Disclaimer. I own nothing.
A/N: Okay...I was not expecting this chapter to be soooo flipping long. But it is and 'you gotta deal with it.' ^^ (side note: the closest ocean to me is over a five-hundred miles away, so if it sounds like I have no idea about what I'm talking about...I probably don't.) But I can say I've been stung by a jellyfish and have been to none other than North Shore in Hawaii and I'm rambling.
Anyway. Enjoy the rest of the ride and A hui hou kakou!
Mahalo~
"Good morning, everybody!" The PA announced from one of the booths . "Welcome to the Mavericks International Surf Contest here at Banzai Pipeline on the North Shore of Ember Island. You'll be watching women's surfing history today as these girls take on the deadliest waves in the world." Letting my eyes scan the crowd, I could see that Kuvira had unmistakably dragged me into something a lot bigger than I had anticipated. Unbelievable! "...imagine Leilani Falls dumping into two feet of water over hard-rock lava, with razor sharp reef and underwater caves..." I tuned him out for a second when a familiar head of dark hair came into view.
"Hi, Ku'uipo! Are you ready to do this?" She beamed and jumped into my arms, taking Naga's leash after she stepped back.
"...gonna be a macking twenty feet. So good luck to all the ladies competing today at the MISC. They may be the best in the world, but they're gonna have their hands full today. If you're going down to watch, it's not a day for a dip in the water..."
"Are you okay, Korra?" Micah poked my cheek but when I turned to her, I saw Kuvira and Bataar casually making their way to the check in area.
"Y-yeah. It's just-" I blew my bangs out of my face. "I wasn't expecting all of this." Gesturing around, I frowned at Micah's smirking face which turned a little more serious when she saw my expression. "I mean, they're looking to put one of us on a magazine!" Oh, Kuvira is going to get an earful.
"Wait. What are you talking about?" Micah finally seemed to look around, making me rememeber that she hadn't been to an actual competition before.
"Well," I sighed heavily. "The entire surfing community is here. Every sponser, talent scout, pretty much the whole surf media and they're all looking for the next surf sensation." I air-quoted the last two words. What I couldn't understand though, was how Kuvira was able to set us up here. Without so much as an invitation. Whoo man!
"Okay, okay. Calm down, Ku'uipo." Micah giggled as her hands came up to cup my face. "Look, I saw how you were on those waves yesterday. You can do this." She leaned in to kiss my cheek and then turned, leading Naga and I to the registration tables. We were about halfway when I suddenly remembered my board and I wasted no time in running back to get it.
When we got to the gazeebo, I placed my board on the rack before turning to one of the ladies there. "Hi. I'm here for the competition."
"Volunteer?" She asked right away. From the looks of it, they definitely needed all the help they could get.
"She's a competitor." Micah spoke up for me.
The lady nodded and began pulled out a sheet of paper from a folder on her table, placing it on a clipboard after. "Okay, you'll need to sign this release form." She handed me a both the board and a pen. I gave her a slightly nervous smile before quickly scanning it over and signing my name on the line. Micah leaned further in, reaching out to steady the small board and then frowned in concern.
"In case of death or dismemberment?" She scoffed, but it made a small grin appear on my face as I handed the form back to the lady.
"Thank you. You'll be in heat three with Suki Omashu." She handed me a shirt and then pointed to another gazeebo. "You can go ahead and wait in the competitors' area."
"Thanks." I nodded at her and lead a still stunned Micah (who had chosen to carry Naga intead) in that direction.
"Good luck!" The other woman called after me, making me raise a hand in acknowledgement.
As we made our way there, I casually looked around the small area, seeing that the whole gazeebo was full of activity. All the ladies there were either talking to one another, or they were busy watching the ones already out there. None of them seemed intimidated. Which I found oddly refreshing. (And they'd been doing this pretty much their whole lives, so my unease was understandable at least.)
"Oh, wow." Micah breathed excitedly, suddenly clamping her hand around my arm. "That's Suki Omashu. She kills it at Pipe." I took note of the girl Micah descreetly pointed at. "And there's Ty Lee Young. She's the queen of Back Door- oh my- it's Tuyen Tadachi! She's-"
"Hey, Micah? You're calling a little too much attention to us." I whispered after smiling at the ones who noticed us show up. She immediately stopped her fangirling, but managed to keep her grip on my arm. "I thought you didn't watch competitions." I then added out of curiousity.
