AN: Ahem, I shouldn't have to say it but I'ma say it. Don't stalk people. It's a crime. Even if your neighbor happens to be the only view outside your window, DON'T. Respect people's privacy. No stalking. This a fiction... let's keep it that way please and thank you.
(P.S. I have a spotify playlist on ao3)
Prompt 8: Dance
Dancer in the Night
It was 11:00 PM sharp and Korra knew what time it was because without fail, every single night, her neighbor would be up at this time, dancing in her room. Her hair would usually be up in a sloppy bun, wrapped up in a white towel, most likely after a shower or bath, and would be wearing some sort of baggy graphic tee and booty shorts to go with it. Comfy PJs she would call it and she would be jamming out casually to some song on her wireless headset earphones. Ever since Korra discovered this treat, she didn't mean to be a creeper but she would watch her neighbor dance.
It looked fun and honestly, Korra wanted to join her.
It was a coincidence when she witnessed it happen for the first time. Normally she would try to go to bed early around 10:00 or even 10:30 since she had to wake up around 5:00 in the morning but that night, she had to finish some stupid essay. Thankfully, she was about to wrap it up in about an hour but when she happened to look out her window, she noticed something.
Her neighbor, a girl around her age, was up and about at 11:00 PM. She was slowly rocking her body back and forth, swaying along to some tune. She didn't have the most jaw-dropping moves or anything, of course, it was just some causal bop that was stress-free. At first, Korra was surprised by this sight but was quick to smile at it. Whatever she was listening to, it sounded fun. She was really vibing so much that it even made Korra jealous of her carefree and swagger moves. She thought it was a coincidence at first and respected her privacy by looking away but then about a week later, another assignment demanded her to stay up late again.
And guess what? Her neighbor was up and about, dancing to some tune again.
Assumed by this aspect, Korra would occasionally stay up late to watch her despite regretting it in the morning the next day. From what she could tell, it was a part of her routine, a fun one at it. This caused Korra to think about a lot of things. She didn't know much about her neighbor. All she knew was that she was the daughter of that guy next door.
Korra had been introduced to that family only once when she first moved in but it had been a long time since so she had forgotten and was too embarrassed to ask her parents. She vaguely knew about their daughter and from what she remembered was that she was a year older than her, meaning, even if they went to the same school, they were in different grades.
That, and the fact that they were also a well-off, upper-class family meaning they probably weren't exactly the first crowd of people Korra would choose to hang out with coming from a middle-class family. Something about rich snobby kids always rubbed her in the wrong way.
It explained a lot of things actually.
Her neighbor's house was obviously bigger than her own. Heck, her room looked like it was twice as big as her own. From what little furniture she could see, they all looked like nice, high-end products. That and her up-to-date electronics.
To be honest, Korra really wanted to meet her.
She didn't even know her name so she always referred to her as 'dance bug' in her journal entries. It didn't help that she always left so early in the morning to go on an early jog around the neighborhood and straight to school from there. Her schedule was tight as well so there wasn't much she could do.
However, Korra swore she would at least say hi to her if she ever saw her around the school. Which she didn't sadly, but would still recognize her in a heartbeat despite not knowing her name. Days of pondering like this continued and it was Korra's usual Friday routine. Since the weekend was around the corner, she stayed up late with no worries to watch her cute dance bug dance.
Of course, Korra was clever and never drew attention to herself by always shutting off the lights in her room. She swore to herself that she would never be caught and let her find out about her creeper-like tendencies but hey, to Korra's defense, her neighbor could just shut the curtains! She did that when she slept so why would she keep them open while dancing? That and also because Korra couldn't help it. The only view she got from her window was the side of their home which happened to be her room so it wasn't as if Korra could change the view even if she wanted to.
With that said, Korra switched off her lights before strategically closing her curtains halfway. She left enough room to watch her dance bug and sure enough, the clock hit 11:00 PM, and there she was, sporting her adoring PJs and wireless headphones. Honestly, Korra was amazing by how consistent and on point, she was with her timing.
She must have been a really punctual person.
As her dance bug began swaying her music along to some song, Korra couldn't help but bob her head arm as well. She wondered what type of music she was listening to. It couldn't have been heavy metal or classical considering the pace of her moves. Maybe it was some form of pop or even country for all she could know.
Whatever it was, it always seemed fun.
Korra started tapping her fingers along her neighbor's rhythm. Eventually, her curiosity got the better of her and she pulled out her phone before hunting down her earphones. She plugged the wire into her phone before opening up Spotify and clicking on some playlist made for dancing. A smile cracked on her lips at the thought of her neighbor listening to the same playlist despite the low chance of that. Sure enough, some song started playing and Korra tapped her foot before looking across her neighbor.
