Yes, more plotless fluff, because writing these two dorks being sappily in love is my weakness.
"What are you doing up a tree?" Korra asked out loud, walking under a tree in the garden behind the Sato mansion.
"Korra, I wasn't expecting you for another hour."
"Yeah, we wrapped up training early."
"Tenzin finished training early?" Asami looked down at her incredulously.
Korra snorted, "We were surprised too. Jinora mentioned something about him and Pema having plans for the evening. She was peeved because it was her turn to babysit."
Asami climbed down from the tree, landing lightly in front of Korra, "Good for them," She said, dusting off her pants and jacket.
"Can we get back to my question?"
"Why was I in a tree?"
"Yes, that one, please."
Asami smirked slightly, "I was just setting up."
"Setting up?" One of Korra's eyebrows arched up.
"You'll see," Asami sang out with a flirty air. Korra's stomach twisted pleasantly with anticipation.
"Oh? You're not going to tell me?"
"No. Come on, since you're here you can help me make dinner," Asami started walking back to the house.
"You're cooking dinner?" Korra followed behind her.
Asami nodded, "I'm making that salad I promised you forever ago." Korra grimaced. Asami rolled her eyes, "Don't make that face."
"Veges aren't dinner food."
"You live on Air Temple Island."
"Ya, and that's why when I'm not having a meal on the island I like to make to the most of it."
"Don't worry, there's pig chicken in it," Asami chuckled lightly, taking Korra's hands and pulling her. Korra mumbled something that sounded liked 'probably won't be much' under her breath, and trudged inside with semi-reluctant steps.
"I don't trust it Asami."
Half an hour later, the pair was walking back outside.
"It's food Korra, it's not going to kill you."
"You put anar seeds in it."
"I did."
"That's a fruit."
"It is."
"Why would you put fruit in a salad?"
"I don't Korra, why would you put in anything in food. To make it taste it good."
"It's fruit," Korra reiterated.
Asami rolled her eyes, "Come on, let's eat."
Korra stopped when they stepped outside. The tree she'd found Asami in early was now lit up, the leaves and branches a glow. Under the tree was a small table, set for two. Asami smirked, not breaking her stride. Korra jogged after her.
"It wasn't like that when we left."
"No, it wasn't."
"And the table wasn't there. How'd you get it set up when you were with me the entire time?"
"I have my ways," Asami winked at her. Korra suddenly looked worried. "What is it?" Asami asked, placing the salad on the table.
"I forgot something didn't I? Today, it's something special."
"What? No," Asami gave a short laugh as she spoke, "No."
"Then why'd you go to all this trouble?"
Asami placed her arms on Korra's hips, pulling her to her, slowly, "Can't I do something nice for my girlfriend?"
"No." Asami's eyebrows shot up in surprise at the reply. Korra panicked and started stuttering, "I didn't mean…that came out wrong. I'm not saying you can't, because you can…obviously. I just wasn't expecting anything. Not to say you're a bad girlfriend that how doesn't do anything for me, so that's why I'm not expecting anything. But you're busy with work. And you don't have to take time off to do things like this. You're enough. And…"
Asami started laughing, nuzzling her nose against Korra's. Her words trailed off into nothing, blinking as she looked at Asami.
"You're adorable." Korra blushed slightly, "I just wanted to something nice for you, since you're always thinking about me. And so I wasn't one down in the romance department." Now Korra looked confused. "The pillow fort, sweetie."
"Oh, that? You don't have to make up for that. I was just wasting time being silly. It was-"
"It was sweet," Asami cut off gently. "It was one of the many ways you show me, how much you love me. The very least I could do, is return the favor. And you're right, about me being busy. We haven't had much time together, just the two of us."
"Asami, you always make time for us."
"Yeah, but sometimes it feels like it isn't enough."
"It's plenty."
Asami hums low in her throat, "Still, with the construction on the new city sectors finally in the final stages, I have more time on my hands."
"Mmm, I do like the sound of that."
Asami laughed, "Come let's eat."
Again Korra's face twisted.
"How do you know you won't like it if you don't try it?"
"I just know,"
Asami scoffed, letting Korra go, and sitting down. Korra dropped into her seat, eyeing the food Asami put in her plate. Korra picked up her fork, picking at the green salad with strips of pig chicken and red spots of color that was anar. She picked out a bit of chicken and bite it.
"Try taking a mouthful of everything at once," Asami suggested.
"I'm getting there."
"You don't trusting my cooking?"
"I don't trust salads with fruit in it."
Asami gave an exaggerated sighed, "I swear you're worse than a toddler sometimes."
"Am not," Korra retorted with a tease.
"Oh, yeah, that's really mature. Makes the perfect case for you not acting like a toddler." Asami's voice dripped with sarcasm.
Korra smirked, taking a mouthful of her food. She froze for a second. Asami laughed, realizing Korra had forgotten that the salad was on her plate and she was supposed to be 'untrusting' towards it. Korra glared at Asami across the table, then chewed, slowly, once, twice.
"Well?"
"It's not…horrible,"
"Shut up, you like it. Admit it."
"It's better than street gruel."
Asami snorted, rolling her eyes.
"Okay, okay. It is pretty tasty…for a salad."
"That's all I'm getting out of you."
"It's more than I expected to give."
"I should consider myself lucky then."
"Let me ask you something, is it even possible for you to bad something? I seriously don't I've seen you fail at something."
Asami laughed, "You saw me lose to Iroh."
"That doesn't count."
Asami took a thoughtful bite of her food, "When I was learning to ride a bike when I six I fell over three times before I mastered it."
Korra picked up an anar seed and threw it across the table. Asami laughed, swatting it aside.
Korra laughed softly, propping her chin on her arm, looking up at the tree.
"It is a beautiful night to eat outside, almost as beautiful as you." She winked at Asami, looking at her out of the corner of her eyes.
"You're such a sap."
"Dork." Korra stood, holding her hand for Asami. "Dance with me?"
"There's no music."
"So?"
"We can't without music."
"Sure we can. Just take my hand."
Asami looked up at her skeptically, but placed her hand on Korra's, letting her pull her to her feet. Korra wove their fingers together, her other hand going around Asami's waist. Asami placed her hand on Korra's shoulder. They were chest to chest. Korra took a step back, then forward. Asami followed her lead on impulse.
"This is silly," Asami said with a shy smile.
"Mmmh…" Korra hummed softly, "Just listen."
Asami let out a soft breath. Korra's embrace drew them closer. Asami listened. And realized Korra was right. They didn't need music. They had drone of the insects. The rustle of the leaves. The soft sighs of the night wind.
"See, we don't need music."
Asami smiled, "So you don't think some jazz would make this moment better?"
"I'm already dancing with you. Anything else is just unnecessary."
"Sap."
"Dork."
Asami nuzzled her cheek against Korra's. Resting her chin on her shoulder. Holding their intertwined hands against her chest. They danced until the passage of time could have been told by the stars and Asami started to shiver when the breeze ghosted over her skin.
"Cold?"
"Just a little."
Korra wrapped her arms around her, rubbing them up and down her sides to generate heat.
"Do you want to go inside for tea?"
Asami shook her head, cupping Korra's face in her hands. Their lips pressed together. The kiss matched the rhythm of their dance. Slow. Sweet. Warm.
"Are you staying the night?" Asami asked in-between kisses.
"It's getting late. I should. I'd be a pain to get back to the island now." She smiled slightly, "Besides, someone has to keep you warm."
Nardragon~ until the next page.