Author's Note: This has been the first fanfic I've written in a while, so don't sue me if it's absolutely terrible. I don't own anything of the avatar franchise. If I did I would have made the ending of Korra much clearer. If there is something that I can make better, then please leave a review and I will see what I can do.


A Ring and a Necklace

Asami shivered as the artic wind brushed her neck and face, making her hunch her shoulders against it and tightening her hands around her cup of tea. She brought it close to her face to feel its heat but did not drink, as it would cover her view of the battle that waged before her and she did not want to miss a thing. They had all gathered together at Katara's home in the Southern Water Tribe to celebrate Korra's birthday. As one of the numerous presents that Asami planned to give Korra, she took a weeklong break from work, making it so that there were a few days before and after Korra's birthday.

For Korra's birthday, the two of them had been invited to host the party at Katara's house and to stay however long they wished. Korra jumped at the chance of spending time with her mentor; Katara used to make monthly visits to various places but as the years were really beginning to take her toll on her and now she barely left her house.

As the days counted down to her birthday, people from all around began to trickle in. The first to arrive was Jinora and Kai, whom Tenzin had grudgingly allowed his daughter to pair up with, after they had finished a mission. Then came Opal and Bolin, who had accompanied her on her travels and missions ever since Kuvira's defeat. Suyin and her family came soon after along with Toph. Apparently, she had decided to leave the swamp and live with Suyin and her family, the reason being the same as Katara's though she would never admit it and would kick the ass of anyone who pointed it out just to prove them wrong. The last to arrive were Tenzin and his family with Lin and Mako, both of whom decided to take some rare time off.

Of the main events for Korra's birthday was a more amateur version of a pro-bending tournament. It started with the original team – Mako, Bolin, and Korra – against Kya, Tenzin and Lin (with much coercion, the final straw being an insult to her ability due to her age). Off to the side, air benders – Jinora, Kai, and Opal – had their own match against earth benders – Bolin, Suyin and Toph. It was not long before, however, everything just disintegrated into a free-for-all snowball fight, which was not the least bit surprising in hindsight. What else was to be expected with this mixture of people of ever age? Asami was willing to bet it was Korra herself who started it all.

At the moment, Korra was going up against Ikki, Meelo and Suyin's sons. Normally, one would say that the odds were entirely against Korra, but she made it even by using the every element in her arsenal – water-bending snowballs, air bending them into the sky, using fire-bending to melt them before they reached her, earth-bending shields to protect herself. Still, it was apparent that it was only a matter of time before she lost this fight. She watched as Korra was pelted with several snowballs at once, immediately catching the flinch of pain that crossed the avatar's face when one hit a particular sensitive place on her side, however the tan woman covered it with a cocky grin as she returned fire and a retort. Asami lowered her cup and she narrowed her eyes at the woman, watching for any sign to call off the match. In retaliation, which could very much be considered overkill, the Ikki and Meelo began to bend the air quickly around Korra putting her in the center of a cyclone, the gusts catching the snow around her till it collected into a massive ball over her head, which was dropped mercilessly onto the avatar's head, burying her almost completely.

Asami could not help but laugh, her concern momentarily forgotten, as Korra flailed comically, trying to get herself out of the mountain of snow on top of her, spluttering as the white stuff filled her mouth and nose as a result.

"Ha, we win, Avatar!" cried Meelo arrogantly, pumping his fist in the air.

Korra struggled some more but then stilled suddenly. Something was wrong. Before Asami could call out, Korra's father, Tonraq, beat her to the punch. Noticing his daughter's distress, he water-bent the snow off Korra, flinging it good-naturedly back to the kids who turned to flee but were ultimately unsuccessful. Meelo was the first one to pop his head out and cry out, "Hey, that's not fair! We weren't ready!"

"That's why they call it a surprise attack," Korra shouted back, forcing a smile and curling up to hide the hand on her side from the kids.

"Alright, that's enough play time for you," he said in an amused tone, though Asami could clearly hear his worry. He pulled his daughter to her feet but let her walk on her own. As Korra turned towards Asami, she could plainly see a small red patch spreading from underneath Korra's hand, staining her usual blue attire. Asami all but dropped the cup on the nearest flat surface before racing to Korra's side.

"Korra, are you alright? You shouldn't have pushed yourself too hard," she scolded her.

