legendtron

[legendtron]

The start of a much longer story.

Made possible with the support of the coolest ppl ever, my patrons

#cute

[legendtron]

Varrick Fan Fiction Update #4

I am so happy to announce I have finished the fourth part to my Varrick fan fiction! Unfortunately I missed the 18th by a few days, so we’ll have to break that tradition, but hey, it’s done! Remember, you can always view the 12/18 Update, 3/18 Update, and 8/18 Update on my Writing Masterlist for past updates if you wanna get back up to speed. Let’s jump right into it!

Four out of nine parts are finished. Part one is 4 chapters, 12 pages, and 6k words. Part two is 9 chapters, 37 pages, and 21k words. Part three is 8 chapters, 59 pages, and 35k words. And now, part four is 4 chapters, 22 pages, and 13k words. The full work is now 143 pages and 84k words. As a novel is typically measured as being in between 80k and 100k words, I feel secure in saying that I have now officially written a novel, despite only being about halfway through my story!

This section was shorter than the last, even though it’s taken me the same amount of time, but I have had to move several times and go to school which has been my priority these past few months. I will still be facing that same predicament as I go into the next part, but I will still try to write with haste. 

Going forward, a few months ago I planned both parts five and six in detail, so writing can begin straight away. The entire work still needs to go through editing.

I am so excited to be closer to sharing this story with everyone. This update will be on my Instagram and Writing Masterlist for you to find as well.

#writing #lok #varrick

[legendtron]

I have been transported to another time! The amount of cultural knowledge in this for that certain time is impressive.

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Avatar: Legend of Korra Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Baatar Jr./Kuvira (Avatar) Characters: Baatar Jr. (Avatar), Kuvira (Avatar), Original Characters, Suyin Beifong Additional Tags: Established Relationship, Married Couple, Family Fluff, Family Issues, Baavira Week (Avatar), Alternate Universe - Historical, Alternate Universe - 1950s Summary:

Baatar Jr. and Kuvira are financially-struggling parents who only want the best for their young family, while also facing a changing society in late-1950s America. A one-shot AU fanfic.

For Day 7 of Baavira Week 2022: AU

#baavirahooray

[legendtron]

So incredible and sweet. The little details about the environment really paint a picture and characterize the writing.

Written for Baavira Week 2022 (Day 7: AU)

@baaviraweek

"I get the sense that falling in love with you will be inevitable, so I’m proposing now as a boon to my future self.”

OR

Earth Princess Kuvira and Baatar Beifong II decide to marry for *mostly* strategic reasons.

#baavirahooray

[legendtron]

So cute and absolutely gorgeous writing.

Written for Zaofu Week 2022 (Day 5: Childhood)

@baaviraweek

“Kuvira ditches us for Baatar was the last square on my Zaofu Week Bingo.”

OR

The Metal Clan is celebrating the fifteenth anniversary of Zaofu's founding. Kuvira is enjoying the festivities. Baatar is not.

#baavirahooray

[legendtron]

Baavira Week Day 7: Alternate Universe

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/36384223/chapters/91000393

An alternate universe... where the Earth Empire comes back. Please let me know what you think!

Baatar heard a knock at his door, late at night. Strange. No one, not even his parents or his siblings cared to spend any time with him anymore. He opened it cautiously. It was Kuvira. Baatar looked at her, shocked, eyes squinting from the bright hallway. 

“Hold on,” he said, scoffing a bit at the disturbance to his senses. He went back to the bedside table and grabbed his glasses and slid them on. He took a look at her. He hated himself for it, but staring at her, with no one else around triggered something within him. He still loved her, despite everything, and seeing her again lately, and the fact that she seemed like she had changed, made his problem worse. He studied her expression, still able to read it so well, as if it were a book written solely for him, or a page from his own personal journal. She looked hopeful, but sad, and nervous. He wanted to make her pain go away, to gather her up like he used to. But he restrained. He shook his head a bit, trying to rid himself of the longing. 

“What is it?” he couldn’t help but whisper softly. Kuvira gulped, stepping inside, and closing the door halfway, so they weren’t in complete darkness. 

“Do you want to go back?” she whispered. 

“What are you talking about?”

