Note:
Warning for some sexual situations
Asami gripped the jeep's steering wheel tightly aligning her sight with the road ahead, their destination still about an hour away. Korra glimpsed at her companion and perceived an unsettling tension in the way the industrialist's fingers clasped the wheel, the crimson that tinted her cheeks, the clenched jaw, and the way she kept her eyes glued forward without daring to look at her side.
"So Asami" ventured Korra tentatively, genuine concern lacing her words. "What is it that you wanted to tell me?" Minutes after their vehicle left the architectural marvels of Zaofu behind and began their journey towards the small neighboring town of Quinleng to pick up Bataar Jr. who was there inaugurating their first trade school, the engineer mentioned there was something important she wished to disclose along the way. The serious tone she had used had taken Korra aback and the Avatar wondered if what Asami wished to speak of was related to the string of conversations they had shared recently. Korra mentally braced for another tough session of heart-wrenching confessions.
Asami's green orbs momentarily shifted to the side. "Korra, I wish to be honest with you. You're not the only one who has been holding back on things."
The Avatar knitted her brows together as she pursed her lips slightly, arms crossed over her chest. This was unexpected. Asami would usually confide in Korra everything although the change in their relationship had driven an imperceptible wedge between them.
"Well, I'm listening."
Asami drew up a cleansing breath as she prepared to share with her best friend a revelation that would certainly guarantee all sorts of awkwardness upon their return to Zaofu.
-oOo-
About two years ago, Zaofu
The travel to Zaofu stirred in Asami Sato a cavalcade of memories. Among her countless experiences as core member of Team Avatar, their visit to the domed city left an indelible mark on her memory for countless reasons, both pleasant and unpleasant. She had marveled at the ingenuity and practical elegance of the stylish yet sturdy domes the city boasted of. It felt very good to share conversations in the language of her profession with both elder and younger Bataars. She had previously engaged in similar conversations with extravagant genius Varrick but his exuberance could be draining at times, not to mention his scheming tendencies. Even if she had managed to recover her company's financial health and assets, she couldn't help but be wary of the hyperactive inventor. Fortunately, she did not encounter anything of the sort in the company of Suyin's husband and her eldest son, both prodigies in their own right.
Once her leading role in the reconstruction of Republic City had waned, President Zhu Li Moon tapped the Future Industries mogul as head of the United Republic's industrial delegation to the reconstruction mission in the Earth Kingdom. Asami welcomed the opportunity with enthusiasm. The business opportunities her company had the privilege of establishing with the neighboring nation served to expand her brand and it had taken her to different locations across the map and now, she would have the chance to return to Zaofu. The autonomous city had been singled out for assistance not only for falling victim of the invading imperial forces, it had also suffered the ignominy of having their domes stripped away, its platinum refurbished to shape the Colossus armor impervious to bending. On her first journey, Zaheer and the Red Lotus had deprived her of the opportunity of engaging in depth with her Zaofu counterparts when they attacked. This time, as a more peaceful period promised to bloom ahead with Prince Wu implementing incipient efforts to move the country into a more democratic way of government, Asami would not only get a closer look at the mechanical marvels, she would actually work shoulder to shoulder with their creators. The magnate knew that certain awkwardness could be expected given that Bataar Jr. was serving time for his role as co-conspirator in all of the Earth Empire's totalitarian schemes, but the fact that since his very public "breakup" with his former fiancée had been for a lack of better term "dramatic," she felt a certain pity for the engineer despite his crimes. In an ironic turn, the former Earth Empire vice commander had already been severely punished in the form of a broken heart.
Asami was sunk in her reveries as she headed towards the gardens where Suyin was having breakfast when she heard a masculine voice shout behind her:
"Make way!"
Instinctively, Asami moved aside allowing the running figure of a tall, dark haired man sprint beside her.
"You can run around me you know" she replied.
The man completed the sprint a few meters ahead and began trotting then walking, his long arms reaching for his waist and his head tilting back as he gasped for air.
"I didn't take you for the exercising type" the engineer remarked as she watched the bespectacled man catch his breath.
"I wasn't before you know, joining the army and being promoted to the number two position in the outfit. I had to mold my soft civilian butt into fighting shape if I wanted to survive the rigors of the campaign." Bataar replied between gasps as he pushed damp strands of hair from his forehead.
