We got back almost in no time at all. Yomeh practically squeezed me to death, but I threatened her with my flame to get her to back off. I'm grateful for her presence, but I also got the shit beat out of me, and I'm a little pissy.
The Chief walked in with Suyin not too long ago to check on the wounded. They talked briefly with Captain Kuvira about setting up a mission to retrieve any of their dead. It was mostly in hushed voices, so it was difficult to hear much more than that.
Lin looked at me once, and I could see the anger in her face. It's just so damn hard to read anything more than that. I keep reminding myself that anyone could've been caught off guard when being shot with tranq-darts. Hell, even the Avatar wasn't able to detect the bandits before they got the jump on us, so I'm not going to let my head try to convince me I should've done better. Even if the Chief is disappointed in me, I'm not going to blame myself.
Suyin dotes on Kuvira for a few brief moments, but I avert my eyes. My heart feels like it's being held together with glue and tape. Being clothed in nothing but a bandage wrapped around my cracked ribs and my pants makes me feel exposed and raw.
I hate it. None of this was my fault and she's acting like I don't matter. Feels like when I was a teenager. I would do everything that I could to make my dad proud, but it never seemed like it was good enough. I was captain of my bending team in college, and he was still focused on what I was doing wrong in each match. He expected perfection. I scoff to myself as I turn my body to lie on my left side, away from the center of the room.
My stomach feels sick suddenly as the turmoil bubbles and builds. Honestly, this is all bullshit. I can move around and stand. I don't get why I have to be stuck in here.
"Yamada," the Chief says then clears her throat. My heart drops into my ass. I turn to look at her, and instantly I'm pissed at myself, because why did I turn so fast!? "Get some rest. Korra, Suyin and I will be by later to get a debrief of exactly what happened." Her tone is gentle but firm, yet her face looks… dark. Like an overworked and overly stressed police chief.
I stare at her just a tad too long, but remember I'm not alone, and I nod my head. She turns to leave and just like that, the metal of her boots clanks as her steps recede from the door. I turn abruptly and painfully back towards the wall. I clench my jaw tightly to keep the emotions from escaping. I'll be damned if I let myself turn into a blubbering mess here in front of everyone.
I shove my face into the infirmary pillow and let it soak up any wetness. It smells like stale air.
A soft "hey," comes from behind me.
"Yeah?" I respond through the pillow, because I just don't have the energy right now.
"It's tough, isn't it?"
I finally decide to pull my face out of the pillow and turn my head. I can see Captain Kuvira over my shoulder. "What?" I ask dumbly.
"To care about someone in a way you're not supposed to." Her jaw clenches as she looks down at her own hands. The same ones that Suyin was holding just moments before. I gape a little as the pieces fall into place.
One, she's talking as though she has firsthand experience, and two, she seems confident enough in what she witnessed between Lin and I to make some kind of correlation between the two of us.
Instead of immediately jumping to deny, deny, deny from the horror of being seen so thoroughly; I just sigh. I lay down on my back and say "yeah," in a breathy exhausted kind of way.
The metalbender hums back in acknowledgement.
I mull that over for a moment. Man, to love a married woman would be so difficult. Especially between alphas and omegas. Suyin's husband is a beta, and he's brilliant and impressive all on his own. Don't have to be an alpha to be an incredible person, but sometimes natural instincts are overwhelmingly powerful and hard to resist. It almost feels like a completion, it feels right, like 'this is how it's supposed to be.' At least, that's how it felt when… I sigh once more and release whatever fever dream that was about to turn into.
I suppose the nice thing about being placed in a room for recovery is the extra time to sit and think.
I continue my previous train of thought. Maybe that's just what I want it to mean. Alphas and omegas. Maybe I want this powerful connection to mean more than what it is – just some hormones and bodily functions for mating. Instincts be damned, I'm not going to let my body dictate my life. This little fleeting affair is damaging, especially to my career. What do I even expect to come from all this? It's literally career suicide. I get with the chief, then I can no longer be on the force. She couldn't oversee me at all without bureaucratic red-tape bullshit. We'd get called out for fraternizing, and I'm not going to be the reason Lin is forcibly retired for ethical issues. Goodness. I roll my eyes. What a tangent that turned into. Like Lin even wants me right now. I stop that train of thought before I let it get too far.
