Model Behavior


Summary: Modern/AU. Korra thought it was an ordinary day of art class at Republic School for the Gifted. But then, the art model Asami Sato walked into the room... Korrasami


Chapter 27: Busy Work

Asami stacked the papers and folders on her desk into a nice, neat pile. Picking up a pen, she filled in a tiny box on her notepad with a check. Muttering to herself, she ran a finger down her list, making sure she had finished everything of utmost importance.

"Ms. Sato," Xu said, her tone carrying slight impatience. Asami looked up from the stack of papers, smiling softly at the older woman. Xu rolled her eyes in response; she had been trying to gather the CEO's attention for the past few minutes, and it wasn't until she had addressed her by her 'business' name that she had paid attention.

"I told you, you can still call me Asami," she insisted.

"Yes, but now that our relationship is even more professional, I found it to be fitting that I address you as such," Xu answered with a raised eyebrow. She pursed her lips and peered closely at Asami, who in turn ducked her head.

Xu was always able to read Asami like a book. Growing up, Asami wasn't able to get away with too much since Xu seemed to know exactly what is was that she was doing. It was nothing short of a miracle that Asami was able to keep her relationship with Iroh a secret for as long as she did. While initially, she only dated him to anger her father, she soon grew to genuinely like him and kept him a secret for a bit. When Xu did find out, she didn't go and tell Asami's father, but instead kept the news to herself, just like with every other secret that Asami told her over the years.

"As you wish," Asami sighed. She reached up to rub her eyes, stifling a yawn, before pulling her purse out from underneath her desk. "What did you need?"

"I…I must advise you to take a break," Xu said, clearing her throat.

"That's what I'm getting ready to do." Asami double checked to make sure she had her wallet and her keys in her purse before sitting down in her chair to change her shoes. While she wore her nicest heels to work, she would wear boots whenever she stepped outside of the building and into the cool winter weather. "I think I'm going to head to Narook's. Would you like for me to bring you back something?"

"No, I mean for a longer period." Xu lowered herself into a chair in front of Asami's desk, opposite of her. "Maybe a few days, or a week even?"

Asami paused for the briefest of moments before sliding her foot into her shoe. She abruptly stood up from her chair, and grabbed her jacket from the back, slipping her arms into the sleeves. "I can't abandon the company at this dire time," she answered stiffly, lifting her chin.

"Ms. Sato, you recently signed a contract to have Varrick help your company. While this has been a great asset, you still have your nose buried in your work." Asami leaned over her desk and checked an email that had arrived in her inbox. "You've been working non-stop for the past three days. I know what you're doing," Xu said, her eyes following Asami as she placed her purse over her shoulder. "You're trying to keep busy because your friend is missing."

Asami remained silent as she marched over to her bookshelf, plucking one with a red cover off of the shelf and flipped to an open page, reading its contents. In actuality, she was skimming the text, not retaining the information. For the past few nights, she had kept herself awake worrying about Korra and reading over the last text message conversation they had. Asami asked her to let her know when she was to arrive back in the South, and hadn't received a response since.

At the time, Asami just assumed she was very busy, expecting a letter to arrive in the mail of her safe arrival; instead, Mako delivered the news that no one knew where she was. Korra's father, Tonraq, had sent out a few people to help search for his daughter. While Asami desperately wanted to assist in the search, she knew her rightful place was in Republic City, trying to save her company and getting ready for the next semester of school. Besides, even though they've only known each other for a few months, Asami was well aware that Korra wouldn't want her to worry about her whereabouts, and to just focus on herself and what needed to be done.

Sighing, Asami closed the book before placing it back onto the shelf. Reaching into her purse she pulled out a pent and a yellow sticky note. "I do worry about her, but I have to keep my focus," she said, writing a note on the paper before placing it onto the spine of the book.

"Then, take a longer lunch break. An hour or two." Xu grabbed Asami by the shoulders and slowly turned her around. "Please. You need to rest," she said gently. Brushing Asami's bangs out of her face, she smiled warmly before pulling her into a hug.

"Okay, if that will make you happy," Asami sighed, relaxing into her touch. "Thank you, Xu."

"Anytime, honey." Xu pulled away, sending her a wink. "I mean…Ms. Sato."

A few minutes later, Asami walked up to the front of Narook's, tightening the scarf around her neck as the cold wind picked up. Stepping to the side of the doors, she checked her purse one more time for her wallet. "Hey Kiyoko," she called out.

"How'd you know it was me?" Kiyoko asked as she stepped from behind Asami.

"I've taken self-defense courses since I was six," she answered with a smile. "I'm really aware of my surroundings. How have you been?" She gave her friend a hug. "You look great." Asami commented. Kiyoko still had the bun at the crown of her head, but the rest of her hair flowed down her back, curling at the ends.

"Thanks! I just got back from our family trip and decided to get something to eat, and then I saw you." Kiyoko pulled the door open, stepping to the side to allow Asami to walk in behind her. The two grabbed a small booth near the back of the restaurant. Asami quickly shed her coat and scarf, rubbing her hands to warm them up. "How are things?"

"Busy," Asami sighed, yawning loudly. "I signed a contract with Varrick of Varrick Global Industries. He's helping my company get back on its feet."

