Authors Note: Thank you to TheToasterMarketingBoard for editing this chapter!

"Korra?" Senna called out into the handset.

"Love you both! Bye!" Korra replied, followed by the clicking sound of her hanging up.

"Korra?" Exasperated, Senna threw her hands up. "She hung up on us."

Tonraq let out a soft chuckle as he patted his wife's shoulder.

"Our daughter hung up on us," she repeated.

"Well she's back home and she's okay, nothing to be worried about."

"You don't think it's odd, that she just left like that, alone with her friend, for three weeks?" Senna pressed.

"No, not really. Korra's a big girl, and she doesn't live at home anymore." The Chief looked at his wife, hoping his relaxed nature would put her at ease, but clearly it wasn't having any affect. "Senna, she's gone off plenty of other times and it's never bothered you before. Aren't you glad it was with a girlfriend and not some guy?"

Senna looked into her husband's eyes, silently pleading for him to see what she saw in the situation. Yes Korra goes away for long periods, she's the Avatar, and it's her duty. But this wasn't an Avatar trip; it was a vacation, with another woman. She closed her eyes and let out a long sigh. He didn't know what she knew, he hadn't seen the letters.

Tonraq took Senna's sigh as a sign she was ready to let whatever she was holding onto go. "We can go back to Republic City and visit her sometime soon, get that breakfast she owes us," he said as he walked out of the room. The Chief went a few feet before noticing his wife hadn't moved from her spot by the phone.

"Senna, what's wrong?"

The Avatar's mother clutched the receiver to her chest. She felt the burn of tears threatening behind her eyes. Ever since that night when she searched through Korra's room, ever since she allowed herself to admit she still wanted another child she felt like she had been carrying a heavy burden on her shoulders. Keeping it inside was becoming too difficult.

"I wish we had another child," she whispered, almost more to herself than her husband.

"What?"

"I wish we had another child after Korra..." Senna repeated, this time loud enough for him to here.

Tonraq walked back to his wife. "What brought this on? Have you always felt this way?"

Senna's eyes opened wide with disbelief. "You know I have! Did you forget the several conversations we had about it with the White Lotus? You agreed with them!" Senna put the phone receiver down with force. "I wish we had another child, one that would call the South home, a child that would get married and have children. I'm never going to be a grandmother…"

The tears Senna tried to hold back broke through and began to fall. Tonraq took her into his arms and held her small frame next to his large one. Senna buried her face into his broad chest, muffling her sobs.

"It's okay Senna. I think I know what's going on."

"You do?" Senna whispered.

"I think you might be going through the change that women go through."

Senna started to cry a little harder at his statement. Was it that? Was she just getting older and her hormones were starting to get out of whack?

"Maybe it's time to see Katara… I'm sure she could help." Tonraq said softly, petting the top of his wife's head.

"Okay."

The following day Senna made her way to Katara's home. She knocked on the door and Kya was the one who answered.

"Senna! What brings you by?"

"I was hoping to have a session with Katara," she said timidly.

Kya leaned against the doorframe casually. "Mom's been under the weather the past few days, but I can see you."

Senna fidgeted for a moment. "Oh, that's okay; I don't want to be a bother..."

Kya started ushering her inside. "Nonsense, come in!"

"Oh, okay..."

"Everyone forgets I'm a healer too," Kya muttered, more to herself than Senna.

They went into the living area of the home and each took a seat.

"So, what's going on?" Kya asked as she settled into her chair.

Senna looked down at her folded hands. She was used to Katara's more gentle approach.

"My husband suggested I come by, he thinks I might be starting the uh, the change."

Kya nodded. "And what do you think? How have you been feeling?"

"I have been feeling a little more sensitive, lonely." Senna admitted.

"Did you notice when this started?"

"Maybe about six or eight months ago, after Korra left home… It might just be empty nest syndrome. I got used to having her around again. Not that I want to go back to taking care of her! I am so grateful she is well. There was a point that I began to doubt her being able to recover. I feel terrible even admitting to you now…"

"That was a difficult time Senna, not just for Korra. You know, caring for someone can take an emotional toll on the caregiver as well. It sounds like you're in the process now of making your own recovery."

