Chapter 15
"So, how have things been going, at the factory?" Hiroshi lightly asks, sliding a tile across the Pai Sho board in front of him.
Asami had been visiting her father regularly, ever since their first visit, a week ago. Things had been going smoothly, for the most part. Their relationship was still very rocky, and they didn't dare bring up Yasuko. But they were trying, and that's what mattered.
Smiling, she thinks about her next move, before answering. "Good. I managed to make the Fire Nation merger you were thinking about. I also, had a meeting with President Raiko." Hiroshi raises his eyebrows, interested. "He wants me to redesign the infrastructure of the city. Make the roadways more efficient. Oh, and he invited me to his wife's birthday party." She finishes, rolling her eyes.
Hiroshi chuckles. "It sounds like you have a lot on your plate. I'm so proud of you. I know it couldn't have been easy, keeping the company afloat, after what I did. But I expected no less. Have you decided on the President's invitation?"
Shrugging, she watches as he makes his next move. "It's not like I have a choice. I'd rather not get on his bad side. I know how annoying he can be. He certainly didn't do the company any favors, after you went away."
Hiroshi hums in response, seemingly thinking about something.
Tilting her head, she narrows her eyes. "What is it?"
Scratching the hair on his chin, Hiroshi crosses his arms. "Do you have a date?"
Asami blinks. She wasn't expecting that. "What?"
"Do you have a date? To the party." He elaborates.
"I..." Asami pauses. Did she have a date? She could ask Korra. They hadn't seen each other in a few days. Although Korra said she wasn't the best in professional settings, she believed she could talk her into it. "I might have a date." She smiles, thinking about Korra.
"Is it that Mako fella?" He asks, trying not to scrunch his nose, but failing.
"No, we broke up almost a year ago?" Asami sighs.
Making another move, Hiroshi focuses on the board. "Was it because of…" He trails off.
"Partly. I just needed space from… everything." She sighs again, moving another tile across the board.
"Asami, I'm-" He's cut off.
"Don't. You've apologized enough. Let's just forget about it." She smiles. She didn't want him asking too many questions, about Korra. That was something she and Korra still needed to talk about, and until they did, she didn't want to tell anyone about them.
Hiroshi smiles back, nodding."It seems as though I've won." He says, gesturing to the board.
"Wha- How?" Asami looks at the board, beyond shocked.
Hiroshi smirks, shrugging. "You were distracted. Almost had me too."
Shaking her head, Asami smiles. Korra always made her lose her cool, and she wasn't even here this time. Korra would be the death of her.
Back at work, Korra finishes changing the tires on the karts that needed new ones. Kuvira comes in just as she stands.
"Hey Korra. Can I talk to you? In private." She walks away, before Korra can even answer.
"Oh sure, Kuvira." Korra says sarcastically, to the air.
Walking out the door, she leaves the other workers to repairing the rest of the karts. She comes into the room connected to the locker room, and finds Kuvira seated on a table, waiting for her.
"What's up?" Korra asks, crossing her arms and leaning against the wall.
"There are only a few people I find with skills adequate enough, to even consider asking this. From what I've seen so far, you seem like you're capable. What are doing Saturday?"
"I'm not sure. What's going on?"
Kuvira shakes her head. "I can't say much right now. But it's for a good cause. Trust me." She says, smiling at Korra. "Let me know when you decide." With that she disappears.
Weighing her options, Korra decides that she should probably make time. to investigate whatever it was Kuvira had just invited her to. She'd much rather spend her Saturday with Asami, but she had to figure out what was going on with the triads.
Continuing her work for the rest of her shift, she checks her phone as she clocks out. She notices a text from Asami.
Asami: Meet me at my place when you get off?
Korra: omw
Walking out of her job, Korra rotates her shoulder. Even if she didn't get this job for practical reasons, they still put her to work, and she left everyday tired. She was just glad she didn't have to chase little kids around, in the laser tag room. That seemed exhausting.
