Published June 17, 2017

"Innocent"

"But that doesn't mean you should be frightened of it. Careful, yes. Frightened, no. Because your power—your gift—is a part of you. A good part, not a bad part. By not embracing it, you are denying a part of yourself. It's like saying you don't like yourself. And that's wrong." ~ Meg Cabot, Jinx

It is Damasak's turn to help Senna make breakfast. He mutters the usual complaint about not wanting to learn how to cook, even though he knows his parents' argument, that it is unfair for his mother to do all the work, and he needs to learn even if he does not like it. Hanami will learn, too, but at six years old she still needs close supervision and instruction, and can only do simple steps in food preparation. Being four years her senior, Damasak is much more capable and helpful despite his reluctance.

When the light meal is ready, Tonraq and Hanami set the bowls and cups in a circle (which is more like a square, since there are four of them facing each other). Senna divides the food into even portions before taking her place on the floor. Hanami is already chattering about a dream she had last night, another dream about Korra. She says she has them, every now and then, but sometimes Damask suspects she makes up these dream stories. His parents have the opposite attitude: they listen as though her dreams could be premonitions. Even their uncle Unalaq has listened to her prattle and wondered if it could be more than her imagination at work.

When Hanami seems to have finished and takes a break to eat, Tonraq turns to Damasak and asks, "Did you sleep well, son?" as if he expects Damasak to have similar visions.

"Yeah. Hey, can I go to town with some other kids later?"

"What will you do there?"

"I don't know." His friends usually do not decide what to do until they are together. Then the ideas for fun are endless: fishing, ice marbles, exploring the town or the tundra, pretend waterbender duels and pro-bending matches …

"What about your homework?" Senna interjects.

Damask shrugs. "Have to read some book. And practice forms. I can do that with the others."

"Who are these 'others'?"

Damasak already feels exasperated, going though this routine interrogation. The line of questioning is always the same: Where are you going? What will you do? Who are these people you trust enough to be with? Though Senna and Tonraq let their children go to school and train at a local dojo, they are reluctant to allow anything more. They have explained why: they want to keep their children safe, and spend time with them, something they appreciate and emphasize even more than average loving parents. Sometimes getting their permission requires some coaxing from Katara and Kya, who understand how important freedom and independence are to a person's growth. Damasak feels lucky just to be welcomed among his peers; his family's well-known secrets make bad first impressions on kids as well as adults.

They are all startled by the pounding on the door, followed by Kya's shouts. "Senna! Tonraq! Open up! You won't believe it!"

The hesitation lasts a mere second before the two of them rush to the door, wondering the same thing: could this be it? They used to hope so every time anyone called on them. There were even a few times, over the years, when someone thought or claimed they had found Korra. Those were the most hope-raising and soul-crushing moments of the entire separation.

The moment the door is fully open, Kya blurts out the uncontainable news: "They found Korra."

"Korra?" Hanami cries. "This is like in my dream! Or a different dream …"

Senna is not so ready to believe anymore. "Kya, if this is another false claim …"

The older woman grasps her arms. "Senna, she went into the Avatar State. She can bend three elements. She goes by Korra, and she actually solved her own kidnapping case!"

Senna's legs shake, and she has to turn her hands to return Kya's grip and steady herself. "It's really … she's really …"

"She's in Republic City. Tenzin and Lin already met her. She's healthy and safe."

Senna half collapses as she hugs Kya. Tonraq pulls them both gently but firmly to the center of the room. "Please tell us everything."

Damasak scoots back to expand the circle—it becomes a true circle when Kya sits down with them. "Tenzin sent word last night, from the Republic City Police Station. It's a bit complicated, and they couldn't include some details …"

"Please, tell us what you know," Senna begs.

"Okay. Have you heard about what's been going on lately in Republic City? About the Equalists?"

"I read something about them, in the international news," Tonraq recalls.

"Well, unfortunately, the man who took her is one of them." Kya pauses.

The atmosphere of joyful excitement seems to deflate as quickly as it formed. Damasak and Hanami do not understand what this means, but they see how the news affects their parents.

