Archive of Our Own ^beta

Korra knows that it’s a problem.

She’s had enough ‘conversations’ (‘lectures’) with Tenzin about how she can’t rush into things. About how she needs to think before she acts, and to not behave too rashly .

She practically has those thoughts in Tenzin’s voice.

It’s just….it’s hard. 

She already knew that her feelings for Asami were different from her feelings for Mako. That what she feels for Asami Sato is so much stronger than anything she’s ever felt before, for anyone . 

It’s different, and it’s so heady, and she really really can’t get enough of it.

Sometimes though…it’s hard. Because obviously everyone is going to be into Asami. Who wouldn’t be? 

She’s pretty, she’s smart, she’s funny, she’s kind, she’s pretty, she’s a genius, she’s pretty, she’s sweet, she’s pretty….she’s everything that Korra thinks someone could hope to be.

Not that Asami doesn’t have her flaws, but if anything, those flaws only make Korra want her even more.

She feels all those things for Asami (and more) but obviously she’s not the only one who does, because anyone who ever’s met Asami Sato is probably at least a little bit in love with her.

Which is hard for Korra.

She’s not a jealous person, not really. Which…she supposes she did get a little crazy with Mako and the whole thing with Asami and the three of them. She should probably re-evaluate that though, and who she was really jealous of in that situation. 

She just….she feels like she’s going to go insane sometimes. 

Especially right now.

Asami has to go to a lot of events, now that she’s even more front-facing in her role as CEO of Future Industries. The way she tells it, it’s been a gradual increase, and she’s had to spend more and more time in rooms like this instead of the rooms she really loves. Namely those with tools and machinery and grease she can get her hands dirty with. 

Now though, Future Industries has a lot of government contracts, with the rebuilding effort and all, so naturally Asami needs to be seen even more by the public. Which, when they’re alone at night, she makes it very clear to Korra that she’s not the biggest fan of this transition.

Which to anyone who knows Asami - and Korra likes to think she knows her pretty well - that’s not a surprise in the slightest. 

But because she has all these contracts and is even more public facing, she has to go to all these events. And because Korra’s such a good girlfriend (or at least tries to be) she goes to all these events with Asami.

Tenzin tells her that she should have been going to them anyway, being the Avatar and all, but Korra chooses to ignore that.

But the people at these events…..Korra can’t stand it.

Everyone wants Asami’s time, which is fair and valid and Korra’s not angry about that part. The part that gets her is that, again, everyone who’s ever met Asami Sato is at least a little bit in love with her. And because some people refuse to believe or accept that Korra and Asami are together, there’s more than a little flirting. Not from Asami, but from all these hotshot business men who think they have a chance with the most perfect woman in Republic City. 

They never made an official announcement, but….they’ve gotten more than a little handsy in public at times, and there’s some rather compromising tabloid photos out there. Nothing obscene, but still….lips on lips, lips on necks, hands on legs….the whole thing. 

They’ve tried to tone it down, and Korra knows that Asami’s done some things behind the scenes to try to quiet the tabloids, but…..the point is that people should know that they’re together. 

So either these men are completely oblivious, or they just don’t care.

“Korra, dear.”

“Korra…..”

The words go straight through one ear and out the other, so it’s not until she feels a hand on her wrist that she looks up and realizes that there’s a person standing right beside her.

“You’re going to break that glass if you squeeze it any harder,” Pema smiles softly, and huh….Korra didn’t even realize that she was holding anything. 

Her arm is feeling awfully tense though, now that Pema mentions it. 

“Sorry Pema,” she apologizes as she puts down the offending champagne flute, idly noting that not a drop of it has been drunk. “Tenzin wouldn’t let me hear the end of it if I did, huh?”

Pema just giggles as she shakes her head, agreeing with Korra. “No, I don’t think he would.”

Thankfully, a quick glance across the room lets Korra know that Tenzin is - fortunately for her and unfortunately for him - stuck in conversation with President Raiko, and a handful of men that Korra doesn’t recognize. He looks more than a little exasperated, and his quick little glances around the room are, Korra’s pretty sure, his trying to find Pema to rescue him.

Too bad , Korra smirks inwardly. At least I’m not the only one suffering

Pema’s still talking though, and Korra can’t help but flush at the raised eyebrow that she’s given when it’s clear that she missed the last couple questions thrown her way.

“I….sorry, Pema,” she sighs, hands busy picking at the waist of her dress. “What were you saying?”

“Something’s the matter,” Pema smiles softly, because even if she’s herself a little exasperated, she’s always so kind and sweet

Spirits, Korra’s thankful for her.

“I….” Korra stops and starts, because she feels guilty. Firstly, because she doesn’t want to saddle all this on Pema. Secondly, because Asami’s not doing anything wrong. And thirdly, this isn’t really the place for it.

She knows Pema well enough to know that she won’t be able to get out of this without saying something though, and….well, what better time than now?

“Everyone’s also so touchy with Asami….”

“Ah.”

“You don’t have to say it like that,” Kora pouts, and the giggle she hears only makes her blush more.

