A/N Song for this chapter is Everything But Me by Daughtry

Chapter 26

Their clothes were being thrown to the ground by a feisty Avatar as soon as the door was closed and the world was shut out around them. Their lips were in a heated embrace, a passionate fervor. Their hands roamed each other's bodies and, although they had done this twice before, she felt nervous. This was her turn to shine, her turn to make him feel the most intense passion he could. It was the last time, she knew, that this would ever happen. Though she loved him, she wondered why her feelings had betrayed her and convinced her that life without him would be better.

Off flew his helmet and down came her hair. His golden honey eyes were bright with humor as their lips parted for a breath of air. Then they were shut in seconds as their touches grew more intense, the heat beginning in her toes. It rose, lingered in her most sensitive area, before continuing onwards. Maybe she would change her mind after this was done. Maybe her heart would beg her to bring the man along.

Off came his breastplate and her parka. His fingers slipped under her tight shirt and crept up her side as hers trailed down his clothed body, finding his arousal and giving him a gentle squeeze. Their kiss froze for a moment as he struggled to catch his breath, his eyes squeezed shut from pleasure. Korra reached up to touch his soft cheek, and moved his long hair out of his face. How would she forget that face? The face of her first love?

Off came his turtleneck and her shirt. Howl begged to deepen the kiss, his tongue poking expectantly at her lips. She gave him as much admittance as he needed, her fingertips tracing the outline of his abs. His fingers tangled themselves into their hair as they usually did. Why couldn't she just bring him with her? Was it because she wanted so much freedom that she had to escape everything?

She tugged at the wrappings that covered her breasts and instantly they pooled at the lovers' feet. Howl's hand instantly cupped the bare skin, his finger brushing against the nipple and making her yelp in ecstasy. The simple touch sent screams of pleasure down her body. She needed this, needed him, needed his every piece fitting and locking. She needed to make him feel like this.

Korra felt his other hand slip into her pants and she unexpectedly blushed. He cupped her soft, shaven area and teased her with the gentlest of touches. Her body was rigid with his outgoing new attitude, the attitude that hadn't paused the moment she'd dragged him from his tower. She wondered if he knew something was up, but the thought faded as soon as his lips and tongue left hers to encase her nipple. Her breath caught in a sharp, pleasured gasp. Her entire body was shaking.

Howl removed his hand then and picked her up, carrying her to her bed. Her mind was lost of all thoughts and dreams and worries, replaced with agonizing lust and infatuation. His tongue continued to massage her breast and her air kept leaving her like she'd been whacked by Naga's tail. Subconsciously, her hand found the hem of his pants and she quickly yanked at it. Without a second thought, Howl stood and discarded of the item. She blinked as she watched him throw the rest of his clothes off and stand full nude.

She'd almost forgotten what she wanted to do as he returned to her, his member pressing against her sweatpants, his kisses lingering just above her nipple. Korra moved and, just as quickly as he had, tugged her remaining clothes off and brought him closer. Her hands laced around his throat, massaging the aching muscles in his neck. Without hesitation, she used an earthbending move that her master had taught her and hooked his leg, flipping him onto his back. Howl's golden eyes showed the shock he emitted as his eyes widened with recognition. Korra touched her lips to the hard skin along his sternum before trailing down.

She felt his legs twitching underneath her palms as her mouth grew closer and closer to his strong member. Her fleshy lips met the trail of dark hairs trailing into his lower regions. Spirits, she was close. She hadn't really been thinking when she'd started the trail. Her knowledge of the subject fled so quickly that she couldn't breathe. Then, out of instinct, she leaned further and kissed the very tip of his aching member and her him groan from the ecstasy.

Without warning, Howl moved underneath her to where he was on top again. Angry that she'd been so careless and let him dominate her, she squirmed. That is, until his chapped lips met the softest part of her thigh and her mind went white with satisfaction. She couldn't hear herself crying out at his gentle touch until his lips crashed against hers and brought her back to the cruel reality of everything. She had to find a way to get him to quit his job and escape with her. She needed this every night until her own life ended.

But she had to get back on top. He'd promised her. All Korra did was push against his chest with her finger and instantly, Howl complied. He fell against the plethora of pillows and lay sprawled out in front of her. She gulped subconsciously. What if she did something wrong? No, she screamed at herself as she climbed up his body and placed her lower half against his throbbing member. Howl moaned out, his deep, throaty cry turning her on more and more. She placed either knee on the side of his body and kissed his throat, reaching under her to guide him into her body.