Senna shook her head. "I never thought about it like that."

"Talking about it is a part of the healing process, and so is rebuilding your own life. Now that you're not taking care of Korra, what have you done with that energy and that time you now have?"

Senna thought for a moment about the days she spent in her home, walking by the many empty rooms. "Honestly, not much. I don't have to do much to maintain my home, since Tonraq is Chief. No other children..."

"Sounds like it's time you found something new to do. You could get a hobby or volunteer. You now have the time to pursue those interests, those dreams outside of being a mother and a wife."

"So you don't think I'm going through the change?"

"You could be. You're getting to that age. Keep an eye out for hot flashes, infrequent or dramatic changes in your cycle. Come by if anything becomes uncomfortable, but otherwise, it's one of those things you just get through. You come by if you ever need to talk too. Both Mom and I work on the body and the mind. Plus, we have some of that rare insight on Avatar stuff," Kya said with a wink.

"Yes that is true, thank you."

The two women sat in silence for a few movements. Senna made no motions to leave.

Kya cocked her head to the side, "something else on your mind Senna?"

Senna fidgeted in her seat, trying to figure out what she wanted to say. Her discovery in Korra's room was still gnawing at the back of her mind. Did it mean what she thought it meant? She just needed to say it aloud to someone. Then the ridiculousness of the idea would be clear and she could laugh it off or…

Senna again kept her view on her lap; she couldn't look into Kya's curious eyes. "I think Korra is… I think she is..."

"Senna, when did you come in?"

The younger women look over at the doorway Katara was standing in.

"Mom, you should be in bed!" Kya barked.

Katara waved her off. "I've been in bed for days, I'm fine."

Senna popped up from her seat. "I should get going."

"No need to rush out the door just because I'm here," Katara said, shuffling over to the seating area.

Senna made her way towards the door. "Really, I should go. Thank you Kya, Katara I hope you feel better."

When their door clicked shut Katara looked over at her daughter. "What was that all about?"

"Oh, she's just starting to go through the change."

"Is that all?"

"I think some Avatar Mom stuff too."

Katara bowed her head. "I can't imagine it's been easy for her."

Senna hurried back towards her home. Her feet made a steady crunching sound as she trudged through the snow. She couldn't talk to Katara about it. She had known Katara her whole life, but always felt uncomfortable discussing her daughter with the older woman. To speak of Korra to Katara felt like opening an old wound. Korra existed because Aang was dead, that fact couldn't be easy for her. Senna was relieved that it was unlikely that she would live to see the next Avatar. She had no idea how to feel about that person...

"I don't even know how to feel about my own daughter right now…"

Senna arrived home and made her way into the kitchen to make some tea. Not long after she got the water on the stove and her tea leaves prepped Tonraq joined her.

"How did it go with Katara?" he said, taking a seat at the table.

"I saw Kya, actually. It was fine; she thinks I should find something to occupy my time."

Tonraq scratched at his beard. "That would be good for you, you should get out of the house more. You want me to ask the council to see if there is anyone who could use an extra hand?"

"Sure..."

The kettle started to screech, calling Senna's attention. She went back to the stove and pulled it from the flames, then grabbed a second cup and brought all the supplies to the table.

Tonraq smiled and took the cup offered to him. "Thank you."

Senna gave him a quick smile back and then her face turned neutral.

"There is something I have to tell you."

The Water Tribe Chief shuffled in his chair nervously. "Okay."

"That time, when Korra was missing? After you called to tell me, I went through her room looking for clues to figure out where she could have gone to."

Tonraq relaxed a bit in his chair, relieved it wasn't the kind of confession he anticipated.

"I found a box under her bed and it was full of letters from her friend Asami..."

Senna looked down at her tea. She swirled her spoon around a few times mixing up the liquid. "I read them."

"Okay," was all Tonraq could think to say.

