Chapter Text

A month before their wedding, Korra and Asami had dinner with Varrick and Zhu Li. They had decided to draft the couple as their official wedding planners for two reasons: The first was that Varrick and Zhu Li's own wedding had been impressive and fun, despite the fact that it had been planned in less than a week. And the second was that both Korra and Asami were simply too busy to plan the darn thing themselves. The two of them were moving to Ba Sing Se in just a few short weeks, and Asami had been working twelve hour days trying to get management of the Republic City branch of Future Industries safely and completely transferred to her former foreman Lee Shun. Though she trusted Lee's ability to handle the increased responsibility, she still couldn't help her desire to make absolutely sure everything was done correctly.

And Korra had been spending equally long hours at the Republic City Police Department building, helping the Balance Task Force learn the ways of the spirits and the nature of balance. She, Haku and Jinora had spent innumerable hours with the members of the BTF, teaching them to meditate in to the spirit world, talk to and soothe spirits, and doing advanced bending training with the force.

Both women often came home completely exhausted, and it was all they could to do scrape dinner together before falling in to bed, only to wake up and do it all over again. That was why they had decided to ask Varrick and Zhu Li to plan their wedding, and the boisterous duo had accepted with gusto.

Now the four of them sat in Korra's favorite water tribe restaurant, slurping on seaweed noodles as they discussed the upcoming event. The table in front of them was completely covered in papers, color samples, pictures of flowers, and seating charts. Korra looked over it all with skepticism and said: "I don't know. All this seems really… big. Big and expensive."

"Korra, Korra, Korra," said Varrick, shaking his head and making a tsk-tsk noise. "You are the Avatar! You have to have a big wedding! It's the social event of a lifetime!"

Beside him, Zhu Li nodded her solemn agreement. "And you're marrying the wealthiest woman in Republic City. It has to be expensive," she said, pushing her glasses up on the bridge of her nose.

"I don't mind paying for it," said Asami to Korra.

Frowning, Korra said, "I can help pay for it."

"Not necessary," clipped Asami definitively. "I know for a fact that the Avatar gig doesn't exactly come with a cushy salary. Look, Korra, we've talked about this. I know you don't like to make a big deal out of things, but this is the one time where it might be a good idea to make an exception. People are going to expect this from us."

Privately, Korra did agree with that much at least. Over the past year since the creation of the BTF, she and Asami had been launched in to the public eye to an extreme degree. Korra was used to the constant presence of the press in her life, but now they had begun to follow Asami, too. With Future Industries funding the BTF and the public announcement of their romantic relationship and subsequent engagement, it seemed like hardly a day went by where one of the two of them wasn't on the front page of some newspaper or magazine.

So yes, they would be expected to have an extravagant wedding. But over the past year, Korra had come to understand one thing above all else, and she voiced it now. "I don't care what people expect when it comes to the two of us, Asami. Our relationship is between you and me, not you, me, and the Republic City Times."

"Just because it's a big event doesn't mean it's not still about you and me," said Asami, reaching over to take Korra's hand. "It's still our wedding. I'm not exactly thrilled about it being a big brouhaha either, but I bet that after the wedding is over, all I'll remember about the day is how beautiful you looked and how lucky I felt to be the one who gets to call you my wife. I'm willing to put up with all the annoyance of the wedding ceremony because it's only one day. The important thing is that I get to be with you for the rest of my life."

It had been over a year and a half since Korra and Asami had taken their vacation to the spirit world and become lovers, but there in the restaurant, Korra felt butterflies in her stomach at Asami's words as if their relationship was brand new. Even after all this time, Asami still managed to make her swoon with love almost every single day. She smiled affectionately at her lover. "You do know how to sweet talk a girl," she said. Then she looked at Varrick and Zhu Li. "I guess we're having a big giant wedding, then. Let's hear what you've got."

"Great!" exclaimed Varrick. "You're gonna love what we've got planned! Zhu Li, show them the uh… The thing!"

Happily complying, Zhi Li lifted a heavy binder out of a bag sitting beside her on the floor and plopped it unceremoniously on the table in front of them. Then she and her husband began relaying information and plans in rapid succession, feeding off each other's excitement.

