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nathanielbuildsatesseract · 2 years

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Too Brave For Your Own Good

Kainora Week, Day 2

This story takes place in my Battlestar Galactica AU.

For some reason, everyone insisted he was in shock.

Okay, so maybe he had almost thrown up in his suit after he lost control of the Viper, and maybe he had thrown up once the crew of the SAR Raptor had gotten him safely out the cockpit and into the recovery bird. He’d felt fine immediately afterwards. Nonetheless, they’d thrown a blanket around him as soon as they’d pulled his flight suit off, and he was still wearing it now as Commander Beifong and Captain Anthros personally debriefed them on the hangar deck.

“This is where you found him?” Beifong asked the SAR pilot.

“Yes, sir,” said the Lieutenant. “He’d drifted quite a way in the fight.”

“Was she maneuvering when you lost visual?”

“I think so,” said Kai. He wracked his memory for exactly when he’d last seen it. There had been other things on his mind at the time. “Yes, yes sir.”

“So she survived the initial hits. She could still be alive,” said the SAR pilot.

“She is alive, Lieutenant, and we’re gonna find her.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Get this man to sick bay,” said Beifong.

Captain Anthros lingered for a moment as the Commander walked away. He pulled the Viper Pilot’s Wing from his uniform and pinned them on Kai’s tanks. “I think you earned those today.”

---

“Typical pilot; more guts than brains,” the doctor groused as he finished poking and prodding at Kai’s head and torso. “You’ll probably be fine, but I’m keeping you overnight for observation. Take some of these and park your ass over there.”

The hospital bed was somehow even less comfortable than his rack, and sickbay was an even less peaceful environment than the duty locker. It felt like an hour passed while he replayed losing the Viper in his mind, only to look at the at the clock and realize it had been closer to five minutes.

Before long, either boredom or whatever was in the pills was making him groggy, and he decided to settle in for some shut-eye.

“What the hells did you think you were doing out there!”

Kai blinked back to full consciousness. “Hey, Jinor—”

“You have one, one frakking day of ACM and you try to get yourself killed taking on a dozen Raiders? It’s a godsdamn miracle you didn’t die and take your Viper with you!”

“I—”

Jinora wasn’t done. “When your CO says run, you run, because this isn’t a frakking daycare! Our job is to kill Cylons and having some nugget in the way doesn’t help! Korra’s a godsdamn moron for trying, but you? Sticking your ass in the line of fire instead of waiting for the alert fighters? You’ll be on double deck duty till we get to Earth as soon as you’re up from that…bed.”

Jinora took a deep breath, then asked, “Are you going to be alright?”

“Doc says it’s just a little shock. I’ll be fine, back on the line tomorrow,” said Kai, sincerely hoping that was the right answer. “How’s Avatar? Did they find her yet?”

“Not yet. We think she went down on the gassy moon; I’m leaving to search with Catowl and Plinker in—” Jinora glanced at the clock “—frak, five minutes. Listen, you rest up, and we’ll talk tomorrow when you’re back on the flight line.”

Kai nodded. “Okay. And—sorry for losing the Viper.”

“Oh, it’s not lost—Mako did a worse number on that bird back at Xie Bao. Chief’ll have you patching it up first thing. They’re made for pilots too brave for their own good. Just…promise to finish training, before running in to save a comrade like that again?”

Before Kai could promise, almost too fast to notice, Jinora kissed him.

Face ablaze, Jinora bolted from sick bay, throwing an “I’ll see you tomorrow!” over her shoulder on the way out.

Kai lay for a moment, processing just what had happened. Maybe being in sick bay wasn’t so bad, after all.

#kainora week 2022 #honestly this ended up working out better for day one and that should have been my day two story #alas #nathaniel writes fanfiction

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khopesstuff · 2 years

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FUCK YEAH KAINOEA WEEK

Cover art: Made by me 😊😊

#jinora #kainora #kai #lok #tlok #kainora fanfiction #legend of korra #on pointe #atla #kainora week 2022

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cranberry-drumstick · 6 months

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Introducing the Republic City Sky Bison(s)'s star bender....... and his biggest fan :3

Another @kainora-week 2022 entry. Probender au!!

