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Asami Sato had followed Korra halfway round the world more than once, and she would do it again in a heartbeat.
But this was just a diplomatic trip, and only for a few days, and Asami had a mountain of work at Future Industries.
She could tell herself that all she liked, but that didn’t mean that she enjoyed waking up alone. Especially in the mansion, where it was still sometimes hard to be, even after her father had been dead for three years. Korra made it a home rather than an empty house full of memories.
And when a couple of days stretched into a week, Asami was embarrassed to admit that it was ridiculously difficult to cope.
She and Korra had been sharing rooms for a long time, splitting their time between the island and the mansion. Six months ago, Asami had asked Korra to move in properly, and she had agreed immediately (causing Asami to throw herself at Korra in excitement and be mildly astounded when Korra just caught her easily).
So she’d got very used to waking up with Korra next to her, normally still asleep, and staring at her for a while like the sentimental person she was at heart.
After eight days, Asami got a phone call.
“Hey, ‘Sami.”
“KORRA! I mean... hi.”
“Miss me?” Korra laughed.
“Obviously.”
“Well, we should be back quite soon. Are you done with work for today?”
“Yeah, why?”
“Just wondering.”
“Where are you even calling from, Korra?”
“Oh, there’s a telephone box,” Korra said airily.
“Why haven’t you called before then?” Asami asked, then cringed. She hoped that didn’t sound too clingy.
“I meant to,” Korra said more softly. “But there was nowhere to call from and things got kind of busy.”
“What? Are you all right?”
“Yeah, I’m fine, don’t worry.”
Korra sounded like she was laughing.
“Are you up to something?” Asami asked warily.
“Gotta go!”
“Korra, wait, when are you coming home?”
“Soon. Love you, bye.”
“Korra–”
But she’d hung up. Asami stared at the phone for a moment, trying not to feel worried or hurt.
She headed upstairs, trying to focus on some new airship designs, but her mind kept drifting back to the strange conversation with Korra.
A loud knock sounded at the door. Asami groaned in exasperation and got to her feet. She preferred to answer the door herself rather than have the staff do it, not just because there were fewer of them now, but also because she had become used to expecting some kind of enemy to possibly be there. It happened when you were the Avatar’s girlfriend, especially when you lived with her, and Asami would never want to put any of her staff in danger.
As always, she made sure she had her electric glove close by as she headed down the entrance hallway and opened the door.
“Woah, don’t zap me!”
“Korra!”
Okay, so Asami ran at her and almost tackled her to the ground. It was forgivable.
And again, Korra caught her, because Korra was phenomenally strong. It was a little awkward, because Asami was actually taller than her girlfriend, but that definitely did not matter right now.
Asami disentangled herself after a moment and leant down to kiss her.
“Welcome home!” she said, trying not to sound as though it had been ten years rather than eight days. “Why did you lie to me on the phone?”
“I wanted to surprise you!”
Asami smiled. “Well, you did. How come you were away so much longer than you said you’d be?”
“Well, I had something else to take care of.” Korra was blushing now, Asami realised.
“What’s that?”
“See, there’s this person who I’ve been wanting to ask this question, and I kind of needed to figure out how.”
Asami felt her heart speed up. Was this... what she thought it might be?
“Asami... you’ve always been there for me, ever since I met you, and being with you has been the most amazing thing that has ever happened to me... however many times we move around or leave, I always feel at home when you’re with me. I know we’re young, but I want to spend my life with you, and I didn’t really prepare what to say, which I realise I should have done, or actually I did, but I’ve forgotten it, so anyway um...” Korra smirked suddenly, although her eyes were anxious as she drew something from her pocket. “Wanna wear this? And, uh, you know, spend our lives together?” She was blushing and shifting from foot to foot now, but Asami’s eyes were blurring with tears. Happy tears. Obviously. Because Korra was holding a ring.
She took the ring from Korra. It was a metal band, inlaid with gems in the shape of a heart. Blue and white, red and black. Their colours.
“Do you even have to ask?” she said, laughing.
Korra grinned, her eyes glowing with happiness. “So... I’m taking that as yes?”
“YES, OF COURSE!” Asami shouted, and okay, this time when she launched herself at Korra they actually did fall over. And okay, it would have been painful if Korra hadn’t caught them with some quick airbending, so that their descent was slowed.
They still landed tangled up and laughing.
“I should probably stop jumping on you,” Asami said after a moment.
“Don’t ever,” Korra laughed. “Just try not to knock me over next time.”
“So I guess we’re planning a wedding?” Asami said after a moment.
“Guess so.”
“Welcome home,” Asami said again.
Korra got to her feet, pulling Asami up after her. “I’m so happy to be back.”
“Hey, Korra?”
“Yeah?”
“I love you more than anything.”
“Same here.”
“I’m thinking we should go inside...” Asami said after a moment.
“Yeah.”
“Where’s Naga?” Asami asked.
“Oh, I left her with the airbender kids. I didn’t think proposing to you whilst we were covered in polar-bear dog slobber would be exactly romantic.”
“Fair enough.”
They headed towards the door, hand in hand. When it shut behind them, the hallway was unchanged.
But with a ring on her finger and Korra’s arms around her, Asami felt that even though she hadn’t been the one to leave, they had both only just come home.