Chapter 4

Korra

Korra gave the smooth hand in her grasp an encouraging squeeze. Grinning she tugged gently for Asami to follow her through the entrance in the rock. She smiled in anticipation of the reaction her new friends would give at the sight of this place. Emerging on the other side she remembered exactly why this was her favorite place on the entire island. It was an oasis, protected on both sides by a wall of rocks that extended out into the water. A shallow sand bank fifty feet out took the brunt force of the waves that came in. The large pool of water was a gorgeous shade of blue-green during the daytime. But the best part was the shell of an old war galleon that had smashed against the rocks many, many years ago. It's wreckage a decaying testament to the violence hidden behind calm waters.

Korra heard Asami gasp beside her as she took in the scene before them. As the others emerged they shared the same reaction. Korra looked out at the beach where several bonfires burned. The soft sound of guitars and ukuleles drifted across the sand.

"This place is amazing." Asami whispered in delight.

"Come on pretty lady!" Meelo yelled as he jumped up and grabbed Asami's arm, pulling her hand away from Korra's. Korra watched as Asami stumbled ahead trying to keep pace with the energetic child.

"Korra, this place is really something." Opal stepped forward and placed a hand on Korra's arm. "How'd you find it?"

Korra offered a weak smile as she thought about her first time here. She answered as they started following Meelo's path across the beach. "My parents brought me here when I was little. This was actually where I first met Kya, Tenzin, Bumi, and Katara. They were good friends with my parents." Korra leaned against Kya as the older woman slipped a comforting arm around her back. "We've been family ever since haven't we Auntie Kya."

Korra laughed when Kya rolled her eyes. "I don't even like it when my actual nieces and nephew call me Auntie, and I'll be damned if I make an exception for you."

Korra jumped when Kya gave her a hard poke in the ribs, laughing, then she gave Korra one last squeeze before dropping her arm to take Ikki's outstretched hand.

"If you don't mind my asking, where are your parents?" Bolin asked in a soft voice as he leaned around Opal to look at Korra.

"Boating accident when I was ten. I don't remember what happened, just one minute we laughing and the next I was trying to keep my head above water." Korra dropped her head as she kicked some shells over. Shrugging off the sad feeling she raised her head, a forced smile on her face, as she stepped into the flickering light cast around by the nearest bon fire. "Sup guys? I see Meelo found you." Korra addressed the people sitting around the flames.

"I knew they'd have s'mores." Meelo said from his seat between Mal and Asami. He held a stick out near the flames, a browning marshmallow on the end.

Korra dropped down a little ways from Asami as the others dropped down around the fire next to her. She passed sticks around to Ikki, who was sitting on Kya's lap, and Kai and Jinora. Mal passed an almost empty bag of marshmallows around before turning her attention towards Korra.

"One of these the fish?" She inquired as she looked at the newcomers.

"No, he stayed back at the luau, and if I recall correctly you really have no room to being calling anyone fish." Korra shot back at her, then reaching up to catch the marshmallow that was tossed at her. "Mmmm, thanks." She said as she tossed it into her mouth.

"It was one time, and there was alcohol involved, besides I wasn't a tourist so I don't think it counts." Mal said in an attempt to defend herself.

"I have a feeling this must be a good story." Bolin said around the marshmallow in his mouth.

"Oh it is!" Korra cackled as she leaned back against her hands. "It was senior year, a group of us came out after prom. Our friend, Suki, had managed to talk her brother into buying us beer, so some of us were a little drunk." Korra laughed as half the people around the bonfire, those that had been at the incident she was talking about, raised their hands is admission. "So Mal decides we all need to go swimming. Except instead of stripping down to her underwear like the rest of us she wades out in her dress. This was a huge ball gown dress, and she swims out to the shallows way out there, stands up and starts dancing. This huge wave comes in and flips her as… er… head over heels back into the water. Her dress gets tangled around her and she starts flailing around and yelling about drowning."

"Oh no. That actually sounds scary." Korra looked over to where Asami had spoken, her words directed towards Mal.

"She hasn't gotten to best part yet." Mal said nodding her head back towards Korra, a knowing grin on her face.

Korra opened her mouth to speak, then found the words had left her when Asami looked at her. The fire reflected in her green eyes was a sight to behold. She could get lost in those eyes for eternity and die happily. Korra jumped as a marshmallow struck her forehead. "Anyway," she started, leaning further away from the fire, hoping no one noticed her red cheeks. "The water is only a foot deep, at most, by the bank. All she had to do was stand up, but oh no she continued to flop around like a fish. Took us forever to get her calmed down enough for her to realize she wasn't actually drowning. So, no, you don't have a right to call anyone fish." Korra finished with a pointed look at Mal.

