"For every man in the world functions to the best of his ability, and no one does less than his best, no matter what he may think about it." - John Steinbeck, The Pearl


Tuesday, March 17th

Korra took a deep breath and put her face in her hands. She had been sitting on the edge of her bed for over an hour. She felt so frustrated, because Lin was out dealing with the seven members of the Terra triad that had been killed and thrown into the bay that morning. Hiroshi had told Asami it was going to happen, and she had turned around and repeated it to Lin immediately. It didn't stop the Equalist attack, though the police were able to squash any attempt at a full on slaughter. Korra had begged Lin to let her go.

But Korra was once again stuck on Air Temple Island being safeguarded. There had been an explosive argument between Korra and Lin that followed Korra's request, one that Kya and Su had desperately attempted to diffuse. Lin had left the island angrily, leaving Korra to go into her room and sulk, avoiding Kuvira, Mako, and even Opal in the process. She had wanted to be alone.

Korra was still sitting like that when Asami came back from class and found her. Asami didn't say anything, she just put her backpack down and sat next to Korra. She was waiting, Korra knew. She didn't want to push her.

"Aren't you going to ask if I'm ok?" Korra huffed, sitting up, "Everyone else has tried."

"No," Asami shrugged, her voice quiet, "I can tell you're not. Do you want to talk about it?"

"I'm just upset because everyone is wasting all this time and energy protecting me because I'm the avatar. Big fucking deal. There are other people in the city that could use the protection. The avatar dies, then gets reincarnated. It's happened thousands of times. As long as I don't die in the avatar state, the cycle keeps going. The avatar isn't something to be worried about."

Korra put her face in her hands and huffed again before closing her eyes and taking a few deep breaths.

"Korra, they're worried about you," Asami soothed, putting her hand on Korra's arm, "They want to keep you safe."

"Why?" Korra muttered through her hands.

"Because they care about you." Asami paused for several seconds, "Are you scared?"

"The avatar shouldn't be scared. The avatar is supposed to-."

She stopped talking when Asami reached over and pulled her hands away from her face. Asaami lowered Korra's hands gently before cupping Korra's face with her own and turning Korra to face her. Korra didn't want to look at her, but she did when she heard Asami sigh. Both of Asami's hands felt cool against her skin and she looked at Korra with a determined stare when Korra finally met her gaze.

"I didn't ask if the avatar was scared," Asami told her, her voice soft yet firm, "I asked if Korra was scared."

Korra sighed and looked down. Anywhere but Asami.

"I'm fucking terrified." Why was that so hard to admit?

Korra closed her eyes and sighed again when she felt Asami's hands leave her face. They weren't gone long she realized, when Asami put her arms around her and pulled her over into a hug. Korra put her face against Asami's shoulder, slipping both arms around her waist. She was uncomfortable, hunched over like she was, but it didn't matter. She inhaled deeply, comforted by both the smell and warmth of Asami as she leaned against her. She didn't know how long they stayed like that before she found the strength to speak again.

"Imagine you have someone who wants to kill you," Korra mumbled, "Not hard anymore, I know. But just...someone has wanted to kill you since before you can remember. You're used to it. Now they want everyone you love and care about dead too. Think of how terrifying that is by itself. Now imagine you've always been told you're this supreme being who is supposed to protect and help everyone. Then you're put into a cage and no one will let you out. And all your friends and family are all spread out on their own, but relatively free to go. But you're alone, separated from them. And whoever wants to kill you is going to kill every single person if they can, and make you watch. Then kill you too. You have to sit there, in your cage, and do nothing. You're supposed to do something, to be able to do something...and everyone still expects you to, because you're the goddamned avatar, and your reincarnations have done something about it for thousands of years. But instead you just get to sit in your cage and wait for your turn to die... It's like that."

Korra felt Asami put her chin on top of her head, and Korra tightened her grip around Asami's waist.

"They're worried about the avatar," Korra fought the urge to get up and slam her fist into the wall, "Well there will be a new one. There always is. They don't need to talk about it like it never happens. Aang died so I could be here. Roku died before Aang. It happens, there's a cycle. Korra- me-whatever I am, I want to be able to protect the people I care about. But instead I get an army of babysitters to keep me in my cage. Or island. It's all the same. You get told your whole life how you're supposed to act, then they don't let you do any of it. If I die, the White Lotus is going to move to the next avatar. It's not even dying I'm afraid of at this point. It's fucking sitting here, knowing that every minute that goes by, someone else is getting killed, added to the knowledge that it's getting closer to people I care about, and I-can't-do-anything."

Asami started rubbing Korra's back, and Korra found more comfort in the firm pressure of her palm than she'd ever thought possible.

"You need to tell Tenzin and the White Lotus how you feel," Asami finally spoke. The levelness of her voice was incredibly soothing, "I mean really tell them, like this. You're going to be miserable if you don't."

"They either don't understand or don't want to." Korra sighed.

"I'll go with you, if you want."

"Asami?" Korra's throat felt dry and her body was heavy.

"Yes, Korra?"

"Are you afraid?"

