"It doesn't matter. None of these ideas will work. The second Zaheer realizes that we're up to something, he'll wipe out the airbenders." Korra suddenly speaks, facing the window, deep in her thoughts.
Everyone was stunned. Suddenly the room was suffocating.
"And Opal is one of those airbenders. Believe me, I understand what's at stake." Suyin chimes, but Korra is hardheaded.
"Then I'll think you'll agree," Korra turns around to face them, "the only plan that will work is for me to give myself up."
There it is. Asami knew. Selfless acts from the Avatar. Diving straight to danger. So Korra, but Asami isn't amused. She hates it. Loathes it.
"What?!" Mako speaks up, shocked.
"Korra, no." Lin also chimes in, bewildered by the Avatar's suggestion.
"We'll figure out another way." Tonraq pleads, and Asami could only stare, her eyes trying to meet those blue ones, begging.
"I talked it over with Lord Zuko, and I've given it a lot of thought." She looks down, defeated, "I have to do this." She looks at Asami sadly, and all she wants is to scream at her. It was outrageous.
"You can't expect us to sit by and just let Zaheer take you." Asami finally speaks, her eyes glassy, she fights the tears. She doesn't want everyone to see. Korra seems to have made up her mind.
"The world has been out of balance for far too long. It needs the air nation back again. I can't let Zaheer destroy it and everyone we love." Korra closes her eyes and takes a deep breath, "Help me save the airbenders, then you can worry about saving me."
Asami wanted to shake the spirits out of Korra. Talk some sense into the girl. Clearly, everyone would agree it was insane. She starts to think of another way, not noticing the looks from the adults. Tonraq suddenly spoke, "We're with you, Korra."
No. Don't let her go.
She looks around the room, everyone seems to be giving in.
Damn it.
"Yes, whatever you need. We're here." Suyin added.
Asami felt deflated.
Korra nods, "I'll go radio Zaheer." Sadness closed her eyes again, then began to walk towards the communication room. Asami couldn't move. She wanted to follow Korra. Talk her out of it. But she stood there, helplessly. Watching the back of Korra disappear into the room.
When she comes out and tells everyone she did it, Asami can't take it any longer. They found an empty room, and Asami makes her promise. To be safe, to come back, and Korra can't die on her.
Korra promised. Uneasiness in her eyes, though, and they hugged, feeling the warmth of each other. Asami finally gives in, and she cries. She cries for Korra. How unfortunate that she was the Avatar. How she wanted to face Zaheer herself. How excruciatingly painful that all Asami can do is watch Korra walk towards danger, with her feelings bottling up, but wouldn't leave to see the light just yet.
00000
Asami slowly opened her eyes, light peeking at the window of her room on the airship. She sat up, wiping her eyes' sleepiness as she feels the ship slowly descending to the ground. Standing up and looking over the opening, she saw that they have arrived in the Sato Estate's backyard. She has her suspicions about why they went straight to her place, but she could only stare out, unvaried.
A light knock came from the door with Tin coming in to check up on Asami.
"Hey. Your bags are all packed." She walked over Asami, who was still looking out the window. "The crew will put your stuff back inside the mansion and here," She looked back at Tin, reaching for the clothes' set and smiled.
"Thank you." Asami walked over the bathroom to change her usual business attire and pamper up before getting out of the airship.
Tin lingered cautiously in the room, raising her voice to Asami on the other side of the bathroom door, "You can take the day off, Asami. I'm gonna go straight to the office to settle some of the concerns from the engineering department and stocks." She knew what the heiress would answer, but she had to try.
"I'm coming with you. I'll check the reports myself." Asami called out. There was a pause as Tin heard shuffling on the background. She crossed her arms, waiting for Asami to come out of the door and took a deep sigh. "I tried." She mumbled to herself.
Asami quickly changed into her outfit and put on her makeup, like the Kyoshi warriors, designed to intimidate whoever's fearless enough to come her way. She's done it with ease and precision as if it's a part of her, like breathing. Satisfied, Asami gathered all her cosmetics after tying her hair in a loose ponytail.
The ship finally reached the ground at the same time, Asami came out of the bathroom looking fresh and sharp with her black and red apparel.
Tin eyes her skeptically. Still, arms crossed, she asked, "Will you be alright?" So caring.
No. "Yeah, I'll manage." She shrugged and handed Tin her clothes from the night. "Thanks."
