360 Chapter Eleven: 360

They were setting the dinner table when Lin arrived, Bolin pouting all the while because there were none of his favourite noodles in sight. He made a remark about the food that prompted Korra to fire bend at his brother, singing his hair slightly. Mako was torn between letting her maim his brother and not wanting a mess in his house when they heard someone climb onto the front steps.

Unlike Bolin, Lin wasn't one for grand entrances, so she politely knocked on the front door and waited to be invited in.

Korra was yelling at Bolin to not touch the food as she threw open the door, a welcoming smile on her beautiful face.

"Lin," she greeted, her eyes sparkling, "Please." Korra opened the door wider and gestured for the grey-haired woman to enter. "Welcome to the House of Fun," she muttered sarcastically.

"Any bloodshed yet?" the older woman asked as she stepped into the hallway.

"Nope. They're waiting for you."

"That's nice of them. I wonder what's kept them waiting." Lin chuckled as she walked past Korra.

Inside the living room, Mako stood motionless, once again uncertain as to what to do as he waited for his former superior. His relationship with the older woman had always been different. Korra was the woman that held whatever was left of his heart—he could admit that now—while Bolin had a bond with him that was unbreakable. But Lin…She had taken on the role of the mother that he and Bolin had never had. Mako knew he had disappointed her immensely and suddenly, he felt like he was eighteen years old again, intent on proving why he deserved the legendary police chief's attention.

Lin's gaze was focused solely on Mako as she entered the living room. They regarded each other for long moments, both quiet, as was their nature.

Mako found himself clearing his throat, inwardly cursing for feeling nervous. "Lin, I—" he abruptly shut his mouth. This was followed by a great frown, because although he wasn't a man of many words, he was never at a loss for them.

Bolin and Korra, who had come to stand next to each other, had to hide their smiles. They both took an unholy pleasure in seeing Mako so clearly disconcerted. It was a rare moment. He looked like a chastised schoolboy, and neither Bolin nor Korra wanted to ease his uneasiness just yet.

He deserved it, after all.

"Dear, dear," Lin said pleasantly. Her green eyes were twinkling, indicating that she too was savoring the moment. "You're still so serious. I had hoped that Korra would have cured that."

"Give him hell, Lin!" Bolin cheered on and merely grinned when Mako shot him a scathing glare.

"He already looks like he's in hell, Bolin," Lin pointed out. "I doubt he's ever felt so anxious."

Korra took pity on her lover. "Did you find the house easily, Lin?" she asked, doing her best to divert attention from Mako.

"Yes. Your sense of direction is impeccable as always, Korra—unlike certain people. You always know where you're headed."

The dig wasn't subtle and Korra knew she had to intervene before Mako was made to feel any worse than he already did.

"That's enough for now," she declared firmly. "Let's have dinner first and then you can question Mako's decisions all you want, Lin."

Mako scowled at her.

Traitor.

She winked back at him.

"Wait."

They all paused in heading towards the dining room, turning to look at Lin questioningly. She reached into her pouch and pulled out a folded piece of paper, which she handed to Mako.

"Former Detective Mako," she said formally, "as a member of the Republic City council and thus a representative of all other members, and in front of The Avatar, I hereby inform you that you are pardoned for your desertion of Republic City."

Korra clapped her hands, forcing back an elated squeal. Beside her, Bolin released a great sigh of relief.

Mako took the folded piece of paper, but he didn't open it. His gaze remained firmly locked on his former superior. "What's the catch?" he demanded, not willing to believe there weren't any hidden agendas.

It was a predictable answer on his part and Lin couldn't blame him for his distrust. She shook her head. "No catch," she promised. Her tone of voice was serious. "There will still be several issues that need to be ironed out, but you will be reinstated as a Detective working for the Republic City Police Force—should you ever decide to return to the city."

The room was quiet at this because all the occupants knew that this last part was impossible—at least for now.

"There's something else," Lin said. She smiled slightly when upon noticing Mako's tense shoulders. "Relax." She again reached for something from her pouch. Withdrawing an object wrapped in a plain brown cloth, she passed it to Mako.

