She really should be training, and he really should be getting ready for Patrol...

They both know this, but honestly, the two of them feel like being selfish and irresponsible for once in their both very hard and perilous lives. Call it teenage rebellion, or maybe it was just building for all this time and found a reason to crumble when in the quiet company of each other.

Either way, it's tempting.

Besides, the Avatar and a war hero deserve a little break, don't they?

These are Korra's thoughts as she plops down on the couch in the Arena's attic; the whole place newly rebuilt months after the Revolution. She was almost too timid to come back here; taking one step inside the building floods horrid memories into her. Ones where she and Mako are running for their lives down these very halls, a monster on their heels, bending and breaking and stretching their very bodies, tearing their tendons and poisoning their blood, and finding pleasure from the screaming that comes from their whining mouths. The storage room, just down two floors, where her bending had been taken for nearly forever; her very identity and soul. The ghostly flashbacks whisper sorrow up through the floorboards and seep into the Attic where she lay on the couch; whimsical, gazing at the Firebender with honey on her lips. The fear of what once happened here, threatening to make her bolt and swim across the bay until she reaches the safety of the Island.

But she came here for him.

She will not let the fear win.

Korra being Korra, frustrated with all the practice, and feeling like she should get a reward for finally being able to do many successful Airbending moves, wanted to test her prowess on something else.

After days and days of being the Avatar, she wants to be Korra.

Just Korra. The Korra that was enough for him to confess his love.

For once, she wants to be able to be flawed for everything and everyone but him, instead of having to be the world's perfect bringer of peace that she can only surmise, yet never achieve.

He is surprised when she comes up the stairs and sits down without a word; a frustrated pout on her face that softens once their eyes meet. He is in the middle of putting on his uniform and willing his mind to tell himself that Bolin will be fine during his Pro-bending match that he really wishes he could see to cheer him on.

Yet, he is a Police Man now, and he has a job to the City, a badge proving his determination.

He is thinking he is going to be late and cannot have Cheif think he is a slacker...

But then, he realizes how adorable she looks with her hair all whipped and windblown and her lips turned up, just starting at him in the reflection of the mirror.

The person he used to be would get angry at her and tell her get lost because he has a job to do and is going to be late.

But now, he is a new man.

He has realized there are more important things than just work work work and survive survive survive.

He and his brother's livelihoods aren't fully dependent anymore on his ability to work and gain money.

He doesn't have to be alone anymore, because he has her.

No, he has a life now.

He can afford to live it, and be reckless.

Besides, who was going to tell him "no"?

He could afford to miss a day, and make an excuse for Lin in the morning, just this once.

He smirks back at her, unbinding his badge from his shirt. He places it on the table where her gleaming eyes shine back at him with mirth.

He spins on his heels and opens his arms to let her in his cocoon embrace; she fits in so snug.

"You're cute when you pout," he whispers against her ear, "How was your day?"

"You smell nice," is her relevant replay, "Who knew cops smelt like coffee? I thought you didn't like coffee... and..." she sniffs him again, "Does that sent happen to be cologne, City Boy?"

"Gotta be my best, ya know?" he smiles, "Intimidating. Can't beat the jerkbenders smelling like dirty laundry and Pabu fuzz, now can I?"

"I bet you could. Bet you'd beat them all just like you've always done, Mr Hero. Although..." Korra glances at the table where a spray bottle is resting; a devilish grin spreading up her mouth, "smelling like 'panda-lilies in a summer breeze' does spread shivers done my spine!"

A flush runs up Mako's cheeks, "I-is it too much? Bolin and I spent an hour yesterday smelling, like, every bottle there! The sales guy said it would work!"

A chuckle instantly comes out of Korra's mouth, "For who?" she teases, "For me, or the baddies? 'The Flower of Fear' is the next best smell this season, haven't you heard?"

Mako's flustered face makes her chuckle more. "I-I..B-both...?" he tries, rubbing a hand through his hair, "I'm not sure what the correct answer is here..."

She pokes his nose and winks, "Both," she murmurs, "Definitely both."

"So I take it you don't want to talk about your day, huh?"

She shakes her head, "Kiss me. Please, make me feel like Korra and not the Avatar for once. Kiss me."

And lips lock; stubble graining against her cheek, joyful moans intermixing in the otherwise silent attic.

"You're everything to me." he breaks for air, "You don't know how much I want you to know that. You're not just the Avatar- you're Korra. You make me feel like it's okay to be broken."

"We can be broken together," she breathes, breathless.

"Hey, Korra?"

"Hmm?" She clenches a fistful of his shirt.

He licks his lips, tasting the honey from her tea, "I really like you and I think we were meant for each other,"

She looks into his eyes and feels flickering amber heating her heart and spreading warmth through her veins- warmth that she knows will protect her forever.

"Forever," she promises, and joins his lips again, their chests pressing together as he leans against the wall.

And her lips trail his-never leaving- as he leads her to the couch where she lays on her back; passion and more, hiding in his wordless promises.

Forever, smelling just as she always hoped; never fading.

Feeling very romantic! Lol! Let me know what you think! I was wondering if I should continue with this story...make every chapter a different scene between them? Hmmm? Shall I? Mind mind cannot decide on its own! :)

Shall I continue? Yay, or nay...?

Please read and review my fangirl friends, please! May the love be with you! :)