Rating: K

"Hey, how's it goin'?" He asked, sitting down at the park bench. She hadn't changed a bit since last time.

"It's been pretty calm, everything's calmed down recently," she told him, leaning back into the bench. She was staring at him with that look again.

"It won't be long now, work's almost done and then I can go on vacation," he assured her with a sad smile. Truth was, things for her had calmed down, but he'd been constantly engaged by work, especially on the borders of the Si Wong Desert.

"Tell me about it, you never talk about work. I'm curious." She twirled a finger through her hair as she turned to face him, sitting on her side.

It was sinful that any person could look so good - Korra positively glowed - in such an effortless fashion. Bolin sighed at the sight.

"It's grueling and thankless, mostly, but someone's gotta do it." He chuckled nervously. "Iroh said I'll probably be promotes very soon."

"Is that a probably as in certainly?" she asked coyly, a smile on her lips.

"You know it!"

The hand that had been playing in her hair moved to his, ghosting over his curly locks. "That's great, Bo; I'm so proud of you..."

He hummed happily. He'd missed this; just sitting and talking and relaxing... He really should visit her more often, maybe his life wouldn't be such a mess if he just made more time to relax like this.

"Yeah, pretty soon I'll be the same rank as him; and I'll be able to take some time off for once."

She smiled, he deserved it. Bolin had been working so hard, she hadn't seen him in months; he had changed so much she barely recognized him at first. Tanned skin, fresh scars here and there - though only one, and an old one at that, was anywhere near his face - stubble and lines made his once babyish face seem older. He looked like a grizzled warrior; or he would if he wasn't grinning radiantly whenever she saw him.

"You've been working so hard, you really deserve this, Bo... You deserve a chance to relax."

"Soon, soon, I still have unfinished business; but I promise I'll come soon. Asami's been visiting you pretty regularly right?"

She nodded.

"That's good, that's good..." He replied awkwardly. They often ran out of things to say, but it usually wasn't weird. They could sit in silence until the sun rose, at which time he would escort Korra back and they'd promise to visit each other soon.

"I saw Iroh the other day," she pipped up distractedly, playing with her hair again.

"Really? He didn't mention you?"

"Not him, Zuko's uncle, on one of my excursions in the Spirit World."

"And, what happened? Did you guys talk?"

"Yeah, he asked me what was going on; he was pretty interested when I mentionned you..." she let the sentence hang.

He perked up at that, sitting forward. "A-And? What'd he say?"

She chuckled, her mouth curling into that sexy smirk of hers. "Well... He was proud to hear that I had someone like You as a friend. He also said he would like to meet you some time..."

He sucked in a breath. "Wow... That's... Wow! I can't believe he said that!" He hadn't heard all that much about the old man, to be fair, but he knew he had guided Fire Lord Zuko and helped him be who he was today. And Zuko was one of Bolin's idols; so meeting the man who helped forged the legend was pretty damn impressive.

They stayed in each other's company for as long as they could, even the sun setting later than expected, as if nature itself didn't want these two to be seperated. But the time came for her to leave. She couldn't stay here forever.

They stood, he held her hands, her fingers gliding ghostly over his skin. He was going to miss her so much. Seeing her for the first time in what felt like months or even years only mad ehim yearn more for her; wish they could be together once again, instead of living like this... Holding his breath until their next chance to meet.

"I guess I'll see you soon," she mumbled sadly, with a broken smile. "But not too soon..."

He nodded. "You got it. I love you, Korra..."

"Love you too Bo..." she said, fading away.

He was left standing alone at Korra's memorial statue under the fading moonlight. Like every year.