Chapter Text
Korra winced against the sting in her arm as she pulled the band slowly off her elbow. There were bruises that would need healing, a break in one of her ribs that could be mended. She was tired and hungry, but the latter could wait till morning. For now, she needed sleep. Long after putting Kuvira down and pulling her out of the spirit world, she was still awake. Still dealing with the fallout and struggling to put the pieces of the world around her back together.
The damage to Republic City could be fixed. Everything could and would be fixed, as it always was. So long as the Avatar walked along this world, the structure broken by those who threatened it would be fixed. By her, by those around her, by those who had come before and would come after. Good would prevail and someday this would no longer be her fight. For now, however, it was, and she had won.
If anything, she had earned a good night’s rest.
When she finally found her room on the island, which was crowded with so many people who needed a place to lay their head for the night and recover, Korra thought she might not make it to bed. She opened up her vet before the door was even closed and let her shirt fall open. With a wince, she placed her hand over the most tender spot on her stomach and nodded to herself. That was the broken rib, she would have to heal it herself. It wouldn’t be safe to sleep on it and her mother had told her to take care of herself when Korra had called to tell them she was okay.
Leaning against the door, it shut with her weight and there was a sudden rustle on the bed.
“Oh!” The light flipped on and Korra jumped for a moment only to see Asami sitting up, hair a mess, on her bed. “Korra, I’m sorry I—I just needed a bed.”
“No,” Korra waved her off. “It’s okay, of course. I wasn’t even sure I’d have time to make it back here tonight.” She tilted her head at the way Asami was looking at her. Her eyes wide and darting only quick glances at her until she finally gave up and looked away completely.
That was when Korra glanced down and realized her shirt was open. She felt the heat rise up her neck and quickly closed her vest together.
“Do you, uh, do you want me to leave?”
“No,” Korra answered far too quickly as she stood in the doorway holding her shirt closed. The pain from her injury started to pulse a little and Korra couldn’t help but release the left side of her vest and grimace. “I just…need to wash up, I—“
“You’re hurt.” Asami said, moving off the bed. The lower part of her nightgown rode up and exposed her legs as she climbed out. It was Korra’s turn to look away.
She hoped her cheeks weren’t as red as they felt. “It’s not that bad.”
“Korra,” Asami breathed before reaching out to Korra’s bruised arms, only to stop herself before touching them. When Korra looked at Asami again she had tears in her eyes. The sight alone made Korra nearly follow suit. It had been such a long day and there were times Korra thought she was going to die, thought those she loved were dead. To sit down on the floor and cry seemed like a pretty grand idea. However, she couldn’t, not yet. She had wounds to tend to and sleep to catch up on. A city to fix and a government to put back together. There was no time. There was never enough time. “You need to take care of those, Korra.”
She met Asami’s eyes again and felt her throat go dry when Asami reached out and grabbed her vest, pulling it aside to study the welt on her ribs. Seeing Asami grimace at her injuries was a strange feeling. In a way, it brought her a wealth of comfort. To see someone care, to see Asami care for her was soothing.
Korra couldn’t help but wonder when Asami’s comfort became the only comfort she ever wanted.
“I was just going to heal them.” She said and seemingly broke Asami from whatever trance she was in.
“I can go,” Asami said as she took a step back. “Really, I’m sure I’ll find another bed.”
“Asami,” Korra smiled. “It’s okay. I want you to stay. Please?”
She saw Asami swallow thickly. “You do?”
Korra nodded. “Yes. After today I just…” she let out a heavy sigh and lowered her head. “It’d be nice not to be alone.”
When she looked back up, Asami was nodding and suddenly the welling tears in her eyes had spilled over. That was when it all came back to Korra. She’d barely had time to register the news when Tenzin had told her about Hiroshi. The sadness for Asami hit her but a moment later someone else needed healing, something else needed moved and another bit of chaos swept her away.
Asami had lost her father today.
Despite his absence for the last few years of her life, Asami was truly alone today, more so than she had ever been.
“Asami,” Korra whispered before closing the distance and hesitantly touching her friend’s shoulders. “I’m so sorry.”
Black hair sashayed from side to side as Asami brushed at her eyes. “It’s not your fault.”
Sense told Korra to hug her, but instinct drew her hands to Asami’s hair and she rose up on her toes to kiss her forehead. Her lips lingered, as if she wanted to pour all of her comfort and support into this one gesture. Asami’s hands wrapped around her wrists, holding them in place. When she finally pulled away, Asami sank into her embrace and Korra gently cupped the back of her head.
The tears weren’t heavy; it was too late in the night for that. They were both tired and beaten down by the fight in one way or another. Korra cried a little as well—enough to make her vision blurry and her smile watery.
When they separated, she winced again without thinking and Asami frowned. “You need to—“
“I know,” Korra wiped at her eyes. “You’re worse than my mom.” This made Asami smile and Korra cited it as a victory. “Do you mind if I do it here? I don’t want to wake up anyone else.”
