[ The reassurance is quick and genuine; it's something he sees in her that he knows is like himself, that blame is always first placed on themselves, a defense mechanism (they were alike in many ways, which made this harder) and he settled his hands on her shoulders, pulling her close again-- not to kiss her this time but in a hug. ]
It's fine, I... I said I'd be here, right?
[ Even if an unneeded heartbeat stuttered at the thought that it could have been more but he couldn't, though a not-insignificant part of him was screaming in the back of his mind, stop it, stop, why are you throwing this chance away!? and he had to clench his eyes shut for a moment to contain it, not trusting himself to speak for fear of blurting out something he didn't (or did) want to say. Finally he opened his eyes to look back at her; they were sad, but clear. ]
I do like you too, Korra but... as a friend, not more than that. I'm sorry if, if that's not what you wanted.
[ 'You're Jack Frost, you make a mess wherever you go.' ]
I want to keep being your friend, and keeping being nice to you, keep making you feel safe, keep spending time with you if you'll let me. I don't want any of that to change. But you already have someone special who's more than just friends and, and he's a really lucky guy. So it can't be the same with someone else, you know?
Re: Action;
[ The reassurance is quick and genuine; it's something he sees in her that he knows is like himself, that blame is always first placed on themselves, a defense mechanism (they were alike in many ways, which made this harder) and he settled his hands on her shoulders, pulling her close again-- not to kiss her this time but in a hug. ]
It's fine, I... I said I'd be here, right?
[ Even if an unneeded heartbeat stuttered at the thought that it could have been more but he couldn't, though a not-insignificant part of him was screaming in the back of his mind, stop it, stop, why are you throwing this chance away!? and he had to clench his eyes shut for a moment to contain it, not trusting himself to speak for fear of blurting out something he didn't (or did) want to say. Finally he opened his eyes to look back at her; they were sad, but clear. ]
I do like you too, Korra but... as a friend, not more than that. I'm sorry if, if that's not what you wanted.
[ 'You're Jack Frost, you make a mess wherever you go.' ]
I want to keep being your friend, and keeping being nice to you, keep making you feel safe, keep spending time with you if you'll let me. I don't want any of that to change. But you already have someone special who's more than just friends and, and he's a really lucky guy. So it can't be the same with someone else, you know?