Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

“Hey, give me your foot.” 

Korra looked up from the book she was reading on the couch and plopped her foot down in front of her girlfriend without a second thought. Since being with Asami, she’d just learned not to ask questions. 

Asami was sitting on the floor, putting the finishing touches on a fresh coat of nail polish on her own toes. She’d chosen a rosy pink this time, and as always, it looked lovely. Just as Asami was about to apply the same color to Korra’s toenails, she snatched her foot away playfully. “Hey! You better not be putting that color on me. Then we’ll match, and obviously, that would be super embarrassing if someone saw.” 

Quick-witted as ever, Asami countered. “Who are you showing your toes to anyway, Korra? Do I not get the privilege of being the only one who has full access to these cute little beans?” She caught Korra’s foot again and tickled. 

Laughing and squirming, Korra finally got away. As she looked at Asami’s grin, she couldn’t help herself. “Oh yeah, dear. Don’t worry. You have sole access to them.” 

“Gah! How did I end up with someone so corny?” Asami teased again as she started applying the polish to Korra’s toenails. “I think it’s cute if we match anyway. One of those perks of having a girlfriend, you know?” 

Korra looked at her endearingly before returning to her book. While pink wasn’t really her color, she’d do anything to receive this kind of adorable attention from Asami. As an afterthought, she teasingly muttered, “Well, I wear comfortable shoes and I don’t have corns on my feet, thank you very much. Not all of us can maintain perfectly beautiful feet in heels all the time. So I can’t be that corny.”

Rather than fully acknowledge how truly terrible of a pun that was, Asami just rolled her eyes, sighed, and changed the subject. “You know, with me doing your nails, now it feels like a sleepover,” she said as she used her own thumbnail to catch a drip of polish where she’d applied a bit too much. “Now all we need is to go grab some junk food, turn on some boy band music, and talk about our crushes.” 

That’s it, Korra thought to herself as she set aside her book for good. She’s officially the cutest girl in the world. 

She did her best to keep her foot still while she shifted her position until she was leaning forward towards Asami, resting her elbows on her knees with her chin in her hand. “Doritos or Oreos?” 

“Hmm,” Asami hummed as she focused on Korra’s pinky toe. Her tongue stuck out, just a little, and her eyes squinted in concentration. “Both. Gotta have sweet and salty.” 

When Asami finished her right foot, Korra leaned forward and kissed her forehead. “You got it, ma’am.” 

As Korra began to get up to gather the requested supplies, Asami called after her. “You be careful with my handiwork there! No smudging, got it?” 

“Wouldn’t dream of it!” 

Korra came back with the Oreos, Doritos, and her portable speaker. Settling herself back down in front of Asami and plopping her left foot into her lap, she crunched a dorito while scanning her playlist on her phone for some *NSYNC. “No Strings Attached or Celebrity?” 

“As if you even have to ask,” Asami shook her head and grinned. Korra giggled as she remembered when Asami told her that she’d once spent a whole weekend as a kid learning the dance routine to “Bye Bye Bye.” Yeah, she is definitely the cutest person to ever exist. 

Korra started the music and set the volume at an appropriate level. Asami was already bobbing her head to the music, and Korra fed her an Oreo. Watching her girlfriend - the brilliant, certified genius CEO of a multibillion dollar corporation - sing the lyrics to “Bye Bye Bye” with an oreo shoved in her mouth - Korra couldn’t stop herself from thinking of how lucky she was that she got to have access to this true, unmasked side of Asami Sato. 

“So,” Korra spoke quietly, as if she were sharing a secret. “I’ve got the biggest crush on this girl I know.” 

Asami raised an eyebrow with interest. “Oh yeah? Tell me all about her.” 

“Well,” Korra tapped her chin with her finger. “She’s brilliant in every way possible. She has the kindest, most generous heart, the most beautiful smile, and the most genius brain I’ve ever encountered.” 

“Ooh, she sounds great,” Asami played along. “Tell me more about her.” 

“Oh, I can’t,” Korra sighed as she leaned back. “I’m afraid I’d make you jealous.” 

Asami shot her the stink eye. She’d never admit it, but she loved to be genuinely complimented. 

“Okay, okay,” Korra raised her hands in a gesture of peace. “But don’t say I didn’t warn you.” 

“Try me,” Asami murmured slyly. 

“She’s hilarious, and clever, and good at everything she does. She has a way of making me feel so loved, sometimes I think my heart is going to explode.” 

Asami nodded in appreciation as she continued painting. “Mhm, go on.” 

“And my god is she gorgeous. The hair, the eyes, the body - she’s the whole package.” 

“Anything else?” Asami asked with a blush. 

“She happens to also be the best toe nail painter I’ve ever seen,” Korra said as she leaned back forward to meet Asami’s eyes. 

Asami gasped in mock surprise. “Korra! You couldn’t possibly be talking about little old me, could you?” 

Korra shrugged noncommittally with a crooked grin. “Maybe I am, maybe I’m not.” 

Just as Korra reached to pick up another Dorito, her phone dinged. Reaching over to see who it was, she furrowed her eyebrows as she read the message. Upon seeing who it was – and what the message entailed – she sighed despondently at the anxious knot that had formed in her stomach. 

Asami caught the shift in mood immediately and stopped her singing. “What’s up?” 

“It’s my mom. She, um…” Korra paused the music. “She said that she and my dad will be coming here for Thanksgiving this year.” 

“So, no naked turkey eating this year. Got it.” Asami winked. Korra must have looked tense, because Asami stopped painting her toenails and gave her full attention to Korra instead. “What’s bothering you, love? We both know I’d end up meeting your parents eventually.” 

“Oh, no. It’s not that. They’ll love you,” Korra assured her. Well, at least my mom will love you. “I guess… Okay. So I guess there are a few things that are bothering me.” 

“All ears,” Asami spoke softly as she rubbed her hand lightly along Korra’s calf, seemingly attempting to soothe her with her touch. Asami knew her well, because it was working. 

The thing was, while Korra was open to everyone she knew about her relationship with Asami, she hadn’t exactly broadcast it to the world. They both mutually agreed that they liked to remain private overall, and neither of them were overly effusive about their relationship on social media. Because of this, Korra’s bisexuality hadn’t exactly come up in conversation with her parents yet. Since they lived so far away after moving for her dad’s promotion several years ago, she talked to them (or more accurately, her mom) about once every few weeks to keep in touch.

She had absolutely no shame in her sexuality, nor was she embarrassed to be with Asami at all. On the contrary, she couldn’t be more proud to be with her. Coming out to her parents over the phone just hadn’t seemed appropriate, so Korra had put it off. Now, the last thing she wanted to do was make her girlfriend feel insecure about their relationship for this reason. 

Not to mention, she wasn’t sure at all how her dad would react to the news. He’d been working on himself a lot for the past several years, but that didn’t mean his opinion on homosexuality had changed. Korra had to admit to herself that she was a bit more worried about this than she led on. She would never forgive herself if her father hurt Asami, given the twisted ways he could be so manipulative. She wouldn’t let her dad speak harshly to or of Asami, ever. 

Korra knew that she needed to be careful with this conversation to make sure that nothing was miscommunicated or misconstrued. Once she had gathered her thoughts, Korra was ready to elaborate. 

First, Korra wanted to lay the foundation for unquestioned security and trust. “Before I really start, do you know how much I love you, and how proud and blissfully happy I am to be able to call you mine?” 

With a smirk and a wink, Asami replied. “You may have mentioned it once or twice.” Then, before Korra could continue, Asami set aside the nail polish and grabbed Korra’s hands. “So… you’re not out to your parents yet, huh?” 

Korra gaped a bit at how quick her girlfriend picked up on this, and it threw the trajectory of how she was going to go about the conversation all off. Asami didn’t seem offended in the slightest, but more so soft and understanding with her question. Once she had recovered, Korra smiled sheepishly. “How on earth did you guess that’s where I was going with this conversation?” 

Flipping her hair in playful confidence, Asami leaned in and grinned knowingly. “Well, for starters, I am a certified genius, after all. And also, I’ve been dating this really cool counselor for a while. It’s hard not to pick up on healthy communication habits, and it sounded to me like you were trying to make me feel secure before talking about something that could potentially make me feel insecure. The pieces were there, and it was easy enough to guess.” 

Korra shook her head just a little to show her amazement at how in tune they were with each other, but also just at how quick Asami was in her own right. 

Before she could continue, Asami gave Korra a fond smile and said one more thing. “And… I just know you, dear.” 

At this, Korra couldn’t help herself. She leaned forward until she could reach Asami’s face with her hands and kiss her sweetly, being as careful as possible to not smudge the pink polish on anything. Asami smiled into the kiss, communicating the joy that each of them felt from the natural ease of their relationship. 

“Asami?” 

“Hm?” she replied, seemingly still a bit lost in the kiss though Korra had leaned back enough to look into her green eyes. 

“I’m not out to my parents yet.” 

“It’s okay. I’m not out to my dad yet either, though I’m not sure I really care what he thinks at all. After all, we have kind of kept our relationship relatively under the radar,” Asami said with an acknowledging raise of her eyebrows and a glance to the side. 

“I admit fully to wanting to keep you all to myself,” Korra said as she began to lean in for another kiss. 