"Yeah. Not live anyway. But you bet your toned backside I know all about these titanias." She grinned from ear to ear and then turned back to me. "Thank you for letting me get this close to some of my heroes, Korra." Those amber colored irises looked as bright as the sun and it made me momentarily forget about what I was about to get into.
"Well then, go meet them." I urged with a wide smile of my own and gently extracted Naga from her arms. "You've come this far. Might as well make the best of it, right?" Her response was an even wider smile that lit up the entirety of her face as she gave me another fierce hug and then ditched us altogether.
My eyes then moved over to the restless waves and I couldn't help but wonder just how I'd do. I Box for a living and yet I'm here. In the biggest surfing competition ever. Surfing! A chuckle left my mouth unbidden before I went to take a seat next to the one Micah named Ty Lee. Oh well. I'm still here to have fun.
"Hi." I greeted when she turned to look at me. "Korra."
"Ty Lee." She grinned at me before her eyes widened a bit more. "Korra Nutaaq? Avatar Korra?!" By then the whole gazeebo turned their attention to us. I felt my face heat up more and more as they all stared at me in shock.
"Uh...yes?" I cleared my throat when my eyes settled on familiar, yet, confused amber eyes.
"Holy cow! You're, like, my hero!" Ty Lee instantly turned all the way around. "That last match of yours was amazing! By far your best and I already have preordered tickets for your next one." She paused for a second and then quickly dug around in her bag for a marker. "Can I get your autograph?"
And just like that, the rest swarmed Naga and I. Micah included.
"It's a super-clean, west-northwest swell." Bataar Jr. commented breathlessy from my right. While we where here, I decided to let him take care of my puppy until my time out there was up. "Pipe and back door are both open." He added and he was right. Those waves were magnificent!
"Just be patient, Cousin. Don't get too anxious." Desna said from somwhere behind me. "It's four-wave sets with twenty-second intervals, so take your time."
Micah's hand found mine and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "Don't take the first wave of the set. I think the third wave looks the best."
"Here comes Keerah Michaels taking off. Steep drop. She makes the bottom turn. Gets covered up." The announcer's voice carried all over the beach as we watched what he was narrating. "Annd she makes it out!"
"Whoa, she's fierce." I breathed, not looking away from the woman in the water who pumped her fists in the air triumphantly. At that point, I wasn't even compelled to ask Kuvira about this whole ordeal, considering that I was already here. We were already in it, so why bother?
"Are you going to be okay Ku'uipo?" Micah asked softly after watching me watching them. I turned to her with a lopsided smirk.
"Of course. I'm not here to win anything." Casting a pointed look at Kuvira, I took a deep breath. "I'm here to have fun."
"Up next, from Kyoshi Island, we have Suki Omashu in the green. She's a goofy foot, which favors her at MISC. Loves charging big waves and has taken first place at Teahupoo, another barreling left-hander in Kyoshi. And surfing against her, we have wild card entry: Korra Nutaaq. Yes ladies and gentlmen, Avatar Korra is here in this competition. They start in Five, four, three, two, one!" An air horn sounded.
This is it. I blew out a short gust of breath, secured my board under my arm and then began jogging into the water with Suki not too far behind me. Laying out my board, I slid on with ease and instantly began paddling my arms. Instead of cutting the first wave, I pushed my board under water, letting that wave over and then resumed once I hit the surface again.
Suki and I kept paddling. The only sounds were that of the waves breaking and our panting, but I could already feel my adrenaline coursing through my entire body. Focus, Korra. Don't be hasty. We'd been informed that there were twenty-minute heats with the top four waves scoring. I knew that the wave selection was critical, so I wasn't looking to pick the wrong wave. I also didn't want to wipe out or get caught inside, otherwise I'd be wasting those twenty minutes fighting through all the ferociousity trying to get back to the line up.
"How's it going?" Suki asked once we settled at said line up.
"Good." I breathed. She said nothing more as the first set came in and I watched her take the lead. The wave came up from under her as she paddled and as qucikly as she could, she was standing. From my point of view, she disappeared, but from the distant cheers of the shore, I could tell that she'd made the drop. And probably nailed it.
