Asami had to take a moment to gather herself and follow the direction of the voice. Slowly, turning on her right, she saw, in all her entity, Korra. It was at this time that she had to actually take Korra in. Back in the motel, Asami was blindsided by emotions swirling inside her stomach to her chest. Blurry visions from the tears or the disappointing reality led them to lash out on each other, hurt and uncensored. But looking at the figure on her right now, it was really Korra. She noticed she wore the familiar blue vest and sleeves, parka, baggy pants, and boots. She liked how the short chestnut hair just ended below her jaw, where she didn't compliment back then because well, under the circumstances, it didn't feel right.
"Asami?"
Korra's breathy voice brought her back to her bearings in which she realized that she's been staring for too long. Far too long that she had to stand up quickly, the magazine on her lap fell on the floor, brain dizzy by the sudden movement she had to hold on to the chair.
Asami grabbed the magazine, turning her back to Korra to hide the sudden blush on her cheeks. She has yet to compose herself. As she puts it on the table, she took a deep breath to face her again, this time collected, and made her way towards Korra.
Asami hasn't said a word still. She tried to rattle her brain, remembering what Korra said to her, I hope you haven't been waiting long.
Only three years. She thought.
"Not that long." She said, finally finding her voice.
Now her legs didn't stop walking until she's a few inches away from Korra. Her body didn't stop moving until they're so close to each other. Her arms made their way around the Avatar, welcoming her into a hug. Korra didn't mind as she simply melted at Asami's embrace, like a puzzle finally forming together. They were both the missing piece. Asami hated how Korra felt in her arms, the warmth she's been longing in those long lonely nights, looking at the stars, wishing for the Avatar to come back home.
She also hated at that moment, all the memories and feelings come rushing in. One night, at the small corners of the motel room, Asami lunged towards Korra in surrender, embracing the defeat.
She abruptly extracted herself from Korra, as if her skin burned from the touch. Stepping a good few inches back, enough to allow herself to breathe and build around the façade she convinced herself she needs.
"You're back,"
"I am."
Asami didn't know what to say or how to act, crossing her arms across her shoulders, looking at Korra, still trying to decide if this was a good thing coming here.
"Right." Was all she managed to utter. Asami quickly thought of something to say, maybe her appearance? It's the safest to talk about, "I'm loving the hair." She continued. The room seems to be getting hotter.
"Thanks," Korra responded, grabbing the tendrils of her hair. Asami wasn't sure if she was blushing, but it may be the temperature in the room, she assumed.
"You're looking snazzy as always." She continued and at this point, she can feel her cheeks warming up, trying to stop the upward twitch of her mouth by Korra's… compliment? Snazzy?
Korra reached the back of her neck, lightly scratching it as she flashes her nervous lopsided smile. Seems like she doesn't know what to do as well.
"Uh, this is a nice, uh restaurant. It's new." Korra commented, scanning the waiting area, avoiding looking at Asami, but didn't last long as she caught her gaze. It was Asami's time to look away.
"Yeah, it is. Mako," Mako! " he found this place. He's already inside. Come on." Asami didn't wait for a response as she walked past Korra, urging for her to follow, uncrossing her arms. As she did, she tried to ignore how the back of their hands managed to graze briskly, sending tingles from the said part all the way to her spine.
They saw Mako inside, leaning against the restaurant's column, a frown evident on his face as always. But when he looked up, his face lit, like the switches in the house turned on all at once. Like twinkling, colourful lights in the Glacier Spirits Festival. Because maybe that's what Korra does. She lights up the room with the energy she radiates, and Asami couldn't deny that one. She couldn't call Mako out for that one.
"Korra!" Mako straightened his posture, striding towards their direction, meeting Korra for a hug as she did the same.
"Hi Mako," Korra said, as they broke their hug. Asami watched from afar, a warm smile on her lips; seeing Korra being here in Republic City finally made it feel surreal, safe. Home.
It was a beautiful sight to see until a familiar green suit with a thick brown hair suddenly comes into view.
Wu slid in between Mako and Korra, took a step right in front of her that Asami noted was really close. Really really close. Asami's eyes narrowed as Wu started talking to Korra.
"Hello there. Prince Wu, rightful heir to the throne and this guy's boss." He nudged Mako on the chest, followed by a joyous laugh, in which Asami didn't find joy at all. "I bet he's told you a lot about me."
