victory_road | A Return Indeed

Entry tags:

A Return Indeed

Who: Korra and Asami
Where: Mahogany
When: Last week
Summary: Korra and Asami catching up and getting settled
Rating: PG-13 at worst?
Log:

[It still doesn't seem real. Even after meeting Asami in New Bark, holding her again, kissing her again... It's been so long, Korra has been resigning herself to the fact that she wouldn't be seeing Asami until she went back home, whenever that would be. And it's okay, it's not like any time passed back home, or anything could happen, but...]

[She just missed her. It seemed like they hardly had any time, after actually confessing their feelings. Even when Asami was here before...she'd gone so soon after Korra came. It was like some awful curse. They kept getting started, and then being torn apart. Somehow, this one year has felt even longer than those three she'd spent isolating herself.]

[Part of her's worried that one of them is just going to disappear all over again. But she pushes that out of her head because Asami's here, Asami remembers all the same things from back home that she does, and everything's going to be fine.]

So...it's pretty humble, but it's comfy and it means I don't have to pay rent anywhere....

[Korra is preparing Asami for the bare bones nature of the hut she built herself. There's room for two - just in case this very thing happened - but it's hand (and Pokemon) built. She's talking as the approach, walking backwards with her hands in her pockets. It's not too far from Mahogany proper and the Pokemon Center they'd warped to.]

And it's really warm! I still don't have running water, but I've got water and fire Pokemon so hot baths are definitely a thing.

...we can start looking for somewhere in town whenever you want.

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I'm sure it's fine.

[Maybe it's the honeymoon phase talking, but Asami was confident that she could handle anything as long as she was with Korra. Everything was still a bit disorienting, but thanks to Korra Asami felt increasingly less bothered by her situation. They could stumble through hundreds of worlds together and still be fine with just each other.

Asami trails after Korra, her vulpix cradled in her arms. She had been preparing for rough living, but she hadn't counted on everything she packed being replaced. No makeup, her good brushes were gone... as much as Asami liked to try new things, she had to admit she struggled without certain luxuries.]

It's... [It's a hut!] ...it's perfect, Korra. You don't have to worry about a thing.

[That it's big enough for two isn't lost on Asami- Korra had been preparing and waiting for her arrival. It stirs up a warm, loving feeling inside of her that she's positive only Korra could inspire.]

You are being way too kind 'cause I'm your girlfriend.

[It's fine for Korra, it has been since she built it before winter came. It had been a fun project, actually, to do with her team. And despite being one and a half rooms, it is pretty comfortable. The floor's stone and wood, it keeps the weather out, there's a small fire stove and a chimney... the 'bed' is a couple of mattress pads piled on top of each other, but they're big mattress pads.]

[It'll do for now. But with Asami here, it's less a permanent residence and more a place to live while they figure out what to do next.]

I was just camping a lot, most of the time. I had a friend, he's gone home now, but we traveled together and it was starting to get cold...so when he left I just ended up building it. Kinda sucks, you two would have really gotten along. Vaughn was really tough and a survivalist, but he get this, he used to be a star accountant for some huge company.

Well, it is a step up from those tents we brought with us.

[Korra's sweet to take Asami's feelings into consideration, but Asami feels no need to push for a new place just yet- she had just gotten here, after all. She'd rather spend some time with Korra, where they can just forget about everything else and focus on each other. That's what mattered more to Asami.

The mention of a friend piques Asami's curiosity in more ways than one. Korra had a year's worth of experiences and friendships that Asami wanted to hear all about, but at the same time it stirred up feelings of guilt... and maybe just a tiny dash of jealousy.]

Really? Sounds like I could've used his help. [Asami's willing to poke fun at herself, on occasion. She pauses, then adds:] I'm glad you met and traveled with people here.

[Not that she expected Korra to not make friends here, but it's comforting to know that she was happy.]

It's at least two steps up!

[Korra's all grins as she tosses her pack into the corner and flops down in one of the two mismatched chairs near the stove. The blankets on the bed begin to shift and move, and he soft chirp of lazy 'piika...pikaaaa' can be heard. After a moment, a pair of pudgy pikachu roll out of the blanket pile, stumbling with sleepiness.]

