This is a format I used to write with for another fandom. I love the concept of a songfic but I don't find the usual format actually appealing to read. So I integrate the lyrics into the story itself instead of just writing out the lyrics in between paragraphs. So I decided to revisit this concept to help get past some writers block for another story I'm working on and just to get back into the swing of writing regularly. This will just be a collection of one shots so there won't be a set universe or time frame, some of it may not always be canon compliant, just whatever I feel like fits the song best and mainly just a mix of sentimental or angsty short stories. I'm always open to song suggestions and criticism. Thanks for reading!
Song: Silhouette by Wyatt
Setting: Book 4, reuniting in Republic City
Korra knew she needed to head back sooner or later, but didn't imagine it would be under these circumstances. Almost as if Tenzin's children had to drag her home. Truthfully, she never planned to go 'missing' for six months. It just sort of happened. But she didn't regret a moment of it. For lack of better words, it was enlightening. Korra never had the time to connect with herself and learn who she was outside of being the Avatar. At times, she was scared there was nothing besides Raava that truly made her unique. The time alone didn't wash away all those fears but reassured her she was strong enough to find the answers. Her time away did more than remove the remaining the poison lingering behind in her veins, it began to heal the parts of her she worried may forever be lost. Korra was still full of uncertainty but she felt more peace than she had in years, maybe even her entire life.
What was causing her the most distress at the moment was finally seeing Asami again. While Korra was fairly certain that Asami would be understanding, if her multitude of letters was any indication, doubt was clouding Korra's thoughts. She did practically disappear, and Asami spent years trying to reach out and help Korra in any way possible, with only one letter in response.
Korra shook her head and tried to think about anything else. Tenzin told her that Asami spent most of her days at her office now that the majority of the reconstruction was finished and Korra was rushing to get there. She considering calling ahead but that would just be more time away from her. And even flying on her glider, Future Industries seemed years away.
In all reality, it was only four more minutes before Korra gracefully made her landing outside the magnificently constructed tower. Her hands shook with anticipation as she opened the doors to the busy company. The usual receptionist greeted Korra and politely asked if she would like to page Ms. Sato.
"No!" Korra hastily interjected. But quickly recovered and cleared her throat, "Sorry, just here to surprise her, ya know?" She tried to flash her usual cocky smile, but after the past few years, she's felt anything but cocky and confident. She could tell the young lady wasn't entirely impressed.
The receptionist raised her eyebrows but still grinned at Korra, "Well I'm assuming you still know your way up so I'll leave you to it, Avatar Korra." She couldn't have been more relieved to make her way to Asami's office. She tried to remind herself that she couldn't just run around Asami's business and tried to keep a reasonable pace.
But as she reached Asami's office, her hand hesitated at the door for the briefest of moments. 'I have so much to tell you but nothing to say,' she thought. The entire way here she debated on just what to say to her. But nothing seemed to be good enough. 'Sorry I vanished for months but it's really cool to see you again?'
Korra took a shallow breath and tried to calm down. This was her best friend for spirits' sake, she could do this. She finally worked up the courage and knocked on the door. Her thoughts continued to race faster than she could keep up with, 'What should I give you, what should I say to make up for years of silence.'
"Come in!" Asami called from behind the office door. Korra's shaky hand reached for the door handle and couldn't help but feel like she probably shouldn't have come unannounced. What if Asami actually was upset with her? She had every reason to hate Korra for disappearing. But her thoughts came to a grinding halt as soon as the door creaked open and she saw Asami at her desk, scribbling what she imagined must be her next brilliant design.
The few seconds it took for her to look up from her desk felt like an eternity to Korra. But as soon as her emerald eyes met hers, time seemed to stop completely. Korra wasn't the only one at a loss for words. Asami seemed frozen. But as soon as Korra held open her arms, Asami was immediately in front of her hugging her as tightly as possible.
"Korra, I can't believe you're here," she could hear the tears Asami was trying to hold back. If only she knew how much Korra was also falling apart too.
'Just keep playing it safe,' Korra thought to herself. She didn't want to tread into shaky territory just yet. She wanted to savor every happy moment she could possibly have. "I've missed you so much, Asami."
