Chapter Text
Asami knew that the Southern Water Tribe was a cold place, but she never expected it to be this cold. Even inside Senna’s house, she kept shivering despite wearing five layers of clothing!
They had landed at the SWT International Airport that morning, arriving just in time for the Glacier Spirits Festival. A month prior, Korra had adorably asked her if she wanted to attend, stumbling over her words. Asami had found it endearing, but why was Korra acting so nervous?
Now that she thought about it, ever since they’d arrived, her girlfriend had been fidgety and restless. She was even more restless than Naga. Asami noticed she Korra kept fiddling with her fingers, taking them on her tan hands and looking at them. It was weird, but Asami decided to ignore it. Maybe Korra was just nervous about coming back home to the South.
The sudden sound of the door creaking open broke Asami from her thoughts. She looked up to see Korra, a broad grin on her face, as she held out a neatly wrapped package.
“What’s this?” Asami asked, her eyes flickering between the gift and Korra’s shining blue eyes, which sparkled with a mischievous glint.
“Open it,” Korra urged, her voice lilting with excitement, every word making it harder for Asami to resist her curiosity.
Carefully, Asami pulled apart the wrapping, revealing a stunning coat. It was clearly of Southern Water Tribe make: the exterior was adorned with intricate tribal patterns in shades of icy blue and white, while the inside boasted plush, thick lining, likely made of sea otter fur, known for its warmth. Subtle shimmering beads were sewn in, giving the coat an ethereal glow.
Asami’s mouth hung open, her fingers grazing over the beautiful craftsmanship. “Korra, this is…”
“I noticed your clothes, no matter how many layers you pile on, aren’t suited for our kind of cold," Korra explained, a warm blush tinting her cheeks. “This should help. It’s authentic Southern Water Tribe wear.”
Overwhelmed by the gesture, Asami swiftly got up and enveloped Korra in a tight hug. “Thank you,” she whispered, feeling the heat of Korra’s body against hers. Breaking the hug, Asami donned the coat, reveling in the immediate warmth it provided.
Korra’s eyes trailed over Asami, her lips curling into a satisfied smirk. “Looks good on you. Ready to go out?”
Feeling more confident against the biting cold, Asami nodded with a grin. “Absolutely.”
The moment they stepped into the Glacier Spirits Festival, Asami felt a sense of wonder enveloping her. The vast expanse of ice and snow was illuminated by countless lanterns, their soft glow casting a dreamy light on everything. Stalls were set up, each decorated with shimmering icicles and vibrant colors, displaying a variety of trinkets, foods, and games that told tales of the tribe’s rich heritage.
In the distance, performers danced to the rhythm of tribal drums, their moves a mesmerizing blend of grace and power. Children laughed and played, their faces painted with tribal marks, as their parents watched fondly.
Korra’s eyes were alive with excitement, a palpable eagerness that was infectious. “Come on!” she exclaimed, tugging Asami towards one of the gaming stalls. “I’m gonna win you the jackpot!” The CEO laughed at Korra’s childlike enthusiasm. Looked like her nervousness melted.
When they arrived at the stall, Asami took a look. The objective seemed simple enough: knock down a stack of cans with a ball. Korra’s face contorted in concentration, making several attempts and failing. Each miss was met with a frustrated grunt while Asami tried hard to stifle her giggles.
After the tenth try, with a triumphant whoop, Korra finally managed to knock down all the cans. The stall owner handed her a gigantic stuffed polar bear dog, which bore an uncanny resemblance to Naga. “For you,” Korra said, presenting the prize to Asami with a beaming smile, her cheeks slightly flushed from the effort and maybe, just maybe, a hint of embarrassment.
“Thank you,” Asami replied, hugging the soft toy, her heart swelling with affection for Korra’s persistence.
The couple continued their exploration, hand in hand, the sounds of laughter and music accompanying their every step. The world seemed to blur into a mix of lights, colors, and emotions, their bond deepening with every shared experience.
When they finally returned to Senna’s house, the warm aroma of stew greeted them. The dinner table was a lively affair, with Senna sharing stories of past festivals and Naga occasionally trying to snatch a bite from the table. As they ate, Asami felt a profound sense of belonging.
Later, as they lay in bed, nestled close, the events of the day replayed in Asami’s mind. She was about to drift into sleep when Korra spoke.
“Asami?”
“Still awake?”
The nervous tone in Korra’s voice alerted the CEO awake. She shifted and looked up at her girlfriend. Her eyes were shining with unshed tears, and it had Asami worried. “Hey. Are you okay?”
Korra took a deep breath, her fingers tracing patterns on the blanket as if searching for the right words. “Asami, I know that we’ve only known each other for less than a year, but for me, that’s enough. And I’m sorry if these past months, I’ve dragged you into my mess, but thank you for staying with me. Thank you for not leaving me. Every high and low, every joy and sorrow. Through it all, my love for you has only grown.”
Asami’s chest tightened, her heartbeat echoing loudly in her ears. She watched as Korra’s hand, slightly trembling, retrieved a rectangular box from beneath the pillow.
