The Bad Mistletoe
for juliaprecourt
Korrasami Secret Santa 2024
Of course, when they told the story, they called it a happy accident. But in truth, it was not destiny or fate that led Korra and Asami to sneak into an alleyway; it was the desperate need to escape the disastrous dinner happening in Foo's Restaurant.
For one, it was too crowded. When Korra told the poor waitress she had a party of twenty-nine people, the waitress almost fainted. At least she would be tipped extremely well. Although the waitress did say something along the lines of, "This is worse than that theatre troupe."
If you have a group that is one person away from being thirty, it's probably best to have a holiday dinner at a reserved venue or a big house.
Second, it was loud and while Korra was used to over twenty-nine people talking at once, somehow, this was overwhelming. Maybe it was the kids. Between Meelo inventing "food bending" and Rohan's crying and Ikki screaming at Meelo to stop, it was a lot. Jinora looked like she wanted to sink into the floor. The only thing stopping her was Kai.
"They're holding hands under the table," Asami told her.
Korra's response was to say, "Huh?" three times before she heard Asami.
Or maybe she didn't hear Asami, but Ikki, who yelled, "Meelo, st—SHE SAID THEY'RE HOLDING HANDS UNDER THE TABLE!"
Everyone grew quiet.
"Whose holding hands under the table?" asked Tenzin after five long seconds.
Kai smiled bashfully while Jinora's cheeks burned red.
"Me and Mako! We're holding hands," said Wu. He made a little movement which Korra presumed was him grabbing Mako's hand. "Why are your hands freezing?"
Mako rolled his eyes. "Oh, so because I'm a Firebender you think that my body temperature is naturally warmer?"
"Yes?"
"It's concerning if it isn't," said Zuko after a sip of tea.
"Or maybe you were just a hothead," Toph replied.
"Oh, those were the days." Katara let out a laugh. "I used to hate you."
"I used to hate you too!" Zuko smiled.
"And I used to instigate the fights," Toph said.
Despite this little diversion into the glory days, soon everyone erupted into a heated debate about whether a Firebender's body was warmer than usual or not and what body temperatures Airbenders, Waterbenders, Earthbenders, and non-benders had.
And that was the last reason.
Asami slipped some coins onto the table and Korra did the same. "Jinora, if we're not back before the end of dinner, ask for to-go boxes for me and Asami, okay?"
Jinora nodded. "Okay."
And so, Asami and Korra slipped out into the blustery evening with its strings of colorful lights on every storefront and glowing lamp posts. They ducked into the left alleyway, Korra grasping Asami's hand.
"You know, it might be freezing, but at least I have you to keep me warm," Asami said, snuggling up to her girlfriend.
It was a fairly new relationship and one that not too many people knew about. They planned on telling everyone tonight.
"Yeah. I'm glad you're here, Asami."
"I'm glad you're here, Korra." Asami's green eyes darted upward before burying her head into Korra's shoulder.
She let go of her hand and began shaking. At first Korra thought it was the cold before she heard muffled laughter. Korra pulled her away gently.
"Asami, you're smudging your makeup."
"It's … snrk … it's okay." She went into another fit of laughter. "Look … up … Korra."
"Is that…?"
"Yes."
Dangling above them, on the side of Foo's Restaurant, was a mistletoe. It had the ribbon and leaves except … except …
A plastic jug full of milk hung on the very end of the mistletoe. The milk inside swished with the wind.
Korra and Asami were standing directly underneath it.
All Korra could do was stand there slack-jawed while Asami tried to speak through her laughter.
"Korra, we should kiss." More laughter. "Please."
"What the fuck?" She tried to move Asami away from the mistletoe, but Asami's feet were planted firmly on the ground.
"Just kiss me, Korra."
"We need to move away from whatever that is, Asami."
"Kiss me under the milkletoe, Korra."
"No."
"Please?"
"I'll kiss you, but not under the milkletoe."
"Korra, it's romantic," Asami countered.
"There is a jar of milk attached to a mistletoe dangling over our heads. What about this is romantic? You're usually the sensible one." Korra pointed at the jar as it continued swishing.
"This day has been so stressful. Just kiss me." Asami's eyes were tired and her makeup was already smudged and everyone would wonder, but that was okay.
Korra brushed Asami's hair aside, caressing her face. "If this falls on us, I blame you."
Asami's lips were soft. Korra felt the familiarity of Asami lacing her arms around her waist and pulled her closer. She sighed into the kiss.
When they broke away, Korra said, "I never want to hear you say, 'Kiss me under the milkletoe,' ever again."
They moved just in time so the jar of milk did not splatter on top of them. Although, there was slight damage done to their shoes. It was a good thing the shoes in question were sturdy.
Asami slipped her hand into Korra's.
"Let's stay out here for a minute. Just you and me."
The sun began to dip below the horizon. The piles of snow had grown since they'd exited the restaurant.
"You know, it almost looks like this in the North Pole," Korra said, giving Asami's hand a little squeeze.
"Does it? We should visit some time. I'd be happy to learn about Water Tribe culture." Korra's heart did a little jump at those words.
"I'd love that. That also means you have to teach me more about Fire Nation culture."
"Of course. Are you ready for the party after dinner? This is going to sound so corny, but even with all the noise, it's almost like a big family reunion. It was always so quiet during the holidays because it was just me and Dad." Asami stared into Korra's eyes, the sound of laughter meeting her ears.
"I know the feeling. It'll be different from now on. I promise." Korra smiled.
"The good and the bad?"
"The good and the bad. Give me one last kiss before we go inside."
This ruined the surprise of the announcement because Katara happened to peek out the window at that very moment and loudly exclaimed, "Aww, they're kissing!"
a/n: I am so nostalgic being on this site. I hope all of you enjoyed this story and merry christmas! tell me what you think! :3 Here is the list of people at the dinner:
Korra
Asami
Bolin
Opal
Kai
Mako
Wu
Toph
Lin
Suyin
Bataar
Bataar Jr.
Huan
Wei
Wing
Tenzin
Pema
Bumi
Kya
Katara
Jinora
Ikki
Meelo
Rohan
Tonraq
Senna
Zuko
Izumi
General Iroh
xo, hanasinspring