"Nope. Not a thing." Korra backed away from Wu, trying to have her personal space back, but Wu puts one arm around Korra's shoulders, guiding her to their booth.
"Then we have so much to talk about." Wu proclaimed as they all settle down on their seats, Korra and Wu, on one side, Asami and Mako on the other.
"You're gonna love the food here, I know the chef personally." He started to order octopus fritters, and the three of them just let him. Korra was confused at the prince's actions. Asami was trying to sit still to hide her annoyed look, which she failed because Mako held his wrist from under the table, glancing at her with a knowing look.
"I thought it was just going to be the three of us." Asami harshly whispered, brows furrowing.
"Sorry. I couldn't ditch him, but he promised to be on his best behaviour." They looked back at the prince who is painfully, excruciatingly still close to Korra, catching their gaze, questioning, switching to the both of them.
"Hey, pop into the Avatar state for me. I wanna see your eyes glow." Wu then suddenly said, propping her elbows on the table, his chin on top of his hands, and at that point, Asami wished she had her glove with her right now.
"What! No." Korra responded somewhat defensively. Wu glanced down, pouting, mumbling 'fine' and letting Korra breathe finally.
"So, can you go into the Avatar state again? I was worried when you told me you couldn't." Asami asked with concern, with all purity that she forgot it was supposed to be just between them. Letters sent to each other; words whispered on every stroke of the pen. The wind goes to the direction of their location—one in Republic City and another in the South Pole.
"Wait, you couldn't go into Avatar state?" Mako asked, shocked at the newfound information of their friend.
If Korra was a wee bit annoyed on how Asami sold her out, it didn't show. Instead, she was looking at Asami, eyes pleading, a silent 'help' to get out of the conversation. Korra averted her eyes to Mako, still waiting for a response.
"Yeah. Ever since… the battle. When I was recuperating, I couldn't." Korra suddenly had an interest in swirling her drink using the straw.
"Oh. That long? How did you—" Mako turned to Asami, now realizing what he did, lips forming into a thin line, letting the question be unfinished.
Korra again was looking at both of them with a confused look. If Asami thought right, she borderline looked more annoyed.
"What is going on with you two?" She asked.
Asami took a deep breath as she began, "Mako was with me when you sent me your first letter." Two years after you left. She wanted to add but kept it to herself.
"Oh." There was a hint of disappointment in Korra's voice that Asami barely noticed. She wasn't sure if Korra was disappointed with Mako knowing that she's been sending her letters or that he was with Asami.
Or maybe she was just looking into it much more than she intended.
"Yeah. I kinda knew you were reaching out to Asami. Though it would've been nice to hear from you. A simple hello would do." Mako said it jokingly but was inkling to seriousness, letting Korra know that he too was waiting for a letter.
Korra looked at Mako, guilt-stricken, trying to come up with an excuse or something to make it feel better; she sighed. Asami knew she'd given up. She loathed how she knew Korra so well.
"I'm sorry I didn't stay in touch. I really did try writing back to all of you, I swear. But I found that I was only able to open up to…" Korra snuck a quick glance in Asami's direction then back to Mako without missing a beat, "Asami." She confessed; her name whispered in the space that somehow made Asami's pulse speed up.
Mako beside her was trying to hold back the smile forming on his lips, teasing. Apparently, Korra's reason was valid for him not to receive any letters from her as long as she opened up to Asami. She reached for his thigh, pinching it, in which Mako bit back a yelp.
"But I'm back now. And I wanna know what's been going on with you two." After a while, Korra said, inclined to an answer, seeing her uncertainty in her eyes, Asami observed but isn't sure why.
She thought it was a good time to share her mending relationship with her dad. Crossing her arms, biting her lower lip, she said, "Well, I kind of have some big news. I've been visiting my father in jail. He'd been writing me letters, and I guess I've finally felt ready to try and forgive him."
Korra's brows went up, surprised by her revelation by the least. "You sure you can trust him? He might just be manipulating you again."
It struck a nerve in Asami, something Korra has recently been good at. She closed her hands into a fist, fuming by Korra's accusation. "You think I don't know what my own father is capable of?"
"No, no, I- I didn't mean—" Korra raised her hands in surrender but Asami was out for blood.
"You don't get to disappear for three years and then act like you know what's best for me!" Asami bellowed. Suddenly, the feelings of hurt and despondence she felt for Korra came spilling out like a pail of water being knocked down.
"It's not like I planned to be gone that long. I wanted to come back, but I never felt ready until now." Korra tried to reason.
