Asami was certain she was dreaming. The castle was almost unrecognizable. Tonraq and Senna had done all in their power to turn the dark, lackluster fortress into a glittering palace. Tapestries hung from the walls. Fine pottery decorated every shelf along with elegant silverwork. The castle had not looked this grand ever, not even before the war. She tried to maintain her composure, but she knew she was grinning like an idiot. Korra led her to the great hall, where they were announced as having arrived together. Everyone turned at the mention of Korra's name and there were more than a few sly smiles when they saw Asami on her arm. Asami felt her face start to heat again. Ancestors help me.
Korra led them down the stairs and to the ballroom floor. "Wow, this is fantastic," Asami said, taking in the sight of the dancing nobles.
Korra gave her a trademark crooked grin. "It's almost a little overwhelming."
"That's right, you've never been to a ball before." Asami chuckled as she remembered the occasion. "You ran off to play soldiers with Mako and Bolin."
Korra shrugged. "I was young."
"You were fourteen." Asami nudged her.
Korra made a face. "They were going to make me wear a dress."
"What? You don't like dresses?" Asami asked. She was suddenly aware of Korra's gaze traveling down her body.
Korra cleared her throat and Asami could see the color rise in her cheeks. "I don't like to wear dresses," she corrected. "They certainly seem to suit others just fine."
Asami's breath caught. She fought the feeling of heat rising in her face once more. "I, for one, think they're overrated." She let her own gaze linger on Korra's outfit. "I don't think I mentioned yet how striking you look tonight."
"I wanted tonight to be special for you," Korra said.
"For me?"
"I rarely see you this excited about something." Korra smiled. "It's so nice to see you smile this freely."
Asami's heart jumped into her throat. "I…don't know what to say."
"You don't have to say anything, I just want you to enjoy yourself." Korra squeeze Asami's hand that rested on her arm. Asami struggled to find a reply. It was rare that someone rendered her speechless. She just looks too damn good in that uniform.
"Did you want me to get you something to eat? Or drink?" Korra asked.
"I think I'd like a drink, actually."
Korra gave her a small bow and a wink. "I'll be right back."
Asami watched her go and tried to regain any shred of her composure that might be left. She sat down on one of the chairs near the back of the ballroom.
"Lovely ball isn't it?" Asami turned and smiled when General Bumi bowed to her.
"It's wonderful," Asami said.
He stroked his beard thoughtfully as he glanced over at the retreating figure. "You know, I don't think Korra knows this is a date."
Asami turned crimson. "I…that is…"
Bumi laughed. "Calm down, I'm not going to say anything." He placed a hand on her shoulder. He leaned down and said, "But we're all rooting for you."
"Thank you?" Asami wasn't sure how to handle the knowledge that apparently the entire castle was trying to set her up with Korra.
"I think you might want to rescue her though." He nodded toward the other side of the room where one of the young men from the Earth Kingdom was talking to Korra. Asami bit her lip at the look of barely restrained anger on Korra's face.
"I should probably intervene before she punches the poor boy." She smiled at Bumi. "If you'll excuse me."
He bowed. "Of course, Miss Sato." Asami quickly made her way through the crowd and grabbed Korra's elbow.
"There you are. I wondered what was keeping you." She leaned into Korra and turned her attention to the young man in front of them. "I don't think we've been introduced."
The young man turned his attention to her. He was easily the most meticulously dressed man in the room, his clothes cleanly pressed and perfectly matched. "I am Prince Wu of the Earth Kingdom." He bowed and gave Asami what she assumed was supposed to be a charming smile.
"Prince Wu, this is Asami Sato," Korra said. Her tone was stiff and Asami knew Korra wanted to be anywhere but there.
"Asami is a lovely name." Wu raised a suggestive brow at her. Asami felt Korra's muscles flex as she tensed.
"Why, thank you." Asami turned to Korra, pointedly ignoring his advances as she placed a hand on Korra's chest. "My darling, you promised me a dance."
Korra blinked and turned to Asami. "Oh, of course! If you'll excuse us, Your Highness."
