Chapter Text
It’s always the same question.
“Ms. Sato, what’s next for Future Industries?”
Easily enough, the answer is always the same: “That’s a question we ask ourselves everyday. There’s a reason why we’re called Future Industries - we’ve gathered the most innovative minds together to develop the top-of-the-line technology that will revolutionize the world. Together, we try to solve tomorrow’s problems today.”
But there’s another question that has crossed Asami’s mind everyday now too. “What’s next for us?”
Her relationship with Korra felt such a natural progression - first being acquaintances, to friends, to best friends, to lovers… becoming each other’s girlfriends, sleeping together, moving in with one another - the timing of these milestones just always felt so right.
So, what was next?
The answer was clear: marriage.
They were ready, Asami knew it in her heart, and tonight, she was going to ask Korra to take that next step with her.
She had been working on the necklace for months. It was hard, keeping the secret from Korra, telling her that she had a few ‘business trips’ to attend to, when in reality, Asami was in the South Pole, working with Tonraq to carve a betrothal necklace for Korra.
It was scary at first - using the portal in Republic City to pass through the Spirit World. Asami had never gone into the Spirit World without Korra, and so a large part of her was terrified - she had read about how a spirit had once taken the face of the last Water Tribe Avatar’s love, and well, Asami very much would like to keep her face.
Still, the further she got from the portal and the deeper she went into the Spirit World, the more Asami realized just how familiar she had gotten with the place through her visits with Korra. There were familiar spirits there who were excited to see her and help her on her journey. Even the dragon bird spirit, who had always seemed to sense Korra, seemed now to sense her too. To Asami's relief, the spirit found her and took her to wherever she needed to go without question.
Within time, Asami grew comfortable exploring the Spirit World on her own, making new spirit friends along the way. So much so that when it came time to decide what stone she wanted to use for Korra’s betrothal necklace, it only seemed fitting to incorporate small diamonds from stone from the Spirit World.
It took some time to get the carvings just right. Being a perfectionist and engineer, Asami developed a machine to do the meticulous work for her. Asami wanted every detail, every shape to be carved just right, and she trusted her machines to do it.
It took some time, but finally, it turned out perfect, and tonight, Asami would finally get to show Korra her greatest project.
Korra was late.
They had agreed to have dinner on the roof of their apartment at 7:30.
Ten minutes passed. Korra probably got sidetracked with Avatar business, nothing to worry about.
Asami had hired the best event planner to decorate the roof for tonight - blue lanterns were hung in zigzags above her, red flower petals were scattered on the floor and the table. The necklace was in Asami’s purse, which Asami couldn’t help but to hold close to her, protecting it, but from what she wasn’t sure.
Another ten minutes passed and Asami started to worry. Should she go back to their apartment to see if Korra made it home?
She held the purse tighter, pressing it into her chest so it would stop her heart from beating too fast.
Sure there were times when one or the other ran late, but instinct told her that this time was different.
Her thoughts were interrupted with the sound of a small pitched voice.
“Asami you have to come right away,” Asami snapped her head to see the light spirit, it’s small yellow legs having up at her to catch her attention. He wasn’t alone, a few dragonfly bunny spirits appeared as well.
“What’s going on, is it Korra? Is she okay?” Asami asked.
The light spirit shook it's head, and suddenly the dragon bird spirit appeared, and Asami knew the spirit was there to take her to Korra.
Asami dropped her purse and climbed on immediately, with the light spirit hopping on as well while the dragonfly bunny spirits followed.
“You have to tell me what happened,” Asami managed to say while they were flying, to where Asami didn’t know.
“Korra was attacked in the Spirit World,” the light spirit said.
“What happened?” Asami gasped.
“We don’t know. She found her passed out. A few spirits reached out to Jinora right away to go get her, while we went to go find you.”
Looking out at her surroundings now, Asami realized that the dragon bird spirit was taking them to Air Temple Island.
Korra was going to be fine, Asami tried to convince herself. She’s with Jinora and Tenzin. Kya’s visiting too - she can heal her. Korra’s okay. Korra’s strong.
But why was Korra in the spirit world in the first place? If there was something wrong - if something was not in balance, Korra would have told her, right?