But let's think the rest of it through at least. I mean, what do I even want from all of this? Sure as hell isn't to be some lapdog that runs every time Lin calls. I sigh heavily again. I never wanted this. It was smooth sailing to my next promotion as lieutenant in the next year or so. Now look at me. I'm 28 and messing around with these fuck-fuck games. Why is being an omega so hard!?
"Got something on your mind?" Kuvira asks.
I smack my face with both hands and drag them down as if doing so will wash the thoughts away.
"I'll take that as a 'yes'" the captain says with a raspy chuckle.
Thank Raava there's no one else in here. All the guys with scrapes and bruises were signed off to leave forever ago. I look up at her from my position and look away again. "I didn't want this. It wasn't part of anything I planned, and now what? I just throw everything away? Or I put all my stupid hopes into a future that may not even exist, because this could be completely one sided?"
The other woman chuckles halfheartedly. "It's definitely not one sided."
Her smug look makes me want to punch her. "What are you talking about?"
"Have you not been paying attention?" her tone is just as annoying as her smug face.
"Enlighten me," I shoot back irritated, but try to remain at least somewhat professional. She does outrank me.
Kuvira lazily gestures her hand as she speaks, "well, she broke up your little play fight with the Avatar. Her pheromones weren't as concealed as she would've liked, but it was impressive. She also has been running all over since you were kidnapped threatening anyone just to get intel."
"Yeah, but the Avatar was taken, and she's way more important than me. It could've been because of that. It's also why she keeps looking so pissed every time she looks at me." I roll my eyes and look across the room at something insignificant like a cupboard handle or something.
But the metalbender just laughs at me again. "Wow, you are clueless." She smiles even though I'm sure it hurts her blackened eye.
The shot at my ego, however, will not go undefended as I sit up and attempt to throw my pillow at her; but the pain in my ribs prevents me from getting it off the bed.
Kuvira laughs heartily this time as she watches me grimace in pain and failing to carry out my pitiful plan. Her raspy chuckle lights up something within me, and I start to laugh too. But it hurts even more, now! "Damnit!" I try to stop but the pain makes me laugh more, and Kuvira is nearly breathless – her face nearly turns red.
As we calm down to light giggles, and we're able to breathe again, Kuvira elaborates. "She was driven, not by her need to protect the Avatar, but her inner alpha needing to protect you. I was able to surmise it after she encountered Aiwei. He was one of ours," the laughter completely drops from her face as she says so. "He turned traitor and helped the people who kidnapped you and Korra. She went feral on him. Composed, but she held nothing back. In some countries, what she did violated many statutes. No physical harm of course, but it was deeply manipulative."
My face turns serious as I process this new information. That doesn't sound like the Chief at all.
The door suddenly bursts open as the Avatar herself walks in. "Sorry! That was a lot easier to open than I realized. How are you guys doing?" The alpha's pheromones are trepid as she enters in on a tense moment.
I look up at her and smile softly. The big lug always has the best timing. "I'm doing much better, but my ribs are still bad."
Her bright blue eyes light up for some reason, and she says "here, let me." Korra sits down on a stool by my bed, and her hands reach out towards the barrel in the corner of the room. She calls the water, and it flows to her hands seamlessly.
I'm startled by her eagerness, but I easily relent for some pain relief. I reach to undo the wrap they used to compress the broken ribs. Apparently, it's so the ribs don't move paradoxically when I breath. They were completely broken through. I use my good arm to unwrap it slowly, since Korra is all but useless with her hands covered in healing waters. The wrap falls, and I just deem rerolling the bandage as a loss. Instead, I simply take it off layer by layer as it unwraps around my body from one side to the other. All that's left is the thin fabric used to bind my chest.
The Avatar's hands hover over my chest as she begins some healing work. There's no direct contact with her hands, but I can feel her chi moving within my body. The bone is being stitched and cracked as it reconnects. It's painful, but after the first few initial connections the pain becomes more of a dull ache than a stabbing pain.
"Wow," I say a bit quickly.
Korra gives me the biggest and most cocky grin.
"Shut up!" I shove my hand into her face, and she just laughs. "The other waterbender's healing isn't the same. They barely put a dent into it compared to this."
"Well, I'm definitely not going to take all the credit, because I was trained by one of the best healers this world has ever seen. She's taught me everything I know, and she used to be married to Avatar Aang."
