ruler of her heart, KORRA

𝟬𝟭𝟮 A Futile Fight

── 𝒓𝒖𝒍𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕.

[ 012 ] A FUTILE FIGHT
❝Are they blind or what?!❞

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 FOR THE FIRST TIME, Sanyu finally stepped into the Fire Ferrets' locker room──a place she'd been eager to see after weeks of obstacles and packed schedules. She'd convinced her parents that she just wanted to drop by and wish Korra and the team good luck before their match began.

 Lin, ever cautious, assigned two male officers to escort her, worried for her safety. Sanyu tried to argue, but Lin wouldn't budge. So, with a reluctant sigh, she agreed. If she wanted to stay involved with the arena's security, she had to play by Lin's rules.

 "Thanks, Officer Kei. Officer Chul," Sanyu said politely as the officers stopped outside the locker room door.

 Inside, Korra, Mako, and Bolin were already suited up, preparing for the match.

 Bolin spotted her first. His face instantly broke into a huge, unrestrained grin, so wide it almost looked painful. Without thinking, he threw his helmet aside and rushed toward her, scooping Sanyu up in a bear hug.

 "Sanyu! You're here! I didn't know you were coming!" he exclaimed, spinning her once before squeezing even tighter. "You should've told me!"

 "Bolin... can't... breathe!" she wheezed, smacking his back in alarm.

 Realizing his mistake, Bolin quickly set her down. She glared at him, rubbing her ribs, but the annoyance didn't last long. Her expression softened into a laugh──like a genuine laugh coming from the Sanyu Beifong.

 She reached up and patted his arm lightly, the corner of her mouth curling.

 Korra and Mako froze. They'd never seen Sanyu laugh before. Not like that. Bolin had somehow done the impossible by cracking her armor of calm and seriousness.

 Bolin rubbed the back of his neck, grinning sheepishly. "Sorry. Guess I got too excited."

 "It's fine," Sanyu said, still smiling faintly. "Good luck in your match, Bolin."

 Then she turned to Korra and Mako. The warmth in her face vanished instantly, replaced by her usual cool, unreadable look. "Korra. Mako. Good luck to you two as well."