Chapter 25: 'Hard Truths'
Author Notes
Stuff happens. Who to trust? Who to trust?!
"There's been a lot of problems in Republic city during your...absence, Avatar Korra," President Raiko began in his usual passive aggressive manner as he leaned heavily on the large desk in his office with Yon Rha sat at an awkward distance beside him. The President definitely appeared paler than the last time Korra had seen him, as though the pressure of this job was finally running him into the ground. Better sooner than later. The spectacled man was probably starting to wish he'd never been re-elected at all as he rubbed his forehead slowly.
"Not an absence I planned," Korra reminded him firmly as she lifted her brown boots to rest on top of the table, almost bursting out laughing at the furious glare Raiko gave her as he pretended to ignore the water tribe girl as best as his political grooming would allow, turning to Yon Rha for some kind of rest bite or distraction. The Anti-Spirit leader shrugged his shoulders slightly before turning to face the Avatar.
"Yes, well, be that as it may, you were gone, and during that time retaliation against the spirits has increased, with the spirits reacting in kind. I've also had multiple reports from the city's police of vines attacking people and property. We've saw in the past that you have absolutely no control over the activities of the spirits or the vines. What do you plan to do about this worrying trend of spirit related violence?" Raiko questioned firmly as he leaned forward slightly, eyes lowering down to the water tribe girl's mucky boots sat against the table top with disgust.
"Well, first of all. If people would just stop attacking the spirits in the first place then they wouldn't be reacting at all. They were perfectly fine before you and your supporters stirred them up," Korra replied angrily as she pointed accusingly to Yon Rha. The Anti-Spirit leader simply shook his head in disappointment. The Avatar had been so sure this man would have reacted to that, though she hadn't had any where near as much experience working with him as Asami. Dealing with these two at once. It's a good thing she has a level head.
"It's not just Yon Rha's supporters who have been having problems with the spirits, plenty of ordinary citizens have had their every day lives plagued by them. The current reconstruction work is being adversely effected by this recent spike of instability. I cannot have the Republic's taxes wasted on work that may just be torn down the next day depending on how the spirits feel," Raiko defended as he pushed his rimmed glasses back up his nose. "Many of my citizens are now calling for the spirit portals to be closed. All of them."
Korra clenched her hand into a fist before she ended up water slapping the President's stupid spectacles from his wrinkled, cranky face. "I won't close the portals. I've told you before. People need to learn to coexist with the spirits. And as I've already said, if people stopped attacking them then maybe they wouldn't be causing so many problems." Raiko had no authority over what the Avatar did, even if he had been elected by the people. Korra wouldn't be dictated to by poll figures and popular opinion. I have to forge my own path. It'll be worth it in the end.
"Maybe the Avatar is right," Yon Rha said thoughtfully as he leaned forward to look directly at the water tribe girl. "She's the only person capable of closing the portals, but if she won't listen to what people want then that's up to her, if she wants to tarnish her legacy as the Avatar then so be it."
Korra felt her jaw drop at that. Had Yon Rha just given up the notion of closing the portals? I wonder what, or who, changed his mind? Still, the idea of her legacy being permanently tainted by her actions now made her stomach twist uncomfortably. She was the first incarnation in a brand new cycle. It would be heartbreaking to think her work in the past, everything she'd sacrificed, would be viewed with scorn by future generations. The hated Avatar... They'd tear down her beautiful park.
"You believe the spirits are retaliating in this manner due to attacks by other citizens?" Yon Rha asked with interest. Why was he suddenly concerned with what the Avatar had to say on the spirits? It's not like he'd ever bothered to pay attention before. Even though I'm half spirit myself...but no. Don't ask the half SPIRIT person for advise on the SPIRITS.
Korra raised her brow suspiciously, spotting Raiko doing the same as he glanced over to his deputy with distrust. It was clearly a partnership that neither of these men savoured. "...Yes, I mean. Wouldn't you retaliate if you were attacked...?" the Avatar fumbled as she tried to figure out the Anti Spirit leader's game. His expression was confusingly soft...the softest she could recall him ever looking at her. How much had Asami's influence effected his opinion?
