Because I love you

Summary:_

In which secrets start to come out and Asami and Korra can't be more than friends

~Asami~

"Asami go out with me…"

her words echoed in my ears and warmed my entire body. She's not serious is she? No that can't be…. Maybe I just misheard her. Yeah that must be it. I don't want her to think I got the wrong idea about what she's asking.

"sorry I didn't quite catch that Korra." I said faking ignorance. She lowered her eyes and blushed. She looked at me unsure of whether or not she should repeat herself.

"I…I…I asked I-if you would go out w-w-with me…" her blushing increased and she rubbed the back of her neck before biting her lip. "I uh…don't know why I said that…" I could tell she was embarrassed but for whatever reason I couldn't help but tease her a bit.

"so what now you don't want to go out with me?" I said in a sultry tone with lidded eyes and a flirtatious smile. I watched as embarrassment turned to panic and I couldn't help but laugh.

"no I mean… I just thought…" her voice trailed off for a moment. "Asami I do want to go out with you… I mean I thought about asking you… but then we just became friends and…"

"so you mean you do want to go out with me… like a date or something?" I looked at her with curiosity. I know she's being serious but I can't help but want to dodge the question.

"y-yeah like a date… or something…. I know you might not be over Kuvira… but… after last night I just thought…" She said as her voice trailed off.

I don't see a reason to reject her flat out. I mean what's there not to like about Korra. She's sweet, kind, beautiful and intelligent. Not to mention she makes me laugh in ways I never thought possible. And Spirits with her caramel colored skin, her tone figure, her eyes that make my heart stop and her smile that just… most of all I… didn't dream about it… about the past last night. With Korra I felt warm, protected, not confused. With her I felt more safe then I have in a long time… with Korra I know I will never be left alone… or at least that's the impression I get from her.

Every fiber of my being is screaming for me to say 'yes'. That this might just end up being the best thing that will ever happen to me. I moved and sat on the couch

"Asami…" Korra say in a worried tone. "are you…" she moved and followed me over.

I looked up and stared into her eyes… those deep blue…. "Korra…" I said with a lot more sorrow than I had intended. "Korra… c-can I think about it for a bit longer?" I know those words weren't the ones she wanted to hear. The looked on her face said it all.

"oh… um ok… I just… it was stupid of me to have asked." She averted her eyes she had such an expression… it's killing me inside. She got up and started for the door. I followed pursuit and grabbed her by the arm.

"Korra I'm not saying no. Spirits I'm not saying no… it's just… things are complicated for me and I don't want to drag you down with me… I just need a little bit more time ok?" I said as she turned to look at me.

I don't know what I feel for Korra… but… I know I don't want to use her. She is a good person… far better than myself at least.

It's not about what other people think… that's not the reason I can't just say yes even though I really want to. I know what the other's in school would say. It will probably go somewhere along the lines like: 'really first a fire bender, then a earth bender now a water bender. I wouldn't be surprised if she was going after the Avatar next. I mean how low can she go…' even unfiltered I really couldn't care less what they say let alone think about me.

Unlike Mako I'm sure Korra wouldn't just stand by and watch them bad mouth me. That's just who she is. Being with a person of the same gender isn't a big deal in this day and age… however being with a bender when you're not… well that's another story. The problem lies with my father….

"Some time to think about it… um ok I can wait I guess." Korra said pulling me from my thoughts. "u-um so that song…" she gave me a weak smile. I smiled back realizing she was trying to change the subject for my sake.

"that song… it's called 'Remedy' by Adele… m-my mother use to sing it for me and my father when we worked on the cars…" I said.

"use to?" she asked. "you mean she doesn't anymore?" my smile faded. The topic of my mother is not one of my favorites.

"she… uh she died about 10 years ago." I said watching panic return to Korra's face as she tried to think of a way to change the subject again. "Don't worry about it Korra…. Although I am not very fond of the topic… if you ask a question I will answer it." I continued trying to give her a reassuring smile.

"h-how… did she pass away." Korra asked carefully choosing her word.

