Satogem - Bold & Brilliant

she felt a faint tingle creep down the back of her neck, the familiar sensation of someone staring her way & she found herself double glancing at korra to confirm it had really happened— had korra just been... ? oh. right. " — sorry — i know i'm a bit of a mess right now. i just really want to get as many of these suits up & running as I can & there are still a lot of kinks that need ironing. " she felt the blood sap from her unexpectedly as the vessel sailed above her, bright green eyes lifting high to the taut muscles responsible, watching them curve under korra's smooth skin. it had been a long time & somehow that still got her. it only lasted a moment thankfully as her inner dialogue shamed her to a halt, to pull it together, you had literally asked for this. she shifted that rapt attention to the new viewpoint offered, the sound of a tickle in her throat being cleared as she took a look. nevermind the warmth she felt in her cheeks from seeing that spark she associated so much with her, make an appearance again. she wore a victorious smile on her lips for what she saw before her — the ease with which she could finish the job now. as much as she liked working with just her hands & the bare necessities, a little assembly line equipment would've really come in handy these last few days. but the avatar would more than suffice, of course. besides... she had been hoping she'd get to spend more time with her. she felt like she'd only just gotten her back & yet her chest felt sore empty again the moment she watched korra turn her back to her & glide out of her sight the other day — maybe that was why she'd been digging around for excuses to be on Air Temple Island recently.

she lifted the goggles back over her eyes, tipping forward off her toes & onto her knees, " ... you really are a lifesaver, you know that. this is perfect, I'll be just a few. " the valves were turned back on as she crawled under the body, bracing herself on her left hand & knees as she torched the metal. she tried to focus, but then how could she when she finally had korra to herself ? it was hardly an opportunity that fell into her lap often. she felt cracks starting to dance, one into another across the shell holding in everything she wanted to say to her. so many questions ran through her mind... but the one weighing heaviest was just— was she okay ? when she emerged, she handled the sight she was greeted with better this time around despite the way minutes of wear had made those muscles leap further from beneath her skin, " all done. you know if you're too good at the job i might just have to request you as my personal assistant more often. "

By some miracle, Asami's words don't actually make her want to combust on the spot. Instead, she's coaxed along by the good naturedness, into something more resembling optimism. It's nice to be needed.

She picks her gaze up off the floor.

And -

- loses any momentum she might've just gained.

It's escaped her imagination until now how Asami could ever present as anything except perfectly polished; but now she thinks she'll be haunted to the end of the Avatar cycle itself how she can make oil stains and flyaways look this incredible.

A revelation like this would surely have infuriated to no end her before. Now, Korra can't even find it in her to begrudge her this. Not when she knows that Asami's probably been here days without rest; not when she thinks of three years of kindness, or the personal cost involvement has asked of her. Now she can only stand in awe and gratitude and wonder if she's ever been deserving of her friend.

— Probably looking stupid and pulled apart in contrast.

The directive is a lifeline. Anything to take her mind ( eyes ) off -

well, everything.

Some of the Avatar's assuredness resurfaces. ❝Can I?❞

Oh she can. One-handed.

she felt herself relax finally — the secret reason for her visit had been eating away at her from the moment she'd surprised her at the campsite, only exacerbated by korra's pure joy when she first landed eyes on her. thankfully the hard part was over now & she found herself leaning in, eyes closing as she let herself have this, " you're sweet. " before a soft laugh fell with her breath, " he didn't put it quite so enticingly, " no, she distinctly remembered tenzin's radio call asking for her help & the panic that had her heart dropping, the way her voice shook when she asked about korra. she could feel nothing but relief at the reality, even if she had to be the bad guy.

"... i was just looking for an excuse to come visit again anyway... i was hoping i could stay a couple of days this time. I've... missed you. I've missed this. " her hands squeezed between them, yearning for more now that she was giving in to it. as much as she missed her, it was hard sometimes to tear herself away from work without something more tangible than the selfish ache she felt, a good reason to leave the people counting on her back home.