"So that's how you took a liking for running?" Asami queried, her curiosity piqued. She hadn't realized that although Kuvira was suited since day one for a martial life, the heir of the Beifong Metal Clan wasn't. The fact that he had disciplined himself to the same exercise routine as the troops spoke volumes of his commitment. It made the souring of the whole enterprise even more unfortunate.
"I don't particularly like running but I've come to appreciate the sense of freedom and the peace and clarity of mind it offers. In my present circumstances, that's really a privilege. Besides, I've gotten used to staying in shape. The morning run is surprisingly invigorating and I get to concentrate much better during the day." Although he was technically on house arrest, Bataar had been granted relative freedom to move around his family's vast compound. He had also been given permission to work in the reconstruction of the city as part of his sentence.
Asami listened as she mentally processed the changes on her memory of the former Earth Empire officer. The humbled, seemingly more mature version that addressed her now seemed far removed from the smug, conceited co-leader of the dictatorial regime that had invaded her hometown and left in it a path of destruction and the tragic sacrifice of her late father.
"Exercise really helps" Asami commented with a soft smile. "I've been practicing several routines since I was a girl and now my employees always begin their work day with calisthenics. Since I implemented the program, I've seen an improvement in production output and in the workers' overall health." The workers' calisthenics program was one of her most recent ideas and she had been particularly pleased in proving Future Industries Board members' wrong. She had turned their skepticism into reluctant acceptance.
Bataar adjusted his glasses again. They kept slipping down his nose wet with perspiration. "Since you're going to stick around here for a while, would you like to join me in my morning runs? I haven't been lucky in my recruiting pitch so far. The twins' idea of exercising is with their metalbending and weight lifting and Huan is completely adverse to the mere concept of sweating. He says it interferes with his artistic vibes or some sort of gibberish like that" Bataar said, his hands gesticulating in the air. Asami chortled. His brother's description of the mercurial artist fitted him to a T.
"I'm not much of a runner but I think I could benefit from developing a routine since I'll be here for a while. I could also use a sparring partner to keep up with my self-defense routine, one that won't rip my head off with a meteorite like your brothers."
Bataar chuckled. Asami appreciation wasn't far off. His younger brothers' enthusiasm could get dangerous, especially for non-benders like Asami and himself.
"You could spar with them with a mech suit" Bataar offered with a grin.
"That could backfire badly. I've seen what competent metalbenders can do to a mech suit."
They both laughed at the image as they began walking. Bataar noticed they were taking the same path.
"Are you joining my mother for breakfast?"
"Yes, in fact I am."
"I could use a glass of water. I think I lost about a gallon of fluids. Mind if I walk you there?"
Asami nodded in affirmative and moments later, the engineers walked together towards the gardens to meet Suyin.
Somewhere at the northwestern Earth Kingdom, six months ago
"Well, you've got the fundamentals and takeoff was smooth. Now, let's go for the landing."
Bataar kept meticulous attention on the countless dials and watches of the sleek airship control panel. Asami looked attentively over his shoulder, peeking occasionally forward to visually confirm their trajectory.
"I have visual confirmation of the airstrip. I will initiate landing maneuvers in three, two, one…"
The engineer pulled a lever and the nose of the Future Industries airship tipped subtly downwards.
"You've got this" Asami said enthusiastically taping his shoulder in a congratulatory gesture.
"You doubted it?" the dark haired man queried with a confident look.
"It is not that I doubted your skills. You've build and piloted mechas but flying something totally different."
"I know, besides the fact that you allowed me to even get close the controls is a big privilege.I know how zealous you are of your toys" Bataar offered with a smirk.
"You're not too different from me you know. It took me a lot of convincing for you to allow me to test your construction mecha" Asami retorted with an arched eyebrow.
"It was still a prototype. I didn't know if it worked" Bataar replied as he maneuvered the airship closer to their destination for the next month: the mining town of Dhuran. The town stood out from the thick canopies of the nearby jungle. A wide river that zigzagged across the jungle gave the town its name. The town had recently risen to prominence since geologists from the former Earth Empire identified placer deposits of platinum in what used to be a fishing village and recently, efforts to mine the mineral commercially had begun in earnest.
"I know that under our regime a lot of bad things happened but I doubt that under the Queen's rule, discoveries such as this would have been found. The ore here is rich in minerals and its giving a new life to this region."
Asami had to reluctantly agree with the former officer. The slain monarch seemed adamant in keeping the country stagnant, only allowing the benefits of modernization to a small upper echelon of citizens living on the upper ring of Ba Sing Se. Asami likened the effect of the maligned empire akin to that of a hurricane of a volcano. Renewed life arises after their impact but sometimes at a steep price.
