Republic City gleamed under the afternoon sun, its skyline dancing with metal and glass. The streets buzzed with life—vendors calling out, radios playing Satomobile ads, and children darting between crowds with paper gliders. It had been days since the vision in the Spirit Wilds, but the weight of it still lingered on Korra's shoulders.
Or maybe that weight had more to do with the way Kaiqok and Asami were laughing together on the Satomobile steps.
Korra squinted.
They'd been talking for ten minutes now. Ten whole minutes.
She watched as Asami playfully nudged Kaiqok with her elbow. He chuckled, brushing back his wind-tousled hair. The golden tips of his chakra cloak fluttered under his jacket.
Korra gritted her teeth.
Mako leaned over. "You okay?"
"Fine," she said tightly.
"You're staring like you want to firebend someone's face off."
"Still fine."
Bolin appeared beside them, munching on fried noodles. "Is it just me, or are those two getting really cozy?"
Korra groaned and marched toward them.
"Kaiqok," she called out, her tone sharper than she intended.
He turned, eyebrows lifting. "Hey, Korra."
Asami smiled. "We were just talking about energy circuits in bending tech. He actually understands how chi harmonics might power artificial limbs. It's incredible."
Korra crossed her arms. "Well, I was about to go train with Kaiqok, like we planned yesterday."
Asami blinked. "Oh—sorry. I didn't mean to—"
"It's fine," Korra snapped, then softened. "I mean… it's fine. But we need to go."
Kaiqok glanced between them, clearly confused, but followed Korra without complaint.
Once they were out of earshot, he asked, "Something wrong?"
"No," Korra lied, her boots stomping a little harder than usual. "Why would something be wrong?"
"You're literally emitting steam."
She paused and looked down at her clenched fists. A thin mist of heat was rising from her palms.
"Oh."
Kaiqok tilted his head. "Is this about Asami?"
"No."
"Yes."
"…Maybe."
Kaiqok smiled faintly. "You're jealous."
Korra whipped around, flustered. "What?! No! I mean—well, okay, maybe a little. But only because you were flirting."
"I wasn't flirting," he said gently. "She was curious. We talked. That's all."
"She touched your arm."
"I also touch Naga's ears. Does that mean I'm courting her too?"
Korra huffed. "You're insufferable."
He chuckled and walked ahead. "Come on. Let's train before you turn this entire street into a volcano."
They found an old industrial yard by the waterfront—abandoned, quiet, and surrounded by enough scrap metal to avoid drawing attention. Kaiqok stretched his arms.
"You've improved your balance," he said. "Let's push your water-to-fire transitions today."
Korra nodded, still simmering. But as they began, her focus shifted. Their movements became a dance—fire, water, fire, air. She pivoted, kicked, and spun, chakra surging in sync with her breath.
Then she misstepped.
Her flame arced too high—and clipped the edge of Kaiqok's coat.
He extinguished it with a flick of his wrist, but the singe mark remained.
"Crap!" Korra ran over. "Sorry—I didn't mean to—"
"It's okay," he said, shrugging it off. "It's just a coat."
"No, it's not. It's your golden cloak coat thing. You like that one."
He gave her a look. "Are you trying to guilt yourself now?"
She sighed and sat down on a crate, head in her hands. "I just… I don't know how to deal with this."
"With what?" he asked, sitting beside her.
"With you. With us. You're smart and strong and mysterious and people like you. And I'm—"
"Korra," he interrupted, turning to face her. "I like you. I've seen your fears. Your strength. Your chaos and your courage. I don't care how many people admire me. I only care what you think when you look at me."
She met his eyes, heart pounding.
"I think… I'm scared," she said softly.
He smiled gently. "That makes two of us."
Silence stretched.
Then Korra leaned forward and pressed her lips to his.
It wasn't fire or lightning. It was warmth. Steady. Sure.
When they pulled apart, her cheeks were red—but not from bending.
Kaiqok looked stunned. "I thought you were jealous of Asami."
"I was," she admitted. "But I was more scared she'd get to know you better than I do."
His hand brushed hers. "Then let's change that."
Suddenly, a loud crash echoed from the end of the yard.
They both stood.
A figure emerged from the shadows, cloaked in black and gold, a mask covering his face. In his hand, he held a jagged blade made of obsidian and chi metal.
"Cute moment," the man sneered. "Shame it'll be your last."