Archive of Our Own

Airbending Master Yasuko Sato II walked through the doorway of the quaint little bookshop, intrigued. She'd always been a huge fan of books in general, but had a particular attachment to picture comics.

She remembered getting her first one at age four, back when she showed early signs of being able to read. One ol' Varrick's side companies had released one tell of her own awesome Anaana Korra kicking butt.

The airbender knew the stories, but to see it drawn up beautifully, Yasuko knew she was hooked.

At twenty three, she still loved picture comics, and no matter where she traveled all over the world, either while helping alongside her fellow airbenders, or if she was on vacation, she'd go out of her way to find at least one bookstore that had them.

Without a doubt, Yasuko's personal favorite picture comic series, by far, was 'Girl from the Stars'. But she wasn't looking for an issue of it, but something else concerning something she had to do.

At the moment, the young woman was in a quirky little village near Ba Sing Se, having just helped out the local homeless population get a meal and a place to stay at a nearby shelter that just opened.

While there, Yasuko remembered encountering someone she hadn't seen in awhile earlier in the day…

"TOPH?!"

"Sweet spirits, YASUKO!"

Both friends couldn't believe it, visually looking so different, yet so close, despite this being the first time either saw each other in a year.

Yasuko was wearing her classic style air monk robes as she had no use for the wingsuits due to being able to fly. Her massive black wolf tail of hair bounced as she hopped into the larger young woman's arms.

"It's been too long!"

"A year too long, blame United Forces training." The dual-bender playfully grumbled, letting her friend down, marveling at her…before realizing how tight the air monk robes were on her friend, "Are these getting tighter? I swear, they're getting tighter."

But the daughter of the two most powerful women in the world wasn't listening, feeling her mind blank upon getting a closer look at her friend.

Was this even the same girl she knew?

With a sweet spirit like voice contrasting with her bulging muscles practically bursting out of her uniform, short black hair, tanned skin, and bright green eyes, Toph Beifong II was beautiful.

Wait, what?

What was she even thinking? There was no way that Toph would ever realize that she had feelings, let alone return them!

And where the heck were these feelings for her coming from?! Toph's her best friend, aside from Ryoko, well, they were both tied, but still!

Yasuko wouldn't outright admit she had a type, but she had always had an eye for very strong-looking girls her age. And right now, she had to admit that Toph was very much fitting the bill, and then some. Even if she was twenty three and Toph was eighteen going on nineteen.

"Suko? Earth to 'Suko?"

The airbending master snapped back to reality, seeing Toph raise an eyebrow in confusion.

"Your mind flying away? You've been staring at me for half a minute."

Yasuko attempted to will away her blushing face, to no avail. It was quite an embarrassing thing, really, to be caught staring at your best friend by your best friend.

"Huh? Oh, yeah, I'm fine. Just a little lost in...thought. Yeah."

That seemed to get the dual-bender to nod, looking to buy it. Opening her mouth hesitantly, she continued.

"Right… Hey, I don't know how long you're in the area, but me and the other soldiers are stationed here for the week. Maybe… you wouldn't mind hanging out at the local club with me? Just… Us two girls?"

Wait, Toph wants to hang out with her? HER? AS IN, JUST THE TWO OF THEM?! Yasuko felt her heart pound like crazy at the idea, but rather unknowingly nodded her head in agreement.

"AH, sure, I'm leaving in two days, how's tomorrow night sound?" she asked, getting a wide, toothy grin from the cute Earth States-born woman.

"Perfect!"

What the airbender didn't realize was that Toph felt like she was jumping through hoops of fire in happiness. She had always wanted to ask her friend out, but knew age may have been an issue.

But, close to turning nineteen in two months, the tall Beifong gal knew, upon seeing the beautiful Yasuko Sato, that she had to try, or at least work her way up, even if it didn't work out.

Thinking back, Yasuko knew she had to make a good impression of the romantic variety tomorrow. Nothing super flirty or sly, but more casual and relaxed.

Hence why when she entered the bookstore she was in, the first spot she looked was the 'How to…' section, hoping to find a book giving advice on asking out your best friend and going on a date with them.

Yasuko had a longer time to know Toph compared to her mothers before they admitted their love, and she felt like she was gonna screw up!

How was spirituality and airbending easy by comparison?!

As she shifted through multiple books, not finding what she wanted, the cyan eyes of the airbender caught by another. But not a regular book, it was one that was out of place in the section.

"WOAH, no freakin' way…" Yasuko softly said to herself, so as to not bother the bookshop owner as she realized what she was holding.

An original, first print edition of the very first issue of 'The Girl from The Stars'.

On the cover, there was a brown-haired boy wearing a schoolboy uniform being dragged up into the air in the middle of a city at night by a blue-haired girl with red horns his age while she wore purple and green tight spandex, the moon behind them having a heart drawn on.

Created by Yim Woo-suk, Yasuko knew she drew and wrote the series before it ended prematurely, though Blackstone Mov-mation are still producing new animated mover and VB series based on the property to this day.

The young airbender couldn't believe her eyes, opening on a random page and seeing the drawn panels of the picture comic, this was real! The real thing! A little dinged up, but otherwise in well kept condition!

In the hands of a seller how it is, they could fetch up to over five hundred thousand yuan for this! What the heck was this doing in some random bookshop?

But Yasuko didn't care, jumping in joy as she loved this series. She, Toph, and Roaluk were all big fans of it growing up!

... and then she remembered Toph was missing this issue as part of her collection back home.

The daughter of the Avatar knew she had to get it for the dual-bender, this would be the perfect icebreaker for tomorrow! Maybe even get a…

… No, let the…well, date happen, go from there, give Toph the picture comic.

