Asami walked into the gym, looking forward to her workout. She's always loved exercising, but her new gym partner made it much more enticing.
She noticed Korra her first day at the gym, mesmerized by the amount of weight she could lift and the strength she exuded. It took a while, but she finally worked up the courage to talk to her and was thrilled when she ended up acquiring her as a gym partner.
The two ladies really got to know each other over the past few weeks working out together. Asami found out that Korra was twenty-four, just a few months younger than her and originally from the Southern Water Tribe. She was a police officer for the Republic City Police Department, had been working with them for two years, and absolutely loved her job.
Asami was hesitant at first to tell Korra that she was the COO, and future CEO of Future Industries. Most people become intimidated when given this information and she worried that Korra would react the same way. She was pleased when Korra did not shy away from her and instead showed great interest in hearing Asami talk about what her job entailed and how much she loved it.
Asami headed towards their usual meeting place and couldn't help but smile when she spotted Korra doing some warm up stretches.
"Hey you!" Asami asked as she approached Korra.
"Hey!" Korra exclaimed, grinning that crooked grin that would always gave Asami butterflies. "I'm feeling a heavy workout coming on. Think you can handle it?" Korra asked, her eyes twinkling.
"Bring it on." Challenged Asami.
Two grueling hours later, both women were drenched in sweat waiting in line at the water station to refill their bottles.
"You just about killed me today!" exclaimed Asami.
Korra chuckled "I know I'm sorry about that. You kept up really well though. I can already see a definition in your arms."
Asami looked down her arms and then back at Korra. "You really think so?"
"Oh yeah definitely. All this hard work is paying off."
"Well, what little I may have is nothing compared to what you have." Asami stated.
Before she realized it, Asami's hand gained a life of its own, and was on top of Korra's arm giving it a light squeeze.
'Oh my god, Asami really? Take your hand off… Take. Hand. Off.'
Asami's eyes widened and she moved her gaze from her hand on Korra's bicep to her face. Korra's face had turned a bright red and was fixated on Asami's hand. Before she finally got her arm to retract, she felt Korra flex her arm causing Asami to grin. She finally came to a conclusion on something she had been debating about since she met Korra.
"Ah…well thanks. I do try and work out." Korra joked, trying to regain some composure.
"Oh really? I had no idea." Asami retorted, sticking her tongue out.
They both shared a smile and then silence as they reached the front of the line. Asami let Korra fill her bottle first.
'She is so cute. I'm just going to ask her out already. I'm almost completely positive she's interested, and God knows I'm interested. Just do it Asami, just go ahead and….'
"Uhm Asami? You're kinda holdin' up the line here."
"Huh? Oh!" Asami was broken from her thoughts. She gave a quick apologetic glance to the agitated line of people behind her and filled her water bottle up.
"Are you okay?" Korra asked concerned.
"Yeah I'm okay. I guess the workout today really wore me out." Asami replied playfully bumping into Korra's shoulder.
Korra laughed. "Sorry about that again. There was reason for it though. I'm actually not gonna be able to make it for tomorrow's workout. I have a thing to do for work."
"Ahh… now it all makes sense. Well this is a coincidence because I was going to tell you the same thing. Tomorrow I have to attend a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new library in the Republic City Elementary School. Future Industries made one of the biggest donations towards its construction so the mayor asked my father to cut the ribbon."
Korra's eyes widened. "No way! That's where I'm going to be too! What are the odds?" Korra laughed.
"Really? Awesome! What's the RCPD going to be doing there? Isn't it mostly going to be a bunch of children and their parents? Asami asked, wondering why they would need to have law enforcement there.
"Well…ah… it's kinda hard to explain. How about you just wait and see until tomorrow." Korra gave a teasing grin to Asami.
Asami laughed, smiling wide. 'Tomorrow. I'll ask her out tomorrow.'
"Okay then. I'll see you tomorrow, Korra."
"Not if I see you first." Korra winked at Asami before turning around to head to the locker room.
Asami almost tripped over her own feet, thankful that Korra had already turned around.
'Definitely tomorrow'
It was the day of the ribbon cutting ceremony and Asami was onstage standing next to her father, the mayor, and the chief of police. The mayor was giving his speech about education and the importance of reading and literature, however Asami was only half listening as she was constantly scanning the crowd for Korra's face. There were a few police officers scattered amongst the crowd of children and their parents, but she was unable to find her gym partner. She was saddened to think that Korra's plans may have changed and she wouldn't be seeing her today, but was quickly snapped out of it when she heard her father's name announced. She watched, smiling, as he took the ridiculously large pair of scissors and cut the ribbon causing the crowd of people to loudly applaud.
When the applause died down, Asami saw the chief of police approach a young policeman on the side of the stage. She whispered something in his ear and he nodded exuberantly before running up onstage, taking the microphone from the mayor.
"OKAY NOW BOYS AND GIRLS! NOW IS THE TIME YOU'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR!"
Asami look out into the crowd, noticing the excitement in the kids' faces and how they all started making their way closer to the stage.
"IT'S REPUBLIC CITY'S NUMBER ONE SUPERHERO! PABU! THE CRIME FIGHTING FERRET!"
'Crime fighting ferret?'
At that moment a giant red and white ferret came running up onto the stage doing cartwheels and front flips, causing the children in the crowd to go crazy.
'That's pretty impressive that they can do all those flips in that costume' Asami thought.
After a few more cartwheels, the ferret stopped in the middle of the stage, hands on its hips and chest puffed out in the classic superhero pose. It was wearing a red cape and the shirt had a giant RCPD printed on it, Superman style.