"An Equalist?" Senna asks, trying to understand.

"Actually, not just any Equalist. He's their leader. He calls himself Amon. He actually raised Korra himself, right in Republic City."

"What's an Equalist?" Hanami interrupts.

"A non-bender who doesn't like benders," Damasak answers, proud that he knows the answer.

"That's the gist of it," Kya confirms. "Lately they've been causing more trouble for the United Republic's government. They're trying to start a revolution—that means when people take over a government," she adds before Hanami can ask.

Damasak glances between his sister and his parents, wondering at how the latter do not tell Kya to stop explaining; usually they do not talk about serious topics that could scare the kids.

"Korra worked as an Equalist for almost two years, but apparently she figured out she's the Avatar and turned traitor."

"How did she find out?" Tonraq asks.

"Something about dreams—probably past-life stuff."

Tonraq thinks back to the day, just a few weeks ago, when he visited the Avatar temple and tried halfheartedly to pray. Did Aang actually hear him? Did he help Korra find out who she is?

"Is Korra coming here?" Hanami asks hopefully.

"They only found her yesterday. Nothing's been decided. They didn't even say where she'll be staying now—I guess that's too risky to communicate, if the message is intercepted."

"They wouldn't put her in jail, would they?"

"She's technically a criminal. They could press charges. But I don't think they will. I think they want her to be free. They want an Avatar to help them."

"Of course, we understand," Tonraq says. "But all the same …"

Hanami interjects another question, which is really a rephrasing of the last: "Will she come to live with us?"

"I guess it's up to her," Kya says.

"Can we tell people about this?" Damasak asks. "Or is it a secret?"

"It's going to be public knowledge soon," Kya says, "so it should be fine."

Damasak looks at his parents. "Then we can tell people you weren't lying or crazy."

"Damasak," Tonraq scolds automatically, though he is actually glad for this reason as well.

"What's going to happen now?" Hanami demands, starting to get upset that no one is giving her a clear answer.

"They're trying to keep a lid on this revolution," Kya explains. "Tenzin is worried it could turn into a war."

The final word somehow changes the room's atmosphere. Tonraq is the only one of them who has experience with war, who understands what it means. But for both him and Senna, the thought of their daughter caught in a war zone brings back their old anxiety about her being harmed.

"What can we do?" Senna asks.

"I'll go talk to the council of elders," Tonraq decides. "Maybe we can organize some kind of militia." Mobilization of citizens is prohibited, but Unalaq might make an exception, since he has expressed interest and concern in Korra's—or, more accurately, the Avatar's—welfare.

Kya nods. "I'll go with you. My mother will probably want to come too."

Senna glances at the half-finished plates and bowls. "I should have offered you something. Have you had breakfast?"

"That's all right. I don't want to rush you, though."

"I couldn't eat another bite," Tonraq says, standing up. Senna follows him and Kya to the door. "When we get back, we'll all go to the temple. We need to give thanks for this." Before he steps out, Tonraq gathers Senna in a hug, kissing her briefly but fiercely. "I love you," he says passionately.

Tears of joy leak from the corners of her eyes. "I love you, too." She stays in the doorway to watch them leave. Hanami looks out from behind her to wave goodbye.

Senna tries to finish cleaning up the breakfast dishes, in spite of the many thoughts flowing in and out of her mind. Damasak watches her pick up the dishes and set them down again twice, turning one way and then another, like a hunter that has lost his quarry's trail. "Mom? Are you okay?"

She laughs, a strange laugh. "Oh, sweetie, I can't even tell you—I'm happier than I've ever been!" She is also frightened, perhaps not as much as she was during her last two pregnancies, but in a similar way, because hope always brings with it the possibility of disappointment.

"I can finish these," Damasak offers. He is clear-headed enough to execute the task.

