Bright, morning sunshine was pouring through the windows into Korra's bedroom. She opened one eye tiredly, then groaned and turned over. She knew she wasn't going to be able to fall asleep again, so she sat up grudgingly and stretched. As she opened her eyes, she realized her face felt tight and scrunched. She rubbed her face gently and the tightness faded. She thought back to last night and realized after her nightmare that's she cried again, and she'd been woken up by… She looked to her right and saw Mako laying there, sound asleep. As she reached over to softly stroke his cheek, she heard footsteps coming up the stairs. Her heart sped up at the thought of being caught with the firebender, especially if it was Tenzin ascending the stairs.

"Mako," she hissed, shaking his shoulder roughly. He muttered something in his sleep and turned over. The footsteps were getting closer and closer to her door. Her hands shook as she tried to wake the firebender. She tried shaking again but to no avail. She finally went and smacked as hard as she could in the back of the head.

"Korra?" Tenzin called from behind the door. Korra's eyes widen as she covered her boyfriend's mouth to keep him from crying out.

"Uh… h-hold on just a minute," she called, trying to keep her voice from cracking. Mako's eyes widened in fear and he realized what was going on. The consequences of what could happen kept flashing through his head and got him moving.

"What do I do?" he mumbled under his breath, trying not to freak out. Korra looked around frantically before pointing underneath her bed.

"Under the bed," she whispered while jumping up and grabbing her robe. "Now!" Mako scrambled around until he finally dragged himself under the large mattress. "Coming, Tenzin." She called. She wrapped her robe around herself and checked to make sure Mako was fully conceal. She the knob to her door and saw her airbending teacher standing patiently behind the door. "Morning," she said with a yawn.

"Good morning, Korra," Tenzin replied. "You were late for meditation this morning. I was coming to check and make sure you were doing okay." He added with a look of concern. Korra smacked herself mentally for forgetting meditation.

"Oh, right," she said, trying to act casual, "I just had a really bad nightmare last night. I'm sorry, Tenzin." She looked at him apologetically. His eyes widened in realization.

"Ah, I see. Well, that's alright," he told her. "You've been having a hard time lately. You probably needed to catch up on your rest." Korra nodded, rubbing her eyes sleepily.

"Do you mind if I just sleep in today?" Korra asked, "I promise I'll make it up." Tenzin looked at her pleading face and he just couldn't say no to those blue eyes.

"Alright, but don't get used to it. It's just for today," he said. Korra smiled and hugged the airbending master.

"Thank you," she mumbled tiredly as she pulled back. He waved a dismissive hand and turned away.

"You're welcome," he said as he walked down the hall. Korra grinned impishly as she shut her door.

"You can come out now," she called to the room at large in a sing song voice. She heard a thud and a few muffled curses come from under her bed and then a head appeared.

"What do you keep under here? Dirty socks?" Mako asked as he pulled himself out from under the bed whilst rubbing the top of his head. Korra giggled and walked over to help him up.

"That was close," she muttered quietly as she looked at the floor. Mako nodded and tipped her chin up.

"Yes, but we didn't get caught," the firebender told her. She grinned and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"That's true," she mumbled as she stood on her tip toes, putting only inches between them. Mako closed the distance, kissing her gently. She sighed and closed her eyes. She wished that she could just stay in this moment forever.

"Korra," Mako whispered against the corner of her lips. Without breaking their lip lock, he bent down and scooped her up. She yelped softly, but was quieted as he kissed her harder.

"Mmm," she moaned lightly as he laid her down on her bed. "Mako," she whispered as he wrapped an arm around her waist.

"Mm?" he hummed as he gently kissed her jaw. She sighed and gently scratched his back with her nails.

"I'm gonna have to be down stairs soon, and Bolin's probably wondering where you're at." She told him quietly. He sighed as he pulled back and stared into her ocean blue eyes.

"Bolin'll be fine. He can probably figure out what happened anyways." He pleaded with her. She smiled at him.

"And what about breakfast?" she asked him. "If I don't come down, Pema's sure to bring something up." The boy leaned down and touched his nose to hers.

"Tenzin most likely told her that you wanted to sleep late. Why don't you just leave a note saying you decided to go into the city for a little while," he suggested. Korra rolled her eyes and chuckled.

"Alright, fine. But we have to get something while we're out. I'm starving." Korra told him. The firebender grinned and kissed her eagerly, happy that she agreed. "Come on," Korra laughed, "lemme get up and get dressed." Mako giggled childishly and sat up and let her get her cloths. As the waterbender pulled on her everyday attire, Mako put on his shirt and trousers on from last night. He pulled on his jacket and looked around for his scarf.

