"Ugh! I hate him!" Korra stormed through the door of the apartment. They had been given a private place to stay in Republic City; the 'apartment' was more like a condo that sat facing a small, but quiet beach. Mako and Korra often trained on that beach, practicing their firebending, as there was never anyone else around; Korra had just come back from one of these sessions, and she had some steam to blow off.

"What'd he do now?" Bolin asked grumpily. He'd been rudely awakened from napping as Korra slammed the door, propped up against the wall with Pabu purring on his chest. Pabu squeaked and scurried behind Bolin, who comforted his companion with gentle strokes.

"He thinks he knows everything!" Korra yelled angrily, pacing back and forth in the dimly lit living room.

"You both have quite hotheaded personalities, so this is probably normal. But maybe you should try to listen to him sometimes. Yeah, he makes it sound like he's some wise master, but sometimes he has good advice." Bolin tried to calm her down, but only succeeded in making Korra angrier.

"You're taking his side?" Korra whirled on Bolin, who flinched. Pabu whimpered.

"No. I'm staying out of this." Bolin put up his hands and turned his head away.

"Ugh. Forget you." Korra stomped back out through the front door. Bolin shrugged and pulled Pabu back onto his lap and continued to pet him. Just as Bolin was about to close his eyes, Mako walked in, an unreadable expression on his face.

"Can't a guy get a wink of sleep around here?" Bolin complained. Mako ignored his brother, grumbling under his breath. He slumped to the floor in the corner, sighing and releasing a small flame from his mouth. "So, I heard you and Korra have been arguing yet again. What's with you guys?"

"I dunno. She's way too stubborn." Mako shrugged, proceeding to light a flame in the palm of his hand out of boredom.

"She says you act like you know everything." Bolin ventured, trying to work out Mako's side of the story.

"I was just giving her tips on her stance and stuff, and she went off. I just don't understand girls." Mako concentrated on the flame in his hand making it bigger and smaller with ease. Bolin giggled.

"So much drama, geez," he rolled his eyes. "Well, aren't you going to go find her?" He put his arms behind his head.

"Why would I do that?" Mako looked up.

"Well, she ran off somewhere. I dunno, bro. Go apologize or something."

"Why should I apologize?" Mako raised his voice slightly, letting the flame in his hand go out.

"Hey, all I know is that Korra's definitely not gonna apologize. Be a man. I know you like 'er."

"What? No!" Mako blushed and looked down. "Fine. I'll go find her. I won't apologize though. I have nothing to be sorry for. And I don't like her." Mako grumbled, rising to his feet. Bolin laughed again. He knew when his older brother was lying; Mako did terrible at covering it up.

"You don't have to apologize, but at least try to work out your guys' problems without shooting fire at each other." Bolin sighed.

"It seems that's the only way she likes to resolve things." Mako grumbled, heading for the door. Bolin returned to petting the ferret on his lap.

Korra sat inches away from the surf as it rose and fell over the shore. It was dark out and stars littered the sky. Everything was silent, making it possible to focus the hypnotizing sounds of the waves. The light from the moon shone over the sand. Korra shivered as a cold wind blew over the beach. She wrapped her arms around her knees in an attempt to stay warm. She heard the sound of a twig snap behind her and whirled around, on her feet in the blink of an eye. When she saw it was only Mako, she slumped back to the ground, facing away from him.

"Uh, hey. I thought I'd find you here." Mako was trying to sound friendly.

"What do you want?" Korra grumbled.

"I thought we could, I dunno, talk?" Mako sounded uncomfortable.

"Bolin talked you into this, didn't he?" Korra turned and stared at the 18-year-old. He looked self-conscious and awkward. "If you're not going to leave me alone, then fine," she patted a spot in the sand next to her, "we can talk." Mako slumped down in the sand. They were both silent for a moment, before Mako spoke up.

"So, I don't understand what made you so pissed earlier. What'd I do?"

"What'd you do?" Korra was getting mad again, and stared up into Mako's golden eyes.

"I mean, I had good intentions. By correcting your stance, your firebending gets a bit stronger. It's just something Sifu Toza taught me for the pro-bending tournament." Mako shrugged.

"But you act like you're my master. If anything, I should be your master. I'm the Avatar!"

"But we're friends, right? Shouldn't I be allowed to share techniques and stuff with you without you blowing up in my face?" Mako was growing impatient. Korra knew he had a good point and she didn't like that. Instead of replying, she turned her back to him and crossed her arms. "Hey, that's not fair." Mako leaned back and forth trying to find Korra's face, but she just continued to avoid his gaze. At one point she caught his eye. Was that, an amused glint? He was enjoying himself. He liked to annoy her. Korra couldn't hold back a slight smile, she cherished when he showed the slightest signs of playfulness, or any emotion really, being so serious and all. "I saw that." Mako's golden eyes glinted.

"Maybe I just don't want you to be so controlling..." Korra began.

"Controlling? I'm a firebender, I'm born to be controlling just like you are born to be hotheaded." Mako said sarcastically. Korra giggled.

"I guess we should try to, I dunno, get along better." Korra shrugged.

"I doubt that's possible, but for now I'll just agree to it." Mako sighed. "I, uh, I'm sorry for acting...controlling?" Mako rubbed the back of his neck.