Asami listened with half an ear, looking at the couple with a wistful smile on her face. The two of them had been together for almost exactly as long as she and Korra had. Varrick had proposed to Zhu Li in Asami's office during the battle with Kuvira and they had been married just a few short days later, and after their wedding Korra and Asami had gone to the spirit world and eventually confessed their love for one another. On the surface it didn't seem like the relationship between Varrick and Zhu Li had changed at all since moving from boss and assistant to husband and wife, but Asami had gotten to know the two of them very well over the last year and a half while they worked together rebuilding Republic City. Where there had once been arrogant demand in Varrick's frequent orders to Zhu Li, Asami now saw a grateful reliance in his blue eyes. There was no doubt in his mind any more that he was only half the man he could be without Zhu Li by his side. Though he still made demands of her, they were always demands she herself was eager to follow. They were a team, and now they both knew it.

It was an unusual relationship, but it worked for them. Asami was pleased to see them both so happy. And seeing them filled Asami with hope, because it helped to waylay her misgivings about her own relationship with Korra.

She knew it was silly, but a part of her still wondered if perhaps she wasn't quite good enough for Korra.

Korra deserved a partner who was on her own level. Korra was the whole package—smart, beautiful, strong, powerful, fun, and funny. She was the Avatar, the greatest bender on the entire planet. She was the hero of humanity, destined to protect and serve both humans and spirit alike. She was the chosen partner of Raava, the spirit of light and hope. She was, quite simply, the most important person in two worlds.

And who was Asami? She was a non-bender. She was a businesswoman. She was the daughter of a man who had died a prisoner for unspeakable acts, including the attempted murder of his own daughter. She was… human. Insignificant, powerless, and weak.

Asami shook herself out of her train of thought. She couldn't understand where these thoughts were coming from. Of all the things Asami was, self-pitying was not one. Nothing Korra had ever said to her indicated that she felt this way at all. It was coming from a place deep inside her, a place that still stung with hurt over her father's betrayal. She wondered if she would be thinking about this had her father not attacked her that day over five years ago. She forced herself to think rationally: Korra loved her, and that's all that mattered.

As if sensing her tumultuous thoughts, she felt Korra take her hand again, interlacing their fingers and pulling their hands up to kiss the back of her palm. "What do you think?" she asked, her blue eyes filled with affection.

"I think it sounds lovely," replied Asami, having no idea what Korra was talking about.

"Great," said Zhu Li. "Then we'll go ahead and make the arrangements. Don't you two worry about a thing—we'll take care of everything."

"What about my parents?" said Korra. "They'll need to be picked up and brought to the-"

"Stop worrying about things!" snapped Varrick. "You heard what the lady said!"

Korra and Asami laughed. "Ok, ok," said Korra fondly. "I get the picture. Is that everything then? Are we done?"

For some reason, Varrick and Zhu Li both looked a little uncomfortable. "Erm… Not quite," said Varrick. "There is one more thing. You see, I've been thinking about that idea I had a while back about making a docu-mover."

"No," said Korra immediately. "I don't want to star in your mover, Varrick."

Zhu Li nodded. "We know," she said. "That's why we'd like to make one about you, Asami."

Asami's first instinct was to laugh, but then she saw that not only did Varrick and Zhu Li look serious, but a grin was also forming slowly on Korra's face, as if she might be approving of the idea. "Me?" said Asami incredulously. "Why me?"

"That is a great idea!" said Korra. "She would be perfect!"

"I would?"

"Yeah! You're awesome, Asami. You lead an amazing life, and you're a great role model. People would love to see a mover about you."

"We think so, too," added Varrick. "We've worked with you for a long time, Asami, and we think you've got the stuff. Headstrong, independent, and not to mention you're a real looker."

Asami gaped at him. "Are you going to let him sit there and gush over me like that?" she asked Zhu Li. "He's your husband."

"Of course he is. That's why it's okay for him to gush. I've got the ring, honey," replied Zhu Li, wiggling her left hand in front of Asami's face.

Dumbfounded, Asami could only shake her head. An unusual relationship indeed.

"Look, you don't have to make any decision right away, but we're bringing it up because we'd like your permission to film the wedding. That way if you say yes down the line then we'll have the footage, and if you say no, well, at least you'll have the film to remember your wedding day," said Zhu Li.

Even Asami had to admit that it did seem like a good idea to film the wedding at least. She'd certainly appreciate having a record of the day. From all accounts she'd heard, a woman's wedding day had a tendency to go by in a blur and she wanted to be able to savor the event without worrying that it was going by too fast.

"Alright," she said. "I don't know about the docu-mover, but you can film the wedding as long as Korra doesn't mind."

"I don't mind at all," said Korra with a grin. She winked at Varrick and Zhu Li before adding: "And we can discuss the docu-mover later."