Korra only smiled apologetically, Asami to walk her back into the house where Katara and her daughter, Kya, were waiting. As they reached them, Kya placed a hand on her mother's shoulder. "I can do it, Mom," she offered. Katara nodded and stepped aside to let the three women pass. Once they reached the appropriate room, Kya went about filling the healing pool in the middle, while Asami helped to undress Korra without aggravating the wound anymore than she had to.

"Always eager to get me out of my clothes," Korra joked lightly.

Asami felt a small smile tug at her lips as she continued. "Hush you." Her frown returned and her motions slowed as the wound came into view, wrapped but bleeding through the bandage. Slowly, Asami unwrapped it, wrinkling her nose at the bitter smell of the herbal salve that had covered the cut. It went from just underneath Korra's breasts, along her ribcage to her hip. It should have been a relatively easy wound to heal with simple water bending but had been made worse with infection, making it a more complicated matter. As luck would have it, two days before Korra's birthday, avatar duties demanded her presence and returned her with a serious injury. When the others tried to persuade her to take it easy, that they could push it back a day or two, she scoffed, "Are you kidding me? I can't be miss out on my own birthday." "Besides, with the help of the world's greatest healer, I'll be as good as new!" she added confidently. True enough, she was, despite Katara's words of caution not to over do it. Hence the reason, Asami had taken it upon herself to watch out for Korra instead of joining in, as the woman was too stubborn to sit and stay still on her birthday.

Asami felt her mouth go dry at the sight of the cut and she tried to swallow the lump that was forming in throat. Korra, hating to see her so distressed, cupped Asami's cheek to make her meet her eyes and not look at her injury. In those blue eyes that she adored, Asami could clearly see the avatar's apology and silent plea to not worry. The young CEO placed a hand over Korra's, shook her head and forced a smile, unable to say anything. Instead she conveyed with her own eyes her understanding and love of whom Korra was and acceptance of the responsibilities and risks that came with it.

Kya, having finished the preparations, cleared her throat awkwardly, to catch the two young women attention. Reluctantly the two of them tore away from each other. Taking one step into the pool, Korra shuddered at the temperature of the water. "Spirits, its cold! Mind if I heat it up a bit?"

Kya smiled. "Sure, it might even help with the healing a bit." With a little bit of fire bending the healing pool began to fill the room with steam within seconds. Once Korra was done, Kya started the healing session. For a while, Asami watched silently as Kya bent the water back and forth before focusing her attention on the injury, witnessing with a fearful fascination as the wound stopped bleeding and closed thinly. When she sensed that Kya was almost done, Asami gathered up Korra's bloodied garment and excused herself. "I'm going to go get Korra something to change into."

Onto her way to Korra's room, she bumped into Katara. "Oh, Master Katara, I was just getting something for Korra," she said quickly, feeling as though she was hiding something for some reason. Katara said nothing at first but glanced down at the bundle of clothes in Asami's arms.

"Let me take care of that," she said, taking the bundle from the younger woman before she could protest. Then Katara made her way to the nearest bathroom and Asami followed her for some reason. She had a feeling that the elder had something to say to her. She stood at the doorway of the bathroom, watching Katara as she bent water from the spout, soaking the shirt with it, swirling it around and around, and pulling every drop of blood as she pulled the water away and let it down the drain, leaving the shirt damp but spotless.

"I wish I was a water-bender." The words were out of her mouth before she knew what she was saying but the moment they were out, she knew that they were true.

"Yes, it does make doing the laundry simpler, I'll admit," the woman joked before her expression softened with empathy. "It's not easy, is it?" Asami looked at the master water bender with surprise and confusion. "Loving anyone takes a lot of courage. And that is true even more so when the one you love is the Avatar, I think," she elaborated. She looked at Asami. "You know what it means, don't you, what it means to love Korra?"

Asami rubbed her arms uncomfortably. Of course, she knew. She knew that Korra's first and foremost responsibility was to the world; everything else, including herself, was secondary. She knew that the world had the right to call for Korra in the middle of the night, in the middle of meals, in the middle of any and all special occasions, and even when Korra was in no condition to fight and that the avatar would answer dutifully. She knew that the times when Korra could tell her goodbye and that she loved her before she left were a kindness because, for whatever reason, she might not make it home to say it.

