Genesis

The air was still and full of hot breath as the three of them panted quietly. There was a familiar aura of disbelief as the adults slowly wound down from their euphoric high.

Korra's mouth was agape as she met Mako's hazel gaze. Her chest felt heavy as she tried to catch her breath. She searched his eyes frantically, partly in disbelief...

He said it...

Her brows curved softly as she stammered to speak, peering at him like he had made a mistake. He wasn't supposed to say that...

How did everything come to such a screeching halt with three simple words?

Maybe he was just too hyped up on endorphins? She's said certain things during their times together too... But they agreed that was okay. It was okay to accept that comfort and longing.

No, this was different. Korra could tell by the expression on his face. He knew what he said and he meant it. This wasn't the same as acting on oversexed hormones.

Their foreheads touched ever so slightly as silence filled the space between them. Mako reached behind her and slowly unclamped the cuffs from her wrists. Korra's face slipped into the crook of his neck and she smelled the faint aroma of strawberries.

How could they be naked, covered in sex and sweat and yet what he said made her feel the most vulnerable? She batted back the water welling behind her lids, dampening her long lashes. Mako...

Once the cuffs were removed he heard her sigh in relief. He took her palms in his hands and began to massage her wrists. She had small markings there, but nothing too bad. Mako slowly circled his thumbs, stimulating blood to the surface.

He seemed to be waiting for her to say something, but she was at a loss for words. A knot forming in her throat as everything came crashing down around them. Every conversation, every argument, every lustful dance, every joke, every smile, every tear shed; everything. All of that time accumulated into this one moment. Korra was left so terribly overwhelmed.

Why would he pick right now all times to say that to her?!

Kuvira stood in the corner silently, although not by choice, and listened to Mako's confession. Her brows were raised in shock as she acknowledged the painfully obvious silence. The exchange between the two was intense to say the least.

She observed with careful eyes as she had always done. It was obvious the connection they had, she even envied it at times. How oblivious kindred souls they were, too distracted by the drama around them to acknowledge the little red string that bound them together. Korra was content living in this bubble of oblivion but that had been unfortunately popped.

Kuvira's only critique was how much of a moron Mako was. His timing couldn't have been any more inconvenient. She saw the change in Korra's body language. How she subversively withdrew herself, she was afraid.

Maybe confessing your love during a dominance play threesome wasn't the best idea.

"MHH!" Kuvira cried, growing tired herself with this shit show.

Korra laid back on his desk and closed her eyes, trying to collect herself.

The detective stepped back and walked up to Kuvira. The General murmured as he fished Korra's underwear of her mouth and dropped it. An involuntary stream of drool trailed down her lips as she was finally able to close her mouth.

She didn't say anything and barley looked him in the eye as he moved to unlatch his belt. He released her from the restrains and she rubbed her wrists trying to soothe the rug burn feeling.

As Mako backed away Kuvira swung her right hand across the side of his face. Her brows peaking as she smiled pleasingly.

Mako took the blow and clutched his chin, waiting for the stinging pain to subside. He could admit he probably deserved that. This whole scenario brought upon a side of him he didn't even know he possessed, but Korra always did that didn't she? Show him parts of himself he didn't acknowledge; whether that was good or bad traits.

Suddenly they heard the door close and quickly turned around to see that Korra was gone.

"Korra wait!" Mako exclaimed, buckling his pants.

"Let her go," Kuvira commented as she buttoned up her top and fixed her hair. "She probably has a lot to think about."

Mako pouted as he realized Kuvira was right.

He didn't feel any regret for what he said but by the pressure he unintentionally put on Korra to say it back to him and so suddenly.

It honestly just slipped out...

The pair quickly left the room and entered the main corridor. The evening was winding down and guests were going home for the night. No one seemed to have noticed they slipped away and they easily assimilated back into the festivities.

Kuvira located Beifong and Prince Wu, figuring now would be a good time to discuss his security situation.

Mako headed toward the door still self-consciously sprucing up his appearance. He hoped he didn't come off looking too unkempt.

He had half a mind to chase after Korra and make sure she was okay. He felt like there was a rock in his gut and internally knew he messed things up.

