Story: The Truths We Fake

Genre: Drama/Romance/Mystery

Chapter 6: Knowledge (Part 2)

Blaring, loud and almost ear bleeding music blasted from inside the bar. She's not exaggerating it either—the noise is currently piercing her ear drums. Korra's surprisingly sober despite the five bottles of beer she's had in the past hour. A pain in her head caused her to stumble towards the bathroom, pushing past the crowd of people who blocked her path, and before she fell, Korra made sure to grip the sink nearby to hold herself up.

She turns the faucet on, splashing water over her face. Korra doesn't feel hot, but her head was killing her. She closes her eyes shortly, the pounding in her head making her wince constantly. She lets go of the sink and moves near the wall. Her breathing is rapid and she slides down the wall, her consciousness leaving her body.

And she passes out.

'''

"Are you sure she's alive, Zhu Li? She looks dead to me."

"She's alive, sir."

"Zhu Li! How many times do I have to tell you? It's Varrick! Not whatever you keep calling me!"

Korra grunted, her eyes still closed. Where was she? The last place she could think of was at the bar, but what happened to her? She felt a hand being pressed to her forehead. Her reflexes get the better of her and she twisted the hand at her forehead. Her eyes finally opened and she instantly sat up, her arms raised, ready for a fight.

She didn't expect Varrick Brownstone, the Varrick Brownstone and his assistant Zhu Li Moon to be in the same room as her. He was the highest political figure in Republic City. What was he doing here?

Wait. What was here?

Korra was sitting on a leather sofa inside, what she assumed to be, Varrick's office. The office lights burned brightly and the room felt sticky and hot.

Or that could just be her.

And for some reason, she thought his office would be bigger.

"Why am I here?" She glanced frequently at the exit. If the situation called for it, she'd leave as soon as possible.

Varrick whispered in Zhu Li's ear, "Why is she here?"

Zhu Li spoke loud enough so that Korra could hear her. "One of our employees found you in the bathroom and contacted us."

"Thank you," she sat up and the pain rushed up to her head. Easing slowly back down on the comfortable couch, she said, "My life's a mess." That was probably the alcohol in her system talking. Korra had this strange habit of ranting when she wasn't completely sober.

Varrick pulled up a chair and sat next to her. "Kid...Can I call you kid?" She nodded. "Look, I was you're age once so I get what you're going through."

Korra didn't expect someone like Varrick, of all people, giving her advice. Years ago, she would of shrugged it off and done her own thing; that changed the minute she joined the army and gained a sense of respect and discipline for herself. The army was also the reason why she cut her hair. She thought that if she cut it, she'd earn more respect from the boys who teased her since day one about how girly her chocolate locks were making her look.

She considered telling him the truth. Telling him why she was here and that she hadn't meant to pass out or end up in this office. Korra eventually sighed, her inner debate reaching an end. If Asami was with her, Korra would drop the act (her old self, the person who took pride in everything she did despite the odds set against her) and reveal what had been bothering her for so long (she lost count of the years). What did it say about her that she trusted a stranger over her own best friend?

Her own best friend...

"...and that's when I realized how badly I hated alcohol. 'Til this day, I only drink water." Varrick was staring at her as if he wanted her to say her opinion.

She should of said something, anything, but Korra kept her mouth shut.

"You weren't even listening!"

Korra apologized. "Sorry."

"Ma'am," she glanced up at Zhu Li who was now standing beside Varrick's chair, "you seem distracted."

She closed her eyes. "I got into an argument with my best friend." And his voice ranged out in her head like a drum. I get that you're mad at me, but that doesn't erase the fact that I did what I did for a reason. She wanted him to defend her.

But when was the last time she did that for him?

Korra was already supportive of Mako on a regular basis. She over stepped her boundaries once—once dammit—because she had to. She felt obligated to do it. Because he wouldn't make it out alive if she hadn't of interfered. He almost got himself killed trying to take down Lightning Bolt Zolt by himself. She followed him anyway—almost getting herself killed in the process. They let Zolt get away, though it didn't matter to Lin who was just happy that both of them were okay. Mako had a cast on his arm for a few months while Korra only had a broken ankle and minor cuts. They never mentioned it afterwards.