Asami shook her head, not in answer, but to clear her head of those thoughts. She had long since accepted what it meant to love Korra. Instead she smiled as she replied, "It means that there are parts of her that only I'll know and no one else. It means that I have her in a way that the rest of the world never will. It means that she also loves me."

At her words, Katara blinked in surprise but then her expression softened. "Yes, it does mean that, doesn't it?" she murmured. Asami knew at that moment she had received the approval of the most famous woman to love an avatar. "By the way, Asami, weren't you supposed to get something for Korra?"


Korra waited for Asami to leave before she let out a deep sigh that she had been holding back since the wound had reopened again, her body relaxing to Kya's healing. "You okay?" the healer asked, continuing the back and forth motions of the water. Korra nodded but her face did not show it. "You look like you got something on your mind," she prodded gently.

Korra sighed. "Sometimes I wish I wasn't the avatar," she said finally. Her words made Kya stop and water stilled around Korra's body. "If I was anybody but the avatar, I wouldn't make her worry so much."

Kya resumed her healing as she replied. "But if you were anybody but the avatar, you might have never met her in the first place."

Korra smiled slightly. "Yeah, you're probably right."

"You know, Mom worried a lot too." It took Korra a moment before she realized that Kya was talking about Katara. "She tried not to let us see it, but… Sometimes, I think, Mom wished that she did not love Dad as much as she did. But then, whenever Dad came home, whether he was gone for months, weeks, or days – hours even – the moment they saw each other, they would just light up and I knew Mom loved Dad and that neither of them would have it any other way despite all the worry and everything." Korra was quiet as she listened to Kya and remained so even when she finished talking. "When you left a couple of days ago, doing what avatars do best – saving the world and all that – Asami… well, she was lonely and really, really worried. We all could tell, though she tried to hide it, busying herself as much as she could. And then you came home, all bloodied and battered as you were, and the way you two looked at each other – it was the same way Mom and Dad did. That little show wasn't bad either."

Korra could not help but grin sheepishly at that and she rubbed the back of her neck, slightly embarrassed. She could already feel the blush reddening her tan skin as she remembered how she had run directly to Asami, lifting her off her feet, spinning her around, kissing her until neither of them could breathe, pure elation at seeing Asami again keeping the pain of her wound at bay for the moment. Kya smiled as well, seeing as Korra had cheered up a little. "Thanks, Kya," she said, "for telling me that." She glanced around looking for something. "Hey, did Asami take my pants too?" she asked.

"Yes, I think so. Why?"

"Oh, crap!" Suddenly, Korra pushed herself upright to get out of the pool, dripping water as she rose.

"Hey, I'm not done yet!"

Korra was not listening. She was halfway to the door when it opened unexpectedly revealing Katara standing on the other side. If she was surprised to see up and panicked, she did not show it. Instead, she simply presented something to Korra, which made her relax considerably. Kya only managed to get a glimpse of a red ribbon and a flash of gold before Korra palmed them both, casting a grateful glance at her teacher. Almost as though the spirits were against her, Asami came up behind Katara, carrying a towel and a change of clothes. Korra immediately whipped her hands behind her back, the movement unfortunately not going unnoticed by Asami.

"Korra?" The young inventor narrowed her eyes in suspicion. "What are you hiding? And why are you out of the pool? Kya isn't done with you yet, is she?" She glanced down at Korra's injury in concern.

Acting quickly, Kya came up behind Korra, taking the things from Korra's hands and pocketing them quickly. "She's right; I'm not done with you yet. Now get back in here, you're dripping all over the floor."

Korra shrugged nonchalantly at the puddle of floor at her feet. "That's alright. I clean up easy." She walked and got back into the pool, water bending the mess she had made as she went by. "Can we please speed this up?" she begged childishly at the three women. "I want to get back to the party!"


There was no other incident as the day went by but it seemed like several days had passed in the span of one. By the time everyone went to bed, it was more early morning than late at night.

"Korra, you need to change," Asami admonished her when the Avatar had thrown herself onto the bed still wearing her clothes.

"Too tired," she groaned, her voice muffled from her face buried in a pillow. "Undress me." The blunt insinuation in Korra's voice made Asami smile despite herself.

"I have to change myself," she said.

"You undress me and I'll undress you."

"Well, I prefer to undress myself, thank you."

