Korra opened her eyes. It didn't take her long to orient herself, both where she was and what had happened there. The faint light slipping through the bedroom blinds helped outline the room's objects, and soon she remembered everything. She wanted to get up to see where her clothes had ended up, she had just tossed them carelessly on the floor, but she would need them soon, so finding them was important. The problem was doing it without waking Asami, who was still sleeping warmly beside her.
As soon as she looked at her, the Avatar quickly recapped everything that had happened between them hours earlier. It was funny to realize how, in such a short time, a silly misunderstanding had been resolved so well that it culminated in their first time. She wasn't complaining at all on the contrary, she was happy she had mustered enough courage and initiative to take the first step toward something she herself considered important. And she was glad Asami hadn't backed away either.
Everything happened in a way Korra had never imagined, from any angle, in her entire life. If someone had asked her at any point in the past how she thought that moment would be, she absolutely wouldn't have guessed right, yet she was absolutely happy with how the chain of events had brought them there.
She carefully raised her torso a little, which gave her a better view of the girl sleeping on her stomach, her body partially covered beside her. She couldn't hold back a silly smile as she gazed at her, she really was an incredible woman in every sense Korra could imagine. How could there be someone so perfect? She didn't know how to answer, all she could do was be grateful to have her by her side in such a prominent role in her life.
Korra then got up, looking for her own clothes. Even though she couldn't turn on the light, to avoid waking Asami, the task was relatively simple. After recovering all the pieces, she heard a noise coming from the bed a yawn, more specifically; when she turned around, she saw her girlfriend stretching lazily.
– Morning, love. – Her voice was still charming, even just after waking up.
– It's actually still the middle of the night, Asami.
– Really? Wow, why did you get up so early?
– I'm dying of thirst. I got out of bed to get a glass of water from the kitchen and took the chance to find my clothes, I wanted to put them on before you saw me disheveled, but I think I failed on that last part. – She moved closer to her again. – I'm sorry I woke you up. That wasn't my intention. – She placed a kiss on the black-haired girl's temple.
– Look, failing or not on that last part, it would've been the same, I already saw everything there was to see yesterday. – She commented jokingly. – And I liked the view I had.
– You're such a tease... – She tried to brush it off with good humor, but couldn't help feeling embarrassed by the statement. – Speaking seriously now, Asami. – She sat on the empty side of the bed, while the other straightened up, leaning her back against the headboard, a little apprehensive about her interlocutor's change in approach. – How was it for you? I mean...
Korra's embarrassment was clear so much so that she couldn't even form a simple sentence. The engineer, on the other hand, understood where her girlfriend was going without the need for words; she understood the importance of that moment for her beloved and felt grateful to be the person entrusted with the experience.
– It was great. – She replied, to the Avatar's surprise, who was still searching for words to complete her previous thought, unsuccessfully. – Better than I could have hoped for or even asked for.
– Really? My inexperience wasn't a problem?
– Not at all, love. In fact, even without any prior history, you put everyone who's ever been in my life before to shame. By a long shot.
– You don't have to inflate my ego that much, Asami. – She was modest, but inside she was absolutely proud to hear that.
– Oh, but I will. You've earned it.
– By the spirits, this is so embarrassing! – She brought both hands to her face, hiding it.
Sato let out an amused laugh at the statement. The next instant, she leaned her body toward Tonraq's daughter, hugged her affectionately, and kissed her cheek.
– No need to feel embarrassed, love, we're past that phase now. – She scattered a few more kisses across the brunette's face. – I hope it was good for you too.
– Asami, please! – Suddenly the embarrassment faded, replaced by a genuine feeling of disbelief, so much so that she removed her hands from her face to look at her better. – Of course it was! It couldn't have been otherwise.
– I'm glad to hear that. As much as I wanted to, I felt a little sorry thinking I didn't prepare anything special for the occasion. I mean, it was your first time and all... I wish I had arranged the environment better, made proper plans...
– Asami, as the great love of my life would say, to hell with your planning. It was perfect because it was with you and at a moment when I felt comfortable. When we felt comfortable. That was all I needed, no need for any frills, okay?
– Now you're the one trying to embarrass me, huh? – She joked, but with a hint of truth.
– Did I succeed?
– Not that much, stop being so full of yourself. – She replied good-humoredly. – Weren't you thirsty?
– Are you kicking me out, Asami Sato? After everything we've been through? – She used a falsely indignant tone, drawing a smile from the industrialist.
– No... of course not... I just don't want you to be uncomfortable. – Her cheerful tone indicated she was happy.
