CHAPTER 918: EXPOSED

Korra blinked, totally taken aback. "I...what? How does that make any sense?"

I looked at the ground, the tip of my tail flicking. "I really like being with Luke. But recently, well, I’ve been trying to figure out how to do that. I never really had any friends, so I don’t know what it’s even supposed to look like. R’lissea and Elise and helping, but...it’s hard."

"Well, I’m sure they gave you good advice, but let me try my own brand," she said, flashing me a smile. "Forget about him. What do you want? Until you know what that is, you’ll never get anywhere."

"Sometimes I, um, wish he’d...hold me more," I admitted, playing with a lock of crimson hair. She raised an eyebrow, and I blushed. "I-It’s not what you’re thinking! I just...um, he’s warm?"

She giggled. "Have you ever told him that?"

My tail stiffened. "What? No! I couldn’t!"

"Then how is he supposed to know? Even if he knew a spell to read your mind, wouldn’t your resistance just negate it?"

"He...he always pulls away every time I get close," I admitted, "Once, in the markets, he let me hold his hand. But other than that, the closest he lets me get is escorting me around by the arm. It’s nice, but...not enough. It seems like he doesn’t care...w-wait, where are you going?"

I frantically grabbed Korra’s hand as she took off, heading to the other side of the garden. My heart leaped in my throat as I realized Luke was right

there, idly discussing something with Fyren. He hadn’t noticed us yet, but it was only a matter of time.

With renewed fervor, I pulled at Korra, but she effortlessly tugged me along, grinning the whole time. It was obvious I wouldn’t be able to stop her, so I let her hand slip from my fingers and made a break for it, running back the way I’d come. Her hand snaked out, catching my wrist, jerking me to a stop.

"Oh, no you don’t. We’re figuring this out right now."

Butterflies ravaged my stomach as Luke looked up, noticing us. His face warmed with a smile, his eyes sparkling curiously, as if wondering what the fuss was about.

Korra released my wrist, putting her hands on her hips and glaring at Luke. Any hints of her amused smile were swallowed in a frown.

"Uh, Korra? Xiviyah? What’s up?" he asked, brow furrowing.

Korra’s frown deepened. "Xiviyah tells me you’re rather distant. That’s not what you told me was happening before."

Luke blinked, his tail twitching. His eyes slid to me, and I cringed, ducking my head. What kinds of things had Luke told her? And why did she have to be so brazen? I rather liked R’lissea and Elise’s gentle way of guiding our relationship. They were slow and safe. But this...? If I’d known Korra would just come out and say it, I wouldn’t have been half as excited for her return.

"I’m not sure I understand," Luke said slowly. "All I’ve done is ensure she feels safe, that no one’s going to hurt or force her to do anything. In the past, she’s been...nervous whenever I’ve gotten too close. I know others have hurt her, and when she looks at me, she can’t help but see them."

"So you’re playing it safe?"

He nodded. "The way she looked at me...I swore she would never have a reason to be scared because of me again.

Korra glanced at me. "Is that right?"

"Well, I...yeah," I whispered, swallowing hard, clasping my hands at my waist so tightly my knuckles whitened. Guilt gnawed at me from the inside. It was true, I had been scared of him, of his strength. But I wasn’t anymore. Did he not understand that?

Korra thought for a second, then shook her head. "Yeah, that’s not going to work. Xiviyah needs lots of hugs. And headpats."

Luke looked up, tail going stiff. "But she always–"

"Maybe once, but not anymore," Korra said.

Before I could protest, her hand rose, falling on my head and rubbing between my horns. Her touch sent shivers down my spine, and I quickly shrank back, tail twitching furiously.

"Korra!" I whined, pushing her hand away.

She let out a light giggle, but let me go, turning back to Luke. "Listen, she only reacts like this because she doesn’t know any other way to respond. After everything she’s been through, it’s only natural she’ll seem scared or nervous. But, in reality, she yearns for that connection, for the physical affection she never had. Get it?" Korra said.

Luke shook his head. "I don’t know why you think I’m any different. I’ve never done anything but hurt people."

