Mako was slow to let the words flow freely from his lips. She didn't blame him though. She was rightly upset with him and he was probably struggling to make a proper attempt at mending their burned bridge. Asami listened to him start off by saying how he had given Avatar Korra so much attention and in turn had distanced himself from her, his girlfriend. Asami wouldn't have minded Mako showing concern for his friend but the way he also had treated her, right in front of her, was undeniably cruel. Mako had pretty much given Korra everything in his heart while Asami was forced to stand on the sidelines and watch as if nothing was wrong. But with the unrest rising in the city, nothing was going right and then Mako's betrayal came out of Bolin's mouth and it changed Asami's perspective even more, giving it more chill and isolation. And then her worries only grew as Mako doted over Korra while giving Asami the cold shoulder. The boy rubbed his neck awkwardly and she waited to see if he would continue. He stated the obvious but at least he knew he was wrong. Asami had spent so much time, putting herself through misery, trying to discern what she had done wrong to have Mako pull away, when in fact it might not have been her fault, but his own and Korra's. When Mako had adverted his gaze momentarily, she looked sideways at the floor under their feet. Presently, it was the only thing giving her support. Mako said he wished he could take his mistakes back and then met her gaze again. Her eyes were cold but held patience. He was speaking and she would still give him the respect he deserved, no matter how little that truly was. The fire bender ended his small admission of guilt by expressing interest in someday being friends again which she couldn't help but dwell upon. He took a step back and she raised her head slightly. [b]"I have a lot to think about."[/b] She told him. [b]"In regards to any relationship we may have in future, be it friends or something else."[/b] It wasn't her intention to imply they would ever become something but she wasn't one to slam the door in anyone's face, even if they had harmed her. And while she hated Mako at the moment, she could still think back to the more calm days in their relationship and recall that he was a good man with a good, albeit misguided heart. [b]"But...thank you for apologizing to me at least."[/b] She picked her words carefully and then headed off to cool down with her now lukewarm tea. She hadn't actually accepted his apology of sorts but she did hear him out and that was a big step. All she could do now was make the most of the peace and quiet. Soon however, Bolin came back with Korra. The pair seemed in better spirits and Asami found herself hoping that things could finally come together, for anyone. Korra or Bolin or herself. They had all been through so much, after all. If happiness and solace could be found anywhere, Asami would be grateful. The dinner was soon completed and everyone gathered around a large table to eat. It was decided they would head back in the morning and try and assess the damage they had left behind in haste. Asami felt a knot tighten in her stomach as she thought about the state of her family name and the man who had vanished in the fray. Her sleep that night was restless and left her quite tired when dawn broke. The hours spent riding were long but even then, she didn't get any rest. As they landed at the dock and everyone stretched, she saw the car she had left, was still waiting for her. She pulled out her keys and looked over to see Bolin and Mako looking a little lost. Reluctantly she decided to take pity on them but before she could, Korra offered Bolin a place to stay on the island though when it came to Mako, there was some awkward silence so Asami jumped in. [b]"You can stay with me."[/b] She told Mako and looked to Korra, wondering if the Avatar wanted some distance from the fire bender. If anyone deserved that, Asami felt like she needed it more than Korra. But Asami considered the state of Korra and shrugged a little. [b]"At least for a few days. I'm sure a lot of people have been left homeless after the devastation, this could be your new start."[/b] Asami considered and walked towards her car and got in. Mako and Bolin said their goodbyes and she was soon joined by the last person she wanted to be around. She quickly put her guard back up and her demeanor went from inviting and cautious to cool and determined. The drive home took far too long but once she got there, she felt like she could finally breathe again. Thanks to Mako having been over before, she felt no need to offer a tour of any sort. So she headed inside and found only one maid and one butler had stayed behind. [b]"Mako will be staying here for a few days, I'd like it if he stayed downstairs, out of my sight."