Just before their lips met, Asami spoke, which caused Korra to pause. “How are you going to tell your parents though, Korra? Do you think they’ll… you know, be accepting? Will they really like me?” 

Korra leaned back at her questions, wanting to give each one a thorough answer. She took Asami’s hand again and traced the lines across her palm until she had gathered her thoughts. “First of all, my mom will for sure love you for you. You’re amazing in every sense of the word. As for my dad? Truthfully, I don’t know. But, I’m pretty sure they have a beloved Future Industries toaster that has lasted them the past 15 years, so the sturdy craftsmanship of your products will obviously give you some immediate points in your favor.” Korra couldn’t bring herself to admit to Asami just how worried she was about how her dad might react. 

“Mhm,” Asami hummed in amused acknowledgement, prompting Korra to go on. 

“They love me. I know that. Even my dad… I think,” Korra said as her eyes shifted downward. Asami leaned down to catch Korra’s gaze, giving her the courage to continue. “I think even if they disagree with how I choose to live, their love for me will overcome their lack of understanding. But to be honest? I have no idea how they will actually react. I’ll probably tell them when I introduce you.” But at this, Korra stopped with a sudden realization that Asami might not be comfortable with that. “Unless you’d rather not, though, which is totally okay, and I couldn’t understand more if you didn’t want to...” 

Asami leaned up to stop Korra’s anxious ramble with a reassuring kiss. “We’re a team now, okay? As long as you’ll have me, I’ll be right by your side. No matter what we face.” 

Her words melted Korra’s entire anxious countenance on the spot, and she rested her forehead against Asami’s and spoke softly. “Just when I think I couldn’t love you more, somehow, I do.” 

Brushing their noses together lightly, Asami murmured back her response. “Isn’t that how it should be?” 

Korra couldn’t help but lose herself in her girlfriend’s eyes. An involuntary thought sprung into her mind. Asami Sato, I cannot wait to marry you. 

But before she could express herself, Asami leaned back and grabbed the nail polish bottle to resume her handiwork. “Now, we’re going to practice how you tell your parents, because I know you, and I know you want a game plan. Hit the music and pass me an Oreo, will you?” 

——- 

“Okay, they should be here any minute now,” Korra said as she paced back and forth in front of the refrigerator, her coffee cold on the table. She had been alternating snapping her fingers, clapping her hands together, and running a hand through her hair for the last 10 minutes. 

Asami raised her second cup of coffee to her lips, pausing just a moment to smile softly at her girlfriend. She knew she was nervous, but instead of joining in with Korra’s internal chaos, she was trying to instead share some of her calm. The last two times she had beckoned Korra to sit, she had been politely declined, so she decided that another tactic was in order. Obviously, Korra needed something to occupy her, and Asami happened to know one of her weaknesses. 

“Hey, could you please come scratch my back? Right in the middle - you know, the one spot I can never reach.” 

Distractedly, Korra muttered a quick, “Huh? Oh, yeah, sure.” Quick with anxious energy, she made her way over to stand behind Asami. 

Asami had wanted to look her best, so she’d freshly shampooed her hair that morning. Korra had noted on more than one occasion how soft it was and nice it smelled after she washed it and how it drew her in. And, Asami just so happened to know for a fact that her smooth neck attracted Korra’s lips like a magnet. So, when Korra came close, Asami subtly flipped her hair over her shoulder, exposing Korra’s kryptonite. 

At this smooth action, Korra’s fingers stalled in the middle of what was originally a quick, efficient back scratch. Asami felt those fingers lightly glide up her spine over her cream colored cable knit sweater until they reached her neck, slowly making their way into her hair. To encourage Korra’s curiosity, Asami tilted her head a bit to the side, silently asking Korra for more. After a few moments of feeling Korra’s fingers in her hair, she felt tender lips in the soft spot right beneath her ear. 

Checkmate. 

“Thank you,” Korra murmured into her skin, all of a sudden seemingly in no hurry to move away. 

“For what?” Asami feigned complete innocence, but her smirk refused to remain hidden. 

“For being you,” Korra breathed into her hair, sending a shiver through Asami’s whole body. 

Now, Asami smiled fully. “Come here, you,” she said as she guided Korra into her lap, handing her the cup of coffee she had so recently poured for herself, since it was still warm. After Korra had settled, she gratefully took a sip, and Asami felt Korra’s body melt into her own, finally relaxing just a bit. She slid her hand under the back of Korra’s flannel in search of skin, and as her fingers traced circles across the small of Korra’s back, she felt her relax even further. 

“Everything is going to be okay,” Korra assured herself hesitantly, looking into Asami’s eyes for confirmation. 

“Everything is going to be okay,” Asami assured her with confidence. “Because no matter what, we have each other.” 

Korra grinned before kissing Asami’s cheek. As she pulled away, her face darkened a bit. Before she could ask, Korra spoke. “There was one more thing I thought about while I was pacing to tell you. I’ve just been trying to think of the best way to phrase it.” 

Instead of verbalizing her response, Asami nodded for Korra to continue. 

“I’ve dealt with a lot of what my dad put me through, but being around him still puts me on edge sometimes. If I start acting weird with you, or different from how I normally do, please understand that it has nothing to do with you at all.” Korra looked into Asami’s eyes, begging her to understand. 

“I hear you, sweetheart. Don’t worry about me. I feel very secure in our relationship, and my only focus right now is having your back in every way possible. Even literally,” she teased as she tickled Korra’s back with her fingernails. 

Korra squirmed, but Asami held her tight. They were both giggling when they heard Naga bark and tires on the gravel driveway. Asami felt Korra immediately stiffen, and to put her at ease one final time, she reached up to kiss her forehead. As Korra stood, she grabbed Asami’s hand and squeezed it all the way to the back door. 

Okay, Asami. Right then, she decided to employ a tactic that she used just before she entered big meetings with other executives from companies around the world. Jinora had always done an excellent job at briefing her on who she would be meeting, but Asami always rehearsed the information in her mind until she felt thoroughly prepared and confident about who she would be meeting. 

Senna, Korra’s mother, was a kind and often soft spoken woman. Her compassion had been passed down to her daughter fully, and she always looked for chances to care for others. She had been a homemaker since Korra was a baby, but often looked for opportunities to volunteer and serve her community. She loved to bake, garden, and birdwatch. 

Tonraq, Korra’s father, was an executive operations manager with Mercedes. The Mercedes manufacturing plant was not too far from where Korra lived, and for the past three decades, Tonraq had worked his way up to the position he now held. Several years back, a promotion opportunity required them to relocate to Germany, and they left Korra the farm. He had been going to therapy for a few years, after an ultimatum from Korra and Senna that if he didn’t make positive changes to his behavior, they could no longer be around him. (Korra didn’t like to discuss this part of her history, for obvious reasons.) He liked sports, but most specifically football. 

Korra had informed her mother, with Asami’s agreement, that she had a “roommate.” Both Korra and Asami concurred that it was best to break the truth to her parents in person. 

Smoothing out her sweater and tucking her hair behind her ear just so, Asami had to admit to herself that there was an anxious knot in the pit of her own stomach that wasn’t there even when meeting the most powerful of executives from around the world. Meeting Korra’s parents was something she knew she’d have to do eventually, and she genuinely hoped for the best for everyone involved. 

If she were being totally honest with herself, what made Asami the most apprehensive was how she was going to feel, looking at the man who had hurt Korra in so many deep ways. Even though Korra didn’t like going into great detail about her past relationship with her father, Asami found herself so in tune with her girlfriend that Korra didn’t have to express her hurt with so many words. She wanted to give Tonraq a blank slate, though, especially given that Korra was hoping to allow her father a chance to prove he was a changed man. However, it wasn’t easy. Asami was as protective of her girlfriend as Korra was of her. 

Korra’s parents had insisted on using a rental from the airport rather than having Korra pick them up, and Naga seemed wary of the new vehicle in her territory. But as soon as Senna stepped out of the SUV, Naga bounded over to her without hesitation. 

“Naga! Oh, you sweet girl, I think you get bigger every time I see you,” she said in a mild, yet warm tone. Korra’s resemblance to her mother was uncanny. She wore her dark brown hair in two braids, and her bright, blue eyes stood out beautifully, like a cloudless summer sky. The lines on her face showed evidence of laughter and smiles across her life rather than age, and Asami instantly had no doubt where Korra had gotten her vibrant personality from. 

When Tonraq, a large, burly man (it was clear from where Korra had inherited her muscular physique) with longer hair and a goatee stepped out of the driver's side, Naga trotted over and sniffed his hand, but seemed otherwise uninterested. Instantly, the dog returned to Korra’s side. She’d always heard that dogs tended to be a good judge of character, and now she believed it. 

“Hey, y’all,” Korra said cheerfully as she stepped off the back porch, Asami not far behind. Korra had released her hand after a final squeeze, and Asami understood totally. She was surprised at herself just how much effort it was taking for her to not switch into her “professional” mode. Years and years of not prioritizing personal relationships could do that to a person, she supposed, but she was determined to be herself in every regard. 

