Cyrano: To Asami, With Love


Summary: -Loosely based off of Cyrano de Bergerac and the novel Seaside Letters by Denise Hunter- Modern/AU College setting - No bending.

The last thing Korra had ever expected to happen in her life is to fall in love with her best friend, Asami Sato – especially since she is connected to one of her biggest past regrets.

Asami has received notes from a mysterious figure; for the past two years. As her senior year of university comes to a close, she is desperate to find the person behind the messages and declare her feelings for them.

Korra knows that if she comes even close to finding out whom the person behind the messages is, it would be a disaster since the person who Asami is trying to find is herself.


Chapter 1

"Korra!" Asami Sato called out from across the cafeteria. She stuck her hand into her pocket and pulled out a few wrinkled dollar bills. She smiled graciously at the server before picking up her tray and rushing across the room, easily side stepping the many people in her way, as she walked over to their table. "Guess what?" she asked while taking her seat next to her friend.

Korra looked up from her Health and Wellness text book. She smiled brightly over at her friend, ignoring the twinge in her gut. She felt her hands shake as she marked the page she was reading, and placed the book back into her backpack. Upon noticing the rose pink paper in Asami's hand, her smile instantly faded. She felt her throat instantly lock."

"What's up?" she rasped.

"I received a new note," Asami gushed. "I found it in one of my textbooks." She held the note tightly in her hands before smiling happily. Korra tried to match her excitement, but easily failed as she watched her friend, open the note. "It's a quote. Read it."

Korra forced her hands steady as she received the message from her friend. She looked down at the handwriting, before looking over at Asami, who was watching her expectantly, digging into a fruit cup. Korra cleared her throat before reading aloud:

"You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams." ― Dr. Seuss

"Isn't that sweet?" Asami asked. "She remembered that I love Dr. Seuss. I must have told her that a few years ago," she added. Korra bit her bottom lip, trying to keep herself from smiling.

Maybe she knows. There's no way, I was so careful.

"What makes you think your secret admirer is a she?" Korra asked lightly. She pinched herself on the thigh, congratulating herself on being able to keep her voice calm and light; a vast difference to her quivering insides.

"Guys don't normally remember the things I tell them," Asami answered simply. "At least, not the guys I've dated."

She sounds so happy. Don't look at her. Don't get trapped in her eyes. Don't…too late.

Korra knew she was staring, but she couldn't help it. She often found herself zoning out when her thoughts ended up settling on Asami. They had become friends during their freshmen year through their mutual friend Mako. He is actually both Korra's and Asami's ex. While he had dated Asami first, Korra started to grow feelings for him and they soon became a couple. After dating for six months, the two of them had broken up and Asami had resumed dating him once more. Their second relationship didn't last too long. While at odds, more on Korra's part, at the beginning, the two grew close and became best friends. As uncomfortable as he is around the two of them, three had remained friends while making their way through university.

The dark skinned girl watched as Asami cut up a piece of chicken on her plate into small pieces before popping one into her mouth. She watched as her red lips close around the piece of food; the corners curling up into a smile as she savored the flavors. Korra silently scanned Asami's profile, taking note of her gorgeous green eyes – she still hasn't come up with a name for the specific shade – to her silky hair, before trailing down to her slim fingers, which were also painted red, working on opening a small package of barbeque sauce.

Korra jumped when Asami snapped her fingers by her right ear. She smiled sheepishly as Asami chuckled around a mouthful of food. Korra carefully re-folded the note before carefully placing it onto the table. "So, you're bisexual?" Korra asked slowly.

Asami held up a finger, before rapidly chewing her food. She swallowed and took a sip of her tear before turning a bit in her seat. Her knees brushed against Korra's, sending a jolt down the shorter girl's spine. "I don't believe in labels," she answered. "I think everyone should love whomever they want." Asami brushed her long hair over her shoulder. "Don't you think?"

"Sure," she squeaked. Asami shook with laughter as Korra's cheeks turned a bright red. "I agree. There shouldn't be any restrictions on love." Korra picked up a tangerine from her tray and started to unpeel it. "So, you think you're in love with this person?"

Asami ducked her head as her cheeks turned a light pink. Korra almost missed the pigment change, but she spotted the tips of her friend's ears turning red. The harder Asami blushes the more red her ears become. It was something, among many other things, Korra noticed about her.

"I know I am," Asami answered with confidence. "I know, it sounds silly to love someone you haven't met." She tucked a stray piece of her hair behind her ear. She shyly folded her hands in her lap before shrugging. "She's different, though. I know we've only exchanged small notes and instant messages, but she's incredible. I can see myself being with her."

"That sounds…nice," Korra said. "I just hope you aren't getting in over your head."

"We've been communicating for a few years, now. I know I don't know her name nor have I seen a photo of her, but I feel like I know her." Asami shifted her gaze down a bit. "I don't think that tangerine can be peeled anymore," she giggled.

Korra frowned in confusion before looking down at her hands. She had finished peeling the tangerin, its peel in pieces on the floor, and she had started to tear the fruit apart. Its juices were running down her fingers. "I…r-really like the juice," Korra stammered. To prove her point, she dumped the fruit onto her plate before lifting her hands and licking the sticky substance off of her fingers. Asami laughed before moving to eat more of her food. Her fork paused on the way to her mouth. She slowly lowered it back onto her tray. Korra leaned over and shook her lightly. "Are you okay?"