I give her a deadpan look as I realize exactly who she's talking about. "Fucking Katara!? Seriously?" I look at her with wide quizzical eyes, but soon enough, I just let go of the shock. "Man, life is pretty good when you're the Avatar."
"Like you should talk, Yamada. You come from a pretty wealthy family," Kuvira interjects. "My parents are dead, and I was an orphan. Some of us just work our asses off."
My eyes grow wide again, but this time in horror. "I-I didn't mean –"
"You can't even talk!" Korra scoffs indignantly. "The person who took you in and trained you is none other than the daughter of Toph Beifong, and she was the very first metalbender. So, you have your own connections as well."
Kuvira just shoves Korra's face like I did earlier, but winks at me playfully. My blood pressure finally stabilizes as I allow myself to breathe again. Asshole, I think inwardly as I laugh away some of my nerves.
"Hey! I'm working here." Korra's tone is defiant, but playful.
"You alphas are pains in the ass," I say confidently. Because you're damn right they outrank me, but I will not be intimidated by them or their dorky behavior. Plus, they're frontal lobes aren't even developed yet. At least Kuvira is closer in age to me, but Korra is just a baby.
"Whatever," Kuvira says seemingly done with our antics. "I'm going to get some rest." The metalbender rolls over.
Korra continues to waterbend the healing water over my ribs, but I shift her hand over to my right shoulder. The amazing tingling from the healing water itches under my skin, but the joint feels immediately better. I sigh again.
The Avatar giggles at my relief but doesn't say anything else.
My eyes are closed as I take in the healing. It's giving life back into my spirit. I hum in contentment. "This is like a drug. How do people let you walk away after this."
Korra clears her throat, "well, I don't know. I've never heard it described like that before." Her voice is softer now, probably because Kuvira is trying to get some rest.
I hum again, but this time it's just in acknowledgement.
When she's done, she pours the water back down the drain. "Alright," she says a bit quieter. "Why don't you get some rest. Lin said we'd have a meeting later. We'll debrief everyone then." She smiles gently. "I'm glad you're doing a lot better. I was really worried about you."
I laugh lightly and smile at her. "Yeah, okay Avatar."
"No, I mean it. I… I really appreciate everything you did and went through to get us out safely. I was pretty useless back there." Her eyes become downcast.
"Hey, don't say that. There's nothing you could've done in that situation. It's not your fault. If anything, I feel like it's my fault for letting them kidnap us."
"What!?" she whisper-yells. "There's nothing you could've done to stop that. They came out of nowhere and ambushed us."
I attempt to protest but she holds up her hand and continues, "look, we both were in a shitty situation. And we shouldn't blame ourselves for something out of our control. It's really hard for me to admit that, but I guess if I only said it to you, then I'd be a hypocrite."
I widen my eyes a bit at the emotional intelligence it took to say that. I smile softly and nod.
We both laugh quietly in the silence.
"Thank you again." Korra says to me. She reaches out and grabs my hand. She smiles a bit awkwardly, and I start to get really nervous all of a sudden.
"You're welcome, Korra." I say it confidently because I mean it.
She doesn't meet my eyes, but she nods as she swipes her fingers over my hand a few times before letting go. "Get some rest," she says, and then rises to leave.
"Wait," I say, and she turns back almost immediately. "Do you think I should rewrap my ribs? Or will I be okay?"
The Avatar's face falls a bit, but she smiles gently. "You should be fine, but it's up to you."
The way she says it is open ended as if she's waiting for my decision. I press the palms of my hands around my chest to see how sensitive it is. I can move my other arm around freely without much pain. Thank Raava. I don't seem to notice any severe pain around my ribs, though. I look back up at her, grateful. "I think I'm good. Thank you so much, Korra."
"Anytime," she says before walking towards the door.
After she walks out, I lay my head back, and my eyes widen. What the hell was all that? She was so sweet and calm, not as dorky as she usually is.
"Better than the Chief of Police," a sarcastic ass annoying voice says from the other side of the room.
This time, I have enough strength to throw my pillow at her.
"Oof," she says as said pillow collides for a direct hit. We laugh quietly, 'til the air fills with silence again.
My eyes close, and I fold my hands over my stomach. The room still carries a mix of scents, but Korra's is the strongest. It's sweet and bold, but it's also mixed with sweat. She is an incredible alpha and such a kind caring person, but I keep thinking about Asami. Which I never got the chance to ask Korra about… Although, to be honest, doing that makes me feel like a teenager. Why am I putting myself in these situations? People can communicate for themselves with whoever it is they are interested in. Career! Promotion! I don't need an alpha. This is all becoming pure madness.