First things first, pay for it.

Walking up to the counter, picture comic in hand, Yasuko glanced at the woman behind the counter, and, if Yasuko guessed, in her late forties, her auburn-brown bob of hair bouncing as glanced up, eyes looking up from behind massive glasses as she sat in her turtleduck-neck sweater and long black skirt..

"Found something, master air nun?" she asked, a lax tone in her voice as the young master airbender nodded.

"VERY MUCH SO, yes…" she answered, placing the issue on the counter, Yasuko had a massive toothy grin, feeling so happy. "How much we looking-"

"HOW THE FUCK DID THAT GET HERE?!"

Yasuko was astounded at the lady's reaction, it was rather shocking. Especially, as when she came in, the shop owner seemed friendly enough, but now she looked like she was looking at a diseased animal eating another.

"Huh?"

"I asked you a damn question!" The shop owner spoke up, sounding so angry at her. "How the fuck did that picture comic get in here?"

"I-ah, um, found it in the 'How to' section-"

"GET IT OUT OF HERE!"

"Wait, huh?"

"Did I fucking stutter? GET IT FUCKING OUT OF HERE!"

Yasuko was just so confused, looking down at the drawn cover.

"But, it's just a-I was going to pay for it." she tried to explain, only for the older woman to take it in hand and push it into the young woman's chest, letting her take hold.

"It's free. On the house. NOW MOVE IT AND NEVER BRING THAT FUCKING THING HERE EVER AGAIN!" she yelled out, to which all the airbender could do was nod, scared, and rush out of the bookstore, picture comic in hand.

When she was far enough across the street, Yasuko turned around to look at the entrance, seeing the open door be shut with a loud slam before the 'OPEN' sign was flipped over to "CLOSED'.

Well, that was... something?

"Ahhh… Thank you!" The tattooed airbender called out, feeling like she just got socked in the nose by something weird, and, to top it all, could smell burnt toast for some odd reason. Figuratively speaking of course.

Looking up at the sky, Yasuko saw the sun was setting. May as well rest up early for the night, figure out her game plan with Toph tomorrow and read herself a good picture comic in bed.

Arriving at the motel room she was staying in for the time being, Yasuko plopped onto the soft mattress, choosing to get into a comfy robe she had packed.

That was her mother Asami in her alright, always making sure to dress for the proper occasion. Her Anaana Korra would just flop around in a tank top and shorts.

Even though she was raring to tear open her bag and immediately absorb the picture comic, Yasuko forced herself to wait until she had at least made some tea. Green, to be exact.

Actually waiting for the tea to finish steeping felt excruciatingly long. It wasn't like she was Ryoko and could heat up cups with just her fingertips. Dang her becoming a fire nun and being far away.

Finally, the pot gave a loud whine as thick steam rose out of the pot. It was about time!

Moving it over on the unlit side of the stove, Yasuko waited a few seconds before pouring herself a cup and blowing on it to cool it down. Just the smell alone was so tempting.

Getting back on the bed, placing the cup and plate on the nightstand to cool down, Yasuko opened up the pages of the picture comic and began reading. Already, she was sucked back into her childhood.

"If I beat her, Yume will marry me and give me some lovin!" the airbender read out loud, looking at all the beautifully done art, seeing the panels of the book's male lead, Toshio, trying to catch up in a game of tag against the 'Girl from the Stars' in the title, Rumiko, with the fate of Earth in the balance.

Yasuko couldn't help but giggle at the little jokey moments of Toshio failing to catch up, let alone tag Rumiko in various ways.

She remembered being young and reading each new issue with Toph and Roaluk, the three loving them, along with seeing the animated movers alongside Ryoko, who had special headphones on describing everything happening in the movers for those like her.

"I DID IT! I BEAT YOU, RUMIKO! NOW I CAN GET MARRIED!" Yasuko read out, in a softer tone, so as to not yell, now reading the red-horned girl's response with a smile.

"Okay, that's fair. I will marry you, Toshio."

"Wait, WHAT?!"

Exactly like when she was young, the picture comic was still funny and brilliant. Yasuko sipped her tea, savoring its flavor as she read more, including a goofy story where a bloodsucking dark spirit tried to get with girls, but keeps failing, deciding to go to Toshio for advice, while also getting affected by Rumiko's onion breath, it's one weakness.

Laughing more, it had to end as Yasuko finished the issue, turning the last page as she sipped her tea once more…

... only to have it shoot across the room from her mouth, almost to the other wall, upon realizing something inside the picture comic on the last page.

There was a picture of the creator, Yim Woo-suk, who wrote the script and drew the art. But what caught the flying airbender off guard was that she had seen her before, outside of this photo.

In fact, she had JUST seen her earlier! She was the bookshop owner!

"NO FREAKIN' WAY…" Yasuko gasped out, thinking there was no way it was the same woman. But change up the glasses, add years on her, more wrinkles, different hairstyle- IT WAS SO THE BOOKSHOP OWNER!

Still, there had to be some reasoning behind this, or, at least, that's what Yasuko thought, before taking notice of a quote below the picture.

'A most special thanks to Jikan, the original Girl from the Stars…'

Jikan? Who in the two worlds was this Jikan person?! And how was she connected to the book-NO, Yim Woo-suk?!

Unless…

The next morning, after having gotten some rest, Yasuko Sato II needed to know the truth, heading back into town, knowing the bookshop was closed. But Yim was a local, there had to be a place she'd be.

Turning her head as she held her purse, she then got lucky and saw the older woman, entering a diner.

There we go...