"Look, you don't have to force yourself to go back if you don't feel like it." So thoughtful. Pretty sure Asami didn't hire her for this, if only for her wits and perfect talent in organizing her timetable, Tin will get the job for sure. But she does more than she is asked for, and Asami is glad.
Asami smiled but didn't quite reach her eyes, "I'm fine. I don't think it'll be better for me to be in the estate and alone with my thoughts." She gathered her remaining belongings in the room before walking out, followed closely by Tin.
"Well, okay then, if you say so." They passed by the whole crew members whom Asami acknowledged for their mission's efforts, though it failed terribly, she was still grateful for them. As they continued walking over the satomobile Tin had called to take them in the Future Industries office, she went over the reports and meetings waiting for them. Asami was starting to regret declining her offer to take the day off.
They were travelling back home for almost three days. The second day, Asami was able to tell Tin of her encounters with the bandits, Kuvira's army and Korra. Of course, she still couldn't get over the latter. The last thing she needed right now is to think about it, so she decided to keep herself busy enough; thus, no room to ponder about Korra.
Asami thinks Korra has her reasons, but she didn't know it would affect her this much. She wanted to know that Korra was safe and expectantly bring her home with her, but alas, things don't always go the way you planned it.
With the circumstances now, Asami decided it's best to tuck away her feelings for Korra, lock it in a box, and maybe seal it forever. She hasn't even admitted it, and yet she scared her away. It wasn't the reunion Asami was expecting, but she got to see Korra. Just as she swore to Raava, if she's given a chance to see the girl, even if it means not showing the love she's yet to unleash, she will throw her heart away. And she did after it got stepped on, split in half, and rejected.
They got in the car and headed towards the office. Once they arrived, they've been bombarded with file reports and unfinished paperwork, well, Asami shouldn't be startled. With them being gone for a week, and the uprising army of Kuvira, this was expected. Tin, (un)surprisingly, started to clear out two of the meetings because that's how she is—an astounding assistant.
"Mako will come up to see you. I called him when we landed." Tin said when Asami was about to enter her office.
She figured Mako will want to know the details on their trip as soon as they arrived. She sighed.
"Right. Just let him in when he arrives, I'll start looking over the reports. Please don't bother me unless it's really important." She looked back at her assistant, "Thank you."
Tin nodded and went to her table while Asami closed her office door and sat down on her chair. She fixed the papers on her table from important to least. Subconsciously stealing a glance at her window, some parts of the blue statue are visible from the park, and she had to look down quickly.
The defence mechanism Asami mastered growing up by blocking out negative thoughts, keeping busy with her hands and mind. Though, she's not quite sure if Korra is a negative thought. She swallowed the lump in her throat and started to work.
00000
"Welcome back."
Mako comes in Asami's office, well postured, marching towards the chair adjacent to her.
Asami has her brows furrowed, reading through the reports halfway because, once you go on a mission to look for the Avatar for a week or so, everything falls apart. Problems in the engineering department, commissions from the different nations, earth especially, pulling out of their deal last minute, and concerns with Kuvira are now known to be the Great Uniter. The irony, as more problems arise as it is solved.
She regarded Mako, looking up from the unending files on her hands. He wore the usual green button-down long sleeves and slacks, hair styled back, and she couldn't deny, he looked handsome.
"You're away from your prince, I see." Asami looked down to jot some notes, dividing her attention.
He groaned, and she couldn't help but smile. Always easy to tip Mako off.
"I told him to stay at the hotel and that I'll buy him a smoothie." He sat down on the chair, "Oh, remind me to buy him one, actually."
"Sure." She finishes writing and puts it on the side.
Mako cleared his throat, not even bothering to look up, Asami knows how his brows furrowed, being broody and all, worrying about a particular something, and that something in question is her.
Just as she levelled her eyes with him, she was right. Mako was waiting for her to talk. Certainly, he knew about what happened. Tin might've mentioned it. Again, she does more than what she's asked for. Maybe the sentiment doesn't work in all scenarios.
"I'm guessing you know the tip of the iceberg." She raised one eyebrow, and Mako just shrugs.
Asami rolled her eyes and started telling the story as she did with Tin as if it's the next best hit in the next millennia. One for the books. One, she failed miserably. He now has her undivided attention, she tells the bandits' story, how she got the bruises, Kuvira's army, and Korra.