That's it, I'm done. No more thinking about any of this.
I'm woken up after sleeping only a few hours to someone shaking me. The moonlight flits in through the window. I look around startled and look up at who's touching me, and it appears to be Suyin.
"Get up, Sergeant Yamada. It's time for our meeting. Some dramatic shifts have occurred while you were asleep, and it must happen now." The younger Beifong sister appears to be shaken up a bit.
I nod my head as the sleepy fog clears from my brain. She helps me rise from the bed and hands me a button up blouse. I slide it on over my shoulders, but don't bother to close it as I grab my shoes. I look over to where Kuvira was sleeping, and it appears she's already left. I wipe my face with a splash of water from the sink and follow Suyin out and around the doorframe.
She takes me down the hall to a room with a raucous sound of voices coming from the other side. We enter hastily and she ushers me to sit on the nearby couch.
The Chief is berating that guy Mako as they seem to be hashing something out.
I sit down and Kuvira walks over to hand me a cup of dark liquid gold. Coffee. Thank Raava. I grab it delightfully and nod a gesture of thanks to the woman. We sit side by side as the conversation continues.
Nobody really notices I'm there until Asami looks in my direction, then the Avatar turns to look at me as well. The alpha bounds over to me in a few leaps from her chair. I anxiously look to the Chief to see if she notices, but she's too immersed in her conversation. I roll my eyes at myself.
"Woah," Korra says. "Not an early morning kind of person?" she gestures to my entire demeanor.
I give her a deadpan look and it relays what I need it to. The dark-skinned woman laughs.
"Well, they're talking a lot of logistics over there really quickly, but the meeting should start soon." Avatar Korra reaches her hand to gesture at my unbuttoned shirt. "Really?" she says dryly.
I pay no mind, mostly because I dress down a lot worse at home, and I was attacked yesterday. "I'm not the Avatar or anything, so don't mind me as I try to relax a little."
The look she gives is between a blush and a scoff.
"Fine," I say before I button one singular button. The one right above my navel, nothing special. Besides. Watching the Avatar fumble and fluster herself over a bit of exposed skin is hilarious.
Korra laughs and sits across from Captain Kuvira, while Asami approaches and takes the seat across from me. We make eye contact, and there seems to be a bit of tension. I squint my brow at her as I to ask what's up? But she shakes her head at me as if to decline the question.
I fold my arms under my bust and cross my legs before I glance around to look for the grownups. Suyin and Lin are on the opposite side of the room. I catch Lin's glaring gaze shift from below my eyeline back up directly into my eyes. She quickly turns to her sister wound up about something, and then gestures to the group, avoiding me entirely.
Even being in her presence feels overwhelming. I don't think I've seen her happy to see me even once since we've been out here. I don't know what to do, she hasn't even said anything about getting kidnaped. I just know that she's going to have chat with me later about my performance. It's written all over her face. She's so fed up. Probably angry she had to come out and save the Avatar that got kidnapped because of me. We just had to spar.
I sigh and take a swig of my coffee. What I would give to spar right now. I know I've been complaining about recovery, but holy hell do I just want to get out some energy, some frustration. I keep trying hard to remember that anyone would've gotten caught off guard had they been shot with tranq-darts. Even Korra told me not to be so hard on myself. I guess she's not always such a dumb kid–
"Alright," Suyin says, calling me from my thoughts, as she addresses the room. "Before Lin blows a gasket, why don't we start the meeting. We'll figure out what to do afterwards."
Lin stands across the room leaning against the wall. Her shoulders are tight and flexing as she crosses her arms and a scowl crosses her brow.
Everyone else sits down around the small coffee table. Kuvira and I on one sofa, Asami and Korra on another, and Suyin takes a nearby armchair. Mako and Lin stand off to the sides, one against the bookshelf, while the other is against the wall.
Suyin clasps her hands together. "Alright, upon completion of our mission to retrieve the dead, my soldiers found no sign of Zaheer and his cohorts. They searched the immediate area and found no clues as to even what direction they went in. They also seemed to have collected their dead as well. This leads us to believe they had an escape plan all along. I'm not sure if it was any of Aiwei's doing, but they were able to cover their tracks. We have no idea what their current location is, which doesn't look good for us." She looks to the rest of the group to gauge our reactions. "Korra, honey, why don't you tell us what happened?"