Asami scoffed. Mumbling the words' never felt ready', mocking, she rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, looking anywhere but Korra. She didn't want to come across as bitter. However, she still wasn't ready to face Korra, especially with all her emotions trying to figure out. She didn't care how Korra's feature showed hurt with her words and not minding Mako stiffening up on her side, trying to ease the tension but didn't know how to do so.
Asami was contemplating leaving when Wu puts down his drink dramatically with a smug look on his face. Oh yeah, he was still there.
"As much as I'm enjoying this little catch-up, my royal bladder is about to explode." He snapped his fingers, pointing to Mako and said, "Mako. C'mon. I need you to stand guard."
Mako groaned, brows furrowing, "I'm not gonna hold your hand every time you have to empty your royal bladder. Go to the bathroom on your own for once."
"Fine," Wu grumbled. He walked towards the hall, turned right and disappeared from their sight.
"Do you always go to the bathroom with him?" Korra asked, curious at the dynamic of the two.
"I don't go with him, with him. I just stand there in the general vicinity while he—" Mako crossed his arms, pouting, "I don't wanna talk about it." He sighed.
Asami saw on her peripheral vision how Mako glanced between her and Korra. Possibly thinking it was time to smooth things over for the two of them. Not minding each other's rocky conversation and unwarranted feelings, he ought to feel their reunion is doing good.
"Look, I know we're all stressed out right now and we have stuff to do," sneaking a glance at Asami, jibing at her, "that can be done later, but let's enjoy this. Just us having a normal time, friends catching up. Good 'ole days, huh?" Mako said rather enthusiastically, which was totally out of character. Meaning he was desperate to make the situation salvageable as much as possible where Asami wanted to roll her eyes but fought it, looking down, nodding meekly.
She can tell Korra was trying to catch her gaze, but Asami has her walls built higher than the walls of Ba Sing Se; if it means being distant and detached for her feelings, then she would stand her ground.
Korra gave up and looked over Mako, addressing him, making small talk, "What about you, Mako? How are things with you?"
Mako took a sip of his drink before answering. "Well, the past few years, I've been slumped with work as always, but chief ordered me to become the prince's bodyguard who is I dunno, okay, I guess." He took a deep breath, glaring at Korra at her blatant attempt to tease him, then continued, "He's… a lot to take in."
Asami knew Mako regretted the choice of words after hearing himself say it. Korra now has her infamous lopsided grin, mischief in her eyes as she teased, "Wow. A lot to take in huh. How so?"
Asami can't help but form a smile on her lips, especially seeing Mako squirm on his seat, now glaring at the both of them, "You—shut up." He mumbled, straightening up, fixing his uniform, brows still furrowed when the waiter comes back with their food, setting it down their table.
Mako continued trying to make conversation, bless his heart as Asami kept quiet, casually crossing her legs and while drinking, listening, "What happened back in Zaofu? I heard from Lin about Kuvira and Suyin about the situation." He said while he ate one of the octopus fritters.
The topic must've been a sensitive one because Asami saw how Korra flinched but quickly composed herself, trying to make a straight face but she saw through it.
"I—Well, Kuvira. She wanted Zaofu to surrender under her leadership which Suyin completely disagreed with. It went downhill when the twins and she tried to attack Kuvira while she was asleep."
"What?" Mako took the words out of her mouth as Asami now listened intently.
"Yeah. Then Kuvira kinda challenged me to duel… which I lost." Her lips forming to a thin line, "If it hadn't been for Jinora and the others, I would've been crushed by a boulder." She said it so casually that Asami's eyebrows shot up, eyes wide.
"You lost?" She managed to ask. Ignoring the sinking feeling in her stomach of not knowing this sooner, how Korra got into a fight once more, risking her life she doesn't seem to give importance to.
"Yeah," She smiled at Asami shyly, "I'm a bit rusty for an actual fight, I guess."
Asami's mind went back to the underground ring, the fights, the people, Korra's bruises.
"Where did the kids find you?" Asami asked her again.
"In the swamp, east of the village," Korra eyed her knowingly, making a connection of the place she's talking about, looking down she sighed, "I was… looking for something." She pursed her lips, engrossed with a thought for a second.
Asami quirked an eyebrow, engrossed, but she couldn't help but ask the question, "Is that why you left?"
"Yeah."
"Did you find what you're looking for?"
