What is it That You Want
The two of them had retreated to the room Asami was sleeping in hand in hand. Korra had bent all the water off her and Asami leaving them dry. Asami had tugged Korra to join her on the bed once they entered but Korra stayed still, feet planted on the ground as if this wasn’t real but oh it was. Asami turned her head back towards Korra when she had tugged with a questioning face. Korra had stared at their interlocked hands, thinking back to all the times they had held hands with one another. Back then she used to think when would be the last time they’d hold hands but here they were once again hand in hand and not wondering if this would be the last time. She looked up and fondly stared at Asami trying to convey I’m alright with her eyes.
This time when Asami pulled her gently, she allowed herself to move and to be pulled onto the bed. Asami sat against the wall on the bed while Korra herself sat on the edge.
Asami had a full view of her back. The bandages that covered the upper half of the mark of Raava on her body on display to her. She traced the mark with her eyes, the lower half turning into vines that she knew trailed all over Korra’s body, almost beckoning her to touch.
So, she did.
Korra felt the gentle touch of Asami’s fingers tracing the mark of Raava and then where she knew where the vines, her demon mark, started. It was the softest of touches and it put her at ease. She turned her head back to look at the girl whose eyes had looked up to meet hers.
“You’re beautiful, you know?” Asami had said after a beat of comfortable silence. A slight blush rising to both of their cheeks.
Oh, how she was so in love with her. That lopsided smile ended up right back on her face just like Asami remembered.
“You should go back to sleep; I’ll be here when you wake up.” Korra spoke softly while reaching out to Asami’s hand, gently tracing her thumb across the top of her hand.
Asami’s tiredness had finally caught back up to her as she tried to stifle a yawn.
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
As she helped tuck Asami into bed, she sat on the edge still but this time playing with Asami’s hair till she fell fast asleep which happened quite quickly.
Korra knew morning would soon come so she waited. Even with the many thoughts rambling in her head, being next to Asami helped quell them but it wasn’t enough because she was scared. Asami didn’t hate her but maybe everyone else did. Of course, she wouldn’t put it past them if they did. However, what she would do was tell them the entire truth. She saw them as her second family, and she never wanted to hurt them and neither did she want them to get hurt. As she recalled the battle in the fortress, she really just wasn’t expecting them to be there, so she was going to give Yushiro a piece of her mind or more like a headbutt. Yeah, that sounded better.
Morning was soon approaching so she drifted off into her thoughts till then.
It was quite early when Asami had woken up. Around 8am Korra would say. There were no noises coming from the kitchen or living room, so she figured she was the first one up. Korra was on the ground by the bed meditating peacefully as Asami started to get up.
Korra felt the warmth of Asami’s palm land on her bare shoulder and reached up to gently wrap her own hand around her wrist. She looked up and was greeted with a soft smile and was helped up off the ground. Korra had yet to put any proper clothes on while Asami wrapped herself up in her robe. Korra didn’t bother anyway so as she reached for Asami’s hand and interlocked them together, she took a deep breath and slid the door open preparing to see everyone.
They walked together down the hall towards the living room, Asami squeezing Korra’s hand in reassurance that everything would be fine. She could sense that she was nervous no doubt, she could almost read her like a book at this very moment.
Korra’s face was neutral despite the nervous energy she was giving off. She could break at any moment she thought.
As they neared, they heard light noises. Apparently, they were both wrong to being the first ones up. Korra was too into her thoughts she never heard nor sensed anybody’s presence in the house besides Asami. The light shuffling was resounding from the dining area and Asami felt Korra stiffen at the noise, but they kept pushing. Korra kept pushing.
She had whispered a don’t worry into Korra’s ear which only helped a little to ease the fear that was running through her body but nonetheless she was thankful.
Asami was the first to enter the room with Korra right behind her. Everybody was up, even the kids. They all looked at her and greeted her a soft good morning and then she pulled the hand she was holding from behind her. The sight of Korra awake filled everyone’s vision. Eyes went wide, mouths were parted a bit even but two women. One sipping her tea right next to her demon companion who just smiled knowingly.
It was quiet and the ones to break the silence was surprisingly not Bolin but her parents.
“Sweetheart.”
“Korra.”
Her parents spoke at the same time.
