AUTHOR'S NOTES: And now Book 3 kicks off with some top-notch Korrasami fluff, because Asami's got issues that have been brewing since at least chapter 62 or so when her father revealed himself as a high-ranking Equalist. Much like "Air", "Spirits" will be used for a later book, and thus, for reasons that will be revealed in due time, this book, which will follow much of the show's 2nd season, will be known as "Water".
Happy Reading!
BOOK THREE: WATER
CHAPTER NINETY-ONE: ROLE REVERSAL
Republic City had not changed much at all in the few days that Korra had been gone to the Western Air Temple and the Southern Water Tribe, but it did not take long before the Avatar began formulating another of her "amazing plans", this one involving finding a way to bring the benders of Republic City who had been victims of Amon's bloodbending forward so that she could find time to restore their bending. She knew there would need to be background checks and a few security measures, because she feared that just because Amon was gone that the Equalists may not have all submitted or surrendered on the spot. Furthermore, Noatak had escaped, and Korra had not been able to stop him. If he showed up again, he could very well undo her efforts since he still had that malicious bending ability of his. Not only that, but he had a powerful effect on Korra's psyche and mental stability, and the few times Korra did think about it, it made her want to never run into him again.
For now, however, she would be going back with Asami to help her get everything sorted out regarding her father's estate, since Hiroshi Sato was going to be carted off to prison without question. The next couple of weeks were fairly busy getting the city government back on its feet, and Asami worked relentlessly hard to try and get Future Industries sorted out, and while Korra tried to help, the best she could do on that front was offer emotional support. It felt useless, but Asami genuinely appreciated it even if Korra questioned it now and again.
The day before Korra's birthday, however, Korra was woken up early by a bloodcurdling scream. Rather than sounding terrified thought, it sounded like Asami was furious at something, which was never a good sign to Korra in her experiences. Korra flew off the handle all the time, but Asami was the opposite—she was so grounded and level-headed that if something set her off, it had to be bad. Furthermore, she usually kept her emotions in check, and so for her to have an outburst like this meant it was something much worse than usual.
With a sense of urgency, Korra sprang up, dashed across the house and burst into Asami's office. Her timing was impeccable, because the moment she flung the doors open, Asami yelped and and launched a rather large item at Korra's head. Fortunately for the Avatar, her lightning-swift reflexes had her ducking just in time as it grazed her hair, but she looked up and saw Asami in front of her with wide bloodshot eyes and a frenzied expression.
"KORRA!" she barked, "WHAT ARE YOU—"
"WHOA!" Korra threw her hands up, "babe; babe! What did I do? I'm sorry; I just woke up and I have no idea what I did but I can—"
"No…" Asami composed herself, although the sharp, seething breaths she was taking betrayed that she was still very upset about something. "No, it wasn't you, Korra. I apologize. I'm livid right now, and you startled me and I… I guess I just kind of lost it there for a moment."
"Well," Korra scratched her backside, her grogginess from the earliness of the hour (by Korra standards at least) showing in her baggy eyes, her messy bedhead, and crooked pants and tanktop, "what's the matter? Can I help?"
"It's Hiroshi…" The name rolled off Asami's lips with disdain so powerful Korra swore she could almost literally see it. "Bolin and I fought him when we were tearing up the Equalist Airfield. He nearly killed me, but as he was winding up his mecha tank's arm, he… he hesitated."
"Oh…" Korra's eyes widened, "did.. Did that scar you somehow then, or something?" Korra knew all about that, and it killed her to think that Asami could suffer from it. Fortunately, Asami shook her head, although that was by no means the resolution.
"No… he left me THIS." Asami held out a crumpled piece of paper, which Korra took, straightened out, and scanned. It was only one line of text, but the gears in Korra's head turned immediately as she realized what it meant.
"My only regret was hesitating."
~Hiroshi Sato~
"He what…" Korra shook her head, "Did he seriously just… how DARE he!" Korra's hands were suddenly engulfed in blue flames which consumed the paper immediately, "how goddamn fucking DARE he, Asami! You're his daughter and he… that just… would you be entirely against me breaking into his prison cell and beating him senseless for you?"
"Korra, no; don't…" Asami took Korra's left wrist, causing Korra to dissipate the flames as to not burn her lover's hand, "that won't solve anything."
"Can I just beat him within an inch of his life and then hesitate instead of killing him then?" Korra asked, y'know—and then tell him that I regretted hesitating later on?"
Despite Korra's rather radical 'solutions', Asami actually admired them. Perhaps it was in her own anger, or maybe it was simply knowing that Korra was willing to administer excessive brutality onto anyone who wronged her lover.
"No, it's just…" Asami's grip tightened around Korra's wrist with enough strength that her nails started digging into Korra's skin. A few sharp taps to her hand from Korra's free hand was what it took to make her let up a moment later. "I'll be fine."