"That’s not true!" I said, covering my mouth at my outburst. But it was too late, they both looked at me. Luke with surprise, Korra with a knowing smile. Gathering my courage, I took Luke’s hand in both of mine. His eyes widened, his fingers tensing, but he didn’t pull away. "Luke, don’t say that. I...I wanted you to hold my hand in the market. It made me happy."

Korra nodded, putting an arm around my shoulder. "I know you’re a demonkin, and there are plenty of cultural understandings, but remember that Xiviyah doesn’t have any of that. But she’s still easy to read, if you know her well. If you’re ever uncertain, just look at her tail. Wagging: good, limp: bad."

I jerked away from Luke, snatching my tail and hugging it to my chest. "It doesn’t wag! It doesn’t!"

"That’s...not something you normally notice or mention in demonkin culture. It’s impolite," Luke said, looking at me thoughtfully.

"She also likes flowers," Korra said abruptly.

I gaped at her, struggling to find my voice. Just how much was she planning on exposing me? Hadn’t she said enough?

Luke looked at me, a faint smile on his lips. "I knew that one already. We spent a whole day at the flower market admiring the blossoms. But is there anything else I should know? She’s not exactly forthcoming."

Korra tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Hmm...ah, right. If she’s ever sad, bring up something about magic. Doesn’t matter what, just as long as she starts talking, she’ll perk up soon. And no alcohol at all. I’m serious about that one, hear me?"

Luke nodded. "I remember hearing something about that. But what kind of food does she like? She doesn’t really eat much."

Korra grinned, and I retreated a step, pleading with my gaze. She ignored me, of course.

"Sweets. Especially pastries. She particularly loves cream-filled ones, if I remember right."

"Korra!" I cried, dropping my tail and covering her mouth. "Please!"

Korra laughed, pulling my head against her chest, smothering me with her ample bosom. I squirmed, but her hand snaked around my back, holding me close.

"I heard she lets the maids do it now, but she loved it when I brushed her hair. One day, she might even let you do it," she said, winking at Luke.

He chuckled, shaking his head. "That’ll be the day."

I finally succeeded in squirming free and darted away, my face burning red and tail waving behind me. They both laughed, but I was relieved that Korra didn’t chase me. Not that she ever would...right?

I found Fable curled up against the wall, soaking in the afternoon sunlight. His ears pricked as I threw myself against his side, burrowing into his long, silver fur. His tail curled around me, blotting out the outside world, giving me a warm, dark place to hide.

What was Korra thinking, saying all those things? I didn’t even like head pats! I didn’t!"

Peeking out from his fur, I could see that the pair was still talking. Luke said something, looking my way with a small smile, and Korra burst out laughing. Since when did they get so close? I liked it better when they were trying to kill each other. Not that they had since we’d gotten separated at Brithlite, but still!

I sank into Fable’s fur, hugging his flank. Maybe...maybe more hugs weren’t bad? Luke was so strong and warm...I shivered as memories of him carrying me drifted through my mind. But before I could fantasize too much, I shook my head and patted my cheeks, trying to get my blush to fade.

Oddly enough, as I cuddled with Fable, it felt like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. Thinking of Luke still made my heart race and brought color to my cheeks, but I felt a little silly hiding from him now. What I’d begun to realize after eavesdropping on his conversation with R’lissea finally made sense. He wasn’t apathetic or irritated with me. He had avoided making physical contact because of me.

It was sweet, in a way, and I smiled bashfully, running a hand through my hair. Maybe there were merits to Korra’s methods, after all. It was refreshing to get everything out in the open, to discover the stories I’d made up about him weren’t true at all.

My gaze drifted back to the garden, where Luke and Korra still stood. Fyren had rejoined them, crossing his arms as he watched the conversation. Luke, after one last glance my way, turned to the demon, and the two made their way to the training grounds. I felt the urge to leave Fable’s safety and go to him, but my face flushed again, and I squirmed deeper into his fur.

Tomorrow. I would talk to him tomorrow. Today would be the last day I ran away.