Despite it being spring- almost summer- it was too cold for Korra to sleep. Normally, the weather this time of year would be oppressively hot and so stuffy that Korra felt like she couldn’t breathe, but this year it was different. Even months ago, the air had warmed in anticipation of summer, but a chill had settled ever since they had returned to Republic City.

Normally, Korra would’ve welcomed the weather. Republic City had always been too warm for her, even in the wintertime, and she welcomed any cool weather she could get, especially during the warmer months, but there was so little now that made Korra feel better, she doubted the colder air would do anything to improve her health. If anything,it only made her feel worse- a mockery of what she had left behind.

Korra was broken. They had broken her so much that she couldn’t even do the easiest, most natural tasks. In all 18 years of her life, Korra could only remember one week where she hadn’t been able to waterbend- and at least she was able to walk then, and mover her arms without excruciating pain. For the first time ever she had well and truly failed. The thought of it was enough to keep her up at night, even without the lasting pain from her wounds.

The air was still- one of the healers had closed all Korra’s windows during her evening healing session and she hadn’t the strength to get up and open them, nor even to tell the healer to leave the windows open. The healer hadn’t been Kya- Kya had known her all her life and knew just as well as Korra did that fresh air did wonders for the healing; it was something she had learned from Kya who had learned it from her father (in an ironic sort of way, the old airbender advice had returned to Korra through time and reincarnation). Kya herself had been injured during the fight- Korra wasn’t certain, but she was pretty sure her mentor had been thrown off a cliff or something. She needed to rest and rejuvenate as much as Korra did- the fight had affected them all. Few of Suyin’s metalbenders managed to remain unharmed, and none of the new airbenders did. So Lin, one of the less injured among them- had sent for the best healers at the Republic City Hospital. A team of fourteen of the best healers in the world temporarily moved to Air Temple Island. Six of them were assigned to heal Korra, specifically.

Even on the island, Korra could hear the noise of the city outside her window. It seemed just months ago she had stepped into the city for the first time, young and bright with the stars in her eyes. It had only been months ago, Korra realized. Too much had happened since then.

A soft knock sounded at the door, even though Korra had left it open. Whoever was on the other side of it clearly didn’t want to disturb Korra too much.

Korra tried to prop herself up on her elbows but ultimately winced in pain and fell onto her back in defeat. “Come in” She called out. Her voice sounded hoarser than she thought it would.

A chorus of bare feet ran across the wooden floors, all running up to Korra’s bedside in light steps characteristic of airbending. Korra turned her head just as Jinora, Ikki and Meelo filed up in front of her, standing in order from oldest to youngest. It was hard to make out their individual features in the light of only the moon, but Korra could distinctly see how worried each of them looked.

“H-hey, kids.” She heaved, struggling to say the words. “You all should really be getting to bed- it’s pretty late.” Korra cast her glance to her bedside clock, it was an hour past midnight already.

When Korra turned back to Tenzin’s children, she was met with a disappointing sight. Meelo was already climbing into her bed. “Guys, you should really go sleep. You need your rest.”

“You do too!” Ikki protested, putting her hands on her hips. “Daddy says we need to check on you as often as we can and Jinora was worried.”

Korra cast a glance to Tenzin’s eldest daughter, who, while now bald, was panomining brushing back a strand of her hair out of reflex. She held a large, cloth bound book in her hands. “I thought you might want the company… since you haven’t seen anyone but the healers today.”

Jinora was right, Korra hadn’t seen anyone but healers today. What a sad existence for her, the Avatar. “Sure. Sure, you guys can stay.” She huffed, trying to move over to make space to no avail.

Jinora and Ikki joined their little brother on Korra’s bed, gathering around her with bright but sullen eyes. Korra almost forgot how young they all were. She often forgot how young she was.

“Korra, can I braid your hair?” Ikki asked, already hovering her hands over Korra’s thick brown hair. Korra nodded, and the younger girl started gathering her hair into sections.

“I brought a book to read.” Jinora said as she settled next to Korra, helping her sit up a little better against her pillows. “I figured since you’ve been here all day you might’ve gotten a little bored.”

Korra had never been all too invested in literature, especially not to the extent Jinora was, but the young airbender was right. The last few days of constant fatigue and nonstop healing sessions had been borning , if not anything else. “Sure.” She whispered.

