Mako shifted in his seat, trying to get comfortable as he listened to the radio. It was a slow, lazy day, the kind where you had nothing to do and no motivation to do anything but lay there. And it was driving Mako insane.

The first few days off duty had been okay. Bolin had moved back into the apartment, for the moment at least. Opal had been granted leave for a couple of months from the airbenders, as a reward for her contribution in the fight against Kuvira and also because the pair of them needed a chance to reconcile after a hectic few weeks. Mako had welcomed them with open arms, well, arm in his case. It was great to see Bolin so happy. It was the first real solid relationship he'd ever had, and from their current actions, it appeared like it might be the only one he'd ever need.

They were sprawled out on the couch, Opal's head just laying there contently on Bolin's shoulder while he had his arm around her waist. The screen in front of them, this new fangled thing that Varrick called a 'televiser', ( Televiser? Television? Mako had no clue) flickered as they watched the various images that popped up in front of them. It was a simple scene, yet it spoke volumes. He didn't think he'd ever seen his brother so content. And that filled him with happiness yet left a strange hollow feeling in his chest.

Because looking at them brought back memories. Memories of similar times, except it had been him sharing a peaceful moment with the one he loved. That line of thinking had been all too familiar for him in the last few days.

Now that he'd cleaned most of his apartment, caught up with Bolin and read the various books that he'd never bothered to read before he was bored. He was a person of action, and when left alone with just himself and his mind with nothing to do he tended to get lost within his thoughts. And they always led to the same person.

He'd thought he'd shaken it. He really had. He remembered a time when he couldn't imagine Korra not being an integral part of his life. Yet for three years that had been a reality. He learnt a lot about himself in that time. What he wanted to do with his life, the man he wanted to be. And without her, yes, it had been tough. The first few months he had been fraught with worry over her condition, both mental and physical. When she didn't reply to his letters it hurt him, like there was a small hole in his chest. But, slowly and steadily, he learnt to live without her. Learnt to pursue his own dreams, learnt to become his own person. Learnt to move on.

Or at least he thought he had. For as soon as she returned, she flipped his life upside down again.

Of course Wu had to get kidnapped. Of course they had to argue. And while yes, they had iron out some issues, the conflict excited him because it was so familiar. It felt normal to argue with Korra, felt normal for them to quarrel in the middle of a hostile situation. And when they made up, it felt normal to hold her close. It was like she'd never left.

It frightened him, that feeling of familiarity. The fact that she could just slot back into his life at such a quick pace scared the crap out of him. And so, he hid how he felt about her. Hid it from her, from Asami, hell, he hid it from himself. The thought that he could lose her again, that she could be as broken as she was after Zaheer? It terrified him. This way he could have her again, yet keep enough emotional distance to prevent himself from being too drawn in. Yet who was he kidding? She had him hook, line and sinker from the moment she came back. Yet the most ironic thing about it was that he was so scared of losing her that... he did.

When did Asami come along? When did they become so close? He knew they were best friends, but lovers? It never even occurred to him. Yet when he inquired as to where they were, Jinora spoke the truth. They were in the Spirit World. On a vacation. Alone. Without him or Bolin.

His train of thought was broken when he heard Bolin approach. "Hey, Mako. You look a bit out of it there."

"Just thinking is all," he replied, removing his gaze from the window and onto Bolin's inquiring face. "Where's Opal?"

"Just gone out for some milk," Bolin said. "Also, she kind of thinks you look a bit love sick. Now I know that I'm your brother and I'm supposed to catch these kind of things because I know you best so... I agree with her. You okay, Mako?"

For a second he debated on whether he should tell him or not. He didn't like to burden other people with his worries. "Yeah, I'm fine, I'm... no, I'm not fine actually. Just have a lot on my mind at the moment."

"About what?" He said as he put a supporting hand on his shoulder. "You know you can talk to me about anything, right? Hey, part of me is just glad you're here to talk to. You had me worried back there in that giant mecha thing. What's on your mind?"

Before he answered Mako looked out towards the window again, watching the city in the night. It was quiet and serene. "I think... I think I've messed up bro. With Korra, I mean."

"How so?" Bolin asked curiously.

"Have you noticed her and Asami? How... coupley they look? I mean, are they dating now or something? Because for some reason I can't shake the feeling that I... that I've lost her." His voice was quiet, and uncertain. For someone who was always so sure of himself, Bolin found it a bit startling that his brother sounded so... confused. Scared.

"Wait, Korra and Asami? We're talking about the same two girls right? I mean, yeah, the holding hands thing, that's a bit new. The only writing to her and leaving us out, that's a bummer. But no, I haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary. Why, do you think they're together?"