Those around the fire laughed and slapped Mal on the shoulder. Korra watched it all from her position, just outside the ring of light, but most of her attention was on Asami. Bolin shared a few stories about him and Mako from when they were younger, his stories bringing laughter and tears of joy to the listeners. Yet, Korra still watched Asami, she watched how the other woman flipped her hair. Oh, and the way her lips curled into a smile, the way her eyes sparkled in the firelight. She was starting to admire how cute her nose looked when she felt someone hit her foot.

Korra jumped, tearing her eyes from Asami and turned towards Opal. "Just talk to her already." The woman hissed out as she leaned towards Korra.

Korra started to move closer when she saw a figure stumble towards them. "Mako?"

"Hey I found you guys!" The young man slurred slightly as he dropped down next to his brother. "Oh, and Tenzin said it was time for the kids to leave. Ooh marshmallows."

"Okay munchkins let's go!" Kya said as she lifted Ikki from her lap and stood. Her words were welcomed by the children with a chorus of complaints. Reluctantly Jinora and Kai along with Ikki and Meelo hugged everyone then fell into step behind Kya as she lead them back down the beach.

"Hey fish!" Korra yelled, waving to get Mal's attention, when the blonde looked up Korra jerked her towards Mako. "Meet the other fish, Mako." Korra laughed as she settled back down, in her previous position, and then grinned when she realized that in the commotion of the kids leaving Asami had scooted closer to her.

"Korra, will you sing for us?" A scraggly looking man with a beanie on his head called across the fire as he pulled a guitar from behind him.

"No, not tonight." Korra was greeted by a chorus of groans. "You fuckers make me sing all the time. Pick someone else."

"Opal sings!" Mako volunteered, perking up now that'd he'd had a few marshmallows.

"Yeah, come on Opal." Asami joined in, then laughed as Opal gave her a one finger salute.

"Please Opal?" Korra stuck her bottom lip out, pouting to persuade Opal.

"Fine, but only cause you said please, that puppy dog shit only works for Bolin." Opal shifted herself to her knees and sat up tall. "What'cha want to hear?"

Mal flopped down next to Mako, holding out another bag of marshmallows. "Do you know anything by Halsey?"

"Can you play Gasoline?" Opal directed her question towards the guitar player, who smiled as he started to pick out the tune. Opal nodded and he started over, she opened her mouth and started to sing.

Korra nodded her head to the beat, enjoying the slight roughness of Opal's voice, it made Korra think of Gin Wigmore. Korra settled herself back on outstretched hands, relaxing with the music. Suddenly she felt something warm slid across her hand, glancing over she grinned. Asami had leaned back on her hands as well, purposely placing her hand a top of Korra's. Korra's delighted grin was welcomed by an innocent look that Korra all but laughed at. Like Asami doesn't know what she just did. Ha! Well done madam, well done.

Korra felt Asami's hand tremble and looked over to see the woman shiver against the cool breeze that moved off the water. She pulled her hand out from under Asami's and reached up, rolling the sleeves of her shirt down. Next she quickly undid the button and shrugged out of it, then reached over and extended it to Asami. Except Asami didn't take the shirt from Korra, so Korra waved it a little in front of her face. Still no reaction, from Asami.

"Asami?" Korra called out, and suppressed a chuckle as the woman jumped, her face turning red. Korra raised an eyebrow and waved the shirt again. "It'll help keep you warm."

"Won't you be cold now?" Asami asked as she slid her arms into Korra's shirt, sighing at how warm it was.

"No, I'm always hot." Korra said as she turned back towards the fire, her eyes taking in the staring faces. She was so distracted by everyone staring she didn't hear Asami mumble under her breath, "I'll say."

"Could you not break our new friends with your ridiculous body?" Mal yelled at her as she leaned into Mako's side.

Korra snorted, noting that Mako didn't seem to mind the attention from Mal. "Oh please!" Korra waved her off then turned to Opal. "Can you sing Love Yourself?"

"I did not peg you for a Belieber." Bolin mused next to Opal.

"Hey you judge, but five bucks says Grim can play it."

"Deal!" Bolin shouted as he leaned over and shook Korra's hand.

"Grim, if you'd do the honors." Korra set back and crossed her arms waiting, then leaped to her feet as Grim picked out the first chords. "Booyah Bromosapien! I accept cash no checks." Korra crowed as she ruffled the top of Bolin's hair.

"Awe, isn't this precious? Camp fire sing along? Shall we all join hands for the next one?" Malice dripped from the voice that echoed from the shadows.

Korra turned, her feet spread, weight on her toes, ready to fight since she recognized the voice. "What do you want Tahno? You're not welcome hear." Korra scanned the shadows, watching in her peripherals as others around the fire also stood.

A figure stepped forward, palms upturned in front of him. "Now, now Korra, I only wanted to see how our new friends were doing?" His voice shook as he stepped into the light of the fire.

"You've no friends here Tahno. Leave." Korra growled out as she took a step forward, her hands balling into fists.