"Right, well we were out in the yard when we were ambushed. They hit us with darts that knocked us out. I woke up inside the cave and was strapped to a table. Their leader, Zaheer, started talking to me about a cleansing. He says the natural order is disorder, and that their goal is to throw the world into chaos. He said that my uncle was a part of the Red Lotus as well."
"So, what is it? The Red Lotus. Is it just some terrorist group?" asks Mako.
"Basically, yes," Korra responds immediately. "That's what it seems. Zaheer didn't get the chance to reveal his ultimate plan, but it involves taking down world governments. All for the purpose of giving freedom back to the people. To live their own lives to their own accord. Unfortunately, they plan to achieve that through whatever means necessary."
"But they can't possibly think that's okay?" Asami interjects.
"It doesn't matter." Lin supplies. "There are no morals at play here. For them, it's about achieving their goals no matter the cost."
Damn, even her voice is doing things to me.
"What about you, Yamada." Suyin directs the attention of the group to me.
I clear my throat and respond, "their hideout, however rudimentary, was thoroughly planned out. They had me trapped in a containment cell, and then chained up against a wall after I escaped. There seems to only be four members that were present."
"Chained up?" Lin asks gruffly. Her eyes are pleading for an answer I'm not sure how to interpret.
"Yes, I was chained to a wall, but they weren't trying to get any information out of me. I even asked them myself, but I was only there as a hostage. They seemed impressively self-assured that they didn't need me. They recognized me. They mentioned my family." I looked down at my hands after I said so, as though I failed somehow.
"Bastards," Lin grits through her teeth, then rubs her face with her left hand.
"There's more," Korra adds. "Zaheer made it sound like they were a branch that had broken off from the White Lotus. A hidden cell of members that could be anywhere across the world. The Fire Nation or the Watertribes. We should probably alert the heads of state."
Lin growls under her breath as she mulls over this new intel. "This is getting messier by the second."
"Korra," I say, "what was happening before we got you out? What was he saying to you?"
The Avatar looks left and right as she tries to recall the exact moment. "I don't remember, but I think he was saying something about my fate was sealed."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Mako supplies.
"Well," Korra continues, "earlier he had mentioned how when I was younger, they attempted to kidnap me so that they could train me and teach me their messed-up ideology. He said he was hoping to make a deal with me, but when I blew him off and called him crazy, I'm sure he realized there'd be no convincing me to just go with his plan."
"There's one thing I don't get." The entire room looks to me as I speak. "You couldn't see it Korra, because the tray was set up behind you, but he was reaching for something."
"Yes," Captain Kuvira says. "I noticed that, too. There were syringes lined up filled with a metallic liquid. He was reaching for them."
Asami reflexively reaches her hand for Korra's forearm and the pair shared a concerned glance.
"We have to assume the worst" Suyin says. "If they're after world leaders, then that means Korra may be a prime target."
"But I'm not a world leader?" Korra says.
"No, but you're part of a system built around maintaining balance and order," Lin says. "If they're after chaos, then stopping the one person who can prevent that from happening would be you."
A dead silence falls over the room.
"We have to notify the other world leaders. This could be bigger than we can comprehend," Mako states.
"I agree," says Suyin. "I'll get on the radio and contact the Fire Lord and Queen Hou-Ting in Ba Sing Se."
"You too, Suyin," Captain Kuvira states simply, but I can see the twinge of her alpha attempting to protect what's hers.
"Like hell am I going to let these scumbags send me into hiding. Once we notify the other leaders, I say we get an airship ready." Suyin's demeanor changes into one of assuredness.
"For what?" Lin supplies. "We have no idea where they'll be heading. So far, all we know is that they've probably move on for safety reasons. Without any additional intel, we're blind," Lin sighs deeply to calm herself. "You know what? It's a great idea. Let's get an airship ready so that I can take my people and the Avatar back to Republic City where I can keep them safe."
Korra launches out of her chair. "Not a chance! Those people attacked me and the people I care about. I'm not going to let them get away. We're so close. We should try to stop them, now."
Lin grits her teeth. "My top priority is keeping you safe. If these lunatics really want to take you out, then we need to be smart. We can't just roll up on them wherever in the hell they are! They're too dangerous."
Korra scoffs indignantly.