When they finally landed the island, Pema was immediately there to guide her to where Korra was.
Asami opened the doors to find Korra there, eyes closed, unconscious, with Tenzin and Kya by her side.
“How is she? Is she okay?” Asami demanded, rushing by Korra’s side, immediately feeling relief when she noticed Korra was still breathing.
“Physically, she’s okay,” Kya told her, as she finished her healing session. “Her spirit’s still here, so she isn’t stuck back in the Spirit World. It’s just - there’s some kind of spiritual block in her mind. I can sense it, but I can’t heal it, because there isn’t anything there to heal.”
Asami looked down at Korra and tucked the loose strands of hair on her face behind Korra’s ear.
“No... please...” Korra began to mumble softly.
“Korra!?” Asami placed her both hands so that they were both hands were on the sides of Korra’s face, though Korra was still unresponsive and continued to sleep.
“She must be dreaming,” Kya said softly.
“Asami, do you know what happened?” Tenzin asked. Asami shook her head.
“How was she when you found her?” Asami asked Jinora.
“She was unconscious, but oddly enough, she was by the portal already. Naga was with her the entire time,” Jinora said.
Asami furrowed her brows, trying to piece together all of the possible things that could have happened to Korra.
“She’s going to be fine, Asami. She’s going to get through this - it may take some time, but Korra’s resilient. The most important thing we can do is to be there for her when she wakes,” Tenzin said.
Tenzin was right - Asami was going to be there for Korra, because there was nothing or no one that could stop Asami from leaving her spot by Korra’s side.
Mako and Bolin came not too long after asking the same questions. No one seemed to know why Korra was in the Spirit World.
“I can ask around - figure out what happened,” Mako said
“No, please stay,” Asami said, looking over at Korra. “You can be a detective after she wakes up.”
“I’m sorry,” Mako walked up to where Asami was sitting and hugged her.
“Yeah, I know tonight was supposed to be the big night,” Bolin added, giving Asami his hand to pull her up so that she could hug the both of them.
“I just want her to be okay,” Asami sighed.
“She will be,” Asami heard a voice. She looked over to see that the light spirit was still there and had entered the room with Mako and Bolin. “I can still sense Raava.”
Asami smiled in relief.
She turned back to the door and saw Naga’s head peeping through the entrance. Feeling terrible she had neglected Naga, Asami stood up and walked over to the polar bear dog, while Mako took Asami’s place in the chair next to Korra.
“You’re such a good girl,” Asami said to Naga. She placed a kiss to the top of Naga’s head. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
There was somber silence for a few minutes.
Until they heard the sound of groaning.
“Hmm. Mako?” Asami heard Korra say, tiredly.
“Korra!” everyone said at once. Asami and Bolin ran to Korra’s side. By time Asami reached her, Korra had fully opened her eyes.
“I’m so glad you’re awake,” Asami sighed in relief and sat down on the bed next to Korra’s side.
Only for Korra to move further away from Asami. Was Korra still hurt, was she in pain, and didn’t want to be touched?
“Thanks to Naga,” Korra smiled nervously. She glanced over to Mako, “and thanks to you too,” she said more softly.
Asami stared at Mako, who looked just as confused as Asami.
“Korra!” Tenzin came running in, having heard the commotion. “What happened?”
“Well, first off, Tarrlok isn't who he says he is,” Korra sat up straight. “He's Yakone's son.”
“Tarrlok?” Asami asked, fighting the urge to take Korra’s hand. “That’s impossible.”
“Amon captured him and took his bending,” Korra said seriously, shock still evident in her voice.
It was silent for a few moments. “Korra… that was 6 years ago.”
Korra shook her head and Asami began to panic yet again.
“No. No - Naga found me and Mako you - you carried me, remember? Just a few hours ago.”
“No,” Asami stood up. “Korra you came from the Spirit World. Remember?”
“That’s impossible, I was there - in a box and… the Spirit World? What?” Korra pressed her hand against her temple and shook her head again.
“That couldn’t have been six years ago, could it?” Korra looked at Tenzin for answers.
“Everyone, out -” Kya came in. “Out!” Kya demanded when no one moved. “She needs another healing session.”
