The Road to Forever

Chapter 12

"Ladies and gentleman! I don't believe it! I can't believe it! The Red Sands Rabaroos have managed to overcome all the odds and win this tournament! It's simply incredible! What a knockout! What a stupendous display!" The commentator shouted in excitement as the small group huddled around the radio listening in awe.

"Wow! I can't believe they did it!" exclaimed Mako.

"No kidding! I mean, those guys used to be pushovers. This is so great!" Bolin said as he pumped his fist in the air.

"Yeah yeah, you don't know need to get so excited kid. Fair is fair, here you go" muttered Bumi as he handed Bolin 20 Yuan.

"Pleasure doing business with you sir!" Bolin winked at Bumi, grinning.

"If it makes you feel any better Bumi, I really thought the Tigerdillos were going to cream the Rabaroos too. It seemed like a fairly safe bet" Korra told him, Asami nodding in agreement.

"Hmph. I say it serves you right Bumi for gambling at all." Tenzin told him as he walked into the room, his face as disapproving as ever and Korra had to fight not to laugh.

"Yes mother" Bumi growled back. "I seem to recall a few bets with you back in the day so don't get all self righteous with me!"

"Tenzin used to gamble?!" Asami gasped.

"No. Way." Bolin just stared at the Air Bending Master who was turning an interesting shade of purple.

"That was a long time ago and I've grown up since then! Something you might consider trying Bumi!"

"Oh come off it little brother. You're just sore because the last two potential recruits decided not to join your holiness" Bumi said as he sat back and smirked.

Korra could see the vein pulsing above Tenzin's left eye and knew things were about to get very bad.

"Well! Regardless of who won that was a really great match. But whew...I'm tired. How about you guys? You guys are tired too right? Asami?" Korra pressed as she stood up and exaggerated a yawn.

"Oh! Yeah, really tired. We should probably head out. Um, how about you guys?" Asami asked Mako and Bolin as she stood, mimicking Korra.

"Really tired. Let's go Bolin" Mako agreed who grabbed his confused brother and dragged him along while they all made a hasty exit away from the two brothers.

Once they had all managed to escape the meeting area, the group stood around awkwardly as they ignored the shouts from behind them.

"Glad we got away from that fight. I do not want to be anywhere near Tenzin or Bumi for a bit. Tenzin looked really mad" Asami shuddered.

"No kidding. So, anyone have any ideas for something else to do?" Korra asked.

"I'm gonna head to the kitchen and see what I can scrounge up. Winning a bet always makes me hungry!" Bolin told them as he rushed off toward the kitchen.

Laughing, Korra looked at Mako. "What about you? The three of us can still hang out. Maybe we could play some Pai Sho or something."

"Uh...well...uh ladies..I think I'll head off to bed for real. It is pretty late after all" Mako muttered.

"Mako, the sun hasn't even set yet" Asami said, her eyebrow raised as she looked at Mako.

"Uh yes...well, early to bed early to rise and all. G-goodnight Avatar Korra...Miss Sato." Mako stuttered, looking back and forth between the two young women before rushing off.

Korra sighed. "Do you think he'll ever NOT be horribly awkward around us?" Korra asked Asami.

"I hope so. It used to be kind of funny but now it's just ridiculous. Oh well. Still want to find something to do?" Asami asked.

"Definitely. Have something in mind?"

Asami grinned and grabbed Korra's hand, "Come on! You'll love this!"

"What are we doing up here?" Korra asked. Asami had taken her up to the Captain's deck. Asami had given Korra and the rest of the crew a tour of the entire airship when they had first set off and this had been Asami's favorite place to show them. Korra had just felt overwhelmed by all of the controls, although the view was spectacular.

"You'll see!" Asami grinned before walking up to Captain Osano.

"Good evening Captain!"

"Miss Sato! Good evening to you as well! What can I do for you?" The Captain asked, smiling jovially. He was an older gentleman but very fit and had kind eyes to go with his salt and pepper hair. Korra had liked him instantly.

"I was thinking you might like a break. I wanted to show Korra how to fly the airship. Do you mind?"