“To how it was?” Baatar paused. Of course he did. He had never felt true happiness before or after when it was just the two of them, going around the Earth Kingdom, making a difference. It was true freedom. And now that he’d lost it, he had assumed he’d never feel it again. But if given the chance to go back? Of course he would want to. 

“Yes.”

“Me too,” she sighed. They were very close to each other, crowded near the door. Baatar couldn’t help himself, and neither could she, as they both stared deep into each other's eyes with caring, with a spark that only ignited around each other. They both leaned in, only a bit, and closed their eyes, their lips meeting in a soft kiss. It didn’t last long, but it held all the meaning in the world. Besides, time wasn’t a resource they had at the moment. They’d have time later. They both could feel it, even if the future was uncertain. The kiss sealed whatever Kuvira was about to propose. Baatar knew she had a plan, she always did. And he was going to say yes. Perhaps it shamed him to admit it, but he would follow her into battle, no matter what she did to him, even if it hurt. He knew that wasn’t a particularly healthy mindset to have, but he’d blame Suyin for that, she usually was the one promoting toxic behavior. Was it his fault, he reasoned, if this one had rubbed off? Great love and care? Though they had never gotten to take their vows, both of them had committed to them once Baatar had proposed. For richer, for poorer, in sickness, in health, to love, honor, hold keep, till death did they part. And death had not yet parted them; therefore, they were still for each other unconditionally. 

“I have a plane ready to sneak out. We’ll go back to Gaoling. Guan will listen, especially if we’re there together. Then everything will be how it was. Then we can get married,” Kuvira promised. Baatar felt a lump in his throat at the relief he felt of it going back to how it was. He nodded. Kuvira smiled. It was a beautiful smile, like jewels or a summer meadow, he thought. She took his hand, and they fled. They flew back to Gaoling. 

 ***

Guan was surprised to see the two of them had sneaked into his office. He walked in, and paused. He began to speak, but Kuvira held up a hand and spoke first. 

“We’ve come to reinstate the Earth Empire. We still have widespread support, and with Wu under control and Suyin being so morally above leading, we’ll take all of it back easily. We’ll leave the United Republic be, and Zhu Li will be too occupied in getting Republic City back on its feet to organize any kind of counter-attack. And we can handle the Avatar if need be,” she said, definitively. Baatar smirked. They both knew what Guan was about to attempt to say. Guan straightened himself back up, and tried to recollect his dignity. 

“You think you can walk back in here and take your old position back? No. You’re the one who left us behind. I’m the one who stayed loyal, who rallied the last of our forces, who’s bringing it all back!” he growled. Kuvira smirked now as well. “You can’t stop me. I have a whole army under mind control who serves only me!” he snarled, fists balled up, hunching forward. Kuvira took a step towards him menacingly. His body language became even more offensive. Kuvira stopped, raising her hand slowly to rest on his shoulder in false comfort. He relaxed. She was a master at asserting her own supreme rule over any situation. 

“Guan, I’m not going to hurt you,” she said in a comforting tone. She took her hand away, and stood tall. “You need to be reminded of three things. One, I never left my people behind, I just know how to play the game. Two, I luckily have a brilliant fiance who already knows how to reverse your mind control. And three,” she said, stepping forward once more. He didn’t recoil this time, her smooth tone luring him into a false sense of security. “I want you to know I’ve always valued your leadership. But I can see you’re not going to back down easily. Good. That’s how I want the Earth Empire to behave. But unfortunately, this time, it’s not going to work out like that,” Kuvira said. Before Guan could react, Kuvira had flicked her wrist, and the metal detailing on his armor moved from his shoulders to around his neck. Kuvira made a fist, making the metal constrict around his throat. She held the fist tighter until it was over. She relaxed her fist, and her brows furrowed. She turned to Baatar, looking sadly to the floor. 

“I hate having to do that. I really do,” she said sadly. He offered her a smile to try to raise her spirits and get her back on track. 

“I know. Me too. But it had to be done.” She knew it too, and nodded, looking at him with a smile now. 

“Now for Dr. Sheng,” Kuvira said. “Do you want me to come with you? We used to work together, I could try to reason with her.”

“No, I can handle her. You start to un-brainwash as many people as you can. Go to the lab and begin the process. I’ll send Sheng down to help you when I’m done.” Baatar nodded, each going their separate ways. Kuvira seismically felt that Sheng was in what she supposed she was using as a bedroom rather than the lab. Kuvira entered her room. Sheng was sleeping. Kuvira sat on her bed, gently shaking her to wake her up. Sheng rose, shocked to see Kuvira. 

