Any other night after any other day, Lin would have done everything in her power to keep things superficial between them without the dust clouds of history being kicked up again. And yet here they were, after a long night of collecting questions without any answers, under the stars holding hands as if they were teenagers again, just now realizing how time had caught up with them. And time finally had. Her chest felt heavy yet inside, there was truly an empty void, leaving her powerless against the gusts of emotion that fought within her for control. The pressure to find answers, a logical solution to the problem presented to her, was building and Lin was suddenly seeing that she couldn't be alone anymore. It wasn't just an inability, no, it was also somewhat of a refusal to go home to an empty wasteland and live within the mindless cycle of sleeping and working. The man beside her, the one she hadn't ever stopped loving, had everything she never knew she wanted and it was being destroyed in front of their eyes, they were spectators to the wonderfully tragic and aggravating loss of an innocent life, as well as family. It wasn't fair but then again, Lin was well acquainted with things being unfair. Tenzin, on the other hand was not someone who deserved such a tragedy and even though she hated Pema, Lin could admit that the mother of four didn't deserve to die so soon without reason or someone fighting for her. So much helplessness had latched itself upon the city and its inhabitants and the Chief of Police felt the sickness spreading, wearing her down too. Tenzin tugged her closer and moved his arms around her slim form, the two of them sharing an embrace which left the woman unable to even recall the last time such a phenomenon had occurred. How shameful. His words were soft, as they usual were, however the embrace itself wasn't as delicate, as much as it was fragile. A timid inhale was made and Lin wished loudly to herself, that he didn't pry. No words surfaced to stop him from speaking though, and he continued to voice his concern about her feeling as though she owed him, that something troubled her. Hah. That was putting things very lightly. He was troubled, she was devastated. A wry smile tugged at her lips, he couldn't see it. He could never see it, even when they were younger and she was trying her best to flirt but also not flirt. Now was the worst time to let the dam break and yet, she was powerless to stop it when she was in his arms and he was begging to know what she was struggling to keep tightly wound together for his sake. Did she owe him though? No but in a way, she owed him for never being what she should have been for them back then. She was so ashamed of herself. [b][color=82ca9d]"You could say I'm troubled..."[/color][/b] Lin began to speak, trying to be careful but fully aware the flood would hit very soon either way. [b][color=82ca9d]"That the only thing left inside of me is regret,"[/color][/b] She sighed. [b][color=82ca9d]"and jealousy."[/color][/b] Her hands pressed into his back, unaware of his unlikely determination to hold on, as she feared her words would be the wedge to make him push her away once he knew the truth. [b][color=82ca9d]"Every night I have to go home to a building that's more like a holding cell than anything else, every morning I wake up and go to work until I have to go back home. There are days I could go without having a single conversation lasting longer than a minute."[/color][/b] She said. Truthfully, he was the only thing that felt like home. [b][color=82ca9d]"Before Korra showed up, it was so easy to stay in that sad routine but ever since she pulled us back on the same path, it's been more and more difficult seeing you and your family so much."[/color][/b] Lin admitted. [b][color=82ca9d]"Seeing you all so happy made me remember what I try so hard to avoid."[/color][/b] There was a pause. [b][color=82ca9d]"That I regret most of my choices in life."[/color][/b] Lin needed to be careful. [b][color=82ca9d]"I regret pushing my mother away, I regret following in her footsteps, I regret not talking to you and fighting when things were crumbling around me all at once."[/color][/b] She pressed her lips together. Every fiber was telling her to shut up, to push him as far as way as possible and to lock herself back in her house until winter. [b][color=82ca9d]"You deserved much better and I'm sorry I wasn't...so in a way I suppose I do feel as though I owe you because I haven't stopped loving you despite everything you've made with Pema."[/color][/b] Now was a pretty damn good time to be changing the subject, Lin mustered any hidden remaining strength she had and gave it a shot, [b][color=82ca9d]"Part of me fears you and the others are in danger as well. I can't do anything to regain control."