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 35: Sinking (Air)Ships

Asami entered the bathroom, stepping into a stall and quickly changing out of her school uniform. She smiled softly when Herems' head popped out of her bag as soon as she unzipped it. "I thought I told you to stay home," she scolded gently, scratching him behind the ears. She pulled out her street clothes and began to quickly change into them. She glanced at her watch, frowning when she noticed the time.

The bathroom door opened and the sound of footsteps echoed in the room as the person made their way towards the sinks. Asami hushed Hermes, who was purring quietly, before pushing the spirit back into her back. It was against school policy to have pets on campus, and she didn't want to make things difficult for her.

Upon exiting the stall, Asami paused when he locked eyes with Rika in the mirror. The two stared at each other, Rika's face taking on a harsh look, a mascara wand lightly touching her lashes. She quickly closed her makeup for before rushing towards the door.

"Rika, wait a minute," Asami called out.

"What?" she snapped, turning on her heel. "What do you want?"

"I'm tired of this fighting. You keep telling me that I need to figure out what it was that I did to you. I really don't think I did anything."

"Of course you don't," Rika sneered. She walked around Asami and faced the mirrors above the sink once again. Brushing her hair off of her shoulders, she leaned in close and examined her eyeline, checking for smudges.

"See? Its comments like that," Asami pointed out. "Why can't you just talk to me? We used to be friends."

"Yeah, used to," Rika muttered, turning around, crossing her arms over her chest. "Then you just kept rubbing everything into our faces. Your father bought you this, your father bought you that, your father got you this great opportunity," she sneered. "Your father, your father, your father!"

Asami reached up and rubbed one of her temples. "It sounds like you're mad at him instead of me."

"No, I'm mad about what you represent."

"Okay," she said quietly. Rika faltered, cocking her head to the side. Asami dropped her arms to her side. "Fine. I'm not going to waste my time on you anymore. On this." She pointed in between the two of them. "If you hate me, you hate me. I'm done playing these games. Our friendship is over." Asami tightly gripped the strap of her bag, the tips of her fingers turning white from the pressure. "However, this doesn't mean I'll stand around and continue to let you make these comments or try to break up my friendships or the people around me."

"So you're just going to let the Avatar fix things for you?" Rika questioned. "Who is she your bodyguard? She only helps and controls those who can bend."

"She helps everyone," Asami insisted.

"If that were true, then why do we have President Raiko?"

"Korra's an amazing bender, and friend, and she takes care of everyone, and always puts others before herself, and-"

"Yeah, when her selfish, spur of the moment ideas don't work," Rika waved her hand in the air as if she were trying to chase away a bad odor. She brushed her black hair out of her face, before smirking. "But what interests me though, is that you always have something to say when someone talks negatively about her."

Anger flared up, licking at Asami's insides, causing them to churn. She slowly closed her hands into fists. While confused that she was having such a reaction, her anger caused her to focus in one the current issue at the time. "She's my friend," Asami snapped. "I'd do it for anyone."

"…You didn't do it for me," Rika reminded her with a raised eyebrow. "….is she that special to you?" a smirk played on her lips. "Anything you'd like to share."

Asmi pulled her lips into a thin line. She inhaled deeply through her nose before reaching up and rubbing her temples. "Rika…you need help," she declared.

"And I'm sure your father will help me find someone and foot the bill?" Rika rolled her eyes. "Oh, yeah, he's in jail isn't he?"

As the anger continued to stir inside, Asami took a quick cleansing breath before relaxing. Rika raised an eyebrow, eyeing her closely, her head tilted a bit to the ide. "I know what it's like, to be in a lot of pain," Asami said quietly. "I understand what you're going through. You push people away to make sure they don't find the real you, but then find yourself alone and not sure how to get your feelings out so you keep lashing out at people." Rika's anger slowly faded from her face. "Even when surrounded by people, you feel like they're strangers with familiar faces. If you ever need to talk…"

"I have Manami," Rika said abruptly. "I used to have Kiyoko as well, but you ruined that." She gave a harsh glare. "You're the one causing me pain. It was different before…but I want you to feel the pain I feel." She stook a step forward so that they were standing toe to toe. "I want you to truly feel alone."

"So, you say," Asami answered with a shrug. "It's what you always say, but I have felt alone…when I was friends with you." Shaking her head, she adjusted the bag on her shoulder before heading towards the door.

"Is she really your friend?" Rika called out. Asami paused, turning on her heel. "Kiyoko…Korra…didn't they both start talking to you when they needed homework help?"

"We've been through a lot..."

"You only came into contact with her…them…because of your part-time job…and your father by extension…" Rika pointed out.

