[ Hei catches that shift in her temperature -- from frigid to reassuringly lukewarm. He feels an odd confluence of emotions; satisfaction that his manipulation is working, sympathy because of what Korra is struggling with, a tinge of self-reproach for taking advantage of her unhappiness. And beneath it all he is still attracted to her. ]

[ But if she thinks he's going to spill his guts in response to her vague question, she is mistaken. He doesn't play it that way. Not even for her. ] I like you as an asset too much for you to become a liability. [ Shit. That sounds beyond clinical. It sounds heartless -- even if it's true. For a moment he gazes past her, absorbed by the twinkling City lights beyond the roof. But then he turns his head, fixes her with a clear look. ] Try to understand something. People, in my experience, exist to damage each other. Over the years, I've developed the habit of preempting [ betrayal. disappointment. blackmail. loneliness. loss. ] damage. Of thinking the possibility of it, and defending myself against it, is paramount.

[ He licks his lips, eyes sliding away again. The next lie is almost impossible to catch. ] Maybe that's true for me. But it's not true for everyone. I don't think it's true for you. [ Except, like an idiot, I'm half-handing you the combination to crack my figurative safe. ]