Forever.

That's how long Mako felt he'd been away from Air Temple Island.

In reality, it had been a week. He tried to visit at least once a week, feeling guilty about how hard it was to be around Korra right now. The tension between them was gone, but he felt like every other emotion was gone as well. Korra didn't seem to care much whether he was there or not. Not that that would have deterred him. Korra didn't seem to care much about anything right now.

Still, since the day of Jinora's ceremony, Mako found himself finding reasons to avoid the island.

It had been a crazy few weeks, after all. The city was still dealing with Harmonic Convergence and he'd been busy digging around for any trace of the Red Lotus. He had to make sure it was safe. For Korra.

It was a lie and he knew it.

As he made his way to the Air Temple's main room, he finally admitted to himself that he came so infrequently because he was avoiding Korra.

Seeing Korra so broken ate at Mako because he didn't know how to fix it. He felt helpless. And then he always felt guilty, because he had no right to feel that way when he had full use of his arms and legs. Mako wished he knew how to help though. What if he reached out and she rebuffed him? What if he only made Korra feel worse? What if he did something that made Korra hate him? Hate might be worse than her indifference.

But here he was. Because eventually his need to see Korra always overcame his fear of what he would see.

Senna took one look at Mako and sent him in the direction of the training rooms, telling him the room that had been outfitted as a physical training room. Mako wasn't surprised, he knew Korra had been cleared to start physical therapy this week. Now that he and Bolin had moved back to Republic City, Asami stopped by often to tell them how Korra was doing. She said it was because Bolin asked, but Mako saw through her convenient timing and their disinterested attempts to include him in their conversations.

Even without Senna's directions, it wasn't hard to find the right room.

He just followed the yelling.

The words were unintelligible at first, the heated voice causing his heartbeat to quicken. The shouting stopped and a bright, soothing voice spoke.

"…let's not give up just yet, Avatar Korra."

"I said I need a minute." Korra's voice sound pinched as it rose with each word. The woman never would admit when she was in pain.

"Avatar Korra..."

"It's Korra! Just call me Korra!"

Mako entered to a strange stand-off.

The therapist stood behind Korra. Korra was glaring at her, a death grip on a set of parallel bars. Every muscle in her arms was tense and bulging. He thought he saw the wooden pole starting to smolder under one of her hands. It was the most emotion he'd seen from her since the poisoning.

"Okay," Mako said, reacting on instinct, "I think we're done here." He grabbed the wheelchair, bringing it to Korra and helping her sit. She didn't look at him. Didn't fight.

"Sir, I…"

"Thank you for your time, but I have an appointment with the Avatar."

He thought he saw Korra flinch at that.

The woman looked a bit peeved, but she didn't protest as he wheeled Korra out of the room and down the hall.

Neither did Korra. He found that disappointing. Not nearly as disappointing, however, as the way her face had closed off when she saw him. Her anger was gone. Her hands rested calmly in her lap, hair falling in her face as she bowed her head.

His heart broke all over again. It had done that a lot over the last five weeks.

Mako kept walking. He had no idea what he was doing or where they were going. Probably, he should just find Senna or Pema or Asami if she was here and let them deal with it. Mako didn't know how to deal with this Korra. Hate would be better than this, he realized. A thousand lifetimes with her yelling and red-faced was preferable to the defeated woman before him.

Despite his looming inadequacy, Mako couldn't quite bring himself to part from Korra just yet. Her glare, her angry voice…they were the most he had seen of the real Korra in so long.

Eventually, Mako found himself gravitating towards the ferry. Leaning back so that Korra's wheelchair didn't pull them down the incline too fast, Mako headed for the water. Back when they'd been dating, he and Korra spent a lot of time at this beach. As the paved ramp came to a stop, Mako slowed, stopping just under the arch. Maybe…

"The chair won't go in the sand," he said. "Do you want to stay here, or go out to the water?"

Korra's head came up. She blinked, noticing where they were for the first time.

