We didn't really think there was a point in pretending. [Right about then, Korra remembers what Rose came over to discuss, and she fiddles with her shirt.] So...yeah.
[ Rose smiles at her, and folds her arms, sitting against the wall. ]
Okay, let's just pretend I said something really witty, you blushed, and I totally teased you about it. [ a beat ] I've... never actually been in this situation before, what do normal people do?
That actually makes Korra pause and think. Before, she'd reacted a little blindly, the newness of the situation making her jump to conclusions and assume Rose was asking about her and Conner. But now...
A smile slowly spreads on her face as it dawns. It's time to turn the tables.]
You could pretend I said something witty, and you blushed, too. Wait, before we talk about the other stuff--who's the lucky guy?
[ OH NO NOT AS PLANNED !! she shifts uncomfortably. ]
Who says it's a guy? [ wait no that was not what she meant, and she just sighs, rubbing her forehead ] It's Barnes - the younger one. We're not a thing. It's just... convenient.
I won't, I promise. [The grin turns into something softer as Korra realizes the trust Rose is putting in her.] Dating's still pretty new for me, too, let alone, you know... the other stuff. At least you're not alone in that.
[She stumbles over her words a little. While she's not shy in her actions when it comes down to it, talking about it with someone else isn't something she's used to. It still trips her up.]
So...Barnes. Bucky, right? It is the one with the metal arm or the other one?
Oh, the other stuff's not new to me. My mom worked in the business.
[ Her mother's alive, she's sure, but Rose has been using past tense for so long she doesn't even notice. It's the trust in another human being that's terrifying. ]
So it's the...dating, or something like it, that's new.
[In a way, Korra doesn't find it all that surprising. Rose herself had implied she didn't have many people to be close to a while ago.]
That Bucky. I know him a little. He sort of walked in on one of my lessons with Tim--this guy that lives in the same apartment block as me. I've been trying to teach him a few things, since he and his brother doesn't know how to fight at all.
[It's okay to share weakness with friends. Korra, like Steve, is one of those people who'd rather die than betray you, but it's still not something Rose can do easily. ]
[Korra scoots closer, wrapping one arm around Rose's shoulder.] It's scary, but it's...nice. Worth it if you find someone you really connect with and you can trust.
[Hmm. Maybe she should take a closer look at this Bucky, on second thought...]
He walked in and...laughed. Tried to teach Tim a few things, too, since he thought Tim was doing so badly.
My relationships with other people usually fall into the realm of "I will beat the shit out of you", and "who the hell are you calling a psycho bitch?" [ a soft chuckle ] Actually those two aren't really that far apart. I'd probably scare this guy too, but we can't just assume that's a bad thing.
[...fortunately, Zatanna was still in way too much of a good mood at the moment. One that didn't seem to fade in the least as she straitened her posture, pushing some hair away from her face as she very purposely recalled what they had been talking about before epic racing ensued.]
So.
What was it you didn't want Conner and-or Kal to overhear, and is apple pie involved in this story in any way?
[She was only slightly teasing about that last part.]
I guess...I'm still not completely used to it. [She's gotten better, but pushing those first few words out of her mouth to start is just...too much of an effort sometimes. Korra looks at Steve hesitantly.] It's hard to say these things when it feels like people expect a lot from you.
[She pauses.] Did you find someone you could talk to?
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