“Relax,” she said before Sheng could say anything. “I need your help. We’re going to un-brainwash everyone and start the Earth Empire again.” “Guan would never—”

“Guan’s no more. I’m the leader again. It’s alright, Dr. Sheng. Baatar’s in the laboratory getting started.” Sheng understood what Kuvira had done to Guan. She didn’t feel as if she had a choice, and she did want the Earth Empire to come back. She nodded, and they both got up, making their way down to the lab. Baatar had already gotten started, and looked to be making good progress. He had changed, back into his old uniform. She smiled, his hair still a little messy, but her soon-to-be husband looked strong once again. She left the room. She had one more thing she wanted to do. 

She found where old uniforms were kept. There wouldn’t be another one of her old one, that was one of a kind. But she took the base from a few others, and bent some scrap metal into similar shapes; some to protect her neck, sheets on her back to use in combat. She forewent the arm bands this time, seeing them as too dangerous if someone bent them around her arms and cut off blood flow, but readded the shoulder pads, this time in a more hexagonal shape instead of round, so there’d be fewer blunt edges, and she could use the metal on there in combat as well. She finally pinned her hair back once more, professionally, and out of place. She looked in the mirror. She looked, and felt like herself again. 

***

It was a tireless night, but the work was done quickly and efficiently. Soon, everyone was back to normal. Kuvira walked back in at dawn. Baatar smiled, excited to report his progress, but his breath was taken away further when he saw his fiancee back in her armor. She was a true leader, and the fact that she was wearing the armor he designed for her years ago showed their true devotion to each other and what they believed in. 

“You look incredible,” Baatar complimented. 

“Thank you,” she smiled. 

“We’re just about done here. It’s all looking good.”

“And Wu?”

“He’s still a little out of it, but we have him in custody. Are you going to make an announcement in a couple of hours?”

“Yes. We’ll broadcast it all around the world. Sheng, is that media technician still around?” 

“Yes, Great Uniter.”

“Go get him and tell him to prepare. I’ll announce at eight in the morning sharp, in the town square. And have someone set up a podium, decorated properly for the Earth Empire.” Sheng nodded and disappeared. Baatar frowned. 

“Baatar, you look worried. What’s wrong?”

“I just assumed that someone would notice that we’re gone by now and come looking for us.”

“Don’t worry about that. Nothing’s going to stop us. I promise you,” she said, grasping his hand and squeezing it reassuringly. “You’ll be by my side when I speak?”

“Of course,” he smiled. “And after that we’ll rest.”

“Yes. We’ll rest,” said Kuvira. They both were quite tired, though proud of what they’d done.

***

Just over an hour later, everything was set up. The morning sun was shining true and reliably, and the crisp air was perking Kuvira up. That, and the anticipation. The crowd gathered, confused from being released from their mind-controlled state, and at seeing Earth Empire flags once more. Kuvira was worried. They’d soon understand. She stood to the side of the podium, giving final instructions to some former soldiers who had awoken and were happy to join her again, when the Avatar flew in on a bison. Luckily, no Suyin.

“Kuvira!” Korra yelled, hopping down. Kuvira turned her attention to the Avatar professionally, not phased by anything she was about to threaten. 

“We had a deal!” 

“Korra, I would love to talk, but I have an important announcement to make right now. I promise, I’ll explain everything,” said Kuvira comfortingly. She began to walk away. 

“Oh-ho, no you don’t!” said Korra, moving to air blast Kuvira. Kuvira could feel it coming from a million miles away, and dodged it easily. She turned her feet slightly and moved her arm, encasing Korra immediately in a form of earthen stocks. Korra groaned in frustration. 

“We’ll talk when I’m finished, Korra,” Kuvira said firmly. It was time. The media technician gave her a thumbs up from behind his large headphones, and Kuvira stepped in front of the crowd and spoke into the microphone. 