Asami shook her head. “It is your room, Korra.” She grinned weakly before sitting down on the bed. “Besides I—I don’t want to be alone either.”
Without another word, Korra slipped out of the bedroom and snuck into the kitchen for a bowl. She filled it with water, taking note of the countless people asleep on piles of blankets in Tenzin’s dining room and kitchen, before slipping back to her room.
She wasn’t surprised that Asami was still awake. She was surprised however to see Asami sitting on the edge of the bed with a towel in her hand.
“What’s that for?” Korra asked as she sat the bowl down on a stool before carefully slipping out of her vest. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Asami look away again with wide eyes—her fists wringing the towel in her hands.
“You uh…you’re a little dirty. Didn’t want you messing up Pema’s sheets.” Asami had a hint of teasing in her voice, but Korra had felt dirty all night, she knew it couldn’t look any better.
She glanced over at Asami who had finally found her eyes again. “You going to clean me up?”
Asami chewed on her bottom lip. “May I?” The way she said it, the raspy tone of her voice settled into Korra’s throat and rendered her speechless. Instead she nodded and watched Asami dip her cloth into the water before it was suddenly pressed against her open palm resting in Asami’s own.
The feelings Korra had for Asami were nothing new. They’d been there for years now. At times buried in the deepest part of her mind and others they were desperate to escape from her throat in an agonizing scream. She’d fallen in love with her best friend and Korra had no idea how to approach such a thing—no idea if Asami could ever feel the same way or if it was even okay to bring it up.
Yet, as she watched Asami run the warm cloth up her forearm and carefully wash away the stains of battle from her skin, she felt a part of herself open up to the idea that maybe she could have something with Asami. Something more than she ever could have imagined.
“Those bruises aren’t going to heal on their own.” Asami said and Korra blinked at her a couple of times, still without words. “Do your thing so I can wet my towel down again.”
Refocusing, Korra pulled the water from the bowl and tilted her head back. Every part of her was stiff and sore so she started on her neck, just letting the water rest there and pulse with the healing energy. It was almost instantaneous and it took everything she had not to let out a satisfied sound at the feeling. For hours she had ached with every step she took and now that pain was melting away.
As she moved to her ribs, she slowed, this would not be comfort, but it was necessary. The bone was broken. She knew enough to know it would heal on it’s own but she had to give it time. No more fighting dictators for at least a week.
It hurt worse than expected and Korra nearly doubled over in pain but before she could a gentle touched her shoulder and held her steady.
“You okay?” Asami asked and the water stilled.
Korra took a few deep breaths and replaced the water in the bowl. “Yeah,” she said with a nod to confirm. “It’s just tender. I—I think it’s broken.”
Asami stared at her miserably. “What should we do?”
“Don’t worry,” Korra said with a reassuring smile. “It’ll be okay. It just needs time.”
“Do you think that will be enough?” Asami’s question was clear enough, but what captured Korra’s attention was the realization that somewhere along the way their hands had laced together.
With a renewed smile, Korra squeezed her hand and nodded. “Definitely.” She watched Asami blink slowly. “We should sleep.” Korra slid up onto the bed and pulled Asami up with her. “Is this…okay?” She asked before fully laying down.
Instead of an answer, Asami’s head found the pillows first and she drew Korra down with her.
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When the morning came, Asami was woken by the consistent push of air against her face. Opening her eyes, she was met with Korra’s face no more than an inch in front of her. Their noses were nearly touching and it was from Korra’s nose that the air was hitting her with each breath the Avatar took.
Asami couldn’t help but smile, Korra always looked so peaceful when she slept. Asami could remember studying her after her fight with the Red Lotus—those long nights spent at her bedside in case Korra needed anything.
That was when Asami first realized she cared too much about Korra—more so than was probably necessary for a ‘friend’. One night she’d opted to stay home after Korra’s fight, she didn’t sleep at all because, even with distance, she couldn’t stop worrying about this girl that had suddenly consumed her life.
Everything was different now, time had passed and another battle had been won. This time though, Korra wasn’t hurt, not like before. Instead she was here, curled up beside her and Asami could feel Korra’s hand resting on her hip.
It wasn’t the first time Asami had the urge to kiss her best friend. Though she could say with great certainty that this was the strongest. Korra was right there, no more than a few inches from her. She wouldn’t, of course—how silly would it be to kiss her while she was sleeping. Silly and creepy and not at all the way she wanted to profess her feelings. In time she would, perhaps after things calmed down and both of them had dealt with the fallout of their battle yesterday.
Asami felt the ache in her chest ignite and she sighed heavily. Her father had died yesterday. She watched the hummingbird mech he forced her out of be crushed with him still inside. It had been enough—that’s what Asami told herself over and over again. That his actions had been enough to help them stop Kuvira and saved the lives of the city he once threatened to tear apart. He had redeemed himself—done right where he had once wronged so many. To most, it would seem like the perfect ending to a man who was destined to a life in prison.
