The Dragon and the Avatar

Chapter 33: 5 Years Later

Well it's been five years since our battle with Kuvira along with Korra and I's little vacation and let's just say a lot has happened. For starters we finally finished rebuilding the city after just two years (It was hell to do as well.) everyone from all over the world pitched in to help too which we were very grateful for since it was a lot of work. Raiko liked my idea of making the portal a tourist attraction as we made that whole area into a giant park with a small structure around the portal for people to enter (to some extent can't have people getting lost in the Spirit World) we also expanded some more on the outskirts and build one of the tallest apartment complexes in the city, and of course Korra and I got the best room on the top floor as thanks to Raiko as it looks over the rest of the city including the ocean. We've all been doing well as Gajeel, Olivia, and myself joined the military in order to help protect the world and were even assigned a very special squad called the Dragon Force (super dumb but hey I didn't pick it) I was in command of it as well with Olivia and Gajeel being my first and second in command. Our squad consisted of two highly experience Waterbenders who could even rival Olivia named Grey and Juvia. Grey was special for he specializes in Ice which is very useful in it's own ways while Juvia has perfected some of the oldest versions of Waterbending allowing her to throw people off since they haven't seen anything like it before. Then there was Lucy my tactician, she wasn't a bender or anything but that didn't stop her from being part of our team and honestly she keeps us in check almost like a mother. Levy was our messenger and secretly Gajeels crush even when he won't actually admit it, but she helps Lucy keep an eye on us though I catch her staring more at Gajeel than the others. As for the others well Asami is doing well with her company as usual while Mako and Bolin work as partners in the Police force as detectives, I think Opal is more happy about that for Bolin since he's now both helping others while not under the control of a power hungry dictator. Then there's Korra, she's been doing well definitely better than she was before Kuvira as she's finally recovered from that last incident she's been traveling around the world helping people which is something she's always wanted to do so that makes me happy in my book, also her training is finished as she's finally become a renown Dragon Slayer and well she's freaky strong. Anyways enough about that I'm actually on my way back to Republic City now after handling some terrorists near the Fire Nation as I found myself sitting atop my ships observation deck gazing at the stars.

Olivia: "Getting homesick?" I looked back to see Oliva standing there a small book in her hands.

Me: "I guess so I mean it's been six months since we've been back in the city." She smiled sitting down next to me. "Also I'm excited to see Korra again especially since she doesn't know I'm coming back now."

Lucy: "EHHH YOU DIDN'T TELL HER!?!?" I shot up startled to see an angry Lucy and Juvia.

Me: "I uh wanted it to be a surprise plus I um was thinking about adding something in between." I said looking away as they gave me dangerous looks.

Lucy: "And what might that be exactly mister?" I fidgeted around a bit before reaching into my uniform pocket to pull out a long box and I could see them inch a little closer as I opened it revealing a hand carved Water Tribe Betrothal necklace along with two rings. "Are you serious right now?" I rubbed the back of my head cheekily.

Me: "Well um we have been dating for eight years now so I thought maybe it was finally time right?" The girls just stared at me before tackling me into a hug.

Lucy: "You jerk you should've told us sooner."

Juvia: "Lucy's right we could've helped you with wedding preparations." I quickly got up looking at them slightly horrified.

Me: "Um wait we aren't even engaged yet I don't even know if she'll say yes first of all." They both got in my face glaring at me intently.

Juvia: "Oh don't worry she'll say yes and when she does make sure we're the wedding planners got it." I gulped a bit nodding frantically as Gajeel, Grey and Levy walked up behind them.

Gajeel: "Oi did someone say something about a wedding?" The girls turned around excitedly.

Juvia: "Yup Brandon just told us he's going to propose to Korra when he gets back." Their eyes went wide as Levy joined the girls as they squealed a bit in delight. I just groan a bit grabbing my head why Gajeel and Grey pat me on the back.

Grey: "Ah don't mind them they're just happy for you, besides I'm sure you have nothing to worry about." I sunk my head down some more as our ship horn blew meaning we were nearing the city harbor. "Ah home sweet home." I nodded towards Grey smiling at the bright city with a slight trickle of snow as winter finally closed in around us sending a slight chill in the air.

I quickly jumped off the ship saying goodbye to everyone once it docked making my way down the street to my personal garage where my Motorcycle was waiting for me patiently. I smiled throwing my helmet on as I revved the engine a bit warming it up before speeding down the near empty streets. I made sure to stop and pick some flowers up as well from one of the few shops still open at this hour and continued back to my apartment where I noticed our lights were still dark. I smirked at that since that meant Korra wasn't home yet giving me the element of surprise. I parked in the underground garage it had a little farther in the back so Korra wouldn't see it and ran up into the elevator pushing the button for the top floor. The doors opened and I shuffled over to our door pulling my keys out unlocking it making my way inside. I flipped the lightswitch on and proceeded to get to work as I laid out some plates and silverware even lighting a few candles to "set the mood" before making my way into the kitchen to prep dinner. Luckily Korra actually went shopping to get some food so I wasn't making water. I was lost in the moment cooking some Water Tribe noodles that I learned to make thanks to Senna that I barely heard the front door close and a thud behind me, I smirked turning around to see a surprised Korra and I noticed she's let her hair grow out a little as it now reaches just at her shoulders but is still put up into a small ponytail with a few strands hanging down on the sides.

Me: "Hey did you miss me?" She said nothing but instead jumped into my arms kissing me intently.

Korra: "I thought you wouldn't be back for a few more months." I laughed a bit scratching the back of my head.

Me: "Yeah well I may have lied about that I just thought it would be fun to surprise you instead." She pouted punching my arm playfully.

Korra: "You jerk." She laughed as she came up next to me to help with some of the preparations while I finished cooking the food. Once finished we sat down around the table quietly eating and just enjoying each other's company after all this time. "How was your mission?"

Me: "It was good though it still took longer than expected since they put up a pretty good fight but nonetheless we still came out on top." She smiled at that and continued eating. "What about you how was your trip to Ba Sing Sae?" She groaned a bit which meant it was either bad or super boring.

Korra: "I'm just not the type to get into politics." Boring it is then. "But it was good the city has truly changed since they took all the walls down inside the city." I smiled at that and we finished our food. As Korra washed the dishes I prepared for the moment that would hopefully change both of our lives for the better. I sat on the couch looking out to the city when I felt someone put their arms around me. "I missed you a lot you know." I smiled resting my hand atop of hers.

Me: "I missed you too Korra more than you could ever imagine." She giggled kissing my cheek a bit and my heart started to race as I stood up holding her hands in mine. "That's why I have something important to ask you." She looked at me confused as I brought myself down to one knee and she gasped a little as if knowing what was about to happen. "Korra these past few years have been the happiest of my life and I couldn't think of anyone else to spend the rest of my life with so I guess what I'm saying is." I reached in my pocket pulling out the box containing the necklace and two rings opening it up towards her. "Korra will you marry me." Tears flowed down her face as she nodded quickly.

Korra: "Yes of course I'll marry you." I smiled slipping her ring on her finger before picking her up spinning her around kissing her deeply. That's when there was a knock at the door and I stopped setting Korra back down as I slowly made my way to the door confused as to who it could be this late at night and when I opened the door I came face to face with a heavily wounded.

Me: "Igneel?"