"I-I did, I think." Korra's voiced faltered, looking down. She knew what she did as guilt was painted freshly in her features.
But Asami didn't want her guilt. She just wanted the truth.
"Good." She responded, looking around the restaurant, biting her lip, her eyes started to sting. Silence loomed over their table.
Mako cleared his throat, looking awkward, glancing between the two of them.
"Uh, I wonder what's taking Wu so long. He's not one to miss out on lunch." He started getting up and continued, "I'll go check on him."
Before Asami could stop him, he was out of their sight as well, leaving her and Korra with four drinks and a sad octopus fritters at the table.
The air suddenly became thick. She rested her hands on the table, trying to act normal, looking away from Korra as much as possible because the blue-eyed girl's sight hurt. She didn't want to be here. She wanted to get out. Her throat constricted at the rumble of emotions on her stomach. She scanned the restaurant with anything in particular that piqued her interest. On the corner of the room, a family happily enjoying their lunch, the dad helping the young girl set up her food. She had to look away. In the middle were two young couples possibly having a date, looking so happy and so in love, she quickly averted her gaze. She can sense Korra's eyes on her, boring holes, trying to get in.
"Asami, I'm sor—'
"Don't." Asami closed her eyes, breathing in slowly, calming herself as she whispered, "Please."
"I can explain," Korra's eyes pleaded, trying to lock eyes with Asami but she looked away. She knew when she sees those blue eyes, she'll be entranced again, seeped in, let loose. She didn't want to.
Korra slowly reached for her hand on the table. Just as the end of her fingertips touched Asami's skin, her hands retracted while sliding over Mako's seat, not noticing the pained look in Korra's face.
"We should probably go see if everything's alright." Asami stood up, fixing her skirt and cape's creases, wincing at the crack of her voice.
She turned back to Korra, who seems to have frozen, abandoned by her, looking lost like a puppy. She cleared her throat and asked, "You coming?"
She might've noticed Korra gave a deep sigh, which she disregarded entirely out of her demise, "Sure."
They walk silently towards the bathroom, a few feet apart from each other. For Asami, it felt like they were a few nations away, blocked by tall mountains that were hard to hike and an ocean that seems to be endless.
Standing in front of the bathroom door, Asami crossed her arms as she heard Korra's footsteps catching up to her.
At this moment, a series of events occurred as Korra mumbled an 'I'll be right back' to her, walking towards the back exit for the delivery trucks.
Asami saw Mako come out of the washroom, no Wu insight. Just then, she heard a loud crash from outside and see Korra on the ground. Asami's instincts automatically tell her to run towards her while Mako tailing behind.
As they reach outside, they saw a truck hurriedly screeching on the asphalt, driving away.
"They've got Wu!" Korra gave Asami a quick glance, already starting to sprint, "Get the car, I'm going after them!"
She didn't have time to think, but her feet seem to have a mind of its own, already running towards the parking lot.
She turned on the locational system Asami and her assistant installed on the Satomobile, which she was glad they had right now. It conveniently has a direct transmission to the police station as part of the trial periods. She put the keys on, and the engine roared to life, driving towards the main road.
"This is detective Mako. I am calling from the restaurant Shosha, follow Asami Sato's location, I need back up. The Avatar is with us too."
Asami drove and rounds the corner to find Korra earthbending the asphalt, but the truck got away at full speed.
She stopped beside Korra and yelled, 'get in!'. The Avatar gladly obliged but not before taking a look at her newly painted blue car, which made Asami looked ahead, biting her lip, somehow embarrassed.
She shifted the gears when Korra was seated at the back and stepped on the gas pedal, making them pull back slightly on their chairs.
Asami was driving like a maniac, maneuvering the streets, swerving, sneaking in between cars and adding up speed as if she can do it with her eyes closed.
Which she probably can.
They saw the white van turn right, but one of the men blocked it off with earthbending, making Asami drive straight on the main road.
"We're losing them!" Korra shouted above the wind, horns blaring in all directions as they continued to speed through the highway.
"Take a right at the next block, we can cut them off on 7th", Mako instructed Asami but it fell on deaf ears as she kept driving straight en route the skyway.
"You miss the turn! Where are you going?" Mako put his hands on his head, frustrated.
Asami kept steady on the gas, speeding straight on the intersection, "I know these streets better than you. I built some of them."
Mako pinched the bridge of his nose. He groaned but didn't say anything else.
