[AN] Sorry this took so long, but holy cow MidnightLion is a BEAST of a beta reader. Had to rewrite sections and everything, but boy am I thankful for the care and feeding my work has been receiving.

(PS - Translations are at the bottom, and a HUGE THANKS to fabioanto79 for helping me with my Italian...)

Hope you all enjoy it!

Chapter Text

FirstRuleAboutFoodFight FRAFF 2h
FoodTruckMasterNaga Chalupacabra 36 hours to go, my pretties. Are you ready to throw down?

Cryptozoological Foodie Chalupacabra 1h
FRAFF FoodTruckMasterNaga I can already taste the sweet, sweet victory

They Call Me J-No NagaMinionTwo 2h
Chalupacabra FRAFF FoodTruckMasterNaga You keep telling yourself that, little naked imaginary creature

—

"Seriously? This is where we're going?" Korra stared at the stark metal double doors set into the front of a battered brick building. A weed-choked empty lot and a shuttered car repair shop bookended the building. Across the street were freight train tracks. It was eerily quiet. "You're not secretly a serial killer, are you?

Asami rolled her eyes. "Come on, you big chicken. I'm not going to murder you."

Korra shifted the heavy duffle bag she had insisted on carrying for Asami while the black haired woman pressed a small button to the left of the doors. After a brief pause, Korra heard the sound of a dead bolt being thrown back and the right hand side door swung open.

A burly older man stepped through the door and engulfed Asami in a huge hug. He was barrel chested with dark, weathered skin. A black beret perched jauntily atop salt and pepper curls; faded cargo pants and an eye-watering tie-dye tee shirt completed the ensemble.

"Asami! Sei in retardo! Chi e' la tua bella amica?"

"Stai indietro, Leonardo," replied Asami, smiling. "Lei è con me. Questa è Korra."

At the close of their exchange, he stuck out a huge, calloused hand which Korra accepted gingerly.

"Welcome to my humble workshop, Korra! I am Leonardo." He kept his grip on Korra's hand and pulled her through the doorway before commandeering Asami's duffle bag.

"Leonardo teaches classes a couple of times a year," explained Asami, smiling. "In addition to his commissions. I took them every chance I got until he made me stop. Now I pay him for one-on-one instruction when I have the time."

"Ha! You do not pay. You insult me."

Asami sighed. "I write you a check every time."

"That's because you are stubborn. Testa dura. I do not cash them. You cook for me; we are friends now."

Asami blew out her breath. "I keep hoping you'll give in."

Leonardo shook his head. "Come along, mie bellezze! The fire awaits."

When Korra stood in the entryway, her jaw dropped in surprise. The building opened into a huge open space where glass panels in the ceiling illuminated the interior with a wealth of natural light. Everywhere she looked, she saw innumerable lush green potted plants, iron grills and bannisters, clusters of steel bars, and other various unidentified bric-a-brac. She glanced down when she felt a touch down her arm, and saw Asami's fingers brush her wrist.

"Come on, you're going to love this."

They wound their way through the densely packed foliage that appeared to nearly fill the space. As they walked, Korra noticed little metal statues and intricate candlesticks scattered amidst palms and ferns, and against the far wall there appeared to be a line of tall tomato plants growing happily under an assortment of grow lights.

"Soooo," said Korra quietly, "you speak Italian?"

"A little. I like to learn languages, and Leonardo always makes me practice."

"What were you guys saying?"

Asami blushed and carefully avoided looking at Korra. "Oh, he… just wanted to know who you were."

Korra narrowed her eyes, ready to challenge this statement, but they stepped around a support post and emerged into the main work area and she stopped, fascinated. The forge itself was an impressive hulk against one wall and the bright glow it emitted lit up the workbenches, anvils, tools, welding equipment, and stacks of raw materials that Leonardo used to make his creations. Tucked into a corner on the opposite wall was a small kitchen. Korra blinked as she took in a metal reproduction of Da Vinci's Vetruvian Man hanging from the ceiling over a butcher block kitchen island, similar to the one she had at home. Behind that hung what appeared to be row after a row of cured meats, ropes of garlic and bunches of drying herbs. A large pot of soup simmered merrily on a small stove, the contrast between its aroma, the smell of hot metal, and the whiff of burning coal oddly pleasant.