The young police officer started speaking in the microphone again.
"NO ONE CAN DEFEAT THE SUPER FERRET WITH HIS SUPER SPEED!"
The ferret dashed around the stage in crazy zigzagging patterns, stopping after a few laps.
"SUPER SIGHT FOR SPOTTING CRIME FROM AFAR!"
The ferret ran to the end of the stage, putting his hand over his eyes, peering out as if looking for the crime.
The speaker went through a couple more super abilities and had the kids laughing and shouting Pabu's name. Asami couldn't help but find the kids' joy infectious and she soon found herself laughing at the ferrets and the speakers' antics.
"AND FINALLY THERE IS NO ONE STRONGER THAN PABU! SUPER STRENTGTH USED TO EASILY CARRY YOU AWAY FROM DANGER!"
The ferret turned his attention to Asami who widened her eyes as she realized his intent. The ferret ran towards her and before she knew it she was being lifted off her feet and carried wedding style by him. Asami laughed and took it all in good spirits. To play along she gave the ferret a kiss on the cheek causing the crowd to erupt in laughter. She was put down and the ferret turned away and pretended to be bashful.
They young man on the microphone started speaking again, much softer now that the introduction was over. He was giving a speech about how Pabu the crime fighting ferret believed that knowledge was the greatest super power there was and the only way to gain knowledge was through reading. It was all a way to get the children interested in the new library, and with the way the kids were paying attention, Asami could tell they had lots of respect for Pabu.
"WELL KIDS, THAT CONCLUDES OUR SHOW FOR TODAY, BUT IF YOU COME TO THE SIDE OF THE STAGE YOU CAN TAKE PICTURES AND MEET PABU THE CRIME FIGHTING FERRET!"
The children cheered and the crowd started breaking apart, a good chunk of it starting a line on the side of the stage, waiting for Pabu's appearance.
Asami smiled and headed towards the back of the stage behind the curtain. Before she could step off the stage though someone tapped her back. When she turned around she came face to face with Pabu, Republic City's superhero.
Asami was not expecting to come face to face with the giant mascot and took a step back in fright. Her foot slipped off the back of the stage and she started to fall but the ferret was quicker and grabbed her, pulling her close.
"Woah." Asami said after gathering her bearings. "You really are a superhero." Asami joked letting go of the ferret. "Thank you for saving me."
The ferret reached up and removed the head of the costume. Asami's jaw dropped when she saw who it was.
"No problem." Korra said, giving that signature half grin.
"Oh my God! Korra! I had no idea it was you!" Asami half shouted, playfully swatting Korra's costume covered arm.
"Yeah I wanted it to be a surprise. I hope you didn't mind me picking you up."
"Not at all. If I did, I wouldn't have given you that kiss." Asami grinned.
Korra smiled wide and opened her mouth to say something but was interrupted when the young officer who was speaking on the microphone earlier burst through the curtains.
"Korra! What are you….oh. Oh. Oooh!" The officer looked at Asami and then at Korra. "Is this the Asami you've been talking about?"
Korra's eyes widened and she quickly shot an elbow into the man's chest.
Asami chuckled, her face blushing pink.
"Ouch Korra jeez! I was just asking!"
"Uhm… Asami this is my best friend Bolin. Bolin, this is Asami."
"Hah! I knew it! Its nice meet you!" Bolin said shaking Asami's hand.
"Its nice to meet you too. I really liked your introduction of the great Pabu."
"Thank you! Actually, speaking of, I came back here to retrieve Pabu. The kids are kinda getting restless out there Korra and Chief Beifong is starting to get agitated."
"Uh oh."
"Exactly, so hurry up!" the young man pressured her as he walked back through the curtains.
"Sorry about that." Korra stated, looking down.
"Sorry about what?"
"Bolin can be a little oblivious sometimes. And loud." Korra chuckled.
Asami laughed. "Its okay, he's very nice. And funny."
"Yeah he's really great."
Asami looked at Korra. 'Okay Asami, now's the time. Start with her name, and then ask. Wait should I ask her out for tonight or tomorrow or…'
"…with me tonight?"
"What?" Asami asked, confused. She was so lost in her thoughts she didn't catch the first part of what Korra asked.
Korra started shuffling back and forth.
"I mean. If you want. I'd…I'd like to take you out tonight. On a date. Just us two. That is if you want. Dinner or something." Korra was fumbling over her words.
Asami smiled at Korra's awkwardness. "Yes, I'd love to."
"Yes? Really?" Korra grinned wide.
"Really." Asami assured.
"Okay! Awesome! So tonight. I'll pick you up 7 if that sounds okay? And I'm thinking Kwong's cuisine? Does that sound okay?" Korra was now talking a mile a minute.
Before Asami could reply the chief of police came through the curtains. Now that she had an up close view she noticed a mean looking scar on the right side of the chief's face, however the scowl she was wearing looked even meaner.
"Korra, what the hell are you doing? The kids are going crazy over there!" the chief looked behind Korra, noticing Asami.
"Flirt on your own time kid, not on mine! Now hurry up and get out there. And for God's sake, put that damn head back on before you traumatize the kids!"
"Yes ma'am." Korra answered straightening up, standing at attention.
With that the chief sharply turned around and walked back through the curtains.
Asami took the head of the mascot from Korra's hand and placed it on.
"Kwong's cuisine sounds amazing. I'll text you my address. Now go save the day, superhero." Asami kissed the ferret on the cheek once again before turning around and walking off the stage.