“Korra! Get over here, honey,” Senna said as she wrapped Korra up in a warm embrace. Korra was a few inches taller than her mother, but that didn’t stop Korra from melting into her mother’s hug like she was a child all over again. Unintentionally and subconsciously, Asami felt a sharp pang in her own heart - how long had it been since she’d been hugged in such a way? 

Before she could even push her unpleasant thought to the side, Senna released Korra and turned to her. “And you must be Asami. It’s so nice to meet you, dear.” And before Asami knew it, Senna reached her arms around her tall frame as if they’d already hugged a million times before. She wasn’t quite a hugger, and never had been with anyone but Korra - but something about Senna’s embrace communicated so much genuine, motherly love that she found herself fighting back tears. It felt so nice, almost relieving in a way, to be hugged like this. 

When she was released, she glanced at Korra, who was smiling at her. Korra knew how much Asami needed a mother’s love, and something about her gaze communicated a confidence that wasn’t there back in the kitchen. It was like all of a sudden, after seeing her mother go to Asami without hesitation, her fear of not being accepted for who she was fell away. Senna seemed to be the type of woman who gave her love freely and without condition regardless of her personal opinions and beliefs, and it seemed as if a few hugs was all Korra needed to be reminded of that. 

After a moment, Tonraq cleared his throat. “Hello, Korra. It’s good to see you.” He didn’t approach Korra, nor did Korra approach him. 

“You too, Dad.” The comfort that her mother had given her seemed to shrink, even at this tiny exchange as a furrow formed between Korra’s eyebrows. 

Asami decided to take charge to give Korra some reprieve from an awkward moment. She walked up to Tonraq and raised her eyes to meet his, extending her usual confident handshake. “It’s so nice to meet you, sir.” 

“Nice to meet you as well,” he said, giving an appreciative nod at her straightforwardness. “I’ll admit we were a bit surprised to learn that Korra had a roommate. We weren’t sure what kind of person from out of town would want to live all the way out here,” he said with a small chuckle and a glance at his wife. 

Korra looked back and forth between her parents and opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. Asami stepped back to Korra’s side, locking eyes with her. You can do this. Whenever you’re ready, I’m here. 

Just as Asami was about to say something else to give Korra another moment, she noticed how Senna looked back and forth between them. She’d heard of a mother’s intuition, and if Senna’s expression said anything, it was that there was a large possibility that she already suspected what Korra was trying to say. 

“Mom, Dad,” Korra started, glancing nervously back and forth between them before her eyes landed on her mother’s understanding face. “I wanted to tell you this in person, but Asami is more than my roommate.” At this, she grabbed Asami’s hand. “Asami is my girlfriend.” 

Asami laced their fingers together and looked at her girlfriend with pride. Before she could say something, Senna all but burst with joy as she wrapped them both up in a hug this time. 

“Oh, honey! That’s wonderful,” she said as she kissed Korra’s cheek and squeezed them both a little tighter. As she pulled back, she kept a hand on each of their arms. “You two make a beautiful couple. I’ve prayed for so long that you would find someone special.” 

“Thanks, Mom,” Korra all but whispered with a slight quiver in her voice. 

Senna moved a hand to her cheek. “I love you no matter who you love. And it seems like you’ve found quite the catch,” she said as she winked at Asami. Before turning away, she whispered, “We can talk about it more later if you like.” 

Asami was loving this woman more by the minute. So engrossed in her love and acceptance, neither Korra nor Asami had yet looked back at Tonraq - but when they did, all they were able to see was a blank, expressionless face. 

“Right. Um… okay. I’ll just… get the bags,” he offered in a low monotone. As he maneuvered around them politely with their bags in tow to take them to the guest room, Senna held them both back. 

“Please don’t mind him, dears. Especially you, Korra,” Senna whispered as she ducked her head to meet Korra’s downcast eyes. “You’ve always had a beautiful heart, and if you’ve entrusted it to Asami here, there’s a good reason for that. Your father has always been a bit more… traditional, I suppose. But just give him time. I’m sure he’ll come around.” 

Korra nodded and quickly wiped a tear from her cheek, offering a small smile at her mother’s words. 

“Now,” Senna said, turning her happy, welcoming smile to Asami. “How about we girls take a little shopping trip to the grocery store to get everything we need for tomorrow, hm? I want to hear everything,” she said as she looped her arms around each one of theirs, linking them all together as they walked towards the house. “Who was interested first? How did y’all meet? Am I still getting grandkids?” 

“Mom,” Korra groaned as Asami burst into laughter. 

“Oh, I’m just teasing you, sweetie. Let me have my fun,” Senna said as she nudged herself into Korra. 

Yeah, Asami would have no trouble getting along with Senna at all. Tonraq, on the other hand… well, only time would tell. 

——-

To say that Korra felt relieved was an understatement. Truthfully, having her mother’s outspoken acceptance was something she hadn’t even realized how badly she needed. Something inside her had settled, and as she watched from the backseat as Asami and her mother laughed together in conversation in the car ride to the grocery store, she had never felt more peace. 

Well… as long as she didn’t think about her dad. But at this point in her life, that was normal - something she had come to terms with. She stopped needing her dad’s love and acceptance a long time ago, as sad as it sounded. Her mother’s love and acceptance was more than enough for her. 

Asami and her mom talked the entire car ride over to the store, and Korra was content to sit back and listen. Asami asked her about her favorite types of birds, and her mom asked her about her favorite kind of cars (one of the only things Korra had mentioned about her, truthfully). It warmed Korra’s heart in a magical way to witness the love of her life getting the motherly attention and affection that she had always deserved. Something in Asami had lit up that Korra had never seen before, and Korra wanted to make sure it stuck around forever. 

Forever with Asami was becoming more clear by the day. She felt her own smile widen at the thought. 

When her mother parked in front of the small local supermarket, Korra got Asami’s door for her and helped her out of the SUV. 

“Your mom is the best, isn’t she?” Asami enthused with a grin. 

“I like to think so,” Korra shrugged with a grin of her own. 

“Come on, ladies! I’ve got Tonraq’s credit card and this whole shindig is on him. Let’s go get all the goodies,” Senna called back to them with a mischievous glint in her eyes as she grabbed a shopping cart. 

Korra looked back at Asami and shook her head in amazement. “She really is the best, isn’t she?”

***

By the time they made it back to the house, the late afternoon sun was shining through the remaining leaves on the trees. The colors had truly been something spectacular this fall - a beautiful gradient blend of yellow, orange, red, green, and brown - and Korra was so happy to have Asami to share it with this year. 

She and Asami actually had a little competition going on of who could find the reddest leaf, and before she even had a chance to properly look around, Asami handed her one with a victorious smirk. She had to admit, it was the reddest one they’d found so far. 

“You just think you’re so good, don’t you?” Korra teased quietly as they made their way towards the back porch steps, reaching her free hand that wasn’t holding grocery bags around to tickle one of Asami’s ribs. 

“I don’t think so, I know so,” Asami giggled and tried to move away, accidentally dropping one of her grocery bags as she did so. Korra stooped down to help her gather up the dropped cans and boxes, and Asami shoved her playfully, which made Korra cackle as she stumbled to regain her balance. 

“Everything alright back there?” Senna called out from the kitchen. 

“Yes ma’am!” Korra and Asami called back in unison, feeling like they’d been caught. They exchanged a joyful glance, both feeling good about how the day had played out so far. 

Except for Korra’s dad, of course, who hadn’t offered to help carry in the groceries, but instead sat religiously entranced with a football game on tv. Korra decided to just let him be, because that was typically the path that led to the most peace in her experience. 

Once they got all the groceries inside and sorted, Senna announced that she was tired from traveling and was going to go take a short nap. As she exited the kitchen, she kissed both Asami and Korra’s cheeks and muttered a quick, “Behave yourselves,” with an authoritative quirk of her brow. 

Once they both heard the guest room door softly close, Asami all but tackled Korra with a hug. Korra was a bit surprised, but held her back tightly, leading them backwards until she was leaning back against the counter. 

They just held each other for a minute, and even though Asami hadn’t said a word, Korra knew what she was trying to say. I’m proud of you. I’m so happy for you. I love you. 

Korra was content to hold her for as long as Asami would allow. If she were being honest with herself, today and the days leading up to her parents’ arrival had been emotionally draining for her with how much she had worried over it. Asami was her safest place, her truest home - and in the comfort of her arms, nothing restored her heart more. 

“Oh. Um…” Tonraq cleared his throat and looked towards the floor as he stood awkwardly in the doorway. 

Asami jumped, but didn’t jump away from Korra. Instead, she just moved to place her arm around Korra’s waist. Korra knew how much Asami disliked showing overt affection in front of other people, which she respected - so now, she wondered just why Asami kept such a strong hold on her. 

Tonraq cleared his throat. “I was just, um… getting a glass of sweet tea. I didn’t mean to, uh… interrupt anything.” 

Korra felt herself stiffen again, all the ease from Asami’s embrace gone. She hated that her father still had this effect on her, in her own home, after all this time. 

“Not at all, sir. Here, I’ll grab a glass for you,” Asami said with a guarded smile, reaching up into the cabinet to their right and getting a glass. Even as she walked a few steps across the kitchen to hand the glass to Tonraq, she took Korra’s hand with her, never once breaking their contact. 