[/b] She instructed and continued to her room, hoping to get some rest there. - - - Much to his relief, he was able to snap her out of her state. When she sank to her knees and began to cry, Bolin crouched beside her. He pulled her into him, trying to keep her warm and secure. He had never seen a girl cry before, let alone someone as strong as Korra. He knew she was going through a lot and he didn't judge her for the breakdown. Everyone was predicting it would happen, and they just wanted to be able to show their support. Korra was a stubborn person but Bolin knew that this set back wouldn't keep her down for long. He had faith that this would make her so much stronger. How? He wasn't sure, but he just knew that she would be okay. [b]"Hey, it's alright."[/b] He tried to offer her some consoling. Then some laughter reached the earth bender's ears and he blinked a few times. [b]"Huh?"[/b] While it was good to hear his friend laughing, he wasn't sure what he did to make her cry and laugh simultaneously. Korra said she was happy to see him and they got back to their feet. A wide grin soon spread across his face. Whatever he had done, even if just by being there, had somehow made her happy. And that in turn made him very happy. [b]"Heh well-"[/b] He was cut off by her then throwing her arms around him. A bright flush of red flew across his cheeks. Yep, he didn't care if he was now a popsicle, he had Korra and that's all he needed. He missed being around her, joking and hanging out. And of course he missed hugging her too. If anyone needed one at the moment, it was definitely her. He laughed and held onto her tightly. [b]"You are so amazing, so incredible!"[/b] Bolin exclaimed. He let out a noise when Naga soon joined their hug. The two ended up toppling to the snow while still laughing. It felt so good to laugh. Bolin playfully pushed Naga back when she began to lick his and Korra's faces. They climbed to their feet and Korra was quick to suggest they head back. [b]"Oh yeah, there's dinner!"[/b] He was starving and it was likely Korra was as well. They got on Naga and headed back. The route wasn't long and before they knew it, they got off the faithful beast and headed inside, smiles still stuck on their frostbitten faces. [b]"Look what i found!"[/b] Bolin declared proudly and then gestured to Korra. Everyone seemed pleased with her return and Bolin caught his brother's eye. Bolin wasn't sure what to say or do though. Thankfully the meal was soon ready and everyone sat down to get some much needed fuel back in their bodies. That night, Bolin was quick to fall asleep. It seemed that being out in the snow could tire a person out, especially one who wasn't used to high winds and freezing temperatures. The dreams the boy had consisted of him earth bending, him being on a nice toasty beach someplace and then one of him and everyone in a jungle. Clearly his mind wanted him anywhere but the snow infested tundra. With morning giving everyone a new day, a new beginning, they all packed up and said their goodbyes. Bolin was excited to get back to the city. During the way back, the kids were content with them just chatting. They couldn't rough around or anything due to obvious reasons. When they finally did land, Bolin was quick to jump down. He then used his bending to launch himself into the air from the use of a massive stone pillar. He then landed on his feet and let out a cheer. [b]"Oh it's so great to be back home! Earth bending, I've missed you!"[/b] He began to kiss the ground but then stopped when he was getting odd looks. He then wondered if it was a bit inappropriate to do around Korra and Lin. [b]"S-sorry..."[/b] He rubbed his head and then it dawned on him. Where would he and his brother go now? Parts of the city were destroyed, including the arena. They could go back with Korra but that could be weird. He looked around but Korra thankfully offered them a place, well him. He looked to Mako, not sure what to say. After the drama, things were awkward and he wasn't sure if he could just go without Mako. But then Asami out of nowhere offered to house Mako for a bit. Bolin smiled in gratitude and turned back to Korra. At least he had her, and Pabu of course. And Naga. [b]"I sweat I'll help out."