Wu frowned as he glanced between the two of them. "Of course, I didn't realize…my apologies." He bowed as if excusing himself and Korra took them to the center of the ballroom floor. Asami felt Korra relax as she led them across the room in a waltz, but her face was still flush with anger.
"I'm sorry I didn't get you something to drink," Korra said.
Asami shook her head. "It's fine, I was glad to rescue you."
Korra hesitated before speaking again. "So…did I miss the part where we are courting, or…"
Asami blushed again. She hated how easily Korra flustered her sometimes. "I thought it would be the best way get rid of him." She met Korra's amused expression. "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."
"It didn't make me uncomfortable," Korra said softly.
"No?" Asami suddenly felt breathless. What does she mean by that?
"There are worse rumors to be spread." Korra guided her through a spin. "They could be talking about me courting him." She nodded over Asami's shoulder to where Wu likely was. But Asami refused to take her eyes off of Korra.
"I'm glad I didn't misread the situation," Asami admitted. "I mean, your break-up with Mako happened a while ago. It's only natural if you wanted to find…someone new."
"Not him." Korra made a face. "He's so…so…"
"Insincere?" Asami offered.
Korra chuckled. "That is a much kinder word than what I had in mind." She effortlessly moved them through another turn. "Though, you aren't wrong."
"About?"
"I probably should try to get back into courting and romance and all that…" Korra's smile fell. "But…" She glanced at Asami. "I'm sorry." She shook her head. "This is supposed to be a happy night, you don't want to hear about my woes."
Asami bit her lip, swallowing down an urge to confess her feelings right then. "Korra…you know you can talk to me about this."
"I know, but not right now." Korra took a breath and her smile returned. "I want nothing but happy memories for you tonight."
"Sometimes you fit the role of 'knight in shining armor' too well," she admitted.
"Only because of you," Korra murmured.
Asami nearly tripped. "What?"
"You keep the armor shining, don't you?" The song came to an end and everyone clapped for the orchestra. Korra and Asami left the dance floor and headed over to the refreshment table. Korra handed Asami a glass and they both quietly sipped their drinks.
"Knight-Commander." They turned to see Kai giving Korra sharp salute.
Korra laughed. "At ease, squire." She glanced around. "Where's Jinora?"
Kai sighed heavily. "She said something about having to help Tenzin set up."
Korra gave him a sympathetic smile. "I'm sorry."
Asami leaned forward to talk over the din of the ball. "I wouldn't worry too much Kai, I know Jinora was very excited about the ball tonight. It was all she talked about…well that, and you of course." She grinned at him.
Kai blushed. "Um, thanks…" he smiled and ran a hand through his hair. "You two looked good out there." He nodded to the dance floor. "I didn't know you could dance, Korra."
"I didn't either," Asami said, casting her gaze at Korra. She tried to ignore the pleasant memory of Korra's hand on the small of her back as they crossed the ballroom floor.
Korra shrugged. "My mother made me learn. It actually helped me with swordplay when I was younger. I was more aware of my footing."
"Are you going to dance with Jinora?" Asami asked.
Kai blushed deeper. "Do you think she'd want to?"
Asami gave him a small smile. "I'm sure of it. As a matter of fact…" Asami nodded toward the entrance. Kai turned and watched as Tenzin arrived with his family in tow. Jinora stood in a yellow dress that flowed around her much like her wizard robes, but revealed more of her neckline. She looked lovely, and Kai was speechless.
"Well, go on then," Korra prodded.
"Y-yes, Knight-Commander!" He gave her a hasty salute and made his way through the crowd.
Asami watched him go and chuckled. "They are too cute together."
Korra's smile lessened. "They deserve to be happy."
Asami tugged on Korra's shoulder until she turned to face her. "So do you," she insisted.
Korra looked away. "Sorry, I keep doing it don't I?"
Asami silently chastised herself for not realizing sooner that something was wrong. Something is hurting you. What happened? "Korra, I don't want you to pretend like nothing is wrong. Talk to me, please."
Korra glanced around at the crowded venue. "Asami, I don't…"
Before she could think better of it, Asami grabbed her hand and led her out the back of the ballroom.
