AN: we're almost there fam ;3
Just gotta plow thru Korra's mess and clear skies here we come!
Ch 15: Taking a Step Back
Something inside of Korra dropped the moment she heard Asami's confession.
As if the ever-growing bubble deep inside of her suddenly burst at Asami's voice. Earlier, at the shrine, she had had this horrible feeling in her gut that Asami was going to confess. When she didn't, Korra had never been so relieved in her life. She knew that she may have possibly loved her but, more than anything, she wanted to remain Asami's friend. There would be no pressure in their relationship and they could always be together.
Whereas if they passed that boundary and romantically saw each other then… well, if for some reason that dynamic didn't last and they broke up, their relationship would never be the same. It would be ruined. The laughs and smiles they shared would never hold the same meaning and every subtle gesture would turn into something more… more inept. Boundaries would be built and their worry-free friendship would have risks and repercussions.
But still…
Lurking in the back of Korra's head, her mind couldn't help but scratch the thought. But, what if… what if it could lead to something wonderful and more? Her heart wanted it but her irrational mind quickly cast aside their potential compatibility and automatically shut down that suggestion before she could imagine that scenario further. No matter how much time has passed, the scars in her heart were still raw and deep and the memories of how miserable she was after her breakup came to haunt her at every given chance.
She always thought about how happy she felt. The bubbly feeling inside her stomach and the joy that would shine on her face at every given second she spent with her. However, what quickly followed was an aching heart and congested lungs. The heaviness shrouded her body and hindered her daily life. The anxiety that's born from opening up to others and having them chew you up and spit you right out. At the end of the day, Korra was just a helpless fool. She wanted a relationship, ideal or not, but she wasn't willing to give it a chance.
This vicious cycle of pessimism and optimism was what slowly ate her inside out.
She had easily given away her heart only to be trampled on and thrown aside. Don't misunderstand her though, Korra knew that it wasn't Naeun's intention to hurt her. She probably didn't even know that she felt that way. In the end, Korra was the only one to blame. She was the one who did this to herself. She was the one who took things seriously and that is something that she will never forget. So… when Asami crossed that line and confessed to her at the ice rink, Korra… Korra re-lived her trauma.
Why was she such a coward?
Why was she so weak?
Why did she become like this?
Why couldn't she move on?
Why? Why why why? WHY!
Letting out an angry scream again, Korra angrily bangs the wall repeatedly before eventually winding up and punching through the plaster wall. Her jaw was tensed and tears of frustration were falling down her cheeks. She didn't understand herself. She didn't understand why she couldn't move on. She liked Asami. Asami liked her. But why? Why was she so afraid?
"DAMMIT!"
She punched the wall again in a rage fit.
"DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT! FUCKING DAMMIT!"
She swipes the dresser, knocking down the items on it, causing it to crash and shatter several picture frames. Cans of deodorant shot to the floor and Korra banged her fists against the dresser again and again.
"ARGHH…AAHHH!"
Screaming in pain, she continues to bang the dresser and she could've sworn something cracked. She ignored the blood dripping down her knuckles and how much it hurt or burned. She felt numb. Her heart was aching so, so much and she hated herself for that.
'Why…. why why why—WHY!"
Korra loathed how her pitiful heartbroken trauma decided to resurface after all these years. She hated how much she wanted to date Asami for real. She hated how her stupid brain couldn't move past her sorry of an excuse love story that had crashed and burned.
She wasn't a child anymore.
She knew it. Her brain understood it but her heart begged to differ. She was afraid of getting abandoned. Afraid of taking the next step and crossing a hurdle she wanted to overcome. She was vulnerable. If she were to let someone in and they left her again… she wouldn't make a comeback. She'd fall apart and break down into nothingness. She couldn't take it.
Her foolish heart couldn't take it.
"DAMMIT! AHHH!" She slams her dresser once again but this time, her brother had come home and heard that.
"K-Korra?! What's wrong?" Kai exclaims before rushing over, "Are you oka—" his eyes snap open the moment he lays eyes on his sister. "Oh my spirits! Korra!" He quickly runs over and grabs her forearm. "You're bleeding— what happened? Are you oka—"
Yanking back her hand, Korra lashes out at him. "NO! NO I'M NOT OKAY DAMMIT! I'm such a fucking idiot— how could I! I just ruined everything!"