Mako swept his hand through his hair. "I don't know, maybe I'm overreacting. I mean girls just hold hands all the time don't they? Right, Bo? Right?"

"Um... I'm going to have to check with Opal on that one," Bolin said, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. "I don't know, they could be I suppose. Why are you asking? I mean, come on, you can't have been that bad of a boyfriend. Maybe that's why. What did you do to make them swear off boys?" Bolin laughed. He regretted it as soon as he saw the withering look Mako was giving him.

"Not. Helping."

"Sorry," Bolin said. "But seriously though, why does it bother you so much? Never pegged you for a conservative."

"I'm not!" Mako responded, eliciting another chuckle from Bolin. "Look, when I was zapping those spirit vines, I thought that was it. I thought this was how it ends for me. So in my last moments, my mind just went through all these faces. All this crackling light, explosions all around me, and all I could see were these faces. I saw you. Mum, Dad, Asami. And then finally, I saw Korra. And I was just so overcome with emotion that my last thought was... I didn't want to die," Mako mumbled quietly. "I didn't want to die because then I'd be leaving her. I'd never see her again. And that thought alone kills me more than any explosion ever could. What I'm trying to say is... ever since that day, I've felt empty without her. I haven't felt like this in a while. And I think I might be too late. I think she might've found someone else."

Mako finished his words, finally voicing his greatest fear. He looked up searchingly at his brother, hoping that he would somehow have the answer.

"Well, bro, if she has, then she has," Bolin shrugged helplessly. "You can't make her love you again. And if you truly love her, you'll be happy for her. But if she hasn't, then well, telling her can't do any harm can it? Either way, this is going to eat you up inside until you get a definitive answer. If she loves you the same way you love her, that's great. If she's moved on, then I imagine it's going to sting. But at least then you'll actually know. Because right now, you're operating on presumptions and maybes and let me tell you; it ain't pretty."

The earthbender let his words sink in, let his brother digest what he said. And when Mako turned back to him, there was a small smile on his face. "When did my brother get so smart?" he asked mockingly.

"It's in my genes bro. It's in my genes."

"Thanks, though," Mako laughed. "Well, I'd best get some rest. I'll talk to you tomorrow." And with that, Mako made his way to his bedroom. Before he made it though, he turned on the spot to ask his brother one last thing. "Oh, Bolin, is it okay if I say one more thing?"

"Go ahead."

"Keep your room's door and window closed this time tonight," he deadpanned. "Opal is even louder than Korra!"

"For that, I might just leave them open."

"Bolin!"

"Fine, fine. I'll close them."

"Thank you."

And with that, Mako left for bed. But he didn't get much sleep that night. It wasn't down to Bolin and Opal's night activities either. Nor was it the troublesome thoughts of Korra and Asami that kept him up at night. Rather, it was the dark taunting face that smiled at him every time he closed his eyes.

Korra tried once again to stare at the food in front of her instead of the girl across from the campsite. Once again, she failed.

The vacation had been an impulsive decision, but by no means a bad one. In the moment, just looking at Asami's pained expression... She knew she had to do something to lift her spirits. Thus the idea of a holiday bloomed within her mind. And it seemed to have worked. Asami's mood had definitely perked up. So did her own for that matter. As they made their way through the splendour of the Spirit World, she found herself having more fun than she had had in a long time. It was in those moments where she could let go and enjoy herself fully.

But in the quiet times, like right now, her mind wandered. And she didn't always like where it headed.

She kept replaying that moment in front of the portal. Asami was uncertain. She'd never seen the Spirit World before. And so, again on impulse, Korra took her hand. And it felt natural. Real and right. An affirmation of their friendship. A silent oath that they were doing this. Together. And as the golden background teleported them away into a wonderland she caught herself staring into her eyes.

Oh, those eyes. They stared right back at her. Gentle and kind. Thankful. And loving. Undoubtedly loving. It would have been so easy to kiss her.

But she didn't.

She kept asking herself why she hadn't. Asami certainly seemed like she would reciprocate. She loved her. There was nothing unclear about that. But in that way? And then there was the face that kept haunting her every time she replayed that moment.

He was the last person she'd ever kissed. Hell, he was the first person she'd ever kissed. Maybe she felt more strongly for Asami now but... Mako was her first everything. Her first kiss, her first boyfriend. Her first fumble in the dark.

The first person she truly loved.

That didn't just go away, however much she wished it to. Since her return, he hadn't shown too much affection towards her. Kindness and camaraderie, yes, but not affection in that kind of way. Not the way she thought Asami was giving her now. But that was the real problem, wasn't it? She thought, she didn't know. And it was driving her crazy.

