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As used as she is with grand events and balls and galas, Asami Sato did not like them.
Sure, she’s been coming to these kinds of events since before she can even string full sentences together. And sure, she’s grown to master the ins and outs of being a proper guest and sometimes hostess. But that didn’t mean that she liked any of it.
She’s always known that the events were a good way to make connections. Her father had always said it, ever since she was only barely taller than his waist. But she always found them to be boring and dry and she’s always had to put on a façade. A carefully crafted persona that she’s perfected over the years.
Still, when she heard that there was to be a gala in the new Avatar’s honor, she couldn’t help but be intrigued. Especially since she now has Mako and Bolin to accompany her. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad this time around. She’d be around people her age, get to know more about Mako and Bolin’s new pro-bending teammate, and possibly become friends with the girl she’s read about in passing.
Really, it should’ve been perfect. Out of all the things that could’ve happened to her, things have somehow led her here. Mako had gone with Bolin to get some drinks after some assurances from her that she’d be fine on her own for a while. And when she was finally alone, she started one of her favorite pastimes at these events. People watching. Observing, trying to figure out who amongst the crowd was new, what others’ intentions were, potential business contacts for Future Industries. At that moment, everything was as it should be.
The Republic City Hall isn't a small space, and with the people mingling around, it gave Asami the perfect opportunity to set her eyes on a girl barely younger than she is, wearing traditional Water Tribe garb. She didn’t need an introduction to know that the girl was the Avatar. She’s seen photos, of course. All of them in the newspaper. But looking at the Avatar now, it’s clear that the paper didn’t do her looks any justice. Asami may be with Mako, but it’s not like she’s blind. Being the all-powerful Avatar aside, this girl, this Korra— she’s gorgeous. Asami can appreciate that.
Despite being invited to the gala, Asami can’t help but think that there’s some greater force that conspired to get her here. Especially when Mako came back to collect her after seeing her father being introduced to the Avatar. He walked her over so they too could officially meet, and on the way there all she could think about was how the planets and the fates and all the stars must have aligned to make her and Korra end up in the same room at the same time.
And okay, Asami admits that their first encounter could’ve gone better. There she was one moment, admiring the Avatar and being excited to meet her and possibly become friends, and the next it was all narrowed eyes and snippy responses. Clearly, the Avatar didn't like her, if body language was any indication. But that didn’t stop her from being intrigued. She’d never do anything to betray Mako, but she would admit to herself that there was something about Korra that drew out an attraction. Even if the younger girl did have a crush on her boyfriend. He’s no slouch, so Asami supposes that it’s fair.
Before Korra was even out of her sight, Asami already did what she did best and hatched a plan.
She’s decided that she’s going to be a part of Korra’s life.
—
Ever since the night of the gala, Asami has calculated multiple plans on how to get closer to Korra.
Of course, she fully intended for it to be out of pure friendship. She didn’t have many friends growing up, at least ones that she could count as real friends, and so rarely were they girls, so she’s determined to make this work. Especially since Mako and Bolin kept talking Korra up. That only made her want to earn a place in their little group, not just be in it by default because she’s Mako’s girlfriend or because her father is sponsoring their team.
She picked up on the fact that Korra isn’t really like the girls back in her school days. No, Korra’s a lot more interesting. There are three things that she knew for sure. Korra loved being the Avatar, she loved pro-bending, and she loved training and spending time with the boys. So it’s a pretty easy guess that Korra’s more into thrill and action instead of makeovers and shopping sprees.
And really, it’s no surprise that Asami’s guess had been correct. Taking Korra out on the racetrack was the perfect way to break the ice. Seeing Korra get all pumped and genuinely smiling at her after, admitting that she had Asami pegged wrong, it was worth their rocky start.
After a few more laps around the track with Mako, Bolin, and Korra alternating on riding with Asami, they decided that it was time to head back to the mansion since apparently, Bolin really needed to go to the bathroom. The brothers walked a few feet ahead, Mako saying something about Bolin’s bad timing and tiny bladder while Asami walked with Korra.
“Hey,” Korra lightly bumps her shoulder against Asami’s, flashing a grin once she gets her attention. “I wanted to say thanks again for the rides. And for still being nice even though I was kind of a jerk to you. This is nice, having friends.”
Asami returns Korra’s smile, tells her it’s no problem and that she’d be more than glad to do this again. Though she didn't expect Korra to take her hand, lightly squeezing it in thanks before letting go all too soon. They didn’t say much after that, not until they walked through the doors and were back inside.
