Safe
It had been a long, long day. Asami was only too happy to finally get home, dropping her keys in the bowl by the door. The house was oddly quiet. Neither Korra nor Naga had come bounding up to her, but Korra's shoes had been kicked off on the doormat.
"Korra?" She called, but there was no answer. She wasn't in the living room, kitchen or gym. She wasn’t even in her barely-used study, full of unanswered correspondence from politicians who wanted to bend a solution to all their problems out of the ether. With some trepidation Asami climbed the stairs, opening the door to the bedroom, their bedroom. Naga whined and looked up, lifting her giant head from the bed for a moment, before settling it back down beside her master. The polar beardog seemed to be guarding the Avatar, and it was clear to see why.
Korra was on the very edge of the bed, almost pressed against Naga. She was curled on her side, arms and legs pulled up tight to her body and even at this distance Asami could see her whole body shaking, hear the sobs she was trying to choke back. She had her back to Asami, facing towards a very worried looking dog.
“Korra...oh, sweetheart, it’s ok.” Asami hastily removed her outerwear, letting down her hair before sliding into the bed beside Korra in just her shirt and underwear. "Hey. Hey, sweetheart," Korra shuddered at the touch on her skin. Sudden movements were not a good idea when she was like this. The nightmares were infrequent now, but they had lost none of their terror when they did occur. Korra had visited Zaheer twice since the battle, trying to fully get to grips with her fear, but it was slow and painful progress. Nights like these were still too common. Then again, even once would have been too common for Asami.
Asami managed to work an arm under Korra, rolling her over, to Naga’s disapproval. Now she could see the folds of material balled in Korra's fists. Asami’s, and by extension Korra’s as well, favourite jacket. Korra was hanging on to it for dear life, face buried in the folds. If it hadn’t been utterly heartbreaking it might have been sweet. Still, why settle for that when the real deal was right there?
It took a little time. Of course it did. A lot of whispered reassurances, a lot of careful, calming touches, honestly, if a villain ever finds out just how sensitive Korra's neck is the world is doomed, but Korra seemed to realise at last Asami was there. She relinquished her grip on the jacket, latching on to the industrialist instead with shaking hands.
"There we go," Asami murmured, wrapping her arms round Korra, pulling her closer. She let Korra rest her head against her chest, let her hear her heartbeat, feel her skin against hers. There was a slight danger that Korra would actually tear her shirt in her panic but Asami couldn’t have cared less. "It's ok. It's ok. I'm here. You're safe." she bent her head down, pressing a slow kiss on Korra's forehead. "I've got you." It was a mantra. I've got you. A kiss. You're safe.Kiss again. I love you. Another kiss. Slow, soft and unhurried. She wasn’t going anywhere.
Korra woke from a fading nightmare to find herself in Asami's arms. There was a damp patch on her shirt, under Korra’s cheek. The industrialist had fallen asleep some time ago, but was still mumbling, over and over, “got you... safe... love you". Korra settled a little more comfortably against her, craning her head up to try kiss Asami on the cheek and getting her jawline instead, and drifted off into a more peaceful slumber.
Asami stirred, feeling the warm and familiar bulk of Korra pressed up against her. She worked her fingers into the thick hair, seeing her smile in her sleep.
“Morning.”
“Mornin' 'sami,” Korra yawned. Asami's fingers paused for a moment and Korra made a little whine.
“Worse than Naga,” Asami grumbled good-naturedly, resuming, earning herself another sleepy smile. This was part of Korra the world didn't get to see. This part was hers alone. This drowsy, adorable little goofball, all but purring at her side. "Sleep ok?"
"Thanks to you." Korra tilted her head, letting Asami's fingers work over the base of her skull. The tension from last night was mainly gone but it still felt good. "I hate to say it, but shouldn't you be at work?"
"Perk of being the boss." Asami reassured her. "I get to take a day every once in a while."
"Mental health day?"
"Something like that." Asami agreed. “You feel like breakfast?”
“Mmm,” Korra let her head flop back down onto Asami’s chest. “Can we just stay like this for a bit?”
In answer Asami wrapped her free arm around Korra and pulled her a little closer. Four years to the day. Maybe the nightmares would never fully go. Maybe that didn’t matter. Korra was here, with her, whole and healthy and happy. That was enough. They were enough.