“Ladies and gentlemen of Gaoling; of the world; the Earth Empire has returned to its fullest extent, and Baatar and I are the returned leaders of our great domain.” Gasps and murmurs of confusion came from the crowd. “I know you may be confused right now, so let me explain what’s been going on to the people of the Earth Kingdom on how their first democratic election has been taking place. A former commander of the Earth Empire, Commander Guan, decided to use illegal brainwashing technology to tip the election in his favor and reinstate a twisted version of the Earth Empire. When Avatar Korra heard that he may interfere with the election, her first response was to personally advocate for my release from prison to accompany her in attempts to negotiate peace. After failed attempts to assuage Commander Guan, she found and forced Toph Beifong to run as a candidate in an attempt to win your votes in popularity, when Toph Beifong wanted nothing to do with the modern politics of the Earth Kingdom. When that also failed, and too many were under Commander Guan’s mind control, the Avatar took only her significant other, Asami Sato, who had fallen victim to mind control, to Zaofu where she knew there may be technology to save her, leaving all the rest of you behind to fall victim to Commander Guan. In Zaofu, she forced my fiance, Baatar, to reinstate Ms. Sato’s state of mind, however it could not be done without recalibrating the mind control machine, in which she forced me to be the test subject when she knew it was dangerous. Luckily, I emerged unscathed and Baatar and I were able to escape, taking Commander Guan down, saving the Earth Empire, and giving all of you back your minds. Let me remind you, the Avatar was present for this entire ordeal, and decided to flee to Zaofu with Suyin Beifong, backing down in the face of adversity, when you were all at your most vulnerable. Commander Guan had also managed to alter the mind of King Wu, who had no qualms in laying down his loyalty to the Earth Empire when the time came. We have saved his mind as well, and he is now in Earth Empire custody. Your King, and his promises of elections have failed you all, leaving you all in danger and without being heard.”

The crowd, and all around the world was in shock.

“I understand that this is a very shocking revelation for most of you. But before I go I want to say a few things. The Earth Empire is back, now in control of the Earth Kingdom. All former soldiers are expected to return to their former duties as they were before the Battle of Republic City. Since the battle at Republic City was lost, it will remain, and all former territory, as part of the United Republic. I want you all to know that I’m still a loyal leader to all of you. I understand that many of you, as have I, now become enlightened to some less than desirable actions the Earth Empire was formerly taking part in, especially regarding violent treatment in reeducation camps all across the empire. Violence was never the intention for those camps; simply a rehabilitation into the Earth Empire. I admit my fault in that I did not check to ensure everything was going as it should in these camps, and I will now take measures to ensure that nothing besides true and humane reeducation will take place in these facilities. I want you all to know, if you’re a citizen of the Earth Empire, you will be treated as conscious and good human beings, and I will make it my duty to serve you all as your leader once more,” Kuvira finished. The crowd slowly erupted into a cheer. Kuvira smiled. “Thank you!” she said, stepping off of the podium. 

***

“Firelord Izumi, we have some important news. Kuvira has returned as the leader of the Earth Empire. Would you like to take offensive action?” said a fire sage at Izumi’s morning cup of Jasmine Dragon tea. Her brow furrowed, concerned at the news. 

“No. No action will be taken. The Fire Nation benefited greatly from the trade and diplomacy Kuvira brought before and will remain uninvolved in their domestic quarrels.”

 ***

“Chief Tonraq. Kuvira’s taken over the Earth Kingdom once more.” Tonraq rubbed his forehead in stress. 

“I hope Korra’s alright.”

“What should we do?” Tonraq looked at his assistant. 

“We’ll wait to see what Korra decides to do. If she wants to bring Kuvira down, then I’m right behind her back.”

“But sir—” Tonraq looked at his assistant menacingly. “Sir, I understand that you have great care for your daughter, I do as well, and have great faith in her judgement— however, the Earth Empire has been extremely beneficial to the Southern Water Tribe’s economy. I’m not advising you— just… just wanted to let you know. The choice is yours,” said the assistant, backing away out of the room. Tonraq looked at the assistant angrily at first for going against Korra, but in his silent reflection, he was conflicted. His daughter, or his people?

 ***

“Finally, something exciting happened,” smiled Desna. 

“She always seemed strong and cold. Like a good leader. I am happy to receive this news.” said Eska, once they both heard. 

 ***

Tenzin lowered down the phone after the messenger had hung up. 

“Oh no,” he said, shaking his head, looking at the limited number of airbenders playing and laughing in the courtyard of the Western Air Temple. 

