Looking at a Diamond Statue
SHIT, SHIT, SHIT!!
Noatak pressed the gun a little further into Kuvira’s forehead for emphasis. He looked tired, too. And he smelled like he’d been going without a shower for a while. They were all breaking under the stress. And he was going to snap soon, too.
“So… want to tell me how you broke out? Ah… you must be Mrs. Zaofu,” he said, nodding at Shao. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
None of them said a thing. It was obvious that they were terrified— waiting to see what he would do.
And then something occurred to Kuvira (thank goodness she was nearsighted).
The safety’s on.
Either he’s bluffing or he’s stupid.
He’s stupid.
With one swift motion, years of training coursing through her veins, she grabbed the gun and pointed at the ceiling. Noatak cried out and pulled the trigger, but of course nothing happened.
Oh my god, he is so stupid.
To be fair, it was a common mistake with someone unfamiliar with a gun. And Noatak had probably spent far more time curing kids of their “sickness” than actually practicing his marksmanship. Kuvira unset the safety and pointed the gun at his forehead. Tit for tat, bitch.
“You wouldn’t.”
“You don’t seem to understand. You threatened me. You threatened children. By extension, you just tried to threaten my wife. I will.”
Noatak’s eyes widened, and in that moment Kuvira knew. She knew that he would choose life over his business. Perhaps there was still a chance.
“You want out. You know the way out. Lower the gun and I’ll let you go.”
“You are not in a position to hold us hostage anymore.”
“He’s not,” Tarrlok said. “But I still am.”
Kuvira walked around Noatak so that she could still have her gun on him. Her eyes widened. Tarrlok was holding onto Asami, and he had a remote in his hand. Even worse, he was strapped to a ton of explosives.
He’s gone nuts and he’s going to kill us all. At least I got to see my 27th birthday. It was a good long run.
“Let’s propose a trade. You give me my brother; I give you the girl. You make a move, and I bring the whole fucking camp to the ground.”
“You wouldn’t! You’re bluffing!” Asami cried, struggling to break from his grip.
Tarrlok laughed. He was off the deep end. “Who do you think designed the explosives, Sato? Can you imagine, Future Industries technology being the very thing that brought your family to extinction?”
“You’re willing to kill a hundred people?!” Mako shouted.
“DON’T! DON’T YOU FUCKING ASK WHAT I’M CAPABLE OF! I CAN END YOU RIGHT NOW AND YOU HAVE THE FUCKING NERVE??”
Kuvira knew that they were going to die. But she wanted to die holding her wife. So she slowly pushed Noatak towards Tarrlok, until he threw Asami aside and grabbed his brother.
Shao reached down and put her hand in Kuvira’s.
“Awww, how sweet. Dying hand in hand? Let me give you an overview. The UR will pay for Sato— both Satos, actually. Oh… wonderful. I see that some of you have escaped. Why did you have to go and make our lives fucking difficult? Ah well, there’s still some profit to be made.
“Now… you’re going to kick over your weapons and raise your hands above your head. You’re going to walk back to the cell. In exchange— I won’t blow the place up.”
“Brother, all our merchandi—“
“Shut up, Noatak!! Do you want to fucking join them?! I’m in charge now!!”
Fuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuck—
“Stand down, we have you surrounded!”
“What?” Shao gasped.
The room was suddenly filled with guns. A lot of guns. Which meant people. People whose lives were in danger. Aunt Lin was standing a distance behind the brothers, her Glock pointed at them.
Oh shit, nononononononon—
“Were you not fucking listening Beifong?!? I will bring this place down!!”
“Nobody has to get hurt! Just lower your weapons and set the remote on the ground gently.”
“Do what she says, Tarrlok!” Noatak pleaded.
“You are all weak! I will die like a fucking man!”
Someone rushed forwards.
“KORRA, NO!!”
She tried her best. The stupid idiot tried her best, but Tarrlok pushed the button. Kuvira closed her eyes and gripped Shao’s hand tightly. Nothing happened.
Korra was still wrestling with Tarrlok, and the cop knew that she had to do something.
Kuvira lunged forwards and pulled Korra out of the way— just as a bright light filled the room, and the cop felt a something ripping through her stomach.
. . .
“You know, Kuvira, I always assumed you’d marry Opal!” Suyin said with a laugh.
“I hate you sometimes, Mom!”
“No you don’t!” To prove her point, Suyin engulfed Kuvira into a big hug and ruffled her hair— messing up the girl’s braid.
“MOM!!”
“Okay, okay. So when’s the wedding?”
“I haven’t proposed yet! I… I need a ring. That’s why I wanted to talk to you.”
At first Suyin look startled, and then she burst out laughing.
“Oh, sweetie, that’s what’s been troubling you?! We’re the metal clan, for crying out loud! I can get you a custom ring in a day!”
Kuvira let out a small sigh and smiled.
“So… any ideas for how you’re going to ask?”
“I— I haven’t thought of anything, no.”
“Well… that’s a good start.”
“Shut up.”
Suyin chuckled and pressed a kiss to her daughter’s cheek.
“If you’re worried about her saying no, don’t be. She loves you more than anything in the world. More than oxygen itself!!
“She looks at you… like she’s looking at a diamond statue. She knows that your priceless, but she also knows that your tough— that you don’t break easily. She knows that you have rough edges. She sees you as more that beautiful.”
Kuvira blushed and looked out over the Zaofu sky.
“You do love her back, don’t you?”
“Of course, Mom! She’s absolutely wonderful! She’s smart and funny and beautiful and kind and understanding and—“
Su raised a hand, “Sweetie, I’m just teasing you. You two have been dating for… five years now? I’m old enough to know that there’s no time limit on when you realize someone’s your soulmate. If you truly love her and you truly think she’s the one— you go get that girl.”
“Is that little hole-in-the-wall Water Tribe restaurant still open? On Whitefeather Blvd?”
“Lakka’s? It’s been some time since I last visited… but why don’t we go find out. That would be a lovely place for your special night.”
“Thanks. Thanks for everything, Mom.”
End of Part Five