I Sold My Soul To Colour This… :’)

I’ve been hesitating to post it for a while, but here it is anyway.

just the two of us…

patreon // check more of my work on instagram // buy prints here

i think i hauve covid

she tried to contain the electricity she felt crackling beneath her skin after the night she'd had, endeavoring to make a trade for calming warmth, shining earnest eyes at her girlfriend.

her hand sailed forward to close the distance between them & help soothe the sting, " i'm so sorry I'm late, sweetie. the match went into overtime and there's really no leaving when there's a tiebreaker like that. it was an incredible finish. "

❝Did you really stand me up because of a pro-bending match?❞

If her tone's agnostic, it's because Korra hasn't quite decided what feeling it's meant to embody just yet. Incredulity, maybe, while @satogem remains unreadable.

she felt herself relax finally — the secret reason for her visit had been eating away at her from the moment she'd surprised her at the campsite, only exacerbated by korra's pure joy when she first landed eyes on her. thankfully the hard part was over now & she found herself leaning in, eyes closing as she let herself have this, " you're sweet. " before a soft laugh fell with her breath, " he didn't put it quite so enticingly, " no, she distinctly remembered tenzin's radio call asking for her help & the panic that had her heart dropping, the way her voice shook when she asked about korra. she could feel nothing but relief at the reality, even if she had to be the bad guy.

"... i was just looking for an excuse to come visit again anyway... i was hoping i could stay a couple of days this time. I've... missed you. I've missed this. " her hands squeezed between them, yearning for more now that she was giving in to it. as much as she missed her, it was hard sometimes to tear herself away from work without something more tangible than the selfish ache she felt, a good reason to leave the people counting on her back home.

Korra breathes in the reassurance and tries her best to expel the nagging thoughts. It's always so much easier from the inside of this embrace.

She breathes out. ❝...I hope so. It felt like the right thing to do, after all that they've been through.❞

It still feels shallow, and not nearly enough to repay the debt owed to the Earth Kingdom for her absence through those years of turmoil. But she's resolved to carrying that, at least, for as long as it takes to make right.

And she's been wasteful enough with their precious time in all the angst.

❝They're so lucky to have you coming in to help them.❞

Entirely honest this time ( she wouldn't have anyone else step in for her ), and evidenced in the way her eyes look up in affection. As is she.

Which reminds her...

❝I can't believe Tenzin got you to fly all the way out to handle me.❞ Said with no small amount of mirth. She not a complete stranger to self-awareness these days.

❝Are you staying the night, at least?❞

She will thank her later. 😌💕

Once again, thank you @buildouraltarhere for inspiring this! ☺️✨

“ ... korra... hey— ”

she could feel the tension beneath her touch, the stinging heat of something moments away from combusting. but she only reached with her second hand to guide her nearer, her thumb brushing beneath her chin to help ground her, “ — they will be getting some help, no one's suggesting we just pack up & call it quits. ” “ i know how much you want to be a part of this... but these people have some old wounds that haven't healed yet. we shouldn't rush them, even if that means they're missing out... big time. ” her life had ultimately changed for the better from the moment korra had stepped foot into her hometown.

The soothing warmth doesn't quite negate the bruise of an ego. Korra presses on, in time with the thump thump thump of I can do this, I need to do this. Because, as much sense as the two make together,

❝But they clearly need my help!❞

❝Who holds a grudge over a ceremony that happened over three hundred years ago, anyway?❞

Decisiveness is written in her very stance. The pride! the stubbornness! none of it makes any sense! She's not about to just stand by over a slight that reaches beyond any living memory.

❝I don't care what the people of Chun want. I'm going.❞

And when I don’t belong, Oh you say I am yours.

Mika Schneider