"What? Ruined what? What's going on—"
"I'm a fucking idiot that's what Kai! It's over! Everything's over!"
Quickly growing tired of his sister's one-sided yelling, Kai quickly slaps her against the cheek. "Get it together woman!"
Surprised by that gesture, Korra fell a step back in shock. She grabs her throbbing cheek in disbelief before gawking at him. "What the hell—"
He quickly cuts her off. "I don't know what the heck happened to you but calm down." He then angrily points at her destruction. "What did this wall ever do to you? What did your dresser ever do to you? You do realize that we're living as cheaply as possible right!" He scolds like no other. "And your hands Kor, your hands! Look at your hands!"
At that statement, Korra's breathing finally calms down somewhat, allowing her to take a good look at her hands with a frustrated look. They were still shaking from the adrenaline and her knuckles were all cracked and torn as blood dripped down onto the ground.
"I…"
She cups her face in shame.
"Kai I…"
Kai lets out a soft sigh before walking over to the bathroom and grabbing a first aid box. He comes back as quietly as he had left before guiding Korra over to her bed. They take a seat and he starts cleaning her wounds before applying some antibiotic cream. The whole treatment was a silent process and neither of them spoke. It wasn't until after Kai finished wrapping both of her knuckles that one of them finally said something.
"I… I'm sorry about the wreck…" that came out as a whisper more than anything.
"Don't worry about it." He responds casually while shutting the first aid kit. "This… this is about Asami isn't it?"
Korra immediately cowers back. "Is it that obvious?"
"Mmhmm…" he responds before standing up to put away the medkit. He then quickly returns with a broom and dustpan. "The only time you've ever gotten this crazy with a bad breakdown was when you know who, who starts with an 'N' is involved. That… and the fact that you like Asami."
After sweeping aside enough glass shards, he bends over to pick up some of the photos scattered on the floor. He shakes it clean before setting it safely on the counter before resuming his housekeeping.
"I'm guessing Asami confessed?"
Korra felt so embarrassed for being so transparent. She frowns before looking down at her bandaged hands. "Yeah… she did."
"And what did you say?"
"I…" she looked down at the broken glass shards on the floor. "I told her that I couldn't date her… and that it wasn't her fault, it was mine."
"And?"
"And then…" she sighed before continuing, "And then I left her."
Kai hums in acknowledgment before asking, "Has she texted you?'
Korra finally looks up to face him in the eyes. "That's…" she then trails off to the side as she searches for her phone. A few moments later, she finds it before scrolling through Asami's texts.
Wonder Woman (21:05): Korra I am so sorry I made you uncomfortable!
Wonder Woman (21:05): I-If…
Wonder Woman (21:05): No, I just screwed everything up and made things weird.
Wonder Woman (21:05): I'm so sorry. Please forget what I said.
Wonder Woman (21:05): Please?
Wonder Woman (21:05): I… I don't want to lose you.
Wonder Woman (21:06): You're my best friend and I just…
Wonder Woman (21:06): Text me?
Wonder Woman (21:06): We can pretend as if nothing ever happened.
The frown on Korra's face never left as she continued to read her messages.
Wonder Woman (21:23): Can you text me when you're back home?
Wonder Woman (21:23): I need to know your okay
Wonder Woman (21:23): Korra?
Wonder Woman (21:24): Plz don't hate me…
Korra sniffles before she wiped away her ugly tears. She sighed at the number of texts Asami sent her before tossing her phone on the bed.
"She apologizes way too much."
Kai couldn't help but laugh at that. "Does she?"
"Yeah…" she smiles bitterly at the thought. "I bet she's crying again… she's such a crybaby."
Her brother then glances at her phone with a slight raise of his brows. "Maybe you should change her nickname to cry baby then?"
She forces out another sad chuckle. "I should…" she grabs her phone before tapping her screen. Once she updates her contact name to 'crybebey' she lets out a big sigh. However, the more she looked at the contact name, the more she found it to be cringy. On second thought, maybe not…
That's when a thought hit her.