Korra’s eyes widened a bit as her face turned into one of fear. She stood still as her parents approached her and Asami let go of her hand while stepping aside for them.
She was enveloped into a hug between her parents who held her tightly. She felt the tears of her mother on her bare shoulder while her father rested his head on top of hers. Her arms were still on her side and she willed them to wrap around each of her parents. She tilted her head down as she felt the tears come down her cheeks.
“We’re so glad you’re awake Korra.” Said Tonraq.
“I’m so glad you’re alright sweetie.” Senna said.
She was in her parent’s arms and they felt so warm and welcoming. Something she wasn’t expecting so she uttered under her breath only for them to hear. “Why don’t you hate me?”
Tonraq pressed a kissed to the side of his daughter’s head. “Because we have always trusted you.”
Those words got her to clutch onto her parents tightly as if they would be gone if she let go. They always trusted her. Even when they were apart.
Korra pulled away after a moment looking everyone in the eyes. The truth, they have to know it all and why I did what I did.
“I owe you all the truth,” Her parents had guided her to the table to sit down at one of the only empty seats which happened to be the end of the table. Her nervous footsteps from earlier were now ones of determination albeit a little weak. She presumed the latter was because she was probably hungry. Very hungry.
She sat on the empty cushion crossing her legs with her head down taking a deep breath. “and more.”
They all waited patiently for her to retell the events they all knew but from her side. Nobody rushed her but the quite atmosphere was giving her this uneasy feeling. Right next to her left were Katara and Lady Tamayo and to her right were Tenzin and Pema. Those were the closest people from where she sat, and she noticed that Yushiro was the only one not present or maybe he was, but she was too occupied with other things to dwell on that for even a moment.
Still gonna headbutt that guy.
She looked up and pushed on. “I had lied to you three about the death of Lady Tamayo and Yushiro but I have to thank her for giving me quite the reality check.” She sent a small glare her way recalling that specific moment while Tamayo gave her a small smile. “I decided to help them in destroying Muzan under my conditions which was clearly opposed.” Another glare sent towards Tamayo and another smile sent right back.
She had gone over her exact plan to everyone at the table and once she ended with the part that she was supposed to die eyes had went wide and she saw or more like heard Mako click his teeth at that part. “Tamayo had asked me a question on the night when I had supposedly killed them. ‘What is it that you want?’ she had asked me. I wanted to scream out to her that I wanted freedom. I never really felt free when I was here or even when I was at the island.” Her eyes drifted opposite of Tenzin and his family. “But my time with all of you was very real and true.”
She pushed her hair back and tilted her head up looking up at the ceiling now before she continued on. “It was painful when I left and my time alone slipping back into my rank was too easy.” A bitter laugh escaped from her throat. “I was the smallest amount of happy but pained.” She explained further that she walked amongst them in Republic City and how she was the one who had wreaked some (most) of the havoc. That she had stayed outside the city in a forest, how she was so close to them yet so far. How she wanted them all to hate her but in the end that had even failed. How she had tried hard to forget about them all because her thoughts had brought her pain. She spoke of how she had played them and had them fall right into her lap to make sure things were supposed to go her way, even in the fortress. How the whole time she was chasing freedom.
She went on to explain how she even learned how to blood bend and how it had happened not during a full moon. Katara’s face had made the expression of interest and concern. No doubt because blood bending had been outlawed.
“In the end, him and I were supposed to die together. I had done what I did to protect you all from him and the reason why I never told you was because I wouldn’t want any of you to die because of me.” She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. “But I did it, I did what he said was able to do.”
“In the time I was out I was in the spirit world and talked to Aang.”
This had caught the interest at everyone at the table, especially Tenzin.
To put the room at just a little bit of ease she lightly joked, “I told him he should finish things before he passed.” It surprisingly earned some light chuckles from everyone at the table. They had a good talk she told them, and it was true.
“I want to apologize for deceiving you all and for the pain it caused. Even though I was doing bad and good things out there, what I want now is to live my life. Avatar and all.” Then small arms wrapped around her from three kids, Ikki, Meelo and Jinora. The action had warmed her heart and she brought them in close into a big group hug. Ikki had muttered we’re so glad you’re okay Korra. They hugged for a while and after they had let go Mako and Bolin spoke telling her that they were glad that she was okay and everything. That they had also missed her during the year apart. Lin had just gave a happy grunt and a you’re good kid.