My eyes met hers. "she was killed in a raid by some benders… she died… protecting me." My voice trailed off as I fought the urge to cry. "ever since she died my father… he hasn't been the same…"

"Asami…" Korra's voice was filled with sorrow. I didn't want her pity and when I looked up I realized that wasn't what she was giving me. "I'm so sorry…" her apology sounded like it was made on behalf of all benders not just her own.

"don't be it's not your fault… it's not anyone's… but ever since that day my father has carried this vendetta against all benders… her hates them and would see that I did as well. If he ever found out that I was dating one… no matter the type of person, they are…" I shook my head. "I really don't know what he would do.

"does… does he really hate them that much." She asked.

"yes…. In fact, the only thing he hates more… is the Avatar." Korra flinched at my words. Was it because the Avatar is supposed to be the one person who brings both benders and non-benders together. "my father blames the Avatar for not being there to help my mother." Again she flinches.

"A-a-and you… what about you Asami… w-what do you think about the Avatar?" she asked, concern filling her voice.

I shook my head. "I don't know. I don't know how or what to think about the Avatar." She looked away.

"so… you hate the Avatar too." She said lowering her voice.

"No… it's just that I don't know anything about the Avatar. I can only imagine what he or she is like." I said looking up at the ceiling. I pulled my knees to my chest and wrapped my arms around them before continuing. "but… when I think of the Avatar I imagine someone strong, intelligent, kind and warm…. Someone wise beyond their years… someone a lot like you Korra."

I turned to her and smiled. She was staring at me with a surprised look on her face. My smile softened. "but as much as I admire the Avatar I also think their life is a bit sad don't you?" our eyes locked with one another.

"why is that?" Korra asked confused by my statement.

"Well because… the Avatar can't be accountable to just his or her self, nor can they be accountable to just one person. They can't fully fall in love with someone… they don't have a choice in how their life will progress over time." I said.

"Asami… can I ask you something…" she said. I watched her for a moment before nodding. "what if… and I'm just saying hypothetically speaking I was the Avatar… would you…. Would you still not want to be with me?" Korra averted her eyes for whatever reason and I sighed at her question.

"Korra it…. It wouldn't be a matter of not wanting to be with you. I wouldn't be able to." I said felling sad to have said so.

"why!" she protested. "is it because my life would be in constant danger?"

I shook my head again. "Because Korra… the Avatar cannot belong to just one person… and I am not so good of a person to want to have to share you with the entire world." She refused to look in my direction.

"Korra let me ask you something now." I said and she looked at me. "if you where the Avatar and you were put in a situation where you had to save either the world or myself… which would you chose." I don't expect her to answer… and even if she does I'd wat her to say….

'you want her to say that she'd save you, don't you?'

'no… I mean…'

My thoughts where interrupted by Korra's answer.

"I'd save both… even if it seemed impossible and if everyone told me to choose one or the other… I'd still try to save both… and I will succeed." I couldn't help but laugh. Not at her answer but at how she said it. There was no hesitation what so ever… and to be honest I'm happy by her answer.

"w-what did I say something weird?" she asked starting to blush. I leaned over and pressed my lips to her cheek.

"No Korra… you didn't say anything wrong… it made me happy to hear… even if we were just talking in theory… Korra whatever you believe in… or wherever we end up I really hope you never change who you are. The world would be lucky to have an Avatar even half the person you are.

"'Sami… if you really mean what you just said then…" I cut her off.

"Korra shouldn't you head back to the temple now? It's already noon." She frowned.

"y-yeah but…" she stared at me for a moment then sighed. "yeah I guess I should..." she got up and headed for the door. I followed not too far behind. I walked her down the driveway before she stopped. Again she just looked at me with a serious expression.

"do you want to take my car?" I asked. She looked confused for a moment.

"No… the Docks aren't that far away… and I've never driven before." She admitted. I watched her blush deeply.

"really? Well then I'll just give you a lesson at another time." When I said that her face lit up.

"really? That would be so cool!" she said smiling from ear to ear. I felt my pulse quicken and prayed that she wouldn't notice me blush. "anyway is it cool if I pick you up for the party later?" she asked and now I was confused. She just said she didn't know how to drive. "I still have something I need to talk to you about.

