A pretty short Tahorra/Tahnorra/Tahkorra/whateveryouwanttocalltheship fic. I just wanted to write after seeing the clip.

Summary: Devasted by his bending loss, Tahno finds himself being helped by the Avatar.

Pairing: Tahorra

Rating: T

Word Count: 836

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Tahno dragged himself to the top of the steps, arriving outside of the doors of the Police Headquarters. Utterly humiliating, yet assuring, the grand statue of Toph Beifong stared out at the city, as if the greatest earth bender in existence was still alive today to keep order. Unfortunately, order had become out of hand, and those who had once maintained it left their ruling descendants with a heavy task– a revolution against bending. Sadly for Tahno, he was one of the few victims who had been actually harmed from the uprising’s radical leader, Amon.

As he trudged on through the entrance, Tahno awaited to be interrogated once again. The questions had become a weekly–almost daily– routine. 

The architecture of city hall was extravagant- a word Tahno had grown quite accustomed to. He was situated in one of the finest apartments in all of Republic City, like most of Republic City’s wealthy socialites were. He had wads of Yuans tucked away in every crevice of his home and an innumerable amount of trophies and plaques that showcased his victories. But what he was the richest in were girls. He lured them in as if he were a magnet. Always being at his side, Tahno went through them quicker than anyone else that he knew- whether it be only for a night or for weeks at a time. But he would trade all of his luxuries that he had attained over the years just to be be able to bend once more. 

He heard her footsteps on the glossy, wooden floor of the massive building. Instantly, Tahno knew that the avatar was within proximity to him. Korra was one of those people who had a distinctive walk. Her steps were brash and unyielding, just like her personality. There was something about her. He couldn’t exactly put his finger on it. But there was something about her that compelled him. 

Tall beacons of stone supported the high ceiling from every direction that the walls were positioned. Their imposing infrastructure gave off the message that the police were not to be messed with. With a limp, Tahno plodded himself over to Korra.

“Ah-vatar. Fancy seeing you around here.” Tahno attempted to force a crooked smile, never looking up at Korra once.

“My pleasure, Pretty Boy,” the young avatar replied. “You’re here earlier than usual.”

The once-known waterbender peered at his reflection that the floor casted back to him. It pained him to see himself this way, with his lifeless hair that manifested itself on his head and white skin with contrasting, prominent bags under his eyes.

Amon didn’t seem to just solely take his bending away. He managed to steal a part of him as well. Not only did he leave Tahno with a physical loss, but a mental one as well. Every seam of his fabricated body ached. No, he was not Tahno at all. Amon had concoct a stranger that Tahno did not know out of his own body just by merely taking his bending away. His whole arrogant and confident mentality had diminished into nothing. All he wanted was to be the person he originally was again.

“I wouldn’t call myself Pretty Boy anymore.”

“I- uh.. I’m sorry about that. If you don’t mind me asking, what do they ask you about? I mean, there isn’t much more to say about Amon taking your bending away, right?”

She made her emotions far too obvious. He could sense the pity and sympathy in her voice. Pity. Something he used to feel for the other two members of the fire ferrets. Now the only one that he pitied was himself.

“My sanity, mainly. They want to know why he messed me up so badly,” was his only response. 

Unsure if she should proceed with her actions, Korra hesitated for a moment, her haunting eyes flickering, displaying a sudden change of thought. “One second, Tahno.”

And with that, she disappeared out of his sight, only to return with her hands busy bending water. Twisted, refreshing, and streaming, the element she controlled was a soft haven that Tahno yearned for. 

Spirits, did he miss bending.

“Wait– are you.. mocking me?” Tahno’s voice buzzed with offense.

Korra rebuttal was instantaneous, “No! Just wait and see!” 

Furrowing her eyebrows, Korra’s lips formed into a mix of a purse and a pout as she twirled the water around his Tahno’s hair.

 ”Wha.. what are you doing?!” Dazed and confused, Tahno gawked at the avatar, but she didn’t respond and continued to wrap the water around his hair so it stood straight up. Her hands circled in concentric rings as the his hair followed the bent water’s motion. She forced all of it off of him, leaving his hair volumized and slick– as if he never lost his bending.

Korra’s lips curled into a smirk. “That’s more like it.” 

She smiled, and for the first time in a while, so did he.

“Thanks, ah-vatar.”

Even though he would never admit it, maybe–just maybe– he did like her company.