"That's weird." Mako has his thumb and pointer finger on his chin, thinking, his detective brain rolling.
"What is?"
"Well, if she healed you and uh, cleaned you, as you say, then it means she's been in the room longer than you think."
Asami pondered on the thought. She couldn't find any explanation though; she's certain Korra wanted to leave the moment she appeared.
"She still left."
"Yeah, but why? It's like she was taking care of you then the last minute she bolted."
She's starting to get irritated by these series of questions and theories from Mako, but she bit her lip. She knew he was just trying to help, over-analyze things, trying to find answers. Asami's not sure if she wants the answers, though.
"Maybe she wanted to stay gone." She said it bitterly, unintentional, but it was out in the open.
Mako looks at her again like she needs handholding. She hated it. So, she changed the subject. He explained what happened during the Prince's supposedly crowning ceremony and how Kuvira didn't stand down from power. Bolin was another problem too, he still followed Kuvira which bothers Asami. It isn't in Bolin's character; he knows her too well. However, she listens to the rest of the story, anyway.
"He also thinks Kuvira's the same as Korra. Hard to deal with sometimes, but once you get to know her, she's actually not bad." Mako says with a frown.
Asami couldn't believe it. Though there was a slight truth about Korra being difficult, it does not sit right for her to be compared to someone close to a dictator. Maybe Kuvira is.
They talk more about politics and security, possibly stay alert for any upcoming conflicts and be prepared.
Soon enough, Mako had to leave. They said their goodbyes, but not before she reminds him to get his Prince's smoothie and not before Mako tells Asami that Tonraq wants to speak with her in Air Temple Island.
She narrowed her eyes, and Mako raised his hands in surrender.
Asami finished the rest of the paperwork, tells Tin to go home after she's done, and she goes straight to the docks.
00000
"Good to see you again, Asami."
Tonraq welcomed her as she unloads in the docks, making her way to hug the Chief
"Hi, Tonraq." Asami smiled, eyeing the Southern Water tribe ship from the other side of the dock, she asked, "Going back home?"
"Yeah. A tribe needs its Chief to function apparently." He shrugged but smiled, nonetheless.
"You can say that again." They both laughed—the gentle waves of the sea splashing in the rocks, a warm breeze sifting in the air.
Tonraq regarded her, and Asami has her suspicions.
"You tried looking for her." There it was. An open book, pages being turned by the wind, is read by someone who knows her too well. Asami looked down, embarrassed, but Tonraq held both her shoulders, meeting her gaze with a warm smile, "Hey now."
He let go of her shoulders, and Asami held on to one of her elbows, "How did you know?" she asked shyly.
Tonraq crossed his arms, "Well, I came bearing news that Korra wasn't with me, then the next morning I find out that you had a 'business trip' to attend to," he quoted the two words and raised one eyebrow.
Asami snorted. Tonraq continued, "Then I asked Mako. Let's just say he takes being his oath as a police officer by heart." He cackled.
Mako. She couldn't wait to go back to the mainland and smack the detective out of him.
She looked over the ocean, deep blue, like the skies, like her eyes. She sighed, "I found her. But," She met Tonraq's eyes, sadness evident in the ambience, "I don't think she wanted to come back."
She noted the slight hope Tonraq had in his eyes for a second and then transcribed to pure sorrow after. He too sighed deeply, looking over the ocean now. "She'll come home when she's ready."
"You think so?" Asami asked. She hated how she sounded hopeful, desperate even.
Tonraq could only smile, "She's my daughter, Asami. Sometimes you have to let her figure it out on her own. It saddens me, yes. But I have faith in her. Korra can handle herself, and besides, she's learned from the best." He nudged Asami playfully, making the conversation light. "She's the Avatar anyway, though I'm still deciding if that's a good thing or a bad thing." His voice faltered.
They let the silence take over. Still, listening to the waves of the current, birds chirping somewhere on the island, and the sun finally set.
Asami finally whispers into the air, "I wish she wasn't the Avatar."
Tonraq tilted his head, gazing at her. He didn't say anything, but Asami understood. He wishes the same too.
Tenzin and Pema joined them in the docks, saying their goodbyes to Tonraq, and like déjà vu, she waves goodbye again to the same ship that took Korra away.