"That's good enough for me. Sorry for yelling at you." Korra smiled. Mako nodded, not knowing how to accept Korra's apology. Another wind whipped up and Korra shivered. Mako's scarf blew in the breeze and Korra looked up at him. He was so serious, returning the gaze.

"Are you cold?" Mako asked.

"I'm fine." Korra lied.

"I know that you're cold, Korra."

"How are you not?" Korra gave in. Mako rolled his eyes and stood up, returning a minute later with some pieces of wood. He piled them up and blasted them with a flame from his hand. Mako settled back down next to Korra. The fire was warm, but the wind overpowered it and Korra was still uncomfortable. Salt, mist and sand blasted Korra with the next strong gust. Mako seemed unaffected by the chilly, night air. He was gazing blankly out at the sea. Somehow, the silence wasn't awkward. "Seriously, how are you not cold. It's freezing."

"Well I am a firebender." Mako looked down at her.

"So. What does that have to do with anything?"

"Here." Mako scooted over and wrapped an arm around Korra, using one hand to unwrap his scarf. He rewrapped it around Korra's neck. His arm was strong, firm and protective. He held her tight, but not too tight. She felt...safe.

"Woah. You are warm." Korra commented, pressing closer to his lean and wiry body. She leaned her head on his chest and when he didn't object, she wrapped her arms around his waist. Mako remained expressionless, gazing out at the ocean. Korra watched his eyes as they danced in the firelight. His golden flecks blazed ever bright. They were so deep and...pretty. "What are you thinking about?"

"Hm? Oh, I dunno. Just watching the water." Mako shrugged.

"Yeah. It's...soothing." Korra ventured. Mako remained silent, just staring at the water. "You're always so deep in thought. Do you ever have fun?" Korra asked.

"Have fun? I can have fun." Mako looked down at her. Again, she was mesmerized by his eyes.

"Okay. Let's finish out sparring match." Korra suggested.

"Won't you be...cold?" Mako ventured. He was obviously enjoying cuddling by the fire.

"I won't be cold. I mean, we'll be bending fire at each other. It'll be the opposite of cold," Korra began, "But, we don't have to if you don't want. It was just a suggestion."

"No, no. I'll do it. Sounds like fun." Mako replied sarcastically, a smirk on his face.

"Is that a smile I see?" Korra teased and Mako rolled his eyes. "Come on. Off with your shirt."

"What?"

"Well I'm not going to be skins." Korra said sarcastically.

"Shirts versus skins, huh? Then I'm guessing I have to be skins?" Mako sighed. Korra nodded, smiling. She tossed him his scarf, which he tied around his waist and then tossed his shirt aside, revealing his well-built upper body. Korra had seen him shirtless before, but never had she looked at him like this. He stretched, preparing for the match. When he turned to her, waiting for her to signal the match to begin, she couldn't regain herself. She looked from his abs, up his chest and met his questioning eyes. He had a look of amusement, like he knew she was looking at his muscles. Korra blushed slightly and began the match quickly by shooting a flame towards his lower half. He flipped into the air, dodging perfectly, whilst firing hot flames back at her. This was definitely warming her up. Korra continued firing, upwards this time, and he simply sprawled to the ground, his arm muscles rippling as they supported his weight. His timing was perfect, every move fluid and graceful. She would fire, and he would dodge with some crazy-athletic move before firing back. She'd never really paid attention to the way he fought before. He was so strong. Finally Korra caught him. He barely managed to dodge her flame as he hit the ground.

"Mako! You okay?" Korra ran to his side. He remained motionless. Korra panicked and was about to go get Bolin until Mako moaned. Had she hurt him? What was she going to do? She thought about using her Avatar powers to revive him, but she had no idea how. Suddenly he opened his eyes, a fire of determination burning in them and a smirk on his face. He jumped to his feet.

"Tricked you." He scoffed, quickly lurching out and wrapping a firm leg around hers, tripping her. She toppled to the ground, with Mako standing over her, reaching a hand down to help her back up. She grabbed his hand, but instead of letting him pull her up, she pulled him down to the ground. Caught off guard, he landed with a thud on the sand next to Korra. He sat up and they sat cross-legged on the sand, side by side.

"You jerk." Korra laughed, punching him lightly in the shoulder and lying down on her back. Mako followed, and lay down next to her, hands folded on his chest. "I won." Korra turned her head to him. He stared back into her eyes, a light of amusement sparkled in them. "You, uh..." Korra stammered, "have nice...eyes?" Mako lifted an eyebrow and Korra blushed, turning away.

"Thanks...?" Mako continued to stare at her and Korra began to feel self-conscious.

"Have you ever wondered what it was like up there?" Korra asked, referring to the sky filled with bright stars, trying to pull Mako's attention away from her.

"What?" Mako looked up, "Oh. I guess so."

"I wonder if anything's out there." Korra whispered, yawning.

"You tired? Maybe we should head back." Mako suggested.

"Nah, I'm not ready to go back yet." Korra shook her head. "It's nice out here."

"But isn't it cold?" Mako persisted.

"But, aren't you a firebender?" Korra narrowed her eyes and smiled. She scooted over close to him and pressed into his side. He seemed surprised, but didn't object. Mako just stared down at her, eyes narrowed with tiredness, and watched as she fell asleep in his arms. They'd been gone awhile, Bolin would be worried, but it didn't matter now.