Forcing Korra and Asami to try and bond before she’s ready and willing was a bad idea, and inside Mako knew that. His patience was varying in many difference subjects, but Asami’s feelings and Korra’s were two things he wanted to have resolved as soon as possible. Between them he could only try to help mesh them back together and work it out. The tension was discomforting and left the fire bender wondering just how many of these interactions were real or fake. With Korra’s changing and asking of an opinion while obviously a little insecure of her appearance, Asami wanted to claim it did not matter, as she was in the company of people who knew her and, at least him and Bolin, cared about her. He understood her negative feelings that resided inside, and shouldn’t expect the heiress to just forget that. Mako’s challenge was not only just appealing to Asami and hoping to connect with her on the level they had before his stupidity settled in, it had become helping Korra without jeopardizing his connections again. They swam together, they spoke together, and enjoyed the rest of the evening before they had retired for the night.

The next morning had come, Mako had washed early and wore his signature outfit. Leaving his room, his eyes had caught Asami preparing for her day. He was already conditioning himself for the shifts he’d likely be taking if he made the force, but had forgotten that a company didn’t run itself. The investors, Mako recalled, were going to help Future Industries get back on the map in spite of Mr. Sato’s mistakes with Amon. He took to her appearance, appreciating the efforts she made to look presentable. He held his tongue about it and approached, wanting to offer her a good morning and wish her luck. Wishing him the same first, noticeably quiet, Mako managed a soft smile. [b]“Good morning.”[/b] He responded, still admiring her look. Mentioning the probability of her business concluding left Mako feeling hopeful, meaning they could still get together and shop once everything was taken care of. The conversation took a small pause, which Mako pondered by filling with the topic of what exactly it was she was hoping to accomplish today. Of course saving her company was the priority, but he realized he knew little about these investors and why they took the risk of teaming up with Future Industries after the fiasco. That conversation was better saved for another time, and Asami had luckily stopped this situation from feeling any stranger.

Asami made clear, much like last night, her opinion on the situation with Korra. She understood his care and wouldn’t blame him for it, but that wasn’t going to mean she would react the same about Korra given the history she had regrettably been informed of by Bolin. Working with Korra was sensible, and it was only because of Asami’s feelings that he didn’t start sooner. If she believed that his affection for Korra was still at a level beyond platonic, it would stunt things even further. It was a good time to make the change necessary, so when they all laughed together he genuinely believed it. Maybe Korra did feel the same as Asami, and maybe it was a good time to ask her today. In the midst of his listening, the fire bender had little to comment on, and all that would be expected of him was to understand her feelings and do his personal best to fix things without forcing it. Her hand was brought to his chest, making his face grow warm from the prolonged contact. No matter how much he was with her, it always seemed to bring a pleasant reaction every single time. Perhaps, he hoped, that would never change for as long as they were together. 

Adjusting her hand to meet his heart, Mako reached up to take it, but her hand retreated before he could. An apology for the bad timing of the conversation was given, and Mako shook his head, getting a quick word in. [b]“Don’t worry about it, you’re just saying what you have the right to. Just know that I’m listening, and you’re not going unheard.” [/b]

She turned for the door and he had followed. As if on a timer that only Asami had known, a knock had come, revealing someone to escort her to a car. He had watched until she was truly out of sight, and it wasn’t much longer after that that Bolin came, making a comment on the beds and comparing the quality to that of the ones on the island. Mako smiled and gave his brother a quick ruffling on the head, lightly screwing with his hair. [b]“Only the best for Asami. Maybe she’ll let you have one as a gift when we become part of the force.”[/b] Mako expressed. Besides the great cooking, there were plenty of things that could be given to Bolin as a gift. Usually though, the food was enough. Joining his brother in the kitchen as a servant continued to prepare breakfast, Mako had done the same as Bolin and taken a plate. Joining beside him, his idea to go to the station with Korra was quickly considered. It wouldn’t hurt, and it was a convenience they weren’t entirely unfamiliar with. [b]“Sounds good, if she agrees.”[/b]

[b]“If who agrees?”[/b] Korra yawned, stretching her arms and stepping into the kitchen. The scent of breakfast was too strong to ignore, and from the pleasant look on her face had a similar resting experience to Bolin. She was in her common clothes, her hair damp from the shower she’d just finished taking. With the boys here but no Asami, Korra put it together that she must have gone off with those investors that she referred to last night. That left the original trio to spend some time together. The drowsy gaze of the Avatar fell on Mako and Bolin, expecting an answer.

[b]“Well, Asami’s gone and we figured …you know, maybe we could head into town for a little bit with you and Naga? Apparently Lin was still at the island last night and you owe an apology?”[/b] Mako reminded her.

Korra’s eyes widened slightly. She hadn’t forgotten about Lin, and it made total sense that she drop them off at the station and then apologize. Two birds, one stone. [b]“Good idea actually, hopefully she’s in a decent mood.”[/b] Her slightly sluggish gaze went to Bolin, and then back to Bolin. [b]“You know last night I was wondering what we were going to do about the Fire Ferrets. If they fix the arena, the cities going to need something to help get their minds off of things. I know joining the force with Lin is going to take priority, but do you think we could consider, I don’t know, some kind of pro-bending event when they’re finished?”[/b]

Mako looked to Bolin inquisitively. This sounded pretty good, but it was a group decision and if Bolin wanted to put police work forward, it was his right to do so. [b]“Not a bad idea actually, what do you think?”[/b]