After they had finished eating, Korra and Asami returned to their apartment and changed in to pajamas, then cuddled up together on the couch to listen to the pro-bending match on the radio. Korra reclined with her back against the cushions, and Asami laid against her, her head on Korra's shoulder and an arm wrapped firmly across her stomach. These quiet moments together were like air for Korra; she had grown to need this type of simple intimacy in her life. When she held Asami in her arms like this, Korra could feel the rest of the world and all its troubles fading away. As the Avatar she rarely got to feel as though she were separate from those troubles. Outside of this apartment she needed to be the image of strength and confidence, but here with Asami she could simply be Korra. She didn't have to work to maintain her image because Asami accepted her exactly as she was.

It was something she was immeasurably grateful for. It would be impossible for Korra to express in words just how much it meant to her, but she was certain that Asami knew anyway. She could tell by the way Asami held her so tightly, totally uninterested in moving out of their embrace. It was obvious that Asami intended to sit here like this for as long as Korra wanted, and that she was completely content to do so. Korra turned her head and planted a soft kiss on Asami's forehead, running her hand through Asami's soft black hair. She smiled when she felt Asami sigh happily.

"The wedding is going to be beautiful," said Korra. The match had ended and Korra had reached over and turned off the radio, though neither woman made any move towards getting up from their cozy little cocoon. "I'm glad we picked those two to plan it."

"Me too. Their flair for drama is impeccable. The press will have plenty of great photo ops."

"No kidding. I wonder if they'll really be able to find a hundred turtle-doves to release during the ceremony. I kind of hope they don't. It doesn't sound like a very good idea to have a bunch of birds flying over a large crowd in formal wear. If one of them drops a bird-poop bomb, we might get stuck with the cleaning bill."

"Gross, Korra," laughed Asami. "I can't believe you're ruining our romantic moment by talking about bird poop."

"What's un-romantic about bird poop? Nature is romantic, Asami."

"You're insufferable." Asami reached over and grabbed a pillow, playfully hitting Korra with it.

Korra gave a mock gasp. "Spousal abuse!" she exclaimed. "Marriage really does change people!"

"We're not married yet. Keep it up and we might never be married."

With a mischievous grin, Korra snatched the pillow and held it up threateningly.

"Don't you dare," warned Asami. "If you swing that pillow at me…"

Korra swung, lightly smacking Asami on the shoulder.

"Oh, now you're in for it!" She lunged for Korra, but with a fighter's swiftness Korra jumped off the couch and took off down the hallway towards their bedroom, cackling maniacally. "Get back here!"

Asami chased her to their room, where Korra ran to the other side of their bed, putting it between herself and Asami. When Asami made to go around it, Korra circled around in the other direction. When Asami came towards her again, she reversed her path. Finally, she feigned left but then went right, surprising Asami by attacking instead of retreating. She grabbed Asami around the waist and, with both of them giggling, pulled them both down to the bed. Their laughter died down quickly as Korra pressed their bodies and their lips together, though Korra could feel Asami's smile through the kiss. When she pulled back the smile was still in place, lighting up Asami's emerald green eyes.

"I can't wait to be married to you, Korra," said Asami, reaching up to run her thumb over Korra's lips.

"Me either. I don't know what I did to get this lucky, but I sure am glad I did it."

As she looked up in to Korra's blue eyes, Asami remembered her early musings about her relationship with Korra. It didn't matter what Asami thought of her own worthiness. The only thing that mattered was the depth of the love Asami could see in Korra's eyes. Asami knew without a doubt that Korra's love for her was true and unconditional, and that she felt the same about Korra. That was the base on which they would build their lives together, and anything else could be dealt with as long as they had that solid foundation.

She lifted her head to initiate a kiss, savoring everything about the moment, just as she always did when she and Korra were together. Korra's body and touch was familiar to her, but that didn't stop the thrill that ran through her from head to toe. She couldn't imagine ever getting tired of being with Korra this way.

In the morning, Korra awoke first and spent a long time watching Asami sleep. She noted the way the morning sunlight illuminated brown highlights in her hair, how her hand was curled up close to her face, how her chest rose and fell with each breath, and how her closed eyelids flickered, presumably in response to whatever she was dreaming. Asami's face was calm and unguarded, and Korra thought that although Asami looked beautiful with her make-up on, she looked equally as beautiful without it.

Love for this woman swelled within her and she decided she wanted to do something nice for Asami. She leaned over to lightly kiss her forehead before climbing out of bed and throwing her pajamas back on. Quietly, she left the bedroom and went in to the kitchen to cook up something for breakfast.

