"This place is more beautiful than I could have ever imagined." Asami's head swiveled from side to side, eyes wide with wonder as she took in the Spirit World around her. Everything was beautiful; nature amplified into something amazing. And the spirits. Every shape and size and color. Of course, she had seen them in Republic City since the portals had been opened, but never in their natural habitat. Never like this.

It was like magic.

And Korra was right by her side.

Since stepping through the portal, they hadn't stopped holding hands. Side by side they had entered, and unspoken, they had decided that side by side they would stay. After everything Korra had been through with Kuvira, trying to save the city and find herself after nearly dying, she needed this peace. Asami did as well after losing her father. Both had experienced great loss and pain and separation, but now they had each other.

"I knew you would like it," the Avatar said, giving Asami's hand a squeeze. Korra hadn't been able to be really close to Asami in years. In fact, she hadn't let herself get close to anyone. But the past was behind them. Only healing now.

"Everything is just so… so peaceful. I mean, I can't believe we just walked into this place after the city got destroyed." It was such a change. From rubble and ruin to beauty and tranquility.

"Feels kind of good to just let go of our responsibilities for a while, huh?"

"Yeah."

They paused at the shore of a small stream. A few spirits played in the water, splashing one another and giggling. One waved at Korra before returning to its play.

"Should be shallow enough to wade through," Korra mused. She slipped off her boots and rolled up the legs of her pants. Asami followed suit, putting hers into the backpack she'd brought. She stepped into the stream, wiggling painted toenails in the clear water.

"It's not cold," she remarked. "I don't know why I thought it would be."

"Everything here seems just right, doesn't it?" Korra picked up both of their bags and slung them over her shoulder. She stepped in as well, pulling Asami along with her as they made their way across. The rocks at the bottom were smooth and a bit slippery, covered in a touch of algae. About halfway across, Korra lost her footing. "Shi-!" She slipped, falling backwards right into Asami's arms. There was a moment of silence as their eyes met before the spirits started to giggle. Korra blushed, quickly righting herself. "Oops."

Asami laughed at her crooked, embarrassed grin and patted her shoulder.

"It's fine. Lucky I was here to catch you." Korra looked at her feet, cheeks dark with her blush as she continued over the stream. Asami was… she was flirting. Right?

It wasn't like they hadn't gotten close. Bonding over breakups with Mako, finding friendship and help in each other. But this was different. Lately, they complimented each other, hugged for longer than normal, they held hands. And now they were on this vacation together. Did Asami actually like her? Like that?

And do I like her back?

"I let Jinora know where we are," Korra babbled as they reached the other side of the stream. "If Tenzin gets worried, she'll tell him what's up and she can always find us here if things get out of hand. Not that I think they will, I mean Mako's going to help bring the citizens back, and Bolin and the Beifongs and Varrick and the other earthbenders are helping rebuild the city. The airbenders are going to keep the peace and try to reunite the Earth Nation with Republic City and fix political stuff and-"

"You don't have to worry about that now," Asami said, gripping Korra's hand tenderly. She met her eyes and smiled. "You've been so stressed lately. That's why we're doing this, so you can relax. So we both can." She paused. "This is still okay, right? We can go back if you want."

"No, no, I'm fine," Korra assured quickly. "I want to be with you, Asami. I mean, I want to be here. With you. I just can't stop saying this- I sound like an idiot, I'm sorry." She sighed and shook her head. "I'm being dumb. Let's keep going."

"Hey, wait." Asami held her in place. "Korra, nothing you say is dumb. It's fine. You've been through so much these past few years. I'll hear anything you have to say: no judgment. Okay?"

Korra swallowed.

"Yeah. Okay."

Had Asami always been that pretty, or was that just the glow of the Spirit World?

They shared a smile and moved in between the trees, their bare feet padding along soft, green grass.

"We should think about setting up camp soon," Asami mused. "Maybe in a clearing or something. Is there even night here?"

"Kind of. It's whatever we need it to be. Things here change when we need them to. So if we want to sleep, we just need to find someplace peaceful and wait." Korra shrugged lightly. "You getting tired already?"

"Well, we have been walking for a while," Asami argued good-naturedly. "Not everyone has Avatar-endurance like you." That made Korra laugh.

"Fine, fine. There's a nice spot just up here." And she was telling the truth. Soft grass and moss, a few patches of smooth rock, and surrounded by trees on every side. Above, the sky had turned dark and red with a sunset.

"Nice might be an understatement," Asami whispered. Korra set down their bags and began to dig out their sleeping mats. No tents needed. It was warm here, and the sky was sure to be beautiful.

"You hungry?" she asked. "Jinora passed on some snacks from Pemma."

"Yes, thank you." Asami sat down on her mat, crossing her legs as Korra did the same across from her as she unwrapped sweet buns and some rice. "Hey, Korra?"

"Yeah?" The Avatar paused, tilting her head to the side.

"Thanks for this."