Note: This chapter has been edited, as I felt the need to adapt it to my current writing style. Thanks for reading :)
Light swirled upward into the sky, a coiling mass entwined with the stars. Dragon and bird spirits danced like kites, basking in their warmth. Green and yellow streams twisted together; the night, swirled with gold and velvet. The Republic City spirit portal was a sight that would live on for generations; painters and poets, scholars and writers, would tell tales of the light that lit up the night sky.
For Asami, it was a sight that she would never forget. Especially with a person whom she could never forget.
Korra turned, and smiled at her. You ready?
Asami looked at her, and smiled back. I think so.
Sometimes, gestures could speak what words couldn't say.
They stepped into the vine-wrought crater, the massive portal a mere hundred meters away. Asami breathed. Not everyday you got to journey into the Spirit World, rife with unknown dangers and unpredictable topography. There was no denying the knot that squirmed in her stomach.
But the warm presence beside her...
Asami would go anywhere with it.
She reached for that warmth, and clasped Korra's hand in hers.
As friends long past the divide of romantic tension and physical distance, they walked as one towards the portal.
Asami's mind worked. Did she pack enough food? She didn't expect to be staying too long. Right? What if there was rain? Or snow? Or they ran out of water? Or lost total track of time because this was the Spirit World, and it made absolutely no sense?
Korra's eyes shifted from the portal, to a different kind of beauty beside her, and her heart fluttered.
But she hid a frown. Asami had that look on her face. Couldn't hide it, it was there.
She was thinking.
Dread crystallised, and Korra tried to focus on the portal. Asami was always thinking though.
Another glance.
Crap. She's thinking extra-hard. Spirits, was she too hasty in wanting a vacation? Too obvious that she meant to-
The portal towered, pulsing and bright. Without the other knowing, each woman shook their misgivings away. They both stepped in, bathed in warm light, both hands tightly grasped.
Korra stared at Asami.
Asami stared at Korra.
Two hearts lifted.
In a sensation that words could never explain, they were transported into a different realm.
And greeted by an entirely new world.
"Wow."
"Wow, indeed."
"No, I mean...wow."
It was safe to say that Asami was impressed.
Soft grass stretched an emerald sea. Green, red, and orange played careless tag in the sky, creating colors that would dazzle even the most renowned artist. Warm wind, sweet with the scent of meadowgrass, teased strands of hair across Asami's face. Spirits flew above, tails fluttering.
The air shimmered with so much energy.
The Spirit World was alive. Pulsating. A living, breathing thing with its own vital heartbeat. Asami's skin tingled with an excitement unknown to her since-
Since…
Since she and Korra had gone looking for airbenders.
The thought melted her.
Korra cleared her throat.
Asami snapped out of her reverie. Korra was already a few paces ahead.
"Well, are you going to stand there all day with your mouth open, or are we gonna start exploring?"
Asami shook herself. Vacation. Spirit World. With Korra.
Korra, who was looking at her all wide-eyed and adorable, with that grin on her face...
Asami shook her head. This could get dangerous. "I'll choose the latter, thank you very much," she said, catching up with Korra.
Who was now a tiny figure in the horizon.
She blinked. "What the-"
In a blur of blue, Korra was at her side again. "Spirit World magic," she grinned, wiggling her fingers like she had the magic touch.
Her eyes went wide. "How did you do that?"
She shrugged. "The Spirit World's funky. Where the mortal realm is bound by physics, here, it's emotion that controls things. It's ever-changing. Wow. I sounded like you for a second," she said, grinning.
"How does that explain you teleporting miles away in less than a second?"
Korra pointed a finger, up. "See the sky? It's bright and- I dunno if you'd call it sunny because..." She looked around. "...because there is no sun, but it's nice and warm because I'm excited."
Asami smiled. "It's been forever since I've seen you excited."
She grinned. "Well, get used to it!", then reached out a hand to Asami.
Asami reached out, then darted the second Korra was distracted. "Race you to the tree!" she laughed, her voice reaching a very stunned Avatar.
"Oh, you viper-snake!" And Korra was off, running after her devious sneak of a friend.
