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You would think that by now they would have found a universe where both of them could have a happy ending but sadly that’s just never the case. So..here they are again in Newport, Rhode Island. It’s the end of the Second World War and people are rejoicing in the streets. Women, men, and children raising their hands to the Lord, thanking Him for sending their family members back home. Others though find themselves praying to the Lord, asking Him why He couldn’t keep their loved ones safe.
—
Korra had just finished her shift at the family bakery and decided it would be a good idea to stop by the local boutique instead of going back home. The boutique was owned by a higher class family that her parents had been lucky enough to become friends with. The head of the family had two daughters and a son, the eldest had already gotten married while the youngest stayed at home and took over the boutique. The son had still yet to return from Europe. Korra stood in front of the boutique, staring at the large “closed” sign that the business had up. Her right hand had a bag of blueberry pastries that were already getting cold and she didn’t feel up to staying at home and doing chores. So going against the sign, she attempted to open the door. To Korra’s surprise, the door actually opened. She must have forgotten to close the door..That’s not good.
Korra made her way through the main floor and settled to eat in the employee area. Opening the door, she found exactly who she had been originally looking for.
“What are you doing?” She asked
A blonde girl with side bangs sat kneeling in front of a wooden cross, the body of Jesus perfectly carved onto the cross. Korra’s eyes made their way to the cross and then back at the girl. She refused to meet Korra’s gaze so she moved on and headed out of the employees room. Her body found its way to a chair that was overlooking the try on area. After a few minutes of slouching in the chair she took out a pastry and began to eat.
“I thought I told you not to interrupt me while I am praying!” The blonde threw open the door and stood with her hands on her hips. Korra tried not to giggle at the girl's attempts to be angry. It was hard not to with the way her rose pink dress and the bow in her hair made her appear like the stuffed dolls that one would see in store windows. After finding steady breath, Korra finally spoke.
“In my defense, I wasn’t aware! You know I’m not that religious yet, I’m only gettin’ started.” Korra raised her hands, the pastry making its way to her mouth again. “You want one, Catty?”
Catherine scoffed and made her way to the try out area. She grabbed a broom and began sweeping the floor. “I thought I told you not to call me that stupid nickname.” She raised her head to look into Korra’s widened blue eyes.
“What’s with the attitude this mornin’?” Korra closed the bag and left it on the seat with a brown coat that she had discarded earlier. Standing in front of a mirror, she stared at herself. Her short bob was most definitely out of style but it didn’t bother her as much. Long hair only got in her face and that made her daily work much more difficult. She bore brown slacks with a striped white and navy blue short sleeved shirt. One of my best outfits, Korra smirked.
Catherine put down the broom and headed towards the door. She flipped the sign to “open” and looked at the clock. She only had ten minutes till the appointment. Korra watched her move around the room, a frown on her face since she had been left in silence.
“Is it about you brother?” Korra asked, breaking the silence.
Catherine looked over at Korra from the front desk, “it’s not just that..” She looked at the clock. Eight more minutes. Korra raised an eyebrow, she had assumed that Catherine’s attitude had been from the fact that her favorite sibling had not returned home after the war ended.
“Then what's wrong?” Korra asked, this time she stood near the window, looking out at the busy street.
“Do you remember how I told you that my mother’s best friend's daughter was getting married?”
“Yes.”
“Well my mother wants me to attend since she and my father cannot make it.”
“What’s so wrong with that?”
Catherine stopped fidgeting and stared at Korra with cold eyes. Right…She always went to parties with her brother..How could I forget?!
Korra lifted her hand to the back of her head, “Sorry..I uh.. I forgot.” Catherine rolled her eyes, three more minutes until the appointment.
“It’s alright, Korra. Anywho, Suyin’s daughter is coming to get fitted for her after party dress. She actually should be here in three minutes.” Catherine left the counter and went to get a dress from the back of the store. Korra turned around, watching Catherine as she worked.
“Her name was Opal, right? She’s getting married to the Businessman’s son..Bolin!” Korra smiled and made her way to help Catherine with the dress.