They didn’t hate her, but she wouldn’t have been hurt if they had did but they didn’t and that made her so happy. The rest of her fear gone. She was once again surrounded by the people she held close to her heart and cherished. She was happy and she was free and everyone had opened their arms back to her again. She smiled contently as her eyes met Asami’s at the other side of the table who was looking at her with those eyes she had remembered. Lovingly.
Then a connecting punch to Korra’s jaw sent her off her cushion and her jaw on the floor. Blood had dripped from the bottom half of her face and everyone just stared while Mako and Bolin looked dumbfounded. Tamayo had a vein popping out her forehead at Yushiro and the kids shared the same look as the two brothers. Scratch that, they all did except for Tamayo and Katara.
Korra had literally not seen that coming. A hand went up to her now regenerated jaw to flex it and as she did that, she felt two hands, Yushiro’s hands, grip her shoulders. He released his technique and made himself visible to everyone. He was seething at her and started to shake her as he yelled at her. “YOU IDIOT!!
“Ow.” She had said at the same time.
“IT’S OKAY TO ASK FOR HELP. YOU WERE NEVER ALONE YOU STUPID IDIOT!” He shook her back and forth violently while Korra just looked at him. His grip on her shoulders started to pierce through her flesh, drawing small trickles of blood. “YOU DIDN’T HAVE TO DO IT ALONE YOU DUMBASS!”
“Yushiro!” Tamayo raised her voice at her partner though she had an inkling he would do something like this. He had worried about Korra the whole time and his concern for her was coming out in Yushiro fashion.
“THEY WOULDN’T HAVE HATED YOU EVER DUMMY!”
Korra knew he was right but at that time she had thought differently and that she had to do it alone. As Yushiro finally let down on his motions, his gaze at her was anger with the hint of care. Korra stared right back at him and let out a rumbling of laughter from her mouth. Her body shook from her laughter and as she tilted her head back and closed her eyes she spoke throughout laughing. “Yes Yushiro, I know that now, but you didn’t have to knock my jaw out you know?” She tried suppressing her laugh now which she was greatly failing at.
“YES I DID YOU IDIOT!”
Her gaze at him softened for a moment. “Thank you, Yushiro.”
The anger in his face suddenly gone at her words which were seeping with truth. His features softened for a moment as Korra seemed to come in for a hug but then her hands gripped his shirt and she headbutted the hell out of him.
Now they held each other in their grips.
“HUH WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR!!”
“FOR INVOLVING EVERYONE WHO COULDVE GOTTEN EXTREMELY HURT!”
“BUT I KNEW YOU WOULDN’T LET ANYTHING HAPPEN TO THEM IDIOT!”
They both released their grip on each other and Korra brought her hand up to her chin into a smug expression. “Oh, are you complimenting my strength?”
Tamayo just let out a sigh at the both of them and their antics and muttered an oh dear to which Katara heard and chuckled back. The exchange between the two was quite the scene for everyone. For Tonraq and Senna though, it reminded them of when Korra was a child, before things had changed. She was still that headstrong, brash and stubborn girl. It brought a smile to their faces.
“Complimenting you? Tsk, in your dreams.”
She wrapped an arm around him bringing him in close. “Ah no need to be so harsh! But hey can I ask you for some help?” She looked at him from the side.
“Spit it out.”
With extremely fast movements she ripped one of his fingers off and popped it into her mouth. The action reminding her of what happened when they first met.
Yushiro’s eyes practically bulged out of his head. Veins popping out on his forehead.
“Still don’t taste that great like last time but thank you!”
“HUH!!! DON’T TRY EATING ME AGAIN! YOU COULD’VE ASKED FOR A BLOOD PACK IDIOT!”
“But where’s the fun in that!” She gave him a cheeky grin while he just seethed at her. Everyone just laughed at the two while Tamayo dug into her clothes for a blood bag for Korra.
