Interruption At The Workshop :)

a hand cupped the back of her girlfriend's neck, the other sliding along her waist to hold her now that she welcomed her touch, feeling the radiating heat begin to disperse between them. as terrifying as that had been she'd always had such admiration for korra's untamable ire when it came to the things she so whole-heartedly cared about, blazing what she could from her path. her mouth curved, “ — it's alright, i know how much you care about helping these people. enough that you'd even try to bite my head off a little, ” laughing words accompanied by a nervous chuckle. THAT had been the easy part — here goes nothing... “ — speaking of... there's something else Tenzin wanted me to tell you... ”

Her grip winds tighter around the glider, rooted in her plight. She's the Avatar, doing her job isn't supposed to be optional here. If she can't help when she's made for helping; what would that make her?

And yet,

smooth and soothing, deceptively soft, the words pierce skin.

Korra's smile is tentative, but her body is surer. Despite herself. She thinks letting go might just pull her very core to pieces, she knows the certainty of Asami will hold her together.

Korra drops the staff,

to find her heart quiet, her voice admiring.

❝Thank you. You always know what to say.❞

Motorcycle gfs

she stood back & gladly watched from the sidelines as korra navigated the rolling storm of children, her hair whipping around her as the fallout made its way over. but the sight saw a smile touch her lips, warmth in her stomach & along her skin as she watched korra clearly in her element. it was nice seeing this side of her.

but... she couldn't get over the fact that she was barely making eye contact with her, at the ready for more than the ones in their care ... did she really think so badly of her ? ... she thought they had something & whatever sticky mess they'd gotten into wasn't worth this friendship. she could HOPE that korra might open up to her but in the meantime... she knew she could at least try showing her they would always be good.

she was surprised frankly that korra hadn't taken off in a whirl of air along with the kids the first chance she got, finally sparing a glance her way. " — uh, " in the moment it took her to react her choice had already been made for her as she saw the last of the three disappear from her vision, a gentle shrug as she warily agreed, " sure, why not. " she had always wondered what it would be like. & she trusted korra, so she asked no further questions. no resistance was put up to the sheer force of air that gusted her straight into the other girl — her hands curling naturally around her biceps as she clung on, the safety of the ground left behind. the familiar lurch in her stomach might have resulted in a small shout that unfolded into astonished laughter & gleaming eyes— just like taking a bend at top speed.

" ... i think there's hope for you yet behind the wheel. you've got great adaptability. "

❝...The Avatar will protect you...?❞

A weak rally behind a weak chuckle. Because Asami's generosity makes her want to die. Or fall through wood slats, never to resurface. Or never speak to her again— which, incidentally, she’s tried. But. Rice. Paper. Walls.

She’s itching under the collar, she’s sweating in the chill evening air. Shouts clamour land-side for the glory of the night's first mischief, but it’s the one too-agreeable voice that sets her ears ablaze. The waters below lap nervously at the pier. She's almost sure she's about to spontaneously combust.

❝It's fine. Really. Jinora, Ikki, Meelo, and Rohan, they're family to me.❞

The shift in subject feels like a clean breath. She starts to move, gathering conviction, desperate for the distraction of said company.

It's much harder to spare a thought for the other stuff when engulfed in a mini vortex. That's when the Avatar comes alive, shedding the whispers of tension for hearty belly laughter. Not that she's avoiding talking- she wants to talk about all that's happened, but... look where that headfirst straightforwardness has gotten her before. She imagines spring's thinning ice with Asami, imagines the rush of words she's holding back as a sheer blunt force—-

she wonders what anger looks like on Asami.

Air scooters emerge before the picture emerges. Up stone steps, too fast for feet. She looks to her side in question.

❝I can- ❞ take you away like I did Mako ❝ -if you want...?❞

I Would Do Anything For You.. 💕

korrasami

Andrea Gibson, "DEPRESSION [VERB]", Lord of the Butterflies

the sheer warmth that enveloped her, the smell of her skin, the way the avatar's voice vibrated straight through her from where she was pressed in — her body instinctually warmed it felt like being doused. she tasted something acrid sliding up her throat & she passed off her resulting expression as part of the aftereffects of what they thought she'd been through. a moment of reprieve was sought with locks of dark hair dangling between them; she could barely take the force of what she'd glimpsed in the avatar's eyes.

she piped up as her eyes squeezed shut, sighing words out in reply, " — right, it's all a little- murky right now... but I'm sure it'll start coming back to me, " hope & exhaustion clung to her speech as her hands gripped the edge of the bed on either side of her, her body rejecting the velvety soft way she spoke to her, the suffocating heat of her right there. she was the avatar — a danger to the world, never bound by any rules, the embodiment unchecked power that allowed innocent people to get hurt every day. & right now she was trying to bend her the same way she did every other stone in her path. she softened her mouth into a smile, peering her way to finally relent as she pulled herself together, " sure, i think i could use the quiet time before we get back out there... my head definitely feels like it's been hit by thousands of electromagnetic pulses. " her head was pounding, each beat telling her this was all wrong she shouldn't be here, she was playing a dangerous game giving into the avatar like this. they were both playing parts right now, trying to tug the other astray & onto a path of their choosing. she might not have been able to beat her earlier, but she knew could outsmart her, outmaneuver her, she had no doubt; she had learnt from the best. she would walk out of here free & with the avatar in tow as she had been tasked with. she just had to get this right.

her anchoring hold on the bed loosened, her hand gliding over the back of hers as she shifted backward. green eyes never left hers as her back sunk down onto the mattress, inviting her to follow. she chose to lighten the mood with a spark in her gaze & a humorous sway to her voice, " just to forewarn you, i might be lousy company right now, but... I'm really glad it was you here when i came to my senses. i'm- sorry you had to see me like that... i- have no idea what Guan even had me do... "

She hurtles into open arms. Into the crook of Asami's neck where the unfamiliar fabric is forgotten by grace of gentle brushing curls across her cheek and the subtle floral dabbed at the pulse point she now nuzzles. In her overwhelm, she misses the customary exclamation at arms wrapped always a touch too tightly. It doesn't matter. Everything is fine, everything is fine, everything is fine now that she is back.

With Asami, Korra has nothing and no reason to conceal. She leads with vulnerabilities and leaves the last of salt tears on skin as she's soothed back to clarity.

And she looks at her with the full weight of admiration.

For this woman who beats down brainwashing without missing a beat.

She repositions beside her girlfriend. Enough space to breathe after such an ordeal, but not so far that fingers don't still rest together. It'll be a long time before Korra is ready to disengage in full. Already she leans in, missing those eyes.

❝Less than a day. We were able to bring you back to Zaofu ❞ sometimes, when the soul returns to the body it needs a little help reorienting. Like waking up from sleep, or returning from the Spirit World. Maybe this is the same. ❝ - I managed to convince Su that the Avatar is all the guard she needs. She took— well, everything out of this spare room, but it's a lot more comfortable than a cell.❞

It all sounds so trivial now.

❝I can't wait to tell everyone that you're back.❞

Her touch doesn't abate.

Her voice is a tone lower. ❝But... I kinda want it to be just us for a little while more.❞

I sold my soul to colour this… :’)