"Don't think for a second that I'm not the one in charge here, Kuvira," Suyin said as placed a loving kiss on the younger woman's neck. "As I mentioned...I want you, but that will have to wait." As soon as the words left Suyin's lips, Kuvira's heart dropped.
"Is something wrong?" She asked, panic filling her chest. The older woman leaned forward and gently pressed her lips to Kuvira's temple.
"Nothing is wrong, dear. In about a month we're having a celebration! That's what I came by to tell you before we got...distracted," she sheepishly admitted. Kuvira was confused by the whole thing.
"And what are we celebrating..?" She asked as she pulled her robe shut, covering her previously very nude self. This action caused Suyin's previously smiling face to falter for just a moment before she wrapped her arms around the younger woman.
"Wing and Wei were both able to make a break in pro bending! Isn't that fantastic?" She gushed as she placed loving kisses all over the younger woman. Kuvira had been listening but now it seemed her mind was somewhere else. She took a few seconds to pry her mentor's hands off of her and take a few steps away from her. Suyin's face fell into an expression full of hurt and confusion at the small act of defiance.
"Yeah, Su. That's great. But I'm starting to feel like that conversation we keep putting off needs to happen before that party." Kuvira's words were careful and thought out so as not to hurt the older woman. Now it was Suyin's turn to fill with nervousness and slight panic. The conversation they needed to have would change everything, for better or for worse.
"I suppose you're right. After all, this is a very important conversation. When would you like to have this conversation. I should have the time now, if you'd like," Suyin said. Kuvira grimaced.
"Give me about thirty or so minutes to finish getting ready and we can talk then. We can meet in your office if you would prefer. Whatever you're more comfortable with."
"I can wait for you out here, Kuvira. I don't mind," she replied unenthusiastically. Kuvira nodded solemnly.
"Sounds good to me."
The younger woman was dreading that conversation just as much as Suyin. It really was a scary conversation. Putting a label on it both terrified and excited Kuvira but Suyin just seemed nervous. The older woman already knew where she wanted the conversation to go. She wanted desperately to confess her love for the younger woman and to finally make their relationship official but she was scared of losing Kuvira for good. The moment she had realized her true feelings for her young protege she knew she could never let her go.
This whole situation was so new to Kuvira she wasn't sure what to think and she definitely didn't want to put a label on anything until she had a chance to talk to Bataar. At that point she wasn't sure which conversation scared her more.
—
When kuvira stepped out of the shower and finally finished her morning routine her stomach was still in knots. She hesitated a little as she reached for the doorknob, but ultimately decided to open the door. Suyin rushed to meet her.
The older woman had always loved everything about Kuvira, but the one thing that always got her was the way she smelled. She smelled like vanilla and mint but on a nice day in spring, if that made any sense at all. Kuvira hesitantly hugged her mentor back as her mind continued to fill with guilt and panic over the impending conversation. When Suyin pulled away she placed her hand gently on Kuvira's cheek.
"Listen to me. I know this is a scary conversation, but you and I both know that it's one that needs to happen," she said in a quiet, controlled tone. Kuvira sighed deeply but nodded her head in agreement. She leaned forward to place a tender kiss on the older woman's face.
"While I was in the shower I figured that I should probably talk to Bataar before we have this conversation. There's just some...loose ends that need tying," Kuvira muttered through gritted teeth. Her face showed nothing but pain and anxiousness, and even after spending most of her life knowing how to comfort people, Suyin was at a loss for words of comfort.
"Yes, I understand. I'm sure you'll be able to find me when you're ready to talk. Goodbye for now, Kuvira," the older woman replied as she quietly made her exit from Kuvira's home.
As Suyin left Kuvira couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. It's not that she wanted to avoid the conversation. No, it definitely wasn't that. Maybe it was more that she couldn't read how her mentor felt about the whole situation. She couldn't tell whether their situationship would end or turn into something more. As much as she wanted it to, she still had many worries and obstacles to get over.
Thinking about everything, she sighed to herself. She decided to finally finish getting ready for the day and hesitantly left her small home, making her way towards the Beifong compound.
—
A sharp knock on the cold metal doors of his office drew Bataar abruptly out of the depths of his work. He slid the door back with ease only to reveal the nervous wreck that was Kuvira.
"Kuvira," he said as a warm smile spread across his face. His welcoming reaction to her only made her feel worse. "Suyin told me you would probably be coming by at some point. So, what can I do for you?" Kuvira hesitated score finally moving closer to him.
"Did she not mention why I would be coming by?" She asked tentatively. Bataar made his way back to his desk and gestured for the younger woman in front of him to sit down.
"Of course not. She just said whatever it was was very important to you." Knowing that Suyin had not told Bataar beforehand made Kuvira feel slightly more at ease and less exposed. She managed to sit in one of the chairs adjacent to his desk and the pit in her stomach subsided.
"I'm here to talk about my relationship with Suyin actually." Her words brought no surprise to Bataar, as he knew he should've expected this. "I just...I just need some questions answered before I can talk to Suyin." He sighed deeply but the smile on his face remained.
"Of course, Kuvira. I'll try my best to ease any worry in your mind. What questions do you have for me?"
He truly did care for the girl, and he knew how important she was to Suyin. Bataar had been married to Suyin for about 17 years or so at that point. He had been with her through most hardships after her big fight with Lin. He was there for all of her many victories as well as her many struggles. He had been there through it all. He cared deeply for his wife and only wanted the best for her and in his mind Kuvira was it. Just being in the younger woman's presence caused his wife to be happier, lighter, and more at ease. Anything that made her feel more free he would happily support.
As for his feelings for Kuvira, well that was a different story.
"Bataar," the younger woman started, "tell me how you really feel about me." The words seemed to shake the huge man in front of her right down to his core. Whatever he was expecting her to ask, this was not it. A gentle blush crept up into his face as he tried to gather his words.
"To put it simply, Kuvira, I love my wife. I love Suyin with all of my heart, you of all people should be able to recognize that." Unaware of where he was going, she let him continue.
"Anything that makes her happy, within reason of course, I'm willing to accept. I've seen her during her darkest hours and believe me when I say I never want to see her like that again. She deserves so much better." Bataar got up from his seat behind the desk to sit directly in front of Kuvira on top of the desk. "What I'm trying to say is that you make her happy. When she comes back after spending time with you she's more...relaxed. She's more open and loving and attentive...she's much more herself. You should already know how I feel about you Kuvira. I think you're a wonderful captain and a powerful bender. Truth be told you could end up taking over Zaofu someday, if Suyin were to ever stop being a workaholic," he paused to laugh after his last comment. "I guess what I'm really saying is that I have no problem with you being here. I'm happy that you're making her happy and I only want the best for both of you."
The overwhelming amount of reassurance and firmness in his voice was enough to bring Kuvira to tears. With a new look on the situation she leapt out of her seat to give Bataar a hug.
"Thank you. I'm doing what I can to keep her happy while also looking out for myself. I just knew I couldn't proceed without seeing how you felt first. I would never do anything to get in between you and Suyin, rest assured." Bataar's callused hand came up to gently cup the side of her face before beaming.
"I know you wouldn't Kuvira. I know."
—
Authors note:
I'm so sorry for the short chapter. I don't have an excuse as to why I've been gone so long but I promise you I will see this story through to the end. I've got many more plans for it so please don't give up on it.