Mako blinked for a startled moment after Bolin shut the door. Bo was trying so hard to fix a problem that Mako didn't want fixed. It was all for his sake! How was he supposed to take care of his brother if he had Korra constantly on his mind? Not that he hadn't been thinking about her nearly all of the time, anyway. Ever since this damn fight had started. In frustration, the boy turned and sent a blast of fire at the wall, swearing loudly.

"I'm not too happy, either, ya know," the Avatar said behind him. When Mako turned around to retort, his words froze in his throat. Korra's arms were crossed over her chest and her eyes glared in anger... and hurt. Mako probably wouldn't have noticed the pain in her gaze if he hadn't seen it in every dream the past few days. It made his heart ache.

The need to sweep her into his arms and make everything okay nearly drove him insane. When had she become so important to him? Only two things stopped him from comforting her. He liked his ribs unbroken. And Bo. Bo needed him. Korra could get over it. He could get over it. But Bo would always need him.

Mako needed to leave that room. He needed air. He needed to get somewhere that he couldn't hurt her anymore. And he also knew how to get out quickly. Taking a deep breath and glaring at the floor, Mako braced himself. "Well, I'm sorry you feel that way." His voice was hard and he watched it hit her like a brick. He hardened his heart and headed for the door.

But he had to pass Korra to get there.

The Avatar wasn't going to just let him walk away this time. If she didn't say what she was thinking, Korra feared she might explode. As Mako drew even with the girl, she lunged. Air whooshed from his lungs as his back connected with the floor. Korra took the chance to pin his hands above his head, straddling his pelvis to keep him down. All of her thoughts spilled out as she looked into Mako's stunned face. "I don't understand. I thought things were changing between us, Mako. The other day- I- We seemed different. But I guess I was wrong."

Only silence met her words. Mako lay on the ground, shocked.

Korra couldn't take the quiet. She has always been impulsive. And that's why she said, "Damn it, Mako. I love you!" Desperate tears were gathering in her eyes. Not wanting him to see her lose it, Korra did something even more stupid. She leaned down and kissed him hard.

Mako kissed her back. It was amazing. The smell of her surrounded him. It didn't even matter that she smelled slightly like sweat, that was Korra. Her hair had started working itself out of its typical ponytails and tendrils tickled his face. Her lips were softer than he would have expected. The grip on his wrists loosened and her hands found their way into his hair. When she whispered, "Mako," realization dawned on him

Why the hell hadn't he stopped her yet? Did Bo really mean that little to him? "Stop," he said against her lips. "I- I can't do this, Korra."

She pulled back and glared down at him, her hands leaving his hair. "You didn't have a problem to seconds ago, Mako. Why can't you? Please don't tell me this is some 'I can't date teammates' shit."

"No," he said. "It isn't. And, honestly, it isn't any of your business. Now get off of me."

A tightening of her jaw told him she wouldn't budge an inch. "Remember when you started to trust me? You could just be Mako around me. Not Mr. Hat-trick. Not big bro. Why can't you tell me?"

"Because," Mako took at deep breath. "I can't be distracted. And you are a big distraction, Korra. I've kept Bo and I alive by staying focused. Bo needs me to stay focused. Korra, Bo needs me." His eyes pleaded with her to understand as his hands moved to wrap around her wrists. For awhile she said nothing.

Then: "Mako... I'm not asking for you to stop caring about Bo. That's part of what makes you you. If you changed it wouldn't be the you that I love."

Korra's heart had stopped. It wasn't pounding, twisting, jumping like she had expected. Something in his eyes told her that he was feeling the same. Of course, the way his thumbs were rubbing soft circles on her wrists seemed like a good sign. "So, please, Mako," she said, meeting his eyes. "Don't say no just for your brother. He wouldn't like to hear that you made yourself miserable for him... that's if... saying no would make you miserable."

Suddenly it felt like Mako had swallowed a tennis ball. He couldn't believe she could wear an expression like that. "It already did. It drove me nuts, knowing I hurt you." This time Mako kissed her, his hand reaching up to pull her lips down to his, fingers tangling in her hair.


Author's Note: And... lots of dialogue. More than I think I've ever really had in a story. So more than anything I'd like to know what you think of that. And, yay, they're together at last. Everything is happy! Right?

Tell me how you're feeling, what you're thinking, anything at all that has to do with the story. Please, thanks, much appreciated! I love you all.