Cautiously making her way there and opening the door to the diner, Yasuko stepped into the quaint space. Attempting to be inconspicuous, she chose a spot where she could easily see the creator of 'Girl From the Stars', but not be totally obvious.

Clearly, it was futile when the first thing that the shopkeeper did was see her.

"Master Yasuko?"

Well, crap…

"Ah, the lady from that bookshop, you again." Yasuko tried the lie through her teeth, putting on a silly smile, lopsided like her Anaana's, as she bowed. "Didn't expect to see you here."

To her relief, Yim had given a deep breath to steady herself.

"Come over here, I should explain my actions from yesterday." She explained, to which the master got up from her table and went to the booth, sitting across from the older woman.

Now that she got a better look in a more lit area, there was without any doubt that the brown-haired lady Yasuko was looking at was the same as the one in the photo.

"I'm sorry for the way I acted, I had a pretty bad day earlier yesterday, kids bugging me in my store, kept talking about…"

But the more Yim tried to explain herself, the more Yasuko didn't believe her. Maybe it was her frequent exposure to the Beifongs and picking up on when people lie.

Heck, Yasuko was even looking into using spirit sensing to know when someone is lying…

… but she didn't have any need for those as it was clear the woman finishing up her excuse was hiding something.

"Sorry, but I don't-" Yasuko began to interrupt when a third party approached the two's table, a friendly smile on her face.

"Oh my, Ms. Yim, never told me you knew the daughter of Avatar Korra and Asami Sato…" the waitress, clearly from the Water tribes judging by the tan skin and shoulder-length, wavy brown hair, playfully said to her friend, her eyes having a azure tint, with a slight hint of purple if you looked extremely closely.

Yasuko herself could see the look on Yim's face that screamed 'Damn it, she knows…' as she turned to her friend, who looked to be a couple years older.

"Actually, she, um, was a customer yesterday, Kaani." Yim tried to explain as carefully as she could, trying to regain composure, all while the young airbender watched the two interact.

"And let me guess, you invited her to breakfast?"

"Ahh, yeah. Considering… all her hard work, she earned herself a meal."

"Check you out, being a total sweetie." The waitress named Kaani asked, looking to tower over the two where they sat in her uniform, Yasuko taking note of how… bouncy this woman was in certain areas.

And yet, there was something familiar with how the kind waitress interacted with Yim, before seeing Kaani turn to her.

"So, what can I start you two out with?" she asked, a pen to a notepad.

"Ahh, just a glass of milk. And maybe a slice of raspberry pie? Not aiming for a big meal here." Yasuko politely asked, watching the waitress write it down.

"OH, yum yum, and you, Yimmie?"

Spirits, even a nickname? It all began making some sense as the bookshop owner made her order, oatmeal and toast with hot jasmine tea, thanking her friend who went to give the order, leaving Yim to glance at a surprised Yasuko.

"What?" she questioned.

All Yasuko could do was raise a finger, trying to figure something out.

"Ahh, are you two...?"

"What? OH, NO, no…" the glasses wearing woman made clear, giving a quick look at Kaani, who was now chatting it up with another waitress, "I know how that looked, but trust me, it's not what it looks like. Me and Kaani are just friends, she's super friendly, that's it."

Was this lady serious? It was clear what was going on!

"No, being super friendly is helping someone move or paying for a meal. Your friend, acting too sweet and-" Yasuko tried to speak, only to see the flat, annoyed look on Yim's face shut her up.

"Okay, why are you really here, Ms. Sato?"

Well, there was no use beating around the bush anymore, Yasuko thought to herself. Taking out from her purse the very same picture comic she got the day before. The same one Yim had thrown a fit over.

"I know who you are, Yim Woo-suk. You created 'Girl from the Stars'."

"Congratulations, you know the truth, want an autograph as a prize?" Yim confirmed with a trace of sass in her voice, which only served to confuse the airbender who looked back at the picture comic.

"Yesterday, you flipped out over seeing this. I just thought you were just some crazy shop owner…"

"Where are you going with this?"

"I'm getting there." Yasuko pointed out before both seen Kaani come around with their drinks, both pausing their talk to thank her, the waitress giving a sweet smile, making sure to slide her hand on Yim's shoulder, which the airbender spotted to the creator's awkwardness.

"Anyway, I'm reading this and there's an image of you at the end of it, from when you were younger." she finished, to which Yim only snickered, blowing her tea.

"Yeah, I was in my early twenties when I first started doing the series. It was a quick, easy paycheck gig, no big deal." she said like it was nothing, just making Yasuko feel dumbfounded, slack-jawed.

"No big deal?" she repeated before shaking her head. "Your stories have such a massive fanbase still to this day, so many copies sold worldwide, animated movers on the big screen and on videoboxes, all based off of your work! I'd say it's very much a big deal."

"Look, it's just some silly stories I wrote and drew when I was younger, Ms. Sato." Yim tried explaining, shrugging, eyes shifting away, as if there was something else she didn't want to mention.

"I mean, a teenage boy falls in love with a girl from space while wacky shit happens, it's pure comedic fluff with an outer space coat of paint."

"One that I've been a big fan of since I was little, so I know that it's not true."

That actually caught the local woman by surprise, hearing the daughter of the two most iconic women in the world say that.

"Wait, you're… you're actually a huge fan, for real? Not just a casual fan?" she wanted to make sure, Yasuko nodding her head in response.

"Since my mother and Anaana got me an issue for my fifth birthday. They weren't aware of some of the more... risque content, but they both knew I was hooked from the start."

Looking at the old issue, Yasuko opened it to one page, where a big splash page had Rumiko flying up into the air in a cute happy pose in a school uniform as other students watched, Toshio hanging on by her foot, scared for dear life.