Ah… maybe in Japanese? After she researched what the translation was she repeated it to herself. Nakimushi. Nakimushi… that kind of rhymes with Asami… hmm… She quickly edits the contact name again before ending it with 'NakimushiSami' and a please grinned. That's better. She then tosses her phone down before mumbling out loud.
"Hah… What am I gonna do?"
Kai observes Korra before softly asking. "What do you want to do?"
"I… I don't know." She rubs her face a few times before staring at her hand. "Why am I like this? What's wrong with me?"
He reaches over to bat her back. "For the last time, nothing's wrong with you Kor."
She scoffs at that notion. "As if. Name someone who gets so traumatized after getting dumped in a relationship that one thought was a joke and the other thought was serious!" She half mocks and dramatizes using her whole body, swinging out her hands. "Go ahead! I'm waiting!"
"That's…"
"See! I told you! Nothing about me is normal. I'm the only damned person in this world that gets so fucked up for no reason even though I know I should move on. I have moved on yet I haven't!" She rants in a frustrated banter. "I like her! I really do like her but I just…" she shuts her eyes before facing the ceiling, "I'm just… so scared. What if she leaves me? I can't handle another heartbreak." She grabs her chest before curling into a tight ball, "If I let her in, I know it'll be wonderful. It's the best thing that has ever happened to me even!"
She then shakes her head vigorously.
"But I can't get rid of the thought. I can't shake it off. If one day… she decides that doesn't want me anymore, what will be left of me?" She then looks Kai in the eyes, "Relationships are fickle Kai. People easily fall in love but once they get bored, they're quick to let go. Just like her… I thought we had everything. It was so amazing and I actually loved her but the moment we had to leave the Fire Nation, she just cut me off. She just let me go just like that! Can you believe it! We had something so great yet she didn't want me as I wanted her! It's so unfair!"
"Kor… that doesn't mean Asami is the same. You know that she would probably…"
Korra didn't want Kai to say it. She knew what he was going to say. She knew that he was right. She knew that Asami probably loved her the way she did.
"... love the soaping, helpless romantic ass you are."
Her face scrunches again. "I know. I know she would and that's what terrifies me more Kai. It took me such a long time to accept and love who I am now but the moment I give in to my fears… who will I become?"
"That's… no one can say but wouldn't it be interesting to find out?"
She turns to face him. "Kai… that's…" she then frowns ironically, "that's really wise of you to say."
Kai throws her a slight grin with a wink. "Gran gran may have rubbed off on me a little."
"Pfft—" she punches his bicep softly, "Idiot."
"Ah…" he just rubs his arm with a goofy smile before standing up. "Well, we should probably clean up more thoroughly and try to salvage what we can." He stares at the mess with a blank face, "After that… get your ass to the library to study. As much as your professors have been giving you some slack, your grades are plummeting quicker than your love life."
Korra pouts at him. "Hey…"
He then gives her a judging look.
"Urgh, okay okay, I got it."
xXx
"Ow!" Korra shouts as she falls forward from being slapped on the back of her head. "What the heck Kuv!" Her leg bangs the table by accident.
Kuvira had an irritated look as she repeatedly slapped her friend silly. "What. Happened. To. Responding. To. My. Texts."
"Ah— ow ow ow! I know— sorry sorry! Just stop— ah! Hitting me!"
"I swear, ever since you got kidnapped, my aunt has been up my ass about keeping an eye on you!" Kuvira exclaims before sitting down next to her. She then raises an eyebrow at her when she notices her bandaged hands. "Wait, what happened?" She reached forward to pull up her hand. "You okay? Did you get into a fight?"
Korra winces at the gesture before taking her hand back. "Uh… n-no, I'm good. I just…had a breakdown, that's all."
Kuvira hums before settling into her seat. "Was it about Asami?"
Caught like a deer in headlights, Korra stiffens up while letting out a baffled squeak. "Urgh, not you too…"
"What?" She cocked an eyebrow at that before crossing her legs. "What'd I say?"