It was ironic. All her life, she'd known what she wanted, but not who she was. She wanted to be a good Avatar. She wanted to play pro-bending. She wanted to walk again. She wanted to get better. And whether it was buried in the past or not, at one point she wanted Mako. But now, it was the other way round. She knew who she was now. Knew that she wasn't always needed, but when she was she'd be there. Knew that there was always more to learn. But what she wanted? She hadn't a clue. Did she truly want Asami in that way? Or did she still have that attraction to Mako, an attraction she thought was long buried? Was it one or the other? Was it neither or both?

The one thing she did know was that it was maddening.

But for now, she pushed her thoughts aside. Because ultimately, this trip wasn't for her confused feelings. It was for the woman currently sitting on the log across from her.

"How are you enjoying it so far?" she asked her, shaking herself out of her own reverie. "Has it been everything you expected?"

Asami's expression perked up immediately. "Oh, yes," she answered gratefully. "Even more so. I mean, after all the places that we've been to, all the things we've seen, you kind of get the sense that you've witnessed everything. But this..." she gestured to the bright purple sky above her, wonder sparkling in her eyes. "This is amazing. Just absolutely astounding. And we've only been here a few days! Like the possibilities, the things I've yet to see, here there just endless. Thank you so much for bringing me here, Korra," she smiled. "I needed this after... everything that happened."

And just like that, the spark in her eyes vanished and she became downcast once again.

She couldn't imagine how Asami felt right now, but if she felt horrible just looking at her pained expression, then the depths of despair Asami would feel must be miserable. It killed Korra to see her this way. Was this how everyone had looked at her after Zaheer had nearly killed her?

Asami's head slowly sank into her hands, and Korra did the only thing she could do. "Come here," she gestured, arms wide and welcoming.

She slipped into the Avatar's embrace without a word, allowing herself to be held as the tears came. She thought she'd wept enough for her father's death. Obviously she hadn't.

"I'm sorry," Asami mumbled, her voice unclear from muffled sobs. "I'm sorry."

"Shush," Korra soothed, as she wrapped her arms around her. "You have nothing to apologise for."

"I know," she replied, bringing her hands to her face to wipe the tears away. "It's just... I thought I was done with him. After that whole ordeal with Amon, I.. I hated him, Korra. I may as well have buried him. I never wanted to see him again."

Korra could do nothing but listen. Just be there for her. All this while she was stuck in her own swirling thoughts and she hadn't realised that this was an uncertain time for Asami as well. She probably had to juggle her own feelings while also grieving in the wake of Hiroshi's death. Why, she idly thought, did things have to be so complicated?

"But then... when you were gone, I received letters from him. For years, I ignored the fact that he existed. I had to build Future Industries from the ground up. I had to deal with the slander he brought on our reputation. Yet when I visited him, I felt... happy. Happy that he was remorseful. Happy that he was acting like a father again. And then with you back, everything fell into place. I learnt to forgive him," she cried out with a shuddering sob. "And now he's dead," she muttered quietly.

For once, Korra had no idea what to say. She was truly blessed. Her parents were alive and well. She was never truly alone because her family was always there. But Asami, Mako and Bolin... they never had that. They were all orphans now.

"I meant what I said," Asami finished quietly. "I don't know what I'd do if I lost you too. You're the best friend I've ever had. I'm glad you're here."

Korra turned her head to look at her. Once again she met those sparkling, shining eyes. It would be so simple, yet so earth-shatteringly complicated, if she just leant in...

"Korra!"

A loud shout disrupted both of the women's fascination with each other and they scrambled away from their potentially intimate moment. "Jinora!" Korra shouted back as she saw the blue spectral form of the airbender. Whether she was relieved or angry at her interference, she honestly couldn't say. "What is it?" Her voice had raised an octave. "Is something wrong with Tenzin?"

"No," she answered, but not with any enthusiasm. "My dad's fine. But you have to get out of the Spirit World right now. Your family needs you."

"My family?" Korra shared a confused look with Asami before turning back to the teenager. "What do you mean? What's happened?"

"I don't know how to say this, Korra. Zaheer is back. He's attacked them."

When she heard those words, then, for a split second, Korra knew what it felt like to lose her parents. And her world just about imploded.

Being the father of the Avatar was a hard job. Not that she needed protection no, she was well capable of looking after herself. But the worrying, that never left, no matter how strong she became. But as he heard of her latest exploits, he could once again bask in pride of his daughter's accomplishments. He wasn't worried about her vacation. She could handle herself.

