AN: insert the first(?) sprinkle of pinning and FYI, Asami's gonna speak in japanese (the bold font later on) which Korra does not understand
P.S. to that one person, Kai is coming in chap 5 so soon my friend, soon :3
Ch 3b: A good pair.
Korra lets out a loud sigh. She was currently sitting at the window seat in a cafe pondering on some thoughts as her feelings got drowned out by the loud music playing in her earbuds. Taping her pencil on the counter, she drew a triangle before drawing a straight long line down the center. With it now looking like an umbrella, she wrote her name vertically down on one side before contemplating what to write down on the other. Sure enough, she scribbles down Asami's name.
"..."
After a second she gets embarrassed and scribbles out the tree. Letting out another sigh, she mindlessly writes down random things in her notebook. Most of which of course turned out to be variations of Asami's name. Asami. Sato. Asami Sato. Sato Asami? Asami. Korra repeatedly wrote her name in various fonts and styles before scratching them all out. Abruptly ripping out the page, she bunches it up before tossing it across the table.
"Urghhh… what am I doing?"
Sitting up in her spot, she readjusts herself before getting comfortable again. Then after she rests her elbow on the table, she plops down her chin onto her fist. Mindlessly drumming the counter with her pencil, she intently stares at the indent on her paper that spelled 'Asami.'
"..."
Okay, so she had a confession.
Not that she would ever admit it to her face but maybe Kuvira was right. Maybe she did have the slightest crush on Asami but to her defense, who wouldn't? Korra never cared about appearances but the more she got to know the woman for who she was, the more Korra appreciated her gifted looks which was a pleasant bonus. Her goofy yet dominant and assertive personality… Korra found that incredibly hot.
Like seriously, who wouldn't like a dorky and snarky queen?
People around her age were rarely like that let alone younger people, they honestly weren't even in the picture. As a confident woman Korra already was, what she wanted in a partner, if she could bring her heart to have one, was someone that could be equally independent and assertive as she was. She didn't want to babysit or be in charge of situations or conversations all the time. She wasn't going to be the only one rowing the boat, she wanted someone who could row it with her.
That being said, Asami was just… maybe it was because she already has experience in the real world, the business world. She did say she has been to several events and official business trips before and whatnot. Her upbringing had guaranteed that so it was clear that she was more mature than those her age. With that being said, rather than being bossy, demanding or flaunting their company's achievements left and right as you'd expect, from what Korra had seen through their encounters was that she was humble.
She was humble for spirit's sake.
Top that off with Asami's characteristics and traits, it should've guaranteed a complete arrogant douche-bag or complete needy asshole but nope. She was far from it. Korra saw her as this woman who loved small things like mini foods,mini bagels in particular. This woman who also loved watching corny movers while studying and yes, she did study if needed. This woman who hardly sleeps thanks to the multiple classes she was taking along with maintaining an active social life. This woman who even had this cute habit of scrunching her nose when she was in deep thought as well.
Asami Sato was much more than a pretty face with money.
Korra was amazed again and again by her tenacious personality and how fierce and passionate she was. She honestly respected her. Asami being the only woman in a family of three brothers and a dad meant being taken lightly most of the time thanks to that social 'hierarchy' between genders. It was kinda inescapable in this society but rather than giving in to that pressure, she chose to fight against it and held onto whatever string she could to maintain her power. She was brilliant and Korra couldn't fathom how she was able to work full time at Future Industries no matter what position she had and be a full-time student while keeping busy with her social circle.
So how can you blame her for having just a small crush?
Spirits, she is smart…
Feeling like a love-sick child, Korra judged herself pretty hard. She can't believe that she might be swooning over this woman because it wasn't as if she knew Asami for more than six months. Heck, midterms were slowly but surely approaching since they did thedeed but it feels as if she knew Asami as if they spent their past lives together or something.
Their countless conversations that come easily.
The comfortable silence that is cozy yet lazy.
Korra didn't know the official title to their relationship but she would love to say they were best friends. She honestly hasn't had such a good friendship like this with anyone besides her dog back at home, let alone Kuvira, that ass. Turns out they were more similar than either of them would like to admit. Meaning… Asami and her were basically a well-cogged machine that they hardly clashed. However… Before Korra could continue writing an essay about Asami in her brain, her phone buzzed.
It was Asami.
Smol Collectar (17:04): hey sorry for the sudden text, you happen to be free tomorrow? I need to shop around for a new dress for this banquet and I was wondering if I could get some of your advice? I would rather have you come than my assistant… we can have lunch as well, my treat?
Korra responded faster than she should have:
Of course! I'll be there, what time?