"Oh, thank you. I'm sorry. This is so sudden—but I can't believe I'm saying that, after being so impatient at times … now, I don't know what to do with myself!" Senna tries to think of something practical. Crazy ideas enter her head—visiting the temple to pray, setting up space for Korra to inhabit, going through the albums that have grown thicker each year. She always left every second or third page blank, in case they ever had something for Korra to add from their time spent apart. They will have so much to talk about, to tell her, to ask her …

"I'm really happy for you," Damasak says, sounding oddly formal, or mature.

Senna laughs again. "I'm happy for you! You'll finally get to meet her!"

Hanami comes over and pulls on her skirt. "Tell us about her." She says these words with the same pleading, hushed excitement as when she asks to stay up late. Damasak does not ask for such stories, and he acts indifferent when Hanami does, but he still listens keenly. Sometimes Senna and Tonraq tell anecdotes from the first four years of Korra's life, the only years she spent with them. Other times they try to imagine how she must be now. Sometimes they use the past tense; sometimes they use the present tense. It is hard to guess which one is truer.

"She wore her hair in three ponytails. She loved to run and climb. She was so proud of her bending, and got excited whenever she learned something new." Senna wonders if these things are still true. She would like to think she would recognize Korra anywhere, at any age, but would she really? What if she has changed so much she is not recognizable?

"Do you think she'll like me?" Hanami asks.

"She'll love you. Both of you."

Hanami looks happy and hopeful, while Damasak is more subdued. Korra is a stranger to them, like the grandparents they never met. Does Korra think of them as strangers, too?

Senna has written about a dozen letters to Korra professing her love, but she hopes that somehow Korra knows it now.

Korra remembers the previous night's events as soon as she wakes. She wonders how Amon fared this past night. Then she makes the conscious decision to not care.

She does not want to get out of the hard bed. She wants to stay hidden and unmoving and removed from everyone and everything. Maybe she should meditate and stay so busy in the spiritual plane that her body never wakes up.

It is Asami who comes to her, quietly sliding the door open and shut. "Hey." She is still in the borrowed pajamas, but seems to have washed up; though she had no makeup on, her face is fresh and her hair is brushed. "I brought you some tea," she offers, holding out a ceramic cup.

Korra feels thirsty, so she sits up and accepts the drink. "Thanks."

Asami sits on the edge of the bed. "How are you feeling?"

The question seems strange to Korra. "I'm not sick, Asami."

"You know what I mean."

"Okay … I feel pretty crummy."

Asami grimaces sympathetically. "I know. I feel it, too. But, I don't regret anything—"

"Yet," Korra says under her breath.

"—and neither should you. We saved the boys, we got to meet Tenzin and his family, and now we can—" She stops, deliberating.

"What?"

"Well, I was going to say we can help end the war, but I guess we need to talk about what our next move is."

"Yeah." Korra glances at the window, trying to judge the sunlight. "What time is it?"

"About nine o'clock. Tenzin went to an emergency Council meeting. He called a few minutes ago to ask if you were up."

"Why? Do they want me there?"

"The Council members want to meet you, but they think it's safer for them to come here than for you to go there. So they'll be here in about an hour. Chief Beifong's already here, waiting to talk to you."

Korra groans. All she wants is some time to rest, but clearly the war will not let her. Asami pats her shoulder and stands up. She goes over to the side table, then comes back holding some folded garments. "Pema washed our clothes, and the airbender kids blew them dry."

"Really? That was nice of them."

"Yeah. I was thinking, since we weren't able to bring any clothes besides what we wore yesterday, we could go shopping—or send an Acolyte shopping for us, if we can't go out in public—or we could try making something new out of their uniforms."

"Sure," Korra says indifferently. She has never cared about clothes, and she has no reason to start now. But it occurs to her that the clothes she wore yesterday are the only things she has from her old life. She does not know if she wants to hold on to them, or discard them forever.

As they get dressed, Korra wonders what meeting the Council members will be like. It's kind of funny: she always thought if she met them, it would be with bars separating her from them, only she never knew which side each party would be on. What must they think of her? Will they be suspicious like Lin, or will Tenzin be able to soften them up? Korra does not want to deal with more judgment. On the other hand, though, she wanted opportunities to speak on behalf of the non-benders and give the politicians a piece of her mind.