"Even though I unlocked flight through other means when I was only ten, I knew that meant I was able to fly in the air like Rumiko, able to feel myself hover like she could, loving all manner of life in the world. I saw myself in her." The airbender said fondly, able to hear the character call her love interest 'Darling'.

Yasuko wondered how Toph would take being called that.

A sigh was heard coming from Yim's lips as their food was served, the two at the table thanking Kaani before the creator refocused the topic.

"Look, kid. I'm thankful you enjoy the picture comics, get something out of it, I really do. But that was in the past for me. Down the line, I no longer had the same drive to work with picture comics..." she insisted in a casual tone, trying to explain herself.

"...So, I sold the series rights to Blackstone Mov-mation, who had already worked on the animated mover's. In return, I keep getting residual checks in the mail every two weeks, and managed to live a peaceful life owning a bookshop in my hometown. I'm happy with my current life."

Hearing those words, Yasuko seemed to understand, nodding, taking a fork to her slice of pie, seeing the filling ooze out.

"I understand, I was curious, that was all." she said, getting a piece on her fork, preparing to eat it. "I do have one more question I feel needs answering, that's it."

"Have at it." Yim said before seeing Yasuko's free hand turn the pages towards the end, back at the image of herself… and the words below it, a fingertip right at where a name was.

"Who's Jikan?"

Upon hearing the oh so familiar name and seeing how the owner of the name was described in print, the writer looked up with wide eyes back at Yasuko who simply ate her pie, seeing that the powerful airbender wasn't leaving until she knew.

"You called her the original Girl from the Stars. Clearly, she must have been some form of inspiration." Yasuko spoke softly, watching the woman before her seem to have so much go through her mind.

After a couple seconds, the young Sato was a bit concerned.

"Yim?"

"Middle school… I was in middle school when we first met. Summer, to be exact."

At that moment, the brown-haired woman took off her glasses, shaking her head. "I was in summer school and… there she came into the classroom. This girl was nothing like I'd ever seen, especially among the group of idiots, troublemakers, and lazy kids in the classroom."

This wasn't what Yasuko expected to hear, listening as Yim put back on her glasses. "I was there 'cause I had too many days of detention to pass seventh grade normally. Jikan herself was a transfer student, she had to get used to the school's layout and rules before the year started."

"Where was Jikan from, if you don't mind me asking?" Yasuko asked politely, getting a small smile from the creator.

"Fire Nation. Black Cliffs, lovely place." she spoke fondly. "Like I said, this girl was so different from the usual bunch."

She paused for a second, then continued,

"Jikan was strong, brave, smart, all of the things I wasn't. I mean, I was a different kind of brave, the dumb kind. Where I'd get in trouble for silly little pranks or saying naughty words…"

Once more, a soft smile formed on Yim's lips at the memories.

"Jikan always was polite, kind, floaty if you will, sometimes let her head be lost in the clouds… Could be a little weird, but the good, endearing kind."

Taking notice of the woman casting her eyes outside, Yasuko turned in the direction, seeing a small pond across the street where some turtleducks were, a bench nearby.

"It was like she just randomly came from up above, from the stars…"

Clearly, this Jikan had a large effect on Yim, as Yasuko could easily tell from her voice and words alone, the look in her eyes seeming so longing.

"She was the first one to tell me how amazing my art and writing was, something I had barely shown anyone outside of art class." the older woman spoke before turning to Yasuko.

"She also had the prettiest gold eyes, which, in case you may have noticed, was a rarity here in the Earth States, or Earth Kingdom, at the time."

Continuing, the creator of 'Girl from the Stars' kept thinking back, the memories making her smile more as Yasuko listened, eating her pie silently.

"We were like two opposites of the same coin. So completely different, but also incredibly similar…"

"Yim! Come and help me with this, I'm really short!"

Laughing, Yim responded.

"Alright! Be there in a sec!"

Yim had to reach up to the shelf in the art room to grab the paintbrushes, the young artistic girl reached up, large glasses in front of her eyes as she stood on her tippy toes as a shorter and rounder girl with curly, long black hair cheered her on, both in their school uniforms.

As she did, neither took notice of the brackets of the metal shelf jiggling, with Yim being a non-bender and Jikan being a firebender. Before either knew it, the shelf slid off, falling onto the ground in front of the two. Yim felt herself fall backwards.

"YIM!" Jikan called out, able to reach out and catch her friend, she too tumbled backwards in the process as they both fell on the ground.

Neither were hurt, but it was still a surprise.

"Ahh, you okay, Yim?"

"Yeah. You, Jikan?"

"Solid as rock…"

It was then that both girls realized the obvious, Yim was on top of Jikan, their bodies on top of each other, the eyes of gold and green realizing how this seemed.

"Ahh… thank you?"

"Welcome!"

Both girls' responses were of the unsure, awkward sort, Yim's being more nervous sounding while Jikan's was loud and sudden, and yet, neither girl moved, just realizing that this was the first real time they saw each other in this light, cheeks redder than cherries.

"That was something…"

"Ah, yeah..."

Quickly getting up, both girls brushed off their uniforms and giggled, getting back to working on their project, trying to distract themselves from the obvious.

First off, they never experienced something like they did before. And then, there was the big obvious thing that was second…

"Aw, were you and her… you know?" Yasuko cooed, which Yim couldn't help but giggle at, thankful she wasn't having a spoon of her oatmeal in her mouth.

"Well, the thought really hadn't come to mind until then, and while we both were still close, we weren't sure if the feelings were real at the time" the glasses-wearing woman admitted. Realizing something, she continued. "What about you? Seem a little too quick on the draw to guess the deal between me and Jikan."

