A/N: Thank you to Guest, MasterKriebel, Sharpe, Robert, AsahixMe, IrishDreamer4, Black Dragon Master, devilfiredog18, CrazyPhenom (I see what you did there), and Aquamirra for your lovely reviews!

40. We've both been here before, we're no coincidence

"Hello? Earth to Mako!"

His attention snaps back to the familiar ambience of Café Heaven, where he lunches every Friday with Asami. However, it isn't the CEO of Future Industries who interrupted his thoughts.

"You okay, bro?" Bolin asks. "You kinda spaced out there."

He shakes himself and reaches for his coffee. "I'm okay, Bolin. I'm just…worried."

"About Iroh?" Korra guesses. She is aware that concern for his friend has been weighing on his mind recently.

"What about Iroh?" questions Asami. She's been quite comfortable today, he's happy to note — despite the closeness with which he and Korra are sitting (they're not actively doing that; they just gravitate towards each other).

"He's leaving for the Fire Nation today. For two months." In concise terms, he explains Iroh's situation, leaving out all mention of the prince's brief fling with Asami.

"Okay, I used to think it would be cool if Mom turned out to be related to the Royal Fire Family, and one day one of them would come find us and take us off the streets," remarks Bolin. "But you know what? I think I'm good."

"Even if that were the case, you'd only be a minor royal," Asami points out while stirring her iced tea. "Iroh is the Crown Prince. There's a hell of a lot riding on his shoulders."

"I know how he feels," Korra muses. "It's tough, having to choose between happiness and duty."

He slides his hand over hers under the table, squeezing lightly. He knows she's thinking of unspoken agreement they have that he comes second to her duty as the Avatar. He isn't too bothered about it, honestly; but then, if the unthinkable ever becomes a reality (hopefully not), chances are he wouldn't be around to live with Korra's decision — but she would.

"You know, when I was going through a hard time —" He does not specify when because they all know what he's referring to. "— I had people who understood what I needed and helped me find my way." He sighs. "I hope Iroh gets that kind of support."

Bolin frowns thoughtfully. "It seems to me," he begins slowly, "that General Iroh could use your support."

A little bemused, he responds, "I told him to keep in touch."

"No, no, no, hear me out," says Bolin. "Out of everyone here, Mako, you're the one Iroh's been confiding in for the last year."

"Yeah. So?"

"Does he have any close friends in the Forces?"

"He's close to a few people in his unit, but from what I gather he can't be too open with them because of his rank." Actually, it's not that Iroh's comrades in the Forces aren't willing to share his burdens or that hierarchy prohibits him from confiding in them; Iroh is simply unwilling to give the men and women under his command any impression that he is not always a composed, infallible leader.

"They all look to me, Mako," he'd said once. "The entire First Division. They need to have complete confidence that their leader can handle anything, that I can guide them through whatever is thrown at us. I won't risk their faith by appearing as anything less than someone who has it all together."

"So, essentially," Bolin concludes, "you are Iroh's best friend, am I right?"

He blinks, taken aback by the realisation. "I suppose I am. Where are you going with this?"

"You said it yourself — you had people — friends — to support you when you were sorting yourself out. I think Iroh needs that too."

"I know, I'm trying," he says. "But it's not like I can follow him to the Fire Nation, Bo."

"Why not?"

He gapes while Korra and Asami trade glances of bemusement. "Bolin, this is a Royal Fire Family matter. I can't just insert myself into the middle of it!"

"You don't have to do that. You just have to be there for Iroh if he happens to need someone to talk to." Bolin grins with self-satisfaction. "Lucky for you, Varrick, Zhu Li, and I are heading to Caldera next week. You should come with."

He makes a strangled noise. "You're going to Caldera?"

"Total coincidence, I swear!" Bolin holds up his hands. "Varrick has a few business outposts in the Fire Nation, but he's been trying to set up a direct hub in the capital for years. He thinks he finally has enough clout to negotiate with Fire Lord Izumi, that's why we're going." Bolin lets that sink in, then adds, "Look, it'll be my first time there too. Iroh aside, I was going to ask you to come, anyway. For Mom."