– You're being quite funny today...
– I'm happy, what's wrong with that?
– Of course not. I'm happy about that too. I just wanted to know why, out of nowhere, you got so happy... – It was Korra's turn to tease.
– Right. Out of nowhere, huh, girl? – They both laughed.
– Well, now I'm going to get my water, but I'll be back soon, no need to cry, I know it's hard to be without me, but I'll return in a moment, don't despair.
– I'll try.
They said goodbye with a hug, and she walked out the door. Asami remained seated, watching the other leave the room. She felt extremely blessed and grateful to have someone like Korra in her life even more, absolutely lucky to have fallen in love with her and to have it reciprocated. She had no right to complain about her love life anymore. Obviously, she had cursed her luck in love before because of all the hardships she'd endured throughout her existence; she really hadn't been very fortunate when it came to romance the suffering in that field seemed endless and even unfair, as if trying to punish her for something unjustifiable, because she didn't deserve any of it.
She had even accepted that she would never live a romance the way she wanted and had given up searching incessantly for something like that. It was when she gave up for good that her feelings for Korra blossomed, unpretentiously, as if not wanting anything, and before she knew it, she was completely in love with her, until then, best friend. It was funny to think that everything worked out when she stopped forcing herself to find someone to share her life with, when she let everything flow naturally. To her happiness, the exact same thing happened with her beloved, and they could finally be together. Maybe it was fate, as her mother liked to say, but regardless of who was responsible, she felt grateful for such an opportunity.
Asami thought about how everything had led them to that moment and only stopped reasoning about it when she saw Korra returning to the room, now properly dressed, with a glass of water in one hand and an envelope in the other.
– What is it? Did something happen? – The Avatar's face had a slight tone of concern.
– I brought water for you. I thought you might be thirsty too. – She extended the glass to the young Sato.
– You didn't answer my question. – She took the glass. – Did something happen? – She reiterated.
– It's from my parents. – She pointed to the envelope. – It's a letter from them.
– Really? – Korra nodded. – What do they say? How did they get the address of this apartment?
– Well, from what they said, Tenzin gave them the address. – Asami had provided all the coordinates of the place where they would spend their vacation to the Air Temple leader, as a precaution in case of an emergency where they needed to be contacted. It must have been something serious for the monk to pass the information to Tonraq and Senna. – They said in the letter that they want to talk to me. In person.
– Is it serious?
– They didn't go into details, just said I don't need to worry. But how can I not? – She sighed wearily.
– Calm down, love. Maybe they just want to see you. You've been talking about going to the Tribe for a long time and never went; maybe they're missing you terribly.
– If it's just that, why use the somber tone they used in this text? – She shook the paper frantically in the air.
– To make enough of an impact on you to go see them. Come on, Korra, when was the last time you saw them face to face?
– You're right. – She took a deep breath. – I hope it's just that. – She threw her body back, falling backwards onto the mattress beneath her. – I'm a terrible daughter.
– You're not. – Asami left the glass on the nightstand, approached her girlfriend, and lay down beside her.
– Of course I am... – She stared at the ceiling catatonically, acknowledging a flaw in her conduct with her parents. – They must be worried about me, and it's been a long time since I've given them any reassurance. You yourself suggested they created a sense of urgency in the letter just to see me. What kind of daughter am I to make my parents reach that point?
– The Avatar! – She gently turned her beloved's face toward her own to look her in the eyes. – Republic City was a mess and they needed your help to solve most of the problem; as if that weren't enough, hugely important diplomatic events arose that required your mediation; not to mention all the strife between spirits and humans that ended up on your shoulders.
– I appreciate the support, love, but I should have found a way not to hurt them so much.
– I have an idea, maybe it'll solve the problem. How about if I rearrange our return itinerary? I can organize everything so that we spend a few days in the Southern Water Tribe with your parents before returning to Republic City. What do you say? – The green-eyed girl's happy expression contrasted sharply with the blue-eyed girl's – they didn't even seem to be talking about the same subject.
– Asami, don't take this the wrong way, but I'm not sure...
– What's the problem?
– Honestly...? – She sighed. – I haven't told them about us... – There, the bomb was dropped. Asami could explode in fury at any moment.
– Why? – Contrary to what Korra expected, the industrialist didn't explode or get even slightly angry as she imagined. It was much worse than that. She became sad and somewhat disappointed. – Are you ashamed of me? Of us?
– No! Not at all! – She sat up abruptly. The insinuation was absurd and hurt deep in the Avatar's soul, especially hearing her beloved say it with a choked voice. – My love, what we have is the thing I'm most proud of in my life.