The two bickered back and forth for a while even when Korra regained her strength thanks to Tamayo. It was kind of like just back then at the island in the mornings. Talking and eating. Enjoying each other’s company and sharing laughs. It was nice and it was where Korra wanted to be for the rest of her life, right next to a certain somebody. Even with this immortal body, she would spend every second with the people she loved till they went and passed on. They would live on in her memories and she would always cherish them. That, she had come to terms with even if there was no possible way to turn them back into humans, though something inside her had ached for the feeling of growing old with Asami. To grow old and die with her friends and family sounded nice but this moment right now was also nice so she would bask in it. She could now even play with the kids outside during the daytime and meet up with the brothers too. Then she remembered.
Oh I have yet to even step foot outside since I woke up.
She stood up rapidly and slammed her palm on the table gaining everyone’s attention again.
“I’m ready to step outside.” Her face determined along with that crooked smile.
That is how she found herself in front of the open front door leading to the porch and into the snow with everyone standing behind her waiting for her steps into the sun. Korra was nervous no doubt but she would be lying if she wasn’t also excited. She was ready but before she took her first steps into the sun, she addressed Yushiro and Tamayo.
“You’re wondering how it must feel like too, aren’t you?”
“We are.” They both replied in unison.
“I guess I’ll just have to find out for the three of us then.” And with that she made her way out the door.
The porch was shaded until her bare feet hit the sun covered snow. She took a tentative step at first and then charged on. She stopped after getting a couple feet away from the door and now she was fully in the sun. She looked up to the sky, the sun kissing her brown skin instead of hurting her. She was filled with immense joy and tears started to well up in her eyes. She almost felt reborn in a sense. It was so bright that all she wanted to do was just stay out till the sun set. It felt so different and yet familiar in a sense. The sun was so bright that gazing at it hurt her eyes, but she didn’t care because she was standing here. Free.
She looked over her shoulder at everyone with a big grin on her face and received smiles back. Then she heard big footsteps coming towards her that sounded like a certain polar bear dog she knew.
Naga came bounding towards her with happiness radiating off her and her tongue hanging out. She charged into Korra lifting her up with her head as Korra yelled, “Naga!”
Oh how happy she was to see her best friend. She missed her trusty companion so much. She scratched behind her ear where she knew Naga liked it and kissed her on her snout. But after she did that Naga opened her mouth and next thing she knew her head was in Naga’s mouth being trapped in there. She is too smart for her own good.
She was trying her hardest to pry her mouth open while also her yells were muffled.
“Naga please I’m sorry! Let go!”
“I’ll give you all the seal jerky in the world if you let me go!”
At the sound of seal jerky, Naga jumped up in excitement while she had her owners head trapped in her mouth who was now being moved around like one of her chew toys.
“Please girl!”
All she could barely hear was laughter coming from the house that was no doubt at her.
Naga finally settled down and sat on her hind legs finally letting Korra out whose head was covered in slobber and looking unamused at the situation. “Thanks girl, really you are the best.” She deadpanned. Naga just looked at her all happily. Some things never change. Korra smirked to herself and just patted her on the head. Korra then turned her head to the big gate of the compound. The gate that trapped her here. She wanted it gone.
She looked back at Naga with a gentle smile. “How does a stroll sound girl?” Naga perked up even more indicating that she wanted to. Korra settled herself on Naga’s back making their way towards the big gate. She looked over her shoulder once again but eyes finding Katara’s. They looked at one another, Korra eyeing the gate for a moment to see if Katara understood.
And of course she did. A grin appeared on the woman’s face and she nodded her head. Korra beamed. She turned her head back and whispered into Naga’s ear. “Let’s go girl.”
As Naga picked up speed approaching the huge gate, Korra stood on top of Naga launching herself in the air.
“Uh, what is she doing?” Bolin asked curiously.
The bones coming out of her forearms made their appearance and she smashed the gate into pieces. Naga kept charging through as Korra obliterated the huge gate in front of them. Been waiting so long to do that. She laughed as she came down from the air and landed right onto Naga’s back again. She leaned into Naga as they kept going. “Go girl.”
Everyone in the doorway watched her leave while Tonraq, Senna, Katara and Kya had knowing smiles on their faces. They knew where she was going.
“They’ll be back later.” Katara spoke, shuffling back inside the house while everyone followed with questioning faces.
“Bet she’s been wanting to do that for a long time huh.” Tonraq let out while he and Senna looked at each other.