"I guess that's balance" Asami mused almost to herself. It had been months since she and Korra decided to end their romantic relationship and Asami seemed eager to find reasons to sink into into things that could take her mind away from thinking about Korra but it seemed that Korra's shadow loomed large and unavoidable. She let a long sigh as she scanned her surroundings. She had accepted the journey to this remote Earth Kingdom location without almost thinking it twice in the hopes that she could trick her mind into not thinking about her former lover. When she was informed that Bataar would also be joining her due to his expertise with platinum, she had been overjoyed. Asami had come to genuine appreciate her colleague's company and through their time working together in several missions across the Earth Kingdom, they stroke a good friendship. They had a lot in common. Besides their professional preparation, genius level intellect, and knack for inventing, they counted themselves as non-benders surrounded by a circle of talented bender friends and relatives. Both came from prominent families who built their empires from scratch and both had recently suffered woes of the heart. With that last fact they had sought refuge in dark humor as they joked about their respective girlfriends and the fame or notoriety they commanded. It hadn't been easy being the romantic partner for the Avatar and The Great Uniter respectively, and being the ex-flame wasn't easy either.
After landing and meeting with the town elders, the engineers quickly busied themselves as they began their mission of overseeing and monitoring the mining operation to convey their observations to the joint Earth Kingdom and United Republic's commission. Bataar couldn't help but making a conscious effort to keep a low profile. He was well aware of the pockets of resistance still entrenched across the nation and the factions vying for power. He had already suffered being insulted and in more than one instance, he had required security escorts to keep him from bodily harm. Some of his more ardent imperialist former subordinates were under the impression that he had cost the Empire their victory when he attempted to persuade Kuvira from pursuing the annexation of the United Republic as planned. The crew of the Colossus narrated during Kuvira's trial what had transpired that fateful day, including the radio conversation between commander and vice commander and the latter's passionate plea to retreat from the city and abandon their expansionist effort. Asami came to realize that even in relative freedom, Bataar would always be prisoner of his past actions and he would have to carry that burden for the rest of his days.
The night found the pair of experts on a small restaurant enjoying the local spicy cuisine and the local alcoholic beverage which was delicious but packed quite the punch. Asami felt giddy after her third glass and with the location's hot and humid weather, she had opted to discard her red and black Future Industries long sleeved jacket and was down to her short sleeved undershirt. Bataar fared better on his Zaofu tunic which was comfortable enough for hot temperatures. The raven haired magnate wasn't sure if it was due to the alcohol, the weather or the ache inside her heart but somehow their conversation drifted to a subject often avoided.
"Do you think you can do it? Can you ever forgive Kuvira for what she did?" Asami stared straight into Bataar's green eyes.
The engineer lifted his glass and after downing the caramel hued liquid in one go, he replied:
"I already did." His eyes locked with Asami's unwaveringly.
"How?" the magnate questioned, a lilt of incredulity on her voice.
Bataar cradled the empty glass between his large hands. "Between keeping those emotions locked inside me, feeding off my emotional energy and letting go and freeing myself to move on, I chose the latter. That doesn't mean it was easy. It has been the hardest thing I've done."
"But the warehouse…she…" stammered Asami still confused by his admission.
"Released a weapon of mass destruction against me? A weapon of my own creation? I think I know that already Asami. But I still chose to forgive her so I could heal my wounds. That doesn't mean I have forgotten. That is impossible."
Asami stood silently as she watched Bataar order another round. His features sobered and there was an almost wounded gesture on the way his shoulders slouched forward making him look hunched, smaller. The waiter placed their drinks on the table and Bataar immediately took his.
"Sometimes I still shudder up in panic with an electric storm" the engineer broke the silence of their small table. "The clap of lightning and the roar of thunder remind me of the blast and the flash coming at me." His voice was tremulous as his eyes seemed to be staring far away.
Asami assessed the man in front of her perceiving that kindred emotions stirred within him as they did inside her. Disappointment, heartache, fear.
"But have you asked yourself why she did it?" her voice was soft as if reluctant to disturb the intimate mood it had engulfed their space.
His lips curved into a grim smile. "The answer was so obvious I couldn't believe it had been right in front of me the whole time. It was simple: I went against what we had meticulously planned in front of everyone. I was contradicting orders."
"That's is ridiculous!" Asami's palms hit the table forcefully.