Looking back at it now, that was definitely the moment that lit the fuse. That’s when Asami had started the chain reaction of all her moves and countermoves. She’s always been a gifted Pai Sho player. She first learned of the game when she watched her parents play it, and at three years old, it was impressive that her attention span had allowed her to just sit and watch them play. She learned how to play from her mom, but it was her dad who had honed her skills, especially after they had lost Yasuko.
Asami became a brilliant strategist over the years because of the game. So it stands to reason why she viewed things as if they were part of the game. Life, as she views it, is one massive Pai Sho board. And she’s but a mere tile finding the next best move.
In order to defeat your opponent, you first have to know your opponent.
That’s what it said in the official Pai Sho rule book.
But Asami had no desire to defeat Korra, much less think of her as an opponent. Still, getting to know Korra seemed to be a good rule to follow in her grand game of Pai Sho. So that’s what Asami set out to do. Be it by giving driving lessons (which is terrifying enough when Korra’s behind the wheel) or going all over the Earth Kingdom to find new Airbenders, fighting off bandits, even being stuck in the middle of the desert, or just watching over Korra while she meditates.
Throughout all that, Asami has started to see Korra as an equation. Something she’s determined to solve. After all, what’s an engineer without a little math? So she took her time in assessing Korra, finding out what makes her smile, what makes her laugh, what makes her bright blue eyes light up so that they could put the skies and oceans to shame. She figured out what made Korra tick, what her fears were, and what insecurities she had. Everything she could learn about Korra, she soaked up.
And after their little vacation in the Spirit World, well, Asami felt like she had just made the winning move. Not that that’s a surprise. She couldn't see anything other than victory because she had never planned on losing in the first place.
—
But sometimes Asami felt like a fraud.
Those thoughts usually come up during the most peaceful of times with Korra. It’s true that it’s been a crazy few years. Ever since meeting Korra and becoming part of Team Avatar, Asami’s life had always been go go go. The same was true for everyone involved in helping to save the world.
So when things first started to quiet down, not too long after the whole Guan and Earth Empire situation, Asami was forced to really think about what she had orchestrated. It was hard not to, especially after coming home from a day at the office and seeing Korra peacefully napping on the couch in her apartment.
They hadn't moved in together just yet, but Korra did have a key. And much to Asami’s delight, she used it often. Even when Asami wasn’t even at home. Though really, that just motivated Asami to come home at the end of business hours instead of staying late in her office like she's done the past three years of Korra being gone.
And after kicking off her heels and hanging up her jacket, she did what she always does when Korra’s napping on the couch and crawled right into her arms. She smiles as Korra wraps her arms around her, already more than used to the post-workday cuddles.
“Mmm..missed you…” Korra murmurs sleepily, though she still manages to kiss the top of Asami’s head, relishing the warmth and familiar weight on top of her. Asami just buries her face in Korra’s neck, closing her eyes in contentment.
She tries not to think about what she did in the past. Though sometimes, sometimes the guilt tried to eat her up. None of this was an accident, none of this was out of the blue. She didn't know exactly where it was going back then other than friendship, but she knew the first night she saw Korra, nothing would have stopped her from getting close.
And it’s not like she didn’t put in any work or effort. She did a lot of groundwork to get to where they are now. She bid her time, practiced patience, and just like clockwork they ended up right where they are now. Like all those times Asami would line up her dominoes as a kid and watch as they fell into place after a simple nudge, she ended up exactly where she wanted to.
In Korra’s arms.
—
‘What if I just tell her? What would she say?’
That was a regular thought in Asami’s head. She smiles despite the thoughts, just looking at Korra with so much adoration in her eyes as her girlfriend talks about a cool new bending trick she learned.
‘Would she care that I practically masterminded all this? Do I tell her that our friendship was by design to make her mine?’
“‘Sami! Hey, ‘Sams!” Korra waves a hand in front of her face, snapping Asami out of her thoughts. “Where’d you go, just then?” Korra asks when she finally had her attention again, giving Asami the cutest smile, those blue eyes drawing her in more and more each day.
Asami couldn’t help but smile too, ignoring the heavy feeling in her stomach. She wouldn't say it. Not right now. “Nowhere. Just thinking about how adorable you are.” She adds a wink, and that effectively puts a blush on the Avatar's cheek.
“Flirt…” She mutters, shaking her head before leaning in and pecking Asami’s lips. “You gotta come and see what I can do now though! Come on, I promise it’s way cooler when you actually see it!”
And just like that, she’s dragged outside for an afternoon of Korra showing off her new bending skills. Between that sight, the gentle sun, the cool feel of the grass, and Naga’s soft fur as she leaned back against the polar bear dog, Asami couldn't think of a time more perfect than that.
She’s never been more glad to be a mastermind if this is where she ended up.
