When what little remained of the Future Industries board of executives asked Asami if she wanted to take her father's place as CEO, Asami didn't hesitate to accept. She'd spent her childhood running around the factory floor or sitting in a boardroom, swinging her legs in an office chair too high for her as her father made deals with men who reeked of cigars and expensive aftershave. When she was older, she even attended meetings alongside her father. In theory, she'd been training all her life for the role of CEO, but she was only eighteen and she knew there were countless things she still had to learn. But the company was the closest thing she had to family that was left now that Hiroshi was in prison, so she couldn't give it up, couldn't bear to let someone else run it.
Plus, spending time trying to save a sinking business gave her more purpose than the month she'd spent wandering around Air Temple Island. She only ever felt productive when she helped Pema with chores around the property or helped Korra train, though the latter endeavor was becoming increasingly difficult. Which was another reason Asami was eager to throw herself into work in the city. After her epiphany in the Southern Water Tribe, living in the same space as Korra was starting to get…stifling.
Living in the same dormitory as her soul mate that she was totally not crushing on was a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, Korra was her best friend and it was great to see her every day. She was part of the reason Asami felt so at home on the island. In the mornings, Asami was privy to the sight of a sleepy, stumbling, grouchy Korra, her long, brown hair mussed adorably from sleep. This was funny, but also way too much because Korra would inevitably look at her with glazed eyes and a slight pout. The combination never failed to set Asami's heart racing.
In the afternoons, Asami would sketch new designs—an improved Satomobile engine, a sleeker moped, a motorbike—under the shade of one of the many trees scattered around the island while Korra meditated or ran through airbending forms. And more than a few times, Asami found herself doodling eyes that, if you squinted at them, might look almost exactly like Korra's, or sketching a familiar crooked smile with more than a little attention paid to the full lips.
But whatever.
Mako and Bolin joined her sometimes, though she'd be dutiful to tuck her sketchbook into her pocket, seeing as Bolin actually managed not to spill the proverbial soul mate beans to anyone, including Mako. The last thing she needed was officer-in-training Mako to spot her subtle margin scratchings. He'd proven to be quite good at picking up on such little details, which left Asami wondering if she should tell him about her and Korra before her not-a-crush gave her away. She could picture Mako accidentally saying something about Asami getting flustered around Korra—because it was happening at least once a week now.
So yes, working to restore Future Industries' good name was an excellent way to keep Asami from not-exactly-pining over Korra, who seemed oblivious to Asami's staring and sudden blushy bouts. It was easy to submerge into business meetings, spreadsheets, and managing what sparse inventory she had left that wasn't seized as evidence against the Equalists. And as a result, Asami found she didn't have nearly as much time to daydream about blue eyes. Which was good, right?
But today was different because today was Korra's birthday. Though it made her (and the execs breathing down her neck) anxious to take any time away from salvaging her company, Asami never once regretted telling her partners she needed the day off to be with the one of the only good, constant presences in her life.
Tenzin kept Korra busy with morning meditation—"Just because it's your birthday doesn't mean you get to shirk your airbending training!"—while Pema tried making Water Tribe cuisine for lunch. In the meantime, Asami meticulously wrapped her gift.
Asami wasn't sure what to get Korra at first. There were customary soul mate gifts, sure, but people usually only gave or received those when they were together, which Korra was in no way ready for. Neither was Asami. She just wanted to kiss Korra, see what that felt like, though she wasn't sure how receptive her best friend would be if she did.
So she worried about what kind of gift she should get. Korra didn't really have much. Or anything, Asami noticed on the rare occasions she poked her head into Korra's room. According to what little Asami knew of Water Tribe customs, gifts were often in the vein of practical: a new weapon, warmer clothes. But Korra didn't need either of those things with her bending. And Korra didn't seem interested in wearing any jewelry outside of fancy occasions, so that option was out, too.
More than once, Asami thought of building Korra something but she got stumped every time she tried. Any form of transportation was out, seeing as Korra preferred to ride Naga out (plus giving Korra a car seemed excessive and dangerous). She thought of making Korra a glider, but she suspected Tenzin already had one ready, and Asami didn't want to rob the master of the opportunity to present his pupil with such a gift. And Mako and Bolin had already stopped at the kiosks outside of the probending arena and got Korra some Fire Ferrets fan garb.
