Korra and Asami. Where Korra gets severely injured and Asami gets all worried and concerned and helps heal Korra.
The gunshot split the still, dry air.
"No!"
Asami turned on her heel, meeting Korra's wide-eyed gaze as blood blossomed over the stomach of the Avatar's dark blue shirt. Asami's breath caught at the back of her throat, heart leaping to sit at the back of her mouth as Korra fell to her knees.
She was distantly aware of Mako cursing behind her, of Bolin hurling a lava disk at another bandit, Lin's rough voice bellowing orders to her men. Her whole body jolted into action, and she sprinted forwards, sliding down to cradle Korra as she fell back.
"I-I…!"
"Don't speak." She heard herself say, trying not to stare at the growing stain, trying not to smell the rich tang of blood. "It's alright, Korra. It's going to be alright."
They hadn't come across guns in combat until today. Asami had known about them in a vague sort of way. But they were expensive to make, and bending made the little bullets almost obsolete – Korra'd never been trained to fight against them, and somehow she felt that this was her fault because she hadn't prepared Korra for this or even imagined they'd ever face guns in combat and–
"You're… thinking too much." Korra croaked from the cradle of her arms. Asami blinked, her eyes stinging as their gazes locked. "Stop… thinking…"
Mako was suddenly at her side, his face contorted in worry and rage, his eyes focusing on the blood. There was so much of it; she could feel it, hot and warm against her hands as she clutched Korra to her chest. Asami heard him saying something, but she didn't register it, instead tightening her fingers around Korra's limp hand, her stomach turning icy as those blue eyes unfocused.
"No, Korra, Korra – stay awake, okay? Please, just stay awake." Korra's eyes fixed back on hers, smiling weakly.
The next few minutes were a blur to Asami. Bolin gently removed Korra from her arms, carrying her limp form to an ambulance while Mako held her back. She wanted to be at Korra's side, she wanted to punch and scream and struggle against Mako's hold, but instead she just stood there, numb, unable to move or speak, still in shock.
Korra's blood was brilliant and red on her hands.
"C'mon." Lin grunted. "I'll drive you to the hospital."
…
She sat in the waiting room, staring down at the floor and trying to ignore the pale tang of disinfectant and antiseptic. Mako was pacing up and down in front of her, scowling and growling to himself. Bolin was slumped over in his own seat beside her, snoring softly, his head cradled in a limp hand.
She still smelled like Korra's blood. She hadn't had the chance to change out of her clothes, flat out refusing to leave the hospital until she knew that Korra was going to be all right. That had been several hours ago – Tenzin and his family had come and gone, and night had settled over Republic City.
Outside the window came the distant sound of satomobiles, honking their horns and snailing their way past the hospital. She wondered, briefly – angrily – if anyone in the cars below cared. How could they go about their lives as though nothing was wrong? As though their Avatar wasn't on some cold, metal table being torn apart?
The sound of someone clearing their throat snapped Asami out of her thoughts. She looked up to see a white-coated healer standing there, clipboard in hand, spectacles perched on the end of his nose.
She stood. Bolin awoke with a start, grunting something about noodles and blinking blearily. Mako said nothing, leaning against the wall and staring intently at the healer, arms folded.
"Well?" She asked tentatively.
The healer smiled slightly. "She's going to make it. The Avatar is asleep right now, but you're allowed to go and see her."
Relief flooded Asami, so strong and so potent that she slumped back into her chair, tears springing to her eyes. She heard Mako thanking the healer gruffly, Bolin letting out a thankful laugh as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
"I knew she'd be alright." Bolin said, hugging her tightly as she wiped her eyes. "Do you want to see her alone, Asami?"
"Oh, n-no it's all right. We'll all go." She replied, hiccupping slightly before patting Bolin's chest and sliding out of his grip. He gave her a wide grin, bouncing to his feet and clapping Mako on the back.
They all followed the healer at a quick pace, striding purposefully down the quiet, hushed corridor. Asami's heart was trembling in her chest – she was half desperate to see Korra but half terrified of what she would see. She couldn't get the image of Korra slumping to the ground out of her head. She had a feeling it would haunt her for the rest of her days.
They arrived at the room. Korra was there, settled amongst the pale blue sheets. Her dark skin was paler than usual, her face almost skull-like from the yellow lamp beside her. Asami walked forward slowly, sitting on the side of the bed and reaching down to brush the hair back from Korra's forehead. It hurt to see her so limp and weak.
"At least she's alive." Bolin said, standing beside her and peering down at the Avatar.
"Yeah." Mako sighed and took Korra's hand, holding it gently. Asami watched him lace their fingers together with a slight smile. He really had grown up.
Mako and Bolin only stayed for a few minutes. They both looked as exhausted as Asami felt, faced gaunt, and a five o'clock shadow haunting their cheeks. They left soon after – Mako fussing idly over Korra's blankets, and Bolin pulling Asami into another crushing hug, leaving a whiskery kiss on her cheek before departing. The door closed quietly behind them, leaving Asami in the silence of the night.
She turned to gaze down at Korra's sleeping face, leaning down and pressing a soft kiss to the corner of her mouth. It was a relief to hear her breathing, deep and steady and strong. She shouldn't have doubted.
She stood and grabbed the nearby chair, pulling it to stand next to the bed. She settled herself in it, leaning on the scratchy, blue blanket and took Korra's hand, lacing their fingers together and savoring the familiarly warm, rough touch. Finally, being here, feeling Korra alive and resting beside her, settled the clamor of panic in Asami's heart. She closed her eyes, sighed, and allowed herself to sleep, listening to her lover's breathing.