Title: Silence and the Rain
Rating: T (for language)
Summary: When Korra a gets bit of needed and unexpected advice, she realizes that as much as Republic City needs her that someone else may need her as well.
The inspiration for this story came from the song "Real Kiss" by Thomas Newman from the The Adjustment Bureau Soundtrack when I was looking through my Dashboard on Tumblr and one of my fellow Tahnorrains asked if anyone could see Tahno and Korra kissing in the rain when listening to this. So thank you to lifeinredshades.
Disclaimer: I do not own Legend of Korra or any of its characters. Legend of Korra belongs to Bryke and Nick.
Korra stood still as she listened to the quiet sound of small waves crashing against Aang Memorial Island. As she took a deep breath she opened her eyes and took in the bright lights of Republic City. Finally, her sight settled on the golden glow of the Pro-Bending Arena. Even though it was only a few days after Amon's attack during the Championships, it was still undergoing clean up of all the wreckage and a thorough investigation from Republic City's police department.
Korra sighed as she let her hand slip from the giant monument of Avatar Aang. She wasn't sure why she had come there, especially since the last time she was there Amon had almost taken away her bending. She thought maybe she thought if she came to the previous Avatar's monument it would help. In some way give her some unspoken advice and strength. She dropped to the ground as thoughts began to cloud her mind. How could she be the avatar? How could she live up to Avatar Aang's legacy and his idea of harmony and peace if she could barely airbend and take down a few rebellious citizens? She felt like was failing this city. She had thought when Tenzin had come to the South Pole and mentioned that the great city had fallen out of balance that her help would have made things better.
"I'll never be able to help this city. I'm sorry Aang." Frowning, Korra pulled a small ball of water from the vast expanse surrounding her. She let the cool substance slip lazily in between her fingers before letting it plop back into the bay. Suddenly, she felt a strong gust of wind blow her backwards. "Even the spirits don't think much of me." she said blowing a few loose strands of hair out of her face.
"Oh quite the contrary, Korra." an eerie voice said. "I think the spirits have faith that you will do much more than save this city." She looked around but on was there. As Korra blinked an elder man that seemed to glow blue appeared before her mind's eye. When she opened them again, he wasn't there. "Try closing your eyes again, Korra." As she did, the figure seemed to glow brighter than before. A jovial smile occupied his face.
"Am-am I in the spirit world?"
"No," his face began wrinkle as he started to ponder the idea. "but you were right to come here Korra. When I first met Avatar Ruko, he spoke to me through a dream."
"Avatar Aang?"
"In the flesh, well spirit I guess."
All at once, every question she ever thought to ask the elderly Airbender came to mind. "Avatar Aang, I have so many questions-"
'I know you do, but maybe another time."
"But… what about Republic City? How-how am I supposed to help it if-"
"I have faith that in time you will know what to do, Korra. You'll become a great airbender and another great Avatar will bring change to this world for the better." Aang said politely cutting her off. "But for now I think, there is someone in greater need of your help than Republic City." His figure began to fade and her mind began to zoom over the expanse of Yue Bay, winding through the streets of the quiet city until finally it reached the Pro-Bending Arena. Instantly her eyes popped open just as a figure was coming into focus.
"Until we meet again, Avatar Korra."
…
By the time Korra had made her way to the Arena the sky had let loose an all out down pour. Her eyes smarted as droplets began to collect in her eyelashes. Even though water had soaked her clothes she would stop till she found who Aang had said needed her. She refused to turn her back on those who needed her.
Korra had almost done a clean sweep of the perimeter of place when a voice startled her. "Finally here for those private lessons, sweetheart?" Instantly her head whipped around to see a hunched figure sitting on the back steps of the Arena.
"Tahno?"
"Don't wear my name out, Doll face." He lifted his head slightly and Korra was finally able to take in his full appearance. His pale face seemed much older. There were bags under his eyes and the familiar cocky smirk was long gone from his face. He was the perfect picture of utter defeat. Tahno? Tahno was a self-assured cocky bastard. He prided himself in being worshipped by everyone who had ever heard of pro-bending. Of the endless girls who'd swoon over him and be draped on his arms. Who looked down upon anyone who he thought was below him, including herself. But this, this broken down creature in front of her, was not Tahno.
His grey eyes met hers and she felt a sickening feeling take hold of her stomach. Instantly memories of a couple nights before came flooding back to her. In those eyes she saw Amon standing over him, his whole body shaking, riddled with fear. Amon's cool fingers pressing against his forehead, and then…she didn't even want to think about it. She knew what it felt like to feel completely helpless while someone stood above you deciding whether or not to take away the very thing that made her, her. Only with Tahno, fate had not been so kind.
Korra saw him shake his head, probably because he thought he saw pity forming in her eyes. He was probably wondering why she was still standing there. Honestly, she didn't know herself. Tahno had done nothing to deserve her kindness, let alone her pity; but what she saw sitting there huddled in the rain didn't seem to be that person. If anything, this well known big shot had just been dropped by the world and left a hollow shell of the man he once was.
Sighing, Korra took a seat next to him. A puddle had begun forming on the step, but she didn't care. What did it matter since she was already soaked to the bone anyway? Almost instantly Tahno's head turned towards her. His light colored eyes blazed then went dull again. "You should be out here, Korra." she couldn't say that she wasn't surprised by him calling here by her real name. Two simple syllables that sounded great with his velvety voice. And fro some some reason she wanted him to say it again.
Pushing the thought away, she wrapped her arms around herself. "What are you doing out here, Tahno?"
"Isn't obvious, Avatar," he said mocking her slightly by making the 'a' sound like an 'uh'. For a split second a small smile captured his lips then faltered. He sighed. "This is the one place I thought no one would come looking for me. Wouldn't make much sense for a…a non-bender to be at a Pro-bending Arena would it?" A few strands of stringy, wet hair fell into his face as he hung his head.
Korra couldn't say she didn't understand that. Had she not been doing the same thing a few hours ago? If it weren't for Avatar Aang she'd probably still be there.
"Then again, you found me so it looks like I didn't choose a very good hiding place."
"There's no point in hiding Tahno." He looked over at her expectantly. "Eventually the thing you're running from will catch up with you." Korra said quietly. She got the feeling that she wasn't just talking to Tahno. Eventually she was going to have to face Amon. And eventually he was going to have to be stopped at all costs.
It hadn't really occurred to Tahno that even though she was the avatar that she had fears. She always seemed so fearless. Always willing to stand up and fight. Something had to have happened to make her falter in her fierceness. Tahno wasn't really one to commit to anyone but himself, but he had the feeling that Korra needed someone. Especially someone better than that blind firebender. He almost wanted to be that someone.
Suddenly Korra found herself on her feet, hand extended. "C'mon Tahno."
"What?"
"Even pretty boys like you don't deserve to just sit out in the rain." she said smirking. He took her hand and she pulled hard. Then, he was standing over her again, just like that night at Narook's. His stringy hair fell into her face and Korra could finally make out his eyes. They stood out beautiful against his pale skin. They looked so much better especially without that creepy guy liner. They almost reminded her of storm clouds.
"Still think I'm a pretty boy?"
Korra felt the heat rush to her cheaks as she stepped away from him. "Don't push your luck."
"Wouldn't dream of it."
Well, I hoped you guys enjoyed it. Sorry to all of you who liked this story and I kinda left you hanging, my computer was being stupid and didn't save the last of it. I'm not real sure I like how I ended it but I can't think of anything better at the moment. Thanks so much for reading and I think I'm going to write a part 2 to this.