– Then what's the problem? – She still wasn't convinced.
– The Water Tribe is still very traditional, the general culture isn't very "open-minded," if you know what I mean... Relationships like ours aren't endorsed.
– Are you afraid of your parents' reaction? That they won't accept the two of us together?
– That too, but not just that. Look, I don't know how they'll take the news that I'm dating a woman.
– Korra, it's your life. They have to, at the very least, understand that.
– I know. I don't intend to let their opinion dictate what I do or don't do. – She clarified, in case that point wasn't already clear to Sato. – However, it saddens me to think they might resist our relationship. Damn it, Asami! I love them so much! The last thing I want is a rift in the family, and I'm afraid that might happen soon.
– Hey... – She moved closer to the other and put an arm around the Avatar's shoulders, giving her a sort of sideways hug. – Tonraq and Senna love you very much too. When you were away for those three sabbatical years, they were very worried and felt relieved when they talked to me, because I always had an update from you through the letters we exchanged; their eyes practically shone when they heard you were okay, recovering, improving, and promising to return as soon as possible. Precisely because of that, I say: they will accept and support any choice you make, as long as it makes you happy; if I'm that kind of person, they will bless us, don't worry.
– That's what I want most. – She returned the hug. – But love, I'm not going to lie, there's one more thing... Even if my family approves, I'm afraid it might cause some complications. Like I said, the Tribe is very traditional, and maybe our relationship will end up tarnishing my father's image as their leader.
– It's okay, we can hide it from them a little longer. – Asami said that more out of politeness and support for Korra than because she really saw no problem with the situation. The truth was that she felt uncomfortable not being able to openly acknowledge their relationship to the brunette's family; Tonraq and Senna had always been too important to the Avatar, and seeing her girlfriend reluctant to do that stung, even though she understood the reasons. – You can use this time to prepare the ground for the "big reveal," but Korra, they need to know about us at some point, otherwise you'll have problems with me, and I guarantee I can be more difficult than any diplomatic dispute.
– Okay, love. I know it's asking a lot, I appreciate the patience and understanding, really; in your place, I don't know if I could do something like that, so I understand the magnitude of what you're doing. I don't even have the words to thank you, but I promise it's a temporary sacrifice.
– You need to understand that you don't have to do everything at once. Small steps are just as valid as big ones and, in the long run, lead to the same place. Building an environment where you feel comfortable talking openly about this with your parents is as important as the conversation itself.
– You're right...
– You said the people of the Tribe are very attached to traditions – maybe you can make them reconsider and review some protocols that no longer make sense. I know it's difficult and I'm not suggesting it'll be easy, but if there's anyone in the world who can do something like that, it's the Avatar. Korra, think about it, you're a role model for many people, an icon revered by everyone, and for good reason; seeing someone of your stature breaking paradigms is a big step toward dismantling prejudices, and it also helps other people in situations similar to ours see that it's okay, that they have support and someone to look up to. Doing this for you, for us, is also an important step toward refreshing common sense in places we don't even know exist! And it will definitely make a difference in the lives of those who had no one to look up to.
– As if I didn't already have enough obligations and problems. – She rested her head on Asami's shoulder. – That's what you get for being born the Avatar. – She laughed. – But you're right. As always.
– I know it's a huge responsibility, but I'm here to share it with you. There's no way you have to go through this alone; in fact, you won't, because I won't let you.
– You really are the best. – She raised her face to the same height as hers. – You always have a way of calming me down, making me think straight... I don't know what I'd do if you weren't with me in this.
– It's the least I can do to help – after all, I love you.
– You've told me that thousands of times, and I'll never get tired of it. – Hearing a declaration of love from Asami was always comforting; she had a way with words.
– Good, because I'm going to say it millions more times.
Hearing that, Korra leaned her body toward her girlfriend and sealed her lips with hers. Sato promptly reciprocated the caress; nothing was better for the occasion than having her beloved in her arms, completely surrendered to her and the moment they had already had enough drama for the day.
– Why did you get dressed again? – Asami complained between kisses after noticing that her girlfriend's clothes were hindering her advances. – Just to make my life difficult, right?
– Things can't always be easy for you, love. – She replied, still intoxicated by the moment. – But if they're bothering you that much, you can take them off. – She added suggestively. A mischievous smile formed on the other's lips.
– Oh yes, of course, I like that. This will be much more fun.
– For both of us? – She teased.
– Obviously. – She conceded.
– Then show me.
– With pleasure.