( he sort of rubs his cheek down against his shoulder to stave off an itch. )

Ah... I think it's a little different when it's someone you're friends with.

( then again, korra's really... the only friend he's ever had. he cares deeply for asami, but. when korra was off at the south, it wasn't like they really sought out each other's company all that much. and mako doesn't blame her. he hurt her far more deeply than he feels he can ever come back from, and everything between them just... feels like a broken bone that healed wrong.

it was different with korra. both the dating and the breaking up. but outside of her, mako doesn't really do friendship. he's always been too closed off for that. )

With criminals specifically, it's easier if you sort of speak their language.