—
Growing up, Asami already had a notion of how romantic love went.
She was too young when her mother was taken away by death. And yet, for those years she had her, Asami was able to see just how in love her mother and father had been. Future Industries was really picking up around that time, cementing their legacy into society. Still, she saw the effort her father made to be able to make it home on time just to spend the evenings with her and Yasuko. Saw how his eyes sparkled during their weekend outings, how they used to dance in the living room while Asami had (not so) sneakily tried to stay up to watch them, and how good they were when they worked together on a project. And then later, how heartbroken her father had been after her mother passed away.
Love looked beautiful back then, and she hoped that one day, she’d get to love someone like that and have that someone love her back just as much in return.
Then her teenage years came and with it came crushes and puppy love. She admits that at that time, part of her just went with whatever the girls in her circle were doing. And when they started liking boys, well, that just meant that she had to as well, right? So she did. She had her choice pick of boys, mostly because of her looks. Though it wasn’t a surprise that they would wind up either intimidated or scared of her. Teenage boys at that time weren’t much else than a bundle of hormones. They wanted a pretty girl on their arm who didn’t question how dating went, so Asami played her part. She got crushes, got crushed on, went on silly little dates, became someone’s girlfriend, broke up over something stupid, gossiped about it with the other girls, repeat. And by the time she was seventeen, Asami had grown tired of the same routine. At that age, she saw that boys only wanted to date her because of one of three things. One, she’s a pretty rich girl. Two, they wanted to be associated with the Sato name and Future Industries. And three, because they wanted her to be the next notch in their belt. Or who knows, maybe it’s a combination of those or maybe it was all three. Asami acted like it was normal though, for the most part. Very much like the girls in her circle did. Like they were born to be pawns in a game where boys would come out on top. That was fine, she could play the part well. It was easier to manipulate the situation if people thought they were in control anyway. If she’s smart enough, she can turn things back in her favor. She thinks it’s what all the wisest women do, and what she had to do in turn.
But at that point, love didn’t look as beautiful as it did back when she was younger.
Asami wised up from that experience though. That was when she truly started to see life as a game. Make a move, strategize here, block an opponent there. And then she hit someone with her moped. Now that definitely wasn’t part of the plan. Just her luck too, it turned out that she had hit a pro-bending athlete. But it’s fine, people slip up now and again. Asami had sworn off dating for a while after graduating but she would be a fool to deny that the guy is attractive. So she put on her act again, offered to make it up to him, take him out to the best restaurant in the city, introduce him to her father, and made sure that they got sponsorship for their team, go out on dates, watch and support him and his team play. Asami thought she had done a pretty good job being a girlfriend at first. Mako’s a lot more mature than her previous boyfriends, but at the end of the day, he’s also still a teenage boy. So be it because of their friendship, partnership with Team Avatar, or her intrigue with Korra, she let him go and continued on with her game. She watched them get together, fight, break up, get back together, and then break up again.
All of it was fine, there wasn’t a reason why she couldn’t continue to build her friendship with Korra and so they grew closer. Even if at one point, during the three years Korra was gone, all that connected them were letters.
It was somewhere around that time when Asami realized that love meant being patient.
—
Asami had always believed in well-thought-out plans. Backups, improvising, strategizing. She had a motto: If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail. She had plans upon plans, backups upon backups. Even at her most desperate of times, she always had one in her mind. They weren’t necessarily the best of plans, but hey, they were still plans.
Her grandest one yet to date though? Getting close to Korra. Now that took strategy and meticulous planning. She’s always had a thing for being in control, even if people didn’t necessarily see it. It’s fine, she could work behind the scenes so long as things played out her way. People would think that they’re all being spontaneous, grabbing life by the throat, seizing the moment. But no, Asami had already planned for things to go that way.
Wanting alone time with Korra after the whole Kuvira battle? Give Varrick the idea to go borrow a glider suit so she could get Tenzin to leave after his talk with Korra. Follow that up with dropping a suggestion for a Spirit World vacation, already knowing full well that Korra would take it with no hesitation.
Bolin wanted to have a little getaway with Team Avatar and a few more of their friends? Asami’s family beach house on Ember Island is ready. Complete with wait staff and itineraries to make sure that they could maximize their stay there. She’s not an Airbender, but somehow she managed to ensure that the winds during the time they were there were flowing perfectly for their sailing trip.
Opal wanted to go out for a night in the city? Asami had already reserved the best booth in the hottest new club and had already pre-approved with the staff what liquor and various cocktails they’d be having and what songs to play so she and her friends could have the grandest time dancing.
