Korra might've physically recovered from Zaheer and his poison, but the demons he left behind still plagued her mind-even years later.

Memories consistently flashed through her dreams. Ones that started innocent-a future with Asami and training new air benders with Tenzin-often turned dark. Tonight was one of those examples.

It started with her simply in Republic City, talking with Mako as they examined the new spirit portal. But, chains wrapped around the young Avatar's wrists, holding her down as a searing agony spread through her veins.

"Now! Kill the Avatar!" Korra tensed in fear as those words escaped Mako's lips, watching as his face morphed, slowly stretching out until-instead of Mako-Zaheer now stood.

Pain. Panic.

That's all Korra felt. She strained, and she screamed, but nothing seemed to purge the mercury from her blood- nothing seemed to be enough to stop this.

"Korra." A voice echoed through her landscape, and she cried out as it pierced into her brain-a twisted version of Zaheer's and a female voice.

"Korra!"

Her eyes shot open, revealing a darkened room, her lying prone on the bed and a figure holding her tight.

Korra tried to recognize that she was safe now-that it was just a dream. But her rapidly beating heart didn't seem to follow that logic, her breaths coming out in quick pants. She struggled to remove herself from the figure, thrashing and crying out into the dark room.

"Korra, you're safe. It's me." The figure continued to hold her tight-despite the struggling. Korra froze once she recognized Asami's hushed-yet worried-tone.

She stopped struggling, but she couldn't seem to ease her breathing or her heart.

"Asami, I-" Korra choked out between gasps, "Zaheer."

"Zaheer isn't here." Asami cooed, "It's just me. I'm not going to let anything hurt you."

The Avatar caught her breath, breathing in deeply-as she has many nights before-in an attempt to collect herself.

Minutes passed, with Asami whispering affirmations into her ear and not loosening her grip. Korra finally seemed to ease the panic inside her, but in the absence of fear came tears. Tears that streamed down her face, mixed with choked sobs as Korra turned to her side and wrapped her own arms around Asami-almost as if she was trying to cry the demons out of her soul.

When the crying finally ceased, Korra still seemed unable to let go of her girlfriend-holding her as tight as she could without hurting her.

"I'm so sorry." Korra whispered, her head buried in Asami's neck, "I'm so sorry."

"Sweetheart, why are you apologizing?" Asami chuckled, as she withdrew from Korra's embrace to properly look at the Avatar, "I'm not the one who had a nightmare."

"Exactly." Korra mumbled, sitting up and holding her arms close to her chest, "I'm the Avatar for spirits sake Sami, I'm supposed to be strong, and I'm supposed to fix everything. But instead here I am, almost nightly, shaking from an image in my head. That's not strong it's weak and I-"

Korra was cut off by Asami's lips pressing onto hers, it was gentle and loving-just like how Asami's nature was towards the young Avatar.

"Baby," Asami said, eyebrows creasing together in worry, "You are strong. Think of all the good you've done, you stopped the Red Lotus, you saved us from Kuvira, you stopped Unalaq. You've done so much for everyone. Hurting, and having nightmares, isn't weak. Hell, if you didn't have nightmares after what you've been through, I'd be truly worried then."

Asami chuckled, but the laugh fell short on her lips when she saw Korra staring at the sheets of the bed-frowning to herself.

She reached forward and grabbed Korra's hands, prompting her to look into her eyes. When she did, Korra was alarmed by the sudden fear and sadness in her girlfriend's eyes. She immediately stiffened, ready to demand what was wrong.

But, Asami started before she had the chance.

"Korra." Asami started, voice cracking as she readied herself to tell her love what had never been said before, "When you were against Zaheer- I. I thought you were dead. The way he threw you around, and the poison, I just...I felt my world stop. When you were laying there, you were dead. You weren't breathing, Korra. I've never felt emotions like I did thinking I had lost you. My father...my mother...it hurt when they died, but nothing could compare. That's when I realized I loved you, because with you gone-in those seconds-nothing made sense anymore. Moving on, eating, breathing, nothing seemed to matter. And all I could do was stand and watch as this happened. I was the weak one, Korra. I should've done more to save you. But, don't you dare say you're weak. You survived something that was meant to kill you, hell, you've survived many things that were supposed to kill you. I'd be content with staying in this bed all day, helping comfort you after your nightmares, simply because I still have you. Never apologize to me about your struggles, because they are a part of you. And, darling, I love every bit."

Korra reached out with a shaking hand, wiping the stray tear that fell from Asami's eyes. Words couldn't seem to find the young Avatar, so she answered with action. She leaned forward and pressed a kiss against Asami's lips, trying to give her as much love as the inventor had given her.

"I love you so much Sami." Korra whispered, hand reached up to cup her girlfriend's face, "You're the one person that makes me feel like more than just an Avatar, and as if being myself is more important than being it. I promise, I'm not leaving you-I never will."

"You'll always be more than an Avatar to me." Asami whispered.

The girls returned to their slumber, after sharing more passionate kisses, Asami's arms curled around her girlfriend-her hand moving in a circular motion as if wishing away the nightmares that may plague the girl.

But Korra knew-with Asami's arms around her-the nightmares meant nothing.