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A few months later…
Korra took Asami on a date to a botanical garden just outside of the city. They walked closely side by side, brushing their hands together too many times to count. Korra wanted to prove to Asami that she was willing to go through the long haul with her. With Korra’s hasty profession of love a while back, she doubled down on her intent to express to Asami that it wasn’t a spur of the moment thing. Those three years apart only made it abundantly clear of how much she cares for Asami.
They walked through the garden, saw many of its colorful and dazzling sights. They casually strolled past an altar that had intricate decorative wooden pillars and arches, which were entwined with roses and other beautiful flowers. Past those she noticed a raised platform that was covered over top with white roses. Korra blushed furiously and hoped to any and all spirits hearing her thoughts that Asami didn’t take too much notice of it. Or that Asami didn’t just picture the two of them underneath the bed of raised flowers, in immaculate dresses, forever declaring their love for each other.
Korra’s heart fluttered, beating way too fast than she’d liked to. While trying so desperately hard to cling onto her self-control, she allowed herself to use one of her fingers to wrap around Asami’s finger. While that did fight the urge to lunge at Asami too enthusiastically with a kiss, it didn’t help her calm her heart and stomach.
Asami looked down at their wrapped fingers, not hands to her slight dismay, and smiled. Asami knew that Korra was being extremely mindful about showing her the vastness of her emotions, but she greatly appreciated the genuine attempt in going with Asami’s pace. Asami knew she would love Korra; she did picture them together a lot in those three years. But she left without saying a word. She stayed hidden, hell, she even came back under a fake name. It agonized Asami to no end that she tried to hide from her. Korra explained her actions, many times in fact, but it didn’t stop the thoughts of what if.
Asami turned her attention to Korra’s face where she saw her cheeks were burning red and eyes were focused on the ground slightly ahead of them. Asami couldn’t stop herself from smiling sweetly at Korra’s clearly flustered self.
Asami tugged her hand back a bit to get Korra’s attention. “Hey, you okay?”
“Ye-Yeah.” Korra had to stop herself from speaking more before all the thoughts in her mind blurted out of her mouth with no possible restraint.
Asami had picked up that Korra’s one-word answers were a somewhat defense mechanism for her. “Hey, it’s okay. Do you want to sit?” Asami asked caringly.
Korra nodded several times, perhaps too many times to her liking. Her blush somehow intensified more after realizing how enthusiastic it probably looked.
They stopped at a bench nearby and they sat down next to each other. Asami didn’t press or prod Korra on her demeanor or thoughts, she knew she would say something when she was ready. Korra never hid anything from her, her truths always came out, minus her intense feelings towards Asami. So Asami waited patiently for Korra to find her words, all while giving a sincere smile in hopes to encourage Korra for speaking what’s on her mind. And while it was probably not the smart move to the panic-ridden Korra, Asami slowly intertwined their fingers together and gave it a heartfelt squeeze.
The whole purpose of this date for Korra was to express her doubts about herself in regards to this hopefully blossoming relationship, but after seeing their ultimate potential, broke Korra in a way she wasn’t expecting. She had planted the seeds of this relationship in her mind so long ago, hoping that they would naturally sprout and grow feverishly, but the three years apart only brought drought. So she never really thought of their future in those years, and now all she wanted was to stay in the here and now to make sure she respected Asami’s heart. Now all she could be thinking about was of the promises they would give each other, of how she would stare lovingly into those spirit forsaken green, emerald eyes and say those two words that would change her life forever. But this was only their third or fourth date, how could she think of such things so early…but spirits how did it feel so right?
Korra groaned in her head as she tried to focus on the actual mission for today. She took a deep breath and turned her head to see the comforting smile that Asami has always given her and those same eyes that she wished she would devote her life to. Korra’s mind emptied at the sight and suddenly had the clarity to speak to her.