“Thanks,” Tonraq said as he quickly poured himself a glass of tea and left the room. Korra released an audible breath as he did so. 

In an instant, Asami was back in her arms, looking at her face this time. She looked at Korra with concern, moving her fingers to her face to touch Korra’s cheek lightly before settling her hand on her chest. “Will you take a quick walk with me?” 

Korra looked back into her green eyes, so full of love, and nodded. Asami took her hand and led them outside. The sun was going down, and now there was more of a chill in the air. Before Asami could mention that she should have grabbed a coat, Korra took off her flannel shirt and draped it around Asami’s shoulders. She still had a t-shirt on underneath, and the brisk air was helping her clear her head a little, anyway. 

“Thanks, love.” Asami put her arms through and wrapped Korra’s warmth around her snugly before grabbing Korra’s hand again. 

They took a few steps in silence, and Korra decided to be the one to break it first. Her curiosity was a bit too much, and she just had to know something. “Hey,” she said in a low voice, kicking a pine cone down their path. 

“Hey back,” Asami replied with a squeeze of her hand and an affectionate gaze. 

Korra cast an inquisitive glance in her direction. “You’re being a lot more physically affectionate than normal with me in front of my parents. I mean, obviously, I have no problem with that, but I was just wondering…” 

“Why I was doing that, when I’m not the biggest fan of PDA?” Asami finished for her as she intentionally sought out a leaf to crunch with her foot on her next step. 

“Yeah.” Korra looked at the ground as she answered, silently admiring the orange light of the sun's last few rays as it cast an amber glow on the world around them. 

“You feel comforted, loved, and assured by physical touch, right?” Asami asked, accentuating her question with reaching her free hand across her body to run her fingers along the soft skin of Korra’s wrist. 

Korra felt some of the tension in her body physically melt away. She breathed out a short laugh at how right Asami was. “Yeah, I really do.” 

Asami looked up towards the sky, seeming to admire the leaves above them. She smiled softly before replying. “Then your need for reassurance with your parents around far exceeds any discomfort I may have. Your needs come first, Korra.” 

Without even thinking, Korra stopped in her tracks. Asami stopped with her, moving around until she was in front of her, taking Korra’s other hand so that they were both locked in hers. 

“Do you really mean that?” Korra asked. 

“With all my heart.” 

Korra felt her eyebrows knit together, and even as she tried to fight them, she felt tears welling up in her eyes. She opened her mouth to speak, but for the second time that day, no words came out - but the reason behind it couldn’t be any more different this time. 

Asami moved a hand to cup her cheek, lightly brushing a tear away with her thumb. “You okay?” 

Truthfully, as she joyfully drowned in Asami’s love, Korra had never been more okay in her life. She didn’t know how to express the depth of what she was feeling with words, so instead, she placed her hand over Asami’s and turned to kiss her palm. She nodded her head, assuring Asami that she was alright, but the tears kept spilling over anyway. 

Whispering, Asami moved closer to her. “I’m always here for you, Korra. No matter what.” She leaned her forehead against Korra’s, and for a while, they just stood there, basking in what felt like the purest love. In the light of the sun’s last few rays, Korra was far more thankful for the incandescent glow that emanated from the two of them, sparked by their love for each other. 

——

Asami threw back the quilt before sliding into their bed. The evening had passed peacefully, and she had enjoyed getting to know Senna a little more. At Senna’s prompting, Asami had divulged her and Korra’s story about how they got together while Korra put the kettle on for some evening tea. Korra filled in some details here and there, and they had all had such a good time together that at moments they all had tears in their eyes from laughing so hard. 

Subconsciously, Asami touched her cheek where Senna had kissed her good night. Her heart felt full - fuller than it had in a very long time. She had forgotten how much she missed a mother’s love. 

“My mom adores you,” Korra said quietly as she slid into bed next to Asami and propped her head up on her elbow, as if she could read Asami’s mind. 

Asami turned her head towards her and grinned.

Korra scooted a bit closer and touched her arm. “My mom has always had a knack for knowing how people need to be loved.” 

Asami shifted a bit closer to Korra, too. “Something else you must have inherited from her.” 

Korra rolled her eyes in a “oh, stop it” kind of way, and slid herself over until she was almost pressed against Asami, but not quite. She looked at Asami through her messy bangs in a challenging way, daring her to make the final move. 

Tonight, Asami was so happy with how the day had gone, she didn’t even hesitate to flip Korra over and settle herself on top of her. Korra gave a small shout in surprise, then covered her mouth with her hand. 

“What’s wrong, Korra? Don’t want your parents to hear us?” Asami teased, booping her nose to Korra’s and running a hand up her tank top, searching for that one rib that made her unravel in laughter every time. 

“Shhh!” Korra shushed as she squirmed, trying her hardest not to laugh out loud. Asami was merciless, however, and Korra snorted in a vain attempt to smother her own giggle. 

Before Asami even realized what she was doing, Korra flipped them over and pinned Asami’s hands above her head. “Clearly, you cannot be trusted,” she said while squinting her eyes accusingly. Korra’s hair tickled Asami’s nose. 

After blowing Korra’s hair out of her face, Asami then playfully gasped. “Who, me?” 

“Oh yes,” Korra nodded seriously. “You.” 

“We both know I could have you screaming in five minutes,” Asami whispered with a wink. 

“Asami,” Korra lamented. 

“And I think we’ve well established that our bed doesn’t squeak. Unless we do that one thing,” Asami continued with a devilish grin, knowing that Korra had loved doing that “one thing.”

“Ughhh,” Korra groaned as she let her head fall to Asami’s chest in defeat. 

“Not to mention, you pinning my hands up like this is pretty hot,” Asami muttered conspiratorily. 

Korra shook her head into Asami’s neck before raising her head back up to meet her eyes. “What are you doing to me, woman?” 

Asami shrugged. “Oh, you know. Just teasing my girlfriend to death because I know she won’t make love to me with her parents in the next room.” 

Letting out a big sigh, Korra rolled off from on top of her. “I hate you.” 

“I love you, too.” Before Asami reached for the lamp, she turned to face Korra again. “I know things went well with your mom, but... how are you feeling about things with your dad?” 

“Honestly?” Korra moved towards Asami and looked sad. “I really don’t care what he thinks, but I know my dad. I know his stance on anything related to homosexuality. I’m afraid that he’s biding his time before he causes a scene. It’s just what he does, and it always has been. I’ve never been able to figure out if it’s manipulation, a grasp for control, seeking attention, or what - but I’m not a kid anymore, and they signed this house and land over to me. I won’t let it happen this time,” Korra muttered as she pulled Asami close to her side. “And I won’t let him hurt you in any way. He says one foul word about you or to you, and that’s it. It won’t be tolerated.” 

Asami could feel Korra tensing up as she spoke, and she reached up to run her fingers through Korra’s hair. At her touch, Korra’s body relaxed again. 

“I’m in love with you,” Korra kissed the top of her head. “And that’s all anyone needs to know.” 

Asami couldn’t help but smile at the protective tone in Korra’s voice. “At least your mom is happy for you.” 

“Yeah,” Korra said as she pulled Asami in a little closer, gladly accepting the leg Asami threw over her hips by placing her hand on Asami’s thigh. “Having my mom accept me fully, and the woman I adore,” Korra squeezed Asami tighter, “has been a burden off of my shoulders that I didn’t even realize was so heavy.” 

Reaching backwards to turn off the lamp on the nightstand, Asami settled back into Korra’s arms before speaking again. “Tomorrow will be a good day.” 

Korra kissed her forehead and repeated what Asami had said in confirmation. “Tomorrow will be a good day.” 

------

For the life of her, Korra couldn’t sleep. She tossed and turned, and thought about waking Asami, but looking at her serene, sweet face in the dim moonlight, she just couldn’t bear to disturb her. 

She wasn’t sure just how long she watched her girlfriend sleep. The even rise and fall of Asami’s chest was mesmerizing, and the slight part in her lips released the occasional soft snore. She looked completely at peace, and no lack of peace that Korra felt herself could ever take that from her. 

Moving slowly, Korra slid out of bed. She stopped when she heard Asami hum, but it didn’t appear that Korra had woken her. She tucked the quilt gently around her to keep her warm and placed the most tender of kisses to her temple before putting on a hoodie and heading for the kitchen.

When she opened their bedroom door, she was surprised to find the kitchen light already on. When she glanced at the small clock she had on the wall, she saw it was 4:42 am. For a brief moment, she feared it was her father. As he was one of the main reasons Korra couldn’t sleep, she didn’t particularly want to run into him right now. 

“Korra, is that you?” Korra heard her mother’s soft whisper and immediately felt at ease. 

Korra’s feet padded across the chilly wooden floor towards the kitchen. She found her mother sitting at the table, a blanket wrapped around her shoulders as she gently closed the journal in front of her. The bags under her eyes were a bit more pronounced than normal, and she sighed as she smiled up at her daughter. 

“Are you alright, Mom?” Korra stood behind the chair opposite from her, not wanting to disturb whatever she had been working on. 

Her mother glanced at the clock on the stove and noted the time. “Well, if you’re up at this hour too, I suppose I should be asking the same thing,” she said with an appraising raise of her eyebrows. 

