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Dark gray clouds rolled across the sky. How fitting, Asami thought. She knew she was going to dread today, but actually being here and experiencing it, nothing could prepare her for the onslaught of emotions she had to endure. The torrent of extreme emotions that coursed through her mind left her with no chance of reprieve as she stared down at the gravestone. Hiroshi Sato, laid to rest next to his long-lost wife, Yasuko Sato.
She battled her inner turmoil as it forced her to face all her inner emotions she desperately wanted to compartmentalize. The anger, her father just returned into her life, and she accepted his forgiveness. The bittersweet happiness, her father can finally rest next to his love after all this time spent apart. The sorrow, her father will now never know what future holds for her and everyone in her life. The regrettable acceptance, her father was away from her for so long…what would necessarily change in her life? No, she thought to herself, the difference is that now…there would never be the chance for things to get better, to fix.
A scowl formed on her face. She fought with every fiber in her being to not break down, to not let her rabid emotions control her. Not when other people have suffered worse loss than her. She felt extremely selfish for even entertaining the thought of allowing herself to burden anyone else with her inner turmoil. Not when there are people, families, who need her help, right now, to find a place to live. To fill the holes in their lives after the devastating attack of their homes and places of work. She should be helping them instead of being so self-centered of grieving the loss of just one person.
Her mind and vision were so hyper focused that she didn’t feel Korra’s hand on her shoulder. It took her to visibly shake for Korra to attempt breaking her from her mourning. But it wasn’t enough as it took an additional squeeze for Asami to register the sensation. Her head snapped towards Korra, in both desperation and in disgust. Korra’s blue eyes tried to convey that she’s there for her. But in return, Asami’s eyes were dulled and red. Strained from the constant pressure and water that dared to run down her face. The light clearly burnt out from within Asami’s soul.
“It’s…It’s okay. Don’t fight it.” Korra tried to comfort her.
What was Korra saying? It’s okay? How would it be okay? How would anything be okay now? How can I let myself think of only of myself when other people, many of whom are less fortunate as I am, are suffering much worse loss than I am?!
Asami cursed herself as she finished mentally berating Korra. She didn’t mean it, even though she didn’t actually say it, though she did think it. My father is dead…and everything is worse now.
As if on cue, the clouds above let loose its torrent of rain down below. Korra instinctively bent the water off of them and surrounded themselves in a pocket of dry air. It was with the sudden grip of Korra’s wrist that Korra had given pause. She turned her head in confusion towards Asami hoping to find the reason Asami suddenly did that. The answer Asami gave was a slow shake of her head. Korra stared into her eyes once more for clarification, there was no way she’d willingly want to get drenched. But as she stared into the puffy eyes, she saw Asami’s world crumbling down from within. Against Korra’s better judgment, she closed her fist and the rain resumed its downpour over them.
Asami stared up towards the dark clouds, letting the weather hit her with everything it had. And while it might have seemed silly, she gave a small prayer to her father whilst looking at a particular patch of cloud.
Goodbye…Dad…I’ll always…I’m going to…I….
She turned her head to face Korra, who made no attempt to stop the rain, sharing the moment of being drenched together. Korra…Korra, the person who she cherished most…she…also….
The dam broke. With her brows curved upward, she lunged at Korra. She had the moment of clarity that Korra was with her. She realized that Korra has been through all of this with her. And Korra was right, it was okay. Asami was allowed to feel her grief, she was allowed to express it. All the tears she held back previously now flowed uninhibited. She sobbed loudly into Korra’s shoulder, and it didn’t take long to notice she no longer had the strength to stand. She clung to Korra as her knees buckled. Korra took her weight and supported her as she carefully kneeled them down.
Her father was gone, it was ridiculous to believe that she was supposed to ignore that weight, that finality, in her heart alone and in private. Her father, no…, Hiroshi Sato, the man who redeemed himself to his daughter in a sacrificial final plea to take down the mechanical monstrosity that was destroying their city, their home. Hiroshi Sato, the husband to Yasuko Sato and the father to Asami Sato, redeemed his soul to all who knew his name.
As Asami continued to let herself bawl deeply in Korra’s embrace, Korra tried her best to mend the shattered heart. She talked quietly and calmly into Asami’s ear, as it was all she could do. Korra held her tightly, saying over and over and over again that it would be okay. She loves her. Over and over and over again. She wanted to protect her from any harm…she’s the only one she has left now. She loved her, so she would be there, for as long as it took and then some. Korra vowed to make sure Asami would never burden anything alone ever again.