"Hey there you are!"

Mako turned to see a fellow officer dressed in a modest, green dress.

"I've been looking for you everywhere! Congrats detective!" She pulled some strands of hair behind her ear and smiled.

"Eta..." Mako greeted. He rubbed the back of his neck, trying to seem friendly although his social meter was completely depleted. "thank you."

Her green eyes brightened, "So back at Cabbage Cafe the other morning I had a really great time-"

Mako inwardly groaned, he could see where this was going and he really wasn't in the mood. Honestly he caught on to Eta's attraction to him and didn't want to be impolite and shoot her down. She was great company and learning about the Creeping Crystals was an added bonus, but he didn't really let himself feel anything further.

"I know it wasn't technically a date but I would like to-"

"I'm sorry," the detective interrupted, "I-I don't think I can..." He turned around and hurried away.

"O-oh okay. See you later then." She sighed, her shoulders slumping.

xxx

Mako walked into his flat and took his shoes off one at a time. He placed them neatly in the side cupboard by his door. Korra wasn't answering her phone and he tried not to worry. She needed some space understandably and he needed to get a hold of himself.

He walked down the hall, past the living room and saw Bolin pop up from his position on the couch. He'd be sleeping there for the week since Mako only had a one bedroom apartment. He had his phone pressed to his ear, assumingely chatting with Opal as he usually did every night.

"Hey bro...woah you okay?"

Mako turned, not realizing his visage had failed him. "I'm just gonna-" He pointed to his room, insinuating his need to shower and rest. "I'm going to head to bed-"

He stopped, looking at Bolin with a defeated glance. He didn't have the strength to lie anymore and didn't know who else he could turn to for help. The only person who knew about this set up with Korra was Kuvira and she certainly wasn't going to be any help to him.

He rounded the couch and Bolin sat up so that he could sit down. "Okay Opal, I'll call you tomorrow." Bolin replied before hanging up the phone.

"What happened?" His younger brother asked, "You look like you lost the championships again."

Mako held his palms together awkwardly as he mentally tried to word his current situation.

"I don't really know how to say this...um," He rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Korra and I-"

"You're dating aren't you?" Bolin finished.

Mako looked up at him in shock, "What? Where'd you get that idea from?"

He looked panicked for a moment, was it that obvious they were fooling around?

"Well..." Bolin began, "At the conference, one minute Korra is upset you're avoiding her. Then the next minute she's happily jogging past me to your room, and everything's fine..."

"I told you we were working threw it-" Mako added.

"I know, it seemed weirdly fast but I didn't question it. I was happy to see you two getting along after so many years" Bolin stared at him with knowing eyes, "Then today...I saw how you looked at her and how she looked at you. It just didn't seem like you were friends, it was different-"

"You're right.." Mako sighed. "It's very different."

"I'm not judging," Bolin reassured, "keeping a private relationship is good for some people."

Mako shrugged awkwardly, his bro was partly right although missing some important details.

The truth of the matter bubbled at the end of his tongue and he debated whether or not to tell him. Bolin he trusted more than anyone and knew he'd keep their conversation between the two of them.

Mako figured now was the best time to blow the lid off this whole situation. They just made new rules and he was about to break the most important one. He was sure after tonight Korra probably wouldn't want to continue their contract anyway so that didn't even matter now.

"So here's the thing-" He began.

Bolin sat in utter shock as Mako retold the entirety of the past few months, obviously leaving out the explicit details. His brother's face twisted into several different emotions as the story progressed. He silently weighed in on his opinion, although it was a lot to take in. Once Mako finished, he waited bashfully for his brother to respond.

"I-uh holy shit" Bolin stuttered. He had no idea Mako was this...experimental. Korra understandably, she never shied away from what she wanted, sexually or otherwise so he wasn't surprised there.

"At the beginning I wasn't ready to open up to her...I was ashamed of my actions in the past and didn't want to move on. So it was comforting to share in this one thing, just physical pleasure."

"Yeah yeah, I get that." Bolin voiced.

"Naturally we got closer, more comfortable and I learned to have faith in her faith in me..."

