A/N: I have no idea what I'm doing. This show has seduced me into writing fanfiction. There is a plot, and some sort of Korrasami stuff. Please forgive me.
Chapter 1 – Left My Heart in Republic City
"No. NO. You don't understand. The revolution has already begun. Chaos is the natural order of all-"
"You see what I did there? I put a sock in it. Literally!"
"Classic Bolin."
Korra awoke from a half-remembered dream, her thoughts still fuzzy from sleep. She was searching around with one arm, but met only air, while attempting to untangle herself from twisted blankets. She felt a sudden sense of loss in realising she was alone, but couldn't place why.
"Right..." Korra whispered, feeling foolish. "We're back at Air Temple island."
She noticed voices trailing in from outside the room. Loud voices that punched through the thin wooden walls. Mako? Korra jumped out of bed, now fully awake, deciding to pull on her boots and parka before joining the rest of them.
What are they talking about? It sounds pretty serious...
There was a lull in the conversation as the Avatar stepped into the room.
Tenzin and Suyin stood across from Mako, while Pema sat in the far corner, watching over the children outside. Asami was sitting nearby, looking dejected.
"Hey guys," began Korra sleepily. "When'd you get here, Mako? And... Su, you're here too?"
Korra was surprised to see Su there, but then remembered something Tenzin had said yesterday. She had decided to return to Republic City, determined to help bring back order to the United Republic, probably because she felt guilty over what had happened with Kuvira. Korra thought it was silly. It wasn't her fault. But she was glad for the extra help.
Unfortunately, her words were completely drowned out by the continuing argument.
"We can't just go off on a wild goose chase, not while the Earth Kingdom is in such disarray." said the metalbender.
"That's exactly why we need to go!" said Mako. "Suyin, you know that Ba Sing Se is a powder keg right now. Opal's out there too, you know." he said as an afterthought.
"So is my brother." said Tenzin. "Don't think that I don't have a stake in what's happening over there, but to act now is premature."
Korra felt a headache bristling behind her eyes and went to sit next to Asami, who seemed engrossed in the mover-screen.
"Huh... I didn't know that they had a TV here. Neat."
The news was on, repeating broadcasts of the riots and the recent terrorism, rolling black-and-white images of buildings reduced to smoking rubble. Korra looked from the screen and back to Asami, noticing that her gaze hadn't moved the whole time.
"-radio blackouts nothing! I'm telling you, something isn't right. Wu agrees with me. I thought you'd be the first to help us with all of this, isn't that the whole purpose of your Airbending Nation?"
"Mako, calm down." said Suyin. "Of course I care that my daughter is out there. Tenzin is just saying that we need to gather more information before we-"
"It could be too late by then. If you're not going to do anything, I'm contacting my people in the Earth Kingdom. I'm not waiting around for more bad news."
He turned on his heel, brushing past the two women. "Oh hey, Korra," said Mako half-heartedly.
"Hey, Mako, what's going on-"
He didn't stop, already striding out of the room.
"Uh... Good to see you too?"
With the others now talking amongst themselves, she put her attention back on Asami.
"Hey," she said softly, to no response. Korra bit her lip self-consciously, putting a hand on the other woman's shoulder. Asami's eyes immediately flickered up and locked with her own. She looked exhausted.
"Korra," she answered, trying to smile. "Sorry, I was thinking about-"
"Don't worry about it. How are you holding up?"
Asami's eyes darkened. "I'm okay," she said.
The mover-screen buzzed in the background with the annoying voice of the news reporter, who sounded way too excited while he reported on the destruction plaguing the city. They had been showing repeats of the continuous riots that had been going on for the last several days. They were only getting worse, even though Lin and her metalbenders were working tirelessly to bring peace.
"I guess I should be getting used to losing things by now," laughed Asami bitterly.
"I'm sorry," said Korra. "Maybe we shouldn't have taken that vacation..."
"No," said Asami. "That's one thing I'll never regret."
Korra held Asami against her shoulder, doing her best to give some small comfort, though she doubted it would help. Where had it gone all wrong? They had won the war. Defeated Kuvira. Varrick and Zhu Li had even gotten married. They'd deserved a break after all that, and travelling with Asami to the Spirit World had been some of the best weeks of her life.
Then they'd returned to Republic City, renewed. Ready to face any troubles that came their way. Together. Before the perfect illusion has been so rudely shattered.
Everything seemed fine at first. They settled back quickly into a routine – Bolin and the Airbenders had travelled back to the Earth Kingdom to help with the rebuilding, while Mako had went with Prince Wu to assist with implementing a new democracy. Asami helped to rebuild the city with all of the resources she held at her command as CEO of Future Industries. Suyin Beifong had escorted Kuvira to prison, deep in the deserts outside of Ba Sing Se, while the rest of her family had returned to Zaofu. It was all getting back to normal.