"Hey, Korra," he called as he looked under her bed. She poked her head out from where she was changing.

"Yea?" she said. Mako looked up.

"Have you seen my scarf?" he asked. Korra giggled and walked out from behind her changing screen, trying to keep her face as innocent as possible.

"What scarf?" she asked him. He smirked as he watched her saunter over, sporting his scarf around her tanned neck.

"Oh, you know, the one that I'm always wearing," he said as he stood up and walked to meet her. She put a finger to her lip and pretended to think.

"Nope, I don't recall you wearing any such thing," she mused. She giggled as the firebender grabbed the end of the red fabric and tugged on it gently, making Korra walk closer to him.

"Oh, I bet," he raised his eyebrows and grinned," your mind's just a blank, isn't it?" He chuckled and pressed himself against the avatar.

"Like always," she whispered with a smile. Mako smiled back and wrapped an arm around her waist.

"Come on," he whispered, cupping her cheek with his hand and pressing his lips quickly to hers, "let's get outta here." He mumbled against the kiss, Korra grinned and pulled back.

"Okay, okay." She replied, running to her dresser. She pulled out a piece of paper and a pen. She scribbled a few lines and put the pen down. "Alright! Let's go!" She grabbed Mako's wrist and ran to the window. She leapt onto the sill, but Mako stayed on the floor.

"Can we take the stairs?" he asked, eyeing the window distrustfully. Korra sighed and rolled her eyes dramatically.

"I make so much noise when I'm trying to be quiet." She told him. Mako turned around so his back was facing her.

"Sit on my shoulders. You won't make any noise." He told her. She opened her mouth to object, but knew he wouldn't give up, so, she hopped on gently. He adjusted her and grabbed her legs to keep her balanced and headed to the door.

"Don't you dare drop me," Korra threatened as she laid her hands on his head and ducked so they could go through the door.

"I'm not, now keep quiet. Do you want to get caught?" he asked as they walked down the stairs. She just shook her head and put a warning hand over his mouth. They heard slightly heavy footsteps coming towards them. Korra pointed to a door across the hall. They hurried over and slipped inside the spare closet. Korra peered out and saw Pema walking with a tray in her hands. As soon as she went by, they slid out and jogged down to the front door. Hey opened it slowly, sidled out, and shut it quietly. Korra slipped down Mako's back so that she was riding on his back.

"To the bay!" The Avatar whispered excitedly in his ear and he took off, running towards the waters of Yue Bay.

"Pema," Tenzin said, "the child is sleeping. She'll come down when she's ready." Pema grabbed the tray and walked to the hall. "Pema!" he called. She turned, being careful not to spill the food on the small tray.

"Tenzin," she replied, "I'm just going to put the food in her room so it'll be there when she wakes up. You said yourself she had been through a lot lately." She smiled at her husband. "I'll be down in a few minutes." She turned around and began down the hall. Tenzin rubbed his forehead tiredly. Spirits, he loved the woman to death, but jeez she was as stubborn as Korra was.

"Korra? Korra, dear?" Pema called softly as she knocked on the avatar's door. She balanced the tray in one hand and cracked the door just a smidge. She walked in expecting Korra to be lying down, covered by her sheets, sleeping soundly, but was greeted by an empty room. She cocked an eyebrow and set the tray on Korra's dresser. She looked at the top of the wood and saw a piece of paper fluttering under one of the waterbender's pens. She picked it up and looked at the writing on it.

Dear Pema (I know you'll be the one reading this)

I'm going out for a bit. Probably hang with a certain firebender for a little while. I'll be back soon, I swear! Please, please don't let Tenzin know I'm gone!

Thanks,

Korra

Pema smiled. She set the paper down and walked over to the window. She let the cool morning breeze blow through her hair and let the sun warm her skin. She closed her eyes and let her thoughts wander, wander back to when Tenzin and herself would run and sneak off together. She was pulled back to reality by a laugh from below.

She saw Korra riding piggy back on Mako. He must not have left last night, she thought to herself. She watched as the firebender ran straight for the bay and jumped. She grinned at Korra's squeal of delight. She watched as Korra made an air bubble and took them under. She smiled and turned away from the window.

"I guess I best keep Tenzin away from her room for a while," she chuckled lightly as she walked out of the empty room.