The return to Republic City had been bitter sweet. She was overjoyed to see everyone again but her return had brought back bad news. There had been little time for heartfelt reunions, everyone got to work immediately. It was a weird atmosphere; even her reunion with Asami & Mako had been interrupted. It wasn't hard to feel how everything had changed, how she had changed. It might be a lot of responsibility too soon, she wasn't ready she thought. Maybe that was the thing; maybe she'd never be ready.
After their reunion/rescue mission Asami had offered Korra come stay with her in the new condo she was renting. The Sato mansion was still being occupied by Mako & Bolin's family and even though she still utilized it Asami decided she needed another place to live. It was great to be spending time with Asami again especially now that Korra was in a place that she could actually reciprocate a friendship rather than being depressed and wheelchair bound all the time. They had been having a blast and there seemed to be a new type of energy between them. Korra knew what it might be but had beat herself into cautiousness about it. She didn't want to think too much on it and ruin it. The 6 months Korra had been gone had been therapeutic, they had brought new feelings to light, and Asami had been one of them. Whatever was going on now it was still nice to be around, she could get used to it.
She had been frustrated about not being able to defeat Kuvira, but she hadn't expected too much anyway. Everyone else now seemed to be using the time to strategize and prepare and Korra was glad she was able to hide behind her guilt. She had failed Su. In the meantime Korra tried to stay busy, she patrolled the streets looking for any conflict that needed her help, she was out of practice. However she couldn't help but notice the overwhelming that everyone, from normal citizens, to her closest friends, were doing fine without her. The true magnitude of how long she had been gone started to weigh in and Toph's words about the world not needing her began anymore cut into her. No one seemed to know what to do with her, how to handle her or treat her. It was like she was some kind of stranger. She knew it'd take time, she was hopeful it'd fade. She was trying to think differently. Maybe it wasn't trying anymore. She now understood the way time worked.
She touched down on the front steps of President Raiko's office, her beloved glider back in her possession. She sat in the lobby waiting to be attended to, a couple minutes later Asami walked in and gave Korra a surprised look when she noticed her.
"Hey Korra, sorry I left so early this morning some things came up. Anyway, what's going on? Are you okay?
"its fine don't worry about it and nothing…just waiting to speak to Raiko. I'm desperate, I need things to do."
Asami gave a smile and shifted her weight. Her bag was filled with blueprints.
"So you're waiting in the lobby?" she asked, an amused tone in her voice.
"Well yeah, isn't that what you're supposed to do?"
"Yes, usually. It's just not usual for you." She said chuckling.
Korra returned the laugh and nodded in agreement. It was true; she did a lot of things now she had never really done before. Sometimes without even noticing.
"Come on, you can come in with me. I'm sure he won't mind." Asami said after regaining composure.
They walked into his office together; he was sat at his desk signing papers.
"Good afternoon Ms. Sato… and Avatar Korra. This is a surprise." His tone was harsh and sarcastic.
"I have the revised plans for you and a new layout of the latest prototype you asked for President Raiko" Asami said, trying to distract the tension.
"Excellent, your work is much appreciated Ms. Sato."
"And what can I help YOU with Avatar Korra?" He asked immediately after, almost dismissing his words to Asami completely.
"Oh, it's fine. I can wait. It's not too urgent, I'm sure you and Asami have more important things to discuss first. I didn't mean to intrude." Korra replied almost apologetically, taken back by his harsh tone.
Asami never took her eyes off of Korra. Only glancing at Raiko nervously, ready to defend Korra if needed.
Raiko laughed heartily, taking them both by surprise.
"Never seemed to bother you before!" He finally said. Still trying to contain the laughter. "Besides, I'm sure after so many years of being gone, finally deciding to honor us all with your presence, well, I'm sure that it is, in fact, urgent." He finished. A sly smile on his face.
Korra's eyes returned to their normal side. She now understood what this was all about.
"You're right. I apologize for my intrusions President Raiko, both past and present. I understand how inconvenient and abrupt my absence was and how it affected everyone. I intend to make up for it. In the mean time I'll do my best to try and stay out of your way. Thank you for her time." She bowed in respect.