"Babe, no." Korra took Asami's hands, "don't you dare do what I do! I know that's hypocritical as all get-out for me to say, but please—don't keep all your anger and frustration bottled in. You know exactly what'll happen, because you've seen me lay all that on you way more times than you ever deserved. Don't close off your insecurities like that…"
Asami hesitated for a moment, and the remarks Councilman Tarrlok had shared with her at the underground refuge returned to her.
"Tarrlok you fucker…" she mused internally, "you brilliant, twisted bastard son of a…"
"It HURTS, Korra!" Asami grabbed Korra's arms, before burying her head into Korra's shoulder and her thick hair the same way Korra used to do to her, "it REALLY. REALLY. HURTS!"
"Of course it does," Korra put her arms around Asami, keeping her in a firm but gentle grip, "you're his daughter and he basically flat-out told you he wishes he had killed you. That's unbelievably fucked up and that's exactly why I want to knock his teeth in!"
"Perhaps I am selfish." Asami mused aloud, "It's definitely not to say I was unhappy meeting your parents properly, but a selfish side of me was also jealous. Both of your parents are not only alive, but they love you dearly. It… reminds me of how my life used to be before my mother was killed. Then my father put on the same facades I've thrown up to dismiss people from asking about my problems, so that no one would concern themselves with his. I think in hindsight… in hindsight that's why I was so worried about you being secretive Korra. It's like I knew about Hiroshi before actually knowing. It's… it's hard to explain."
"You don't need to explain it to me, Asami," It was rare for Korra to use someone's actual name when talking directly to them; an odd quirk she had undoubtedly picked up from the Red Lotus, "I think I understand, but more importantly, I trust you and want to be there to support you the same way you were for me. No one gets to tell you what does and doesn't hurt; when you can and can't be sad or upset. The most beautiful woman in the world taught me that one."
Asami pulled out of Korra's shoulder and looked the disheveled Avatar in the face; bedhead, heavy eyes and all. Her own eyes were watering, almost as if she and Korra were going on a full-on role reversal here.
"This is exactly why you can't ever tell me you're a bad person, Korra." she forced a smile, "you're sincere, kind, compassionate, caring, amiable, resilient, and so full of love. You might not realize it, but you've got quite a way with words—and an uncanny ability to know just what to say when someone needs it. I love that about you, and I love you."
"Well shit; I can't top that now, can I?" Korra gave a sheepish chuckle, "I mean, if you want we can sit down and I can play with your hair as you vent this out, but uhh… mornings aren't my strong suit so I'm sorry if I don't have any better ideas."
Despite the cheapness of the remark, Korra's sheepish expression and the genuinity of her words meant a lot to Asami, who accepted the Avatar's offer. Feeling Korra's fingers in her hair soothed her more than she expected, and despite how forceful and strong she knew Korra's hands were, the Avatar was as gentle as a newborn as she played with Asami's hair and occasionally massaged her scalp.
"You have such beautiful hair…" Korra commented, "Mine's too thick to look that good. Yours though… man I could do this all day."
"You know that I'm always willing to help untangle that mop of yours, right?" Asami riposted.
"Well sure, but your hair is just so…" she took a large handful of Asami's hair and took a huge whiff, "it's just so perfect. It's beautiful. You're beautiful. You're beautiful and strong and brilliant and caring… and if your dad is so blinded by his hatred of benders and of your life choices that he can't even see that, then he doesn't deserve to have you in his life. That's just… it grinds my gears in the worst of ways, babe. Seriously; how dare he!" She managed to catch herself tightening her grip on Asami's hair and loosened up before actually pulling it.
"For a long time I thought the Equalists had a valid point," Asami noted. Korra briefly paused but continued to lightly tug at or play with Asami's hair, "because in a way they do. Most of the Triads and other criminal kingpins of the undercity are benders, and they like to go after the more vulnerable targets that can't fight back—which is usually nonbenders. I liked the idea of giving people like me a fair chance; something to put benders and nonbenders on more equal grounds so we could defend ourselves. But these Equalists… I don't know if it was Amon or if it was just the embittered mob mentality over the years… they became too radical; too extreme—just like Hiroshi. They started hating benders just on principle—and even I know that's not okay."
"I honestly wanted to sympathize with them a bit too," Korra admitted, "I don't want these punks giving people like Mako, Bolin and I a bad name. Bending's awesome, and I hate to see people use it just to get an edge over others who can't keep up. I wonder what it'd be like if everyone knew how to bend something…"
"Do you wish I was a bender then?" Asami popped a question, sounding more curious than inquisitive, "or that I wasn't just another one of the many nonbenders of Republic City?"