Asami laughed and upped her speed, her legs pumping with the adrenaline that only sheer excitement could give her. Her combat teachers used to make her run laps around the race-track during practice, and she loved it. The freedom of movement, the perfect synchronisation of two legs working together as smoothly as two cogs in a machine, the release of breath like a heat generator. She laughed again, the wind spreading her joy all across the Spirit World.
Asami felt alive. Elated. Excited. When was the last time she-
Something whooshed beside her and Asami almost tripped, because Korra was flying past, seated on her airball.
"Korra-!" Asami sputtered, hair in her face.
"Can't hear you, catch you up at the tree!" Korra yelled back. Asami growled, then laughed, and chased her.
Korra was seated in a meditation position, fists firmly pressed together, eyes closed peacefully, when Asami staggered under the tree, hands on her knees.
"You...Avatars…" she heaved out. She made it to Korra, then collapsed against the trunk.
Korra quirked an eyebrow. "One should know better than to disturb the Avatar from her meditation. It is one of her core duties, after-"
She sputtered, hands batting at her mouth where Asami had thrown a clump of grass. She shot her a glare that melted as soon as she laid eyes on Asami.
"One should know there's always a punishment for cheating," Asami said, crossing her arms.
"To be fair, it was a race. And I was racing you."
"One should also know when to use her Avatar powers in a fair and just manner."
Korra huffed, pushing herself up from the grass. "I was competing against my best friend in the race of my life. It was critical to the face of the world that I win." She grinned, at the way Asami tried not to, then raised her hands. "I acknowledge my deception, though."
Asami nodded. She was steadily breathing now. "Good."
"But I still won."
Korra got a glare for her smugness, and laughed. "Kidding! How'd you learn to run like that anyway? I'm not sure I could've kept up with you without my airball."
Asami smiled. "My combat teachers. Turns out a race track is just as good for a pair of legs as a car."
"Ahh. Smart. Bet they based the Satomobile's speed after you, eh?"
Asami snorted, but the blush said otherwise.
"And to say I missed your dorkiness."
Korra grinned. What a thrilling sensation it was to make Asami blush. "One of my specialties. Now, let's go somewhere." She held out a hand. Instantly, Asami narrowed her eyes. Korra laughed. "For real,Asami."
The engineer softened. "I'd love to." She took hold of Korra's hand, and they began to stroll through the grass.
Asami had been smiling. Was currently smiling. A lot. She didn't know if it had ever dropped, or if it could get any bigger.
But it did.
It grew every time she looked at the woman in front of her.
Korra looked back, and gave her a smile of her own. Asami blushed. She hoped the sunset would cover it up. With her pale skin, she'd always been a terrible blusher.
"You know what I just noticed?" Korra said, glancing back at her again.
"Mm?"
"Your hair. It's always so nice."
More blushing. Asami tried to hide it with a frown, holding up a section of her hair. "Is it? We just walked through a bramble hedge and it got absolutely destroyed."
Korra laughed.
"Modest as always, huh? No, really, you always look beautiful."
Asami breathed. Korra tilted her head. "Not sure if I've ever said that before. I mean, it'd be crazy if I never have, because, well." She indicated Asami. "Look at you."
Asami tucked in a strand of hair, looking down. She had always been one to receive compliments, but Korra was rarely one to give them. "Thank you."
Korra chuckled, weakly. "Sorry for making you feel self-conscious, Asami. It was something I needed to say."
She shook her head. "Korra, you better stop being so sweet before I turn into a tomato."
Korra grinned wickedly, and turned back to the den of trees. "Success! The all-mighty CEO of Future Industries has crumbled into a fruit!" She pumped her free hand into the air. "My greatest victory yet!"
Asami just rolled her eyes. "Spirits, you're such a dork."
But her heart leapt at the fact.
The two women now faced a wall of green. Oak trees stood sentinel to long shadows. The wind whispered a soothing welcome. It was close to sunset, and the sky was burning orange.
Throughout their trek, the two women had amassed quite a following of admirers. Small spirits, with flowers on their heads and who shuffled more than walked, now bustled around the womens' legs, popping up with questions:
"Oooh! Who's this with Korra?"
"Wow, you're tall! And pretty!
