Time To Heal

chapter 9

Asami awoke in a cold sweat, glancing over at the window only to see that it was still dark out. She glanced around the room to see what could, have startled her though nothing seemed to be amiss. That was until a soft whimper echoed through the air.

Without even a second thought the heiress climbed out of bed and made her way over to the sleeping girl who had just sat up, gasping.

“Maybe if you talked about it they would get better?” she suggested as she sat on the avatar’s bed, earning a shaky sigh from Korra who rested her head into her hands.

“No…Can you…just stay over here for a while?” the usually prideful bender muttered, her voice sounding frail in the darkness.

“Of course.” Asami responded softly, her voice soothing despite the range of emotions she felt running through her body at the other girl’s response.

The Inventor was unsure of what to do, though she wanted to be able to do something that would help the slightly younger girl.

“I keep seeing him.” The avatar’s choked voice suddenly admitted, her body shaking silently though Asami could tell that she was crying.

Asami felt her heart break at the sound of Korra’s voice, causing her to put an arm around the smaller built teen who in turn leaned heavily into her.

“He’s not here…he is locked away somewhere while his followers are dead.” Asami stated, hoping that if she heard the words she would be assured enough to calm down.

“I feel so hopeless….every time I try to sleep I either see the avatar state attacking me or Zaheer.” Korra admitted, sobs wrecking her body.

“You’ll get through this. It may take some time but you won’t have to do it alone because I’ll do whatever it takes to help you” Asami stated, her heart breaking as bloodshot blue eyes met her own.

“But you’re business…” Korra began, earning a sigh.

“Future industries can wait. I can always radio them to keep a check on things.” Asami cut her off, the determination in her voice catching the avatar off guard for a second.

A deafening silence fell over the pair then as Korra slowly calmed down, her eyes trained on the blankets that were tangled around her.

“Why?”

The word echoes through the stillness like a ghost on the wind.

“Excuse me?” Asami replied quizzically, turning her attention back toward the girl who seemed to be avoiding her gaze.

“Why are you doing all of this? I mean….we didn’t exactly start off as best friends or anything. Why would anyone want to be around a cripple like me for anyway?”

Korra’s words both hurt and enraged Asami.

“Damn it Korra, stop putting yourself down…You’re my best friend. I would do anything for you if it was for the best….I don’t know what I would do without you. You are one of the only people who actually got to know me for me; not because of my family name.” The engineer answered, her own voice becoming thick as she thought about how close she had come to losing the avatar.

I couldn’t stand to lose you Korra.

Korra mentally cursed herself as she saw a stray tear run down the Ceo’s cheek.

How can I be so stupid?

Ignoring the pain that it was causing the southerner reached up and brushed the moister away from the taller girl’s face.

“I’m sorry.”

Her voice was strained from the fire that seemed to travel up her arm at the movement though she tried not to show it.

“Let’s just try to get some sleep okay?” Asami advised softly, trying to will away the knot of emotion that still hung in her throat.

Instantly she saw Korra glance away, the moonlight that shone faintly through the window revealing a slight blush across the southerner’s face.

“I can stay over her with you if you think that would help.” Asami stated, the words spilling out from seemingly nowhere as a blush painted her own face.

“T…thanks.” Korra responded.