"Nothing." Korra sighs softly before tapping the table and sipping on her drink. "It's just both Kai and you just assume my issues revolve around Asami!"
Kuvira snorts at that. "Okayyyyy. Well, then why are you having a meltdown this time?"
Korra's lips pursed at that. Her eyebrow starts twitching as she looks off to the side. "Cause of Asami…" she practically whispers.
Of course, Kuvira heard her but who would she be if she didn't tease her friend? "Huh? Sorry, what was that? I didn't catch that."
Korra catches Kuvira's smug look and she knows that she heard her. "You ass…" she grumbles quieter than before. She then speaks up slightly louder, "It's because of Asami…" Spirits I hate that I can't lie.
"I'm sorry what?" Her friend inches closer, "Can't hear you woman."
With a frown, Korra immediately reaches over to slap her arm. "You can so hear me!"
Kuvira shrugs her off with an innocent grin. "Can I…? Or can I not?"
Korra lets out a frustrated huff. "Okay fine fine, I've been thinking a lot about Asami okay. There, happy?" She then crosses her arms before slumping down into her chair.
"Hey hey…" as much as Kuvira wanted to pester her about it, she could sense Korra's tense and troubled aura. "What's up? You can talk to me if you want. As much shit I always talk, I do care about you." She then pauses at her words while scrunching her nose. "Ew gross. That sounds wrong."
Snorting at that, Korra finally slides over the second sandwich she bought for Kuvira. "Well gee thanks, good to know you care about me too."
"You're welcome."
Korra rolls her eyes before continuing. "Anyways… the truth is, she confessed."
Kuvira takes a bite of her sandwich before mumbling out, "Who?"
She takes another sip of her drink before answering. "Asami."
With a slight hum, Kuvira just continued her meal. "To who?"
"To me, obviously dingus."
"To you?" She repeats with disbelief. "Hah! Here I thought she had more class but I mean I guess…"
"Hey! She has amazing taste, thank you very much."
"Sure she does… sure she does."
Korra just rolls her eyes. "Whatever you ass, let's just drop it then."
"Woah woah woah, wait hold on, don't be salty. What's wrong? Maybe I can help? I thought you liked her, no? Why aren't you two dating then?"
"..." Korra thought about it and weighed her options. Either one, she could not say anything and say some grace or two, she could tell Kuvira and maybe she could help or maybe not. But then again, if she didn't, her ears would probably bleed from being interrogated by her. "Well… the truth is…"
And so just like that, Korra told her the short abridged version of her story. Of how her ex crushed her heart, how she had a hard time moving on, and how she did like Asami but she just couldn't.
"Hmm…" Kuvira grabs her chin before thinking thoughtfully. To Korra's surprise, she actually gave her some advice rather than poke fun at her. "Well… if you aren't ready to start dating again, then don't. You don't have to date someone just because you like each other. Sure, your relationship started... interestingly but you two have already moved past that so there's no reason why you can't keep your friendship alive even with this confession."
"But…" Korra's eyebrows furrowed, "But how are we supposed to go back to normal? She likes me romantically, Kuvira, and I told her that I like her back."
"I get that but that still doesn't mean that you two can't be friends. If you're not willing to cross that line then you two will just have to move past that and if she can't respect your choice, then that's selfish."
"She isn't selfish!" Korra quickly defends for no apparent reason. "She is the most sincere and understanding person around."
Kuvira just sticks her hand out, "Then see? There you go, she'll respect your decision and respect your boundaries. You two can remain friends but… if by some chance in the future, if you're ready and she still likes you, maybe you two can get together. There are no rules when it comes to love and dating, meaning… there's no rush. Besides, who knows, maybe a month or even a year from now, you will get over your feelings."
"I… I've never thought about it that way before. Hmm… thanks."
"No prob," Kuvira dismisses with a flip of her hand, "Free friend therapy is always available."
Korra smiles at that. "But I paid you with a sandwich technically, that's like seven bucks right there."
"Then therapy for sandwiches it is."