Ah, right. Herself. The airbender had to shrug as she finished her pie off her plate.

"Well, within the airbender community, queer relationships are about as common and welcome as any normal straight one." Yasuko explained before placing her fork down.

"But to answer your question, I'm openly lesbian myself, I have been since I was fourteen."

The thought of Toph smiling and what was planned later tonight came to mind, a welcoming look on Yasuko's face.

"In fact, I got a date tonight with my own Rumiko, if you will… though, maybe it's a date? Neither of us said it was, still figuring that out." she tried to explain, getting an amused chuckle.

"You kids have it easier these days than me and Jikan years ago." Yim pointed out before sipping her tea. "Keep in mind, while Hou-Ting was dead and buried by this point, thank the spirits, democracy kicking in and so forth, her views on… certain topics were still shared by many in the nation at the time."

More thoughts coming to mind, from all she saw in the past, the picture comic creator decided to go into detail.

"Yes, you had your mothers being out and proud for sure, along with those like Lin Beifong and Earth Ambassador Wu. And in turn, more people felt like it was the right time to come out… but you still had the bigots, all those disgusting slurs, the abuse thrown at our way…"

Casting a saddened look, Yim could only look at her fellow lesbian with a thankful look.

"While I am thankful we live in a world today where those like us are more welcome and accepted, back when me and Jikan were in middle school, it wasn't great in the Earth Kingdom to be interested in the same sex due to Hou-Ting's rule." she explained, remembering the occasional bit of the former queen's opinions on certain topics.

Opinions that she remembered Jikan and herself were certainly critical about.

"I dare say even Ozai was more lax with the LGTBQ+ community. And he was a genocidal asshole."

"Agreed there." was all Yasuko could say, knowing how right the picture comic creator was before seeing a small smile forming upon Yim's face.

"But that didn't mean my attraction to my best friend was hurt, far from it… and vice versa..."

"Hey, um, thanks for helping me with that project, Kani…" Yim thanked her best friend, using her nickname for her as the two were at Yim's home, her parents gone for the weekend, their only company being Yim's pet badgermole, Rocky, who was only three months old.

"That spirit class project kicked my ass."

"Well, spirituality is always a subject you needed help with, Yim-Yim." Jikan joked, using her own nickname for her best friend. "And math, science, cooking-"

"I get it." The troublemaker deadpanned before grabbing her notebook, only for a piece of paper to slip out. "Oh, shit…"

But before she could grab it, Yim realized Jikan saw it and took hold of it, feeling like she was gonna explode, especially knowing what was on it.

"W-Woah, you… that's me…"

Jikan was surprised to say the least, seeing on the paper a drawing of herself, sitting on a fountain, knowing her friend drew it, due to the unique style of Yim's, mainly with the large eyes and doll-like face…

… the drawing made her look so beautiful.

"You drew this?" she asked Yim, before realizing her friend was blushing incredibly.

"Ahh… yes?"

"It's beautiful… is… is this how you see me?" Jikan had to ask, surprised at how lovely she looked with all the detail put into it, even more so to see the nod of Yim's head, having to give an embarrassed blush.

"But, I'm… I'm not… pretty… or cute like other girls."

"That's the biggest bunch of shit, you're the prettiest girl I know-EEP!"

Both girls realized what was just said by Yim, who covered her mouth, face completely flaming. Jikan just looked amazed to hear that.

"You really mean that?"

Knowing she just outed herself, all the non-bender could do was lower her head and nod before seeing the sweet girl in front of her give a sweet look, gold eyes fluttering.

"I always thought you were the prettier one, to be honest. It's the glasses."

That, in of itself, made Yim feel amazed to hear, returned the smile. They both took each other's hands before beginning to lean in close.

Both girls knew same-sex relationships in the Earth Kingdom, while not uncommon, weren't always welcomed, but neither seemed to care about what they were about to do…

… as both welcomed the sweet lips of each other, pressing them together as they closed their eyes, enjoying the private moment alone as the badgermole slept nearby peacefully.

"That first kiss was the most amazing one I've ever had, no tongue action, lip work or anything intricate like that…"

It sounded so romantic to Yasuko to hear the writer describe, seeing her remember the memories so fondly.

"...We were just two teenage girls realizing the truth about each other and having our own little moment." she described, still remembering how soft Jikan's lips were.

"You said you were in detention a lot… Jikan being…" Yasuko trailed off before it made sense, glancing at the art in the picture book and noticing something, which Yim could tell she figured out.

"While we kept our relationship private from that point on, aside from our families, who thankfully were supportive of our sexualities, I found a way to express my love for Jikan after high school. With some creative liberties, of course."

"So, you based Toshio on yourself and Rumiko-"

"On Jikan, yes. Like I said, she was the original Girl from the Stars."

It was so clear now, only for the young woman to realize something, looking back at those aged green eyes.

"You keep saying she was the original… how come you're referring to her in past tense…?" Yasuko tried to ask before taking notice of the tremble in Yim's dominant hand just starting. Just there, but looking to be slowly increasing.

It was also the first time the young airbender noticed some old scarring on the creator's hands.

"Fifteen years ago, we finally came out publicly, it was time…"

Now the change in vocal tone was clear, the airbender now seeing the look of pain on Yim's face.

"Did so by proposing to Jikan at that pond across the street, in front of everyone… we were to be married." she described, her voice sounding so hurt as Yasuko listened.

"With all the money I made off the series and her veggie stand, we were gonna move back to her home in the Black Cliffs, maybe start a family…but I guess the spirits had different opinions…"

"So, I was thinking of maybe doing a mini-arc of having Rumiko and Toshio finally getting married…"

Yim held the lovely hand of Jikan in hers, feeling the engagement ring against her skin as they walked to their satomobile, having just been at a nearby lake for a date, stopping next to it.

