Disclaimer: I own nothing. To Sachin Teng for his amazing work; cover is his.
Gloved
She stared at her hand. There was nothing wrong with it, not that there had to be, but for their whole vacation, it felt weird. Korra had her bending, Asami had her electrified glove, but she didn't bring it along.
And yet, she stared at her left hand, not her right one. Not the hand which usually wore the glove, not the one that had taken the Avatar's hand to walk through the portal . . . but there was something tender about it. Making a fist with her left, Asami sighed and rolled to her right. Korra was there, she would always be there, and even though she wields all four elements and holds Raava within, she's beyond all that.
Her girlfriend, her love, the one who holds her. But the embrace itself was different. It offered more comfort than protection, a tingling that covered her pale skin in goosebumps and made her forget everything. Forget that the world depended on them both, their responsibilities and their failures and — just, everything. Even if the touch couldn't conceal the pain of having lost her father, it was soothing enough.
"Hey . . . ." Those rough fingers took her tears. "Come here love."
The single word undid her. Korra's open arms were always a welcome refuge, and she buried her head.
"Shhhhh," a peck on her face finally coaxed a smile, "it's okay. I'm here, and I'm never leaving your side."
Asami wanted to demand a promise, but knew she wouldn't. Her throat constricted, but it finally helped her calm down. No, this comforting touch may never be able to help her forget the pain of losing her father — experience from losing her mother had taught her something. Time, doesn't heal wounds. All time ever does, is make us numb to the pain so we stop feeling it. But it's there, and it won't go away. Taking a deep shuddering breath, and looking deep into those azure eyes, was enough to tell her everything would be better. Because her Avatar, the one who can soothe her pains, would be besides her.
"I love you."
"I love you, Asami," they sealed it with a chaste kiss because, well, she was exhausted. Emotional turmoil tended to do that. "I love you so much.
"Now let's dry those tears."
"You silly girl," she said back, chuckling, which was her girl's desired reaction.
"You love me because of it!"
"No, I love you for it."