Sup!: So, these first chapters are a lot of fluff and just navigating for me. I started out this story without much of a clear direction so in the beginning you'll see more reliance on the Turf Wars plot before I branch off later. This chapter heavily leans on Part One of the comics. It's short, it's sweet, and indicative of me just finding my footing with where I wanted this story to go. Enjoy the fluff, and if you hang on, you're in for a wild ride.

"A Good Team"

... ...

Just act normal. Everything is the same, really. We've always known how we felt about one another deep down, and we didn't act differently before the vacation, no reason to change now.

Korra and Asami stood side by side in front of the large pavilion and looked at one another with a tacit understanding. Through all the bustle and commotion, no one really noticed them. Asami took note of that when she stopped Korra from opening the entrance flap by whispering, "Wait!"

Korra paused and regarded Asami with wide, curious eyes as the industrialist rapidly whipped her head back and forth with a sly grin, then swiftly kissed the Avatar, pressing her lips slick with the satin red lipstick she wore into the shorter woman's lips. Korra's cheeks were pink as she smiled back at Asami and she began to motion toward opening the flap again when Asami hurriedly whispered, "Wait!" again and Korra raised her eyebrows and smirked as she turned to the industrialist. Asami giggled, reaching up with her thumb to rub across Korra's bottom lip, removing the lipstick that had smudged on her. As Asami's thumb trailed its way on her lip, Korra looked up at her and saw the sun at her back casting dazzling rays all around her, illuminating her jet black hair and accentuating the subtle waves and curves in her tresses, while the non-bender smiled sweetly at her and only her.

"Now we can go in," Asami said, her grin revealing perfectly white teeth.

Korra chuckled and shook her head, "You're crazy," she said, lightly pinching Asami's side, causing her to giggle again. She then raised the flap so that they could finally enter the pavilion where all their friends waited for their appearance.

The reactions to their presence were immediate, all of the new Air Acolytes surrounded them in a loose circle. Korra had missed it, being around friends, groups of people, it was her nature as the Avatar and also as herself. Spending most of her life isolated on the frozen tundra of the South with not much for company except animals and old White Lotus farts made her crave being in the presence of others, even if it was overwhelming at times, there would always be a part of her that loved it. She beamed as the comments flowed throughout the pavilion.

"Korra's back!"

"Hey, Korra!"

"What's shakin', Avatar!"

"Hey, Asami!"

It was nice to see Korra in her true element. This was where she truly belonged, Asami thought as she observed the Avatar bearing her signature heart-warming grin, greeting everyone and hugging Tenzin. Helping people, that was her lot in life, and the industrialist couldn't be prouder of the woman she chose to accompany in battle after battle, through the Spirit World and back. Who else could be better than her?

Asami smiled as Kya greeted her with a friendly embrace. "Welcome home," the water-bender said, holding Asami by the elbows as she regarded her. "How was the vacation?"

The question had thrown her off a bit. It wasn't so much the words themselves, many of their other friends had asked the same thing. No, it was more the tone of voice with which the question was posed that caused Asami to abate. They had discussed before they arrived at the refugee camp that they would act casual and play things by ear first. They had agreed that it would be easy, so why was Asami so flustered when Kya stood in front of her, a telltale smirk playing on her face with a raised eyebrow accompanying it?

"It was…fun," Asami countered with the same half-assed response Korra had given in reply to her parents' inquiry not long ago. The industrialist inwardly cringed, but it came out normal enough…it was the aversion of her eyes and the wild, unabashed smile that just broke free on her lips that betrayed her. Damn it, Korra…! Asami bit her bottom lip in an attempt to control herself.

"I bet," Kya slyly remarked, but Asami was too lost in watching the Avatar to have noticed. It was hard to keep control with her.

Of course Korra was right down to business with Tenzin, discussing the relief efforts and the displacement of the Republic City citizens. For all her complaints about never having a break and there always being problems for her to solve, Korra always rushed to tackle those problems head on, fearless and determined. And Asami loved being able to make a difference with her, it was through involvement with the young Avatar that Asami had eventually redeemed the Sato family name and she would be eternally grateful to her for it. It was through Korra that Asami could see a true, sustainable purpose to her work, and a shining legacy that she could leave behind.

Asami smiled when Korra showed her eagerness at the suggestion of Kya to make an appearance for the refugees, in the hopes of lifting their spirits. Her smile would disappear once Korra threw the next sentence at her, "You'll come with me, Asami?"

The non-bender shifted uncertainly. She knew how overzealous the Avatar could be, and right at that moment, Korra was all giddy nerves. She was so gung-ho that she almost forgot herself. Korra would take her hand and give her adorable polar bear puppy eyes as she led her through the encampment and she would ignore the sideways glances and accusing eyes easily enough, but Asami had an attention to detail that wouldn't allow her to brush off the stares and the thought of complete strangers judging them right then made her uncomfortable. And Korra's tendency to make a scene at the slightest provocation filled Asami with anxiety. If it was so easy for the Avatar to lash out at Tonraq's harmless suggestion, her own father, the young inventor could only imagine what would happen if a random idiot decided to mouth off. Plus, she had an idea of her own and she relished the freedom to do her part as the valuable member of the team she was.