The words she wished she had to nerve to say lingered on the tip of her tongue. Asami was everything to her. She took care of her when no one else could get through to Korra. She kept her strong and kept her from falling over the edge of depression. Korra couldn't imagine life without her and the past three years were excruciating without her presence. 'Don't lie to yourself, we both know what you crave.' Korra chided herself. She's been in love with Asami since their intimate time together during Korra's healing but she knew when she left for the South Pole that she most likely ruined any chance of building a relationship with her (if she ever had the chance at all).
Asami couldn't hold back her tears anymore and was unabashedly crying into Korra's shoulder. "I'm so happy you're safe. I was so worried when you didn't come back," Asami hugged her closer and Korra couldn't help but return the affection. She had no idea how much she missed just being around Asami. It was as if every stress vanished for the few minutes they were embracing.
After Asami caught her breath and felt the tears subside, she pulled back enough to look at Korra, but still didn't let go. "Your hair!" she giggled and brushed it out of Korra's face, "it really suits you." After a short pause she smiled, "You look so much better, Korra. How are you feeling?"
Korra blushed, still captivated from her gentle touch, "I never thought I would feel this way again. It was a hard journey but I'm starting to feel like myself again. I've spent some time reflecting and trying to learn from everything I had to go through."
Asami couldn't help but smile as another tear escaped. She was so relieved that Korra's time away helped her heal. She would've given anything in the world to see Korra this way three years ago. "I'm so happy to hear that, Korra." Asami finally broke the embrace and moved behind Korra to close the door. "Why don't we go sit down and catch up, I'll make us some tea, or would you like a snack? I try to keep everything here pretty stocked since I started spending more time here during the city's reconstruction."
Korra followed Asami into an adjoining room which was furnished with a sofa, a small table, and a few bookshelves. A large window covered one wall and had an amazing view of the city. Korra was absolutely impressed with the road systems and buildings that Asami created. And while she got a few looks while flying to her office, it was truly indescribable looking down from the tower and seeing just how well Asami managed to build such intricate things while being considerate to the spirits.
Asami handed Korra a cup of tea, placed a few cakes and pieces of fruit on the table in front of them, and motioned for her to take a seat. "I'd love to hear about the journey you've been on for the past few months if you're up for sharing," Asami said hesitantly. She didn't want to make Korra uncomfortable but she couldn't help but feel like she needed to hear everything she missed in Korra's life. Admittedly, her own life had been emptier in Korra's absence.
"Of course," Korra half smiled, like she could deny Asami anything. "Honestly, my time home was hard. Some days, I just felt like a silhouette, trying to save me from myself. I didn't know what to do. Katara told me she helped several men and women after the 100 Year War. Many of them had the same problems I did, she healed their physical injuries but they couldn't go back to normal. Had nightmares, visions, even felt like their injuries never left them. She told me the spirit couldn't heal the same way the body could. And that I needed to find my own peace, and then I would start to heal."
"So I left home, I didn't know where I was going, or what I was looking for. I just knew I needed to get away. Mom and Dad were wonderful, but I couldn't look at them every day while feeling like such a...failure," Korra choked on the word. Asami frowned but didn't say anything, which she was grateful for. "I just traveled, saw the world, and learned my place in it. It was almost soothing to feel so tiny in comparison to the rest of the world, almost like my problems weren't so big. But what helped me the most was meeting Toph, Lin's mom."
Asami's eyes bulged and couldn't help but to interrupt, "You met Toph?"
Korra explained how she removed the rest of the poison herself in the swamp, how she felt alive for the first time again. "But Asami, what I really came her for today was to apologize to you. I wanted to write you back more, I wanted to see you, talk to you again, but I didn't know how to. I felt like such a burden and I know I ran because things were hard. And I'm sorry that it took me so long to find my way back."
Asami was tearing up again, and she reached forward to take Korra's hand in her own, "Please don't feel like you have to apologize. All I wanted was for you to feel better. I know you left because you needed to. And I'm just so happy you're here now."
Korra couldn't help but pull Asami in for another hug. And before she could lose her courage, whispered, "I love you so much." And as Asami pulled her in for a gentle kiss, Korra was so happy to feel alive.
So this was my first attempt to write something for the first time in a couple months so I started with an easy song and scenario. But I'm already working on a couple different ideas so any feedback or criticism is welcome. Thank you for reading and I'll be posting more soon!