Grinning brightly, Korra brings her drink to her lips. She hovers the cup there for a while before taking a sip. After she set it down, she went back to spacing out. What should I do?
xXx
Mindlessly staring at the ceiling from her bed, Korra had many thoughts swimming around in her head. Kai's advice of giving dating a try and Kuvira's advice of letting it go. They both spoke to her heart and both could be applied. The only problem was… which would she choose?
"..."
If she were to answer Asami's plea, they could forget everything and go back to normal. Normal. Would the relationship even go back to normal? So much has happened in the past few moments and not even Korra is confident she could act like 'normal,' in fact, she doesn't even remember what normal is. With the mess Asami was going through, Korra found her more and more concerned for her well-being so, of course, Korra passed certain boundaries to help her friend. She would without a doubt do the same for Kuvira, so what was so different with Asami?
Was it really because they spent a night together?
That shouldn't be the problem since she and Kuvira have shared some flaky moments while drinking before but, then again, she and Asami went all the way. That just brings Korra back to step one. She was getting nowhere and she knew that. Her face twitches in annoyance before she ends up groaning out loud while rustling her head.
"Geez, I'm just going in circles… I'm getting nowhere at this rate."
Another groan later she sits up before grabbing her phone. She ends up pulling up her messages before staring at Asami's one-sided conversation.
"..."
After a moment of intense glaring, she rubs the back of her neck before mumbling.
"I should start with texting her back…"
And so, she mindlessly started typing out a message.
Hey Asami, I'm sorry for not getting back to u quicker. It was very immature and horrible of me to do so. Especially after what we've been thru but better late than never right? Hahaha…
Anyways, I'm sorry once again and don't worry I'm alright. Still alive and kicking… I should just rip off the bandaid. I really appreciate your feelings but I'm sorry, I can't return them. At least not right now. I would love to explain it to but it's… real complicated. I'm sorry for giving you mixed signals… I owe u an explanation but I can't give u one now. I hope u won't hate me for that and if possible… I'd still like to be ur friend. Only if… that's ok with u of course.
She squints her eyes at the message. It was lengthy but she decided not to ponder on it. "Let's not think about it too much." Then just like that, she sent her message. Letting out a huff of relief, she sinks back into her mattress before attempting to relax. A few moments of silence passed and just when she was about to fall asleep, her phone rang.
NakimushiSami (21:35): Korra you have nothing to apologize for. I'm the one at fault, I just… thought we had this connection.
Korra's lips pursed once she read the message and her heart ached.
NakimushiSami (21:35): plz ignore my senseless rambling. I like u. A lot. I won't apologize for confessing b/c that's how I feel and I wanted u to know. However, I do understand and respect that if u don't want to date, that's completely fine. I'll just have to get over it…
NakimushiSami (21:36): anyways I'm glad u texted back so thank u… for everything really. I hope we can still be friends b/c I really do need u Korra. I know it might be selfish and all but that's how I feel.
"..." Korra hesitated before she texted back: Thanks. I know things will be awkward and all but I do hope we can be still friends. She could practically see Asami's smile of relief as she read her next text.
NakimushiSami (21:36): of course! Thank u for being here for me… things will probably be awkward and all but I'll try to suck it up and I promise I won't jump at u at every opportunity.
"Pfft—" Korra couldn't help but chuckle at the joke before typing back. Easy Sato…don't make me take it back!
NakimushiSami (21:37): Busted? Hahaha, anyways…um… this might be a little weird but can I call you…?
Korra's lips part at that. She hesitated but how could she say no? That's why she sent back a simple response: sure. It didn't take long for her phone to ring and she nervously bit her lip before responding. "Hello?"
She could practically feel and see the tension in Asami's voice. "H-Hey Korra…"
"Hey…" she wasn't sure where to lead the conversation either. Her stomach was tied in a knot and she was nervous but at the same time, something inside of her was relieved to hear Asami's voice. She ends up responding automatically, "What's wrong? Calling me so late…" she then glances at the time on her phone, "It's like almost 10pm."
"Uhh… t-the truth is… something came up and I um…"
Korra perks up at that. "Is everything okay? What's up, did something bad happen?"