"You're beautiful!"
"The Avatar brought her!"
This particular spirit caught Asami's attention. She crouched down.
"Hi there. My name's Asami." She smiled, pointing a finger at her chest. "Who are you?"
The spirit giggled, a cute little chitter. "I'm Bep! I already knew who you were." She...he...it, (Asami decided on calling the spirit an it), it smiled hugely, flapping its tiny arms from side to side. Spirits, Bep was adorable.
Asami felt Korra crouch down beside her, smiled at how they were still holding hands. "Hi Bep. How did you know who my friend is?" She smirked at her. "You're so famous."
Asami rolled her eyes. "Speak for yourself, Avatar."
Bep's smile grew ear-to-ear, and Asami thought the poor thing might explode with happiness. "It was dark and scary a few days ago. Rain and wind and bad things. But then Bep sensed warmth and light and the sky turned redandgreenandyellow!" It popped its hands up, waving them around and jumping up and down in excitement. "Bep sensed the Avatar was here because only the Avatar could do that. Bep also knew the Avatar was very happy because she was with someone she liked a lot!"
Asami looked at Korra. Korra's eye was twitching.
"Like, a lot!"
Korra looked like she wanted to die.
"Well, Bep, you're veeery smart, aren't you?" Asami chuckled, taking her eyes off Korra, who was quickly reddening, then poked the spirit to a fit of giggles. "But this is my first time in the Spirit World. How could you know who I am?"
Bep waddled over to the Avatar, and plonked down in front of her. Korra raised an eyebrow.
"When the Avatar was at the Tree of Time, she searched for the light spirit that would make her whole. But it never came. The Avatar was angry in her tree for a long time because she was so alone. But Bep sensed the pretty girl, even though she wasn't reallly there. The Avatar was thinking about her so mu-"
"All right Bep, I think that's enough story time for now!" Korra swept the little spirit up in her arms before it could say anything more, and hurried away from Asami, who stood there, blinking. Unseen by Korra, she smiled.
Honestly, Korra wanted to chuck Bep far away into the next realm, but she didn't think the Spirit World would be too happy with that. Think about what that'd do to their vacation!
Instead, Korra set Bep down and pushed it begone with urgent 'shoo, shoo's!' The spirit giggled, and tried to dodge between her legs, but Korra picked it up before it could waddle back and terrorize her again. She considered briefly, then hurried back to the crowd of little spirits, who were still staring, mesmerized, at Asami.
"Come on then, off you go," she muttered, herding them away as they all collapsed in a ripple of giggles.
"The Avatar has a lady friend!"
"They're so cute together!"
A spirit screamed.
Korra sped toward the trees.
"ComeonAsami, let'sseewherethesetreesgo."
"But I wanna know more about-"
"Nope, let's go!" she said, grabbing Asami's arm and dragging her into the forest.
"Nope."
"Yep."
"No."
Korra laughed, adjusting her pack. "See you on top," she said, before scampering up the ledge.
Asami grit her teeth, and followed.
"Miss I-Can-Fly-A-Plane-With-My-Eyes-Closed, you're scared of a cliff?"
She kept glancing at the sheer drop from cliff to water. She estimated in her mind. About a 50 foot drop, 10 second impact, wind speed's low, so that's good...10 second impact...
"I, uhh, love thrill and adrenaline when I'm flying, but my planes are machines. With y'know, controls and levers and buttons. Whereas here..." Asami shuddered. She suddenly didn't like the sound of 'impact.'
Korra waved a dismissive hand, and looked back at her. "Pfft, the Spirit World's not gonna harm you while I'm here. I'm way too happy for that to happen." She smiled, and Asami felt a little better.
This was Korra she was talking about. No matter where in the world she was, she would never feel safer than when Korra was by her side. With her. The thought was enough to warm her bones on the chilliest of nights. It surely did for three years.
But never mind all that now. Korra was here, and Asami was with her, and they'd talk about those three years after.
"Now, this is a view," Korra called, her voice snapping Asami out of her musing, and speeding her up to the cliff. She looked down, and her stomach flipped.
"Aaaand that'sa long drop."
She nudged a pebble and watched it fall. She squinted.
