A/N Not as satisfied with this chapter as I was with the previous one. I was really shocked at how well the reception was. Thanks so much! I love you each of my reviewers 3

Chapter 16

She knew she smelled of sweat and alcohol when she woke, a disgusted shudder running through her. Her hair clung to her shoulders and pillow, the bed uncomfortably warm. It wasn't until she pried her eyes opened and blinked the agonizing light out of her eyes did she realize why everything hurt-and why she didn't want to move.

Howl's arm was lazily draped over her. His breath moved the few strands of her hair out of her eyes whenever his chest deflated and brought it back when his inhaled. His lips were slightly parted, his eyes shut but not creased. Korra's mind flitted and she tried to remember the previous night, but her memory came up blank. She moved her legs slightly and felt the fabric still there; thankful she hadn't been that drunk. Her throat ached and her head thudded in rhythm of her heart. But she was happy; utterly, genuinely happy.

She snuggled closer to his heated body and felt his arm twitch ever so slightly, tightening around her momentarily before loosening his grip. His heat pulsated against her as they snuggled together. Korra was almost afraid to move, afraid to ruin the wonderful moment. She inhaled the smoky scent of his skin and wondered if that was something he'd been accompanied by when he'd come from the Fire Nation. Her gaze lingered on the little things; the small creases between his eyes and nose that explained his exhaustion, the way his breath echoed in the back of his throat to emit a snore, the small, black hairs growing on his chin, the intricacy of his white lotus tile tattoo. Her fingers hesitantly moved out to them and traced the tiny leaves.

It was a symbol of the happiness that he had brought her, a symbol of his protection. Even though she knew she would never need it, she was thankful for it. Her nails trailed around the circular pattern and up to follow the defined line against his collarbone. His light snoring disrupted itself before returning back to normal. Korra pulled her hand away, impatient for him to wake up but not wanted him to be tired. Slowly she slid out from underneath his arm and stood from the bed. He looked extra comfortable and over relaxed. She kissed his cheek gently before moving towards the bathroom.

She hardly even thought about it as she undressed and turned on the shower, sliding off her dark blue garments and leaving them piled in the corner of the floor. As she stepped under the shower, she shivered and struggled to fire up the water with her bending. Soon the entire bathroom was full of steam.

Howl's head ached at any noise. That bartender had lied. While it had gone down easily, it left a helluva kick. His eyes squeezed tighter and tighter until he thought his head were about to explode. He exhaled in annoyance and slowly opened one eye. Invaded by the light, he groaned and pulled the pillow over his head.

Then he caught whiff of the smell. Jasmine. The scent that Korra usually used for her hair. He shot up from the bed and found that he was not in the barracks. He was in a plain room with a small fireplace in the corner emitting heat, a bookshelf full of untouched books, and a bed that he was positive wasn't his own. His shirt lay on the floor beside the bed, causing him to flinch in realization. Had he..? Had they…? He groaned louder as the thudding in his head grew to a new level and fell back against the pillows. "Promise yourself, dumbass, that you will never drink again." He growled angrily.

The room grew steamier and his mind flickered to where Korra had gone. Surely she wouldn't just leave him in bed—alone, nonetheless—if something had happened between them the previous night. If he was going to do it, he wanted to be able to remember it. He didn't want the best moment of his life with the best woman in the world to be gone from his memory forever.

The fact that Korra was absent sent worry through him when he finally heard the water running. His gaze shifted over to the bathroom and immediately he caught sight of her. She hadn't closed the door and, although it was steamy, he could see…. He saw. He saw the perfection of her tanned curves at just the perfect size. He saw the way the water rolled down her back in individual tear shaped droplets, trailing down and across her lower back and… and…. She turned slightly and lifted her hands above her head, her dark brown hair falling against the chest and giving him a perfect view of her supple breasts….

Howl slammed his already aching head against the headboard and bit his lip to hide his acknowledgement that he'd seen her. His body was fully alert but he heard the water turn off and he quickly hid under the pillow, pretending to be asleep. His groin ached furiously but he refused to acknowledge it.