Thankfully, Pema’s nothing if not reassuring. “It’s okay to be jealous, Korra,” she smiles, and this time, the hand on Korra’s wrist is a lifeline. “And I don’t think Asami would think any less of you if you told her.”

“It’s not….I’m not jealous,” the Avatar pouts, even if she knows that that’s not working on Pema, not in the slightest. 

It’s so futile that Pema doesn’t even acknowledge it, just pushing right on by. “Where’s Asami now? I’m sure she’d love to spend some time with you.”

“Raiko wanted her to meet some…. business-men from the Fire Nation,” Korra puts on her best Raiko impression, the chuckle she gets satiating some of the anxiety roiling around inside her. “They really like her. Obviously.”

And, despite her better judgement, Korra lets her eyes flit up to where those men are showing their appreciation for Asami Sato. 

They’re not too far from Tenzin and Raiko, probably only fifteen feet or so. Asami’s wearing that red dress that never fails to make Korra’s eyes bulge, and she looks absolutely beautiful .

Personally, Korra thinks she looks best after she’s spent a couple hours in her garage, but there’s certainly an argument to be made for her formal event attire too.

And, unfortunately, the men from the Fire Nation certainly seem to agree. 

Not that she’ll ever admit it, Korra’s spent most of the night watching them out of the corner of her eye. So, she can see the entire gamut of how they’ve reacted to Asami. First, there’s the looks up and down (which is fair and honestly, that’s not really what Korra’s annoyed about), but second, there’s the reactions after Asami starts talking.

Because again, after you’ve talked to her for five minutes, you start to fall at least a little bit in love with her.

She’s so smart, and these guys obviously think so too, because they’re hanging on every word, and must be able to keep up, at least a little bit. Asami’s laughing occasionally at what they’ve said - because she has to if she wants to partner with them on whatever Raiko suggested - and these two guys are practically giving her heart eyes. 

And Korra’s just so….ugh.

As articulate as ever, Avatar

Korra has…..she’s getting better with the way she thinks of herself. Most of that is because of Asami, and everything that Asami’s done for her and said to her, and helped her with, but she still has problems with her abilities as an Avatar. Which she thinks should be expected, given she spent three years completely useless, but it doesn’t mean she still doesn’t feel these thoughts.

And when you’re dating someone as incredible as Asami Sato, you’re going to feel a little inadequate.

Which Korra knows that Asami would be horrified to know that Korra felt that way, and be mad at herself for ever making those thoughts enter her girlfriend’s head, which is the last thing that Korra wants.

Asami hasn’t done anything wrong, it’s just that she’s so incredible and Korra’s just….she’s just Korra.

She’s the Avatar, sure, but she’s still just Korra . 

So sure, she’s jealous when people look at Asami as if she was single, when she’s so obviously Korra’s. Which….bad Korra! She knows she shouldn’t be thinking that way about someone as independent and fierce as Asami, but it’s still there nevertheless.

That’s only part of it though. The other part, the fear that Asami could realize that there’s someone out there that’s better …..that’s even more prevalent in the back of her mind.

Which she knows is silly and stupid. Asami isn’t going to leave her for one of these guys that she met literally hours ago. Korra’s brain has always been a hard place to be though and even if it’s getting better….yeah.

“And Asami really likes you,” Pema cuts through Korra’s thoughts, a reassuring hand being placed on her wrist, grounding her. “I think you should go talk to her. Instead of moping over here by yourself.” 

The last part is meant to be a tease, which doesn’t work, obviously. Because the Avatar doesn’t mope . 

Korra sighs though, because even if she’s feeling inadequate and jealous and silly, Asami’s here for business, not pleasure. “She’s having a business talk. I shouldn’t….”

“And I think that Asami values you far more than she values her business.”

Korra flushes red at that, because it still surprises her, even now, when other people comment on how Asami’s in love with her. 

Still, she’s stubborn enough that she’s not going to go over and talk to Asami when she’s doing something far more important than dealing with Korra’s feelings. Pema must pick up on that too though, because with a roll of her eyes, her hand is off Korra’s wrist, and she's striding over to the woman in question. 

“Wait! Pema…..oh Spirits,” Korra sighs to herself, feeling like her face is a perpetual red at this point.

She can’t watch, so she turns her gaze to where Tenzin’s still trying to get out of talking to Raiko. It’s almost sad, the way his face lights up when he sees Pema, only to fall all over again when he realizes that she isn’t going over to talk to him.

Korra would laugh, if she wasn’t taking a long drink of her champagne in anticipation of what’s to come.

“So….Pema said some interesting things.”

Spirits …..Korra’s doom has arrived.

“She did?” the Avatar croaks out, turning back that same ninety degrees to come face to face with her girlfriend. Her girlfriend, who looks so pretty and has that same cocked eyebrow that she always does when she’s challenging someone. Even her girlfriend

Not cool, Asami

“She did,” Asami parrots, voice so monotone that nothing good is going to come from this. “Should we go somewhere, sweetheart? We don’t have to stay here if you don’t want to.”

“Don’t you have people to talk to?”

“I have people that Raiko wants me to talk to. I value you more than him, believe it or not.”