"But then, out of nowhere, a giant starfish comes in and wants to marry… Toshio for itself." she revealed, getting a snicker from her love.

"That sounds too adorable, wonder how Blackstone would adapt it." Jikan questioned before looking into those green eyes she loved. "Such a-"

"HEY, GIRLS!"

The two women turned to see a group of four guys in a nearby truck, having also been at the lake as well, each of the four grinning moronically.

"Saw you two earlier! How about you fine gals come with us to the local bar, have some fun!" One called out, quite rudely.

"Love the offer, but we have plans of our own!" Jikan spoke up, wanting to politely decline, being the more peaceful of the two women, only for another to be heard whining.

"Come on! It'd be fun, looks like your friend needs some company!"

That looked to annoy Yim, who clenched her fist, only for Jikan to whisper to her ear.

"Relax, they're harmless, it's fine.

"I always like girls with glasses!" another wolfcat-called out, giving a whistle before Yim gave a deep breath before giving a smirk back.

"Funny, so does she."

Before they could understand the meaning, the guys watched as Yim took her fiancée's face and pressed her lips onto Jikan's to shut those idiots up, the shorter of the two getting the hint of what she was aiming for.

Yim was always rather assertive when she wanted to be, which was definitely now. Deepening the kiss, Yim wrapped her arms around the woman she loved with all her might, reveling in the passionate embrace.

A stunned silence found its way across the already-quiet street making it rather eerie.

"Clam diggers, should have fucking figured they were lesbos!"

The use of the slur snapped the two women's attention back to the men, who now felt insulted by what they were seeing.

"Damn, bro, that's fucking disgusting, man!" one said.

"Are they actually lesbians? I don't think so. Think it's a act." said another.

The third one, the driver, said, "Bet you just haven't found a good dick to have up in either of ya'!"

"Well, when you find one, maybe give us a call, cause clearly you four don't have any!" Yim shot back with, giving the finger as well before she and Jikan quickly got in their satomobile and drove off, leaving the four to stew in the insult before one of the men spoke up.

"... well, that's just mean."

A little while later, both Yim and Jikan were driving down a road, the latter in the driver's seat.

"Fuck, that was hot! May as well have you be the firebender." The curvy woman lightly chuckled at her words before noticing how peeved Yim looked.

"Hey, Yim-Yim, relax. Screw those guys."

"I know, but… I thought we were past all that, the slurs, insults... " Yim noted, arms crossed as she looked down, "Fucking Hou-Ting, old aged bitch, spouting off all that shit, infecting people's minds."

"Sadly, hate will always be a thing, regardless of gender, sexuality, race, bending ability, and so on..."

The glasses-wearing woman turned to her fiancée, who just smiled kindly as she drove.

"But, love will always win out in the end, no matter what's in the way."

That was Jikan, always holding out hope, just moving her golden eyes away from the road briefly to look at the woman wanted to spend the rest of her life with…

… just as Yim herself spotted a fox-antelope leaping across the road they were on.

"JIKAN!"

The brakes were pumped, but not fast enough, as the front of the satomobile hit the animal, causing it to flip and slam into the windshield, cracking it, the force catching Jikan off guard, in turn accidentally making her turn the wheel.

As a result, the satomobile hit a railing, causing it to crash through and go down a hill, rolling down it for a couple seconds until it finally stopped, laying upside down for a moment.

"Augh… aghhh… my head…" Yim groaned out, feeling her head was pounding and all the blood rushing into her head before realizing she was upside down, unable to move her hands or fingers.

She saw they were badly wounded, a small splinter of bone or two coming out through her skin. "Fuck… Jikan, are you okay?..."

There was no response.

"Jikan?"

Turning, thankfully her neck was fine, Yim then instantly wished she hadn't looked.

There was Jikan, her arms limp, eyes closed, head bleeding, not moving.

"Jikan? JIKAN! WAKE UP!"

"Hey! HEY! ARE YOU OKAY?!"

Yim knew the voice, it was one of those assholes from the lake, his voice filled with concern as his buddies followed suit, able to hear them approach the flipped over satomobile to try helping out.

Despite their horrible words, they still tried to help the two.

"Shit! Call the hospital, Enoki! Fire department, anyone!"

But that didn't matter to Yim, her attention was solely on the woman she loved, no longer full of life.

"JIKAN! PLEASE, NO! NNNOOOO!"

Yasuko could only watch Yim just feel her scarred hands on the table, the sadness of hers infectious as she felt so horrible hearing the tale.

"They said Jikan died while the satomobile flipped down the hill, snapped her neck from all the whiplash…" was all the older woman could say, her eyes looking so damaged as Kaani had come back around, pouring another cup of tea for her friend, having heard the story herself.

"Thank you, Kaani." she thanked her friend.

Seeing those hands shaking so much, the airbender reached out and held Yim's hand, trying to get her to relax. It seemed to do the trick.

"And thanks, Yasuko," she said before placing the cup down. "As for me, physically, the worst thing was my hands. Had to go through two separate surgeries, so many healing and physical therapy sessions before I could even gain muscle control. And then, there was the trembling…"

The blue-eyed girl wanted to ask what happened next, but Yim beat her to the punch.

"Sometime later, after the funeral and my hands got better, I tried to get back to work, everyone giving their respect. Even those guys from the lake offered their condolences." she explained, before looking up from her scarred hands.

"But every time I tried to draw, draw up Rumiko's face, all I saw was Jikan … and her body in that satomobile, inside a coffin being put into the earth… I just couldn't do what I loved anymore, because I lost the woman I loved."