Mako sighed, glancing at Bolin who silently encouraged him to continue. He was never a talent at articulating how he felt so this was needed.

"And I began to see myself the way she sees me. Someone worth a second chance. Someone that could be a good friend to her again. Then it just clicked, us together again. I-I just woke up one day and couldn't look at her the same way anymore..."

Bolin was googly-eyed as he listened to his brother express his sensitivity. It was honestly so refreshing to hear him be so vulnerable and sure enough, he knew Korra was cable of bringing that side of him out.

"Thats beautiful Mako..."

"Ugh!" Mako exclaimed hopping to his feet, he raked his fingers threw his hair in frustration. "Then I stupidly decide to mess everything up!"

He paced around the living room with his hands on his hips.

"Did you though?" Bolin asked, "You were just being honest. That's how you feel."

"Korra does not want to take advantage of me." Mako retorted, "This was just supposed to be sex!"

Bolin was surprised how mature this entire ordeal was planned out. It seemed like Korra covered all of their bases before deciding to do this. Korra was very straight forward about just being friends with benefits; keyword friends.

"That's how she feels now, I know it." Which was probably why she wasn't answering her phone.

"Do you feel that way?" Bolin asked. "That she's taking advantage of you."

Mako plopped down on the couch, a sharp feeling twisting in his chest. "I feel pathetic acknowledging this but...it's better than nothing."

Korra wasn't knowingly taking advantage of him, but he had grown accustom to having her in his life this way. He was starting to blur that line without telling her and now, he was hooked. So by definition, Korra had the upper hand; which is not what she wanted or what they agreed.

Bolin rubbed his cheek, "Hmm...This is fucked."

"Tell me about it." Mako groaned.

"Do you know how Korra feels?" Bolin asked.

Mako hummed lowly as he pondered the conversations they've shared. The small little moments they've had together. There was more to them now, that exceeded the limits of their "No strings attached" agreement, he could feel it. He just jumped the gun too soon. He got caught in the moment and now might have to deal with the consequences of being cut off completely.

"I know she doesn't want another relationship bro. The last thing she wants right now is to be tied down," He laid his head back on the cushion and stared blankly at the ceiling.

"Korra had no problem being with other people..." Mako replied, "But I couldn't..."

He felt horrible for potentially leading Eta on. She was a great woman and Mako took her to lunch and breakfast as a gesture to be kind, but there was a part of him that wanted to see if he could truly make a connection with someone else.

In the end, "I couldn't stop coming back to her."

Bolin slapped his hand on his brother's shoulder. "Well then, can you just be her friend? You know, without the benefits?"

Mako sucked in a harsh breath, it was crazy how they somehow ended up back where they started and he was met with the same scenario.

He ran his hand across his jaw as his eyes softened. This time, like he stated before, he wasn't going to run away.

Korra rolled over on her bed as apparently she had fallen asleep. She saw her makeup smudged across her pillowcase and tossed the dirtied pillow off her bed. Naga laid by her feet happily dreaming peacefully and Korra envied her innocent notion of the world. What she'd give to be able to sleep and eat all day, free of work, chores and emotional stress.

She sat up, still in her dress and honestly didn't care or have the motivation to change. The princess looked just as bent out of shape as she felt.

Her head ached and eyes felt puffy from copious amounts of crying. Not even sleep could be her escape from dealing with the pandora box that was just opened. She couldn't get his voice out of her head.

I love you...he said.

"Fuck!" She silently yelled, not wanting to disturb her dog. She drapped her arm over her face as tears began to slide down her cheeks.

She thought they had everything under control, that they weren't getting too carried away, sustaining the fire so to speak.

Yes, there was a connection there, and yes they were entertaining their desires, but it wasn't supposed to get this far.

How long did Mako feel this way? Why didn't he say anything earlier?

She tried to recall their past few interactions, deciphering just how clueless she really was. Maybe she missed something or he was just God-like at hiding his true feelings from her.

Suddenly she remembered what should have been a dead giveaway.

"You're my girl Korra...You always have been..."

