You're Not There
"Can you believe Vanrrick is being married in four days?" Korra asked as she threw Naga's ball.
"I can't believe Zhu Li wants to spend the rest of her life with him." Asami said as she flipped the page of her book.
"Yeah it is a bit weird isn't it but in happy for them." Korra said as Naga licked her. "Hey is that book important?"
Asami looked up confused. "No I've already read it but there were some areas I wanted to hit again."
Korra shook her head. "You are such a nerd."
Asami rolled her eyes. "I can't help that I like to learn."
"But you can take breaks. Do you want to throw the ball for Naga?" Korra asked as Naga pranced exactly.
Asami put her book down got up. "Sure but I don't think it'll be fun for her. I can't throw it far."
"That's fine Naga will be happy with whatever." Korra assured her.
"Wait here girl." Asami said petting Naga's head. She jogged a good feet away. "Maybe it can be a little like soccer." She said kicking the ball across the yard. She was happy when Naga sent it.
Korra ran over excited. "And you said she wouldn't like it." She watched the two of them play for a while. "Thank you for letting her stay here."
"Korra Naga will always be welcomed." Asami said giving her a smile. "Besides you are pretty much staying with me."
Korra blushed." Oh yeah um I guess I am. I didn't want to ask just in case I would be over staying my welcome."
"I don't mind if you stay here with me. And we're already sharing a bed."
Korra blushed even more. "You don't mind all my cuddling right?"
"No Korra stop worrying. You're not bothering. You're an adorable flustered dork. Plus the cuddling isn't so bad it's your snoring that might have me changing my mind." Asami smirked with a wink.
"I do not snore!" Korra shouted embarrassed.
Asami laughed as Naga licked her face. "Sorry girl but you your friend here was distracting with her whining about how she doesn't snore." Naga whined nudging Asami. "I know girl tell me about." She rolled her eyes.
"Naga!" Korra hissed. "Get over here and be on my side."
Naga nuzzled Asami before rolling on her back. "Good girl Naga!" Asami said rubbing her belly.
"I raised you and this is how you repay me?" Korra glared at her pet before turning her back on them. "I am done talking to either of you. I'm going inside so I don't have to keep witnessing this traitorous act. She got five steps away before she was pushed down.
"Who said we were done enjoying our time outside?" Asami whispered in her ear. Korra whimpered squirming.
They both knew she could easily throw Asami off of her but there was nowhere else she wanted to be than under the girl she was in love with.
"Get off me." Korra grunted.
"Not until you admit that you snore." Asami said as her fingers dance around on Korra's back. Secretly feeling her up.
"Never." Korra said banging her first on the ground.
"Suit yourself then." Asami said and Korra thought she was free.
Her eyes widened as fingers dug into her side. "No!" She cried as Asami started her tickle attack.
"Just admit it and this well all be over!" Asami said as Korra flopped around under her.
"Never!" Korra said through her laughter.
"I can keep this up all day Avatar can you?" Asami teased as she fought off Korra's hands. Korra suffered through another round until she cried uncle. She panted as Asami fell to her side laughing. "Ok I snore but I can always learn to stop or something." Korra said turning to look at her.
"Honestly I don't mind. I'm pretty use to it now. I just like teasing you. Your reactions are funny." Asami said poking her.
Korra swatted her hands. "Having fun at my suspense I see."
"Hey." Asami said catching her hand.
"What?" Korra asked looking into her eyes.
"Have dinner with me?" Asami asked squeezing her hand.
"When?" Korra asked squeezing back.
"Tonight and we could stop by Lin's and see how Kuvira is doing." Asami said shrugging.
"Yeah sure let's do it. Kya says she's already back up and moving around even though she shouldn't be." Korra said with a laugh.
"That's good that she has energy for that but is she ok?" Asami asked. "They didn't- I know they did horrible things to her but- Well I was scared to ask Kya and certainly not Lin. But they didn't rape her did they?" Asami asked quietly looking away from the blue she loved.
