Asami
I'm waiting outside Korra's apartment, letting almost everyone on the planet know that we're on our way. The drive to the venue isn't too far from here, but the parking garage most definitely will be packed.
As I look up from my steering wheel, I see Korra step out of the double doors of her building.
I can't help but smile as I watch her hop over a puddle. She doesn't see me watching her, but I always do. Not in a creepy way though. From the way she slides out of her socks by dragging her feet, to her smiling to herself whenever she wants to start a conversation. Moments like these are why her birthday and life in general, means the world to me.
I guess I was too busy appreciating such an amazing woman, that I'm pulled out of my thoughts by a car honking behind me.
And in an instant, the city life comes out of me.
"GO AROUND! CAN'T YOU SEE I'M PARKED!" I call out to the asshole of a driver.
The driver pulls around me and flips me off, but before I could counter, my passenger door opens.
"You do know you're parked here illegally." My love says, doing that smile I spoke about.
"Well, yeah. But. I wasn't planning to be parked here for long." I reply, allowing my frustrations to flow out of me.
"Oh. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to take so long. Taking in fact I had to run here to avoid the rain, take a quick shower, and scan through my clothes for something spectacular to wear. If I don't look the part you were hoping, I'm sorry. You look beautiful by the way." She says, motioning to my stripe carpi overalls.
Her whole explanation melts my heart, because I didn't mean to come across like I was waiting for her, I was just stressing how impatient New Yorkers are when it comes to driving.
Korra looks wonderful, and I really like how she dresses. It's simple, but never in a 'I tried too hard to look basic ' type of way.
If you were to ask me, I think she looks better than the whole east coast. And that's just me being unbiased.
Okay. Maybe a bit bias, but a girl is allowed to fangirl over her own girlfriend. It's basically apart of the couple's handbook!
" Stop. You look great! I don't know if I should take you to dinner or back home? "
Korra laughs and puts on her seat belt.
"Take me to dinner first, then you can take me wherever you want."
That's what I like to hear.
Korra
Asami keeps reassuring me that I'm dressed fine, but something about my black boots, ripped, jeans, and mustard tank top, tells me otherwise. My girlfriend looks gorgeous as usual, and I've to be the luckiest birthday girl ever. And to think, I thought she was avoiding me! She was simply planning my birthday dinner. How foolish was I?
"I'm starving." I say, while helping Asami search for an empty parking space.
"Don't worry, you'll be fed well here. Only the best for my queen." She replies, finding a spot on the 5th floor. Yes. The 5th floor.
I quickly exit out of the car, and race to open her side of the door.
"You're so sweet, I should be opening your doors." She says, intertwining our hands.
"I'm sweet? Being with you is like having dessert before dinner every day." I reply, kissing her hand.
"Ohhhh. So this is a 'date' date." She teases.
"What?" I ask amused, trying to understand the humor.
"Nothing, it's just an online joke thing." She explains.
As we approach the elevator, Asami and I take turns spinning each other. If it wasn't for the rumble of my stomach, I wouldn't want this moment to never end. But if I don't get any food into my belly, my life might.
Just when I'm about to press the button on the elevator, I see a familiar vehicle.
"Is that Pema's van?" I ask.
Why am I asking? I know for a fact it has to be, I drove the kids around in it for years. I just have to check for the sticker on the side, then I'll truly know.
Just when I'm about to walk and get a closer look of the van, I'm pulled onto the elevator and into a kiss.
If it wasn't for the walls, we both would've stumbled onto the floor due to her eagerness.
" Wait. I think I saw Pema's van parked." I try to explain as I'm assaulted with kisses.
"I think you're seeing things." She says, backing us now into the the elevator control panels .
"And I think you're feeling things." I tease and kiss back.
I feel bad for security watching two adults act like giddy teens inside their elevator. But a part of me doesn't care, because I'm with the person I love.
The sound of my stomach makes her laugh and pull away, which causes me to frown.
"What? You can't tell me my stomach growling was a mood killer." I whine.
"I mean...It kinda was. We better tame the beast and get you to dinner. Can you press one?" She asks.
"Yeah. I'm the beast? Like you weren't attacking me a few seconds ago." I playfully defend.
The moment I press 1, she presses 3. I roll my eyes and press 1 again, only for her to counter with 2. Tired of the games, I press 1 and wrap her arms around my waist as we wait for the elevator to go down. The moment we get to the 3rd floor, we feel a shake and all the numbers start to flash.
Asami quickly pulls away, and frantically starts clicking buttons.
"Korra! The door won't open! What happened!?"
"Our love was so powerful it broke the elevator!" I yell dramatically, but she doesn't look amused.
"Why are you freaking out?" I ask, trying to be sympathetic.