An idea finally struck her on the drive back to the island one night, but Asami felt a little guilty at how cheap it was. As she tied a ribbon around the rectangular package, she wondered if she should've gotten something nicer, though she didn't have a ton of money to spare at the moment; she'd devoted a good chunk of her personal funds to Future Industries.
Pema called through the halls announcing lunch was ready, eding Asami's fretting. The dining room was almost full when she walked in, though Korra had apparently saved a seat for her. Nervously, Asami sat beside her best friend, the present in her lap.
The entire meal was spent making Korra laugh and more than once she almost choked on her arctic hen because she was enjoying herself so much. Any trace of guilt Asami held for leaving Future Industries for the day was gone by the time they finished eating.
Presents were given after the table was cleared and Korra gushed over the Fire Ferrets apparel. And, as Asami predicted, Tenzin gave his student a glider staff. A cursory glance was given to the smooth, wooden staff before Korra set it aside gently and picked up Asami's gift.
Korra tore off the wrappings to reveal a book. Tenzin approved of the sensibility, though Ikki and Meelo said something about it being a boring gift, while Jinora craned her neck to read the title. But Asami's gaze never left Korra's face. She watched in amusement as Korra went from confused to shaking with laugher as her blue eyes glossed over the title.
"You didn't get to appreciate it in its entirety, so I thought I'd get you your own copy," Asami explained when Korra met her gaze.
Bolin, sitting on the other side of Korra, read the title aloud. "The Ember Island Tryst? Am I missing something?" Bolin asked.
Actual tears ran down Korra's face as she tried to explain through her laughter. "It's a joke," she wheezed. "Between me and Asami. You wouldn't understand." Something Asami couldn't define swelled inside of her at those words.
"What's it about?" Bolin asked as he looked back and forth between the girls.
Jinora answered immediately. "It's a tale of two women who're stranded on Ember Island, back before it was turned into a vacation retreat. The only survivors of an accident at sea, without any tools for survival save for the heat of their bodies and the fire in their hearts. It's said the island was named after their love, a lingering ember of their once flaming, passionate romance." Jinora sighed as she leaned into her hand, a far off look in her eyes.
Tenzin was suddenly less impressed with Asami's gift, uttering a scandalized, "Miss Sato!" before interrogating Jinora about her knowledge of the book. This served to make Korra double over in laughter. Asami broke down into giggles too and it wasn't too long after that Tenzin broke the party up all together.
Instead of splitting up like the airbending master wanted, Mako suggested Korra go outside and test out her new glider. Bolin eagerly approved and it took little convincing to get Korra to go back outside. The brothers left ahead of Korra, who turned towards Asami. "Are you coming to watch?" Korra asked, one foot out the door already.
"Sure, birthday girl." Asami smirked when Korra blushed. "Besides, if you glide as well as you drive a Satomobile, someone's gotta be around to help when you crash."
Korra clutched at her heart and did a poor job of hiding her smile. "You wound me, Asami!"
Asami rolled her eyes. "Please, I would've felt it."
"Ugh, whatever, soul mate." Korra shoved her playfully, letting the grin spread across her face. "I bet I can beat you to the training grounds." She started to edge further out the door.
Despite the fact that it was the first time Korra mentioned them being soul mates without sounding completely overwhelmed, Asami didn't let it get to her. Much. "Sorry, but I've got longer legs. You're going down." Without another word, she rushed past Korra and down the steps, her heartbeat already quick even though she hadn't started to sprint yet.
"Hey!" Asami laughed louder than she had in years, the high spirits of the day filling her up as Korra chased her to the cobblestone training yard.
The high lasted all through the afternoon and into the night. Asami flopped down on Korra's bed and started braiding her friend's hair at Korra's request (and who was she to deny the birthday girl?). Korra read more passages out of the silly book and it was only when she started yawning between every other word that the two parted to go to bed. Even though today was Korra's birthday, Asami felt like she'd been given something. She couldn't stop smiling as she snuggled under the covers, memories of the day drifting behind her closed eyelids like dreams. After a day like today, Asami wasn't sure how she was going to go back to her stress-filled work tomorrow.