"No apparently beating a woman is ok but raping her is going too far." Korra growled. "At least that's what they Lin and Kya said she didn't show any signs of it when she looked her over."
"That's great." Asami sighed in relief as she rolled over in her back and looked at the sky.
Korra stayed watching her however. "Are you ok?"
"No not really. I still don't feel as upset as I thought I would him being buried today like I did when I was little. But look at me. I woke up smiling, cooked and ate a huge breakfast, drew a couple designs, read a book, played with Naga and you. I don't feel like I'm acting like my father is dead. I'm acting like it's just another day. I feel like I should be upset but I can't bring myself to do so. And I don't feel bad about it either." Asami looked back over at Korra. "Again I'm really happy you're here. It makes everything better. I would probably be stressed out about everything if you weren't."
"I'm happy to help." Korra said as they both looked up to the sky. "When are you going to visit him?"
Asami looked at the time on her phone. "Well he's getting buried now. After an hour of me not showing up then reporters should leave. I say in about an hour and a half give or take."
"Want me to come with you?" Korra asks already knowing the answer.
"No I need to do this on my own." Asami said more to herself.
"You're not going to the Island with me." Kya said crossing her arms.
"What?" Kuvira said pouting. Kya wasn't letting her do anything. Her healing session had went great today. Her abdomen stopped hurting.
"You still need your rest. You haven't recovered all the way." Kya explained.
"Well I'm going anyway." Kuvira said crossing her arms.
"If you step foot out of this house I'll call Lin." Kya said glaring at her.
Kuvira scuffed throwing her hand in the air. "Snitch!" Kya smirked as she won. "Fine if you want to play this way then my body will stay here." Kuvira said smirking as she went over to the couch and laid down. She got comfortable and cuddled with a pillow. Her astral projection floated out of her body.
Kya smacked her forehead. "I forgot you can do that." She mumbled and Kuvira giggled.
"So how about it? I'm not actually stepping out of the house so you can't tell Lin on me. Plus my body stays here resting." Kuvira said as she floated in front of Kya. "I guess so." Kya sighed. She walked over and poked Kuvira's face.
"Stop poking me woman." Kuvira said moving her away from her body.
"I'm just checking to see if you can feel it. Just in case something happens to your body." Kya said as she made for the door.
"Well duh I can. It's my body." Kuvira said frowning.
"I don't know how any of that stuff works." Kya said sounding bored.
"Well I am fully aware of my body in this state. I can also go back into my body at any time. No matter where I am." Kuvira explained as she floated around.
Kya nodded opening the door. "Let's go. Float your butt outside so we can get in the cab before they leave."
"I could just fly you there." Kuvira said as she twirled around her and existed the house.
Kya gave her an uneasy look. "Thanks but no. I think I'll take the cab."
Kuvira shrugged. "Suit yourself."
"Did you come here a lot when you were a kid?" Kuvira asked as they rode the ferry to the Island.
"No not really I came a few times but other than that. I tried to stay away." Kya said watching as the Island came into view.
"Why?" Kuvira asked surprised.
"Dad only had eyes for Tenzin most of the times because he was an air bender. Why would I want to be in a place where his focus was on him a hundred percent? A place that showed how proud he was of being able to do something that I can't and would never be able to do." Kya said as the ferry docked.
"Aunt Kya!" Her nieces and nephew came running over and gave her a hug.
"Hi kids." She said hugging them back.
"What are you doing here?" Jinora asked her aunt.
"I came for a visit and this one tagged along." Kya said throwing a thumb over her should and pointing towards
Kuvira's floating form. "Hi." Kuvira gave a nervous wave.
"Is Aunt Lin at work? Is that why you are babysitting Kuvira?" Meelo asked as his sisters bowed to Kuvira.
"Yes but I'm not babysitting her. Kuvira was hurt yesterday and I didn't want her moving around and hurting herself even more. She needs her rest so she came up with this idea." Kya said giving Meelo a disapproving look.