"You're so mean," whined Korra. She turned her face so that it was no longer buried in the pillow and opened her mouth to say something but whatever it was died on her lips. She swallowed, her throat suddenly dry at what she saw. "You… really are mean," she murmured.

Asami smiled, her expression not the least bit innocent or apologetic. "How about I show you how nice I really am?" she offered as she sauntered over to Korra. A flick of the wrist and Asami had Korra sitting up so that she could straddle her lap, the smaller woman all too happy to wrap her arms around her waist to pull her closer and keep her there.

Asami was still awake even when Korra had long since fallen asleep. It was a rare privilege to see the avatar so vulnerable…and cute. Her hair was spread like a halo around her head, and she was snoring slightly, a bit of drool at the corner of her mouth. At first, one would think that she was just normal girl… until you looked closer. On her face, they were faint but they were still there, two scars on her cheek, like Chief Beifong's, from her fight with Unalaq and Vaatu. On her arms, there were spots from where the poison had forced itself through her skin, which had only faded away with time and healing of Katara. The wound on her side would be just another addition to the collection. Looking at them, she was reminded of her conversation with Katara earlier. She had meant what she said.

Reaching a hand around, she tucked a strand of hair away from Korra's face, gently stroking her cheek. At the light touch, Korra moaned softly, stirring. "Sami…love you…" For a moment, Asami thought she was awake, but then realized she was only talking in her sleep.

"Love you too." For Asami, loving Korra was the easiest and, yet, the most difficult thing she had ever done but absolutely worth it.


The sun was nearing noon's height and she could hear the cacophony of pots and pans coming from the kitchen. Korra, however, could not find it in her to move from her spot. She sat with legs bent, arms wrapped around her legs, head on her knees, eyes focused entirely on Asami's sleeping form. It was a rare and wonderful sight. For the umpteenth time, she wondered how someone could still be so damn beautiful with bedhead with flairs of sex hair here and there. She wore no make-up now but it made wonder why she even bothered to – she looked beautiful without it. Probably call it icing on the cake. Leaning over she placed a kiss on Asami's lips, so soft, short and sweet, before pulling back. Asami murmured something before turning on her side towards Korra. It was so cute Korra had to smile. Korra could count on one hand the number of times she had seen Asami asleep.

During the scarce stretches of time that the world decided that it did not need Korra for the moment, she would drag Asami away from her work desk and the two of them would just spend the day practically doing nothing, just resting, enjoying each other's company. If they were outside, Korra would play fetch with Naga while Asami would read something some yards away, glancing up once in awhile. If they were inside, the two of them would just sit on the couch and listen to the radio. People would think it was the other way around but Asami would have her head in Korra's lap while Korra gently stroked her hair. More often than not, Asami would fall asleep on her lap to the soft constant rhythm of Korra combing through her hair.

As though she could feel her eyes on her, Asami mumbled something incoherently, her green eyes blinking awake slowly. "Morning," she whispered.

Korra glanced at the clock in their room. "I think afternoon is more appropriate," she replied. When she looked back at Asami, the young CEO had a strange expression on her face. "What is it?" she asked.

"Nothing," replied Asami, "just feeling grateful for being able to wake up beside the most powerful person in the world."

Korra chuckled. "Huh, that's funny – that's what I was thinking earlier while I was watching you sleep."

Asami narrowed her eyes. "I'm being serious, Korra."

"So am I. I mean, who else has complete control over the avatar?"

The only reply Asami had for that was to kiss Korra till she could barely breathe let alone speak.


That day turned out to be just as busy and hectic as yesterday. Night had already fallen when the two of them were able to sneak away for a bit. Outside, it was cold but it was quiet and it was just the two of them. They walked around aimlessly, not going far as to remain within shouting distance if someone came searching for them. Neither of them said a word and were simply content to bask in each other's company, the two of them holding hands as they had when they took their spirit world vacation that started everything.