“You bet, dear.”
Korra and Naga arrived at the familiar cliff she knew all too well. It was one of the highest cliffs in the south and a place she’d sneak off too but of course at night so it was entirely different during the daytime. Different but welcoming. She leaned back on Naga while looking out at the sea in front of them. She could hear the waves crashing below and just basked into the sun while leaning into Naga.
They sat like that for a long while and it was nice being able to do this.
“Oi Raava.” She spoke out loud even though these conversations happened inside her head she knew Raava heard her either way.
Yes Avatar Korra?
“Thank you for everything.” She sincerely meant it even if the road here was a tough one.
You are destined for great things Korra. I’ve always known that.
A question then popped up into her mind. If Raava was always there, even before she became a demon then maybe...
“Raava, how was I like as a child?”
It was quiet for a couple minutes before she heard her voice inside her head again.
You always yelled ‘I’m the Avatar and you gotta deal with it.’
She let out a huff of laughter. “That sounds like something I’d say doesn’t it.”
If you really do want to know, you should ask your parents.
Korra gave it thought, she really did. She never asked her parents about how she was when she was a child, before everything happened but now, she really wanted to know. She lost that part of her life but if she could at least hear about it from her parents maybe it would fill that empty spot in her memory. Maybe they even knew how she came to have Naga in her life. She smiled at the thought.
What used to be darkness inside her was now bright. That small flickering light from before was now burning through her.
“Thanks again Raava.”
Korra and Naga arrived back in time for dinner and joined everyone at the table after being given proper clothes. It really was just like how it was at the island and when she would have dinner with Katara here but of course now with a fully filled table. She sat right next to Asami who had an empty seat next to her. This time there was no last moments like the last time she was sat around the table with everyone like this. There was now a forever feeling. A home.
She finally got to meet and hold the latest addition to the airbender kids, Rohan, who took a quick liking to grabbing Korra’s face. It was a lively dinner filled with talk and laughter. She even got Yushiro, who was hesitant at first, to hold Rohan. It was the best reunion she could ever ask for, surrounded by her loved ones.
Tamayo and Yushiro sat together while playing with little Rohan. They glanced at one other, exchanging what they were both thinking wordlessly with their eyes.
We’ll tell her tomorrow, for now let’s enjoy this.
As dinner wrapped up and Korra finished helping in the kitchen, she made her way back outside. She sat on top of the porch railing and looked up into the sky where the stars shone brighter than they ever did in the city. The moon was full and it brought her back to that time with Asami.
Thinking of her, Asami had followed Korra to the front a couple minutes after to catch her alone. Korra’s back was facing her and she could see the side of her face tilted up looking at the sky. The moon was bright and full, shining onto Korra’s face making her look even more beautiful. She walked up to the railing right beside her. Korra then looked at her as if she was expecting her. A gentle smile on her face as she greeted Asami a soft hello. Korra had returned her gaze back at the sky while Asami was staring at her.
“The moon is beautiful, isn’t it?”
Korra’s eyes widened slightly. She knew.
She turned her head to look at her. Loving eyes staring right back. Those unspoken moments they had before could finally be turned into words and actions. This is what she wanted, what they both wanted. Korra gave her that lopsided smile that she loved so much. “I love you too.” Words spoken so softly yet held so much.
Korra got off the railing and instead leaned her back on it. She brought Asami’s hand up to her lips and kissed her knuckles. A light blush painted her face and not because of the cold. She was then brought into a hug and when those strong arms wrapped around her, she knew she was home. Although Asami was a little taller than Korra, she tucked her into the crook of her neck and sighed in content. Korra laid a kiss to the top of her head and then onto forehead and cheek. Soon after Asami lifted herself from her spot on Korra and leaned in.
Korra was the one to close the gap and when their lips met, it wasn’t like explosions or anything big of the sort. It was soft, gentle, loving and longing. Soft lips melting into each other. They poured all that they tried to convey into that one kiss. Their feelings, their longing, their desire, and their love for each other. Soon the kiss turned passionate and Asami was the one to pull back to get some air. She leaned her forehead onto Korra’s and they both smiled.
“I think we have a lot to catch up on.” Asami spoke breathlessly.
“We have all the time in the world, Asami.”