She was still vibing happily in her room with her eyes closed, swaying her body side to side at the beat of her music.
Snapping her fingers by chance, Korra began mimicking her dance bug and stood up tall, swaying her body left and right. She could see why her neighbor did this every night. It was fun actually. Getting lost in the beat of the music, she couldn't help but smile before closing her eyes. Empty thoughts. Just dance along to the tune and not worry about what's to come.
Korra wasn't sure how long she ended up dancing to the beat of the music but she ended up calling it quits when her neighbor did the same. By the time she shut off her lights and closed her curtains, Korra did the same. She put away her earphones and phone before hopping into bed and tucking herself in. Her heart may have been beating a little faster than usual but to her surprise, she fell asleep quicker than usual.
She woke up the next day feeling extremely refreshed and energized.
xXx
Korra was in the middle of putting on her shoes when her mom surprised her. "Oh, you're up so early mom." She then takes out an earbud to hear her.
Senna lets out a yawn before sleepily asking, "Can you run by the postal office and drop this off, sweetheart?" She then pulls out an envelope from the cabinet.
"Sure mom," Korra grabs the letter before putting her earbud back on, "I'll be off then."
"Take care and be safe."
"Will do."
Once she was out the door, she cracked her neck before starting her daily jog. It was a cool morning as usual and not many people were up and about. She waved at her usual neighbors down the street and as her feet pattered against the sidewalk, it didn't take long for her to reach the nearest postal box. She popped the envelope into the tray before continuing her jog around the block before heading back home. She was spaced out for most of it until she made it to her porch before noticing something.
Someone was opening the door to her neighbor's house and Korra's eyes popped open the moment she saw who was walking out the door.
"Holy shit, dance bug—"
She makes eye contact with her neighbor.
"Hey," she says with a smile.
Korra twitched upright to respond back. "Hey back! You're up early today."
She chuckled with a tired smile, "I guess so. Had a bunch of errands to run so I decided to start early." She then holds up a package in her hand, "Gotta drop this off at the postal office."
This time, Korra laughed slightly. "You should've told me, I just ran there to drop something off for my mom."
Her neighbor's eye widened slightly before she looked at the time. "You just got back? It's barely almost six though…"
Korra just shrugs back, "I usually run for about an hour every day. Anyways, I'll see you around?"
"Oh, yeah— see you around."
Waving her off with a warm smile, Korra finally went back inside before closing the door shut. What she misses was her neighbor's mumble.
"Damn… she's hot… and buff."
xXx
"One matcha latte for Korra!"
Perking up at her name, Korra went over and grabbed her drink. "Thanks." She was to get to the door and right when she reached to pull it open, someone pushed it open. Her eyes widened in surprise. "Oh, hey there neighbor!"
Her neighbor looked equally surprised as her. "Oh, hey." She then holds the door for Korra to head outside first.
"Thanks," once out, Korra gave her a glance. "See ya later."
She simply smiled back. "Later."
Those soft green eyes made Korra's heart skip a beat and she blushed before snapping her head around. She started making her way home and for some reason, she was honestly impressed by how good her long wavy hair looked.
"Damn… she smelled nice too… I wonder what type of shampoo she uses?"
xXx
"Let's see…" scanning the bookshelf, Korra skimmed over the majority of the comics before her eyes landed on the one she's been searching for. "Ah, there it is!"
Just when she reached out for it, a stranger reached for it as well. Their hands bumped against another and Korra was quick to retract her hand.
"Oh, sorry."
The person turns to look at her before musing. "Hey Korra, we seem to keep on running into each other lately huh?"
Korra was equally flabbergasted. "Oh hey there neighbor! What brings you here?"
She smiles before nodding in the direction they were reaching for. "Same as you." She then picks one off the shelf. "I've been dying to find out what happens next."
A bright smile immediately covers Korra's face. "Same! The cliffhanger from the last volume sucked ass."
Her neighbor laughs before tapping her shoulder with the comic before walking ahead. "Catch you later."
Korra grabs a volume off the shelf as well, "Later!"
xXx
Running through Avatar Park, Korra huffed and puffed as she hung in there for the last stretch. She decided to kick it into high gear and sprint the last bit which she half regretted it afterward because her lungs were on fire. She immediately stopped in place on the grassy field before hunching forward slightly with her hands on her knees.
"F-Fuck…"
Breathing heavily, she gasped for air until she could somewhat breathe.
"Shouldn't have… done that."
Letting out another heavy huff, she grabbed the hem of her shirt before pulling it up to wipe the sweat off her face. It wasn't until someone let out a soft gasp that caught her attention. She looks in that direction before dropping her shirt and raising an eyebrow.
