Wow, thanks so much for all of the reviews, favs and alerts so far! I really can't emphasize how much they mean to me. Please keep them coming as they are what keeps me motivated to get my many thoughts out of my head and onto digital paper.
Also, while this is AU, I'll try to incorporate a fair amount of the canon, so apologies in advance-there may be spoilers for anyone who isn't up to date on the latest episode. This chapter is fairly benign, but I may or may not introduce some things in later chapters, depending on how the show goes.
"Come on girl, we've gotta make sure we get to the restaurant in time!"
Naga curved her head around, giving Korra a tongue-lolling smile before loping down the street. Sitting snugly on Naga's back, Korra turned the reins every so often to ensure they reached the restaurant ahead though her thoughts strayed to the apartment she was leaving behind.
Tahno had agreed to the plan and after some discussion they had decided to meet at Air Temple Island in a few days time to begin the journey. Rather than the discussion, however, Korra found herself thinking back to other things. She couldn't forget the way his torso had looked, the lean muscles shifting beneath his skin every time he moved. She couldn't forget the way his hand felt as it rested in the small of her back while he led her to the door to see her out. She couldn't forget a number of things, and she sighed as it became apparent to her that she needed to get laid soon otherwise this adventure was going to turn into a catastrophe.
One of the very few advantages of the uprising had been that the constant struggle left little time to worry about romantic relationships. With her mind preoccupied with surviving, protecting the city, and finding Amon, finding a long-term romantic partner had not been a main concern. Unfortunately, while she may have been the Avatar, she was no ascetic monk, and while she could keep her emotions more easily in check, keeping her libido under wraps was an entirely different issue.
Living with the boys had only served to complicate matters. The awkward tension between she and Mako finally rose to a peak about a year after they first met, and one night the two finally jumped at each other like two crazed boarcupines. They had continued to seek physical solace in one another for a few months, until Mako decided he need more consistency and decided to take up with Asami instead. Asami seemed unperturbed by the fact that Mako had been with Korra once she saw that the two were truly done yet still on good terms, Korra was happy that Mako was with someone who could give him the emotional reliability and long-term commitment that he sought at the time, and Bolin had wisely decided to stay removed from the whole situation to avoid getting caught up in what could have been a terrible catastrophe.
Sadly, while the four had continued on as friends, one thing served to irritate Korra for the years that followed-her libido. Most nights, when she was alone, she was able to get by, slipping her hands under her blanket, her fingers working furiously until she moaned into her pillow. But her hand was no substitute for the real thing, and having had the real thing her bodied yearned for it once more.
It was obvious now that bringing Tahno along for this trip would complicate things. She had hoped that the journey that would follow and the demands that would come with it would distract her, but she was beginning to suspect that her body had other plans. If he could just keep his damn shirt on that would be half of the battle.
She sighed as the restaurant came into view. If her friends would come along then it would be okay. Having them around would give her fewer opportunities to do something stupid-she just needed to convince them.
Once inside, she made her way to their usual booth in the back. The other three were already there, Mako and Asami canoodling while Bolin chatted up a now-blushing waitress. Korra slid into the booth and the others immediately shifted, making room for her as she picked up a menu.
"So what's all this about then?" Bolin asked, grinning, as soon as she was settled.
"Probably another celebration dinner," said Mako, "I swear, if we have to go another one of those-"
"Do you really dislike them that much?" Asami piped up, "I think they're fun."
"And there are lots of girls. I guess that doesn't mean much for you, bro, but that just means more for me and Pabu, right buddy?" Pabu's furry head immediately appeared over Bolin's shoulder and he trilled (what they perceived as) an affirmative before disappearing once more.
Shaking her head, Korra smiled. "I still don't see how you avoid squishing him when he's behind your back like that, but kudos to you."
"Why thank you Korra!" Bolin gave a mock bow, then proceeded to prop his elbows up on the table. "But seriously-what is this all about?"
"I-" Korra trailed off as the waitress approached. The four gave their orders, handed over the menus, and settled in once more. After the waitress was gone, Korra looked around suspiciously before beckoning them in closer.
"I'm planning a trip."
"A trip?"
"Not just any trip…" Looking around once more Korra lowered her voice before continuing solemnly, "I'm going to search for a way to restore the lost benders' bending."
The four sat in silence as the noise of the restaurant continued on around them. The atmosphere of their booth had changed abruptly and every clink and clatter of the restaurant seemed amplified to Korra. Finally, Asami broke the silence.
"Do you really think you can do it?"
