"Where does that guy get the nerve?" With each word, Korra slammed her fist into the punching bag Mako was holding in place. With the last punch, she let out a groan of frustration and flames flashed into existence around her arm.

Mako dropped the bag and bent a wall of flame to protect himself, leaving Korra to torch the bag. As the flames cleared, the cinders fluttered to the ground between them. "Woah, Korra, take it easy!" he said, stepping back from the Avatar, who was still scowling at the charred bag.

"Just because he's president and all I've done is save the world and save his behind a dozen times, he thinks he knows everything," she glared at the ashes as if daring them to talk back to her, before stalking off to grab a towel from the rack.

"I know you and Raiko don't get along, but he's just trying to do his job, same as you."

Korra dabbed at her face with the towel. "The sooner these negotiations are over, the sooner I can go back to avoiding him."

"Hey you guys!" The pair turned to see a familiar face walking into the gym.

"Bolin! It's so good to see you!" Korra ran over to give the earthbender a hug, followed by Mako who quickly embraced his little brother. "I feel like it's been forever since I've seen you!"

"I know! I haven't seen you since you and Asami disappeared from Varrick's wedding! I mean I see Asami often since our family still lives here at the mansion, but you always seem to be busy."

Seeing Korra's face fall at Bolin's words, Mako cut in, "Bo, Korra's got a lot on her plate right now with the city in ruins and Kuvira's army just on the other side of the border."

Bolin's eyes widened, "Oh man, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean that at all!"

"It's okay Bolin, I missed you too," Korra said, giving him a smile. "How are things with you and Opal?"

Bolin got a dreamy look in his eyes. "Everything's so great. She's just the most perfect person ever. She's so pretty, and sweet, and smells so good, and Pabu loves her too."

"Glad to hear things are going well," Korra said amidst chuckles, tossing an amused glance at Mako.

"I told you this is pretty much all I hear about these days," Mako said, stifling a laugh.

"Wait, you've seen Korra and I haven't?" Bolin's face filled with a look of betrayal.

"On police business Bo, she's been helping with the rescue efforts. It's not like we've been hanging out behind your back. Besides, don't you have some big news to share with Korra?"

"Oh yeah! Korra, you won't believe it! You're looking at the newest instructor at the Beifong Academy!" Bolin proudly tapped his fist to his chest.

Korra looked from Bolin to Mako, her face betraying her confusion. "Bolin, unless I've missed something, you aren't a metalbender."

"I know! That's what I thought at first too, but Opal had a brilliant idea: I'm the academy's first lavabending instructor!"

Realization dawned on Korra's face, followed by excitement. "Bolin, that's amazing!"

Mako put his hand on Bolin's shoulder, "My little bro, all grown up and teaching lavabending."

"Now, the only thing is I don't know how to teach or how to get people to start lavabending. I mean, I learned when we nearly drowned in a gigantic pool of flaming death, but I can't start throwing lava at students and expect them to learn!"

"Korra, you learned how to metalbend from Suyin," Mako said, "maybe you can give Bolin some tips?"

"I'd be happy to help!"

"Korra! Mako! Bolin! Everyone's here!" The trio turned to see Asami walking into the gym. Unlike their plain workout gear, Asami managed to marry exquisite style with effective functionality; Korra was transfixed by the vision of beauty in the doorway.

"Team Avatar's back together!" Bolin said triumphantly, putting one arm around Korra and the other around Mako, squeezing them closer.

"By the way," Asami said with a raised eyebrow, "which one of you fried my punching bag? I suppose it could have been any of you, and you don't want me to have to figure it out on my own." Mako and Korra looked at each other sheepishly, then Korra raised a guilty hand. "Is that so Korra? You'll just have to make it up to me later then." Korra's mind was awash in potential ways to 'make it up to Asami.'

"It's not all Korra's fault," Mako said, "I was holding the bag for her."

"Sorry Asami," Korra said, "I was blowing off some steam from my meeting with Raiko yesterday."

Asami's expression softened. "That bad, huh?" Korra nodded. "On a happier note, Mako, Bolin, I'm glad you're both here. Korra and I have something we want to share with you." She walked over and took Korra's hand in her own. "Ever since Varrick's wedding, Korra and I have been together," she said, emphasizing the word 'together.'