As she walks, Korra debates telling the chief about what had Kuvira had invited her to. She then decides against it, realizing it wouldn't look good if the cops showed up, when the newest person just so happened to start working with them. Plus she didn't even know what it was yet. It could be absolutely nothing at all. She hoped it wasn't anything. For her and Kuvira's sake.
Crossing the street, she's reminded how she and Asami had first met. What could Asami want with her today? They usually only spoke to each other at school on week days, that is if Asami showed up, unless they studied together. Oh well, she'd find out once she got there.
She walks from Asami's driveway to her front door, ringing the doorbell, an excessive amount of times in rapid succession. She snickers, knowing Asami hated it when she did that. After standing there for a few moments, her phone rings, and it's Asami.
"Hello?" Korra answers, confused.
"I'm in the back." Asami says, and Korra can hear metal clinking in the background.
"Here I come." She hangs up.
Stepping to the side of the house, she walks around to the back, and into Asami's workshop. "Asami?" She calls.
"I'm over here." Korra can see a wrench, clutched in an oil stained hand, sticking out of the hood of a car.
Making her way through the clutter, she stops behind Asami's form, bent over the hood of a muscle version of the Satomobile. "Hey."
Stepping back from the car, Asami wipes her hands on a towel, smiling at Korra. "Hey."
"What's going on?" Korra asks, pulling Asami into a hug.
Returning the hug, Asami shrugs as she pulls away. "I wanted to see what you were doing Saturday. I'm going to the President's party and I want you to come with me." She says, with her cheeks tinted pink.
Bells instantly go off in Korra's mind. She didn't know how, but she knew was going to be at that party no matter what. It seemed it wouldn't be that hard after all. But then she can't see what is that Kuvira has planned. That doesn't matter to her right know. She has to protect Asami from Viper.
"Of course I'll go!" Korra says, lifting Asami off of her feet, in another, much tighter, hug.
"That's not all." Asami says, laughing.
Setting her back down, Korra tilts her head slightly. "What's up?"
Grabbing her by the hand, Asami leads Korra into the house through the backdoor. They sit on the couch and she doesn't release her hand. "I know we haven't talked about his at all yet, but if we're going to that party together, we're going to have to. What… what are we?" Asami looks deeply into Korra's eyes.
Korra looks back, just as intense. "You're mine. And I'm yours."
A wide grin breaks out across Asami's face, that she can't get rid of. "I like that. I'm glad you feel that way. But you know that when we go to that party, there are going to be a lot of eyes on us? Maybe even some stuff on social media. Are you prepared for that?" Asami raises her eyebrows, concerned.
Korra waves her off. "Eh, I've had a few memes made of me, when I couldn't keep my mouth shut and ended up telling off some politician on Watertribe TV."
"This will be much worse. At least then, it wasn't as huge of an event as the First Lady's birthday. And this time it'll be much more personal."
"I don't care. I've told you plenty of times, I couldn't care less what people think of me." Korra shrugs.
Laughing, Asami nods. "Yes you did. Well if you're okay with it, then there's no problem. We should probably tell our friends before they find out, from somewhere else."
"Yeah, you're right, that would suck for them." Korra says, inching closer and closer to Asami.
"When should we tell them?" Asami asks, moving to meet Korra.
Their lips connect, and Korra hums an indecisive 'I don't know' against Asami's mouth, making her laugh. Trailing her tongue against Korra's bottom lip, Asami moans when Korra opens her mouth and grants her access. They get into a heated battle for dominance, and eventually, Korra emerges victorious. She lightly pushes Asami onto her back, and saddles her lap, lips still locked.
They break away from each other, faces flushed and gasping for air, with their foreheads together. "I think," Asami pants, "we should take it slow."
Korra blushes as she looks down at Asami. She slides off of her lap, and back to her seat on the couch. "Heh. Sorry about that. Got a little… excited." She scratches her neck.
Asami can't contain the giggle that escapes her, and it only makes Korra blush further. "It's my fault. I practically stuck my tongue down your throat."
Korra shrugs. "I wasn't complaining."
"I think we both need to breathe, Korra. Anyway, should we go to Narook's? Isn't that where they usually go after class?" Asami asks.