The smell of sizzling bacon woke Asami. She was disappointed to see the other half of the bed unoccupied, but it was tempered by the knowledge that Korra was most likely in the kitchen. She rose, put on her bathrobe, and went to find out what her fiancée was up to. Instead of announcing her presence right away, she leaned against the doorway and watched Korra for moment, appreciating the sight of her sleep-tousled hair and pajama-clad form.

This was domestic bliss, thought Asami. Nothing could be better than waking up and seeing her very best friend cooking her breakfast in their kitchen. Finally she crossed the kitchen and encircled Korra's waist from behind. Korra leaned back in to the embrace. "Good morning," she said.

"Good morning," replied Asami. "Are you cooking me breakfast?"

"No, I'm cooking myself breakfast. You can fend for yourself."

"You can't fool me. I know you too well. I think you're doing this for me."

"You caught me," said Korra, smiling and turning in their embrace. "You looked so cute this morning, I couldn't resist."

"Well thank you." Asami kissed her lightly before releasing her and turning to the cupboards to get them both some dishes. "You treat me way too well."

Korra shook her head. "Impossible. You deserve the absolute best, Asami." They sat at the table to eat. Taking a sip from her orange juice, Korra asked: "So are you planning to talk to Lee today?"

"Yeah," said Asami. "We're both going to be at the office all day wrapping up some contracts, so I should have plenty of time to talk to him."

With Korra and Asami moving to Ba Sing Se in just a few short weeks, they had both been preparing to hand the reigns of their respective projects off to a capable second-in-command. For Korra, passing the leadership of the Balance Task Force was going to be a relatively simple matter. Haku Ai, the former representative from the Earth Republic state of Gethen who had relocated to Republic City, was perfectly capable of running the force by himself. He was considered one of the world's foremost experts on spirit relations, and Korra had every confidence in his ability to keep the organization running smoothly.

Future Industries, on the other hand, was quite reliant on Asami's guidance to perform its duties. Over the last couple of years since Harmonic Convergence and the appearance of the spirit vines in the city, Asami herself had become something of an expert on the subject of spirits. In many cases the spirits had only agreed to certain construction projects because of Asami's involvement with it. They trusted her. But now Asami was leaving the Republic City branch of Future Industries in the hands of her construction foreman Lee Shun. Asami had been working closely with Lee over the last couple of months, helping him to learn about the spirits and making sure that the spirits knew and respected him. The last phase of his spiritual education was a trip to the spirit world.

For their honeymoon, Korra and Asami were planning to spend some time in the spirit world. But after a week or so, they wanted to have Lee come and join them so that Korra and Asami could teach him about the spirits in their own homes. It was an idea that Korra and Asami had discussed at length before ultimately deciding that it was the best course of action. Lee didn't know about it yet, but Asami felt pretty sure he would be okay with it. He was eager to learn, and she had been pleased with his interactions with the spirits so far. It looked like they were coming to trust Lee just as they did Asami.

"Good. I know it's going to cut in to our honeymoon time, but I have to admit I'm excited to teach Lee what we know about the spirits," confessed Korra.

"Who would have guessed that teaching would be your calling? From the way Tenzin tells it, you resisted his efforts to teach you airbending with everything you had in you," teased Asami.

Korra laughed. "I did. Remind me to apologize to him the next time we see him." She stood and began collecting their empty plates, and Asami watched her from the table. She knew better than to try to help Korra, who would only shoo her away, claiming that Asami would get in the way while she used waterbending and airbending to clean off their dishes. "Teaching is very rewarding. The BTF is coming along so well, and I'm really proud of what they've accomplished. I'm excited to do the same thing for the BTF in Ba Sing Se."

"We have plenty of things to be excited about, don't we?" said Asami. "The wedding, the honeymoon and the move."

Korra took her hand and pulled her up from her seat, wrapping her arms around Asami's waist. "It's true. But then, I'm excited about every day that I get to spend with you," she said, grinning when Asami rolled her eyes.

"Such a cornball," muttered Asami, but she draped her arms over Korra's shoulders and ducked down for a kiss all the same. "Come on. It's time to get ready. We can't hang around here flirting all day. We need to be responsible adults."

Frowning petulantly, Korra nonetheless followed Asami back to the bedroom obediently. There would be time for kissing later, she reasoned. But a part of her was still grumpy about it; despite living together, Korra sometimes felt as though there wasn't enough time for her and Asami to just enjoy being together. She hoped the upcoming move to Ba Sing Se would fix that. At the very least, they had their honeymoon in the spirit world to look forward to. And twenty minutes later as she watched Asami drive away towards her office and extended her glider to go to the police station in the opposite direction, she found herself doing just that.