"You don't have an 'ejector seat' or a 'ripcord' package?"
"Your honeymoon newlywed deluxe Ember Island package is still available with all the-"
"Bells and whistles, roses, balloons and constant reminders of our failed relationship littered about throughout the GD experience, which attracted me to the package in the first place, which made me put down the very expensive deposit but things change." Asami took a breath and a moment before she said the words, "You are looking at a Jilted bride."
The young counter clerk blinked, and found herself entirely unprepared to veer away from her set script.
"We see hundreds of guests through these packages every week," she recited, "I'm sure Honeymooners package will more than accommodate your," her eyes looked pleadingly to Korra, "needs,"
"We just need a change in the bedding situation, and the pictures," Korra asked mostly for herself, if she were to spend the next three weeks in a bed with the woman who made her body thrum and heart race she knew she'd never sleep. Especially if old photos of Asami and Iroh were grinning down on her.
"We're fully booked for tonight, its our busy season, even if I could move you there wouldn't be a room we could move you to…"
"Are there any changes you can make later in the 3 weeks? A note you can leave staff to make it less intrusive on my friend here?"
"Packages and schedules are set weeks in advance, if you don't like what we offer before hand a lot of people just lose the deposit rather than not go."
"Oh you'd like that wouldn't you," the heiress snapped.
"I'm sorry but - A lot of people don't take the Honeymoon if the wedding doesn't work out."
Korra could see the tinderbox in Asami's head spontaneously combust.
"Oh kay, Miss, please, if you have a manager please get them," Korra put herself between the customer service representative and her boiling friend. "Asami, there's a bar over there, get yourself a long drink,"
"She-"
"I know what she did, she's also fourteen and script-bound, deep breaths." Korra rubbed her arms encouragingly and relieved her of her carry on, tickets now nearly screwed into a ball and sunglasses which as she took them realised she'd snapped the arm. As she walked, shoulders tense, graceful legs taking long purposeful strides across the lobby floor Korra watched her go. Ground Rules, she thought, time to put them in action.
She caught the clerk mutter something along the lines of bridezilla, and she caught her eyes with a point.
"Hey - thin ice,"
The girl blushed and plucked up the phone.
Asami watched from what was too far a distance for her liking. Korra had taken the calendar and files out with the management, and the now seemingly permanent red-in-the-face hotel clerk was serving other people.
Korra and the manager poured over the calendar like generals over a war plan. Maybe that's how it seemed as she watched them through her drinks umbrella. Korra didn't seem flustered for a second but took a moment every so often to run a hand through short locks, and Asami couldn't help but admire it, her usually ice-bound friend enduring this heat with her. She hadn't realised she'd been staring until Korra shook his hand and reached over the console for the phone.
This confused her, who was she calling? Who did Korra know here? She watched her smile turn big and caught her lips say it'll be good to see you! Asami couldn't deny the pit that made in her stomach.
When she hung up she rolled the bags over to the bar and offered Asami her own.
"We're not staying here tonight." she told her.
"Wh-at?"
"Look the room isn't ready for us right now. I mean it is, but its whole shebang honeymoon realness so we'll be back tomorrow where they have my new and improved best friends on a trip twin room. Activities the same though, I don't know if you remember but each came with that hefty deposit, couples dinners, couples diving, massages etcetera but that's what I'm here for right?"
"So we're sleeping on our bags in the lobby for tonight?"
"Let me get to that. I have an aunt, sort of. Free spirit, free as a bird type. She has a villa on the south side of the island. It was a toss up if she'd even be here, but what do you know she is."
"Oh."
"It's just one night, and she owns a little tiki bar where the locals like to drink I feel like would be good for us and she has a spare room for her brothers kids we could use, and-"
"You had me at tiki," Asami stopped her with a hand up. She was a broken woman, because every time Korra showed her an iota of kindness her eyes began leaking. An easy fix was for her to press them into Korra's neck. Her friend's arm came gingerly up behind her in a tentative one armed hug. She would get to the bottom of why that was, Asami decided.
