Avatar Korra was practicing her bending on the Sato grounds, while Naga was taking a nap on the grass. Asami was currently working at her office in another part of the Sato estate on new blueprints and invention ideas, and their son, Hyeon was at the zoo with Mako, Bolin, and their families.
When Korra finished her afternoon pratcice, she decided to head back inside to get a drink of water when she noticed Asami coming through the entryway.
"Hey sweetie," Korra greeted. "What are you doing back here so early? Not that I'm not happy to see you but-" Korra stopped midway when she noticed her wife's look of distress.
"Asami…? What's wrong?" Korra placed one of her hands on her wife's cheek while holding Asami's left hand.
"I came home as soon as possible so I could tell you the news, but I'm finding it hard to get the words out properly," Asami admitted.
"Here, let's get inside and talk somewhere more comfy," Korra offered. Asami nodded and let the waterbender lead her to the living room couch. Asami nervously brought her hands together, setting them on her lap, staring at the floor. This type of body language was something the CEO only found herself doing on rare occasions when she was extremely nervous or stressed out. She began to feel slightly better however when she felt Korra's hands begin to caress her own.
"Is everything alright?" Korra stared straight into Asami's golden brown eyes, giving her a concerned look.
Asami let out a deep sigh before deciding to rest her head on Korra's shoulder. "I don't want to leave you or Hyeon," Asami replied.
It took a moment for Korra to process what just happened. Not only what Asami said was completely random, but also a bit strange.
"Uhh… excuse me?"
"I reveived a call from a Fire Nation mechanic named Lim. He wants me to help construct an automobile specifically for the Fire Nation. I know it will be a great opportunity for Future Industries and myself however…"
Korra continued to lock eyes with Asami, awaiting her to finish her explanation.
"I'd have to stay at the Fire Nation for a little while and I don't know how long," Asami finished.
"Honey…" the Avatar began.
"It's okay Korra," the heiress interupted. "If you want me to stay, I'll stay, I have no problem doing so," she concluded.
"Actually, what I was going to say was that you should accept the offer," said Korra,
"...Really?"
"Look, I'm not saying it's gonna be easy without you around. Me and Hyeon will miss you terribly, and so will the others," Korra explained. "Although we know important your work is to."
Hyeon is Korra and Asami's adopted son. They found him wandering a bad part of Ba Sing Se at the age of only four years old, due to the fact of his mother and father being killed by a vicous triad gang. Korra and Asami decided to take him in and raise and love him as their son. He is now seven years old and is a great Earth bender due to Korra's training.
"Yes, but you guys are more important than my work. You're my family," Asami argued. "I'd feel so awful leaving you guys. I'm in my office working most of the time anyway and don't get to spend time with you as much as I should."
"Asami, there are times where I have to leave Republic City," said Korra.
"Yes, but that's because you have to. In this situation, the choice is up to me."
Korra let out a deep sigh in defeat. She no longer wanted to casually bicker with her wife anymore; it's difficult to argue with someone who also likes to argue.
"You know what 'Sami, you're right. It's up to you, I just feel that I'm holding you back is all," said Korra.
Asami gave her wife a shocked expression. "Korra, why would you even think that? You and Hyeon are what keep me going. You guys are the oines that give me motivation to run my company. Without you two… I don't even know if the company would even be what it is now or anything worthwhile," said Asami
The water bender gently grabbed the pale woman's cheeks. "Don't say that Asami. No matter what the company would be successful as long as you're in charge."
"I'm sorry sweetie, it's just-"
"Promise me you'll at least think about it?" Korra requested.
Asami paused for a moment, and setting her eyes in a different direction before she responded.
"Okay, I will."
XXX
After Korra and Asami had their discussion, they decided to help each other prepare dinner.
"Hey, why don't we invite everyone to eat with us?" Asami offered. "We should probably talk to them about the job offer."
"Yeah, you're right," Korra replied. "But they'll probably say the same thing I told you."
Asami let out a deep sigh as her butler made his way into the kitchen, informing her that someone was the door. Korra told Asami that she was okay with setting the table by herself, and that Asami should answer the door for it was probabaly Mako and the others. Asami then made her way to the estate's front door and was first greeted by Hyeon as he gave a hug to his mother.
"Hiya Momma!" He said cheerfully. Asami hugged her child back, wrapping her arms gently around his torso.