Without breaking eye contact, the teacher slowly opened the box, revealing a betrothal necklace. At its center was a striking blue-green stone nestled in a deep blue ribbon, and engraved on the stone were intricate patterns of a half gear intertwined with waves — a perfect blend of their two worlds.
“Korra…” Asami whispered, tears forming in her eyes.
But Korra wasn’t done. From behind her, she brought out a second, smaller box, unveiling a delicate ring. “I wasn’t sure which one you’d prefer,” Korra admitted, her voice choked with emotion. “So, I got both.”
A bubble of laughter burst from Asami, and she gently pulled Korra into a hug. “You always know how to surprise me.”
Drawing back, Korra took a shaky breath, her gaze earnest. “I had a plan, you know. I wanted to take you to my favorite spot in the tundra. Just us, the stars, and the quiet serenity of the night. I imagined proposing there. But lying here, with you, felt so right. And I... I just couldn’t wait.”
Asami gently wiped away a tear that had escaped Korra’s eye. “You always follow your heart, and that’s what I love about you.” Her voice softened even more, “Yes, Korra. I’ll marry you. I’ll wear both, and I’ll wear them proudly.”
Relief washed over Korra’s features. Her tense shoulders relaxed, and she let out a light-hearted laugh, clearly shaking off the weight of her anxiety. “I was so worried you’d say no because you might think we’re moving too fast...”
Before Korra could continue, Asami silenced her girlfriend’s rambling with a passionate kiss, pulling her close. The warmth of the moment enveloped them both. “Never to you. And if you think we’re going too fast, just wait until you hear what I dreamt of the night we first met.”
Korra blinked in surprise. “What? What did you dream?”
“Well, that night, I dreamt we were already married, preparing for our honeymoon,” Asami began, tracing slow circles on Korra’s chest. “We were on Ember Island, splashing seawater at each other. Then we were making sweet, sweet love under the setting sun. Your hands were wandering my body, making me shiver on the sand. Then your body was on top of me, and your hips rolling between my legs…” Asami allowed the words to linger, watching as desire darkened Korra’s gaze. Deliberately, her fingers teased the waistband of Korra’s pants.
When Asami’s fingers reached the hem of Korra’s pants, the teacher finally snapped and pounced on her. She positioned herself snugly between Asami’s thighs and rocked her hips, drawing a throaty moan from the CEO. “Why not turn that dream into reality tonight, Ms. Sato?”
Asami's breath caught in her throat, and she hooked her legs around Korra's waist, urging her on. “Please...”
And so, wrapped up in each other, they celebrated deep into the night.
10 Years Later
Asami’s heels clicked on the paved streets of Republic City as she made her way home. The city had changed, and so had she. At 40, she had chosen family over the helm of Future Industries. Though she still held a seat on the board, her heart was with the family that awaited her at home.
Two years into their wedded life, they had welcomed a young boy into their lives. They adopted him, showering him with all the love they had, and named him Takeshi. Every time she called out his name, Asami was reminded of the strength that bonded her and Korra.
Speaking of Korra, she was now the head of the school she had worked for all her life. Asami felt a swell of pride thinking about it, recalling the countless evenings Korra spent preparing lessons or supporting a struggling student.
But, of course, life wasn’t just about the good days. Three years into their marriage, a letter arrived, the handwriting unmistakably Tonraq's. Asami watched from across the room, noting the faint tremble in Korra’s hand as she held the envelope. The content wasn’t what they had expected: not demands, but regrets and apologies. That night, they sat on their couch, Korra’s head on Asami’s lap. “He says he’s sorry," she whispered, her voice carrying traces of old wounds.
Asami gently stroked her hair, "What do you want to do?"
Korra was silent for a long time before she finally spoke, “I can’t let him back into my life, Asami. Not after everything.”
Asami could feel the determination and pain mingled in Korra’s voice. “I don't want him in our lives anymore. It’s been better without him.” The finality in her voice left no room for doubt. Asami remembered holding Korra closer that night, enveloping her in an embrace that silently promised unity and understanding. They would face everything together, and nothing would come between them.
There was also that time when they had a disagreement over seemingly small things that piled up over weeks — from whose turn it was to do the dishes to who forgot to pay the water bill. It culminated one night when Asami felt unheard and Korra felt overwhelmed. For the first and only time, they chose separate rooms for the night. By morning, over cups of steaming jasmine tea, they opened up about their stresses and miscommunications. Apologies were shared, understanding was reached, and their bond, as always, grew even stronger.
However, nothing could have prepared Asami for the heartbreak that was watching Korra grieve for Naga. The house felt emptier, quieter. But life, with its twists, turned a corner when Korra came home one evening, a quivering puppy in her arms, bringing with it a gust of fresh joy.
They’ve come a long way, but Asami wouldn’t exchange it for anything.
Now, every evening as she approached their house, Asami would take a moment, pausing at the gate. There was Takeshi, spirited and energetic, playing catch in the yard under Korra's attentive gaze. The playful antics of their puppy added to the mirth. She’d inhale deeply, taking in the sounds of laughter and the ball being kicked about, feeling the day’s stresses melt away. Pushing open the door, she’d be engulfed in the familiar warmth of her family, a daily reminder of the love-filled journey they had embarked upon and the myriad of promises the future still held.
~The End~