As he made clear, Mako would stand by and keep a close eye on Bolin’s work in the kitchen. Asami was very supportive of his efforts and she had even looked his way once she expressed it; Mako was already looking her way, resulting in a very short but meaningful stare of appreciation before they had returned to keeping an eye out for Bolin. Asami had guided Bolin very well in the purpose and use of the tools he’d need to prepare dinner, leaving Mako to just keep a watchful eye. After a certain point Mako believed there would be very little to worry about, not that he was very worried to begin with. Bolin still had the occasional stretch of naivety to him but he was always eager to learn, and to never quit. Trusting that he’d handle that task with ease so long as Asami was strong in her support and Mako being a comforting presence, he’d finish this without incident. After Asami had went to retrieve a bottle of sake, a drink considered a delicacy among higher social classes, the easy-going time they had in the kitchen was disrupted by Asami’s offer of setting Bolin up with one of her friends. 

Mako’s stomach tightened, which was beginning to be a common occurrence when it came to Bolin and women. Not too long ago he was head over heels about Korra, something he had come between like a complete idiot, and the subject of Bolin finding a new girl brought discomfort to the point Mako had averted his eyes for a second. It was a reminder of his failure as a brother and a boyfriend, matters made worse because they didn’t really resolve it. That line about girls during the pro-bending match that day, that resolution he made with Bolin, it lacked substance. Amon was the bigger priority, and now without that distraction he wondered if Korra too felt as he did. There was a rift between everyone, only Bolin and Asami were innocent in it all. Even now, Mako would note, he was thinking more about his own distaste for how that question made him feel when it wasn’t about him. Some brother he was. His gaze returned to Bolin, surprised to find that he was considering Asami’s offer and not immediately dismissing her request. Going on to actually believe in the suggestion and throw out a joke about double-dating, Mako’s cheeks burned red, his hand rubbing the back of his neck because no verbal response would really do the awkwardness of the situation justice.

His opinion on the subject considered by Bolin once Asami had taken over. With Korra he was happy, so happy in fact that for whatever stupid reason he had lost his connection to Asami along the way. He was working on atoning for his mistakes, but with Korra he believed that Bolin could still have a chance. All it would take is a little effort on Korra’s part to express how she really feels, and the timing couldn’t be worse. She had the excuse of Tenzin’s family and that was a very valid one to give, but it was Bolin who was sticking by her through this as a good friend would. Maybe if they stuck together more, she’d come to realize that Bolin was a man worthy of affection and her kiss, unlike him. [b]“I think it’s good for you, I really do. You deserve to be happy, bro.”[/b] Mako replied, biting back any comments related to Korra knowing full well that it was problem just as much on Bolin’s mind as it was his. Asami’s eyes went to Mako, and his eyes met hers before once again they parted. Thankfully Bolin had moved the conversation elsewhere, Asami having taken care of the final preparations held the bowl out for them to see. Smirking at the image of him and his brother wearing chef hats and wielding kitchen tools, Mako was about to throw out a name or two they could have used until several knocks to the front door had cut that thought off. With a servant moving to the front door, in had come Korra, who was following the aroma of the meal just prepared.

Korra waved at the trio, smiling at them each individually in spite of what was really on her mind. The food smelled great and she was in the company of her friends, but there was just plenty of nagging in the back of her mind; did she just blurt out what she heard and get it out of the way, or does she just keep it to herself and dismiss it? Mako took quick note of how different she had appeared, but wanted to dismiss it as pure imagination. Perhaps she was just trying to adjust to a happier setting after getting back from Air Temple Island. Joining them in the dining room and fixing their own plates, Mako had savored the combination of efforts by Asami and especially Bolin, quietly moaning in satisfaction. Asami was crediting him when it was really Bolin and herself that had deserved all the credit. Mako waved his hand dismissively and smile at her, directing a fork her way. [b]“No, you and Bolin did this, I was just the lookout. Not that you needed it, this tastes great.”[/b] Praised the fire bender, looking to Korra and seeing if her reaction was equally a combination of satisfaction and, for Bolin, impressed. 

