"Asami…"
"I'm here…" a comforting voice comes to cradle Korra's face. It's hazy and Korra isn't even sure where she's at right now.
Then there's an almost blinding light and it causes an almost burning sensation to Korra's closed eyes. She turns over uncomfortably and brings her blanket to her face.
"Korra, honey you need to get up. Its past noon and you have to go to therapy with Katara." Senna said in a comforting voice. Although, it wasn't comforting enough for her, and it caused a rough reaction.
"I don't want to do anything today. That's it."
"You can't do that today though, your friend is here and came all this way for you."
"W-what are you talking about?"
"Asami, she's here to help you."
"She can't see me like this!" Korra's voice got harsh and startled her mother.
"You need to get up right now. I'm sorry but I need to be nudging you today." Senna started to pull the covers away and brought Korra's crutches to her.
Korra didn't have anything else to say to her mother. However, it's needless to say that Korra was not a morning person. Although her mother didn't deserve that reaction it's what she's been getting. Korra made her way to the restroom where she would struggle to do her morning routine. Sometimes it would cause a fall or a slip and Korra would end up on the floor. Because is this Tonraq or Senna would almost always be with Korra. She hated being dotted on like a child, but she didn't have a choice at this point.
Korra made her way to the mirror and gave herself a long look. It wasn't the bed head, or the messy clothes. It was the tired and empty look in her eyes. She knew she made physical progress but there was something missing. Life felt redundant, mundane, it left her restless at night, it left her empty during the day. Korra sometimes would wake up with tears falling from her eyes, it was as if she didn't want to give the next day a chance.
"Korra! Hurry up! Katara is waiting for you!" Senna said from downstairs by the door.
Korra finished fixing up her face, brushed her teeth, hair, and was ready to go. She left the restroom. As she was walking down the hall, a door suddenly opened.
"Are you ready to go?" Asami said with a smile.
"Asami you're the one who came down here? I honestly expected Tenzien or Mako." Korra said in disbelief
"No, both of them are busy at the moment. Are you upset I'm here?" Asami said worryingly.
"No, no, I was just surprised…" Korra looked down at the floor; all she could think about was how weak she looked. How Asami would end up pitying her and doing everything for her.
Both of the girls were upset, of course they were upset over different things, but at the same time they thought that neither of them really wanted to be here.
"Let's get you downstairs." Asami said, breaking the silence.
Korra had crutches and could usually navigate around the house with them but every once and a while there would be a slip or a fall. Normally it was followed by much babying and worried comments from Senna and Tonraq. Korra knew that her parents wanted to help, but the way that they did it, it made Korra feel incapable of anything.
Korra got situated up on Naga; Asami was riding right behind her.
"Let's go girl." Korra said softly.
Naga started to move at a decent pace, Korra's parents didn't want Naga running around (which is why Naga only ran with Korra when no one else was around). Once they reached Katara's place, Asami had to help Korra down. Korra tried to not show any sign of irritation but she failed.
"Thanks", in an almost irritated tone.
This left Asami feeling like Korra didn't want her here. It made her go back in her memory to see if Korra didn't want her around then either. Maybe something changed in those two years?
Asami didn't play a big part in Korra's therapy session, but Katara really appreciated Asami being there. There were moments where Asami helped, like getting Korra on the railings to help her walk, or when Korra slipped. Other than that Asami was just sitting on the sidelines, wondering what she was even doing there.
I can't let her see me like this, I look so weak, Korra thought to herself. I know she's supposed to help but… I feel so self-conscious when I'm around her. But at the same time, the last thing I want to do is to be rude to her; she doesn't deserve that at all.
The next part of Korra's therapy was to go to the hot springs to relieve herself from stress. Katara wouldn't be involved for this section; it was too far out in the middle of nowhere. When they left Asami realized how cold this weather can get. Korra can self-heat herself, but this time Asami was the helpless one. Layer upon layer, Asami was covered in jackets to help keep all the heat in. She even needed goggles to keep the brisk South Pole wind from her eyes. The only real warmth she got was from holding onto Korra.
Once they reached there Korra seemed more defensive, Asami caught on why. This was Korra's one place away from people and now there was someone else here, in her private place.
"I can wait outside if you want me to?" Asami offered, even her voice was unsure.
"No it's too cold; I can't let you be outside there for so long." Korra's voice was almost apathetic.
Korra made her way to the edge of the steamy springs, she began taking off her shoes and pants. Asami realized how warm it was in there too and began to take off a few of her jacket layers.
Then something happened. Korra began to take her shirt off, along with her bra. Asami looked at her back. All along her back were scars of different colors, shades, and sizes. She had never noticed them before, and debated even bringing them up with her.
"I almost forgot." Korra moved her hand and the bolder covering the cave shut. Now no cold would come in.
Korra seemed almost unsure about getting in the steamy pool. She sat there for a while.
"Do… you need help?" Asami asked concerned.
"Last time I lost my balance and slipped…" Asami took that as a yes.
She walked over and grabbed her friend from underneath her arms and carefully lifted and put her in the pool. Now Korra could relax, but she wasn't at ease. She had felt a lot of embarrassment of having to ask her friend to help her.
There was a small boulder next to where Korra was, Asami sat there and tried to start a conversation with Korra.
"So… how long have you been coming here?"
"For about six months… Katara found it for me."