Korra shrugged, but couldn’t bring herself to say anything. 

“Sit down, dear. I’ll make us some more tea, hm?” Senna started to rise from her chair, but Korra moved to place a hand on her shoulder to signal that she would take care of it. Senna reached up and squeezed her hand gratefully. 

Once two steaming mugs of tea sat before them, Korra broke their companionable silence. “I didn’t know you liked to journal.” 

“Only when something particularly heavy is weighing on my mind,” Senna muttered, tapping a finger to the dark green cover. 

“Is it… is it about me, Mom?” It was obvious that Korra had her mother’s love and acceptance, no matter what - but what if the confirmation of Korra’s sexuality sat heavier on her heart than she had previously let on? 

Senna watched the steam rise from her mug. “Yes, but not in the way you are probably thinking.” She opened her mouth to speak again, but shut it slowly. Korra chose to be patient, giving her mother time to weigh her words. 

Looking up to meet her eyes, Senna spoke gently. “Korra, I knew this day would come, when you would tell me that you liked girls, too. It wasn’t a huge surprise to me, believe it or not. I’ve seen the signs since you were a very young girl.” Senna smiled at her daughter fondly. “From the moment I conceived you, my love for you has only grown by the day. Nothing, not a single thing, will ever change that.” 

Reaching forward, Korra averted her eyes to the salt shaker in front of her and grabbed it, just to have something to do with her hands. “So… you don’t think it’s wrong? For me to… love a woman?” 

Senna smiled at her daughter once more. “Is it wrong to have more love in this world, no matter what form it comes in? No. Love is love, Korra. And I watched you and Asami closely. You really do care for each other, don’t you?” 

Korra felt a blush tinge her cheeks. “She’s my world, Mom.” 

Humming a small laugh, Senna nodded appreciatively at Korra’s answer. She took a small sip of her tea before speaking again. “From the way she looks at you, I would say she feels the same way.” 

By simply speaking about their love, Korra felt as if someone had thrown another log on the fire that burned in her heart for Asami. She felt the warmth of her love spread throughout her, lighting up her features as if of their own volition. “She does.” 

“What more could a mother ever want for her daughter, than for her to love and truly be loved?” Senna reached across the table and took Korra’s hand. The gesture felt soft and gentle, but firm at the same time. 

“Thanks,” Korra muttered, but couldn’t quite meet her eyes. Being able to talk with her mother like this one on one, feeling her genuine love and acceptance, made tears spring up in her eyes. One look at her mom, and she would cry for sure. Korra rubbed at the back of her neck, desperate for something to do. 

Senna squeezed her hand one more time before returning it to her mug to take another sip. Korra followed suit and took a sip of her own. 

A few moments passed before her mother spoke again. “What is Asami’s relationship with her parents like?” 

Korra gave her a brief rundown of Asami’s history with her parents. When she had finished, Senna took a deep breath. “I knew something wasn’t right, there,” Senna commented. “Somehow I can tend to feel how someone needs to be loved, you know? It’s always just a hunch. Do you think it would be alright if I stepped up my game on loving her as one of my own? I didn’t want to crowd her today, or come on too strong.” 

“She would love nothing more.” 

Senna nodded, the gears turning behind her eyes, and Korra knew that Asami would have no problem with whatever Senna was planning. 

“So… she’s that Asami Sato, huh?” Senna grinned knowingly over her mug. While Asami had filled Senna in on her and Korra’s story, she had intentionally left out the fact that she was the CEO of Future Industries. 

Korra couldn’t help but feel like she was about to burst with pride. “She is, actually.” 

“Well, what do you know,” her mother laughed. “If she wants to tell me about it herself, I’ll be all ears. But otherwise, to me, she’ll just be Asami. I can’t wait to get to know her more.” 

“I know she can’t wait, either.” 

A few more minutes passed in silence. The clock on the stove flipped to 5:00 am, and while she felt tired, Korra also didn’t want to trade this quality time with her mom. She felt better after talking to someone for a minute, but she wasn’t sure if she wanted to try to sleep some more. She had forgotten how much she really missed her mother, and Korra felt like she might regret not spending this time with her. 

Korra needed to ask something, and she felt like now was as good of a time as any. “Dad… he didn’t take it very well, did he? That’s what’s really on your mind.” 

Senna gave her a sad look. 

“That’s why you’re up journaling, isn’t it?” 

She looked down at the table instead of confirming, but Korra took her lack of verbal response as confirmation enough. 

“You don’t have to protect me from him anymore, Mom,” Korra said adamantly, willing herself to sound brave. “I’m not a kid, and I can handle him. You don’t have to shield me anymore.” 

“I know, sweetie,” her mother said dejectedly, still not wanting to meet Korra’s eyes. “But a mother’s instinct to guard her child is strong and hard to ignore.”

“I won’t let him take this out on you. If he disagrees with me and the way I choose to live, he needs to take that up with me. Not you.” Korra felt a seething anger boiling up in her chest, and she had half a mind to go drag her father out of bed and lecture him in the same way she was sure he had lectured her mother before falling asleep. She didn’t know why her mother chose to stay married to him. 

Senna sighed. “He’s trying, Korra. He really is,” she spoke softly. “I was hoping you’d be able to see it more, how much he’s grown, but I’m afraid that your news shocked him a little more than it shocked me, and well… perhaps he has regressed a little in light of the news. I’ll admit his back and forth can be a bit… tiring.” 

Korra didn’t speak, but instead gripped her mug a little tighter. 

Senna continued. “We both know he’s not a bad man. He’s just worried about you and the life you’ve chosen. He thinks that a woman loving a woman is unnatural, something that shouldn’t be considered. He knows I stand with you, and nothing he can say or do will change that. He fears for what the rest of our family and friends will think.” 

Squeezing her mug even tighter, Korra wondered if it might break from her fury. She drew in a deep breath to calm down. “Friends, family, or whoever - if they can’t accept me for me, then they don’t deserve me to begin with.” 

“Damn straight,” Senna nodded and raised her mug to her. 

Korra couldn’t help but laugh at her mother cursing, since she never did that. She knew her mom was wisely dissolving the tension that had built up in their conversation. “You don’t think he would say anything to Asami, do you?” 

“Oh, no. I don’t think so,” Senna nodded her head as she looked out the window. The sun was beginning to rise, and the birds were beginning to sing their morning songs. “We both know that your father is a coward when it comes down to it. He may still feel like he has a claim on me and you, but Asami?” Senna looked at Korra and quirked a brow. “Something tells me Asami intimidates him already and can hold her own against him if need be. Imagine how he’ll feel when he learns that she’s a multimillionaire CEO of one of the world’s largest corporations!” 

Korra laughed again. “I have half a mind to tell him that as soon as he wakes up.” 

Senna laughed with her. “He’ll learn soon enough.” 

“You’re right about Asami though,” Korra grinned. “She’s stronger than anyone I know.” 

Before Senna could prompt her to start gushing about her girlfriend - to which Korra would have happily obliged - they both heard a door creak open. 

Looking to the kitchen doorway, Korra pleasantly regarded Asami, wrapped up in her robe with sleep still evident in her eyes. To Korra, it felt as if the sun itself had just walked into the room. Asami seemed to feel the same way, as her face lit up upon finding her. 

“Hey, you weren’t in bed so I came to find you,” Asami whispered, her voice still thick with sleep. It was only when she stepped towards Korra into the kitchen that she realized that they weren’t alone. “Oh! Senna, I didn’t know you were here,” she said as she frantically started smoothing out her hair. “Please forgive me for intruding, and for my appearance, I’m usually much more -” 

Senna stopped her with a motherly embrace. Asami hesitated at first, but Korra noticed how she melted into it. “Have some tea, dear. You look beautiful, as I’m sure you always do,” Senna chuckled as she looked to Korra to confirm. Korra nodded her head with exaggerated enthusiasm, and Asami rolled her eyes good-naturedly. “We were just talking about you, actually.” 

“Oh?” Asami looked to Korra to try to gauge whether it had been good or bad. Korra smiled warmly at her, and rose from her own chair to give her a hug of her own. 

“All good things,” Korra said sweetly as she kissed her love’s cheek. “How about I make us some coffee instead?” 

“Great idea,” Senna said as she stretched. “I’ll go get changed, and then how about I make us some pancakes, hm?” 

“I can get started on those if you’d like,” Asami offered helpfully. 

Senna stopped next to Asami and reached up to pet her hair. “Oh, no, dear. Don’t you deny this mama the opportunity to make her new daughter some pancakes.” 

She stepped out of the room, and Asami looked shocked - but in the best way. “Did she - did she just call me -” 

“She did,” Korra smiled as she leaned over to kiss her sweetly. “And that’s how she really sees you.” 

Asami put her fingers over lips, looking at the sun’s rays that had just begun to pour through the windows, not even bothering to hide the exuberance of her joy. 

——— 

Asami, Senna, and Korra chatted the morning away over two pots of coffee and a heaping stack of pancakes. Senna had kindly asked her how she liked her pancakes, and Asami had said she preferred blueberry best - but only after clarifying that she would be grateful for any way that Senna prepared them. 

“Better keep a watch on your blueberries, Senna,” Asami said in a jokingly serious tone. “Korra has a bad habit of stealing the last one on your plate.” 