"Because! We're stuck, and who knows how long we'll be in here." She says trying to seem relaxed, but her actions clearly contradicts that.
I lean my back against the wall, and watch her amused.
"Why are you just standing there? Use your strength and pry open the elevator door!" She stresses.
Yes. My muscles can certainly pull apart these automatic steel doors with my bare hands. No. Better yet. Let me just metal bend this whole elevator for a quick escape.
Little does she know, this isn't the first time I got stuck in an elevator. All we have to do is call the help number and wait patiently. There is a high chance that the people that work here, are aware of the error.
I know Asami's not claustrophobic. She's probably just freaking out because she planned this huge dinner for me, and everything isn't going according to plan. And that's totally alright. That's with her sort of taught me the opposite though.
I like to go with the flow, but now I do more planning ahead. For example, I plan Suki's workout routine prior, instead of going with what's right in the moment. My girlfriend taught me a beautiful thing, I mean just look at her. How lovely her black locks bounces as she paces around the elevator. The determination and tears on her face.. It's all just so beautiful.
What a great birthday!
Ready to take the panic away from my sweetheart, I take out my phone and call the number on the wall.
As I wait to speak with a representative, I catch the Flash halfway around her loop and hold her still.
"Hi! I'm Korra Waters. And my girlfriend and I are stuck on the 3rd floor of your elevator. How long have we been waiting?"
"30 minutes!" My girlfriend yells, causing me to chuckle.
"About 7 minutes, so far. Oh. You see us from your computer? Already working on getting us out? About a 4 minute wait? Okay. Thank you very much. We'll be here. You know? We have nowhere else to go. Ha-ha. Thank you, I will certainly call back if we have anymore questions. Bye."
I hang up the phone and my girlfriend looks much calmer.
"It's only 4 minutes?" She asks.
"That's what he said. We'll be out of here in no time." I reassure.
"Thank you for being patient, I didn't intend for your birthday to turn out like this." She says, sympathetic.
"You mean, great? I didn't expect it to be this fun either."
She rolls her eyes.
"You're just saying that."
"That isn't true. I appreciate everything you have done for me, not just today too. If this is what you call a birthday surprise, it must be my birthday everyday with how much you surprise me with your gifts."
"Stop. You're going to make me cry." She says.
Already feeling the water on my arm, I hold her tighter.
"I love you, Korra."
"I love you too, Asami."
The mechanic was a real nice guy, got us out earlier than we expected.
Now it's time to eat!
We get to the greeter, and the planner speaks.
"Hello, I'm Asami Sato. I made reservations earlier."
The gentleman smiles, and goes behind his podium to examine a list.
"Ah yes! Sato. Party of 2." He says, with his welcoming smile.
"Is it your birthday today?" The gentleman asks.
I look at my girlfriend suspiciously. "Umm Yes.." I reply.
"Happy Birthday, Ma'am. One of our policies are, 'All birthday folks are to be blindfolded'. Don't worry. It's just so you'll be surprised when we welcome you with birthday cake and ice cream." He replies, pulling out the bandanna and rolling his eyes with a wink to follow.
"Could I do the honors?" Asami asks the greeter.
"Of course, Miss. Sato."
He hands the fabric to my girlfriend and she looks at me mischievously.
"Are you nervous!?" She asks, sounding thrilled by such a role she gets to play.
"Not really. This is the second time this happened to me." I answer, as she drapes the cloth over my eyes.
"Dinner?" She asks.
"No, being blindfolded. I will say though. It's kinda nice not having to use all my own senses." I tease
"Want to make it a third time then?" She whispers into my ear, finally tying the knot.
"Actually. I'm trying to make it your first time." I reply, getting her to laugh.
"And why is that?" She asks amused.
"Because my blindfold could be tighter, and I fear you can't tie knots correctly."
My explanation gets the greeter to laugh.
" Follow me ladies." He says, and I'm suddenly dragged along by my offended girlfriend.
She can't tie a knot, but she certainly has a grip.
After walking for what felt like 2 minutes, we finally stop.
"Once I tell you so, you'll be able to take the blindfold off and walk to your table. Happy birthday again." He says extremely rehearsed.
Despite this hidden feature, I'm super excited. I'm so hungry, I don't mind eating cake and ice cream first. At least I know there is food already there waiting for me.
"Alright. You can open in 1.2.3.."
I use my unoccupied hand and push the fabric away. And once I do that, I'm exposed to a room full of people. Not just people, my people!
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KORRA!" They all yell, and I almost stumble backward due to the intensity of the voices coming together to wish me such a thing.
Before my brain can catch up with my heart, I turn to Sami in disbelief.
"Did you ? Is this?"
Before I could say whatever I'm trying to say, she pulls me into a hug.
"Happy Birthday, Korra."
This is the sweetest thing someone has ever done for me.