Yep, she actually couldn't see it any longer.
"Oh man, Asami, I haven't been anywhere this high since cliff diving at the South!" She bounced on her feet, as she was ten steps away from the cliff edge. "I remember being scared because I thought I'd di...but it was super fun!"
The drop was starting to make her dizzy. Asami's mind whirled. "Ohhh..."
Concern flashed over Korra. "Hey, you okay?"
"Ask me that in a few seconds," she groaned, holding her stomach.
Korra touched her hand, and Asami's stomach did another flip that had nothing to do with the drop. "You don't have to do this if you don't want to. I just thought it'd be fun."
She shook her head. "No, you're right. It's just...a very long drop." She swallowed.
Korra squeezed her hand, tugging gently. "Mhmm."
"I mean, I did do swim at my boarding school. But the boards were only 10 feet off the water."
"Yup."
"And there was always someone nearby to watch. To keep the kids safe."
"Right."
"But I-"
Asami paled. Korra had turned back and grinned.
Without a word, she kicked off the ledge, sending both engineer and Avatar plummeting legs-first towards the water.
The wind ripped through Asami as her mouth opened in a soundless scream. They were falling, fast. Her heart was racing, and this was an insanely high drop, and she shouldn't be alive. But one look at Korra and she burst into laughter.
The woman had her knees tucked into her chest, one hand in Asami's and the other wrapped around her legs- ready to make a giant, Avatar-sized cannonball. She caught her glance, and immediately, her eyes crinkled in that adorable way that told Asami she was laughing way too hard. It was enough to calm her down, and the pounding in her chest was soon replaced by breathless air, and Asami forgot all about her fear, her worries, her father, everything-
The two women exploded into the water in a tangle of limbs, plumes of white water surging up like narwhalrus spouts. Asami was expecting a hard impact, but was, instead, cushioned into the fall. She floated, sluggishly, in a trail of bubbles, the water distorting at her ears. Before she could react, Korra's hand wrapped around her waist, one hand batting at the water, and legs kicking up a storm. Nestled beneath, Asami opened her eyes, and caught her breath, to an underwater ethereal.
Millions of fish flickered in silver darts. Green anemone rippled in waves. Coral gleamed like diamonds, distorted by the air bubble Korra had bent around them. Asami drew her hand out, as a school of fish swam past, and they brushed by like bullets on her skin.
They were in a separate world, their own personal bubble (literally, and- mentally, with the way Korra was holding her), immune to the rush and roar of the water. The only thing Asami heard was the kicking of Korra's legs, and the pounding inside her chest, and how her mind was spinning- ridiculously, wonderfully-, out of control, and-
Korra smiled at her, and Asami's heart lifted so much she was sure it could buoy them both up.
They could've made better time if she had swam, but she was content to just float against Korra and marvel at the water.
Korra was leaning back on her arms, looking as relaxed and content as if she'd just had a spa day. She was smiling, dreamily (quite apt, for she felt she was living in one right now).
Asami wouldn't be mad. At least, not too mad. She'd known it was a risk, but the look she had pulled off Asami, and the way her own heart was racing...
Although, the sight of her climbing out of the lake-her makeup smeared, water dripping in streams down her body- was almost menacing enough to wipe the smile off Korra's face.
She smirked. Almost.
Asami made it to dry ground. A fish flapped in her hair. Grimacing, she picked it up, and flung it back into the water. Then she looked at Korra.
Korra would be lying if she said she wasn't a little bit scared right now.
Her eyes narrowed. "Who knew you Avatars would be such a sneak?"
"I need to have something up my arsenal to compete with your genius brain." She waggled her eyebrows.
Asami's eyes were slits now, but she tried, and failed, to keep the smile out of her voice. "Twice you've tricked me. Cheating me out of a victory in that race, then pushing me off a cliff. What's next, Korra? Are you going to-"
"Hey, Asami."
"What?"
"You look beautiful, by the way."
Korra grinned at the way Asami's face flushed. Compliments. Spirits, she's adorable with compliments.
She filed that to the back of her mind as a surefire way to silence Asami.