“That’s right-“
“My goodness, well is this not such a beautiful boutique, Opal. Your mother surely does know where to get her dresses.” A taller woman walked in with another woman to her side. She had a big smile on her face— that must be Opal — she had clear excitement on her face for her big day.
Catherine immediately stood tall and made her way to the two ladies. Korra stayed behind and decided to watch from behind the counter. It wasn’t until her eyes met with fern green ones that she jumped over the counter and tried to introduce herself.
Her eyes, so magnetic, and that small sly smile, her gorgeous raven hair that’s covered by an emerald green hat.. and those curves..my god..
—
Catherine eyed Korra as she tried her hardest to enter the conversation. It was clear to her that Korra was trying to make a move on the older woman and Catherine was not about to let that happen. Catherine knew about all of Korra’s lady crushes, she even had some herself. It was one of the reasons they had become so close in the first place. And although Catherine was all support for Korra, she couldn’t let this happen, she knew Korra too well, she knew how this would end.
Catherine led Opal and the older woman to the small stages that the boutique had. Here Opal could try on the dress and any adjustments could be made. Catherine eyed Korra again and she watched as Korra stood behind the older woman. She still hadn’t noticed Korra yet. Catherine smiled and helped Opal onto the stage. This seemed to get the older woman’s attention.
“You must be Kuvira Beifong, correct?” Catherine asked as she looked at the woman. Kuvira smiled and nodded her head, “That is correct, and you?”
“My name is Catherine Barlowe!” Catherine gave an even bigger smile as she helped Opal change out of her dress. Opal began to speak once she was rid of her dress. Talking lots about her soon to be husband. Kuvira watched as she made her way to a chair that overlooked the area.
“I am aware that I said my mother was coming but she had a family emergency so I decided to bring my sister-in-“
“Oh!” Opal stopped mid sentence and both Opal and Catherine looked towards the sound to find Kuvira removing what seemed like a blue dessert from her bottom. Catherine felt as if she was going to die out of embarrassment
“Oh my goodness, Mrs. Beifong!” Catherine let go of Opal as Opal held back a giggle. She rushed over at the same time as..
“My pastry!” Korra came over and immediately grabbed the dessert out of Kuvira's hand. She seemed too worried about her pastries to notice anything else.
Kuvira looked down at the tan woman right as she looked up. Their eyes met and Korra could feel her heart stop. Her beauty leaves you speechless… Kuvira softened her smile and got close to the other woman, “I assume that this must be your pastry?”
She’s so close..
“I- yes, yes it was,” She looked down to the scene of the crime. The blue jam coated the seat and Kuvira’s..bottom.
Korra looked back up, ready to apologize and introduce herself until Catherine made her way between the two women. “I am so sorry again, this is Korra, my fr-“ Korra turned red and pushed Catherine aside.
‘The co-owner! My name is Korra..Barlowe! I’m Catherine’s older sister. Well, only by a year but y’know..still older!” Korra chuckled and held out her hand. Catherine looked at Korra with pure anger in her eyes. She could not believe what her ears were hearing right now.
“Well..Korra..” Kuvira led her to sit on the chairs, not caring that her’s was covered in jam. “I’m sure you wouldn’t mind telling me..” She looked Korra up and down and then looked back at Catherine, smiling at her and nodding, a sign that she was alright and that she could resume with Opal. “Where did you get those pastries?” Korra smiled and answered, “Well at my best friend's bakery, of course!”
Catherine slowly shook her head as she walked towards the to-be-bride. She was surely stuck now and there was no getting out. Unbeknownst to Catherine, she was not the only one who seemed to be unhappy with the two flirtatious older women. Opal looked at Kuvira with furrowed brows, she shook her head and looked down, a feeling of guilt entered her good heart.
“Well then..why don’t we continue!” Opal looked at Catherine and smiled.
“Yes, yes of course.. let's do that!”
—
The door closed and Catherine let out a deep breath. Once she did she turned around and walked until she stood face-to-face with Korra. “What is the matter with you, Korra? What in Goody’s name was that? You just had to? You could not just let the poor woman be! I mean first her dress and then-“
Korra smiled as she held a small piece of paper in her hand, a phone number was scribbled onto it. “She is gorgeous, isn’t she?”
