Hello again!
I wanted to mention that even though this is a Makorra story, it will also focus a lot on Korra's struggle during her recovery. Those flashbacks at the beginning of Book 4 were some of my top favorite scenes from the whole show and I always thought it was very inspirational and real how Korra dealt with a Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.
But without further ado, Enjoy!
Summary: Following the Battle with the Red Lotus, Korra tries to recuperate from the trauma, while dealing with the demons haunting her at night and a surfacing connection with a certain Firebender.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything from the World of Avatar.
Rating: T will sometimes include curse words and possibly non graphic sex scenes.
"Pride is not the opposite of shame, but its source. True humility is the only antidote to shame."
–Iroh
III
"It's so wonderful to see you again!" the dark skinned woman said with glee as Mako pulled a chair to join the Southern Water Tribe Chief and his family for breakfast. Tonraq sat at the end of the long white table with his wife to the left and Korra closely next to her. The Firebender decided to sit opposite from her, to minimize the tension that he knew would rise between them. After last night, he did not expect any differently. He knew he hurt her and he felt awfully guilty for it but sometimes he could not control his temper. She excelled at getting under his skin, something he had always loved and hated.
A polite smile was directed at the Avatar's mother, "Likewise, Senna." Mako wondered from time to time where Korra got her personality from. Her mother was the most caring person he had ever encountered. She was loving, supportive and patient. She had to be. She raised the Avatar, after all, and not just any Avatar. Korra. It's not that she did not share all of those qualities with her mother, Korra had the best characteristics from both her mother and her father. And then there was that goddamn temper that drove him insane.
She was impatient and hot headed and had that act-now-think-next-year attitude, yet he had never met someone more amazing. He could have never imagined someone could be as strong and selfless as she was. She truly inspired him. Sometimes he could not even believe she was real.
Senna's voice snapped him back from his daydreaming moments. Daydreaming about Korra! He thought while scolding himself internally. "Is your brother coming too?" the older Waterbender inquired with genuine curiosity, as her eyebrows raised slightly.
"Hopefully soon."
"Let him know he's welcome here anytime. All of your friends." Senna turned towards her husband, "Isn't that right, Tonraq?"
"Of course." The head of the family nodded his head in Mako's direction before continuing with his meal.
"Thank you, Sir."
"Just remember, you can stay as long as you want." The woman smiled wholeheartedly and placed her hand on top of his for a couple of seconds, to show him that she meant it. Mako believed her completely. Every time he visited, she treated him and their friends as if they were part of her family. She was just that good of person. "I'm sure Korra is very happy that you're here."
Korra scoffed at her mother's words, but he knew that anger was addressed to him only. "Yes," the corners of her mouth moved tightly upwards and the sarcasm was so obvious it was almost palpable "So happy…" she narrowed her eyes while he looked back at her. She was still angry, obviously, but at least she was not hurt anymore. Otherwise, she wouldn't have even met his eyes. He released a breath he did not know he was holding and got back to his food. He would talk to her later.
The family meal continued uneventfully with the parents talking among themselves and every now and then asking Mako questions about his everyday life and Republic City. He appreciated the small talk as he did not think he could sit quietly the whole time with Korra staring daggers at him. He had no idea how the parents did not notice the tension between them. Mako felt as if even he could airbend the hell out of it.
Unknown to him, Korra was enjoying the whole thing. She had a lot of time the night before to think about their outburst and concluded that since they had to live "together" for an indefinite amount of time, it was better if she put that behind. She was furious during that particular moment, just not exactly at him. Okay, yes, she got mad at him, but mostly at herself. She had spent enough time with him to know that he would never intentionally hurt her. Korra was not the most easy-going person either, so she kind of understood where he was coming from. He was just worried about her. And even though she did not need anyone's help, she was glad that it was him who offered it.
After Mako's level of discomfort reached its highest point with her nonstop staring, he had to run away from it, "If I may excuse myself." He faced the parents at the end of the table with an apologetic look, "I'd like to go contact Bolin. He'll be delighted to hear about the invitation." He heard a small chuckle coming from Korra and he immediately squinted his eyes at her. She was doing this on purpose! Korra stuck her tongue out at Mako.
"Baby," he whispered angrily and she laughed. He felt a smile forming on his lips as well, not caring to stop it.
"What was that, dear?" Senna asked.
"Nothing!" he tried to disregard it but his blush gave him away and that arrogant smirk appeared on Korra's face again. "I just need to go, if that's okay."
"Do you know where to go?" the blue-eyed woman in front of him asked with concern, "We'll find a room for you, Mako. I know you both had some catching up to do yesterday but last night's little disturbance–"
Tonraq's spoke up from his seat as he looked at the dark-haired Firebender, "Last night?" They all sensed the suspicion in his tone, "I thought you arrived this morning!"