"Oh! No— sorry that's not what I meant. Um… Korra I… I know this is incredibly selfish of me and I hate to ask you this but… c-can you do me a favor?
"A favor?" This couldn't be good. "Well… depends on what it is but if it's in my power, by all means, shoot me."
Asami's laugh makes the butterflies in her stomach flutter. "I thought you would say that. I really didn't want to rely on you but… can you…" Korra could hear shifting in the background. Can you come to the Fire Nation with me?"
Korra freezes at that. "What?"
"Sorry I know this is so out of the blue. The truth is… I have to attend a complicated meeting over there. Of course, I asked my brothers already but they're all too busy so none of them can come with me. Meaning… this will be my first real duty as the new CEO of Future Industries. I… I know I can do this but I'm just… I'm scared. I'm scared of going alone Korra, what if I mess up? There's just so much at stake and with the way the media is, they can easily sweep the rug under our feet."
Blinking a few times, Korra had to process Asami's words. That means… Her thoughts raced around and memories of her past resurfaced. That was where her life took a turn for the worse and that was where she got emotionally scarred for life. While her emotions swept her away, it seems that she was silent for long enough that Asami had to confirm she was still on the line.
"Korra…? Are you still there?"
"Oh— y-yeah sorry. I was just uh… thinking." She ends up rolling over onto her side.
"..."
Korra knew Asami was frowning and she hated that.
"You're right. I'm sorry. This is too much to ask of you. You have school and whatnot too so actually, forget it. It was a stupid idea. Forget what I said, I'll figure something out."
Korra's mouth parted slightly and she reacted before she knew it. "W-Wait! I didn't say I wouldn't go with you… I just… just give me some time to think about it."
"Really?!"
The image of Asami's smile filled Korra's thoughts.
"Thank you! Thank you thank you thank you so much! That's more than enough Korra, I mean it! I really do… whether or not you decide you want to come, just know I don't ever want to force you to do something you don't want to."
"Yeah… I know Asami… thank you for that. I'll let you know once I've made up my mind."
"Of course! I uh… well, I'm due to leave in a week so let me know your response by then."
"Okay sure, sounds good."
"Yeah… in that case… good night Korra. I'll see you around?"
Korra ends up curling into a ball. "Yeah. I'll see you around." She was the first to hang up and for some reason, she felt exhausted. She ends up staring at her ceiling again before drowning in her thoughts again. "..."
As much as she didn't want to go and how much she hated the idea of possibly running in her it was obvious what Korra's choice was going to be.
"It's… it'll be fine… there's no way we'll run into her. The Fire Nation is huge so what are the chances I'll run into Naeun. Besides… Asami needs me, I can't let her down." She then looks towards her phone again. "My professors are gonna kill me…"
Groaning out loud, she ends up flopping around on her bed. "It's fine… you'll be fine… I'll be fine…" she buries herself under the blanket, "I'm fine… I'm fine… I'm fine…"
xXx
Shutting the door to a limousine, Korra thanks the driver awkwardly as she throws her duffel back onto her shoulder. The whole experience of getting picked up by him had been strange but thankfully not too bad. The driver was a man of few words and he simply bows before Korra turns to face the plane. She quickly spots Asami and they make their way toward each other.
"Korra, I'm glad you could make—" Asami's eyes snap open when she notices the bandaids on Korra's hands. "—oh my gosh! What happened? Are you okay?" She quickly walked over to Korra's side before hesitantly reaching for her hands.
Korra ends up giving her an awkward smile. "Yeah, I'm okay. No worries!" She flexes her wrists to show that she was fine. "I'm totally fine, I just had a little mishap while working out that's all…"
"..." Asami has this tensed and concerned look on her face.
Korra had a feeling that Asami didn't believe her excuse but thankfully, she didn't make a comment.
"That's rough buddy… sorry to hear that. Be careful okay? Injuries can mess you up for a while if you're not careful…"
She ends up throwing a playful salute. "Roger that! I'll take notes next time."
Asami smiles appreciatively before nodding her head towards the plane. "Shall we then?"
"Yeah, let's!"
They make it to the boarding platform in no time but before they can enter the plane, the pilot stops them.
