Warnings: Spoilers for episode 7. Quick, messy, little thing.

Standard disclaimer apply.

Aftershock


They don't sleep the first night.

He crashes the second, finds Asami the next morning with deeper bruises under her eyes, paler than he's ever seen her, hair listless and her mood dark despite her smiles and pleasantries.

Third night they spend it outside near the training area. She doesn't cry. Hasn't. The moon shines bright; the air is tepid despite the gathering snow. He wakes up in bed next to Bolin and Meelo and finds Asami chatting amiably with Pema. She's worse off and he has no idea how to stop the wreck before it's too much.

They train. They go after Amon. Asami looks like porcelain ready to crack at any pressure. Korra helps, Bolin helps. Mako wavers, unsure, but always at her side.

A week passes and she bounces back. Not fully, not really, there are things you can never forget, that will keep you awake for the rest of your life. He saw his parent's die. Asami has no family now. This is it.

Just Mako and Bolin and Korra and it will never be the same. But she levels out. Falls asleep after a pleasant dinner and a long day of training, against a tree right outside her bedroom, uses him as a pillow.

"I feel so safe with you," is ironic now.

"Thank you." Inadequate.

He can't work out how to say 'I love you.' Or 'It'll be alright.'

Asami says, "I can save him," with shocked conviction.

And Mako supports her. Knows he'll have to pick up the pieces like she did when his livelihood went up in flames. He was a street rat and she was a princess and now they're orphan kids. If there is anything he understands it is that.

"I'll help you," he tells her, and is rewarded by her sparkling eyes, the easy quick smile reserved for him, and that bit of hope, faith, that's kept the pieces together.

It takes a while, but they're okay. Will be.

He says, "I love you." Without an inch of doubt. Her answering smile is like dawn, so bright it hurts.