[ Hei can feel the hard lines of strain pulling his body taut. Feel the cool fury curdling inward, feeding a bitter metallic taste of adrenaline in his mouth. Forcibly, he draws in his breath and himself, solidifying into the familiar impenetrable calm. Things are crazy and messy and confusing here. But there's no need to aggravate them. He'd made the wrong move, showing up here. But he'd been caught up on a wave of awe and trepidation and wild hope. ]

[ Seeing Mako, with this older Korra, her eyes like two dark bruises, he knows he should've stayed away. Sent word first, so as not to disturb the flow of her life -- the life she'd rebuilt and resumed in his absence. He should've focused on the practicalities. He's dropped off the radar for three years: his network, his safehouses, his identities, they've all grown cold. ]

[ And his teammates ... ]

[ Yin. The name passes through Hei's whole body like a static shock. Is she still at Air Temple Island? Or at the safehouse he'd set up for her downtown? And what about Mao? No way that black cat's body could've lasted this long. Has he found a replacement? Or is he -- ? ]

[ Fuck. He's been disconnected from everything important to him. Now that he's back, he can't process anything beyond What the hell is going on? But he needs to reestablish a measure of control. Flailing his arms and running around in a panic isn't his way. ]

[ In a flat tone that masks an escalating impatience, ]

No, it isn't a good time. [ Wrenching his body into motion, he steps past Mako, his gaze flickering only briefly toward Korra, a dull opacity to his eyes. ] I have things to take care of. I'll be at Air Temple Island tomorrow morning -- if you want to talk.

[ Because staying here, in this house redolent with his lover -- who no longer seems to be his -- is an off-putting prospect. The night is waiting, cool, edgeless, dark, ready to swallow him. It's been his refuge before. It will do the same now. ]