Anything For Her
White clouds lazily swept across the blue sky, the sound of laughing children would have been heard clearly had it not been for the panels of tall reinforced glass that kept the swarming heat outside of the Future Industries highest conference room The reverberating clatter of the pencil on the pristine marble floor went wholly unnoticed by the group of men sitting in crisp suits pretending to pay attention to another one of Raiko's sermons. It was an ordinary occurrence really; an innocent fumble of wandering fingers… the roll of an object across the immaculately clean table.
Yet -
It was enough to bring Korra out of her wistful daydream of air bending off the top of the building, free from all restraints, responsibilities and roles in the "greater scheme of the world" as she could imagine Tenzin saying. Her eyes followed the trail the pencil had taken and she realised why it had affected her so – Asami had dropped it. Her sudden attention made complete sense now that she came into the picture, it was always the case – anything and everything that had any remote link to Asami had Korra's complete attention. Before the ever present feeling of self-pity could make its presence known, however, the fact that clumsiness was not a normal behavioural pattern for Asami formed a warning in Korra's mind.
One look at her angelic features confirmed it for Korra, something was wrong. She couldn't explain how she knew, she could say something as clichéd as the ever present spark in her eyes was slightly dimmed or the polite smile that she had maintained on her glossy red lips that seemed perfectly proper to everyone else seemed just a little stiff to Korra, but the honest truth was that Korra couldn't pinpoint the exact physical feature that told her the matter – because it didn't. Her instincts; the little voice in her head; or more truthfully - her heart - simply knew. She couldn't ever explain it, not even to herself and so she stopped trying to and just followed what she always understood before anyone else.
Korra continues to stare at Asami with a small frown, hoping desperately for some eye contact that would perhaps soothe her concern though deep down she knew she wasn't wrong to worry. Asami Sato didn't just drop things, clumsiness wasn't her style. When their eyes finally met Asami rolled her eyes at Raiko's still continuing monologue with a discreet smirk and whilst Korra grinned back at her the feeling of protective tension only intensified with the eye contact.
Something was definitely wrong.
Korra's eyes scanned across the room as her mind worked furiously to hatch a plan to get her and Asami out of the room – they needed to talk before incessant worry gnawed at her any more. Heck she should probably get everyone away from Raiko, knowing his abilities he could go on for a good few hours and she was the Avatar after all – the helpless must be saved…
Someone in the room coughed and it was all the inspiration that Korra needed, she failed miserably at hiding her cocky grin as she met Asami's eyes again and gave her a quick wink only getting raised eyebrows as a response taking that as enough of a blessing she continued in her grand master plan – the epitome of all geniuses – a plan befitting the mighty Avatar! She drew in a deep breath and began coughing – spluttering – gasping for more breaths – hacking up any and all phlegm with enough gusto to warrant covering her face with her hands in a futile attempt to save her neighbours from specks of her overzealous saliva. Raiko hesitated to a stop as Korra's face began to turn a light shade of purple whilst the perturbed men with their expensive suits began to cautiously shift away from the Avatar choking on thin air.
"Avatar Korra…"
She held up a hand towards Raiko as she heaved in deep fills of air, Asami slouched in her chair, her hand slowly rubbing across her forehead as she shook her head at Korra's antics whilst desperately holding on to her laughter. With a large dramatic slap of her hand on the glass table, causing the files and pens on the desk to scatter, Korra cleared her throat in perhaps the loudest manner possible with many dramatic pauses and unexpected continuations in her efforts.
"Avatar Korra – are you alright?"
If it had been any other person the act would have been rather obvious but with Avatar Korra genuinely eccentric behaviour was a given and had to be taken in stride – something that Raiko had learnt the hard – very hard – way.
"Ahem, sorry ah just a really – phew - really bad cough…"
Korra grinned sheepishly as everyone in the conference room, whilst there were one or two who looked on disapprovingly most were grateful for the reprieve from Raiko's monotonic speech.
"Yes well, I suppose it happens to us all or well to some more than others. As I was saying…"
"Actually I don't think I can continue today, I feel a bit too ill! How about we postpone this meeting to a later date Raiko?"
"Your cough seems to have gone away Korra"
"Yes well, it may return at any point and surely you wouldn't want me to spread my diseased cough to others in the room?" Korra raised her eyebrows at Raiko as several members in the room shifted nervously in their seats, suddenly worried of the germs clearly already having been splattered across the room. "Besides I am the Avatar – these plans cannot be discussed without my opinion and I don't feel up to it today. Let's postpone."
Korra felt slightly guilty for using her title in such a way but her glare directed at Raiko never faltered and as she remembered why she was causing this distraction in the first place all guilt disappeared. Asami took priority over any of Raiko's superficial opinions on the good that Future Industries would accomplish for Republic city with or without his 'consent'.
With several worried glances directed at Raiko, he had no choice but to relent with a sigh. "Fine but..."
"We will reschedule as soon as possible President Raiko, we will be in touch soon!" interrupted Korra before Raiko could be allowed to begin another one of his lectures.
With a final defeated curt nod at Korra and the room in general Raiko gathered the several papers of his yet to be read speech and stormed rather unimpressively. The rest of the board members also gave their nods and formal goodbyes and shuffled quickly out of the room, no doubt glad to have an earlier end to the tediously stretched meeting.
As the door gently closed behind the last person Korra slowly turned her chair to face Asami on the other side of the room who was now openly smirking at her.
"You'll get in to trouble for that one."
Korra sent Asami her trademark lopsided grin and shrugged
"And you'll be there to get me out of it!"