She knew that there would be some discomfort but found that there truly was none. Her body had grown used to this sudden pain and changed it to thrill, to zesty pleasure. Howl's moans were growing louder and louder and she couldn't lean up to hush him with her lips, so she placed her finger against his mouth. His golden eyes soothed her aching heart as she started to move; up and down, up and down. His hips slowly began to buck with her quick, shaking bounces, his gaze holding hers captive. Her throat ached as she continued to suck in loads of air, unable to sate the need for him and the need for oxygen.

Howl's nails dug into her legs as she began bouncing faster, the pressure in her stomach building up faster and faster as she tried to force it away. Her body was screaming with tingles and her voice grew higher pitched with ecstasy. His name was just barely escaping her lips as their hips slammed together, rising and falling, before she felt the searing whiteness begin to rip through her. Her body began to twitch and she screamed into the blank air.

She wasn't sure when she came back around, but she felt dirty when she did. She hadn't felt like that the last time they'd made love. Howl's protective arms wrapped around her as she collapsed onto the bed beside him, his fingers intertwining with hers. Her throat burned as the air reluctantly returned to her. "I love you Korra," He whispered softly into her ear. "Never leave me."

Her heart wasn't crushed.

Why wasn't she feeling like she had literally two minutes prior? Begging for his searing touch, for his lips on her skin, for his pleasing acts? She was so confused and broken and weary that she didn't answer. She had to get out of there. She had to leave before the painful thought of leaving him returned.

Korra kissed his nose gently after she was sure he was asleep and walked to the bathroom. Her body felt tattered and used as she splashed water against her face, trying to rid herself of that horrible feeling. She still loved him, with all her heart, but she knew that the love for freedom was more. And she honestly wanted to be free from everything.

She sunk to the cold metal floor and dug her fingers into her scalp. Why was love so hard? Why was he the only friend she'd ever had? Why couldn't she just be normal and have all of the boys follow her? Why had she fallen for someone so impossible to love? Someone who loved his job more than anyone in the entire world? Her mind swirled with questions and, though Korra knew what she had to do, she didn't like it. Her hands slowly untangled themselves and she set to the desk she'd convinced the Order to return to her, pulling out her favorite set of paper and pen and scribbled down a note.

She couldn't say goodbye in person and she most certainly couldn't face Howl the minute he found the note.

He was so content that it hurt to even think about her. Her beautiful curves, her long, muscular legs. The passionate moments she'd given him, the dreams she'd created. He was so desperately in love with her that he knew the necklace was a good idea.

The necklace. It was still in his pants pocket, in a pile under the rest of their mingling clothes. He should give it to her. He should give it to her and express the feelings he'd wanted to say for so long. He didn't want to just love her; he wanted to be the man she married and held for the rest of her lifetime. He wanted to be the father of her children. He wanted to be her best friend until the sun dimmed below the horizon. He wanted to hold her hand and stargaze, hold her hand and watch the sunset, in the perfect house. He wanted to be able to hear her screams, not muffled moans.

He had to give it to her. He would give it to her even if she was asleep. He had to be the one to put it around her neck and kiss the moonstone before he kissed her. He had to. It was a matter of living or dying and he really preferred living. His eyes shot open and he went to wake her, his pride hitting him hard in the chest. He would do this and they would make love again and they would leave. He would quit his job, he was sure of it, he would run away with her. He wouldn't let the Order get in the way anymore.

He pulled back the covers that hid Korra and found pillows in her place. Shaped like a sprawled out Avatar. Panic flooded his mind. Korra was gone. Korra had been kidnapped and he had just had happy dreams. He threw the sheets clean off of the bed and struggled to pull his pants on when his eye caught on a note laying on the floor. His heart thudded. A ransom note, he was positive of it. He yanked on his sweatpants and grabbed the necklace, holding on to it as he picked up the letter.

It was only then did he recognize the handwriting.

His eyes hardly scanned over the scribbles before he threw it down and gathered his tunic, shoving his clothes on but leaving the armor out. His body was shaking in fear as he raced out of the door and into a snowy death. He didn't care. He had to stop her, to tell her he was coming along. He had to reach her before she left him behind. He raced through the whipping wind as the ice cut through his pants and sliced his ankles. He didn't care.

He hardly had time to see the massive, blue iron door slam shut with the love of his life on the other side.

The necklace in his hands fell to the ground and was buried in the snow.