"You seem to forget that I might have been her fiancée but I was too her subordinate. And whose fault was it that was that way? Mine. I pushed her relentlessly to be in the lead position, to be the one in command. I never wanted the spotlight or the burden of leadership."
"But you did everything together…"
"Who addressed the public and the press? Who spearheaded every combat operation and led from the frontlines? She did. It was her name and face plastered on the propaganda posters. I was too comfortable not having total responsibility. It was convenient not being the one held became a shield to hide my own misdeeds. And as the leader, she also carries the weight of the failure, of the war crimes. I've heard she was exiled to the South Pole to some spirit forsaken land. I'm here in my country with my family relatively free to work and move as I wish."
"But your life is still at peril."
"Peril found its way to her prison too, or so I was told. Assassination attempt. I know that what I'm telling you makes no sense but that's what the military does to you. It's an indoctrination with its own set of rules. Your brain is wired to think and act and see things differently from the rest of the world. In this world, the fact is that I forgot my place and acted upon my emotions. The Avatar's goading was very effective. Had it been the other way around, Kuvira would have ordered the Colossus to strike and would have been pleased in taking her enemies with her to hell."
"I can't...I can't believe that. That is so cold, so emotionless." Asami shuddered.
"Because it is supposed to be cold. Military strategy is all about maximizing your resources and minimizing your losses. Collateral damage is to be expected. I became expendable the instant I put the mission second to prioritize my own personal interests even if those interests meant her. You have seen it yourself how some of my former comrades insult me. In their eyes I betrayed her, I betrayed them and I betrayed our cause."
"Such hatred…what is the point of holding on to those grudges? The war is over."
"That's the cruel reality behind the propaganda and the indoctrination. The country's needs will always supersede the individual's."
"That's not true! We did everything we could to protect our citizens in Republic City. We kept casualties at a minimum because every life mattered."
Bataar lifted his eyes from his glass and gave Asami an amiable glance. "You are lucky to live in a young, vibrant nation not yet marred by centuries of conflicts and old wounds weighting on its collective psyche. But you know how cruel the world can be. I remember how many demanded for Avatar Korra to allow the cycle to continue. The world suffers when the Avatar can't keep its balance."
Asami opened her eyes wide as a pain settled inside her heart. She still remembered the callous comments of those who wished for a new Avatar. It had wrenched her inside and she'd wished to deal with some of the critics with her electrified glove.
"I know there is cruelty in the world but there's also hope. What Korra did is the best example. She overcame her own trauma and became a stronger, better Avatar."
"I know that now Asami. Now that I've purged those misguided ideas from me I can see the value of pursuing unity but through hope and not through strength and intimidation. I really hope Kuvira gets to learn the same. Before we became ruthless and obsessed with power, we really wished for a stable nation. I know that was her driving force because she feared that the people of the Earth Nation would go through what she went through, the abandonment."
"But the things she did…"
"The things we did Asami. If you believe I'm not an evil man then you should also believe she is not really evil."
Asami gazed at her glass for a moment before lifting her head.
"I believe you. Her…I do have other situations that are very personal in nature but I don't feel like talking about them right now."
"That's okay. I think we've had enough of this subject anyway." His hand went reassuringly to cover hers. She glimpsed at him stunned but did not pull away.
"I agree. Should we call it a night then?"
Moments later, the pair left the animated ambiance of the restaurant and headed towards the recently inaugurated hotel, yet another evidence of the fast growth of the town. They kept chatting until Asami found herself in front of her room's door.
"I had fun tonight even with…I didn't mean to bother you…" commented Asami blushing as she fished the room key from her pocket.
"That's okay. It's good to have someone to talk these things with. Of all the people, I believe you can understand me."
"I do."
"Good night" Asami said as he surrounded the tall engineer with her arms in a friendly embrace.
"Good night" he returned the gesture. Neither dared to break the embrace, their eyes locked into each other's. Asami realized it felt good being held like this. She missed being held, being touched. His hand rose to move the abundant hair from her shoulder. Asami traced the outline of his strong jawline, sensing a hint of stubble. He took her hand and brushed his lips over her palm. Asami's breath caught up her throat. The soft caress felt so good. Instinctively she tightened the hold of her arms around his broad shoulders. It had been quite long since she had someone to tower over her but it was a pleasant sensation. Her eyes left his green gaze shielded by his glasses and gazed for a moment over his lips. The hand he had captured had their fingers interlocked. Asami didn't realize when or how it had happened but instant later their lips were locked in a heated kiss as the door of her room closed behind them.