"The longing in those letters is palpable, Tonraq. And Korra has them all tucked away in a secret box, away from her other letters. Then they sneak off on a 'vacation', just the two them!"

"What are you trying to say, Senna?"

"I think Korra might be ah… be with her friend Asami... In that way…"

"Oh..."

They both fell silent for a moment.

"Are you certain?"

"No."

"Okay. I'm not really sure what to do with this information."

Senna met her husband's eyes. "Well, what do you think if it's true?"

"Does it matter?" Tonraq slapped his large hands on the table with a thud. He pushed out his chair and got up. "I'm going outside."

Senna put her head in her hands and looked into her tea.

"Why did I say it to him?"

"What was Senna even talking about? Korra has had a boyfriend." Tonraq thought as he heaved his twentieth snowball towards a nearby cluster of trees. It collided with a tall pine, and burst into what looked like heavy snowfall. "So there were some letters, lots of people wrote to Korra saying they missed her during that time. So they took a vacation together, I took long hunting trips with Raake when we were young men. It doesn't mean she's..."

Tonraq threw one more snowball and then sat down in the snow. The cold wind blew right through him. Piercing cold always helped him calm down, so he could clear his head. "So what if she is? People will say things behind her back. She'll just never be able to get married and probably never have children… So what?"

Warm tears started to trickle down his cold cheeks. "Korra, did we do something wrong?"

The door of Katara's home was knocked on for the second time that day. Kya had just finally ushered her mom back into bed. Another visitor was bound to undo all that effort. She opened the door and looked up at the large man behind it.

"Tonraq?"

"Kya, can I come in?"

"Sure," Kya said stepping out of the way. "You know, you and your wife can come together if you like."

Tonraq didn't respond as he plopped down in a seat. It creaked as his large frame settled. Kya joined him. She waited for him to speak, but he just sat there, eyes locked on the floor.

Katara sat up in bed when she heard two muffled voices in the living room again. 'Who could it be now?' she wondered. Katara started the movements to get out of bed, then remembered how much her daughter had just pestered her into getting back into it. Not feeling up for another argument Katara decided she'd get out of bed, but wouldn't leave the room. She just wanted to know who had come over, then she'd get back into bed, and Kya wouldn't be the wiser. Two shaky feet touched the floor and she was on her way towards the door. She heard the guest's voice again, and recognized it as Tonraq's. She hadn't seen Korra's parents in weeks and now they both came to the house in the same day? She couldn't help but be curious. Katara opened the door just a crack so she could hear what they were talking about.

Kya relaxed into her seat. "So Tonraq, what can I do for you?"

Tonraq continued to sit in silence. Kya shifted in her seat a few times, starting to feel uncomfortable in the Chief's silent presence

"She's that way, isn't she...?"

Kya blinked a few times. "Who is what way? Is this about Senna going through her change? It's really not a big deal-"

"Korra. Is Korra a..?"

"What are you..?"

Tonraq looked up from the floor and Kya noticed the redness around his eyes.

"Is this about what my brother said the other day? He was just mouthing off, you two shouldn't…"

"Senna is convinced, she won't admit it, but I can tell she is. I can't ignore a mother's intuition. My mother was right about everything I was up to!"

Kya put a hand on her chin and thought for a moment. "Alright, so maybe your daughter is romantically involved with another girl. Let's just say for the sake of this discussion she is. How do you feel about that?"

Tonraq lifted and then slumped his shoulders a few times. "How should I feel?"

"No one can tell you how to feel Tonraq, but I'm sure you're feeling some external pressures about how to feel about it, if it is true."

"Honestly, it doesn't bother me. I've never understood the fear that people have towards it. Growing up in the North there was a couple that everyone knew was that way. The kids would joke about them and the adults would scoff. But they didn't seem to let it get them down; they just kept living their lives. The bender of the two would join any fight to defend our village. He was brilliant with ice. I fought alongside him once, as a young man. In battle he got sliced up pretty good by some stray shards. When it was over I helped him back to his… husband I guess would be the correct way to describe him." Tonraq closed his eyes, taking himself back to that time.