"Korra," I say, and the room turns their attention to me. "This isn't just about you. You think all of this falls on your shoulders, but it doesn't."
"I'm the Avatar, of course it does!" she shoots back petulantly.
I sigh. "Then you should know more than anyone that all our lives are at stake here. The Avatar does what's best for everyone, and you're critical in maintaining the balance the Red Lotus so badly wishes to erase. I get that you want to do the right thing and keep everyone safe, but we have to think about the long game and work together. Not just running into the dark without a flashlight."
"I'm not some stupid kid," she shouts back.
"You sure are acting like it," Lin jumps in, and Korra stands, reacting out of anger, and faces her. I could tell their alphas were raging inside, and I guess they're too amped to hold back anymore. "You got something to say?" Lin responds as her pheromones begin to fill the space.
Her scent is intoxicating. It floods my head, and I grip the edge of the couch to ground myself. Korra's is just as strong, but seeing as her temper is a little more controlled, she doesn't dare to challenge the elder metalbender.
"It's like pai-sho, Korra," I catch Asami's response as she gently caresses the Avatar's hand. "We need to strategize."
As if the whole room is ganging up on her, the Avatar turns her attention to Mako for a hail-Mary. He gives sort of a noncommittal gesture, like 'well, they do make some sense.'
Korra sighs in defeat. She retracts her alpha's essence and sits back down next to Asami. "Fine, then what's the plan?" Her eyes are downcast towards the floor and her jaw is clenching.
Seeing the Avatar yield to Lin is a display to behold. Logically, I know that it's just stupid posturing, but internally, it feels like Lin's the most desirable alpha in the room. The fact that I only slept for a few hours might have something to do with the ease of my susceptibility, but I can hardly resist.
Lin regains control but moves across the room as though to approach and address the group. She stands just to my right between myself and Suyin's armchair. It feels like she's towering over me. I tilt my head downwards almost automatically, since her pheromones still exude into the room. The fog I was grounding myself from a moment ago returns in full force.
As if to knock me out of my dazed stupor, Kuvira grabs the meat of my left leg proximal to my knee. It jolts me back into reality, and I'm able to hear again. She releases me as I do. I shake my head and look up at the Chief to catch her reaction. She's looking directly at my leg, and then back to my face. The grimace she's exuding displays her disgust at what she just witnessed.
Suyin is speaking, but I can't focus on a thing she's saying. Those green eyes send lightning straight to my core. This feeling. It's like a drug. It clouds my mind as my omega draws me back down. This sensation rattles me to the bones. It's not fair. None of this is fair, I think as my center begins to flutter with uncontrolled twitches.
The moment couldn't have been more than 30 seconds, max, but it felt as though time didn't exist. I have never felt so thoroughly enraptured by anyone in my life.
When those last thoughts run through my mind, I rise without a second thought and turn towards the door. I move to squeeze past Lin, but accidentally bump into her, tremblingly. She attempts to steady me by grabbing my arm and I turn to investigate her face. Her voice is muffled, and I can't make out the word she says. That's when I realize how deep down I've gone. I can hardly focus, and my body is moving automatically. I lean forward a fraction, but thankfully realize what's about to happen, and instead turn my entire body. I push past her, and she lets go of my arm hesitantly. I grab the doorknob and walk out.
There are voices coming from behind me, but I can't be bothered to decipher them. Not even for a moment. I can't spare a single concern, because I need to get out of there. I feel as though I can't breathe. My insides are crying out for relief, but it's not something I can give. How does one survive this? How can one exist with this ever-present suffering?
I make my way nearly to the end of the hall when someone grabs my forearm. They whip me around to face them, and I reach up to defend myself. I launch my other arm towards their face, and I bare my teeth as though my omega senses danger; but instead, I'm met with a soft gaze. Asami grabs my other arm before it can make any contact and releases it soon after.
"It's alright." Her voice caresses me, and her pheromones are subtle and safe. The haze still floods my mind, but her scent is reassuring. "This way," she says as she guides me away. I can hear some more scuffling coming from behind me, but they halt before any of them can get closer.
Asami finally guides me into a room and sets me down on the bed. I begin to feel a deep ache within me. I reach my arms around my body, and the sensation is enough to curl in on myself and collapse fully onto the mattress. I writhe a bit before Asami reaches a hand out to caress my side. It's very grounding.