 ***

Zhu Li switched off the radio. Varrick was frozen, his mouth comically opened in shock, tea cup still raised, pinky in air. 

“This is terrible!” Zhu Li exclaimed, hands pulling at her hair in stress. 

“Well, at least she said she won’t attack us again for now,” Varrick commented. Zhu Li huffed, putting her hands in her face. 

“We can’t do anything at the moment. Not when half of the city’s population is living in tents,” she started. “We can’t do anything right now,” she said, looking at Varrick. He gulped, and moved to the other side of the table, sitting next to her, stroking her hair and arms in comfort as she stressed. 

***

Kuvira walked back over to Korra, who was still trapped. 

“I apologize for the wait, Korra, but I’m all yours now,” she started, releasing Korra from her prison. Korra shook out her arms and legs. Kuvira bent a seat out of earth for her to sit next to Korra. 

“I can’t believe you. I thought you had changed!”

“Korra, this is where you’re not getting it. I was the only one in this whole ordeal who never needed changing.”

“That’s crazy! You’re crazy! You destroyed Republic City!”

“I admit, things got heated, and in retrospect I would have gone about it differently. But the Earth Empire’s still standing for the same morals.”

“What, terror and destruction?”

“That was never what it stood for. We helped the Earth Kingdom vastly with a redistribution of resources and strong leadership, giving these people security for the first time in generations.”

“You’re lying.” “When have I been lying?” Kuvira said, standing up. “You witnessed all of the mind control and fled to Zaofu. Toph never wanted to be involved in this election. You saved only Asami. That’s all the truth. I was simply telling the people the truth they have the right to hear,” she started, Korra looked to the side, having a hard time accepting she was right. 

“I never made you be the test subject. That was your own choice!”

“You’re right. I may have stretched the rhetoric on that, but you didn’t give Baatar much of a choice when you made him recalibrate the machine. Or when you kidnapped him off of my airship. That isn’t how diplomacy works,” Kuvira scolded. 

“Your people will never go back to you,” Korra hissed. Kuvira sighed. 

“I don’t know why you— and your people, all of you, seem to continuously be blind to the truth. Look at the statistics of education, happiness, household earnings, petty and violent crime decline all trending positively after the Earth Empire was in control. Those are all truths, Korra.” Kuvira looked at the defiant Avatar. “I’m not going to keep you prisoner, Korra. You once told me that we’re similar in many ways. I agree with you now. We both want what’s best. But you still forget our stark differences. One, I don’t throw people beneficial to society into prison, and two, only one of us is decisive enough to make a difference for the better,” Kuvira finished. Her last remark angered Korra, who attempted to earthbend from behind her feet. Kuvira sensed it before it happened, of course, and dodged it. 

“Our battle is for another time, Korra. Now you can go. You’re always welcome in the Earth Empire.” said Kuvira. Korra, was in a bit of shock and defiance that she had been bested, and turned around and left. Kuvira walked to Baatar. They smiled at each other, laughed, and pulled each other in for a hug. Just like they had shared right before they attacked Republic City. It was the first one since then. It felt right and victorious, just how it had felt before, but less tentative. 

“You’re incredible,” he sighed. 

“I love you, Baatar. Now let’s get some sleep, gather an army to send to Zaofu, and plan our wedding,” Kuvira smiled.

***

The wedding took place only a few weeks after, as a celebration for the downfall of Suyin, who was now securely in prison once more. It was quick, but they didn’t want to wait any longer to get married; they had waited long enough. It was a beautiful, small ceremony, in the Beifong Estate’s gardens; but not the Zaofu Beifong Estate, which was poisoned with bad memories. They had come to the Gaoling Estate, the one Baatar’s great grandparents Lao and Poppy had owned, where Toph had grown up. They’d live there, still bearing their now shared name proudly, a nice estate in an important city where they could still work but begin a family as well. The flowers bloomed white and silver, the grass the lushest green, the air smelling of perfume, and the sun shining down just for them. It was here, in this beautiful moment in which they were finally able to say their vows, officially swear to them, and live powerfully and happily. 

“I, Baatar, take thee, Kuvira…”

“I, Kuvira, take thee Baatar…”

“For richer, for poorer…”

“In sickness and in health…”

“To love and to honor…”

“To hold and to keep…”

“From each sun to each moon…”

“From tomorrow to tomorrow…”

“From now to forever…”

“Till death do us part.”

