[A/N] Penultimate chapter! I apologize so much for the delay - life has not been kind of late and writing has been really, really hard. However, I love these dorks and I refuse to leave them hanging. Also, I've been looking forward to bringing in the last set of characters as the 'grownups' show up for closing ceremonies.

Thanks for bearing with me, and enjoy these last chapters!

Korra grunted as her back hit the wall, Asami's hands shoving hard against her shoulders as the CEO's insistent tongue ran along her jaw.

"Fuck, 'Sams," she said breathlessly. "Can't wait to get your hands on me, huh?"

Asami's chuckle was low and decidedly naughty. Her hands ran down Korra's arms and she gripped the warm calloused palms, pulling her off the wall and down the hallway of the airship toward their suite. Somehow they made it through the door and into the bathroom, dirty clothes discarded in their wake. The hot water stung pleasantly on their bare skin as the the dust and grit was washed away. Korra's head thudded against the cool tile of the shower as Asami sucked hard on her pulse point while her fingers gripped Korra tightly, holding her in place while her thumbs rubbed against the Avatar's twitching abdominal muscles.

"You were driving me crazy out there," Asami mumbled, her lips still pressed against the skin of Korra's throat.

Korra groaned as Asami's teeth scraped along her collar bone. "I assure you the feeling was mutual," she finally managed.

In the corridor, the ship's steward shook his head as saw small piles of clothing lying in the partially closed doorway of the Sato stateroom. He bent to pick it up, then cocked his head as he heard gasps and moans emanating from the en suite. A dark blush covered his cheeks as he hastily pushed the clothing all the way into the room before he yanked the door closed and fled back down the hall.

—

Korra fell back against the bed, chest heaving. Asami slithered up the Avatar's sweat slicked body and kissed her deeply before she also collapsed onto the cool sheets. Their eyes met and they smiled happily as they tried to catch their breath. Korra grabbed Asami's hand and kissed each knuckle before interlacing their fingers.

"It's hard to believe the festival is almost over," Korra finally murmured.

Asami propped herself up and ran her fingers through chocolate locks before cupping Korra's face. "I know what you mean. It feels like this was the first time since we were in the Spirit World that we could just be together. I haven't had thirty meetings a day with corporate drones, and you—" Asami's voice caught. "And you haven't had to go off and risk your life fixing the world."

Korra's heart lurched when she saw the look on the engineer's face. "Oh sweetheart, c'mere." She tugged on Asami until they were comfortably nestled together, dark fingers tracing patterns against alabaster skin.

"I'm always afraid you won't come home," whispered Asami against Korra's chest. "Every time you walk out that door."

Korra sighed and pressed a loving kiss into raven hair. "Every time I have to leave you it gets harder. I keep thinking people will figure it out, how not to be fearful, how not to hate, how not to be fucking assholes." She sighed and pulled Asami more tightly to her. "Katara used to tell me the stories she grew up with as a child, how there used to be a time of peace when the Avatar kept balance between the four nations. And how those stories allowed her to keep faith, and prepared her to meet Aang." Korra laughed. "And frankly, I think they also motivated her to become a total fucking badass."

Asami smiled against Korra's chest. "It's true. She can still kick your ass, after all."

"Don't remind me," said Korra sourly. "But lately I've been feeling so frustrated. After all Katara and Aang did, with Zuko and Toph and everybody else who helped end the Hundred Years War, wouldn't you fucking know it, we went and had another couple of wars with the Equalists, and Red Lotus, and Kuvira, and people are still constantly trying to start something even now, and I think 'some Avatar I've turned out to be.'"

Asami gripped her tightly. "Korra—"

"It's okay, it is what it is. Tenzin would tell me every Avatar has gone through this. But you know what? Since I've been out here, I keep thinking that this festival is doing something, like somehow it's going to help."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm not sure — it's just a feeling, nothing I can really explain."

Asami pressed a loving kiss against Korra's cheek. "I hope you're right."

Korra snuggled deeper under the blankets, pulling Asami closer and sighing in contentment.

"Tomorrow's a big day, Avatar," the engineer mumbled sleepily. "You ready for the closing ceremony?"

"Not a clue. Guess we'll find out."

—

Opal ran her fingers absently through Bolin's hair, his head resting comfortably in her lap as they lounged together on the top row of the amphitheater bleachers, their height granting a perfect view of the entire festival. Her gaze swept across the twinkling lights covering the Playa, their glow growing brighter as the sun set behind the distant mountains.

Bolin yawned, interrupting her reverie.

"I am so tired," he murmured, wiggling into a more comfortable position.

Opal smiled and leaned over to drop a kiss on his forehead. "I'm not surprised. I don't think you've really slept the past couple of days."