“Lucky me,” Korra mutters, that cocked eyebrow never going down. “Um…if you’re okay with leaving, I wouldn’t mind going somewhere to….not talk.”

Asami just rolls her eyes though, muttering a “nice try, Avatar,” before she takes Korra’s hand, and away they go.

Asami spares her until they get to Avatar Korra Park. They’re seated on a bench by one of the streams, thankfully facing away from the giant statue of, you know…..Korra. 

She doesn’t think she could have this conversation if she was staring up at a giant statue of herself. Even if it was her - at the time - very best platonic and definitely straight friend (who would never be interested in Korra) that commissioned it. 

“So….” Asami starts, and Spirits take her, Korra’s already bright red. “What does Pema think we should talk about?”

Not for the first time, Korra’s so thankful for Asami. She’s not pressuring her, or demanding they talk about it, or even leading the conversation. She’s not only smart with machines and technology, but she’s really emotionally intelligent. It’s one of the many things that Korra loves about her. 

“I um….” she stops and starts, because even if she’s known for talking too much, that doesn’t mean she’s good at stuff like this. Asami’s hand in hers helps though, and before long she finds her voice. “I was just….it’s hard, watching you talk to guys like that.”

“Guys like what?”

“Not just guys, I guess. Girls too,” Korra course corrects, because even if it was guys this time, it’s not just them who are interested in Asami. “Everyone really likes you.”

That must take Asami by surprise, because she doesn’t say anything. When stuff like that happens, Korra can’t help but think she put her foot in her mouth, and soon enough, she’s off to the races again. 

“Not that you’re doing anything! You’re not, you’re just being yourself. You’re just so…you’re so special, and everyone realizes that, and it’s hard sometimes, to see them so into you.”

“You’re jealous,” Asami puts together. “First off, I’m flattered. I think you might be overstating it, but I’m flattered.”

“I’m not,” Korra argues, and this time, it’s Asami’s turn to blush. “I don’t think you realize how people look at you, ‘Sami.”

“I uh….I don’t know what to say to that.”

“It’s cute,” Korra shrugs, because it is. “It’s just that you’re so special, and I’m just Korra, and everyone is so into you and I don’t know if they don’t think we’re dating, or you’re single, or if they just don’t care, but those guys obviously were interested in what you were saying, and hopefully you got your business deal done, but they also obviously wanted you and it’s just really difficult sometimes and….”

“Korra….take a breath.”

“I was rambling,” Korra sighs, followed again by a reassuring squeeze. 

“Not rambling, just saying what you wanted to say. But…..what do you mean ‘I’m just Korra’?”

Oh Spirits, did she say that?

“I….did I?” she stammers, and yeah, there’s not going to be any getting that by Asami, is there?

Obviously not, because Asami just says “You did”, as she squeezes Korra’s hand. “So this isn’t just jealousy then.”

“I….you’re too smart,” Korra sighs, because she’s already put all this out in the open, so why not dig her grave even more. “You’re so special, ‘Sami. And I’m….I know I’m the Avatar, but besides that I’m not anything like you.”

“You can’t seriously believe that.”

“Wha…what?”

The ferocity with which Asami says it takes Korra a second to process, but when she does, she turns around and is met with a face of pure determination. 

“First off, your feelings are valid. Secondly, I’m really sorry if I ever did anything to make you think that.”

“You didn’t! You didn’t ‘Sami, it’s nothing to do with….”

“It’s something to do with me,” Asami cuts off her girlfriend, which…..Korra’s aware that they’re having this emotional conversation, but she can’t help but find that more than a little attractive. “I’m really sad to hear that you think that.”

Korra’s about to speak up, but Asami’s still talking, and really, Korra could listen to her speak for hours. “As I said, I don’t want to invalidate your feelings, I just really want you to know that I never think of you as just Korra. You’re so special, and I really wish you thought the same that I do.”

“I know it’s not a one-time fix, but can you talk to me about it? You don’t have to right now, but whenever you want to. It’s something that I want to help with, however I can.”

“And please,” Asami continues, “don’t put me on a pedestal. I’m not perfect.”

“I know,” Korra smiles. “But you’re close.”

This time, it’s Asami’s turn to blush…..Korra did that to her. Korra .

“I’m sorry,” Korra continues, finding this so much easier now that Asami’s said her piece. “And I’ll talk to you more. It’s just hard, ‘Sami.”

“I know, sweetheart. Those feelings don’t go away easily, and I don’t expect them to. I’m so proud of you for being willing to talk about it. Whenever you want to.”

“I love you,” Korra lets out, because Spirits, does she ever. Asami just smiles and says the words back as she leans her head in the crook of Korra’s shoulder, giving her neck a little kiss in the process. “Lets do it later though.”

“Of course. Just as long as you don’t forget.”

And with that, Korra breathes easy. 

At least until Asami speaks up again. 

“Also….I think it’s cute when you’re jealous. When it’s just jealousy.”

“You knew?”

“Oh Korra….I always know,” Asami winks, and Spirits , this woman is going to be the death of Korra.

She wouldn’t have it any other way.