He stills. Although finding their father's family in Ba Sing Se has undoubtedly filled a void in their lives, the Fire Nation has always been more significant to him. Whereas Bolin has always identified more with his Earth Kingdom heritage (naturally) — and therefore, their father — firebending is something he shared with their mother. Unfortunately, Naoki had been less forthcoming about her family than San; he isn't even sure which part of the Fire Nation his mother came from — but if there are any records to be found, they would be in Caldera.

He exhales, thinking. "How long are we going to be there?"

Bolin grins, recognising the acquiescence for what it is. "A month. If we need more time, you'd better believe I can convince Varrick to send us one of his ships. And even if Varrick fails me, Asami won't." He winks.

Said CEO raises an eyebrow, but can't suppress a smile. "Hell, you can take one of my airships now, if you want. I have a couple that are sitting around collecting dust."

"See?" Bolin says jubilantly.

He sighs and notes, "I'm gonna have to clear my leave with Beifong."

"Please," scoffs Asami. "You haven't taken a day off since you got back from Zaofu. I don't think it's going to be an issue."

He ducks his head sheepishly. "Yeah, it should be fine."

"Why don't you ladies come too?" Bolin suggests, getting excited. "It'll be a Team Avatar road trip!"

"Sure," Korra agrees readily. "I've never actually been to the Fire Nation. I should probably rectify that or I'm not doing my job as the Avatar."

"Awesome. Asami?"

She looks regretful. "Unfortunately, I have a big project that needs my attention for the next two weeks at least. But I'll definitely try to come after that's done."

"Aww…"

Asami chuckles at Bolin's obvious disappointment. "It's okay, Bolin. I think it works out anyway. If Iroh is trying to figure things out, it might be better if I stayed away — at least at first."

She gives him a meaningful look, and he knows she knows he knows.

Bolin doesn't, though. He frowns in puzzlement. "Why?"

Asami shrugs casually. "Let's just say we…didn't work out."

Bolin blinks in bewilderment, but Korra catches on quicker.

"No way!" she exclaims, looking at Asami in shock. "You and General Iroh? When did that happen?"

And Asami explains, briefly, what he had left out before. It's old news for her, clearly — nothing to be sensitive about, just something she hasn't had reason to bring up before.

Bolin's jaw has dropped so much it's almost touching the table. "Why didn't we know that you had something with General Iroh?" he demands. "Mako, did you know?" he shoots at him.

"Yeah, I did."

"Whaaat? And you didn't tell us?"

"I only pieced it together a few months ago, Bo."

"The point is," Asami interjects firmly, "regardless of the fact that we've both moved on and it's been years, I am still a symbol to Iroh of how much his duty has cost him. It's the last thing he needs to be reminded of when he's trying to work out how to embrace said duty — even though he no longer has those feelings for me."

"How do you know he doesn't?" wonders Korra.

"He doesn't," he confirms. "Not in that way, not anymore." He sighs. "But Asami's right — if she's hanging around Caldera with us, it might complicate things for Iroh."

"Yup." Asami leans back in her chair. "I will join up with you guys later," she promises. "Just not right at the start."

"I guess we can work with that," says Bolin. He rubs his hands together. "Okay, so — Fire Nation road trip! There's a few things I recommend packing…"

He barely hears what his brother is rattling off, occupied as he is rearranging his work schedule in his head, wondering how Iroh's going to react when he shows up in Caldera, thinking about the possibility of meeting his mother's family.

Underlying everything, though, deep in his chest, is a strange knot of tension. He's barely aware of it, and even so, he can't tell if it's anticipation at finally visiting a place so important to his heritage, or apprehension over the potential discoveries unearthed during the trip (what possible reason does he have to be apprehensive anyway?)

One step at a time, Mako, he tells himself, focusing on the feel of Korra's hand to ground him. Take it as it comes.

The Fire Nation awaits.

A/N: Lyric is from a nifty tune I found called 'Coincidence' by Culture Code, ft. KARRA. I'm assuming it was written, as many songs are, as a love song, but the lyrics can also be interpreted to be about good friends (a la Mako and Iroh) trying to figure out life.

I can't believe we're 40 chapters in already! And we still have more to go! Hope you all are still enjoying it as much as you were in the early days!