"AGNI! Are you serious right now?"
If anyone was on Air Temple Island that night, they would have easily heard the brash waterbender's clamor. And, as fate would have it, that shout would be heard at 2:53 AM, causing everyone within a 800 meter radius of Korra's room to involuntarily wake up. And, as fate would also have it, the two people to check on the Avatar were the very two people who had plagued her dreams just a moment earlier.
Hearing the door ease open, Korra screwed her eyes shut, willing her visitor to leave as quickly as he had came. Silence filled the air, broken only moments later.
"I know you're not asleep. You're clearly holding your breath and stiff as a board."
Realizing her mistake, two choices popped in her mind. She could keep not breathing and moving, hopefully causing him to believe that she actually did sleep like a rock.
"You also woke me up with your rather untimely announcement."
She could also give up, and recognize her visitor.
Hell! I'll do that when Ikki can stop talking for more than a minute!
Being the kick-ass Avatar that she is, Korra knew that staying still was difficult, since she had pure swag flowing through her body, but she also found it ridiculous that she could hardly hold her breath for more than 37 seconds. Soon enough, she gasped for air, nearly causing hyperventilation.
Well, shit.
"So, you're still going to ignore me. Even though it's obvious that you're awake."
Hearing the slightest crescendo of footsteps, Korra prayed that, somehow, the spirits would bestow on her the ever useful ability to make oneself fall deeply asleep immediately. Because clearly they're on her side right now.
The springs groaned under the added weight, a tentative, but calloused hand placed between the Avatar's shoulder and elbow.
"Korra, I understand that you have a lot to deal with right now. Amon and the Equalists, mastering airbending, our relati-."
"LOOK, my love life is the last thing on my priority list, I'd really appreciate it if you'd stop bringing it up every five minutes."
"Okay, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I just wanted to make sure you knew that I am here for you. I will always have open ears and a shoulder perfectly designed for leaning on. It's getting tough, and nobody, not even the ALMIGHTY AVATAR KORRA," -Korra's smirk went either unnoticed or unregarded- "should have to endure this alone."
"How can you say that, when Republic City is turning against me with every citizen that loses their bending? It's my job and my job alone to protect this city and it's people from monsters like Amon. Everytime someone loses their bending, that's one more person who views me as a failure, one more person to turn against me. I have no choice but to endure this alone."
"That's where you're wrong. Look around you, you're surrounded by people who love and care for you. All of us, we support you, and will never turn against you, no matter what happens. I will stand by your side through all the battles that are to come, just as I have in the past. I will not give up on you. I will not leave you. You are an amazing Avatar, but even more than that, you are an amazing person."
He nudged Korra's cheek with a knuckle, gently ruffled her hair, and stood. He looked down at the cocky, rude, obnoxious, and, as some would testify, violent waterbender. A smile graced his lips, one filled with fondness, trust, and something else.
"Goodnight, Korra."
As the door slid shut, the troubled Avatar threw her head into her palms, and back into her pillow.
If only I could make my love life be at the bottom of my priority list. UGH! Why does he have to be so loveable when he talks all serious…