Author's Note: You know...when I first started watching Legend of Korra, I was on the S.S. Makorra. I really thought they would stick with that (given it was supposed to be 1 season). But having watched the AMAZING finale, I have since abandoned ship and quite happily sailed upwards and onwards with Korrasami. These 2 were amazing, strong, beautiful young women who will shape their own fates, and will face whatever challenges lie ahead together.
So, as a woman of colour (brown skin for the win!) who strongly supports love in all its forms, I will attempt to provide some justice to these ladies!
DISCLAIMER: I wish I owned LoK...so freaking much...
Asami prided herself as being a fast thinker. Give her a math equation, and she would solve it without pen or paper within minutes. Pose an engineering dilemma and she would have a solution for you within days. Aim a punch at her, and you can expect to be knocked onto your ass within seconds.
Yet...now as her girlfriend of 2 and a half years posed her a simple question, Asami's genius-level intellect failed to form even a basic sentence. As she looked up at Korra, for a second Asami felt lost in those gorgeous cerulean eyes. Surely it must be a sin for eyes to be that beautiful and mesmerizing.
No doubt she must have looked like an idiot as Narook's steaming seaweed noodles hovered inches from her open mouth as her chopsticks halted their movement.
"Huh?" the brilliant inventor said stupidly.
Korra chuckled lightly before reaching across the table and wiped the corner of Asami's full red lips. "You're drooling, gorgeous." Asami shook her head. Snap out of it woman! she chided herself as she took a second to wipe her own mouth.
"No I wasn't."
"Uh huh. Sure. Whatever you say," Korra said smugly, her attention going back to her plateful of seaweed and tiger-seal noodles.
Damn that smirk!
"What was your question again?"
"I was asking," Korra paused a second as she took a moment to take a sip of her drink, "why do you have to go down to the South Pole without me?"
Right...of course. She was supposed to give an excuse. The success of this trip was critically dependent on Asami preventing the Avatar from accompanying her. If she wanted her plan to work out then every step needed to be planned without a hitch. And if Asami was anything, she was an exceptionally meticulous planner. She cleared her throat before continuing.
"You know that a few months ago, Future Industries opened their first branch based in the Water Tribe?" Asami asked. Korra nodded in agreement. "Yeah I remember. It was a big opening. The press was all over that. You and I went for that together."
Asami twiddled the chopsticks idly in her noodles as she phrased the next part of her words carefully. "It hasn't been performing as well as I was expecting." Now that part was an actual lie. Their company base over in the pole was actually doing much better than the projections had indicated. But Korra didn't need to know Asami's true intentions. Not yet.
Korra looked up at her in concern as Asami had said that part. "Really? I'm sorry to hear that. I know you had high hopes. Dad said that opening a branch of your shipping division was going to be a boost for the Southern Water Tribe economy. Everyone seemed really excited about it, especially you."
Asami bit her bottom lip to keep it from quivering traitorously. If there was one thing that Asami Sato, engineer, inventor, aviator, and captain of industry failed miserably at, it was lying to the woman she loved. Maybe it was the fact that Korra harboured an almighty spirit of peace and balance that could sense chaos and discourse within the very fabric of the cosmos, but somehow over the few years that they had been together, she had become an expert in reading Asami's emotions. And the master of 4 elements had no trouble at all telling when Asami was hiding something from her. Which made planning surprises for Korra a royal pain in the ass.
"I know right? Which is why, I think as CEO, it's important I go down there to have a look at the books and see what's wrong. And while I'm there, I can sign off on any important changes that need to be made. For all I know, Varrick might be undermining some of my business contracts there. You know he's been itching to get back to the number one position in shipping since Varrick Global Industries lost out after Harmonic Convergence."
Oh well done Asami! Give yourself a pat on the back for that one!
Korra frowned. "I thought Zhu Li kept him from doing anything stupid. But if that's the case, shouldn't I be going with you? You might need some extra muscle. And...you know...it'd be nice to see Mom and Dad...it's been a while." It melted Asami's resolve a little to hear the soft tugging of desire in her girlfriend's voice. Theirs, she knew, was a small but extremely close family. While Korra loved Republic City, and was the world's Avatar, Asami knew that her heart lay with Tonraq and Senna, right in the middle of the Southern Water Tribe she used to call home.
Over the next few minutes, in a carefully planned and rehearsed speech, Asami was able to come up with several reasons to keep Korra remaining in Republic City, ranging from upcoming meetings with Raiko and the Council, to helping Tenzin and Jinora with logistic planning for the continuous aid missions of the Air Nomads. She had so far only told Tenzin, Pema and Jinora about her true intentions of heading South and she needed their support to keep Korra occupied. Or else, all her plans would come apart at the seams. It would only be for 3 weeks, she assured the Avatar. Before Korra knew it, Asami would be back.
