Team: Water Tribe
Round: 7
Category: Drabble (extra story)
Prompt: (1) Word, Beautiful; (6) Object, Stars
Word Count: 639

"Is this okay?"

A grunt and nod of the head came in reply, Asami sighed in relief and set to work.

She parked Korra's wheelchair, and locked it, getting out the picnic basket and cloth. Gently, she laid it out on the grass, taking care to make sure there were no rocks or sticks underneath, smoothing out every wrinkle she saw. Everything was perfect. It had to be, it was the first time Korra had voluntarily left the confines of her room on Air Island. It was a big step in her recovery and Asami was going to see it through to the very last detail.

Korra was able to stand and walk, but it was painful and slow. It was hard, holding off, not helping as Asami watched her push up out the chair, onto shaky legs that barely held her up. It took everything in her not to rush to her side, but she knew that would cause more damage than it would help. Korra's pride was the only thing she had left, and Asami wasn't going to take that from her.

Once settled on the cloth, the sun was beginning to set on the park. It was peaceful, quiet. The sound of the city was muted here, overpowered by the animals happily busing themselves in the trees and air. Bubbles blooped to the surface of the pond, creating a melody in time with the breeze.

It was a beautiful evening.

Asami looked over to Korra and saw she had her eyes closed, laying back, one hand resting at the back of her head, the other limply at her side. She smiled, the old Korra was still in there, if down deep. Asami took in the sight, memorizing every detail of Korra's appearance. The park wasn't the only thing that was beautiful tonight.

"Hey, Asami, did you hear me?" Korra asked, in the quiet subdued voice she had had for months. Honestly, if Asami hadn't been lost in thoughts, she's not sure she would have heard her.

"I'm sorry, I didn't. What's up?" She asked, refraining with all her being to add, "are you okay" to it. It only pissed Korra off when people did.

"I said, the stars are coming out. Look." She pointed to the sky and Asami glanced up.

Tiny pinpricks of light began to dot the sky, one by one they came into view. Some grew brighter as time went on, some dimmed out almost entirely as the city lights came on with them. Constellations appeared, Asami was able to name a few, Korra knew some others. They would make up their own, laughing and pointing, lying there on their backs. It did Asami a world of good to hear Korra laugh. It was a beautiful sound.

Silence fell over them, but a calm, well-intentioned silence. Both girls were content, Asami clasped her hand around Korra's intertwining their fingers together. Korra gave a small but reassuring squeeze in return. Darkness had completely fallen around them, they should have started to head back but Asami didn't want this moment to end.

"Asami, I," Korra stopped and took a deep breath. "I'm going home soon."

Time froze in its tracks. "Home?" Asami repeated. "To… Air Island?" she knew that wasn't the answer. Korra shook her head.

"To the South Pole. Katara thinks she might be able to continue my healing there. Tenzin thinks it's a good idea a-and my mom and dad… " She trailed off, looking away. Asami knew this was a make or break moment.

"How long?"

"I-I don't know, couple of months. I-I'll come back when… I'll come back."

The vague promise hung in the air, Asami took a couple of quick breaths and nodded. She squeezed Korra's hand tight to avoid crying. "The stars a-are beautiful, huh?"

"Yea, they sure are."