I disliked how they managed romance before too, but I honestly think the forced subtlety of homosexuality would probably help them in this case. I think the Avatar writers would actually be able to handle showing a good romance if they were forced to show the friendship part of it far more. Korra and Mako were shoved-in-the-face constant-drama omg-passion teenage ridiculousness. Korra and Asami wouldn't be shown like that because parents would freak out over the evil gayness or something. But if they could show SOME of it, it would mean they HAVE to show mostly their good relationship as-is with some subtle changes only. I think it's stupid that they'd HAVE to do that, but the silver lining here would be that them becoming romantic partners and not only friends wouldn't ruin what they have now.