Lessons

Chapter 4 – Comfort Lessons

This happens after Korra loses her Water/Fire/Earthbending and Amon is no longer a threat to Republic City.

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Korra rode into Republic City Central Park on Naga. She wanted some time to think about the current events with the loss of her Bending. She jumped off of Naga and sat near the river. As much as she tried, she couldn't Water-, Earth-, or Firebend. Yet, somehow, she had finally broken through her Airbending block and could Airbend. It was a small comfort. How could she be the Avatar if all she could Bend was one element?

Korra sighed, stroking Naga's fur. "What do you think Naga? How did this all happen? Some Avatar I am that I lost most of my Bending!" Korra nuzzled against Naga's fur, seeking comfort from her animal guide and best friend.

Tahno strolled through the park, thinking about his circumstances. he was getting ready to move out of his loft. The lease was almost up. he had talked to his parents – what a humbling conversation that had been – and they agreed to let him move back in. He would just have to find another job. Being a healer was out of the question of course, and he had already proven that he didn't have the talent for mechanics, so he would need to find something else to do. He let out a slow sigh, thinking of the jobs he could do. Maybe he could cut hair. Haha, that would be a hoot!

As he walked, he noticed a very recognizable bulk of white fur. His heart skipped a beat, he hadn't seen Korra since that wonderful day they had together. He still had the shell, of course. "Korra!" he called out.

She turned to see that he was approaching her. "Hey, Tahno," she said half-heartedly.

"What's the matter? I thought you would be happier to see me," he said half-jokingly, hoping that the unhappiness he saw really had nothing to do with him.

"I...I've been having a hard time recently." Korra murmured.

"Oh. Want to talk to me about it?" he asked, sitting on the grass next to her.

"Amon is gone and he won't be a threat to Republic City anymore," she said tersely, hugging her knees to her chest.

"That is a good thing, right?" he asked.

"I did manage to expose who Amon really was, but he took away my Bending first. However somehow, I got past my Airbending block. So I'm an Avatar that can only Airbend now."

He stared at her for several moments. "Huh. I'm sorry," he said with genuine regret before pulling her in for a hug. She snuggled against him, wanting to be comforted.

"Now I just don't know what to do. Tenzin said that he would take me to the South Pole and see what Master Katara could do if there was anything she could do. I know that Amon used Bloodbending to take away a person's Bending."

"BLOODbending? All this time I thought he had gained his power from the spirits or something. It's creepy to think that someone could figure to use Waterbending to take away someone's Bending..." He shuddered at that. "If he was a Bender, why did he hate Bending so much? None of it makes sense!"

"Have you heard of the mobster Yakone that terrorized Republic City over 40 years ago? He was a renowned Bloodbender who went on trial for various crimes and challenged Aang. Aang took away his Bending, yet Yakone escaped and fled to the Northern Water Tribe where he married and settled down. His sons were Amon and Councilman Tarrlok. Even though Yakone couldn't Bend, he trained his sons how to Bloodbend and both of his sons excelled at it." She paused. "It's a long, tragic story that Councilman Tarrlok told me that would help me get an edge up on Amon. The point is, Amon is an exceptionally talented Waterbender, and because of Yakone's abuse, he thought that people would fare better with no Bending."

"Huh. So if not for Yakone..." He shook his head. "Well, what's done is done." He looked at her. "Again, I'm sorry about your Bending. At least you can still Bend ONE thing."

"I suppose that's one good thing that came up of this mess. But no matter what I try, I just can't Bend anything else. I just want to go back home to the South Pole."

"So... will I ever see you again?" he asked. Korra was quiet for a few moments. She didn't never want to see him again, but she couldn't say for sure what she wanted from Tahno.

"I don't know. Depends. I just want to spend some time with my family. I haven't seen my parents in months. I'll see how I cope at home."

"I really will miss you, Korra," he admitted, sounding like a sweet boy with a crush.

"I will miss you too. We had a lot of fun together." she smiled wanly. "But I need some time alone to think about the recent events, and try mediating. Maybe my past lives can help me."

"I know, and I understand. Maybe we could spend some time together before you leave?"

"Sure. There's hardly anything I can think of that'd make me happier right now." she smiled. He laughed and hugged her again.

"What do you want to do?"

"Spend some time at your place?" she asked shyly.

"Sure. Might as well have one last hurrah before I move out," he said as he rose to his feet, dusting off his pants. Korra stood up and patted Naga, prompting the polar beardog to stand up. "Did you drive here or did you walk here?" she asked.

"I walked, I just wanted to clear my head."