Bolin had to help the unwilling Asami out the door.
“This must be the spiritual block Kya was sensing earlier,” Tenzin said.
“That healing session isn’t going to help,” Asami crossed her arms. “Kya said so herself - there’s nothing to heal. What Korra needs is to connect with her spiritual self - if we get her into the Spirit World-”
“It’s not safe,” Mako began.
“You think I don’t know that?” Asami snapped, before realizing her tone. She took a deep breath. “Korra lost her memory before when she was attacked by a spirit, and she was able to get it back by connecting with Raava. Maybe, if we take her to the Tree of Time again, she’ll get it back.”
“If whatever attacked her is still there, we should all go there. But it has to wait until tomorrow - maybe after Korra gets some rest, she might remember what exactly happened to her. Until then, I’ll have the Airbenders guard the portal - whatever attacked Korra might try to come into Republic City.”
“But if Korra was no match for the spirit, then none of us are really safe” Bolin began before sensing a glare from Mako, “No, you’re right, positive thoughts.”
“I think we should all let Korra be for the rest of the night. It might be too confusing for her to try to piece everything together.”
“I’m staying,” Asami said.
“Asami - I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Mako said.
“I’m staying,” Asami asserted, and everyone knew better than to disagree.
“Whatever we do, we have to make sure we only explain what she needs to know tonight to be ready for tomorrow. So much has changed in these past few years, and I don’t want to overwhelm Korra. So please, I’ll take the lead on talking to Korra about everything, but we should all do our best to hold off any major news until after our trip to the Spirit World tomorrow.”
“Hi,” Asami said, having entered Korra’s room first once Kya left.
“Hey,” Korra said slowly.
“How are you feeling?”
“As good as anyone who just realized six years of her life was just gone, I guess” Korra sighed, slumping back against the bed rest.
“It wasn’t your fault, Korra,” Asami said, wanting so badly to lie down next to Korra and hold her, like she normally did when Korra was feeling disappointed with herself. “You were attacked by a spirit,” she began.
“This whole thing is just so weird, you know? The more I think about, the more I see just how much has changed. Jinora’s half a foot taller, you’re wearing your hair up, Bolin’s got his hair slicked back. Same with Mako actually. And speaking of Mako, he’s -”
Korra paused, opening her mouth to speak before closing it again.
“He’s Mako,” Asami joked.
“Are you guys still together?” Korra said hesitantly.
“Oh no,” Asami nearly laughed. “I’m involved with someone,” she flirted in spite of herself.
Asami recognized a hint of a smile on Korra’s face.
Only to remember the context of the situation: 6 years ago, Korra was in love with Mako.
“That explains why you’re dressed so nicely. Did you have a hot date?”
For the first time since she arrived on the island, Asami remembered she was still dressed for their date. “You really don’t remember anything we did these last 6 years?” Asami asked, ignoring Korra’s question.
“No,” Korra looked down. “Look, I wouldn't take it personally, I don’t remember any memories with anyone.”
But Asami wasn’t just anyone.
“Anyways, I brought you some tea,” Asami said, plastering on a smile and finally passed the cup to Korra.
“Thank you,” Korra said politely.
Asami said nothing, but watched as Tenzin came in with the others and explained to her what the plan was, but Asami barely paid attention - all her thoughts were on Korra. Should she tell her? She shouldn’t… right? It would only confuse Korra more. She should just wait until after their trip to the Spirit World tomorrow.
“So it’s agreed - first thing tomorrow, we’ll all go to the Spirit World and go to the Tree of Time,” Tenzin concluded.
“Good night Korra,” everyone said as they left the room.
Asami paused. She didn’t want to leave.
“Oh, did you need something” Korra asked, realizing Asami was still there when everyone had left.
“You didn’t finish your tea,” Asami pointed out.
“Oh yeah. I actually don’t really like tea,” Korra shrugged.
“What are you talking about? You-” Asami stopped, seeing the confused look again on Korra’s face.
Of course, Korra didn’t remember.
But Asami did.
And what Asami was remembering in that exact moment was that 6 years ago, Mako gave her tea after Korra’s encounter with Tarrlok so many years ago. Korra seemed to have no problem drinking tea back then.