As Korra loaded bags back into a cab, Asami took a moment to scan the resort properly. They stood in an ocean of couples. In fact it was difficult to find a single standing person that wasn't dressed in red and gold, the hotel colours. The sun was setting, and the sky had taken a striking gradient; prussian blue pressing down on the setting ocre sun. The leaves of the palm trees twinkled in the breeze. It was somehow better than she imagined, as though she had stepped into this beautiful Edward Hopper painting.
Before she could imagine what it would've been like to be with Iroh here, Korra's eyes shone through her thoughts, and her hand, palm faced up ready for her to take and step down the steep curb. For the first time in as many hours she didn't feel the need for tears. Instead she pursed her lips and gazed lovingly at her friend, taking her hand and thinking only of how lucky she was to have her.
The tourist utopia fell away after about half an hour driving. Chic well maintained restaurants, rental stores and knick knack shacks fell away to normal looking houses. Normal in that they were perfect for the year round hot climate, Asami thought, and all generally new when pieces of property were laid waste to during harsh thunderstorms and the occasional tsunami.
"Thinking about the socio-economic implications of the houses outside?" Korra teased.
Asami felt flush that she'd been caught.
"Just seeing what I can learn from the architecture of Ember Island." she defended. "The real Ember Island." she corrected, "It never even occurred to me to try and see the rest of it,"
"Is that your way of thanking me for getting you out of that 5 star hotel?"
"It's my way of thanking you for getting me out of my own head."
Korra smiled at her, eyes flicking away, embarrassed, but triumph in the curve of her lips. She looked outside as well, trying to see what the Carmaker saw.
"Kya has to rebuild parts of her house every few years. Everyone does, this place is constantly changes,"
"Kya, is that who we're seeing?"
"Yes she's a family friend, aunt is just easier to say." Korra shrugged.
"It must be exhausting having to change all the time." Asami mused.
"I'd say it's exhausting trying to stay the same. Kya says it really puts things into perspective. You can't depend on the weather or a house or even where you're standing sometimes, the only thing keeping you afloat is you."
Asami watched the street lamps paint and pass a yellow glow over Korra's skin, who's eyes were now buried in the interesting things on the outside. A flurry of condos, knick knacks, netted doors, boats in driveways, cars with open tops and no intention to close.
"That's apt." Asami mused.
"Hmm?"
"I feel like I'm learning to swim again." The heiress smiled sadly.
"Maybe you are," Korra turn to face her again, smart smirk playing on her lips, "I can be your floaties,"
"You're so corny Korra."
Asami laughed at her. Hand grabbing hers over the seat, Korra stiffened and held her breath until she let go.
"Only for you," she confessed on the breath out, but disguised the truth of it with a wink and a flash of a tight smile.
Kya was waiting on her porch for them, the older woman wrapped in a shawl and grinning at them as they pulled up.
She could've been Korra's aunt, Asami mused, from a distance. Close up Kya's skin was lighter, her eyes not as deep a blue. Korra's smile was crooked, and Kya's big and warm. She had but a moment to observe before Korra collided with her.
Asami stood the shadow in the corner, watching Korra's back relax as Kya rubbed it, frowning when she noticed how tense it had been. It was then she realised she was staring, and felt intrusive. She started pulling the cases from the cab as the old friends asked the usual questions.
"How long has it been? You're-well I can't say you're taller but your hair is different." Kya ruffled it as they parted and looked her up and down, "Your gait is better, your mom said you've been running like you used to."
"For all intents and purposes I'm fully healed… Five years I think,"
"And you've got the studio up and running?"
"Finished a commission right before we left - for um…a wedding." She couldn't help the awkward look her face pulled and Kya pressed her lips into a line. It was then Kya finally took note of Asami, balancing their bags onto one set of wheels and pulling them up the path.
Korra jumped up to catch them but remarkably as Asami set them down they didn't move. Korra inspected the tower with wide eyes and ready hands when Asami patted her shoulders and explained.
"Physics darling,"
"Or jenga," Korra countered reaching for the carry-one used to cement the two bags.
"Hey!" Asami snatched at her hand before remembering her manners, "Hello!" she waved to Kya, stood right in front of her.
