When Korra opened her eyes, she was nowhere she recognized. She floated in an endless cosmic expanse, stars glittering around her. Even her body was a mystery. When she held her hands up, her skin was purple and she could almost see through them.

Korra nearly screamed. Am I dead? Did that spirit kill me in the Avatar state? Yet as she thought it, she knew it couldn't be true. Distantly, she felt a steady thumping. Her heart, she realized. So then this was her spirit. She must be separated from her body.

"You are."

The voice startled her because it was her own. Korra's head snapped up. In front of her was a double made of blue light. This Korra looked serious, standing tall, shoulders rigid. "What happened to me?"

Her image rippled, changed features, grew, and suddenly it was Aang standing before her. "Your Avatar spirit was touched by the dark spirit's energy. Now your body is trying to purge it before it kills you. Your friends are doing their best to help stabilize your body, but the only way for you to cleanse yourself is to reconnect with Raava." Aang rippled and morphed into Roku. "Find Raava," he echoed.

Roku changed into Kyoshi, Kyoshi to Kuruk, Kuruk to Yanchen, and so on, moving faster until Korra couldn't distinguish any of the faces. Then, everything ceased to move as the man she'd seen during the attack materialized.

Korra didn't know how she knew his name but she said it with certainty. "Wan."

"To reconnect with Raava, you should know about how I became the first Avatar." He smiled and held out a hand. "It should help you with your problems, too."

A patch of cosmos blurred until she saw Wan running. She watched as his life unfolded. She learned of Raava, a light spirit, and the evil counterpart, Vaatu. When Wan severed the two, Korra found herself paying closer attention. She watched the way the spirits darkened just like the ones she'd fought. Vaatu grew and Raava shrank as Wan's human and spirit friends fought. She wondered if a similar battle was waging back in the Southern Water Tribe. Hopefully not.

When Wan defeated Vaatu during Harmonic Convergence, the vision started to fade out until it was gone completely, replaced by Wan and Raava. "Korra." Raava's voice was deafening. "Harmonic Convergence is almost upon us once again. I fear that opening the spirit portal has strengthened Vaatu."

That wasn't good. "Unalaq plans to open the northern portal, too," Korra said.

Raava trembled. "Then you must stop him. If the portals are open, and Vaatu escapes his prison, he will be able to enter the material world. And you've seen what will happen if that transpires."

"Vaatu's still imprisoned though, right?" Korra asked.

It was Wan who answered. "For now. But with spirits and humans fighting again, he may grow strong enough to break free. You can't let that happen. You have to stop Unalaq from opening the other portal and close the southern one."

"Or there will be ten thousand years of darkness and humanity will be wiped out?" Korra frowned when Wan nodded. "Great."

So this was why Unalaq started a war. He knew all about spirits so it couldn't be a coincidence the war between the tribes aligned with Harmonic Convergence. He wanted the hatred and violence of mankind to free Vaatu. Why he would want to unleash the spirit of darkness and chaos was still unclear to her, and neither Wan nor Raava offered any suggestions when asked.

"Whatever he's doing, he won't be able to complete it if the spirit portals remain closed. Even if Vaatu is released, he will be contained in the spirit world and you can seal him away as I did," Wan said.

Wan drifted behind Raava and she sank into his chest. Her spiritual markings glowed on his chest. Korra felt something in her own chest stir. Wan spiraled back into the depths of space, followed by thousands of other Avatars until Korra was left floating in front of herself again. Except this Korra's eyes glowed with Raava's light and when she spoke, it was with Raava's voice. "You know what you have to do. Close the southern spirit portal before Harmonic Convergence arrives in one week's time." The world around Korra swirled together before exploding in light.

Korra's eyes snapped open and she gasped, dragging in a gulp of air. She shot up in…bed? Where…? Whipping her head around was fruitless. Wherever she was, it was dark. Hastily, she made a flame in the palm of her hand. The room was made of metal and, as Korra's heartbeat slowed and her senses opened, she realized she could feel water around her, though it was out of sight. She must be on Varrick's ship.

That didn't matter. She had to find everyone, warn them what Unalaq was up to. The entire world was at stake. Korra threw off the covers pooled around her waist, swung her legs off the bed, and stood, starting for a moment when her bare feet touched the cool floor.

Someone had taken off her boots. No, more than that. She was in a fresh change of clothes: a plain white tank top and silk blue pajama pants that were too long and baggy. This wasn't the time to wonder though, so she took a step towards the door across the room when a groan made her pause.

Sheets ruffled behind her. Korra spun and saw a figure she hadn't noticed before lying on the other side of the bed. It was easy to miss the person; the bed was huge, leaving plenty of space between Korra's spot and theirs, and the darkness of the room swallowed everything easily.