"I saw the looks my peers gave me, before I went into their home. I felt hesitation, but this man was hurt and he was hurt protecting our people. It was just like any other home; they were just like any other couple. I stood in the doorway watching his husband gently care for him, cursing him out for being foolish. When I left, there were a few people still outside, curious about what I had done. They all stared at me, as if in disbelief that I came out of that house unharmed. All those eyes, looking at me, questioning me, judging me, I couldn't take it. They next day, the bender's husband saw me in the square and came over to thank me. I could feel all the eyes on me again, I'm not proud of this, but I accepted the thanks and then quickly brushed him off. Despite my personal feelings that there was nothing wrong with them, the overwhelming public opinion that there was forced me to treat them like everyone else did. I'm sure I wasn't the only one who wasn't bothered by their life together, but they too were beaten into submission to at least ostracize them…" Tonraq rose from his seat and started walking around the sitting room. He did a few laps around the room before speaking again.

"That Asami Sato, she's quite the catch. They seem to have known each other for a few years, so it can't be just a whim." The Chief paused his pacing to scratch his beard. "My wife found some letters Asami wrote to Korra, that's what prompted this idea of hers. She said they were very passionate. It sounds like this girl really cares about my daughter. Who wouldn't want that for their child?"

Kya nodded as she listened. "I feel like there is a 'but'."

Tonraq looked over at the healer and extended a hand in her direction. "Right, these are all great things I can't find any fault with, but this isn't some little secret we can hide, I'm Chief and she's the fricken Avatar! My daughter already has a huge target drawn on her back and then add a controversial love life to that mix! I'd be worried about her stepping outside! I'm sure that's what got Senna all in a twist about this…"

"I wish we had another child..."

Tonraq stared across the room. His eyes locked on a large tapestry on the wall.

"Senna told me today that she wished she had had another child."

"Were you surprised?" Kya asked.

"A little, I remember she wanted to when Korra was young, but then we all agreed it was best if we didn't. I thought she was okay with that decision, but apparently she's been harboring this resentment ever since. Now we're too old to have another child. She cried about never having a wedding or grandchildren. This was before she told me about what she thought about Korra, now I know where that was all coming from..."

"You know, opinions on homosexuality are changing, especially in Republic City. And you're Chief, so yes you are in the public eye, but so is how you react to your daughter. Lead by example, many will react based on how you do. Also, just because a person is straight, doesn't mean they will do those things anyways," Kya said quirking an eyebrow.

It quickly dawned on Tonraq that the woman he was seeking council from was an example of that.

"So what are you going to do?" Kya asked.

"If it's true, I will stand by my daughter."

Tonraq took his eyes away from the tapestry he was so intensely staring at and noticed a small figure standing in a doorway. He immediately recognized it was Katara, all bundled up in blankets. Her old eyes were shining with tears that hadn't fallen. A small smile creased the corners of her mouth.

"Katara…" Tonraq whispered.

They walked towards each other. Katara was dwarfed by Tonraq's size, craning her neck to look into his blue eyes. Tonraq crouched down and embraced her.

"You don't know how happy it makes me to hear you say that, Tonraq," the old woman said, rubbing a small area on his back.

"You knew about Korra?"

Katara pulled herself from the Chief's embrace. "Take a seat. I need to go get something."

Tonraq obeyed and sat down across from Kya again. She cocked an eyebrow to silently ask what was going on. Tonraq shrugged, just as confused. Katara eventually shuffled into the room with a few small books. She took a seat on the couch next to Tonraq.

"I didn't completely know about Korra's preferences, but I knew there was a high chance that she would like the company of both men and women. You see, this is very common for the Avatar."

"She has had a boyfriend before, and now she might have a girlfriend," Tonraq said more to himself than the small woman next to him.

"Aang was the way as well…" Katara said, flipping open one of the small books.

Kya shot up in her seat. "Mom?"

Katara looked over at her daughter. "I'm sorry to tell you this way Kya dear, but it's true."