Once they are both dressed, they go to the airbender family's private dining room. Everyone they see seems to be in a uniform: White Lotus sentries have joined metalbender cops and task force goons, and the only people who aren't standing guard or on patrol are the Air Acolytes.

Lin and Pema are in the dining room, which still has a place set out for Korra. Lin looks as though she has not rested since Korra last saw her.

"Hi. Um, I hope you haven't been waiting long," Korra says.

"Try thirteen years," Lin says dourly. Korra feels annoyed at the jab, and sheepish because it is truthful. She sits down and accepts the food Pema passes to her.

After eating for a minute, Korra ventures to ask, "Is there any news?"

"I'll say." Lin pulls an envelope from her belt and slides it across the table. "Telegrams have been pouring in all night. Half a dozen people have offered you asylum. Chief Unalaq wants to meet you, and already has recommendations for people to teach you bending. Master Katara and Lord Zuko both offered to visit."

"Really?" Korra is immediately interested, but also wary, remembering how old they are in comparison to the friends she saw in Aang's memories. "Is that safe?"

Lin deflects the question back to her. "What do you think?" Her tone is ironic but not unkind; Korra might truly have a better understanding of the threat the Equalists would pose.

"Well, I haven't met them as they are now, so … I don't know if they can still hold their own, if anything happens …"

"They're retired," Lin informs her, "but in good health."

"Has there been anything from my family?"

"Not yet. Tenzin's sister, Kya, was going to tell them the news this morning. I'm sure they'll respond soon."

"How are things at the apartment building? You said everyone was evacuated—"

"They went back this morning, after we searched the place and removed the bomb."

At this, Korra exhales in relief. Lin continues, "We searched the Sato mansion, but Hiroshi wasn't there. The staff are being questioned. We found the tunnel entrances, but they've been blocked off with platinum, so it seems the've holed themselves up. We're trying to figure out how to breach the network."

Korra tries to imagine all the people she knows among the Equalists, confined to the underground maze. She is glad to not be with them.

An elderly, dignified Air Acolyte enters the room. "The Council members have just arrived. Should I show them in here?"

Korra and Lin exchange glances. It takes Korra a moment to realize that Lin is looking to her for an answer. "Um … sure."

Asami helps Pema clear the table. After a few minutes, Tenzin comes in with four other adults, who Korra recognizes from photographs in newspapers and intelligence files: Tarrlok of the Northern Water Tribe, Yugen of the Southern Water Tribe, Rei of the Earth Kingdom, and Rasaka of the Fire Nation.

Korra rises to her feet, more out of a sense of guardedness than respect. A short time ago she saw these people as the enemy, nothing more or less. Now they are meeting each other as potential allies. "Uh—hello," Korra says.

"Good morning, Korra," Tenzin says. He starts to gesture to the others, but Councilman Tarrlok steps forward before Tenzin can begin making introductions.

"It is truly an honor to meet you," Tarrlok says. "I am—"

Korra cuts him off. "I know who you are." She belatedly realizes how rude that sounded, so she turns to the whole group, bows, and says, "It's nice to meet you all."

Her words are met with curt nods, slight bows, and murmurings of "Likewise" and "Our pleasure" and even "At last."

"Please, have a seat," Tenzin says to the guests.

Tarrlok is quick to move around the table and takes the seat next to Korra, who scoots a few inches away. "Your uncle, Chief Unalaq, sends his greetings, and offers you asylum in the Northern Water Tribe."

"I know. Chief Beifong was just telling me."

Tarrlok blinks, keeping his smile intact. "He has also requested to meet you as soon as possible."

"I see." Korra pointedly avoids eye contact with him, focusing on Tenzin and Lin instead.

"How are you this morning?" Tenzin asks her.

She barely knows yet—she is still processing and recovering from the previous day's events—but she knows these pleasantries are just preliminaries, so she merely says, "I'm fine."