She scoffed in disbelief, shaking her head at her naivety. There wasn't any difference between what he said then and what he said tonight. He wasn't sugarcoating anything, he was just buying time.

It was always her...

Korra's chest felt so heavy realizing this. It just made her feel like how she initially feared. That she would be taking advantage of him and his love for her.

This was supposed to be mutual give and take, they were both supposed to be satisfied. But what the hell kind of a reward was it to be so physically intimate with someone who was obliviously avoiding their feelings? Emotionally blocked off from you...

Mako was definitely getting the short end of the stick. He was in love with her but he was trying not to pressure her into a relationship if she wasn't ready for that.

Korra hummed silently, deciding to finally allow herself to ask the important question I'm sure everyone needed to know.

Was she ready for that?

She traced a random shape in her duvet with her finger as she pondered just how she felt in that moment. When he confessed to her it felt surreal, granted extremely inconvenient, but advantageous. She wanted to hear him say that for so long.

The princess stubbornly wiped her wet cheeks, so fucking long...

She remembered screaming that in his face the morning after her drunken tirade. How if given the chance, she hoped they could try again.

However, it was easier to want that back then when it was only him and her to worry about. At that time Korra was convinced she would never even see Asami again, let alone propose to be friends. So the obvious choice was to seek out physical comfort from your ex right?! What could be more simple!?

Korra wiped her palms heavily across her face. She kept thinking about everyone else she had tangled up in her web of emotional instability, because for whatever fucking reason Mako just wasn't enough!? !

Kuvira, Tahno, and even Asami, who she told to steer clear of her, but that was only so she wasn't sucked into this mess as well, drowned by Korra's siren song. Iroh was stable and efficient, Korra was a fucking mess.

"UUGGGGGHHHH!" She groaned.

Naga stirred a little, her ears twitching, but she didn't wake up.

She picked up her phone to see several texts and missed calls from Kuvira and Mako. She outwardly groaned throwing her phone on her bed face down. She didn't like ignoring them but it was mental and emotional overload to try and express how she felt right now. She needed to have all her ducks in a row before she faced them again, especially Mako.

When you care for so many people, you don't want anyone to get hurt, but that was inevitable wasn't it? She couldn't run off into the sunset with all of them. No wonder Tahno warned not to catch feelings, it made everything worse.

The princess cringed as she remembered what Tenzin advised.

Ponder where you want this to end, because eventually it will...

"Why was he always right?" She complained.

Korra took several breaths, trying to calm down. This was too much to deal with right now...

She stepped out of bed, grabbing nothing but her phone and stalked out of her room. She filled Naga's food and water and walked out the front door, not turning back. Korra was greeted by chilly nightfall as she dialed his number, praying he would answer. It was around 10 o'clock and she figured, he who never sleeps, would still be up.

After a few rings she luckily got an answer.

"Hello?" He chimed.

"Are you busy?" Korra replied, her voice sounding a bit shaken as she wiped her cheeks.

"Some of us don't have the luxury of parading around in fancy dresses all day princess. I'm at work."

"I'll go there then." She replied ending the line.

Tahno pulled his phone away from his face and stared at the screen.

That was random as hell and why did she sound like that? Usually if Korra wanted to drop by she did. She knew his work schedule pretty well so it was strange of her to call first. He got the intense feeling that something was wrong.

It was around 10:30 and he was happy the place was calm for a Saturday night. Couples young and old were out on the dance floor, swaying to the rhythm of the band playing. He closed in about half an hour and his mind drifted to the sweet promise of a nice hot shower and his plush bed.

Tahno leaned against his countertop waiting for Korra to arrive. He tried to decipher what could have possibly gone wrong. He watched Mako's promotion on tv and everything seemed peachy. That's not how she sounded on the phone though, her voice was fragile, like she had been crying.

Asami was there...maybe some shit did go down?

In the corner of his eyes he saw a figure approach him and turned to see Korra walking up to him. He silently questioned why she was still dressed for Mako's promotion, admit flats instead of heels. Even her makeup was faded and a bit messy from a long day of wear and tear.

Korra wasn't the type to obsess over her looks but she did care to dress nicely. Which told him this meet up of hers wasn't planned if she showed up looking this disoriented.

