Amethyst
A/N: I can tell when you guys really like a chapter or not. It's kind of funny, really. But, for the sake of story telling, I've gotta do the extra stuff to give it body. I'd love to write them making out all the time, but it's the small stuff that makes it worthwhile. :) Hope you enjoy!
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Denial
"You're in love with him."
Asami scoffed forcefully and tried to hide her sudden nervousness by turning to look at the elegant flower arrangement on display at the market stand beside her. "Don't be ridiculous, Korra."
The girl Avatar frowned. "I'm being serious."
"But we haven't even kissed!" Asami protested. "How could I be in love with a man that I haven't kissed?"
"I'm just calling it as is," Korra said with a shrug. "You should see the way you look when you talk about him. It screams 'I am in love!' to me."
Asami tried to resist the blush that rose up on her cheeks. "It does not."
Korra rolled her eyes. "And I thought I was bad at lying."
The owner of Future Industries fingered a soft flower petal self-consciously. Korra was right about her being in love with Iroh. She had known for months that something had changed about the way she looked at him, but she was starting to feel a little uncomfortable about divulging that information. Uncertain questions kept her from talking about her true feelings. What if she got hurt? What if he didn't see her in the same way? She knew he liked her, but love? She was sure that she loved him, but was she really ready to admit to that truth out loud? Korra placed a hand on her shoulder and Asami warily looked up.
"Listen," Korra said a little awkwardly. "I don't mean to put you on the spot, but if you need to talk about it or anything…"
"No, it's okay." Asami sighed. Korra really was trying to be a good friend in her own way. "I'm sorry, Korra. I'm just… not sure, you know?" Korra nodded quickly, happy that Asami was opening up about her thoughts a bit. Asami glanced back down at the flower she was touching, suddenly nervous again. "He's just… so wonderful. It's almost intimidating. He does everything the way a man should when courting a woman, and with all the grace and manners of a well-brought up Prince. He's… well, amazing."
Korra eyed her. "But…?"
"But… I don't know!" Asami gave an exasperated shrug. "I feel like I want something more. Not like somebody else, but… you know…"
Korra's listening look suddenly turned into one of stark understanding. Her face flushed a bright shade of red. "O-oh! I mean, if that's what you want-"
"NO!" Asami shouted, her face flushing red as well. A few faces turned their way and she ducked her head in mortification, lowering her voice. "That's not what I meant!"
"Oh. Well, um…" Korra looked flustered and Asami wanted to bury her face in her hands. "Th-then do you mean… things like… kissing?"
"Y-yeah! And like, hugging and… physical stuff…" Asami face felt like it was on fire. Spirits, this was embarrassing! "I don't know! My other relationships had that from the beginning. It's just different this time around. I just want to know if it's right. If he's right."
Korra looked over at Asami again, a small smile lifting up her lips. "You're doing it again."
Asami looked up sharply. "Doing what?"
"Making the 'I am in love' face."
Asami blushed. "I am not."
Korra shrugged. "Whatever you say. But something tells me that you'd still like him, bad kisser or not."
Asami looked at her questioningly. "Why do you say that?"
"Because," the girl Avatar said. "I know I don't have a lot of experience in love, but I can tell that you already love him for who he is, with or without kissing, and that's not something that's easily forgotten."
The owner of Future Industries considered her words. If anything, Korra was a good judge of character, and she picked up on subtle things pretty quickly, so Asami couldn't deny that she was onto something. Even now, she could feel the warmth in her chest that came with thinking about the General. "Maybe you're right…"
Korra grinned. "So you admit it's true."
Asami blushed at her slip. "No, I don't."
"Sure, sure," Korra said with a unconvinced wave. "You're just in denial."
"I am not!"
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A/N: Hmm. I was going to end this differently but after re-writing the ending six times, I just went with this. Thank you for reading!