Riding on Naga with her arms wrapped around Korra's waist was becoming one of Asami's favorite things, though she was worried this whole trip was an elaborate trap. She had no chance to warn Korra before setting out—Zhu Li kept Asami incredibly busy and with the dreadful state of her company, Asami wasn't going to skim through a life-altering contract—and now Unalaq or his children were always within hearing distance, making it hard for Asami to discreetly air her concern. At least Korra's father insisted on coming along with them, which eased some of Asami's nerves, though he kept looking over at her and Korra with an indecipherable expression.
Korra, despite being grumpy at the start of the journey (something Tonraq said before Asami arrived), now brimmed with a strange but pleasant energy. They trotted ahead of Mako's camel yak and beside a rather put out Bolin. Mako and Korra were mercilessly teasing him. Asami only half listened, as she kept most of her attention on Unalaq, who led the procession. His face was blank. His eyes never strayed. It was like he was sleeping with his eyes open, though Asami assumed he was lost in thought. Hopefully not treacherous ones.
Tonraq zipped ahead of the pack on his snowmobile, scouting for spirits or dangerous wildlife. The agile machine whipped snow into the air and of course an errant breeze blew it in Asami's eyes. She blinked it away and scooted closer to Korra, using her friend's head as a shield. Korra laughed suddenly, making her right shoulder bump against Asami's chin. "No wonder you were so eager to ride with me," Korra said in a low voice. "You wanted a chance to put your arms around me."
Asami blushed. "What? That's not—"
"Sure, sure," Korra said lightly but Asami could hear her smirk.
Fine, Korra wanted to flirt? Two could play at that game. Asami pressed her cheek against Korra's and tilted her face so her lips brushed against Korra's ear. "If I recall, you wanted me to sit in front."
"T-To keep you warm. Because I know you get cold easily." Asami fought off a grin when she noticed how hot Korra's ears burned.
"Are you sure?" Asami asked as innocently as possible. "Because it sounded like you wanted to put your arms around me."
"No!" Korra yelled.
Mako, Bolin, even Desna and Eska turned to look at them. Bolin rolled his eyes while his brother shot them a questioning look. "I asked if she was envious of Eska," Asami lied.
Mako didn't look convinced but Bolin cracked a smile now that he wasn't the butt of everyone's jokes. Then, from her spot in the sidecar, Eska said, "Do not worry, cousin. One day, you will have your own person who will do everything you demand of them."
"Thanks, Eska, but I'd rather stick with my soul mate," Korra said and Asami did her best not to outwardly react, biting the inside of her cheek. She was pretty sure her lips still twitched up though.
Eska shrugged and faced straight ahead again. "I do not see why someone cannot have both a soul mate and an attractive lackey."
Bolin smirked. "D'you hear that, Mako? She called me attractive. When's the last time a girl complemented you like that?"
Mako sighed. "Bolin, she also called you a lackey. Do you even know—"
"You didn't answer the question, Mako!" Bolin shouted, tugging at his snowsuit collar and glancing at Eska briefly.
"Yeah, Mako. Sounds like you're trying to get out of answering," Korra said. "What do you think, Asami?"
"Oh, he's definitely dodging. But the real question is why?" Asami laughed as Mako scowled.
"You think he's got a secret girlfriend we don't know about?" Korra tipped her head to the side so she could make partial eye contact with Asami.
The luxury snowmobile lurched to a halt. Korra pulled Naga to a stop as Mako did the same with his steed. "Bro," Bolin said, clutching his chest. "Don't tell me you found your soul mate and you've been keeping it a secret this whole time!"
Korra looked away and scratched the back of her head. Asami tried to ignore the flood of guilt washing through her. Bolin probably didn't mean to jab them—no, with that grin, he definitely did. Ugh. They should tell Mako. And she should probably tell Korra—
"Why have we ceased moving?" Desna asked.
"An excellent question." All heads turned to look for the source of the voice. Astride his camel yak a few feet away, Chief Unalaq's mouth was set in a grim line as his gaze roved over the teenagers before finally settling on Korra. "Avatar Korra, I'd like a word with you. We're nearing the Everstorm and I want to discuss what we'll do once we reach the portal."
"Sure, Uncle." With a minute nudge of her heel, Korra got Naga moving again.
Unalaq frowned. "Privately, if you would," he said, his eyes sliding over Asami as if she were a rotting fish head.
Asami tried to say something, anything that would keep her close to Korra, but was cut off. "Of course," Korra said. "Asami, do you mind riding with Mako for a bit?"