"Actually, I…I think I'll stay here and talk to Zhu Li about some practical things I can do to help."

Asami knew where Korra was coming from and it was endearing how she wanted them to do everything together, that was well enough in the Spirit World but their separate talents combined was what made them more than just a couple. It made them a team. The concept seemed simple enough to Asami, although she was not surprised when her short-tempered girlfriend turned to her with a cutting remark, her blue eyes narrowed and umber brows rigid, causing the dark skin between them to wrinkle.

"So lifting people's spirits isn't practical?"

Oh, Korra… Asami tried her best to proceed with caution, gritting her teeth as she averted her gaze in an attempt to avoid any conflict with the young Avatar. "No, it's just…they want to see The Avatar, not me. Do what you're best at. Inspire people."

Korra had her talents, and loved showcasing them. Asami only wanted the chance to be able to do the same. When the bender sulkily turned away, a pressure descended on Asami's chest as she quietly observed that dejected slump of her shoulders. She was hurt, but Asami hadn't intended it that way. She wanted to embrace her from behind, lock her arms across the young woman's body and hold her tight with all the feelings she held inside for her, hoping she would understand that, if not any words she could speak to convey everything she felt for her. But the bustling forms around them kept Asami at bay, and she could only look longingly at that rigid back and short brown hair as the Avatar mumbled a flat response.

"Okay."

Asami found herself replying in kind, "Okay."

Although she did want to begin to ask her if they could talk somewhere privately, she held her tongue and swallowed the words as Tenzin rushed past her and jollily pushed the reluctant Avatar outside. Asami sighed, rubbing her arm as she hoped Korra would somehow come to understand. Seeing the subject of her affection so hurt was almost too much to bear. Everything was so much easier in the Spirit World, where they were alone and had time to talk things out whenever they found the need to do so. She never intended to hurt Korra, but she realized, this could happen, it happened now and it might happen again. Korra might hurt her. It was called being in a relationship, and unlike most other couples, they had something special. Communication and understanding. They could talk to each other about anything, so nothing could stand in their way, Asami resolved. She took a deep breath and walked over to Zhu Li, confident that nothing could come between them, especially not a silly fight like that.

The benders could keep their elements, she had one all her own. The way she was able to conjure up buildings and skylines out of thin air, springing them to life from the depths of her mind was as amazing to her as the earth-benders and their powers. Asami was fully engrossed in her work. As she allowed her hand to lead the pencil across the scroll, the noises of the busied frenzy around her melted away. This was her element. Creation. It had fascinated her ever since she was a little girl, the magic behind seeing her father's doodles come to life right before her eyes; living, breathing monoliths given life from scribbles on scraps of paper. The whole process was rapture. The planning, the concepts, the building, working with her hands and making her dreams a reality with the flick of a button or the turn of a key that rewarded her with the hum of an engine that let her know she was a true artist. There was nothing like it. Aside from…

Sure enough, the only thing that could snap her out of her creative trance was the swell of cheers that erupted from outside of the tent. Asami smiled as she tried to proceed with her work, the cries of the people cheering Korra on, her Korra, filling her with an immense feeling of pride. Sure as summer…that's Korra, alright.

And this was her, she thought, lightly sketching in some minor details and adding dimensions in the margin. And together, they could do anything.

"Sounds like a visit from The Avatar was exactly what the evacuees needed." Asami overheard Zhu Li say as Korra reentered the tent with Tenzin at the corner of her eye. A rush of inspiration suddenly hit the industrialist as she continued scribbling fervently onto the paper. She barely took notice of the conversation taking place around her until Zhu Li addressed her by name as she spoke to Korra.

"…Asami just started drawing up some plans for a new housing development."

And then nothing could distract her from the Avatar's body standing just inches away from her, looking down curiously at her work. "The quicker we can get people back to some sense of normalcy, the better," Asami said confidently, her eyes still trained on the concept drawings on the table before her. When she dared to look up at the bender standing over her, Asami could see the admiration in Korra's eyes.

"I totally agree," she said, smiling demurely at Asami as she started to pull out the chair next to her. "Want to show me what you have in mind?"

Asami studied Korra's face with all the meticulous intent of a creator appraising a fine work of art. A smile, the soft tendrils of her hair just brushing against her powerful shoulders, the richness of the dark skin surrounding those sapphire eyes. There was nothing like it.

"I'd love to."

&&&Omnia vincit amor****amor vincit omniA&&&

Some Rambles: I loved this little mini-conflict between Korra and Asami in the comic and dissected the hell out of it, glad I could put my thoughts out there like this. Korra just seems so gung-ho and enthusiastic that it's adorable, but Asami's reaction to her gf's unintentional steamrolling is very realistic. I like to think that Asami crafted a whole life for herself while Korra was away that we didn't see in Books 1-3 because she didn't really have her footing, but once she did, she firmly established her own identity and usefulness apart from the group and her gf. I loved that little dose of reality the team put into the comic. New relationships consist of being lovey dovey and together 24/7 but they're also about staying true to who you are separate from your other half and I admired the hell out of Asami's assertiveness while still being considerate towards Korra's feelings. Poor thing still took it the wrong way, but I love that they were able to get over it quickly. Dat chemistry tho.