They kissed, sealing their happiness, their love for their land, and each other, forever.

#baavira #baaviraweek #baaviraweek2022 #baatar #baatarjr #kuvira #earthempire #ruinsoftheempire

[legendtron]

Baavira Week Day 6: By Your Side

Baatar had just wanted to tell her, show her, prove to her that his mother was wrong, that he was worth something and happy with Kuvira. But of course, like every other interaction went, it ended up feeling like a slap in the face. Luckily, his fiancée was right by his side this time. She made it better.

#kuvira #lok #legend of korra #baavira #baaviraweek #baaviraweek2022 #baatar #baatarjr

[legendtron]

Baavira week: Day 5 - Childhood

#baavirahooray

[legendtron]

Love my favorite fiances. And the idea of adolescent Baatar seeing a pretty girl and FREAKING OUT is so funny and I imagine very true!

Fandom: Legend of Korra Ship: Baatar/Kuvira Words: 705 Summary: For the first time, Baatar suddenly felt like a boy. And for the first time, he knows nothing.

#baavirahooray

[legendtron]

Baaviraweek Day 4 - Apology 😔❤️

Baatar and Kuvira know that there's still many things they need to talk about 😢❤️

@baaviraweek

#baavirahooray

[legendtron]

Baavira week- Day 4: Apology

#baavirahooray

[legendtron]

Baavira Week Day 5: Childhood

They have a crush on each other. But don’t tell anyone.

#kuvira #lok #legend of korra #baavira #baaviraweek #baaviraweek2022 #baatar #baatarjr #zaofu

[legendtron]

Baavira Week Day 4: Apology

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/36384223/chapters/90819313#workskin

Some aang-sty times for Baavira Week 2022 Day 4: Apology. Please let me know what you think!

House arrest with Suyin Beifong; better or worse than a lifetime in prison? It was a genuine question Kuvira had to ask herself once her sentence had been changed. On the one hand, prison was terribly lonely and depressing, and the food wasn’t very good, but it gave her some privacy, a chance to reflect, and most importantly did not have Su anywhere near her vicinity. On the other hand, there were some benefits to being in the Beifong Estate; an easier chance for escape should she feel like it, and since many of the people there still liked her and she knew the place well it would be beneficial to her if she ever wanted to leave. Kuvira had no doubt she could escape the Beifong Estate if she wanted to. But then there was the problem she didn’t know how to feel about, whether it was a pro or a con; Baatar Junior. Baatar. Despite what happened between them, Kuvira couldn’t bring herself to call him “Junior,” the nickname which he so intimately shared was so traumatizing and degrading to him. She had always suspected it, but when he said it aloud to her, in the maglev, their first moment away from everyone else that day, in a whispered tone as they held each other securely, such relief, and true happiness showed on his face, at a time when he thought he’d be free forever. Kuvira could never betray something which was told to her in such security and confidence. 

She felt as if when she was in the house so shortly before that progress had been made. He was still upset, understandably, but she still loved him deeply, and was willing to try to get him back. But she didn’t know how he’d react to them living in the same walls for the foreseeable future. She was nervous. 

It was unavoidable, eventually. She arrived at the house, and nervously stepped into the building, shown to her new room. She took note of where Baatar was in relation; she couldn’t help it. They weren’t right next to each other, but not too far away. His door was shut, closed off, cold. It made her upset to see it, even if she didn’t expect it to be wide open and warm and welcoming. 

So, Kuvira went into her room, and didn’t leave much. Weeks passed by. She supposed this was a prison sentence still, she didn’t need to do much else. Even though she was out of that mountain prison, she still felt lonely. It made her feel even more alone knowing that the man she loved was so close. She’d not seen him at all since she arrived. He was probably mad. He’d probably never forgive her. 

But then one night, very late, a knock on her door. She opened it curiously, in her nightclothes. It was him. She nearly lost her breath at the sight.

“Can I come in?” he whispered. Kuvira nodded, stepping aside and closing the doors. They’d have to be very quiet, if Su or the others heard anything, they’d become suspicious. Kuvira gulped, sitting with her legs crossed on her bed, her arms speckled with goosebumps now that she was out of the covers in the cold night. Baatar sat on the foot of her bed, facing her, leaning towards her subtly. 

