She Felt Herself Relax Finally — The Secret Reason For Her Visit Had Been Eating Away At Her From The

& THAT wasn't exactly how she was hoping this would go ( she'd shaken hands with at least ten people this week but her girlfriend might be her toughest sell yet. )

“ ... well, Tenzin does make some good points... ” she could tell when she'd make the wrong adjustment to the problem at hand, time to pivot the other way... she sat a hand upon korra's shoulder, gentle & reassuring like her smile was, “ besides... it's not like you don't have loads of other cities on a waiting list for the avatar's help right now. ... — my office has been more of a storage facility for letters to you lately... ” but that was a separate issue.

It feels as if breath itself has been sucked out of the room— or maybe just out of her. Korra's stomach is hollow like the dawning realisation.

❝Are you taking his side against me?❞

But bitterer than the words is the very notion of @satogem's betrayal.

the tension that her touch seemed to trigger had her gaze captured, although ONCE AGAIN she couldn't exactly be sure if the daunting task of keeping three highly active air-bender children busy for a few hours had also yanked the rug out from under her or... the perpetual elephant koi wedged between them. she just WISHED that korra would talk to her about it already, but then she doubted rushing the avatar into a conversation like that would lead anywhere good ( the urge to let everything spill from her mouth kept her lips flattened into a line & her teeth catching her tongue. ) ... maybe she wasn't completely over the whole thing but she'd ALSO never let something so petty come between them. she liked korra, she liked her a lot.

“ i'm just glad i get to see it with you around. ” a warm smile thrown in her direction as her hand eased away, relief & calm rushing through her with korra around despite everything. “ ... — thanks... again, for offering to help earlier. i'm sure on top of all the other duties you've had since getting your bending back & figuring out air bending a night off would've been nice. but i really appreciate it. plus, it's nice to finally catch up with you again. ”

❝Wouldn't dream of it.❞

The Avatar's conviction spills over, full-hearted. ( If only the bravado went any deeper than skin. )

But the smile in her eyes is genuine— she can definitely relate to the children's excitement of being given free rein at long last. And, in the same vein, commiserate with the deputised at this time. Which is why she's here. With Asami. --It's not like she doesn't also live on this island, or spend most of her time here gladly orbited by the children; she's here to help a friend.

Because they are. Friends. The uneasy place in her stomach keeps score ( she's not sure ). She keeps her stance easy, unonfrontational, watching the dwindling distance with only a side glance. Close enough to attempt a grapple now, —not that she thinks Asami would want to, but if she did, she wouldn't exactly be unjustified, not after—-

Coiled muscles suppress a twitch upon contact, and she woefully considers bending a cold sea spray for the heat on her cheeks.

❝Not that I've not seen you handle yourself in tougher situations, but Meelo's just invented a new airbending move that's... -you have to see it for yourself.❞

Andrea Gibson, "DEPRESSION [VERB]", Lord of the Butterflies

interruption at the workshop :)

korrasami won my first patreon poll !

I Would Do Anything For You.. 💕

the gentle smile on her lips didn't melt away at the look she was being leveled with, confident she could smooth things over. her fingers brushed against her girlfriend's cheek, the other enveloping hers.

" ... well it is the first championship since they introduced air bending. everything's all uncharted & new, it is kind of exciting. "

she shifted closer, squeezing their interlocked hands as she raised an eyebrow in return, the corner of her mouth twitching, " ... & for the record, i was excited back then. i think you were a little distracted. " she reflected korra's expression back at her, light-hearted & teasing.  it was taking something out of her not to kiss her right now.

Oh wow, she really... did.

❝...Well, I wouldn't want to get in between you and the championship semi-finals.❞ That sub-zero tone and single raised eyebrow take the place of surprise. They say enough without falling into hot outrage — after all, Korra's been learning from the best in business.

But there are cracks in the ice. Of course there are, when the excitement so tangibly breaks through her more often withdrawn girlfriend.

❝You never seemed this pumped over our matches.❞

Only a tad accusing this time.

i think i hauve covid