When they arrived in the skyway, they saw the white van just below them. Asami caught Korra's eyes in the rearview mirror. With a quick nod, Asami shortened the distance to the right, Korra stood up, preparing to jump.
"What are you doing? Sit down!" Mako commanded but once again ignored as Korra jumped down below the road, landing at the van's roof, which made him more irritated and looked at Asami.
"You two are impossible!" He whined in which she could only shrug.
As they turn the corner and saw the van, she slowed down, stopping beside it while Mako jumped out of the car.
"Wu's not here. This guy is the only one who's in the truck." Korra said, holding on to the driver's collar, who was, Asami assumed, dragged outside the van.
Mako grabbed the guy and pushed him against the truck a little too harshly, "Where's the prince?"
The guy smugly spat, looked into Mako and said, "Halfway to Kuvira by now." Mako slammed the guy against the metal frame once more, "You—"
"Mako," Korra warned, her voice soft. Asami was amused, knowing her from all those years ago, Korra used to be okay with the aggressiveness. Then the guy spoke again, like a mantra and with conviction, brainwashed into believing twisted lies and empty promises.
"All hail the great uniter."
The backup Mako had called arrived a few minutes after. He directed his colleague to bring the convicted to the station, alerting Lin, and putting out an all-points bulletin for the prince.
"They must've moved Wu to a different vehicle when we lost sight of them." Mako surmised.
"Where do we start. There are thousands of cars in the city and he can be in any one of them." Asami said.
"They might try smuggling him out in an airship."
"Or maybe a boat."
"He could be anywhere. Ughh." He put both his hands on his head again, infuriated, "the one time I don't watch him pee, and this is what happens!" Mako looked at Korra's direction, his features changing from mad to startled.
Asami followed his gaze and saw Korra walking towards the spirit vines, left hand reaching to touch it, and the spirits began to circle her. Korra's mere view made her stomach swirl in directions she didn't want to, but it did. And she can't stop it.
Then it happened. The light came out of nowhere, Korra's hands, yellow glow, was illuminating, Mako caught her gaze with the same thought, 'What the hell?'.
Sometimes she forgets that Korra is the most powerful person in all four nations, but Asami doesn't consider that.
Because she's just Korra in her eyes. Her Korra.
For a second, she let her guard down. Shamelessly, admiringly looking at Korra. The yellow light still shining brightly amidst the blazing sun and heat, the leaves swaying with the gentle breeze, spirits watching the Avatar in her whole being. From her view, Korra's back muscles showed, with the fitted blue vest, lined perfectly, straining as Korra breathed in and out while concentrating on whatever she was doing.
Asami was in awe.
"They're taking Wu in the train station," Korra said, finally looking back at them, making her snap out of her trance.
Asami met Korra's eyes and all of a sudden, her cheeks started warming up. Looking away quickly, embarrassed that she's been caught staring at her, so she tried coming up with a response, somewhere between 'that was amazing', 'you're amazing', or simply 'powerful'. Instead, she responds, "Are you sure? How do you know?"
Smooth.
If Korra was offended by the way Asami asked her, doubting her, she didn't show it.
"I'll explain on the way. We're running out of time." Korra said, half jogging towards the car while Mako and Asami followed behind her.
They drove to the train station, with Asami's driving skills, the trip should be shorter than intended. Mako asked Korra how she learned the spirit thing and said that it was from Toph, who she found on the swamp, helped her, and trained her until the airbender kids found her. It was something that Asami wanted to pry on but held off. Another time, maybe.
They arrived at the station, Korra and Mako jumped out of the car. Simultaneously, Asami parked it in a not so perfect manner, grabbing her glove in the compartment and following towards the two as she closed the car door.
The station was busy. All terminals had a crowd around them, bustling in every direction. People finding the right train, buying tickets, parents trying to keep a hold of their running kids, and men in their business suits on their way to an Earth Kingdom city.
"Which train is Wu on?" Mako asked.
"I don't know," Korra said, scanning the surroundings of sketchy guards holding the prince out of his volition.
And then Korra does it again, light emanating from her hands, she crouched down, held a palm out as power coursed through her veins and out the floor.
They waited and—
"He's on that train!" Korra shouted, running in the direction of the train she just pointed out. Asami and Mako on her tail as Korra jumped in the moving train, grabbing Asami's hand. Pulling her a little too hard, their faces are inches from one another. Asami quickly withdraws from the contact, just in time for Mako to hop on as well.
