Decisions

Mako absentmindedly ran his fingers over his now cold coffee cup warming it up. The glow of the yellows spirit portal filled the small café. Mako stretched and rubbing his neck sighed. It had been over a year and half since Korra had opened the portal. So much had changed, for all of Team Avatar.

Bolin slid in silently across from him and signaled for the waiter to bring him a cup too. His back ached from a long day of training. The two brothers met each other's eyes and faked a smile to one another. Bolin drew the blinds blocking most of the yellow glow, but his uniform still shown dully in the muted light. He had finally joined the force with Mako. Mako had returned to being a detective when Wu left with Korra and Bolin was now an officer. His gaze fell back on Mako. He saw the deep worry lines etched in his face. He looked thinner, and his ruffled hair added to his worn look.

Finally Bolin broke the silence, "Well?"

"Well, what?" Mako mumbled.

"Did you talk to her?" Bolin bellowed.

"Don't yell. There are other people here."

Bolin threw his head back and banged his fists on the table. He returned to staring at Mako with an exasperated expression. In a low, annoyed voice he asked again, "Did…you…talk…to…her?"

Mako barely nodded and turned his gaze to the thinly cracked blinds. He had talked to Korra. He had supported Korra's choice to marry Asami. He wanted her to be happy, and if that was with Asami he would encourage and support her decision. The two women claimed to still be planning the ceremony, but the discussion had stalled months ago. Their relationship was struggling with the worldly demands on both of them.

The first few months had been nice and the two were happy. Mako then noticed the same events that had crippled his relationship with Korra. Korra was focused on being the Avatar. The world needed her more than ever. The Earth Kingdom's rebuilding was slow and demanding. Korra was ever dutiful and spent her energies helping. Asami had joined her for the first month, but had to return to Future Industries. That was when Mako noticed the change.

Asami was slowly returning to the person she was when Korra was with the Southern Watertribe. She buried her nose into inventing. With both Varrick and Zhu Li back, the three were furiously helping to create tools to support the nations and to rebuild Republic City. At first, Asami and Korra had made certain to visit at least once a month. For the first several months it worked well. Then Korra had to miss a visit when an uprising sprang up in east. Then, Asami had to cut the next visit short in order to finish a project with Varrick that was being presented to the Fire Nation. They had missed the next couple of following visits, and the ones afterwards, according to both Asami and Korra, were unpleasant. At least that was word Mako chose to use instead of the stronger wording of Asami and Korra.

Asami and him met up at least once a week to visit. He remained one of her few friends she trusted. Asami told him last week that they had fought the three days of their last visit. Korra wanted Asami to join her in the Earth Kingdom and was unwilling to acknowledge that Asami was needed in Republic City.

Korra kept in contact with him through writing and, when she could, phone calls. He had received a letter from her yesterday, and was pleasantly surprised when he received a phone call earlier that day. He had tried to call her several times, but either his courage failed him when the line connected or the call was lost. The cross-nation phone lines weren't stable since Kuvira had destroyed most of them. When he heard her tired voice say his name he felt his heartbeat quicken and his palms go sweaty. She still affected him. With a quick clear of his throat, he was able belie his flustered state. She mentioned the same visit Asami had told him about last week. It intrigued him to hear both of their perspectives. Korra was upset that Asami wouldn't travel with her. In Korra's opinion, Asami could invent anywhere. They could even bring a laboratory for her on the newly rebuilt train lines. He listened patiently. He desperately wanted to tell her his news, but couldn't find the words. He had hung up with a lump in his throat and the knowledge he had hid the truth from her.

"Mako," Bolin sang louder. Mako shook his head and stared at his brother. "Dude, where did you go in your head? I asked, 'what did she say?'"

Mako swallowed hard, and ran his tongue over teeth. Running a hand roughly through his hair he growled in his throat.

"You didn't tell her, did you?" Bolin chortled.

"No."

"Mako, you were invited to join the White Lotus. You could be helping to train Korra how to lightning bend."

"I know," Mako groaned. It was one of the deepest honors that could be bestowed on a fire bender. It would mean up to weeks of intensive training – side by side intensive training. There were always threats to the Avatar, and the White Lotus had decided the Avatar should be trained in as many aspects of bending as possible. He had been chosen for his superior bending ability. He had survived the spirit vines. His arm had permanent scars, but had healed and seemed to him even stronger at bending.

"What's the deal? I thought you wanted her to ask if she was okay with it?"

"I do," Mako stammered.

"Then what, bro? Why can't you tell her?"

His hesitation wasn't bending, or even damaging his arm. He wasn't hesitant to listen about Korra's tumultuous relationship with Asami. He'd support her no matter what her decision was.

Bolin's face broke into a wide grin, and hooted, "It's cause you love her! Haha! I'm right! You love her and are afraid of being that close to her!"

Mako's face turned bright red, and he slid down the booth seat slightly. He rubbed his hand over his face and let out a long exhale. He hated when Bolin was right.