“Asami I…” doubts settled back in, but Korra pushed through it. She had to say this, for the sake of this relationship to work. “...I think I don’t deserve you.” Asami knew not to interrupt, there was always more, though the harshness of Korra’s thoughts were worrisome. “I was away for so long. I never took into consideration what you and our friends would feel. I just got up and left and couldn’t face the fact that I couldn't be the same person I used to be anymore. I wasn’t the version of myself that you and the guys knew anymore. I wanted to make sure I was perfect before coming back, especially to you. I…” Korra stopped herself, “Sorry…I’m rambling…I know we’ve already talked about this.” She couldn't help but give a guilty look. Asami said she understood, but deep-down Korra still had doubts.
“It’s okay. I'm listening.” Asami calmly reassured.
Korra nodded and continued, “So, that’s why I still think I don’t deserve this. I hurt you so bad, I ruined our friendship.” Korra gulped, “But…I don’t want to ruin this. I’m afraid that this...isn’t real. That maybe you’re in some honeymoon phase just because I’m back in your life all the sudden and your inhibitions are gone. I’m scared. I’m scared because…I want this to be real. I want this to be real so bad.” I need this to be real. “And so, at the risk of everything, I need to ask you…to ask yourself if this is what you truly want.” Korra stared intensely into Asami’s eyes, hoping to find any clue or hint of what Asami would say next, she was desperate to know.
Asami closed her eyes, not intending to scare Korra, and took a slow breath. She too also thought of this relationship in the past. Her building her garden was more meticulous in her mind. She bought the perfect plot of land and built a greenhouse around it. Bought all the top-grade soil and fertilizer. She got the most precise and intricate watering machine. All that was left was the person to bring the seeds to her. But that person disappeared without a trace, with no contact for three years. She was left to upkeep the empty greenhouse and its equipment without any indication that it would ever be in use.
Asami had already thought about what Korra had said before. There certainly was a possibility that her emotions took over rational thought. She let herself take another moment to run through her thoughts and came to the same realization as she did in the past. She opened her eyes to the sight of Korra’s practically pleading eyes. Asami smiled tenderly. She slightly repositioned her body so it faced Korra’s and used her free hand to cup Korra’s cheek, Korra immediately melted into it. Asami had no idea how Korra longed for this kind of intimate contact.
Korra let out a stuttered exhale as she closed her eyes. Spirits, she wanted this. So she took the moment to memorize Asami’s touch on her skin, which left her unprepared for what was happening next. A pair of soft lips connected with hers. She panicked and shot her eyes open and there Asami was, directly in front of her. Asami felt the panic and laughed to herself, but she made sure that their lips stayed connected as Korra erratically shifted in response.
Korra finally let herself relax into the kiss. She couldn't fully comprehend what her body was doing to her. Stomach in knots, heart beating, cheeks burning, mind empty and yet full of chaos at the same time. But what she could comprehend was how remarkable it felt. She let herself stay in this position, this special moment, to soak everything in. The anxieties and doubts she felt mere seconds before evaporated. Korra took a deep breath and slowly moved away from Asami’s lips and opened her eyes slowly. Her vision was as it was before, Asami staring softly into her eyes, her smile oh so beautiful.
“Does that answer your question?” Asami felt some slight teasing would be okay.
Korra feverishly nodded her head and Asami couldn’t help but laugh out loud at the genuine reaction.
Asami sighed and wanted to elaborate, “I have already thought about this and everything, Korra. Yes, what you did hurt, but all I can think about is how much this makes sense to me. I um…” Asami chuckled, “I have to admit, I don’t think I’ve ever cared about anyone more.” She let her statement sink into Korra’s heart as she stood up. “You don’t need to worry about this being real or if this is what I want. It is. I know it.” She extended her hand.
Korra stared at the hand in front of her, almost as if it was an illusion. She pondered if maybe this was all a dream. It didn’t take too long to push those thoughts aside as she recognized everything sensation she was feeling. This is real. She stood up quickly and went past the hand and went into Asami’s chest. She hugged her tightly around her waist and connected their foreheads.
“I’m glad.” Was all Korra could muster while she fought the urge to cry. She thought about how embarrassing it would be for her to cry happy tears in front of the person who she now knows cares about her as much as she does about her.