“Do you still live here?” Korra asked slowly when she noticed Asami wasn’t leaving.
“No,” Asami shook her head. “I live back in Republic City.”
With you, she wanted to say.
“Oh. Well, it’s late. I know the ferry doesn’t run this late anymore, and I’m sure Tenzin has a spare room for you. Or guess, some of the new airbenders might be able to take you back?” Korra scratched her head, still trying to wrap her head around that bit of information Tenzin told her. If only Korra knew just how much had changed.
“Don’t worry about me, get some rest Korra.”
“I don’t know why I’m the one that always has to come see you,” Asami mumbled against Korra’s lips. “When you’re the one with an Airbender staff that you can use to come see me wherever and whenever.”
“Says the woman with an airship,” Korra peppered kisses across Asami’s chin, “Let’s face it,” Korra pulled back to look Asami confidently in the eyes. “You love the fact that you can use the ferry as an excuse to not go back home.”
Asami closed her eyes in bliss as Korra pushed them against the door of Korra’s room on Air Temple Island, Korra’s mouth now roaming around Asami’s neck.
“No,” Asami swallowed a gasp as Korra began to suck on Asami’s pulse. “I hate that we have to sneak around."
“So what do you think we should do about that?” Korra smirked, leaning in for a kiss.
“Move in with me,” Asami pulled back to look at Korra honestly. “No more ferry rides, no more late night flights, come with live me.”
“Asami-”
“I know it’s only been a few months, but it makes sense. You’ll be closer to the city in case of an emergency. Naga has plenty of space-”
“Asami!” Korra interjected again, laughing. She ran her hands up and down Asami’s arms to soothe her before taking Asami’s hands in hers. “Okay. Let’s do it.”
“Really?”
“Let’s move in together,” Korra pressed her forehead against Asami’s.
Asami woke up to the sound of laughter in the courtyard.
She looked out the window to see Korra playing with Tenzin’s kids.
Asami smiled at the sight of Korra being so relaxed in spite of everything.
There was a knock at her door - Asami answered it to see Opal, with a bag of Asami’s clothes.
“Thanks Opal,” Asami said. Sleeping in her dress from last night was certainly not comfortable, but was better than sleeping with it off (and having her mind think about all the other times she took her clothes off on Air Temple Island).
“And my purse?” Asami asked, hoping Opal had found it still on her roof.
“I put it on your bed like you asked,” Opal said.
Asami excused herself to change and when she returned, Opal was looking out the window, watching Korra.
“It’s weird, isn’t it?” Opal said.
“You don’t have to tell me,” Asami had a headache just trying to fathom what was happening.
“At least Korra knows who you are. She doesn’t even know me,” Opal sighed.
Asami sat on the bed. “I don’t know what I’d prefer,” Asami thought. “Because right now, Korra has some old impression of who I am. At least for you, you guys can have a fresh start.”
“It’ll be hard though, especially for Korra, because all of us have some impression of her based off of who she was yesterday, not who she is today, you know?”
“At the end of day, she’s still Korra,” Asami shook her head.
Opal shrugged. “I guess it’s only temporary. She’ll have her memories back in a few hours anyways and we’ll all forget this ever happened.”
There was a problem.
Korra doesn’t remember how to airbend.
Asami realized this when she watched as Korra played with the kids - not once did she airbend, choosing instead to waterbend or earthbend with them.
And the more Asami reflected on where they were 6 years ago, it dawned on her that at this point, Korra had never connected with her spiritual self.
Would she be able to even mediate in the Tree of Time and get her memories back?
Jinora seemed to recognize this too, and when they go to tell Tenzin, his only words were to have faith.
“And it’s so weird, because now Rohan’s an actual human now!” Korra said to Bolin, who laughed.
Korra’s sitting in between both Mako and Bolin, while Asami kept her distance, sitting instead next to Opal and Jinora as Tenzin flew them to the portal.
“Wow, Republic City looks so different with these spirit vines. It actually looks really beautiful.”
“You can thank Asami for getting that, she completely restructured Republic City to accommodate all of the changes that happened once spirit portals were opened,” Bolin said.