There's a lot of people here. A lot of really good people. And it's something that's pretty great about being here - getting a chance to meet people I never, ever would have any other way.

[And now Asami can meet them all, too. Or re-meet, in some cases.]

There's so much I want to tell you about...I don't even know where to start!

[Oh, Asami's going to have to get used to the pokemon- it felt like they were everywhere. How many did Korra have?

She takes the other chair and places her vulpix on the floor, who seems intent on staying close to Asami, quickly scurrying under her chair.]

Well, why not from the beginning?

[She desperately wants to ask what it was like when she had been here before. What, if anything had happened between them, but she knows Korra will get to that when the time came.]

The beginning...I'm not even sure where that is....

[Korra sighs and rakes a hand through her hair. Tunna and Orki have woken up enough to focus on the strangers in their house, and promptly waddle toward Asami and her vulpix.]

When I woke up here, you were here already. But I had been here before, only I don't remember that...and I wasn't here very long at all. And then you were gone right after I got here....

[And wow it sounds even more confusing when she actually says it all in one go like that.]

But I'm not the only one who's going to be really happy to see you.

That's... wait. That's pretty confusing- almost sounds like something didn't want us together.

[It's a light joke, but Asami still reaches over to take Korra's hand in her own, an unspoken apology for leaving and at the same time a promise that it wouldn't happen again.

Her vulpix gives the two pikachu one glance before she curls up protectively underneath the chair.]

Really? Well, I already met someone who said she knew me when I was here before- Elsa?

It's happened to other people, too, but that's not exactly comforting.

[She doesn't understand it. But nobody does, and nobody ever will, probably. It's not like Legendary Pokemon drop by for chats or anything.]

[She squeezes Asami's hand, and twines her fingers through the other woman's.]

Oh, yeah, Elsa's my best friend, here. You were friends, too. Before me, actually. She's really great. So's her sister, Anna. [Who...also has just recently returned without memories, and doesn't remember Korra or Asami.] I used to stay with them in Ecruteak. I've really mostly been traveling around this region, training my Pokemon and learning about them. A lot of them have abilities that are just like bending. I mean...they helped me build this place!

[Asami's never completely forgotten actually knowing someone, so she's not quite sure how to react to that- or that this woman is apparently Korra's best friend. Still, she'll have to remember to get in contact with Elsa.]

Honestly I'm still having trouble wrapping my head around that, I don't remember anything about this place. [She gingerly returns the squeeze, savoring this little bit of contact between them.] These pokemon almost remind me of the spirits, though they seem to be a lot more friendly and predictable. I read about the gym challenges here- did you ever do that?

I get a headache if I think about it too much. When I first got here, so many people were welcoming me back, and I...had no idea what they were talking about. It was so weird.

[And had been weird for months. And now Asami's going to be going through the same thing.]

It starts feeling less crazy, though. And they are a lot like spirits. Some of them kind of are! [She looks down at their joined hands and gives Asami a little tug. Then a bigger one.]

Hey. Come over here.

[Why are they sitting in two different chairs? They don't have to be sitting in two different chairs, when Korra's lap is right here.]

I haven't done the gyms yet - I haven't gone back to Violet, that's where the first one is. I bet I could, though...

I'm sure I'll adjust in no time.

[She flashes Korra a sly smile before she stands up and relocates herself to the other woman's lap, draping an arm around Korra's neck while she gets comfortable. She can't really blame Korra for being eager.]

It's sort of like home, isn't it? Humans and pokemon living alongside each other- this could be the sort of future Republic City has. All thanks to you, of course.

[Her vulpix huffs quietly, as if to casually remind them that they aren't alone.]

Well, if you're as great of a trainer as you are a probender, the league won't know what hit them. I don't have the yuans this time, but I think I'd make a pretty good cheerleader.

[This is much better. Korra loops her arms around Asami, just enjoying the comfortable weight of her. It's just been so long.]

It kind of is. Humans and Pokemon live alongside each other, work together, share the world... it's amazing, really. I don't know what I'd do without my team... they're like family. I really hope this is the future of Republic City...and everywhere else.