"My, aren't you a pretty one." Tahno leered at Asami, circling her slowly. "I see why you're protective of your new friends Korra." His lips curled in a disgusting smirk. He reached a hand out tentatively and brushed her shoulder.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." Opal called from her sitting position. "She doesn't take kindly to strangers getting handsy." Korra turned her head and considered the look on Opal's face. Turning her attention back to Tahno she watched him smirk.

"Really? Let's see about that." Tahno said just before he made the biggest mistake of the night.

::::::::::

Asami

Asami felt his eyes on her, she tried not to shudder from the way he leered. Then he touched her, the nerve of some people. As he circled her she slid her feet slightly apart, finding better footing in the sand. She watched him carefully with her eyes, and when he raised his hand to touch her again she moved too.

Spinning towards him she reached out with her left hand and shoved his hand upwards, then ducked under it. She grabbed the collar of his shirt and kicked the bend of his knee. His legs went weak, he started to fall, and she stepped forward. She leaned back, holding him up by the collar of his shirt as his head swung inches from the dancing flames.

"Oh I like her." Mal called as she clapped her hands together.

Tanho's face broke out in a sweat, his eyes going wide, and he was having a hard time forming words. Asami gave a jerk on his collar and pulled him to the side where she released her hold, for him to fall face first into the sand. Stepping around him she moved to stand by Korra, but she'd only taken two steps when he sprang up, the veins in his neck standing out.

"You bitch!" He called as he took a step forward, making his second mistake for the night.

As he reached to grab Asami's shoulder she sidestepped, his hand clutching only at open air. She grabbed his arm with both her hands, using his forward momentum she easily flipped him. He landed hard in the sand, the air expelling from his lungs. But she didn't stop there, she stepped forward and pushed her foot against his throat. She could feel him swallow, yet even in his current state he still fumed. His anger boiling over, he made his third and final mistake for the evening.

Tahno gritted his teeth and slapped her foot away, causing Asami to step to the side. He sat up and made a grab for her again, only Asami had already started an attack of her own. Bringing her leg around quickly, her foot leading the strike, she made contact with his jaw. His head snapped back, a sickening sound emitting from the contact that caused those watching to groan. Tahno fell back into the sand again, his head lolling to the side.

"Holy shit." Grim said as he reached out with a foot and tapped Tahno's head.

Asami flipped her hair behind her shoulder. "Perks of taking self-defense and martial arts classes since I was eight." She smiled as she took a step forward and gracefully tripped, falling forward.

Asami waited to feel the sand rush up and meet her, only it never made it. Instead she found herself pressed against a warm body, strong arms encircling her waist. Opening her eyes she found herself inches from Korra.

"You okay?" Korra asked as she helped Asami steady herself.

Asami nodded and looked down. Her sandal flopped out to the side, only hanging on to her ankle by a single strap. "Dammit, I liked these sandals too." She reached a hand out, resting it against Korra's shoulder. It took every fiber of her being not to stroke the muscles she found there, and since Asami was enjoying the feeling of those muscles she took her time unbuckling her sandals.

Bolin laughed and slapped his knee as walked over to look down at Tahno. "Only you could go from badass to tripping over your own feet in less than two seconds." As he finished speaking the others burst into raucous laughter.

Asami joined in as she stood up, tossing her sandals so they landed on Tahno's chest. "Do we just leave him?"

Asami looked up as Grim stepped around and grabbed Tahno by the hands. "Best not. A few of us will get him to his car." He grunted as he and a couple others lifted Tahno up. "It was nice meeting you all!" He called as he trudged off into the night.

Asami looked around to see that their bonfire was the only one still lit. With the others carrying Tahno off that left Korra, Opal, Bolin, Mal, Mako, and herself the only ones on the beach.

"So how about that swim?" Mako called as he jumped up, pulling Mal behind him as he dashed for the water.

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Korra

Korra threw her head back and laughed as Mako about tripped trying to pull his shoes off while running. Mal was right behind him stripping her shirt off. Opal and Bolin trotted behind, holding hands as they took their time to get to the water.

"Are you swimming?" Asami asked stepping beside her, close enough that she let her hand brush against Korra's.

"I'd prefer not to freeze to death on my way home." Korra brought her eyes back to Asami, a slow smile forming on those ruby lips. "There's a nice place to sit down there, watch the stars. Come on." Korra took a step forward and held her out for Asami. She waited, anxiously, afraid Asami would reject the offered hand. Though it was such a simple gesture, how it would be accepted weighed heavily in that brief span of time. When Asami reached her hand out, taking Korra's in her own, interlocking their fingers, Korra let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.

