Chapter Text
It was a small comfort, the dorm TV room, in Asami's unbelievably stressful junior year of college at the prestigious Republic City University, but the sparse 10 minutes she carved out of her schedule each week for the ditzy cartoon 'Steven Universe' became a sacred ritual.
Between her rocky home life and intense set of courses at school, Asami had quite a bit to juggle emotionally, and at times she found herself becoming intensely overwhelmed. She found the weekly episode to be a sort of escape, where she could get lost in the bright animation and innocent stories. The fantastical universe of the cartoon was like her own happy place.
At quarter to six every Thursday she would proceed down two flights of stairs and through the maze of dorm hallways until she came to the somewhat secluded dorm TV room. Usually there was the regular cartoon loving crowd of about ten or fifteen, and Asami found herself joining the speculation as they would murmur amongst themselves about ideas for the new episode while someone clicked the TV on to Cartoon Network.
One week, however, after about 5 minutes of the new episode, a stocky girl noisily busted in the door to the TV room and started swearing under her breath. Asami whipped her head around, frowning at the disruption.
"Ah, shit, shit- sorry!" the girl whispered, and was met with a chorus of hushes. She clamored over a desk and plopped down on the small spot next to Asami on the couch, becoming entirely focused on the TV.
Asami narrowed her eyes.
Excuse me, she thought. This couch. Is my couch.
The girl was clad in workout gear, breathing heavily and carrying a gym bag. Asami huffed in annoyance.
Fuckin' pleb. Amethyst would have cussed her out by now.
The next day, as Asami was unlocking the door to her dorm in the evening, she encountered the girl again, leaving the dorm room across from hers with a posse of similarly built athletic girls. Then it clicked- the girl- the Steven Universe intruder- was Korra, the star of the Republic City University basketball team! On campus, she was something of a minor celebrity, celebrated for leading the team to many victories and championships.
Huh. Small world, Asami thought to herself.
The next Thursday, Asami was surprised to find Korra in the TV room five minutes before six. She received a wide smile from the other girl as she walked in- or was that desperation? She was reminded that everyone else in the room was highly uninterested in social interaction with the others outside of discussing show theories.
"Hey, what's up? I saw you here last week! We're neighbors, right?" Korra said.
Asami offered a cordial smile, and Korra offered her hand. "I'm Korra!" Asami shook with trepidation, but she found her unfounded dislike shrinking.
Korra seemed almost rabidly friendly. And- well, God Damn. Asami mentally swatted herself for being so mentally rude earlier. Korra was hot. She was built, with broad shoulders and defined arms. This combined with her enticing hourglass figure, flawless features and piercing blue eyes... Asami felt something kick in her lower stomach that she hadn't felt a while. She cleared her throat.
"I'm Asami." She replied. She gestured to the TV. "Are you a fan of the show?" At this, Korra became flustered and laughed hesitantly.
"Actually, yeah. A big one." She scratched the back of her neck. "Um, but would you like...not mention to anyone that I come here?"
Asami snorted, grinned and raised an eyebrow.
"What, a kid's cartoon too nerdy for the likes of a basketball star?"
Korra rolled her eyes at Asami's quip then bit her lip.
"Actually, I have practice until six. I never have time to catch the show...so I've started leaving Thursday practice thirty minutes early to get here on time. I said it was for personal reasons." Asami started to laugh.
"Oh my god, but aren't you the captain?"
"Yeah, dude, that's why it's bad!" Korra spread her arms wide and grinned at Asami's laughter.
"Oh man, this is too much," Asami continued, shaking her head and coughing out a few more laughs.
"Yeah, no shit," Korra grumbled, still grinning. "Hey, is it OK if I sit with you on the couch again?"
You can sit on more than the couch, babe.
"Sure,” Asami answered, attempting to suppress a grin. “It'll be better than sitting next to Mindy over there...she cries almost every episode. Uses anyone next to her as a human tissue."
Korra laughed, then lowered her voice and said: "Ok, but what about Mr. My Little Pony Tee Shirt over there?" Asami turned to look, then laughed.
"Oh, Ethan? Harmless, weird-ass brony. Has a cute weeabo girlfriend who sometimes shows up with him wearing an Attack on Titan sweatshirt."
"Man, I've missed too much!" Korra flopped down on the couch and stretched out her legs.