[/color][/b] She needed to be in control. And she also hoped he hadn't noticed her slight confession, as she had done her best to brush over it, as it didn't deserve any attention, not to her at least. [b][color=82ca9d]"Still, I feel like you need me less than I need you."[/color][/b] Her grey eyes finally closed and the woman tried to enjoy Tenzin's embrace, fearing it would be the last one he would grant her. - - - This news should have granted her some more of a reaction from Mako and yet he looked rather uneasy about her words. Asami's smile faltered as the fire bender frowned and pressed his hands together, words failing him. Her thin brows dipped down in concern as she wondered if she had spoken too soon, if she had ruined such a good night between them by bringing up something that still needed time. Before she could try and back out of her declaration, Mako raised his head up to her and her expression shifted toward one that was nervous and guarded. She wasn't sure if she had said something wrong, by all accounts this felt right to her and she had thought Mako would have reacted better. His explanation however, made more sense and prevented her from saying anything else before he had said what he needed to, what she needed to hear. Her expression softened and she took hold of his hands while remaining more calm and patient as the pair rose to their feet. Before Mako continued to speak, something inside her suddenly clicked. Mako said he loved her. He loved her. Her eyes shimmered as she found herself struggling to listen to what else he even had to say. She found her lipstick coated lips slowly resume her previous smile as he said he wanted to be so much to her. So much. When he finally finished, his face matched her shade of lipstick but she was too moved to tease him about that. Mild tears were forming as she considered everything they had been through in such a short span of time. The ups and downs had somehow brought them back together, emotions tired and frayed but somehow still in tact. Her hands still held his and gave them a tight squeeze almost to prove that the present wasn't some mystical daydream or hallucination brought upon by the medicine given to her that morning. [b][color=bc8dbf]"Mako."[/color][/b] She spoke up to bring his attention back to her, just in case his confession had caused him to fluster or space out. He had considered his words and she knew she needed to the same. It was the only way. Breathing in the briefly silence, she blinked away the tears of happiness and relaxed. [b][color=bc8dbf]"You didn't react the way I thought you would,"[/color][/b] She admitted to Mako. [b][color=bc8dbf]"but instead you've given this serious thought and that means so much to me."[/color][/b] She told him. [b][color=bc8dbf]"I forgive you and I forgive Korra."[/color][/b] She finally said, it was difficult and she didn't feel like she needed to, but that she wanted to. [b][color=bc8dbf]"You need to forgive yourself too, we can't be together if you're beating yourself up over it. We have a chance to start over."[/color][/b] She and Mako, Mako and Korra, her and Korra, Bolin and Korra, everyone. [b][color=bc8dbf]"The past was painful but I know we can do better."[/color][/b] She smiled a little and glanced down at their hands, her fingers lacing together within his own. [b][color=bc8dbf]"Would you like to know why?"[/color][/b] Asami asked him. After another paused she answered, [b][color=bc8dbf]"Because I love you too."[/color][/b] She laughed a little, unsure if he even knew he said such a thing to her, not even a minute ago. [b][color=bc8dbf]"I want to support you as well, I care so much about you and your brother and Korra and even Tenzin and Pema."[/color][/b] Asami felt without a family but Bolin was like a brother to her, just as Korra was like a sister. And Tenzin and his wife were terrific sorts of parental figures. Asami made a quick mental note that she and Mako would need to visit Pema soon and see how she was doing. For now though, she wanted to look forward to what the future held for Mako and herself. [b][color=bc8dbf]"At any rate, I'm confident that we can make one another help, keep each other safe."[/color][/b] She brought his hands up to her lips and kissed his knuckles softly before stepping closer and closing the gap between them. Releasing hold of his hands, she kept her right against her chest and used her left to cup the side of his face, feeling the warmth transfer from his cheek to her palm. The both of them wanted to be careful but if they spent so much time watching their words and movements, they'd sink down as if caught in quicksand. Asami leaned in and brushed her lips against his own. It wasn't quiet a kiss but they weren't there yet. They were closer, but not quite. [b][color=bc8dbf]"If anyone tries to hurt you, they'll have to go through me and I can fire bend so...it'll hopefully be on hell of a challenge."[/color][/b] Asami laughed a little at her own words and shook her head a little. Still, it felt good to laugh together. And to be so close. - - - [b][color=f9ad81]"No! Not my hair, I don't want him to eat it and make me bald too!"