Authors Note
In my rough drafts the chapter before this one, this one and the next one
were actually planned to be one single chapter. But as writing goes they turned out
longer than expected, so I had to cut them in parts. I know the pacing changed due to that
but I'll try to get back to a faster paced narrative after the Avatar Gala.
Also I imagine some people don't like my "new" Bolin, but to be honest he is extremely fun to write
so I'll keep him ;)

The Speech

They left Varrick and Zuh Li alone to their discussion, but not before Zuh Li reminded Asami that next Monday she had to come to the office to check on the company. The couple went out on the balcony that was facing towards the yard.

"You know" Korra said when they were alone "I really don't want to hold that speech in a few minutes and answer the questions of the reporters." Asami took both of her girlfriends hands in her own and looked in her deep blue eyes.

"There is no need to be scared, sweetie." Asami said, after she had lost herself for a second in the Avatars eyes "We will get through this together."

"You know what that title really grew on me" Korra smiled "and I am not scared. I am the Avatar."

"Sweetie, look…" Asami began, with pronouncing the 'sweetie' extra "I don't want to say you are a bad liar, but we spend almost a year together AND you are my girlfriend. I know when you are lying."

Asami still looked her girlfriend in the eyes as Korra pulled her close. Then she closed her eyes and they both kissed each other passionate. For Asami this kiss was long overdue. She couldn't stand being here at her girlfriends party together and not being able to kiss her.

Their kiss was interrupted by a slight giggle and when Asami opened her eyes she could see Bolin and Opal, who they both hadn't seen since they left the red carpet.

"Oh, looks like we weren't the only ones looking for a quiet spot" Opal said still giggling.

"Com'on let's give these two some privacy" Bolin said smiling towards Asami and Korra. He had his hand around Opals waist and pushed her slightly towards the door.

"No, wait" Korra said suddenly, to Asamis surprise who had hoped they could pick up where they left of before they were interrupted "I…ehm…We could use some advice." The Avatar added "We are supposed to give a speech in a few minutes and neither of us has an idea of what to say."

Asami hadn't told Korra that she was as clueless as the Avatar, but her girlfriend must have known.

"I don't think we will be the best help." Bolin started as he turned around "But how could we deny our friends some help". He smiled and turned Opal around who was now cheerful looking at the couple. "So do you at least have a rough plan on what to do?"

"Well" Asami began still surprised by Korras plea for help "No , not really. Well of course we won't go over everything that happened like we did with you, but other than that I'm afraid we don't have any idea whatsoever.

"So, if you have a Hey we are back from a year long vacation and are now a couple speech that would be awesome" Korra said. They had both turned around to speak to Bolin and Opal and both couples stood arm in arm in front of each other.

"Unfortunately we don't" Bolin said smiling "Let's begin with the facts and what you two have to cover in your speech and what questions you have to expect from the reporters after that."

Asami and Korra looked surprised at each other. Asami had noticed that Bolin got more mature, but this was downright scary. He came right to the point and looked concerned at them while talking. Opal who must have noticed the looks the two girls exchanged took her boyfriend's hand but still looked at Asami and Korra.

"You two have to understand" Opal said "He does this every day. Varrick wasn't wrong. Bolin is great at public appearances." She looked at the earthbender smiling "But you, don't treat this like work, please"

"I...I wasn't" Bolin began shocked when he noticed the looks Korra and Asami gave each other "Okay, maybe I was. Sorry, but we have to be quick. You said your speech is in a few minutes right?" Asami and Korra both nodded "Okay let's get the Air Bison out of the room. Your relationship. I don't know how exactly the public will react to that. You two are the arguably most powerful women in Republic City and if it wasn't for Fire Lord Izumi or Suyin maybe the world. Now you are in a relationship. The media will most likely only pick one aspect of your relationship and focus on that. If we are lucky it's the fact that you two are powerful, if we are unlucky it's that you two are both women"

Asami and Korra looked worried at each other. The Heiress knew that it was not common for to women to fall in love with each other-at least not in public-, but she hadn't paid it much mind. She saw Korra for her selflessness, her courage, her laugh and her eyes, those blue amazing eyes. Of course there were some times, especially when her feelings for Korra began to start developing that she had asked herself why she was feeling the she felt for a girl, but after they started their relationship she didn't pay much mind to Korras gender.

"and as I know the press" Bolin continued "I would say we are unlucky. These people are like crocodile tigers, don't feed or bait them or you will swiftly regret it. That being said you two should not lie for different reasons. First of all they will find out eventually and something that was hidden will make an even bigger impact in the news. Secondly it will eat you two up. I want you two to be happy and if that means you have to upset a few people then let them be upset."