—
Opal and Kuvira walked down the road towards their vehicle. Kuvira looked over at the shorter girl and smiled softly, “you sure did look wonderful, Opal. Bolin is most certainly going to be on his knees when he sees you in that dress.”
“You do not feel guilty, Kuvira?’ Opal stopped them and looked into the older woman’s eyes.
“What do you mean?”
“What do I mean? I could see how you acted with that woman! I know you have these..” Opal lowered her voice, “..women that you fancy but you cannot just,” she looked around, “you cannot just go behind my brothers back like that! I mean.. you don’t even wear your wedding ring when he is out of the city.” Kuvira sighed and looked at her gloved hand. She gave Opal a stern look and spoke in a cold voice.
“Opal, If Bataar can have the audacity to see other people outside of our marriage…then so can I.”
—
It didn’t take long for Korra to rush home and call the number. Luckily for her, Kuvira answered. This routine continued on for a while and the two began to go out to dinner. Of course, only when Kuvira’s seemingly busy schedule let her. Sometimes it was just dinner, or dinner and a walk in the park. Sometimes they went to Kuvira’s mansion and Korra would spend the night there. Kuvira made sure to bring Korra to her part of the mansion, letting Korra be curious about the rest of the house. And although Korra wished she could see, she never asked. Of course she would much rather lay in bed in the arms of her lover.
—
Kuvira walked into her room to find an undressed Korra sprawled out on her bed. She chuckled and took off her own undergarments. “You’re not going to take a shower?” Kuvira asked. Korra turned to face Kuvira, God, that grin of hers is going to be the death of me.
“What? You're scared of a little sweat on the satin sheets?” Korra smiled and Kuvira shook her head, “No..” Korra sat upright, bringing Kuvira to sit between her legs as she gave the older woman a massage. “I guess that’s right.. I mean I just spent an entire evening in between your legs..HEY!” Korra ducked as Kuvira turned around and hit her across the head.
“KORRA!” Kuvirra’s brows furrowed and a pout appeared on her face, that adorable face..
“WHAT!” Korra giggled, her blue eyes closing as she smiled. “I’m only tellin’ the truth!”
In her already turned around state, Kuvira decided to trap Korra by laying on top of the naked woman. Korra slowly looked back at the woman to find her staring at her with mischievous eyes.
She cannot get out of this one…
Dammit, not the eyes..
Korra smiled and held onto Kuvira, tightening her grip once she felt the older woman tracing something onto her tan chest.
“ I love you. ”
The two women stayed in that position for the rest of the night. Kuvira continued to write sweet nothings on Korra’s skin. And Korra replied by kissing her dark hair and rubbing her naked back. She swore she would stay in this moment forever. She just couldn’t let it go. But deep down Korra felt a pang of guilt and sadness. She knew the world wouldn't let them walk out free without any insults. She knew what people said and did to people like her, to people like her and Kuvira. She also knew that she was nowhere near Kuvira’s level and that she possibly never would be. Even then though, she tried not to think of those things.
Just live in the moment and hope it lasts forever.
—
The next time the two women would see each other would be the day of the wedding. The after party to be more specific. Although this time, it wasn’t how Korra would have expected it.
“Who’s that?” Korra looked over and pointed to an older lady who looked as though she would rather face a whole lot of alligators than beat this party.
Catherine looked over to where Korra had been pointing. “First of all, don’t point. Second of all, that’s Toph Beifong, the big dog of the entire beifong family really.” Catherine could see Korra’s eyes roam the table. “The rest of the people are the rest of the Beifongs. Her daughter, Mrs. Suyin Beifong, is out somewhere with her husband and her other is sitting next to the blue eyed woman with grey hair-“
“Who’s that?” This time when Korra asked it wasn’t with a pleasant tone and Catherine could see her face wrinkle in, anger? Sadness? It wasn’t until Catherine looked over that she understood why. The eldest son of Suyin Beifong sat with his arm around a shorter woman. Her long black hair had been tied up into a bun instead of the popular curls that were in. She had on a gorgeous emerald v-neck dress with black lines that pointed downwards. And the most beautiful part of her outfit was the pearl necklace that lay on her neck. A large green emerald at the end of it, matching her dress. Catherine’s breathing stopped and she could feel her heartbeat speeding up. Of course, it was going to come to this at some point.