Korra did not pay attention as Asami led them through the palace. When they finally stopped walking, she realized they were on the balcony. She glanced back inside. The glow of torches and candles flickered against the windowpanes, providing a backlight to the moving bodies inside.
"But Asami, the ball, you –"
Asami put her hands on her hips. "Something is bothering you. I'm not leaving here until you talk to me about it."
Korra gave her a small smile. "I'm sorry."
Asami rests a hand on Korra's arm. "Stop apologizing."
"I just…" Korra leaned on the railing that over looked the castle grounds. "I see everyone tonight and they're all so happy. I want to be, I should be."
"But?"
"It's a feeling I don't seem to be able to hold on to." Korra turned and met Asami's eyes. She looks so worried. "Sometimes, for a little bit I can forget about the civil war, the rebellion…my uncle. But it doesn't last."
"Korra, if you ever need anything…" There it was. That flicker of heartbreak. A shadow of pain crossed Asami's face every time Korra mentioned her struggles. She hated doing it to Asami, and so she chose reticence.
"I know…and you do more than you know. When it's just you and me…it's easy. I can push all of that aside." She sighed and then breathed in a lungful of cool air. It helped pull her from her reserve. "But when I'm alone, I still see it all before me. I…I feel my arm swinging. I can feel the blade cutting into metal, breaking bones. Sometimes…sometimes I'll dream the battles over and over." She blinked back tears. If she could resolve to do one thing, it would be to not turn into a sobbing mess in front of Asami.
"Oh Korra." Asami's hand slid further up along her arm. The warm touch seeped through her skin, igniting something inside her. She turned to Asami, and they embraced. She felt Asami's arms pull her close and she allowed herself to rest her head against the crook of Asami's neck. She inhaled the sweet scent she had caught earlier and her pulse jumped in her throat again. The tension eased from her shoulders.
"Why is it so relaxing just to be in your arms?" she asked.
"What do you mean?" Asami asked. She loosened her grip and Korra pulled away just enough to meet her gaze.
"I…just now, I felt a little better. It was…" She looked away. Her cheeks burned and her heart thudded. She leaned against the balcony again.
Asami leaned against the railing next to her. "I'm here for you, you know," she said. "Whatever you need."
Korra turned to speak to her again, but a loud boom made them both jump. They glanced out over the balcony, and Korra saw a shower of fireworks glitter in the night sky. She smiled as another boom resonated through the night and the sky lit up again.
"Korra, look!" Asami cried, taking hold of her arm again. Her delighted grin was lit up by another flash of fireworks. Korra stared, transfixed by the expression of joy on Asami's face. "Do you see the blue? That's copper. And that orange?"
Korra knew Asami was talking, but between the fireworks and her own heartbeat, she heard none of it. Her gaze focused on Asami's lips, the way they formed each word, each sound. Something tugged at her heart. She wanted to lean forward, to taste Asami's lips against her own – She froze, suddenly aware of her own closeness to Asami as that one thought blazed in her mind. I want to kiss her. Ancestors, I want to kiss Asami.
"Korra?" Asami was searching her gaze. "Are you all right?"
Korra pulled back sharply, almost tripping over her own feet. "Um, fine! I'm fine." She looked around the balcony. "I…I need to get something to drink, though. Would you like anything?" She pointed inside.
Asami raised a brow at her. "I'm fine," she said. "But thank you."
"I – good. I'll be right back." Korra turned and walked back into the ballroom. Her head spun and the clash of music, laughter, and fireworks only made it worse. She made her way to the drinks and picked up a glass of wine, downing it quickly. She took a breath and pressed a hand to her forehead. I have feelings for her, she thought. "I just have to make it through tonight." She looked back at Asami standing on the balcony, beautiful in her deep red dress. "If I can manage that long."
A/N: Another chapter is here. I think this might be the one we were concerned would break the internet. Enjoy it, guys. Sy and I will be streaming this Friday at 5 pm pacific time, as always. Thanks to all of you that showed up and hung out, and I'd like to thank everyone who has taken the time to check out our original fiction, too :D
A special thanks to Ozkit on Tumblr, who is drawing illustrations for this fic, and they are marvelous, so go check them out! Leave a comment. We'll see you next Sunday.