[Humans and spirits living and working together, just like this. Why not? Maybe that's how all of this started, so long ago that history doesn't even remember it. Maybe Pokemon aren't that different from spirits at all, they just didn't have their own world.]

I like to think I'm pretty good! And I bet we can find you a cheerleading outfit... I wouldn't mind seeing that.

[Korra laughs, and it feels like some weight or stress she didn't even realize she's been carrying is just melting away.]

I thought about you when I was first contracted to help rebuild Republic City's infrastructure, you know? I knew how important it was to you for spirits and humans to live alongside each other...

[She idly strokes her fingers through Korra's hair. It had almost been embarrassingly obvious, Asami had thought- but they didn't have a lot of time once Korra came back to talk about it.]

I guess I hadn't realized how much you really meant to me, but the whole time I kept asking myself: would Korra have liked this?

[Then she laughs, playfully smirking:]

I bet you wouldn't. That Avatar's gonna need her number one girl by her side, right?

I...don't think I really realized till then, either. When we were apart and so many times I just...thought about you.

[Asami had been the only person she even contacted, then. Even in the dark pits of that awful time, her mind and heart went to Asami. It felt like they were always just starting...]

I liked it all. More than liked it. And we'll keep making it even better, when we go back.

[Together, side by side. She can't imagine it any other way.]

Couldn't do it without you.

[Korra tilts her head up and cranes her neck, to brush her lips against Asami's.]

[To hear that Korra had thought about her as much as she had shouldn't be a surprise to Asami at this point, and yet it never fails to make her stomach flutter. The thought of the two of them going home and having a life together fills Asami with a happiness she can't quite contain.]

I'm not letting go this time. I promise.

[She's no Avatar and certainly no bender, but Asami's tired of the two of them being separated before they have a chance to begin. Nothing was going to keep them apart this time.

She affectionately nuzzles Korra's hair before looking down at her, their lips and noses gingerly brushing together. Asami's palm cradles Korra's cheek, a tender look on her face.]

I love you, Korra. [Asami mumbles those words she knows Korra's gone too long without hearing before she pulls the Avatar in for a kiss.]

[Korra knows it's not up to them. But she doesn't care. Right now, she just wants to believe that's true, and they aren't going to be torn apart again. Whatever forces are out there can't be that cruel.]

[And this just feels so right. It's like the last piece of a puzzle fitting into place. Life has been perfectly fine, good even, but with Asami here...]

[Korra's eyes brim with a sudden sort of shimmering brightness. She swallows hard, reaching up to cup Asami's cheek with her hand. She's known, in a sort of quiet and implied kind of way, but they'd never had a chance to actually say it before.]

I love you. So, so much.

[It feels good to finally say it- to put it lightly, and although Asami hadn't been expecting a different response from Korra actually hearing it is a different, unexplainable feeling altogether. Even back home, where they had shared those first, wonderful kisses together they both knew it was best to wait. But now there was no looming threat threatening to take everything away. Just the two of them.]

It feels good to finally be able to say it, right? [She brushes her thumb over Korra's cheek to wipe a tear away- Asami can't help but feel a little guilty over causing it.] You'll be hearing it a lot, don't worry.

[She has three... four years worth of affection she needs to catch up, after all.

Her forehead comes to rest against Korra's with a content sigh:]

I think you're the only person I'd feel safe with, accidentally stumbling into different worlds like this.

It really does.

[There'd just never been a chance. Korra feels like she ought to say it a hundred times, just to make up for all the time lost. Instead she just leans into Asami, holding her, content to be with her at last.]

It...hasn't been the same without you. It hasn't been bad, not at all! But it just...isn't the same.

I'm glad you've been able to be happy here; you deserve it. I wouldn't want you miserable on my account.

[Korra deserves peace and happiness and so much more, and Asami's not going to object if this place can give it to her- she can only hope she'll get to be apart of it.]

You know, it's sort of a good thing time doesn't pass while we're gone. Now we have all the time to... figure us out.

[Not that Asami doesn't want to go back home, but who knows what would be waiting for them in Republic City? She'll be more than happy to return to her responsibilities, but for once Asami just wants to be selfish.]

