind had been racing. Ever since the attack, she couldn’t ease her mind. Did that happen often? Kuvira seemed to be fairly calm about it. It didn’t occur to her before how dangerous being a leader of an empire could be.
“You’re going to get sick.” Kuvira reached out and offered a hand, making Hiro flush. When she didn’t move, Kuvira rolled her eyes. “You either come here and we try to salvage body heat or we both lose a few toes.”
Hesitantly Hiro obliged and pressed her body next to Kuvira’s, making them shoulder to shoulder. She resisted the way her body wanted to sink into the other woman’s unusually warm body as they leaned against the cave wall together. Kuvira’s hair had been let out completely now, and she felt it tickle against her skin.
She felt a shaky breath brush across her neck and she shivered, but this time not from the cold. Kuvira instinctively tucked in closer, making Hiro tense up. If it wasn’t awkward before, it was now with Kuvira’s face practically buried in her neck. Despite the warmth admitted from her, Kuvira’s face was freezing against Hiro’s skin.
“Please,” the word whispered past her ear. “If we’re going to survive this, we’re going to need each other.”
She sounded so sure of herself that they were going to be okay. It was the confidence that made Hiro finally relax into Kuvira’s body and let herself rest. She felt Kuvira’s body slouch as the woman drifted off to sleep. It was clear that carrying them up the precarious mountain had taken a lot out of Kuvira, and Hiro had mixed feelings about the situation they were in now.
She took a risk and reached out to hold Kuvira’s hand in hers as she let the exhaustion take her.
origamiaround
baratheonpilled
titsay
blakekathryn
kianamaiart
romaincrisis
janainaart
