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( instinctive, or maybe just habitually, a hand sneaks silently up his back to cup the back of his head, fingers through his coal locks. korra understands his sentiment as one she felt when meeting up with katara for the first time - awe at an age, a responsibility over their younger ... but older ... mentors. it's a lot to unpack. korra generally opts not to think about it for the benefit of not getting a headache, but. if mako wants someone to bounce off of, she a willing participant. her fingers cradle his skull in a way she knows he likes, cheek squashing temporarily on his forehead.

naga, without the constant motion of the room, finally has a breath of space to realize how tired she is. ordinarily, she'd curl up in korra's lap, but the day has won mako's favor after all the time they've spent together - she circles around her tail, getting comfortable, before she lays her big body on the floor, large head snuggled in mako's lap. )

You really think so?

( she knows mako probably wouldn't say it just to say it, but it's still nice to hear. )

Yeah! You'll be a great teacher! ( a little flirty ( she can't stop ), ) Sifu Mako.

( he's not... still sore at her, really, because he couldn't bring himself to hate her even if she beat him bloody, but he's... wary, maybe. about where they are and what they're standing on. thin ice beneath their feet, crackling with the weight of their emotions and their commitment to one-another and asami in absentia. still, he doesn't pull away. she threads her fingers in his hair and he lets himself relax into her touch, feeling warm and sunkissed and bone-tired in a way he hasn't been in a long time. his exhaustion is almost entirely physical, instead of... physical and mental and emotional all at once. it's nice. )

Yeah, I'm not answering to that.

( it's a lazy protest, almost a purr. naga nests in his lap and he lifts a hand to sit atop her massive skull, scritching idly at her ears. )

How's your lightbending coming along?

It's ... uh, coming.

( she lets out a huffy sigh, frowning to herself. naga lets out an inquisitive muuuuurl and korra boops her wet nose, playfully. )

It's really difficult, if I'm being honest. Light isn't the same as all the other elements. It needs a lot more focus, and I.

( have been pretty distracted lately, between thinking of asami, and fixing things with mako. getting the rest of her bending back has really just enabled her to forget about lightbending, as soon as she was able. she hangs her head, just loosely cupping the back of mako's neck. )

Anyway, the struggle is just with making my own light, or taking it from the sun. If I have a light source, it's not too bad. I'll show you sometime.

You're overthinking it.

( it's an observation rather than admonition, but. he stays where he is, letting her hold him. letting himself enjoy it. he's half asleep, muffling a yawn against her shoulder, threading his fingers in naga's soft ruff. )

You're the best bender I know, Korra. But you always do better when you let your instincts guide you. The more you think about it, the harder it'll be.

( it's a soft something. mako is never reluctant to offer compliments and reassurances when korra needs them, but it's only when she needs them that she bristles under their weight. he has this strong belief in her that she isn't sure she's ever earned, but his faith is also a driving force. to constantly be better, do more.

also, the idea of a sleepy mako makes her incredibly fond. she bullies him a bit, laying them both down, nudging mako's head to rest on the flat of her shoulder. naga noses her way under both their legs, letting them rest on her back. )

We can hit the training grounds after a nap, okay?

( more likely: they'll just sleep through until tomorrow. )

( what the hell is a 'nap'. he doesn't do those. unless you just mean 'a short duration of sleep that somehow supplements an 18 hour shift at the rcpd'. in which case... i guess.

this is different, though. there's not much here right now he needs to be on alert for. and he ran himself pretty damn ragged with the sickness from struxta, looking after bolin. his body is still on the rebound. no matter where he stands with korra, he'll never doubt that they're safest together. she's really the only person he's ever been able to relax around. completely relax around. it's different with bolin, there's a part of mako's mind that always has to be on for him.

but being with korra is effortless.

he slings an arm across her midsection without too much protest or prompting. maybe this place is getting to him, but. sure. he can spare an hour or two. )

You better wake me up.

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