Yeah. I kind of look at this like a really long vacation? It's...it's completely separate from home or the Spirit World. And it's pretty peaceful. A couple of times a year weird stuff happens, but not like back home.

[Even the doom was a lot less doom-y. It was fun, sometimes. And there were those weekends that she had her full powers back. Even if it was just a weekend, it was a consistent assurance that her bending and connection to Raava were fine. Just...muted.]

It's kind of nice to have a breather. I miss...well, I miss a lot of things. I have to keep explaining what Bending is to pretty much everybody... but it's a lot of quiet time to think. And think about what's really important.

[She meets Asami's eyes pointedly at that.]

After all we've been through I'd say we deserve it.

[Asami won't go into it beyond that- they both know what they've gone through, there's no need to bring it up and ruin the moment, not when Korra's looking at her like that. She reaches up to tuck back a strand of Korra's hair, silently marveling at how such a small gesture makes her feel good.]

Well, I hope we'll be doing more than just thinking. I think we've done enough of that. [There's a pause before Asami recognizes the double entendre and she laughs sheepishly, a light blush spreading across her cheeks.]

You know what I mean! [She hastily adds before Korra can tease her about it.]

[Korra laughs, grinning.]

Oh yeah? More than just thinking, huh...I dunno, maybe...

[She's just teasing, but...she does intend to do a lot more than thinking. It's been a long time. Generally and specifically. There's a lot of built up everything.]

We're gonna do all the things. We're gonna have adventures and see everything this world has and we're gonna be together for all of it and...this...this is our story. Just you and me.

Just maybe?

[Asami remembers there are small, furry creatures present and coughs quietly, steering the conversation in another direction but not before planting a kiss on Korra's cheek:]

Well, it all sounds perfect. Now, are you going to introduce me?

[She glances over at the two Pikachu with an arched eyebrow, an amused look on her face.]

[Korra follows Asami's gaze with an amused look. The Pikachu and Iqniq usually have the run of the place, they're the most social of her team.]

Yeah, sorry guys, but you're gonna be spending more time in your balls...

[Or outside. Drawbacks to a single room dwelling and critters plus girlfriend.]

That's Tunna and Orki. They're my latest, they just sort of adopted me. Iqniq, the big guy we rode, he was my starter. He was a lot smaller when I first got him!

[Oh, Asami can't help but blush a little at that suggestion. She idly plays with Korra's hair as she listens, looking at her Vulpix that's still asleep under the chair.]

Oh, that's right, they can evolve. Do you know what a Vulpix changes into? [She pauses, then adds:] I guess I should think of a name for her. I think she'd be offended if I didn't give her one.

I do! And they evolve into something really awesome, with a fire stone. They're called Ninetales and they look like something you'd find in the Spirit World. A big white fox with a bunch of tails.

[Pretty fitting for Asami, really. Beautiful, elegant fire Pokemon.]

And yeah, they like having their own names. I've got a few more, but they're in their balls now. They don't mind going in there, I don't really get how it works.

[No need to feel guilty about storing them when it was prudent to. She leans her head against Asami, unable to not touch her as much as possible. It's already starting to feel like that year apart didn't even happen.]

That does sound pretty. [She'll have to find out where to get one of those fire stones, maybe. There was still a lot of information to take in, things to figure out, and Asami will be more than eager to tackle it all... just not tonight.] I think I'll call her Kaede.

[If the Vulpix has a problem with it, she gives no indication, continuing to sleep peacefully. Asami hums thoughtfully before returning her attention to Korra.]

Has anyone else from home shown up here? [She tugs her gloves off before sliding a hand through Korra's dark hair, quietly enjoying the contact.]

They have them in the islands, too, and I guess those are different. I haven't gotten down there, yet.

[She had been going to take Elsa, but then Anna had gone home and Elsa hadn't been in any mood for a vacation. Now...well, Korra kind of doesn't want to think about Elsa at the moment.]

That's pretty. And...uh, kind of. Mako was here for a weekend, but that happens sometimes. There's these weekends every so often where things just...people show up and I can bend again and then it all goes back to normal. And...you're not gonna believe this, but Tarrlok. I haven't seen him in a while, though. I...tried to avoid him. He came here from before we all knew what he really was.