Her eyes were fixed on the water. Every line of her body strung tight as she sat forward. For a moment, she gripped the arms of the wheelchair. She relaxed with a frustrated growl.

"We can go back, if you like."

"No," Korra said. Suddenly, she bent over, pulling the boots off of her feet. Mako understood. He sat, removing his boots as well. Korra undid the tie that held the fur pelt around her waist. And then she held her arms out to him and added, "Please."

Mako scooped Korra into his arms. She stayed limp, arms crossed over her abdomen. With her head so close to him, he couldn't help but notice that she didn't smell like Korra anymore. Now, she smelled liked flowers and spices. Like Asami. It made sense.

He took them around far down the beach. Around the bend where it was a little more private. Loose sand that ground between his toes changed to wet, packed sand. They reached the waterline and Mako set Korra down so the water closed over her feet.

Korra sighed and stretched out her legs, pants turning nearly black as they soaked up the moisture. Mako kept a little further back, still close to Korra, but not quite as close the water as she was.

"Go ahead. Say it."

"Say what?" Mako asked.

"Keep trying. No pain, no gain. Give me the pep talk. Tell me I shouldn't give up. Push me."

Mako shrugged. "You're doing a pretty decent job right now." He propped his chin in his hands and stared out at Republic City. They really did have a nice view of the gym from here. Had Korra spent as many nights staring at the gym as he used to spend watching the island?

Silence.

And then more silence.

And then, "I could have handled it. Back there. You don't have to protect me."

"It wasn't you I was worried about," Mako said. Thinking back, he could help smiling. "You were half a minute away from setting your therapist on fire."

Korra's head whipped towards him, her eyes wide and guilty. "I—" She bit her lip. "I was thinking about it."

"I could tell." Mako took a breath. This wasn't as awkward as he'd been afraid of. Maybe because he was more focused on Korra than on his own feelings.

"I—" Korra pulled her legs up to her chest, wrapping her arms around her knees. Water glistened on her bare feet and calves. Groaning, she rested her forehead on her knees. Mako waited, wanting to press her. To ask what she had been about to say, but not wanting to break whatever spell caused her to open up in the first place . "I'm not used to being so weak."

The tide going out was louder than Korra's voice.

"You're not weak, Korra," Mako said.

"I can't even stand upright on my own, Mako."

"So your body is weak," he said. "You almost died Korra." The ease with which he says that surprises him. "That—that's not something you just get over. You can't expect to just jump back to how you were before the fight." This wasn't the first time he'd seen someone come back from a traumatic injury. Pro-bending had been fun, but it was also dangerous at times. "You can do this, though. I know you can. Before you know it, you'll flying circles around Ikki and Meelo again. If anyone can get past something like this, it's you."

"Why? Because I'm the Avatar?" Her voice was muffled and thick.

Reaching out, Mako placed his hand on Korra's arm.

"Because you're Korra," Mako said. "You're the strongest, bravest person I know."

Korra took a gasping breath. And then another. Mako realized that she was crying. He froze for a moment, trying to decide if he was allowed to comfort her. Spirits, he thought, this is Korra. If she doesn't like it, she'll tell you. Loudly. Scooting over, Mako put an arm around her shoulders. She stiffened, but let him pull her close, though she didn't relax.

He wished he could fix this. Take away her reason for crying. Go back in time and take care of Zaheer before he ever threatened Korra. Change his decision to let her turn herself in alone. If he had gone with Lin instead of his brother, would things have been different?

But he was only one person and he could not bend time like he could bend fire.

Korra stopped crying, stretching her legs out again—but she didn't pull away from him. The water had receded several inches.

"I've missed the water," Korra said.

"You have?"

"Water like this," she clarified. "That stretches on forever. What that's—alive. The most I've seen in weeks is tepid bathwater."

"Oh."