"Tahno." She sighed, her voice cracking.

He stepped up to her and took her hand, no words to his actions. They walked out onto the dimly lit dance floor and he placed her palm on his shoulder. His right hand curved around her waist. She placed her right hand into his left and they started to slow dance.

Korra silently looked around, allowing the relaxing music to persuade her mood. It was calming but with a brisk tempo, the piano and saxophone sounded like a rhythmic conversation.

After a few paces she relaxed and her face naturally rested against the center of his chest.

"Getting drunk on a Saturday...I like it," he joked, trying to ease her into the conversation.

"No, I just wanted to see you..." She muttered. Her eyes lowly panning over the people who danced around them.

Tahno leaned down to her height, his nose subtly trailing into her hair. Why did she smell like strawberries?

"So it's safe to say I didn't scare you away after our date?" He asked.

Korra hummed, the corners of her mouth turning upward slightly. That was something she didn't mind reminiscing about. It was a pleasant surprise how much he enjoyed their time together.

"No no you didn't." She looked up at him earnestly, "I really loved it. Thank you..." She laid her head back down against his chest, unable to hold his gaze longer than a few seconds. She felt so physically and emotionally tired and yet he seemed to replenish her strength.

"I like being with you... It's easy..."

Korra was silently trying to break down all of her soul ties and thought it best to start with Tahno. Their friendship had the potential to move in certain directions and she knew he'd be honest and upfront with what he wanted from her.

Tahno lifted her chin so he could meet her eyes, a titillating feeling twisting in his chest when she said that. Korra gazed back at him, her expression searching. She leaned forward slightly as he glanced at her lips momentarily.

"You callin' me easy?" He joked.

Korra clicked her teeth as she smirked comically. Not entirely mustering up a laugh but succumbing to his stupid sarcasm. "God...I hate you." She buried her face into his chest. He didn't take anything to heart and honestly, that's what she needed right now, so she welcomed it.

"I'm glad you think so..." He replied more seriously.

After their date there was a part of him that hoped it wouldn't drastically change their friendship, it seemed to have done the opposite, so he was grateful.

He held her close, continuing their slow steps around and around in trailing circles.

"You're the only one that doesn't want anything from me..." Korra breathed, her thoughts manifesting in her words. "I can just exist..."

She didn't have to think about where she stood with him. There wasn't any underling expectations or judgements. Their date for example, they went way further than ever before and yet Tahno wasn't expecting a girlfriend out of the situation. It just happen and it was mutually accepted as that.

Tahno shrugged, "What more do I need?"

Korra looked up at him confused. He met her gaze with a demure look on his face.

"I'm your friend first and foremost. That's never going to change. I'm always going to be here for you Korra."

She placed her hands on his chest as he hugged his arms around her waist.

"I don't have to be your boyfriend or partner to have a meaningful relationship with you. Most people aren't like me and that's fine, monogamy is very much the norm. I understand I'm a very open person. I like to just go with the flow you know? No pressure to attach a title."

Korra looked at him, reading his gaze. There was honesty in his words and she felt a sense of relief. That was one person she could cross off her list of suitors to disappoint.

"And you're okay with that?" She asked. "To just be-"

"That's the thing Korra, I don't have to be anything..." Tahno replied.

He understood the pressure and expectations that came with labels and he abandoned the need for those years ago.

"Whether that's a shoulder to cry on..." he whispered in her ear, "or a face to sit on..." Korra looked away, trying not to blush.

"That's fine with me...I feel good when I'm around you, you feel good when you're around me, it's simple...I can be... a "no label" if you will" he smirked.

Korra smiled, she actually liked how that sounded.

Caleb shouted to Tahno from behind the bar counter, "Closing in five!" He announced.

Korra held on to him anxiously, she didn't want to leave just yet. She was finally starting to clear her head. She would rather spend the evening keeping Tahno company than go home by herself.

"I gotta starting shutting down for the night," Tahno spoke.

Korra nodded, "That's fine, then lets go home..."

Her friend met her gaze, please by what she insinuated.