[Which was just all kinds of awkward.]

[Oh, Mako. If he were here he would have already gone out and found himself a job- never a moment's rest for him. Asami's smile falter when Korra mentions Tarrlok-]

Tarrlok? Really? [Of all the people...] Did anything happen?

[He did kidnap Korra that one time.]

Nah. He was still acting like everything was fine, because...he thought it was. I wasn't exactly friendly, but...I didn't know what to say. 'Hey, yeah, glad you're happy to see me, but I kind of really don't like you or trust you and know everything because I'm from like four years in your future'? I didn't want to.... Make him go crazy or anything.

[Even without bending, he still could have been dangerous. Or something Korra would have to deal with.]

As long as he didn't try to hurt you.

[Not that Tarrlok struck her as a competent fighter without his bending, but Asami remembers hearing about how he wouldn't leave Korra alone, back when he was trying to get her to join his task force.

She's not going to comment on how he seemingly came from their past- Asami can already feel a certain question forming inside of her that she doesn't want to think about. Not now.]

So, just him and Mako? [Honestly, no offense to Mako, but Asami doesn't really want to talk about the men in their life right now, but... it keeps her from steering the conversation in a direction she doesn't want it to go in. Her hand comes to rest against the back of Korra's neck, her fingertips idly brushing back and forth against her skin.]

No, he tried to be buddies. It was...awkward.

[Korra's proud of herself for how she handled it, though. She only lost her temper at him once...]

But yeah, just them. I mean, so far. You never really know.

[There's huge giant groups of people who all know each other from home, then there's people like her, or people who've never seen anyone from their own worlds show up.]

[Sensing the small shift in mood, Korra strokes Asami's back lightly.]

I mean...I've been hoping for a year, and now here you are.

Well, I would be happy to see Mako and Bolin again, but I really hope they take their time. Just for a bit longer.

[It's a light joke, of course. Sort of.]

And that's way too long. I should have been right by your side from the start.

[She tilts her head down to bump her nose against Korra's in a nuzzle, keeping the distance between then minimal. She likes this closeness between them, looking into Korra's blue eyes.]

At least I have all the time now to make up for it.

It's not like anybody has any control over it. I'm just glad you're back. And I'm still here.

[Korra remembers Twilight, and how she'd tried to chart and graph and map everything about people's comings and goings. And even she hadn't been able to figure anything out.]

[But it's fine now, it's good. They're both here, it's not a crazy weekend, Asami is literally in her arms this very moment. Nothing else matters.]

How about we take it easy tonight, and tomorrow we can go into town? Get you all your fancy beauty supplies - not like you need them.

That's sweet of you, but you haven't seen me without my morning routine yet.

[Honestly, Asami's still amazed that she made it through that trip through the Si Wong Desert without so much as smudging her lipstick.

She pauses, looking at Korra with an almost contemplative expression.]

Staying in sounds nice. With you. [A part of her feels like she should take this slow- Korra hadn't seen her in a year. But... with her heart hammering in her chest she pulls Korra in for another kiss, deeper and slower this time. Her tone is much quieter when she pulls away:] I... can think of a good way for us to start catching up.

Why Miss Sato...

[Korra draws away from the kiss with a sly grin and half lidded eyes. Oh yeah. Time for Pokemon to go to bed. And her and Asami to go to...well, the bed, at least. There's no mistaking the implication in the kiss or the suggestion. Considering the weird circumstances, Korra hadn't been entirely sure if that was on the table or not. But if Asami's suggesting it...]

[She lets her hands slow on Asami's back, drifting downwards. She's had a year of nothing but herself for personal company, it's been a struggle not to just toss the other woman down and go to town.]

I think that's an excellent idea.

[Asami laughs, excited and nervous as she stands up and tugs Korra up with her.]

I've missed you. So much.

[She's said that countless times since Korra had come back to Republic City and she never feels like it's enough. Maybe here, tonight, with just the two of them they can finally start loving each other, just like they've always wanted.

With their pokemon secured away Asami takes Korra's hand again and starts to tug her towards the dark safety of their bed, her other hand working to undo the clasps on her jacket.]

Let's get this vacation started, shall we?

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A Return Indeed

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