Tenzin had a meeting to attend to. Asami conversed with him about the coronation for a bit, then off he went riding his bison. Pema invited her for dinner. They marched towards the dining area where food has already been prepared by the acolytes. It was a good night, they talked about many things, the kids asking her about her inventions. Meelo wonders if he can have a suit that explodes, and she can only laugh, not after Pema tells him that he can't.
Asami and the kids stayed out on the grounds just outside the temple to play Pai Sho, and she feels terrible for Meelo, beating the kid in less than five minutes.
"Lady, how are you so good?" He whined but gives his seat up for Ikki to play next. She shrugged and winked.
It was dark now. Jinora and Meelo were playing, lights from the main house burn bright. Ikki now tells her about the baby bison story she saw one time when they were on vacation. Asami listens intently, nodding at the right moment, and smiling with the girl's enthusiasm to speak words in a span of minutes.
And then Ikki finally asks the question, and Asami was taken aback, "Did you go look for Korra, Asami?"
She looked at Ikki, who was staring back curiously, innocently, waiting for her response. The two other kids stopped playing and gazed in her direction, the same looks as their sister.
Does everyone on this island know?
Asami takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. She looks at their faces, anticipating some good news, how she doesn't want to see the disappointment in their eyes. She started, "I did try to look for her," she bit her lip, hoping they don't see over her mask, "but I didn't find her."
They all had a chorus of sad 'ohh,' but that didn't stop them from being optimistic.
"I'm sure she's kicking butts all around the world right now!" Meelo proclaimed. Oh Meelo.
"I bet you she's trying to race with other benders using other elements!" Ikki guessed. Oh Ikki.
And both went into an argument of how the benders wouldn't be able to race if they won't use air scooters. That's when Jinora ushered them to get ready for bed in which they begrudgingly obliged.
As the younger siblings stood up and said their goodnights, Ikki spoke, "When Korra comes back, I'm gonna challenge her for an air scooter rematch!"
Jinora regarded her younger sister and replied, "I'm sure she'll love that. Let's just hope she comes back safely." She quickly snuck a glance at Asami and then back to her siblings.
Meelo, surprisingly calm, who is known to be a big ball of energy everywhere he goes, quietly mumbles, "I miss Korra."
There was something in the way Meelo spoke that pulled the strings of Asami's heart. The other two seem to mirror Meelo's feelings, so she motioned them to come closer and gave a big sisterly hug.
"I miss her too." She said softly. The younger kids eventually went back inside.
Jinora stayed with Asami on the grounds, positioning their chairs side by side, looking across the island's dark silhouette, enjoying each other's company.
Jinora finally spoke, and again, Asami has her suspicions.
"You found her, didn't you?"
Of course. Out of all the people here, Jinora would be the last person to hide something from. She continued, "I felt your aura spiked when you said you didn't find her." She said rationally.
"Well, aren't you a talented young lady?" Asami smiled, amused at the young girl beside her. Jinora smiled warmly.
"Maybe one of the factors why I became a master airbender."
Asami hummed. The wind catches, and she had to tuck some hair behind her ear.
"Did you all know?" Asami had to ask.
Jinora might've gotten the idea of what she was asking as her eyes perked up, "That you went and look for her?" In which Asami just nodded. She continued, "We honestly didn't. We had our suspicions, well, except my dad, who seems to always be oblivious with the hints." They laughed, "and then Mako comes here and says you went away for a business meeting… He's really not good in lying, you know." Asami snorted, which made Jinora surer about their theory, "so the three of us thought if we're not the ones who will go on a mission to look for her, then it would probably be you."
She met Asami's eyes, who now has an eyebrow raised. She's thinking of Mako again and gives him an earful, but she's curious at Jinora's speculation.
In which Jinora just rolled her eyes, "You know you're not always the most subtle person, right? You built her a statue," she now looked at Asami with skepticism. She thought about it, nodding at the possibility but was ready to counter the young girl that a friend can undoubtedly build another friend a statue if they are the Avatar, but Jinora continued her ammunition.
"When you come here to test out the wingsuit, and my mom asks you to stay the night, I always find you sleeping on Korra's bed instead of your own." She smirked. Asami smiled despite herself. She remembers those nights where she quietly sneaks in, albeit poorly, in Korra's bed just to feel closer to her.
Defeated, she closed her eyes for a few seconds, opened them and started confessing.