"Miss Asami, can I have a word?"
Asami looks back at Korra before turning back to face him. "Sure." She then looks at Korra again, "Sorry give me one sec."
"Yeah sure, of course. No prob!"
Asami gives her one last smile before turning around and walking over to him. As she chatted with him, Korra mindlessly waited in place and that's when she finally had this realization.
Shit. Why didn't I think this through? A private plane. A private plane. She thinks before handing over her duffel bag to an attendant with a quick thanks. If someone from Future Industries were to go on a business trip, they'd use their plane. Meaning… Asami and she were going to get a first-class flight there. And, since there were no other reasons for anyone else to be there besides the staff, it was just gonna be the two of them.
The two of them!
Alone. In a small plane. Alone. Her thoughts were pretty obvious. Well… I'm fucked. But as she patiently waited for the 'a okay,' speaking of her partner in crime, Asami was still talking to the pilot. Korra assumed they were checking up on some last-minute flying details before the flight. She ends up watching Asami through the whole exchange and right when she spaces out and gets lost taking in Asami's features, she happens to turn around and get a glance at her. Having caught her red-handed, Asami gives her a warm smile.
Korra ends up blushing before giving her an awkward grin and turning away. She swallows nervously before turning around to stare at the takeoff platform. Oh Lord, help me. She swallows again before mindlessly scratching the back of her neck. On sigh later, she ends up pulling out her phone to waste some time until finally, Asami comes back.
"Hey, sorry I hope I didn't keep you waiting."
Korra quickly turns to face her. "Oh no no no, not all. I'm just chilling, this place is pretty cool you know?"
Asami looks around the takeoff zone before agreeing. "Yeah, I guess so. It is cool isn't it…"
"..."
"..."
The both of them stood there awkwardly and Korra was starting to sweat some bullets. Aw shit, this is so awkward…
Thankfully, Asami cut to the chase and gestured towards the plane. "Anyways, shall we then? We're ready for takeoff once we're boarded. The flight should probably take about four to five hours."
Korra responds quicker than she should have. "Sure, sounds good. Let's!" That came out as a high-pitched squeak and she let out a quiet groan at that. Smooth Korra smooth…
Asami just gives her a courteous smile and they quickly board the plane. Once they are secured and seatbelted in, the pilot announces takeoff. Korra watches the runway as the plane starts rolling and not many words are exchanged as it takes off into the sky. It isn't until after the initial turbulence ends that one of them struck up a conversation. Of course… Asami is the first to talk.
"Korra, thanks again for coming with me. It means a lot…"
Finally tearing her eyes away from the window, Korra glances over in Asami's direction. She tenses from their proximity because since it was a private jet, they were practically an arm's length away from each other. Even so, she didn't want the whole plane ride to be that awkward so she pushed herself to make some small talk. Just act normal Korra. Act normal…
"Of course! I'll always have your back Asami, there's no way I'd let you go alone especially because it's your first official meeting!" She slapped herself figuratively for that comment. Okay, can you sound any gayer Korra? Way ta go… She clears her throat before continuing, "I know it'll be a bit rough… that would be the case for anyone so if me being here helps you in any way, I'd be happy to oblige."
Asami smiles sweetly again. "Thank you, Korra…"
"..."
"..."
They both knew that this situation was awkward so they ended up turning away from each other and staring out the window. But, thankfully after a short yet miserable moment of silence, Asami ends up turning on the mini TV in the plane. Additionally, she ends up choosing some random mover to play rather than striking up a conversation to ask what they should watch. The mood lightens up a bit, nevertheless, Korra can't stop squirming around.
Of course, Asami notices that. She even spared Korra a glance at one point but chose to ignore it and turned her attention back to the TV.
Korra knew this was gonna be a tough flight. She knew she had to consciously control her expression for most of the trip. Otherwise, if she didn't, her face would just be too obvious how uncomfortable she was. She did her best to relax and act normal even though it was painfully apparent that their friendship was awkward now. She ends up cracking her neck before slumping into the chair. This is gonna be a long flight…
AN: everything is daijyōbu desu TTmTT