Korra trudged across the runway of Future Industries' airfield, casting around for Asami. She'd been working on the biplanes almost nonstop for a couple months now, trying to polish them for commercial production. The hope was people would be more focused on the new flying machine than the name attached to it, though Asami's latest product poll numbers were abysmal. So Korra did her best to meet up with Asami as often as Tenzin allowed—which wasn't that often because he kept forcing her to do the same drills over and over again—to try and cheer her up. Today, she had a different motive, though.
Usually, Korra would find Asami directing other engineers around, peering into an engine compartment, or leaning over a drafting table covered in blueprints and schematics Korra only vaguely understood. Today, though, she scanned the main warehouse and came up empty. Plenty of workers walked about, working on the line of planes, but Asami was nowhere in sight.
An older man in a Future Industries jumpsuit spotted her and approached. "Miss Sato is taking apart an old Satomobile in the back corner, Avatar Korra." He smiled and tipped his head to the left corner of the warehouse.
"Thanks." She dipped her head in acknowledgement, gripped the rolled newspaper in her left hand, and jogged towards the back of the spacious warehouse. Sure enough, a pair of familiar legs stuck out from underneath a partly disassembled Satomobile. Faint clinks of metal greeted Korra's ears as she approached, along with the cloying smell of something car-related. Motor oil? She didn't know.
In order to alert Asami of her presence, Korra shuffled her feet against the floor loud enough that the clinking stopped and Asami slid out from underneath the car. Creases of irritation vanished, replaced by a smile. "Korra!" Words stuck in Korra's throat as Asami stood up and she could take in the full state of her best friend. "Hey, what brings you by today?" She leaned against the side of the car.
In all the times Korra had seen Asami, this was the first time she saw her friend look disheveled and dirty instead of glossy, polished, put together. But it didn't matter because Asami was still ridiculously—Korra hesitated to think the word, but as she accidentally looked over her friend again, she couldn't deny it: Asami was hot. How long had Asami been hot? She was always pretty but now…
Black jacket sleeves were shoved up to Asami's elbows, exposing her grease-streaked forearms. Said jacket was also unzipped, showcasing Asami's tight, rose-colored undershirt, smudged with more Satomobile substances and dark patches of sweat. A ponytail pulled Asami's hair back and out of the way, though a few loose strands floated on either side of her face. And though she was still wearing her eye makeup, Korra noticed she wasn't wearing lipstick and there was a small dot of grime at the corner of her mouth. Naturally, that's where her eyes chose to rest. On the spot. Not on Asami's lips. That would be weird. "You, uh." Korra pointed to her own mouth.
Asami didn't respond immediately. Her eyes narrowed and she seemed like she wanted to ask a question, but when Korra didn't elaborate, she glanced to the side, catching her reflection in the side mirror of her car. "Oh! This?" She stripped her gloves off and swiped the spot away with the pad of her right thumb. "I had to bleed the brake line earlier, so I had brake fluid dripping all over me. Thought I got it all off."
Korra waved at Asami's chest. Er, torso. Her entire upper body. "Well, you're covered in stuff," was the only not embarrassing thing she could think to say, though it made Asami look away, her face suddenly red. "Are you blushing?" Of course she's not. Why would she be? Korra shook her head.
"It's hot in here." Asami wiped her right arm across her brow to get rid of some sweat, but all she succeeded in doing was smear grease all over her forehead.
Korra laughed, though it was shaky. The dark streak really made Asami's green eyes pop. Just a little. Or it was probably a trick of the light. "You're making it worse." A relatively clean looking rag sat on the hood of the Satomobile, so Korra walked around the front of the vehicle to grab it. Rag in hand, she spun to give it to Asami and froze.
It really was hot in here. The air was thick too thick for Korra to suck in a breath of air. Even her face burned like she was in direct sunlight. She tried to remember Tenzin's body temperature regulating technique but nothing came to mind. Nothing except the smooth, pale skin of Asami's flat stomach and the curve of hipbones peeking out from the waistband of her pants.
Asami dropped her shirt, which she'd just lifted to wipe her face, and tilted her head at Korra. "You okay?" She pushed off the car and reached out to Korra, who stumbled backwards.
Korra's first instinct was to link her fingers with Asami's outstretched ones, which was…not normal best friend behavior. Or was it? She'd never had a girlfriend before. Girl who was a friend, that is. Not— "I just…I…you…shirt…" Korra blurted out, finding her voice.