"Where is this going Mr Rha?" Raiko interrupted sharply as he looked between the Avatar and his deputy in confusion.
Yon Rha leaned back slightly in his chair before responding. "If we're going to be stuck with the spirits then perhaps we should learn to integrate, try to deal with the problems the spirits are causing together instead of bickering about it."
Korra pointed angrily at him then. "But you're the leader of a party who has Anti-Spirit in its name!" the water tribe girl called incredulously.
"By name, maybe, but not by nature. My party's core belief is to reduce the problems that spirits cause, the negative way they may impact ordinary people's lives. At first I believed that closing the portals was the solution but recently I have come to a different view. Even with the portals removed Republic City will still be stuck with the vines," Yon Rha explained. "And many of the spirits will still remain, yes?"
Korra nodded slowly. "Yes, the spirits can still exist here without the spirits connecting our two worlds, particularly in areas with high levels of spiritual energy such as the Northern Water Tribe," the Avatar explained confidently before looking downwards. "Though there probably wouldn't be as many of them around if the portals were closed."
"It doesn't matter what this government does then, people will still complain about the spirits, though they are much more likely to blame the Avatar for those issues. Is that something you can live with?" Yon Rha questioned seriously.
Korra hesitated slightly before replying. For her whole life she'd wanted to be the Avatar, and that life would always have a legacy. The life of every Avatar did. If it makes life for the spirits easier now...what does peoples opinion of me after I die matter? The water tribe girl swallowed hard. It mattered to her. Of course it did. Aang had left a glowing record before he had passed away, at least that's how most people viewed him. But it will be worth it. Make the world better now. People might not appreciate it but I know I'll be doing the right thing, forging my own path.
"Of course I can," Korra replied resolutely as she glanced at Yon Rha determinedly. President Raiko looked positively lost in the conversation as he continued to look between the two other people sat at his desk.
"So what do you suggest then?" President Raiko groaned as he closed his eyes over.
"The spirits won't attack people if they aren't harmed, if we want to end current instability in the city the solution is very simple. We stop the spirits being attacked," Yon Rha explained confidently. "The reason people feel so free to attack spirits is because they do not fear the consequences. There are currently no laws in place which protect them."
Raiko's eyes widened in concern at that. "Are you seriously suggesting that we give the spirits rights, recognise them as citizens of the United Republic?!" Little droplets of saliva were flying onto Yon Rha's face as the President tried to belittle him. The Anti Spirit deputy appeared unmoved as he folded his arms.
"That's exactly what I'm suggesting, alter the United Republic's constitution."
"That's a great idea!" Korra called, almost feeling the need to slap herself to confirm whether she was actually hearing any of this. I never thought this meeting would end up going in this direction. There was me preparing myself to have to air bend both of these idiots skulls together to make them see sense.
Then the water tribe girl became extremely formal as she held onto the edge of her collar, the same way she'd saw Asami do it with her maroon shirt at business meetings. Look authoritative girl! "As the Avatar and human representative of the spirits I fully support this idea," Korra said as firmly and maturely as possible, puffing out her chest as she did so. If only Asami could see me now...who am I kidding she'd totally ruin my performance with that smirk of hers.
Yon Rha smiled at her sincerely, nodding slightly before he turned to Raiko. The President looked to be on the brink of throwing the water tribe girl and his deputy from his office. "So would the spirits be voting in future elections?" Raiko replied with considerable sarcasm as he slammed his hand off the table surface, grimacing slightly as he did so. Not as strong as your wife says you are, Mr President. "I will not go along with this ridiculous suggestion. The spirits don't pay any taxes and the Republic is already paying enough of our citizens' hard earned money to cater towards them. I will not have Republic's city police force wasting man power and taxes protecting the spirits."
