Mako and Korra were arguing. Again. It seemed like that was all they ever did any more. Korra was too stubborn, too stuck-up, too insistent that she had to do everything alone. Mako was too possessive, too childish, too easily irked. Nearby Pema had lit candles to light the Temple, after a thunderstorm temporarily shut off all electricity. Now those flames flared and grew as their argument grew more heated.

"You never think before you do something!" Mako snapped. "You just do whatever you want, and to hell with who else it affects!"

"What in the name of all my past lives are you talking about?!" Korra thundered. "I haven't done anything wrong! All I've been doing is trying to help Iroh clean up the mess Amon left behind!"

"Oh, yeah, that's all you're doing," Mako sneered unpleasantly. "You're real cozy with Iroh, aren't you? When did you stop calling him General? Going to add him to your personal collection?"

Mako couldn't honestly say where all of this hostility was coming from, and a part of him was horrified that he was talking to his best friend, and a girl he was in love with for almost a year now, in such a hurtful manner. But that part was forced down by a larger, darker part of him who was furious that Korra hadn't been able to make time for him or his brother in weeks after her bending had been restored. Really, would it have killed her to take a break from giving people their bending back? Just a couple hours to sit back with her friends couldn't possibly be that counterproductive, could it?

"Oh, for spirits' sake!" the young Avatar exclaimed, raking a hand through her loose hair. It had fallen out of her ponytails on the ship ride back from the City, in the fierce wind and rain. "I started calling him Iroh when he became my friend. Whatever you think of me, you can't honestly expect me to go after every guy I happen to see, can you? I'm not some cheap whore!"

Mako actually recoiled at the implication that this was how he thought of her. That he thought she was some teenage girl with out of control hormones who made a move on every guy that had the misfortune to come across her. And yet, he had certainly implied that she was getting too friendly with Iroh. More than implied; he had basically accused her of having her own harem.

Korra was wounded at the thought that her best friend could possibly think so little of her. She knew she had had her fair share of boy drama between Bolin and Mako, but it wasn't fair of him to insinuate that she was some kind of raging slut who tapped everything she set her sights on.

Mako opened his mouth to reply—with what? Maybe an apology, maybe more hateful insults. She wasn't about to stick around to find out.

"You know what? I'm going out," she snapped, and shoved past him to leave the warm building in favor of the rampant storm outside.

Mako's long, calloused fingers reached out and caught her forearm in a vice-like grip, not allowing escape. His skin was hot, almost burning, in his temper. A Firebender's natural temperature was already higher than the norm, and when angry, their body heat spiked. Close contact with him was like an open flame to Korra, who—despite being the Avatar, and as a result, a Firebender—was first and foremost a Waterbender, and had a much cooler body temperature than he.

Waterbenders' emotions were displayed differently than Firebenders', whose feelings were tied to their bodies and any pre-existing sources of fire. A Waterbender, especially one as powerful as Korra, had a tendency to affect the weather itself, as well as nearby bodies of water. So, as the fury inside the Avatar grew, so did the severity of the storm.

This Mako already knew, and despite him being angry with her, he didn't want her to risk getting herself hurt. His rage wouldn't last. Some injuries, though, never did heal, no matter how much time was given.

"Korra, don't go outside," he sighed.

"Don't tell me what I can and can't do. And let me go." She tried to jerk her arm free, but Mako's grip was unrelenting.

"Stay inside. You shouldn't go out in a storm like th—"

"I'll do what I want, Mako!" she snapped. "I am the Avatar, and I am eighteen years old! I don't need you trailing after me like a mother turtle-duck, alright? I can take care of myself!"

Fire flared up along the arm that Mako held, but he still didn't let go. He was a Firebender, after all. Burns were the least of his worries.

"Korra, please, stop," he said softly.

At the change in his tone, the fire on her arm flickered and died down, as did the various candles. Not a moment too soon, either, because the candle flames had been about to catch the curtains in the windows. Hesitantly, she looked over her shoulder, blue eyes dark with hurt.

"Why?" she bit off precisely.

"I'm sorry, Korra," he started. "I shouldn't have said what I did. I understand that you're the Avatar, and I know you're eighteen years old, and I know that you don't need my help. And I understand that there's nothing going on between you and General Iroh. It's just…I don't know…I miss you."

His voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper, but that wasn't what made Korra sigh and fling her arms around his neck. It was the look of absolute guilt and resignation in his amber eyes.

"I miss you too," she sighed. "But I have to take care of Republic City. When I've finished giving people's bending back, then I should be able to hang out with you guys some more. I promise."