He listened closely to Korra's footsteps and exhaled when he realized she was walking to her closet and not towards him. He needed answers, but he needed to get out of here before she caught him and his… issue. He also had to get to his post. He knew that Sitch would be looking for him as soon as he didn't see him at breakfast. He didn't want his friend to find out about his relationship. But he remained still until he heard the closet doors shut and only then did he peek from under the covers, exhaling in relief that she was just finishing getting dressed.

"Howl," She said softly and he bit his lip, closing his eyes tightly. His head was throbbing beyond belief for more reasons than one. And her sensual whispers were doing nothing to help. He heard the bed creak and felt it sink under the pressure of the both of them. He didn't dare open his eyes, afraid that something might blurt out when he least wanted it to. His fingers dug into the pillow. Then he felt her cool hands on his skin, trailing on his throat. "Howl, wake up."

Don't you do it, Howl. Don't you dare open your eyes. It was too late though. Her words drew him out of his haze and his breathing picked up. He blinked as the lights penetrated his vision, leaving black dots sparkling in his gaze. The only thing he saw was her pretty face, her blue eyes observing his face in confusion. He groaned and shut his eyes again, realizing just how badly of an aching need his body was putting him through. He rolled over and buried his head in the pillow. Korra giggled and it drove him wild but he didn't dare show it. "I'm sorry if your head hurts. I don't think I ever want to drink again."

He couldn't be mad at her ever. She was perfect and, though she could be annoying, he loved the little quirks about her. Howl glanced over his shoulder just as she leaned in to kiss him, her lips brushing sympathetically against his. His stomach tightened. He had to get out of here. He had to get into the cold to cool his heating blood. But no, his hands reached up to cup her face and bring her closer to him. Their kiss intensified and though he was dying in more ways than one, he didn't want to let her go. She let out another slight giggle and pulled away, her wet hair brushing against his chest. "You have to go." She murmured, touching his lips gently.

Howl nodded and sat up. He held his breath, nervous that she would notice as soon as he threw the pelts back. Still, she was right. He was thankful to see her avert her gaze as he stood and grabbed his shirt, wincing as his head thudded uncomfortably. Then he noticed that he still wore his pants and relief surged through him. Nothing had happened. He felt his blood begin to cool and was thankful that he had been wearing a size too big pair of sweatpants.

Korra watched with interest as he grabbed his breastplate and slid it over his torso. His fingers were shaking as he struggled to position it properly. She stood from her spot on the bed and took his hands in hers. The quivers stopped as she set them by his sides and weaved her nimble fingers around the breastplate, readjusting his cloak around the chest piece. "Honestly, how do you get ready in the mornings?"

"Usually I'm not staring at a beautiful woman in the mornings." He blurted and instantly regretted it when he saw the shock of the comment register on her face. Then the regret faded when he noticed the pink tinge on her cheeks. Pride that he'd done something right surged through him. She shook her head as if she were trying to get the blush off of her face and stood on her tiptoes to kiss him. "Be careful, okay?"

"Why are you telling me to be careful? Aren't you supposed to be guarding me?" She questioned, putting his helmet on his head. Howl's stupid lopsided grin crawled onto his face and she kissed him again. "Go." She said. Her heart ached to tell him more but she bit her lip to keep from spilling over her secret. It could wait.

Howl was half way across the camp and nearing his post when Sitch found him. "Howl!" He shouted. Howl barely had time to glance over his shoulder before his friend nearly bowled him over, only adding to the billion things on his body that were in pain. "We gotta talk, friend."

Fear raced through him and his head thudded uncomfortably. "About?" He asked, climbing the ladder and pretending like nothing bothered him. He made his way to the seat on the sentry tower when Sitch met him again.

"About your books." Sitch shoved his hands into his pockets, waiting for the younger man to yell at him for sneaking through his stuff. He was surprised to hear Howl's low chuckles echo in his ears. "Man, it's not funny! They're pretty good… if you get past that ooey-gooey stuff that's for women."