Yes. But Korra was looking at her pleadingly. Well, she could keep a close eye on Korra from behind and it wasn't like Unalaq was going to attack his niece now. He would've already done so if that was his plan. "No problem," she finally said, her tone eliciting a frown from Korra.
Once Naga was still enough, Asami slipped down and walked over to Mako, who offered her a hand up. She half fell in place behind him, and the animal snorted. The camel yak's saddle was smaller and less comfortable, though Asami was sure it had more to do with no longer being close to Korra. The white, hairy creature also smelled worse than Naga.
She set her hands squarely on Mako's hips and it was silent for a moment as the group got moving again. Asami was so absorbed in trying to read Chief Unalaq's lips from afar that she nearly missed what Mako was saying.
"I don't have a secret girlfriend. I haven't found my soul mate either." He rolled his shoulders back like he was trying to look tough. "In case you were actually wondering."
"Sorry. We were only teasing," Asami said, craning her head around Mako slightly.
Mako snorted. "I'm a big boy, Asami. I know you were kidding." He glanced back at her. "Are you trying to fall off? I know I'm not Korra, but—"
Asami stopped what she was doing and looked at Mako. "What do you mean by that?"
"Asami, come on. The touching, the way you smile at her every time you see her, 'we'. Don't get me started on the hair flipping. You like Korra."
She could explain her way out of this…maybe. But she didn't want to. "I do."
"And she's your soul mate?" It was posed carefully, quietly.
Ahead, Korra looked back at them and waved. Asami waved back and waited for her to turn around before answering. "Yes. But don't tell her I told you yet."
Of all the reactions she expected from Mako, Asami didn't expect a confused, "Huh." He seemed to be digesting her words, and then said, "Then why aren't you guys so much worse?"
What did that mean?
"They're just friends right now, Mako," Bolin said beside them and Asami paled, realizing too late that she and Mako weren't having a private conversation.
From the puttering snowmobile below, Bolin grinned. Desna and Eska's eyes flicked away when Asami looked at them and dread filled her. She didn't like the idea of the twins reporting back to their father about this news. Though whether or not they found the information important, Asami couldn't even begin to read on their blank faces.
"How do you already know?" Mako shot at his brother.
"Clearly I'm the more trustworthy brother," Bolin said, looking smug.
"He was with me when I felt Korra in pain and I yelled her name," Asami explained. "Otherwise I never would've told him."
Bolin pouted and mumbled something while Mako nodded. "I'm surprised he kept your secret." Asami sighed, not sure how to answer. "So how long is this friends charade going to last?"
This Asami could answer. "When Korra figures out she likes me back in a romantic way." Mako laughed and opened his mouth but he didn't get a chance to say anything.
"Guys!" Naga's heavy paws thundered towards them. Korra beamed from her saddle. "We're here! Well, almost here. You can see the Everstorm from the ridge ahead. The sun's setting so we won't go through the storm tonight. That's too risky, so my dad's scouting ahead for a safe place to camp." Her grin dimmed. "Keep your eyes peeled. I saw some dark spirits ahead on the edge of the storm."
"I wanna see the storm!" Bolin said as he gunned the snowmobile.
Korra and Naga loped after him, leaving Asami and Mako to follow at a slower pace. The ridge was only a few yards ahead but Mako was in no rush to get there. When he spoke, Asami knew why. "Hey, Asami," he said. "I'm really happy for you and Korra. Honest. And I hope for your sake she figures out her feelings soon." He twisted in his seat and gave her a small smile.
"Thank you, Mako."
Asami wasn't sure what else to say, not that it mattered. Anything else would've died on her lips as the Everstorm came into view. In the distance, gigantic green thunderheads loomed, flashing with light and, though it was miles away, Asami could hear the faint howl of wind.
"We're headed there?" Mako whispered. The waver in his voice pinged off the nerves in Asami's already tightly wound body.
"Evidently," she said with as much confidence as her friend.
"I don't like the looks of it." He sat straighter and turned his head to the side so he could partially see Asami. "We can't let Korra go in there alone."
Asami eyed the storm once more, before glancing ahead at Unalaq, who seemed completely at ease despite the dark spirit sightings and the Everstorm raging ahead of them. She shivered. "I agree. And Mako?" He bobbed his head. "Keep an eye on Unalaq. Varrick doesn't trust him. Korra's dad doesn't…and I'm not sure I do either."
He didn't ask any questions, merely nodded and said, "You got it," as he guided them down the slope after the others.
Korra shouldn't have been surprised Asami followed her into the tent, but part of her hoped she'd be left alone to scream into a pillow. "I don't want to talk right now. I need to process."
Asami paused in securing the entrance flap. "Okay."