Asami glanced at Rika out of the corner of her eye. Her anger soon began to fade leaving her with a clear mind. She thought back on Rika's words as images of Korra floated through her mind: of their study sessions, their late night talks, Korra walking Asami to school, watching the Fire Ferrets team practices, and many texting sessions in between classes.

"…I don't need to explain myself to you," Asami muttered. "Take care, Rika."

Exiting the restroom, she took a deep breath, letting it out in an audible sigh as she joined the flow of students leaving for the day. Asami reached into her bag and pulled out her ringing cell phone, making sure to give Heremes some attention before checking the screen.

"Hey, where are you?" Korra asked as soon as Asami answered the phone. "We're about to leave."

"I'm coming, now," Asami answered as she exited the building. Turning left, she headed towards the local park where Team Avatar, Tenzin, and the rest of the group had agreed to meet to take off in a Future Industries airship, which was already situated at a loading dock. She had flown it in the evening before after accepting clearance from President Raiko. "I just had to talk to my professors and get my homework assignments and extensions."

"School work? Really?" Korra asked with a laugh.

"Future Industries is booming so I put Xu in charge," Asami answered with a bit of edge. She hung up her phone as soon as she met up with the group. Korra placed her phone into her pocket, half-smiling as Asami walked up. "School work will keep me busy as well as my new Senior Project topic, which I have to work on ASAP to graduate on time."

Korra regarded with a raised eyebrow. Asami huffed. "I need something to fall back on. Not all of us can get away with breezing through life."

"What are you so snippy for?" Korra demanded.

Asami slowly shook her head, rubbing her glabella with her knuckles. "Sorry, I ran into Rika and-"

"Do you need me to take care of her?"

"No!" Asami snapped. "I handled it fine on my own. I don't need your protection." She looked away, watching as Tenzin and Chief Beifong loaded up the airship with a few bags and supplies for the trip. "I can take care of myself. I was able to do it before you came."

"Sorry…" Korra said quietly, an apologetic look on her face. "Sami, I was just trying to help."

"I know." Asami nodded. She forced a smile. "I'm just a little stressed is all."

"When are you not? You need to have some fun in your life."

"Easy for you to say," Asami sighed. "Do you know how hard it is to keep news of your friend's girlfriend a secret?"

"Bolin." Korra said with a nod, her eyes shifting over Asami's shoulder.

"Well, yeah this is about Bolin, who else?"

"No, Bolin." Korra grabbed Asami by the arms and turned her around, wincing and letting out a small grunt as her friend's bag slapped her in the thigh.

"Korra! Asami!" Bolin called out cheerfully, waving enthusiastically at his friends. He gave them each a strong hug. "I'm all packed and ready to go. I can't wait to see the Earth Nation. I haven't been there before," he said in a quick breath. "Well, Mako says mom and dad took us on a family vacation when we were little but I don't remember any of it. Maybe we'll find some of our family."

"The chances of that are very slim, Bolin," Mako reminded him, as he joined the group. He had an arm around Kiyoko's shoulders, holding her close in his side.

"Ignore Mr. Moody over there," Bolin said, rolling his eyes. "He's been in a state since I convinced him to come on this trip."

"Chief Beifong gave me a new position with the police force, and then I go and leave right away for a trip," he answered.

"Hey, you're with Korra," Kiyoko piped up. She smiled over at the Avatar. "She knows this is important." Korra nodded her thanks. While Kiyoko and Korra were mainly acquaintances since Kiyoko joined the group, things were a little strained when Korra got amnesia and kissed Mako. Now that things between them have settled down a bit, they were back to their acquaintance status, except a bit friendlier than last time.

"Important enough to come with us?" Mako asked.

"Apparently I need a bodyguard," Korra said with an eye roll. "But she's the best."

"Mako, how can you say we don't have family out there?" Bolin quickly changed the subject. "Someone is sending us money to go to school and they're from the Earth Nation. Maybe we can find them and thank them."

"A scholarship is different than family sending us money," Mako pointed out. "Besides, we're not here for a vacation. We're here to help Korra and Tenzin revive the Air Nation."

"No matter how long it takes," Korra agreed, crossing her arms over her chest, smiling proudly.

Asami and Mako shared a look. He ran a hand through his hair while she cleared her throat. "Maybe for you, Korra, but Mako and I are graduating at the end of the semester."

"So?" she shrugged. "School can wait."

"Not for us," Mako insisted. "Graduation is really important."

"This is important as well," Korra answered with an edge. "So much so…I took a leave of absence."

"The semester hasn't even started yet," Asami pointed out. "For you guys, anyway."