Asami sighed and squeezed Korra tightly, leaving a firm kiss against the top of Korra's head.

"Yes."

Korra nodded against Asami's shoulder and pulled her closer.

"Why?"

"Because I know exactly who is causing all of this and I can't do anything to really stop him," Asami's hand stilled on Korra's back, "I'm afraid of having to sit here and watch innocent people be hurt, along with the people I care about being hurt, knowing damn well that there's nothing I can really do about it. I think I understand how you feel there."

Korra sat up and straightened her back, letting herself smile a little when she looked at Asami. She felt calmer than she had all day, and she watched as Asami lifted one hand to brush her thumb against Korra's cheek.

"Thank you for letting me…rant." Korra kept her voice quiet. She was tired.

"I should thank you," Asami whispered in reply, "For helping me understand."

Asami hesitated as if she were going to continue, choosing instead to smile tiredly at Korra.

"We're in this together, aren't we, sunshine?" Korra allowed herself another faint smile.

"Of course we are." Asami answered with such sincerity that Korra knew she'd never even needed to ask.

Korra closed her eyes and sighed, putting her hand over the one of Asami's that still cupped her cheek. She held it there for a moment before pulling Asami's hand away so that she could brush her lips against her palm.

"You're the best, sunshine," Korra grinned at her.

"I'm glad you think so highly of me," Asami chuckled, "Have you been avoiding Opal this entire time?"

"Yeah," Korra sighed, intertwining their fingers, "I should probably go find her. Suyin is going to be leaving soon. I'll—I'll talk to Tenzin when we get back."

Asami nodded and stood with Korra, squeezing her fingers with a smile.

"Ok, let's go."


Su stood with them, waiting to board the train, having already told Mako, Bolin, and Asami goodbye. Asami watched, trying to keep herself from looking weighed down by her own sadness as Suyin stood in front of Korra. Su's face was creased with worry, and she had one hand on Korra's shoulder. They stood there looking at each other for a long time, and it was clear that Su couldn't think of what she wanted to say. But it felt like Su was memorizing every inch of Korra's expression, absorbing the imprint of Korra's face somewhere in the back of her mind. Maybe Su thought she'd never see Korra again. Asami didn't want to think about that, but it was there, a nagging thought at the back of her mind as Su wiped away a tear and embraced Korra.

"I love you so much, Korra," Su told her as Korra wrapped her arms around her.

"I love you too, Mama Su," Korra was grinning when Su released her, "I'll see you soon."

Su nodded at her, though the belief didn't seem to reach her eyes before she stepped over to Kuvira who was standing next to Opal.

"Have you called Junior?" Su looked tired as she put her hands on Kuvira's shoulders. She looked at Kuvira with the same hungry gaze she'd had with Korra, desperate for memorization. Maybe she still didn't want Kuvira to stay. If this was true, she never said it.

Kuvira only nodded as a response, her jaw set.

"Ok," Su sighed, "Be good. Don't do anything I wouldn't do. Stay on Lin's good side."

She said the last of it as she brushed her thumb over the bruise Lin had left on Kuvira's cheek the day before from their sparring. Kuvira chuckled, and Su leaned forward and kissed Kuvira's forehead.

"I love you. Be careful."

"I love you too, Su," Kuvira smiled, wrapping her arms around Su as she spoke.

"You and Opal, you watch out for each other."

"We will." Kuvira nodded again.

Asami watched as Kuvira took a step back, moving next to Korra, and Su went over to Opal and hugged her tightly.

"I love you," Su told her as Opal started crying, and she held Opal's head against her shoulder, "I love you so much."

"I love you too, mom," Opal mumbled thickly through her tears.

Asami could see Suyin cup Opal's face in her hands, and she put their foreheads together and began speaking so low that Asami wasn't sure if even Korra and Kuvira could hear her. Opal's eyes were closed and tears were flowing down her cheeks, but she was nodding as her mother continued to speak to her.

They separated several minutes later when people began boarding the train, and Su pressed one final kiss to Opal's cheek. Su waved at all of them once more before she got on the train, and when the doors shut behind her, Bolin went over and scooped Opal up into a bear hug.

"It's ok, babe," Bolin was sniffling, "You'll get to see her over spring break soon."

Opal wiped her face and patted Bolin's shoulder, laughing when Bolin spun her around.

"Let's go get noodles!" Bolin announced, clearly pleased he'd made Opal laugh, "Noodles make everything better."

Kuvira watched him with one eyebrow raised, and Korra made her way over to where Mako and Asami were standing.

"I'm going to go talk to Tenzin now," Korra told her, frowning, "The White Lotus will take me back. I'll pass on noodles."

"I'll come with you," Asami nodded, taking Korra's hand.

"You don't have to-," Korra stammered, her cheeks turning red, "I mean I don't want you to feel like you have to."

"I want to," Asami promised, "You'll set the White Lotus on fire if I don't, right?"

Korra grinned, her grip on Asami's hand tightening.

"Thanks, sunshine."

"No problem," Asami smiled, "Let's tell them where we're going so Opal won't worry."