Leonardo hurried over with two small classes filled with a clear liquid and handed one to each them.

"Alla salute, Asami! A new batch to try, and I have the forge nice and hot for you."

Korra watched carefully as Asami knocked back her drink in one smooth motion, then did the same. Her eyes watered profusely, and she struggled not to choke at the intense burn.

"You drink this first thing in the morning?" Korra rasped as the other two laughed heartily.

"You don't like my grappa, eh?" Leonardo patted Korra on the back. "It's okay, you don't know any better."

"I'm sure she'll like some of your other offerings just fine," said Asami, handing back her glass. She turned to Korra. "In addition to being a master metal worker, Leonardo is also known for his somewhat specialized culinary skills. And by the way, a shot of grappa before forging is sort of a tradition."

"Oh yeah?" Korra meant to ask more but was distracted as Asami started pulling various intriguing things out of her duffle bag.

"These are my blanks," began Asami, opening up a large canvas knife roll to show an assortment of rectangular metal chunks. "This is what you start with when you're going to make something. Leonardo makes most of these for me because I haven't learned how to make damascus steel properly."

"She lies!" shouted Leonardo from where he carefully stirred his soup. "She just likes to make me do the hard work!"

Asami ignored this comment. She pulled out a slightly scorched piece of leather and then unrolled it to reveal an unfinished knife blade, about six inches long.

"This is my main work-in-progress. One of the first knives I ever made was a paring knife, but it wasn't very good, so I'm finally getting around to making a new one."

"Seems kinda long for a paring knife," commented Korra.

Asami shook her head. "This part here, where it's narrower, is called the tang. That goes inside the handle. I make my knives so that the tang goes all the way through the handle, rather than just the first inch or so."

"Does it make a difference?"

"Schools of thought. Honestly, it just sort of became my thing. Anyway, this knife is almost done except for the handle, which I'm still thinking about." Asami put the blade back down, then turned back to her duffle bag. She shook out a long leather apron and tied it on. The she shrugged herself into a sort of half jacket, mostly leather sleeves with connecting material across the shoulders and chest that ended just below the top of the apron. She finished off her look by pulling on a leather gauntlet.

"Snazzy duds, there, Chef," teased Korra.

Asami raised her eyebrow, twinkling green eyes belying her attempt at a stern demeanor. "Don't annoy me, Korra. Otherwise you won't get to play with any of my toys. Since I'm not sure about the handle, I thought we could start a new knife today. We can use one of the regular steel blanks that I made."

Korra was unable to control her wriggle of excitement, to her utter disgust. However, she refrained from further teasing. Asami headed towards the forge and selected a long pair of tongs, using them to pick up the blank before shoving it into the forge, and burying it into a hot pile of coals.

"Damn, that's hot."

Asami adjusted her tongs slightly, peering at the bright orange glow critically.

"Yes. Hence my snazzy duds, as you so eloquently put it. Also keeps any sparks from landing on my skin. I get enough burns at the restaurant."

"Makes sense." Korra took another step back from the wall of heat next to the forge. "Just how hot is it in there, anyway?"

"About sixteen hundred degrees. Give or take." Asami stepped back, leaving the tongs sticking out of the front of the forge. "Come on, let's get you suited up."

She gestured for Korra to follow her towards the back door of the shop where an assortment of leather aprons hung on a peg. She grabbed one and held it by the neck strap, stepping forward as if to place it over Korra's head before stopping, instead holding it out awkwardly for Korra to take. Korra bit back a smile as she slid the neck strap in place, then fumbled at the waist straps a bit before looking sheepishly at Asami.

"A little help?"

"Wrap it around-No, not like that-Now that part under-Oh just wait a sec," Asami rolled her eyes at Korra's floundering and found herself reaching both arms around the smaller woman's body to secure the ties firmly around her. Korra gulped and held very still, Asami's close proximity making her heart thud painfully. She let out the breath she was holding when Asami finally stepped back. They exchanged a shy glance before Asami nodded her head towards the forge and stepped away.

Korra followed her dumbly, skin tingling. Asami pulled the buried blank partially out, checked the color and shoved it back in.

