Mako and Korra exchanged humorous glances at one another as Bolin narrated his fantasy. Protection of the city would always be on Korra's list, as well as the rest of the world, so she easily shared the enthusiasm of what Bolin was saying. Mako had only had to protect one person: Bolin himself. With his little brother growing up into a respectable man, all he could do now is offer some support while he tackled his own issues. Related to Asami were a few big ones, yet none were the fault of her. Faith in his brother was rarely misplaced. With Korra working with him and the support of Mako himself, Bolin was going to see his opportunities supported without fail. Not to mention it would offer him time to consider his own future. He had talent in Pro-Bending, yet his skills could also be applied to any job where bending and physical activity was a must. Not that he wanted to continue powering generators for Republic City for the rest of his life, but he knew his talents wouldn't continue to build if he remained idle. Mako was issuing a dare inside his mind for criminals to do their worst, while Korra herself was still picturing Bolin with a hardened face after years of law enforcement experience. Giggling to herself, her laughter had come to an immediate end on the subject of Asami. 

The history between them wasn't exactly the best recently, and even if they were at least able to speak again it did not mean she would be any closer to being entirely forgiven. Talking was a start, but Korra could not see her endgame with Asami. If all went well, they'd be best friends, better than they ever were before. 

Optimism was all she could have since crippling depression helped no one.

[b]"Y-yeah,"[/b] Korra spoke timidly, attention returned to the street ahead of them.[b] "It's a good thing, and I want us to be on good terms again."[/b] Reverting to her excited nature, the Avatar drew both arms behind her back, holding her right wrist with her left hand. The bond between ladies was not the only bond of importance to her. Mako remained silent knowing what exactly brought all this tension up in the first place. Two pairs of lips meeting together that had no business to. Reflecting on that moment had been done so many times it was practically on immediate playback in her memories, yet she wanted something to be clear to everyone: she wanted new ones, better ones, ones with less drama and more joy between them all. Her life would come with hardship, but it wasn't hardship she wanted to endure with her friends. [b]"You know, I'm glad we can talk again too, all of us. My relationship with Asami aside, I'm glad I've got you two with me, after everything." [/b]

[b]"Whoa, hang on a second,"[/b] Mako kept the mood lighthearted, having more than enough of his fill of the dramatic for a while. As long as Bolin was happy, and Korra was able to become happy, then Mako would keep things that way, at least for them. His feelings for Asami also had their own time and place, set aside until she could look him in the eye without flinching. [b]"Bolin isn't Chief yet, you don't need to suck up too badly now!" [/b]

[b]"Hey, I threw you in there too!"[/b] Korra beamed at Mako, gaze soon returning to Bolin. They were coming up on the station sooner than expected. She'd attribute it to the saying of time flying when fun was had. [b]"But ...just in case ...it wouldn't hurt to have you on my side in the future, 'Chief'."[/b] Korra nudged him lightly with her elbow. 

With the group coming to a stop in front, Korra motioned for Naga to remain outside and headed inside with the others, parting once Korra could meet with one of Republic City's finest. With the brothers to prepare for their own affairs for the day, that only left the Avatar's toughest duty since dealing with Amon.

Facing Lin. 

~-~

[b]"I still am stubborn like one, you know me."[/b] Tenzin was more than willing to agree with Lin about that particular aspect of his personality. As much pride as he had on being the one to usher in a new age for the world as the world's strongest Airbender, it was in familiar company that he could submit to his own faults as an individual, faults that were only reminded to him by the women in his life: Pema of course, Lin, as well as his mother Katara. Lin's lack of children did not phase him on the surface, yet deep within he had stirred at what Lin would be as a mother. Would the negativity surrounding Toph and Lin be passed down from Lin to her own child, or did Lin believe she'd be far, far different from a woman she spent much of her youth hoping to please? The question was not a frequent one on his mind when all idea of Lin becoming a mother was in the past for him. When he was still young, when she could still fall asleep in his arms, he wondered if they'd grow old and happy together with a family of their own. Yet Lin's bitterness and silence had a firm hold over their relationship; they began to talk less and could not bear the others company for long. Things were becoming different, and it was around that time that Pema had entered his life and made him happy. Still, he never hated Lin, and always hoped that she would find fulfillment in her life whether she was his or not. It appeared that following her mother's footsteps was her ultimate wish, one he gave his full support to. 

The danger she spoke of had brought a reluctant smile to his face, one he had to surrender to entirely and display to her fully. Being the son of the Avatar gave him a lot of respect, yet the expectations that came with being the only Airbender were very tiresome. He was never a great rebel. The times he snuck out of the house when it was late were usually at Lin's behest, although Tenzin would admit with genuine happiness how it was nice to be yelled at together rather than alone. They shared thrills of all sorts, just the two of them. 

[b]"Yes, I'll admit as much: it was fun to be more than Aang's son for once, no matter how much trouble it brought us."[/b] He said, taking another generous sip of his espresso and still feeling the tingling effects travel through him. With Lin's offer to check on Pema while he was out, Tenzin relaxed further. The generosity of what she was doing was noted, highly appreciated, and yet he was not sure if she'd really want to be there. Pema and Lin always had a distant relationship after Lin had ...attempted to arrest her, after all. Being there for a woman she did not like felt like a gesture of forced kindness and it was something he did not want her to feel like she was obligated to do. [b]"Lin, are you sure you want---" [/b]

A knock had ended his current string of words and caused him to turn towards the door. Before he could mention that he was more than happy to leave her to her work, Lin had motioned otherwise and opened the door. Who entered came as a surprise to both parties, but Korra had spoken up before Tenzin could.

As expected, Lin didn't look favorably on the Avatar's arrival, but it was nothing Korra could blame her for. Seeing Lin just stand there so disapprovingly was made worse by the fact she [i]did [/i]deserve that gaze. She was mature enough to know that the longer this took the harder it would become, and so, with Tenzin silently sipping from his espresso and taking to another cinnamon roll in silence with the most droll of stares at the two women, Korra cleared her throat and began her attempt. 

[b]"So ...uh ...good morning," [/b]Korra smiled nervously for a moment, her expression returning to a mixture of nervousness and apologetic soon after that. [b]"I just came by to apologize ...for listening to you yesterday, both of you. It was wrong of me to do that, I had no right to listen in on something that didn't concern me or anyone else but you two. I hope you can forgive me, Lin,"[/b] she looked back at Tenzin who, in the middle of chewing another cinnamon roll, gave her a comical thumbs up before taking the last of his espresso and drinking it down quickly. [b]"Tenzin-- err... y-yeah."[/b]

[b]"Forgiven,"[/b] Tenzin responded immediately, setting his empty cup aside and placing his hands on Lin's shoulders, gently -- incredibly so, even for him -- rocking her.[b] "It's a new day Lin, and it was kind of her to come by this early and ask for forgiveness. We've done our share of mischief, remember? Hmm?" [/b]Tenzin's smile grew impossibly wide. [b]"Water under the bridge." [/b]

Korra looked from Tenzin to Lin repeatedly, her brow raised in curiosity she dare not act on. Tenzin was acting different, and she was almost uncomfortable with the idea of how quickly he forgave her. No lecture? No additional chiding? She'll expect Lin to do it too, yet she'd have to admit this was easier without both of them scolding her.