I can't...I'm just so...overwhelmed with joy.
Asami
The look on Korra's face was priceless. She was truly shocked. I honestly thought she would go into actual shock. And the fact she turned to me after taking little time to process everything, made my heart drop.
It was like she knew it was me, without me uttering a word.
Pema's van was a close call, luckily I was able to distract her. Actually. More like the elevator shutting down was it, and that wasn't planned by me!
Now that everything is set into play, everyone can relax . I can relax now!
"We have the birthday girl in the H.O.U..SE" Bolin says into the microphone, after his very kind girlfriend whispered the remanding letters into his ear.
I was going to hire a real dj but I thought having someone close to the birthday girl would be a lot more warming.
I didn't want everyone to show up looking flashy either. Just a nice get together, full of everyone that ever cared about Korra.
Of course some people showed up looking a bit over dressed, but maybe they wanted to find love here?I don't know people's lives! If I was single, I most likely would've done the same. I did wear a full dress to a Christmas costume party.
Okay! That was clearly unintentional, but you get my point.
"I don't know what I should do?" Korra says, still holding onto me.
"GO! Have fun. Mingle, enjoy your party. I'll be around." I encourage, while rubbing her arm.
"Wait. You aren't coming?" She asks, hurt.
"Trust me, Sweetie. If I need you, I'll find you. Now go party like it's your birthday." I tease.
I give her a quick peck, and she approaches a few friends of hers.
With the star in position, I head over to the bar, because I feel like I deserve a victory drink.
I'm not trying to brag or anything. But who could plan a party, talk with Korra's mother, go shopping with her, get stuck in an elevator, and be here all in one day? Exactly! Only the strong survives, and I need to turn my drink into drinks.
I sit at the bar and say my order.
" Ice or no?" The familiar voice asks, causing me to lift my resting head from the tabletop.
"Dad? I thought I hired a bartender." I ask, glad to see him, but confused.
"Oh. I saw him skimping people while serving drinks, and I talked him out of working. A two shot limit every hour? What kind of party is that?" He asks, in disgust.
"A good one! I don't want people getting 100% wasted at Korra's party." I defend.
My father rolls his eyes and pours my drink, of course over the rim.
"Baby girl. These are grown men and women , they can handle themselves." He reassures.
"Can I get a milk on the rocks? Make it two, I'm having girl troubles." A little body says, joining me.
"Girls are so weird!" Meelo whines, throwing his hands into the air.
My father picks up Baileys Irish Cream, and I have to silently motion for him to put it away and not give the underage child liquor.
"Why is your heart so blue? You're practically in your prime when it comes to girls." My father asks, pouring the milk into the glass.
"There is this girl who won't give me the time or day. It's like no matter what I do, she won't pay attention to me." He says, taking his milk shot, then tapping the counter for a refill.
"Where is she?" My father asks.
Meelo turns around in his stool and points over to where Kuvira's standing, and there is a cute little girl adjacent from her.
"Have you tried asking her to dance?" I suggest, finally adding to the conversation because I hate to see my buddy heartbroken.
He nods.
"Yeah. But she just laughed and told me to get lost. She doesn't even know me, how can she tell me to get lost?"
My father fills up my glass and I drink it.
"Do you want to talk about it?" I ask.
He shakes his head.
"No point, I have to respect her wishes."
Wow. He's a smart kid.
"Hey! Do you want me to try and introduce you to her? She may not like you back, but at least she can get your name." I reassure, drinking the drink I thought I already finished.
"Come on! It's a party. You might as well take a risk." I state, helping him up from the bar.
"One more shot of liquid courage." My father says, pouring Meelo his milk and me a shot of something I don't know.
My buddy and I both take our shot, and off to the dance floor we go.
I follow Romeo, and just when we're about to approach the girl, he stops.
"Why are we stopping? Don't tell me you're getting cold feet, It's okay if you are." I reassure.
He looks at me confused.
"No! That's her."
After his statement, my best friend Kuvira turns around then smiles at me.
"You're here!"I say in shock about the crush mainly.
"Yep. I finished the season in time. You're welcome!" She says, pulling me into a hug, almost knocking over the heartbroken boy.
Meelo's right, she is cold.
Korra
It's so nice to catch up with everybody! I wanted to visit a lot of these people, but circumstances got in the way. Not bad ones, just our lives just never intercepting. But now, I've all these people that influenced and added to my life all here together.
I love it!
As I continue to thank my friends for attending and checking up on them, I'm tapped on the contact causes me to turn around, where I'm faced with a shaved head gentlemen, and I quickly pull him into a hug.
"Happy birthday!" He says, returning the hug.
"You look amazing Mako!"
"You too! It's so nice to see you." He replies.
After we pull away, we both smile like fools.