Now the Earth Kingdom was in open rebellion, Republic City was in chaos, devastated along with the prospects of Future Industries.
That was without mentioning that the Sato estate had burned to the ground.
Two weeks earlier
The yellow light faded from their eyes, revealing a vast expanse of vines, trees, and beyond, the broken skyline of Republic City.
"Thanks, Korra."
"For what?"
"That vacation was just what I needed."
"Any time," the Avatar smiled. "Honestly, after everything that happened, I just think I needed to get away. We needed to get away."
Something was different now. It had been brewing for awhile now, though it had taken Korra far too long to realise what had changed between them.
It had just been the two of them – not counting the Spirits, and their visit to Iroh, for two whole weeks. Wandering, talking, camping under the stars. Easy companionship. Bolin would be too upbeat. Mako would be too sullen. Being with Asami was just... peaceful. Perfect.
And now it was back to normal. Korra frowned.
Asami steeled her shoulders. "I guess it's time to get back to the real world now, though. I should contact Future Industries... Help to get some sort of normalcy back in the city." she looked at the cracks in the buildings, the piles of rubble in the roads ahead, infrastructure broken apart from the spirit cannon and worsened by uncontrolled vines.
"Right now?"
"Korra, I have responsibilities..."
"I know that. It's just... We just got back. It's barely past dawn. No one's going to be awake for a few more hours, and I'm starving. How about we grab some breakfast? We can go to that place just by the park, and-"
"Alright," said Asami, relenting. "I guess the real world can wait just a bit longer."
Korra extended her hand to Asami and they walked over the rough, vine-covered ground that surrounded the portal. She expected it to be cleaned up, but most of the rubble and destruction of the city was still evident. The smell was different, though. During the battle it had been full of smoke and bitter fire, overlaid by acrid ozone from the devastating spirit weapon that had wreaked havoc through the town. Now the air was fresh, by Republic City's standards. The spirit vines seemed to be doing something to help clean up the air, Korra thought as she ran a hand over them.
They reached the edge of the forest that met with the cracked asphalt of the down-town roads. Hardly anyone was around, and the rising sun began to reflect orange fires on the dented skyscrapers around them.
"Umm." said Korra. "I just considered something."
"What?" asked Asami.
"The place I wanted to take us to, it's uh..." Korra paused. "It's not there any more." The Avatar ran a hand through her short hair, thinking. "I don't know where we can- What are you looking at?"
Asami started laughing. "I know it's not funny, but... your face."
"What's wrong with my face?"
"You just looked so disappointed."
"Well, they have really good noodles. Had. I don't really know many other places to eat around here... it was sort of our regular corner. Bolin and I used to go all the time."
"I don't think anything would be open at this time anyway, Korra."
"Oh, duh." she replied, glancing at the sun that had barely dipped above the horizon. "What do we do now?"
"Let's stop by my place. I'm sure I can rustle up something."
"Sounds perfect."
"You're just looking forward to more time alone with me, aren't you?" Asami laughed.
"No, that's not what I-" Korra stammered. "I was just thinking that you probably make really good breakfast so..." she finished lamely. Why did she say that? Stupid.
"I was only teasing, Korra. If only you could see your face right now. You could rival a tomato."
"Are tomatoes a breakfast food?"
"I don't think so." wondered Asami. "Maybe only in the Earth Kingdom? I wonder how Bolin and Mako are doing over there."
"I'm sure they're fine." said Korra, face finally returning to its normal hue. "Come on, I want to see what the CEO of Future Industries' idea of breakfast is like."
"It's not Flamey-O's Instant Noodles, I can tell you that much."
Korra stuck out her tongue. "Maybe my tastes aren't that refined, but I happen to like noodles."
"For breakfast? Not happening."
They were back to teasing each other again. Somehow, already, it seemed like they had taken a step back from each other. They hadn't acted like this in the spirit world, but maybe it was a special circumstance? They just had more responsibilities back in the city. There wasn't the freedom to mess around, even if Asami's hips did seem to have that hypnotising quality when she-
"We're here." interrupted Asami. "Home sweet home."
It was as impressive as it had been the first time Korra had visited, though the workshops hiding experimental mechs and Equalist tech were gone now. The gardens were overgrown, and spirit vines were starting to encroach on the estate, but the mansion itself was pristine.
"I hope you have a key," said Korra, glancing up at the formidable entrance.
"Don't need one," said Asami, walking up the platinum steps.
"How come?" asked Korra, bounding after her. They had almost reached the top when she received her answer.
A servant had foreseen their arrival and was gliding towards them in some kind of formal robes. He bowed his head, first to Asami, then to Korra. "Ms Sato." he said. "Welcome back to your estate. How can I be of service to you?"