Catching on that she was referring to their early flirtation in their first few days of knowing each other, Korra broke into a grin before adopting the same serious tone as Asami. “She’s right, I’m afraid. I’m a ruthless blueberry thief, but only if it’s the very last one.” 

Korra nudged Asami’s foot with her own foot under the table, and she playfully kicked back at her. They shared a glance, but Senna’s fork moving across her plate distracted her. 

“If you want my blueberries, Korra,” Senna joked as she positioned the last few bites of her pancake before reaching for more syrup. “You’ll have to make it across my syrup moat.” 

Asami whistled and shook her head, playing along. “Careful, Korra. You might not make it out alive.” 

Senna snorted, laughing at her own joke before she had a chance to say it. “You might find yourself in a sticky situation.” 

“Ohh, I see,” Asami appraised as she looked between Senna and Korra. “So Korra gets her love of puns from you.”

Korra threw up her hands in innocence. “Hey, don’t look at me. Getting into a pun war over syrup could turn viscous pretty fast.” She winked at Asami, and Asami just shook her head in amazement at how quickly she could fire puns off. 

Senna snorted again. “Yep, don’t worry. I’m tapped out.” 

Korra lost her composure, and Asami’s cheeks hurt from grinning so much. 

Just as Korra opened her mouth to follow up, Tonraq stepped into the kitchen and they went quiet. 

“Good morning, dear. I left you a plate on the counter,” Senna said to him as he poured himself a cup of coffee. 

“Thank you,” he said quietly, but not rudely. As he walked around the table to get his plate, he muttered a curt “good morning” to Korra and Asami before stepping onto the back porch with his food. 

Asami reached over to grab Korra’s hand. “Today is a good day,” she reminded her. 

Korra gave her a small smile. “Today is a good day,” she confirmed. 

Senna watched their exchange and positively beamed. She stepped behind Asami and began to play with her hair. Something so simple - but coming from the love of a mother, Asami soaked up the attention gratefully. 

“Now, what’s the plan for today? I miss cooking big meals, so I’ll handle the bulk of it. But some help from you girls would of course be appreciated,” Senna said as she arranged Asami’s hair back to perfection. 

“I’ll need to go check the animals, but as soon as I’m done I’ll help,” Korra assured her. 

“And I can help now,” Asami heard herself volunteering. Hesitantly, she added, “that is, if you want me to.” 

“Always, Asami. Always,” Senna patted her shoulder before gathering the ingredients from the pantry and fridge. 

“I’ll be back soon,” Korra said as she kissed Asami’s cheek. 

At Senna’s request, Asami settled herself in front of the sink, washing potatoes. A knot formed in her stomach when she saw Tonraq walking with Korra towards the barn. She knew Korra could take care of herself, but still… she wanted to be there for her in every possible way.

About a half an hour passed, and Asami found herself chatting easily with Senna as she tried to push her worry for Korra from her mind. Korra was usually done checking on the animals by now. 

As the conversation with Senna flowed, before she knew it, she brought up how sweet it was of Korra to turn the spare room into a home office for when she had to work from home. She had found herself bragging on Korra quite a bit, actually.

“I guess the work that comes from being a CEO never stops, huh?” A beat passed before Senna seemed to realize what she said. She set the potato she had been peeling onto the counter and shook her head. “Oh, shoot. I promised Korra I wouldn’t bring that up until you mentioned it to me first.” Senna pursed her lips and turned to face Asami. “I’m sorry, sweetie. Just know that to me, first and foremost, you’re Asami - the sweetest girl that I am so thankful to have the chance to know.” 

Leave it to Korra to remember that Asami felt a little self-conscious about her status sometimes. Korra was always looking out for her, no matter what - and in that moment, she decided that she couldn’t bear to wait on checking on Korra any longer. 

Asami reached over and grabbed Senna’s hand. “Thank you for saying that, Senna. It’s nice for people not to look at me through the lens of wealth and power sometimes. Korra really reminded me of what it felt like to be seen as… well, me.” 

“That’s my girl,” Senna beamed with pride. “Speaking of Korra, I think I’m going to step out and… um, ask her where that blue casserole dish is.” Concern showed through her small smile with her excuse, and Asami was grateful that they were on the same page. 

“Actually, do you mind if I go ask her? I think I could use some fresh air for a minute.” 

“Certainly, dear. I’ll get the potatoes on, and then we can start on the squash casserole when you get back.” Senna picked her potato and knife back up and got back to work. 

The morning was brisk and bright. As Asami made her way over to the barn, she looked at the cows grazing in the field and couldn’t help but marvel at how at home she felt out here in the country. She had always considered herself a city girl, but maybe Korra was changing that. Sucking in a deep breath of crisp air, she couldn’t say that she minded at all. 

She slowed her footsteps when she heard muffled voices coming from inside the barn. Not wanting to interrupt, but also wanting to stand with Korra if it came down to it, she decided to listen. 

“Korra, I just need you to listen to reason,” she heard Tonraq speak adamantly. Asami noticed a small crack in the wall and decided to peek inside. 

“And what reason would that be?” Korra’s voice sounded even and controlled, but Asami couldn’t help but hear the effort to keep calm behind those words.

“Are you sure you’re making the right choice, here? Have you even considered the consequences? A woman being with another woman like that” - Asami felt her own body tense up at the obvious sneer in his tone - “is… is…” He seemed like he knew exactly what he wanted to say, but hesitated to do so. 

Korra picked up a bag of feed to move it beside the correct barrel. She set it down with more force than necessary before turning to face her father. “Go ahead. Say it.” 

“Well, Korra, if you want the truth, it is both a sin and an abomination.” 

An abomination? Where on earth had he pulled that word from? 

Korra seemed to pick up on it immediately. “If you are going to start throwing Bible verses at me, Dad, you might want to read the whole thing first. Because there are quite a few areas in which God would be disappointed with you, too. I deal with God in my own way, with my own heart and mind. You are not invited to be a part of that.” 

It took all of Asami’s willpower to silence her inner cheer for her girlfriend. She seemed to be holding her own against her father well, after all. 

Tonraq huffed. “Korra, as your father -” 

“No,” Korra cut him off. “You lost that privilege a long time ago.” 

Tonraq continued, completely disregarding what Korra had just said. “As your father, I also have to look out for your mother, too. Do you really want to subject her, not to mention the rest of our family, to this kind of embarrassment?” 

“Mom has made her stance on this clear, so I don’t believe that tactic will work with me. Mom raised me to be strong, so I do believe she will be able to hold her own against whatever bigoted and judgemental comments our family throws her way.” Korra was losing her composure. There was a steel in her tone that Asami had never heard before. 

While she deliberated on whether or not she should step in, she watched Korra closely. She seemed angry, but still okay for the moment. Asami knew this was Korra’s battle, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t serve as reinforcements if needed. 

Suddenly, Tonraq’s tone shifted into something superior and domineering - spiteful, but in a victorious kind of way. He took on the tone of a master manipulator, someone who had years of practice under his belt. “Fine, Korra. If you’re going to make me say it, then I’ll say it - but if it hurts you, it’s your own fault. What’s someone like her doing with someone like you anyway? You think I don’t know who she is?” 

Asami waited for Korra’s retort, but it never came. She watched Korra’s countenance shrink, a furrow forming between her brow as she wrapped her arms around her middle. 

Tonraq continued. “What on earth is the CEO of Future Industries doing here, on a farm, in the middle of podunk Alabama, with you?” 

Holding herself back, she waited again for Korra to speak the truth, to speak of their love, to shove it in her father’s face that it was a fact that there was nowhere else Asami would rather be than where she was right now. 

“Oh what, all out of comebacks now? Hm?” Tonraq crossed his arms and sighed. Korra’s eyes turned towards the floor, but he pressed on. “I can see that you know I’m right. Think about this, Korra. What do you have to offer her? You don’t think that one day, sooner than you think, she’ll find someone who can actually offer her the life she deserves?” 

“It’s not like that,” Korra finally said, but her voice sounded small. 

“How can you know for sure?” Tonraq scoffed. 

Asami couldn’t stand on the sidelines for one moment longer. “Because she’ll have me, every day, for as long as she’ll have me around, reminding her that I love her,” she said as she rounded on Tonraq. 

His eyebrows shot upwards in surprise, but he covered it quickly. His tone changed to something much more friendly in Asami’s presence. “Oh, hello, Asami. I didn’t hear you walk up. Korra and I were just having a little chat. I’m not sure what you heard, but I’m sure you’ll allow me the chance to explain.” 

Asami stood to her full height and stepped between him and Korra. Korra hadn’t even looked her way, but instead kept her eyes cast downward in defeat. She didn’t have to examine Korra very closely to realize that her past emotional trauma had been triggered. 

Without thinking, Asami reached behind her and grabbed Korra’s hand. “Actually, Tonraq, I heard quite enough. I don’t think any explanation is needed for you trying to manipulate Korra into doubting that what we have is real.” 

Tonraq’s eyes darkened a shade, and he stood up a bit straighter himself. He was a large man, but Asami couldn’t be intimidated any less. The fierce desire to protect Korra could have easily given her the courage even to charge hell with a water pistol. 