[/b] He said to Tenzin and Pema. he then tagged Korra and they hurried onto the boat to take them across the bay. He waved to his brother and Asami, but he was certain they'd be in touch really soon. Now that Bolin was home, he wanted to put his bending to good use and rebuild the city. He wanted to do more. The war had opened his eye to the world's issues and he had been in a bubble for too long. Now it was his time to find his own place in the world and start doing something besides acting like a kid. - - - Words of comfort weren't her strong point. Her mother was the same way. Lin wasn't bothered by that disability of sorts. She was fine with keeping her distance. Sometimes emotions could get the better of her but she was thankful for having the discipline to stay calm under pressure. And being outside with Tenzin, was an interesting sort of pressure. She had to be careful with what she said. They were friends, they had a history. And even so, there was a lot of distance between them. Before Avatar Korra came along, she had been able to limit her interactions with Tenzin and his family. But then they were pulled together and Lin had to deal with a lot of feelings and issues that had been brought back to the surface. She just hoped things could go back to normal. She knew Tenzin was happy with his growing family. They meant the world to him and she had no regrets in sacrificing herself to ensure their safety. But she figured it would be better for her sake, if she went back to being on her own. If she saw Tenzin too often, it would only bring back feelings and would remind her of the bending she had lost. The bending that made her mother, the most stubborn woman in the world, proud of her. Tenzin had guided her outside. Normally she would have protested his handling but she knew his heart was in somewhat, the right place. [b]"I've just lost my bending, I'm not dying."[/b] She still couldn't help but smirk at him as they stood in the snow. She wasn't sure why he felt the need to give them some distance. The words the air bender felt compelled to speak were foreseeable to her, she wasn't sure why Tenzin would want to step outside for a simple thank you that was coming. His eyes met hers and her gaze slowly melted. She had been expecting an unnecessary amount of sappy words from Tenzin but rather than that, she found him embracing her. Her eyes went wide and she froze. Hugs weren't her thing. Children weren't her thing. Heartfelt speeches weren't her thing. But it seemed old habits were hard to break, as Lin had once again made an exception for Tenzin. While her first and most natural instinct, for her, was to smack him in the face and make a snide comment, she didn't. Instead she decided to just give in. Of course, if she had smacked him and mocked him for acting so girly, it would have sent her spiraling back to the days when they were a couple, when she didn't mind holding his hand around town. She would have quickly thought back to the days when she let her guard down for him without question, when they made each other laugh when nothing else could, when their parents were being too much to bear. She slipped her arms around him and let out a bit of a defeated sigh. As much as she would loathe to admit such a thing, Lin did a need a hug. She was alone. When she would get home, no one would be there to greet her. No one would be there to ask how she was. And no one would worry if she never showed up. Tenzin had so much and she was glad to have helped preserve those who he looked out for, but who also looked out for him. The man said that this choice was something he decided upon rather than words themselves. She smiled softly, a hint of pink coming to her face. She would of course say it was the pesky cold, and nothing to do with the embrace or his words or his warmth or the fact that she would have traded her bending for a day in the past where nothing was complicated. Where Tenzin was hers again and where she was his. [b]"You don't owe me anything."[/b] She said quietly. Maybe in a way, this whole loss would help even the scales, that it showed she still cared about him, even after all this time, even when she appeared to have given up on their romance long ago. They pulled away and she resisted the urge to get at least one playful smack in. [b]"Nonsense."[/b] She dismissed the compliment. [b]"I'm just glad you and your family are safe. I just wished I could have helped Korra."[/b] She considered solemnly. The two went back inside and soon Bolin had returned with Korra, both seemed rather cheery. The dinner commenced and Lin couldn't help but watch Pema and Tenzin. While Lin was no fool to go sniffing around someone else's man, the moment with Tenzin had thrown Lin for quite a loop. The following day, Lin headed back with the others and was content to be left alone with her thoughts. As they got back to Republic City, she turned to Tenzin and said that she would be busy with the rebuilding of buildings, ensuring everything was safe, along with the workers and volunteers. [b]"There is much to be done. I hope I can count on your assistance when everything has been settled."[/b] Lin said to Tenzin. She glanced to Bolin and thought about asking him to help but it seemed like he'd be a willing volunteer. With nothing else needing to be said, she headed off.