[ Hei is more confused than astonished by the directness of her question. Not because he's unsure of the answer. But because, after the Syndicate, his own wants are secondary. There are things he's schooled himself not to want, because they present no practical function in his life. And there are things he's tricked himself to always want, because they are imperative for his survival. It's not often that he's allowed himself the chance to self-reflect, to think about the structure of his life and the people embroiled in it -- the indulgences vs. the necessities. ]

[ This mess with Korra is an interlude. A matter of convenience. He won't pretend he's not human, or that 18 year old ass is going to throw itself at him with such gusto. Yet that's beastializing it unnecessarily. After all, she has a space in his inventory. She has consequence. ]

[ Finally, quietly, ]

You're ... a deviation from the women I sleep with. [ There are paragraphs of subtext there. ] That's the reason you have these ... expectations I'm not used to dealing with. They're not wrong, or out-of-line. They're what any decent person would have. [ Except I'm not a decent person. ] It's flattering -- but a little disturbing -- to be wanted by someone like you. You're ... sweet... but you're also very young. The differences between us aren't trivial. Still -- [ A pause, as he tries to pick his way across the rocky surface toward honesty. ] I can stand it if you can.