[ Hei follows the direction of her gaze. The lizard -- whom he hasn't yet named -- slinks off to an alcove in its cage with reptilian indifference, tail swishing. ] It helps with the ticking. [ And it only took him seven months to condescend to admit it. Woohoo. Progress. Personally, he's bemused she noticed the pet at all. But he knows Korra is eager for any distraction. The terrible grief hovers around her like a raincloud; Hei knows it can't really be bypassed. Sooner or later the numbness will fade and she'll have to experience it. ]
[ Quietly, he steps up behind her. Holds her lightly by the elbows, as if they're going to slip into a slow back-to-front dance. Lowering his head, he presses his lips to the nape of her neck, through her hair, just at the border where fine down turns to soft skin. ]
Come on. Let's get you cleaned up.
[ It's not entirely a prurient interest. He knows what'll happen once she's alone with nothing but a mirror, bloodsplattered clothes, and her whirling thoughts. ]
⊕ march 15th, late evening
[ Quietly, he steps up behind her. Holds her lightly by the elbows, as if they're going to slip into a slow back-to-front dance. Lowering his head, he presses his lips to the nape of her neck, through her hair, just at the border where fine down turns to soft skin. ]
Come on. Let's get you cleaned up.
[ It's not entirely a prurient interest. He knows what'll happen once she's alone with nothing but a mirror, bloodsplattered clothes, and her whirling thoughts. ]