"But it's about to," Mako said.

"This is important to me, to Tenzin," Korra answered. "Sure, I may be the current Avatar but by reincarnation Tenzin and the Air Nation is my family."

"In a very weird way," Bolin added. "I mean, technically you're his father, and his kid's grandfather…or would it be grandmother…"

"Thanks, Bolin," Korra said quickly, hastily ending the conversation. "I say we agree to disagree." She glanced at Mako and Asami one more time before taking a few steps back. "Let me know when you all are ready." With that, she turned on her heel and headed over towards Tenzin, who was speaking quietly with Jinora.

"What's with that look, Asami?" Kiyoko asked. Mako and Bolin turned towards Asami, and noticed the thunderous look on her face. The three of them took a small step backwards as she furiously threw her hands into the air.

"…I spend all this time tutoring her in her science courses and she just throws it away like that?" she exploded. "I could have spent all that time working on my own projects. My life doesn't revolve around her," she insisted.

"No one said it did," Bolin said quietly. Asami bit her bottom lip, before reaching up and running a hand through her hair. Kiyoko pulled herself away from Mako' side, taking Asami by the arm and walking a few feet away.

"Hey Kiyoko, where's the fire?" Asami asked.

Kiyoko looked at the ground, shifting from foot to foot. "…I just wanted to wish you a safe trip," she muttered.

"And give Mako a goodbye kiss?"

A blush raced across Kiyoko' cheeks. "Well, yes, but…there's something else…"

"What's going on?" Asami questioned. "Is everything okay?"

"Listen…" Kiyoko licked her lips "…I overheard Rika talking in the hall, and-"

"Okay, is everyone ready?" Korra called out. "We're about to head out."

"I'll be there in a second," Asami shouted in response. She turned back towards Kiyoko and placed a hand on her friend's shoulder. "Don't worry about Rika. She's all talk, you know that. Call me if she bother's you."

Kiyoko half-smiled. "…Sometimes, I wish I were as strong as you. I wish there were a way I could help."

"Everyone has their own way of helping."

Asami watched with mild curiosity as Kiyoko's eyebrows rose, her eyes widening. "Yeah, you may be right," she answered with a smile. "Take care, and text when you land." Kiyoko have Asami a quick hug before rushing off to find Mako. Asami turned on her heel and headed towards the airship. She tilted her head to the side when she spotted Bolin standing by the ramp leading up into the ship.

"Why didn't you board the ship, Bolin?" Asami asked.

Bolin peered closely at her, his arms crossed over his chest. His face lacked the normal carefree quality, and in its place was a look of seriousness. "What's riled you up, Asami?" he asked.

Asami briefly glanced over his shoulder, watching as Korra plucked Rohan from Pema's arms, lightly bouncing him up and down. She returned her attention Bolin, before offering up a small smile. "…Nothing, don't worry about it."


Asami stared out of the window of the airship, taking in the setting sun above the clouds. The golden raise broke through the puffs of white, covering the Earth below with shadows. Korra appeared by the window, her arms and feet fastened tightly to her glider. A relaxed smile was set upon her face as she gently bobbed along with breeze.

"Enjoying the view?" Bolin asked, taking a seat next to Asami on a bench by the window. He knocked twice and waved enthusiastically when Korra glanced over at them.

"It's beautiful," Asami said quietly, watching as Korra floated upwards and performed a loop. She blinked before pulling her attention away. "I never knew there was a world up here, high above the clouds." She turned and faced him. "It's peaceful; a refreshing change."

"Maybe it's why Korra is trying to so hard to fix things, bring a balance to the world," Bolin commented.

"Yeah, I know," Asami answered quietly.

"So, why'd you blow up before?"

"Bolin-"

"I've never seen you that mad," he commented. "You're normally calm, cool, and collected."

"I have a lot of things on my mind, and I took it as an excuse to blow up on her," Asami answered with a shrug. "I had a run in with Rika today and-"

"She needs love; that's her issue," Bolin simply answered. "From the sounds of it at least. She needs someone that can show her how great she is. Kind of like you and Korra."

"Yeah, like me and Korra," Asami said with a smile. Bolin leaned over and nudged her with his elbow. She forced her smile wider before leaning over and placing her head on his shoulder, wrapping her arms around his. "Thanks for checking on me, Bolin."

"You need some food. It always cheers me up. I'll go get you some." With that, Bolin placed a quick kiss on her forehead before rushing away. Asami watched him go before glancing out the window. She frowned, feeling dread drop into the pit of her stomach when she couldn't find Korra. Placing her hands onto the glass, she pressed her nose flat against the window, looking around the bright orange sky.