"How do you know about that?!" Korra whispered loudly at her mother. This could be a dangerous territory. Even if she was nineteen years old, she did not think her father would easily approve of a man being in her room at night. Not that that hadn't happened before, but Tonraq did not need to know those. Unless Mako wanted to be in a wheelchair too, that is.
"Know about what?" he demanded louder this time.
"You were not exactly quiet," Senna added sheepishly. The Chief, Mako and Korra choked on their own saliva at the comment. It was a very ambiguous message.
"Mom!" Korra yelled as her face turned red. Mako's porcelain white face, on the other hand, looked like it firebent itself on the inside.
"It's alright honey, I understand. You're going through an emotional time and–"
"I'm not going through an emotional time!" Korra raised her voice in disbelief, her blush deepening. This was probably one of the most awkward situations that she'd had involving her parents.
"I can't listen to this," Tonraq raised his hands in defeat and left the room in a heartbeat.
"Yeah, uhm, I…" Mako stood up from his chair while stumbling all over himself. If she did not feel so embarrassed, she would have actually laughed. Korra had to remember that for later. "I'll find my way around."
"What happened?" Senna blinked a few times in confusion, "They sure got upset about the fighting."
If her legs were working, she would have earthbent a hole right under her and disappeared. "Fighting… Of course," Korra laughed nervously and started to head towards the door. "I'll go meet Katara now."
"Another small step," encouraged the elder next to the bars.
Korra inhaled deeply and focused on her limbs. She had always thought of herself as strong, she carried her own weight, she could fight her own battles. Now she depended on everyone around her to do the simplest things for her. There is not one thing she enjoyed from it.
Shaking legs would have dragged her to the ground if not for her arms, which pushed her up against gravity. Sweat trailed down her forehead as only source of support gave in to exhaustion. "I can't."
"You can do this," Katara's gentle eyes were full with hope and encouragement. Looking at this woman made Korra feel like she could do anything. Katara had lost so much in her life, yet she was the pure definition of love. It was fascinating. The young Avatar could only hope she was half as happy as her healer when she turned older. "Try to relax."
"How can I relax?!" she cried in exasperation. She let herself fall and soon after, she drove her fists to the ground with such force, she wouldn't have been surprised if her hands couldn't move afterwards. But reason and rationality went out of the window when anger took over. "I can't do anything!" she hit the ground again, "I hate it!" and again, "And I especially hate–" she rapidly pulled her arm back and with the momentum, released a blast of air from her fist, which sent the wheelchair flying until it collapsed against the opposite wall, "–that fucking chair!"
"I know you must feel frustrated–"
"Of course I'm frustrated!" Her eyes started to burn but she refused to let anything come out of them. She was holding her ground today, well, figuratively. "I've been trying for months and all I can do is take a few steps!"
"And your recovery has been going marvelously," Katara kneeled next to the younger bender as the more experienced, loving hands lifted Korra's hopeless face. The old Waterbender stroked her cheek, "You went through a lot, dear. Your body needs time to fully recover."
"The world is moving on without me! I'm supposed to be out there," her hands covered her face in shame. She did not want anyone to see her crying, "I'm the Avatar..."
"Korra, you have become a selfless and strong young woman and also, a great Avatar," she assured with honesty, "You have done some great deeds for this world already, and it will wait for you, because it will always need you. You deserve this time for yourself."
"You're right." But she did not believe it. And she knew Katara was aware of it as well.
"The things that have happened to you, most people could not even imagine. And you have overcome them all. This is another challenge for you. You don't need to prove you're strong enough. All of us already know," her smile extended from her lips to her eyes.
"Thank you, Katara."
"Now, would you like to try again?"
"I'm sorry about the mess, by the way," Korra rubbed the back of her neck as she looked at the other woman apologetically.
Katara squeezed her hand, "You did well today."
She felt embarrassed to ask but she knew she had to, "Should we call one of the guards to… You know…?" her eyes traveled down her body. She was obviously not going to be able to go anywhere on her own thanks to the wheelchair incident.
"That won't be necessary," the woman stood on the doorway as her eyes twinkled. Korra did not understand why until a familiar face walked in. She could have recognized him from a mile away.
He moved in her direction and held out his hand. Korra could tell he felt hesitant to do so but she reached for him without a thought and he proceeded to lift her body effortlessly. Mako headed outside and she couldn't help but notice how his black hair shone in the sun, or how his Adam's apple nervously moved when golden eyes met blue, or how safe she felt in his arms.
He opened his mouth a few times before actually making a sound, "About yesterday…"
"We're good," she promised as she leaned her head against his chest. "Mako?"
"Yes?"
"How many times did you trip on the way out from the dining room?" She did not turn to see him, but she knew red filled his cheeks again. He did not say anything back, but she could feel his chest vibrating from the laugh he wanted to contain.
And in the middle of the frozen South Pole, Korra thought she felt a distant fire.
I hope you enjoyed this one.
Please leave a review to share thoughts/ideas/opinions/you name it! I would love to hear what you have to say about this chapter.
Thanks for reading!
