Athletic tape was being wound tightly around Asami's hands and wrists as she sat waiting in her compression shorts and sports bra. The white and black uniform that left little to imagination was detailed with the numerous sponsors that endorsed the fighter; Future Industries had the largest claim and its symbol- a metal gear- decorated the sides of her shorts. The ripping sound of the coordinated wrappings mingled with the breaths of the martial artist and her trainer.
They enjoyed the routine silently together, Asami sitting and sweating on the medical bench with Korra's healing hands taped the fighter's bruised fists. Asami scooted closer, bumping her bare knees into Korra's thighs softly. The latter chuckled quietly and Asami smiled in response.
Finally, her hands were bound in a glove-like tape job. Flexing her aching fingers and rolling her wrists, she nodded in satisfaction at the result.
"Thank you, Korra." She said, thrusting her fists forward in a jab-hook combination to test her mobility as her athletic trainer moved around her to secure her long, black waves in a braid.
Raking her nails and separating Asami's hair into three parts, Korra replied, "You're welcome, Asami." She paused, pulling the hair firmly away from her face and manipulating it into a plait so tight that it never came out during a fight. Asami assumed that it was a Southern Water Tribe trick. After a moment, Korra said softly, "Remember, you're going to rely on your grappling as well as your boxing if you want to win this fight. Try and get her left arm in an arm bar; she's already broken that one before and it's bound to be weaker."
Asami sighed, rolling her green eyes as Korra let the finished braid drop against the middle of her back. "Korra," she said, "I'll be fine. This isn't my first time in the octagon."
The younger woman stood in front of her again and Asami was forced to look up at the shorter girl for once. Korra's rough hands carefully took Asami's face in her hands and brushed her thumbs along the sharp angles of her cheek bones. Blue eyes searched her face and Korra said, "I'm sorry I worry so much, 'Sami. Just please, make sure you keep your gloves up: I feel so bad kissing you when your lips are bruised and busted."
Laughing, the fighter stood and bounced on her toes once before wrapping her lean arms around her personal trainer's waist. Korra's hands climbed slowly up her back to stroke the dark braid and she looked up at her, tugging on the hair to make sure she had Asami's attention. "Promise me," she whispered, glaring, "that I won't have to scrape you off the mat this time."
"I promise," Asami replied her voice soft but firm. "Now kiss me good luck."