"You don't have to apologize; it's not something you generally discuss with your children… I'm just… A little surprised. Are you… Bisexual as well Mom?"

"Bisexual?" Tonraq asked aloud.

"It's the term used for people who like both men and women," Kya explained. "And no, I am not."

Kya nodded. "Okay, so just Dad. So… Um… But you guys got together like, when you were children…"

"Yes, your father loved me right away. It took some time for me to love him back. It was maybe ten years after the Hundred Year War that he spoke to me about feelings he had… For Zuko…"

Again Kya flinched from her chair. "Uncle Zuko?"

"Yes."

Tonraq looked between the mother and daughter. He was starting to feel like maybe he shouldn't be here for this conversation. Katara sensed his discomfort and patted his leg.

"Don't worry Tonraq, your daughter shares a spirit with my husband, that makes you family in my book. I'm telling this to you for a reason. To help you better understand your daughter as the Avatar. Now if my daughter will stop interrupting me?"

"Sorry Mom, just a lot of shockers in one day. I'll be quiet."

"So Aang confessed to me, not long into our marriage that he had an attraction to Zuko. He felt very guilty for the extra-marital feelings. I was pretty upset as well. Upset that he desired someone other than me, his wife, and maybe even more so because it was a man. I didn't understand same-sex attraction very well; it was practically unheard of in the Southern Water Tribe. I believe because at that time, we were a dying nation, children were so few that entering a relationship that would not produce them was seen as a crime.

We encountered it a few times on the road, but I never gave it much thought, the world was at war. So I knew about people who liked the same sex, but never heard of people who liked both. How could you like both? The concept was even more puzzling than liking your own sex."

Katara absently thumbed through the pages of one of the books as she spoke.

"After that confession we didn't talk about it for quite some time. Aang swore he would never betray my trust; he just needed to be honest with me. I appreciated that, but I needed time to process what that meant, and I think he still needed to process that as well. He was gone for a while; on a quest on his own to better understand his feelings, away from me, away from Zuko.

"Zuko was unaware of the situation; he visited a few times during Aang's absence. It was hard seeing him at first, I was insanely jealous of him, I felt like I had gone back in time, back to when I was worried about him killing Aang. This time I was worried about him taking Aang away from me in another manner. But that went away and I could see Zuko again for who he was and that was one of the dearest and closest friends I had, that Aang had.

"During one of those visits Aang returned and shared his discovery with us. He had spent most of his time meditating and speaking with the Avatars of the past, about love. He discovered that the Avatar has been in all romantic situations imaginable. The Avatar Spirit knows no gender and this fact is often true for the Avatar host.

"Zuko, who did not know the reason why Aang went to figure this out, was a bit shocked and confused by the discovery. It was in that moment that I spoke up, and told Zuko of Aang's attraction to him. Aang was a little shocked at first that I revealed his secret, but I wanted him to know that during his time away, I had come to terms with it."

The three sat in silence for a few moments.

"So are you telling me that you, Dad and Uncle Zuko had a three way relationship or something?"

Katara smiled. "A husband and wife are entitled to a few secrets."

"So… that's a yes?" Kya pressed.

"Tonraq, I want you to take these books. These were the journals Aang wrote while he was away on that trip, speaking with the other Avatars. I think they will be helpful to you and your wife. I would also like you to give them to Korra, when you are ready. She has the right to know about her past, especially since she can no longer seek out the answers herself."

Tonraq accepted the books. "Thank you Katara, I understand how personal this all is."

Katara patted his arm playfully. "Like I said, you're family."

The Chief rose from his spot, books in hand. "I should go, I left my wife in a bit of an angry state. I want to go home and make sure she is okay."

"Send her our way if she has any questions."

"I will. Thank you again," Tonraq said with a slight bow.

The door shut with a thud. Kya turned to her mother. "You're not going to tell me, are you?"

"Nope," Katara said with a smile. "Help me back into bed?"

"Yes Mom."

Bolin swung open the door to his apartment. "Hey Mako-oh… yeah he's gone..."