Asami cocked an eyebrow. "What about it?" She sounded almost smug, which made Korra blush harder.
She probably thinks I'm checking her out, Korra thought as her stomach twisted into knots. I mean, I kinda am but… She mashed her eyes shut so she wouldn't have to look at Asami, but her imagination conjured up an even worse image. Her eyes snapped open. "Here." Korra tossed the rag in her hand at Asami and accidentally hit her in the face. "Uh, sorry."
All Asami did was laugh as she started to dab at what remained of the grime. "Thanks." Then, "What's in your other hand?"
The copy of The Republic City Daily Star was severely wrinkled now, almost balled up. Korra did her best to smooth it out before turning it to face her best friend. The amusement on Asami's face fled, replaced by a frown. The headline read: Sato Cancels Annual Birthday Bash, Infuriating Remaining Investors. Beneath the headline was a black and white picture of Asami from a year ago, wearing a stunning evening gown. Her father was at her elbow, smiling at the camera.
The body of the article followed: In a bold move to cut back on spending, Asami Sato, daughter of Equalist leader Hiroshi Sato, and current CEO of Future Industries, has canceled her annual birthday party, which has always functioned as a gathering of Republic City's wealthiest businessmen and women rather than a mere celebration. Cancelling the event has insulted the few investors still daring to associate with the tainted Sato name.
Several sources agree that Miss Sato's decision won't save her company, which is already bleeding money. Since the arrest of her father two months ago, Future Industries stock has plummeted, leaving the Satos in dire financial straits. This latest social snub may be the straw that breaks the ostrich-horse's back…
It went on for several more paragraphs, getting progressively harsher and bleaker, all because Asami refused to cater to the elites of the city on her special day. Which happened to be today. Korra never would've known if she hadn't seen Asami on the cover as Tenzin read the paper over breakfast. Why hadn't Asami told her?
Bolin and Mako had no idea it was Asami's birthday either when she confronted them, and they instantly agreed to help when Korra suggested they throw their friend a surprise party. After hastily gathering supplies, Bolin insisted Korra be the one to go see Asami and bring her back to the island when it was time for the party, while he and Mako set everything up. Korra nervously agreed, which was how she wound up here in the first place.
But now that she was here, in front of Asami, she couldn't help but ask, "Why didn't you tell me today was your birthday?" Korra tried not to sound hurt. Weren't they best friends? Scratch that, they were soul mates. Wasn't Asami supposed to tell her about things like this? Or had she, and Korra didn't remember?
"T-that's what you took from the article? My birthday?" Asami slumped against the car, clutching her stomach as she laughed hard.
"Gee, thanks." Korra crossed her arms. She felt stupid all of a sudden. She did read most of the article but got too angry at the clearly biased journalism.
Green eyes widened and Asami walked over, placing a gentle hand on Korra's bare shoulder. Korra tried to ignore how rough Asami's palm felt against her skin. "Oh, Korra, no. It's just…that article is one big dig at me and my company and the fact that you didn't focus on any of the bad stuff is really kind of amazing."
"Well, those jerks are ruining your special day." Asami grimaced. "What?!"
Asami's hand slid down Korra's arm before dropping back to her side. "I've never really thought of it as special. Yeah, Future Industries threw those parties for me technically, but the paper's right. It was usually a front to get more business done. Sure, I'd get presents and I'd get to eat delicious food but it wasn't intimate, you know? I was surrounded by strangers who were only there to impress my…" The struggle to say "dad" was hard even after four months of being cut off from Hiroshi, Korra noticed.
She changed the subject quickly. "Then we'll have to change that. Let's go do something. Anything you want!"
"It's not necessary." Asami rubbed her left arm with her right hand as she stared at the floor. "Besides, I'm kind of into this right now." She nodded to the Satomobile behind her.
This was going to be harder than Korra thought, but an idea was forming in her head. "Okay, then why don't you show me what you're doing?"
"You really want a break from airbending practice, don't you?" Asami teased. "Fine, but don't blame me if you get dirty." She slipped her gloves back on and got back down on to the ground, where she shimmied under the Satomobile. A muffled, "You just going to stand there?" made Korra drop to the floor and scoot under, too.