#kainora #kainoraweek2022 #tlok

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nautiscarader · 1 year

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Mabifica, Kainora, Phinebella

Sex Marathon, Adrenaline, Collar/Pet

Mabcifica - collar/pet

Pacifica felt at home with leash in her one hand and a riding crop in the other. And the fact that Mabel was on the other end, only made it sweeter. Sweeter for her, though, as mistress' Paz first order was for her to lick her up, and she realised soon ho faithful her pet was, even allowing her to climb her... which proved to be a fatal mistake, as Mabel escaped her mistress's collar and tossed her cute dress, revealing a strap-on underneath, which will quickly turn Pacifica into Mabel's bitch...

Kainora - sex marathon

Kai didn't know what was more impressive - that his girlfriend,the airbending master, was able to moan depravities so lewd while furiously riding his cock, or that he was able to keep up with her hunger, having orgasmed at least three times. But that is what combination of abstinence and teenage hormones would do,as the young couple enjoyed their first time alone in quite some time. It was Jinora's time to be surprised next, when Kai flipped her to her back, asserting more dominant pose as he pounded her pussy, with intention to send the weeks' worth of pent-up cum into her womb. And the usually cautious Jinora gave into the frenzy,wondering how many times will she cry his name again this afternoon.

Phinabella - adrenaline

Phineas was afraid one of their friends might see them running away - but as soon as Isabella's lips met his,all of his worries were gone. She was hungry and insatiable, her heart still beating wildly after their capsule felt from the orbit. In principle she knew there was nothing to worry about - they used Fireside Girls patented parachutes - but she couldn't betray her instincts - what if it was their last time together...? she wanted to jump Phineas back then, in front of everyone and do it to cement their love. But now they were on Earth,there was nothing to worry, as Isabella tore his shorts and impaled herself on his cock. Of course, there was one thing the two horny youngsters should be worrying about,as Phineas shot load after load into Isabella's waiting womb, but in the heatof the moment,neither of them cared.

#kainora #phinabella #mabcifica #lemon #aged-up characters and all that #nautiscaraderfics

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zukkaoru · 2 years

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🌼 always there to brush your hair

“My dad will have to cut off all my hair.” It’s a silly thing to worry about when two days ago, Jinora’s dad and his siblings and Korra all nearly died. But it’s always been a lingering fear in the back of her mind. She wants the tattoos, and she’s ready for them - she knows she is. But that doesn’t erase the uneasy twist in her stomach at the idea of her hair being gone. “He will,” Kai acknowledges, “but it’ll totally be worth it when you see how awesome you look with those tattoos!” He pushes himself off the wall and walks over to Jinora, coming to a stop behind her. “Besides,” he says, “it’s just hair. It’ll grow back, if you want it to.”

or: the intersection of hair & growth

🌼 a late fic for @kainora-week day 7: hair 🌼 3.7k words || rated g

#kainoraweek2022 #i didn't see a cut off date for late submissions so hopefully this is still okay sdkhksjg #i wanted to finish it regardless though bc nonbinary jinora!!! and also trans kai showed up #i didn't even try. partway through the fic he was just like btw i'm trans and i was like. alright cool #ANYWAY i hope you all enjoy #kainora #tlok #kai #jinora #jinora x kai #the legend of korra #avatar: the legend of korra #atlok #a:tlok #ikki #grace's writing tag #also i am now one (1) tlok fic away from having the same number of tlok & 0uat fics posted on ao3 #and two tlok fics away from it overtaking 0uat 🥳#we are getting closer and closer to the day when 0uat is no longer in my top five.....

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atlaevents · 2 years

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September 2022

Atla gen week (August 28 - September 3)

Urzai week(September 12-17)

Avatar sapphic week (September 19-25)

Zutara week (September 18-24)

October 2022

Kainora week (October 3-10)

Zutara mythical creatures week (October23-29)

Mai week (October 3-7)

Avatar huntober (October 1-31)

Baatar jr week (October 1-8)

Long events:

Kataang 100 Word Challenge - Every Week

ATLA Prompt Rumble

Sokkla Saturdays

—-

Please Send Me The Events The aim is to keep track of ATLA related events on Tumblr. If you see an ATLA & LOK related event (fest, challenge, ship-week etc.) is not here, please send them and I’ll add. This list will be reblogged with changes. For a wider range of events such as fanzines, shipweeks outside of Tumblr and so much more, check out @atlafandombulletin (not mine).