"Hey neighbor, what brings you here? Did you just run too?" Korra asked, noting the red flush on her cheeks. She then brings her eyes up and down her body before bringing a hand to her hip. "Not as sweaty as me though, lucky you."
She finally perks up at that comment. "Oh— uh yeah sure… I just ran not too long ago actually."
Korra cocks an eyebrow at the awkward silence before she cleared her throat.
"Say, I've been meaning to ask you Korra, why do you keep calling me 'neighbor'? I get that we are and all but you can call me by my name you know?"
This time, it was Korra's turn to panic. "Oh— uh… yeah sure, sorry, I just didn't overstep my boundaries or anything you know…"
Letting out a hum, she leaned forward as if she was hinting for her to say her name.
Korra coughed embarrassingly awkwardly before mumbling some syllables. "Hi…Hiro…"
Busted.
A smile cracked on her lips before she spoke up. "Yes, Hiroshi is my dad's name."
Coughing lightly again, Korra cleared her throat before trying again, but this time, her cheeks burned in embarrassment. "Y-Ya…Yasu…?"
She shook her head this time. "Yasuko is my mother's name Korra."
Korra shrinks a little at the emphasis of her name. Yeah. Obviously, she knew it herself that she sucked for not knowing her name but still, did the woman have to tease her this much?
Her neighbor finally walks in close enough distance to Korra before offering her hand with a smile. "My name is Asami, you dunce, Asami."
Unable to defend herself, Korra let out a remorseful chuckle while rubbing the back of her neck. She quickly grabbed Asami's hand and shook it. "Sorry, I'll try to remember that from now on." She paused for a second before adding, "Asami."
Asami smiled brightly before letting go of Korra's hand. She looks at the time before deciding to call it quits. "I should get going then, it's getting late for me."
"Alright, catch you later."
"Later."
xXx
It was another Sunday night for Korra and without a doubt, there Asami was, dancing in the quarters of her room. Carefree to the world and enjoying her own time. However, this time it felt a little different. Korra ended up slumping onto her window sill as she watched her dance bug sway her hips happily.
She finally knew her name.
"Asami… Asami huh…"
Sighing in satisfaction, Korra smiled at her carefreeness. One of these days, she had to ask her out to dance somewhere.
xXx
"Oh—" coming to an abrupt stop, Asami's eyes widened. "Hey, there neighbor."
Korra raised an eyebrow at the teasing remark. "Hey back."
Asami chuckles before shaking her head softly. "How rare, I figured we went to the same school but I've never seen you around campus before."
"Ditto," she shrugged before pointing at the building behind her, "I was asked to bring a box here."
"Ahhh, gotcha." Asami then points in the opposite direction, "I think lunch is about to end but you wanna head to the quad together?"
"Sure, why not?"
They started making their way to the quad before stumbling upon two kids doing a dramatic prom proposal. Of course, the girl said yes before jumping into his arms all happy-go-lucky. The two of them dodged to the side before Korra popped a question.
"Were you planning to go to prom?"
Asami spared Korra a look. "Who? Me?"
Korra rolled her eyes at that. "Yeah, you. Who else would I be askin'?"
She chuckled at that. "As much as I'd like, I'll pass."
"Why's that? I thought you'd be gung-ho for that."
"Say's who?" She laughed before expanding, "You don't know how many prom proposals I've rejected then do you?"
"That many huh?"
"Yup. Guys have been coming at me left and right and honestly… it sounds like such a drag. Besides, I suck at dancing anyways so I'd rather not embarrass myself."
Korra smiled sweetly at that before mumbling to herself. "I doubt that."
"Hmm? What was that?" She turned to face Korra.
"Nothing."
An eyebrow went up, "That so?"
"Yup."
"Hmm…" Asami couldn't help but feel like she was missing something but brushed it off before looking forward. They continued to walk to the quad and just right when they made it there, the bell chimed, indicating the start of the fifth period. "Well, guess it's goodbye for now."
"I guess so."
"Later."
"Later!" Asami turned away and just when she was a few steps away, Korra bit her lip before speaking up. "Hey, Asami!"
Asami stopped to turn around. "Yeah?"
"If you're gonna be free on prom night, you wanna um… head over to my place to hang out… or something…" She nervously asked, afraid of judgment and rejection.
Asami stared at her with a blank expression before eventually smiling softly. "Sure, I'd love that."
"Cool!" Korra lit up brightly, "I'll see you then?"
"Yeah," Asami's smile still shined brightly, "See you then."
Once Asami was out of sight, Korra smiled warmly to herself. "Maybe we can dance together or something…" the moment her words sunk in, she blushed furiously before slapping her cheeks. "No! No no no, you are not having a gay crush on your neighbor Korra! No!" She started making her way to class before smiling again. "I can't wait."