Thirty seconds passed and Korra caved. "I can't believe him! Banished? For destroying spiritual grounds in the North? He was supposed to be chief but he almost destroyed his tribe and I can't—aaagh!" Korra sat down onto her sleeping bag hard enough to send a zing through her tailbone. Asami winced. "Sorry."
"I'm sorry your father hasn't been honest with you. He should've told you about his banishment sooner. And I know you're feeling betrayed right now because he kept something so big from you but," Asami bit her lip and shook her head.
"Say it," Korra said. "I'd like to hear your opinion." If anyone knew how difficult dads could be, it was Asami. In fact, Korra felt like her situation paled in comparison to Asami's. At least Tonraq regretted his past actions.
"His intentions were good. Overprotective, but good." Asami knelt down in front of her and grasped one of Korra's hands. "He didn't want your life to be tainted by his mistakes. He didn't want you to be known as the banished prince's daughter. He was looking out for you."
Korra sighed. "I know. And I'm thankful he's so worried about me but…" She squeezed Asami's hand. "I'm the Avatar. Shouldn't that overshadow his banishment? I don't understand why he had to hide it from me."
Her gaze strayed to her clenched hands but she looked up at the sound of fabric rustling to see Asami dragging her sleeping bag closer before sitting down. Green eyes fell on her. "There's more to this, isn't there? What's really upsetting you?"
Korra sighed and mashed her palms into her eyes. She hadn't told Asami why she was really upset because she didn't want to pull her friend away from saving Future Industries. But it was eating away at her and if she didn't say something now, she knew she wasn't going to be the only one upset.
With a shaky breath, Korra said, "My dad put me in the White Lotus compound, not Aang."
Silence greeted her so Korra had to pull her hands away from her face to gauge Asami's reaction. The girl's mouth was open, her eyes wide. "Korra," she finally said in a strained voice.
"I mean, he and mom still visited me, but the compound was so isolated, Asami. I never got to go anywhere and the people I tried to make friends with either left or weren't even my age so there was always a disconnect." She rubbed her arm and glanced at Asami; her right hand splayed across her chest where her heart lay. "If I hadn't snuck on a boat to Republic City, I wouldn't have met you, Mako, or Bolin."
"Not right away, but I'm sure we'd meet eventually. We are soul mates." Her smile made Korra feel a little better, but not enough to erase the memories of lonliness, of feeling trapped. Asami seemed to sense this. "I'm sorry. I can't imagine what that was like." Asami's left hand tentatively touched Korra's knee. "I understand now why you're so upset with your father."
"How could he lie to me like that?" Moisture pricked at her eyes. "How could he justify keeping me from the rest of the world?"
"So we don't think any less of them because of their choices." Asami's eyes were distant. Korra didn't mention the plurals. "But your dad's not a bad guy, Korra. Misguided and stubborn perhaps, but he's always thinking about you, not…not something else. He did it out of love, not hate."
A pang rippled through Korra's chest. Great, now she was making Asami dredge up all her negative thoughts about Hiroshi. Way to make your soul mate miserable, Korra. But she wasn't done talking. Every time she imagined her father out there, sititng by the fire, her insides twisted. "I never would've known, though, if Uncle hadn't told me. My dad would've kept lying to me forever." Asami's hand froze on her knee. Korra looked up. "What?"
Asami's brow creased and she frowned. "Your Uncle told you about the compound decision?
"Yeah, and my dad confirmed it. Why?" Korra asked.
Blood drained from Asami's face. She looked like she was trying how to say something but finally, quietly said, "I don't trust your uncle. I don't think his intent is good."
That was a surprise. "He's been so supportive though. And he's my family." The words felt weak even as Korra said them. Unalaq's words about forcing spirits to her will echoed in her head. And tonight, it felt like he was attacking his brother.
Asami shook her head. "He told you about the compound, then tonight, he brings up your dad's banishment, yet another bit of information withheld from you." Asami stood and started pacing, her hand on her chin. "Plus it was a way to blame the dark spiritual presences around the city. Didn't you think that was odd?" She stopped midstride to look down at Korra, her eyes glazed in deep thought.
Something wriggled in the back of Korra's mind. As she searched to find words for it, she felt herself squirm. "I guess it's weird the dark spirits are showing up now when my dad's been banished for years." Yes, there was something in this line of thought that wasn't right. "If they're after him, why did they wait so long before attacking? And why here? I can understand the spirits in the north being upset with him for destroying their sacred forest, but so far as I know, my dad's done nothing to upset the spirits here. Maybe it has to do with the solstice?"