[/color][/b] Bolin exclaimed and put a hand to his beloved head, taking solace in the fact his hair was still in fact there. [b][color=f9ad81]"I swear, that's how it happened!"[/color][/b] He insisted. [b][color=f9ad81]"Ah...hmmm probably wherever who lets me."[/color][/b] The last thing he wanted to do was impose on either Tenzin or Asami. Both people had been so kind to extend a hospitable hand to him and his brother in their many times of need. Bolin knew he'd want to get a place of his own soon and fend for himself, as scary as it sounded, it also sounded really fun. He knew having a place would be a huge step but for once he and Mako actually had jobs, legitimate jobs. After that, Korra grew oddly quiet and asked if they would be okay. He pouted a little, trying to pretend he didn't know what she was talking about, but it was no use. He knew what she was talking about. He really did fall for her pretty hard and he wished he had been able to stop himself before his face smashed into the ground under him. It was far too late now. The pieces were slowly being reassembled but Bolin wasn't sure if things would be the way they once were, despite how much he wished they could be. He didn't want to be the same idiot he had been before, he should have seen the signs that she wasn't [i]really[/i] into the way he was into her. Yet when it came to Korra, all of his logic flew out the window and he just looked at her and knew she had to be the one. And yet in a sense, she was because they were still sitting together like nothing had changed, like things between them could really be okay if he stopped holding on to things that weren't really there to begin with, Bolin would always love Korra, think great things of her and even expect him. But now he was also learning to not just say what came to his mind, but to think and not blurt out a stupid joke. He was also learning to speak up for himself and be more of a man and less of a boy. The revolution with the Equalists proved that life was all about change and he needed to grow up and thinking of the realistic future, not just fantasies. His brother was important to him, they were family but they were also best friends. And then there was Korra and Asami, two fantastic women who he held in high regard. Bolin was determined to be the kind of man he knew he could be. And to do that, it meant putting his feelings for Korra aside for the betterment of their friendship. She hurt him, plain and simple. The pain wouldn't last. Each day in fact, he could look out her and feel a little less of it. [b][color=f9ad81]"Of course Korra."[/color][/b] He nodded to her. It was a very sensitive area for them but he was certain it wouldn't be one for it. [b][color=f9ad81]"I mean, it probably won't be one of those times we'll look back and laugh about it...but I do think we'll be okay and then we'll be good and then we'll be awesome...then dare I say it? Super awesome. Yep."[/color][/b] Bolin smiled at her. [b][color=f9ad81]"I don't really hold anything against you, I'm the one who was reading too much into things. I should have been more clear."[/color][/b] There was also blame on her and Mako but he didn't want to get into any of it. In his mind, they had done enough talking on the matter. [b][color=f9ad81]"I just really thought you and I could have had some amazing and you liked Mako. I get it. I've learned to at least be more straight forward when it comes to telling a girl how I feel. Actions don't always speak louder than words."[/color][/b] All the presents hadn't done much, but then again neither did the praise. It didn't matter now though. [b][color=f9ad81]"It would make me feel better to know you've at least learned something too."[/color][/b] He tilted his head a little and paused to see what she could consider. There would always be a part of the earth bender that knew he and Korra could be a great couple. He would be so good to her but right now, being friends was probably their best means of getting over the negativity they both suffered. [b][color=f9ad81]"It's not going to be easy, being friends at first anyway but I think we're doing good, all things considering. I want us to just move on, I wanna be able to look at you and see a good friend, not someone who broke my heart."[/color][/b] He got up from the table, done with dinner by now. But he was also ready to move on if Korra had nothing else to say or inquire. [b][color=f9ad81]"Without someone trying to take over the city, I think there's a good chance things will work out for us, young Avatar."[/color][/b] He then swung his arm around her neck as they headed back to check on the kids. [b][color=f9ad81]"Unless...you think I should go become a super villain, ya know to help you out."[/color][/b] He smirked a little, already imagining his costume with Pabu on his shoulder.