For the first time that day, Korra looked right at Asami and smiled so genuinely. “That’s awesome Asami. You’re running Future Industries now?”
Asami only nodded.
“How much did I miss?” Korra sat back, her tone shifting. “I mean Opal, you’re not only an airbender, but you’re a Beifong? No wonder our paths crossed, your grandma was practically family to Aang.”
Opal smiled. “Some friendships last lifetimes and generations. But you’ll remember soon enough.”
Asami locked eyes with Jinora, hoping Opal would be right.
But she wasn’t.
Korra mediated for hours. As hard as Korra insisted that she could do it, that she needed to stay until she remembered, Tenzin finally admitted to them all that it wasn’t going to work. Korra needed to connect first with her spiritual side of herself before she could get her memories back.
But that was another problem - no one knew how.
When Korra lost her memory the first time, she already found her connection to her past lives and used that to find Raava.
It was different this time though. Now, Korra didn’t have any connection to her past lives.
Tenzin didn’t know what to do.
That was the triggering point for Korra: she ran into the forest in tears.
Asami told the others not to follow - Asami knew that forest well and was positive she could find Korra. Korra needed her.
It didn’t take Asami long to find her.
“What?” Korra asked when Asami approached her. “What could you possibly say to me that could make me feel better? That could fix this?”
“Korra, we need leave, your negative energy is upsetting the spirits. Look around you.”
Dark clouds began to form above the forest. Spirits began to turn dark and fly in chaos around them.
“Funny, because I’m pretty sure it was my lack of spiritual energy that’s the reason why we’re still in this problem in the first place.”
“You’re still the Avatar, Korra,” Asami placed her hand on Korra’s shoulder. “Raava is still in you. The spirits can feel it.”
Korra jerked away. “I don’t know who Raava is,” Korra was crying. “I don’t know who I am,” Korra covered her face.
“But I know how you are.”
“No you don’t.”
“Korra,” Asami pulled her in for a hug. “I do. I know you better than I know myself.”
Korra pulled back from Asami slightly, confused.
Asami knew that if she wanted to help Korra, she would need to tell her the truth.
“You and I - we’ve been dating for two years. We’re in love,” Asami emphasized, cupping Korra’s face, hoping Korra could feel just how much Asami loved her.
Korra looked at her, a mix of shock and betrayal. Korra stepped back and Asami dropped her hand. “This whole time… you were my girlfriend, and you didn’t even think to tell me.”
Asami shook her head pleadingly. “We all agreed not to say anything. We didn’t want to overwhelm you.”
“So instead you all just tiptoed around me,” Korra shook her head. “Do you know how embarrassing this is for me? That you’re all in some secret that you’re keeping from me?”
“Well it’s not exactly fair to me either,” Asami responded defensively.
“You guys all hoped that I would get my memory back,” Korra furrowed her brows. “But it didn’t work. Nothing will.”
“Korra -” Asami began.
“Please, don’t,” Korra shook her head. “Please, don’t look at me that way.”
“You don’t know me,” Korra continued, her voice trembling. “You know the Korra you want me to be. But you don’t know me.”
It started to rain.
Jinora suddenly appeared next to them. “We need to go,” she insisted.
“So please, don’t act like you do,” Korra finished before following Jinora out of the forest.
Asami didn’t follow.
It was only fitting that they come to the Spirit World on their one year anniversary.
“Let’s go there,” Korra said. “In the forest.”
Asami looked around, taking in the sights of the tall trees, the spirit butterflies flying in the wind.
“It’s so beautiful,” Asami sighed in contentment. “I love coming here with you,” Asami said, turning inwardly toward Korra, placing her hand on Korra’s chest and her head on Korra’s shoulder.
Korra said nothing, and Asami looked up to see Korra looking not at beauty of the forest, but at her.
“What?” Asami giggled. “What is it?”
“Nothing, it’s just - I just don’t ever want to forget this, how we are right now in this moment. I love you Asami, so much.”
Asami beamed before turning to throw herself fully onto Korra, knowing very well Korra would catch her and hold her close. Asami closed her eyes and nestled her face into Korra’s neck, wrapping her arms around Korra. “I love you too,” Asami said, and Korra hugged her tighter.