“I think it’s best you remember your place, Asami. I’m Korra’s father, and -“ 

Asami didn’t bother to let him finish. “And I’m the love of her life,” Asami asserted. “And I think it’s fair to say that I care about her more than you ever have.” 

Tonraq barked a laugh full of mirth, trying to use humor to assert dominance in the conversation - to act as if it weren’t as serious as it actually was. “Oh, is that so?” 

Fortunately, Asami was quite familiar dealing with this tactic - men with an over-inflated ego and fragile sense of masculinity, so they made others feel small to make themselves feel bigger. She stood her ground. “I love your daughter with every fiber of my being, and I let that speak volumes in my own life through both my actions and my words, every single day since I’ve known her. Can you say the same, Tonraq?” 

He rolled his eyes. “This is between me and Korra, Asami. I think it’s best you let us finish our conversation in private.” 

“Not a chance,” Asami smiled, dazzlingly asserting a certain dominance of her own, stepping forward. “Because you see, you don’t frighten me. You may know how to get in Korra’s head, because deep down she still loves you - but I feel nothing of the sort for you, and at this point, I doubt I ever will. I am not one to be manipulated, and I think you can reference the success of my company for proof.” 

Tonraq unconsciously took a step back, then shook his head vehemently. “One day you and Korra will learn the hard way that you two, two women, were never supposed to be together in the first place. I pray that the Lord strikes you down in your sin.” 

Asami couldn’t believe what she was hearing. What Korra must have gone through growing up must have been much more traumatic than she ever detailed fully, being taught to doubt her own heart and mind. She decided right then and there that he would never get into Korra’s head again. 

“Hiding behind your religion to cast judgment on things you don’t understand is cowardice, Tonraq. You’re going to have to up your game as long as I’m around.” 

He pointed a finger towards Asami with a contemptuous sneer. “You listen here, girl -“ 

“I haven’t been a ‘girl’ for quite some time, actually, and I won’t be relegated to anything less than the formidable woman I am.” 

“I don’t know who you think you are, but -“ 

“I’m someone who cherishes every aspect of who Korra is - the strong, compassionate, loving woman she has become in spite of your influence on her life. Not to mention your wife, who shows you more grace than you deserve from what I can see.” She squeezed Korra’s hand, but it felt cold and limp. 

“You think you can just march in here and insult me in such a way? I don’t know who died and gave you the right to -“ 

“Enough.” Korra spoke flatly, but with purpose and conviction. “That’s enough.” 

Asami turned back to look at her girlfriend. Her expression was blank and her eyes held a depth of pain that made Asami’s heart ache. 

Tonraq raised his hands. “This has gotten out of hand,” he said with a rueful shake of his head. “How about we go inside and talk a bit more? I’m sure we’ll see eye to eye soon.” 

Korra stepped forward and released Asami’s hand, squaring up to her father. “No. This conversation is over.” 

“Korra, if you would just listen for once in your life, maybe you wouldn’t always end up hurting yourself,” Tonraq lamented in a tone in what Asami assumed he meant to have translated as heartfelt. 

“No,” Asami interjected. “You are the one who has hurt Korra her whole life. Be a decent human being and claim what you’ve done with remorse.” 

“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said with a shake of his head. Turning a cold, pitying expression on his daughter, he said, “If Korra isn’t over the past by now, maybe she needs to get some more help.” He used air quotes around the last word, showing his disdain for therapy. “What kind of therapist can’t even help herself, anyway?” 

At this point, Asami was ready to start throwing hands. She felt her own hands began to shake with outrage at how this man could treat someone as precious as Korra in this way. She opened her mouth to let loose a torrent of fury, but Korra spoke first. 

“You need to leave. You’ve had your chance. You no longer hold a place in my life.” Korra crossed her arms and looked her father square in the eyes. 

For the first time, Tonraq seemed to panic. “You can’t be serious,” he said dismissively. “You can’t kick me out of my own home, off of my land. I’ll stay as long as I please.” 

“Don’t you remember signing everything over to me when you moved? If I say you’re not welcome, you’re not welcome.” Korra’s voice sounded hollow. 

Tonraq balled his fists by his sides. “Fine. If you want to ruin our nice family holiday, fine. This has all gotten out of hand, and I won’t be the one to blame. I’ll go get your mother and we’ll pack our things. I hope you’re happy.” 

“Mom stays as long as she likes,” Korra said evenly. “And you won’t force her to go with you if she doesn’t want to.” 

“We’ll see about that.” Tonraq turned towards the door, and sighed heavily before turning to Korra once more. 

Asami stood tensed at the ready, prepared to pummel this man with a shovel if he said one more cross thing to her love. She had a good team of lawyers, a killer publicist, and a clean record. She wasn’t worried. 

Korra stood in place, regarding her father with an empty expression. 

“You’ll regret this day, Korra. You need to consider the ramifications of your actions,” he said quietly. 

“Goodbye, Dad.” 

And with that, he stormed off toward the house. 

Korra stepped backwards and sat down on a bale of hay. She put her face in her hands, as if she were trying to hide, crumbling before Asami’s very eyes. 

“Hey,” Asami said as she got down on her knees in front of her. “Hey, look at me.” 

Reluctantly, Korra looked up. Tonraq had robbed Korra of the light in her eyes, not for the first time - but as long as Asami was concerned, it would be the last. “Don’t listen to him, Korra. Remind yourself of what is true.” 

A broken sob escaped Korra’s lips. “Asami, I can’t hear the truth when the lies feel so loud.” 

“Will you allow me to help you?” Asami spoke tenderly. 

Korra nodded, and the second she did, Asami grabbed her face and held it in her hands, stroking her cheekbones with her thumbs. “You are Korra, full of light and love and laughter. You are the truest love of my life, my own personal love story. You’re the woman I’m going to spend the rest of my life with.” Asami hardly blinked, willing Korra to feel the truth behind her words. 

“What if my dad is right? What if I’m not good enough for you? You deserve the world, Asami. I can’t give you that.” Korra’s lips trembled. 

“Korra,” Asami poured her heart into her words. “What’s between my hands right now?” 

Korra hesitated before answering. “Me.” 

“Then I’m already holding the world,” Asami smiled as she placed her forehead to Korra’s. “I couldn’t ask for more.” 

“Do you really mean that?” Korra whispered. 

Asami kissed her, lingering near her lips. “With everything I am.” 

Tears spilled from Korra’s eyes, and she pulled Asami into a tight hug, burying her face into her shoulder. 

“I’m so proud of who you are, Korra. And I couldn’t be prouder to call you mine,” Asami pulled back to look at her. “I’ll happily tell you that every day until you believe it.” 

The corners of Korra’s mouth turned upwards, ever so slightly. “I think I already do.” She grabbed Asami’s hand, and Asami held it close to her chest. “Thank you for standing up for me, and just… just for being you,” Korra sniffed and wiped her nose with the back of her hand. “I think you even intimidated me a little.”

Asami opened her mouth to assure Korra that no thanks was needed and to give a good tease about being intimidating, but the sound of a car door slamming and tires throwing gravel interrupted her. 

“Let’s go check on Mom,” Korra said as a look of concern washed over her face. 

By the time they made it into the kitchen, they found Senna singing as she slid a squash casserole into the oven, looking unfazed as ever. 

“Oh hi, girls,” Senna trilled. “I was just about to come find y’all.” 

Korra approached her, looking a bit confused. “Are you okay?” 

“Better than ever, dear. I told your father that he could use a long, international flight alone to reevaluate his life. I told him I’d decide what I was going to do when I got home,” Senna spoke as if a burden had been lifted from her shoulders. 

Asami looked to Korra, who slowly started breaking into a grin. “Mom… do you mean you’re finally divorcing him?” 

Senna sighed bittersweetly. “I don’t mean to upset you in any way, but perhaps it’s time.” Senna then turned to Asami, who truthfully wasn’t quite sure what to make of the situation. “Oh, and here we are, dragging Asami’s Thanksgiving holiday through all of this drama. I’m sorry, sweetie.” 

Asami responded by stepping towards Korra and wrapping an arm around her waist. Something in Korra had shifted back to her normal self, and Asami was excited to welcome Korra’s true self back home. “Today is a good day, actually.” 

Korra nuzzled into her. “Today actually is a good day.” 

Senna slung the dish towel she had been holding over her shoulder and clapped her hands together. “Well, it’s about to get even better,” she said as she wrapped Korra and Asami both up in a group hug. “Tonraq was holding us back, anyway.” 

“Damn straight,” Korra said and Senna laughed as if it were some kind of inside joke. Korra caught Asami’s eye as if to say, tell you later. 

Senna stepped back towards the counter and positively glowed with excitement. “Okay, ladies! We have a lot to do. Asami? Please start us some good music to… what do you kids say? Jam out to? And Korra, if you would, grab the big boiler for the potatoes and that bottle of tequila you have hidden back in that cabinet” - Korra choked back a laugh - “yes, dear, you can’t hide anything from your mother - and a few shot glasses. Today, we’re celebrating being strong, independent women.” 

———- 

For Korra, it turned out to be quite a good day indeed. 