As the fire bender unwrapped the item, Lin continued to speak. "I realise that you've established a life for yourself here but the offer still stands if you wish to return to Republic City. It is, after all, your home. Speaking of which, you really should unwrap that."

That was something Korra had become very familiar with in the time she had known Mako. It had been after she first arrived in Republic City, and had taken it upon herself to sneak into the Pro-Bending Arena that she had ultimately met with the item now in Mako's hands.

His calloused fingers ran over the now threadbare red scarf that he had once accessorised with his outfits. The red scarf that had been his fathers, which had given him a sense of security when faced with the cruel reality that was his life, the scarf that he'd then passed onto his grandmother in the Earth Kingdom.

"Your Grandmother felt it was time that found it's way back to you." Lin said honestly.

"Thank you, Lin," Mako stated quietly.

"But I am grieved to inform you that she has now passed." Lin's green eyes briefly met Korra's. "Her dying wish was that the scarf, along with your family portrait—was returned to you. I'm sorry."

Mako's head shot up, his amber eyes widening at the words that had just reached his ears. Lin's face was serious, not a sign of the former smile that had graced it apparent.

"Grandma Yin…" Korra whispered in disbelief.

Lin nodded grimly. "I'm sorry, Mako," Lin said sympathetically. "It's always difficult when a family member passes. Don't look at me like that, Bolin. Someday, when you are old and well lived, you will understand that it is a natural part of life, not that it makes it any easier. Korra already does—don't you?"

She nodded, but her attention was completely on Mako. His hands were trembling slightly as he held his father's scarf. Without thinking, she went to him and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

Despite the presence of Lin and Bolin, he leaned into her touch, accepting her unspoken support.

"Believe me, I'm quite used to family members passing away," Mako said at last, his voice hollow. "My mother, my father, my Grandmother…they're all dead now."

"How can you say, Mako!?" Bolin broke his silence.

"It's the truth, Bolin," Mako shot back severely. "You might have naive ideals about people's passing, but I don't. Once they're gone, they're gone, and if you can't see that, then you have a lot of growing up to do!"

"Mako," Korra whispered warningly, stepping closer to him.

He released his breath slowly and gave Bolin a look that was the closest thing to an apology he could muster. "That's just how it is," he repeated resolutely. "As for returning to Republic City right now I just…I just want to be left alone."

"I'll make sure the council get that message," Lin swore.

Mako nodded.

Korra brushed his arm. "Why don't you go and keep the scarf in a safe place?" she suggested gently. "I'll go show Lin where to put her things and wash up for dinner?"

He nodded solemnly and headed towards his—their—bedroom.

"You do realise I could just earth bend the does off right, Korra?" Lin teased in an attempt to lighten the mood.

"No harm in simply washing your face," Korra retorted with a smile. "Bolin, go finish setting up the table."

"Fine," the younger brunette huffed.

Dinner saw, for the first time in many, many years, the infamous former original Team Avatar, plus one, gathered for a meal as a complete unit. Despite the bad things that had happened to them, it was like they were never separated. Bolin and Mako bickered over the silliest things and Korra attempted to play mediator. Lin threw veiled insults in every now and then and expertly dodged whenever utensils, mainly Bolin's, flew her way. There were still several issues that needed to be addressed; Mako and Bolin still had a score to settle with each other and Lin still wanted to have a few words with her former subordinate. Wounds weren't completely healed, and it would probably take a long time before they completely were. But for tonight, they were going to enjoy that once again, they were together. That from now onwards, there would be no more sadness or sorrow—only hope for a better tomorrow. They were strongest when they were like this.

They were family.

Korra forced Bolin to help her wash the dirty dishes, knowing that Lin needed a moment alone with her former subordinate. It didn't stop either of them from trying to eavesdrop, though; both Korra and Bolin craned their necks in an attempt to hear the conversation. However, after being nearly knocked out by a couple of rocks, they got the message and continued to focus on the dishes.

Mako and Lin sat on the back steps, a pot of tea between them, as they spoke in hushed voices. Korra watched them from the corner of her eye, noting how her lover's shoulder would tense at times. But overall, there were no raised tones and she knew that whatever they were saying would go a long way into healing the breach between Lin and the young man she had come to love as her own.