"Needs more time, mia cara," Leonardo called. "Come, sit with me while you wait." The older man sat comfortably on a wooden stool next to the butcher's block, shaving slices of meat off a cured leg of pork onto a plate. A block of cheese, bowl of olives, loaf of bread, and unmarked bottles of olive oil and some type of vinegar also sat on the table.

"This looks good. What deli do you go to?"

Leonardo scoffed and glared at Asami before turning back to address Korra's question. "I do not buy such food. I make it."

"What, really? All of it?"

"Of course! In my family growing up, we always made our food. How else do you know if it's good?" He picked up a piece of sliced meat and held it out for Korra to try. She cautiously chewed it.

"Oh my God," she moaned. "Okay, whatever bad things I was thinking after you made me drink that paint thinner, I take it all back. This is amazing."

"He was a beautiful animal. This fall I will try to find another just like him."

Korra's jaw dropped. "You mean, you shot the pig that you then turned into prosciutto."

"Not pig. Wild boar. From up north. Took me all afternoon to get one good shot. He was crafty. Good for me, he is also very tasty, eh?" He jabbed Korra's side with his elbow. "Also, this is not just prosciutto. Culatello. Better than regular prosciutto. My family has secret recipe for the cure."

Korra caught Asami's questioning glance and chuckled. She grabbed another piece of the culatello, jammed it into her mouth, and closed her eyes.

"Brace yourself, Leonardo," she heard Asami warn.

"Eh? What did you say?"

Korra chewed slowly, breathing deeply through her nose. The delectable flavors swirled tantalizingly around her tongue. Almost… got it… there! "White wine, don't really know Italian wines, but I'm going to go out on a limb and guess you're more likely to use that. White pepper, oregano, marjoram, fennel, and smoked salt."

She opened her eyes to see Asami staring at Leonardo, holding her breath. His face was blank with shock as he in turn stared at Korra.

"You get that from one bite?" he demanded hoarsely.

Korra sighed happily. "One gloriously delicious mouthful."

With a roar of laughter he leaped forward and scooped Korra into a crushing hug. "You truly bring me a new friend, Asami! Grazie! Amazing, you could taste the cure! My grandmother would be so angry. No one but family is to know, she said." He set Korra down and kissed her on the cheek. "But, she was also a hard woman who was slow to trust. Maybe she make exception for you." He rounded the table and also kissed Asami soundly on both cheeks. "Now, your metal is surely ready. Let's see if the hammer is also her friend, eh?"

—

Korra concentrated, one hand clenching the tongs in a death grip, the other holding a small hammer.

There was a small ka-clank as she clipped the edge of the blank.

"Try only lifting the hammer about a foot, so it doesn't have to travel as far," suggested Asami from the other side of the anvil. "Helps with the accuracy."

"But then I don't get enough force," complained Korra. "And now the metal is too cold, right?"

"Probably. That's okay, we can toss it in the coals again."

They waited in companionable silence for a few minutes before Asami withdrew the glowing metal once more. She handed the tongs to Korra, who picked up the hammer with resignation. She paused as she noticed Asami watching her with her head cocked to one side, obviously thinking hard.

"Korra, you need to relax when you do this," Asami came around to stand behind Korra and captured the shorter woman's hands in her own, so that they both held the tools. "Let me show you how it should feel."

Korra's breath hitched in her throat at the touch, but forced herself to relax her grip and lower her shoulders as Asami pressed into her back, setting the blank firmly against the anvil and beginning a steady rhythm with the hammer.

"Leonardo taught me that the knife wants to come out, we just have to help it," said Asami, loud enough to be heard over the pounding. Her hands continued to guide Korra's as they steadily shaped the blank. "When we tap the middle, the metal is compressed and shoved towards the edges, so then we tap out the edges, and eventually the short thick blank becomes a long thin blade."

After a few more minutes of exquisite torture, Asami finally stepped back and grabbed her gauntlet. "Okay Korra, we need to heat it again and then you can try again on your own."

Korra placed the hammer on the anvil and handed Asami the tongs. Her heart pounded, sweat dampened her face, and something fluttered nervously in her stomach. She was pretty sure it wasn't due to the fire.