"President Raiko if I may interject-" Yon Rha began.
"You may not. I want both of you to leave my office immediately. I'll restore the barrier around the portal and allow your people to continue to operate it, Mr Rha. Spirits know that some of my citizens voted for you, I'll give them their portal perimeter and control," Raiko interrupted sharply as his deputy firmly shook his head and stood up from the chair, no no longer bothering to make eye contact with the President.
"As for you, Avatar Korra, I've had quite enough of your insubordination. There will be no more negotiations or meetings between my office and yourself for as long as I remain President," Raiko said angrily as he pointed with a shaking finger to the water tribe girl. It took all of Korra's strength not to retaliate as she watched Yon Rha walk past her muttering to himself.
"You need me Raiko," Korra pouted furiously as she resisted the urge to grab him by his stupid chin as she'd done in the past. The president remained silent.
With that the Avatar withdrew from his office, knocking over her chair with a gust of air that swatted Raiko's spectacles off his nose. Korra made sure to stomp as loudly as possible upon her exit, hopefully mashing mud into the red carpet as deeply as it would go as the President scrambled around on the floor for his glasses. Don't laugh. Don't laugh. Try to look at least a little mature here.
She definitely didn't slam the door behind her so hard that it fell off its hinges. Not at all.
"Just do it one more time!" Asami snarled as she paced back and forth in her work room in Future Industries tower. Mako stood nearby looking completely exhausted as he shook his head in irritation. The CEO had asked for her friend's assistance in helping her with the final testing of her integrated glove, specifically its ability to redirect lightning without the device overheating.
For the testing Asami had created a model similar to the internal workings of her glove along with the essential converter unit and locked it in on top of stand in the center of the room. Mako was free to help for once having been informed by Chief Beifong earlier in the day that he was no longer required as a body guard for Prince Wu. That was hardly surprising given the fact that Kuvira was in chains and the Prince had survived just fine without Mako's protection when the former Fire Ferret had been hiding out in the Fire Nation capital. It was hard to tell whether Mako was happy or disappointed that he would no longer be in Wu's service. He'd looked more relieved that anything else, content to finally get back to being a detective.
Mako raised his arms again, lightning flickering around the edge of his fingertips as he did so. "Alright Asami, but we've already burned through ten of those converter units of yours," the young man warned as he stared at the pile of fried units scattered on the floor. It was a miracle that they hadn't set the building on fire at this point in time.
"Just don't fire such a powerful bolt this time," Asami complained as her eyes shifted down to her mechanized hand in concern. If this doesn't work...
Abruptly Mako lowered his hands and turned to face the CEO, eyes brows frowning considerably. "And what do you expect an opponent to do in a real fight? They're hardly going to reduce their power just to cater to you!" he exclaimed incredulously.
Asami wanted to hit him over the head for that. No one should underestimate her in a fight. Bender or not. Then she noticed the exhausted look on her friend's face as sweat poured down his brow, normally slicked black hair all over the place. He's trying to help you. He snapped because he's tired.
"This has to work..." Asami replied in desperation, tugging at her black tie anxiously.
Sympathy spread across Mako's features as he walked slowly over to the engineer, placing a strong hand on her shoulder. "One last time. I'll try it one last time," he smiled warmly before raising his arms once more, a considerable amount of lightning flickering around his fingertips as he creased his brows. "But your opponent won't hold back so I won't either," he said sharply before glancing back to the CEO for a few seconds. "You might want to step back."
Asami did as she was told, loosening her tie and the top button of her maroon shirt as she felt a lump form at the back of her throat. This might end up blowing a hole in the wall.
Mako gave her one last warning nod before he fired with pin point accuracy directly into the converter unit, the walls of the room lighting up with a dazzling display of blue flashes. The temperature of the room rose instantly as Asami's eyes focused in on the converter unit with interest and concern, ignoring the fact the room was most definitely in danger of going on fire now. The young detective gritted his teeth as he kept the lightning as straight as possible. The CEO knew from experience just how physically demanding that was.