"Hey sweetie, how was the zoo?" Asami asked.
"It was real fun Momma! Next time you and Mommy should come with us! We got to see the Platopusbears, Raboroos, tigoats, and even some Polarbear dogs that looked just like Naga! We also got to have ice cream," Hyeon explained.
"That's good. And you were a good boy I presume?" Asami inquired with a smile.
"Of course I was, wasn't I Uncle Mako?" Hyeon asks as he turns his direction towards the fire bender. Although before Mako was able to respond, a little girl just about Hyeon's age came to her direction. She had innocent, bright green eyes like her mother, slightly tanned skin with wavy jet black hair; and a goofy grin on her face that heavily resembled her father's when he would smile.
"No way aunt Asami, Hyeon was really bad!" The girl teased.
"Mama, don't listen to Tomoko," said Hyeon, crossing his arms, "You know she's always trying to mess with me."
"Come here you little squirt," Opal called her daughter who rushed to her Mother's side, along with her father's and younger sister's.
"He was good as usual Asami," Mako answered. "It was mainly these two we had to worry about." Mako said as he picked up his son Fu, then pointing his thumb towards Bolin.
"Fu and I?!" Bolin asked sounding offended. "Okay I can understand Fu since he's just a little kid, but what did I do? Can't a grown man have some fun at the zoo?"
"Yeah, except this "grown man" acts like a two-year-old! Both YOU and Fu would run off just to see the Raboroos!" Mako accused.
Daiyu, Mako's wife chuckled at the bickering brothers.
Bolin's mouth dropped. "I act like a two-year-old? Now Mako that's just rude. C'mon honey, I don't act like a two-year-old do I?" Bolin turned his attention to his wife Opal, looking at her with a hopeful twinkle in his eye.
"Sometimes you do," she answered honestly.
"Yeah, you kinda do daddy," agreed their youngest daughter, Ki who already seems to take after her mother, even possessing the ability to control the air.
"Even my own daughter turns against me? What has this world come to?" Bolin raised his arms in an over dramatic fashion, looking up at the ceiling.
"Oh sweetie, we're just playing around," said Opal before giving her husband a kiss on the cheek.
"So where's mommy?" Hyeon changed the subject.
"I had her finish setting up the table so I could greet you guys. She's probably done and waiting for us," Asami replied.
It was then that everyone's attention was towards further down the mansion as Korra was coming down the stairs.
"Well, speak of the devil," Daiyu commented.
"Oh? Is everyone talking smack about me behind my back?" The Avatar joked.
"No, we weren't Korra," Asami giggled, giving her wife a peck on the cheek.
Korra wrapped her arm around Asami's waist as she looked down at her son.
"Heya kiddo, how was the zoo?" Korra asked.
"It was fun. Seeing the polar bear dogs kept reminding me of Naga," said Hyeon with a smile.
"I'm sure Naga would enjoy seeing them. Next time me and Asami will go; we haven't taken you to the zoo in a long time." Korra ruffled his hair before turning her attention to the others.
"You guys are all staying for dinner right? Everything's all set up."
"Oh yeah, of course," replied Opal. "Thank you, Korra."
Korra, Asami, and Hyeon led their friends down to to dining room where the table along the food was all set up and ready to dine upon. Everyone sat down at the table before giving thanks for their meal. At first, the families continued on with their conversation about the zoo until a question popped asked by Korra ended up leading to a different conversation.
"Oh, hey Daiyu how's that baby coming along?" Korra questioned after chewing her vegetable dumpling. "You and Mako hardly ever keep me posted."
"So far it's going alright. The cravings aren't as bad last time; at least for right now," Daiyu chuckled before taking a sip of her oolong tea.
"How far along are you now? 12 weeks?" Opal asked.
"About 14," she replied.
"And have you guys thought of any names yet?" Bolin asked.
"Yeah, but we can't really decide on just one name for both genders… there are too many we like," Mako replied.
"Pabu! Name Buba after Pabu," said Fu as he tugged on his father's collar.
"Alright Fu, you're the boss," Mako joked. Everyone giggled at the tyke's comment.
"But what if the baby is a girl?" Tomoko added. The baby paused as he thought of another name that could be given to his unborn brother or sister.
"Naga," the boy answered. More chuckles erupted from the table at Fu's ideas for names.
"What is it with you and naming everything after pets?" Ki asked.