"She didn't want to come back." Asami started, looking into the darkness, "I found her in a small motel room in the Earth Kingdom. She left." She let the words linger in the air, her chest now getting heavier. "She left me."
Some airbenders are still trying to practice their forms and motions on the east of the island, dancing with the wind, focusing on being the leaf. A couple of them on the grass, looking over the horizon, peaceful, embracing the essence of being an airbender. A gentle reminder of what Korra has done. A lump formed in her throat.
She felt Jinora's hand on top of hers, "She may have her reasons, what happened to her, it wasn't easy. Not only did she have to recover physically but also mentally. If she thinks she needs to do it alone, I guess the best we could do is support her."
Asami looked at the girl in awe. Wise beyond her years, a bright future ahead indeed. Seems like the air nation is in good hands.
"I hope she knows people are waiting for her here. I just want her to be safe."
"I'm sure she knows that. Give her time." Jinora casts Asami a sad smile. She misses her too.
A beat passed, and Jinora asks again, "Do you love her?"
The air on the island suddenly becomes warm. Asami hugs herself, locking eyes with the younger girl, shocked by the least. "More than you can imagine." She looked down, cheeks warming at her vulnerability.
"But?"
Asami sighed, some of the air acolytes passed by, their robes flapping against the breeze. "But it scares me. The fact that I haven't even confessed and all I feel right now is that I've been slapped in the face so hard it hurts even my insides."
Jinora felt bad for her, she could tell, but all Asami did was laugh at herself. Pathetic.
Asami crossed her legs and ran a hand through her hair, "And I think it's best we just stayed friends. I don't think she needs it right now, nor do I think she feels the same."
"Are you afraid you'll get rejected?"
"I'm afraid it'll ruin our friendship."
Jinora shook her head and looked at her in all seriousness, "Love her anyway." She paused, and Asami gazed at her, confused, "the way you know how to love her."
"I don't think that's…" She hesitated.
Asami regarded the young girl, thinking of something to respond to her, but she kept quiet. They watched some airbenders go back to their respective dorms, and Jinora repeats what Tonraq said, "She'll come home when she's ready."
She hoped they're right.
Asami goes back to the office, down the basement, where certain car parts are recycled. She grabbed a hammer and willfully smashed her frustrations away. She broke a lot of materials that night.
00000
Days passed, and Asami kept busy in the office. Every time Tin asks her to take a break, she always says she's fine. Same old habits, but somehow, it feels new. Because Asami means it now. She's fine. She puts Korra on the back of her mind, far away from where she has to unlatch six different locks to think about her. She has come to accept that she can settle to be Korra's friend.
Asami visits her dad. Slowly, they warm up to each other, but mostly her who needs the warming up. They talk about small things, then the company, opinions about the Earth Kingdom, and past mistakes. It was progress for both of them. Asami started bringing a Pai Sho board, and they played. She learned from Hiroshi, so it was only fair that he was up 2 to 1.
Her days were mostly meetings after meetings after meetings. Tin tried to cut some off, but now everyone seems to be eager to do business with her. Maybe something to do with the Kuvira thing, she noted.
Asami went back to revisit Hiroshi. It will be the fourth, no fifth? Sixth? She lost count. Pai Sho board laid in front of them, and again, Hiroshi seems to be winning. Asami is distracted, he noticed. Today is a different day. Asami takes her turn, countering his attack, and it made him smirk. She is indeed preoccupied with something. He moves his winning piece, and they're now 3-1.
Hiroshi looked above Asami, on the empty gray ceiling, as if someone was there. He closed his eyes, spoke into space, loud enough for the just the both of them to hear, "Happy Birthday, my dear, Yasuko."
And that did it, the tears started falling as if it was a trigger for Asami to break. Hiroshi let her daughter cry, his hand reached for hers, squeezing for reassurance.
"I'm sorry I beat you again," Hiroshi said seriously, causing Asami to laugh. She wipes her tears with her sleeves and squeezed his dad's hand too.
"I'll come back for revenge." She stated confidently.
The room felt warmer. Their faces glowed. They still share the same last name. They still share the same sorrow. Maybe they'll be alright after all.
00000
Tenzin decided that it was time to bring Korra home. Not only do they want her home but, the issues encircling Kuvira seem to have alerted the locals more and more. If a potential war comes out of the situation, it would be best for the Avatar to be within their sight. He sent out his kids for the mission.