"We'll be fine, Bau, but thank you."
"As you wish, madame. I will inform the others of your arrival."
"Others?" asked Korra as the man left.
"The servants that live on the estate. I guess it's kind of overkill since I haven't been around all that much lately, but I have to keep up appearances."
"Ah yes, a mighty CEO of Republic City can't be seen letting her estate fall to pieces." Korra said playfully. "By the way, maybe you should hire a new gardener." she said, looking back to the maze of hedges and topiary they had just passed. Near the front there was an overgrown bush that seemed to once have had a shape, but now it was slowly lost under the new growth. Korra bent her head sideways, trying to decipher the puzzle. "Is that a frog-squirrel, or a squirrel-toad?"
"I suppose I'll get to it eventually," said Asami, head already full of all the duties she would have to perform today. She made a mental note to meet with Varrick later in the day. "What do you want for breakfast, by the way?"
"I don't know," said Korra, turning back from the mess of the garden. "Surprise me."
They walked through the marble hallway to the main kitchen, while Asami waved away another overeager servant. It was a large room, functional and elegant, like the rest of the mansion.
"Want help?" asked Korra as Asami was searching in the cabinet for utensils.
"It's fine. Sit down," she offered, rummaging in the fridge for ingredients.
"All right then." Korra leaned back in a wooden-backed chair near the kitchen island, stretching her shoulders until they cracked. It was only then she realised how tired she was. Though it was only morning, they had spent most of the day roaming the Spirit World, their last day of vacation. She focused on the table to find a newspaper set at a perfectly straight angle.
"Huh, this is today's paper." she murmured. "Asami, do you think your servants lay a paper here every day?"
The sound of a sizzling frying pan and a whisk drowned out her voice. "What did you say, Korra?"
"Never mind," she said, grasping the cool paper between her fingers.
REPUBLIC CITY CHAOS CONTINUES – DOWNTOWN IN RUINS AFTER COLOSSUS RAMPAGE
Korra sighed. She would have to start dealing with this soon enough. She folded the paper and pushed it out of sight.
"Are pancakes okay?" asked Asami.
"Sounds good to me." replied Korra. Her gaze wandered as Asami navigated the kitchen with efficiency. Is there anything this girl isn't good at? She wondered.
The other woman noticed her staring, distracted from the job at hand. "Korra, if you really want something to do, you could get the juice."
"Juice?" asked Korra, startled into attention.
"Orange juice. It's in the fridge."
"Oh. Okay."
She found it quickly, waterbending the orange juice into two cups and placing them on the table. Asami had finished around the same time, laying down two plates of fluffy pancakes drowning in syrup. Korra's stomach started to growl. The last thing they had eaten had been some spirit fruit the day before. They'd eaten the stuff for three days straight after their supplies for the journey had ran out, both reluctant to return to the city. But civilization had its perks. "Wow, Asami, these are great!" said Korra, stuffing almost a whole pancake into her mouth.
Asami was more conservative, cutting bite-sized pieces off with a fork before eating. "I'm glad you like them." she said. "It's been awhile since I've had them, so I thought..." she trailed off.
"Mmm?" Korra raised an eyebrow at her to continue.
"They used to be my favourite," she said by way of explanation.
"I can see why," said Korra, whose plate was vanishing with alarming speed. "They're really good. You could open a breakfast café... If you weren't a rich heiress or anything."
"I'm not a heiress any more, Korra."
"Oh, right. Yeah." said Korra, cursing her choice of words. "Sorry for bringing up... you know."
"It's okay. I was kind of thinking about him anyway."
"You were?"
"He used to make pancakes whenever we had breakfast together. My mother did, before... then Dad kind of took over the tradition. When he had the time, I mean. The company took up most of it, so it was pretty rare, but, it was still really-"
"Asami," said Korra, sensing the woman starting to ramble. "Are you okay?"
Asami glanced sideways at Korra, her fork clattering sharply onto the plate. "Sorry," she said, referring to the noise. "I was just thinking. This is really my house now."
Korra looked confused. "It's always been your house, hasn't it?"
"No, I mean... Before, it seemed like I was just living there, just keeping things running until my Dad got out of prison. I always thought of it as his house. The Sato estate. Hiroshi Sato's mansion, not 'Asami's', but now..."
"I'm sorry. For everything that happened."
"It's okay." Asami said, just a little too quickly. "I guess I'm just getting used to it. I keep thinking over and over how I could have done something different. Maybe he could have got out too, if I'd realised..." she closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
"It was easier, before. When we were out in the Spirit World, it was like I didn't really have to face what happened. I was going to deal with it later, but now it is later."
"Yeah."