"You must be Asami,"
"I must be!" Asami said, going in for the handshake but being surprised by a hug. Oh God don't cry. Asami thought. Looking over Kya's shoulder the door to the villa opened to a woman, tall, late forties, salt and pepper locks doing nothing to age her. Green eyes searching for the woman in Asami's arms.
"Kya honey the bar is out of olives,"
Kya let her go and took the jar from her and the two shared a kiss.
"You brought the jar out here because?"
"Evidence," Kya looked at her like she was the most adorable thing in the world. The jar-holder took in their guests, "I think we broke your young friends."
Korra and Asami were stood gazing at them unblinkingly, and it took a few seconds for their brains to catch up with what they had just seen.
"You've seen gay people before right? Korra?"
Korra and Asami spoke at the same time.
"It's beautiful!"
"You guys look incredibly snazzy."
Kya grinned as she watched them squirm, especially Korra face reddening, and subtly turning her body away from the one she was clearly attracted to.
"Snazzy?" Kya teased.
It's everything I want. Korra thought, and desperately tried to keep it off her face.
"I'd like to be taken off the hook please?" She extended a hand to Kya's companion, "Hi I'm Korra - Human Disaster."
"Kana, Kya showed me your baby pictures the minute you called." Once again Korra's face dropped.
"Asami," the heiress extended her hand and Kana took it, "and I'd like to see those baby pictures,"
"Alcohol please." Korra said, "Kya,"
"Right away baby," the older woman took her by her shoulders and pushed her to Kana.
"Olives?"
"Take the jar from the fridge," Kya turned to Asami, "Come on Jenga," reaching for bags.
The warmth in her gaze possessed Asami, that and walking through the idillic island house that was perfect in every corner. Kya had been around the world ten times over and it showed, every surface had a story, every picture a new person. When she got to the room the photos showed family, a troupe of children growing through the ages. Korra gap toothed and giggling as Kya's nieces sprayed her with sea water. A bald man set upon by rowdy children and even rowdier adults, his brother holding one ear, Korra the other.
"She was so relaxed in those days." Kya mused, breaking Asami from her trance, "Now, for so long, it feels like she's been holding her breath."
"I feel it too." Asami admitted, "I want to get her to talk to me."
Kya regarded her for another moment, and Asami wondered if she'd have to state her intentions under the scrutiny.
"I'm sure she will. This place will do that to you."
Before Asami could gauge what she meant she had been taken by the wrist and was being led out. The back of the house was directly on the beach, and a small path of footprints led them to the bar which Kya owned.
It was a platform, a stage, where the audience was the sea. With shining planks of palm wood underfoot and stools and tables along the bar front and sides to keep the centre free and clear for dancing, a dozen or so people already on the floor. Korra was at a table, navigating the accoutrements of umbrellas, straws and sparkly paper that topped her piña colada. Kana was sipping hers gleefully before standing to greet her partner with a kiss to her cheek. Korra stood as well, but as she did she forgot why. Asami hugged her anyway.
"I got you one too," she pushed the drink towards the heiress on the table who took a sip and smiled.
"On the house all night you guys," Kya clapped her hand between Korra's shoulder blades and she winced.
"Kya, it's fine really it's your business,"
"My business is to take care of you and your friend, you've had a long journey and now it's time to relax," Kya put her arms around both of them and squeezed. "In fact Kuv!"
She yelled over to the waitress, dark, tall, handsome, on the bar cutting ice with a mallet and saw, who arched a brow at being disturbed.
"All night - free - these guys." she reiterated, and the woman rolled her eyes. "Kuvira will take care of you, oh and by the way - single," Korra coughed into her drink and turned beet red. She may have told Kya and Asami that she was Bi, but acting on it in front of A family and B Asami, was something she never hoped to face. Kya went on, "She too takes ice very seriously, she studied under the great Hidetsugu Ueno himself."
Korra nodded, impressed, trying to retain her cool. She was dying to look at Asami to see her reaction, but when the moment came, she was utterly unreadable.
"He's a bar guy," Korra explained.
"Yeah Korra, I got that from context," Asami teased, winking. Eventually she realised her drink was empty, and so was Korra's, but something told her she didn't want her friend to try her chances with the bar-maid just yet.
When she bounced her eyes away from Korra she looked enviously at the dance floor. "I could use a dance where I don't fall off a table. Korra would you help me."