It was a late evening at the Future Industries office. Asami and Tin are going over the prototypes of the locational system Tin invented. It can be useful to put in the newer Satomobile models. It can also be handy for the Chief in the station, heck even the United Forces can benefit from it.
Until they both jumped at the knocking by the window. Tin and Asami saw a bison just looming over, and three kids waving, which led to Asami gathering her thoughts and walking around to open the window's latch.
"What—"
A whip of air washed over the room as Ikki and Meelo came inside, followed by Jinora, who flawlessly landed on her feet with a light thud.
"Asami! We're going to find Korra! It will be our first mission, and it's just the three of us! We're gonna go all around the Earth Kingdom and—" Ikki began talking with much speed than the last time they spoke while jumping up and down from her excitement. Asami just had to slow her down at the least.
"Whoa there. Okay." Asami smiled, but curious, nonetheless.
Meelo chimed, "We'll bring her home, beautiful lady. And then Korra will finally see how I'm not a boy anymore, but a handsome, fierce, young man." He tried to make an intimidating pose in front of the girls, but he ended up being adorable.
Jinora shook her head, tired of her siblings' antics. She explained more maturely and calmly, "Dad thinks Kuvira is going to plan something big. He's worried. I guess more about Korra's safety. So, he asked us to look for her, and we stopped by to let you know."
Oh. Asami's feature softened at the thought. They've grown so quickly.
Somebody from the background cleared their throat, and Asami just realized Tin was in the room as well.
"Oh, right. Uhm, this is my assistant, Tin. Tin, airbending kids; Jinora, Ikki, Meelo." Asami introduced them to each other. Tin was still startled by their entrance, but slowly, she regained her composure and met them.
"Nice to meet you all. I've heard so much about you! Master Jinora." Tin politely bowed in front of the master airbender in which she copied the gesture as well.
"Is it all good stories?" Meelo narrowed his eyes, still trying to be intimidating.
"Oh, yes. I heard how one time you beat those bad guys with your pure talents and power." Tin said matter-of-factly.
Meelo grinned, and Ikki began telling other stories of their adventures in the other Air Temples. Tin ushered them to go get some food in the common area for snacks on the road, and that left Asami and Jinora in the office.
"We'll bring her home. I'll update you." Jinora assured her.
"You kids stay safe, okay? If you ever encounter Kuvira's army, you run. Don't act tough. And don't tell Meelo I said that." They both laughed. Their bison seem to be getting impatient, they need to get going soon.
"We will."
Meelo, Ikki, and Tin came back with snacks and Fire nation sodas on their hands. They were soon waving each other goodbye, Asami watched the bison fly away and out of sight until they eventually went back to work.
00000
It was yet again another late evening where Tin and Asami had to stay up late to figure out the mecha tank's blueprints and how to tweak it in their use. She dismissed the other engineers and told them that they'll resume tomorrow. Asami also told Tin to go home, but the girl wouldn't budge. If Asami stays, she stays.
They customized design for the aluminum to fit more snugly in the machine when a blue light suddenly came out of nowhere.
Tin yelped, and Asami whipped her head around, seeing Jinora with her spirit projection.
"Hi, Asami, Hi, Tin. Sorry, did I startle you?" Jinora said.
"Not at all," Asami replied, but Tin's reaction doesn't seem to agree.
Jinora began speaking again, cheerful, but somehow guarded, "We found her. We stopped by Zaofu though, Kuvira and her army are here. Korra is trying to smooth things over the rift between Kuvira and Suyin, but they both seem uncooperative." Her tone changing to worry at the end of her sentence.
Asami is now more aware of Kuvira's army being actually a threat. She went over her thoughts of wanting to go to Zaofu as well but shook her head. She focused on Jinora's projection again.
"Is she okay?" Her voice low, almost a whisper.
"She is," Jinora smiled, "we'll come home as soon as we can. I'll see you later." She waved to both her and Tin. And then she was gone.
Asami took a deep sigh of relief and started to work on the blueprints again.
"Is it always going to be like that? Them suddenly popping out of nowhere like it's the most normal thing to do?" Tin asked, bewildered, but curious.
Asami shrugged, "You'll get used to it."