~-~

When Tenzin had finally departed into his dreamland with a belly full of Lin’s meal and a plethora of thoughts clouding his mind, a miraculous fit of ease had settled within. Whatever triggered it for sure was unknown, but the air bender had come to realized he was hating himself for how everything was becoming so dreary as a result of his fears. He grew spiteful of how he had been acting and, before he finally did fall sound asleep, resolved to wake up the next morning and embrace the days to come to the best of his abilities. The children needed that. Pema needed that. When dawn had finally come, Tenzin had raised himself from his bed beside Pema and Meelo, being silent so as not to disturb them. Tiptoeing out of the room to wash, he lightly hopped on the heels of his feet and shook his head several times. Whatever powers that guide him, this fit of drowsiness would leave him, and so it did. A shower, fresh clothes, and a gentle kiss to Pema and his children individually, Tenzin had stood wait for his mother’s ship to arrive, meditating not in coping with his families suffering but instead the promise that the legacy of Aang would survive this endeavor. His family was eccentric and untamable, but the strength and potential of each of them was not to be underestimated. Not to mention the fact that his choice in women were tough, strong hearts and beautiful minds and bodies to go with it. Channeling complete positivity to release stress that had dug into his pours to cling to his very bones, Tenzin was in high spirits by the time his mother had arrived. Taking her hand and greeting her with a warm smile, the youngest son brought her to see the family. The children were still sleeping, but lucky Pema was roused due to the warmth of her husband being missing from her. 

Assessing what Katara could do for him and the family until he returned, as well as giving her permission to direct the air acolytes, Tenzin would leave the home. Today he would try something he hadn’t done in years; generating a concentrated sphere of wind, he would hop atop it and carry himself across the body of water separating the island and the city. From there, Tenzin decided, no taxi service would be enough for him. The sun was coming out, air crisp with the promise of a good day, and he wasn’t about to let anything take this away from him. Heading to the station was priority, yet what was a day started without a good drink? In his haste he had forgotten to prepare something for himself, and if he knew Lin at least a little bit, she wouldn’t turn down a good cup of coffee and a light treat to go with it. Korra had mentioned the café that Asami was meeting her at, and so Tenzin took a gamble. With the way he smoothly crossed the still streets of an early morning Republic City one would think he owned the place. A funky little tune was playing in his head, with the world looking so much brighter than it had been for the past few days. Finding the exact café mentioned and pleased to find they had just opened, Tenzin had stepped in and purchased coffee and cinnamon rolls to come with it. Whether Lin had the taste for it or not, it hadn’t mattered, it would be taken one step at a time. [b]“Thank you, have a good day!”[/b] he told the vendor, who still looked like he had difficulty being up in these early hours. With Tenzin's enthusiasm he stood a little stranger, finding that energy strangely contagious. 

Humming a tune at random, he would enter the station without his joyful momentum coming to a halt. Knocking on Lin’s office door, the permission to enter was granted and Tenzin did not waste a single moment. Quickly entering, he caught glimpse of her placing something small and rectangular in her desk; he thought nothing of it, for all he knew it was likely some sort of trophy for a good bust she had back in her prime. Stepping towards the desk, Lin had found his new demeanor interesting, strange even. Tenzin couldn’t disagree with how odd things looked; these days he only arrived early with her for important matters related to Republic City, and that wasn’t even including how they chose to spend their time together before her shift started back when the flame between them burned brightly. While a stroll down memory lane was pleasant, Lin was instead focused on Korra’s interruption between them last night. Irritability was an immediate response, followed by a request for her to be reasonable, but neither of which came. He stood, smiled, and would nod his head as soon as she had picked up the notice of a tray of a small tray of coffee in hand, cinnamon rolls just beside it. 

[b]“That is correct – I’ve never forgotten one of your favorites, it was black, wasn’t it?”[/b] Tenzin would set the tray down on her desk delicately, taking the cup meant for her in hand and handing it to her. Gesturing towards the cinnamon rolls, Tenzin would take his own choice of coffee, a warm expresso. Due to his roots and rebuilding the air nation little by little, tea was ninety-nine percent of the time his choice for early morning renewal, but this morning would go a little differently. Bringing the expresso to his lips, Tenzin gambled on the walk from the café to Lin’s office would cool it down enough. Fortunately for him, he was right. The air bender hummed pleasantly; its sensation was not entirely unfamiliar, but just trying something new for one morning felt invigorating. 

[b]“Mmmn, sorry, just savoring it.”[/b] He cleared his throat, standing tall as he always did. Lin’s concerns with Korra were understandable, but he’d rather not go down that route right now. [b]“I know how you must feel about what Korra’s done, and believe me, I express the same disappointment. However, I think you should relax yourself. Think of something joyful, and we’ll talk about leads after a healthy exchange.”[/b] Lin was always the hardest worker he knew. His mind was still on tracking down leads, but so heavy an exchange this early felt unnecessary. Just for now he wanted to keep the air casual, there would be time for chasing down this new lead of hers later on. [b]“Mother arrived, and she is in good spirits in spite of what’s transpired. With her assistance, we might be able to work together more frequently to help crack this case.”[/b]

A bit of the Aang in him was jolting his memory to go back to what Lin was examining just a minute prior, and with a raised brow Tenzin looked to Lin’s desk. [b]“What was that you were looking at? Relieving the glory days of your career in the force? Perhaps a keepsake of the biggest score of your life?”[/b] Lin took pride in her work, but Tenzin wasn’t entirely sure she just kept pictures of her achievements lying around. She had her share of awards but was never attached to being rewarded, merely the peace of mind knowing she made a difference was enough.