Raiko snorted and returned his attention to Asami who was still staring at Korra. She studied Korra, completely dumbfounded. Korra only gave her a smile of reassurance and said "I'll see you later Asami." Then turned to leave.
"We can grab dinner later after I wrap things up!" she said, snapping out of her daze. "How about… uh? The Dancing Dragon?"
Korra nodded and left the room.
Korra had been the one to arrive first for a change, she grabbed them a table and kept an eye out for Asami.
The dinner was nice; they had so much to talk about. It felt like they had been apart for a thousand years. Asami readdressed their early confrontation with Raiko, trying to assure Korra it would get better. Korra knew and a proud smile had formed on Asami's face listening to her friend's newfound wisdom.
"You're so different. But in a good way, I missed you Korra."
Asami's apartment wasn't far from the restaurant and they decided to walk. The streets were filled with life. Korra was appreciative of sound and movement; it felt like she had been reborn. A pack of children buzzed by on a motorized scooter.
"They're having a good time." Korra said smiling.
"My dad made me one of those when I was younger; actually we worked on it together."
Korra turned her attention back to Asami.
"How's that going by the way? I never know whether to ask or not."
"I'm sorry about that Korra. It just sort of came out, I don't know why. I didn't mean anything by it."
She had meant something by it, Korra had sensed it right away.
"I know." Is all she replied.
"It's just really confusing is all. I guess its going fine? Then again I don't know what's going on, or what I'm thinking."
They continued further up the street and Asami continued:
"He's just been gone for so long now, I don't really know what to think of him."
Korra stopped. She knew what this was about.
"Asami, I'm so sorry. About your father and… about me. I should've told people, I know. It all just sort of happened. If I had known how it would affect everyone I would've…I don't know."
"You don't have to apologize on his behalf. He does that enough."
She continued to walk, leaving Korra behind. She caught up to Asami again and spoke. She knew Asami wouldn't say it so she had to push it out, whatever it was. She wasn't entirely sure what they were talking about now.
"It was hard but one of the things I've come to realize recently is you don't have to forgive someone to trust them and you don't have to trust someone to forgive them. You might not have a relationship like you once did but it would be wise to try and continue to learn from him…"
Asami had started to tense the more Korra went on and finally she released it.
"You think I don't know that Korra?! Trust me, I've thought of every single scenario possible. What could I possible have to learn from a man who just turns his back on his family? On someone who needs him. I understand his motives, as sick as they were. But didn't he think about me?! Didn't he think about how it might affect me?! After all that time I took care of him?"
It didn't take an expert to figure out what was going on here. Asami was never like this, even when Hiroshi had first been exposed the only time Korra saw Asami react was when she had sobbed into Mako's arms. What was happening now was probably years in the making or just the first time she had expressed it to another person. Korra's heart swelled at the sudden realization of all Asami really had been through and now Korra had just added to the pain, unaware to it at first.
"You're talking about me too aren't you?" Korra thought she might've seen tears but Asami had bowed her head too low to tell.
"I understand why you had to go Korra, I really do." She said. Quieter and a little more passive, slightly embarrassed by her sudden outburst. "But we were all so worried about you, we all felt your pain in some way and we didn't know what to do with ourselves when you left. We were so lost without you. I got so use to checking on you and helping you and then you didn't take me with you. And then weeks turned to months and years and I…we were just so scared and hurt."
Korra felt like the world was breaking at her feet. This, this was just how deeply her absence had affected people. People she loved. She had hurt people in the process of trying not to hurt people.
She stepped forward to hug Asami tightly. Asami lowered herself into Korra's embrace. She searched for words to say but all of them felt inadequate.
"I can't ever thank you enough for all that you've done and do for me Asami. You're my best friend, I love you. I would never purposely hurt you or anyone of my friends. "
This wasn't the first time it had been said but this time the "I love you" had more meaning than Korra wanted to admit. She had had a long time to think, but this time she was more cautious about it, more guarded. Whatever it meant it didn't need to be rushed. Right now wasn't the time.
"I love you too." Asami said, returning to her normal height. Korra wondered what that meant, if it meant anything deeper at all. She didn't want to dwell on it. Asami's apartment was just around the corner and they headed that way. Korra tripped on a stray can and cursed out loud. Asami laughed at the blush that formed on Korra's face.