She slaps her face. "Damn, I should've waited a minute or two."
To her fear, the bubble on her message app pops up to show her that Asami was there.
Smol Collectar (17:04): How about 10?
Grunting a bit, Korra runs her hand over her face and pushes back her hair. "Whatever, she already knows I'm here…" texting back her response, she prepared herself mentally for the mall trip to come.
Sounds good. I'll meet you there?
Smol Collectar (17:04): See you then :)
Letting out a love-sick sigh, Korra slumps down onto the counter.
"What am I getting myself into…"
xXx
"Hope I didn't make you wait too long."
"No, not at a-all…" Korra manages to finish with her mouth left hanging. Damn.
Asami was wearing a loose crimson blouse that teased her cleavage with nicely fitted black jeans. To top that look off, her hair was nicely pulled over to one side which showed off her natural wavy yet luscious hair and with a pop of purple eye shadow which brought out how bright her green eyes were. Oh, and of course, can't forget about those comfy sneakers that showed off her ankles and tattoo…
Wait, she has a tattoo?
Korra didn't mean to stare, but she did in an attempt to see what it was. From what she could see it looked like maybe some sort of tree branch? Maybe a cherry blossom tree branch? She couldn't tell but sure enough, before any more creepiness part takes, Asami clears her throat.
"My eyes are up here."
Blinking rapidly, Korra immediately looks up. "Shit sorry. I uh— I didn't know you had a tattoo. I guess I missed that somehow." Why'd you have to mention that you idiot! She starts rubbing her neck out of embarrassment.
Letting out a playful giggle, Asami rests her hand on her hip. "You missed more than just one then."
"Huh."
Out of reflex, not by choice, of course, Korra recalled their fun that one night. For most of it, she drew blank and for the other part, she recalled Asami panting and moaning. Her cheeks immediately grew pink and she coughed before changing the subject.
"So where to go first?"
Asami has this seemingly amused look on her face. "Well, I was thinking we could start off with Louis Vuitton."
Whistling at the note, Korra couldn't help herself. "Fancy."
She smiled sympathetically. "Honestly I wouldn't mind an off-brand dress but…" she glances off the side. "I have expectations to uphold but don't get me wrong of course, I do enjoy myself a nice dress as well. It's just… you know."
Korra gave her a small shrug. "I'm not much of a dress person but I do have to agree with you on that one."
A brow went up. "You wear dresses?"
Pursing her lips, Korra shifted her weight to one side before shooting back. "Why wouldn't I?"
Asami opens her mouth to say something but couldn't come up with anything before folding. "You're full of surprises aren't you."
She gives her a coy smile with a quick wink. "It's a privilege many don't get to see."
Smiling back equally playfully, Asami responds back. "Guess I have to work for that one then."
"Guess so." Get your head out of the gutter! She's too good for you and out of your league Korra. "Now then, shall we? Those dresses aren't going to try themselves on." She says while nodding towards the direction of a shop.
Asami nods back. "Let's."
xXx
"So, what do you think Korra?"
Korra gives Asami another up and down scan for the nth time. "You look amazing in that one just like the other ten you bought from the other store. And the one before that too. You really should've told me we were shopping for a whole parade." She jokes with a small laugh.
Asami nods to the clerk, signaling that she'd buy this dress as well, before stepping behind the curtain to change back into her normal clothes. She unzips her back zipper before starting, "Would you believe me if I said that I'd normally just buy the whole catalog instead of trying them one by one?"
"Shut up, seriously?" Korra watches as Asami pulls down the dress from beneath the curtains, rendering her practically bare behind that cursed fabric.
"Yup, I usually skim through the catalog but end up getting everything normally. It's a pain having to look at every single dress so I just get them all."
Whistling, Korra eyes Asami's calf before they disappear behind those tight jeans. She ends up clearing her throat before continuing the conversation. "And here I thought I made it easy for dress stores. I normally just pop in, look around, and then bam, I'm out before you know it." She recrosses her legs before snapping her fingers at Asami. "Yet here we are with Miss Prada, gotta flex and buy the whole shabang."
Asami finally slides the curtain open before chuckling softly. "Sorry, it's just… a force of habit. I like having more than needed to dress for specific occasions. Not to mention I have to be updated with whatever is trending…" She rests her hand on her hip. "And how did you know I was gonna represent this year's Prada show?"
Korra coughed on her sip as if she had been drinking water but thankfully wasn't. That would've been a spectacle she wouldn't live down with. After she cleared her throat, she finally responded. "Shut up. You're kidding."
