Time To Heal

Chapter 57

Korra awoke with a start, looking around the room as she tried to register what had even woke her up. Glancing around she saw that Asami was nowhere in the room. Deciding that it couldn’t have been anything to do with her girlfriend she climbed out of bed and headed toward the kitchen, almost falling over her cousin’s polar dog in the process.
“Where did you come from?” She grumbled at the creature, patting it before going into the kitchen only to find Tonraq and Eska sitting there.
“Have you guys seen Asami?” she asked with a yawn, stealing a sweet bun from Eska who glared at her though she only grabbed another and offered the plate to the avatar.
“She went for a walk with your mother.” She answered, earning a confused look from Korra.
“Was she okay?” she asked earning a sigh from Tonraq.
“She seemed quieter than usual.” He admitted, earning a sigh from his daughter.
“Well if anyone can cheer her up Mom can.” She replied, sitting down at the table.
“Your mother is talented at providing emotional support.” Eska agreed, earning a surprised look though Korra didn’t make a comment. 
Meanwhile Asami sat on the snow covered bank, her back against Naga—who had followed them—Senna taking a seat beside of her.
“You didn’t want Korra to know?” the older woman asked gently, rubbing the girl’s shoulders as she shook her head.
“She’d insist that I go home…I don’t know what to do!” Asami admitted, pulling her knees to her chest and burying her face into her arms as sobs began to wreak her body.
“Things like this is never easy.” Senna stated, putting an arm around the young engineer.
“He’s the only family I have left...I’ve lost almost everything! I don’t know how much more I can take!” Asami admitted, not caring how she looked in that moment as emotional exhaustion overwhelming her.
Senna couldn’t help but feel useless as she tried to provide some comfort for the distraught teenager.
“You know family only makes you related…Love is what makes a family.” The woman stated kindly after some time, the words gently reminding her of the group of friends she had gained though the thought of the news she had just read in the latest of her father’s letters was at the forefront of her mind.
“It don’t feel real…after all he has done I never thought I could forgive him but…now…Now I don’t want to lose him.” Asami stated after a while, looking up and wiping the makeup smeared tearstains from her face, though it did next to nothing as another wave of sobs hit her.
“You had every right to be angry with him and getting news like this is never easy. The most you can do right now is try to forgive him…Write him back and try to go visit him.” Senna advised warmly, wishing that she could somehow comfort the girl even farther. 
Korra was frantic when they had not returned in three hours, wondering what was going on.
“Cousin, Calm down. Naga went with them so they are safe.” Eska stated from where she sat, water bending a small amount of water into various shapes.
“Asami wasn’t herself at all today. I just want to know what is going on! I know she’s keeping something from me and I want to know what.” Korra replied, flopping down onto the floor and putting her head in her hands.
“Give her time. Asami seems to wish to face her struggles alone, but she will tell you when she is ready.” Desna’s blank voice stated from where he sat by the radio, listening to the earth rumble broadcast.
“Korra, you’re driving yourself crazy. Asami will be fine, after all she’s with your mother and I’m sure that nothing could stand up against a water bender and a polar bear dog.” Tonraq stated, reminding Korra that her mother was not helpless.
“I know but…I can’t help but worry.” Korra retorted, looking out the window.    
“If you need anything Tonraq and I both will always be here for you.” Senna stated gently as they walked back toward the house, causing Asami to freeze in her tracks as tears almost instantly returned to her eyes.
“I don’t know what to say…That is so much to ask from anyone.” She stated, unsure of how to react though she soon found herself pulled into a hug.
“Nonsense, everyone needs support.” The woman admonished gently, rubbing the Ceo’s shoulders as the raven haired girl timidly returned the hug.
Tonraq had stayed up waiting on the two to return, though when he saw how dejected that the young girl looked his expression darkened.
“What’s wrong? Did something happen?” he questioned, though when he saw Asami’s expression dim farther he let it drop, moving over to squeeze her shoulder.
“Just let him see the letter dear…You don’t have to talk about it again.” Senna stated as the
nineteen year old sent her a lost look, only to earn a small nod.
Tonraq frowned as he glanced over the letter, though soon he handed the crumpled paper back to its owner before whispering
“I am so sorry…If you need anything at all you better not delay to come ask.” He stated, his voice holding a tiny amount of a threat though his light, reassuring smile relaxed her.
Korra instantly knew something was wrong when she walked into the living room, following the hushed voices and saw her distressed girlfriend.
“You’re back.” She stated softly, slowly closing the distance between them and gently wiping away some of the dried smudges. It hurt the avatar to see the usually reserved girl so disheveled though she wondered what had caused the change.
“Korra…” Asami croaked, looking shocked though the universal bender just shook her head and pulled her into a hug.
“You can tell me what’s wrong whenever you’re ready.” She soothed, feeling the taller figure’s ragged breathing as she tried to hold back tears.
“Why don’t you two get some rest?” Tonraq suggested softly, knowing that the two needed time to talk,
Korra nodded and led her lover toward her room, one arm still around Asami’s waist as she bared most of the obviously depressed girl’s weight.
Once upstairs Korra wet a washcloth with warm water and gently began to wipe away any trace of the makeup that had smeared during Asami’s breakdown.
“Why don’t you get ready for bed? It’s late and you have to be tired.” The avatar stated gently as soon as she finished, concerned but not wanting to upset the older girl farther by asking questions.
Korra noticed how slow and disoriented that the Ceo seemed as she got dressed however then to her surprise Asami spoke, her voice thick and wavering.
“He’s dying Korra.”
Korra didn’t need to ask to know who she was talking about.
“I am so sorry.” The avatar whispered, embracing her tightly and pressing her lips into the girl’s raven hair. Wishing that she could change things and make the other girl happy once again.