Chapter Text
Asami massages her temples as she continues to listen to the board members argue over their new line of Satomobiles. They want profit. She wants quality. Fortunately, there are still members with sense. She appreciates them.
In the midst of their bickering, Asami’s secretary, Jun, walks in. She motions to Asami; it must be important.
Clearing her throat loudly, Asami stands from her seat at the head of the table.
“Excuse me, gentlemen. I have an urgent meeting to attend to. We will finish this on Friday. I’ll have Jun contact you.”
She hears grumbling, but her voice leaves no room for argument as they file out of her office. She slumps into her chair and runs a hand over her face. A cup of steaming tea is placed in front of her, Jun giving her a sympathetic look.
“Can I just give you my job?” she asks, worn from all her meetings.
Jun smiles, “I’m not sure it’s worth it.”
Asami sits up straighter, sipping on her tea, her insides finally warmed. “So, what was the urgent matter?”
She can see Jun’s green eyes darken and narrow. “I received a call from Yasuko’s school. Something’s happened.”
Asami nearly chokes as she sets her cup down and rushes out of the door. Jun keeps pace with her until the elevator, explaining the situation, but all Asami can hear is the blood rushing in her ears.
“Asami! Asami!”
She turns around and sees Mako, a gloved hand grasping her shoulder firmly. His eyebrows are furrowed in concern.
“You nearly ran into traffic!”
Asami blinks as she stares into the busy street that divides her building and the downtown parking garage. Cars rush by her without any concern.
She gulps hard, trying to stop her throat from closing as her thoughts about her daughter race.
“I wasn’t paying—“
“It’s red!” Mako shouts, his worry manifesting itself as anger at this point.
Asami nearly slaps him, but instead chokes out a sob.
Ever since she found out she was pregnant, confident, brilliant, Asami Sato had a large shadow looming in the corners of her heart. Uncertainty. Doubt. Her daughter was her world, but she couldn't help but feel uncertain. Asami Sato had never planned to be anyone's mother.
Regret passes over Mako’s face as he rests his other hand against Asami’s cheek.
“What’s happening?”
“Yasuko’s school called and there’s something wrong and she’s hurt and in pain and crying. I have to get there as soon as possible.”
He nods firmly, grabbing her hand and leading her to his police cruiser he had parked nearby.
“I’ll get you there. Yasuko will be fine.” Mako promises.
When Mako drops her off, she spots Mako’s brother, a teacher at the school, at the front. The stocky man meets her eyes and abandons the front desk, walking towards her.
“She’s fine,” Bolin immediately says. His green eyes are sympathetic and honest, and for the first time since she heard the news, Asami can breathe. “I’ve been waiting for you. She’s in the nurse’s office right now.”
“I’m so sorry, Bolin. I was in a meeting and those old men couldn’t stop—“
“You’re fine, Asami!” He grasps her hand reassuringly. “She’s okay.”
Tears pricked her eyes as they finally rounded the corner to the nurse’s office.
“Another story! Another story!” she heard a familiar voice shout excitedly.
Her beautiful, perfect daughter lay in bed, smiling, her tiny wrist wrapped in bandages.
A woman had her back to Asami, laughing, “Of course!”
Bolin taps the door lightly to alert the duo to their presence.
“Yasuko, your mom’s here!”
“Mama!”
Whatever emotions she was attempting to hold back break through, tears spilling from her eyes as she rushes to embrace her daughter.
“Sweetie, I got here as soon as I could. Are you okay?” she whispers to her daughter.
She hears her daughter mumble an affirmative followed by a plea to be let go. Asami laughs, dabbing at the tears in her eyes.
“She’s a trooper,” Asami hears behind her.
She finally turns to look at the other teacher that had been waiting with her daughter. She’s gorgeous with cropped brown hair and healthy tanned skin. And blue eyes. The bluest eyes Asami has ever seen.
“Ms. Sato, this is Korra Massak. She volunteered to help us out for a few weeks since she’s running a soccer camp for all of the students.”
Asami shakes her hand, freeing her daughter from her embrace. “Thank you so much for looking after Yasuko. What happened?”
Korra grimaces briefly as she glances at Yasuko’s wrapped wrist. “A bad fall on the playground. It’s only a sprain and I did my best to wrap her wrist nice and tight, but a trip to the doctor’s wouldn’t hurt.”
“I really appreciate this, Korra.”
“Nah, it’s no problem. Like I said, she’s a trooper.”
“Yup!” Yasuko agrees. “No big deal right, Korra?”
Korra grins back. “No big deal.” she agrees.
Bolin reenters the room with some paperwork for Asami to sign. “After you sign this, Yasuko should be all good to go home.” he tells her. “You doing okay, Suko?”
Wavy black curls bounce in affirmation.
“Alright! You’re all set. We’ll see you real soon, Yasuko!” Bolin says cheerfully, patting the girl on the head as they walk out of the nurse’s office.
Asami treats Yasuko to her favorite seaweed noodles at Narook’s and mochi at Miss Laong’s bakery after a quick trip to the physician. The physician had complimented the wrap around Yasuko’s wrist, and Asami was even more grateful for Korra’s help.
As Yasuko bites down on another piece of mochi, she grins at her mother, her chin covered in powdered sugar dusted on the chewy rice balls from sticking.
She loves her daughter for the sweet tooth they both share.
“I love you, Mama!”
Asami kneels down and looks her daughter in her amber eyes. “I love you too, darling.”
When they return home, Yao, her steward, helps Yasuko get ready for bed while Asami finishes preparing documents she’ll need for tomorrow.
Her eyes are tired; her heart is exhausted. She had never felt her heart break so deeply until she saw Yasuko hurt. It had happened several times – a bump on the head, scrapped knees, some fevers. It always hurt every time.
It always made her question whether she was fit to be a mother.
The ringing of her office phone breaks her reverie.
“Asami Sato speaking.”
“Ms. Sato? It’s Korra Massak from the daycare.”
“Korra?”
“I just wanted to check and make sure Yasuko was okay.”
Asami let out a sigh of relief. “Yes, she’s great. The doctor said you did a good job wrapping her sprain. She should be okay for daycare tomorrow.”
“That’s good to hear!” Korra says brightly. “Yasuko is very lucky to have a mother like you.”
Asami can’t help the words that tumble out of her mouth. “You think so?” she asks quietly.
There’s a pause, the small amount of static on the phone deafening.
“Yes, I do.”
A loud bark on Korra’s end interrupts the silence. She can hear Korra’s laugh so clearly and her heart feels lighter. “Even my dog agrees.”
In the corner of her eye, she spots Yasuko holding onto her Fire Ferrets blanket and picture book, standing in the door way.
“It’s bedtime, Mama!”
Asami laughs and says to Korra, “You heard the girl. It’s story time, so I have to go.”
“Well, I won’t keep you. Tell Yasuko we can’t wait to have her back at school. Have a good night, Ms. Sato.”
“You too, Korra.”