I am re-posting this story because I didn't like the direction it was going so some things have changed, a lot hasn't but I figured I would just put up all the chapters again.
Background: (Right after the end of Season 1) They are on their way back to Republic City from spending a week in the South Pole. Three day trip.
"How many do you think are there?" Korra asked distractedly as she eyed the giant map before them, her eyes scanning over all the places she had never been. She inwardly promised herself that she would travel the world someday, just like Avatar Aang.
"I don't know," General Iroh said as he brought his hand up to his chin in thought, surveying the map for different reasons. "There could be a few or there could be hundreds. That'll be one of our first priorities when we get back. We'll have to scan the entire city to make sure there are no more Equalist hideouts we don't already know about. The last thing we need is to be ambushed by rebellions over the next couple of weeks."
A light knock rapped at the door, causing both to look up from the map they were leaning over. Asami opened the door and stepped through the threshold.
"We're all gathering for dinner if you two want to join us," she said as she lightly placed her hands on her hips.
"We'll be down in a few minutes. Thank you Asami." Iroh's voice had a certain edge to it as he spoke to the former heiress that made Korra steal a glance away from Asami to the usually calm and collected general. He had a smile on his lips, but it looked too tight and measured. From the corner of her eye she saw Asami smile back before turning away and closing the door behind her. Iroh's eyes, however, lingered on the door before forcing his gaze to the map once more. His lips promptly turned into a frown and his eyes gave away the fact that his mind was elsewhere.
Korra's mouth turned into a wide smirk. "What is this?" She said rather loudly, startling the general.
"What?" He asked. His mouth still down turned but confusion was now lining his face.
"Is the famous General Iroh II showing an interest in something other than war tactics?" She didn't know why she felt as though she had permission to tease the general of the United Forces as if he were her own brother, but she didn't have the chance to dwell on it for too long because Iroh's reaction caught her by surprise.
His cheeks flushed for the briefest of seconds and he straightened his stance before clearing his throat.
"I, uh… well, I must admit she is very attractive," his voice was hoarse but his face tried to show a cool demeanor. It was partially working. Korra was about to respond but he interrupted her.
"But from what I understand, she is already taken. By that firebender, correct? Mako?" Korra looked away and her smirk instantly dropped from her face.
"Yeah… she is."
Iroh's lips twitched into a small smile. "Ahh, I see I'm not the only one being overtaken by emotion." He tried to make light of the oh so sensitive situation but the way Korra's face twisted into a scowl before he even finished his sentence, he knew he had travelled down the wrong path.
"I'm sorry," he quickly recovered. "I didn't mean to cause such a reaction." He wanted to take it all back and continue their discussion about the rebuilding of Republic City, a subject he was more than comfortable with.
He glanced down at the map once more, attempting with all his might to concentrate at the task at hand but the universe would not have it. His eyes immediately landed on the largest estate known outside of royalty: the Sato Mansion. Asami's face flashed through his mind. He rubbed the side of his face with a gloved hand and decided that it was going to be a long two weeks.
Mako laid in thick silence in his room, suffocating in the whirlwind that were his thoughts. He thought of Amon, he thought of Tenzin, he thought of his brother, he thought of Korra… boy, did he think of Korra.
That particular subject of thought was always lined with a white hot flame. Whether it was a flame of annoyance, frustration, concern, desire… love, was always difficult to pinpoint. Just like a raging fire, Korra managed to engulf and consume his entire being. His mind, his attention, his care, his anxiety, his everything!
Fortunately or unfortunately he was interrupted by his door slowly creaking open. He sat up only to be met by a pair of bright, emerald eyes.
"Hi," Asami murmured timidly. Her eyes darted everywhere around the room but refused to land on him.
He felt his stomach drop as soon as she revealed herself, which he half expected anyway. He wasn't ready to have the talk. He wasn't ready with a planned out speech to end their relationship with as little heart break as possible. He absently wondered if there even was such a thing.
He was dreading this moment. But it had to be done. He needed to end the lies and deception right then. He couldn't hurt her anymore.
"Hey Asami," he said quietly. His throat felt dry and it was uncomfortable for him to speak for so many reasons.
Without a response, she silently made her way over to the edge of his bed while Mako sat up across from her.
"I'm calling everyone for dinner." She played with her hands for a few moments before she directed her icy gaze at him.
"We're over, aren't we?" It was presented as more of a statement rather than a question, which for some reason made Mako's heart deflate in his chest.
He tugged at his scarf. "Yeah, I think so."
He inwardly prepared himself for her to break down into tears and to hit him a million times until she simply couldn't any longer. But she remained still, her eyes trained at the wall in front of her.
As the seconds ticked by in complete stillness he began to scold himself for expecting such bad reactions from his, now ex-girlfriend. Asami was better than that. He should have known that.
Her voice disrupted his thoughts. "I'm okay with it… if you're wondering." He raised his eyebrow in questioning, but the way she looked at him made it all too clear what she was talking about.
"The more I think about it," she continued. "The less it stings, surprisingly. She's good for you. You two complement each other."
His face must have plainly displayed the confusion he felt for she kept going. "You two bring out the worst in each other, that much is obvious." She smirked a little from her own humor. "But you guys also bring out the best."
She fully faced him then and grabbed one of his hands in both of hers. "I'm glad you're happy Mako." Her smile was sweet and her words couldn't have been more sincere. He felt a piece of his heart chip and fall into his stomach. He felt absolutely horrible.
"What about you?" He choked out.
She stood and headed for the door, a confident yet calm smile graced her lips. "Me? I'll be fine. I'm already more than half way there actually." And with that, she stepped out of the room and closed the door softly behind her.
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