They walk inside the train, searching every compartment and looking for anyone familiar.
Asami was in front, walking along the alley, Korra behind, and Mako last.
"How do you know for sure he's here?" Mako asked a little too harshly, making Asami roll her eyes at the detective's short-temper.
"I don't, but I had a feeling okay?" Korra admitted.
"And I'm just supposed to trust your Avatar feelings?"
"You wouldn't have to if you have guarded the prince like you were supposed to!" Korra snapped back.
"Oh! So it's my fault Wu disappeared?"
"It's certainly not mine! Why are you so worked up right now huh Mako? What's your deal?"
"I have no deal—"
"Guys, shh, listen." Asami interrupted their bickering as she hears a muffling sound behind the door with all the commuter's baggage.
When she opened the door, the luggage on the left was moving and thudding, making a lot of noise. Mako walked past them towards the said luggage. He opened it, and Wu comes out flustered, scared, and out of breath.
"Help! Don't hurt me—"
"Wu, shut up. It's just us." Mako reassured him, helping him stand and get out of the bag.
"Oh Mako, thank the spirits! You came to save me." He said dramatically, flailing into Mako's arms, begrudgingly helped steady him up.
The door suddenly made a loud thud behind them, welcoming a man and a woman with green army suits. In front of them, more of Kuvira's army was slowly trudging towards them.
Korra looked up at the ceiling and immediately metal bent it open, jumping upwards. She helped Asami first with ease that she had to fight the urge to mindlessly admire her arms, flexing, feeling the hard rock muscles as Korra put her down the train's roof.
Wu and Mako came up after, but Kuvira's men also opened the other train car roof. They were once again surrounded, and this time, they had no option but to fight. Mako started shooting fire towards one of the men. Asami had enough time to avoid being whipped by metal. She did a three-sixty spin, kicking up the man's chin and then electrocuting him.
Her pulse was literally and figuratively through the roof as the adrenaline kicked in Asami's body. The familiar feeling came crashing in, her body warming up to the fight, remembering the years of tagging along with the Avatar, which she missed.
That's why when another one of Kuvira's army attacked her, she moved and stride, not even caring her wearing a pencil skirt and boots with heels. Asami moved like she's done it since her father enrolled her in defence classes, smirking while blocking and throwing punches and kicks.
She looked back at the others, Korra being in her element, using air and fire to fight, as Mako tries to hold on to Wu. More green suits came out of the train and they were once again surrounded. They had to escape.
And like telepathy, Korra made swirling wind around them, bringing all of them closer.
"Hold on!" Korra said as Mako grabbed Wu, who was half unconscious with the commotion while Asami felt Korra held her waist. She instinctively wrapped one arm on her back and the other on Korra's… boobs?
The Avatar yelped at the contact. Asami's eyes widened, not having enough time to register what was happening as they flew out of the train and down the earth. Korra tried to make their landing as smooth as possible, but barely managed to as they all rolled off in the dirt.
Everyone gathered and composed themselves, straightening their clothes and removing sand on their clothes.
"Well that was… interesting." Korra finally spoke, coming towards her. "You okay?" she asked.
"Yeah, thanks," Asami responded.
Korra was about to say something else when Prince Wu interrupted them with his unusual antics, his loud and flamboyant voice booming over the mountains and rocks around them.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you! You saved me, Mako. You deserve a raise." He tried to hug Mako, reciprocated by a frown. He shrugged and pointed towards Korra.
"Don't thank me, thank Korra. She found you on the train."
Wu swooped in between them and grabbed Korra's hand, planting a kiss at the back of her hand. Korra flinched, removing her hand from his grasp.
"Feisty, I see," He wiggled his eyebrows. He continued, "I wanna show my appreciation by asking you out on a date. What do you say?"
"Uhmm, no thanks,"
"Just think about it," Wu winked once more which made Korra grimace.
"Is he always like that?" She leaned in closer to Asami, eyeing the prince fix his hair.
"Well, he asked me out too one time. I'm guessing… yeah?" She chuckled, making Korra smile as well.
"Good reunion huh? Nothing like the old team Avatar back in action again." Mako joined, spreading his arms out, pulling them closer to a group hug.
They started trekking en route to the station. Luckily, it was only a good 20-minute walk back. As they were walking, Mako slowed down beside Asami while Korra and Wu were in front.
"Hey. I'm sorry I forced you to come today. I know you didn't want to, but—" Mako started apologizing but Asami cut him off, shaking her head.