However, for Asami, she was just a girl who had now lost both of her parents before she was barely into her twenties. More so, she’d watched them both be murdered right in front of her. Suddenly the weight of it all hit her and she choked out a sob that snuck through. It was unexpected and Asami covered her mouth but couldn’t hold back the tears that started to fall.
As she tried to move away from Korra, her body was stilled by a pair of hands sliding up her arms and holding her in place. When she looked again, Korra was watching with compassion in her sleepy eyes.
“Hi,” Korra said and Asami stopped fighting and rolled into Korra’s embrace.
She cried and cried—when the tears felt like they might stop, more somehow came. It was better this way and she knew it. There was no reason to hold her pain in anymore. The fight was over and Asami wasn’t sure how often she’d have the chance to lie here, with Korra and free of pending doom. Now was the time to grieve; they couldn’t hide in this room forever and wait for her to be ready.
Korra never faltered, holding her and soothing her with each wave. At some point Asami fell asleep again to the feeling of Korra’s breath against her hair and strong hands rolling across her back. When she woke again the light in the room was brighter, the day had forged ahead as it always did and Korra was still there with her.
She shifted a bit and was met with a pair of blue eyes and a gentle smile staring back at her.
“You’re awake.” Korra whispered.
Asami swallowed the lump in her throat. “You didn’t have to stay.”
The Avatar’s smile grew. “I know.” Asami felt her breath hitch when Korra traced a thumb under her eye. “Ikki tried to come in, I might have airbent the door in her face. I hope I didn’t hurt her.”
“Korra,” Asami chided weakly. Quietly glad for the respite—the more she thought about it, the more she didn’t want to leave this room. “Thank you.”
“It’s not—“
“No,” Asami quickly silenced her. “It means a lot. All of this, after everything you went through yesterday—you’re here for me. I’m glad you’re here.”
There was no response from Korra, at least not verbally. Instead she just laid there next to Asami, the silence between them deafening as Korra absentmindedly ran her hand up and down Asami’s arm.
“Asami I—“ there was a sudden rapping on the door and Korra’s hand pulled away from Asami’s skin in a flash. She rolled over onto her back, her ribs clearly acting up as she grimaced before sitting up. “Who is it?”
“It is Tenzin.” Korra gave Asami an apologetic look before moving to the door. When it opened Asami sat up a bit to watch. Tenzin was fully dressed and looked as if the entirety of yesterday had never happened and it was just business as usual. “I was just checking to make sure you were okay, it is well past morning and despite your disdain for mornings I—oh.” His gaze flittered past Korra and found Asami still in bed. “I uh…I—wasn’t…Ms. Sato, you’re…here.”
Asami smiled tightly. “Yes, good morning, Tenzin.”
“It’s past morning,” Tenzin muttered before refocusing on Korra. He seemed so out of sorts, clearly not expecting to find Asami in the Avatar’s bed. “I was—“ Tenzin cleared his throat and straightened his posture. “I came to inform you that President Raiko has requested your presence to discuss a few matters on what to do with the people who have been left homeless. He wishes to include you in the discussions.”
She could see Korra raise her brow. “Really? He wishes to include me?”
“Yes,” Tenzin nodded. “You did save the entire city yesterday, and also created a massive portal right in the middle of it.”
Korra frowned. “So he wants to yell at me?” Tenzin did not immediately respond. “If I punch him would I be—“
“Thrown in jail? Yes.”
“I could fight the police though.” Again he didn’t respond, just stared at her. Asami had to fight back a chuckle. “Fine, I’ll chat with Raiko.”
Tenzin seemed satisfied. “Excellent, also I—I suppose I can deliver the message as well, he wishes for your presence in unison with Korra, Ms. Sato. I’m certain to begin discussions of the city’s repair.”
The very thought of Future Industries and any work unsettled Asami. Immediately bringing her mind to her father.
"Okay, thank you Tenzin." she said even though she was far from okay about any of it. Her voice nearly betrayed her but she put on a smile and sat up just as Korra regained Tenzin’s focus.
“Can we have a bit to get up?” Korra asked as the uncertainty returned to Tenzin’s face.
“Is that…something you need to do together?”
Korra crossed her arms with annoyance. “We’ll be out in a bit.”
Tenzin sighed. “Very well, please do not dally, we have another busy day.”
With a meager wave of her hand, Korra shut the door as he left and leaned against it. “Do you think we’ll ever have time to rest?”
“Probably not, unless we make time.”
“Well,” Korra started as she moved back to the bed and sat down. “Then after we get all this sorted out I think we should make some time. Get away from all these crazy people.”
Asami closed her eyes and laid her head against the wall. "Time away sounds lovely." Asami couldn’t help but wonder why being around Korra like this made her feel so content. The next few days were going to be so hard—but Korra was here, and knowing that, Asami knew she would be okay.