He closed the door behind him with less enthusiasm. Mako had likely arrived in Ba Sing Se by now. Bolin wasn't sure if he should expect some kind of confirmation from his brother or not.

The earthbender started to strip down to change his clothes from his long day moving rubble. Clearing away Republic City's wreckage all day, and then coming home to an empty apartment; it was like he was falling back into his old life again, before Kuvira.

Kuvira… What a fool he had been for her. He had chosen to stand by her over his own friends and family. At the time he genuinely felt he was doing something right, even now he knew the things he participated in were good things. Bringing food and protection to those ransacked towns… He was face to face with the people who lived there, he could see the hope and relief he was bringing to the innocent citizens.

He allowed himself to turn a blind eye to the darker undercurrents because of those people. Politics were always kind of messy, and that aspect of the work was above his pay-grade anyways. That, and for the first time in a long time he had felt appreciated, like he had worth. He had felt like he did when he was working alongside Korra. What he did had mattered, and he had been able to see the effects of his efforts.

Bolin finished changing. He was determined to not let himself get into that rut though. Fortunately, he had dinner plans tonight with the Beifong family, so he was not going to spend the evening alone.

He met up with the Beifongs in a low-lit restaurant near the edge of downtown. The family all looked up and smiled when he arrived at their table.

"Bolin!" Opal chirped as she got up to give him a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

"Opal, Beifong family."

Opal unwrapped her arms and guided Bolin to the seat next to hers.

"Day one of deliberations, over," Suyin said to the table, raising her cup slightly before bringing it to her lips.

Bolin noted that the matriarch seemed to be in higher spirits since the last time he saw her.

"How did the last day of the trial go?" Bolin asked the group.

"Very well; I think Korra and Asami's testimonies really helped his case," Suyin quickly answered.

Opal turned to her boyfriend. "That reminds me Bolin, I think we'll have to wait a while before we can go on that double date with them. It would look pretty bad if after what Asami said she was caught eating dinner with Korra."

"Oh, what did she say?"

"She just made sure to put a lot of distance between herself and Team Avatar, so her opinion on my brother seemed unbiased."

Bolin shrugged. "Well that's okay; we can go out in a month or so. If anyone asks, Asami could always say sparks flew in the courthouse and they started dating afterwards."

Opal giggled and put a hand to her forehead as if she was swooning. "The Avatar's bulging muscles and thrilling testimony lit a fire in my heart!"

"I'm convinced," Bolin said with a hand over his heart.

Suyin looked between her daughter and boyfriend. "Are you two saying..?"

Bolin perked up in his seat. "Oh! Uh, yeah, Korra and Asami are dating now."

Suyin turned to her Opal. "You said you didn't know."

"Sorry Mom, they just told us that night when they got back from the Spirit World."

Suyin shot a glance over at Wei. "Well that is interesting."

"Don't say anything to anyone about it! Like I said, we need to be on the hush-hush about it for Baatar Jr.'s sake and I don't think they're ready to have their private lives broadcast all over the city yet."

Suyin put her hands up defensively. "I wasn't going to. Though whether they want to keep it a secret or not, it's going be hard to given that they are two very public figures."

"I'm sure they don't want to live in hiding forever. Like I said, we need them to keep it discreet for Bataar Jr. right now. Then they can face the public scrutiny all they want," Opal said with a huff.

"I'm just so happy for them…" Bolin said as he picked up a menu. There were no prices listed next to the items. 'That's never a good sign,' he thought to himself.

Baatar Sr. noticed the nervous look that appeared on Bolin's face when he opened the menu. "Don't worry son, dinner is on us tonight."

Bolin looked over to his girlfriend's father, feeling his heart swell. It was the first time the man had ever said anything to him besides 'hello', and he called him by a term of endearment.

"Have you heard from your brother? Did he make it to Ba Sing Se?" Suyin asked.

Opal turned to him and put a hand in his thigh under the table. "Yeah, any word?"

"No not yet, I'm sure I will hear from him tomorrow."