Lin had practically dragged Asami out of the room when Lin got to Air Temple Island and came into the conversation Korra was having with Tenzin and the White Lotus. Asami and Korra had both objected, but Lin was still mad about the argument she'd had with Korra that morning and wasn't having it. So Asami stood outside in the courtyard, her arms crossed, able to hear Lin and Korra yelling at each other through the walls. Asami checked her phone, seeing she'd missed a text from Opal.

"Bolin ran in to Toza so we're going to go stay with him a while. Didn't want you guys to worry!"

Asami tapped out a response, jumping when the door burst open behind her and Lin stomped out into the courtyard.

"Fine!" Lin spat over her shoulder, "But I don't fucking like it, Tenzin."

Korra followed her out a moment later, having put on the spare police uniform Lin had given her, a triumphant grin dominating her face.

"You don't have to like it," Tenzin's muffle reply came out from inside the building.

Lin growled and continued sulking toward the dock as Korra nearly skipped over to Asami and threw her arms around her.

"Tenzin said he agrees with me, or at least he understands," Korra mumbled happily as she pressed her face against Asami's hair, "And Lin is going to let me work with her tonight, but she's pissed."

"And the White Lotus?" Asami laughed, putting her hands on Korra's shoulders for support.

"They're still going to keep an eye on me but I'm not stuck here."

"You act like you've been trapped here for weeks," Asami teased.

"It feels like that when I'm not allowed to leave," Korra pouted.

"Korra!" Lin bellowed from the dock, "Get your ass down here! We're leaving!"

Korra's grin widened, and she squeezed Asami tightly, kissing her as she did so.

"She loves me," Korra laughed, "But she's going to be mad at me all night."

"Well don't make her wait too long," Asami grinned, pulling Korra back for a quick kiss, "Be careful. I'm going to wait here for Opal and the guys. But they're talking to Toza, so I don't know when they'll be back."

"Ok, sunshine," Korra was beaming, "I'll text you."

Korra was still laughing when Lin yelled at her again, and she told Asami should would see her later, and Asami suddenly understood completely why Suyin had spent so long watching Korra's face before she got on the train to leave. Su had been unsure if she was ever going to see Korra again, and she wanted to cherish the memory of seeing Korra smiling. When she saw Korra's crooked grin one last time before Korra jogged away from her, Asami realized that was the only way to truly and properly remember Korra. Asami hoped her memory would be as good as Su's.


"Are you ever going to talk to me again?" Korra raised one eyebrow and looked over at Lin in the driver's seat.

Lin didn't respond, her jaw set as she stared out the windshield. Her hands were clenched on the steering wheel, her knuckles white. Korra had been in the cruiser with her for nearly two hours and Lin hadn't said a word to her since they got off the ferry.

"Ok," Korra sighed, looking out the window, "I know you'll recover."

"Until you get killed." Lin growled.

"She speaks!" Korra licked her lips and tried to keep from grinning, "I'll be fine, Lin. Really. It's fine."

"It's not, but you're stubborn. I guess I'm going to have to deal with it. But you better follow orders."

"That's what I-." Korra stopped herself. That's what I did last time had been the response on her tongue. She had to proceed carefully, "—I always do, Lin."

Lin snorted. Korra didn't know if it was good or not.

"You're the boss after all, Chief," Korra grinned over at her.

Lin rolled her eyes, but her face softened.

"You better be ready to bust some heads if you're going to be helping me."

"Of course I am. But are Equalists going to be included in that?"

"For you? Not if I can help it."

"What about triad members?"

"Sure, those are safer." Lin was almost joking.

"Does this mean I can beat Viper into a pulp?"

"If that's what makes you happy, kid," Lin chuckled, "I'm going to radio Saikhan and let him know where we are."

"Ok," Korra shrugged.

They fell into silence again after Lin updated Saikhan, but Korra felt more comfortable around Lin than she had when she got in the car.

"How's Raiko?" Korra asked, suddenly thinking about it.

"Ugh."

"Ha, you hate him too."

"Korra."

"Well! You know how he's making you feel useless? Like he wants to keep you from doing anything?"

Lin grunted, and Korra continued.

"That's how I felt this morning when you wouldn't let me come with you."

"I guess we've got a lot in common in that department," Lin smirked, "Fine. You win. But don't expect me to treat you like a dainty little flower anymore."

"Never have, never will," Korra's face hurt from how wide her grin was, "Does this mean we can use my ideas to get Raiko on your side?"

"Which ones?" Lin snorted, "Your list of ideas that would get you put in jail for even thinking them in Raiko's presence? I don't think those are going to fly."

"Like Su says," Korra shrugged, "You got to break the rules sometimes."

"I love Su, but I really don't think she's the best person to take advice from there. She's broken more rules than she's followed."

"Well I mean you just have to press the right buttons. Something to get Raiko's attention."

"Yeah, well legally, I can't do any of that."

"You can't," Korra nodded, "Someone else can."

"Well if someone else does," Lin shot her a glare, "They better be ready to have my boot up their ass."

"Relax," Korra promised with a chuckle, "I've got it all figured out."

"That's a scary thought," Lin started laughing, "I'm not sure if I want to know."