"You had hair last time I saw you." I mention.
" You see? What had happened was. The lack of seeing you made my hair fall out."
"Ahh. Makes sense. I feel like I'm losing some muscle mass in my arms due to the separation as well."
Mako rolls his eyes.
"You sure that was it, and not the whole 'getting older' thing? I should've gotten you an AARP membership. "
I stand on my toes, so I can get a better look at his scalp.
"Is that a gray hair I see? Now I know why you shaved your head, didn't want proof you were getting oldler. I know you get those monthly AARP magazines, but I still have a few years until I end up like you."
We both stare at each other in disgust, then burst out laughing.
I can't believe how much I missed him.
I can't really explain it, but it's like we're both different, and see each other differently, but we're totally fine with that.
If I had any say in this party, I would've wanted him here. I would respect if he decided not to attend, but I would've sent him an invitation. The fact he showed up, means a lot.
"Did you see Black Panther?" We both say in unison, causing us to laugh again.
"It was awesome!"
"I know right? I really liked the character Shuri." Mako fanboys.
"Yes! Me too! I can't wait until Spiderman Into the Spider Verse comes out."
"Right!?We totally have to see it together." Mako replies, matching my excitement.
"I mean. If that's alright with you." He corrects, changing his demeanor.
"I would actually enjoy that!" I answer, before my mind catches up with my words.
"Only If that's alright with your girlfriend and all. I know we're cool and everything, but I don't want to be disrespectful towards her. I know Asami wouldn't care. She's not a big sci-fi fan anyway. Did I just make it awkward? Two friends can totally go to the movies together. I'm sorry. "I quickly apologize, but he smiles and shakes his head.
"No! I get it. I feel the same way. It's like we both are fine with our friendship. But the whole social culture around exs, expects us to be awkward with one another. And despite us being cool, we're reminded of it all when we consider our partners, friends, and families. As much as it should just be us as the main focus, I can't seem to ignore the whole thing. See! Even I'm having a hard time explaining!" He teases, making me feel better.
Despite the loud music, it feels like we're the only two people in the room.
" I just want to make you comfortable, Mako. Because despite everything, you still make me feel that way. I'm sorry I've been distant towards you, I really had no excuse. You know I don't pity you, but I felt like I was hurting you. We were on good terms, I had no right to feel that way."
"Don't be sorry, the space helped. As much as I would've liked hearing from you, I don't think it would've gotten me to the point where I could accept Jane and Jin into my life. And Korra, I really love them with all my heart. Also, I could've reached out to you too. Don't feel guilty." He says, squeezing my shoulder.
Something about hearing and seeing how genuinely happy Mako is, feels amazing. He's turning into the person I always knew he could be. And most importantly he's doing it for himself, and that's all I ever wanted from him.
" I would love to personally meet Jane and Jin. They certainly won me over, if they won over your heart."
"They're actually here! Somewhere around. I promise, you'll meet them whenever I find them. "
"Please do find me, I really want to meet them." I stress.
"Will do. Happy birthday again, Korra. You never fail to grow each year." He says, as we exchange one last hug.
After dancing with Tenzin and Pema. I decide to head over to the bar to get some water.
Asami's dad has been working the bar. He has a gift of serving, because people keep coming back to him.
"What can I get the birthday girl? He asks with his charming smile.
"WATER." I yell over the music.
"I've been serving drinks all night , and you're the only legal adult who didn't ask for alcohol. It's your party too! My daughter is certainly taking advantage of the unlimited drinks."
I laugh.
"I bet! She planned this whole event. Let her drink, she deserves it." I defend.
"Well. You should get one drink. Dealing with my daughter while sober, is Hell."
I laugh at him being over dramatic.
The last time I witnessed her in such a state,was back at her childhood home. And the craziest thing she did, was try to kiss me. I think I have the qualifications to cope with her now.
"She's fineee."
"Oh really?" He says, pointing into the distance, where I see the girl in question inside the dj booth with Bolin dancing to Party in the USA.
It's not that bad. It's not like she's giving lap dances.
"It's your girl Tsunasami on the track. I just want to wish my GF a happy birthdayyyyy. Thank you for adding to the USA, this song is dedicated to you."
Like I said! She has done a lot for me. If she needs me to take care of her, I would do that in a heartbeat.
The more I watch her, the prouder I become.
After this hydration station, I want to go up there with her. I need to dance with the rock star before the alcohol drains her energy.
As I get up from the stool on my way to my favorite patriot, I hear a familiar voice.
"Korra?"
Author's Note
Sorry for the long wait. No excuses, I just have an addiction of staring at my closed laptop thinking about updating then procrastinating.
Hopefully this chapter made up for the delay.
So much in store and so many words that are not typed lol.
Thoughts are appreciated.