A/N: This chapter went up at the same time as the previous one! Thanks for reading!

Previous chapter: Noatak is getting hit on by a shipmate named Hassun, whose nosiness is starting to uncover some inconsistencies in "Saomik's" cover story. He sends a good luck charm to Korra for an upcoming speech she'll be making. Korra talks with Bolin and decides to go to his pro-bending match. Her parents are visiting.

XXXIV

Blossom

Shivers run up Korra's spine as they approaching the pro-bending stadium later that evening, and not just from the cold breeze blowing in from the ocean. It's been a couple years since she was last here, and now she can't separate her memories of the stadium from memories of Noatak.

"You okay, hon?" asks her mother. "You're shaking." At the words, her father also looks at her with concern, and Korra grits her teeth. She doesn't want them to worry about her.

"I'm fine."

Though they don't look like they believe her, they don't press her, and she appreciates it. Instead, her mother quietly loops her arm through her daughter's in a silent show of support. Korra clings to it.

Bolin is waiting for them in the box, already in his Fire Ferrets gear; he's pacing. When Korra steps into the room, he runs over to her.

"Korra, I need your help," he blurts. "Azara just found out she's pregnant."

"Oh! That's great news, isn't it?"

"It is, but she retired on the spot. We don't have a firebender, and the match starts in less than an hour."

"Why don't you ask Mako?"

Bolin winces. "Well, I told you he was bringing a girl, and she doesn't know anyone else here, so I kind of wanted them to be able to hang out together..."

"You mean, you don't want to cockblock him," she says dryly. As soon as the words leave her mouth, she realizes that everyone - from her parents, to Tarrlok, to Tenzin's family - is watching them. Her cheeks flush. Turning her back to them, she lowers her voice. "Look, I'm sorry, Bo. I'd love to get back in the ring, more than anything, but my bending is a bit weaker than I let on."

His brows raise. "How much weaker?"

"I haven't bent more than a spark of flame in about two months."

His face falls. "Korra..."

"Look, I'm fine, and I'll be fine, but I can't help you. Ask Mako. You guys can read each other in the ring, anyway. It makes sense." Seeing he isn't convinced, she grits her teeth. "If it helps, I can entertain his friend."

"Really? Isn't that going to be a bit..." Bolin trails off.

"Awkward? Probably." She shrugs. "It's okay. I'm the Avatar. I'm supposed to be the great uniter and all that. I'll deal."

He throws his arms around her, and she hugs him back, hoping she doesn't regret her decision.

And so, when Mako arrives, Bolin pulls him aside. Korra eyes the girl hovering in the doorway. She's about Korra's height, with a pale complexion, dark eyes and straight, jet-black hair that just barely skims her shoulders. Her eyes are lined with dark makeup that swoops up at the outer corners, and her fashionable dress and shoes make Korra feel frumpy in comparison. She rubs her bare cheeks, thinking she should have accepted her mother's offer to do a trial run of hair and makeup before they left.

When the girl's wandering eyes land on Korra, they light up, and she quickly looks away. It isn't the reaction Korra expected, and now she's confused.

As Mako approaches Korra, she stares pointedly at the floor, suddenly shy.

"Hi," he says gruffly.

"Hi," she replies.

"Look, thanks for offering to keep Lian company. Really." He runs a hand through his hair. "I know it's probably a bit awkward."

"That does seem to be the word for it." She shrugs. "Its okay, really. Go play your game."

Instead, he asks, "How are you doing, Korra? It's been awhile."

Her throat suddenly tightens and tears flood her eyes, but she'll be damned if she's going to cry in front of Mako. He might think it's all for him, when he's really only a part of it. Instead, she shrugs. "Working to fix what's broken. Making some progress."

"Good." He hesitates. "I don't know if Chief Beifong ever contacted you about the shipwreck, but-"

"She didn't," she interrupts, trying to cut him off.

"We didn't find the bodies, but the currents are so strong that we couldn't risk a dive team staying down there for too long. There's no way anyone could have survived. Their files have been officially closed as deceased." He hesitates. "Look, whatever happened between you and Noatak-"

"I don't want to talk about it," she growls.