No. Water patrol had gone over to help her out of the water, but she was still kicking, so it was a good sign. Closing my eyes for a minute, I took deep, calming breaths until I felt the next set under me. Snapping my eyes open, I leaned forward and began to paddle out. It rose behind me, promising a good run, but for a reason I could not describe, I hesitated.
And missed my shot.
Fudge! I shoved my hand through my hair. Okay, get it together Korra. You've done this plenty of times. Yes. I've done it before, therefore I knew how easy it was to pysch myself out. Especially if it was just me out there. Still, I had to wait until the next set, seeing as Suki had taken the charge again. That time I gasped in shock as that humongous wave completely overpowered and crashed down on her.
If I wasn't sort of freaking out already, seeing her climb up on that sled and them heading back to shore, I could easily see myself being the next one. No! You can't think like that. I exhaled and then looked around. "Come on." I said to myself as the next set began coming at me. Setting my jaw, I quickly flattened out on my board and paddled as had as I could. I was going to charge this one.
As the wave grew, I stood up with presicion and set up my rail. My knees bent and I leaned forward to grab onto the side of my board as I made the drop. It was a beautiful wave, but I kept myself low and hung on to my board as the water provided a tunnel around me, closing in behind. Yes! That's what I'm talking about! I inwardly pumped myself up and leisurely reached my other hand out to trace the wall on the other side of me as I sailed on through.
Until I underestimated myself.
Before I knew what was happening, I found myself getting swallowed and promptly knocked from my board. Holding my breath, I allowed myself to be tumbled underwater for a few seconds, but as it calmed some, I tried to move. I couldn't. My foot was caught. Everything around me was blurry and my lungs were already burning, yet I couldn't resurface because of my leash. Leash! My hands frantically tried to reach down to the strap on my ankle when another wave crashed over head, causing my body to move along with it as it passed over. Panic began to build. I couldn't get my joints to respond correctly since the water was joslting me around.
But I couldn't give in. Not yet anyway.
With fierce determination, I summoned all my energy and snapped back with my hands searching for the strap. Got it. As soon as I was free, I wasted absolutely no time in swimming back up. I needed air and I needed it soon. Time seemed to slow down a to crawl as I clawed my way to the surface and when I finally broke for air, my vision was blurry. Ears clogged. Still there was air in my lungs again. That was enough until I saw a tweny-foot wave right in front of me again. And just like before, I was back under and getting tossed around by the unforgiving water.
I am NOT going to drown out here! Was my thought as that wave passed and as I again fought my way to the surface for air. Once I took it, I went back under while the next bout of wave went overhead. It had to be one of the worst beatings I'd taken since I fought a worthy champion the year before named Azula. She had handed my butt back to me much like this ocean was doing at the moment. Again, I came up for air when a heavenly voice also broke through the ringing in my ears.
"Take my hand!"
Blindly reaching out, I successfully caught his hand and he helped me onto the sled behind him. "I got you." He shouted and then proceeded to take me to safety.
"Not that Avatar Korra cares at the moment, but the judges' scores have just come in and they have..." The announcer's voice was somewhat clear for a second before everyone rushed over.
"She'll be okay, but give her some space please." The water patrol guy warned as I slowly sat up to cough my lungs out. Ugh! That was close. I could hear cameras clicking and the commotion of a ton of people around me. Once my vision cleared more, I found myself looking into distressed amber eyes, but before I could open my mouth to consol her, I was already being lifted up and carried away.
"Put her here." The guy told whoever was carrying me and they placed me on a narrow makeshift bed. "I'm Dr. Mayo." He smiled at me before doing a thorough examination of my body. "Wow, you took quite the beating didn't you?" He asked in amusement.
"I've had my share." I chuckled, wondering what he was doing when I felt his fingers wrap around the back of my head. This thumbs pressed against either side of my cheeks, one lower than the other and he surprised me by jerking my head to the side. A satisfying pop was heard, causing relief all throughout my shoulders and when he did it again on the opposite side, I suddenly felt a whole lot more loose. "Ah..." I breathed out, making him grin at me once more.