"To be honest I'm not sure…but I have to try." She smiled weakly, "I'm the Avatar after all."
"Will you have help?"
"Well, that's why I'm here. I was hoping that you three would want to come with me." She chanced a glance at their faces. Bolin looked to be contemplating something while Mako and Asami shared a look.
"I would like to come, Korra, but ever since my father's arrest a few years back, Future Industries has been doing poorly. I made a promise to myself that once the war was over I would work on restoring our family name and the legacy that my father left behind. I want to make sure that his technology is used for good and Future Industries could be a great help in rebuilding the city." Asami looked at Korra, smiling sadly,"I'm honored that you want me to come with you, but I feel like I can best contribute here."
Korra smiled back, "I won't say I'm not sad that you won't be coming, but I am glad that you'll be helping the city, and I know you'll do something great here."
Mako spoke up. "I was also planning on staying here. I'd like to help the United Forces and the Council moving forward so that the problems we saw these last few years can be avoided, or at the very least, caught early and swiftly addressed, rather than swept under the rug."
"I always knew you were destined to be a high-falutin' official." Bolin grinned and Mako gave his own small smile in return.
"Well, there's nothing official yet, but I do have some ideas that Tenzin thinks have merit. He, Iroh and I will be meeting to discuss them soon."
"And you, Bo?" Korra turned her bright blue gaze to Bolin's green one, her eyes pleading with him to come.
"Well, I'd planned on traveling to Ba Sing Se. Metalbending has mostly been confined to the western Earth Kingdom and the United Republic of Nations so far, and Lin thinks it's time that Ba Sing Se's task forces properly learned the art. Since she's…unable to, she needs someone else to go."
"And you're going to teach them?"
"Yup!" Seeing Korra's crestfallen face he continued, "But I would be happy to travel with you for a little while. It would be nice to travel to Ba Sing Se with someone I know. Do you think you'll be going by there in your quest…mission…adventure…thingy?"
Korra smiled, "I don't have a set plan yet, but I imagine we'll be going by there at some point in time."
"Well, in that case I'm definitely happy to go with you." He cocked his head to one side, "Speaking of 'we', who else is coming?"
"Well, so far it looks like it's just you, me, and uh," Korra lowered her voice, mumbling, "Tahno."
Bolin spit out the sip of water he had just taken all over Mako. Mako glared at him, gritting his teeth.
"Tahno? Pretty boy Tahno?"
"Yes Bo. He's, well, to restore bending I need someone whose bending needs restoring, and he seemed the best candidate as far as people I knew who might be willing. Besides, he's not…terrible…we've all fought alongside him before."
Bolin nodded, "I know, I don't think he's the worst of guys, but I'm just surprised he agreed to come."
Mako's eyes narrowed, "I'm not. It's a chance for him to regain his bending; of course he would take it. Besides, I'm sure he doesn't have much else to do."
Asami laid a hand on Mako's arm and gave him a 'look' before returning to Korra. "Just what has he been up to these days, now that the fighting is over?"
"I…" Korra's mouth hung open while her mind fumbled for the answer. It was then that she realized she had never thought to ask him. She shut her mouth, frowning, then continued, "You know, I'm not quite sure. In any case, he agreed to come along, and it's definitely a big help to me so I'm not going to complain."
Asami nodded. "Well, I wish you the best of luck."
Their conversation paused as the server returned with steaming bowls and plates of food. Once the food was laid out before them they all separated their chopsticks with a satisfying crack and Bolin began to dig in with gusto. Pabu crawled over Bolin's shoulder, darting onto the table to grab a dumpling. Shoveling noodles into her own mouth, Korra turned to Mako and Asami, her speech muffled by the food in her mouth,
"So tell me about these plans of yours for Future Industries, the Forces and the Council!"
Mako shook his head at the combined antics of his brother and Korra, while Asami smiled. They had all grown up in the last five years, but some things would always be the same.
Asami's smile turned devilish as she leaned in closely to whisper in Korra's ear, "I'll tell you if you tell me why you blushed when you mentioned Tahno's name."
Korra sputtered, nearly choking on her noodles. "What? I…you…I didn't! I-"
"What's up?" Bolin asked around a mouthful of beef. Asami chuckled behind her hand, and Mako raised an eyebrow questioningly.
"Oh nothing, I was just telling Korra that I'm sure her trip will be quite interesting. You'll have to tell us how it goes, Bolin!"
Korra mentally groaned. This trip was already shaping up to be very interesting indeed.
The take off (and more Korra/Tahno action) are up next week, so be sure to tune in! Please review to let me know your thoughts!