Tahno knocked a few times before opening his door. Korra stood at the foot of the bed in his guest bedroom waiting for him to return.

He had a folded pair of grey boxers and a black shirt in his hands. "Ah, um is this good to sleep in?" He asked.

Korra walked up to him and took the items of clothing gratefully, "Yeah, thanks."

He brushed his hair out of his face and yawned. His lightly colored eyes were low and heavy. It was almost midnight by the time they got back to his house and she was really appreciative he let her stay the night.

"I don't usually harbor fugitives, but I'll make an exception." He smirked.

Korra hitched a cab to his bar and didn't have any other belongings. Tahno entertained her need to get away for a bit. However that didn't mean he wouldn't settle things later on.

"You're a life saver." Korra replied. She heaved a big sigh and he caught a small glimpse of sadness in her eyes.

"...What did he do?" Tahno asked.

Korra perked up a bit, trying to cover up her somber appearance. "W-what do you mean?"

Tahno picked her phone off the bed and showed her the several missed notifications. "Didn't think I'd notice this?"

Korra took her phone from him and stubbornly turned it off.

Tahno hummed skeptically. Not to mention her decision to leave her car parked at her house, so that they didn't know where she was. She was clearly avoiding someone and he didn't have to guess that person was Mako.

Korra looked up at him bashfully, her lips twisting as she stammered to speak. "he...um, he told me loved me."

There was silence as Tahno's face looked shocked for a moment. After a second to reboot he rolled his eyes into the back of his skull.

"Oh fucking hell!" He exclaimed.

"Tahno don't start." She whined, not looking forward to his judgement.

"This the same man who shat his pants when you told him you missed him?!"

Korra groaned, "That was weeks ago! Please. We're past that..." She dropped her head in her hands, emotions bubbling in her chest again.

"Obviously you're not. Where the Hell did this even come from?"

"I don't know what to do..." Korra sighed.

"Korra you don't owe anyone anything!" He replied, surprising himself by how stern he sounded.

"Not me, not Mako, not Kuvira...You've been honest with them right?"

"Yes," She muttered.

"You told them what you needed and what they were getting in return yes?"

"Yes."

"So it's not your fault that he caught feelings!"

"So did I!" Korra yelled. Her eyes were shaking as she cupped her mouth. "oh fuck..." She sat down and buried her face into her knees.

"w-what?" Tahno stammered.

"S-so did I..." Korra whispered. "I did the one thing you told me not to do..."

Tahno sighed, swallowing his brunt tendencies. Korra was clearly convicted and he didn't have to guess why. She was at a crossroads now unintentionally forced upon her by Mako's little confession.

He knelt down in front of her and placed his hand on her knee.

"Do you remember what you said when I asked you why you wanted to try this with Mako?"

"Yes," Korra mumbled into her palms.

"Tell me again..." he ordered.

Korra huffed, "I said that I loved being with him...it felt like old times..."

"And does it still feel that way?"

Korra peaked up at him, "No, it feels better now."

Way better, because they were more open now. Less hot headed and willing to work through their shortcomings. Throughout this whole journey Mako continued to surprise her with his growth and ability to adapt for her and she for him.

She evolved past the need to heal from her break up and now she just found enjoyment in being with him.

Tahno nodded, "so...just be honest with yourself. Do you love him too?"

Korra gazed at him longingly, she felt like she was divulging a secret.

"I do love him..." she confessed. "I love him so much..."

Tahno cupped her cheek, seeing how relieved she looked. He swiped the singular tear that rolled down her cheek.

"Then really nothing else matters..." He shrugged. Just as easily as she started this, she could stop it. It was crazy to think that this all started with Tahno's blunt advise, and it was concluding the same way.

He stood and headed toward the door; a small knot forming in his throat. He stretched his arms over his head and yawned again, trying to play it off. "After we get cleaned up, you want a late dinner or something?"

"Yeah.." Korra breathed, she wiped her eyes and looked down to see the faint pigment from her eyeliner, she probably looked a mess right now.

As Tahno closed her door, she remained sitting there, continuing to unravel her web.

(Next chapter is already written...you know what to do!)