Tenzin nods, and seems to know what she is thinking. "Korra, we know you've been through a lot lately, and that it's a lot to take in … but we need to talk about what you should do next."

"Okay." She can agree with that much. "So what are my options?"

"We're all in agreement that you should begin your Avatar training," Tenzin says. "Before my father died, he asked the White Lotus to protect the next Avatar during the process of mastering the elements. There is, however, a question of where you'll be staying, and who you'll be with. You could stay here, under police protection; or you could go to one of the other nations. We have friends and allies all over the world."

"What about my friends? Asami's father will be looking for her, and Amon is more than willing to hurt Mako and Bolin in order to get to us."

"If they wish to accompany you then we won't stop them."

She will have to talk to them about what they want. She made them promise to stay with her, but now she wonders if she should release them from that promise. She will have to talk to them about their next steps.

"Could I visit my family?"

"If you're willing to put them at risk, with Amon on your tail," Lin says.

"Lin!" Tenzin rebukes.

"She knows what's at stake. Look at what almost happened to those boys. Anyone she associates with could become a target or collateral damage."

"No, you're right," Korra concedes. "Plus, Amon won't like me seeing my biological parents. He's already hurt them to get to me. I don't want that to ever happen again." She crumples her napkin in her fist, wishing more than ever that she could be with them. But she owes them safety.

"Staying may mean remaining close to danger," Yugen acknowledges, "but it would also put you at a strategic vantage point, should you wish to help us."

"Help you," Korra echoes. There is a part of her that wants to fight back against Amon and his brainwashed followers. But she knows how flawed the city's justice system is, and how valid non-benders' complaints against benders are. She cannot fight for the government any more than she can fight for the Equalists. "You want my help … after everything I've done?"

"Everything you've done has shown that you're exactly what we need," Tarrlok says, his voice energetic and flattering. "You have the inside knowledge we've been lacking, and you've already displayed intellect, courage, and unparalleled fighting abilities." Tarrlok's eyes practically shine with anticipation. "With a little training, you could be the key to defeating the Equalists."

"No."

Tarrlok pauses, uncomprehending. "I beg your pardon?"

"I won't do it," Korra says simply.

"What?"

"I deserted the Equalists and surrendered to the city so I wouldn't have to keep hurting people and fighting other people's battles. I'll train, so I don't lose control of my bending like last night. But I'm not going to be anyone's secret weapon anymore."

Tarrlok appears astonished and somehow dismayed. Tenzin, however, looks at her with sympathy and says, "No one will force you to fight for anything."

"Well," Tarrlok says, reassuming a professional demeanor, "if you're opposed to direct conflict, there is another way you can help smooth out the situation. You have a unique perspective with a great potential to influence public opinion."

"Public opinion?" Korra repeats.

Lin speaks up to supply some pertinent information: "Half of the city thinks you should bring down the Equalists; the other half thinks you owe it to your foster father to finish what you started."

"What he started," Korra corrects hotly.

Tarrlok resumes his sales pitch: "Republic City stands as a beacon of hope, just like its founder, the late Avatar. Your return will bring hope, and your endorsement may give people the confidence they need."

Now Korra begins to understand. "So what do you want me to do? Publicly declare my loyalty to the Council?"

"That … would be the most forthright step," Tarrlok says. "The press and the people are demanding to know what has happened, and they're anxious to know what will happen now. They need to see whose side you're on."

"Who said I'm on either side anymore?"

There is a heavily pregnant pause. The Council members do a poor job of hiding their surprise, fear, and discomfort.

"I'm afraid I don't understand," Tarrlok says finally.

"Let me explain then." Korra turns to look at him directly. "I'm not loyal to the Council; I'm loyal to Republic City and its people. Your policies have done nothing to help them, before or after the revolution began. Any aggression against the Equalists only makes more nonbenders sympathetic to them. It's happened already: recruits increased by forty percent after you formed your little 'task force'. You say you want the conflict to end, but you're exploiting it to gain power, and that just exacerbates the problem."