A small giggle escaped Asami's precious lips even as she shook her head at Korra once again and Korra felt her heart flutter and almost come to a stop when Asami gave her that look. It was a look Korra could die for. Something she knew Asami didn't even realise she was doing but it filled Korra with warmth; a strange satisfaction as though all was right with the world. That tender smile signalled the few seconds where Asami's complete attention was on her, all her emotions were focused on whatever Korra was saying or doing and every single time Korra selfishly prayed to the spirits that she would remain her main focus.
Her simple smile encapsulated Korra's peace.
A smile that despite Asami's best efforts still seemed incomplete.
Korra rolled her chair closer to Asami and leant her arms on the table looking directly into her eyes so that she could read her expression with complete clarity.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing"
Korra gently took one of Asami's hands into both of hers and softly caressed her knuckles, her fair skin sparkled against tan hands and for a moment or so Korra was mesmerised despite doing this many a times before. Asami's purity shone through every pore of her and always left Korra breathless - ever grateful that she was allowed to be in such close proximity to this angel.
"What's wrong Sami?"
A deep sigh was followed by Asami slumping slightly on to her chair but her hand gripped Korra's more seeking comfort that as being wilfully given.
"It's Mako… it's hard to explain. We're both busy you know, but he thinks I don't have time for him – he doesn't say it but it's there on his face – I can see the accusation and it kills me."
Another sigh escaped her lips but Korra kept quiet giving her time, focusing more on how lines of frustration had begun to make their mark around her eyes, a deep frown came over Korra's face at this.
"But when I do make time for him, when I take him out or buy him something he feels intimidated again – he doesn't say it – but God his whole body clams up even if I dress up and make reservations at Narooks! I should be allowed to take my own boyfriend to a fancy restaurant if I feel like it without feeling guilty about it dammit!" Her other hand slammed powerfully on the table and Korra slowly took that into her hands too, rubbing soothing circles on both her hands ensuring that there was not even a second of pain.
"It's just things aren't how I thought they would be with him I guess; when we were friends everything was great there was a flow to our relationship it's almost like we no longer understand each other!"
"Did you try talking to him about this?"
"No"
"Asami…"
Her glare, god her glare just made her so sexy, did she even know? Was she aware of the effect her one expression could have?
"Why should I have to? Why does it always have to be me who should fix things because he's got a stick up his ass?"
Korra burst out laughing, she couldn't help herself because Asami was clearly getting flustered and this was Asami Frikking Sato she was talking about, the girl who walked as if gliding on clouds, the girl who oozed sophistication now pouting at Korra like a 5 year old child.
"I'm sorry, this is serious I'll behave - put the deadly cute pout away."
Asami smiled at the friendly compliment, only it wasn't friendly not at least from Korra's perspective, she knew exactly how she felt about Asami – a forbidden love that she will never express – their friendship was far more important, Asami's mere presence in her life was Korra's lifeline and she would never risk that. Besides Mako was perfect for her, they made the perfect couple picture and Korra would never choose to get in between that. So now came the time to help her fix a relationship with another person
"Look Asami you both clearly need to talk, it seems to me that you are assuming a lot of what is on Mako's mind and getting frustrated with it when you don't even know if what you're thinking is actually true. Talk to him the way you just did with me – tell him what you're feeling and how that links to the way he's behaving. Simple"
"If only it was as easy to talk to him as it is with you Kor" smiled Asami.
Korra was immediately transported to a beautiful scene of them both sitting together huddled against a tree playing with each other's fingers spilling every single detail of their day to each other. Her arms securely wrapped around Asami's slim waist as she would nuzzle her nose into her neck, inhaling her unique scent as her lips would make their way to…
Blinking quickly Korra tried to fade away that particular scene from her mind, now wasn't the time.
"You always have to work hard for the good things in life Asami, look at Future Industries or you know – my awesome guns" She flexed her biceps with a ridiculously arrogant grin and it did its trick as Asami giggled once again. Korra stood up pulling Asami with her and engulfed her in a bear hug cradling her head for extra comfort just the way she knew Asami loved the most. "Everything will work out Sami" she whispered faintly.
Asami took in Korra's calming scent and after snuggling cosily in her arms for a few minutes pulled back to smile at her, "Thanks Korra, I needed that."
"Anything for you Asami." For a moment Korra couldn't help herself, her arms tightened possessively around her best friend - the love of her life - as her heart and soul warred with her that only she could ever give her true love. Only she was able to bring a genuine smile to her face that lit up her eyes and made the world a better place.
The trust.
The trust in Asami's eyes is what – as always was the case – brought her back from the brink. She cupped her cheek delicately, caressed her smooth skin for a few moments to give her a final wave of comfort and then lightly released her from her hold. "Now go! Go knock some sense into that moronic boyfriend of yours and don't stop until you're making out like teenagers! I bet you guys are into the kinky sub/dom stuff, right - right?" She wiggled her eyebrows in case the joke hadn't been understood in her best moronic façade waiting for Asami's giggle when she was rewarded with an even better prize. A full throttle laugh that had Asami throwing back her head, her own grin became goofy at Asami's rarely seen carefree moment.
"That's for me to know and you to wonder about you dork" Even as she mocked Korra the gleam was back to perfection in her eyes, her smile had been completed restored – Korra had attained her peace.
"Thanks again, I'll let you know how it went, bye" Asami leaned in for a quick peck on Korra's cheek before she turned around to sway out of the office – gliding as if on clouds and Korra felt another piece of her heart crack – fall and shatter into a million pieces. A sharp pang that radiated pain throughout her body rendering her powerless for some seconds before she could recover. She was getting better at bearing it though; she could do it whilst still maintaining her smile now – practice made perfect after all - especially since it happened every time Asami left her to be with Mako. Yet, she'd bear this pain, this sensation of her heart being torn into shreds all day if it meant that Asami was smiling. She'd die a thousand deaths a second if it meant that girl was happy.
Anything for her.