Zaofu, two weeks ago
A hoarse hiss erupted from Bataar's throat. Asami's nails were digging deep over his shoulders as she desperately kept driving him inside her, moaning her need with hot breath against his ear. His mouth ran down the column of her pale neck as he shut his eyes tightly, sensing the quivers beneath him that preluded the incoming release. Holding Asami firmly by her back and firm posterior, he maneuvered so she could be on top. The change in position was all that she needed to be pushed over the edge and with a throaty moan, her release exploded within her core. Just moments later, the low grunt that escaped from Bataar's mouth let Asami know he had also reached his fulfillment. Struggling to recover her breath, Asami moved to his side and placed her head over the pocket of his firm shoulder, a hand leisurely tracing the broad chest and the contours of his toned abdominal muscles. Bataar placed a soft peck over her lips and let his hand rest casually over her svelte waist.
"Bataar, are you okay with it, with my decision?"
"If you still feel you love her, you should do what your heart tells you to do."
"I shouldn't be doing this to you."
"Sami, I knew what I was getting into and I don't regret a single minute of it. You know what I feel for you but I can't force you to feel the same."
"To be honest, I'm not sure what I'm feeling right now."
Bataar let out a chuckle. "That's why you should face Korra. You can't keep avoiding her. She's still your friend."
"I know. We talked recently but it really feels that she has moved on. And then there's the rumors..."
Bataar's expression sobered. "You need to talk to her and find out if she has indeed moved on. You can't keep living out of past memories. You deserve your happiness too."
"And you?"
The engineer smiled. "I've learned to take things one day at a time. The only thing I ask of you is that you are honest. If Korra gives you a second chance and you decide to accept it, I will respect your decision. If you want to give us a chance, I'll be here."
Asami felt tears slipping from the corners of her eyes as she placed her hands in Bataar's cheeks and claimed his mouth in a hungry and desperate kiss.
"I will come back" she murmured against his lips. "I promise."
"I'll be waiting for you Sami."
-oOo-
Asami yelped as she stepped on the breaks hard when Korra grabbed her shoulder tightly. The jeep shook and Korra leapt out, her face reflecting the shock of the information overload she had just received.
"You were with Bataar all this time!?" the Avatar screamed.
Asami let out a long sigh as she approached Korra.
"Korra, it's complicated. We were both dealing with heartache and disappointed and we really cliqued and before we knew it…"
Korra ran her fingers through her hair, still attempting to make sense of it all.
"But then why you were so upset when you found out about me and Kuvira?"
"Because it is Kuvira!" Asami growled.
"I don't get it Sami. You wanted a second chance with me but you also have feelings for Bataar. My brain's gonna explode!"
"That's how I've been feeling these past days too Korra. I'm trying to sort out my feelings but what it makes it so hard is who you chose to move on with."
"Spirits, I didn't choose to fall in love with Kuvira the same way you didn't choose to have feelings for Bataar. It just happened!"
"I know but it's hard…" Asami sank her head over her gloved palms as she began to weep. Korra brought her in a calming embrace. The engineer sobbed against Korra's shoulder letting all the feelings she struggled to keep under control to flow out. The Avatar ran her fingers up and down her spine soothingly, as she sought to provide the magnate the space and support she needed.
"I don't know how we are going to sort all of this out but we have to" Korra muttered against her hair.
"I know…I'm sorry for not telling you this before. A part of me was so happy with Bataar and another part really believed I should try to get back with you but now I think I know why" Asami said amidst hiccups.
"Why?"
"Because I was afraid of falling in love again and getting back with you gave me familiarity and stability."
"I think you might have sorted out your feelings after all" Korra affirmed.
"I think you might be right. Thank you Korra and forgive me for not telling you all of this before. I've been a jerk too."
Korra chuckled at that. "Just doing my Avatar duties but we'd better get back on the road if we want to make it within schedule. Besides, I think you will really need to talk to someone and give him the good news when we make it back to Zaofu." Korra flashed a playful grin and Asami chuckled as her cheeks acquired a pink hue.
The Future Industries magnate rushed to her seat and started the jeep and Korra quickly returned to her side. Asami put her racing googles on and maneuvered the gear shift. Giving her passenger a confident wide smile, she exclaimed as she stepped hard on the gas pedal:
"Are you ready for some speed Avatar?"
Author's Notes:
Yup, you've read right. Another crack pairing added to the vast collection of ATLA/LoK crack pairings. Can't be worse than Asami/Varrick though. Until the next one!