I think I can have Korra home later in this chapter or the next one. If I run out of lyrics from the song, I'll either find another one or continue without. I have over 500 songs on my phone so I doubt it'll be that hard to find a replacement.
Also, this is year three. I'm definitely gonna try to have Korra home in the next chapter.
...
~'Cause you can't break promises you never made
If I could do it now, do it now, I would do it now...~
She doesn't want to do this. She really really doesn't want to.
But this needs to end.
Asami glares uneasily at the stack of letters in front of her, a red string in hand to tie them together. She received another one earlier this morning and that was the last straw. Her father had no right to contact her after everything he'd done to her, her friends. He was willing to hurt, if not kill, his own daughter just so a power-crazed hypocritic maniac could wipe out the entire bending civilization.
Daddy dearest had some real issues.
She grabs the stack of letters and ties the string around them tightly. She huffs, annoyed, and stands from her bed to go to her window, looking at Korra's statue in the distance. Asami frowns deeply.
What do I do?
She looks down at the envelopes as she cradles them to her chest, ultimately regretting the fact that she chose to go and face her father in an hour's time. She knew she didn't have the mental strength to do this, but she also didn't know how much longer she could take it. Though she didn't read the letters (the red seal still intact was evidence of that), she knew what was written on them. Apologies, questions about how she and possibly everyone else was doing, etc. etc.
She didn't want that from him.
Asami set the letters down on her desk and headed to her bathroom to shower and get ready.
...
It was a mistake. She knew she shouldn't of gone to see him. She did all but run from the jailhouse, struggling to keep her composure until she reached the safe and secure walls of her home. Tears sting at the corners of her eyes and she sniffs, getting into her car hurriedly and putting the key in the ignition. She puts on her seatbelt and takes off.
Normally, the wind whipping at her hair and brushing against her face would calm her down and she would slip into a state of bliss but, this time, the stress eating at her nerves kept her worries and regrets at the forefront of her mind. She'd been managing to hold it off for the past few years, but visiting her dad allowed it to catch up with her. The stress felt like acid melting her down little by little, with the pain increasing each inch it took. She could feel it creeping from her fingers up her arms, down her spine, and so on.
I need a drink.
At the next light, she makes a left turn. After that it's a straightaway to her destination, The Drunken Spirit. She turned into the parking lot and parked the car, getting out and walking inside. Upon entrance, she receives a few odd glances her way but she ignores them and continues to the bar. She takes a seat at one of the stools and the bartender approaches her. He eyes her up down and gives a slight nod.
"Anything I can do for you, Miss Sato?" he says respectfully.
"Fire Nation Whiskey, bit of vodka." she says, eyeing the counter.
He nods and goes to retrieve the bottles and a glass. He mixes the drinks together as requested and places the glass in front of her. "Long day, huh?"
Asami picks up the cup and glares at the liquid, frowning. Her voice is low, resentful, when she says, "You have no idea." And she drinks.
...
She stays at the bar for a while, on occasion asking for a refill. Her portions grow smaller and smaller, as she doesn't want to get too drunk, but she wants to at least allow the substance the mute the invading thoughts tearing at her. To numb her tired body. She turns her back to the counter and watches as people come and go, whether it be to leave the bar or sneak off the bathrooms with a partner. She grimaces and looks down at the cup in her hand before placing it on the counter.
I fucking hate this.
She reaches slowly into her pocket and her fingers graze the edge of a paper. She bites her lip and pulls it out, bringing it to her lap in front of her. Her hands shake only a little, and she can't tell if it's because of the alcohol or Korra's letter in her hands. She suppresses a sob and her grip tightens on the letter, crinkling the sides.
I wish you were here.
"Asami!"
The call of relief makes her lift her head and her blurry eyes scan the crowd. She spots no one other than Mako, shoving his way through the crowd to her. Hurriedly she stuffs the letter back in her pocket just before he reaches her.
"What are you doing here?" Asami asks, turning away.