There's a long pause.

"Okay," he says finally. "Do you think your parents would mind if I said hello?"

"They'd probably love it." She finally chances a look up at him, and he looks so sad that her gaze drops again. "Good luck with the match. We'll all be cheering you on."

"Thanks. Won't be the same without you there." He reaches out to squeeze her arm, then moves past her to greet her parents.

Korra squeezes her eyes shut, trying to hold back her tears. Dammit, I thought I was finally getting past all this crying.

"Avatar Korra?" says a voice, sweet and almost musical. Korra lifts her head to see Mako's friend standing in front of her, her head tilted, hands clasped behind her back.

"Hello," replies Korra, and her voice is so hoarse that she clears her throat. "You must be Lian."

"I am." The girl is blushing now. "I apologize if I come across a bit nervous. I'm a little starstruck. You're pretty much my role model."

"Me?" asks Korra, stunned.

The girl nods. Her mannerisms make her seem so young that Korra blurts out, "How old are you?"

"Eighteen."

Korra's first instinct is that the girl is a bit young for Mako, but then she considers the age difference between her and Noatak, and she almost laughs. "Come on, Lian. I'll introduce you to the rest of the group."

As they go from person to person, the girl is so sweet and kind that Korra is finding it difficult to hate her. Once the introductions are done, they each help themselves to a glass of wine and a plate of appetizers from the table at the back of the box. Korra takes extra helpings of the meat dishes, and she notices Tarrlok and her parents do the same.

They settle into seats at the front of the box, by the glass, and now Korra realizes why these seats are so prestigious: there's a clear view of the ring, almost top-down. They'll get a perfect view of the entire match. She's looking forward to it.

"Mako told me a lot about you," blurts the girl.

"Oh? Nothing bad, I hope." Korra sinks her teeth into a rib, pulling the meat from the bone, and it's so juicy and tender in her mouth that her eyes flutter closed. Sweet, delicious meat. How I've missed you.

"Well, he's been pretty honest about what happened between you. I mean, he clearly thinks the world of you, but..." The girl clears her throat. "I've gotta be honest with you: I, uh, I kind of like him, and it's intimidating to follow in the Avatar's footsteps."

Korra glances at her, surprised by the honesty. Lian is staring at her plate, her cheeks red. If Korra is honest with herself, she can relate to this girl who speaks without thinking and trusts others on instinct. It's like looking at herself before experience made her jaded.

"If he told you everything about me, then you shouldn't be all that intimidated," says Korra. "I've kind of been backsliding for years, battling some internal problems. I think, during the last year, Mako and I were more like roommates than partners. He needs to feel useful, you know? Protective. And I don't like to be protected. So I wasn't a great partner; I closed myself off and told myself it was self-preservation, but really I was just making it harder on both of us by not letting anyone in." She sighs. "Besides, with the way I let all my stresses overwhelm me, I'm definitely not anyone to look up to."

"Are you kidding? The fact that you had to deal with mental stuff just makes you even more admirable," says Lian quietly. "I've had my own battles, and it was tough enough without being constantly in the spotlight. Hearing that you've been dealing with all that, and you're still here and holding it together - well, it's inspiring."

"Oh." Korra feels her cheeks glow. "Thank you. I don't often hear it phrased so kindly."

The ice broken, they begin to chat, and Korra finds they have a lot in common: love of animals, food and swimming, and their general approach to life. Lian's fascination with fashion and makeup isn't something Korra is particularly interested in, but thanks to her friendship wtih Asami, she is able to hold a conversation about them, and she even pulls in her mother for a discussion about her outfit for Friday's speech. Conversation flows so easily that they almost miss the beginning of the Fire Ferrets' match.

As Korra watches the game, her mind drifts. She hasn't had a conversation that involved since her mission with Noatak. Despite her doubts coming into this arrangement, she feels like she and Lian are going to be good friends. She glances at the girl, and sees the admiration on her face as Mako successfully knocks a Wolfbat out of the ring.

"You really do like him," she says aloud.

Lian looks up, blushing. "What? Oh.. I'm sorry. I know you two were together for a long time, and-"

"No, it's okay," interrupts Korra. "Really. My heart is kind of focussed on someone else right now, anyway."

