sticking with it | @private-is-preferred
For almost the first time in her whole life, Korra was on time to something.
It was a little ironic that she’d be punctual for someone else’s bending practice, but there she was, stretching her arms over her head and rocking on her heels. She was ready to go, limber, sharp—until the illusion was ruined by that hand clamped over her mouth to stifle a yawn and the slump of her shoulders. Alright, maybe it was still a little early for her taste. Maybe she wasn’t the only one; after all, as the reigning champions, Tahno and his ‘bats had never had to report to the gym at the crack of dawn.
That had changed. Just as it all had changed. Some for the worse, with the bitter memory of emptiness and void still echoing in the darker corners of her mind, and probably his as well. Some for the better, like the brightness of blue eyes when she told him and so many others she could make them whole again.
That he might not want to be there had never occurred to her. To someone like Korra, bending was like breathing, pro-bending just the ultimate thrill. It had unlocked her airbending for her, made her the closest friends she’d probably ever have, led her to love! It was an adventure, a triumph, an exaltation of the spirit. It was the highest of highs…
He’d shed it like a ratviper shed its skin, so fitting for one with that slithering tongue and conniving gleam in his eye. At least, it had been there once. Since she’d given his bending back, she was half-convinced it was only a matter of time before it was back again—hopefully tempered, but as much an innate part of him as the water that twisted to his will.
Still, certain conditions had to be met. She hadn’t forgotten the agony of defeat during the championship match, nor the thrill of victory when she beat him in the tiebreaker. Asking him to step up and coach some of the up and comings wasn’t the worst vengeance she could wrought, but to him, it might have been close. Unfortunately, she just wasn’t thinking about him, not yet.
