Delight spread across the face of the Airbender. A rare occurrence was right – Lin was a boulder who was often difficult to budge. Unlike the experienced Earthbender that was her mother, Tenzin was rarely capable of taking her head on. To wear her down from all sides and strike when she was at her most vulnerable and accepting was his way of reaching her, as it had been since the day they had fallen apart as lovers. Acknowledging her thanks with a short nod of his head, his focus moved to the skewer that Lin had discarded while using her own bending to guarantee it made its way inside the trash. Tenzin’s lip quivered instinctively; he was not one to back down from a challenge by Lin in their youth, and to see her answering his method of disposal with a method of her own had brought temptation to his mind. Mischief was now beneath him, yet he did wonder if Lin had done it to add a bit of spice to her disposal as he had, or if it was a method of telling him that she could do what he had, only better. Competition was not new between them. In fact now that he was thinking about it, Lin was usually open about her emotions tonight. Assumptions did not serve him well, even now. Until it was fact, he’d just admire Lin as she was now, as she used to be, before their time was up.

[color=f9ad81][b]“I won’t let you, not now,”[/b][/color] He warned her with cheer, joining beside her as she led them back to her home.

On arrival he had settled himself in a corner and had done nothing, surprising even himself. Lin’s apartment had been visited before when matters of great importance had to be discussed that did not demand the council as a whole to be involved. Mostly, he remembered helping her move in here a long time ago, back when she would speak to him again. The apartment was without grandeur and fulfilled the only purpose Lin needed: A place to test when duty had ended. It could use some comfort, yet the Airbender didn’t believe it was his place to recommend what she did with her home. Still, as his eyes examined the walls while his ears remained perked at the sound of Lin packing just upstairs, Tenzin made a mental note to offer her something as the week progressed. A flower for life, a painting for some creative introspection – anything that was not purchased by her. When had been the last time he had offered her a gift, he wondered to himself. 

When she returned and they departed together, the attention had somehow gone from the case ahead to the stars above. He was caught off guard, evident by the surprise that flashed on his features before his stoic, softened expression returned to his face. Lin suggested taking the children to the Air Temple in the future, something he had considered once Meelo had grown a little more. As well as that, concern was voiced for both Pema and himself. From that concern came further sentimentality from the least likely source he had ever known. It was in her face, her voice, even her posture somehow.

When she reached for his hand, Tenzin met her halfway with his own. His grasp was firmer than usual. He felt the texture of Lin’s hand in his own, quietly appreciative of the shared contact. The thumb of his hand brushed atop hers for just one stroke, followed by Tenzin’s thoughtful eyes leaving her hand to rest on her eyes. Standing there, just holding her hand, had somehow driven Tenzin to momentary speechlessness. Responding to the silence with further silence, Tenzin lightly tugged on Lin’s hand and brought her closer to him. Were it any other night in Republic City he would have expected an argument for his actions, or a demand of an explanation. Lin had that right, as she knew she did. 

Amid the dust and debris of the alley they stood – a spur of the moment decision just prior to Lin’s last few choices of words – Tenzin managed to make out her full body and expression in the darkness. No pressure of upholding their title and tact. No eyes but theirs on each other. The rarest of moments they no longer shared was now theirs again, and it was in this moment that Tenzin felt the most connected with his youth. Surely, Tenzin believed in his mind, Lin could feel the nostalgia as well. Kept in his hold, his arms secured around her body and bringing her closer than she had been in countless years, Tenzin had found his voice once more.

[color=f9ad81][b]“You’ve done plenty for me Lin, yet you’re still finding it in your heart to give me more.”[/b][/color] The Airbender whispered dolefully. With each word his hold on her gave the slightest of trembles. It was beginning to ache inside, what he believed to be true of Lin’s motives were weighing on his heart and running rampant in his mind. [color=f9ad81][b]“I don’t wish to pry, but is this …is all of this, what you’re doing, because you believe you owe it to me? I haven’t overlooked the way you’re looking at me tonight, the way you’re speaking to me – you’re troubled, somehow.” [/b][/color]Tenzin stated. 