"Opal was doing her overhead patrol and saw your car in the parking lot." Mako says. "She wanted to come get you herself, but since she's underage they won't let her in. So she came and got me instead." He leans over to catch her eyes. "Why are you here?"
Asami shrugs. "I don't know, wanted some time to myself."
Mako frowns heavily. "Asami, you and I both know this isn't you."
"Shouldn't you be guarding the prince?" Asami says bitterly.
"I left Wu with Lin so I could come find you." Mako says. "You know it's not safe for him to be out in public like that, especially in a place like this. It was all in the timing that Opal came to find me when she did, because I was looking for you anyway."
"For what?" Asami says and looks at him.
"Tenzin got a call from the Southern Water Tribe saying that the chief's boat will be arriving at Republic City in a couple days." Mako says, and smiles as Asami's change in character.
"The chief's boat?" Asami says as she stands from the stool. Her head throbs and the floor spins beneath her, so she grabs onto Mako to stay up on her feet. "Korra's coming home?"
Mako nods and his smile turns into a laugh that blends with hers. Asami pulls Mako in for a hug and he places an arm around her before stepping back.
"C'mon, Pema said you can stay at Temple." Mako says. "She figures that you've been lonely at the estate and knows that you'd like to be there when Korra arrives."
Asami nods briefly. "That sounds nice." she says.
"I'll drive you to your home so you can get cleaned up, then I'll bring you to the Temple." Mako says.
He keeps his arms around her protectively as he leads her away from the bar and out the front door to her car. He seats her in the passenger seat and she hands him the keys when he gets in the driver side. Asami leans against the door, smiling to herself. Korra will be home. After three years, she'll be back in Republic City.
Team Avatar back together after all these years.
It feels too much like a dream.
...
Two days later, Asami is seated with the Airbender kids at a table at the temple. Raiko, his wife, and Wu are across the room, talking laughing with each other. It was a group decision to have a dinner in honor of Korra's return to the city. Last second preparations are being done, a few acolytes still setting the tables and dinnerware. Mako and Lin are talking by the door, Tenzin and Pema standing by Asami.
"When Korra gets here, I bet she not even going to know who I am!" Meelo declares, making Asami laugh.
"And why is that, Meelo?" Ikki says indifferently.
"Because Meelo the boy has become Meelo the man!" Meelo says and strikes a tough guy pose.
Ikki rolls her eyes. "Right, because you're so unrecognizable." She runs a hand against Meelo's head. "The most you did was grow hair."
"But I didn't have any last time Korra saw me." Meelo points out.
Just as Ikki starts to argue again, an air acolyte rushes into the room and points down the hall. "There's a Southern Water Tribe ship pulling up to the docks!"
"Korra!" The kids chorus and get to their feet, heading for the door.
Asami stands, a wide grin gracing her lips. Her heart is skipping in her chest as the very thought that she'll be able to feel Korra in her arms like she did what seemed so long ago. Her feet move on their own accord, following her friend's outside to the docks just in time to see the ship halt.
This is it.
The platform drops a few seconds later and Tonraq descends it, smiling at the group standing in wait. Asami wonders why he's coming down alone, but it occurs to her that Korra may sill be getting ready. Knowing her, she probably woke up late and was hurrying to get dressed. Tonraq walks up to Tenzin and shakes his hand.
"Tonraq. It's good to have you back in the city. And everyone is excited to see the Avatar again." Tenzin says.
Tonraq's smile falls and he looks at Tenzin surprised. "What do you mean? Isn't Korra already here?"
"No, we thought she was coming with you." Tenzin says.
"Korra left the South Pole six months ago. She's written me letters." Tonraq says. "She said she was here in Republic City."
"I assure you, your daughter is not here." Tenzin says regretfully.
And Tonraq's next words cause Asami's heart to stop entirely.
"Then where is she?"
...
So, the lyrics in this chapter are to say that Korra never promised that she'd be home any time soon and that she said nothing about it at all. Which consult for Asami's hurt and confused emotions to come pouring out. But, on the bright side, Korrasami reunion (hopefully) in the next chapter!
Thanks for reading, and have a Happy Thanksgiving!