Asami slowed her Satomobile, turning cautiously up the winding, sandy road towards her grandmothers' estate. She travelled alone as Korra had immediately opted out of visiting her relatives this Christmas.
"Oh, stop it, Korra. I'm sure Nai Nai won't really attack you at her age," she had tried to reason with the powerful, currently cowardly avatar.
"Um, if she could "almost" kill at 14, imagine what she could do now!"
Asami shook her head with a light chuckle at the memory of the real fear that shook up her powerful girlfriend at the mention of Azula's name. Turning the key, the car's engine stopped. The engineer opened the door, placing a red snow boot on the icy terrain. She nearly gasped at the sight of the mansion. There were lights streaming from the roof and the front door. She could even make out a Christmas tree from the ten foot tall front, glass window.
Instead of a servant greeting her at the door, Azula opened it herself. "Welcome! Come in, Grand-pup!" She said, sweetly, quickly offering a box of chocolate cherries to her.
Hesitantly, Asami took one and followed her into the home. The inside was just as gorgeous as the outside. There were mistletoes hanging from the banister of the stairwell. The fire was crackling from fresh logs. She could smell caviar and cordon bleu and even sugar cakes. The stereo blasted tunes of the festive holiday. Presents were aligned under the huge Christmas tree and sparkling champagne was poured in several wine glasses on a small table in the center of the family den.
From the glasses, Asami glanced up at the former fire lord, Zuko, Korra's mentor, Katara, Toph Bei Fong, her daughters and the fire lord's ex-wife, Mai.
"I know, we're scared too," the ominous woman whispered when Azula left the family den towards the kitchen.
"Turkey, anyone? Chestnuts? Marshmallows?"
"Um, whisky, please for me," answered the former fire lord.
"Ha! Oh, Zu Zu, you know Ty Lee wouldn't want that".
Asami grabbed a glass of champagne as the other guests' hands flew towards the center table. She relished in the expensive wine when Azula returned with chestnuts to offer.
"Merry Christmas, Everyone!" She exclaimed with a huge, though seemingly painful, bright smile on her face.
The room was silent, except for the melodious music playing.
"Um," started Mai, unable to resist. "Azula, it's Christmas Eve. We still have like two hours".
The old woman's eyes widened. "No! What time is it, Asami?"
The engineer looked to her watch. "Eleven".
Azula shakily put down the tray and sprinted as fast as her 65 years would take her towards the patio, taking a seat with her back facing her guests in a wooden loveseat.
"Maybe I should go after her," groaned Zuko.
Asami raised her hand. "N-no, allow me. I haven't had a Christmas here in a while".
Zuko nodded, grabbing a chestnut.
#
Azula was tapping her chin, mumbling to herself when her granddaughter arrived on the patio. "Everything…yes. I have everything this year, Ty Lee," she was saying.
"Nai Nai?" Called Asami.
Flinching slightly from the unexpected interruption, the firebender patted the seat. "Come, Dear. She'll be here soon".
Confused, Asami took a seat next to the woman. It was hard to imagine her grandmother as the force she was in her alpha prime as a feared Fire Nation General. "Who?"
"Your Lao Ye, of course. She always meets me here at dawn. I made sure everything was perfect this year. The stockings were hung, everything is ready".
"Nai Nai…" Asami's voice caught.
Lao Ye had passed from this life nearly three years ago now. Yet, she did not want to ruin Azula's moment. The woman was an alpha after all. She had heard that alphas suffered hardest from their mates' deaths.
"She promised, you see," Continued Azula. "Just before the dawn of Christmas, she will be here. So I come out here and wait. I just know she'll come this year. You see, I forgot the chestnuts last year and before that was the mistletoe, I think," she placed a finger to her chin. "Yes, yes, it was mistletoe, but I…I have everything this time".
Asami gave the woman a smile through her forming tears. "Yes, you do have everything this year, Nai-Nai".
This seemed to satisfy the alpha greatly as she closed her eyes and leaned her head back. "See, Ty, I did it! It is perfect! I have everything for Christmas this year…but…but you".
Asami wrapped her arms instinctively around her grandmother's shaking shoulders.
"But…you…" Azula repeated, her voice cracking.
#
For the next four years, this became a tradition for Asami and her grandmother until one Christmas morning, the alpha did not rise with the dawn as usual. Upon receiving the news, Asami knew in her heart that Azula's waiting every year was over.
As was her last wish, Asami had the words engraved on the mates' joint tombstone next to her mother's grave:
Death is not extinguishing the light; it is only putting out the lamp because the dawn has come.
Very short piece that was inspired by two Christmas songs: Everything for Christmas and Every Year, Every Christmas. Hope you enjoyed! The quote at the end was "borrowed" :)