He looked out into the starry night sky, the moon was full as he rounded the corner to his home. In the years since becoming chief his comrades had offered to build a magnificent palace for him and his family to live in but he had modestly refused, citing that such an effort would be much more beneficial for strengthening the tribe as a whole. Not just its chief. He preferred his normal home anyway.

Strange. The door was open. The general rule of the Water Tribe was that you always kept the door closed, to keep the heat in and the various predators out. A flicker of light peeked through the opening. Carefully, he pushed the door and entered his home.

"Tonraq. What a pleasure it is to see you," Shin La smirked behind the guise of Zaheer, as Tonraq's expression changed from suspicious to shocked to rage within a second. "It's been too long since I visited the Southern Water Tribe. I have to admit, I can see why Unalaq complained so much. The lack of spirituality within your people is... astounding." Zaheer's voice was deeper than Tonraq remembered it. But the evil smile on his face was something he would never forget.

With a roar Tonraq summoned a wave of water at the airbender, the moon lending him strength. The torrents of water slammed into Zaheer, smashing him against the wall before it froze, pinning him in icy cascade. "What the hell are you doing here, you bastard?" Tonraq hissed. "Korra isn't here. You've had a wasted trip."

"Oh, I wouldn't say that." In an instant, the ice around Zaheer shattered as he emerged from his frozen prison. Black veins protruded through his skin, lighting up with power as he floated. The waterbender opposite him sent forth another frosty wave but this time Shin La was not static as it approached him. He flew out of the way, ducking and dodging throughout the rooms of Tonraq's home.

"What I would say," he said before another blast came at him. "Would be to worry about your wife," he shouted before repelling the waterbender's torrent. The ice broke into a million different shards as Tonraq was propelled into the air. Those shards came to life as he twisted in the air and sent a million different sharp ice daggers right at Zaheer.

He had barely enough time to slow them down when his wife was shoved in front of the anarchistic airbender. "Such a pretty little thing," Shin mused, his borrowed hand erecting a small tornado where she floated. "I have left enough life in her for one last exchange. After all, it is not every day that the announcement of a pregnancy is made."

At his words all the fury in the chief multiplied. This man had nearly killed his daughter. Now he threatened his wife. But his last sentence sucker punched him, left him at a loss for words. Senna was... pregnant?

"Tonraq!" Her voice was urgent, yet she sounded so breathless, like she could barely speak. She floated in mid-air, held afloat almost effortlessly by Zaheer. A small air bubble encased her head. His mind flashed back to the moment that Korra had been the one helplessly hovering. Zaheer had not been merciful then. Only the combined efforts of all the airbenders working together had stopped him. Now, it was just him, alone against this evil.

"I have a gift for these kind of things," Shin shrugged. His hands were clasped behind his back as he walked around the waterbender, surveying the broken furniture and cutlery. He shook his head, like it was a shame that such tools had to be broken in their fight. "I would say the Avatar is going to have a sister. But she isn't. In another life perhaps. Now, both of you, make your peace. I dislike an ending without resolution."

"Let her go," Tonraq said furiously. "She's done nothing to you. Take me, okay? We've fought before, you hate our guts, and I get that, all right! But don't punish her for something that was always out of our control. Take me. Kill me. But please, let my wife go. Let my unborn child go. Even you can't be that heartless. Please."

"What could have been, Tonraq. What could have been. Say your last words. While you still have the life within you to say them."

Tonraq looked around helplessly. There had to be some way he could turn the tide, some way he could-

A hurricane collided into his back and sent him crashing to the ground, before picking him up and enveloping him in funnel cloud. There was a loud thunk as Senna gazed upon her husband. He must have hit his head, because he lay boneless in the small little tornado, powerless to stop the air being ripped from his lungs.

"He took too long, I'm afraid," Shin La tutted, before he looked right into the terrified eyes of the Avatar's mother. "But do not despair, Senna of the Water Tribe. I'm sure he loved you very much. I'm sure you would have raised a wonderful daughter together. There is nothing personal in this deed. But unfortunately, your husband was right," he sighed, before he picked the pair of them and dangled them within his reach, his eyes turning black and his voice becoming a monstrous growl.

"ZAHEER WOULD NOT DO THIS. ZAHEER WAS NOT HEARTLESS. BUT I AM!"

His hands started to squeeze, black veins becoming prominent as the last vestiges of air was clawed out of their lungs. They dangled before him, suffocating as he denied them the right to breathe.

And then suddenly, she could breathe again. She fell to the floor as she looked up, dazed and confused. She couldn't be sure of what she was seeing but... could it be? Was that who she thought it was?