A loud banging sound popped in Asami's ears as her attention shifted back to the converter unit, feeling everything move in slow motion as she saw the small metal object sparking out of control. In a moment her vision was filled with blinding white light before she suddenly felt a body crash into her and knock her forcefully to the floor. When the popping sounds ceased after a few seconds Asami opened her eyes anxiously, unsure what chaos she was going to be met with as a high pitched ringing sound filled her ears.
Mako stood in front of her, arms spread wide in a defensive position as he placed himself between the engineer and the explosion.
"Mako! Are you okay?!" Asami shrieked as her own voice echoed painfully in her eardrums.
It took the detective several seconds to respond as he moved his hands to bend away any remaining flames. "I'm fine, are you alright?" he inquired in concern as he turned around to pull the engineer from the ground, keeping a firm hand on her shoulder even when she was fully upright again.
"I'm okay," Asami said wearily as she dusted grit from her waist coat and shirt. "Thank you for saving me, that was-"
"Crazy," Mako finished as he looked down at the remains of the converter unit, a pained look in his amber eyes. "Is that what happened the first time?"
"Pretty much..." Asami muttered in defeat as she moved to sit on the workshops red sofa, trying desperately not to cry in front of her friend. I nearly lost my hand for this...and it doesn't even work the way I want it to. The way it's supposed to.
Mako lowered himself down beside her slowly, staring at the engineer with concern as he did so. Asami couldn't bring herself to look at his face. I don't want sympathy. I want a solution. I need it. "I don't think we can do that again, have you got any other plans that might stop it overheating?"
Asami shook her head furiously. "That was my final solution. My final shot at redirecting lightning!" the engineer roared furiously as she slammed her integrated hand into the side of the sofa. This was all for nothing...all for nothing! "I'm just as valueless to the team as I was before all of this!"
A firm hand grabbing her shirt sleeve startled the CEO slightly as she looked upwards. Mako was staring at her with a fierce determination. "That's complete garbage," the young man said firmly. "You're just as important to the Team as the rest of us even if you can't bend."
"But whenever we have to fight, I'm just a spectator. With Zaheer and the Red Lotus, all I could do was either run or watch. I was totally helpless," Asami said bitterly, clenching her fists viciously.
"Maybe," Mako replied softly. "But I think you're ignoring everything else that makes you important to the team, the most important member. You're our backbone, the one who picks us up when we fall, who always puts everyone else's needs above your own. Just look at how you cared for Korra after Zaheer, Bolin and I could never have done that. You've kept us together, kept us motivated even when things were looking grim. Without you Team Avatar would crumble," Mako stated resolutely.
Asami really wanted to cry now as she gritted her teeth. She couldn't recall a time where Mako had ever said such nice things to her or anyone else. Just as the engineer was about to formulate a response the office door swung open, Korra and Yama stepping inside.
The Avatar quickly assessed the room, spotting the pieces of metal on the floor and the burning smell that filled the air before sprinting over to her girlfriend still sitting on the sofa.
"Asami, are you okay?!" Korra asked in concern as she ran her hand over the engineer, checking for any injuries. Only after a minute of examination was she satisfied as she beckoned for Yamamoto to come over who had been picking up pieces of the converter unit across the room. "What happened?"
"I was...I was testing the glove, and things, well, they didn't exactly go as planned..." Asami explained awkwardly as Yama ran a quick check up on Mako.
"I'm fine!" Mako snarled as he pushed the other man away lightly and lifted himself up from the sofa, freeing the space up for the Avatar.
Korra leaped at the chance, sitting beside the engineer and rubbing a hand down her back comfortingly, sympathy radiating from the water tribe girl's eyes as she did so. "I've got you," the Avatar whispered quietly as she brought Asami's head down to rest on her shoulder.
"This thing could have really caused some damage," Yama said a little too enthusiastically as he examined the pieces of metal against the light of a nearby blown out window.
