A new day breaks and I am the first to wake. I can feel Mako's chest slowly swelling and falling against my back, his breathing soft. Usually, he is well awake before I am. In slumber he holds me close, and my fingers are tucked between his at my stomach. I feel invigorated, alive, even despite having to get up during the middle of the night to feed our little girl. I feel warm and content, a weight I didn't know I was burdened with eased from my shoulders.

A desire springs up within me as I settle into my wakefulness. Rarely do I get the chance to watch Mako sleep, to simply watch him in that peaceful, oblivious state where all his responsibilities fall away and he is at ease. I detach my hand from his and turn carefully, though the sheets still ruffle and the bed murmurs as I shift my weight. Eventually, my gaze falls upon him, though when it does all I can do is pout with disappointment. Mako is already awake, golden eyes very much open and mouth curved into a smile.

"Hey," he whispers.

I accept his kiss upon my brow. "How long have you been up?"

"For a while."

I shouldn't be surprised. I've never had the affinity for rising early that he has. The thought that he lay awake at my back simply holding and watching me until I woke lends a smile to my face. Even in the smallest of things, Mako helps me to feel safe, comforted and desired. Even now, as he softly pushes strands of hair away from my eyes and tucks them behind an ear, so that he may stroke his thumb along my cheek. I love him.

"I love you," he returns.

Effortlessly, he strips me of all my titles and reminds me that underneath I am still Korra, his Korra, his love and life. In return I admire him, I appreciate him, and I remind Mako that he will always be the man who forms the crux of my existence. In the glowing wake of our passion, we lie together in each other's arms, merely listening to the city beyond the window begin to wake. And, of course, our little girl along with it.

"I'll take care of her," he says as we hear soft noises of complaint from the room beside ours.

I capture his mouth in another kiss before he slips out of bed. The lingering kiss Mako returns almost has me looping arms around his neck to pull him down again. He looks decidedly pleased with himself as he shrugs on a dressing gown and leaves the room. I smile, propping myself up on an elbow and gazing out of the window. I remind myself of the arrangement I made with Tenzin to meet today and, somewhat reluctantly, pull myself up out of bed. I pull on my own dressing gown and step out onto the landing, turning towards the bathroom. I pause as I hear babbling and Mako's soft voice.

Turning, I quietly make my way over to the room next to ours, standing just at the edge of the door and peeking inside. Mako is standing beside the cot, leaning over the side and drawing gurgles and laughter from our daughter. I see her little hands held up in front of her, trying to catch her father's as he tickles beneath her chin. Her feet shuffle beneath her blanket as Mako moves his hands to her sides, and then to her stomach. I listen to him murmur her name and make silly noises, very much thorough in his bout of tickling as he is in all other things. In the end, she manages to catch hold of a finger, promptly exploring the curve of his knuckle with her mouth.

Mako looks up when I chuckle, an infectious smile upon his face. It seems that yesterday's difficulties are all forgiven. Perhaps my little girl felt the need to make it up to her father too.

"You'll be okay, right?" I say, standing near to the front door, dressed and ready to go.

"Yeah, we'll be fine," Mako replies. "Say hello to Tenzin and the family for us."

I nod and turn down to our daughter, held in his arms. "They'll be sorry not to see you this time," I tell her, bringing my hand up to stroke her cheek.

"Please don't go making any promises, Korra," Mako says then, and when I meet his gaze he looks at me pointedly.

"I'm not going there for that," I tell him, "just to talk."

He looks a little sceptical.

"Relax," I say. "I won't make any decisions without telling you first."

He raises an eyebrow as he leans away from our daughter's curious hand near his mouth. "Telling me, or discussing with me?"

I sigh in exasperation. "You know what I mean, Mako." I lean forward to kiss them both on the lips. "I'll see you later."

An hour later, I find myself sitting across from my once airbending tutor in his home office. Just as with Lin the years are beginning to show, age lining the tall man's features. But if anything it grants him a more profound air of wisdom, and it is that which I have come to seek.

"I'm worried about what will happen if things are allowed to spiral out of control," I say, leaning back against the chair, my hands folded into my lap. "The Earth King is overestimating the reach of his authority and underestimating his people."

Tenzin spreads his hands. "You understand how these things take time and a delicate approach, Korra."

I nod. "I do, but every day I feel more strongly that I need to be there in person. I read it in the newspapers and hear it on the radio broadcasts. Everyone and every nation is watching and waiting for me to make my move, Tenzin. But…"

"But?" he prompts when I fall silent and purse my lips, dropping my gaze.

"It was easier for you," I say eventually. I look across through the half open door, briefly watching Meelo tease his younger brother in the room opposite the office. I turn back to Tenzin. "Your work was always here in Republic City, along with your family."

The man gives a small shake of his head. "That is partly true. My work often kept and still keeps me in and around City Hall. There are long days and longer nights, and oftentimes they keep me from returning to the Island, or if I do it is only for a moment, to briefly rest my head before setting myself to task once more."

"I don't think I could keep my sanity if I had to live through a day without seeing my daughter," I reply. "I would worry and fret, and I wouldn't be able to think of anything but her. I can't leave her, not now. What if she took ill? What if there was an accident, or –?"

"Korra," Tenzin interrupts me gently. "Do not make the mistake of thinking you are raising her alone. Pema and even the acolytes are here in my stead when I cannot be, and I trust and depend upon them. I am certain that Mako is a more than capable father."

"He is," I say, though my voice is tinged very slightly with worry and uncertainty. It makes me feel guilty to hear it.

"And I'm sure that you could both rely upon his brother, should the need arise," he continues.

"Mm…"

"And, Korra, Pema and I would have no issues with helping to look after your daughter in your absence. I would like to think that at this point, you consider us family."

"I do," I reply, bringing a hand up to massage my temple. "I do, Tenzin, and thank you. I understand what you're trying to tell me," I say, meeting his grey-blue eyes. "I just don't feel ready to leave my daughter yet, and I know it's selfish. I'm the Avatar, after all." I tilt my head, gazing up at a point near the ceiling as I sigh heavily. "Every man, woman and child in this world deserves their little piece of me too."

Tenzin speaks again after a notable pause. "Even as the Avatar, I would not suggest that you forget to serve your own needs. Let us be realistic, Korra; you cannot address all of this world's problems, nor solve all its issues."

"No," I agree slowly, from memory, from experience.

"There is a way to make your voice heard, however, without the need of your presence."

"Do tell," I say.

Tenzin begins to search his desk as he speaks. "I watched my father do this on more than one occasion, when he too could not bear to be away from his family. The word of the Avatar will always carry a sense of weight, Korra – you have cultivated your own brand in particular," he adds, and at that I smile.

"Sometimes," Tenzin continues, eventually laying hands upon what he sought, "the mere threat of your presence will be more influential than the actuality."

He turns his gaze upon me, a slight smile hiding behind his greying beard.

"I don't think you realise just how much of a threat yours would be."