Elements
Summary: Asami wonders what it would be like to be a bender. Fiveshot. Set after series finale.
I. Earth Part 1 – Bolin
"Great practice you guys," Asami said cheerfully. She picked up Pabu from beside her on the bench. She placed him on her shoulder before grabbing three towels. She handed one to Korra, Mako, and Bolin who received them gratefully. "I can't wait for Pro Bending matches to start up again
"After cleaning up the city from Kuvira's giant mecha-titan, everyone needs to go back to their normal routine. I think this is the way to go," Korra said as she dabbed her neck free of sweat. After a few more seconds she water-bent the sweat off of her body before sending it down a nearby drain.
"You are just enjoying this because it's a way to let your pent-up aggression out," Mako commented. He conjured up a small fireball in his hand and warmed up a water soaked wash cloth. He then placed the now warm wash cloth on a redden spot on his arm.
"Now that all four nations and Republic City are at peace there's not much for me to do aside from going to meetings and listening to Tenzin go on and on about past air nomads." Korra tossed the towel to the ground by the bench. "I didn't like it back when I first learned air bending and I don't like it now."
Bolin stomped his foot on the ground and earth bent a small chair. He sat down and sighed happily. "I think it's kind of interesting," he admitted.
Korra shared a half-smile with Asami before focusing her attention on him. "You only do because you want to impress Opal," she teased.
"Maybe." Bolin shrugged. "But it is also interesting. To be able to fly and everything. Sometimes I wish I could do that," he admitted.
"I can do it," Korra reminded him.
"You have to use a stick," Mako pointed out. He and Bolin shared a laugh. Asami tried to join in but failed. She pulled Pabu off of her shoulder and looked at him. He cocked his head to the side and licked the tip of her nose.
"What's it like?" she asked.
"What's what like?" Bolin wondered after he calmed down. He wiped a tear from the corner of his eye.
"What's it like being a bender?"
Korra, Mako, and Bolin all looked at each other before staring. "It's like being normal, I guess." Korra shrugged.
"Easy for the Avatar to say," Mako shot back. Korra stuck out her tongue at him.
"You three are able to do things only special people can," Asami pointed out. She turned her attention to Korra. "You can heat, cool, freeze, and heal with water. You can even move the water so that you're able to breathe," she added.
"Don't forget she can bend the other three elements as well," Bolin added.
"I guess, that can be helpful." Korra shrugged.
"And Bolin, you can easily make new paths where there weren't before. Plus, with your lava bending you can make pretty good fire pits," Asami continued.
"Which we are over do for some roasted melon." Bolin rubbed his stomach and licked his lips. "I say we remedy that tonight."
"Mako can heat rooms, boil water, cook food, and various other things that would make traveling a hassle. Plus, if he ever lost his firebending he could still make fire with his lightning bending abilities," she concluded.
"What's your point?" Korra asked.
Asami shrugged. "It just makes you all special."
"You're special, Asami," Mako said quietly. Korra smiled softly.
"You understand so much technology and how it all works," Bolin added. "Every time you explain those things to me it just goes right over my head."
"Anyone can do that f they study hard enough." Asami sighed hard. She looked towards the center of the room and looked at the notch of ground sticking up in the middle. "Sometimes, I just feel left out. I mean, I am part fire nation and earth nation. There are benders in my family history, and yet I can't bend."
"So what are you saying?" Korra asked. She smiled and jabbed Asami in the side with her elbow. "You want us to teach you how to be a bender?"
Asami smiled brightly. "I'd like to try!"
"I was joking."
"I'm not." Asami looked at each of them excitedly. "I really want to try."
"If you're sure," Mako said slowly. Bolin jumped up from his chair and quickly placed an arm around Asami's shoulders.
"I think Earthbending is the best place to start," he said. "You were never the type who hated to get their hands dirty. Let's start with something simple, like the stance."
"Let's start outside so we don't do anything to this training room," Mako suggested.
"I know what I'm doing, Mako." Bolin rolled his ees.
"But Asami doesn't, and unless you want a repeat of our bedroom when you first learned,,," Mako trailed off. Bolin looked up at the ceiling in thought as he tapped his chin. After a few more seconds, he snapped his fingers and pointed over at Mako.
