Chapter 3
Bolin's attempt to free Korra from Kuvira's death grip was fruitless, but at least she didn't throw stones at him.
"Hey, guys! What are you doing?" Bolin literally screamed when he reached Korra and Kuvira. Korra, quite startled, turned around, and when she saw who had just destroyed her eardrums, she could only smile. Of course, Bolin, she thought. "Oh, hi—" she was cut off by Kuvira's hand on her shoulder, gently pulling her towards her. Even though Korra and Kuvira were on good terms, this movement seemed strange to her. It's not like Korra hadn't enjoyed their conversation in the last few minutes; she actually thought it was really funny to hear about Kuvira, and literally everybody else, getting their ass kicked by Toph. But still, it seemed like a gesture that just wasn't appropriate for their type of relationship. The way her hand slid up her upper arm and landed on her shoulder, the gentle pull, her breath ghosting her neck and ear as she whispered, "Korra, darling." She went quieter as she saw Bolin's eyes widen. "Before your friend can drag you away, I have to tell you something important."
Korra's curiosity piqued, and she looked at Kuvira with a mixture of intrigue and concern. "What is it?" she asked, her voice laced with genuine interest. There was an intensity in her gaze that Korra hadn't quite expected. She exchanged a quick glance with Bolin, who even though he hadn't heard the last thing that was said by Kuvira, seemed to sense the shift in the atmosphere as well. Not liking where this was going, Bolin cleared his throat. "Hey Korra! I've got some news you might wanna know." His eyes darted between the two women, an eager smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
Korra's eyebrows furrowed, torn between the curiosity ignited by Kuvira's words and Bolin's urgency. "What is it, Bolin?"
Bolin leaned in a little, as if sharing a secret. "Asami's here. She just walked into the bar."
Korra's heart leapt at the mention of Asami's name, her thoughts momentarily diverted from the conversation she had been having with Kuvira.
"Asami's here?"
Bolin grinned, clearly delighted by Korra's well-expected reaction. "Yeah, I just spoke to her and thought you'd wanna know. Looks like she's looking for someone."
Korra's smile grew wider, and she said playfully, "Oh, she's looking for someone. Whom can that be?" Bolin, clearly not getting it, replied, "You. She's looking for you. She's just here because of you!" Korra, seeing how desperate her friend became in a matter of seconds just leaned in a little just like he did and said, "I know." Bolin rubbed his neck, "Ohhh. You... you got me there."
"Even though I would love to continue our conversation," she looked back and forth between Bolin and Kuvira, "I, uh, need to go talk to Asami."
Asami...
The thought of Asami brought a warmth to her cheeks that she couldn't quite ignore. They had shared countless adventures, faced challenges together, and a deep bond had formed between them. But for some reason, the words she longed to say hung on the tip of her tongue, unspoken.
But before she could step away from both of them, Kuvira found a hold on her hand and didn't let go. Korra looked at her eyes and were her eyes misty? Korra stopped, too scared to move and make the woman in front of her cry. Bolin, seeing the whole interaction and accepting his defeat, walked away. Well played, woman.
He looked around the crowded bar, spotting Mako and Asami engaged in conversation at the other end. With a determined expression, he quickly made his way through the throng of people.
"Hey, guys!" Bolin called out as he approached Mako and Asami, his voice slightly breathless from navigating the crowd. Mako turned to Bolin, raising an eyebrow. "Well, where's Korra? I thought you wanted to free her?" Bolin sighed dramatically and started to recount the conversation. "And then Kuvira put her hand on Korra's shoulder and said something like 'Korra, darling.' It was super weird." Darling?! Asami thought. I AM THE ONE WHO SAYS DARLING TO KORRA! THAT'S LIKE TOTALLY OUR THING! Due to her ranting, Asami completely missed everything Bolin said after "darling" and only came back at the end where he said that Kuvira was crying?? THAT BITCH.
"Asami, you have to go to her!"
"What? Why me, Bolin?"
"For real?" Mako snorted. "We all know why."
"But-"
"No buts... go get your girl, Asami."
"She's not my girl, Mako."
"Whatever, Asami."
Clearly blushing, Asami looked everywhere except for the brothers and then green met blue. Asami caught Korra's eye across the room, and a small, knowing smile tugged at the corner of her lips. Korra's presence was a comforting anchor in the midst of the unexpected unnerving situation. Everything will be okay, and Asami marched towards Korra and Kuvira.
Asami stood right in front of both of them, but she didn't look at Kuvira for one single moment; her eyes were locked with Korra's. "I have to talk to you." A wordless conversation later, she looked at Kuvira and said, "Alone." She took Korra's hands away from Kuvira, and she was about to protest, but the finality in Asami's eyes made her go quiet.
As Korra left the bar holding Asami's hands, she couldn't help but notice the way Kuvira's expression had changed, her sad and vulnerable demeanor now replaced by a cold and distant one. But she couldn't care less about that in the moment. Korra's heart was aflutter. The touch of Asami's hand in hers sent a surge of warmth through her, making the world around them feel a little brighter. They walked side by side, their steps syncing as if they were in perfect harmony.
They stepped outside into the cool night air, Korra couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted back in the bar. She glanced back through the window, catching a glimpse of Kuvira's distant expression.
But Korra's focus quickly returned to the woman beside her, to Asami's presence that seemed to fill the space around them. She squeezed Asami's hand gently, a silent reassurance that she was right where she wanted to be.
Asami's lips curved into a soft smile, her eyes warm as they met Korra's. "You seem a little distracted. Is everything okay?"
Korra's smile matched Asami's, her heart still racing from their earlier conversation. "Yeah, everything's more than okay. I just... I've been wanting to spend time with you like this."
Asami's gaze softened, and she squeezed Korra's hand in return. "I feel the same way, Korra. It's been a while since we had a moment to ourselves."
"Asami, there's something I've been wanting to say," Korra began, her voice sincere.
Asami turned towards her, her gaze unwavering. "What is it, Korra?"
Korra took a deep breath, her heart pounding in her chest. This was the moment she had been waiting for, the moment to put her feelings into words. "Asami, you've been such an important part of my life. We've been through so much together, and every moment we've shared has meant the world to me."
Asami's eyes shimmered with emotion, their fingers intertwining. "Korra..."
Korra met Asami's gaze, her own eyes filled with determination and affection. "I guess what I'm trying to say is that I care about you, Asami. More than just a friend. And I don't want to keep it a secret anymore."
Asami's lips curved into a soft smile, tears glistening in her eyes. "Korra, you don't have to keep anything a secret. I've felt the same way for a long time."
Korra's heart skipped a beat, a rush of happiness washing over her. She leaned in closer, their foreheads gently touching. "Really?"
Asami nodded, her smile radiant. "Really."
They found themselves drawn closer, their lips meeting in a kiss that was both passionate and tender. The world around them seemed to fade into the background as their connection deepened, their bodies pressed together in a wordless affirmation of their feelings. Maybe they stood there for three minutes or maybe for a lifetime; Korra couldn't tell, and it also didn't matter to her.
As their lips finally parted, they remained close, their foreheads resting against each other again. Their breathing was ragged, their eyes locked in a shared understanding that went beyond words. With a soft smile, Korra brushed her lips against Asami's one final time, a promise of all the moments that lay ahead.