Actions spoke louder than words; Korra should have known that out of everyone in this household. Whatever blinded her to Bolin’s kindness had thankfully not caused him to drift away, instead he stayed close in spite of it. He was stronger than she had ever noticed before, and behind his boyish jokes and charm was this air of maturity she completely overlooked. Had Bolin always been this intuitive a person? His anger at himself was, in the Avatar’s eyes, misplaced. All he tried to do was be a good person, and that was dropped in favor of his brother? The mistakes she’s made as a human being were reaching the ceiling of this place, yet in her moistened eyes she read Bolin closely. He wasn’t going to quit on her, he was still going to be here. The best way for him to help her now was doing what he was doing already, and that left Korra to pick up the pieces and put everything back together with everyone. Asami, Mako, Tenzin and Bolin. She still had work to do, and much to accomplish with all of them. 

After a moments silence he continued, but she was stuck on one part of his expressed feelings. His feelings aside, the very feelings she hadn’t been worried about when she kissed Mako, could still be there for her? Korra didn’t acknowledge it at all before but it was very possible that within his heart the earth bender had never lost hope in her as someone closer than this. Asami learned today what Bolin would have put together himself now: Korra did not understand a thing about real affection. The back and forth between the brothers wasn’t something she wished to repeat and at some point it was going to be buried. Not tonight, not yet. Korra’s lips quivered slightly as Bolin brought his arms around her, sparking a shudder of warmth flushing over her body. Concentrating hard, the Avatar worked to figure out how this felt from Bolin in another point of view. He was everything she wanted in a friend, but what was it that Mako had in the past that Bolin didn’t always have? Was there really a correct answer to it all?

Attention was returned to what was going on in the present, rather than internal debates on her feelings in the past and how they impacted her future. Her arms came around him, and like before she had brought her forehead against his shoulder and just took him in. She felt secure in his embrace, safe from the harshness of reality and just tucked away under a warm blanket. The mystery that was her affections, and the true nature of where Bolin wanted to be standing with her could all wait. Now there were another pair of friends waiting to be joined, so for tonight Korra could hopefully bury her questions and anxiety knowing Bolin wasn’t going anywhere. She deeply hoped that went the same for Mako and Asami. Without her friends, what was she? In the closing moment of this hug she had already known the answer: Alone. [b]“Thanks, Bolin.”[/b] The Avatar would mutter, pulling her arms away closely followed by her head. [b]“You won’t regret this, I promise. Why don’t we get some of that ice cream, head to the pool and just …have a nice time with them?”[/b]

Korra smiled, as did Bolin.

That sounded good.

~-~

In the meantime, the fire bender of the group was enjoying his swim in good company. Asami had left out individual suits for Bolin and Korra if they chose to get involved, Mako already more than aware of Bolin’s enthusiasm for this life. Growing up struggling and with only each other, having a pool to jump into when you pleased was a privilege they weren’t used to. Asami was fortunate to never experience that struggle and, minus a few key differences of opinion they shared with her father, was fortunate to be so well taken care of. With Mako and Bolin getting to enjoy a good swim in a pool that wasn’t after a defeat in the pro-bending arena was something rare growing up, he was always trying to make sure they were fed and had somewhere to stay sheltered during bad storms and harsh weather conditions of all kinds. For Asami, it was Tuesday. It was a life of comfort and dedication to helping others, a life he wanted to share with her if she’d allow him that honor. A breaststroke here and there had left Asami ready for some of that ice cream, and Mako had to stifle a bit of laughter at her reaction. [b]“That bad?”[/b] he imagined so, based on how ready she was to swim it off. Turning to the bowl and drawing his own spoon he would have a taste of it himself. A spine-tingling shiver went down his spine, the flavor working wonders after that amazing meal. Fortunately for him, he was able to handle it a bit better than Asami. It would spare him embarrassment for finding it funny, only to suffer the same sharp pain she had felt. 

Coming back beside him again, Asami took another attempt at the frozen treat, leaving Mako to watch her from the corner of his eye. Alone in a pool with Asami Sato, love of his life, and there was nothing appropriate to say. It didn’t take a genius to know that both of them were wondering what was up with Korra and Bolin, but it was between them. Asami still had her reservations regarding Korra, Mako was reminded every time he was close to her that he had unfinished business with her. All he could hope to do before that time came was help cement his affection for Asami and show her it was real; he’d never be able to take back that kiss, but what was one kiss compared to the dozen he wanted to give to the real woman for him? Asami had proposed that the shopping trip be done tomorrow, throwing in a quick mention about the investors she had to meet with in the morning. That left time for Bolin and himself to continue their training. In the back of his mind he wondered what Korra would be doing for the day, but it was only platonic. What he looked forward to most was comparing apples and oranges with the girl right beside him. [b]“Sounds like a plan. I’ll throw in a mention to the Chief about Future Industries helping find a vaccine in case things get out of control.”[/b] Mako smiled warmly at her, having faith in her abilities as a new leader and face for the company. [b]“Whoever these investors are, they’re making a great choice. If there’s anything I can do to help, let me know, okay?”[/b]