"um… yeah sure. That would be fine since I don't know where the party will be held… but are you sure? I mean you just said you can't drive." Korra just laughed.

"Don't worry I got it all worked out. Just try not to freak ok." She said with a confident smirk. Ok now I am worried.

"why would I freak." I said smiling at Korra.

"it's a surprise." Korra said.

"I hate surprises." I said in a joking manner.

"really?" Korra asked.

"No." I admitted.

We both laughed before Korra continued. "then I'll pick you up at 8 is that ok?" she asked

I thought for a minute before continuing. "8 sounds perfect. I'll see you then." She smiled then hugged me before moving away.

I was totally just flirting with her wasn't I. I smiled.

'you totally were.'

~back at Air Temple Island~

~Korra~

"You're doing it again." Kuvira said as she appeared from behind one of the columns. "what time did you get back?"

"I got back about an hour or so ago. And what am I 'doing again'." I said not making eye contact.

She watched me for a minute. "you're dancing again."

"I like to dance Kuvira." I continued with my movements.

She walked over to me. "true. But I also know you only do 'the dancing dragon' when you're trying to decide something that will probably get the both of us in trouble." She said.

I stopped my movements and faced her. I looked around to make sure Tenzin or the kids where around before pulling Kuvira to the side. I cleared my throat. "d-do you remember what we were talking about the other day." She gave me a confused expression. "you know… about me liking someone in the group?" she nodded slowly.

"that person is Asami isn't it." She said and I gave her a surprised look.

"y-yes but how did you…" she cut me off.

"it wasn't that hard to put the pieces together. But anyway what about Asami?" she said shifting her weight from one foot to the other and smiling. I opened my mouth then snapped it shut.

"Who's Asami. Is she someone Korra likes." Ikki said jumping out of the tree above us. Kuvira looked from Ikki to me. Ikki continued. "Do you like her in a good way or a bad way. Is she pretty?"

"Ikki. we're trying to have a conversation. Why don't you go bother Meelo or something?" I said shooing her off.

"you were saying?" Kuvira said with an amused grin on her face.

"well I uh… I think things might get serious between us..." I began.

"So…" Kuvira said.

"So I think I'm going to tell her." Kuviras' smile faded and she gave me a stern look. "I think she should know Kuv… you know before things get too deep."

"you'll risk putting her life in danger… for what Korra a crush that won't last long. You and I both know that isn't a good idea" she said.

"Kuv… this time it's different." I said.

"yeah? Different how?" Kuvira

"I don't know… I just think that if I tell Asami 'who I am' things will work out… I don't know why but I just have this feeling that she's important Kuv. That's the only way I can explain it." She watched me carefully probably trying to find out if I was just being kind or just full of it.

she shook her head before sighing. "Asami is a good person Korra and she's a good friend… you and I might have known each other for a long time and you might be the closest thing I have to a family but… look if things go wrong in any way… I'll be on her side this time." She said.

"Don't worry. Wether we start dating… or we just stay friends, I'm not going to let anything happen to her. I give you my word as the Avatar." I said giving a serious look back at Kuvira.

"when are you going to tell her?" Kuvira asked.

"I don't know at the party later tonight maybe… I just have to figure out a good time and place to say it…. It's not like I can just blurt it out." I said averting my eyes.

"what does Tenzin and your father think about this?" she asked.

"Well… I haven't told them yet… besides things with Asami isn't a sure thing. If I don't tell her tonight, then I'll drop the whole thing… I'll even keep my distance from her…. I don't want to bother them for no reason Kuv." She sighed before catching my gaze and smiling.

"Well then let's hope you get the girl. We can deal with whatever else when we come to it…. In the mean time you owe me one. I had to cover for a certain someone when they didn't bother calling home." She said nudging me before turning to go in for lunch.

"Hey Kuv." I said.

"yeah what Avatar." She replied.

"thanks for this… you know all of it." I said.

"thank me when you save the world for good and get the girl." She waved me off before disappearing.

Author's Note:thanks for waiting had to see how I wanted things to progress. Leave comments if that's your thing. The Next chapter will be the party and let's just say a storm is coming. ^.^v make guesses and if you're right I'll dedicate the next chapter to you.