Her eyes widened slightly, "Oh so you didn't know? Whoops, forget what I said then." She then grabs her purse from Korra's hand before pointing towards the cashier. "Now, shall we? I'm starting to get a little hungry."
Quickly sitting up, Korra ran after her friend. "Whoa whoa whoa there Miss boujee, we're not eating at some five-star restaurant are we? I am so not dressed for the occasion."
This time Asami laughed. "I thought you were the type to not care though."
She conceded. "True… but I still have manners though unfortunately enough…"
Giving her an assuring smile, Asami signals the clerk to ring up her payment as usual. "Don't worry, I was just thinking about something from the food court unless… you're inviting me to invite you to a fancy lunch or dinner date?"
Korra opened her mouth to say something before falling short. "That's…"
Asami watches her expression before smiling. "Don't worry I'm just joking." She signs off whatever agreement they wanted her to sign before they make their way out the door. "Now then, what would you like to eat? You can have anything you'd like as thanks for accompanying me."
Keeping a slight mental tab to herself. Korra was in the middle of running prices through her head. She happened to glance at the price tags for some of the dresses Asami was buying out of curiosity. That adds to that and that meaning… holy shit. She hums automatically while considering the cheapest places they could go to at the food court. "How about… Hot Man's Burgers?"
Her friend simply smiles in return. "If that is your wish."
Oh boy… Korra looks away from that blinding smile and how kissable and soft those lips looked. What she was thinking was wrong and she knew it. She couldn't believe herself for thirsting after Asami after what they've been through. She was already lucky enough to become friends with her to the point that it even felt like a dream sometimes. She couldn't shake off the fear in the back of her head though because what if… what if she woke up and it really was all a dream?
Korra wouldn't be able to take it.
xXx
Asami giggles before covering her mouth. "Geez you're such a dork Kor."
Korra chuckles at her own joke, but mostly with Asami, before giving her a lopsided grin. "You're the only one who seems to get my humor the most. My friends usually shrug me off."
With a smug smirk, she smoothly teases. "I can see why."
"Hey!" She throws a bunched-up napkin at her, "Rude."
Asami giggles again. "I didn't say that was a bad thing." One wink later, she neatly folds up the napkin. "Do you mind if I freshen up real quick?"
"Go for it."
Smiling softly, Asami is off to the washroom and Korra is left sitting there alone, scrolling through her phone. She ends up aimlessly browsing through Instagram before opening up her contacts list. She thought about it for a long second before shrugging and scrolls to Asami's number before changing her contact name to Miss Prada
Pleased with herself, she goes back to fiddling through her phone. However, eventually before long, a random voice calls out to her. At first, she doesn't click two and two together and completely ignores him until his body is within her peripheral vision.
"Hey."
She notices the body close in her space but still doesn't react that much.
"Hey you, cutie."
Blinking, Korra finally realizes that this person was actually calling out to her so she looks up and responds with a confused face. "Who? Me?"
"Well, you're the only cute gal I see here so yes." The handsome guy says with a charming grin.
Korra repeats herself again in disbelief. "Me?" Yeah right, that girl sitting across from that plant is cuter than me.
"Do you mind if I sit here?" He gestures towards Asami's seat.
With a frown, she speaks up. "Actually I do, that's my partner's—"
"Cool thanks!"
Korra gives him a cold glare. You're kidding.
"So what's your name?"
She crosses her arms before monotonically saying, "And why should I tell you?"
He blinks before letting out a laugh. "Because I have this feeling that we'll be seeing each other often in the future and so far… I like you. My name's Ren by the way. A pleasure to meet my love's companion."
The frown on her face grew as the crease on her eyebrows deepened. And what's that supposed to mean? "Sorry pal, I'm not interested. I'm with someone today and they're the only company I want today."
Ren gives her a mischievous grin. "I'm sure I can change that."
Rolling her eyes, Korra crossed her legs. "Men, I don't know why you all have the audacity to hit on someone but can't take no for an answer. Does it hurt your small egos so much that you can't get between their legs?"
Shots fired. I repeat, shots fire.
He seemed surprised by her bluntness. He whistles before cracking a handsome smile. "I'm liking you more by the second. So tell me… what would you do if, for some reason, you stumble upon a… compromisable situation and end up locked up in some warehouse for hanging out with the wrong person?"
Korra set her phone down and clenched her fist, ready to break a bone or two. She stood up to her full height before practically scowling. "Is that a threat? You have no idea you're messing with pall."
Ah yes, she remembered that sweet time she got an anchor tattooed on her ankle. Now for what reason one may ask? Well… how else would she commemorate destroying a small group of animal traffickers after getting kidnapped and getting locked up in an ice shed in the south?