As if on cue Mako had heard the familiarity of Bolin’s laughter, as well as Korra’s. The pair had entered, carrying the bowls that were left out for them and looking pretty happy as opposed to the tense gloom of just earlier. Mako wanted to ask but held his tongue, simply glad that they were looking pretty content in spite of themselves. Knowing Bolin he probably just told her a good joke or two, and things were better than ever now. [b]“Well, look who decided to show up!”[/b]

[b]“Sorry about earlier guys, it’s okay now though, everything’s going to be fine. I just needed a little help.”[/b] Korra lightly nudged Bolin before taking a good look at the suits that were laid out. She didn’t swim much in the southern water tribe for obvious reasons, and the garment that Asami laid out might have been something that she identified with. By no means was it a bad suit, but Korra just didn’t know if she could expose that much of herself in front of people, especially considering the internal issue they weren’t willing to get at yet. Clearing her throat and setting the bowl down beside her article of clothing, Korra took it in hand and examined it thoroughly. [b]“Asami …do you think maybe in the future I could take you up on that offer to shop? This is nice, but I don’t think it would look as good on me as it does you.”[/b] Korra asked, embarrassment quite plain on her face. As the earlier talk would indicate for the heiress of the industrial empire, dressing up and looking good weren’t really her thing. Water tribe girls were a lot more reserved in their appearance. This level of skin was often reserved for someone special, but she wanted to have fun with them too. It was an exact copy of Asami’s and it did look amazing, the doubts in her mind weren’t clearing up any faster. Could she really pull this off? At this rate there was no hope of getting her in a dress.

[b]“Well, Korra.”[/b] Mako was treading lightly. The idea of Korra in a bathing suit was appealing to anyone sane, and if he wasn’t very careful it might put him backwards with Asami. He wanted to reassure her that no one here would think less of her. [b]“If it makes you uncomfortable, you don’t have to do it. I think you and Asami spending more time together is great.”[/b] Mako would look back at Asami, knowing that the attention paid to Korra might draw some level of concern even if it may only be minor. There was power in words, the power in his words were for encouragement, not flattery. If things were going to get better, Asami and Korra should start trying to reconnect as friends.

[b]“Y-yeah, I think we could do that.”[/b] Korra was on the fence; trying something new was part of growing up, and she was by no means a little kid. This may have seemed petty to anyone else and she understood why, things were just different where she grew up. Spending time with Asami, someone who could help her experience the joys of being a normal girl, might be what she needed. At the very same time, she didn’t want to just soak her feet. [b]“Bolin, do you think I could pull this off?”[/b] she was holding it very far from herself, as though she had never held something like it before. Amusing as it might have been, Korra waved her hand in dismissal. Knowing Bolin, he might have given her the same answer as Mako, and that would have been good enough for her. [b]“You know what? I’m going to do it. Be right back.”[/b]

Mako shrugged at Bolin, but was quietly relishing in how embarrassing it might be for Korra to do this in front of them. Bolin followed after her to get changed himself, leaving the already swimming pair to themselves. [b]“You don’t mind hanging out with her more, right?”[/b] he mumbled. They had met earlier today and he had feared the worst, but they both seemed to be in perfectly good spirits. Mako believed it a great idea, but it was Asami’s decision to help out if she chose. Eating more of the ice cream they shared together, it had taken two short minutes before Bolin had come out, and soon afterwards Korra had reappeared. She was noticeably discomforted with how much skin of hers was showing, but Mako would be a liar if he said that she didn’t look stunning. Her exotic skin went very well with the already dark suit, showing off her toned legs and arms very well. Korra had always looked beautiful, very much like Asami, and the redness of her face had made that image even stronger. The most notable quality of the new Korra was that the accessories holding her hair together were gone, letting her dark brown hair fall down her shoulders. Mako broke his gaze off of Korra and looked to Asami, deciding it best that Bolin and Asami pay the credit where it’s due. He reached down and gave her hand a quick squeeze; these eyes were on her, now and forever.

[b]“So …how do I look?”[/b] Korra asked sheepishly, eying Asami, Mako and Bolin respectively. She was out of her element, funny because she was meant to master all elements but still.