She stares at the probending ring, and remembers the beginning of the Revolution. Explosions, downed police airships. You're in love with that man, she reminds herself. And after two months, it's time to face reality: he's not coming back for you. He has moved on. So should you.

Her throat tightens, and she feels the urge to storm from the room and find a quiet place to cry, but she tenses her jaw instead. No more crying; it's time for healing instead.

After a triumphant match, Mako and Bolin appear at the doorway, reeking of sweat, but all smiles. The kids rush forward, clambering for attention, while the adults begin to close in to congratulate them.

"Great match," says Korra to Mako and, making sure everyone else is too distracted to overhear, she adds quietly, "Lian is a sweetheart."

"I'm planning to ask her out," says Mako, his face suddenly solemn. "On a proper date, I mean. But if it's too soon-"

"You two will be happy," she says, and she means it. "But I want to hang out with you guys more often, okay? I miss you."

"I miss you, too," he says, and she smiles.

.*.*.*.

Her father, Tarrlok and Lian accompany the triumphant teammates to a nearby pub, where wine and conversation flow. It's been so long since she has been out with friends that she drinks a bit more than she should, but no one seems to mind, not even her father. Even Tarrlok is grinning, and the sight gives her hope. We're all going to be okay.

Mako and Lian disappear for little while, and Korra tries not to notice. When they return, their faces are flushed, and they're holding hands. Korra clears her throat, refusing to let it tighten, and leans close to Lian.

"I hope you didn't kiss him first," she whispers. "He hates that."

Lian's blush deepens.

"Korra?" says Mako's voice behind her. "Can I chat with you for a sec?"

"Yeah, sure." She swings her legs around and hops down from the chair, swaying a bit; he catches her elbow to steady her. She follows him to the back alley. It's so quiet outside after the noise of the pub that her ears ring. The moon is almost full. She catches herself wondering if Noatak is staring pensively at it, thinking of his childhood.

Mako leans against the wall beside her, his arms over his head. "So, I guess Lian and I are dating now." He glances down at her. "Are you sure you're okay with that?"

"The only thing I'm not okay with is everyone constantly asking me," she mutters.

"I just want to make sure you're okay."

"I won't be, if everyone keeps asking." She feels tears rising again, and she curses herself. "Look, Mako, I'm having a great night, so don't ruin it with your overprotectiveness."

"Okay, okay." He's looking up at the moon, too, his face sombre. "Our breakup was kind of messy, and I just want you to know, you're always going to have a place in my heart, you know? I still want you to be a part of my life."

Her mood softens. "Of course. I'm going to be the cool auntie to your kids."

"My kids?" He looks down at her, panic on his face. "I just barely kissed her - don't go planning our family just yet."

"I meant, any future kids you have, with anyone." She scuffs the ground with her boot. "I really fucked things up with you, Mako. I'm sorry."

"Well, I wasn't exactly the most patient person. I need to feel like I'm in control of everything around me, and when I realized I couldn't help you..." He shrugs. "Lian said you feel like you pushed me away, but I want you to know, it wasn't just you."

A bit annoyed, Korra says, "Is there anything you two don't talk about?"

"I didn't tell her about you and Noatak," he says quietly.

Her stomach drops. "Good, because it's best if everyone just lets that fade."

"I meant it when I said that whatever happened was none of my business. But I know you, Korra. I can read you." His arms lower to his sides and he stares at the ground. "Even if I don't quite understand it, I get it, you know? I get how these things happen. I want you to know that. I don't want that to be something that hangs between us and stops us from ever being friends again."

Her vision blurs with tears, and the moon doubles. "I don't want to talk about it."

"I know. But if you ever do, you have me. Or Lian. She really likes you, you know."

Korra's throat is too tight to reply, so she only nods.

"Enough of this heavy talk." Mako stands tall and stretches. "I think it's time for me to buy everyone a round of shots. I want everyone to be dancing on the table before the night ends."

"Even my Dad?" she says, wiping her cheeks.

"I think he'll be the first one, the way he's going." Mako shakes his head. "Tarrlok is going to be a bigger challenge." He glances at her. "Tarrlok," he says, in disbelief. "Korra, you have the weirdest choice of friends."