Mako let out a long breath, and returned her embrace. The two could feel as his anger began to wane, and his body temperature cooled.

"So, how's it going with Tahno?" he asked, pulling back.

Korra grinned.

"Great. He's applied to be a representative from the Swamp Tribe on the Council, so I've been seeing a lot of him lately. He's trying to convince the other Council members to reopen the Pro-bending arena."

"You're kidding!" Mako exclaimed. "That would be awesome!"

"I know! I couldn't believe he had the guts when he proposed it in the last Council meeting," Korra chuckled. "But he did it alright, and he actually made the members think about it. I think they're making their final decisions tomorrow."

"That's great," her friend said excitedly.

"I'll tell you how it goes," Korra promised.

"That'd be nice. Now, you should probably get some sleep. The Council meets early, and I know how you are when you're tired."

Korra stuck her tongue out at Mako, but grinned.

"Yeah, you're right."

"I'm sorry, could you say that again, but louder?" Mako smirked. "I couldn't hear you."

"Oh, no," chuckled Korra. "I'll say it once, and that's it."

She made to walk past him, but his arms shot out and caught her around the waist. His grip hardened into steel.

"Hey!" she exclaimed.

"You can repeat yourself just this once," Mako whined. "I hate not knowing what you say."

Korra snorted.

"Yeah, because anyone would believe that."

"Please?" he said, drawing out the e-sound like Ikki sometimes did when she wanted some extra leichi juice.

"Fine. You're right. Now let me go."

"Louder."

Korra gave a sigh that was half aggravated, and half amused.

"You're right."

"Almost heard you that time."

Oh, for Yue's sake, the Avatar thought.

"YOU'RE RIGHT!" Korra shouted, and she kicked back with one foot, aiming for his knee.

Mako didn't expect that, and he let go of her in favor of steadying himself before he fell straight into the fireplace. They were both laughing.

"Now, can I go to bed?"

Mako rolled his eyes.

"If you must."

Korra shook her head and turned, smiling, toward the girl dorms. She was glad that she and Mako had worked things out after that disaster with Tahno a few months prior. More than glad—she was ecstatic. The only problem was, he never bothered to get back with Asami, and he made no attempt to hide his feelings for Korra anymore. He didn't get crazy jealous. He knew from experience that that would get him absolutely nowhere. But he was far more affectionate than he had been before. It was an awkward situation for Korra. Asami had been spending a lot of time with Iroh, and Korra felt pretty confident that those two had a secret "thing" that they were neglecting to mention. Needless to say, Asami was pretty much over Mako. Tahno just thought it was downright hilarious, and he took every opportunity to rub it in the Firebender's face that he had Korra whilst the other man didn't. While Korra objected to being treated like a slab of meat grabbed by the fastest polar bear-dog, it amused her to no end, the lengths at which Tahno would go to try and irk Mako.

Pulling the screen door back, Korra discovered that Tahno had stopped by while she was out with Iroh, working on recruiting more people into the United Forces. Several tall, sweetly scented candles stood lit on her bedside table—Pema never lit candles in Korra's room. Korra didn't think the older woman entered her bedroom at all. A single rose lay on her pillow. It had already started to wilt, the edges a little ragged and brown, but it was still a beautiful, vibrant red for the most part.

With a happy sigh Korra flounced onto her bed and kicked her boots onto the floor. The pelt around her waist followed. She was just about to un-tuck her shirt when—

"Hey, Uh-vatar."

Korra yelped and looked around wildly. Tahno was leaning in the far corner of the room, looking as coolly amused as ever. His raven hair was a little less than gleaming perfection, but that was how Korra preferred it; without the products to make him look like some kind of advertisement. He looked more real when it fell in natural waves, and when his eyes weren't lined with black eye pencil.

She relaxed and shook her head.

"Should've known you were here. Those candles have barely lost any height."

Tahno smiled and straightened up. That smile was reserved souly for Korra. It was warm, not taunting. Kind, and not snide. No one else saw the softer side to him but she. Not even the women that he used to engage with knew past that cool, devil may care attitude that he normally surrounded himself with. She was the only one.

"Senses getting a little dull, aren't they?" he teased, striding with his easy, loping grace to her side.

She tugged on the soft silk tunic he wore, pulling him down to sit beside her so that she could lean into him. He slid an arm around her shoulders, tucking her into his side and leaning his cheek on the top of her head.

"How are you?" he asked quietly. "I haven't seen you all day."

"I'm fine," she answered. "What about you?"

"I'm Tahno," he said, adopting his air of extreme confidence. "How do you think I am?"

"I think…you've got this weird king complex, like you think you own the whole world," Korra teased.