"I'm sorry that you were hurt master Kuvira. We heard about it." Jinora said smiling at her.
"Thank you." Kuvira said landing on the ground. "But I'm fine Kya is just proving to be a worry wart."
"Calling Lin right now is looking like a great idea." Kya muttered.
"S-So w-what are you names again?" Kuvira said nervously as she hurriedly stepped in front of Kya.
"I'm Jinora, this is my sister Ikki, and our brother Meelo. Our youngest brother is probably with one of our parents right now." Jinora said pointing out her siblings.
Kuvira nodded. "Those are good names and I won't forget them."
"Kya!" Bumi said landing beside her.
"Bumi." Kya said giving him a soft smile as she rolled her eyes.
"I haven't seen you a whole lot since you've been staying with Lin." Bumi said giving her a bear hug.
"Put me down!" Kya squirmed in his embrace.
"Sorry sorry." He said laughing at her angry huff as he put her back on her feet. She swatted at but air himself away.
"I see you've gotten better." Kya said watching as him.
"Yeah!" Bumi said puffing out his chest. "Dad would be proud."
"Yeah because he wouldn't be proud of anything else." Kya grumbled as she looked away.
His shoulders sagged hearing what she said. "Kya."
Kya turned away from him. "Kuvira I think the others are here. Would you like to see them?"
Kuvira was watching as the kids demonstrated the air scooter for her. "Um yeah sure I guess." Kuvira said unsure if it was a good idea.
"Baatar Jr. left this morning heading back to Zaofu." Jinora informed him.
"That's alright. It would make things less awkward." Kuvira said.
"Well follow me. I'll take you to them." Meelo said as he started down the path.
"Kya wait!" Bumi said grabbing her arm as the others walked away. "You know I didn't mean it like that. Dad would be proud of you to. You know that."
Kya snatched her arm from his grasp. "I see Tenzin talks are rubbing off on you. You shouldn't have to be an air bender just for dad to show he's proud of you. You were a fine warrior and that should have been enough for him. I'm a water bending master and that still wasn't enough for him. So enjoy how proud a dead man is of you." She said following where the others had went off to.
"Hey guys we brought a guest!" Meelo shouted as he flew over to Wing who caught him.
The earth bending children and Bolin turned to see Kuvira with the other two air nation kids. "Kuvira!" They said as she walked closer.
"Forgot you were an energy bender." Bolin said as she floated over and sat on the ground in front of them. They all sat down in a circle not really sure what to think.
"Hey Kuvira?" Kya called. "I'll be inside talking to Tenzin. You can come find me when you're done or just go back to Lin's." She said when the girl looked at her.
"So um this is awkward." Bolin said speaking again when nothing was said.
"I forgot that you talk a lot." Kuvira smirked as everyone laughed.
Bolin pouted as his shoulders slumped. "She was only teasing honey." Opal said placing a hand on his shoulder.
"So what do you think of us?" Wei asked.
"You're probably not mom's biggest fan right now." Wing said giving her an apologetic look.
"I am not but what happened to me in cell wasn't her fault. I just need time." Kuvira aid leaning back on her hands.
"And what about us? Did you ever think of us as family?" Opal asked hopeful.
"No." Kuvira said with a blank face. "You were simply the family housing me. And to say that any one of you actually thought of me in such a way is unbelievable. We never saw each other that much. If we did play together. You all teased me or just wanted to see my talents. I never ate dinner with you. We never did any family activities together. I never spent any holidays with any of you. I only trained and studied. Su never officially adopted me and for that I will be forever grateful. Su never once treated me like a daughter. You all were nothing to me."
"What about Aunt Lin?" Huan asked as his other siblings sat shocked by her true words.
They glanced at each other as a fond smile spread across Kuvira's face. "Lin." Kuvira closed her eyes taking a deep breath before looking at them. "Lin was like my blessing out of that dark place whenever she visited. She was my everything as I grew closer. She's the family that I lost. That is until your mother took her from me." She explained that part of her story and what Lin had told her.