"Point taken."
Once Team Avatar 2.0 exited the Pro Bending arena, they took up residence in the field next to the building. Korra and Mako were leaning up against the fence watching in fascination. Bolin took off his top layer to reveal his muscular arms. Asami took off her top layer and revealed a black tank top underneath.
"Have you ever noticed Asami's skin?" Korra asked. She was entranced by how pale and albeit beautfil her skin looked underneath the sun's glow.
"Her skin?" Mako repeated in confusion. "No."
"Me neither," she quickly agreed.
"First things first, you have to become one with the ground," Bolin instructed. "You have to understand each and every small particle of earth to be able to move it."
"Got it." Asami nodded.
"This is the most basic stance." Bolin stood in front of Asami. He planted his feet firmly into the ground in a wide stance. He pulled his hands into fists and then pulled them back close into his body. His arms were parallel in wide stance like his legs. Asamu studied him before following the motions. After a few seconds she quickly straightened back up and rubbed the back of her left leg.
"Is this supposed to feel uncomfortable?" she asked.
"At first, it's a power stance. You have to be strong like a rock and grounded like a rock," he added. Asami took a deep breath before moving into the stance again. She winced as she felt her left leg start to cramp up but she remained silent.
"Now, you must become familiar with the Earth," Bolin said. He held his arms out to his sides before slowly falling face forward. He bent the ground to cushion his fall. Asami shrugged. After a second, she didn't feel brave enough to fall flat on her face. So she decided to lay down on her back.
Bolin and Asami lay down on the ground without a word passing between them. Korra and Mako watched them silently.
"What are they supposed to be doing?" Korra whispered loudly.
"Making….dirt angels?" Mako suggested. She threw her head back and laughed.
Bolin lifted his head and glared at the two of them. "We're supposed to be recognizing the Earth's tough. We have to make love with the Earth," Bolin said. He lowered his face back into the ground. "We have to become one with the Earth. Let it caress your body."
Korra and Mako chuckled. After a second they noticed how close they were standing towards net to each other. They quickly took a step away and rubbed the back of their necks in nervousness.
"I have to, what?" Asami asked. She quickly sat up and brushed the dirt out of her hair.
"I came into this conversation at the wrong time," Chief Lin Beifong said as she walked up towards the group. "At first I thought you four were just spending time together. Then I got a little concerned and partially intrigued when I saw him flop down in that ant vent."
"Ant vent?!" Bolin quickly jumped up from the ground. He started to swat at his hair, arms, and clothes trying to get all of the dirt off. "Ow! They're biting!" he wailed.
"There's nothing to worry about, Lin," Korra said. She opened a small container of water from her side. She bent the water and rinsed the dirt and ants off of him. "We're teaching Asami how to be a bender."
Chief Beifong looked down her nose at the heiress as she climbed to her feet. "But she isn't-"
"She wants to try it," Mako quickly interjected. Chief Beifong regarded him with a raised eyebrow. "Stranger things have happened."
"Good to know I have everyone's support with this," Asami grumbled.
"That's not what he meant Asami," Korra said quickly.
"I'm teaching her how to Earthbend," Bolin said as he wrung the water out of his shirt. He then gazed at his arms to see how many ant bites he sustained.
"She can't do it." Chief Beifong declared.
"Why not?" Asami demanded. "If I try hard enough, I should be able to-"
Chief Beifong interrupted her by slapping her on the arm. Asami winced and rubbed the new sore spot as the Chief continued to prod at her upper and lower arm. "Sorry kid, but you're not muscular enough," she concluded.
"I've never had someone see that as a bad thing," Asami countered.
"In Earthbending most people have more muscle to them, that's all." Chief Beifong placed an arm on Asami's shoulder before sighing deeply. "If you're really serious, then I'll help. Meet me tomorrow at my place around 1am."
"Why that late?"
"Because that's when I get off work. Or, when I choose to get off." Chief Beifong glared over at Bolin. "Boy, I suggest you rinse off soon. I don't want you passing your problem to my niece," she barked.