"Don't worry Chicken Little, I didn't fall out of the sky," Korra said as she poked Asami in the back with her glider. She placed it against the wall of the airship before reaching up and smoothing her hair down.

"No, but the sky is soon to fall on Bolin," Asami said with a sigh as she sat down. Korra plopped into the seat next to her, causing the engineer to bounce lightly in her seat.

"He's here to find his family," Korra reminded her. "You saw him, he could barely sit still when we took off." She frowned, looking at Asami before glancing over her shoulder towards the doorway, and back.

"Autopilot," Asami said. "Do you really think that he didn't also see this as a way to meet up with his girlfriend?"

"It's Bolin; he really only focuses on thing at a time."

"…Yeah, that is true," Asami agreed. "Maybe it is a good idea that he's here. That way we can go to Zaofu, Opal can give him the news-"

"Then you'll be in the clear," Korra finished.

"What?" Bolin asked as he walked up. A tray full of food gripped tightly in his hands. The two girls jumped turning to face him. "What's going on?" Korra lifted her shoulders to her ears, glancing over at Asami who was biting her bottom lip, looking remorseful. "Asami," he pressed.

Asami sighed, reaching up to rub the back of her neck. Korra looked at her with in surprise. Normally refined and in control, she was surprised to see Asami looking nervous and uncomfortable. "Opal isn't coming back to Republic City, Bolin. She's staying in Zaofu."

"Why-"

"Her mother didn't think it was safe for her to be in Republic City," she explained.

"Anywhere the Avatar goes, it isn't safe," Bolin pointed out.

"Thanks," Korra said sarcastically, rolling her eyes. She propped her foot up onto the bench, resting her arm on her knee, glancing out the window.

"Even without the Avatar, the world isn't safe," Asami gently pointed out.

"Why didn't she tell me?" Bolin whispered.

"She didn't know how to tell you, so she asked me to do it," she admitted. "I've been trying for a few weeks now."

"Weeks?!" he shouted. Asami jumped as Korra's jaw dropped in shock.

"Bolin-"

"…Then it's a good thing that we're going to the Earth Nation, so I can go and get her back." Bolin stepped forward and held the tray of food out towards Asami. The minute her hands touched the tray, he shoved it into her chest. He then gave a quick nod before speed walking away.

"He took that better than I thought he would," Korra commented. "When he caught me and Mako kiss he practically had a nervous breakdown." She then reached over and plucked a few grapes off of Asami's tray, who promptly smacked her hand away. Korra snicked before popping the fruit into her mouth.

"Shut up, Korra," Asami demanded. Korra regarded her with a raised eyebrow. "He hates me now, thanks to you."

"I'm sorry, I missed the point where this became my fault," she said sarcastically. "Last I checked, you were the one who agreed to tell him Opal's secret, not me."

"Every time I asked you, you said just to tell him," Asami responded, her facial features hardening.

"No, I said rip the bandaid off. That could have gone either way," Korra answered, waving a hand in the air. "Besides, you're not mad at me, you're mad at Opal. She shouldn't have put you in this position which is why I didn't want her to initially join our group." Asami titled her head to the side, confusion etched across her face. "I knew from the get go she liked Bolin, and once someone dates someone in a group, it all falls apart."

"You dated Mako," Asami pointed out; she clasped her hands together, her leg rapidly bouncing up and down.

"You did too," Korra reminded her. "Anyway, if it were me-"

"Gosh, Korra! For once, can't you think of someone other than yourself?" she snapped.

Korra clenched her jaw before swallowing the pieces of fruit. She wiped her hands on her pant legs before getting up to her feet. "Clearly something else is bothering you, something bigger than this, and I'm getting tired of how you are taking it out on me."

Asami placed the tray on the bench next to her before standing up, placing a hand on her hip. Korra glared before taking a step backward so she wouldn't have to look up to glare at Asami. "When we get to the Earth Nation, your help will be appreciated, but otherwise don't bother talking to me if you're just going to find reasons to be snarky. Just focus on your school and your silly projects and the sooner we get back to Republic City, the better," she snapped.

"Fine," Asami huffed before marching away. She rolled her eyes when she heard Korra shout back a response, but continued walking away anyway. After a few paces she slowed to a walk before stopping and leaning up against a wall.

She let out a sigh, running a hand through her hair. "She's your closest friend. Why are you doing this to her?" Asami wondered. Shen reached up and tapped her chin, glancing down at her feet. "Why do you get so angry when her name is brought up?"


AN: Many thanks to my beta, Rubiks

Next chapter title: Forget Me Not