"I want to find her," Asami announced. Korra felt her throat instantly go dry. She leaned back in her chair and stared at her friend with wide eyes. "Don't try to change my mind. I have feelings for her and I want to meet her in person."

"That's something I like about you," Korra said after clearing her throat. "You always know what you want and go for it."

"Will you help me find her?"

"Excuse me?"

"You're my best friend and the only person I've told about this," Asami admitted. "You'd be the only person I fully trust with this whole thing. So, what do you say?"

Let's see: being able to spend way more time with you one on one? Being able to be near the mix of vanilla and burning leaves perfume? Being able to marvel over how gorgeous you are? I say, let's do it.

"I don't think so," Korra answered with an apologetic smile. She felt dread wash over her as Asami's face fell. "It's nothing personal, but I just have a lot on my plate right now."

"It's okay," Asami answered quietly. She took a deep breath before putting on a smile. Korra could see that it didn't reach her eyes, but she refused to comment on it. "Your studies come first." She reached over and patted Korra lightly on the knee. The darker girl felt the warmth of her palm radiating through her pant leg. "I'm sure you're getting tired of me talking about her…this whole thing."

"I never get tired of you," Korra answered. "I love being with you."

This time, her smile fully reached her eyes. Asami moved her hand from Korra's knee to rub the back of the hand that was resting on the table. She ignored the sticky residue and little bits of saliva still on her fingers. "That's so sweet of you to say," she said quietly.

"What are friends for?"

Asami held Korra's gaze for a few seconds before pulling her hand away. "Well, I have to go and meet with my advisors about my thesis." She gathered up her tray, with half-eaten food still on the plate. "I'll see you later."

"Don't forget your note." Korra gingerly picked up the pink stationary before holding it out.

"Of course. I wouldn't want to forget that." Asami balanced her tray on her hip before reaching out and plucking the note from her hand. Their fingers lightly brushed against each other. Korra's hand jumped a bit at the contact. Asami slipped the note into her pocket. "Bye, Korra."

Korra smiled and waved as she left. The minute the engineer left the room, she groaned loudly and dropped her head to the table. She hissed at the pain that rushed through her skull, causing her temples to throb. It was better than the pain that rushed through her heart every time Asami brought up those infernal letters.

Way to go Korra, you should have stopped while you were ahead. She mentally slapped herself in the forehead. She still kept her head down when she heard the seat next to her shift, indicating someone had sat down next to her. Korra felt a punch to her shoulder. She picked up her head and glared over at Kuvira.

"What was that for?" she demanded.

"For missing your chance to tell her…again," Kuvira answered before taking a bite out of her sandwich. She moved the food to one side of her mouth with her tongue, before talking out of the corner of her lips. "How'd she like the note?"

"Maybe you could have added more to it than a measly quote," Korra suggested with bite.

"Maybe you shouldn't bite the hand that feeds you," she answered with an eye roll. "She liked it. I watched you two from the checkout line."

"I'm sorry; I'm just get so jittery around her." Korra cleared her throat before licking her bottom lip. Kuvira regarded her with a raised eyebrow before swallowing. "Asami thinks she's in love."

Kuvira's eyes widened. She paused, her sandwich inches away from her face. She dropped it onto her plate before grabbing her friend by the shoulders. "Korra," she hissed, "after she graduates this year, she'll be gone to take over her family's company. I think it'd be best if you told her. What could happen?"

"We could stop being friends, and I don't want that," Korra answered. She reached up and grabbed a hold of Kuvira's wrists, roughly pulling her hands off. She looked at her shoulders, scanning the fabric of her shirt for stains. "I would have to tell her what happened. It's too big of a risk."

"So, then how will you end things when she graduates?" Kuvira returned to eating her sandwich. "Dump her by note? We're not in middle school."

"I haven't thought ahead that far ahead," Korra muttered. "I'll figure something out."

"Hey," Asami cried as she rejoined them at the table. She gave Kuvira a quick wave before walking over to Korra's side of the table. Asami and Kuvira didn't really get along, Although, they were both close friends with Korra so they made sure to be civil with one another. Korra eyed him closely before feeling a wave of dread wash over her. She stiffened when she felt Asami's lips at the edge of her ear. "Bolin agreed to help me find out who I've been in contact with."

Korra reached out and gripped Kuvira's upper thigh underneath the table, digging her nails in. Kuvira jumped and began to choke on her food. Her face turned red as she started to cough. Korra leaned over and thumped her twice on the back. Kuvira's cheeks puffed up before she spat out the chewed bits of her sandwich. She breathed deeply, exchanging a panicked look with Korra before taking a big gulp of water.

"Are you okay?" Asami asked.

"Fine," she rasped.

Korra jumped up when the alarm on her cell phone went off. "Look at that," she said, showing everyone the bright screen. "I have to go. I'll see you guys later." She could feel Kuvira's intense gaze on her as she gathered up her backpack. Korra tossed her plates and trash onto her tray before pushing her chair in.

"Are we still studying tonight, Korra?" Asami asked. "I made a new playlist to help us focus."

"Sounds great." She forced a smile. "I'll see you guys later." Korra gave them a small wave before turning on her heel and speed walking towards the exit, dumping her tray onto the conveyer belt that led into the kitchen on the way out. Once she stepped through the double doors of the cafeteria, she slumped against the wall and held her head in her hands.

"Way to go, Korra," she muttered. "How are you going to get yourself out of this one?"