"Actually, Asami, I'm starting to really overheat," Korra muttered, willing her hands to stop trembling. "The forge is kind of wearing me out I guess." Way to be a pathetic liar, Korra.

Asami looked concerned, and retrieved a bottle of water from the kitchen for her. Korra chugged gratefully, then almost choked when she felt Asami's hands loosening the apron ties around her waist and tugging the top strap over her head.

"I think you're done for the day; I'll just finish up the shaping." Asami pulled the blank from the fire again and picked up the hammer. "Did you want to go hang out with Leonardo?"

Korra shook her head firmly, hopping up onto a nearby workbench. "I'd rather stay and watch you work."

Asami smiled as she tossed her gauntlet onto a nearby bench and picked up the hammer. No longer guiding Korra, her rhythm was much faster as she deftly shaped out an eight inch cook's knife.

During another reheat, she pulled off her jacket. The forge cast a soft glow on the black-haired chef, giving her an almost ethereal appearance. Small beads of sweat appeared on her temples, neck, and chest. Her cheeks were slightly flushed.

Korra unconsciously licked her lips, completely mesmerized. She failed to notice when the stocky Italian joined her.

"A beautiful woman forging a beautiful knife," Leonardo sighed. "A work of art, eh?"

"She's the most beautiful woman I have ever seen," whispered Korra reverently, eyes riveted on the muscles in Asami's forearms rolling under ivory skin.

Leonardo looked at her sharply, then smiled, his eyes twinkling. Asami turned the blade in several directions, peering at it closely, before finally pushing it into a bucket filled with something like gravel.

"Vermiculite," explained Leonardo. "Helps treat the metal as it cools, prepares it for hardening step."

Korra had no idea what any of that meant and at that moment didn't care. Asami sauntered over to them, pulling off her apron. Her face was flushed from heat and the effort of the forging but she looked satisfied. Leonardo clapped Korra on the back and walked back towards his kitchen.

"Time for lunch!" he announced over his shoulder.

Korra jumped down and grabbed Asami's hands excitedly. "That was amazing! I can't believe how easy you made that look, and I can't wait to see the final product." She broke off, grinning broadly in her enthusiasm, and before she realized it had placed a firm kiss against Asami's cheek.

Oh shit.

Mortified, she immediately stepped back and started to stammer an apology. To her shock Asami followed her, stopping when only inches separated them.

"I don't— I didn't mind that," she said breathlessly.

Their eyes locked. Korra's hand rose slowly, brushing up Asami's arm, over her shoulder, and coming to rest cupped against a warm cheek. Asami's eyes fluttered at the touch, and captured Korra's hand under her own.

"Io non voglio essere un vecchio sporcaccione, Asami!" Leonardo called from the kitchen, a hint of laughter in his tone. "And do not let my food get cold."

Asami sighed in exasperation, but her expression was more amused than embarrassed. She started to lower her hand, but Korra captured it and placed a chaste kiss across Asami's knuckles.

"Do I want to know what he said?" Korra asked wryly, her thumb rubbing softly across the back of Asami's hand.

"He was implying that we were about to be a little exhibitionist for his comfort levels," murmured Asami, now focused on their clasped hands.

"We were, were we?" Korra teased as Asami stepped back, their hands still firmly joined.

"Yes," said Asami seriously. "I think we might well have been."

Korra interlaced their fingers and squeezed to indicate her agreement. "I wouldn't dare disagree with you. Or make Leonardo's food wait."

—

The soup turned out be an amazing minestrone. Leonardo paired it with the antipasto platter he had been working on earlier, along with a delectable loaf of ciabatta and a bottle of homemade wine, dark and sweetly resinous.

"Let me guess," said Korra around a mouthful of bread. "You baked this yourself."

Leonardo rolled his eyes. "Of course. At the forge."

"You're kidding." Korra stared at him. "The forge is way too hot."

"On the side, you did not see. I have a brick oven. I take a little hot coal from the forge and presto, I can bake."

Asami smiled as she sipped her wine, watching Korra ponder this technique.

"Oh!" Korra exclaimed suddenly, and she turned to Leonardo with wide eyes. "I bet you can make some ridiculous pizza in there!"