“That’s…erm..that’s the oldest of Mrs. Beifongs children, Bataar Jr..” Catherine stopped speaking when she made eye contact with Bataar. She smiled and looked over to Korra, she was red in the face. Bataar kissed his wife’s hand as she was dragged away by the Beifong twins. He on the other hand made his way to Catherine and Korra.
“Ms. Barlowe!” Bataar took out his hand to shake Catherine’s. “It’s so wonderful to see you here.” He looked around and made eye contact with her again, “is your father here, by chance?” Catherine chuckled and nodded her head no, “I'm afraid he is not..business..emergency!” Catherine emphasized the last word.
Bataar raised an eyebrow, “what a pity…I was really hoping to speak to him tonight..oh! I wanted to thank you for helping my wife and sister with her dress shopping! I hear your business is going well.”
Catherine smiled and her cheeks tinted pink, compliments on her work always gave her a fuzzy feeling. “Of course! It really was no problem.”
“Wife?” Bataar and Catherine both had forgotten Korra up until this point. Bataar raising an eyebrow and standing straight when acknowledging the other woman. Introductions were made and he answered Korra’s question by pointing to Kuvira and smiling.
“Yes! My wife Kuvira. We met when her family merged their company with ours.. I knew it was love at first sight when I caught her smoking in my mother’s garden.” Bataar chuckled and his hand wiped at his mouth, turning around to the two women. “Anywho, she really is intelligent, beautiful, and charming.. the perfect woman…you know, why don’t we chat with her? She’s been thinking about adding a few dresses to her wardrobe.”
Catherine slowly nodded and she looked over to Korra. The tanned woman had long stopped paying attention to Bataar Jr. Her eyes were set on something else, and that something else was looking directly at them. Catherine felt that the fern green eyes were burning her alive… And they weren’t even pointed towards her.
—
Korra slammed the balcony door shut as Kuvira lit a cigarette, looking out onto the bay. After their argument had been interrupted in the washroom they moved it to the balcony. It was silent for a while, the only sound was the crashing of waves and the distant sound of music. Korra took in a breathe, stepping forward one step and breaking the silence.
“You lied to me, Kuvira! You- you deceived me!”
“You tried to deceive me,” Kuvira attempted to get closer to Korra but she only stepped away. Korra turned around and shook her head. She began to regret coming out here with the older woman. “I’m tired of listening to you…”
Kuvira let out a shaky breath as she put out her cigarette. Although she wouldn’t admit it, the words hurt.
“You gave me your heart, you know?” Kuvira smiled as she spoke, watching as Korra’s hands were squeezed shut. She continued.
“You’d like me to hand it back, whole again? But I won’t. You lived a long time yet, Korra. An eternity without me..” Kuvira began to step forward again, Korra didn’t move. “And- and when you leave here today..You will look into the faces of passersby, hoping for something that will for an instant.. bring me back to you.” Kuvira stepped even closer, to the point where she could smell Korra’s perfume. “You will find moonlit nights strangely empty because when you call my name through them, there’ll be no answer. Always your heart will be aching for me. And your mind will give you the doubtful consolation that you did a..brave thing.” Kuvira stood behind Korra, fighting the urge to hug her from behind and kiss up her neck.
Korra took a deep breath and aggressively turned around, coming face to face with Kuvira. “You dare to talk of “BRAVERY!””
Kuvira smiled and grabbed Korra’s right hand, “what else do we have to talk about, Korra”
Korra looked between Kuvira’s green eyes, searching for something that she couldn't even find herself. Kuvira took the first move and pulled in Korra for a deep kiss, tears falling down her face. Korra knew she should just walk away, but she knew deep down that her and Kuvira were the same, and that they both had hurt each other in the end. Korra wrapped her arms around Kuvira’s waist to deepen the kiss. Both women didn’t want it to end but the fear that someone would catch them took over and both women separated.
After one last longing look, Korra left Kuvira’s hold and returned to the evening's events. Leaving a tearful Kuvira on the balcony, ready to light another cigarette.