She, her mom, and Asami had stuffed themselves to the brim with all of their Thanksgiving favorites and were now sitting in the living room, flipping through old photo albums as they ate pecan pie. Korra had started a fire in the fireplace and Asami had turned on an old Bing Crosby album, and the whole atmosphere felt quite cozy. Having the two people she loved most in the world get along so well made her heart feel completely at peace. 

Regardless of what had happened earlier that day, they had all committed to still having a great Thanksgiving, and honestly, it wouldn’t have been half as great if her dad had been there. 

Asami sat on the floor at Senna’s feet, flipping through the old photos. Senna braided her hair as she did so, commenting on pictures here and there. 

“Oh! That’s Korra when she was about 18 months old. A dear friend of mine made us matching dresses with little sunflowers. Korra’s outfit included a bonnet, but she refused to wear it, the little stinker.” 

“Oh, this one! Look at Korra here. She was maybe… oh, 8 or so? Korra, when did you play on the Oak Grove Angels softball team? I always thought she looked so cute in her little uniform, but she always had to roll around in the dirt after each game - ‘practice her slide,’ she said.” 

“Ahh, that was when Korra was 5 and tripped near a grill and accidentally burned her hands because she caught herself on the grate. Asami, let me tell you - I think my soul actually left my body that day. Korra, do you still have those scars on your palms?” 

This went on and on, and she wasn’t sure who was enjoying it more - Asami or her mom. Korra sipped on her coffee, content to throw in a comment here and there, but to mostly give all the time possible with her mom to Asami. She deserved it and more. 

“Aww, Korra! Look at you here,” Asami exclaimed as she pointed to a picture of Korra’s bare bottom when she was maybe 3 or so, playing in the bathtub. “I guess you’ve always had that dimple on your butt, huh?” 

Korra snorted into her coffee, trying to cover her laugh at how red Asami had turned. It seemed as if she had just realized what her comment implied - that she’d seen Korra naked, let alone enough times to have noticed the dimple on her butt. 

Mercilessly, Senna shook from trying to contain her own laughter. Asami seemed to freeze on the spot, unsure of how to continue. 

In what she could best manage to be a shocked tone, Senna remarked, “Asami! How would you know about Korra’s special dimple?” 

“Um, well, uh - Korra?” Asami’s eyes shot over to her, pleading for help. 

“I don’t know, Mom. She must have snuck a peek at me in the shower or something. I mean, we’re not married, so of course we maintain separate sleeping quarters when we don’t have guests. Last night, obviously, I took the couch.” It was all Korra could do to play along. 

Asami shot Korra a lethal eat shit and die look. Korra had to look away, but her cheeks hurt from containing her glee. 

Finally, her mom broke. “Asami, dear,” she said as she grabbed Asami’s head and turned it up towards her as she leaned around to look at Asami’s face. “It’s about time Korra found someone who appreciates how hard she works for that body.” Then, she added, “I’ve always wondered if Korra still had that dimple anyway.” 

Asami looked both embarrassed and relieved all at once. 

“Mom, you could have asked that whenever you wanted. You know I don’t mind personal questions,” Korra laughed, not thinking about how personal her mom might get at the invitation. 

“Oh? Is that so?” Senna seemed to step up to the plate for her next challenge. “Okay, then. Is sex with a woman really better than sex with a man?” 

At this, Asami doubled over with laughter, clutching at her stomach when Korra did a spit take with her coffee. 

“10/10 would recommend,” Asami exclaimed when she had caught her breath. Korra couldn’t bring herself to throw in her two cents on the matter, though she thoroughly agreed with her girlfriend. 11/10. A million out of ten. 

“Good to know, good to know,” Senna chuckled with her. “I’ve only ever been with your father, you know. One does get curious.” 

Even though Korra felt mortified at even hinting at her sex life in front of her mother, she saw an opportunity to ask her mom something that had been itching at her mind. “So… are you really going to divorce Dad this time?” 

“You know… the more I think about it, I think so,” Senna sighed as she straightened up the pillows next to her on the couch. “For so long, I’ve always been who I needed to be for someone else. Your father, you, the community - and I don’t regret any of it,” she quickly clarified. “But perhaps it would be nice to find myself again. Maybe do the whole Eat, Pray, Love deal and see the world. Who knows? After watching you two, maybe even find a real love of my own one day.” 

Asami made an endearing face at Korra before turning around to face Senna. “I think that’s a wonderful idea, actually,” she said as she moved up onto the couch with her. “And you know, I’ve got plenty of connections around the world. I have a travel agent who’s wonderful, real estate investments here, there, and everywhere, and Julia Roberts is actually a lovely woman. I bet I could arrange an introduction so you could get the inside scoop on how to properly do Eat, Pray, Love.” 

For the second time that evening, Korra choked on her coffee. “You offering to bankroll my mom’s new life aside” - she paused to gesture openly with her hands - “which is super cool of you by the way,” she winked, “but when the hell were you going to mention you know Julia Roberts?” 

Asami rolled her eyes and dismissively waved her hand. “I know a lot of people. They’re all just people, Korra, so I suppose I hadn’t thought to mention it.” 

“Well, it’s not like Julia Roberts is my biggest celebrity crush or anything. I mean, honestly, she’s half the reason I realized I’m bisexual.” 

Asami appraised her statement with a raise of her eyebrows. 

Oh shit. “That is, of course, you were the true other half,” Korra stumbled over her words. “My other half! Obviously. Um… more than half. Have I told you how radiant you look today?” 

Asami relented and chucked a pillow at Korra. Playfully, she said, “Oh, sure. See if I ever introduce you to her now.” 

Senna nodded her head, jumping back into the conversation. “I knew it was unusual for a kid to ask to watch Pretty Woman so many times. Korra wore out the VHS tape.” 

Asami shot her eyes towards Senna. “You let your kid watch Pretty Woman? A whole movie about a hooker?” 

Senna jokingly retorted, lightning fast. “And you are intimately acquainted with my daughter’s rear end?” 

Throwing back her head in laughter, Asami seemed to thoroughly be enjoying their banter. “Touché, Senna. Touché.” 

“While we’re on the topic though, does Korra still have that cute little freckle next to her hoo-ha?” Senna leaned forward with a raised brow. 

Korra couldn’t believe what she’d just heard. First of all, she had a freckle where? And second of all, her mother was asking her girlfriend what? “Excuse me?” Korra asked in horror. 

Asami looked back and forth several times between Korra and Senna, judging whether or not to answer. Korra’s eyes begged her, and eventually, Asami shrugged at Senna and leaned back on the couch. 

“Thank you,” Korra sighed in relief at Asami’s loyalty - even if she would be inquiring for the answer later. 

“She does,” Asami muttered quietly from the corner of her mouth towards Senna. 

“Oh, you traitor,” Korra warned as she threw the pillow back at Asami. “You’ll pay for that later.” 

Asami raised her eyebrows at Korra in an oh really? kind of way, challenging her to prove it. 

“And on that note,” Senna said as she stretched and got up from the couch, “I think someone needs to go get the kitchen back in order.” 

Noting the disappointment in Asami’s eyes, Korra silently vowed to provide as much motherly time for Asami as possible. “It’s okay, Mom. I’ll take care of it. How about you and Asami turn on a movie, and I’ll come join you shortly?” 

Asami looked to Korra with adoration and gratitude. Korra winked at her. 

Senna turned towards Asami and conspiratorially whispered. “Too soon for a Christmas movie?” 

“Never,” Asami whispered back. 

Korra excused herself to the kitchen and got to work. If she were being honest with herself, she needed this time alone to reflect on her thoughts and feelings anyway. 

For the time being, her father was officially out of her life - and for that, she finally let the feelings of relief wash over her. All of her life, she had never fully acknowledged just how oppressive his presence in her life had been. Looking at it from a counselor’s perspective, she now expected to experience a season of growth - like shedding a hundred pounds that she had forgotten was on her shoulders to begin with. Perhaps one day she would be able to regard her father positively - but that day wouldn’t be coming anytime soon. 

Her mother could handle her own - she always had. Now that she had her mind made up, she knew that she and Asami would do everything in their power to make her dreams come to life. She deserved that and more. And with Asami’s generosity, paired with the love for her new mother figure - well, her mom could stand to have some pretty lofty dreams if she felt so inclined. 

She was so lucky to have Asami in her life. The way she stood by her side, stood up for her, and pulled her out of the familiar darkness with ease, like the sun itself rising, pulling her along with it - Korra couldn’t believe how influential for healing it could be for someone to love you unconditionally and without any agenda. 

Thinking of Asami, she felt herself gravitating back towards her, as she always did. The rest of the dishes could wait until tomorrow. 

About an hour had passed since Korra had gone back to the kitchen to put away the food and clean up. When she made her way back to the living room, her heart melted on the spot. 

Asami lay there asleep, her head on her mother’s lap. Senna softly combed her fingers through Asami’s hair, looking fondly down at her rather than watching the movie. When she noticed Korra walk in, she smiled and held a finger to her lips to signal for Korra to be quiet. 

Before settling herself into the armchair, Korra gently pulled a blanket over Asami. She leaned over to kiss her mother’s cheek and whisper a soft “love you, Mom.” 

Senna spoke a quiet “love you too,” and as Korra took in the life she had around her - she couldn’t help but marvel that she had more than ever to be thankful for this year.