"Do you usually do this all by yourself?"
"Yes."
"Okay."
It was silent again, Korra was focused on relaxing, and Asami was completely worried that she got on Korra's bad side.
"You can come in if you want."
"A-are you sure?"
"Yes." Korra saw how even with the boulder shut, Asami would still shiver because of the cold.
Asami moved over to a part of the cave where Korra wouldn't see her changing, she was much more bashful about nudity. But then she realized that she'd have to walk over to the pool. It's not like anything is going to happen, we're both girls! That's the one thought that ran through her mind a million times as she walked over to the spring. Attentively she placed one small pale foot inside the pool. She didn't expect to even go here, and neither of them had any clothes.
Asami couldn't help herself when she kept looking back at Korra. She never knew her friend had so many battle scars.
Korra caught onto this and said, "Most of them are from the battle with Zaheer."
"Oh. I'm, I'm sorry."
"I don't mind them; I consider them experience and accept them."
"Can I-"
"Yes, you can."
Asami scooted over towards Korra, her eyes were fixated on one of the scars below her collar bone and above her breasts. Korra was fixated on Asami and her reaction. When Asami closed the space between them, she let her soft pale hand reach over to Korra's body. She was hesitant, some part of her felt like they would still hurt Korra, even after two long years.
Then Korra brought her hand to Asami's and pushed it to feel her scar. It's texture was soft and healed, but it didn't look that way at all. Asami didn't realize how long she was there and then blushed in embarrassment that she had been there for so long. However, Korra didn't mind. She was the first person to not pity her when seeing her scars; instead she seemed innocent and curious.
Out of nowhere Korra went into the water, she was wetting her hair. Asami was a bit taken aback like this. She assumed that Korra had very little mobility, even in the water, but she forgot that Korra was a water bender. Korra splashed up from the water and she decided to float on her back. There was a sense of peace to it all.
Asami herself didn't know how she should react.
"Do you always do that?"
"Yea… If you want to know the truth, I feel most at home with the water."
"Well, you seem more alive in it."
"Asami, can I tell you something?"
"Of course you can."
"I feel as if something is missing. Like, there a part of me that has a hole, and I can't find it."
"I know that feeling…" Asami looked down at the water only to see her reflection.
"I think it's my spiritual connection. As avatar I know it's necessary to have that connection, but ever since my fight with Zaheer, I've felt bound only to the physical side of things."
"Well maybe you should try meditating?"
"I've done that, a million times it seems." Korra's voice got irritated.
"Korra, can I ask you a question?" Asami said concerned.
"Yea."
"Do you want me here?" When Asami looked at Korra, her heart almost broke. She didn't want to see Asami sad and hurt; this was the friend that had helped her out since the beginning.
Korra swam over to her, she was close, and then she sat down.
"Asami… I've appreciated everything you've done for me since day one. I appreciate that you left your life temporarily for me. I know it must be hard to see me like this, because it's hard for me to see you like this.
In an almost natural gesture, Korra's hand reached Asami's face.
"Look, I know I seem like some kind of grump, but, it's because I never wanted you to see me like this."
"What do you mean? I'm happy just to see you, to see that you're alive, that a part of you still has life in you." Asami said this while grabbing Korra's hand.
"It's just, I've been so broken since then, and you've always seen me strong and capable… but now… I'm weak." Korra looked away.
Asami hugged Korra, she gave her a wonderful feeling inside, no one had made her feel as appreciated as Korra did right then.
Korra didn't expect this reaction and couldn't help but to get her mind of the fact that, Asami smelled so nice. Her hair was soft and long, and she was very warm. Korra closed her eyes and enjoyed the long hug from her friend.
When Asami pulled back she got very embarrassed.
"I- I'm sorry I sorta forg-"
"It's alright, I don't mind."
Asami's face turned red and she turned away. She completely forgot that they were both naked. She was much more comfortable than she thought. All she could think about was how nicely they fit together when they hugged.
Now Korra had to convince Asami everything was fine. Out of nowhere a splash of water smacked Asami in the face.
"Wha!"
Korra started to laugh; it was the first time in a long time that she felt so happy. While she was laughing she didn't notice that Asami had flung water at her, some got into Korra's mouth.
"Are we really doing this?!" Asami shouted while she had water thrown at her.
"Why not?" Korra said smiling.
"Okay okay but give me a break!" Asami turned towards Korra. "We gotta be leaving soon; people are going to start wondering where we went." Asami said with a smile.
Asami got up from the springs and headed towards she left her clothes. Out of the corner of Korra's eye she watched the way she walked away and snapped herself out of it, and came back to reality.
Korra attempted to get out herself, but ended up not having the balance she needed. She sulked a bit after realizing that she had to get help from Asami.
When they came back to the villiage Korra felt a lot more life in her, and she eagerly returned home. Asami opened the door for Korra and immediately noticed the smell of cooked food. Senna must have been working on this for a while, probably because it was technically Asami's first full day in the South Pole.
"Smells like my mom is over doing it a little."
"No, its fine, if anything it makes things more enjoyable."
Asami walked Korra over to her room and then headed off to her own. Later on, they were called to the dining room to eat supper. There were an array of questions and comments from Korra's parents, they all seemed hopeful for Korra's recovery. That night the sky was calm and the two girls had a good night's rest. Tomorrow would be another busy day.