"At least Fu is absolutely sure with two names. Oh well, we still have plenty of time to come up with some, so I'm not too worried about it," said Daiyu as she took another sip of her tea.
Discussing the issue of what Mako and Daiyu's baby would be named remind me of the situation she was in and if she would decide to go to the Fire Nation or not.
"That reminds me," Asami spoke. "I have something to discuss with you guys."
"What!? Are you preggers as well, Asami?" Bolin exclaimed.
The children turned towards their parents, looking rather confused; while the other adults raised their eyebrow at Bolin. Mako, on the other hand, rested his head on his hand, shaking his head as he preformed a deep sigh.
Bolin finally caught onto his mistake and began to clear his throat.
"Right, right. Anyway, what we're you going to say?"
Korra caught on to what Asami wanted to talk about, so Korra asked the kids to leave for a little while. The children just sort of shrugged this off as they found Naga snoozing in the next room, who ended up heading outside with the kids.
"What's wrong Asami?" Opal asked. A look of deep concern was spread across all of the CEO's friends. Except for Korra, who knew what Asami was trying to get at.
"Earlier today, I was on the phone with a man named Lim who is a Fire Nation mechanic. He is interested in having my assistance to construct a Fire Native automobile. I would of course have ro go to the Fire Nation for a bit, and I have no idea when I'll be coming back to Republic City. I know that this would be a great opportunity for Future Inustries… but I really don't want to be away from all of you, especially if I have no knowledge of when I'll be returning…" Asami ended her explanation with a deep sigh, frowning as her downcast eyes landed on her lap. "So I'm asking you guys what you should do. Korra says I should go for it, but I'm really just not too sure."
"You should go," Mako spoke up. "It's a great opportunity Asami, there's no way you should pass that up.
"I agree. Plus, it's not like it's a place you've never been to. You've traveled to the Fire Nation numerous times, haven't you?" Daiyu asked.
"Yes, but-"
"Yeah, plus me and Asami can be pen pals just like me and Korra were!" Bolin paused. "Okay, technically me and Korra weren't pen pals since she never replied to my letters; but you know, that was all in the past, no big deal." Bolin glared at Korra.
"Bolin, I've already apologized to you over a million times. Besides, that happened over six years ago so get over it already," Korra sighed.
"Hmph… Fine, you are forgiven. Actually, I wasn't really still mad; I was just joking. For the most part anyway."
"I also think you should go Asami," said Opal. "But don't worry about having to be Bolin's pen pal," Opal continued as she gently nudged her husband.
"We'll all miss you terribly and it'll be hard without you around. But we also want what's best for you, and that if that means if you have to go away for a little while, then it'll be worth it, right?" Korra asked.
Asami took a deep breath, placing her crossed hands on the table. "You guys sound really sure about this…"
"Well, we'll be sad when you're not around of course, but like Korra said we want the best opportunities for you. All of us here, and the children; we're all family, so were here for you Asami. Whatever decision you make however, we'll support you," replied Daiyu.
"Thanks you guys, I don't know what I would without you," Asami smiled.
"So, you know what you wanna do?" Mako asked.
"Maybe… but I'm still not quite sure, but have a better idea. Although I still have about a week to think about it, and I'll definaitely take everything you guys said into major consideration."
"There's no need to thank us, we're your buddies! We'll always look after you!" Bolin stood up, going towards where Asami was sitting to wrap his arm around her shoulder in a friendly manner.
"But if you do decide to go though, will you at least think about being penpals?"
Asami chuckled. "Yes Bolin, I'll think about being your penpal."
XXX
Three nights after Korra and Asami had dinner with their friends, and Korra was laying in the bed she shared with her wife; feeling her eyes about to close as she would drift off to sleep. Well, that would be the case if she didn't feel a small nudge against her shoulder.
"Hm…?" The Avatar answered groggily.
"Oh, we're you asleep? Asami asked.
"Just about," Korra replied.
"I'm sorry…"
"That'a alright, now we can cuddle," Korra dislpayed a soggy grin, her drooped eyes still closed as she yearned for sleep, but still decided to cling to the Raven haired women as she burried her face into her collar bone; Korra wrapped her strong arms around Asami's slender back.
Asami giggled. "Yes, but I also wanted to talk to you about something."
"Can it wait until tomorrow?" The water bender replied before yawning.