"I'm going to put some ice on it." He informed and then proceeded to lift my head so he could place the cloth covered ice pack under me. Ooomph..."Now you just lay there a relax for a minute." Dr. Mayo gave me one last pat on the shoulder and then was out of my sight.
"You're not paralized, are you?" A familiar voice I hadn't heard in a while chimed in a few seconds later. "Because, that's not fun at all."
Turning my head to the side, I let a big smile break across my face. "Hi, Bolin." His lime-green eyes did a once over before he fully stepped into the medical tent.
"When did you get so hot?" He asked smugly, probably having never seen me in a bathing suit before.
"Oh, shut up." I chuckled, feeling my ears begin to burn a little. He laughed too and then came over to sit beside me. "I'm glad you made it."
"Yeah. Opal couldn't stand the thought of watching you on TV. Oh, speaking of- she's off distracting everyone else for the time being, you know, since they said you needed space." His hand came up to brush my bangs out of my eyes. I rolled them at his statement. "In all seriousness, how are you feeling?"
"Never better." I smirked. "At least I won't have bruises to show off soon."
"For what it's worth. That was incredible." Bolin beamed. "And I don't know if you heard, but you still got into the next round."
My eyes widened in surprise. "Really?"
"Yeah, they gave you a 4.6." He nodded, making me sit all the way up.
"Korra!" My eyes snapped from Bolin to Micah as she rushed into the tent. Her arms surrounded me in a smothering hug just as the others walked in and I was surprised to see Kuvira carrying Naga. "Oh, ku'uipo. I was so worried! You're okay right?" She asked with watery eyes.
"I'm fine." I chuckled, placing my hand on the side of her face. "More than fine, did you hear that I got into the next round?"
"I did hear." She smiled. "Congrats."
"I'm sure Asami wishes she could have been here." Bolin cleared his throat loudly, clearly not liking how close Micah and I were. "By the way, did you hear what happened?"
"Yes, Bo. We spoke lastnight." I nodded solemnly, not noticing the surprise in his eyes.
"I have got to meet this Sato woman!" Micah giggled. "With the way you're so completely head over heel for her and the way almost everyone brings her up..." She gave me such a smug smile that I had to look away. Stupid.
"Wait, so there's nothing going on here?" Opal asked from beside Bolin, whose eyes were still colored surprised. I looked at both of them and then around, srunned to see Kuvira, Bataar, Desna, and Eska all awaiting my response.
"No. What kind of girl do you think I am?" Micah and I stated together in such perfect unison that we couldn't help but burst out in laughter. It was true, despite the fact that we almost kissed, but as soon as I came up from her dunking me to find her laughing her head off, I knew I had made a friend for life. Micah was pretty, yes, but my attraction to Asami easily won that over a hundred times. She knew that too and excepted me as only a close friend and nothing more. Nothing less.
"Ty Lee young from the Fire Nation. She's a charger, takes on anything and goes like a man out there. And Avatar Korra, who we now know can take a beating and still be ballsy enough to get back out there. As we start this second heat, let's go!"
The air horn sounded again, signaling for Ty Lee and I to get back out there. Like before, we jumped on to our boards and swam under the waves instead of burning more energy by cutting through them.
By the time we got to the peak, I spun my body with every intention of taking that first set. I didn't take it though and instead, gave it to Ty Lee. Of course, she wasted no time in charging it. I needed a minute to gather myself lest I go out there and mess up again. Don't think about it. I pushed my hair back out of my eyes, scanning the shoreline and then the waves behind me as the next set went by. Letting a smile smear across my lips, I waited for the other girl to join me once more.
She'd already done her second run. Beast mode!
"What's the matter, Nutaaq?" She asked, paddling up beside me. "Are you going to catch a wave or you just gonna sit there like a buoy? Because you won't catch a wave sitting way over here in the channel." She gestured around us and then pointed a little further to our left.
"Surfing is fun for me." I stated. "Boxing is my profession and if I end up on that magazine...I can't help but think it would be a slap in the face to people like you and Suki, who've been out here nearly all your lives. Waiting for this exact oppotunity."
"Korra, does it really matter?" Ty Lee chuckled. "You know surfing used to only be reserved for Royalty? And then when it eventually did become popular, guys were the only ones to ever cover a Billabong magazine. Today changes that and who really cares if you're on the cover or not? The fact that any girl could be there-" She shrugged. "It's history in the making, Avatar."