Asami perched next to her and settled back into the familiar cushions. Someone clicked off the lights and turned on the TV. Korra's face lit up as the episode began and she leaned forward in excitement. Her eyes were bright, raptly focused on the TV; it was adorable. Asami smiled, and leaned slightly into Korra's shoulder. The colorful screen illuminated Korra's cheekbones in the near darkness of the room, and the show's soft music lulled Asami into a familiar bliss.
She decided the couch was more comfortable when shared.
The next week, Korra was waiting for her on the couch with a bag of cheese doodles and a blanket, her gym bag under her feet. Asami couldn't help but smile at the odd setup and found herself giggling when Korra sung along to the opening theme under her breath. At the end of the episode, when they both stood to leave, Korra grabbed her wrist with a sheepish smile.
"Hey, so if we're both going to be here every week..you want to exchange numbers? So we can coordinate snacks and stu-"
"Yes! Yeah!" Asami answered with enthusiasm, and Korra smiled, relieved.
Nice going, Sato. Way to be chill, she mentally chastised herself. "Let me put mine in your phone."
She didn't hear from Korra all week, until Wednesday night.
Korra (10:57 2/4/15): hey asami get siked for that new ep tmmrw:) i'm bringing snacks, and prob a tissue box
Asami grinned and tapped out a quick reply.
Asami (10:58 2/4/15): Sounds great! I can't wait! Bring those cheese doodles again plz
Korra (11:07 2/4/15): sure thing, nnnerd;)
Asami (11:09 2/4/15): I’m not the ‘nerd’ skipping basketball practice, Captain! :’)
Korra (11:10 2/4/15): YOU GOT ME THERE! see u tmmrw:)
I never asked for it to be this way! I NEVER ASKED TO BE MADE!
"Oh shit", Asami muttered, handfeeding cheese doodles to Korra, who was dabbing at the sides of her eyes with a tissue. "Oh shit."
You're the one good thing that came out of this mess. I always thought you were proud of that.
Korra sniffled loudly. Asami glanced over and giggled softly under her hand, feeling a warm adoration seeping through her chest at the sight of the usually brazen girl so emotionally wrought.
When the episode was over, they walked back to their dorms together, both stunned and excited about the episode, and eager to share ideas with each other. Korra gave an awkward little wave as they each unlocked their doors and parted ways, and Asami couldn’t help but giggle girlishly after closing her door. Opal, her roommate, looked up from the couch and snorted.
“Spirits, Asami, you gay nerd!” Opal said loudly, slamming her laptop shut and grinning up at her friend. “Who is it this time?”
Asami gave her the finger, but she couldn’t wipe the dopey smile off her face.
“None of your business, asshole!” she said while walking to her room. “And I’m a bi nerd!”
Opal just sighed.
The week after that, Asami brought oreos and more blankets for Korra. She looked on, amused, as Korra wrapped the blankets around herself like a shawl, then tucked the other one under her legs. She whipped a mug of hot chocolate- somehow still hot- out of her gym bag, and sipped contentedly. Asami sighed and settled in next to her. It WAS cold. The campus had seen snow twice in the past two weeks. She found herself unconsciously leaning into Korra as they watched.
More weeks passed, and the two girls continued to become fast friends. To Asami's smug delight, Korra started texting her more and more, and Asami found the courage to initiate a conversation a few times.
Asami (1:29 3/4/15): Korra check out this pic!
Korra (1:45 3/4/15): NO
Korra (1:45 3/4/15): NO YOU DIDN't
Korra (1:45 3/4/15): NO ASAMI
Asami (1:47 3/4/15): Omg Korra what!?
Korra (1:47 3/4/15): YOU DID NOT JUS T SEND ME A MEME
One day in early March, Asami and Opal were disrupted studying by a furious knocking at their door. Asami groaned and got up to answer.
“Geez, what is it now?” Opal called, not looking up from her book. “Did Bolin want to show us his new anal plug?”
Asami swung open the door and was surprised to see Korra in the hallway, almost vibrating with excitement.
“Hello...Korra?” Asami started, staring with confusion at her friend, who seemed almost beyond words. Korra inhaled deeply, jumping from one foot to the other. She held an open laptop in her hands, which she promptly shoved into Asami’s chest.
“Asamilookatthis,” she blurted, clasping her hands together. Asami pursed her lips and scanned the screen.
Steven Bomb- All New Episodes March 9-13 at 6 PM on Cartoon Network!
Asami’s eyes widened. “Oh my god, what the fuck?”
Korra practically squealed.