If the fear of Lin refusing to speak to him about the matter was not so real to him, he’d have considered letting her go now. Unless threatened both physically and verbally, unless she could swear to him – to his face – that she was not bothered, Tenzin had no intention of releasing her. While he was a man capable of much, it had never been so easy to pick apart Lin like this. Lin let down her wall for very few. Whether or not she meant to do it, or if it was some sort of unintended cry for help, he was here now, eyes set on her lips for a sign her eyes were already offering him. 

[color=f9ad81][b]“I only ask that you trust me to be here for you, as you’ve been for me. So if there is any truth to what I’ve said, please confirm it.” [/b][/color]

~-~

Asami mentioning her father made Mako almost consider laughing about the irony with her, but seeing her wring her hands told him it was a bad idea. For someone like him who wasn’t betrayed by his father, Asami’s situation could seem humorous. What he had almost forgotten was the lengths a man like Hiroshi would go for his beliefs, and rather than think about him and laugh Mako had the fleeting urge to practice some firebending himself. His jaw tensed for a few moments before he had eased back into the atmosphere; it was just him and Asami now, no Hiroshi in sight, and it was proving better this way for the both of them.  She had moved the subject over to Korra next, expressing uncertainty due to Korra’s state. As far as the two of them knew, Korra didn’t have access to firebending like they did, so Mako could see where she was coming from.

[color=f7976a][b]“I don’t think she’d get upset hearing about something like this, but I’ve been wrong before …about a lot of things, actually.” [/b][/color]Mako answered with a shrug of his shoulders and a glance elsewhere. While Asami expressed more appreciation for what Xano and Xana had done for her, Mako continued to keep his eyes anywhere but on her. He began to ponder if it had been a little too careless to suggest that Korra be told; this was Asami’s business, even if he had meant well it would still be her decision in the end. In the end he decided to point it out for her, but by the time he rested his eyes on her again she was just reaching the end of her next spoken sentence. Hearing Asami say she was glad that he was here to share this next part of her life made his heart clench in his chest, unable to tell if it was by pain or joy.  As her expressed wishes were finished, Mako’s heart had begun to race like a beating drum. 

Was this his moment?

Asami wanted to be his girl again, to go back to the way things were before one thing had led to another. He should be ecstatic about this news, and in a few ways he was. Yet for some reason he did not immediately return her smile, and his heart continued to twist in his chest while his eyes remained on her attractive visage. While he thought of something – anything – that could be said to express what he felt at this moment, he brought his hands together and squeezed. A smile felt far away when he had no reason to frown as he was now. The girl he loved more than anything was ready to try again – why couldn’t he act?

[color=f7976a][b]“Asami,”[/b][/color] his voice came out dryer than he’d like,[color=f7976a][b] “I’d really, really like that. I know it doesn’t look that way, but it’s true.”[/b][/color] Mako cast a downtrodden look towards the carpet below. Tonight had been going so well, and here he was acting so uncertain about the one thing he wanted. He did want Asami back – it sounded better than it felt. His eyes returned to her, this time appearing a little stronger than before. All this confusion and pain came down to her, yet there was a warmth, a promise that things could be better than they ever were before. 

[color=f7976a][b]“I’m still holding on to what I’ve done, how I hurt you, and I won’t let it go any time soon. But for the sake of being a better man for you, I’ll need to forgive myself for that and love you like I mean to.”[/b][/color] With great care Mako had reached over to Asami’s hand and, with one last look of acceptance from Asami, took hold of it. Rising up from the couch and coming in front of her, Mako had taken her other hand and lightly tugged on the both of them to ask her to rise. When she complied, the young man looked from the hands he now held to the eyes they belonged to. 

[color=f7976a][b]“Maybe it’s too soon for me to tell you this, but …I want to be the man you’ll kiss goodnight every evening. A shoulder to cry on. A pillar to help you climb and be the best you can be, whether you bend or build. I want to be the man that Asami Sato can always count on, like I was before.”[/b][/color] As he came to the improvised but truthful explanation, Mako’s cheeks grew so warm that the blush was impossible to properly conceal. In his guilt he found the truth of his own feelings, seeking to make Asami understand that this was not going to be a mistake. He believed his words and was ready to back it up with action, and hoped she did the same. 