Korra was content with stirring the meal together; it appeared delicious, it smelled delicious and it was likely to taste the same too. Her appetite was dulled by the idea of Tenzin getting involved with what was likely the result of Amon’s conquest for ‘equality’. It wasn’t the fact that Amon still being out there scared her, well it did but that wasn’t the center of her fears. Tenzin was eager for what seemed to be payback, and when you were upset revenge and justice blended all too easily. Lin was smart enough to know the risks and Korra was willing to trust her, but it was the result of that quest could change him forever if things continued as they are. Katara should be arriving in the morning and might help soothe Tenzin’s fears, and also leave enough time to let Bolin and herself focus on other priorities. For him it was becoming a man of the law, and for her it was becoming whole again. 

[b]“Korra,”[/b] Mako said, hoping to gather her attention. Something did seem wrong with her, so much so that she didn’t even seem to notice Asami’s comment on dessert. [b]“Is everything okay?”[/b]

Korra looked up from her meal. To Asami and Mako together, and then to Bolin enjoying his meal in peace, Korra recognized her company and was glad for it. It was clear to her that she couldn’t keep her feelings bottled up like this, especially when she was doing such a poor job at even pretending to be normal. She stood up from her seat and placed her hands firmly beside the plate, shaking her head. [b]“No, there’s a lot on my mind recently and I don’t know how to talk about it with you. I’d excuse myself but I can’t really go back to the island tonight.”[/b] She glanced to Bolin; Tenzin had included him in saying they should stay, but if anyone would be welcome back it was him. 

[b]“Why can’t you go back? Did something happen with Tenzin?”[/b] Mako inquired. 

[b]“Yeah, that could be the best way to put it. I heard things I shouldn’t have, and Naga made noises … that look he me was pretty self-explanatory: Don't go back for a while.”[/b] Korra hated to be on anyone’s bad side if she could avoid it. Tenzin was like family, and Lin was …well, Lin, but being enemies never got anything done. She knew that everyone deserved a better explanation than that, but she was unable to muster the courage to admit that shortcoming in front of everyone. Her eyes went from Mako and Asami, then back to Bolin. He was easier to talk to than the other two; Mako and her still had some intensity to them after earlier, and Asami didn’t need to be explained. Kissing her then-boyfriend wouldn’t exactly make her the easiest to be alone with for a while, and Bolin always had something good to say. He had agreed and excused himself, following Korra back into the main lobby and leaving Mako and Asami to themselves, the former shrugging his shoulders at the latter. 

With her back to the dining room and Bolin directly in front of her, Korra’s sullen stare had softened a little. It was easier when it was just Bolin she was talking to, he wouldn’t judge her so harshly then. 

[b]“Okay, when I went back to the island with Naga I heard voices, Tenzin and Lin were outside. They were talking about what was going on in the city, and Tenzin asked to join her on an investigation into it. That’s all well and good, except I think Tenzin might make this more about revenge than what it’s meant to be about: Justice. People are suffering, and I’ve barely got earth bending back in my arsenal.”[/b] Korra rubbed her left arm and looked towards the door, finding herself as powerless as she was when she was at the edge of that cliff back home. [b]“I know it was wrong to eavesdrop like that, but it was the most I heard Tenzin talking in weeks. I was thinking that maybe you and I should try to help; we’ve been the closest to Tenzin and we’ve seen the toll this has taken, and if we’re close maybe he’ll be encouraged to take things one step at a time?”[/b] Her eyes returned to his, hope brimming at the very center. Mako and Asami were a part of Team Avatar too, but maybe this wasn’t a Team Avatar problem. 

[b]“Asami has to save her company and Mako should be that shoulder for her, I don’t want to be there as a reminder that I made it fall apart. I've felt pretty detached from being the Avatar, almost like I'm broken, but the city is going to need me. What do you think?”[/b]

Mako in the meantime was watching them from a distance, curious as to what was so important that Asami and himself couldn't be in on it. He respected her desire to keep it private, but there was no helping him being so curious about it. His meal consumption was at a standstill when Korra was concerned. [b]"She said she couldn't go home, you think we could let these two stay here for tonight? It'd be no different from a sleepover."[/b] he lightly proposed. Asami was the one in charge here, and he did not want to come across as the boss by any means. If Tenzin needed the space, maybe they should allow him that.