"Not at all ma'am! In fact, I would very much like some tea about now. The airship is all yours ma'am" Captain Osano told Asami as he gave her the wheel which she took expertly. He bowed to them both before heading off in the direction of the kitchen.

Korra just looked at Asami as if she had grown another head. "You're going to teach me to fly this thing? Are you sure? I didn't exactly do very well learning to drive if you remember."

"You did just fine Korra. It wasn't your fault that vine suddenly grew out onto the street. Now come on, you'll be great, I promise!" Asami assured her.

Korra was not feeling as confident as Asami clearly was but she also didn't want to turn the older girl down. So stepped forward and grabbed the wheel from Asami who had stepped back. Suddenly, she was the one in the control and she nervously held the wheel in a death grip.

Asami chuckled from behind her. "You can relax a little Korra. Keep holding the wheel like that and you're going to break it."

"I am relaxed! Totally relaxed. I've got this!" Korra told her nervously, not daring to look away from the front windows. They were flying through an area that was mostly empty plains with the occasional plateaus and a few small mountains in the distance. They really couldn't have been flying over a better area for Korra to learn how to fly. But she was still nervous and held the wheel tightly, her knuckles white.

"Here, let me help you" Asami said, a smile in her voice as she stepped up closer behind Korra and reached around her to place her hands on top of the Avatar's.

"Just relax. I won't let you hit anything. I promise, you can do this Korra" whispered Asami, her lips dangerously close to Korra's left ear and Korra felt a blush rising up her neck and to her cheeks. Why was she suddenly even more nervous than before?

Gradually, Korra allowed her hands to relax their grip on the wheel more and more as she allowed Asami's warm hands to guide her. Asami's hands were mostly soft with the occasional callous here and there from working in her shop. Soon, Korra began to feel at ease as she guided the airship over the plains with Asami standing behind her.

"See? I knew you could it. It's really not that hard. We'll make you an airship Captain yet!" Asami chuckled and her breath tickled Korra's ear startling her enough that she lost her grip on the wheel for a moment.

"Whoa! Sorry, sorry I uh...got distracted for a moment. Anyway, uh, thank you for bringing me up here Asami. This is really fun" said Korra as she turned her head to smile at the older girl who face was surprisingly close to her own.

"You're very welcome Korra" Asami told her quietly, a soft smile on her face.

Korra turned back quickly and tried to focus on their surroundings. She didn't want to be responsible for crashing the airship into the one mountain she could see in the distance. She'd never live it down. But she was finding it very difficult to concentrate and she couldn't really understand what was going on. It wasn't like she had never been close to Asami before. They had hung out together plenty of times, had hugged, and grabbed one another's hands...why did this feel so different?

Korra continued to stew but tried not to show that something was bothering her. Asami still stood behind her with her hands over Korra's and Korra felt herself smile a little that they were still there. 'This is silly' thought Korra. 'Why are you being so weird!? It's just Asami…' But then Korra had the thought that Asami had never really been 'just' anything to her.

The two young women stood there quietly for some time just enjoying the view of the sun setting in the distance, its warm rays fading softly as the first stars began to come out and light up the darkening sky.

"Well Ladies, I do thank you for that chance to grab some tea. Mind if I take back over or would you like to stay a little longer?" asked Captain Osano as he came back up to the deck.

The two girls jumped apart quickly and for some reason Korra felt like she had been caught, but doing what she had no idea.

"I think we're good Captain. Thank you for letting us take the wheel! Please say hi to Uri for me when she comes up to relieve you" Asami told him politely.

"I'll do just that, thank you Miss Sato" Captain Osano bowed. Korra followed Asami down to the main area and to the hall where their rooms were. Korra didn't say a word as Asami stopped in front of the door leading to her room which was just across the hall from Korra's own.

"Well, I know it's still early but I think I'll head in for the night as well" Asami said quietly.

"Yeah...yeah me too. I might even try to meditate" Korra muttered distracted.

"Goodnight Korra."

"Goodnight Asami."

Nothing like a little sexual tension on an airship! And yes there is an airship crew because OF COURSE THERE WAS. Also, special shout out to Thundercatroar for that beast of a review. We are totally on the same page dude. Thank you all!