korrasami oneshots.

i'll be the one to hold your heart in place

It wasn't the nightmares that scared her.

No. Asami was used to those, both her and Korra frequented the terrors that haunted their past through form of consequential imagery. Rather, it was the way Korra moved when afflicted by one. Lurching her back forward until she was in a fetal position of sorts, hugging both of her legs close to her chest as she shook. Cradling back and forth until Asami woke to the movements of their bed and the small whimpers coming from her wife.

It was always the same. Yet her heart strained and ached for the love of her life who seemed to constantly struggle with the terrors.

"Korra?" She'd whisper. Gingerly placing a hand on the Avatar's back so as to not startle her. A thin layer of sweat had developed by the time she was able to help.

"Korra, wake up, it's just a nightmare. You're okay." She'd murmur again until the shakiness subsided. Her body would stiffen, telltale signs she was becoming more aware of her surroundings.

When the pattern of her breathing smoothed, she knew Korra was awake, and aware, she turned her head to the side Asami was facing. Even in the darkness, the moon peeking through their window gave enough light to see her lover's tear streaked face. Asami adjusted her body slightly, holding her arm out and offering a space for her wife. Korra let out a small whimper and crawled forward linking her arms around the CEO's waist and resting her head on her chest. One of Asami's hands rubbed soothing circles against her back as she weeped into the crook of her shoulder.

"You're okay. You're safe, Korra. Everything's okay. I've got you." She whispered again and again until, eventually, her body settled. The thump of her heart stopped and for the first time since she woke up she had a voice. "I'm sorry." she croaked.

Her body ached, and the fresh layer of fear intermingled with her own drained physical and mental state made it hard to form much more than a sentence.

And Asami knew that. She cared, unbothered by the lack of discussion. By this time, after several years of marriage and an abundance of experience with personal strife whether her own, or Korra's— she understood. The conversation wouldn't be pushed unless she wanted to have it.

"No need." Asami whispered, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.

"Asami, this is the third time this week." Korra whispered. "Last night I woke up screaming. You shouldn't have to deal with this."

"Hush now." Asami murmured. "Who lets me cry it out on their shoulder when I have nightmares? Or makes me breakfast when I can't get out of bed after a long week? Who does that?"

"Me." Korra replied, her voice so soft and Asami almost didn't catch it. The hesitation in her voice was off putting even to herself. Why couldn't she just admit, and accept, that letting Asami care for her didn't make her weak?

"I just hate being vulnerable. I'm the Avatar, I should be protecting you and everyone else. Not so scared out of my mind that I can't even close my eyes and fall back asleep."

The anger seemed to boil over but instead of keeping it bottled until it inevitably burst, hurting the people around her like it had so many times before Korra let it simmer out. Feeling all of the frustrations and acknowledging that no matter her status she was still human. Still privy to failure and deserving of the privileges of her peers.

"I know I have to be though— that it's better— even when it doesn't seem that way. It's better to seek comfort from you and the other people I love."

It was nights like these when she fell back in love with Korra all over again. Korra may not have known it, but she wouldn't trade comforting her wife for all the riches in the world. She lived for this, the life she created with her, the family they made together. None of that could ever be a burden.

"Exactly." Asami mused. "We're there for eachother. And I will always be here for you. Now lay your head down and try to sleep."

"I don't know what I did to deserve you."

Korra burrowed her face into the soft fabric of Asami's nightgown after letting the statement slip. A tinge of embarrassment at her own vulnerability and the cracks of her resolve sweeping away as Asami soothed her without question.

"Stop asking yourself that, you didn't have to do anything, you always had me. You always will."

"I love you." Korra mumbled through a short yawn. Laying her head down and succumbing to the weight of her tired body.

"I love you too. So much." Asami sighed, gently pulling the comforter over them and letting the warmth of her wife's body envelope her.

Korra slipped back into her subconscious, knowing tucked away in the safety of her wife's arms. No longer bothered by the innate feelings of unworthiness and danger. Asami had long since lifted those weights off her shoulders.