Another week had passed, and everything was well with Korra and Asami. Over the week, they had been on several dates, spent time with Mako, Bolin and Opal, had dinner with both Hiroshi at the Sato Estate, and Tenzin and Pema on Air Temple Island. Korra's spare time outside of school and training had been taken up with Pro-Bending training with the brothers and spending girl time with Asami and Opal. The day before, they had spent the afternoon clothes shopping, an experience Korra had never had in her life. Several hours of sitting in boutiques, assuring Asami that she looked fine in everything she tried on., and complaining about how Bolin had escaped from this. Asami had made Korra get a dress for meeting her parents, who were arriving later that day. Stressed didn't cover it. Korra was worried about everything, but how they would react to Korra's relationship with Asami was the biggest concern. No matter how much Asami, Tenzin and everyone else assured her everything would be fine, she couldn't stop worrying. Everything seemed like too much at the moment.
Korra was lying on her bed in her room, with Naga spread across her legs. She was gently rubbing the polar husky's belly, feeling her vibrate beneath her her hand. In the other hand, Korra held a history textbook, preparing herself for the test the following week. As she read the same passage on the fall of Ba Sing Se for the 7th time in a row, she let the book drop to the floor out of boredom, throwing her head back and moaning to herself. The book crashed to the floor with such force, Naga jumped up from Korra's lap and ran across the room, winding Korra in the process. She sat bolt upright, rubbing her bruised stomach and remembering the stone disc that Bolin had hit her with a few days before at training. She smiled to herself, remembering his panicked expression when she had gone down, his 3 hours of apologizing to both her and Asami. Probably thought we were gonna beat the snot out of him. She chuckled and threw herself back onto her bed, laying in a starfish position across the white sheets that adorned it. She ran a hand through her hair, finding the freshly cut ends by her neck. It still felt weird, she'd never had her hair this short. She remembered Opal taking her to the salon earlier that week, how she begged her not to make her go in.
"You'll look so cute, though." Opal said, standing beside her as they walked through the front door to the modern-looking salon. "Besides, we never do anything, just the two of us. Either Asami or Bolin is always there. And as much as I love them both, I do need some time off with someone a little more relaxed."
"I've never had my hair cut in a salon before!" Korra complained, sulking slightly. "It's always just been left to grow. What if something goes wrong, my parents are here for my birthday this weekend!" Opal ran a hand down Korra's arm, calming her.
"It'll be fine." She said, smiling warmly. "Besides, a new cut is just what you'll want for your birthday. Ooh, and a new dress! We can go with Asami later this week! I know this amazing little place you'll love." Korra sighed to herself, accepting defeat and allowing herself to be led to a chair. She never liked random people touching her in anyway. It was probably the years of training coming into action. It was a miracle that Korra hadn't punched the girl cutting her hair in the face.
She ran her hand across the small burn behind her left ear, thinking back how the straighteners had slipped her neck. She still felt tense each time she touched it. She used to love Asami running her hand behind her ear, but now it stings slightly every time she feels one of her slender fingers run over the tiny scar. It felt weird. Not bad, but weird.
She remembered the first time it happened. They were sitting in Asami's room after Korra had got her hair cut. Korra was laying back into her girlfriend's lap, letting her play with the new haircut. Asami ran her fingers through Korra's hair, feeling her squirm in her lap. She moved down Korra's neck, her hands behind her ears. As a single finger ran across the scar, Asami frowned slightly. She explored for a few more seconds, before hearing Korra wince and fidget. Asami retracted slightly, her hands now moving to Korra's arms.
"Sweetie?" Asami started, "What's that behind your ear?" Korra was silent for a moment, before answering,
"It's nothing. Don't worry." Asami leaned across Korra, placing her head on the waterbender's left shoulder, putting her arms around Korra's waist and linking her fingers, ensuring that she couldn't escape. She kissed Korra on the neck, feeling her tense up as lips connected with flesh.
"You know I won't drop this," Asami whispered into Korra's ear, "So you might as well get it over with." Korra shuffled awkwardly, trying to escape Asami's hold. But her grip was too tight. "C'mon, I won't be mad." Asami said, mockingly whining and pouting. Korra sighed.
"I moved when my hair was being straightened, and I got burned. Literally." Korra said, her voice low and muffled. She plunged her head into Asami's arms, covering her face. Asami was silent for a few seconds processing what Korra had just said. Then she retracted from her girlfriend, letting go and rolling backwards towards the pillows at the head of the bed. Korra looked up to see Asami in a fit of giggles, rolling back and forth and hugging her shoulders. "What?" Korra asked.
"That's what happened?" Asami said, giggles breaking up her sentences. "Sweetie, I was worried that you had been in a fight or something. Oh spirits, you're a moron." Korra sat up right, her legs crossed and her arms folded, pouting at the squirming figure at the head of the bed.
"It's not funny. It really hurt!" Korra said, trying to get Asami's attention. Eventually Asami calmed herself down, sitting back up opposite Korra. She shuffled forward so they were centimeters apart. She ran a hand through Korra's hair, moving it behind her left ear, so she could see the scar.
