and in the evening i arise, when the sun creeps on your covers

It's really happening. Every morning now, that's the first thought on Korra's mind, waking up to legs tangled in sheets and a heavy arm draped over her waist. There's something about keeping the news of the baby secret that makes the fact hard to sink in, even when Korra wakes up to a soft smile and a palm rubbing circles against the small of her back. It's news that she needs to share before it sinks in. Process with the people who matter most in her life.

Which is why she calls Kate and asks if they can have a girl's day at her house, complete with campfire and s'mores. After Naruto, Kate's the first person Korra knows she'd trust with this kind of information.

Of course, that doesn't make it any easier to guess how Kate might react, and nerves have Korra's stomach twisting in knots all day as she restlessly wanders around the house, waiting for the afternoon and for the doorbell to ring.

Naga follows Korra around where she can on the first floor, padding after with a slight whine, sometimes bumping her muzzle against Korra's hip.

"Don't worry," Korra sighs, pulling Naga's head close and pressing a kiss on top of her head. "Nothing's wrong. Probably. I hope Kate won't be too uncomfortable with the idea, but she's a good friend. She's not going to turn around and give up on me. Right?"

She presses her lips together, brow furrowed. "Right?"

Naga snorts, nosing for Korra's hand and licking lightly at her palm.

dynamite the dam on the flow

Having a very opinionated spirit sharing one's body was a trying experience. In the few hours that Korra had without access to any of her powers, she gained a sharp appreciation for how much concentration it must have taken Naruto to block out the yammering of an old fox spirit in his head. And how frustrating it was that Kurama seemed to be aware of every thought of Korra's as well, interjecting when she least expected it.

He was incredibly invested in her good health. And Korra was sick of it.

"Ugh, just stop," she groaned, slumping down on the front steps of her house and watching as Naga approached from the lawn. "Seriously, Naga, he won't leave me alone."

Naga let out a low rumble in sympathy as Korra buried her face in the polar bear dog's shoulder, enjoying the fluffiness of the fur against her cheeks before turning to the side for air. She stretched her hands in front of herself, flexing her fingers, glancing at her palms.

Even without Kurama occupying her head, losing her bending was alarming enough in of itself. Drawing in a deep breath, Korra rubs at the furrow of her brow, wondering where she'd even go to try and figure out what happened. Where her bending went. Who was even open enough to the idea of such abilities existing to look into where they might have gone.

It was the approach of someone from the street that had Korra glancing up, quickly standing to her feet when recognition dawned.

"Ellie," she said, drawing in a slight breath and rushing down the steps. Naga bounded soon after with a bark in greeting. "Is everything okay?"