After what seemed an eternity, Lin patted Mako on the back and rose to her feet. She nodded at Korra and Bolin as she made her way to her room, murmuring that she was retiring for the night.

Bolin looked to Korra, affection bright in emerald eyes. He dried his hands, kissed her on the cheek and told her goodnight before calling out a stern warning to his brother to not keep Korra awake all night because "I'm going to beat you to a pulp tomorrow morning!" It was a measure of his maturity; he knew that his two best friends needed some time alone and despite his own wishes, he granted them their privacy.

Korra switched off the kitchen lights and made her way outside, grabbing a blanket along the way. After confirming that both of their guests were in their rooms—she wouldn't put it above to Bolin to eavesdrop—she wrapped the throw over Mako and herself and rested her head on his shoulder to enjoy gaze at the stars.

"I want it to always be like this," she declared wistfully.

He glanced at her. "I can't promise you that." But I will try were the words left unspoken.

Korra gave him a quick peck on the cheek and smiled. "I know. But I'll love you anyway." It felt good, to be able to declare her love for him without the fear of rejection.

Underneath the blanket, she covered his strong hand, tangling their fingers together. "Tell me what Lin said to you," she cooed.

A corner of his mouth lifted. "She apologised . . . for not being able to be there for me—the way you and Bolin were. She said she knows how it feels to be haunted by one's past and is glad that I wouldn't have to live with it forever. That now I have better things to look forward to. She also forgives me for being, in her own words, 'an irritating, disrespectful pain in the ass.'"

Korra snorted. It sounded like Lin, all right. "And what did you say?"

"I told him—I told him that I've found peace."

Korra squeezed his hand. "She must have been proud to hear that," she murmured and smiled when Mako merely shrugged.

She turned her head to look up at him, studying the sharp features. "Are you really okay, with staying here?" she asked, slightly apprehensive.

He was quiet for a long time. Finally, he sighed and said, "It's strange, but I think I am. Even though Republic City is my home, where majority of my life was lived, I've made a life of my own here. Back in Republic City—I wasn't leading the life my parents would have wanted me to lead and it isn't the life I want to lead for myself."

"I'm glad. That you're doing something for yourself."

"So am I," Mako agreed. He lifted a hand to brush back several chocolate strands from her face.

"I love you very, very much, Mako."

"Yes, I know." Korra punched him in the stomach for sounding so smug.

"Korra?"

"Yes, plum pudding?"

He almost rolled his eyes. "Are you . . .?" he paused. "Are you happy—here?"

She thought about it for a moment. There would be many times, she knew, when she would miss both Republic City and of course her home in the South Pole and the life she had there. She would want for her friends and her parents and duties that kept her busy. But here…here, she would have Mako and the life they would build together, free of worries and things that could hurt them greatly. The Spirits willing, they would have a lifetime of loving each other.

In the grand scheme of things, it wasn't such a bad trade-off.

"Extremely," she answered him at last. She quirked a perfectly shaped eyebrow, "Are you happy?"

Mako didn't hesitate in answering.

"Yes."

It was an epic showdown.

If they were to tell you, both Bolin and Mako would admit that their latest spar was one that would go down in history. It was a fight purely to gauge each other's bending abilities; they showed off the skills they had accumulated over the years, which were immense. They proved to one another—and to their loved ones who were watching—why they truly deserved to be considered two of the strongest benders of their time.

As Korra watched the blurred figures of her boys one-up each other, she felt awed and privileged to able to witness this.

Standing behind her, her arms folded, Lin echoed her thoughts. "If Mako ever decides to return to the Police Force, our enemies will have zero chance," she murmured in awe.

To her credit, Korra didn't remain a spectator during the entire match. Halfway through, just as Mako had dodged off the multiple boulders that Bolin had that attempted to hold him down with, she jumped into the fray, unable to help herself. She stunned everyone as she threw Bolin and then Mako clear across the field with the boulder boom she was so famous for.

"You both left me, assholes," she pointed out moments before she punched the ground, no longer withholding the true power of her bending.

For Mako, who had never witnessed this, he stared at her, shocked, and nearly fell into the crater she made. Thank the Spirits they had decided to find another location instead of using the training area on his land.