"I suppose but it's kind of important…"
"Guess sleep will have to have to wait. What is it?" Korra inquired.
"It's about the job offer; I did a lot of thinking yesterday and I've decided that I should go," Asami replied.
"Oh spirits that's great Asami! I'm so glad you decided to take the offer!" Korra then threw her arms around her wife in a congratulatory hug. Asami returned the hug and gave a small pat on the Avatar's back, but did not display the same enthusiasm like her companion.
"I leave tomorrow evening," Asami announced.
Korra pulled away from the hug. "Wow… I wasn't expecting it to be so soon,"
"Neither was I."
"When are you going to tell Hyeon?" Korra asked.
"I already did," the heiress replied. "I talked to him this morning when you were still sleeping."
"Oh… how did he take it?"
"He was shocked as well, and a little upset but I told him that I would come and visit every once in awhile, and call whenever I can too; that seemed to cheer him up a bit. I was going to tell you earlier today, but I figured that now would be a better time," Asami answered.
"Well, I'm not exactly happy either you know," Korra pouted.
"I'm sorry darling," Asami apologized. "But they said that want me to leave tomorrow."
"Hmm… but I at least wanted to be able to sleep in the same bed as you for a few more days. Do you know how lonely and weird it's gonna be without you laying next to me?" Korra asked.
"Yeah," Asami said as she gently pulled Korra down with her. "We won't be able to hold each other either," Asami continued.
"I think I'll have to put some pillows together, cover them with blankets and spray some of your perfume so it'll seem like your there." Korra stared down at her hand that was laying in between them.
Asami displayed a sad smile. "Yeah, I think I'll do the same."
"At least we have one more night together…" said Korra.
"Yeah, so we should make the most of it," replied Asami.
The couple then held each other as if they would never see each again, and eventually fell asleep in each other's arms.
XXX
The next morning, team Avatar was gathered at the Republic City docks; saying their goodbyes to one of their teammates and long-time friend, Asami.
"Hopefully you'll be able to come back and visit us soon," said Daiyu as she and Opal gave Asami a warm hug.
"Yeah, hopefully, I won't be away so long," Asami replied.
"Get there safely," said Opal as she gently patted Asami's shoulder; wiping a tear that began to run down her cheeks.
The heiress nodded. "Of course," she assured.
Mako and Bolin then stepped forward, giving their friend a hug before her departure.
"I know you'll do great Asami," said Mako.
"Don't work too hard though, you gotta relax sometimes," Bolin persuaded.
"Thanks you two," replied Asami with a smile. She was the greeted by a huge group hug by her nieces and nephew; Ki, Tomoko, and Fu.
"Be good while I'm gone okay?" Asami said as she gave the three of them a bear hug as well.
"We will" they all answered simultaneously. She gave each of them a kiss on the cheek before turning her attention to Korra, who already had tears welling up in her eyes.
"I'll miss you so much," Korra sobbed with a small smile.
"Oh c'mon Korra, don't cry. Besides, you're the one that wanted me to go on this trip so badly." Asami joked, trying to lighten up the mood.
"Yeah, I know. But I'm still going to miss you," Korra replied.
The raven haired woman wrapped her arms protectively around her wife's back; Korra returned the favor by placing her hands on Asami's waist. The two of them shared a gentle kiss before completely embracing each other.
"I'm going to miss you too," Asami whispered.
After a long embrace, the two finally separated, sharing one last quick kiss before Korra returned with the others.
Hyeon then made his way forward; he also had tears about to run down his cheeks. He then darted towards his mother as she got down to his level, the two simultaneously latched onto each other; hugging like how any family member would when they have to say goodbye.
Asami tried to fight off the tears for just awhile longer as she gave her son a soft kiss on the forehead, but could no longer hold her tears.
"Take good care of yourself, and Mommy too," Asami sniffled.
"Don't worry, I will," he replied. "Promise you'll come back soon…"
"I'll come back as soon as I can," the CEO assured.
The two of them hugged each other tightly once again before breaking apart.
"I'll miss you, Momma…"
"I'll miss you too…"
After saying all of her goodbyes, Asami boarded the ship that would lead her to the fire nation. She waved goodbye to her entire family until they were no longer visible. Korra and Hyeon stood at the docks, holding hands, and staring out at the ocean; with tears continuing to stream down.
This is the longest one-shot I have written so far. o.o Which is why there are two parts. :')