Slowly, by the light of the moon, they made their way down to a rock that stood close to the water's edge. The sand around it had been scooped down a little ways, making it the perfect lounging place. Korra sat and pulled Asami down next to her, where the woman giggled in response. Korra waited for Asami to settle in the sand next to her, their sides flush against each other. Grinning to herself Korra let go of Asami's hand and stretched her arm way up over her head in a stretch, then bringing it back down, slid it down and around Asami's back.

"I can't believe you just pulled that move." Asami snickered as she leaned back against Korra's shoulder. "That was smooth." Korra scoffed at Asami's surprising tone.

"I am smooth." Korra said defensively, but then offered Asami a smile and pulled her closer.

Korra felt her body warm when Asami laid a hand to rest on Korra's thigh. Her heart beat sped up dramatically when the other woman shifted so she could rest her head against Korra's shoulder. They sat together looking at the vast expanse above them. The stars shinning down from the heavens above, it was magical. Korra remembered her father pointing out constellations to her when she was younger, so she took the opportunity and pointed the ones she remembered out to Asami. Korra watched as Asami gazed at the stars with a childlike wonderment on her face, the laughter of their friends echoing in the background.

"I don't see this back home." Asami explained, never taking her eyes off the sparkling abyss. "Absolutely beautiful." Korra heard her say, and even though she knew that Asami was talking about the stars, she couldn't help but feel the term applied to the woman herself as well.

Korra reached out and tucked Asami's hair behind her ear, and when Asami turned her head to look at Korra, Korra took the opportunity to cup her hand around Asami's cheek. She stroked her thumb against the porcelain skin of Asami's cheekbone, and locking eyes with Asami she whispered softly. "Absolutely beautiful." Korra slowly leaned forward, tilting her head just a little to avoid the embarrassment of bumping noses. A smile tugged slowly at her lips as she watched Asami lean in towards her, those dazzling green eyes fluttering briefly to Korra's lips.

Just as Korra started to wonder if time had stopped all together, freezing this moment forever, she felt a welcome warmth meet her wanting lips. She closed her eyes to savior the moment, slowly deepening the kiss, clinging desperately to every movement under her mouth. She wanted to remember this forever, she wanted to savor the taste of mangoes that clung to Asami's lips. She reveled in the feeling of a hot, slick, tongue asking for entrance into her mouth. The shiver that ran down her spine when she parted her lips in welcome, her tongue greeting Asami's eagerly.

She moaned softly as she felt Asami's hand slide up her thigh, leaving a trail of warmth in its wake, before it came to rest against her stomach, a thumb sweeping softly against her abs. She moved her arm from Asami's cheek, sliding it through her luscious, locks, to rest at the back of her neck, pulling the woman closer to her. To which the woman eagerly responded to in kind, bringing her free hand up to Korra's side, then letting both hands travel up and down the warm skin.

At some point the soft, deep kisses gave way to something hungrier, something that wanted more, needed more. As the kisses became more urgent, more demanding, as hands roamed far and wide, Korra wrapped both arms tightly around Asami and laid back into the sand. Her movements pulling the other woman with her, on top of her. Korra felt Asami gasp against her searching mouth, as she slipped her rough hands under the hem of the red tank top. She moved her hands up and down Asami's back, tracing small figures delicately with her fingertips. Korra tilted her head to the side as Asami kissed down her jaw, to her ear, trailing her tongue down Korra's neck. Her hot mouth coming to rest on Korra's pulse point, where she gently nipped, causing Korra to groan in response.

"Is this the part where I'm supposed to ask your place or mine?" Korra breathed out, grinning as Asami lifted her head and gazed down into Korra's face.

"Where do you leave?" Asami replied, her breathing erratic, and voice a little husky.

Korra sat up, guiding Asami to the side. "I'm at least 40 minutes."

"The condo is closer. Let me tell Opal." Asami quickly jumped to her feet, then extended her hand out for Korra, helping her stand.

Korra followed Asami to the edge of the water, where they stopped and waited as Asami called to Opal. "Are you guys good getting home?"

"I can get them there. I haven't been drinking." Mal called just before Mako pulled her under the water.

That was all Korra needed to hear before she grabbed Asami's hand and started leading them back to the parking lot, practically at a jog. Soon they had to slow because Asami was bare footed, and Korra being the chivalrous woman that she is, grabbed Asami by the waist and threw her over her shoulder. Korra laughed at Asami's protesting squeals and furious cussing, patted her on the rear and politely told her to "calm the hell down."

Korra spun a couple circles as she carried Asami across the sand, taking the shortest route possible to the parking lot. Soon Korra felt tickles at her sides as Asami's fingers danced across her ribs. Of course Korra merely shook her head since she wasn't ticklish and continued on her way. Finally, upon reaching her motorcycle Korra gently set Asami down, then gave her a peck on the lips. Korra only had one helmet with her, and she made sure Asami wore it, though there were many protests. Korra climbed onto the bike and waited as Asami climbed on behind, then she tore off into the night following the directions Asami had given her.