Quietly as she could, Korra dropped her hand to illuminate the person's face. Wavy, black hair, soft pink lips, angular cheekbones. Korra's heartbeat picked up as she stared down at a sleeping Asami. Despite the poor light, Korra saw dark circles under Asami's eyes, a puffiness to her cheeks. Even her hair looked tangled for once. A stab of guilt prickled in Korra's stomach. Even though she couldn't help what happened to her, Asami must've been so worried.

The light in her hand illuminated a covered porthole. Korra tiptoed over and slid back the cover. She could barely make anything out in the darkness save for a sliver of moonlight and choppy waves.

It was the middle of the night and miles of open sea surrounded them. They probably weren't back to Republic City yet. Varrick would be heading back to the city as fast as they could since they were running from Unalaq's forces, so she supposed there wasn't much else she could do but wait. She could tell everyone what she'd learned when they woke. They'd need to be rested for what was to come.

She glanced back at Asami and suddenly felt nausea sweep up from her gut to her head. Korra clutched her skull and blinked through the firelight in her palm as dozens of images of Asami swamped her mind. Countless hugs, Asami running into an umbrella stand, leaning against her car, eating a sweet roll, staring at Korra over a vase of flowers, touching Korra, kissing Korra, first soft, then hard, long, passionate, running her fingers through Korra's hair, teasing the hem of Korra's shirt with one hand while the other dug into her shoulder…

Some images were blurry around the edges, like they were more dream than reality, but she couldn't focus long enough to sort it out. In her daze, Korra stumbled forward and smacked her knee into the foot of the bed. Asami grumbled in her sleep. The stinging cleared away the visions. Korra rubbed her head. She must not be completely healed. It was more impressive that she hadn't set the bedroom on fire during her head rush.

Food. And water. That might help. She was starving. She resolved to go look for some sustenance. It wasn't like she had anything else to do but think about getting reinforcements to aid the Southern Water Tribe. She couldn't stop Unalaq or the rampaging spirits without them. So, Korra snuck out of the room as quietly as she could so she wouldn't wake Asami.


The room was darker than Asami remembered. Mako or Bolin must've snuffed the lanterns in the room after she'd fallen asleep. It was quieter too.

It had been a long day and a half, but thankfully they'd reach Republic City by tomorrow. If Korra didn't wake up by then, Asami could get her to the best doctors in the city. No one would turn down helping the Avatar. As it was, Korra had received some help from the crew—a firebender who read her energy and a waterbender who happened to have a vial of healing water on him—but her continued unconsciousness was worrisome. If the sheer exhaustion hadn't overwhelmed her, Asami would still be awake watching over Korra.

As she woke up a little more, she reached over to feel the reassuring warmth of Korra's arm but her fingers brushed over cool sheets. Fully awake now, Asami got up and fumbled for the lanterns. Varrick had self-lighting lanterns so she didn't have to mess with matches, but she almost wished she had. Her heart beat fast as the lights flickered on, revealing an empty bed.

"Korra?" she called. Nothing.

Maybe she rolled in her sleep and fell off the bed. No body was on the other side though as Asami rounded the large mattress. Where did she go? Had someone taken her? Or what if Korra woke up and stumbled off, half delirious and got into trouble. She thought she felt a twinge in her knee.

Asami was halfway to the door when it swung open. Korra stood in the doorway, holding a glass of water and a bowl of rice. "Asami? Did I wake yo—oof!"

Asami threw her arms around Korra's neck and pulled her into an embrace. "You're awake!" she cried. Not just awake, Korra looked okay.

Arms wrapped clumsily around Asami's middle. "Yeah. How long was I out?"

Asami released Korra and guided her to sit on the edge of the bed. "A day and a half." She couldn't help but take Korra's hands after the rice and water were set on the nightstand. It was a physical reminder Korra was fine. This wasn't a dream. "After I pulled you into the boat, it was like you were in a trance. I was so worried. And you kept muttering things about someone named Wan."

There wasn't anything she could do but watch and worry over her soulmate. It was concerning how Asami felt nothing for the entire duration. Even now, she couldn't feel any of Korra's pain. Could she really be unscathed?

With a clenched jaw, Korra smiled at her. "About that. The spirit's attack touched the Avatar spirit inside me and messed up my energy. I've fixed it now, though." She let go of one of Asami's hands and cupped Asami's cheek. The touch was soft and Asami leaned into it. "I'm okay, Asami."

"I'm glad." She smiled when Korra's thumb brushed beneath her lower lip but she was curious. "What happened to you?"

It was a lengthy, disheartening explanation. Dread filled her when Korra told her about Vaatu and how Unalaq's plan involved strengthening the spirit. What was Unalaq going to do? Unleash ten thousand years of darkness and destroy the world? What would he accomplish with that? He'd have no one to rule over.