So yes, Asami had a thing for being in control. But it’s only to make sure that everything works out in the end. She gets to make sure that things pan out the way they were originally intended to, even if they didn’t go according to her first few plans. As long as everyone got what they wanted, had fun in the end, and everyone was safe, then that’s all that matters. That’s something she can control.
—
Asami had come close to telling Korra a few times now.
Nearly blurted it out after she came home from a particularly rough day at the office and saw that Korra had cooked them dinner and was waiting for her so they could eat together. Almost admitted it one winter morning when Korra had nuzzled into her, all clingy and comforting and warm. She even had to bite her tongue during a fight when she and Korra were airing out little grievances.
After all, how do you tell your girlfriend that you’ve wanted her ever since the first night they saw each other when everyone around them, even Korra, believed that that wasn’t the case? How do you tell your girlfriend about the amount of work you put in, how precise and methodical you’ve been about getting close to her? How you planned it all along?
How could she reveal to Korra how good of a mastermind she is? Especially now that Korra is hers. Would Korra think it’s manipulative that everything had been Asami’s design? Would she be mad, would it cause her to rethink their entire relationship, friendship, and partnership within Team Avatar?
That thought terrified Asami to no end.
—
She had her reasons though. She could recall every single point in her life that made her that way.
Being the daughter of a leading industrialist and an architect who built skyscrapers for a revolutionary city didn’t do any favors for Asami. At least, not in the friendship department. There was always an air of importance around her and her family that wasn’t easily rivaled or achieved. Sure, there were kids in the same social circle as her, especially in the private school she was attending, but they all saw her in a different light.
When they saw her, they didn’t see the bright girl who loved to build and learn. They saw the daughter of two highly successful individuals, and that must mean that Asami is just some self-important girl who didn’t have time for normal kid stuff like playing. When they saw her, they didn’t see how sweet, and kind, and curious she was. They only saw her as the smart kid who correctly answered all the questions on a test or from teachers, and that must mean that she’s just another know-it-all who thinks she’s better than everyone else. When they saw her, they didn’t see a lonely girl who just wanted to make friends. They saw a rich girl trying too hard to get the other kids to like her. And really, who would want to play with someone like that?
That’s when her tendency to scheme and plan started. Her childhood had been lonely and she vowed never to feel that way again. The more years she moved up, the better she got at masterminding situations. Sometimes she felt like a criminal, making people love her and making sure that it seemed effortless. People had come to respect and adore her, and pretty soon she had the power to make everyone want to be her friend. Was it a bit narcissistic? Maybe. But at least she isn’t lonely anymore.
Then she landed in Team Avatar. And sure, their friendship isn’t perfect, but it’s the closest she’s got to things being real.
She loved Bolin like a little brother, making sure that they still spent time together one-on-one because he was there for her through some of her toughest times during the early days of Team Avatar. She loved how bright he was, his infectious optimism, the way he could easily brighten anyone’s day. It was like walking around with her own personal sunshine. And he was there to lead her into a new world of friendship and found family.
She loved Opal and how close they’d gotten, finally having that female friendship she craved that shared a love to indulge in shopping sprees and makeovers and spa weekends (bless her girlfriend, she was trying and willing, but sometimes Asami needed someone who grew up with the same social upbringing as her) and catching up on the social news and latest gossip. Not an appropriate activity for their age and status, sure, but this is something they didn’t have growing up so they both deserved it.
She loved Mako and was eternally grateful that they’d gotten past their awkward phase around each other and strengthened their friendship. They were solid, enough that she knew that Mako had her back in every way she needed it. He’s become sort of like a wise old protector. If she needed help involving police business, if she needed to vent about anything, or if she needed someone to have deep and meaningful conversations with (aside from her girlfriend, of course) and someone she could form a strong bond with through maturity and adulthood. After all, she and Mako were the only ones who had an actual, stable career outside of Team Avatar so they could relate to a lot of adulting things.
—
And then there’s Korra.
Sweet, beautiful, Korra. Asami loves her most of all. Not just because they’re partners, but because of the friendship they forged.
A friendship that Asami had a hand in influencing.
And the guilt eventually became too much so she spilled the truth one night.
Korra had moved in with her a few weeks prior, and they were still on a high from taking that next step in their relationship. That’s why she couldn’t keep it to herself anymore. And that was the first time she’s felt the need to confess.
“What if I told you none of it was accidental? ” She finds herself asking when the two of them were all cuddled up in bed, her heart pounding so hard in her chest that it beat loudly in her ears, almost threatening to deafen her. “And the first night that you saw me, nothing was gonna stop me from getting to know you? And now you're mine.”
Korra just gave her a curious look, trying to figure out where that suddenly came from. “What? What wasn’t accidental? What do you mean?”