Tearing up, Yim took off her glasses, so she could wipe her eyes with a napkin, shaking her head, "Since then, I haven't been able to draw or even write, not without my hands shaking and I'd cry at it all coming back... So, I gave the rights to the series up and more or less put myself into early retirement, living off the royalty checks, to try escaping the pain…"

"And when you saw the picture comic, it brought back the memories." Yasuko realized. That was why the woman in front of her had the reaction from the day before.

"Oh man, I'm sorry I made you-"

"Don't apologize, Yasuko, you didn't know, and I shouldn't have reacted like that. I'm the one who should apologize." Yim insisted, reaching out to the picture comic and seeing all she wrote and drew all those years before, seeing one page of her characters, the stand-in's for her and Jikan, having a happy moment in a park, near a pond, just sitting and being happy.

It was the first piece of official art for the series she drew up of Toshio and Rumiko together, a small smile forming on her lips as she pictured herself and Jikan in it.

"I'm sorry I'm not what you expected, being the one who created your favorite picture comic-"

"Are you fucking kidding me?" Yasuko interrupted. Now, she didn't normally tried not to swear, but when she did, it was usually important.

"Have you even realized what you've accomplished? Do you even know how far you've come?"

"I'm not following." Yim tried to understand, trying to get past hearing the nice girl swearing, listening to Yasuko continuing.

"You've made the effort to keep trying to move on, despite the hardships. It's something not just everyone can do, even if you're still affected." she said with an earnest heart, "It takes so much out of you normally, let alone what happened."

This was quite the speech Yim was listening to.

"Sounds like you… have some experience, Yasuko."

At that moment, even the writer could see the look of knowledge in the young airbender's eyes. Knowledge she didn't wish to know, but the daughter of Asami and Korra Sato felt she needed to share.

"Despite all the progress my Anaana made, she still has the rare nightmare or two of… certain events from her past. My mother and I sometimes have to comfort her."

Okay, that made sense to Yim, having remembered hearing what Avatar Korra went through so many years ago involving the group known as the Red Lotus.

"Oh, right…"

"You're not wrong for missing Jikan, having to go through so much to achieve your happiness, only to have it taken at a moment's notice." Yasuko continued. "It's perfectly fine to grieve, but you know she wouldn't want you to be caught up in that web of grief and sorrow for the rest of your life. She loved you that much and her spirit wouldn't want you to suffer more."

Hearing the words, Yim got it, sipping her tea as she nodded. "I know, it doesn't make it easy… but admittingly, sharing does help out." she said, giving a faint smile, which Yasuko returned.

"I don't have to leave until tomorrow night, maybe around tomorrow afternoon, we can meet up here, talk more over some lunch? Surely you have nice stories to share of Jikan."

Hearing the offer, the retired woman did like the idea. "I'd like that very much, thanks Yasuko." she said before getting an idea. "You have a marker in that purse?"

Seeing the young airbender nod and reach in, Yim was handed it before taking the cap of. Then grabbing the picture comic, she looked at the cover and moved the tip of the marker along it, writing her signature before passing both back to an amazed Yasuko.

"It's not personalized, but you earned it. No charge."

"WOAH, thank you, Yim…"

"No. Thank you, Yasuko. Have fun on your date tonight." The glasses-wearing woman smirked as she saw the airbender standup and give a respectful bow before leaving, seeing her look so giddy as she paid her part of the bill.

It did put a smile on her face. She was happy to see those like her were still able to find love.

Before she could get up to pay the check, something caught Yim's eyes, sitting where Yasuko was…

… a blue glowing form in front of her, the familiar look in those eyes she missed shining as the spirit gave a smile.

"It's nice to see you begin to heal, Yim-Yim…"

The brown haired woman couldn't believe her eyes as before her was Jikan herself, looking like herself before that horrible day fifteen years prior, coming to her in spirit form.

"Gotta say, you aged quite nicely over the years." the spirit giggled before reaching out her hand, letting it's glowing form hold her fiancée's, seeing her look in awe and amazement at the contact. "Love will always win out in the end, no matter what's in the way…"

Yim wanted to say how much she missed the woman she loved, but she didn't need to, the spirit knew. Jikan knew many things while in the spirit world.

"I know you still love me, but you have to let go, Yim… You still have so much to live for. Please, live your life for both of us…"

"Yim?"

The voice of Kaani snapped the awestruck woman out of what she was focusing on, turning to look up at the Water Tribe woman, who was concerned, having not seen the spirit which was no longer there. "I was coming over to see if you were ready to pay your part of the check, but you were spacing out…"

"OH, that, um… I… I just had something else on my mind." Yim tried to explain without going into detail, taking out some yuan to pay for the meal, only to notice the sweet smile on the waitress' lips as Kaani reached forth.

"Good thing that Yasuko Sato was here to help out, smart girl she is."

"Y-Yeah… smart girl…"

Realizing something as Kaani began to walk away, Yim quickly stood up. "AH, hey, um," she began to try saying, seeing her friend turn around. "Sorry if this is, um, random, but… Um… would you mind, later tonight… ahh…"

Okay, the creator had something going, but upon seeing the Water Tribe waitress glance at her curious, it did strike Yim that there was a form of beauty in her blue eyes.

"What?" Kaani asked to which Yim gulped, feeling nervous.

"I was wondering, if you're free, just… spending some time with me, I… I just need someone to talk to, like… maybe go see a mover with me?"

"A mover? Oh, almost like a date? " Now Kaani was playing coy and playful with the woman she always considered attractive, but could see there was much more to the offer, holding her hand softly.

