She sneaks around him on tiptoe, silent as can be. He can't know she's there.

But once she's past the guard post, Korra just runs for all she's worth and hopes he doesn't turn around.

Howl's her friend now, right? If he caught her sneaking out at midnight, he wouldn't care. Maybe he'd join her. Under the moonlight, just the two of them...

Because she's busy thinking about him, she trips.

The freaking avatar. And she slips on ice.

She pulls a glob of water out of the ice to catch her fall, but the damage is done. Howl whips around, shining his Future Industries lamp on her face.

"Hey! Intru- oh, it's just you, Korra." He lowers his lamp.

She cranes her neck up to look at the guard tower. "Just me? You sound disappointed."

"Night duty's boring. No action."

"I'm not boring."

With one fluid gesture, she bends a jetstream of water to propel herself up to face level with Howl.

"What are you doing out? I could whistle for my boss."

"Oh, c'mon, I'm just going for a walk. You're such a spoilsport."

"Am not!"

"You're boring."

He almost looks insulted. "Please. I have hundreds of girls yapping at my feet, I don't need you telling me I'm boring."

"Hundreds, huh?" And wouldn't you know, I'm one of them.

"Every girl south of Kyoshi Island. Except you, of course. You're the only sane one."

"I'm also too focused on my studies to care about boys." Even the exceptionally cute ones. "Or that's what my masters say."

Howl offers her a hand and helps her over the balcony rail and onto the guard station. "Very responsible."

"Sure, no dating until I'm a full-fledged avatar. And people complain that their parents are strict."

"You'll find a great guy, I'm sure of it. Someday, you'll be the one with hundreds of boys yapping at your feet."

"Oh, sure, marry the avatar because she's rich and powerful. None of them actually care."

He laughs quietly. "I do."

"You don't count."

"Do I? You seemed pretty interested in me at that party a few months ago."

"That was a dare, I told you. And you're a terrible dancer, Howl."

"I'm better than you." Just to prove his point, he drops his staff and starts doing some ridiculous dance move.

"Oh yeah?" Korra joins in, grabbing his hands and twirling around him. "I can beat you in a dance competition any day."

"Then why does it have to be a competition?"

They're spinning now, around and around, and she can't seem to stop herself anymore.

It's only a two-year difference, right? And why does anybody have to find out? She likes him. A lot.

A searchlight from another guard tower washes over them momentarily, and the smile drops from Howl's face.

"Go on, Korra, back to bed. I'm supposed to be watching for intruders."

"Have a little fun, once in a while. And besides, I can't sleep."

These days it's harder than ever, actually, to fall asleep. Korra's not sure what she's afraid of – everything's safe here. But in her dreams, this masked man keeps appearing, and she can't quite make out what he looks like, but that velvety voice... The nightmare keeps returning. And there's no one to talk to.

Something in her face must convince him, because he finally gives in. "Fine. But you can't go out alone."

"Then come with me."

And before he can protest, she swings her legs over the side of the rail and drops to the ground.

"Korra!"

"Hurry up, slowpoke! Or do you need me to catch your fall with some bending?"

Howl hesitates, then takes the jump as well. "Fine. But no funny business. We'll be back here before the sun rises."

"Okay, okay, fine, spoilsport."

They take Naga, riding nearly to the edge of the Southern Water Tribe, to her favorite point on the South Pole. It overlooks the ice for miles in every direction. This place always gives her a clear head. It's the only place she's ever been able to access the spirit world from.

The moon washes over the sleeping village, flooding everything with a soft blue light. Howl gasps, dismounting Naga and trekking to the precipice.

"Careful there."

He takes off his helmet, tossing it to one side. This is the first time Korra's seen him without a helmet, and his hair is dark and rumpled and she just wants to run her hands through it.

Instead, Korra crawls forward and snatches up the discarded helmet.

Howl turns around and bursts out laughing. The helmet's far too big, sinking down low on her face, crushing her ponytails. It looks ridiculous, she knows. So she joins in on his laughter. In the silence of midnight, the noise echoes around them, even long after they've stopped giggling.

He comes over to sit beside her. "Can I have my helmet back?"

"The magic word?"

"Can I have my helmet back, please?"

"The magic word is not please. It's flameo."

Rolling his eyes, he lifts the helmet off her head anyway. "You are such a teenager."

"Like you're not."

"I'm not childish and immature."

"Uh huh." Korra lies back, looking up at the stars. Then, after a moment, "Which is your favorite?"

"Constellation?" Howl, too, leans his head back beside hers. "I like the Platypus Bear."

"Why? It doesn't even look like a platypus bear."

"Then what does it look like?"

"You. There's a heavy resemblance."

"Oh, very funny."

For another moment, they just sit, staring up at the night sky.

"You know, you're going to do great things, Korra."

Even in the darkness, he can still see her blush.

"Not like Avatar Aang. I can't save the world. Did you know, he was the same age I am now, when he beat Ozai?"

"That's crazy."

"Fire Lord Zuko, he was only a year older than you."

"And a lot cooler."

"It doesn't matter. I can't do what they do. I'm not brave enough."

"You will be, when the time comes."

"Will you be there with me?"

"Sure, if you want. You trust me that much?"

"I don't have many friends here, Howl."

In fact, he's her only one. Which is why she can't seem to let him go. He's out of her league, but still...

The sky lightens. Howl bolts upright.

"Oh no, the sun's rising. We'd better get back before someone notices we're missing."

"Hey, I had a White Lotus guard with me. I won't get in trouble."

"Yeah, but I might."

So they head back without another word. Korra gets reprimanded, to be sure, but she still goes on with her bending studies for the day. Howl sleeps for a few hours before taking another shift. When they see each other later that day, it's like nothing ever happened. The sun rose and the moment passed, and that's that.