Korra breathes in the reassurance and tries her best to expel the nagging thoughts. It's always so much easier from the inside of this embrace.

She breathes out. ❝...I hope so. It felt like the right thing to do, after all that they've been through.❞

It still feels shallow, and not nearly enough to repay the debt owed to the Earth Kingdom for her absence through those years of turmoil. But she's resolved to carrying that, at least, for as long as it takes to make right.

And she's been wasteful enough with their precious time in all the angst.

❝They're so lucky to have you coming in to help them.❞

Entirely honest this time ( she wouldn't have anyone else step in for her ), and evidenced in the way her eyes look up in affection. As is she.

Which reminds her...

❝I can't believe Tenzin got you to fly all the way out to handle me.❞ Said with no small amount of mirth. She not a complete stranger to self-awareness these days.

❝Are you staying the night, at least?❞

“I’m searching for a phrase that will release everything that’s pent up in me.”

— Henry Miller, in a letter to Anaïs Nin, featured in A Literate Passion: Letters of Anaïs Nin and Henry Miller, 1932-1953.

MUSE VS MUN

tagged by @inkorrnate @kingwu tagging: anyone who would like to!

interruption at the workshop :)

she stood back & gladly watched from the sidelines as korra navigated the rolling storm of children, her hair whipping around her as the fallout made its way over. but the sight saw a smile touch her lips, warmth in her stomach & along her skin as she watched korra clearly in her element. it was nice seeing this side of her.

but... she couldn't get over the fact that she was barely making eye contact with her, at the ready for more than the ones in their care ... did she really think so badly of her ? ... she thought they had something & whatever sticky mess they'd gotten into wasn't worth this friendship. she could HOPE that korra might open up to her but in the meantime... she knew she could at least try showing her they would always be good.

she was surprised frankly that korra hadn't taken off in a whirl of air along with the kids the first chance she got, finally sparing a glance her way. " — uh, " in the moment it took her to react her choice had already been made for her as she saw the last of the three disappear from her vision, a gentle shrug as she warily agreed, " sure, why not. " she had always wondered what it would be like. & she trusted korra, so she asked no further questions. no resistance was put up to the sheer force of air that gusted her straight into the other girl — her hands curling naturally around her biceps as she clung on, the safety of the ground left behind. the familiar lurch in her stomach might have resulted in a small shout that unfolded into astonished laughter & gleaming eyes— just like taking a bend at top speed.

" ... i think there's hope for you yet behind the wheel. you've got great adaptability. "

❝...The Avatar will protect you...?❞

A weak rally behind a weak chuckle. Because Asami's generosity makes her want to die. Or fall through wood slats, never to resurface. Or never speak to her again— which, incidentally, she’s tried. But. Rice. Paper. Walls.

She’s itching under the collar, she’s sweating in the chill evening air. Shouts clamour land-side for the glory of the night's first mischief, but it’s the one too-agreeable voice that sets her ears ablaze. The waters below lap nervously at the pier. She's almost sure she's about to spontaneously combust.

❝It's fine. Really. Jinora, Ikki, Meelo, and Rohan, they're family to me.❞

The shift in subject feels like a clean breath. She starts to move, gathering conviction, desperate for the distraction of said company.

It's much harder to spare a thought for the other stuff when engulfed in a mini vortex. That's when the Avatar comes alive, shedding the whispers of tension for hearty belly laughter. Not that she's avoiding talking- she wants to talk about all that's happened, but... look where that headfirst straightforwardness has gotten her before. She imagines spring's thinning ice with Asami, imagines the rush of words she's holding back as a sheer blunt force—-

she wonders what anger looks like on Asami.

Air scooters emerge before the picture emerges. Up stone steps, too fast for feet. She looks to her side in question.

❝I can- ❞ take you away like I did Mako ❝ -if you want...?❞

And when I don’t belong, Oh you say I am yours.

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Korra and Asami