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[He doesn't know. He wants them to be friends and have fun; he wants to know that Korra has his back in a crisis and that he will back her up as well, whatever the situation; he wants to tell her that he's not so stupid that he doesn't know about Hei and that the relationship seems to have made Korra sadder. Chekov wants a lot of things, including a punch to the face for taking out a month's worth of anger out on a friend.

But he can't get any of those things from Korra. Not really.]

Nothing. [He tries to pack as much sincerity into the word as he can.] I only want to tell you that I'm sorry. You're a good person.

[As if being a good person has anything to do with this conversation, but he felt that it needed to be said, even if it only serves as a reminder to himself that, while she may not always be a good friend, Korra is good.

Chekov pauses to see if she replies. If she doesn't or if she asks him to leave again, he will.]

[MONKEYFEATHERS, he's just like Hei. Blowing up at her, and then saying it's not her fault, so she can never tell what is or isn't wrong to do. Is this the way all human friendships go? Do you always have to walk around like you're treading on ice? How do people live like that?]

You said you meant almost none of it. What parts of it did you mean?

[Will somebody just tell her the fucking rules so she knows what she's supposed to do?]

[People are difficult.

Chekov remains on the opposite side of Naga, looking for a diplomatic answer. That's what one does once one has incited hostilities, after all--isn't it? Honestly, Chekov feels like he spends half of his life trying (often unsuccessfully) to be diplomatic and keeping everyone happy. Obviously, that is not a tactic that will work here; Korra isn't going to buy platitudes and kind words that have no meaning behind them.

Since he can't possibly make a greater mess of the situation, Chekov forces himself to stop analyzing everything, including his words.]

I did mean that we are remarkably good at creating minor disasters when we are together. I don't know why. Maybe we are different kinds of stupid that, when combined, have an explosive reaction.

Also, I get very frustrated with you when I can't predict what you will do. I thought that you would be eager to help me chase the monster, and then you refused which I cannot understand because you like taking action when you are upset--or so I thought. [His tone isn't accusatory so much as contemplative and vaguely annoyed, as if he's trying and failing to find a solution to a problem out loud.] And I never know when I am to leave you alone and when I should do something, or if I should look for you when I don't hear from you or if absences are to be expected. And then sometimes you are very caring and attentive, and at others I feel that you are too self-obsessed to think of anyone else.

Additionally, I do wish that you would punch me. Not hard, but the way you used to when I annoyed you. And I don't understand why you joke less and laugh less and why talking to you without trying too hard to be careful is difficult.

[That... went above and beyond Korra's question, admittedly, and he didn't give her much time to interrupt him between thoughts. It feels kind of good, though--like punching the tree, only less stupid.]

Edited 2013-11-01 06:06 (UTC)

[...........thanks for the ~~wall of text~~ giant speech, Chekov. She doesn't know where to even begin answering that.]

I'm sorry I'm not funny enough for you anymore. [She groans and rubs her hands over her face. She doesn't want to snap at him. She's tired of being angry.]

I just... things suck. And they've sucked for awhile. That's not exactly a secret. [Getting shot. Being tricked and going to prison. Losing all of her friends from home. Chekov knows about all of this. He's been a part of all of this.]

[SHE ASKED. And he has a talking problem.]

No, that is not what I mean. [He's more worried about that than annoyed.]

They have, and it isn't. The City can be terrible. All that we can do is accept this and adapt. We need to be resilient.

Thanks for the lecture, Dad. You've turned my entire life around.

[Sigh.]

That's all that I know to do! If I had better advice, I would give it to you.

I didn't ask for your advice! I asked what you want from me. [Her voice rises in frustration. Why does everybody insist on making shit more complicated than it has to be?!] Do you want me to visit more often? TELL ME. I don't read minds!

I told you! [In the form of ~~a giant wall of text~~ a monologue.] If you want a numbered list, I can provide that--one, I want us to not hospitalize each other. Two, I want to know what you want because I find you confusing. Three, yes, I would like to hear from you, at least, after bad curses, and four, I want us to have fun again. No arguing.

Okay. [Korra takes a deep breath and crosses her arms. But at least she's looking up at him.] Fine. I can do that.

I just want to know what people expect from me. It's like everybody gets upset with me but no one will tell me why.

I am willing to try to tell you when I'm upset with you--in detail and at length, if you like.

Just...tell me when and why. You don't have to hit me over the head with it.

I will try not to hit you too hard, at the least.

[Is he allowed to hug the Korra?]

[If he moves slowly and doesn't take her by surprise.]

Okay.

[If he does hug her, she's liable to sag against him. She's so tired.]

[No way. October took away all ability to move quickly in situations that are not life-threatening.

Chekov hugs Korra carefully, just in case she doesn't think they're on hugging terms yet. She can sag on him if she wants as long as they're friends and no one's being hospitalized.]

Korra?

[And sag she does. It's nice, holding someone warm.]

Yeah?

When was the last time you ate?

I had lunch. [She caught some fish and grilled them on the stove at some point in the afternoon; beyond that, she has no sense of time.]

Then you should have dinner. I can pick something up for you?

You don't have to do that. I can catch us some fish.

But I think that you are owed an apology in the form of food.

Unless you would really like to catch fish.

[Food is food, he doesn't care.]

.....I've been eating fish for days. [Feed her, please.]

Korra, no. There is such a thing as too much fish. You will turn into one if you keep eating them.

[She gives him a look.]

I'm from the Southern Water Tribe. All we eat is fish.

Then it is too late for you.

[No, but seriously.] Stay here and I'll get as much food as I can carry. You can keep what you can't eat so you will have a change from fish.

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