You can also send events to @fixationsbigandsmall

#monthly reblog

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orangepanic · 1 year

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New Fic: Tis the Sea Sun for Love

Bring on the holiday cheer! This tropey af Hallmark Christmas special AU is exactly as vapid and delightful as it sounds. Or at least, I'm having a ton of fun writing it.

Title: Tis the Sea Sun for Love

Relationships: Iroh II/Asami Sato, background Pemzin, Kainora, and Makorra

Summary: Asami Sato quits her job at a prestigious but sexist Chicago engineering firm the week before Christmas. With no job, no family, and no holiday plans, she grabs a last minute deal to the tiny beach town of Pearlside, Hawaii. There she encounters a handsome veteran who's struggling bookstore is part of his own attempt to start over. When romance sparks between the stacks, Asami must decide between her big city career and the family she never imagined.

Rating: G

#hallmark christmas fanfic #holiday fanfiction #irosami #iroh ii #asami sato #tlok

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kainora-week · 2 years

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Miss us? Kainora Week is back for 2022!🧡💛

We are happy to announce that PROMPT VOTING is officially open! Please take the linked survey and select 7 prompts you would like to see used.

Kainora Week 2022 timeline:

Now - July 25: voting period for prompts

August 1: final prompt list will be posted (time to start creating your awesome fan works!)

October 3-10: Kainora Week!

edit by @cranberry-drumstick & @hipster-rapunzel

kainora discord | kainora blog | rules | AO3 collection

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kiyomari · 2 years

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A Leaf in the Wind

Ladies and gentlemen! I'm coming to you live from Republic City's Pro-bending Arena, where tonight the best in the world continue their quest for a spot in the finals. Grab your snacks and grab your kids because this next match is gonna be a doozy!

──────✧──────

Airbenders have been integrated into probending, but are often considered to be the weakest team member. Jinora, who has mastered many techniques and done pro-bending sparring with Korra, seeks to prove the world wrong. Her upstart team, the Wulong Forest Winged Lemurs, have shaken the pro-bending world as both a new team and one with an extremely strong airbender. If they can just win this match against crowd favorite, the Zaofu Shirshus, they’ll be in the finals! However, all of Jinora’s teammates have been knocked out, and she’s the last one standing…

Forever grateful to @hipster-rapunzel and Gner0 💕

Extra lore/headcanons:

Kai saves the newspaper article

He also starts going to her fan events and public appearances (even after he starts pro-bending himself he still goes when he can, but incognito)

After this, it becomes common for pro-bending hopefuls to do 1-2 years in the Air Nation Peace Corps as part of their early training. Some even take up hybrid schedules- working with the ANPC in the off-season or being available for local short-range missions.

Kai sneaks/cons his way into the stadium for the finals

He ofc couldn't get a good seat, but actually ended up sitting next to incognito Korra who came to watch her protege’s match (she has to sit at the back because she is very loud and also a very public figure)

When Korra trained her, Korra would just use all the elements. (Even later when they brought in more people for full practice matches haha)

Jinora's signature moves:

Using small blasts of air for momentum

Both to recover balance

And gain more height, often springing off of a teammates hands/step up

Shockwave when coming down

Dead stop earth disks

About the Zaofu Shirshus:

Zeng Jie is nonbinary :)

Ryeo Sung- Sung means ‘one on the verge of winning’ (I was messing with a name generator and when it gave me that definition for "Sung" I knew I had to fit it into the name of the last opponent standing 😂)

#kainora week 2022 #kainora week #day 3 pro-bending au #bullet fic #the real fic is on ao3 #but the bonus headcanons spilled over here in bullet fic format #kiyo writes #kiyo does stuff

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hipster-rapunzel · 2 years

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Kainora Week Day 1: Vigilante Kai x Master Jinora

Would You Run?