"I don't think I'm drunk enough yet to…"
But Asami already had her by the hand and she barely had time to put down her drink. She could have sworn Kya was applauding and whooping after them.
Asami knew Korra had a rule at parties, no matter what the song - work it, because otherwise whats the point? But she was finding it difficult to move in that moment, so the heiress put her lips to her ear and said,
"Why are you waiting for a better song to come when you could be having fun?"
"Maybe one that's less corny." Korra smiled despite herself. Finding her rhythm, her hips and her feet, she pulled her plaid shirt below her shoulders, revealing the exquisite muscular structure held only by her vest, singing into the music that swallowed the sound.
I wanna feel the heat! With somebody!
She spun with Asami on her arm, and the heiress singing with her.
Yeah I wanna dance with somebody!
With somebody who loves me!
With that Korra stopped, head spinning, she motioned that she wanted to find a drink and went to the bar.
"Water, ice, please."
"You're getting free drinks all night and you ask for Water?"
"I would've thought a Ueno student would understand the importance of H20, I'm offended."
"Kya told you about the Ice Master?"
"She did," Korra held her hand out, but not for the glass but the cube of apple sized ice in Kuvira's hand, "But I knew from the knife."
Sceptical Kuvira handed the knife and block to her, and the waitress watched as Korra carved the base, rounded it, and tapered slices inside. When she was done, the ice rose bulb balanced in her palm, which she then placed in the glass of water she had waiting for her.
"Holy shit. You're too good to be bar staff."
"I'm an ice sculptor actually. I spend my days in a huge freezer and a t shirt."
"This must be hell on earth for you then."
"Every second I'm dying yes." Korra confirmed. Kuvira regarded her for a second, green eyes flicking out onto the dance floor, where Asami was getting lessons from Kya and Kana and learning how to laugh again. She took a pen from her apron and turned Korra's wrist.
"If you want to be shown the best way to cool down here, give this number a call."
"Oh," Korra said, mind running a mile a minute. She was here for Asami, with Asami, but those ground rules. No Pretending… She didn't have to here. It was illogical to feel this way about someone she'd A just met and someone else who B wasn't even interested in her that way, but it still felt like a betrayal.
"When you get finished being a honeymoon replacement of course," Kuvira winked, and Korra swallowed, mouth dry. She took a sip from the glass, only to cough.
"Is that vodka?"
"Ordering water on a free bar is offensive to me."
Korra sighed closing her eyes, before downing the drink.
The night passed in a flurry of dancing, drinking, getting eye-fucked by the bar maid and pulled from wall to wall from her heart strings by Asami. Korra was walking a fine line, and doing it drunk, wanting to touch her, to be close, knowing nothing could ever come of it.
She couldn't explain how by the end of the night, she lay across the bar, her head in Asami's lap. The heiress had one hand stroking through her short brown locks, the other thumbing the numbers on her wrist.
"You gonna call her?" Asami asked.
"I don't know," Korra slurred, "There's someone else. But there isn't." she smiled, eyes closed, seemingly floating wherever she was.
"You never talk about this with me." Asami pressed, "I'm here for you Korra. I'm always here."
"Maybe I can't be like that." Korra mumbled "Maybe I is broken."
Asami sighed, looking down at her drunk friend, this isn't the way, she thought.
"Let's get you to bed."
XXX
The spinning room woke Korra at 3am. She was in a twin bed, missing her shoes, when she sat up. The silence broken from the other sleeper in the room, or rather, not. Asami was sniffling quietly to herself on the 2nd twin under the window.
"Asami?" she mumbled, voice hoarse from singing. No reply, just more sniffling, "Asami what's wrong?"
"Go to sleep." Korra heard her whisper. She got out of bed and kneeled by hers, hand touching her arm.
"Asami, look at me," Korra turned her gently, and her cheeks were lit only from the streaks of tears.
"I can't stop," Asami told her, hand gripping her wrist tentatively.
Korra acted, again thinking only of her friend, and got in the bed so Asami could cling to her. She hoped she wouldn't notice how fast her heart beat when she did this, but another part of her did, and realised what it meant.