"It's for women because they want a relationship like that, Sitch." Howl closed his eyes and rubbed his temples in agony. Stupid hangover. Stupid himself for drinking. Stupid staying in Korra's room and catching her in the shower and…. His blood instantly heated once more. There was no way, no way that he could get the image out of his head. It was like it was burned into his memory and he wasn't sure whether that was a good or bad thing. He hadn't wanted to go that far—ever—but now he was finding his resistance hard to maintain. "They like that stuff."

Sitch rolled his eyes. "How would you know, Mr. Romance? When was the last time you ever took one of those romance novels advice and used it on a woman?" Howl opened his mouth to explain just how he had and who he had used it on, but he wasn't sure whether Sitch could keep a secret. His lips pursed shut. "That's right, you haven't."

Hell I have. He thought, bits and pieces of the heated kissing he and Korra had experienced in the haze of the alcohol were beginning to return to him. "If you ask a woman what she would want, then you would know." Howl crossed his arms and gave a daring brow to Sitch. His head hurt like a thousand bumble flies swarming around and stinging him more times than he could count.

"Whatever," Sitch grumpily crossed his arms over his chest and pouted his lip out. He looked like a child when he did such, not like someone else he knew. He knew that Korra could bring him to his knees with such a look. On anyone else, it just looked silly. "Where were you this morning?" He asked. "Didn't see you at breakfast."

Howl stiffened slightly, his chest tightening at the question. He couldn't tell his comrade that he had fallen asleep in the Avatar's room, let alone that he'd been half naked and drunk at the time. Instead, he shrugged. "Avatar Korra thought her beloved pet was ill. I waited around and watched until it was time to take my watch."

"Oh." Sitch shrugged. "So anyways, last night we all sat around to listen to a probending match and…." His comrade's voice faded as his attention did. All he could think about was how perfect Korra's curves were, how perfect she was. He felt himself tightening and angrily tried to inhale all of the cold air he could. Still, his mind was flickering around the faint thoughts of her, feeling disrespectful for thinking about it. He loved her. He didn't want her to think he was some pervert who only wanted to make love (like Sitch). He wanted her to think of him as Howl, the one who cared for her the way only he should.

He needed to make sure she knew that. "…and then the Wolfbats won! Everybody got really giddy and no one could sleep." The words brought him out of his trance. The Wolfbats' win had been the last thing he clearly remembered, other than the kiss that Korra had given him when they had been victorious.

Across camp, Korra couldn't concentrate. Though her head hurt, she couldn't help but think of Howl and how close they had been to going all the way. She subconsciously waterbended her tea and sighed, forming it into a circle and plopping it in her mouth. Katara's old, white eyebrow rose slightly. "Is something bothering you, Avatar?" Though her master called her that, she knew she was talking to her motherly figure instead of the trainer.

Without glancing upwards, she shook her head and repeated the action with the tea. Her mind was pulled back into the images she'd seen last night. His sculpted stomach, the tattoo, the trail of dark black hairs leading down to his most private regions…. Her body gave a wonderful shiver that she didn't quite understand. She glanced at Katara and saw that the old woman's eyes were on her still. "I'm fine, Master Katara. I just have a headache."

"You're thinking about that boy too much," Katara concluded with a slight bout of humor in her voice. Korra dropped the tea ball she was about to drink, her mouth opened in shock. Katara let out a light hearted laugh and gave a warm smile towards the Avatar. "So it's true then."

"What's true?" She questioned, bending the tea from the ground and flinging it into the trash bin a bit away. Her heart beat had quickened to immeasurable speeds. She felt jittery, like a mouse-rabbit scurrying to their hole whenever they saw their own shadows.

"You like him. Howl, was his name?" The elder asked, folding her arms into her parka pockets. Korra felt like she was aflame with the questioning stare her mentor gave her. "So while the leaders of the White Lotus search the earth to find you a firebending master willing to train you, you've found yourself someone."

"Katara," She begged, the boiling point in her stomach heating up. "Please," She said under her breath, searching behind her for any possible sign that someone had heard them. "He could be fired."

The woman blinked before she nodded and lowered her gaze. "Avatar Korra, it may not be my business, but answer me one last question. Do you love this boy?"

