it's locked, stupid: book two

ch. 2

Five months ago, flashback

"Tera, you are being ridiculous!" I shout from across the apartment Tera rented out for herself.

"It's ridiculous to think that my girlfriend might be cheating on me with the girl she used to love!"

"Yes, Tera! You're being completely insane! I can't deal with you. I'm going home."

"Yeah. Home to Korra."

"Fine you wanna play that game. What about all the times you went on dates with suitors?"

"That my mom set me up with and I had no romantically feelings for? Yeah, totally the same thing."

"How many times do I have to tell you I don't love her? How long do I have to say the same thing to you? Another week? Month? Year? The rest of my damn life!"

"Maybe!"

"I understand why you were so persistent about a month ago, but now. It's like you're just waiting and begging for me to leave. I'm tired of this, Tera. Get over yourself." I grab my things and head for the door.

"Jay-"

"Don't." I slam the door behind me and start my journey home. I walk by the arena and decide to go in, knowing Bolin will be in there. "Bo!" I yell out to him.

"Locker room!" He yells. I head up into the locker room to find him in his practice gear. "The new owner is letting me use the actual platform for practice today. What's up?"

"Me and Tera fought again."

"Again?"

I sigh. "Yeah. I don't know what is going on with her, but Bo, I'm over it."

"I know. I'm sorry, Jay. You can practice with me if you want. I would say go blow off steam at work, but-"

'"I got fired for dating a woman. I know."

"I'm sorry, Jay. I know things have been tough."

"It's been more than tough."

That wasn't the first big fight of the past six months and it definitely wasn't the last.

Four months ago

"Babe!"

"Tera, I told you not to call me that." I smile as Tera wraps her arms around me from behind.

"I'm sorry. Hi, baby."

"Hi. What's got you so excited?"

"I got reservations to your favorite restaurant!"

"Awe baby. That's so sweet, but you didn't have to do that."

"It's my birthday, Jay."

"Tera, I know it's your birthday, but why do you want to go to my favorite restaurant?"

"I don't know I just wanted to."

"You don't want to spend my birthday dinner with me because you have other plans. Am I right?"

"Oh my spirits, Tera. I can go out. This whole day I have done nothing, but sit here waiting for you to show up like you said you would. A week ago. The last time I saw you."

"I showed up, didn't I?"

"I din't want to fight with you. If you want to go out, lets go out."

"I'm gonna go out. You have fun at home. Later."

"Fine! Go have fun! Maybe I'll just go hang out with Korra cause she talks to me more than you do these days!" I storm off to Korra's room and find her about to jump into bed.

"Hi? I thought you were going to be out tonight."

"Relationships are so hard Korra. I don't want to do it anymore."

"Woah, hey, what happened?" Tears rush out from my eyes. Korra wraps her arms around me. "What's wrong, Jay? Are you and Tera having problems?"

"We are having more than just problems." Korra runs her fingers through my hair and massages my head.

"I'm sorry. Do you want to stay with me in my room tonight. Like old times."

"I want to, but I can't. Our friendship is why we're having problems."

"What?" Korra laughs nervously. "Why is our friendship a problem?"

"It's nothing, she is just assuming that maybe I was in love with you." I say out loud to Korra for the first time.

Her response is laughter. "No way! We could never be anything more  than what we are, and that's friends."

"Yeah." I let go of Korra and wipe my tears away. "I'm gonna go out and walk around the city. I need some alone time."

"I get it. If you get into any trouble just scream, okay?"

"Okay." I walk off and glide into the city for a long, lonely night.

Three months ago

This was the only month me and Tera didn't argue about something Korra related. This month is the month we moved in together at the temple. Things smoothed safely from then on out. A few glances and stares that Tera threw at Korra, but otherwise she was civil. It's been good. The next two months were like that too. Until two weeks before the Glacier Spirit Festival I brought up all of our past fights.

Two weeks ago

I rolled over as the sun shined through my window. I rolled over into Tera's chest and groaned. She softly laughed as she had pulled me closer to me. "Good morning, beautiful."

"No. It's still bed time."

"Sadly, it's not."

"Then can it be fight time so I can just cry myself back to sleep."

"What?"

"I'm kidding."

"Wait, no. What do you mean 'fight time'?"

"When we fight."

"We don't fight that often."

"Actually we do. You constantly talk about how I'm still in love with Korra. Remember on your birthday."

"You cried yourself to sleep?"

"Yeah."

"I'm so sorry. I never intended to-"

"Hurt me." I cut Tera off. "I know."

"How can I make it up to you?'

"Just, trust me when it comes to Korra."

"I promise. I won't doubt you anymore. I love you, Jinpa."

"I love you too, Tera. Now can it be bed time?"

"Nope! Breakfast time!" Tera picks me up and runs out the door with me. I giggle as she takes us to the dining room where my family is eating breakfast.

Present time

"So, Tera," My uncle starts talking, breaking the peaceful silence. "You're dating my niece, huh?"

"Bumi-" I sigh.

"I'm just wondering kid. I'm being protective of my eldest niece."

"It's cute, Jay. Plus I don't mind." Tera defends my uncle.

"Gross." I scoff.

Tera quickly pulls me into her lap and wraps her arm around me in a protective manner. "Ask anything you want, Bumi. Also you need sleep, my love. Jinora and I can take care of Jiri."

"Promise?"

"Pinky promise."

"Okay." I yawn and slowly nod off to sleep in Tera's arm, while Jinora takes my seat to steer Jiri for me.