Work Text:
It is -31°F, Asami knows this because she checked the tiny thermometer in her pocket for the 6th time since Korra handed her a tiny fishing pole that looks like it couldn’t reel in a minnow, much less the gigantic trophy fish Korra and Tonraq claim to have reeled in. It is impressive really, a marvel of engineering that Asami would love to examine farther if it weren’t for the fact that it is now -30°F.
She is happy to be here, she really is. Korra has been telling her about the Southern Water Tribe
Annual Ice Fishing Festival for years now. Asami can still feel an ache in her ribs from the bearhug Korra gave her when she surprised her with the booked tickets for this year’s event, it is a well-deserved break for both of them. Korra’s Avatar duties have her in meeting after meeting, building the Earth Kingdoms democracy from scratch has been no simple task, and Asami has been busy with new construction in Republic City. They catch each other in small increments, a kiss good morning as they shuffle off to their respective duties, a dinner or two together throughout the week. If they hadn’t moved in together, Asami doubts they would see much of each other at all.
Now Asami is watching Korra wide eyed and almost vibrating with how excited she is to be drilling ice holes with an ancient looking auger made of what looks like bone. Asami can’t even fathom how Korra is warm enough in her simple jacket, a thin hat and her usual water tribe pants and boots. Someone slips a fur blanket around her shoulders, and Asami turns to see Senna who settles on the ice bench next to her and starts pouring a thermos of something warm into mugs.
“Sea Prune broth, it will help warm you. There is also fish cakes and jerky if you get hungry, we will be here for a while.” Senna hands her the warm mug, Asami places her fishing pole next to her feet so she can hold the steaming mug up to her nose, the spices and steam warming her. She smiles at the way Korra and Tonraq fuss over what lures to use, Korra smiling triumphantly as she pulls out brightly colored carved bones from their kit.
Korra spent their entire airship ride explaining the rules to her, only traditional tools allowed, no water bending to assist in catches, each group spaced evenly along the ice, and they had two days to fish from their designated spot. They were competing for both largest fish caught, and most fish caught each bearing its own trophy and bragging rights. Tonraq and Korra had won once when she was very young, a story that Mako and Bolin groan at every time she retells it at family dinner, Asami enjoys watching Korra’s wild expressions when she tells it, so she always encourages her to keep going and ignore the boys grumbling.
“Ready to get set up?” Korra kneels and rubs her hands up and down Asami’s parka covered thighs in a feeble attempt to help warm her up. Asami nods into her cup afraid if she opens her mouth to speak her teeth will start chattering. Korra grins and shows Asami how to put the lure on her rod, somehow dexterous enough to do so with mittens on, then she shuffles Asami close to the ice hole and bends a chair for her to sit on and settles behind thighs bracketing her hips as she presses snugly against her back.
“This I can get used to.” Asami hums, grateful for the infinite warmth of her water-bender pressed against her back.
“Happy to be of service.” Korra nuzzles into her scarf and blows warm air against her neck, making her shiver for reasons other than the cold.
“Pleaaase stop necking over the ice holes, cousin.” An echoing deep sigh comes from beside them as more ice benches are bent around the fishing spot and an already exasperated Desna and Eska settle beside each other already dropping their lures into one of the holes.
“Nice of you to join us.” Tonraq chuckles settling behind Senna mirroring the way Korra surrounded her to keep her warm.
“We come every year.” Eska flatly states, “It will be nice to beat Korra this year though, its been a while since she was able laud our victory for yet another year.”
Korra huffs at that ever the competitive type, especially against her cousins. Korra had told her begrudgingly that Eska and Desna had managed to win an annoyingly large number of times over the years. They never fail to send her a postcard with a photo of their trophy and the fish that won it when they do.
“Well, we all know that I’m winning this year because I have my good luck charm back.” Tonraq claps Korra on the back earning an eye roll.
Korra sets about showing Asami how to work the fishing rod, allowing her to lower the lure into the ice and learn the feel of the different depths. Asami loves the idle chatter so close to her ear as Korra explains the types of fish they are after, why she chose the line she did, and what to look for when bobbing the rod up and down to attract fish. Eska is already reeling something in, as Korra gives an in-depth explanation of the types of paint used on the lures. Asami could listen to Korra talk all day, this must be what Korra feels like when she is talking about engineering, the thought makes her smile and feel thankful that Korra just enjoys listening to her talk sometimes.
An almost imperceptible tug on the tip of the rod pulls Asami from her thoughts.
“Uh…Korra?”
“Wait.” Korra breathes watching the rod intently. “When you feel the pull again give the rod a quick tug up and start reeling.”
Asami feels like she almost forgets to breathe, watching the tip of the rod so closely she fears she may go cross eyed. The next pull comes, and she snaps her wrists up in a quick movement. The moment she feels the hook snag the rod bends deeply downward. She worries it may snap as she tries to reel, barely able to move the little handle around with the force pulling it out.
“Don’t force it, move the reel as much as you can, you will know when it’s time to lean into it.” Korra is soothing in Asami’s ear, she is grateful for it because the spike of adrenaline makes her feel frantic.
Korra places one hand on the bottom of hers and helps her lift on the rod a little bit, she feels the line slack for a moment and can reel quickly pulling a good amount of line in before the resistance makes her hold again. It’s a push and pull, wait, reel, wait, reel. Finally, after what feels like a lifetime Asami can make out the shine of scales coming up through the hole, Korra helps her with one last heave to pull the 15lb fish onto the ice. Asami lets out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding as a booming cheer erupts from Tonraq who is standing with his hands in the air.
“Asami! You are a natural.” He beams clapping a hand on her shoulder reaching to hold the still wiggling fish in the air. The surge of pride Asami feel’s watching Korra’s father fawn over the fish she caught makes her heart swell.
“You were incredible.” Korra kisses her cheek and nuzzles into her neck earning a gag from one of the twins.
Tonraq opens the chest to put the fish in, making sure to hold Eska’s significantly smaller one up to compare with a smirk. Korra definitely got her smirk from her father.
“I think your father is right Korra, you are a good luck charm.” Asami leans back pressing harder into her warm front, Korra squeezes her thighs around Asami snaking her hands around her waist to hug her tighter.
“Is that why you keep me around?”
“Among other reasons.” Asami turns to press a quick kiss to the corner of Korra’s lips.
“Stop being disgusting and fish!” Desna and Eska yell in unison.
Even though they don’t win any trophies (Desna and Eska included). Asami decides that the Southern Water Tribe Ice Fishing Festival will be their yearly tradition from now on.