"So that's why they were always fighting before Aunt Lin just stopped coming around." Huan said frowning.
"Wow who knew mom could be such a bitch sometimes." Wing said still shocked.
Wei nodded but hit him aside the head. "Be that as it may. She's still our mother so don't be disrespectful." Wing glared ready to tell him off.
"He's right you know. You are allowed to be mad and maybe even disrespectful if you want. But she is still you mother." Kuvira said shrugging.
"I'm guessing that's part of the reason they were fighting yesterday." Opal said looking at Kuvira.
Kuvira nodded. "From what Kya said she was pretty mad. She was scared of Lin. She knew Lin would never hurt her but still her eyes held so many emotions."
"How's living with Lin?" Pema asked as Kya sat down with the other adults.
"It's always been fun but the last couple of days have been a really wild ride." Kya sighed taking the cup of tea that was offered to her.
"Oh I'm sure it has." Pema said only loud enough for her to hear with a wink. Kya choked as she blushed.
"Kya are you alright?" Tenzin asked fussing over her as Pema laughed.
"Fine." Kya said coughing as she sat her cup down. "I'm just fine. Anyway where's Rohan?" She said looking around for the little three year old.
"Oh I put him down for a nap a little while ago. I'll go get him." Tenzin said excusing himself out of the room.
"Listen Kya I'm sorry for my wife's behavior." Baatar said sadly.
Kya waved him away. "It's alright you can't control her. Just like I have no control over how Lin acts."
Pema raised an eyebrow at this and Kya groaned. "Oh? I wasn't aware that you two had finally gotten together."
"I-"
"Who's gotten together?" Tenzin asked coming back into the room carrying his son. Kya smiled as Tenzin passed him to her.
"Hi Aunt Kya." He said giving her a smile as he rubbed his eye.
"Hey little guy. Sorry I woke up but I wanted to see your cuteness."
"It's ok." He yawned and snuggled into her.
"So who's together?" Tenzin asked again as he settled in his seat.
Kya glared at Pema as the woman smirked at her. "Oh I was asking if Lin and Kya had gotten together after all this time of dancing around each other." Pema said smiling as Kya sent her daggers with her eyes.
Tenzin blushed and Baatar chuckled. "I'm happy for you Kya. Lin is a very good woman."
Kya blushed. "We are not together, we have not been dancing around each other each other, and I have no idea where you've gotten this idea from." She hissed at them.
"Alright Alright Kya. We were just stating that you two would be great together." Tenzin said stroking his beard.
Kya's phone rung before she could answer him. She smiled as she saw the name. "Is that Linny?" Pema teased as the other laughed.
She glared as she got up and left the room holding Rohan. "Hi Linny." She smiled stepping outside at the chuckle she received.
"Most people answer with hello." Lin said.
"Yeah but why waste time with that when I can just go ahead and greet my favorite chief of police."
"Kya I'm the only chief you know." Lin sighed. "I knew Toph but she wasn't my favorite." She said kissing Rohan's head.
"Did you call to check on Kuvira? Did you get the pictures I sent you this morning?"
"Yes and no. I trust you and know that you would let me know if anything is wrong. I also did get the pictures. You creeper." Lin joked as she looked at the pictures of Kuvira sleeping that Kya sent her this morning. Kuvira looked so at peaceful as she cuddle her pillow.
Kya scuffed causing Rohan to giggle. "Well I won't be sending you anymore pictures." She huffed bouncing the little boy on her hip.
"Oh come on now I didn't say that I didn't love them." Lin said smirking down at her phone resting on the desk.
"That's what I thought but you said that you didn't only call to check up on Kuvira?" Kya asked trying to think of hat it could be.
"Can't I call to just to talk to my best friend while I'm on break?" Lin asked happy Kya couldn't see her blush.
"Oh." Kya asked surprised.
"What? You didn't want to hear from me at all?" Lin asked running a hand through her hair.
