Book 5: Family

Chapter 3

CHAPTER WARNINGS: chasing, Nudity, clothes destruction, light nipple play, fingering, cunnilingus.

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As it turned out, the forest was full of unique oddities that only mirrored those of the world from which they had come. Weeping willows that actually wept, proud oaks that grew wider if you looked at them directly. Other trees that bore no resemblance to those in real life that would vanish and reappear on a whim, but never where you could witness it happening firsthand. Truly a magical wood, and one that they could probably have walked through for hours.

Korra was as impressed by the Spirit forest as Asami was. They walked around in it for ages, just marveling at all the strange and unique things, until they came upon the most beautiful clearing that Korra had ever seen.

"Whoa..." Korra whispered. It was as though the trees of the forest had drawn a great circle which their roots could never touch, and then leaned their bodies over it to provide shade. The grass was green as emeralds, the flowers brighter than jewels, and the air above them was full of butterflies of all colors.

Nodding solemnly, Asami began to pace forward into the clearing — slowly, carefully, as if it were hallowed ground. It might have been to the spirits for all they knew. She was even holding her breath, though she did not notice that at first. When nothing happened after a few steps, she let it out in one long gust.

"I... think I'd like to stop here for a little while," she told Korra distractedly. "Just experience this place."

"Definitely," Korra agreed softly. She wanted to experience this place too, if only just for a moment. Although, in truth, she thought it would be much better to experience Asami...

As they stood there in the clearing, Korra stood behind Asami, wrapping her arms around her waist and pressing their bodies together. "This is gorgeous," she sighed softly. "I can't think of anywhere I'd rather be, or... or anyone I'd rather be with."

"Agreed. You are the only person I would want to be with in this place. Well, except maybe..." Asami's voice trailed off. The last thing she wanted to do was bring down the mood by talking about the past.

Korra's heart sank as she realized where Asami's mind must be going. "Except maybe... your father?" she asked, giving her shoulders a soft squeeze.

Nodding, she reached up to touch Korra's hands. It was important that she communicate, even non-verbally, that she most definitely appreciated her empathy. "Or my mother. But life isn't perfect. And I still feel like I would prefer your company in a place like this."

Korra waited sadly for Asami to gather herself, unsure what to do. For someone who could kick any ass the world threw at her, the Avatar wasn't too adept at handling feelings. She wished she knew what to say or do to make it better. Heck, she'd even try to bring Asami's father back from the dead, if she thought she could and it would make Asami happy...

A few more seconds passed under the cloud of melancholy before Asami skipped ahead a few paces, turning to back away from Korra with an impish grin that almost convincingly erased her previous sadness. "You know what I haven't done in a really long time?"

When she broke away, her demeanor suddenly shifting, Korra understood. Sometimes the best way to deal with sadness was just to make it wait until later, until it could be given its proper due. So she followed Asami across the grass with a smile. "I dunno, what?"

"Run barefoot through the grass. Like a child without a care in the world." Then she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and muttered, "I'm sure you think that's silly... and there's probably something else you'd much rather be doing."