There was a moment's pause. Mako and Bolin looked from Asami, leaning her head on Korra's shoulder, to Korra, staring lovingly at Asami, to their intertwined hands. Bolin spoke first, "No. Way. You guys!"

"Congratulations you two," added Mako.

"Thanks, we've wanted to tell you for some time," Asami said, "but we wanted to both be there when we did, and Korra and I have been so busy, we've barely had time to see each other, much less to tell you."

"Wait a second," Bolin said, "if you two have been dating since the wedding, why have I never seen Korra here at the mansion?"

"I usually visit Asami at her workshop downtown. She's there more often anyway."

"That, and it helps us keep too many people from finding out. Your family is very sweet, but there must be a hundred of them and it would only take one sideways word to the wrong person before all of Republic City to know about our relationship. Honestly, at first, we just wanted somewhere private for the sake of spending time alone together. But lately…"

Mako nodded in understanding. "It was tough when we were dating," he said, not indicating which girl he was addressing, "everyone knew about our relationship and everybody had an opinion about it."

"Korra and I are starting to tell people, but we'd really prefer if we do so at our own pace."

"Your secret is safe with me!" Bolin said with a mock salute, then a horrified realization dawned on his face. "Oh no, I don't know, how could I?"

"It's okay to tell Opal, Bolin," said Korra with a grin.

Bolin nearly collapsed out of relief. "Thank god. I love you guys and all, but I don't think I could keep a secret from Opal for very long." Korra and Asami chuckled at his reaction. He visibly brightened as an idea crossed his mind, "Hey! Now that you two are together, you can come on double dates with Opal and me!" He leaned forward and in an extremely audible whisper added, "I always ask Mako to double date with us, but that's more tricycle than Satomobile, if you know what I mean."

Mako's face flushed. "Bolin! I can't go out on one of your silly excursions because I have a job, not because I can't get a date."

"Oh yeah? So who's the current lucky girl then, Detective Ladykiller?" Korra said slyly.

"Well, I mean, I haven't, that's not the point!" A few flames leapt from Mako's fists.

"Stop teasing him you two," Asami said, giving Korra a mock shove, "it's not his fault that his one true love is traffic tickets."

Mako groaned and covered his face with one hand. "Not you too."

"I'm sorry Mako," Asami said, burying a laugh behind an arm, "and Bolin, we'd love to join you for a double date. It might be a bit hard for the next little bit, at least until the major reconstruction is finished and the Earth Empire business is wrapped up though."

"I guess I can accept that. Man, Opal is going to be so excited when she finds out!"

"Are we the first people you've told?" said Mako.

"Yeah, my parents are coming to Republic City later next week alongside more Southern Water Tribe healers. We'll probably have a dinner with everyone together, so we can tell people then." Korra felt Asami's grip tighten around her hand and gave her a reassuring squeeze in response.

"We'll hold off spreading the word until then," Mako said, then nudged Bolin, who pledged his eternal silence for people not named Opal.

"Hey Asami," Korra started, "there's some other good news: Bolin's teaching lavabending at the Beifong Academy!"

"That's amazing!" Asami's face shone with happiness, "The students will be so lucky to have you!"

"Thanks, Asami," Bolin said, then his eyes started to water, "You guys are the most supportive friends ever, I love you guys!" He dragged Mako over to the girls for a warm group hug.

Asami broke off from the hug and grabbed a roll of athletic tape out of her gym bag. "Now if you don't mind, Korra and I were going to do some sparring before I have to head back to the workshop."

"I can spar too!" Bolin said, dropping into a boxer's stance with a grin.

Mako barely resisted slamming his palm into his face. "Come on Bo, I think we should give the girls some time alone."

Bolin and Mako gathered their things and headed towards the door, recognition slowly crawling over Bolin's face. "There they are, all alone in the gym, just Korra and Asami, two alone people. Together. Alone."

The door closed. Korra and Asami were indeed all alone together in the gym. "Don't think I'm going to go easy on you just because you're cute." Korra shifted her weight, back heel rising as her knees bent, and her fists coming up in front of her face.