"I always love the feeling of weightlessness in the water. Though, I can't really recommend swimming in Southern waters. Brrr." This was the most he'd heard her speak in weeks. She wasn't quite smiling, but it was far brighter than the dour looks that had been the norm of late. Lifting a hand she motioned towards herself and a little blob of water came towards them

Mako stood.

"What are you doing?" Korra asked as he stripped off his coat and then his shirt, so he was down to only his tin undershirt and pants.

"I have an idea," he said. "C'mere."

Picking her up, Mako waded into the water, walking out until it came past his waist. Thankfully, the water was calm, so he keeping his balance was relatively easy. Korra stretched the arm that wasn't around his neck out into the water.

"Alright, Mr. Cool Guy, what now?" she asked. When she looked up at him, her eyes were more alive than he'd seen them in months.

He smiled. "Now you stand up."

Carefully, he released her legs. Korra's lips pursed as she realized what he meant to do.

"Are you sure?"

"Just try it," Mako said.

He could tell the minute her feet hit the bottom. Eyes scrunching, she grasped his arms. Mako took a step. Face grim, Korra followed. Her eyes were on him, but he could tell she wasn't really seeing him as she leaned on him.

"Is this hurting you?" he asked.

Korra's gaze switched outward, meeting his. "What?"

"If this hurts, we can stop."

"Oh, no. It's fine. I mean, just about everything hurts after the last week, but this—" She smiles. It's a weak smile and he curses himself for making her feel like he needs reassurance, but it is a smile. "This is good."

Mako wasn't quite sure how long they walked back and forth in the water. He didn't even know if it's actually helping, but Korra seemed happier, so he kept moving. He was very aware that this was not his element and that made him fidgety. Oh, he enjoyed swimming an all, but in a pool where the water was controlled and tame. This water was wild and very alive. Korra was loving it, however, so he forced himself to stay chest deep in the water.

Korra stumbled, her hands releasing him as she went under. Chest swelling, Mako reached for her desperately, nearly smacking Korra as she bobbed back to the surface. Laughing Mako weakly and sputtering, Korra took his hand. Mako pulled her close, she was trembling.

"Maybe we should stop for today," she said, resting her head on his shoulder.

Guiding her to shallower waters, he lifted her again, taking her back to where his coat still lay on the beach. He set her down and then used his shirt to dry his feet and then hers. Mako had yet to meet anyone who likes sand sticking to their feet.

"Do we have to go yet?" Korra asked.

Setting the shirt aside, Mako replied, "Not yet." He leaned back on his hands, mimicking Korra.

Korra swung her legs around—a feat that is still difficult for her—holding up her hand when Mako moved to help her and lay back, head in his lap. They used to do this all the time, he recalled. Back before he screwed everything up.

"I'm going to be sore tomorrow."

"Sorry."

"Don't be. I would be sore tomorrow anyways." She closed her eyes, sighing.

Mako's heartbeat kicked up several notches. Eyes closed, she looked too much like she did after she crashed to the ground that day. He fought sick as the scene flashed across his memory. Tonraq holding Korra. Him, off to the side, frozen in terror. He'd been strangely numb in that moment. Korra had been dying and all he'd been able to do was stare.

In the end, she hadn't died. She was still here. He watched her chest rise and fall, trying to match his breaths to hers. She was so peaceful right now.

"Mako?"

"Yeah."

"Thank you. I needed this." Korra opened her eyes and smiled at him.

It was a true Korra smile. Blinding.

Mako felt tears prick at his eyes. She was so beautiful. He wanted to lean down and kiss her.

But no. Korra had enough going on. What she needed was a friend, not a boyfriend complicating things. Maybe after she was better…maybe then. Right now, it was enough that she was alive and smiling.

Mako turned his head, hoping she couldn't read his face as easily as he could read hers.

"Mako? Are you crying?"

Her hand cupped his cheek, asking him to turn back to her wordlessly. He wiped at his eyes, hating that she felt she needed to comfort him.

"Nah. Just some sand in my eye."

"Liar," she said. "Out with it, Mako. I told you all my secrets."

