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Though it wasn’t where she had planned to spend her Friday night, Asami found herself relaxing in the ambient lighting of the partially closed cafe. It was a place right by campus that she had visited before, but only in the light of day and usually between classes. Still, she found comfort in it’s book lined shelves and mismatched rugs. They were very clearly used, and enjoyed. Proof that life existed here. Her father’s home was the opposite. Like a mausoleum, pictures everywhere in memory of those gone too soon but not a speck of life to be found, despite the two very much living people who resided there.
Thankfully, she was brought back from her thoughts by the sound of Opal’s cheery voice returning to their table, drinks in hand. She had convinced her to come out for an impromptu open mic night at the cafe. Asami was sure her insistence was because of a certain bulky, green eyed boy who worked the counter and was hosting tonight’s show but she chose not to comment. Truthfully, she was happy to have something to do that didn’t require her complete concentration, even if it included drunk theatre majors singing off key.
The soft hum was effortlessly smooth, and the first thing that caught her attention. Looking to the small stage for its origin, she spotted a fit girl with short, choppy brown hair sitting with an old guitar on her lap. She seemed to be looking at the ground in front of her, maybe she was nervous? However, when she looked up at the crowd, there was a confident grin on her face and Asami was taken aback at how blue her eyes were. A soft voice cut off all thought, quiet humming as she tuned her instrument and then the girl was talking to the crowd with a familiarity like she would her best friend.
“Hey guys, if you’re new here, I’m Korra.
Alright, so this song
This is how I wrote it
You hear a car speeding
And you hear it skid
And then you hear a crash
And there's flames and shit
And you hear him say, "What the fuck?"
And then you hear footsteps
Put the keys down
And the filter comes over the beat
and it swells”
she moved her lips from the mic, lowering her head and closing her eyes as the song started up.
Asami soon realized that Korra wearing a thin white T-shirt under the stage lights made it nearly impossible to be somewhat respectful and not completely ogle the abdominal muscles that her shirt clung to. She felt like she had been hit by a truck. Not sure if it was the intensity of the clear blue eyes, her slightly sweaty caramel colored skin, or the barely there blush that fought it’s way through her confident facade, but it made her stomach drop. A million questions barreled into her brain, and as someone who almost always had the answer, Asami didn’t know how to feel about her sudden confusion. Closing her eyes, she let the soft but powerful voice wrap around her like a tight hug and her previous thoughts dissipated with its weight. She could only focus on the music that had the small audience under a spell of quiet awe, and it’s source.
As the song built up, her voice tore through the room, raw feelings flowing with each line. It wasn’t technically flawless, there were cracks and runs that seemed inspired by her emotions, but it was beautiful. If anything, those imperfections were endearing, like the false bravado that no one but Asami seemed to notice. Those blue eyes opened again as the song ended, and sure enough, the little bit of shyness and insecurity that she saw earlier came back for a split second before it was replaced with a crooked grin. She gave a small wave and mumbled thank you, before she walked off the stage and out of Asami’s sight.
God, this girl was something else. She hadn’t even fully dissected her feelings before her brain was quickly making calculations. Her song did refer to a relationship with a man, even if it did end rather poorly. Maybe she was straight, or maybe she would see Asami as another one of these college groupies, attracted to a cocky musician, experimenting with their sexuality. She wasn’t stupid, she had noticed the handful of other girls also staring at Korra a little too long to be friendly. The idea of the blue eyed musician having groupies suddenly infuriated her, enough that Opal noticed her fuming and put a hand on hers.
“Hey girl.. you okay? You look like you’re ready to knock someone out” she joked.
“Yeah, Op. I’m fine. I think I’m just tired. But I’m glad I came out, so thank you. You were right, I needed this.” she said honestly. Opal smiled as she gently nudged her friend, “hey, that’s what I’m here for!”
“I know, but you’re also here for a lovely man who’s currently looking at you like you’ve descended from the heavens” Asami smirked at her friend and nodded her head toward Bolin’s direction. Before Opal could come up with some sort of rebuttal, she continued.
“Sooo! I’m gonna turn in early and you are going to go over there and talk to him, alright? Alright! Talk to you later! Bye!” she yelled over her shoulder, already heading toward the exit. Opal just nodded and laughed her off, surprised she had stayed as long as she did.
Once outside, she paused for a second, enjoying the cold air on her face. And then the soft voice from earlier was suddenly much clearer, and much closer.
“First time here after hours?” She opened her eyes to see the musician from earlier, Korra, curiously staring at her from only a few feet to her left.
“That obvious, huh?” Asami narrowed her eyes in jest before looking over herself.
“NO! Not th- ahh I just mean, y-you’re like really pretty. So I- I would have noticed you. If you had come in before… that sounded creepy, didn’t it? I’m sorry. Forget I said anything.” Korra let out a self conscious laugh before looking up at Asami, who’s poker face is destroyed at the sight of a rambling Korra. She lets out a small laugh before responding,
“it’s ok, I don’t think you’re creepy, and thank you, you’re sweet”
“You’d think for a musician, I’d be a little more creative, huh? But uh, yeah.. I should have introduced myself first. I’m Korra.”
The rant she’s ready to start up again is insanely cute and Asami finds herself wanting to stick around for a few more minutes before heading back home to study, again. By herself, again.
“Asami” she says, shaking her hand and meeting Korra’s brilliant eyes. They widen a little, she notices. As if she expected to be rebuffed completely. “I like your voice, Korra” it slips out way more sensually than intended, and it clearly has a powerful effect.
“I-I .. thanks? I mean, it’s for fun, I know I’m not great or anything like that, but it lets me release a lot of things” korra said quietly while she kicked at imaginary rocks on the ground, attempting to hide a creeping blush.
“Don’t sell yourself short. You're really good. Easily the best performance I saw tonight.” The compliments came without thought or regret, surprisingly eager to make Korra believe her words.
“You’re just being nice, but still thank you” Korra dismisses again, voice quiet and unsure. Meanwhile, Asami is infuriated at her inability to accept her compliment or to see herself clearly, she’s not sure but before she can regain composure she reaches out and grabs Korra’s chin between her thumb and forefinger, not tightly but enough to force eye contact. Asami is much closer than she was before. She can see so clearly in the wide eyes before her, the surprise, arousal, everything. She leans down and presses her lips to Korra’s, keeping her within her grip. It felt natural, Korra melting into her within seconds, molding around every curve so there was nothing between them. Asami wrapped her other arm around Korra’s hip, controlling their movements completely. She slowly pulls back but keeps hold of the face in front of her. It’s too fucking adorable, so she leans down quickly to swipe her tongue across those now pouting lips, once more. Korra groans and tries to surge forward but she leans back, teasingly out of her grasp. The look she gets in return makes her stomach do flips, so she starts their chase again, playfully nibbling and tugging on Korra’s lower lip.
“Fuck” korra whines, out of breath and surprised at the beautiful woman who’s kisses have already made her legs weak.
“I was thinking the same thing” she smirks and moves closer, lightly kissing Korra’s jaw, before getting to her ear. “But this time, I wanna be the only one you’re singing for. Got it?”
A sharp gasp leaves her mouth but her eyes darken, determination the only thing keeping her standing. “Yeah… I think I’m up for one more show tonight. If you’re interested in a collaboration, that is.” Korra punctuates her last statement with her hands pressing into Asami’s sides, desperate to explore this connection further.
“Sounds perfect.” Asami whispers into their kiss, her grip now possessive and hungry, and driving Korra fucking insane.