"I thought our vacation would help, and I had the time of my life, but now it's like all of these problems have built up into something I should have been working on before it got this bad. I haven't even figured out how we're going to replace the HQ yet."
"It's only been a few weeks. Republic City is still getting back on it's feet-"
"I know, but I feel bad about it. I should have been here helping, not-"
"Asami, you weren't running away. Just because we went on a break together doesn't mean you've been avoiding your responsibilities. You've done more to help this town than most people, and everyone knows it."
"I'm just glad that I got the chance to forgive him." said Asami. Her voice had gone oddly quiet.
Korra reached her hand across the table and grasped the other woman's. "Never think that you'll have to deal with this on your own. I'm here for you."
"Thanks, Korra."
"Hey, what are friends for?"
Asami pursed her lips before rearranging them into a half-hearted smile, and Korra realised too late that she'd said the wrong thing, again.
Korra attacked the rest of her cold pancakes, and both sat in silence, unsure of what more to say. What was she supposed to say? Friend? Girlfriend? Is that what they were now? She didn't want to presume, but she didn't like the idea that she had upset Asami even more. Maybe she was imagining things. She was probably more upset about losing her parents and company, and here she was getting insecure about a single comment. Get a grip, Korra.
She tried to take a sneaky glance at the other woman to find that their eyes locked immediately. Korra jumped to her feet in reflex. "I'll clean up," she said.
"No, that's alright, I'll-"
Korra was already scooping up the plates and cutlery. "Hey, you cooked breakfast, I clean up. It's only fair." she said, a bit of careful waterbending making light work of the chore, soap bubbles escaping into the air.
Asami looked on, confused at Korra's sudden nervousness. "Korra?"
The Avatar kept her back to Asami as she took her time to make extra-sure that the cutlery was perfectly spotless. The engineer sighed in frustration. "You forgot the mixing bowl."
"Oh," said Korra, leaning over the counter to place it in the sink. "Thanks."
Korra glanced around conspiratorially. The gardens were empty but for a few bird-leaf spirits that rested on the phone lines.
"All right, see you in the park tomorrow?"
"The one with the great big statue of me in it?" Korra grinned.
"That's the one."
"Hey, didn't you design that whole thing as part of your Future Industries contract? Was I on your mind that much?"
"The city council decided on the design, Korra."
"Yeah, sure." she replied. "Though I gotta say, I think that statue of me should be bigger."
Asami gripped the bridge of her nose, as if she was trying to stave off a headache. "Bigger?"
"Yep."
"It's the biggest thing in the whole park, Korra."
"It's alright, but have you seen that one of Avatar Aang?"
"That's not-"
"And the pose could be better, too." she thought. "How about this?" asked Korra, flexing her muscles. "Doesn't this look more like the Avatar that defeated the Una-Vatu spirit?"
She finally got the reaction she was hoping for, and Asami laughed. "You're impossible."
Korra just smiled in response. "You sure you don't want to come and visit Tenzin and the others?"
Asami shook her head. "I have a lot of things to do. I'll see you around lunchtime tomorrow?"
"Got it." said Korra. "Thanks for breakfast," The other woman smiled, turning away.
"Asami, wait."
She turned back, expecting Korra to say something else. Instead, Korra stepped forward, so close that Asami could feel the other woman's soft breath tickling her face.
Two hands rested upon Asami's shoulders, gently pulling her into a hug. Asami relaxed, a soft sound escaping her throat, and Korra tilted her head back to look up at her. She looked into her green eyes, wanting nothing more than to remove the sadness that had settled there.
"Korra, I-"
Their lips brushed together, words forgotten. They kissed almost hesitantly, while Korra's fingers teased through the woman's hair. After a few seconds, or maybe it was much longer, long enough for her head to start spinning, they separated, and Korra grudgingly let go of her, fingers brushing down her back. Asami let out a held breath, seemingly lost for words. Instead, she took the Avatar's hands with her own, fingers drifting over the contours of her knuckles.
"Uhm... I should probably get going," said Korra, though she wanted only the opposite.
Asami squeezed her hands once more before letting go. "I'll see you later," she said.
"Count on it," smiled Korra. She stole one last glance back at Asami before heading back towards Air Temple island. The city was just beginning to wake up, the rumble of Satomobiles echoing through the streets.
Tenzin would be up now, probably meditating. Pema would be chasing after little Rohan. Ikki would be driving the Air Acolytes to madness, and Meelo would be causing trouble.
She wondered if they'd be angry at her for running off after the wedding. She didn't think so, but it was possible. They had left a note, at least.
It didn't matter, Korra thought to herself. They'd deserved a vacation. Didn't they?
Stepping through the battered streets of Republic City, Korra was sure that it would be a beautiful day.