He gave them both a warm smile as he continued "So here's what you are going to do. You go up there together like you went in here. Not hiding your affection, but not putting it out for everyone to see either. Some people will recognize what is going on and I am sure some will whisper in the audience. Ignore them, you can't to anything to make them stop. Just focus on us or on Tenzin or on Lyn. Asami you are better at public speeches, so Korra should go first. Tell them how nice it is to be back in Republic City and how you missed it. Then answer the question of why you were so long away before they can ask it. Just tell them that you needed to be in the spirit world for Avatar business or something like that."

"Then before anyone can ask a question Asami should start" he said now looking towards her "You tell them how great the Vacation was and that you will get to rebuild the city together with Varrick and the President immediately."

"Sounds great but what do we answer when we are asked if we are a couple" Korra asked with a surprised look. Asami knew that her girlfriend was just as surprised of Bolin as she was.

"Just say yes" He said finally with a big warm smile on his face. "Be yourself up there and there will be nothing you two will regret in the future."

Tenzins appeared behind Bolin and Opal. "I hate to be the one interrupting, but Raiko will hold his speech now and you two are up next."

Bolin turned around and nodded towards the airbender and then pulled Korra and Asami back in the main hall. As they got in Asami saw that a crowd had formed on the dancefloor, who all looked up to President Raiko who stood on the stage where the band had been playing. Bolin gave them both a pat on the shoulder and then disappeared together with Opal in the crowd.

Asami and Korra made their way up to the stage to wait for their announcement. When Raiko saw them he started his speech.

It has been more than a year since Kuvira denied to turn over the earth Kingdom and converted it in the earth empire. And less than a year ago she decided to attack Republic City. It was a hard time for everyone and we would not have won that war without two women. Avatar Korra and Asami Sato head of Future Industries.

But we don't only honor them for what they did that day, because they did so much more for our city and the world. They stopped the red Lotus from spreading anarchy and chaos all over the world, they both fought for the rebirth of the Airnation and helped ending crime and corruption in this very city. Republc City would not be the same without them and we all know it.

They both went on their well-earned vacation, but they never truly left. Future Industries is still rebuilding our City according to plans Ms. Sato made before leaving and the Korra Portal is connecting us to the spirits like never before. Of course it is debateble if 335 days was an apropreate time span, but this is not why we are here today, we are here to welcome back the two women that helped forming Republic City into what it is today. I know you are all dying to see them and ask them questions, but please wait until they could speak to you first. Ladys and Gentleman.

Asami Sato and Avatar Korra.

Applause filled the halls as the two went up to the microphone. Asami had her arm in Korras and they parted when Korra went to the Microphone.

"Thanks President Raiko. Hi everyone. It is great to be back in Republic City." The Avatar began just like Bolin had told her to "It's been a while hasn't it? Well I'm sure everyone has been wondering as to why it took a while." Korra smiled towards the crowd and Asami was surprised about how well her girlfriend held her speech "To make things clear, it wasn't planned to take that long, but here we are. Asami and I left with no certain timespan in mind and got caught up in the spirit world. As you know I am the bridge between the spirit and the physical world and even though there are no wars in the spirit world I can't go there and just leave my feet hanging in a river for the whole time. That being said, it was still a vacation and I'm glad to be back here and to keep on doing my Avatar Business where it is needed. Speaking of business, why don't we let the most successful business woman in republic city speak for a bit?"

Korra pointed towards the microphone and looked at Asami. She took a step back and before Asami reached the mic she looked at he Avatar "Are you sure you haven't had this written down?" But Korra just smiled as Asami walked the last steps towards the microphone.

"Thank you President Raiko and thank you Korra. Yes it has been a while, there is no denying that, but let me tell you if you ever get to spend a vacation with the Avatar in the spirit world then you might just loose track of time as well."

"As to the business part. I will be continuing my position as head of Future Industries this Monday. From what I heard so far, Varrick did a great job of setting my planes into motion, but you can never be sure. That being said, I will personally oversee the reconstruction and the expansion of republic city as well as the construction around the new spirit portal. Let's just say the spirit world gave me some good inspiration."

Asami thought about what to say next but nothing came to her mind.

"I really have to thank President Raiko for this amazing welcome back Gala and of course all of you for welcoming us back."

She ended her speech and as the hall filled with applause. Korra appeared next to her and put an arm around Asamis waist.

As soon as the applause started to fade the first questions came. President Raiko hadn't let many reporters in the Gala, but there were still a dozen raising their hands. Asami knew what would come next as Korra pointed at a man in a purple suit.

"Hen Raal from the Republic Report" he said "Rumors say you two moved into the Sato Mansion together, is that true?"

Thanks again for your amazing feedback, this Fanfic is extremely fun to write and your reviews are making it even more fun! Sorry for this cliffhanger, but as I explained above it was not planned to have three chapters to the Avatar Gala and this chapter is the longest I published up to this point. I try to update tomorrow again in order to wrap the Gala up, but as always i make no promises