Leonardo snickered. "Once you eat my pizza, you are ruined. You cannot eat anywhere else."

Korra sat up straighter, her eyebrow raised. "Oh yeah? I'll have you know my pizza crust has made women swoon. We'll have to do a little taste test someday."

He snorted sceptically at this. "Such a claim you make. Asami, you bring her back soon so I can see this. Though," he added with a wicked grin, "I do not think you need her pizza crust to make you swoon, eh?"

"Vaffanculo, piccolo stronzo Italiano," growled Asami, even while her lips curled upward in mirth.

Leonardo howled with laughter and pounded the table while Korra looked back and forth between them, bemused.

"You never swear before!" He chortled. "And I never see you smile this much. So serious, always." He nudged Korra playfully in the ribs. "You must be a good influence."

Korra caught Asami watching her, and the smile was there, tentative but hopeful. She raised her wine glass in salute, knowing her face showed the same.

They managed to finish their lunch with only occasional teasing from the Italian. The women helped him straighten the kitchen, then packed up Asami's gear. Leonardo kissed both of them on each cheek.

"Ciao, ciao, mie bellezze! I see you soon!"

"Ciao, Leonardo," Asami replied fondly.

"Bye!" called Korra cheerfully, hefting the duffle bag back onto her shoulder after successfully fending off Asami's attempt to carry it herself once again. As the big metal doors swung shut, she reached out for Asami's hand, grinning delightedly when she felt her own hand gripped firmly in return. She looked up and met her gaze.

"Well, Chef Sato, you sure know how to take a girl on a date!"

"There's a first time for everything, I suppose," the chef replied, glancing over at Korra as they walked back towards the marina. She hesitated, then blurted, "I don't suppose you'd like to go for a little sail?"

"Today?" squeaked Korra. "You're not sick of me yet?"

"I don't often take days off, if you recall," came the sheepish reply. "Today I'm feeling like I want to pack in as much fun as possible." Her voice softened a little as she fought back her natural inclination towards shyness. "And no, I don't really think I could get sick of you."

Korra stopped, tugging Asami's hand so that they stood facing each other. She searched Asami's face, then dropped the duffle bag and grabbed the front of her jacket, pulling her close before crashing their lips together. Asami stiffened, but when Korra started to pull back, arms wrapped firmly around her neck, holding her tightly. Korra smiled, then her eyes widened in shock as a hot tongue slid against her lips. She closed her eyes and parted her own lips instinctively, deepening the kiss and swallowing a moan at the intense sensations. Finally they broke apart, their foreheads touching as they caught their breath.

"Holy shit, that was not your first time." Korra panted.

Asami nodded, still smiling and a little glassy eyed. "I did kiss Curtis Michelson on the cheek when I was in fourth grade, but I suspect that's not what you mean."

Korra laughed weakly. "No, not really."

Asami raised her head, and found herself caught by those beautiful blue eyes. "I have truly never done this before," she admitted softly. "and I will admit to being slightly terrified. But if I have learned anything in the last couple of days, it's that I need to be fearless in pursuing happiness. And when I'm with you," Asami took a deep breath. "When I'm with you I find it surprisingly easy."

Korra brushed her lips tenderly against Asami's and pulled her even closer. "I hope that never changes," she whispered.

They stood quietly for a long moment, still embracing, before Korra reluctantly stepped back, retrieving the duffle bag.

"Now, before we do anything more embarrassing on a public street," she said sternly. "I was told there would be sailing."

Asami threw her head back and laughed, and Korra's heart stuttered at the sight. She was in serious trouble.

—

Translations:

"Asami! Sei in retardo! Chi e' la tua bella amica?"'

Asami! You're late! Who's your cute friend?"

"Stai indietro, Leonardo. Lei è con me. Questa è Korra."

'Back off, Leonardo. She's with me. Her name is Korra.

"Testa dura"

Hard-headed. Stubborn.

"mie bellezze"

My beauties

"mia cara"

My dear

"Io non voglio essere un vecchio sporcaccione!"

I don't want to be a dirty old man

"vaffanculo piccolo stronzo Italiano"

Fuck off you nasty little Italian