Eventually, though, Korra recognised the fact that this was a battle her boys needed to have between themselves and gracefully stepped out, shooting Lin a smug smirk—which she returned—as both Mako and Bolin continued to fight each other with a considerable limp; Mako's caused by a rock that had fallen on his foot and Bolin's caused by his now singed calf.

That said, when the spar finally ended with a reluctant draw and both boys were at the point of burning out from exhaustion, Korra took great pleasure in hurting them a bit further while she healed them.

As she repaired Bolin's fractured arm, he grudgingly gave a compliment to his brother. "You were right, Korra—Mako is really fast. How did you keep up with him?"

At that, Mako shot her look and she discreetly shook her head. Of course she hadn't given Bolin the full details of their match. She wouldn't embarrass him—and herself—by telling anyone that they had battled each other naked.

But she would use it as something to hold over his head for the times when he would act like a turtle duck. A good bender always used dirty tricks when necessary.

"I have my ways, Bo, I have my ways," she said mischievously.

The older woman merely chuckled, though she didn't deny the fact she knew what Korra was talking about. She had dated Tenzin once upon a time.

Korra, too, chuckled at her own remark. 'Poor Bo, he's so clueless.'

After a momentKorra struck up conversation once more, smiling she said, "It's a beautiful afternoon." And it was; slightly chilled but wonderful, overall. "There's a stream in the west side of Mako's post. Want to keep The Avatar company while our idiotic male counterparts prove who can pee the farthest?"

Minutes later, they were seated on the pier by the stream, their hands firmly holding onto fishing rods. Lin sat with her legs folded, her back propped by a bag, while Korra chose to dangle her legs over the edge of the pier.

"I didn't know you knew how to fish," Lin remarked as Korra deftly prepared the tackle.

"Spearfishing yes, though Mako showed me the basics of line fishing when I was last here," she told the older woman. It had been during one of the times when they both acknowledged that they needed to leave the house. She didn't bother to mention to Lin that fishing hadn't been the only thing Mako had taught her how to do on this pier. That had been an interesting afternoon, to say the least.

"It really is a nice place, it kind of reminds me of home." Lin remarked as they waited for the fish to catch their baits. "I can see the attraction. All this space—more than enough to raise children.

"I'm not…we're not…we haven't decided on that!" Korra sputtered, blushing, the tips of her ears turning a dark shade of pink.

Lin chuckled at Korra's obvious embarrassment. "You can't tell me the two of you haven't been getting down and dirty in the time you've been here. The way his eyes pierce you. I'm telling you; their intense."

"We're not talking about this!" Korra said hotly.

Smiling, Lin took pity on her and dropped the subject, but not before saying "I was young too, once."

After a few more quiet moments she continued, "After all of Bolin's boasts," she began quietly, "it was you who brought Mako back."

"But he's not back, is he?"

"You know what I mean. Back to his sense." Lin shifted the fishing rod a bit. "I never thought I'd ever see him so…at ease."

"Yes," Korra agreed, smiling beautifully. "It's amazing, isn't it? There are times when I feel I hardly recognise him. Five years can do a lot to a person."

"And what about you? Will you be content, having to sacrifice your life in Republic City for a life here?"

"There's hardly much to sacrifice Lin," Korra chided lightly. "I haven't sacrificed anything. I've simply chosen a new life. And it's not like I'll be solely focused on Mako. The town nearby could use a new healer and Republic City, nay, the world, can always count on me to be there whenever I'm needed. My world has just expanded, can't you see?"

"You really love him, don't you?"

"Always."

"And he really loves you."

"Of course he does!" Korra exclaimed confidently. "He'd be stupid to not love me—I'm the Avatar for Spirit's sake!"

Lin laughed as she agreed with the younger woman's statement. "You know," she said, "there are many kinds of strengths. I've never told you this and it may seem several years too late, but you have always been the strongest among us. What you did for Mako, what you've done for all of us—it's nothing short of amazing. You're an incredible young woman. Not just as the Avatar but as you, Korra."

She smiled at Lin through her unshed tears. It meant a lot to her, to hear Lin say that. Until now, she hadn't realised how much she'd hungered for such an acknowledgement from The daughter of Toph Beifong.