Sure enough, Asami sighed, and dropped her hands in defeat. Korra grinned, as she flopped down beside her. She thought for a second, then scooted closer and wrapped her arm around Asami. Asami shivered, but huddled close.
"Thanks."
She frowned. "For what?"
"Pushing me off the cliff."
She snorted. "You're welcome."
Asami nudged her shoulder, smiling. "Seriously though, thanks. I wouldn't have jumped if it weren't for you. I definitely wouldn't have wanted to miss that." She chuckled. The sound rippled through Korra like a wave.
"Why'd you hesitate?"
She shrugged. "I guess I think too much."
"Mm. You're too smart, 'Sami."
Asami snorted, softly, and for a while, that was the only sound that passed through their memory. Instinctively- perhaps, unconsciously-, Korra's arms tightened around her. Asami leaned into her touch.
They sat, watching dragonflies skit through the chilling air.
Korra was starting to wonder if this was too close, too soon.
Asami shifted, then. "Come on,." She pushed herself up. "We should camp soon. It's getting dark."
Nodding, Korra stood, and followed Asami through the forest.
Asami couldn't have made the night sky more amazing if she had engineered it to be.
Thousands of white stars sparkled, wrapped in a blanket of the deepest velvet. They glimmered mesmerizing patterns. A flash of grey, and a comet arced through the sky, its tail a wispy streak.
Soft 'oohoo's' echoed through the night. The grass tickled Asami's bare feet. A few strands of hair blew across her face.
She sighed happily.
Softly, Korra laid down next to her, hands resting on her stomach. The two stared at the night sky, together.
"This is the most peaceful I've ever been," Korra murmured.
"Mmm."
"I remember my second night in Republic City. I'd just finished my first match with the Fire Ferrets, and told Tenzin I was joining the team. He wasn't too happy, but he accepted it."
Asami nodded.
"I sat in the gazebo, staring out for the longest time at what I thought was the most beautiful thing in the world- the Pro-Bending Arena. It was all I wanted to do, to just be there, finally get a chance to do what I wanted, for once. In that moment, life was perfect." She grasped Asami's hand, on the grass.
"But I think being in the Spirit World with you is better."
Asami's heart pounded. "There's nowhere I'd rather be right now than here, with you too." She closed her eyes. How long had she waited for this moment, hoped and wanted for it? How many nights had she stayed up, dreaming of this?
"Asami."
"Mmm?"
"I'm sorry."
"Why?"
"For not coming back sooner. For taking so long."
She opened her eyes, catching a wistful look on Korra. "You have nothing to apologize for. You needed all that time to heal."
Korra shook her head. "If I didn't spend so much time tormenting myself, and had let you help me, I would've healed faster. Spirits, I'm sorry I pushed you away for three years, Asami. I didn't mean to. I just- I needed to figure myself out on my own."
She closed her eyes. This hurt.
"Korra. Look at me."
Korra did.
Looking at Asami made her tremble.
She squeezed their hands. "You have nothing to be sorry for. Yes, those three years were hard for me, but they were nothing compared to your pain."
Korra shook her head, fiercely. "No, Asami, listen. I have to say this because it's been building up in me for three years and I'm gonna explode. I was in a really bad place. A really bad one. I'd wake up everyday, and I'd hate myself for being so weak and broken. Hate myself for leaving the world. I was so angry all the time because I couldn't be the Avatar I had to be."
"Korra-"
"But do you know what I hated the most, Asami? What tore at me, every single day?" She laughed, shaking her head, because she still couldn't believe it. "You were always by my side, before I left. Always being so strong for me. You never complained, or got impatient. You were just there. You helped me more than you'll ever know, in those three years, and I can never thank you enough for that. That's what I hate the most."
Tears streamed down Asami's face. She wiped them away, shaking her head.
Korra smiled, soft and sweet. "I know the Spirit World is just a vacation, but I hope it helps in some small way. You deserve every ounce of happiness there is in the world, Asami. And I'm going to make sure that you get it."
Asami bit her lip, covering her mouth. If she could've opened it without crying, she didn't know what she'd say.
"Can I say one more thing, actually?"
Asami nodded, not caring that she looked a mess.
"You look so beautiful when you're crying."