~-~

The Avatar beamed at her companion. The protection of the city was going to be a huge responsibility for Bolin, probably the greatest he’d ever know. Meanwhile, the weight of an entire world she had yet to explore was on her shoulders. In a way she was envious of Bolin’s luck in that regard, yet she wouldn’t trade her position for it. No disrespect to Lin, but it must have taken some serious buckling down to try and manage a city full of gangsters and thugs. The thought of Bolin taking out his share of criminals warmed her heart and made her smile that much wider. A big heart, hidden within a fierce man of the law. These brothers were going to be the bane of the criminal underworld, Korra just knew it.

Entering Pema’s room and joining Bolin in bringing her share of food to the nearby desk, Korra made certain she left as quietly as she entered. Only until the door was closed and they returned into the hall that Bolin broke the ice. Mentioning Pema’s condition and how much rest she needed now was a depressing reality. It was made worse by the fact that there were people in this home that she’d give her life to protect, but her life could not stop whatever was afflicting Pema.  

[color=6ecff6][b]“I know.” [/b][/color]Was all Korra could muster in response. The duo made their way back to the dining room noticeably slower, yet had paused entirely once Bolin mentioned his approval of her now. He placed both hands to her shoulders now and continued, speaking of how hard it must have been to speak to Asami and Lin – especially Lin. Her lips parted in order to thank him, but had barely made a foot before he continued. Bolin spoke of who Korra was before her duty as Avatar. Without the Avatar she was only Korra, and Bolin saw Korra just as much as he saw the Avatar. But that wasn’t enough for Bolin. He had gone further by suggesting that she was like her past self, before the kiss with Mako had ever taken place. She squirmed a little after he released her shoulders, right hand coming to the back of her neck and favoring it while her eyes examined her friend closely. Bolin was changing the tone of the evening fairly quickly and Korra had no comfortable way to respond. Luckily for her, Bolin had then changed the subject for the two of them and ran back to the dining room where dinner awaited. 

He wouldn’t have noticed it, but the Avatar lagged behind for just a moment longer, staring at his back before lowering her arm and going after him.

Upon their return she was unsurprised to find that the kids had wrapped up their meals. She thanked the elderly Katara for making sure they would wash up before taking a seat at the bowl that was left for Bolin and herself. The former had offered to read the children a story for bed, taking Korra by surprise. Paternal instincts were running strong tonight, and after everyone had left she did not waste a single second to point it out.

[color=6ecff6][b]“Its work, but you’ve adopted the role really well. All I need now is Meelo chewing on your head like he does Tenzin.”[/b][/color] Korra joked, laughing at her own image. She had sampled the soup and her eyes lit up in a fashion very much similar to Bolin just beside her. Partaking further in her meal, Bolin raised a question just after taking a large gulp of his tea, causing Korra to swallow and pause. Asking her what would be fun, Korra had no time to respond before his excitement took the lead. A barbecue. She wasn’t sure if it was just a ‘boy’ thing, but Bolin loved meat. Meat skewers earlier, to a barbecue now. It was enough to bring a smile to the Avatar’s lips. His eyes shone with an almost childlike joy at the idea, and it would not have been at all a surprise if he was smelling the grilled meat now. 

[color=6ecff6][b]“Were you thinking of doing it here, or at Asami’s place? You could invite some of your friends you’ll make on the police force too. Either way, it really does sound like fun Bolin.”[/b][/color] Korra responded. Resuming her meal, she thought back to Bolin’s attitude before they came to eat. She hid her guilt well, yet it wasn’t going away any time soon. She gave him the time he needed to respond before she dared to look at him from the corner of her eye, voice going soft and worrisome. 

[color=6ecff6][b]“Hey… are we going to be okay?”[/b][/color] Korra inquired gently, setting her spoon down and turning her head towards him entirely now. [color=6ecff6][b]"You and I, I mean."[/b][/color]