Mako nodded his head. "We're just insanely lucky that none of the pieces of shrapnel hit us..." he breathed heavily, beginning to realize how close he and the engineer had come to serious injury.
"Even if the shrapnel never hit you getting zapped by electricity like that, it can stop your heart, though I've heard that some of Republic City's most experienced medical professionals are investigating whether or not they could use a jolt of electricity to restart it again," Yama explained as he rubbed a hand through his hair.
"That's just crazy talk," Mako replied sharply as he made for the door. "I'll need to radio that explosion in. Beifong's gonna think we're under attack with all the recent problems with supporters of the Anti-Spirit party." Yamamoto quickly followed behind the young detective, realising Asami and Korra would probably want some time alone.
"I'll see you two later," the young White Lotus man smiled awkwardly before closing the door slowly.
"Are you sure you're okay? You're still shaking a bit," Korra asked softly as she take hold of the engineer's hand. This isn't right. This isn't how it's supposed to be!
"You're not supposed to be the one doing this!" Asami snapped suddenly, shaking even more than before as she desperately tried to hold in all of her current frustrations and failures. Korra wouldn't even talk to you about what's wrong with her. She doesn't trust you enough.
Korra's eyes widened sharply, confusion and hurt burning in her bright blue eyes. "What...what are you talking about?" she inquired tentatively, grip on the engineer's hand loosening slightly.
"This," Asami sighed in exhaustion as she looked down at their still entwined hands. "It's you that needs comforting and help after everything that's happened, not me."
"It's not a competition, if you need my help, my support, of course I'm going to give it you 100% no matter what. I love you," Korra stated resolutely, searching her partner's gaze desperately for any indication of what the CEO was thinking.
"I know you do. But Korra, I want to help you. You can't keep going on pretending everything's okay..." Asami advised as she pointed to her head slowly, "up here."
Now the Avatar couldn't bring herself to look into Asami's eyes, releasing her grip entirely and staring at the floor with clasped hands, eyes riveted shut. "I want it to be...I want to feel better, be a better person for you to be with."
Asami leaned her head on Korra's shoulder and pried free one of the water tribe girl's gloved hands into her own. "You are the best person for me, don't ever doubt that. It doesn't matter how unwell you are, if you ended up bound to a wheelchair again. I'll stand by you. Always."
The Avatar didn't speak, instead clinging to her partner's hand for dear life, tears beginning to fall from her closed eyes as she gritted her teeth furiously to stop from crying out.
"As much as it pains me to say it, maybe I can't give you the help you need. I'm no expert on mental trauma or anything like that, I might be doing more harm than good," Asami admitted as she began to trace patterns over the water tribe girl's hand.
"I think I'd like to find you an experienced psychiatric healer in the city for you to meet with on a regular basis, they might help talk you through the experiences which are causing you trouble, maybe even give you some techniques to help you when you have...episodes..." Asami suggested quietly as she tried to read the Avatar's expression. "But only if you want me to, I won't contact anyone without your say so."
After a few agonizing seconds Korra bowed her head slowly, exhaling a deep breath. "I'd like that," the water tribe girl responded quietly, sounding both relieved and defeated in one second. It was hard for anyone to admit they needed help, but especially for the Avatar who was supposed to be the strongest person in the world. But she's also just a girl. A flawed human being, just like anyone else. She's Korra.
"That's very brave of you Korra, and remember I'll support you all the way, every single step," Asami smiled as she embraced the Avatar tightly, feeling the other woman cling on.
"When do you want me to arrange a first appointment?" the CEO inquired softly at the water tribe girl's ear.
Korra released her grip slightly. "Not until I get back from Ba Sing Se, I'll go after that," the Avatar promised resolutely. That decision made a lot of sense, there wasn't exactly much time before the water tribe girl was due to leave again. But not alone this time. Though there was still a meeting to have with the Future Industries board of directors to finalize arrangements before the trip. That wasn't going to be a smooth meeting given Asami's absence from the company leadership of late.