She laughs. "I was thinking the same thing earlier today." Sniffling, she steps forward and wraps her arms around him. "Everything's going to be okay, right, Mako?"

He hugs her back. "Everything's going to be okay."

His hug feels like the closure she didn't realize she needed.

.*.*.*.

The rest of the night becomes a blur of boisterous laughter and colourful drinks.

Korra leans heavily on Tonraq's arm as they walk down to the ferries, and he seems to be in a great mood, too. He tells her a story she had never heard before, about the time his father caught Tonraq and his friends red-handed with liquor stolen from his cabinet, and she can't stop laughing as her father mimics her grandfather's reaction. As they ride the ferry, they sing an old drinking song together, each surprised that the other one knows the words. Tarrlok surprises them both by pitching in a few words for the chorus. It's the most fun she has had in years, and her heart is light when she returns to her bedroom.

She slides open the door.

A single envelope sits on her bed.

All at once, every drop of progress she has made tonight drains from her, leaving her chilled.

"Goodnight, Princess," says her father, oblivious, as he leans in for a hug. "It's good to see you back to your old self."

"Thanks for hanging out with us, Dad," she replies, trying to hide all signs of her sudden regression. "Love you."

"Love you, too," he says, ruffling her hair, and then he slides the door closed.

Her heart pounds, and she smooths her hair back into place, pacing toward the bed. Maybe if she drops the envelope in the garbage bin, it will be like it never existed, and she can continue healing.

Slowly, she sinks to a seat on the bed beside it. There's no mistaking the writing. So much for her image of a Noatak who has blissfully moved on, never giving a second thought to her again. Swallowing hard, she picks it up. There's something heavy inside it.

She rips open the end of the envelope and tilts it. A small box falls onto the bed. Inside is a pendant. She picks it up, letting it rest in her palm. It's about half the size of a yuan, and made of glass, rimmed with silver. Encased inside the glass is a tiny blossom; it's pale blue, but the five petals are so thin that they almost look silver. It's so beautiful and delicate that her breath catches.

Peering into the envelope for an explanation, she fishes out a letter and unfolds it with trembling hands.

My dearest Korra,

I intended to send you a symbol of good luck, a charm that will signify my vote of confidence in your abilities to woo the world with your speech - but while those qualities are true of this particular charm, I must confess they aren't the reason I ended up selecting it. Allow me to explain:

The silkblade is a tree that grows exclusively in the harsh forests of the northern Earth Kingdom. The tree has a tenuous existence; it is renowned for its rare and beautiful blossoms, which appear for a single week every five years. This pendant is the artist's attempt to preserve the beauty of a fleeting week, encasing it so that it may be remembered for all eternity.

As much as I want to, Korra, I cannot crack open the glass to allow your memory to wilt. All others were encased in glass; you are encased in diamond. Please forgive me this one last indulgence in our blossoming.

Korra blinks back tears as she rereads the words several times. Once she is certain she has absorbed as much meaning as she can from them, she pads across the room and opens her underwear drawer. Hidden in the back corner are two letters: the one he left her before his showdown with Kwan, and the one he sent her after he fled. She carefully folds this one and lays it on top of the others.

Her eyes narrow as she looks down at her growing stash of letters. How is she supposed to heal if he keeps reopening the wounds? She slams the drawer shut.

The pendant is still in her palm. She holds it up to the light. The flower's thin petals refract the light into a faint rainbow of colours. As much as she hates to admit it, his thoughtfulness touches her. She can think of no better symbol for their relationship. The thought of him, out there, paying attention to the events of her life, then painstakingly selecting this charm and writing out his thoughts - she has never felt more flattered, or more lonely.

In a shoebox under her bed, she finds a package of dark leather strings she intended to use as replacement boot laces one day. She threads one through the pendant and ties it around her neck. The glass rests on her chest just below her collarbones, so cold that she shivers.

Just until Friday, she thinks. Just for good luck.

She curls up on her side on the bed and clutches the pendant until it warms, trying not to admit to herself just how much she wishes Noatak were lying beside her.