Bolin's laughter was always contagious. No matter what mood she was in, she would find herself chuckling from her belly at the very least. It was a good trait to have, one she didn't understand where he got it. Mako was so stoic, always serious, always doing what was best. A utilitarian at heart. Which was why he had chosen Asami. Why he had to choose Asami. And as she was crying, her heart broken and shattered, Bolin managed to make her laugh. For a few glorious moments, she forgot that feeling when she first saw him win a match. She forgot the way his lips tasted. She just laughed.
She was reminded of when Mako had asked her what game she was playing at. She hadn't been playing any game, then or now. Now. As she sat so close to him, her laughter shaking her bones, and causing her shoulder to brush his. She was never playing any game. Maybe that's what she should have been paying attention to this whole time. The way she never felt forced while she was around Bolin. The way she was always carefree, and never second guessing herself. This was the way she was meant to live. She was never the kind of person who felt the need to change herself to fit someone else. No. She needed someone who saw her for exactly what she was, and… didn't accept it. Someone who loved that part of her. As Bolin said. She was the strongest, awesomest person he knew, among other thing. Bolin saw her, he always saw her. He made a point of thanking her, and of telling her exactly how he felt.
He was falling in love with her. The Avatar. But never because she was the Avatar. No. Because she was Korra. He didn't stop to think what would be the better match, he didn't stop to think about anyone's feelings but hers. He wasn't willing to hurt her in an effort to sacrifice everything he felt so he and his brother survived. He knew she was special. And not because she was the Avatar. But because she was Korra.
But that was in the past. She no longer felt the pull of her heartstrings when he walked into a room, and she no longer felt the resentment towards Asami that came with being passed over in the beautiful girl's favor. She began to see the truth of it all. She wasn't meant for Mako to begin with, but Bolin. At least she was close. She was meant to be with one of the bending brothers, she had just been so hooked up on the one that first awed her, and not the one who first saved her. Who first saw her. Who first loved her. The bending brother who was never afraid to hide how he felt because what did he have to lose?
He had been hurt by her stubbornness, and by her blinding infatuation. And she regretted that immensely. But when she reached over and placed a hand on his shoulder. When he stopped laughing immediately and looked to her with such hope in his eyes. She knew she had made a mistake before.
She leaned forward and pressed her lips to his cheek. She felt her cheeks burning and looked to him. He hadn't moved a muscle, as though too afraid to ruin the illusion he had convinced himself this was.
But it was no illusion. She had made her choice. It was late, and it was muddled with remnant feelings for his brother, which quickly were dispersed when he put his hand to her cheek and leaned towards her himself. His lips touching hers in a kiss that sent shock waves down to her feet. This is what it should feel like. This is what she was meant to feel.
She'd picked the wrong brother at first, but things were right in the world again. She fixed her mistakes. The Avatar brought balance. And Korra brought insanity. But to Bolin, nothing could be more perfect.