"Solstice?" Asami asked.
"Yeah, it's tomorrow. The spirit world and our world are going to be close together, so the energy at the pole should be high enough for me to open the southern spirit portal." If it weren't for the acidic twinge in her stomach, Korra might've laughed at Asami's big eyes. If Asami was right to mistrust Unalaq, and he was subtly forcing her to take his side over her father's, then what would opening the spirit portal mean for him?
"What will that accomplish, exactly?" Asami asked, ringing her hands.
"Uncle thinks the spiritual energy released will help cleanse the area of dark spirits and prevent more from popping up."
"Do you think that, too?" Asami asked. "I don't know a lot about spiritual matters so I can't really help here."
"I don't know." Korra thought hard for a long time. "I'm going to try something." She closed her eyes and her body drifted into lotus position with barely a thought.
She breathed deeply, her core resonating with a rush of raw power. Everything around her—the air, the snow outside, the rock beneath their tent, the fire within—was alive, malleable. And in the distance, an even greater power loomed, like a pit of bubbling energy. Figures on the edges of her mind's eye started to form, though they were out of focus.
Korra exhaled, let the power drop from her limbs, and opened her eyes. "I feel it the spiritual energy and it's…positive, I guess. Whatever Unalaq's planning, I don't think it's wrong to open the portal. Do you believe me?"
Asami smiled tightly. "I'll always believe you."
"So you'll have my back tomorrow?"
Asami nodded. "I'm your soul mate, Korra. I'll always have your back." She blushed suddenly. "Er, which reminds me. Mako knows about us now. He guessed."
Korra groaned. "Nope. Too much drama for one night. I'm going to bed." She slid into her sleeping bag and drew the top over her head.
Even through the thick material, Korra heard Asami giggle. Shuffling around her suggested Asami was climbing into her own sleeping bag, coat and all. Was she really that cold? "He took it well," Asami said, much closer than Korra anticipated, making her pull back the sleeping bag.
Her friend was in her sleeping bag right next to Korra, but Asami was leaning over, too, trying to talk to Korra's previously obscured face. "That's good, I guess." Mako. They were talking about Mako. Not Asami being really, really close. So close Korra could reach up with her hand and tangle it in Asami's soft, black hair.
Asami shivered violently and leaned away, drawing her sleeping bag up to her chin. Even though the tents were protected from the wind by outcroppings of rock, nothing could cut out the deep chill oozing up from the ground. Korra barely felt it but Asami…
An idea popped into her head and it was such a bad idea. She couldn't ask Asami to…could she? Korra's heart pounded as she scooted closer. Asami cocked her head. "What're you thinking about so hard?" she asked, a lilt to her voice.
Korra swallowed hard. Screw it. "Do you want to share a sleeping bag with me?" Her face was definitely on fire. "You're freezing and I kind of want a hug from my best friend but if it's weird—"
"Okay." Now Asami was blushing.
This was weird. But exciting. But weird. Korra untied the hide lacing along the side of the bag so it was wide enough for Asami to slip in. Asami shed her coat, not looking at Korra. Korra lay down on the ground and forced herself to one side. With more composure, Asami sat down and slowly slid in beside her.
Their legs bumped together and Asami almost elbowed her a couple times but eventually they were situated inside the sleeping bag. Without hesitation, Asami placed her right arm over Korra. Korra mirrored her, her hand finding the small of Asami's back. The bag wasn't really meant for two, so they were pressed together closely.
"Comfy? Warm?" Korra couldn't formulate more than that.
Asami nodded stiffly, almost bumping her forehead against Korra's. "Yep, I-I'm good." They stared at each other for a while before Asami closed her eyes quickly. "Well, goodnight." Her heart beat just as fast and Korra wondered what that meant.
Was she really being that awkward? She didn't dare ask. Or move. In fact, Korra wasn't sure how she was going to sleep at all with Asami's breath fanning across her face or the way she lay rigidly. All the muscles in her body were strained. So she counted seconds, minutes, an hour. Finally, Asami's heart slowed and the tension leaked out of her face. Her lips parted slightly.
"Asami, are you asleep?" Korra whispered.
She got nothing in response. Without thinking about it, Korra reached up and ran her fingertips across Asami's lips. They were softer, fuller than they looked. It would be different, kissing Asami. Not at all like kissing Mako. Would it be better because they were soul mates? And had Asami thought about kissing her, too? Korra supposed she'd find out one day. She put her arm back around Asami and shifted slightly, pulling Asami closer and inching up so she could rest her chin on Asami's head.
"I'm really glad you're my soul mate, Asami," she said, letting her eyes close.