Pre-book3

The sound of counting brought Asami down the hallway, where she paused as she caught sight of Korra inside. The Avatar was doing pull-ups on a bar in the center of the room. Sweat dampened her back, making her tank-top stick to her skin. She wore shorts, her legs also glistening from her exertion. As she pulled herself up, the muscles of her back ripped, and her biceps strained.

Oh.

Hello.

Asami ran a hand through her hair, unable to tear her eyes away as Korra continued to work-out. It seemed as though her own body weighed nothing, only the sweat giving away that there was any effort.

She'd always known Korra was strong, had seen it first hand more than once, but this felt different. Korra wasn't fighting, or protecting, she wasn't even showing off. She was simply exercising, keeping her body fit and healthy. Which was still showing off but Asami didn't particularly mind.

Licking her lips, Asami tried to turn away, to continue down the hall. To go get a damn drink, if she was honest. But she couldn't look away. And she didn't really want to. She imagined those arms wrapped around her, her muscles like a comforting shield. Turning into Korra, inhaling her scent, running her tongue up her throat to taste the salt.

Biting her lip and digging her fingers into her hip, Asami made a squeaking sound.

Korra paused mid-pushup, then glanced behind her. Her smile was enough to light most of Republic City and an already dazed Asami was dazzled, "Hey! Can you get me a towel?"

"Of course," Asami said. She walked in, grabbing a towel and bringing it over to Korra.

Grinning, Korra started to towel herself down and it took Asami considerable self-control not to offer to help. Despite having worked out, despite probably not smelling all that great, Korra was somehow the most delicious looking human being Asami had ever laid eyes on.

Oh, I really do have it bad, she thought, watching the way Korra's arms shimmered. Granted, she'd been into her the first time she'd seen her, but ever since the whole mess at the south pole, Asami had found it so much more difficult to think straight around her. To say nothing of the way her emotions spiked when they were in the same room together.

An analytical part of her mind wanted to know what chemical breakdown was turning work-out sweat into 'take me' energy, and she had to bite her lip again before she did in fact offer to help her towel off.

"What's up?" Korra tossed the towel aside and stretched.

"Uhm." Korra was so close to her that Asami was positive she was tasting her. Her mind helpfully reminded her that scent and taste buds were in fact connected, "I was going to get something to drink, do you want to join me?"

"Let me shower first?" Korra asked.

"Let me help," Asami said. For half a second her entire cool demeanor threatened to crumble, before she smoothly amended, "By bringing you some fresh towels."

"Great! Thanks!" And then Korra's arms were around her and they were everything she ever wanted. Far too soon but also just in time before Asami did something she really shouldn't, Korra let go, and Asami watched her head down the hallway.

Then she found herself quickly following, "Hey, Korra? Want to get noodles after your shower instead?"

"You're speaking my language."