And she wishes they would because Korra can't forget what happened. Maybe they'd talk about it. When all this mess was over and she could tell him everything that's occurred to her this past month. She couldn't keep secrets from him forever. She wonders if he noticed the files she took from his office. Or if he found out about her friendship with Asami and that she'd actually enjoyed it despite how awkward things were between them. The one thing she doesn't want him to know, the secret that's been tearing her apart on the inside, is how she's not working with him to solve this case. Korra can picture his heartbroken face and she can imagine herself finding an excuse for why she did it. Why did she choose Asami over him? The question was eating her alive.

The pain in her head lingered, but she had to leave. Another minute wasted here and she'd never make it to Asami's place. So she said her goodbyes to Varrick and Zhu Li and left.

Suddenly, Korra realized she couldn't be with Asami, not yet. She had an apology to give.

A well needed one at that.

'''

People stared while she walked down the hall towards his office. She understood why they gave her such looks. Korra would do the same thing if someone like Kuvira worked at her job. She didn't seem all too threatening in Korra's eyes, but Korra knew nothing about her. If what she had been told was true, Kuvira really wasn't the type of person you'd want to bother. I think I could fix that too, she thought.

The moment she knocked on his door, Korra half expected him to ask who was at the door because he always did that. Instead, she heard him say, "Come in!"

He didn't expect her to show up and, usually, she called before visiting him. Mako continued writing on some documents while Korra sat across from him. She carefully peeked at what he was writing and her face scrunched in confusion.

"Why are you filling out adoption papers?" Not once did he ever mention wanting children to her. It hurts knowing that he didn't tell her, but Korra figured she deserved it. Stupid karma.

Mako glanced at her though he avoided looking directly in her eyes. "I found a kid on the streets during lunch. I thought that, you know, since he didn't a family, that I'd take him in myself. He lives in the nearby orphanage and the people there told me every family that's adopted him so far keep bringing him back."

She wasn't upset, he could tell, but something shifted because she sounded more nervous than before. "So you think it'll be different for you?"

"Yeah."

She sighed. "Mako..."

"What?" He asked. "I can take care of a child, Korra."

"Do you even know what kind of danger you're putting him in? You're a cop, Mako. I thought you'd know better than to risk someone's life."

He should have known that this would turn into an argument. "He'll be fine."

"I don't think so."

Mako doesn't even get why he said it because he's pretty sure she won't agree to it. "If you're so worried then how about we both take care of him?"

The word hung on the tip of her tongue. Okay. But it wasn't okay and she knew it. She didn't come here to get roped in to taking care of a child. She loved kids, she really did. She just didn't think she was ready to take care of one. Mako? She didn't doubt his abilities at all. It was the job he had, the life he was living, that made him unfit to have custody of a kid.

And for that reason she would have to say yes because he couldn't do it on his own.

Softly, she said, "You know what? I wouldn't mind the idea."

He smiled. "You really are one of kind, Korra."

Yeah.

She was.

The guilt she felt earlier made its return, settling deep within her chest. It was now or never. "I'm sorry about this morning. You had every reason to be mad at me. Let's face it: I can be pretty hostile sometimes." Korra waited for a response from Mako; he blinked, processing her apology, analyzing her face carefully. Why wasn't he speaking?

Out of nowhere, because this really came as a shock to her, Mako chuckled lightly and gave her a small smile. He seemed extra happy and she tried deciding if that was because she previously agreed to his offer about adopting a child together or if he thought her apology was so ridiculous all he could do was laugh. The former had been a possible answer, but that didn't have any relation to her apology. At all. The latter made more sense, though she wasn't exactly sure why.

Seeing her confused expression, he explained. "We're best friends. I know how you act most of the time, so this isn't anything new."

"So does that mean you're not mad at me?" she partly wondered if he was having mood swings today.

"I've given it a lot of thought," he said, "and I realized how we tend to argue over petty little things. Tell me: What did we argue about this morning?"

"What you know about Kuvira." she said, shaking her head. "But it was important. Not petty." Korra exhaled, then smiled calmly. "Look, let's just forget about the subject. As long as you accept my apology, that's all that matters, right?"

"Right."

'''

Knock, knock, knock...

She had two choices. Stay in bed and let the person continue knocking on her door, disturbing her sleep or get up and see who it was. Asami wanted to sleep, but whoever was visiting her this late at night really needed to see her. She swung her long legs over the edge of the bed and got up, albeit rather slowly, walking out of the bedroom into the living room. Asami unlocked her door. Almost instantly, she was met with a force so strong that the raven haired beauty almost lost her balance. Arms wrapped around her neck, Korra tried apologizing for something, but Asami wasn't listening.