"I don't know what his endgame is," Korra answered her thoughts. "But it's not good. We have to get back to the Southern Water Tribe with forces as soon as possible. They can hold back my uncle and his army while I close the portal. We've only got a week to do it."

"We should wake everyone, see if we can get to the city faster." Asami moved to get off the bed but Korra caught her wrist.

"I've already talked to the crew." Korra shrugged. "We can't go any faster without damaging the ship."

A yawn escaped Asami. "In that case, I guess I can catch some more sleep." Not that she could knowing what she knew now. Or with Korra so close to her on the bed. "I can go to another room if want." She wasn't sure where they stood after the hasty kiss.

Korra rolled her eyes and pushed Asami back on the bed then flopped down on her stomach beside Asami. "This is fine."

They settled more properly into the bed, though they kept space between them. As Asami pulled the duvet over her legs, she looked up and caught Korra staring at her pajamas. She coughed and Korra's eyes snapped up. "Something wrong?" Asami asked.

"We match," Korra said, her voice strained.

She was hoping Korra wouldn't ask. "The room had pajamas and your clothes were soaked. You weren't waking up and I didn't want you to get hypothermia so I changed you but I didn't look, I promise." Not looking led to a bunch of accidental, awkward brushing but Asami was too embarrassed to say so. "I figured you'd rather have me do it than Mako or Bolin," Asami finished quietly.

"Yeah. Thanks." Korra buried her face into her pillow.

Silence overwhelmed them. Asami thought maybe Korra had fallen back asleep, which given the awkward turn in conversation would be welcome, but then Korra rolled on her side so she was facing Asami, her blue eyes glazed in thought.

"What's wrong?" Please don't let this be about me undressing you, Asami thought.

"My head's still kind of messed up." Korra scratched her forehead. "I'm having a hard time telling memories from dreams."

Asami shifted closer under the covers and fixed Korra with an earnest stare. "Maybe I can help. We've kind of been inseparable lately." She smiled when Korra scooted closer too.

"I should be sorted out in a few days." She wasn't smiling.

"I can help," Asami insisted. It was probably the only thing she could help with right now.

Korra looked away. "It'll be embarrassing if what I say didn't happen."

"Korra, we're soulmates." Asami refrained from saying they were dating. It would be her luck that Korra couldn't properly remember their date. Or the kiss. "You can tell me anything."

This seemed to sink in. Korra held her gaze this time. "Well, it's mostly what I remember about you that's mixed up. We uh, we went on a date, right?" Korra looked away again, "And we kissed?"

Asami nodded. "I kissed you before you went to move the blockade." Before everything fell apart.

"So, just the one kiss? Okay, that solves things." The words dawned on her too late but Korra snapped her mouth shut anyways.

Asami raised an eyebrow while her heartbeat picked up. "Been dreaming about more kissing?" she teased, though if she were honest, she'd been dreaming about the same thing.

Instead of getting flustered, Korra grinned at her. "Well, yeah." Asami blushed. "Especially after that tiny one."

"Varrick wouldn't have tolerated a longer one," Asami said. At least she knew now Korra was okay with being kissed. Asami worried she'd been moving too fast.

Fingers gripped her hip. Asami blushed harder as Korra leaned in and whispered, "Varrick's not here right now and I'm not tired yet." Korra's nose brushed her cheek, but then she pulled back, concern on her face. "This is okay, right? When we get back to the city, I don't know if we'll have time for anything and I wanted to show that I like you and—"

Asami pressed her index finger to Korra's lips. "If you're gonna kiss me, just kiss me."

Korra didn't hesitate. She let go of Asami's hip, pushed Asami's hand away, then slid her fingers into Asami's hair. Her nails scraped against Asami's scalp as she urged Asami to meet her half way and then Korra was kissing her hard. It was clumsy. Korra's lips pressed against her lower lip and chin before Asami shifted accordingly, her heart hammering all the while.

At first, the pressure was pleasant and Asami sighed, but after a few seconds, Asami wondered what Korra was doing because she wasn't moving her lips at all. Asami broke the kiss with a giggle.

"That was terrible, sorry. I don't have a lot of experience." Korra started to press her face into her pillow but Asami stopped her.

"It's okay, Korra. Some people don't kiss anyone until they meet their soulmate. And it wasn't that bad." Korra glared at her. "Seriously. But if you want, we can practice a lot." Too forward

"Practice?" Asami could see Korra's cheeks darken.

"Like you said, we don't have much else to do right now and worrying isn't going to be productive. So…" She traced circles on Korra's bare shoulder with a finger as Korra leaned back in, smiling.

They had so much to do but right now Korra was safe in her arms. Tough times were ahead and who knew when they'd be able to be together like this again, and she'd wanted this for so long, so Asami didn't feel guilty as she leaned in for another kiss.