Asami nodded understandingly as she tried to rise from the sofa, a firm grip on her tie pulling her forcefully back down onto the cushions. The CEO knew exactly what was coming next as Korra pulled her girlfriend's head forward gently using the tie and kissed her softly when their lips met. The contact only lasted for a few seconds this time as the Avatar left a hand on the edge of the engineer's cheek.
"Thank you, for not giving up on me, even when I tried to pull away from you," Korra smiled brightly.
"It'd be pretty hard to, what with a face like that," Asami grinned as she poked the Avatar on the nose.
"And especially with that tie, it makes pulling you closer super easy," Korra laughed as the CEO rose from the chair again. I'm going to be late if I don't go now. That's not going to do me any favours.
"I've got to head to a meeting with my board of directors down stairs, you can come with me if you like. But you won't be able to sit in on the actual meeting," Asami offered as she straightened her tie in an attempt to appear as authoritative and organised as possible.
"If I don't get to sit on your lap then I don't think I'll bother," Korra grinned as she stood up and stretched her arms widely. "I think I'll go and get packing for Ba Sing Se, I've got a whole lot of Fire Nation gold to deliver to Prince Wu and the earth delegates."
"I'll pack when I get back," Asami responded quietly as she stopped briefly to examine the pile of shrapnel on the floor.
"You're coming with me?!" Korra shrieked enthusiastically as she hugged the engineer tightly from behind leaving Asami's arms stuck awkwardly in mid-air.
"Of course, I promised you I would never leave you," Asami replied breathlessly as she gently removed the pair of hands from her waist. "But I really gotta get to this meeting, I'll see you later," the engineer winked as she blew a kiss at the Avatar before slowly door, bursting out with laughter in the hallway as she heard Korra throw herself across the floor to catch the kiss.
The boardroom of Future Industries was packed with an equal mixture of women and men representing the variety of departments under the company name. Asami sat at the head of the table constantly drinking from a nearby glass of water as she felt herself sweating profusely as though this was some kind of interrogation rather than a simple meeting.
The CEO hadn't known a meeting to be so stressful, especially one that was filled solely with her own employees as she clenched her fists tightly on the table surface.
"Miss Sato, our shareholders and the heads of your departments are greatly concerned with your continued absence from your responsibilities as the chief director of this company," the relatively young, female head of finances explained grimly. Heads all around nodded slowly in agreement.
"Apart from the reconstruction work, which doesn't have substantial profit margins anyway, the company has no new money spinning ventures or projects on the horizon. If Future Industries wants to continue to compete with Varrick Global Industries and up and coming companies in the Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom we need firm direction at the head of operations, someone who is willing to commit themselves entirely to keeping Future Industries on top," the young, dark haired woman continued, growing in confidence with every word it seemed. This whole room is against me...
"So what are you saying?" Asami questioned firmly, eyes darting around every single person present in the room. Several of them looked away uncomfortably when the green gaze fell upon them.
"We're saying that if you continue to treat the everyday running of this company with such disregard then we may have no choice but to ask you to stand down as CEO."
"You can't do that," Asami responded firmly. "I'm fully committed to this company, my family's company."
"Yet you informed our head of production today that you'll be taking more absence days for at least the next week because you intend to travel to Ba Sing Se for personal reasons rather than any possible ventures for Future Industries," the slightly older head of PR interrupted harshly, swivelling their glass in hand as they spoke.
Asami leaned forward on the desk, eyes narrowing considerably. "I am Future Industries. This company needs me if it wants to remain innovative and at the fore front of technology."
"Perhaps a few years ago you were, but you are more of a figurehead now. The recruitment and training schemes you ran over the last three years has produced some extremely talented engineers and technicians, many of the brightest minds in all of the four nations are now on the Future Industries pay roll," the PR manager continued, gesturing widely to some of the other people in the room.