She shushes me softly as she continues to pet my back, and then runs her nails over my scalp. "It's alright. It'll be over soon."
It's as though all the pent up emotions and instincts my body wishes to enact on had become too much. It's so overwhelming, that I know I'd do something I'd regret. My teeth grit together as I choke back tears. I can't even be bothered by embarrassment at this point. We're long past it.
My body aches much less, and I loosen the grip I have on myself. "Shit, I-" I start to apologize, but the knot in my throat stops me.
"Don't even go there," Asami claims. "This has happened to me before, too," her words are calming and assured.
My breaths begin to come in and out very quickly as I begin to come back into my body. It feels all too strange, and I'm not sure how I got here.
"Do you want me to get someone, to help?" she asks kindly but urgently.
I nod my head rigorously and say the only one I can think of. "Yomeh."
Asami leaves quickly and shuts the door behind her.
I lay on the bed while my body is shaking and demanding the air to enter. But each time it's not enough. I feel as though I'm gasping for air. All the stress from the last couple days takes its toll and panic takes over my mind.
The door swings open and shuts abruptly. It makes my whole body flinch. Then, I feel a warm body lay beside me. The scent is familiar, and the person is slow to trespass. But the body lays directly in line with my own, and an arm reaches around me. It compresses over my stomach, and I can hear the person breathing in and out slowly next to my ear. They're spooning me. I'd turn around and punch whoever they are, but it's actually helping. Their scent is easing my panic.
"There you go, just breathe. Take it slow."
My entire body shudders as I feel Lin's words caress my ear. The entire front of her body is pressed against me. The haze in my mind fogs up again as a heat fills me to the brim. A need swirls inside. I writhe my ass into her hips, and her hand grips my waist even firmer as she groans directly into my ear from behind. Her shaft forms easily as I press against her. The relief I feel as I grind on her cock is like a cool bucket of water on scorched earth. Before I know it, I'm already coming and my center throbs feverishly.
When the door opens again I'm breathless and a bit disheveled as I lay across the bed. My scent is strong and musky as it fills the room, but the fog over my mind is clearing a bit. I reach my arm out to find the firm body that was there, but I find nothing. I look around and all I see is Yomeh walking towards me, Asami at the entrance of the door.
My mouth is agape as I try to ground myself back into reality. What the hell is happening? My brow furrows, and Yomeh approaches slowly. She sits on the edge of the bed and her face is full of concern and empathy. "Hey, bud. Ms. Sato filled me in. You were in the meeting… with the Chief."
I groan once again at losing my cool enough to announce to the whole world what's happening in my private life.
"Hey, I know that look. You're not fooling me, and I already was kinda picking it up anyways. I never said a word to anyone. I swear. Look," she says as she holds my hand. "I'm here for you, bud."
I recognize the nickname she'd given me from the academy. We were both going through tough times personally, and it helped our bond grow beyond acquaintances.
She squeezes my hand again to regain my attention, and I make eye contact with her. "Am I losing my mind?" I ask.
The waterbender chuckles lightly before responding. "No, bud. You've gone through a lot, and it seems like there's a big chunk that you're not talking about." Her gaze is gentle but prodding. "You don't have to talk about it now, but I'm pretty sure you're having a panic attack."
My breathing is steadily slowing as I come back to reality. I don't know where the fuck my mind just went, but good lord was it at least satisfying. I nod my head and squeeze her hand.
I look over to Asami who immediately freezes up. "Sorry, I can leave if you want. I was just worried."
Yomeh speaks for me, so I don't have to. "That would be appreciated Ms. Sato. Could you call the medical unit to send someone over?"
The heiress nods profusely and rushes off.
I groan at the prospect of any more people being witness to my downfall.
"Just drop it. You're getting checked out and there's no getting out of it." Her tone has shifted to the usual playful Yomeh I recognize.
"Thanks," is all I manage to get out. I lay on my side and curl around myself. The waterbender stays at my back and rubs my arm.
"Of course, bud. I wish you'd talk to me. I know it's been a lot, but I'm here for you." Her tone is kind, but I'm in no mood to unleash any of that again.
The medic comes with a chair, and I'm forced to sit in it so they can roll me back to the medical bay. Thankfully, it's so late at night that no one is awake to witness it. I can't even smell an iota of alphas nearby. Thank Raava.
A/N
Messy, messy, messy. Overthinking galore. Thanks so much for reading!