For the next two hours, Asami pointed out some of the basic structure of the car and the components she was updating on this particular model. There was no way Korra was going to remember half the things her friend explained to her, but the way Asami talked about everything made it seem interesting. Her gloved fingers traced the underside of the car like she was caressing flower petals instead of hard metal. She even let Korra help her change a tire, though she put her hands on Korra's to correct her when she was turning the socket wrench the wrong way (and that totally didn't make Korra jump and fall flat on her back in front of all of Asami's workers).
Then, Asami checked in on the status of the biplanes. As she chatted with her head engineer, her stomach growled and Korra hoped Mako and Bolin had enough time to get everything together for dinner. It took a lot of convincing to get Asami to leave for the evening, even though all her workers had packed up and left by that point.
When Asami's stomach growled even louder, she admitted defeat and Korra was able to drag her back to the docks. Everything from that moment passed in a blur. The ferry ride full of teasing, the long walk up to the main building of the air temple, the door to the dining room sliding open to reveal Tenzin's family and the bending brothers inside with a table full of food and a handmade banner with Asami's name that the kids had obviously designed.
To say Asami was surprised was an understatement. After the roar of "Surprise!" settled down, she teared up. Her friends surrounded her in a massive hug until she laughed and said she was starved. She looked so thoroughly pleased throughout dinner, and after, when Mako and Bolin gave her a really nice toolbelt (and Korra wondered when they had time to even get it). Even with the party, the gift, and Pema's macaroons, it didn't feel like enough, though, especially because Korra had nothing to physically give Asami.
Asami seemed happy though, her face aglow, laugh lines almost never leaving her face. It was when laughs turned to yawns that Asami thanked everyone and excused herself to turn in. She had a lot on her plate in the morning, Korra knew, but that didn't stop her from walking Asami to her bedroom. Mainly because she'd wanted to say something all night, but it wasn't something she wanted to do in front of everyone. When Asami reached her room, Korra spilled what was on her mind. "I didn't get you a gift. I'm sorry." Korra stared at the hallway floor.
"I didn't exactly give you time to. But hey," Asami's fingers pressed under Korra's chin and tilted her head up. "You threw me a surprise party where I actually got to sit down with people I care about. Plus, I got to spend the whole day doing something I love with my best friend." She smiled at Korra. "This is the best birthday I've had in a long time. That's a pretty fantastic present." Korra relaxed, smiled even when Asami leaned in.
And then everything changed. Instead of the expected hug, Asami threw her arms around Korra's neck and pressed her lips to the smooth skin of Korra's left cheek. "Seriously, thank you," Asami whispered and she was close enough that Korra felt every word sweep across her flushed face.
An awkward beat settled between them as Korra's brain short-circuited. Words. Words are a thing. Come on mouth, move. Asami looked at her and Korra saw the nervousness in her green eyes and her arms dropped from around Korra. Ugh, say something, "N-no problem, Asami." Her accompanying laugh was cringe worthy. "Well, I should probably let you get some sleep. I know how busy your mornings are." It came out way louder and faster than she meant. "So goodnight. And happy birthday." She stepped further into the hall.
"Thank you." Asami waved and started to close her door. "Goodnight, Korra."
Energy still crackled in Korra's veins as she walked to her room just a few feet away. Wow, Asami kissed her. Sort of. On the cheek. More than once, Korra had seen Asami lightly kiss Bolin's cheek when he told her he'd kept their soul mate status a secret, and what happened just now really wasn't any different, was it? Except that it felt different. Because her soul mate kissed her face. And it felt warm, light…nice.
A door slid open further down the hall and Ikki stumbled out of her room, yawning. The girl stopped when she saw Korra standing in the hall. "Korra, why're you smiling like that? And why do you have lipstick on your face?"
Korra jumped and her hand shot up to her cheek. Fingers found the tacky spot of lipstick still clinging to her cheek. It would be so easy to wipe away, but… "Go back to bed, Ikki," Korra said softly before slipping into her own room, her hand still touching her face.
As Korra went to close the door, she saw a flash of movement across the hall. Asami's door snapped shut. Asami just saw everything. The touching, the probably dopey smiling. Great. Korra groaned, prepared to throw herself down on the bed and bury her stupid face in a pillow, when she passed by her mirror. The impulse to look, to see if the mark was intact on her skin overwhelmed her.
So she looked. The red stain contrasted with her darker skin in a way that Korra didn't really mind. In fact, she might go so far to say she almost liked it.