That was a fact that Asami couldn't deny at all. Days spent touring the company's many warehouses had been a real highlight of her existence when Korra was absent. The most intelligent people in the world were employed here. It was something that the CEO was incredibly proud of, even if it was putting her in a difficult and precarious position at this moment in time as the green eyed woman tried to think of some way she could convince them to keep the faith, anything.
One thing was for sure. Asami was going to Ba Sing Se with the Avatar, regardless of what happened here. Though the idea of giving up the last remnants of her family was a painful thought. Korra is my family now. My very much alive family. She'll always come first.
"I won't voluntarily step down as CEO," Asami replied resolutely which was met with many a shaking head in the room. "This meeting is over for now, I'll speak to all of you when I return from Ba Sing Se."
"You understand that this news may prompt some of your largest shareholders to pull their support from the company?" her financial advisor warned seriously as Asami rose from her chair and emptied her glass of water in one quick swoop. "You are leading Future Industries towards collapse, think of the job security of your employees Miss Sato!"
"I told you, I'll sort all of this out when I come back," Asami responded sharply as she began to stride out of the room.
"As a mark of respect to all the work you've put into the company over the past few years we will refrain from appointing a new CEO until you return, though I must warn you that our shareholders may not be so merciful. This could put Future Industries into the red," the financial advisor complained as Asami's directors all shared anxious glances from around the room before they erupted with hushed discussion. It's fine. I'll fix it. I will.
There was no way Asami was going to give up Future Industries and all the influence that brought. Stepping down now would mean losing control of the reconstruction work of the city as well as any authority over President Raiko and his office. Those two things were far too precious to lose, especially for Korra's sake as they headed forward. The Avatar needed the engineer to maintain her position in Republic City in order to strengthen her own.
When Asami stepped through the exit of the conference room she was met with a familiar, beaming face.
"How'd it go?" Korra asked with interest as she moved to walk beside the CEO, wrapping a gloved arm around her waist.
Now Asami had to put on a brave face to avoid awkward questions. She'll make me stay otherwise. "It went great, everything with the reconstruction work is going fine," the CEO smiled awkwardly. I really am a terrible liar...
"Right..." Korra sighed suspiciously as she frowned her brows in concern. The engineer continued to smile innocently from ear to ear as they walked.
"But what about you, have you finished packing yet?" Asami quickly changed the topic as she draped a hand over the Avatar's shoulder.
"I have, remember I travel light these days, and I won't even need to take my radio what with you coming with me," Korra responded happily as they stepped into the elevator for the upper floors of the tower.
"Of course, I'll need to tell Yama what time the airship is departing later so he can be there on time," Asami reminded herself, checking to see if the Avatar was still jealous of the man who clearly had no romantic interest in women. He wasn't exactly subtle when he was checking out Mako's butt earlier...though it is a nice butt.
But not as nice as yours.
"Yama's not coming with us," Korra replied quickly as the elevator reached the CEO's apartment on the top floor.
"I already told you Korra-"
"It's not because I'm jealous before you even say it!" the Avatar interrupted sharply. "I need him to stay here and keep an eye on spiritual things in the city whilst I'm gone. He's got a huge amount of knowledge on the stuff so I'm hoping him and Tenzin can work together to keep things stable."
Asami felt guilt aching in her chest at that. I shouldn't have assumed so quickly. The engineer proceeded to nod in agreement. "That actually makes a whole lot of sense, and with Mako and Lin in the police force everything should be fine whilst we're gone."
Korra smiled happily. "Though we're still going to have to deal with Opal and Bolin's cutesy oogie time on the airship."
Asami jabbed the Avatar in the side with her finger. "We really can't talk about cutesy oogie time. At all."
The water tribe girl scratched the back of her head as her face turned bright red. It'd been far too long since Asami had seen the Avatar blush. "No, we really, really can't."