“Isn’t this crazy? All new episodes for a week! Man, I-”
“Who’s this?” Opal interrupted, sticking her head out the door. Immediately, Korra stuck out her hand and smiled.
“I’m Korra! Me and Asami watch TV together eve-” Opal gasped, and a wily grin spread over her features. Asami gulped.
“THIS is Korra?” Opal drawled, leaning over to daintily shake Korra’s hand. Asami shot her a murderous look. “My, my, I’ve heard SO much about y-”
“KORRA, would you like to come in?” Asami said loudly, shoving Opal out of the doorframe with her hips. “I’d love to talk about this with you! Do you like tea?"
Korra smiled and raised her eyebrows.
“Yeah, sure.” She followed Asami into the dorm. Opal saluted them with another mischievous grin, then retreated to her room.
Asami poured the tea and the pair sat on the couch, Korra’s laptop set between them. Korra took a small sip.
“So like...I think it’s the end of the season? Or something? Like,” she paused to take another sip. “Like...because of all the buildup we’ve been seeing.” Asami nodded, her curiosity piqued.
“Does this mean you’ll leave practice early all week?” she asked. Korra smacked a hand to her head.
“Shit! I totally forgot about that.” She groaned and leaned back into the couch. Asami laughed and sipped her tea. “But since our season is pretty much winding down, I think I’ll find a way.” She sat up with a determined smile, then turned to Asami. “This is going to be EPIC!”
Asami grinned and started tapping on the laptop.
“Hmm. Some fan theories on the other gems we might meet,” she said, clicking through google links. “Theories on Garnet-”
“Fusion,” Korra interrupted, throwing her legs up onto the coffee table.
“Really?”
“Dude, yeah, like, I read a bunch about it,” she continued, leaning forward again. Asami smiled at her, charmed by her excitement. The shorter girl narrowed her eyes.
“What?”
“Oh, nothing,” Asami said with a wave, laughing down at the computer.
“What? No, what? Why are you smiling like that?” Korra said, leaning closer with a grin.
“It’s cute.”
Korra’s grin widened.
“What’s cute?”
Asami snorted, blushing, and reached out to gently slap Korra’s knee.
“You, nerd.”
Korra snickered and returned the slap, closer to Asami’s backside. Asami gasped, eyes wide.
“K-Korra!”she sputtered, a blushing rising up her neck, as Korra fell back laughing onto the couch with the biggest shit-eating grin she’d ever seen. Suddenly, a phone started ringing, and Korra jumped up quickly.
“Shit!” She reached into the pocket of her sweatpants and pulled out her phone.
Asami set the tea and laptop down as Korra answered.
“Yes. Yes, coach.” Korra bit her lip and scratched the back of her neck. “Now? Ok. Ok. Bye.”
She shoved the phone back into her pocket and sighed.
“Practice is back on for today,” she said, plucking her laptop from the table with an apologetic smile. “They cleared the snow away from the gym.”
Asami stood up to see her out.
“Well, thanks for sharing the cool news,” Asami said. She bit her lip. “And, well, you’re always welcome. Over here.” Asami gestured awkwardly to her couch. Korra grinned.
“See you, Asami,” she said, and winked as she closed the door.
Later that day, as Asami walked to an evening class, she was startled by a commotion to her right on the typically snow-covered field in front of the campus basketball arena. Two lines of tall girls ran up and down the field, dropping every lap to perform push-ups. On the side, Asami spotted the notorious Coach Lin barking orders at the girls.
“Come on, ladies, flat backs! Excellent form, Korra!”
Asami turned to see- and there she was and-
Oh.
Korra had stripped out of her team jersey to just a plain black sports bra and was furiously executing push-ups in the muddy grass. She jumped to her feet and jogged back down the field.
Oh, fuck.
Korra was a perfect specimen. Her shoulders were coiled with thick muscles that rippled through her back as she ran, and muscles jutted out from her long legs. And- oh, Spirits, her abs.
Korra had perfect abs.
Flustered and nervous, Asami almost tripped over her feet, but managed to navigate away from the field and to her class without anyone from the team noticing her.
That night, long after she had kicked her red sheets to the side of her bed to stretch out in the hazy warmth of her dorm bedroom, she tossed and turned in and out of a restless sleep for many hours. She drifted through a myriad of dreams spent waltzing through Beach City with blue eyes and dark, strong arms, twisting and turning over herself until the first morning rays of sun slipped softly through the windows.