“I’ve tried staying away, thinking it over in my head a million times, and I don’t understand it.”

“What?”

“You apologized to Suyin. Now— now, I don’t think a lot of what we did was ok, in retrospect, but I still believe that the way she treated me— us— was terrible. I still haven’t felt the same freedom as before since coming back. When I heard that you were gonna be staying here too, I thought at least I’d have someone again, even if our relationship is…” He cleared his throat, shaking his head, leaving the thought unfinished. “I’d have someone to at least understand, because no one else seems to see through it. And I feel so alone.” He started to tear up. Kuvira did as well. “And then I find out you apologized to her? In front of everybody? I feel so betrayed. I can’t believe you,” he cried, body shaking from sadness and the confrontation. “I don’t know why this is more surprising to me than anything else. You tried to kill me. But even I was starting to see the logic of putting the mission first, but then you apologized to her!” Kuvira was silent. She was confused. 

“Why are you so upset about that?” she asked in the most sympathetic way possible, trying to convey through her tone that she simply wanted to understand. 

“Because, you were either willing to lie about the foundation of our relationship to get yourself a better sentence, or you were lying to me the entire time that you believed that I was ever something more than a carbon copy of my father!” Baatar exclaimed, his voice rising a bit, but then coming back down when he remembered that no one could know they were together right now. Kuvira was still vastly confused.

“Baatar… I didn’t know what my sentence was going to be, if it had changed at all. And our relationship, at least from my end, was completely genuine,” she comforted. “I mean it.” She looked off into the distance, trying to dig up what he was talking about out of her memory. But it was fuzzy, now, harder to access. Baatar sniffled a few more times and wiped his eyes. 

“What are you looking at?” he said, glancing around. Kuvira’s brow unfurrowed, looking at him again. 

“The foundation of our relationship. What do you mean by that?” Baatar looked at her in disbelief, but answered her clearly, as she seemed genuinely confused. 

“How my mother treated us. How she cast us aside, rendering us useless unless we fit her perfect ideas of how her precious protege should be,” Baatar said bitterly. 

“I— I’m sorry Baatar, I don’t understand,” Kuvira said, a pleading look in her eyes to show that she really wanted to. Baatar looked at her in disbelief once more, but then his eyes widened in shock as he saw the truth in her face; that she really didn’t know what he was talking about. He thought she was messing with him, that there was no way she didn’t remember how Suyin had raised them, casting them aside, they had talked about it explicitly hundreds of times. That, and the fact that she seemed genuinely caring and upset in the moment, and the apology, it all added up to Baatar. 

She didn’t forgive Suyin; she had forgotten what she had done. And it only happened after he recalibrated the mind-control machine on her. He had warned her that something might happen, but when she seemed mostly the same, considering everything, he figured she was ok. But he didn’t think about potential delayed effects. Kuvira had forgotten; memories had been lost when she was mind controlled, and it was all his fault. 

He was horrified with himself for a moment, but then, a selfish thought came to him. He still loved her, so much, but it was difficult to even think about her when she had inflicted so much pain onto him. Maybe, if she had forgotten the bad parts, they could start anew. Restart their lives together, keep all of their happy memories and get rid of the bad ones. A worse thought came to him when he realized that even if she currently remembered the bad parts of their relationship, he could put her in the chair again, lie, and say he needed help for something unrelated, and try to select just those memories to erase. He realized too, that maybe he could do it to himself. All the pain gone; just them together. Shaking himself from the thoughts, he nodded at Kuvira, and left, back to his own room. 

In the humdrum of technically being under arrest, Baatar had plenty of time to talk himself out of his plan. It was terrible, a terrible thing to do, to think of. It was manipulative, and the relationship would all be a lie. But he was in so much pain. And so was she, he could sense it. 

Even after weeks, months, of thinking on the morals of the situation, he could not talk himself out of it. Maybe that made him a terrible person. Maybe he didn’t care. He didn’t care about anything besides Kuvira. 

He set the plan into motion. He recalibrated the machine, figured out how to help Kuvira forget all of the bad memories, and then how to do it on himself afterwards. He asked her for help, as a guise, for a made up project. She said yes. She sat down in the chair, helmet on, sat so peacefully, so unaware. Baatar started to silently cry as he pressed buttons, finalizing the settings to erase all of the bad memories. Maybe what he was doing was good; how could it be a terrible thing to alleviate her pain? That’s what he told himself as he looked at the woman he loved, her whole self for the last time. He wiped his tears. He wouldn’t have them anymore, neither would she, after they both forgot. 