Rated: Teen and Up Audiences

Genres: Action/Adventure, Romance

Status: Incomplete

Word Count: 1514

Jinora has had her tattoos since she was fourteen, but thanks to her dad's overprotectiveness, she hasn't been able to do much in the ways of helping the Air Nation. Now that she's eighteen, her dad has assigned her on her first real mission: to capture an airbending vigilante who has been harassing the Earth Kingdom for years. Perfectionist to a T and wanting to impress her dad, she goes into the mission with unstoppable determination, only to find out things aren't quite what they seem.

AU where Zaheer never gets airbending and Kai is a vigilante.

READ HERE

Special thanks to my beta reader @kiyomari

@kainora-week

#kainora #kainora week 2022 #fanfic #avatar the last airbender #legend of korra #tlok #fanfiction #jinora #kai #atla #tlok kai

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misterewrites · 2 years

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Oh Kai, Where Art Thou? (Legend of Korra)

Hey It's E back with a very special oneshot for the one, the only, the amazingly awesome and sweet and lovely @hipster-rapunzel! HAPPY BIRTHDAY SORRY IT'S LATE EVERYONE WANTED TO GIVE ME DRAMA! I hope you enjoy it and had a great birthday!

I hope you are all safe. Take care of yourselves, of you loved ones, stay safe, wear a mask, get vaccinated if you can cuz it's still not fucking over, boosters, push for global vaccinations worldwide cuz we are all in this together. Wash you hands, stay informed and it's okay to disconnect from the whole...*gestures to the world* There's no shame in it and i get it. It's a lot. Just one step at a time and take your solace in the little things in life. Try to enjoy what you can and dont let anyone try to guilt you for it.

That's it for me! I have no idea what's next on the list but we'll find out soon! have a good one, be safe, have a great week! and hey nat has some awesome stories for the owl house and more kainora on her ao3 right here https://archiveofourown.org/users/nat_bug/works so maybe give her a look? You'll enjoy it! E is out, bye!

Here’s the gift over at the much more user friendly https://archiveofourown.org/works/40713990

And look the rest of my work which ranges from Arcane to the Owl House, some original work and hey look Soul Eater! Among many more! and you can find them all right here https://archiveofourown.org/users/MrE42/pseuds/MrE42

And please mind your head and arms as you disembark past the keep reading sign

Summary: It's Kai's and Jinora's first anniversary and Kai is nowhere to be seen. The normally calm and collected Jinora is a little angsty about her missing boyfriend and her nerves worsen when she asks "Have you seen Kai?" only for no one to have an answer for her.

-----

“Have you seen Kai?”

Jinora hated how many times she failed to get an answer to her question but given that her boyfriend vanished into thin air and she had gotten no closer to finding him, she had little choice but try.

The first person she asked, of course, was her father. As a fellow airbending master he was in charge of the daily training exercises of all the airbenders and liked to keep a close eye on Kai. For no particular reason of course, certainly not because Kai currently in a relationship with his daughter.

Normally his iron grip was an inconvenience at best but for once in her life it was going to be helpful and she couldn’t be more grateful for....

“I haven’t seen him Jinora.” Tenzin answered with a terse edge to his voice.

Or not.

Jinora raised a questioning eyebrow “You haven’t seen him?”

“That’s right.” he replied dully.

She did not believe him.

“I don’t believe you.” Jinora admitted, unable to keep the suspicion out of her voice.

Tenzin let out a tired sigh “Despite what you may think Jinora I don’t actually keep track of every students every movement.”

“You don’t?” Jinora repeated quizzically.

“You don’t?!” Ikki let out a dramatic gasp as she popped from the large planter she had snuck into.

Meelo slid into view, eyes narrowed with disbelief “That’s exactly what you would say if you were watching us!”

“No Meelo.”

“Oh.” he looked taken aback, clearly not expecting that response “Okay!”

Tenzin rubbed his goatee thoughtfully “While I do keep an occasional eye out for the less….inattentive among us.”

In unison the family turned their heads towards Bumi who was currently shoving an absurd amount of food into his maw while several air nomads cheered him on.

“I do try to respect the boundaries and privacy of everyone under my tutelage.” Tenzin continued, doing his best to ignore his older brother “For better or worse."