As I thought that over, she playfully nudged my shoulder and flattened out once more. "Hows about you follow me and I'll get you one? Let's give the crowd and your friends something to cheer about. I'm sure they came to see you surf and not let these chances pass you by." Her words struck a deeper nerve, but I didn't have anymore time to dwell on it. "Come on, Avatar. Bust a move! Let's get you a wave!"
I shook my head with a grin and started paddling behind her. "Just follow me into the line up. Be ready because I'm going to tell you to go on a wave. When I do, you have to do it. No butt's." She called with authority over her shoulder, making me roll my eyes.
"Aye, aye Cap'n."
And I did. I followed her through a few crashing waves until we got back into the lineup. Just in time for the next set and Ty Lee stopped to sit on her board. "NOW! Paddle, Korra. Go!" She cheered when I did as she said. The wave carried me, lifting me up and letting me know it was almost time to stand. So far Ty Lee was dominating, but that didn't mean that I couldn't give her a run for her money.
As my feet came up to the board, I couldn't help but notice the way my rail was set up. Sweet Appa, that's beautiful! The lines were stacked to the horizon. I could hear the wild chanting from the shoreline, telling me to go too.
I smiled widely and took that opportunity to bend my knees and grab my board again as I made the drop and curved onto the set rail. Again the water formed a perfect collasping tunnel behind me as I smoothed along, keeping the blue sky in my line of vision. For a split second before my eyes flickered to the side to see the liquifyed wall moving alondside me. I then reached out to run my fingers over the seemingly smoothness of the water. Incredible.
My heart soared in complete bliss and utter acomplishment as I broke out of the mist. Out of the tunnel and I was greeted with the insane roar of the crowd from the shore. Lifting a triumphant fist in the air, I let out my own victory cry that had been boiling since I made the drop. As that wave subsided, I twisted my body in order to turn my board until I was facing a distant Ty Lee. I waved and she returned it with a fist pump of her own.
From there, I flattened out again and made my way back to the shore. As I came in with a smaller wave, the whole gang was there awaiting me and barely gave me enough time to get off my board before they swarmed me.
"Holy crap that was insane!" Micah was the first to get her arms all the way around me, not caring that I was still trying to secure my board under my arm. I awkwardly tried to hug her back, but settled for kissing her cheek.
Next was Opal who squealed in utter delight and kissed my cheek that time. "We're so proud of you, Kor!" She then hugged me too and when I turned, my face got attacked by Naga as Kuvira purposefully held her out to me with a smirk of her own. I laughed put loud and turned when a hand touched my shoulder. Glancing back, I saw Ty Lee.
"Now that was awesome!" She whooped.
"All thanks to you." I smiled back and instantly wrapped my arms around her neck. Her hug was as fierce as her rides and I was so happy to have been out there with her. We parted after that with a high five and I turned back to Kuvira. She leaned in to whisper in my ear.
"Just between us. I'd say you won." Leaning back she patted my cheek and then turned back to Bataar, who was grinning happily at me. I knew it took a good amount of humility for her to admit and I respected her all the more for it.
Just when I thought I'd have a chance to breathe, strong arms wrapped around me and hoisted me up. I let out an uncharacteristic squeal as Bolin set me on his shoulder and let out an overjoyed shout of praise. Every one who was around us erupted too and a few younger girls cluttered around Bolin and I, asking if they could all have my autograph. I was about to ask Bolin to let me down when a lone figure appeared out of the corner of my eye, causing me to turn.
My heart stopped for a split second.
Asami?
"B-Bo...let me down." I croaked, not taking my eyes off of those brilliantly colored eyes. He hadn't heard me and continued to hold me. "Bo. Let me down." I stated a little more firmly, even patting his head. She's here. Asami Sato is here! Her lips curved into a smile. "Bolin! Let me down!" I shouted and quickly dismounted.
Once my feet touched the sand, I ignored everyone's clamouring and fought my way through the crowed until she came back into view. My feet stumbled, but I thankfully caught myself and all but sprinted over to her.