A waiter appeared and the table's conversation stopped.

After dinner Bolin and Opal were walking back to his apartment, once again through Avatar Korra Park.

"So you really haven't heard from Mako?" Opal said sliding her arm around Bolin's.

"No...I'm sure he'll call once he's all settled in."

"He left because of Korra and Asami, right?"

Bolin thought for a moment before answering. "Yeah..."

"I can't imagine that would be easy news to take. Well, maybe just weird news at this point, if you never saw it coming. Though I dunno, thinking about it now, there was always something about Asami. Maybe it was her intensity about Korra…

There was this one time I was flying around the city in my wingsuit, and I coulda sworn I saw Asami walking arm in arm with another woman, over near the bar district by the Harmony Tower. It was near dusk, so I was never a hundred percent on it."

"Mako told me he realized he was still in love with Korra."

Opal stopped, causing Bolin to jerk back with her.

"Eep, that's a problem. Makes more sense as to why he left."

"Yeah…"

The pair started walking again.

"I'm torn. I'm so happy for Korra and Asami, but I feel so bad for my brother."

"I know how that feels. In a way Mako's done you a big favor by eliminating that conflict. He's left to deal with his feelings and get over it, so you don't have to worry about being happy for them. He'll come back when he's ready and it will all be fine."

"You're a lot more optimistic since they last time we were here together."

Opal smiled. "Well, at this point it's all I can be. The trial is over, I think both sides made some good points and I think the right kind of justice will be served. Once it is, my family can start healing."

"Your mother did seem better tonight."

"Korra testifying made all the difference to her. She didn't say much tonight, but it's all she has been talking about."

"I didn't realize Suyin was such a big fan." Bolin said rubbing his chin.

"She would adopt Korra if she could. She's got, like, a mom-crush on her. Fortunately Korra's too old to be adopted, because I'd hate to live in that shadow."

"Actually, I did hear if you live in the Fire Nation, you can do adult adoptions," Bolin quipped.

"What?"

"Yeah, I guess rich families do it when they don't have any sons to inherit their wealth or business. They often adopt one of their younger employees or financial advisors."

"Do not tell my mom this. She'll start campaigning for it in Zaofu and it will be legal before I could even blink. I could see that being really big back home, it's a very wealthy state."

Bolin laughed then pinky promised he'd never even mention the Fire Nation in her mother's presence. After the pink shake the couple walked in silence for a while, each looking around the park on their respective sides.

"Bolin, I'm sorry I snapped at you last time we were here… I was just frustrated, you didn't do anything wrong."

"It's okay, I'm glad you're okay now."

"I think that's just what I need to do when I'm upset, so if I ever do that again, know it's never about you. If it is about you, I'll at least tell you, but I'll still need to go off on my own for a bit."

Bolin nodded. "That's fine, thanks for letting me know. I knew I hadn't really done anything, I just hate when I can't help the people I care about, you know?"

Opal squeezed his arm tighter as he spoke.

"I've felt useless often these past years, when Korra was sick, and there was nothing I could do to help. I couldn't even help keep the group together, Asami and Mako just shut down. Mako's hurting now and you and your family… I hate to admit this to you, but the only time I felt useful was when I was working for Kuvira. I was able to help people and it felt good. I felt like I was a part of something again, and what I was doing made a difference. I know now it was to mask the evil lurking behind Kuvira's ultimate goal, but the good we did was real."

Opal stopped Bolin and turned to face him. "I know that, and I'm sorry I never told you that I knew. I was just so blinded by my hate for Kuvira, that I couldn't see anything else."

She let her hand run down the side of her boyfriend's face. His eyes softened at the touch. "You're such a good person Bolin, it's one of the things I love most about you. I believe you'll find a way to put your big heart toward some real good again."

Bolin leaned in and pressed his lips to Opal's. He wrapped his thick arms and her smaller frame and pulled her close. As they kissed the only sound that could be heard was the spirits of Avatar Korra Park chirping their night tunes.

To be continued…