That clued in Yim that the waitress was being sincere as she spoke.

"But in all seriousness, of course I'd spend time with you, Yimmie. You're too adorable to be left alone."

That… actually wasn't so hard for Yim who felt a small bit of red flustering in her cheeks, but it was something she knew Jikan would be happy for her doing, smiling back.

"Thank you Kaani… You have your adorable moments as well."

Outside the diner, Yasuko Sato smirked to herself, purse slung over her shoulder, having just been eavesdropping near the front window without being seen before walking away, thinking about what she heard…

… she liked that Jikan's spirit was right.

Love would always win out in the end.

One year later…

"So, your mom's family giving us the okay?"

"Come on, 'Suko, you know my family would let you live there rent free."

"I know, it'd just be so weird to no longer be living in Republic City anymore with my parents."

Yasuko Sato II sat on the docks of Air Temple Island, watching the city she grew up in since her birth across the bay of water. But she wasn't alone as she felt her back be rubbed by big, strong beautiful hands.

Since the two had their, technically, first date the year prior, both she and Toph Beifong II had decided to take the leap and enter into a relationship. Despite their respective duties, one being an air nomad all over the world and the other a private in the United Forces, both young women would always find time to be together.

And now, they were planning to move in together to a home on a patch of land located right next to Zaofu.

"Hey, trust me, feels weird for me as well." The more muscular of the two bashfully admitted as well. "Our parents are here in the city and now we're going off on our own."

"That said, they'd still find ways to pop up wherever we are." Yasuko pointed out, getting a snicker from Toph.

"True, no idea how my brothers know where to find me."

"Got such a large spirit, easy to track down."

"Well, hard to miss someone who could fly like you as well."

"Hey, if I got it, I'll flaunt it."

It was easy for the two to open up to others, but when alone, Yasuko and Toph could just let out their true selves, looking into each others blue and green eyes like they were beautiful jewels.

They didn't just care or like each other, they found their romance and were ready to live their lives together.

"Hey… love you, Toph…" Yasuko coyly smiled, poking the dual-bender's nose, with the favor being returned by the other.

"Love you too, Yasuko…"

Both leaned their faces close, preparing to give each other their tenth kiss of the day, before lunchtime even…

… until the sound of a loud horn caught both sets of ears.

Before they knew it, both heard the sound of a boat coming towards the docks, with the captain on board looking to dock right where the two lovers were.

Once the ship stopped, what looked like a postal worker appeared on deck, looking out at the two.

"Excuse me, would Yasuko Sato happen to live here?"

"Technically my second postal address, no idea why you came here first, but yeah. That's me." The airbender rambled out her answer, getting up and walking over to the boat where the postal worker grabbed two things, a clipboard and a cardboard box.

"Can you sign here and here?" he asked, to which Yasuko signed her signature on the form on the clipboard with a pen before being given the small package.

"Here ya' go, miss. Have a pleasant day."

Curious and curiouser about what she was just given as the ship began to make it's leave, Yasuko looked over the package as Toph walked up to her girlfriend.

"What'd you get?" she asked.

"I dunno, says it's from the Earth States, handwriting is a little hard to figure out."

Beginning to tear at the top of the box carefully, Yasuko reached inside, feeling something, a sheet of paper with stuff written. "A note?" she asked before beginning to read it as best as she could.

"Hello Ms. Sato… Apologizes about the crappy handwriting, a little flaw of mine. Just wanted to send you a little present for helping me a year ago, first one hot off the presses. Think of it as my thanks for helping me heal and remind myself that love will always win out in the end..."

Hearing her girlfriend read the note, Toph had been curious before seeing the realization in Yasuko's eyes as she finished the note.

"Sincerely, your friend, Yim. P.S.- Me and Kaani have been going steady for quite some time. Hope the same goes for you and the lady friend you mentioned about." she finished before looking back inside the box as Toph herself took the note.

"Oh yeah, you met Yim Woo-suk and got me that first issue of 'Girl from The Stars' signed by her." Toph smiled, still amazed that the creator of her and Yasuko's favorite picture comic did that for her.

But her attention was brought to what Yasuko pulled out. A picture comic, one with a familiar title, yet different art than either expected.

"'Girl from The Stars: New Love'… Story and art by Yim Woo-suk, creator of the original series." Yasuko read out loud once more, taking notice that neither the main characters she nor Toph knew were on the cover.

Rather, it was of a schoolgirl with a messy bob of brown hair and green eyes behind glasses who looked to be in class while taking sight of another one with long flowing rainbow colored hair, red horns and blue eyes floating through the open classroom window with a wide smile on her face as she reached out to the other.

"Hey, a caption. 'What happens when after twenty five years, Rumiko and Toshio's daughter ends up meeting her own girl from the stars?. Crazy, sweet madness!'... Aw, it's a new couple." Toph pointed out as Yasuko couldn't believe it, Yim had gotten back to working in picture comics again.

It was also clear to the airbender that Yim was no longer hiding her true self in her work as Yasuko opened up the picture comic, only to be greeted by two dedications before the story began. One was obvious…

"In loving memory of Jikan: You will always be my girl from the stars."

But the second dedication was more surprising for Yasuko than anything else as she and Toph saw who it was for…

"Special thanks to Yasuko Sato II for helping inspire another girl to come visit our world."

"Huh, just noticed this new character looks sorta like you." Toph pointed out on the cover, Yasuko herself looking at it again and seeing her girlfriend point at the rainbow haired girl floating.

Now that she mentioned it, she did bear a resemblance to herself, a fact which made the Sato young woman smile before kissing her girlfriend on the cheek, watching Toph blush as red as a cherry.

"Hum, how about that, darling?"