Kael walked beside her in silence, his fingers still intertwined with hers. His grip was firm and grounding, his warmth chasing back the fear clinging stubbornly to her ribs.

She kept looking at him, needing the reassurance that he was truly there, that he hadn’t vanished with the closing of the archive doors.

“You are quiet,” Kael murmured.

Korra swallowed. “Just… thinking.”

“About what we found?” Kael slowed his pace. “Korra.” His thumb stroked the back of her hand. ...