"No just surprised you took a break is all." Kya laughed.
Lin rolled her eyes. "So what are you up to?"
"Hold on." Kya said pulling her camera up on the phone. She got Rohan's attention as she took the picture and sent it to Lin. "He's just waking up." Kya said bringing her phone back to her ear.
Lin chuckled. "Cute." She pulled up her own camera and took a picture of herself and sent it. "I'll have to find time to come see the kid." Kya opened the picture and gasped. "What? Is something wrong?"
"No." Kya said showing Rohan. Lin was beautiful. Even in her uniform with a simple small smile she was stunning.
"Lin!" Rohan said excitedly as he looked at the picture.
"That's right. Do you want to say hi?" Kya asked her nephew.
"Yeah!" He reached for the phone.
"Hold on a minute." Kya chuckled. "You're about to be on speaker phone don't say anything bad."
"I think you have me confused with yourself." Lin said smiling as she rolled her eyes.
"Here you go Rohan." Kya said holding the phone.
"Lin!" He yelled.
"Hi kid." Lin said as she imagined the excited three year old running towards her.
"Love you." He said giving the phone a kiss.
Kya cooed as she kissed her cheek. "You are so adorable." Rohan giggled kissing her cheek back.
"I love you to kid." Lin said. She was really going to have to go to the Island sometime soon. "Well I've got to go."
"Aww so soon." Kya said taking the phone off speaker.
"Yeah but I shouldn't be here too long." Lin said picking up her phone.
"Any requests for dinner?" Kya asked.
"Whatever the two of you feel like eating. I love your cooking so I know I'll like it." Lin said as she couldn't wait to get off work.
"Well then I'll see you at home." Kya said hoping that she really wouldn't be there all night.
"Bye Kya." Lin said wishing she didn't have to hang up.
"Bye Lin." Kya said hanging up. She sighed and brought the phone to her lips.
"Kya?" Rohan asked tapping her cheek. "Don't be sad."
"I'm ok sweetie. Do you want to go play?" She asked already heading off towards the water as he bounced excitedly.
Asami took a deep breath before getting out of her car. She walked through the cemetery already knowing where she was heading. She stopped and starred at her father's gravestone. It was small with it only being his ashes and all. She sighed balling her fist up. "When I was younger and didn't know the man behind the mask. I use to imagine this moment. I thought it would be so sad. I thought it would be raining. Wind whipping at my face. Me crying a limitless amount of tears as I watched your casket being lowered into the ground. But then I realized I'm not burying the man with the mask. No I burying the man under it. The man you changed after mom was murdered. The man who aided in destruction with no problem. A man who tried to kill me. A man who wanted forgiveness only after he went to prison just like everyone else. I can't forgive and I never will but I'll never forget the dad I use to know. The one who loved his family more than anything else. The man I looked up to. I wanted to be like you."
She stared it reading his name over and over again. "I'm in love with the Avatar. She's everything I wanted and everything I could ever need. I haven't told her yet and I've felt this way for over three years. She's been nothing but sweet and caring since she's been back. We've kind of become inseparable. I'm scared she'll disappear for an even longer time if I look away for too long. I think she's scared I'll put up walls around myself at any chance I get. Honestly I would if I had to go through it again. Of course with her being the Avatar I know what it means for our relationship. But if she becomes mine then I have no choice but to wait for her. I know she's it for me even if she doesn't return my feelings. I wish I could have told you that in person. I wanted to hear your approval. Is should get going. I just wanted to come and say something. Anything really. Anything for a proper goodbye. I love you dad." Asami said walking.
She held it together as she walked to her car. Once in the safety of her tinted windows she let it all out. Leaning on the steering wheel as she cried. Korra was waiting in the garage for her when she got back. Her vision started to become blurry again as she turned off the car. Korra opened the door and pulled her into her arms. Asami broke down again clinging to her.
"I got you Sami. Let it all out." Korra's said soothingly as she held the girl close.