Now Tarrlok is openly frowning, almost glaring at her. The other Council members show varying degrees of ambivalence. Lin's frown has become thoughtful, and Tenzin actually seems … not happy, but approving.

"Then what do you propose we do at this point?" Rei asks. "If a revolution is as close at hand as you've said, we don't have time to pass legislation or institute reforms to show solidarity with nonbenders. What can be done in the meantime?"

Korra realizes she is finally getting what she has wanted, a chance to influence the city's politics. "Well … you could get nonbenders involved with your side."

"What?"

"Your task force and most of the police force are made up of benders. They've had some successful attacks, when they had the element of surprise, and access to the elements they bend. But they don't know how to fight without their bending, and Amon's chi-blockers cut it off so they can't use it even if they have their elements nearby. They have to learn the kind of self-defense nonbenders use. And the best people to teach them that are nonbenders who oppose the Equalists."

The adults exchange glances around the table. Korra cannot tell if their expressions are incredulous or impressed.

"That's … actually a good idea," Lin allows.

Tarrlok shakes his head scornfully. "Any nonbender could be an Equalist."

"That attitude of suspicion is what furthers the polarization in the city," Tenzin argues.

Rasaka speaks up. "Tarrlok, don't you realize how outnumbered we are, if all nonbenders side with the Equalists? We have a greater chance of avoiding—or, if need be, winning—a war with more allies."

Korra nods. "Somehow, I thought someone who came out of nowhere and worked his way up to power would be smarter than—"

"Korra," Tenzin cuts her off sharply.

"What?"

"Even if you don't agree with him, you need to show him your respect."

His wording gives her an opening, and she takes it. "What if I don't have any respect for him?"

"Then for propriety's sake fake it!" It is the first time Korra has seen Tenzin snap at anyone, and she actually respects him more for it.

"I'm sorry," she says. "I'm done pretending. Tarrlok has done nothing to earn my respect as a citizen, let alone as an Avatar." She turns to the glowering Northern Water Tribe councilman and says, "If it's a spokesperson you want, talk to Asami Sato. She's got the looks, the manners, and the sob story."

"It's your duty to keep the peace!" Tarrlok bursts out.

"I will, once I figure out how. I'm not some reluctant hero. I got into this mess because I wanted to be a hero." Her throat feels tight, but once she begins she cannot stop. "Joining the Equalists was like—like going on a quest for justice. I was so naïve and self-righteous, I didn't realize I was being used. I'm not going to make that mistake again."

Korra stands up and leaves the room before the angry tears can spill from the corners of her eyes. The guards at the doorway do not prevent her from leaving, but they make sure she enters the sight of the guards further down the hall. She has a distance to go before she can find a place to cry and think with any semblance of privacy.

She goes outside and continues walking until she reaches a cliff facing the city. It is a beautiful day, and from here Republic City looks picturesque. How will it look in a week? A month? How soon will Amon strike? How will the revolution change this place she loves? When will it expand beyond these shores and mountains?

Korra knows will not be able to stay neutral. She has to choose one side to help, to defend. She knows in her heart that Amon is in the wrong—but is the government really in the right? It is easier to be loyal to benders as individuals than as a collective.

Of course Tarrlok would want her help after seeing the kind of destruction she can cause. He probably saw the ruined street last night. He must have been thrilled to see what she did, what she is capable of.

She hears footsteps behind her, and turns to see Mako coming up to the cliff. His greeting is short and gentle. "Hey."

"Hey. Where's Bolin?"

"Playing with the airbender kids. Asami's helping Pema with the baby. I saw the Council members leaving so … I thought I'd see how you're doing." He looks at her for a moment, taking in her downcast expression. "Are you okay?"

Korra shrugs. "I don't know."

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Everything. I don't want to talk about it."

"Do you want me to go?"

"That's another thing. I know I asked you guys to stay with me, but if the chief says it's safe, you can go."

Marko's eyes narrow in surprise. "What?"

"You don't have to stick around for me. It's my fault you're here in the first place."

