So glad you guys liked the last chapter. It made me feel better about the writing.
Also, for the love of Raava, do NOT question the beginning of this chapter because I won't be able to explain it. It made sense in my planning so I went with it.
...
~One Month Later~
"Okay, are you ready?"
"Korra, I don't think-"
"He said that this was the best way. We can at least try it. Figure out where your triggers remain."
Asami sighed and rolled her eyes, despite that Korra couldn't see it with the blindfold over her eyes.
Korra seemed to under the impression that after every therapy session, they'd return to Asami's house and test what the therapist said. While Asami wasn't so amused or excited the try them, it got Korra to stop worrying about her. Her, her mother, and her friends. She told them, naturally, with Korra's hand intertwined with hers and tears in her eyes. It was Yasuko and Korra's pressuring that made her agree to go to therapy. That "talking to a professional would help".
Asami snorted at that.
Yasuko recommended the therapist she saw after Hiroshi had died, Dr. Tadashi Namako.
"He may seem a little eccentric and his ideas will be weird, but he's a good man." Yasuko told Asami the first day of her therapy. "Trust me, I was a little hesitant at first to listen but they do work. I think he's just the man for you to see."
Asami was reluctant but went anyway because it would make her mother and Korra feel better. Korra accompanied her each session for the past month, her protective alpha instincts kicking in the minute they walked through the door.
Eccentric and weird were just below understatements.
The suggestion of that day's therapy was to test how much progress she's made. To see if her level of tolerance has changed or stayed the same. And who better to do it with than your mate? Ever since Korra had heard of the test forthcoming, she couldn't stop mumbling about it. She was patient with Asami and wanted nothing more than for her to get better, but she could also smell Asami's heat approaching. It was only another week away. There were times where Korra would simply stare at Asami, her nose twitching. Then she'd mutter something about how much closer it was or what she was going to do.
Asami would just listen. What more could she do? She and Korra both knew that she wouldn't want to do anything, better or not. And Korra understood that. But to deny your mate that was like telling a dog they couldn't have a bone.
Whatever that meant.
Korra adjusted the blindfold over Asami's eyes for what seemed like the third time. "Can you see anything?"
"No, Korra." Asami said, growing impatient.
"Okay." Korra said under her breath heavily.
Korra crouched down before Asami and reached up, her fingers slipping through strands of her hair. Asami breathed. Nothing yet. Korra moved down to her face, cupping her cheek lightly. Her fingers skimmed over her skin as she moved to her lips, outlining them lightly. Asami's lips twitched, but still nothing.
"Are you okay?" Korra asked. Asami nodded once.
Korra raised herself to capture Asami in a tentative kiss, slow and chaste. Asami replied by kissing her back with a matching fervor. The only thing was the familiar spark flying down Asami's spine. Normal, nothing to worry about.
Yet.
Korra moved her hand to Asami's shoulder. Asami leaned into her more, but made no sudden jerk backwards or pushed her away. Her heart was pounding hard with anticipation of a flashback, a scream or cry. Anything that would make this home session stop in its tracks.
Korra took her wrist next, loose at first and slowly tightening. The memory started to surface and Asami forced it back. Her breath seized harshly for a moment, but it didn't go unnoticed by Korra. Korra immediately let her go and backed away. She reached around and untied the blindfold, taking it away from Asami's eyes. Asami blinked against the sudden exposure of light, looking at Korra.
"It was just a pause, I'm fine." she said.
Korra shook her head. "No, you're not. You need to make it through smoothly. Anywhere is a bad touch, and any bad touch causes bad reactions such as breathing."
Asami started to argue, but her mouth snapped shut when she gave in to the fact that it was pointless to argue with Korra. She would stand her ground. Those were her instincts, and you don't argue with an instinctive alpha.
Especially when they are the Avatar.
"I'm sorry." Asami said softly, looking down as her hands.
"Don't apologize." Korra said. She hooked her finger under Asami's chin to make her meet her eyes. She smiled warmly. "I'm just glad I can kiss you again." She said before pressing her lips gently to Asami's.
Asami breathed out slowly and kissed her back. When Korra pulled away she stood up and brought Korra back in for a hug, her arms going around her neck tightly.
She said quietly, "I guess we tell Tadashi this was a bust."
"For now." Korra said. "But you'll make it through. I know you will."
The hug lasted only a few seconds longer until Asami's bedroom door opened. Kuvira, Opal, Bolin and Mako shuffled in and Korra and Asami broke apart to look at them.
"How did it go?" Bolin asked.
Asami bit her lip and shook her head. Their friends glanced at each other, their expressions of hope falling. They closed in around Asami and Korra, engaging in a group hug. Asami allowed herself to succumb into the welcoming embrace and rested her forehead on Opal's shoulder. The silence fell heavy over them until Kuvira broke it.
"Hate to ruin the moment, guys," she said, banking away slightly. "but Korra and I need to head back to the temple."
"It's three o'clock already?" Korra said with a frown.
Kuvira nodded. "You know how Tenzin gets when you're late."
The hug dispatched and everyone stood in a messy circle. Korra scratched her head. "Yeah, you're right." She looked at Asami and started to say something else, but Asami's smile stopped her.
"It's alright, I understand." she said. "Go ahead to your training."
"Actually, I was gonna ask if you wanted to come with me." Korra said.
Asami's eyes widened and she looked at Mako, Opal and Bolin. They nodded encouragingly, smiling at her. Asami then looked down.
"Uhm, I'm not really sure if I-" she began.
"Come on, they'll like you. Trust me." Korra said. "And it's not like they're gonna argue with me if they don't."
"She has a point." Kuvira agreed. She nudged Asami with her shoulder and smirked. "Why don't you come with us?"
