A murky and dreary overcast had settled down on Republic City. It unleashed a torrent down on the pour souls caught in its furry. The deluge was deafening as the droplets made contact with the water logged soil. There was no end in sight to this downpour.
It was a dangerous storm to be out in. All of Republic City had shut down. Stores had skeleton crews working; the council had been out for more than a week. The wanderers and vagabonds had all but vanished from the streets. Not a single boat was in the turbulent waters; they had been tied securely down so they would not be ripped apart.
Only the foolish were out in this monsoon of a storm.
"Get out of the rain, pretty boy," her voice was harsh and commanding as it cut through the noise of the rain.
That must make him a fool.
He heard her loud and clear but showed no signs that he was going to answer her. The rain had covered him and soaked through his clothes. Even now, it still felt cold against his skin. Then he couldn't feel it.
"I thought I told you to get out of the rain," this time she wasn't halfway across the courtyard yelled at him from a building. She was next to him, bending the rain away from them. He turned away from her and the silence continued.
"Release it," his voice was soft and pleading. He wanted to be in the rain. He wanted the downpour to wash over him. He wanted it to cleanse him.
"Tahno," she paused, "You're going to make yourself sick."
"I said release it," he was a bit more forceful with his command.
"No," she almost sounded desperate now, "I'm not going to let you do this to yourself." She reached for his arm.
"Korra, stop," he moved out of her reach and out of the semicircle she had created to push the water away. He ran from her, he needed this, couldn't she see that? He didn't get to far before his vision started to fade. He felt his blood rush to his head and then nothing.
That was until an overwhelming warmth covered him.
"Didn't I say you were going to get sick," her voice was arrogant but calm and soothing. He cracked his eyes open and she was sitting next to him. She reached up, gently moved the hair from his face, and then let her hand settle on his forehead.
"You have a high fever," she stated and after a brief pause she continued, "What were you doing sitting out in that storm?"
"I was enjoying the weather," he cracked back with a sarcastic drawl. She didn't find it funny. She pouted and looked away from him.
"Why won't you let me restore you?" she asked after a long silence.
"I'm not that person anymore Korra," he paused, "I don't want to be that person anymore."
"You've changed," she shot back, "Trust me, you're not the same person."
"How have I changed?" he countered, "Give me one good reason and," he paused, "I'll let you." That made her fall silent. Then she placed a hand on his face and made him look at her.
"You've changed me, pretty boy. That is a feat in itself," and she whispered only inches from him. She leaned in and gently pressed her lips against his. At first he resisted her but eventually he gave in and returned the kiss.
He broke the kiss and smirked at her, "Then fix me, uh-vatar."
She huffed in annoyance.