"Korra, that's not—"

"Don't tell me it's not true."

Mako makes a sound like a frustrated growl. "Why are you like this? Even when there's no danger in being together, you still push people away."

There are a million reasons why—she doesn't deserve their help, she doesn't want them in danger, she doesn't want to hold them back from their own pursuits—all reasons she knows will mean nothing to them, at least not at this moment. Later, though, they might resent having their fate intertwined with hers, or come to harm because of their connection to her.

After taking a calming breath, Mako tries to reason with her. "Look, none of us can claim to know how you feel. I mean, besides the whole thing with experiencing a big change … finding out that someone you care about isn't who they said they are … and having more power than you know what to do with …"

"If you're trying to cheer me up or something, you're doing a slushy job."

Despite her gruffness, Mako sits down next to her. "What's really bothering you?" He is doing the same thing he did when they were investigating her past: inviting her to open up to him.

Maybe he would be a good person to open up to. Mako is the most serious of Korra's three friends. Not to mention, his element is considered the most destructive. That may be a stereotype, but all stereotypes contain some truth.

"The Council's trying to get me to fight and advocate for them, like deserting one side means I must want to join the other. Tarrlok can't get it through his head that there are more than two categories of people. And they want me to start training, 'mastering the elements,' like that's no big deal."

Mako has nothing to say to that.

Korra looks at her hands and says, "Did you see the way they looked at me, after the fight? Like—like I might explode and destroy them all."

"You're still upset about that?"

Korra feels a little indignant at this. "Shouldn't I be?"

Mako tries to backpedal. "I didn't mean you shouldn't be, I just thought, in comparison to everything else going on …"

"You saw what I did. I'm a freak. A living weapon. That's why Amon kept me hidden, and why Tarrlok wants me on his side now." She looks at him with curiosity and something of a challenge. "Are you honestly not afraid of me?"

Mako considers her carefully, his expression not hard, but not soft either. "I'm still afraid for you—for what might happen to you. But I'm not afraid of you."

"After what you know about me? And what you saw me do last night?"

"Yeah. Because I know your heart's in the right place. You saved us and gave up everything to follow your conscience. I trust you."

Wow. Even Mako thinks highly of her now—too highly, like Bolin and Tenzin and the Air Nomad community.

"When I asked for your help, I had just figured out that I was the Avatar. I was this close—" Korra indicates the space of about half an inch "—to freaking out about that aspect of my identity, but I was more caught up in figuring out where I came from. I guess blaming Amon distracted me from thinking about what it means to be the Avatar. I can blame him for where I am … but I can only blame myself for what I am. What I did. What I might do."

"I bet that's exactly the way he wants you to think," Mako says. "He probably wants you to feel guilty about being the Avatar, about bending, so you'll lose your conviction and self-confidence. Which means if you do that, you're letting him win."

Korra wonders if there is any course of action that will circumvent Amon's victory—over her, over Republic City, over the world.

"When you went to that match with us, you looked like you were having a blast watching the fight," Mako remembers.

Korra smiles nostalgically. "Yeah. That was the first time, since I was little, that I wished I could do that." She looks at her hands again, almost resenting her body's elemental powers. "Bending may accomplish some good things … but it's still as destructive as Amon always taught me. I can't pretend it's not."

"I know how you feel, in that respect." This makes Korra look at him in surprise. Mako's expression has become pained as a different memory surfaces in his mind. "The firebender who killed my parents—he cut them down right in front of me. I was eight."

Korra stares at him, horrified at the scenario, and surprised he is telling her about it. He has not talked about his tragic past since the night of their double date, and he never went into detail about it then.

Mako studies his own hands in their fingerless gloves. "For weeks, maybe months, I couldn't stand to look at fire, much less make any myself." He rests his hands on his knees. "Then winter came, our first one on the streets. You wouldn't believe how cold it gets, spending hours outside, especially at night."

"Actually, I can. I almost froze once, on a camping trip."