"It's just—been a really long time since I've seen you smile like that."

If he'd expected that idea to sober her, it didn't. Korra's grin widened at his burning cheeks, one of them still in her hand.

"It's been a long time since I've felt like smiling," she said. Her eyes held his and he saw a spark there. They're beautiful. They've always been beautiful, but now they dance for a moment before sobering. "I've missed you."

He combed her hair away from her face with his fingertips. "I've missed you too."

Her hand moved, fingers sliding into his hair. Mako recognized the way her fingers curled around his neck, anticipating the insistent tug before it came. Already, he'd leaned forward just a little.

"There you two are," Asami said from behind him. "I've been looking every—why are you two soaking wet?"

"Mako had a brilliant idea," Korra said, sitting up, refusing his help once again. She smiled at him.

Asami drew in a soft breath.

"Did you hear that, Asami. Korra called me brilliant." He turned to look at Asami

"Don't get too used to it. You're still an idiot."

Behind Korra, Asami remained wide-eyed for a moment longer, before schooling her face back to the cheerful mask she was always careful to wear around Korra.

No, not a mask today. Today, he can see tears of joy shining in Asami's eyes. What did you do? she mouthed over Korra's head. He couldn't actually reply, but he glanced at the ocean and Asami nodded in understanding. Picking Korra up, he carried her back to the path and her wheelchair. She leaned her head against his shoulder, smelling more like herself now. Like salt and clean water.

She didn't bother to put her boots, just held them in her lap after Mako handed them to her.

"Stay for dinner?" she asked.

"Can. 't," Mako said, taking a long look at the setting sun. "I'm on night shift this week." The look on Korra's face sliced through him, and he stumbled to add, "But tomorrow's my day off. I'll come by as soon as I get off my shift." He knelt in front of her and took her hand, wishing she would look at him.

Korra squeezed his hand. "No, you'll be a zombie." She looked up at him and Mako had to force himself to breathe normally. Was he never going to get over this woman?

Did he want to?

Korra bit her lip, fiddling with her boots she asked, "Maybe you could come after lunch and try to convince my therapist to try your idea?"

"Of course," Mako said. Before he could think better of it, he stooped and placed a kiss to the top of Korra's head. "I'll see you tomorrow."

Before he turned to go, he saw Asami shoot him a look that said, You'd better keep that promise.

"And let Pema know I'll be staying for dinner."

He waved an sauntered off, wondering how he was going to be able to focus on his job with that smile freshly burned into his brain.

I hope you enjoyed that. I hope it didn't make you too sad. You're allowed to stop reading now if you'd like, but my thoughts on the finale and Book 4 are below.

So, oof, that finale. There are no words for how perfect and yet devastating that was.

Obviously I can't wait for Book 4. It's going to be lovely and emotional and heartbreaking and exciting. And this is kind of where I see it picking up. Since they only have 13 episodes, I doubt we'll see much Listless Korra. Knowing her, we'll probably see more Frustrated and Angry Korra. Just depends on how much of the story is about her overcoming what happened with Zaheer. I definitely expect at least one episode of her dealing with PTSD of some sort and I think much of the season will be about her figuring out how to function as the Avatar again. The way the characters were talking in the finale, I don't see Korra ending up in a wheelchair permanently-though that could happen.

I also don't see much Makorra romance for the first half at least. I see Makorra friendship, with Mako trying to be supportive, but not pressure Korra until Korra just gets frustrated and takes charge of the situation (I still hold to my belief that if Makorra was endgame in Book 1, when they thought the series might be ending, then it will be remain endgame).

Also, TENZIN IS ALIVE! The Thing That Must Not Happen didn't happen! I want much Pemzin in this book. Also, more sassy Katara being a BAMF even as a grandmother-perfect opportunity here since Korra could end up in the South Pole recuperating. And TOPH! I want Toph. All things I think we might get. And maybe, if Bryke really loves us, we can get an older Kataang flashback scene. I might die of happiness if that happens.