Tahno gripped one of her wolf tails in retaliation and tugged on it carefully, but insistently.

"Hey!" she laughed, slapping his hand away. "You asked!"

"So I did," Tahno answered, smirking. "I'm actually kind of nervous."

"Huh? About what?"

Korra was honestly surprised. Tahno never got nervous. Or, if he did, he never told anybody. He always seemed so confident in everything that he did.

"Tomorrow," he answered with a shrug. "The Council's voting on my idea tomorrow. Either the Pro-bending arena will be reopened, or they'll keep it shut down."

"Tahno, whatever they're going to vote on, they're going to do it whether you're nervous or not," said Korra wisely. "Don't be nervous. It'll be alright."

He shrugged again.

"I don't know where I'm going to find a team, though, if they do vote in my favor," he grumbled.

"You can join Mako and Bolin," said Korra at once.

Tahno stiffened and looked down at her. Her bright blue eyes were looking up at him already, big and eager.

"Korra, you're their Waterbender," he said. "That's your spot."

Korra sighed and looked away.

"Yeah, I know, but I wouldn't have time to make the practices. Not with all of this dumb Avatar stuff I need to do. They need a teammate that's going to be able to be there to practice."

"But I'm a Councilman now, too. I'll have about as much free time as you do. I won't be any more convenient."

"Tahno, have you not noticed how much free time Tenzin has?" Korra laughed. Something about it, though, seemed…a bit forced.

"I don't know, Korra…I mean, your load has really gotten lighter since Amon up and disappeared. In a couple of weeks, you'll be able to make practices just like you normally did. Plus, you're…" he mumbled something that she couldn't quite catch.

"Sorry, I'm what?"

He grumbled it, a bit louder this time. Korra was fairly sure she caught the word better.

"One more time, I can almost hear you," she said, lips twitching.

"You're better than me!" Tahno finally said. "You're better than I am, alright?"

Korra smiled and leaned her head on his chest. She could hear his heart beat beneath her ear. It was strong and steady, just like he was.

"Tahno, if that's the biggest problem, I could help you."

"What, you mean some private lessons?" he purred. Only a fool would be unable to catch the very naked innuendo in his words.

"I do mean just Waterbending, Tahno," Korra laughed. Then, in a more serious tone of voice, "You're really good, Tahno. I know you are. But you've never had to rely on your skill. I'll bet that, if you play fair, you'll be surprised at just how good you truly are."

Tahno smiled tiredly and hugged her to his chest.

"Korra, I don't know how you do that."

"Do what?"

"Know exactly what to say to make me feel better."

"It's an Avatar thing," she chuckled.

"Must be," was his muttered reply.

Korra snuggled into his side, yawning loudly and hugely.

"You need to sleep," said Tahno immediately.

Korra couldn't argue; she was too tired. Her objections were weak at best when he picked her up like she was a small child, pulled back her covers, and set her on the bed. He laid down beside her, wrapping his arms around her waist and curling around her slender frame. A short puff of air from Korra made the blankets glide back up over them. The candle flames went out next, and the rose Tahno set on the bedside table.

"Good night, Uh-vatar," he purred.

"Good night, Pretty Boy," she answered, voice already thick.

Not minutes later, her quiet snores reverberated through the room. Tahno smiled affectionately and cuddled closer to her, gently pulling out the hair spools that she always forgot to remove herself.

This was not something that he was used to. Gentleness. Tahno was not gentle. He was not compassionate. He was not affectionate. He never had been, not for any girl. Not for anybody at all, for that matter. Tahno had not even known that he had a warmer, softer side to himself until that night at the Pro-bending ball almost a year ago, when he held his little Uh-vatar close after their dance, and realized that… Well, he wasn't quite sure what it was he realized. Just that it was something that had irrevocably changed him.

Korra made him feel different. She didn't like him for his money, or his fame—when he had had both of these things. He felt a strange pull toward her, as he did toward the moon or the ocean. Who knew? Maybe it was simply because she was the Avatar. Maybe she just had that natural charisma. Or maybe it was because she was, in truth, a very beautiful woman. But Tahno thought it was something else. She made him think. Made him work. She never gave him an easy shot at anything. Korra was a challenge.

Whatever the reason was, he couldn't for the life of him shake away the allure that threatened to overwhelm him at times. Her laugh was like music to him, like siren song. Just her voice was enough to get him high. Her entire being was like siren song to Tahno. Like something beautiful and haunting, extremely dangerous but enchanting all the same. Many people, in the old myths, had lost their lives to sirens, who lured the unwary sailors to their untimely ends. Tahno hoped for better results from his own beautiful siren.