"Then you know what I'm talking about. I was honestly afraid we'd freeze to death. But we found spots where Bolin could earthbend walls, make a little shelter. And when he asked me to make fire … I couldn't say no. Our bending saved us that winter. And it gave us something to work with, when Toza started training us." Mako finally looks back at Korra, and she is struck once again by the beautiful amber of his eyes. "It shouldn't be a burden. I mean, it can be, but it doesn't have to be. In a lot of ways, it's a gift."

"I can't just change how I think about it."

"Maybe not all at once," Mako concedes, "but if you give it a chance, you might warm up to it. Pun not intended. I know you can control how you use it. I'm living proof of that."

"I'm not like you. You're …"

"What?"

"You're …" Korra struggles to find the right word. "… cool. You don't let your feelings get in the way of anything. And you can bend lightning—I know you have to be completely at ease to do that, no shame or doubt or regret. You're not conflicted, the way I am. You know who you are and what you have to do. I have no idea who I am, or who I'm supposed to be, or what I should do."

Mako looks at her, then says abruptly, "Give me your hand."

That catches her off guard. "Why?"

"I want to see you firebend." He holds out his hand, palm turned upward. Reluctantly Korra extends her own hand; he takes it, turning it palm-up on top of his. "Go on. Make a small fire."

"I don't—"

"You did it last night, at our apartment, and you didn't burn down the Arena." Seeing her doubtful look, he adds, "If it gets out of control, I'll douse it."

Korra trusts him more than she trusts herself. So she focuses and conjures a small flame. It wavers more than any other she has made recently, except perhaps that first one in the library bathroom.

Mako notices and says, "If you're anxious, you won't be able to control it. But if you're calm, the fire will be too."

"Trying not to be anxious just makes me feel more anxious!"

Now he gives her an annoyed look. "Do you like arguing, or something?"

Korra relents at this; she is being contrary. "Sorry. I'll try."

"Okay. Now inhale and exhale, slowly—not in your chest, in your stomach. Feel it expand. The fire should grow the same way."

She sucks in slowly through her nose, and sure enough the fire rises. She leans back, not wanting her front pigtails to catch fire, but Mako grasps her shoulder with his other hand, keeping her upright. She exhales through her mouth, as though blowing out candles on a birthday cake, and the flame shrinks to nearly the size of such a candle.

Suddenly Korra is suspicious. "Are you doing that?"

"Nope." Mako moves his hand out from under hers. The flame somehow doubles: one stays in her hand while another follows Mako's.

They hold their fires side by side, and by some unspoken agreement they manage to match their breaths, so the twin flames fluctuate in sync. Korra reflects that they must be about equal in talent; his years of experience match her raw power.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?"

Korra is tempted to smile when she hears Mako, of all people, say that word. Who would have thought the stoic street rat had an appreciation for aesthetics? "Can we combine them again?"

Mako nods and moves his hand over hers. Their flames mix, and it is impossible to tell where her power ends and his begins. Their fires are one again. Korra does not want to put it out, but Mako turns his hand over to grasp hers, extinguishing the fire between them. Neither of them is burned, but the warmth lingers between their palms.

"I know we can't give you advice on being the Avatar," Mako says. "But Asami probably feels the same way about her dad as you do about Amon. And I know what it's like to not want to be a bender. If you want space, we'll let you have it, but we don't have anywhere we'd rather go, and we all want to help any way we can."

Korra smiles for the first time that day, and squeezes his hand. "Thanks. I appreciate that."

Author's Notes

Music: "Innocent" by Taylor Swift

Sorry it took so long to update this story! I took a hiatus for Lent, and then I was busy finishing my college education, so I only posted short stories that didn't take too long to finish. I have now graduated and am in possession of a B.A. in English and Communication Arts, with a concentration in Creative Writing!

I'm not sure I like how Korra's scenes in this chapter turned out. This was going to have one more scene, but since that would have taken more time to prepare, I decided to put it off until next update. I might end up shifting scenes between chapters again. Please let me know whether you think the scenes flow realistically, or whether I left anything out or need to correct anything. Thanks!