poly_chromatic

[Tohru is feeding one of the little hippos peanut butter from her finger, then when she remembers she had turned the device on - but forgot why in the middle of it - she turns to the screen and beams.]

They're so adorable! I hope we can keep one.

Does anyone know if things like this stay sometimes? I really hope it isn't just for today.

[Filtered to Korra; the real reason she turned on the device;]
Korra, I hadn't wanted to do things this way, but I think because of our schedules it's been hard to get a hold of you lately.

I just wanted to apologize. I know the curse wasn't my fault! I'm not trying to be self-centered and say I'm capable of doing that. But if how close we were bothered you, then I'm really sorry. And I hope I didn't do anything that offended you. If you have issues with intimacy? I imagine it was really shocking. I just wanted you to know I don't blame you at all, and I hope we can still be family. Or at least friends.

Do you need me to move out?

You've become a good friend of mine in a short time, and I wouldn't want to ruin that.
[/end filter;]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Korra comes up behind Tohru as she's finishing the message. All she catches are the last two sentences.]

You're moving out?

[It doesn't occur to Korra that the message is for her, or that Tohru might think she's angry. She's been too wrapped up in her own world to really notice the feelings of others.]

[Total panic! More misunderstandings!]

No! Nothing like that! [She flails her arms.]

I just wanted to know if you needed me to, for you? If it would be easier...after that curse?

Why would i need you -- no! That's crazy! How could you...

[...okay. Yeah. Her behavior recently has been kind of...ugh. Why does everything have to be so complicated?]

I was just afraid that maybe the curse was too much for you. Or I did something wrong.

I never meant to cause you any discomfort. [Tohru's right in front of her, reaching for her hands, then stops! Too intimate? Maybe. That's the sort of thing that might have caused this mess, Tohru! Don't do it.]

Are you all right?

Tohru, no. [How did things get so messed up? How is she supposed to make them right again?]

You didn't do anything wrong. You were the best wife anyone could ask for.

[She wants to be happy hearing that - at least it wasn't her - but something else is definitely still wrong.]

It wasn't too intimate for you? You sure I didn't do anything wrong?

Do you want to talk about it?

[No. Yes. No. Where would she even start? Tohru knows so little about her -- being the Avatar, having her bending taken, dying, everything that happened with Chekov and Li. It doesn't seem right, dragging her into that mess. Tohru's too sweet to get involved in that nightmare.]

I swear, it had nothing to do with you. I just...wasn't feeling well.

[Still a terrible liar.]

[Here she was being so selfish, worried Korra was mad at her, when Korra wasn't feeling well! How could she?]

[Eyes big, Tohru looks up at Korra, clearly concerned.]

I-is there anything I can do for you? Would some broth help? Or a soup? Are you feeling better now?

[HOW DOES SHE KEEP MAKING THINGS WORSE?!?]

It's fine! I'm fine!

[She can't do this. It's too hard, and it's not fair to Tohru. She sighs heavily and wraps her arms around herself protectively.]

It's just been kind of rough these past few months. I'm sorry. I shouldn't be taking it out on you.

[Part of it might be Tohru is a professional at making things worse, herself.]

...you're not taking it out on me. At least, I don't feel that way.

All I want to do is help. Make things better, if I can. [Tohru watches her, then on impulse, leans forward to hug Korra, instead of just leaving her to hug herself.]

You don't have to tell me anything at all. It might not help anyway. There's probably nothing I can do. But this is probably better than you keeping everything walled up, right? [It was a lesson Kyo tried to teach her. She was still struggling with it.]

[Korra is surprised by the hug. It takes her a moment to respond, wrapping her arms around Tohru and gently hugging her back.]

Yeah.

[Tenzin had tried to teach that lesson to Korra too. She and Tohru can struggle with it together.]

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