"Please, like you stand a chance," Asami's back foot pivoted, perpendicular to her front foot, and she dropped into a defensive position, "normal rules?"

"Normal rules, no bending, keep going unless someone taps out, winner pays for dinner."

"I can't wait to taste those fire fritters."

Korra rushed forward, closing the gap between the two women. She faked with her left arm, then swung a quick right hook as Asami leaned away from the fake. Asami kept turning, letting Korra clip her shoulder and using the momentum to spin around Korra's side. She led with her right elbow and slammed it into Korra's back, sending the Avatar staggering forward. Two quick steps took her out of Korra's reach as the Avatar tried to catch her with a quick spinning kick.

The miss left her open, body extended as her foot slashed empty air. Asami stepped forward, her calm demeanor belying the swift movement. Her leg slid into Korra's overstretched stance, hooking behind Korra's ankle. In one fluid move, she flipped the Avatar over her shoulder, dropping her heavily on the ground.

Korra paused, catching her breath for a passing second. Asami had not backed away enough. She spun, dancing on her hands as her legs whirled around, catching the back of Asami's knee. The engineer let her balance shift to her other leg quickly enough to avoid falling, but still stumbled back, arms pinwheeling in a search for stability. Korra finished the spin, flipping upwards from the ground back into a fighting crouch. She sprung forward, swinging at her back-stepping opponent. Asami's arms came up, redirecting her punch one by one, but the effort drove her back. Just as the old firebenders taught, she'd broken Asami's root.

Or so she thought.

She threw her weight behind a vicious jab with her right arm. Asami seemed to vanish, having found firm ground, launching into a flip over the Avatar's head. She felt the pressure on her shoulders before it consciously registered, then she was down, driven to the floor.

But she wasn't done yet. Asami was skilled, but didn't have the strength to easily pin her. She pushed upwards, standing on her hands, twisting her legs around Asami's neck and dragging her to the ground. Now she had the advantage, but the Avatar wasn't the only one who knew how to grapple, and Asami fought for control, feet looking for solid purchase on the ground. First Korra had the upper hand, then Asami, then back to Korra. As they struggled, their movement became sluggish, beads of sweat dripping from their brows. After a few more minutes of fighting, they lay panting beside each other, neither able to move, but neither willing to concede the loss.

Asami reached over and managed a few words, "Call. Draw. Split. Dinner?"

"Done," Korra replied, letting the tension rush out of her body, collapsing fully, staring up at the ceiling.

Asami rolled over, slowly pushing herself up to her knees, then putting one unsteady foot after another. "Come on, hot tub," she said, pulling Korra to her feet.

Soon, the bubbling water of the hot tub soothed sore muscles and bruised egos alike. Asami leaned into Korra's shoulder and she responded by throwing an arm around the engineer. Asami noted with delight that since Korra hadn't brought a bathing suit when she came to visit, she was forced to borrow one of Asami's swimsuits, which had not been designed with Korra's proportions in mind.

"My eyes are up here," Korra said, causing Asami's cheeks to flush as she met the Avatar's gaze. "Not that I mind, of course."

"I know you don't," Asami said, running a hand over Korra's bare thigh underneath the water. Despite the hot water, she felt her girlfriend shiver at her touch. Her fingers roamed up and down Korra's thigh, pushing against the firm muscle and coaxing a satisfying groan from her girlfriend. "Owl cat got your tongue?" she said, lips curling into a cheeky grin.

She leaned back, taking her hand off Korra's leg, causing her to protest, "Miss Sato, you are the worst kind of tease!"

"Don't worry Korra, we have all night," she paused, reaching for the right words, "this is really nice, I wish we could do this all the time."

"Do what? Leave me all riled up?"

"No, spend time with each other, do things with each other, just have fun." She looked at Korra, who had silently raised an eyebrow. "I know, I know, if we moved in together it would be easier to find time together, and I'm complaining about a problem that I'm guilty of creating."

A hint of victory crossed Korra's face, "At least you realize it."

Asami exaggerated rolling her eyes, "Well if you weren't so busy Avatar-ing all over town, then we might have a bit more time. So, who's fault is it really?"