Jinora threw one last raised eyebrow for good measure but her father did not budge. Either he truly did not know where Kai was or he wasn’t telling.

“Okay dad. If you say so.”

Tenzin gave a polite bow “Now if you excuse I need to stop your uncle’s antics before he hurts himself”

“Toooooo late.” Meelo gestured to to the table where a once triumphant Bumi was now madly grasping the air as he struggled to breath.

“Bumi! What did mother tell you about playing with your food?!”

Jinora frowned unhappily as her father hurried to his brother’s side.

Well her dad was no help, maybe Ikki …

“No.” Ikki’s simple answer cut off Jinora’s train of thought.

Jinora stared blankly at her sister, unsure what she meant “No?”

Ikki shook her head “I don’t know where Kai is. Like mom said he was up suuuuuper early today and I was going to spy on him because that’s not normal but then I noticed my tunic had this loose thread and I kept thinking when did that happen because it wasn’t there yesterday so I kinda kept trying to pull it out but it kept getting longer and longer and then I saw you walking over to dad with your determined face, you know the one where your eyes get all scrunched and you take really big steps, so I climbed into this pot and now we’re here. So no. Haven’t seen Kai.”

Jinora opened her mouth when Meelo chimed in with a “I haven’t seen him either.”

She turned to him.

“What?” Meelo pouted, crossing his arms “I might’ve have seen him!”

“But you just said you didn’t.”

“True but I could’ve!” Meeloe nodded as if he had said something profound.

So both her siblings were utterly useless but Ikki mentioned mom saw him. Maybe she could have the answers.

-----

“Sorry sweetie.” Pema gave an apologetic smile as she hurriedly raced back and forth with an arm full of clothes “I did see him leave but then Ronin started crying and Ikki kept pulling at her clothes and Meelo tried to hold his breath for a long time. By the time I got everyone sorted out Kai was gone.”

“Oh.” Jinora sighed as she felt a heavy weight tug at her heartstrings.

“Is everything okay? You don’t usually mind when he pulls one of his disappearing acts. He’s been doing it more often these last few weeks.”

Jinora frowned, unsure if she could really tell her mother why this was bothering her so much “You promise not to tell dad?”

Pema nodded, realizing at once what today was “It’s your first anniversary isn’t it?”

“How did you know?!” Jinora could feel her ears burning at her mother’s Chesire grin.

“I am more than your mom.” Pema beamed proudly “Besides the fact you don’t want your father to know is all the answer I need. I won’t say anything to him.” she quickly added.

“It’s just we promised to do something special today.” Jinora admitted with a hushed whisper “And I was expecting to spend the whole day with him but he’s gone and no one seems to know where he went. Not even dad!”

Pema couldn’t keep the surprise off her face “Really?”

Jinora gave a quick nod “You don’t think he forget?”

“Well.” Her mother pursed her lips thoughtfully “Kai may not have been the most straight and narrow boy but I doubt he’d forget something as important as your anniversary. I’m sure he has a good reason.”

Jinora was not convinced “Thanks mom. I’m sure you’re right.”

Pema gave her little girl a knowing glance but remained silent.

So none of her family knew and unless Ronin’s first words were “Gah gah Kai is over there!” she was out of leads. She could ask the other air nomads but she doubt Kai shared any of details for whatever he had plan. All she could do now was wait for him to show up and hopefully had a good enough reason to pacify her rage.

-----

It was about midday when Kai mysteriously reappeared from his mysterious endeavor. Despite how overjoyed she was to see him, she still mange to throw him the dirtiest glare she could muster.

“Hi!” Kai grinned his cocky grin she hated (loved) “Been waiting long?”

Jinora remained silent as she tried to will her blush away.

“I know.” He went on, well aware how much trouble he possibly was in “It’s our first anniversary and I promised to spend all day with you.”

Jinora raised an eyebrow.

“Buuuut if I did, I couldn’t have gotten you this!”

Jinora’s eyes softened as Kai produced a tiny sculpted figure of a familiar face hidden behind his back.