00000
They flew high enough to be hidden in the clouds, breaths ragged, tired, and scared. Jinora tells Meelo that if he needs to sleep, she'll take over the bison.
She saw Opal in the corner, crying, with Korra beside her, trying to give comfort. Jinora is confused as to why Korra didn't win the battle against Kuvira. They were sure they removed the poison out of her body, she even saw Korra do it. She doesn't know what happened.
She nudged Ikki and averted her eyes between the two. The younger girl understood and scooted over to sit with Opal. Korra shifted her position as well, moving closer towards Jinora. She took a deep breath.
"You okay, Korra?" Jinora asked.
She gave her a reassuring smile, "Yeah, just sore. I got tossed around in front of a whole bunch of people. I guess my self-image is wounded from embarrassment as well." Korra laughed, trying to joke, but Jinora saw past the humour.
"What happened back there? I thought you had it under control." She voiced her concern.
"I… don't know. I thought I did too. I was ready to beat Kuvira but," Her voice faltered, Jinora hugged her.
"We'll figure something out. You're not alone in this battle."
Korra just smiled, though not reaching her eyes. They looked over the clouds, some shapes of the mountain visible from their vicinity. Korra started removing her bandages from her hands, clockwise and steadily. Then she broke the silence.
"Jinora?"
"Hmm?"
"Is... Asami doing okay?"
Jinora regarded her for a moment, it was the same question Asami had to ask of her. She giggled internally but smiled. They might've gotten Korra to talk about her encounter with Asami in the hotel room. Jinora noted that she may have left out some details, but she didn't want to press further.
"She is, though she has her hands full, running a whole company and creating new ideas for the city. Nothing big." She shrugged, still smiling, and Korra did the same.
They were quiet for a moment, letting the air hit their faces as they flew back home. Dangers in the corner spilling like a dam was broken. That's why they had to retreat. At least that's what Jinora says.
"Do you think she'll forgive me?" Korra suddenly asked, looking back at Jinora, worry plastered in her features.
She could've asked Korra to forgive her from what exactly? As it is a vague question. Instead, she answered surely, "It's Asami, she has the biggest and kindest heart than all of us combined. Though, you might want to talk to her. She deserves an explanation, doesn't she?"
Korra nodded, her hands finally free of the bandages, she replied, "She does."
00000
"She's back," Mako's voice boomed over the radio after Tin handed it to her in the garage of Future Industries.
The wrench Asami was holding suddenly slipped out of her hands and clanged on the floor. Her breath hitched for a moment.
"Tha-That's great. She's safe." Thank the spirits. Asami could feel the relief wash over her whole being, much of her dismay.
"I talked to her this afternoon, she said she wants to meet up. She was trying to reach you, but your assistant said you were busy. "
Tin might've gotten the notion that she didn't want to face Korra just yet, in which she is either thankful or disappointed. After all, Tin was the one who saw how messed up she was on the airship.
"I don't think I'm ready." She took a deep breath, her heart pumping faster by the minute. She tries to compose herself but failed miserably.
"Asami, you can't hide from her forever."
"Watch me."
"You don't mean that."
She doesn't.
"I hate you."
Asami could feel Mako smirking on the other end. She wanted to karate kick his face.
"You'll thank me later. I've set up a reservation tomorrow at the new restaurant downtown, it's called Shosha. Be there at 11. Bye."
She put the radio down, picking up the wrench on the floor, she started cleaning up her mess. Asami thought she might as well rip the bandage off.
00000
Asami sat crossed legged at the waiting area with a magazine propped open in front of her.
Mako said that Korra would be late and asked her to wait for her, but before Asami can complain, Mako went inside quickly, saying something about making sure their table is set. She rolled her eyes at him, and begrudgingly took her seat at one of the cushion chairs.
The arm of the clock seems to move slower and slower, with the anticipation of finally seeing Korra, in Republic City, uncoercively. Asami tried to read the sentence on the same page for the nth time, but the words just slip off her mind every time she does. She shook her head to focus again, her other foot tapping against the floor repeatedly. She's nervous, why is she nervous?
She stopped over-analyzing things when she heard the main entrance's bell, light footsteps sounded against the hardwood oak. It took all her willpower not to tilt her head towards the direction, still trying to read the magazine's first sentence. Someone suddenly spoke.
"I hope you haven't been waiting long."
Asami convinced herself that her heart didn't skip a beat, but it did.
