Disclaimer: I do not own Legend of Korra.

All was forgiven.

Hours ago, Mako had formally apologized to her. He said he truly did care for her and that he was sorry their relationship had gotten so messed up.

If she could have had her way, she would have dragged out her anger, stabbed him with the guilt, twisted up his heart as she lay in the arms of another. But no. It wasn't her way this time, and truly, it wasn't even about her. It never was. It was about Korra.

Asami had sighed, buried all of her hatred, and kissed him on the cheek. That was her good-bye. And that was that.

Somehow, later on in the day, Korra had lost her bending, only to regain it shortly afterward. Asami was glad her friend was okay, but Mako wasn't making this easy for her. He was practically attached to the Avatar, holding her lightly as they sashayed around the room to talk to everyone. The room was bustling and cheerful as everyone sipped tea and chatted about their victory.

No one seemed to notice her in the corner. She was the only non-bender in the room, but that wasn't even the problem. No one except Bolin knew that her father had just hours ago tried to kill her. She remembered his fierce green eyes boring into hers before he tried—and failed—to plunge that metal claw into her head. Her father… her own father… had tried to kill her.

The pain had just registered and now ate at her. It was a deep, unbearable pain that no amount of waterbender healing could fix. She felt her heart wrench in despair and her head ache with disbelief. The denial had washed away to be replaced with cold, terrifying truth. It was agonizing.

And yet on they chatted… about Amon's downfall and Korra's bending and Pema's new baby and the arrival of Tenzin's brother, Bumi. She heard Korra's voice out of all the others.

"Everything is looking up."

Asami felt her fingers tighten over the tiny teacup. Everything was not looking up. She was all alone in the world.

"Hey."

A new voice, one she wasn't used to hearing. She looked up, still dazed from her thoughts, into deep golden eyes.

The teacup nearly slipped from her grasp.

"General Iroh," she greeted, quickly setting down her tea. Although her insides were a turmoil of emotions, she had been raised to always appear outwardly appropriate.

"You look troubled, Miss Sato," said Iroh with a concerned expression. It was almost comical how small the dainty teacup appeared in his hands.

She cleared her throat, the smile fading a little but not fully leaving her face. "I'm fine, General Iroh," she assured, resting a hand on his.

His doubtful look made her sigh. "Call me Iroh," he said warmly. He was charming, she gave him that. As Mako let out a loud laugh from across the room, Iroh kneeled down beside Asami to lower his voice. "Bolin told me you and him—" he gestured to the firebender. "—were together. If you don't mind my prying, you must let him on a long leash."

She felt like a wrench had been shoved in her chest. Trying to contain her shaking, she replied, "Actually, he kind of dumped me."

Iroh drew back. "Oh… I—I'm sorry…"

"Don't be," she replied shortly.

There was a moment of silence before the general drew closer again, talking so low that his voice was but a rasp that was close to a whisper. "Well, if you ask me, he's suffered a great loss."

Asami couldn't help the blush that stained her cheeks. She smiled shyly. There was another minute of quiet before she replied, "And what about you, General? Do you have a girlfriend back in the Fire Nation?"

He stared into his teacup, a smile shadowing his lips. "Actually, Miss Sato, I prefer not to mingle with the women back home. Besides, they couldn't compare to the fine tastes of the ladies here in Republic City."

The heat flushed Asami's face so quickly that she had to turn away to hide it, as well as the broad smile that adorned her face. "Good looks and charming," she said as soon as she could control her features again. "I find it hard to believe you don't have a girl."

"Ah, well," he rose his cup in the air before taking a short sip. "I hope to acquire one soon." With that, he took her fingers into his palm, brought them to his lips, and offered her a faint smile. "Speak to you later, Miss Sato?"

She squeezed his fingers. "Call me Asami."