Suddenly, Korra cupped Asami's face and their lips met, the Avatar pressing hungrily against her, hands searching for bare flesh to caress. Asami melted into the kiss, all thought banished from her mind, feeling heat rise in her body.

Just as quickly, Korra released her, moving away so they were no longer touching, and climbed out of the hot tub. She looked over her shoulder and tossed a flirty wink at Asami, "Guess you're not the only one who can tease."

"Okay you, come here." Asami ran after Korra, wet feet nearly slipping on the tile floor. But unlike before, there were no promises to hold back on bending. Every time Asami nearly had Korra in her grasp, the Avatar took an airbending leap and soared to the other end of the room.

"Asami, I thought you wanted me closer," Korra said, barely concealing her grin behind an innocent tone.

The engineer wasn't beaten yet. She lured Korra over towards the towel rack, herding the flighty Avatar as a deer dog would koala sheep, lunging left and right to force her back. Then she had her chance. As Korra tried to escape the corner by leaping over her head, she grabbed a towel. Holding either end, she snagged the Avatar's foot with the loop, bringing her crashing to the ground.

Before Korra could move, she leapt on her girlfriend, straddling her body, and pinning her to the ground. "Don't think you're going anywhere!"

Korra's surprise broke into an affectionate smile, "I wouldn't dream of it, but for no particular reason, is your bedroom nearby?"

Korra collapsed into the plush silks of the bed; there were some unexpected highlights to dating an engineer, such as how inventive she could be outside her work. "Asami, I think you might have a winner with that portable massager," she said between heavy breaths.

"You certainly seemed to like it. That said, it might be a bit of a reach for Future Industries' brand," Asami said, turning the small cylinder over in her hand. "Maybe I should see if the Northern Water Tribe healers would be interested. I'm sure they would figure out the extracurricular uses easily enough."

"Enough business talk, come here you." Korra reached up with both arms.

Asami chuckled, putting the massager on her bedside table and lay down at Korra's side, letting her girlfriend slide an arm underneath and pull her closer. Her head rested against Korra's neck and the two rested in silence. She felt Korra's steady, deep breaths and the slow movement of her chest with each inhale and exhale. There was nowhere in the world she felt safer. Still, her voice hitched as she started to force out the thoughts that had been bothering her, "Hey Korra," She felt Korra's responding murmur more than she heard it. "Are you sure your parents will be okay with us?" Her voice leaned heavily on the word 'us.'

The arm underneath her shifted as Korra turned to look her in the eyes. Despite the intensity in her blue eyes, Asami only felt gentle concern from her girlfriend. "Asami, what do you mean?"

"I know your parents are lovely, and they've been nothing but supportive while you've been the Avatar, but I also know the Water Tribe has a reputation of being a bit traditional when it comes to relationships."

"Oh. That's what you mean." Korra flopped back and stared up at the ceiling.

The silence hung awkwardly between them. "I don't want to come between you and your parents," Asami said quietly.

Asami was nearly flipped off the bed with how quickly Korra reacted. Their eyes met and Asami saw a fierce fire behind Korra's sapphire eyes. "Don't you dare think like that."

"Korra, I–"

"You would never be coming between anyone and me. You're in the middle because I want you there."

"But, they're your parents!"

"If they don't want to understand, then I'll make them understand!"

Despite herself, Asami couldn't help but giggle. Korra had that look on her face, the one that usually ended with someone getting thrown into a mountain, thrown off a mountain, or having the mountain thrown at them. Even worse, Korra's perplexed expression just made the giggles more irresistible. Soon, she found herself in the grip of a full-fledged laughing fit, tears running down her cheeks, stomach hurting, unable to draw breath.

Eventually, the uncontrollable fit ebbed away. The concern on Korra's face had morphed into something more amused. "Sorry," Asami said, still struggling for breath, "I couldn't help it. There was just something about your expression that I couldn't resist."

"Glad to know I'm such a source of amusement for you." The tension that had previously hung in the air had melted away. "I know the Water Tribe can sometimes be a bit stuffy, but these are my parents, they've supported me through so much. They were there for me every day after Zaheer poisoned me."

"If you think so, that's good enough for me."

"Thanks Asami, if we're together, I feel like I can do anything."

"Me too Korra."