“You, me, us. Everything. Our friendship, relationship, all of it. It wasn’t an accident.”
Korra chuckles a bit, nodding. “Well, I should hope so. We put in a lot of work and effort to get to where we are now. This doesn’t just happen in one night, ‘Sami.” She says as she gestures between the two of them. Asami sighs, trying to figure out a way to explain what she really meant.
“No, I mean that I planned this from the start.” She admits, choosing to just rip the bandaid off. “Getting close to you, that is. I know you and everyone else thought it was initially because of Mako and Bolin, and how badly they wanted us to get along, but that wasn’t the case. I saw you at the gala even before we were introduced. On the walk over to you, I had already planned it in my head to get your friendship. Nothing was going to stop me.”
“Even though I was a jerk to you?” Korra jokes, making Asami smile a little and roll her eyes. Leave it to Korra to lighten the mood when all Asami could think about was how she was potentially ruining their relationship by saying all of this. “Yes, even despite that.”
They sit in silence for a moment, Korra patiently waiting for Asami to gather her thoughts again. “I know that I can be cryptic sometimes. That I tend to only tell you things that I want you to know. But I’m tired of that. I’m tired of hiding the truth from you, of always trying to put on a mask to make sure that you don’t find out how horrible of a person I am.” She finally says, shaking her head as she thinks about how sneaky and cunning she’s always been. Especially relationships. Both platonic and romantic. She always believed that the end justifies the means, so even though some of her actions lacked a moral code, she still went through with them.
“I swear, Korra. I’m only like that because I care. I just want what’s best for everyone. You know that, right?” Asami asks, sitting up so she can take a proper look at Korra and her reaction. So far, the Avatar gave nothing away. Asami runs her fingers through her hair, eventually looking away as she starts to get more and more nervous about the silence.
“I’m sorry. I’ve wanted to tell you for so long, to come clean, but every time I came close to saying something I just freeze and chicken out. I was scared that you’d take it the wrong way and that you’d rethink everything. That you’d feel manipulated and tricked and as if everything we worked so hard to build was fake and that you’d leave. I’m so sorry, I know I’ve been selfish and I never wanted you to feel like I’m just playing you or—” Asami stops in the middle of her rambling when she looks at Korra again.
Korra, who now had a wide smirk on her face as she watched and listened to Asami.
She turns, gently taking Asami’s hands in hers. “I know.” She says softly, squeezing her hands a bit in reassurance. “I knew the entire time, Asami.”
Asami just stared at Korra, and for the first time ever in her life, she was dumbstruck.
But to be fair, Korra grew to have a lot more emotional intelligence than people gave her credit for.
So while Asami was too busy still staring at her, Korra took the initiative and told her side of how she saw things.
“Come on, ‘Sams. Did you really think I wouldn’t know how that brilliant mind of yours operates?” She grins, gently tapping Asami’s temple a couple of times. “I mean maybe at first, sure, but we’ve known each other for years. I know how hard it is for you to make genuine connections with the people around you. I know that growing up, you believed that earning friendships and relationships meant that you had to be useful, or that you had to please them one way or another, even if that meant controlling the narrative a bit and influencing things to go the way you want them to. Even if you don’t get the credit you deserve. But you’ve grown so much since then. I see the work you put in, and all the effort you’ve made without ever asking or demanding anything in return.”
Korra moves closer to her, reaching up to place her hands on Asami’s cheeks. Both to reassure her and to make sure that she’s looking into her eyes. “Asami, you are the least selfish person I’ve ever known. You are incredible, and the world is better because you’re in it. So don’t think for a second that I’d see you in a different light just because you work on your relationships differently. Okay? We’re still growing, we’re still constantly working on ourselves to become better people. I know you enough to know that you don’t mean any harm by how you operate, and if people knew that then they’d say the same thing. We see how much you care. We feel it every day.”
She didn’t even realize that she was crying until Korra started to gently wipe away her tears, whispering assurances that she was still loved. That this didn’t change anything, and that Korra’s proud of her for telling her the truth even though it must’ve been scary and hard.
“I’ve always known that that mind of yours is a wonder, Asami. Everyone knows it. You’re a mastermind, in more ways than one. That’s not a bad thing. Be proud of it because you’re doing great things. I’m yours now, and you just gotta deal with it.”
She gave a watery laugh at the last bit, shaking her head out of fondness for the amazing girl in front of her before leaning in and capturing her lips, kissing Korra with as much love as she could pour in. She pulls Korra in for a hug after, her soul feeling lighter and more loved than ever.
Korra knew all along that Asami was a mastermind and all she did was smile.