Korra grinned and climbed onto Naga. "Come sit behind me." She offered her hand to him. Once he was seated, he wrapped his arms around her middle. It felt nice to hold her, and he rested his head against her shoulder in a small gesture of affection, and she provided a nice distraction to the nervousness he felt around her pet.

She took them over to Tahno's place, the two of them sliding down before she gave Naga an affectionate scratch behind the ears.

"Naga really is a sweet animal. She is fiercely loyal and protective of me, but she's a great friend."

"Believe me, I know," he muttered dryly, remembering when she and Bolin had been eating at the Noodlery and Naga burst through the window, roaring at him. He turned to look at the upscale building that he was soon to be leaving.

"I'm truly sorry you're leaving. It was nice to hang out with you here." Korra commented. He rolled his shoulders in a light shrug.

"I'll be moving back in with my parents until I can get a job and secure another source of income. I'm not even sure what I want to do," he sighed. She squeezed his arm.

"Wait here, Naga," she commanded, and Naga lay down on the small, grassy courtyard, looking intimidating despite her calm demeanor, resting her head on her paws. Then pair walked into the building and up the stairs, where there were quite a few boxes packed already, and Korra noticed that there was not one single photo or award to be seen. Yes, he was vain, but at the same time, he'd been a skilled Bender, so it wasn't as if his accolades were entirely unearned. One thing she noticed was that the shell from their beach trip remained on the table, next to a teapot and several cups.

"I see you didn't want to pack that away just yet, hmm?" she said with a smile. He blinked before he returned the smile, gazing wistfully at the shell for a moment.

"It's a memory of good times. Not exactly something I want out of sight!" he grinned. "Want something to eat or drink?" He took off his jacket, draping it over the back of the sofa. "Just what did you want to come up here for anyway? To listen to music with me?"

"I want more than that. I was thinking we could have one last fuck before we go our separate ways." She walked over to him and embraced him, planting a gentle kiss on his cheek. He wrapped his arms around her.

(this chapter has been edited per the rules of FFN. To read the complete version, just go to my AO3 - same username over there that I have here)

She rolled off him, plopping down at his side, her head against his shoulder. He lay there in comfortable silence, listening to her breathing as they drifted down from their post-coital bliss.

They lay like that for a while, touching, kissing, cuddling. Not to arouse one another, but just for comfort, to enjoy the physicality of the other person. He massaged a breast gently, she ran her fingers along his stomach, they lazily stroked and massaged one another, savoring the warmth of the other person.

"Mmm, it's great spending time with you," she said, cupping his face and kissing him.

"It really is," he admitted, nuzzling her back. "Not just sexually... but as friends," he said, referring to their day together. She nodded before sitting up."I should think about going soon. I can't spend that night with you. Naga's still in the courtyard outside."

"Oh, right." Tahno sounded a bit sad, but he did not beg her to not leave. "I hope I can see you again before you leave the city."

"I don't know. Tenzin mentioned something about getting up early in the morning to start the journey to the South Pole." she frowned.

"Then how about I give you a kiss to go?" he asked with a grin.

"After I drink some of that tea you were talking about."

He nodded and rose to his feet, pulling on a robe and going to the kitchen, putting on the water and letting the tea steep as he turned on the radio to listen to the news. Korra joined him in several minutes, fully clothed.

"Here's your medicine." he smiled as he set a cup in front of her.

"Haha, very funny." she mocked, preparing herself for the taste of the tea. "Urgh." she made a face as she took her first sip. "This reminds me of all the nasty herbal teas my mom would make whenever I got sick. Ugh, this stuff is nastyyy."

He regarded her with a sympathetic smile before offering her some fruit juice to help her wash down the flavor. She forced down the rest of the drink and wrinkled her nose before finishing the juice and enjoying the mild sweetness. He smirked at that before he handed her a packet with the rest of the herbs.

"Sometimes you have to take the nasty with the good." It was not until later that Tahno realized the unintentional gravity of his statement.

"I hope I see you again sometime, Tahno. I think I'll come back to Republic City, but I need some time away."

"I understand. When you come back, don't hesitate to look me up, okay?" he asked with a hopeful smile.

"I'm sure Naga can help me track you down." She got up from her seat, walked over to him, and hugged him. "I'll miss you. I hope things will get easier for you."

He kissed her cheek. "I hope it all works out for you too."

She stared at him for a moment before she cupped his cheek and gave him a gentle kiss on the lips. He closed his eyes in pleasure, gently sucking on her lower lip, but making no move to slide in his tongue, he was happy to keep it soft and sweet.

She pulled back, and they stood there looking at one another for several lingering moments. "See you soon, Tahno. I sincerely hope for that."

"Good luck, Uh-vatar."