Even though she couldn’t tell in the dim light, Korra was pretty sure she saw Jinora smile. “That’s great. This book is called ‘Love Amongst the Cherry Blooms’, I think you’d like it since it’s a light read.”

“Ewwwwww, romance.” Meelo groaned, dramatically collapsing onto the bed. “Boooring!”

“It’s not boring, it’s just slower paced!” Jinora huffed. “And if you’re so bored by it, you can just go to sleep! That’s what you’re supposed to be doing, anyways.”

Korra managed to laugh alongside Ikki as Meelo huffed and settled into bed, near Korra’s legs.

“Is everyone ready?” Jinora asked, opening her book. The entire room smelled like papyrus and dried ink when she did.

“Go for it.” Korra sighed as she relaxed her tensed muscles. Even though she was still in pain, it was easier to relax with the kids around.

Jinora nodded and cleared her throat, then started to read off the title and author’s name. She spoke softly, quietly enough that Korra could listen but softly enough that she found it easy to drift into sleep.

At some point in the night, Korra awoke. She wasn’t surprised by the occurrence- she had gotten used to waking up from her pain. What she was surprised by was that Jinora was still up.

While her two siblings had dozed off holding onto Korra’s leg and arm respectively, Jinora was still awake, and apparently still reading the book she had brought, albeit now to herself now that everyone else had fallen asleep.

“Hey, Jinora.” Korra whispered to not wake Ikki or Meelo. “You’re still awake.”

Jinora took a moment to respond, most likely due to surprise. “Yeah. I am.” She whispered back.

“You probably shouldn’t try to read in the dark. It’ll ruin your eyesight.”

Jinora stifled a laugh. “Dad says I might have to get glasses someday.”

“You’d look cute with glasses. I bet Kai would love them.”

“Stopppp, you’re embarrassing me.” Jinora put a hand to her cheek. “You really think so?”

Korra shrugged as much as she could, the motion making her shoulders ache. “Do you want to do me a favor that will make you the best past life grandkid in the entire world?”

“What is it?” Jinora asked, already moving to get up, though Korra doubted it was because of her flattery.

Korra gestured at the window- still closed- before wincing in pain from the sudden movement. “Could you open that window for me? One of the healers closed it but I want some fresh air in here.”

Jinora nodded and walked over to the window, stepping lightly to avoid waking anyone else in the temple. Korra was certain they were the only ones still awake on the island, save for the White Lotus sentries posted for security. She had no doubt Tenzin had increased island security after what had happened. They were down an Avatar, after all.

When Jinora opened the window, the room flooded with the sensation of the outdoors. Korra hadn’t been outside since Jinora’s tattoo ceremony a few weeks ago, and she missed it more than anything else. The night air was paradise eternal to her senses, like she was experiencing it for the first time all over again. A frame of moonlight projected over the room’s floor and the bed, the shape of the window save for Jinora’s silhouette.

“Hey Jinora, what’s the phase of the moon?”

Jinora turned to the window and peered out of it. “It’s full, actually.”

A full moon, and Korra could barely feel it. She was a waterbender- above anything else, water was her identity- and she could barely feel the call of the moon spirit. She almost cried.

Jinora rushed over to Korra’s beside and climbed back to her spot. Evidently, Korra had started to cry. “Korra- are you alright? Do I need to get the healers?”

Korra shook her head and clumsily wiped away her own tears. “No- no. I’m fine. It’s just…”

Jinora put her hand over Korra’s. “You can tell me. You don’t have to tell anyone else, but you can tell me.”

Korra sighed and closed her eyes, letting herself feel the emotions she had been stowing away for a better time. Evidently, that time was now. “I’m… I’m so afraid. And alone- I’m surrounded by people but I feel so alone.”

“You’re not alone, Korra.” Jinora whispered. “You have me.”

Korra nodded in her tears, thankful only for the warmth of Jinora’s hand on hers. “It’s so hard to be hopeful… I don’t know if I’m ever going to be the Avatar- the person- I was before. They took everything from me!”

“I know.” Jinora whispered, more mature than an eleven-year-old should sound. “But I believe in you.”

“Thank you, Jinora.” Korra sighed as she opened her eyes. She looked at the ceiling, and at the night sky just outside her window- the moonlight just outside her reach. It was all indigo, the colour of mourning in Korra’s homeland.

Korra grieved, not only for the loss of her strength, but for the loss of her hope. With the moon above yet so out of reach, it was all she could do.