There was a knock at her door, but Asami made no effort to move from where she sat slumped against the wall by the guest bedroom. It was the only safe place. Everywhere she looked, she was reminded of Korra.
Wasn’t it only two days ago that Korra sat on the couch with Asami’s head on her lap talking about how weird it was that the market down the street didn’t have Asami’s favorite juice? Wasn’t it just last week that Korra came back with wood to build a new bookshelf, but couldn’t figure out how to use the drill, so Korra watched instead as Asami built it? Did Korra not, just yesterday morning, hug her from behind while Asami was doing dishes in the kitchen?
Would Korra ever do that again?
The pictures on the wall haunted her. They were snippets of memories, locked in time forever. Even worse, they were proof that what Asami had with Korra was real.
And right now Asami didn’t want proof. So she sat against the wall by the guest bedroom where if she looked at a certain angle she would see nothing. Nothing that reminded her of Korra.
But nothing could stop Asami from recalling the pain in Korra’s eyes when she told Asami that she didn’t know her.
The front door opened and Mako walked in. Asami closed her eyes, annoyed that she had given her friends keys to their apartment. Or was it just Asami’s apartment now?
“What are you doing here,” Asami groaned in pity. “Shouldn’t you be with Korra? Making her tea.”
“Uhh, I don’t think Wu would like that as much,” Mako sat down on the next to her. “Asami-”
“What Mako, what? What can be worse than your girlfriend forgetting she’s in love with you? Not only that, she doesn’t want to see me.”
“Umm, how about this: having your ex-girlfriend forget you broke up with her, causing her to kiss you in front of the person you just kissed a few days earlier, and not telling that ex-girlfriend that you broke up,” Mako tried to joke.
Asami only glared.
“Yeah, that was pretty bad,” Mako sighed, and Asami felt Mako pull her into a hug and Asami couldn’t help the tears that flowed down her cheeks. Asami finally succumbed and cried into his chest.
“You’re going to work this out. Korra loves you. She might now remember that now, but that kind of love doesn’t just go away.”
“You don’t just automatically love someone, Mako,” Asami hiccuped. “At least, not the type of love that lasts. You fall in love with someone because of the person they are, because of the memories you make with that person, and because you trust that they’re going to commit to you as much as you will commit to them.”
“She just needs time,” Mako said. “But I know Korra, she loves you -”
“She loved me,” Asami interrupted. “And right now, she feels really hurt that I didn’t tell her who I was. But what was I supposed to do Mako? You didn’t tell her that you and her dated but ultimately broke up, did you? Why is she this upset with me?”
“Look, none of us were ready for this,” Mako said. “And now we’re all just figuring out what to do next.”
“I want to be there for her, Mako,” Asami sniffled. “But I don’t know if she even wants me there, and… it’s hard. When I look at her, she has no idea what we’ve been through together. She doesn’t remember and - Mako, you know I was going to ask her to marry me.”
Mako didn’t respond.
“Do you think she would have said yes? Is this a sign of from the universe that we shouldn’t be together?”
“We found this in the pouch of Naga’s saddle,” Mako pulled away from Asami and took a small jewelry box out of his pocket.
Asami took the box and held it delicately, knowing what it was before she opened it.
Mako nodded in encouragement, which gave Asami the strength to flip the box up to see a diamond engagement ring shining brightly at her.
A ring with a diamond cut from the very same stones Asami used in the betrothal necklace she made.
“Did you know?” Asami said softly.
Mako nodded.
Korra was going to ask Asami to marry her. Korra went to the spirit world for the same reason Asami did. Was that why Korra was in the Spirit World that day? Only to be attacked?
“Don’t give up,” Mako said. “She just needs time.”
Asami closed her eyes.
Marriage.
Marriage was the ultimate commitment - but what if Asami was right? This was a sign from the universe - or rather - a test to see just how ready Asami was for that commitment?
Mako was right.
It was always the same question Asami asked herself: what was next for them?
Right now, the answer wasn’t what Asami wanted, but maybe, in order to build a future, they had to look to the past. They had to go back to the start.