"It's okay. You were only trying to help. And I never had this rush in years." Asami deadpanned, making Mako laugh, that Korra had to look back at them with the same confused face she had in the restaurant. She didn't think much of it.
They arrived at Asami's car, finalizing where Wu was supposed to go for safety reasons. They decided that the Sato estate was the best option for now. As she drove off the parking lot, Korra in the back seat leaned in enough for them Mako and Asami to hear,
"Can you drop me off by the docks? I just remembered I had to help Pema with something."
"Oh. Okay." Asami wished the disappointment in her tone didn't show, thinking Korra was coming with them in the estate.
They talked about Kuvira and the coronation day, Wu chiming in with surprisingly valid points. Bolin still under Kuvira's army and how she's slowly turning the whole entirety of the Earth Kingdom bend on her will.
When they arrived at the docks, Korra jumped out of the car, looking back at them, waving.
"Uh. I'll see you guys around?" She smiled crooked, scratching the back of her neck after.
"See ya, Korra. Say hi to everyone for me." Mako said while Wu waved goodbye as well.
"Don't forget my offer, Avatar!"
"Uh. Sure." Korra humoured him.
Asami didn't realize she was just staring at her and managed to say, "Bye Korra." As she continued to watch the Avatar walk towards the ferry and disappearing from their sight. A small part of her wanted to call her back, talk to her, maybe sort things out. But the part that is winning right now is for her to give it time, settle her emotions so that she doesn't tiptoe around it, having enough power to face it.
"Asami?"
"Hmm?" She was still looking at the boat, now sailing away in the distance, averting her eyes to look at Mako who was eyeing her, confused.
"I said are you okay? Did you want me to drive?"
She shook her head, facing the steering wheel, "No, I'm fine." Her right hand clutched the stick, shifting to first gear and drove to the main road.
00000
Korra held her hands tightly together to keep it from shaking. She arrived at the island shortly after she said goodbye to her friends and the prince. She walked the familiar pathway, climbing up the hill to the main house. The air acolytes bowed when she passed by them, giving a smile and nod in their direction. Some benders were meditating, lead by Jinora and Ikki amongst them. Meelo, on the other hand, was training some airbenders, Ryu? She thought, was having a hard time doing a stance.
They are all grown up now, Meelo having hair that actually suited him, Korra thought, and Jinora, being a good master by example to the air nation. Ikki still had the enthusiasm bubbled inside the small frame of hers, and she couldn't be happier. It was home for her. It felt good to be finally home for her.
Yesterday when Korra arrived, she had to talk to her mother, who, blessed her heart, had to stop scolding after the twenty-minute mark. She apologized a dozen of times, which Senna gladly accept, making her promise not to do it again.
Her dad was busy when she called the South Pole, so she may have to call again today to give him an update that she is alive and well.
When Korra step foot at the main house, she quickened her pace, saying a quick hi to Pema, who told her that dinner will be ready soon.
She found her room, slid the door it closed, and let out a deep breath, her pointer and middle finger pressing on the pulse point on her wrist. Her heart rate is fast, and she had to sit at the edge of the bed to do the familiar technique she learned during those three years of recuperating down south.
The events earlier took Korra's energy enough to leave her body tense up, breathing hard to keep her from drowning. She wanted to talk to Asami but it didn't look like she wanted to hear Korra's plea. Both hands clenched some fabric on her sheets, keeping her from losing balance, feet on the ground.
Steadying her body, she took a few slow breaths to attempt and slow down her respirations.
Korra started to scan the room.
Five things I see.
Cabinet. She counted from five, moving her gaze to find things she saw.
Lamp. Four.
Pillow. Three.
She can feel her whole body begin to relax as her eyes travelled along with the corners of her room.
Chair. Two.
This time, she closed her eyes. Though, this unique technique she's been doing only worked for her. Senna and Katara didn't know what to make of it but if it helped, then so be it. She learned this three years ago in her room, alone with her thoughts, needing, thriving for something just to keep her from going in the dark place.
Korra embraced the pitch black, eyelids fluttering trying to focus and keep it shut. She felt her breath moving in and out her body, pulse slowing down to its normal rate.
The familiar, long slender figure showed as clear as day. She saw the long raven hair, beautifully laid down her shoulders and chest, luscious red lips smiling at her, and those piercing green eyes she found comfort in through all these years.
Asami. One.