"That's fantastic." Kiyoko's smile slowly faded. "I heard about Korra…"

"Yeah, but I'm sure she's fine," Asami answered with a shrug. She fought the urge to pull her cell phone out of her pocket and check to see if she had any new messages. She'd find herself checking her phone so much, that she lunges for her it every time something vibrated around her. "She can take care of herself." Asami picked up her menu, trying to make a decision when she noticed the dejected look on Kiyoko's face. A waiter came up, pen poised over a pad, ready to take their order. Asami quickly waved them away. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing…it's just that Mako is acting a bit weird," Kiyoko answered quietly.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, he texted me to let me know about Korra's disappearance and he's been kind of distant ever since," she admitted, furrowing her eyebrows. "We don't talk about things as much as we used to, and he always seems a bit rushed."

"He could just be busy with work," Asami suggested. "Ever since the Cultural Center was bombed, he's been trying to find the person behind it."

"Yeah, but he keeps talking to me about Korra, wondering where she is and worrying-"

Asami picked up her glass of water, watching the ice at the top bob up and down. "Well, it may just be because he still cares about her since they used to date and-"

"What?" Kiyoko gasped. Asami took a sip of her water, stalling for time. "Korra and Mako dated?"

"Yeah, a few years ago," she admitted. "They were in love with each other."

"They were?" Kiyoko repeated, physically deflating in her seat.

"Hey, he's with you now, and he wouldn't purposely jeopardize that. Don't worry, it threw me for a loop too when I dated him." Asami winced, running a hand over her face as soon as the words came out of her mouth.

"You dated him too?"

"Very briefly," she answered quickly. "Things just didn't work out. I felt like he was either holding back or trying too hard. It was as if he were trying to prove that he wanted to be with me."

Kiyoko nodded but remained quiet. She picked up her straw and placed it into her glass of water, swirling the ice around. Asami looked around the room for their waiter, wanting to put in her order. Partially so she could get something to eat, and partially so that she had an excuse not to say anything else that might upset her friend.

"Why did you break up?"

So much for that plan. "…Honestly," Asami sighed, "It's because he was still in love with Korra."

"Oh."

"No, don't do that." Asami shook her head, mentally kicking herself. "Mako wouldn't be with you if he wasn't interested."

"But you two broke dated and broke up, and you're a catch," Kiyoko pointed out.

"Well, thank you, but…to be honest, I also dated him because I had suspicions that he liked Korra, and she kept denying it," Asami answered. "Don't get me wrong, I was interested and I did like him, but I valued my friendship with Korra more. At the time, we weren't that close, but I really just wanted one true girl friend. You know hard it's been for me in that department," she said with a small smile.

"Of course," Kiyoko chuckled. Her smile instantly faded. "I don't know, I'm just worrying. Maybe he's getting bored of me."

"Mako can be pretty focused once he gets an idea into his head," Asami pointed out. "A few days ago, we secretly set up a Sting to try and find the person bombing the supplies for the Southern Water Tribe."

"What happened?" Kiyoko's eyes widened in shock.

"We were set up. We were working with the Triple Threats, a gang Mako used to be a part of, to set up the trap." Asami watched as horror filtered onto Kiyoko's face. "That's something he should tell you, but everything is fine now. Anyway, it didn't work and we were double crossed. We were able to get away, but didn't find the culprit of the bombings."

"I'm glad you two are okay," she whispered.

"It comes with the territory as being a part of Team Avatar," Asami said with a shrug. She felt her phone vibrate in her pocket. She pulled out the electronic device and checked the screen, frowning when it only showed the time. She then reached for her work phone and saw that she had missed a call from Xu. "You were supposed to give me an hour," she muttered.

"What did you say?" Kiyoko asked.

"Nothing." Asami shook her head. She re-pocketed her two phones before smiling over at Kiyoko. "To get back to your problem, I don't think talking to me is really going to help your worries. I think Pema will be much more beneficial."

"You can answer it," Kiyoko said when she heard Asami's phone vibrate in her pocket. Asami smiled apologetically before glancing at the screen. She pressed the ANSWER button before placing her phone up to her ear, holding it in place with her shoulder.

"Hello, Sato speaking," greeted.

"Asami, you need to get to the warehouse now!" Xu ordered.

What could have possibly happened in less than twenty-five minutes? Did a worker get hurt? Did a machine malfunction? Was there a power outage? "Why? What's wrong?"

"…We've been robbed," she answered. "Everything is gone, including the blueprints for our latest ideas. We've been wiped clean."

Asami slowly lowered her shoulder, her work phone clattering to the ground. Kiyoko leaned over and picked it up, carefully placing it back onto the table.

"What's wrong?" Kiyoko asked. "What happened?"

"I'm ruined," she whispered as a tear ran down her cheek.


AN: Many, many thanks to my beta, Rubiks.

This chapter was a bit of a filler, but it's needed. In case you haven't noticed from the past chapter and this one, I'm exploring Asami's friendships and relationships with people around her. I liked how they brought up Bosami in the show and I felt like the show needed more moments like that. Even though these could be considered fillers, it also helps with the "season 2" arc I have coming up (and am essentially in the middle of).

I'm still working on the gap filler oneshot (maybe two shot) that takes place in between chapters 25 and 26. It is tentatively called 'Summer Solstice Festival'. So be on the lookout for that.

Once again, thank you for being patient for this chapter, and I'll see you next time. If you would like to get updates or ask me questions, then please follow me on tumblr (knocking-down-hesitation).

~Angel