Korra glanced at Asami, her nose and cheeks were red from the cold and tilted up to the sky. Following her gaze, Korra saw above them the aurora borealis dancing among the stars. Noticing Korra was looking at her, she returned her gaze, beaming happily. Now was as good a time as any if not the perfect time. As though the world was conspiring against her, something tripped her – some random object buried in the snow or maybe she slipped on some obscure patch of her ice – whatever it was sent the avatar crashing to the ground with a yelp and accidently dragging Asami down on top of her. The next thing either of them knew, they were face to face lying in the snow. Neither of them being one to waste the opportunity, Asami leaned forward for a kiss that Korra returned gladly. It was sweet and chaste – so much so that when they parted, Korra tried to pull her down for another deeper kiss. At first, Asami seemed to relent to the tacit request, but just before their lips touched Asami pulled away. She did it again when Korra tried to raise her head to reach her. The first time was a joke; the second time was just plain teasing and a challenge for the avatar.

With one quick motion, Korra water bent some snow up Asami's clothes causing her to rear up with a squeal at the sudden coldness. Taking the chance, Korra bucked her hips and rolled them so that she ended on top of Asami, keeping her weight on her hands and knees. She dove in taking Asami's mouth in a deep, hot, rough kiss.

It lasted nowhere near as long as they wanted it to as it was cut all too short by "Hey you two, that's enough frolicking in the snow!" The two young women whipped their heads around to find Lin standing just outside the house, arms crossed in front of her, looking her normally grumpy self, except for a tiny smirk at the corner of her mouth.

"It's not what you think," Korra tried to explain as she grew red in the face. "Asami tripped over something and then dragged me down with her!" she finished with a grin.

Asami rewarded her with an indignant guffaw and a smack on the shoulder. Lin just shook her head. "Whatever," she replied in tone that would have believed nothing they had to say. "Just get inside before you both catch your death of cold!" she yelled.

Korra rose up, turning so that Lin could see the mock salute she gave her. Lin just shook her head and headed back inside, the smirk now a grudging smile.

Seeing her opening, Asami returned the favor of bucking Korra off her. Before Korra reacted, she got up brushing snow off her pants. "She's right, you know, we should head back inside. And also now I'm freezing because of your little trick."

Korra did not reply. She was too preoccupied by what she had found in the snow when Asami had thrown her off – a betrothal necklace, it could not have been anything else. The ribbon was a blue that matched her usual attire and brought out her eyes. In the center was a stone with a simple carving of what looked like the water tribe emblem with a gear rising out of the spiraling waves. It was beautiful.

She heard Asami call her name and she looked up to meet concerned green eyes. The concern turned to alarm when she saw what was in Korra's hands. The avatar might have laughed at the way Asami frantically searched her pockets had she not been so stunned. Once it dawned on the young inventor's mind that it had fallen out of her pocket during their little tumble, the only thing she could say was, "You…weren't supposed to see that yet."

Asami's face was completely red and trembling and not just from the cold. She was scared. Somehow, Korra found it in herself to chuckle a little. Asami blinked in surprise and she opened her mouth and then closed it when Korra started to move. "Well, if that's so, then would it be all right if I do this," she said. Instead of getting to her feet like Asami expected, Korra got up so that knelt on one knee. The taller woman stared in disbelief at what she was seeing that only increased in incredulity when the avatar pulled out a ring from her pocket. Asami gasped, both her hands flying to her mouth, tears stinging her eyes, as the ring was held out to her.

Korra could feel her face glowing red through her dark skin and was aware of the trembling in her arm as she held out the ring to her. She swallowed to wet her dry throat but her voice still came out hoarse as she asked, "Asami Sato, would you be willing to do me the honor of marrying me?"

Was it hours, minutes, or just a few seconds, that Korra waited? When Asami nodded her head, completely unable to speak, Korra felt like she could breath again. Her face felt like it was going to split from the grin on her face as she stood up and gently took one of Asami's hands. Slowly, like she could not believe it herself, she slid the small golden band onto her fiancée's ring finger. Once it was on, she took the moment to commit the sight of her ring on Asami's hand to memory, kissing the knuckles.

Then it was Asami's turn. The CEO took back the betrothal necklace from Korra, who turned around obligingly so that she could tie it around her neck. Once it was on, Korra turned around to let Asami see. She tried to look down at it and when she could not, she contented herself with just feeling the cool surface of the stone beneath her fingers. When blue eyes finally turned up to meet green, they found nothing else besides boundless adoration and overwhelming love. Seeing those emotions reflected in her eyes, pure happiness took over Korra as she pulled Asami to her, lifting her off her feet and spinning the her around, the both of them laughing wildly from wholesome joy.

"Hey, get back inside already, you two!"