It appeared that Asami's persuasion skills had worked their charm, because reluctantly Korra agreed. By then, they had finished their meal at Narook's and were in Asami's sleek, customized satomobile, speeding through the streets back to their shared home at the Sato mansion. "When will you be going?" asked Korra, unable to keep the soft hint of sadness from her tone. It wasn't uncommon for them to go on separate trips. While both women made a genuine effort to plan their travels as a couple, that always wasn't the case. No one could predict when and where in the world the Avatar would be needed, and it wouldn't do for the CEO of one of the world's biggest companies to suddenly leave at a moment's notice, even if sometimes she was required to travel to different places for her business deals as well.
"In a couple of days...I can't put it off for too long."
"How long will you be gone?"
"3 weeks at least. But not longer than 5."
"..."
Asami surreptitiously looked over at her girlfriend when all she heard was silence. Using the hand that had been on the gearshift, she reached across and gave the Avatar's tanned forearm a gentle squeeze. "Sweetie...what's wrong?"
"I...uh..." Korra stumbled with her words, but the hand that Asami grasped gave her a reassuring squeeze. "I didn't realize you'd be gone that long."
"I know. But my experience with such things leads me to think that this is an issue that won't be solved very easily. I want to give myself sufficient time to handle it all while I'm there. I don't want to have to go back again."
Korra gave a smile. "Of course. I completely understand. You're right. This is important for you...it's important for Future Industries. I'm just being selfish." She lifted her lover's pale-skinned hand to her lips and placed a gentle kiss. "Ignore me...I just love having you with me, that's all. Have you spoken to Dad yet to let him know you're coming?"
Asami gave a sign of relief, glad that Korra didn't probe the matter further. "No," she said shaking her head slightly, "I haven't...but let's do that as soon as we get home? While I park the car in the garage, you get the Southern Tribe Palace on the radio, okay?"
"Okay," Korra said, leaning back to relax on the seat.
Great, thought Asami with an inward smile. Phase 1 complete. Time for Phase 2.
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10 days later Asami's personal luxury airship touched down at one of the numerous landing docks not too far from the Southern Water Tribe's beautiful Chieftain's Palace. As the ship's landing steps dropped down, Asami was halfway down the stairs when she noticed Senna, and some other Water Tribe politicians standing close by. Asami couldn't help but smile as her girlfriend's mother stepped forward, arms open wide in greeting, and a warm smile gracing her beautiful face. The chieftain's wife wrapped her arms around the young CEO as Asami hugged her back just as tightly.
"Asami, honey, it's so good to see you! It's been too long."
"I'm sorry Senna. I know Korra and I need to visit more often but things have been so hectic at Repu-"
"Don't worry about that," Senna interrupted good naturedly. She held Asami's hand and led her towards the Palace. Asami politely returned the greeting of the welcoming committee as she allowed Senna to steer her away from the biting cold of the Southern Pole and towards the warmth she knew lay in the palace. "I'm just happy you're here now. I know how busy it can be for the two of you. Korra definitely gets that workaholic nature from her father. Even now Tonraq is in a meeting with the other members of the parliament. He'll be here in time to join us for dinner. Till then, I'm assuming you must be tired? Would you like to rest a bit?"
"I would love that Senna, thank you."
"My pleasure. I'll put in your usual room? I made sure that your fur coats and boots are already in there."
"Sounds perfect," Asami said leaning in to give the older woman a hug around the shoulders.
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A few hours later, after taking in a much needed nap, Asami found herself wrapped in the familiar furs and pelts of the Southern Water Tribe. Unfortunately, despite wearing a state-of-the art Future Industries winter coat, Asami learnt from previous experience that winters in Republic City were nothing compared to the cold at the Southern Pole. She was just lucky it wasn't winter here or else all her careful methodical planning and scheming would have been pushed back a further few months.
Even though Asami had been to the palace enough times to know where the Chieftain's private dining hall lay, she still allowed herself to be led by the palace staff. She chewed on her bottom lip nervously even as her hand drifted into the pocket to gently trace the shape of the object that now lay in her coat pocket. She had driven herself to the edge of anxiety and stress over the last few weeks, thinking how she would say what she came all this way for, imagining numerous scenarios of how this particular conversation would go and how Tonraq and Senna would react to her proposition.
Her train of thought was broken as the palace staff stopped in front of an ornately carved wooden door and opened it. Entering before Asami, he spoke in a clear voice. "Chief Tonraq, Lady Senna. I present Ms. Asami Sato, your esteemed guest."
"Thank you Lohak. You may tell the chef that dinner can be served soon," said Tonraq in his usual smooth deep voice. Lohak bowed respectfully and left closing the door behind him once Asami stepped through. As soon as he left, much like his wife had done earlier, a smile broke across Tonraq's tanned face as he wrapped his daughter's girlfriend in a big warm hug. "Asami! Good to see you again! How have you been? How's Korra?"