She was hugging her. Korra was actually hugging her. Thinking this was the only chance she had at hugging the younger woman, Asami's hands steadied themselves on her waist.

"...so sorry that I came here late." Briskly, Korra removed her arms from around her neck and Asami felt her own pale hands release their grip on her waist. "Hope I'm not too late?"

The engineer closed her door and locked it. Motioning for Korra to follow her to the bedroom, she said, "If you count coming to my place when it's almost 12 AM late, then I don't what is."

Korra caught her off guard for the second time that night. "Well I was going to come the next day, but I don't break my promises. With that thought in mind...I wanted to know if I could spend the night at your place?"

Her breath hitched while she turned around and faced Korra. How did she just now notice the pajamas that Korra was wearing under her vest? Korra stared expectantly, waiting for an answer. If Asami didn't know any better, it seemed that Korra had this planned out and knew that she would let her stay for the night. The engineer wasn't skeptical, so if Korra wanted to spend this time with her, be it just them talking about the case or getting to know one other more, Asami would let her stay. Besides, what could possibly go wrong?

Smiling, she said, "I'll let you stay."

'''

"What are you doing?" Korra asks, elbows resting on the back of the couch. She wonders why Asami is laying down on the couch, constantly punching her pillow, then frowning when she isn't comfortable.

"Trying to fall asleep." Asami says. Her green eyes meet Korra's blue ones. "Why?"

Worry flashes across her face. Asami already knows what she's going to say before she says it. "Shouldn't I be sleeping on the couch instead of you?"

Asami shakes her head. "You're my guest so you get the bed."

And then Korra, once again, surprises Asami for a third time. "Or we could just share it."

Red. Her face was very, very red. She couldn't cover her face with the pillow fast enough because Korra noticed.

"Are you blushing?"

Asami hesitated before answering. "N-No!" How could she be so bold? Asami regained her confidence. "No."

"Whatever you say."

Was Korra teasing her? Calm down, Asami! Before she knew it, Korra went around the couch and started pulling her arm. She landed on the floor with a thump.

"Ow!"

Bashfully, Korra said, "Sorry."

Minutes later, they made their way towards the bedroom.

And Asami doesn't miss the tiny smile that inches its way on to Korra's mouth.

'''

Korra wasn't as tired as she thought she'd be. Had she been tired, her and Asami wouldn't be having this conversation about their day and how it went.

"You're adopting a child? Why?"

"Mako can't take care of one on his own so I feel obligated to help him raise the kid."

She smiled inwardly at the thought that she was able to keep Asami Sato up all night. They didn't talk much about family, but Korra was dying to. After all, family was significant in her life. Absentmindedly, she asked Asami more about her family.

It wasn't a happy story.

"My mom died when I was six," Asami said, staring at the bedroom ceiling. Korra saw the frown graced upon her lips. "I remember how close her and I were. We'd put on makeup together, go shopping, watch films, and she was there to council me and give me advice when I needed it. My dad tried doing that after she passed, but I didn't like it because it wasn't the same as when she did it. She was my best friend. My only best friend, actually."

"I'm so sorry."

"Don't be," Asami said, "because when I was growing up, nobody cared that she died. We had family friends, of course, but none of the kids at my school gave a damn. It was always, 'You're rich so you shouldn't complain'. Like money could ever bring her ba—"

She swallowed the lump in her throat and tried to continue. Korra scooted closer to her and wrapped her arms around her in a tight hug. Silently, tears spilled from Asami's eyes as she buried her face into the crook of Korra's neck. The quietness of the room made Korra wonder. Wonder how long Asami had to deal with this by herself. Wonder why people made accusations against her. She wasn't bad or terrible or trouble. She just needed some comfort, some support. Suddenly, Korra didn't view her as a stranger.

She was way more than that.

That night, Korra promised herself that if Asami was there for her, then she could be there for Asami. She was an angel.

And Korra was her savior.

A/N- Midterms and projects are the worst. They kept me busy for a whole month! Hope you all enjoyed this chapter which, as you can see has tons of Korrasami. I'll be doing extracurricular activities as the school year continues so updates for my stories could be once or twice a month.

Until next time,

~nerd