Shin La emerged from the mountain of snow that had been launched at him as Katara assumed a bending stance. "Go to Tonraq!" she urged as she faced the monster. "Make sure our chief is safe!"

Senna did as she was told, making sure her husband was all right. He was unconscious but he was breathing.

If Katara didn't stop Zaheer she didn't know if that would remain the case.

"Master Katara," he said mockingly. "The Waterbending Master to the Avatar. Wife of the Avatar. I was going to find you once this business was done. No matter. I am glad to see that my prey prefers to submit then pointlessly tries to hide."

"I have never backed down before in my entire life," Katara replied. There was no anger in her tone. She barely seemed moved by the fact that he had just attempted to kill a man, a woman and an unborn infant. She only seemed focused on the battle. "Look into my eyes, Zaheer. These are old eyes. I have seen things that you could only imagine. You don't stand a chance."

'Zaheer' merely chuckled at her defiance. "Do not speak to me of old age, Katara. You are but a measly drop in the well of eternity compared to me." He spoke like he was speaking to a child. "And yet while I am strong and able, you have withered into something weak and frail. Old woman, you have lived a good life. But now, I am going to kill you. I am going to kill the chief, the chief's wife and their unborn daughter. And then I will travel to wherever the Avatar may be and kill everyone that she ever loved. And there is nothing you can do to stop it."

"You asked for it."

And right as Shin La began to rush, he suddenly halted. Everything became... strained. This power, it was unnatural. He floated in the air, propelled by some mystery force. He couldn't move. He could barely think. His limbs bent as he fought this phenomenon.

"What black magic is this?" he growled, as his opponent slowly held him in place. "Answer me, witch!"

"I'd thought you'd heard about it, Zaheer," Katara smirked. "There's a reason why you never attack a waterbender when there's a full moon."

For the briefest of moments, Shin La panicked. He had lost control, the force being exerted on him crushing his will. He couldn't move his limbs, could barely even force a finger to react. For a fleeting time, Shin La thought that this must be how his victims felt, as he pulled their nerves like strings, commanded their bones to walk, travelled through their blood like...

Blood?

The spirit concentrated on the swish and flicker of Zaheer's veins. They were moving, but not in the correct way, like they were being ordered by some unseen force. Like they were moving on someone else's accord.

Blood.

"Nice trick, old woman," Shin La snarled. "Now, I shall show you mine."

Black veins protruded through the skin of his arms, like they were bursting to escape the body. The light behind his eyes left him, replaced only by darkness. And somehow, Zaheer took one step forward.

"FOOLISH. DEATH COMES FOR YOU NOW."

Another step.

"IT IS POINTLESS TO RESIST."

Katara summoned her will, but she could not force him back more than she was already doing. Somehow, he was resisting her control.

"I AM GOING TO KILL YOU. I AM GOING TO TEAR YOU INTO A MILLION PIECES!"

He was getting closer now. Slowly but steadily.

"THERE IS NOTHING YOU CAN DO. NOWHERE YOU CAN HIDE."

Almost there...

"THE WORLD WILL FEAR ME ONCE AGAIN. THEY WILL FEAR SHIN LA!"

And then Zaheer dropped as the spear broke over his head and knocked him out cold.

Senna looked up from the bearded man on the floor before running to Katara as their saviour collapsed. "Well..." Katara heaved. "Haven't done that in a while. Oh Spirits, it shows."

And with that, she passed out in the arms of the pregnant woman's arms. And as the warriors of tribe arrived, asking what had happened, Senna had to ask herself the same questions. What the hell had just happened? Why did Zaheer come after them? And since when did his pupils expand to reveal dark veins and the voice of a monster?

Somehow she didn't think she'd get the answers immediately.

And the story is officially underway.

I want to say thank you so much for the support guys. I mean god, I don't know what I expected, but I certainly didn't expect the amount of people favouriting and following and reviewing. I'm glad people are enjoying it.

And yeah, Bryke have come out now saying the ending is canon. So is 'Korrasami' official now? Yes, it is. Is it going to affect this story? Not really. The creators have said it's canon, so it's canon. Is this story canon? No it is not. Besides, that never stopped the Zutara shippers. At the end of the day you ship what you want to ship. Simple as that. For Korrasami fans, they can be happy it's the real deal. For Makorra fans, they can look up fanfics, fanart etc. It doesn't change much.

Although the Tumblr response is undoubtedly hilarious. Especially the person who put up the Fred scene from I Am Legend as their response. Genius.

Anyway, thanks for reading!