"Not really," Korra went back to massaging Asami's scalp, "I mean, if you were a bender that might be cool cuz bending's cool, but I honestly don't think it would have changed anything for me about why I love you. It's just… it's not something we choose. People don't choose to be born as benders or nonbenders… not even the Avatar. I certainly didn't choose this lot in life; so to me it just makes me wonder what's the point of stressing about something I can't change? You were born without bending, sure; but if you don't stop me now I'll start rambling and gushing about how many amazing traits you have that I love. I mean sure it's nice that you're rich and beautiful… but Asami—you need to realize how much it means for someone to love me and care about me just for being ME. Not because I'm the Avatar; not because I'm powerful or frightening or attractive or charismatic or whatever else people say about me… but just because of whatever silly things I do or did that earned your affection."
Asami looked up at Korra for a moment before slowly moving as to alert Korra she was sitting up so she could turn around and look at Korra's face.
"Don't ever tell me you don't have a way with words," she smiled sweetly, "maybe it's just the simple reassurance that I'm not just someone's regret… but that means a world and a half to me, and I love you all the more for it."
Without warning she pulled Korra in for a passionate kiss, which caught Korra off guard for a moment until she realized what was going on and went with it.
"That reminds me," it was several minutes before Asami pulled back, still a bit emotional as she spoke, "how are you faring after all this? I heard Amon escaped and I'm pretty sure the Equalist threat isn't going to just suddenly go away, but still..."
"I don't think my trauma's going away any time soon," Korra sighed, "but overall, I feel better. Honestly, having you in my life does a lot to keep me happy. Maybe I'm inconsiderate for saying this... But don't let your dad's words get to you, love. Don't listen to his lies and his hateful remarks… he doesn't own you; the Equalists don't own you; no one owns you. Don't ever change though—your selfless love and concern for even an impudent little shit like me is exactly what more people need in this world. It's just… even if you feel like you're worthless; like you've accomplished nothing; if somehow you do start believing you're just a regret… you're not. Even if you think you haven't touched anyone's lives, I want you to know—you've touched mine."
"And you better acknowledge that too, Korra," Asami kissed her forehead, "I know you're still hurt; I know some pains haven't fully gone away… and I'm sure we'll inevitably scream in each other's faces over something again someday… but you're not worthless. You're not weak. Avatar or not, you are still incredibly and beautifully human, and I love that about you. I fell in love with Korra first, and Avatar Korra after that."
"Shit, babe," Korra scratched the back of her head again as a pout briefly replaced her smile, "it's too early for me to get all mushy and affectionate; you know that! But if you ever need to talk about anything, I'm here."
"Likewise," Asami smiled, "I'd even offer to let you sleep in my room at this point, given our relationship but… I really like to wake up at a proper time, rather than in the middle of the night because someone kicked me in the head and made me fall out of bed."
"That was once!" Korra pouted, "and I said I was sorry. I can't help it…"
"You also snore," Asami laughed, "very loudly, I might add."
"I'm sorry?" Korra pouted again. "But I mean… you know me and how important touch can be for me… if you need any kind of consolation like that over the next couple days, I'm here. Even if it's the crack of dawn and I've been up all night—you can call on me any time. You're important to me, and I want you to be happy the same way you want me to be."
"Get some rest then," Asami chuckled, "catch up on your beauty sleep. Sorry for waking you up so early in the evil morning; I… I shouldn't have screamed like that."
"It's good to let it out sometimes and have a shoulder to lean on," Korra elbowed her, "I mean, believe me when I say I'm speaking from way too much experience on that front. I can lose a little sleep to help out my girlfriend if she needs me."
"That might be true, but I also want you to remember to keep taking care of yourself, Korra." Asami ran her fingers across Korra's lower jaw, "usually when you don't, it's indicative of a deeper problem and that… well I'm sure I don't need to even say why at this point."
"Hey, I'll try to do better, I promise." Korra gently clutched Asami's wrist, "just… I want you to know that I'm here for you whenever you need me—no exceptions."
"Of that I have no doubt," Asami smiled, "now go on; get some beauty rest unless you want to stay awake all morning?"
"Can't; morning is evil," Korra laughed, giving Asami another kiss before turning back towards her room, "I'll see you in a few hours then, yeah? Just… don't let Hiroshi's lies get to your head. Break my door down if you need to, but you know the old rules—no more secrets."
"Right," Asami kissed Korra's forehead again, "no more secrets."
Korra stumped back to her room, dragging her feet as she went, and for a moment, the estate was quiet again. Her episode had been brief, but Asami suddenly understood exactly how Korra must have felt all these years from leaning on her for emotional support—and understood why she had always ascribed such a high importance to wanting to reciprocate those feelings and concerns. However Korra felt about her, Asami felt like the luckiest woman alive because of who her lover was, and nothing was about to change that.