"Of course," Korra blurted. When she realized what she said, her hand flew to her mouth and held it there for the longest time. Katara's face registered in shock; her pale blue eyes were wide, the wrinkles on her face evident in her disbelief. "I-I—" Her master said nothing but gave her an approving smile, standing from her seat at the tea table. "Where are you going?" She questioned, fear racing through her veins.

Katara didn't answer, but she held that smile until she walked outside. Korra groaned and flopped back, pinching the bridge of her nose in annoyance. There was no use now; the old woman may as well tell everyone.

It was later in the night that she felt like she could finally relax. She had searched endlessly for Katara until her bones ached. She hadn't seen Howl and her head was killing her. She wished she could use her new found healing abilities to make the painful headache just disappear, but there was too many things on her mind that she couldn't even properly form a fireball.

She wandered back to her room, her feet heavy and sore. She opened the door and was hit with a hot wave. Dropping her sparring equipment down on the floor, she started to undress. "Hey now," A husky voice whispered in her ear. She jumped and grinned, turning quickly and throwing her arms around his throat, leaving a trail of kisses up and down his cheek. Howl laughed softly, kissing her gently on the lips without a moment's hesitation.

"I missed you so much." She complained, pulling off his helmet within seconds of breaking off their kiss. Howl cupped her chin gently as she tangled her fingers in his black lengths. "You have no idea. I just want this day to be over with."

Howl wondered what had made the day so bad but he didn't mention it. Instead, he let her do what she wanted. She lightly tugged on his chest plate and untied the cloak from his shoulders. Her lips were planted on his neck as she worked, quick and messy. "Korra," He chuckled as she neared his ear with her incredible lips. "I can't stay."

Korra pulled back. "What? Why not?" She begged, dropping his cloak to the ground. Howl gave her a weak smile but knew it was nothing to bring back the mood. "I don't care if the other guards get suspicious, I need you here. Please, Howl." Howl chewed the inside of his lip when she jutted out her bottom lip and immediately regretted telling her that he couldn't stay. Hell, he wanted to stay and hold her all night like he had the previous two nights. "Just tell Sitch or whoever asks that you couldn't sleep and decided to take the night duty again."

"While that sounds like a good idea," Howl whispered, taking the helmet from her hands. "I just can't."

"Howllll." Her pout deepened and though he was managing to fight her pitiful look, his will was wavering. "I had a really bad day and I just want you to hold me." She dropped his breastplate to the ground and wrapped her arms around her waist.

How could he say no? She was too sweet, too precious. Howl opened his mouth to protest but Korra took his hesitation as an advantage and kissed him, her hands running down the front of his tunic. Her lips pressed gently against his while her tongue begged acceptance. Here was his decision; he could let her win and stay one more night or he could refuse her and go back to his barracks with a bunch of snoring…sweaty old men.

Well, then. There was no choice.

He succumbed to her wants immediately and let her tongue brawl against his. She'd won, once more, but it wasn't like he cared. Her fingers tugged gently on his tunic and, without breaking up their heated kiss, he allowed her to take his shirt off. Then she started pushing him back, back towards the bed where they had spent the previous night together. He was thankful that this time his mind wasn't hazy as she kissed him. He hadn't realized how good her tongue tasted against his as they struggled to fight for dominance. He undid her hair clips and sighed when her silky hair fell against his bare chest.

He propped himself up on his elbows so that she didn't have all of the control. She'd pinned him on the bed with her legs wrapped around his waist. Her lips moved to his jaw bone, making him hiss in pleasure. His stomach tightened as she trailed the very tip of her nails around each individual ab. Howl leaned forward and captured the cartilage on her ear with his teeth, gently nibbling on her ear. Satisfaction came when Korra exhaled a moan and stopped kissing him. His brow rose in confusion as she moved the single curl behind his ear.

"I love you Howl," She whispered, leaning down and kissing him gently on the lips. Howl's breath caught in his throat, shocked. She…she loved him? She loved… him? Wait a minute, that wasn't right. He'd loved her from the minute they'd met and she had been the one to say it first?

He was still struggling for control of his breathing but he said it. His words came out slightly strangled, "I love you, Korra." He meant it with all his heart. He loved her more than she knew, more than he could even comprehend. There wasn't a place he would rather be than at her side.