"Y-you're here." I breathed. When she didn't say anything, I looked around in disbelief. "Or I'm dreaming." My eyes widened. "I could be, considering my scores are perfect tens. That doesn't happen in reality-" A lone finger to my lips cut off my ramblings, making me bring my eyes back to the gorgeous woman who was undoubtedly standing in front of me. Wearing a red bikini top that showed off her goddess-like body and a thin white skirt that reaveled her matching bikini and cute bare toes. Toes that had toenails that were painted the same shade of red as her nails and bikini.
"Hi, Korra." She blinded me with a smile and I was sure that if the stupid seabreeze kept teasing her full luscious hair like that, I would faint. Dear Aang my knees are already weak! I reached out to steady her hair before taking another step forward with every intention of hugging her when I suddenly remembered that I was soaked to the bone.
"U-uh, maybe I should dry off." I chuckled awkwardly, but sighed happily when she pulled me to her in a tight hug regardless.
"I don't mind." She whispered. I then returned her hug with fervor, though I resisted the urge to bury my face in her sweet smelling neck. No need to scare her off now.
"When'd you get here?" I asked breathlessly when she pulled back.
"I got here in time to see your last run." Her shoulders came up to hug her neck sheepishly. "Sorry I didn't get here sooner."
"Nonsense." I chuckled, nearly pulling her into another hug after that insanely cute display. "Besides, the last heat I wiped out and then the second heat I kinda chickened out." Now it was my turn to be sheepish. "You caught the good one." We smiled at eachother in understanding and she surprised me by reaching out to push my hair behind my ear. So many emotions swam across her face, but what came out of her mouth didn't voice a single one.
"So, where's..." Micah. I felt my smile drop a little. "Naga? I haven't seen her since you stole her away." She expertly covered it up and looked to the crowd I'd come out of.
"Uh, well-" I turned too. "The last one that had her was Kuvira..." My eyes scanned everybody and landed on, "Mi- now Micah has her." I cleared my throat.
"Oh." Asami didn't sound too thrilled. Who could blame her? Just then, Micah noticed us looking at her. Uh oh. I thought when a huge grin plastered on her face as she suddenly began making her way to us. "She's pretty." Asami's mood switched in the slightest, but I still felt her unease like a punch to the gut.
Seeing Micah through her eyes presented a whole new light to the situation. What with her wearing a navy blue colored bikini, hair tied up in a ponytail that showed off the nice contours of her face and collarbones. Not to mention, those bright eyes of hers and unadulterated killer smile. Even her energy was rolling off in waves around her, like anybody's day would be made just by talking to her. And she and I were like two peas in a pod. Oh. No wonder everyone got the wrong idea right away.
"Hey!" Micah skipped the rest of the way to us and directed that lethal smile at me first and then to Asami before setting Naga down.
"Micah." I nodded. "Where'd Kuvira go?"
"Oh, she and Bataar have a plane to catch later on tonight, so she dumped Naga into my arms and took off." Micah shrugged. "They send their congrats though."
"I see." I chuckled nervously, but before I could summon the courage to introduce them, Micah took the lead.
"So, are you the Asami?" She asked with full curiousity.
If Asami was shocked, she didn't let on as she steadily held her hand out for Micah to grab. "Pleasure to meet you." She said in her businesswoman voice.
"Micah Inoue." Grasping the proffered hand, she gave it a hearty shake. "Wow, you're gorgeous! No wonder Nutaaq here is crazy about you." She gushed like a fangirl. I felt my face heat up when Asami raised a slightly confused brow.
"E-excuse me?" Asami stammered some and then looked at me. Well...it's not like I'm not. I ended up giving her a shy smile with a shrug. At that, Micah looked between us a few times before face palming.
"Please don't tell me you thought we-" She gestured between us,"were together too, did you?" Amber eyes glared at me. "Korra, you need to be upfront about that kind of thing. Especially infront of the one you're smitten with."
"Wait, how is this my fault?" I asked incredulously. "Am I just supposed to go up and say: 'yeah, this is Micah. We're not dating, so don't assume?'" Her response was her own shrug, which I scoffed at and then I turned back to Asami. "Asami, this is Micah. We're not dating. True she's been keeping me company, but nothing more. We're friends."