"Too much I wanted to see," he protested, and Opal shook her head, smiling at how his eyes kept fluttering closed. "Did we do a good job, do you think?"

Opal rubbed her thumb along his jaw as her gaze fell onto the streaming crowds of people wandering around the Team Avatar statue and ice temple cave — hundreds of people, wearing colors of all nations, benders and non-benders.

Opal felt a grin spreading happily across her face. "Yes, sweet guy, I think we did a very good job."

Bolin sighed and his voice got huskier as sleep encroached. "Oh good. Didn't want your mom to get mad at me…"

Opal rolled her eyes, but she kissed him again anyway.

"Sleep, you big idiot. You need to rest up before the grand finale."

A soft snore was the only response.

—

On the morning of the last day, a new, gleaming Future Industries airship slowly circled high above the Playa before settling down next to the others already parked at the airfield. A small group of people stood grinning near the base of the ramp as the passengers disembarked.

Asami stepped forward and bowed. Behind her she could hear Korra muffle a snort.

"Chief Tonraq. Lady Senna."

Tonraq stopped and looked sternly at the engineer, then let loose of a bellowing laugh as he scooped her into a massive hug.

"Ribs, Tonraq," gasped Asami and he reluctantly set her down with a loud kiss on the cheek.

Senna rolled her eyes at her husband before pulling Asami into a much softer embrace. "It's lovely to see you, my darling."

"Hey!" said Korra loudly. "I know Asami is your favorite and all but do I at least get a hello?"

Tonraq and Senna chuckled and enfolded their daughter in their arms.

Bolin and Opal hurried to greet Suyin and Lord Izumi, trailing behind the Southerners.

"Hi, Mom!" said Opal excitedly before bowing to Lord Izumi. "We hope you'll be pleased with how things have turned out!"

The Fire Lord was gazing out over the expanse, a small smile on her face. She placed a hand on Suyin's shoulder and peered fondly at the dusty foursome looking back at her with no small trepidation.

"The fact that it's happening at all has already exceeded my expectations," she said, satisfaction evident on her face. "I cannot wait to see the rest."

A clatter at the top of the ramp made them all look up. This was followed by a collective rolling of eyes.

"Hello everyone! Where's the party? Also, nobody told me it was going to be quite this hot. Somebody needs to bring me a cold drink as soon as possible. I hope I packed enough light clothing. Oh my, I really need a drink—"

Korra grabbed Bolin and shoved him up the gangway.

"Don't be rude, Bo. Go welcome our guest."

Bolin managed a withering glare before he plastered on a welcoming grin and reached out to shake hands with Wu, the Pain In the Ass of Ba Sing Se.

"Well!" said Opal brightly, ignoring Bolin's discomfort. "Shall we have a look around?"

—

"That seemed to go well," commented Asami as they returned to their state room to change before the festival's closing ceremony. "Pity Tenzin couldn't come."

Korra sighed. "Yeah, it's really hard for him to tear himself away from his duties." Then she grinned. "However, I also saw the look on Lord Izumi's face when she saw Zuko in the Team Avatar tribute. I'm pretty sure you've made a friend for life."

Asami smiled. "That would be helpful when I go down to the Fire Nation Capital next year to open the new Future Industries office.

Korra snorted before catching sight of Asami's bare form as the engineer stripped. She took one step towards her girlfriend, her hand reaching out—

"Don't even think about it!" Asami warned, smiling. "We don't have time." She wiggled into her shimmering bikini before lacing up matching sandals. "Did you ever figure out what you're going to wear? I do believe you said you were going to 'up your game.'"

Korra winced but nodded. "I came up with something, yeah." She pulled Asami's engineering coat out of the closet. "Can I borrow this?"

Asami raised an eyebrow in surprise. "That's your idea of upping your game?"

Korra blushed. "It's part of it, yeah, if you don't mind?"

"Borrow away," Asami replied, amused. She stepped into the bathroom, leaving Korra alone in their room. The Avatar took a deep breath and quickly assembled her outfit before the engineer returned. The coat was a little long in the arms and waist, and more than a little tight across the shoulders and chest, but she managed to get it fastened up to her neck.

Asami appeared, her nearly nude body now covered by a pale silky kaftan, sheer enough that nothing was really obscured. Korra pursed her lips in appreciation.

"You do realize that I'll be ready to kill anyone who comes anywhere near you while you're wearing that?"

"First of all, I hardly need you to defend me. I can kill whomever I need to all by myself. Secondly, your unreasonable jealousy is adorable." Asami planted a kiss on Korra's nose before heading out the door. "Now come along, Avatar. Your people await."

You know, I just love Tonraq. I had to work him in here somewhere...