"Yeah, unless the guys are still practicing. But we can go kidnap Opal and interrupt the guys, if we need to." Korra smirks.
"Sounds like a plan."
Korra and Asami both regret the decision to tell their friends, about their newfound relationship, as they suffer relentless teasing, mainly at the hands of Opal.
"I'm just wondering why it took you guys so long to tell us." Bolin slightly pouts.
"Did you know you liked girls, before meeting each other?" Mako asks.
Korra looks down, with her brow furrowed. "I don't think I like girls."
"What?" Everybody says in unison.
Korra rolls her eyes. "Obviously I like Asami, but I'm not attracted to other girls, the same way I'm attracted to Asami."
Bolin looks at her and blinks. "How does that even work?!"
"Let's use Opal for example. I think she's pretty, extremely pretty actually,"
"Thanks you." Opal interrupts.
"but I'm not attracted to her." Korra finishes her example, ignoring Opal.
"Is it the same with guys?" Bolin tilts his head slightly.
Korra nods.
After Korra's explanation, Mako looks to Asami. "What about you Asami? Are you the same way?"
"Yeah, but I think that's how it is for anybody. Unless they've been in a lot of relationships. It's different for me and Korra, since this is the first time either of us has been with a girl."
"Exactly!" Korra says around a sandwich, she'd stolen from Bolin.
Nodding, Mako crosses his arms. "That makes sense."
"So, what do you guys have planned next?" Opal asks, resting a cheek on her fist.
"We're going to the First Lady's birthday party this Saturday."
Opal looks at them with wide eyes. "Whoa. Isn't it going to be loaded with people? And on, like, the news?"
"Yeah, so what?" Korra shrugs.
Leaning back into his seat, Mako looks from Asami to Korra. "Maybe you guys should think about this a little more."
Korra resists the urge to glare at him, face resting in a frown. "What is that supposed to mean?" She huffs.
"I'm just saying that it's great that you two are in a relationship, but a lot of other people won't see it that way. Don't rush into-" He's cut off.
"We know what we're doing. It's not like we care about anything the media may have to say." Korra says harshly. Interrupting Mako.
"It's not just about the media! Slow down and think for a minute. Do your parents know about you two? Is this how you want them to find out?" Mako says, straining to remain calm.
Asami looks down, until her head snaps up at the sound of Korra, shooting out of her seat. "How about you mind your business, and we'll mind ours?" She grabs Asami's hand, and practically drags her out of Narook's.
Looking from the entrance of the cafe, to where Korra and Asami had just been seated, Bolin scratches his head. "That could've gone better."
Mako throws his head back, releasing a groan. "Whatever. She'll get over it."
Driving back to Asami's house, Korra groans. "Ugh, he's so annoying. Like us dating is the worst thing to ever happen."
"Um, how did you end up driving?" Asami asks, smirking.
Looking from the road, to Asami then back, Korra shrugs. "I don't know it just happened."
"… He has a point you know." Asami says softly, trying not to upset Korra further.
"What?" Korra looks at Asami, with an annoyed and incredulous look on her face. "You're kidding right? Please tell me you're kidding."
"Come on, Korra. Don't you think your parents deserve to find out something like this from you, and not the TV or social media?"
Korra waves her off. "My parents are too busy for TV and social media anyway."
"Korra you know what I mean." Asami frowns.
"Fine, we can tell them. Today actually."
"What?" Asami isn't sure she had heard her correctly.
"Yeah, we can video chat with them. As long as my dad isn't busy. Actually let me text them both right now, and see if they're free." Stopping at a red light, Korra pulls her phone from her pocket and her thumbs fly across the screen.
Asami is beyond nervous, as she watches Korra tap her screen with a slight scowl on her face. "Korra wait-" She's interrupted mid-sentence.
"No. You wanted me to tell them. So I will. Besides, there's no better time than now." She puts her phone back in her pocket, having sent the text. "And you know we have to tell your dad too."
"What?" Asami is tired of saying that word.