"Now was that so hard?" Micah giggled. I shot her a warning look that told her to shut it, or else. She obliged and then scooped Naga back up. "Anyway, it was so good to meet you Asami. Hopefully this love-sick woman can get through to you, because she really, really-"
"Alright. Goodbye Micah!" I hissed through my teeth and pushed her laughing self away. By then, I felt as red as the slowly setting sun. Stupid.
If I thought it was awkward before, I wasn't prepared for the newest onslaught that presented itself infront of us when I turned back to face Asami. She was still in shock it seemed.
"...I'm so stupid." She breathed out, chuckling disdainfully at herself. "All this time..." When her eyes came up to meet mine, there was that raw emotion that had captivated me the first time I saw her. Just like then, I felt myself easily getting lost in them, searching for the hidden meaning behind them.
"Avatar Korra? Excuse me." Unfortunantly, some random people drew our attention away from one another. I looked to see cameras and a newer crowed forming.
"Yeah?" I asked in slight annoyance.
"I'm Tatum, from Billabong." She grinned at me. "I'd love to talk to you about being on our team-"
"Hey, wait your turn, honey." The first girl stepped back in and while they began arguing, I barely realized that they were inadvertently leading me away from the only person I wanted to see right then.
Looking back, I could see Asami fighting with herself on something internal, but when her eyes caught mine, they softened a little. Like her inner storm calmed for the briefest moment. I inwardly groaned and gave her the universal sign that stated that I'd be right back to her in a minute. She nodded, though it looked like she was unsure.
"Avatar Korra, can I get your autograph?"
"Look this way please."
"Korra Nutaaq, over here!"
Camera shutters were clicking wildly, people wanted my picture, others wanted a picture with me, sponsors were talking over one another to get my attention and all I could think was; Didn't I lose? There was no way I could have been Ty Lee, yet I was being treated like I did.
"Korra, wait!" A single voice caused my head to jerk back around to see Asami charging forward. Thinking that something was wrong, I quickly turned and fought my way back to her.
"Hey, what's-" Full ruby lips instantly sucked the words right out of my mouth and the crowd gasped before squeals and more camera shutters went off like the fourth of July. To say I was stunned beyond comprehension would have been a major understatement.
She pulled back just as I was starting to get feeling back in my limbs. S-she just- "Korra, I don't know when I started falling for you. But I did. Ever since I first saw you in person in Republic City, I haven't been able to stop thinking about what it would be like to be with you. And then you went and asked me the very question I wanted you to ask, but I pushed you away. Only because I was scared and then realized what an idiot I was until after you left. I know I tortured you enough with making you wait and I know I'm babbling, which is something I've never done before, but if you don't say something soon...or give me a hint of what you're thinking, then I don't-"
"Say it again." I replied instantly, having only heard one meaningful truth that I'd been waiting to hear from her.
Asami let out a breathless chuckle while giving me a skeptical look. "The whole thing?"
"No." I gently shook my head with a lopsided grin and took a step toward her. "The part about you falling for me." My hands trailed up and down her arms in a smooth motion. Her brilliant eyes stayed glued to mine as her own hands came up to cup my face.
"You're always on my mind, Korra. And it doesn't matter how far I've fallen, I'm willing to keep on digging until I reach the other side." She smiled genuinely, causing my breath to catch in my throat. "As long as you're there to meet me."
That's it! Before I could possibly start crying like a child, I grabbed the back over her neck and finally, finally pulled that gorgeous head of hers down and sealed my mouth over hers. I kissed her fervently and instantly felt the equal amount of passion strike back at me as her hands then slid around my neck, spreading out around my shoulders. Her embrace only tightened when I parted my lips, also making a low noise escape from the back of her throat and I figured I could kiss her forever if she kept those noises up. Heh, even if she doesn't make them, I can still do this.
"Ooooh WEE! Somebody get a cold glass of water for me!" An obnoxious man shouted from somewhere behind us. Just after, a lot more catcalls, cheers and camera shutters sounded.
Begrudgingly, I decided to pull away, but Asami didn't hesitate to bury her face in my neck with an embarrassed chuckle. I kept my own arms around her until she was finished putting herself back together and when that happened, she pulled back to give me a more PG peck.
"So. I take it, that's a yes?" I grinned moronically at her, fully ignoring the crowd gathered around us once more.
"Yes, Korra." Asami laughed and placed her forehead on mine. "That's a definite yes."