“I’m sorry, Kuvira,” he said to her. 

He pressed the button. She opened her eyes once more, with a smile at her love. Now they could be together with no pain. Now they could all be a family, not just them, but with mother and father, and all of the Beifong kids. Now, they could get married, forget the pain and move on. Be happy. 

#baavira #baaviraweek #baaviraweek2022 #baatar #kuvira #baatarjr #suyinbeifong #subeifong #earthempire #ruinsoftheempire

[legendtron]

Gorgeous writing. House arrest Baavira is amazing!

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Avatar: Legend of Korra Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Baatar Jr./Kuvira (Avatar) Characters: Baatar Jr. (Avatar), Kuvira (Avatar), Suyin Beifong Additional Tags: Romance, Feels, Falling In Love, Touching, Implied Sexual Content Summary:

Even in house arrest, Baatar and Kuvira still have each other to lean on to, and find tranquility when they are closest together.

Written for Day 3: Touch - Baavira Week 2022

#baavirahooray

[legendtron]

Baavira week 2022: Touch

“A single touch”

Kuvira is hardworking and determined but sometimes it gets too much. She’ll be hard on herself whenever she doesn’t get the job done and would refuse to take a break.

@baaviraweek

It was very late and Kuvira was still up. There was a lot to be done and she would be asleep right now if it wasn’t for what that morning. The governor of this small town agreed to Kuvira’s term about handing command over their small town to her. Her troops started their work and gave supplies to locals. She then noticed a part of the town that was deserted. She knew it was a small town but it was strangely empty there. It didn’t feel right and she started waking in that direction, Baatar tagged along because he also had the feeling that it was strange and also he didn’t want her to go alone. Kuvira walked ahead with Baatar following behind. Suddenly they were under attack. Bandits. She was quick to act though. She could see one of bandits tried to attack Baatar, she saved him then.

Black.

She woke up in a tent. The nurse told her to lay back down someone was sneaky enough to hit her in the head with hard ice. The bandit was a waterbender she presumed that was a very skilled shot and a cheap one. But she didn’t care about herself there was only one thing that’s worrying her.

“Baatar is he ok?”

“He is fine, he is the one that brought you here. You saved him but because of that the bandit got the upper hand and saw their chance to hit you, you got knocked out. “

She sighed in relief

Her troops managed to capture the bandits and they were different kinds of benders, with non-benders and even an air bender. Must have got that from harmonic convergence. Bad timing that a thief got air bending. Kuvira’s head hurt like crazy but she needed to get some work done. She was still determined to follow through today’s agenda. Baatar kept trying to tell her to take a break, she is always so hard on herself. But she didn’t listen.

Well now it was late at night and she is still up. The room felt dark to her even though the lights were on. She was sweating uncontrollably, ears ringing, heart beating fast, hands shaky, eyes tried very hard to see right, and her head still hurts. She only drinks a cup of coffee on her night shifts when guarding Zaofu but that night she finished atleast 3 cups and it wasn’t working fully. The caffeine only made her feel anxious about not finishing work. She was overworking late at night. Then suddenly she felt a hand touch her shoulder

“Hey are you ok” said Baatar

Feeling that touch and hearing his sweet voice made her feel calm again. She leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes.

“…..noo”

Normal she would lie and say “I’m alright thanks” but she was very tired. Baatar made her feel calm. She didn’t know what she’d do without him. She knew she chose the right person to be her fiancé. Because she was calm again she was able to think clearly again. She got up from where she was siting and held Baatar’s hand.

“Where are we going?”

“I’m going to sleep”

Baatar is surprised usually he has to convince her that she needs a break or drag her to bed because she refused to sleep. Well as soon as Kuvira has cuddling Baatar she fell asleep in his arms. They slept peacefully that night cuddling each other.

#baavirahooray

[legendtron]

#BAAVIRAWEEK Day 3

TOUCH ❤️🔥

It was only matter of time when this happens in the house arrest 🤭 @baaviraweek

#baavirahooray

[legendtron]

Baavira week- Day 3: Touch

#baavirahooray