“Grandpa Aang?!” she could feel the tears began to form as she gingerly took the gift from his hands. It was made of wood and expertly crafted to form the spitting image of her grandfather. Each detail of the figure was perfect: His arrows were straight and perfectly aligned, his face serious with the barest hint of a smile forming as a curved lip. Mini Aang clasped his hands in a polite manner while the wood that formed his robes rippled with life-like creases.

Kai smiled with barely contained pride “I found it a few months ago when I was looking an anniversary gift for you. I remember you said you always wished you had something of your grandpa so I figured what could be better than your grandpa!”

“Kai.” Jinora whispered softly before a thought suddenly occurred to her “Wait. How could you afford this? Something like this must’ve costed an arm and a leg.”

“Well…” Kai twiddled his fingers guiltily “You know what they say about old habits?”

“Kai!” Jinora was not proud how pitchy her voice got when she yelled but she couldn’t help it “tell me you didn’t steal this! Wait, have you been pick pocketing again!? Kai if my dad finds out…”

Jinora was utterly confused when her boyfriend chuckled like a madman, clutching his stomach tightly while he wiped the tears from his eyes.

“Jinora please!” Kai grinned widely “I might’vecome up with some poor choices in my life but even I’m not stupid enough to make your dad angry. Or worse, you.”

She let out a tense sigh “You are the literal worst.”

Kai clutched his chest as if she struck him “I’m the worst? Fine! Give grandpappy Aang back!”

He reached for the figure but Jinora childishly held it close “No! This is my gift!”

“No no no.” Kai tugged at her playfully “You said I’m the worst so I’m going to be the worst. Grandpappy Aang wants to come with me. Right Grandpappy?”

“Right!” Kai’s mock Aang voice replied.

“See? He likes me better!”

“Liar! He loves me the most!”

“Then take it back!”

“Never!”

Kai gave a sinister smirk as he flexed his hands threateningly.

Jinora let out a gasp, gesturing at her boyfriend with a finger “Don’t you dare!”

Kai crept closer “You’re being a brat.”

“Kai I’m warning you!”

“and you know what happens to brats.”

“Kaaaaai!”

“They. Get.” he paused dramatically before throwing himself ontop of his girlfriend, wrapping her in a tight hug and kissing her cheek lovingly “kissed!”

Jinora could feel her heart thundering in her chest, her cheeks burning brighter than the sun as people began to slow down and take notice of the couple “Kai stop! Stop! I surrender! KAI!”

Kai smirked mischievously as he carefully put his girlfriend down but didn’t break his hold on her “What was that? You’re the best boyfriend ever Kai? Why thank you Jinora! I try.”

Jinora buried her face into his shoulder and began sobbing loudly.

“Oh no!” panic set in as guilt began to tug at Kai’s resolve “Jinora I’m sorry! I was just joking I didn’t think…”

He pulled away to the sight of his girlfriend smiling victoriously.

“And now.” her smile widened “We’re even.”

Kai tried to muster the angriest glare he could muster but the closest he got was a dumbfounded stare “Oh you’re the worst.”

“Even?” Jinora smiled innocently.

“Even.” Kai crumbled at once, his hand slipping into hers “Ready to be stuck with me for the rest of the day?”

Jinora nodded excitedly “Of course! But honestly, how did you afford this?”

Kai cleared his throat, his ears burning a bright pink “It’s not important.”

Jinora shot him a pointed stare.

“Well.” He rubbed the back of his neck nervously “You know how I’ve been off island once in a while these last few weeks.”

“Yeah. What about it?”

Kai cleared his throat “I made a deal with the woodcarver. I’d help him around his shop and he’d give me the figure. Today was the last day and I went early so I could spend the rest of today with you.”

“Kai.” Jinora beamed with joy and so overwhelmed by happiness she couldn’t help but lean in and give him the biggest kiss.

“Whoa.” Kai muttered, unsteadily swaying on his feet as Jinora pulled away “I guess you liked your gift.”

“Loved it.” Jinora corrected “Thank you Kai.”

“Anything for you Jinora.”

And hand in hand, the two set off to enjoy the rest of their day together.

