A sequel, of sorts.

Disclaimer: LoK belongs to Bryke.

You never wanted a knight in shining armor, but after she kisses you, your knees go weak, and you let them buckle, let her catch you. As if you were a damn damsel in distress. Maybe three, four years ago, your face would have burnt in humiliation at that comparison (you are tough you are strong you are Asami Sato and you can handle yourself, thank you very much) but now all you do is bury that burning face of yours in her shoulder and hold her closer. It's taken you a long time, but you've learned that there is no shame in showing weakness, not in front of her. After all, she's long since learned and embraced you for all your weaknesses and for all of your strengths, for your heart that burns like fire and gold.

(Plus, you know she thinks it's cute how you get all breathless like this, and you think it's cute how smug she gets from it, so really, it's a win-win. You contemplate kissing that grin right off her face, as soon as you regain your breath and balance.)

As if she can guess what you're thinking (she probably can, by now) she chuckles, a little breathless herself, and that sound makes your heart race and race, pulse pounding until the only two sounds in the world are the beating of your heart and her brook-babbling giggle, and you dazedly think that they're the two most beautiful noises in the world. She throws her head back when she laughs, and you stare up at her and it's as if you can't tear your eyes away. As if she is a magnet, and you are an automaton crafted out of iron.

You laugh a little at that strange, true thought, and when she grins down at you, there is nothing but open, unguarded honesty in her smile bright as the moon and the stars and the sun all wrapped up in one. No scorpion-clam shells between you, not anymore, not ever again. You know Korra, and you know that from now on it will always be Korra and Asami vs. the World, partners and equals who together are a match for whatever unknown adversaries lie in the future. More than a match.

You've always known Korra, it feels like, but that's the retrospect talking. Trust isn't something that happens in a flash the way it does in the movers, like jigsaw pieces clicking effortlessly together. It works that way for minds, maybe, but hearts are more complicated. It takes time and effort –years, even, of letter writing and soul-baring and tremulous hope and crushing insecurity and unconditional support– to truly know someone's heart, to piece together that whirring mess of gears and oils and grease and wrenches. Anything less than that complete, all-consuming effort would have meant you both were in it for the wrong reasons.

You aren't in it for the wrong reasons. You know, deep down, that being here and now is the right thing to do, and that every single second that it took – from the time that you met Korra, to the time that you finally found each other – was worth it.

Because you've found someone who you can trust with the world, and with your back, and with your heart. You trust her with both your once upon a time and your happily ever after. She makes your knees go weak, and lets you puzzle her out just as she pieces you back together, no secrets between you, no silence, no lies.

So you grin, and you plant your feet steady and strong, and you kiss her again, just like the love songs say to. You've finally found that place where you know, and she knows, that both of you belong.