The hum of the large Future Industries airship filled the air as the last tonnes of gold were lifted on board. The 'save the Earth Kingdom fund' as Bolin had taken to calling it. Korra stared up at the large vehicle for a few seconds before she turned to Asami and Mako standing at her side. The Avatar kept having to constantly remind herself that her girlfriend was actually coming with her this time. Man, I really became accustomed to good byes.
"I'll keep on top of everything whilst you're gone," Mako assured as he placed a hand on Asami and Korra's shoulders and pushed them forward gently. "Now go, and try not to have too much fun in Ba Sing Se, you're supposed to be rebuilding a government remember?" the detective winked slyly as the Avatar glared at him furiously before being dragged away by the black haired woman beside her.
"I can't wait to see mom and my brothers again," Opal smiled as she and Bolin strolled past with a few items of luggage that the former actor was juggling awkwardly in his grip.
"How about we race to the top of the ramp?" Bolin suggested eagerly despite the weight he was carrying.
"It'd hardly be a fair race, what with me being an air bender an all," Opal replied smugly.
"Prove it your air bending highness!" Bolin shrieked at the top of his lungs as she charged forward, quickly pursued by an angry and yet at the same time giggling Opal up the ramp. And I thought I was immature.
Korra then turned to Asami who had a single eyebrow raised. "We are not racing up the ramp," the CEO warned as the Avatar took Asami's backpack from her and slung it over her own strong shoulders. She was surprised that the engineer didn't try to steal it back, instead seemingly content in letting the water tribe girl carry it for her.
"Oh c'mon. I'm carrying your backpack. And I won't even use bendi-"
The next thing Korra knew Asami was sprinting away ahead of her, already half way up the ramp. Oh no you don't. The water tribe girl briefly switched into the Avatar state to launch herself skywards with a gust of air, soaring above Asami's head who looked upwards in concern as she continued to run at full speed.
A second later and Korra landed at the top of the ramp, using a bed of air below her to make the landing as graceful as possible. Several seconds later Asami came charging up behind her, determination radiating in her eyes. What is she doing?! A moment later she tackled the Avatar as soon as the water tribe girl was in reach and knocked them both to the floor.
"You said you wouldn't use bending!" Asami complained breathlessly as she tried to lift herself upwards from the Avatar. You are so not getting away with that little stunt. The water tribe girl immediately grabbed the engineer's dark tie and pulled her back down, faces now just inches apart. That tie is getting handier and handier...
"But you cheated," Korra said in a hushed voice as she heard the click of the ramp outside completing its retraction before sending another wave of air at the airship door to slam it shut.
"Maybe..." Asami smiled mischievously as she held the Avatar by her shoulders.
Korra couldn't resist any longer as she pulled their faces together in one exhausting and deeply satisfying kiss, her brain a complete puddle by the time they'd finished. How did I go 20 years without this? How?
"One for the road," Korra mumbled smugly against the engineer's cheek as she tried to pull herself upwards, limbs feeling like jelly.
"I'm on the road with you this time."
"Does that mean I can't kiss you then?" Korra questioned, faking ignorance, though she was unable to contain a smirk with the intense stare the engineer was giving her.
"Oh no, you can do whatever you like," Asami winked as she pulled the Avatar back up to meet her.
This is definitely going to be THE best airship ride EVER.
End Notes
I had a lot of fun with this one, hope you did to. I put Asami in one of her prototype outfits for book 4, the black tie, waist coat and shirt combo is to die for, so I decided to make that her standard outfit for the rest of this fic.
It's also very handy for Korra kisses.
-Raiko has reached new levels of assery
-Obviously Korra could take Raiko down if she wanted, but she ain't Kyoshi, she trying to do things diplomatically.
-Asami is of course the head of Future Industries, but with the amount of money going into the reconstruction things financially are definitely on tender hooks, of course her shareholders would start to threaten her, it's probably more of an empty threat though, but her recent activities are definitely putting the company's cheque book in danger what with her recent absences.
Thanks to my awesome beta, korrasamishipper as always for keeping things sane ;)