"Does it hurt when I touch it?" Asami asked, carefully examining it. Korra tensed up as a finger ran across the scar. Asami retracted again. "Sorry!" She exclaimed, taking Korra's hand as she did. Korra pulled her closer again.
"Not really. It just feels weird." Korra said, smiling at the girl sitting in front of her. Asami bit her lower lip, placing a hand on the back of Korra's neck and pulling her closer still. She placed a gentle kiss on the wound.
"How about that?" Asami whispered into Korra's ear Korra was lost in the moment, not realizing that Asami had begun to nibble on her ear.
"That felt better. But kisses always do." She turned her head so she was facing Asami. They spent a moment just looking at one another. Asami suddenly pushed Korra backwards onto the bed. Korra was taken completely by surprise, a look of shock running across her face. Asami was now on top of her, her hands pressed down on Korra's shoulders as she sat on her thighs. Asami then dipped down and passionately kissed Korra, her hands moving to either side of Korra's head. They spent a few moments in that position, not moving, not thinking. Just enjoying one another. Asami finally broke away, staring into Korra's eyes. After a moment of silence, Korra spoke up.
"Well, then." She said, giving Asami one of her largest grins. The girls couldn't help but to start giggling. Korra pulled Asami in for a hug, the other girl now laying across her. They continued to giggle at one another for a good 15 minutes, occasionally doing or saying something silly to restart the other one's laughing fit. Soon enough, they were laying along the length of the bed, Asami tucked under Korra's arm, nuzzling her neck. Korra linked her free hand with Asami's and began playing with her fingers, rubbing them together.
"So… Sunday." Korra said. Asami looked up at her, puzzled.
"What about it?" Asami asked, resting her head on the Avatar's chest. Korra looked down at Asami, giving her a small grin.
"My parent's have confirmed they're coming down for the party." Korra said, still playing with Asami's long, slender fingers. "But they want to go to lunch with me first. I thought… you know… maybe you would come with me? Meet them before the big celebration?" Asami smiled up at Korra.
"I'd love to." She said, planting a kiss on Korra's cheek and watching her go red. She giggled to herself.
"Awesome." Korra said. "But you have to be cool. My dad's a bit old fashioned about things, so just… don't do anything rash."
"Avatar Korra," Asami said in a mocking tone, "Are you telling me to behave myself?"
"Yes, I am." Korra replied, equally as mocking. Asami smiled up at her.
"I dunno." Asami said. "I haven't gone out with you without being allowed to make out or at least touch your bum." She gave Korra's butt a squeeze with her other hand, feeling Korra's hand tighten in her own. Korra squealed and moved away from Asami slightly, before glaring at her with a pout on her face.
"Meanie! You know what that does to me!" Korra said sulkily. Asami pulled herself higher, now coming to eyelevel with Korra. She kissed her tenderly, pulling away after a few seconds.
"I'll behave." Asami said. "For you, anything." Korra kissed Asami on the nose, and resumed cuddling. After a few seconds of silence, Korra spoke up once more.
"I swear to Raava, if you've bought me something super expensive for my birthday, I'm gonna feel super bad about it." Asami looked up at her.
"Why?" Asami asked.
"Well, I don't have the kind of money to repay you for a gift like that. Even if I saved from now till your birthday, I wouldn't be able to afford it. Being the Avatar doesn't come with a big bank balance." Korra said, releasing Asami's hand. She began to play with her hair instead, weaving it between her fingers. Asami frowned slightly.
"You wouldn't need to buy me something as expensive. Just something that you want to give me." Asami said, running her now free hand across Korra's stomach, feeling the muscles that lay beneath the vest she was wearing. "Even if you gave me a plastic whistle ring from the funfair, I would love it. Plus, you'll give me something special later that night anyway." Korra began to giggle.
"If you're lucky." Korra replied. She leaned down and kissed Asami.
"Trust me, I am." Asami said, resting her head back on Korra's chest and closing her eyes.
Korra remembered that day well. It was the first time she felt like a normal teenager. No Avatar training, no problems at school. Just normal, regular happiness. She rose from her bed and walked over to Naga, who was now asleep in her own bed. Korra smiled and gently stroked her head, making sure Naga wasn't woken up. She made her way downstairs to the kitchen to get some food. She wandered through the large halls of the temple on her way to the kitchen, listening to the sounds of chimes and gongs, the wind outside rattling the training equipment. She eventually got to the kitchen, where she heard whispering from inside. Instantly, she knew one of the voices was Tenzin's. No way it could be anyone else. But there were two more, one low and soft, the other kind and motherly. Korra thought she knew them, but where from? She opened the door, and looked into the kitchen. Tenzin was already facing her, but the other two turned round upon hearing the door open. There stood two people that Korra hadn't seen for 5 months, their faces adorned with beaming smiles upon seeing her. Korra began to sprint into the room, launching herself at the two of them and embracing them in a big hug.
"MOM! DAD!"