#Legend of Korra #Kai #Jinora #Kainoira #Gift

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nathanielbuildsatesseract · 2 years

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Pyramid

Kainora Week, Day 3

This story is set in my Battlestar Galactica AU, several weeks after the Day 2 story. Pyramid is a sport in the BSG universe that I’m going to pretend has rules vaguely similar to pro-bending for the sake of storytelling. Content note for adult tobacco use typical of BSG (which might explain why the Twelve Colonies have FTL and sentient AI but no cure for cancer).

“Are you telling me no one here knows how to play pyramid?” asked Mako, agitation finally boiling over.

When word had gone round that the Quartermaster was organizing a pyramid tournament, it had seemed like the pilots would be a clear contender. Unfortunately, Korra was still stuck in sick bay with a busted knee from her downed airman adventure, and Mako was having a hard time coming up with a suitable replacement.

Jinora had been listening as Mako one-by-one propositioned the various pilots coming in and out of the rec room while she worked on a post-flight report. Normally she would have done it in the duty locker or ready room, but if Chief Sato had said she let the nuggets off Viper maintenance early, and if she’d heard one particular nugget mention he was going to the rec room, and if she’d happened to sit next to said particular nugget—well, that was between her and the gods, thank you very much.

Mako dropped into one of the battered plastic chairs and groaned. “I knew we’d never beat the knuckle-draggers, but I was hoping we’d be able to beat the cooks.”

“C’mon, Mako, I’m sure we’ll do fine,” Bolin attempted to console his teammate.

“Without a third player?”

“I’ll do it.”

Jinora’s head snapped to the voice by her side. “What?” said half the room.

“I played some street ball back in the day,” said Kai. “I remember…some of it.”

Mako took a deep breath. “Well, that’s better than nothing. Okay, sure. Welcome to the new-if-not-necessarily-improved Fire Ferrets, Lefty.”

---

Kai soon regretted the decision, spending basically all his off-duty waking hours (of which there were precious few) in one of the hangar bays serving as makeshift pyramid courts. He said as much before crashing into his rack after his third training session with Mako and Bolin.

“Your pain is my gain,” said Jinora quietly.

“What?” Kai mumbled through the pillow.

“Nothing.”

Okay, so maybe she had snuck down with Opal and watched them practice. And maybe she’d swapped CAPs with Fruitcake to avoid missing one of their practices. And if she had, so what?

As the tournament approached, she could drop the pretense, as more and more of the pilots made a point of watching (though it cost her an overnight double-CAP from Beaks). If there was one thing Colonial officers and enlistees alike enjoyed, it was gambling, and there were a lot of cubits flying around on tournament wagers. Everyone wanted to get the latest updates on the squad, and give what advice they could. Korra even wobbled down on her crutches and appointed herself Kai’s personal coach, critiquing his form and teaching him a lot of things he hadn’t known were fouls.

---

To call it a locker room was generous, really a tool closet that was mostly being used for long-term storage. Mako’s official policy on game day access was “wingmen and copilots only”, but Gonzo was nowhere to be seen so Opal was able to slip in as Bolin’s emotional support instead. Korra had made sure they stayed out of the way for final suit-up and prep.

“First match, you’re up against the snipes,” the self-appointed coach said from her spot the room’s only chair. She somehow made the hard black plastic feel like a throne. “That’s good, means Asami will be rooting for you this round. After that, all bets are off. Winner goes up against winner of the gunners-versus-cooks match.”

“Cross that bridge when we come to it,” said Mako. “Alright, everybody ready?”

Kai groaned. Nobody could blame him for being terrified. That didn’t seem to do anything for the terror.

“Nothing like going up against the Cylons,” said Jinora. “You’ll come out in one piece—probably.” She stole his cigarette, gave him a good-luck kiss, and steered him towards the door. “C’mon, time to show the crew what you’ve got.”

Major Shinobi was playing commentator, hyping up the crowd. Mako and Bolin headed out the instant he called their names, but Kai lingered just long enough for Jinora to give him a push.

And if she had opted for an underhand swat, and if she had aimed right for Kai’s behind, and if it had been perhaps a little harder than it needed to be—that was really no one else’s business, now was it?

#kainora week 2022 #nathaniel writes fanfiction

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