"You two are rebuilding your relationship, so he should hear this from you, not however he gets his news. Because apparently we're gonna go viral." Korra rolls her eyes. "So the next time you visit him, I'm going. Unless you wanna tell him yourself."
"I-" Asami hesitates, taking a deep breath. This was a lot to process. But when she looks at the blue eyed beauty driving her car, with that annoyed expression on her face, she decides it's worth it. "You should come with me."
Korra smiles. "Good. I'm glad we could come to an agreement. Because I'm terrified."
Looking at her with a blank expression, Asami laughs while shaking her head. That girl sure knew how to put up a good front. She looked fearless, while arguing with her earlier. "We'll get through this together."
"I hope so." Korra murmurs.
Silence encompasses them the rest of the drive to Asami's house, and when they finally get there, Korra notices the text from her parents.
"Looks like they're both free right now. You got a laptop or something we can use?" Korra asks over her shoulder, walking in the house.
"Yeah, follow me." Asami leads Korra into her home office. "You can use this computer."
"Thanks." Korra sits in front the computer, at Asami's desk, and enters in her Skype information. After a moment the screen shows the faces of her parents.
Tonraq is seated, slightly behind Senna on her side, with an arm draped across her shoulder. They both wear broad smiles.
Korra waves at the two of them. "Hi guys."
Senna is the first to speak. "Korra, it so nice to see you! Where are you? It looks like you're in an office."
"I'm at my friend's place. She's letting me use her computer."
"Oh, that's sweet."
"Not that I don't love hearing from you, but since you rarely request both of us at the same time, you'll have to forgive me, for thinking there's something going on." Tonraq chuckles.
"Actually, I wanted you to meet someone." Korra leans out of the camera's view, and grabs Asami by the wrist, pulling her next to her, and into the camera's view. "This is Asami."
Senna's eyebrows instantly shoot up. "The same Asami that hit you?"
Both Korra and Asami blush furiously.
"I mean yes, but that's not- that has nothing to do with why I want you to meet her." Korra stammers.
Both of her parents wait expectantly, for her to continue.
"I uh, we're- we both," Korra nervously stammers, until Asami interlocks her fingers with Korra's. Her parents notice this and look at each other. Korra takes a deep breath. "Asami and I are dating." She says, in one breath.
Tonraq and Senna sit in silence for a moment, until smiles break out across both of their faces. "We're so happy for you!" Senna exclaims, holding her hands close to her chest.
"We'll be visiting sometime within the month, and when we do I can't wait to meet you Asami. I've heard great things about you, and what you've done for your city." Tonraq nods his head at her with a serious look, and she can instantly tell he's talking about turning in her father.
The smile that breaks out across her face, is so wide that it hurts. "I can't wait to meet you two either. And um, I'm sorry for hitting your daughter with my car."
"It's alright. She probably wasn't looking both ways anyway." Tonraq laughs.
Korra rolls her eyes. "Haha Dad. Sorry to tell you, but I made the same joke already."
He only laughs harder.
"Anyway, we've got to go. I'll talk to you guys later. Love you."
"Goodbye Korra. We love you!" They say in unison.
As soon as her parents disconnect, Korra slumps in the chair releasing a long sigh. "That went better than I expected."
"Your parents are nice. And you look just like your mom."
"Meaning that she's very very pretty." Korra smirks.
Asami rolls her eyes, returning Korra's smirk. "Technically, that would make you very very pretty."
Korra rolls the chair closer to Asami, causing her to back away. "Are you trying to leave me for my mom, Asami?"
Just as she's about to answer, Asami's back hits the wall, and Korra is there, standing in front of her, blocking her escape. "I wouldn't dream of it. Tonraq is a big man."
"Try and leave me, and you won't have to worry about him." Korra says, with her lips against Asami's.
Asami can't hold back anymore and tackles Korra back onto the chair, knocking it over in the process.
Korra laughs. "I see why we should take it slow now."
Asami only blushes.
A/N: Here's the new chapter… four days late smh. I know I suck.
Let me know what you think!