"I had the best mentor—and I don't mean Tenzin," she told Lin softly. "You taught me the importance of fighting for what matters most to me. That lesson has always played a part in everything I've done."

Lin simply gave a small smile in return to Korra's confession.

"Korra!" Bolin wailed from a distant. "Mako tried to burn me to a crisp! Where are you guys?"

Two days later Lin and Bolin were to depart back to Republic City.

It was a tearful parting, at least on Korra's part—and a little bit on Bolin's, as well. Korra's eyes were bright with unshed tears as she hugged Lin and Bolin as if it were the last time they would see each other.

"Now, now, Kor," Bolin comforted her as she clung to him. He patted her back soothingly. "We'll come over as much as we can. Now that we know Mako is here, we'll know where to go when we want to bother him."

To Mako, this sounded like a threat and he dimly wondered if it would be too stupid to move.

Bolin came to stand in front of him, and ignoring the hand he held out, gave him a brief hug. Mako slowly placed his arm around his brother and patted his back. The younger brunette then drew back and shoved his fist into Mako's shoulder—which he also returned.

"Take care of her," Bolin said seriously and both of them glanced over at Korra, who was bidding Lin farewell.

Mako nodded and recalled the conversation they had a few days ago during one of their trainings-turned-competition.

"I never really did have a chance, did I?" Bolin murmured as the two of them sat under a tree and allowed the crisp autumn air to dry their sweat.

Mako didn't bother to ask what his younger brother meant. He knew without needed to ask. He tugged off his shirt and used it to wipe his damp face. "I won't apologise," he declared bluntly. He wouldn't. He was sorry that Bolin had at one stage had strong feelings for Korra, but he wasn't sorry that Korra was with him now. He wouldn't admit it to anyone, least of all Korra, who seemed to have taken a sadistic-like delight in having some sort of power of him, but he probably needed Korra more than Bolin ever would.

Bolin nodded, accepting the fact. "I don't expect you to. You'd be stupid if you didn't hold on to a woman like Korra. Do you know how lucky you are? Someone like her…don't ever take her for granted again, Bro. Because if you do…if Korra ever comes back, you'll never see her again. This I swear."

"I won't let her go," Mako promised. He pierced his brother with serious eyes. "Thank you…for all the years that you were there for her when I wasn't."

Bolin laughed. "I'm still here for her—it's just that now you're with her, too."

Mako gave his brother's shoulder another punch. "You're welcome here anytime," he said gruffly.

Bolin snickered. "That must have been painful to say. Did Korra force you to?"

"Shut up. She doesn't force me to do anything."

"Yeah right," the earth bender snorted, still laughing. Mako couldn't help smiling himself.

And what seemed like a second later, the two earth benders were on their way, Bolin lingering as much as he could, grinning at the two people he loved most as he hollered his goodbyes.

Mako watched from the corner of his eye as Korra furiously waved after them, tears in her turquoise eyes. She turned to Mako and smiled gently at the expression on his handsome face.

"I'm not changing my mind," she said knowingly. "Besides, you'll only come after me, right?"

"Right," he surprised both of them by answering.

"We'll see them again. And even though I'm officially relieved of my duties, I'm still the Avatar. I'll serve the country when I'm called."

Mako nodded. He already knew this. Though he didn't share the same opinion, he wouldn't stop her. His feelings regarding his former hometown were still dubious, to say the least, but he understood hers. Being the Avatar was something she was unable to escape. Their paths might be the same now, but their choices were different, and he respected her for it.

He was pulled away from his silent musing when she suddenly threw her arms around his neck. She looked up at him and smiled. "It's wonderful, isn't it, Mako? We've come 360 degrees, you and I. This is a brand new beginning for us."

He had to smile at her silliness. "You're being very corny."

She laughed, too content with the moment to take offense. "No." She shook her head, giving a great goofy grin. "I'm just very happy. Happier than I've been in a long time!" she sang. She wrapped her arms more tightly around his next and pulled him closer. "And you—aren't you happy?"

He looked down at her beautiful face and felt his heart constrict with the emotions whirling within him. He cupped her cheeks, the expression in his amber eyes uncommonly soft.

"I'm delirious," he answered, and then lowered his head to kiss her.