Asami, hiding her nervousness expertly for now, answered all of the former general's questions and took a seat with him and his wife on the expensive couches that lay not too far away from dining table. Without being asked, Senna, bless her, poured Asami a cup. As Asami listened to her and Tonraq's idle chitchat, she inhaled the sweet smell of jasmine tea infused with a hint of ginger. Her favourite. It didn't surprise her that Senna now kept a stock of that tea in the palace ever since Asami and Korra had revealed the true nature of their relationship to Korra's parents. Having their support and love and been amazing, and there was nothing Asami had learnt to appreciate more over the last few years than the warmth of this wonderful husband and wife pair.
Alright Asami. This is what you've been planning for 3 months now. All that time. All that energy. It all comes down to this.
"Actually Tonraq," Asami quietly interrupted Tonraq. She laid down her now empty cup of tea and clasped her hands together to keep them from shaking. "I know I said that I came here for business, but that's not really the truth." Now she had both Senna and Tonraq's undivided attention. "Oh?" he said quietly, also putting down his cup of tea, and angling his body so he was now looking straight at the young woman that sat beside him. Asami tried not to swallow nervously as the large, muscular man focused his piercing gaze on her. "Then what's this about? Is everything alright with Korra? Is something the matter?"
"Everything is fine...more than fine actually. Korra and I are happy. Really happy. I just...I...uh.." No. Now was not the time to be tongue tied. It's now or never. Asami took a deep breath, delving into her inner reserves of courage as she spoke in a voice that she prayed wasn't wavering, "Tonraq...Senna. You know your daughter and I have been together since our vacation in the Spirit World. It's been 2 and a half years and we have shared some more adventures and wonderful memories together. These last few years have been some of the best in my life. You..." she took a deep breath looking at the Water Tribe couple that sat before her. "You have no idea how blissful your daughter makes me. I love Korra...body, heart, and soul. She means everything to me. With each passing day, I find myself falling more and more in love with her. She completes me in ways I never thought possible. I can't imagine what my life would have been without her." Without hesitation, Asami took out the small box that she had been carrying around on her person for months and placed it on the table in front of her so that Senna and Tonraq could see the exquisite deep blue jadeite stone she had specifically ordered from the Northern Water Tribe. A gasp of surprise escaped Senna's lips and her hand fluttered to her mouth. "Your daughter means the world to me," Asami continued undeterred. "She's beautiful, smart, kind, selfless, brave, and so much more. I came here because I want to ask your permission before I ask her hand in marriage. I promise I will never hur-"
Tonraq raised a hand to silence her. All the time Asami had been delivering her carefully planned out speech, his face hand remained impassive...unreadable. It made Asami nervous as hell!
His voice was hard. Firm. "You love her?" he said in a tone that left no room for negotiations.
"With all my heart," replied Asami emphatically. Had all these years not proven that?
"You'll take care of her no matter what may happen?"
"Always."
"What would you do to make her happy?" Tonraq asked, the hard edge in his voice not decreasing in the slightest.
"Anything humanly possible. For the rest of my life."
"If you hurt her in any way, I swear to the Spirits, Senna will make sure you pay for it 10 times over."
"Tonraq!" Senna cried out, even as Asami couldn't help but let out a relieved laugh at that statement.
"What? She can't say I didn't warn her!"
Senna shook her head in exasperation at her husband. But when she locked her blue eyes with Asami's green ones she said with a smirk that resembled Korra's so much it almost distracted Asami's thoughts, "He's right, just so you know."
"I wouldn't expect anything less. But I promise you, I will never hurt your daughter. I love her, and I want to spend the rest of my life making her know just that. But, having your approval would mean the world. To both of us," Asami finished, eyes moving between the husband and wife.
Tonraq and Senna turned to look at each other. In a long unbroken gaze, Asami knew they were carrying out a full unspoken conversation that only came with years of being married to someone you loved and trusted. Tonraq raised one eyebrow, still holding his wife's gaze. After getting only the slightest nod from Senna, Tonraq turned his attention back to the young woman who looked like she was facing the wrong end of Kuvira's Spirit cannon.
"Asami," Tonraq said in that deep voice of his, suddenly the biggest smile stretching across his face. "Nothing would give us more pleasure. My wife and I are well aware of how much Korra loves you back. You have both our blessings, now and forever." He and Senna both got up and Tonraq pulled in the young non-bender in a bone-crushing hug.
"You take care of her," he said after breaking the embrace, his large hands clasping Asami's shoulders firmly. "She may be the Avatar, but she's still my baby girl."
Asami laughed, wiping away the happy tears that had somehow sprung uninhibited in her eyes. "Till my last breath." While Senna reached across, tugging her into a tight embrace, Tonraq strode to a nearby phone, and dialled an internal number.
"Lohak? My wife and I have received some wonderful news that deserves celebratory drinks. Bring up that special Fire-nation whiskey Lord Zuko brought during his last visit."
Putting the phone down, a mischievous glint in his eye, he turned to the two women and said in a booming voice, "Now, let's discuss grandkids!"
Boom! Done for chapter 1!
Review? Critique? What did you all think? I look forward to hearing from you! Don't be shy!