"You can get your mind off of this." Korra added.
Asami gave a chuckle. "Alright, alright. Let me just fix my makeup and-"
"You look fine, now come on." Korra said, grabbing her by her hand and leading her downstairs. Kuvira followed them out the door and to Naga, who was lazing about outside. She rolled over and jumped to her feet as her owner approached, her tail wagging. Korra climbed up first and reached down to take Asami's hand. "Up you go."
Asami bit the inner corner of her lip as her hand slid into Korra's. Korra pulled her up and she wrapped her arms around the alpha's waist, nuzzling into her neck. Kuvira got on last, holding on to the straps attached to Naga's saddle.
"All set." she said.
Korra nodded and urged Naga forward, wheeling her around and onto the street.
~time skip~
Korra bent the makeshift ice raft up to the dock of Air Temple Island and Naga eased her way off onto steady ground. She shook her paws a bit before continuing on to the temple. Asami could hear the voices of children crescendoing the closer they got. A young girl and boy came running from behind the temple, laughing loudly.
"Korra! Kuvira!" The little boy said, spotting them first. The girl trailing behind him brightened up the second she realized they were there.
Korra laughed as she brought Naga to a halt. She and Kuvira jumped down, Kuvira giving Asami a hand down as the two children attacked Korra with hugs.
"Hey, Ikki, Meelo." Korra said, grinning.
"Where are the others?" Kuvira asked.
"Daddy's off on another meeting and Mommy is in the kitchen with Jinora and Rohan." Meelo said.
"Who's she?" Ikki questioned, looking at Asami. Asami blushed, smiling.
Korra took Asami's hand and brought her towards them. "Guys, this is Asami." she introduced.
"So you're the one they were talking about last week!" Ikki squealed. She hopped up on her toes and pointed at Asami, giggling. This time it was Korra's turn to blush.
"You're pretty, can I have some of your hair?" Meelo said, holding out his hand.
Asami covered her mouth as she laughed. Kuvira stepped around her, kneeling down in front of Meelo. "Okay, that's enough of you." she said. "Go back to playing."
"But-" Ikki started.
"Don't worry, you'll see her again." Korra said, already leading Asami to the temple entrance. She slid the door open and brought Asami in. Kuvira closed it behind them and followed them into the kitchen.
"Hey, Pema." Korra greeted the woman at the sink who was busy scrubbing dishes. Another girl, Asami presumed was Jinora was seated at the table with a book in her hands while a baby boy, Rohan, sat in a high chair. His face was a mess of food. He looked up at Korra and made grabby hands towards her, giggling. Korra stopped to play with his hand, grinning.
"Oh, Korra, you're home." Pema said breathlessly. "Would you mind-" She paused when she turned around and caught sight of Asami. Her expression of focus became one of surprise. "Hello."
Asami bowed respectfully. "Hello. You have a lovely home."
"Oh, why thank you." Pema said, touched by the comment.
"Pema, this is Asami." Korra said.
"Yes, the 'wrestling partner'." Pema said. She dried her hands on a rag.
Asami glanced at Korra and Korra have her an "I'll explain later" look. Pema stuck her hand out to Asami, who took it.
"Seems that you're more than a wrestling partner now." Pema said with a knowing smile. Asami turned three shades of red.
"She's the one I, uhm, saved as well." Korra said, inadvertently talking about the event from the month before. After telling Yasuko and their friends what happened, Korra had to explain her injuries to Tenzin and Pema when she returned to the temple. While they were upset with her, they were happy that they were both alright.
"I see." Pema said with a nod. "Well, Asami, you should know that this is a secure place. You're always welcome here if you need anything."
"Thank you, that means a lot." Asami said, her heart swelling.
"Told you they'd like you." Kuvira said. She sat beside Rohan, playing with him. Rohan was burbling with excitement.
"There's still Tenzin " Korra said.
"You have nothing to worry about." Pema said, returning to the sink. "He'll be just as pleasant as he is around all guests."
"Yeah, just wait until he knows that I told Asami I'm the-" Korra's sentence was cut off by the door opening and closing. A man came into the room, the top of his head red with frustration. The arrow on his head almost appeared purple and his beard was frazzled. He brushed by the trio and up to his wife.
"I swear I don't know what goes through some of their minds." he complained.
"Tenzin, sweetie-" Pema said, trying to get the attention of the angered alpha.
He continued on his rant. "How did I end up working with such..." He paused, huffing angrily. "I wish I knew what my father would do at a time like this."
"Probably apologize to our guest." Pema said easily, nodding to Asami.
"Guest? What guest?" Tenzin said. He looked up at Asami and the red drained from his face. He cleared his throat, obviously embarrassed. "Oh, I, um... I didn't realize that we had a visitor."
"Our visitor's name is Asami." Pema said as she wrung her hands with the same rag from before.
"Asami? As in..?" Tenzin said.
"The very same." Pema said.
"Ah, well." Tenzin cleared his throat again. "It is nice to meet you."
"Likewise." Asami said with a bow.
"I was thinking about inviting Asami to have dinner with us." Pema said.
"That's a great idea!" Korra said before Tenzin could reply. "I'd love for you guys to get to know her better!"
She ignored Kuvira's pantomiming of someone hanging themselves.
"I don't see why not." Tenzin said after a minute.
"How does that sound, Asami?" Kuvira said.
Asami looked around at each face in the room, excluding Jinora's as she was still buried in her book, and couldn't help but feel like she needed to stay. It was so welcoming there, so open and warm. How could she say no?
"Sure." she said with a wide grin. "I'll stay for dinner."
...
Finally, I can include the whole family! I was waiting for this! What happens during the dinner? Stick around to find out!
Thanks for reading!