He stands up as well. "I could say the same as well, I'm honestly surprised you don't see the resemblance nor recognize me because I'm Asami's br—"
Out of nowhere, Korra hears Asami's voice. However, rather than the tone she was used to hearing, sounded a little softer and more high-pitched than usual. That but mostly the fact that it was in a language which she didn't understand but assumed was Japanese?
"Ren nii-sama what are you doing?"
Korra turns to see Asami looking… well, hot ass fuck—no, mad. She looked mad. Yes… just mad with that sharp glare of hers that made it seem like she could snap you easily like a twig into two pieces.
The guy perked up before turning and giving her a smile and responded back in, of course, Japanese. "Hey Asami! What's with that mean attitude, don't tell me you like her or something?"
A deep sigh escapes her friend's red-stained lips. "Leave. Her. Alone."
His eyes widened ever so slightly at that suspicious aggression. "Oh my? Don't tell me… Asami, do you actually—"
"Ren nii-sama." She gives him a real death glare.
After a tense moment, he laughs playfully before saying something. "Okay sorry sorry, I was joking. It's just a joke little sis, don't -sama me!" He waves his hands in surrender.
Not like Korra would know however Asami's eyebrow twitches knowing his nosy tendencies.
"Aw come on, don't stare at me like that!
"Nii-san." She took a step forward to ward him off. "If you don't need anything then go back home, I'll contact you later."
"Mmh… yeah about that… I've been trying to call you but you wouldn't pick up your phone. Something important came up so that's why I came to fetch you." He walks over before pulling Asami in close and whispers something into her ear. While he informs his sister of some important news, he purposely makes eye contact with Korra.
Korra felt her eyebrow twitch for some reason and something about his attitude rubbed her the wrong way. Was it because of how this guy was touching her waist and Asami wasn't pushing him away? Or was it the way how intimate they looked in their exchange all up close and personal? Or maybe it was the fact that they were both gorgeous human beings that for some reason, just by standing together, looked like they completed a picture.
A picture that had no room for her.
Before she knew it, her fist was clenched by her side. She began chanting in her head, hoping that Asami would quickly end the conversation so they could go back to their date. Wait. But was it a date though? She was just helping the woman choose clothes so that didn't mean anything. However, whether it was or wasn't, Korra knew that she wanted him gone. Watching them together made her morale fall and she saw what Asami and she could never have.
That 'perfect pair' picture.
Not to mention the way the bystanders were looking their way and awing at their presence, it was clear as day that they all knew that Asami and this stranger made a good pair… a perfect pair one could even say. But, before her thoughts ran too fair, the color in Asami's face drained.
Asami's voice brought Korra back from her thoughts. "What! Are you serious?"
"Yeah that's why we should hurry, I don't know how long Ken can stall for us."
"Okay…" Asami lets out a deep sigh as she rubs her temples. She mumbles to herself before facing Korra. "I finally had time to spend with Korra…"
"What? You say something Asami?"
She looks at him with an annoyed face. "No, it's nothing." She finally faces her friend, "Korra I'm sorry something important just came up so I have to go…" her voice shrank towards the end as if she was showing a sign of remorse.
Korra felt her chest tighten up for some reason. "Oh… uh…" she blinks rapidly before bringing her hands up. "Y-Yeah of course, no worries."
She frowns deeply. "I'm really sorry even though I was the one who invited you, I have to cut it short."
No matter how bitter it may have possibly felt, Asami's expression made Korra's chest sting more than anything. "No really it's fine Asami, you're in a rush, aren't you? Go ahead and go!"
"Still…"
Now Korra felt bad for keeping her here. "Really, it's fine, don't worry, just… make it up to me some other time?"
Her face finally softened up to a sad smile. "Definitely."
"Asami." That guy finally intrudes with a tap on her arm. "We have to hurry."
Asami looked annoyed but nonetheless didn't shrug his hand off hers. "I got it." She turns to face Korra one last time as she grabs her stuff, "Text me…?"
Korra gives her an understanding smile, "That's my line."
At that remark, her friend smiles before giving her last goodbye. "Thanks for keeping me company, I'll see you later…?"
Working the best smile she could, Korra gave her a crooked grin. "Yeah, later."
By the time Asami is out of earshot, Korra slumped back down on her chair feeling defeated. She pouted to herself before watching the two of them walk away and exchange small talk. From her observations, the two of them looked close to each other. Even more than the guys that Korra has seen Asami with at school meaning the question was, who was he?
She sighs one last time before mumbling to herself. "Well, this bites."
