Korra had an audience today.
Mako and Asami sat close to each other, fingers laced together as they watched her bend. Bolin sat nearby, cheering her on with Pabu's assistance.
She whirled through the spinning gates with the kids, feet flying. All four were a blur of yellow as they matched the current of the air. The three children danced with the wind, airborne and free, grins on their faces. Even Korra had risen off the ground. Even Korra looked happy. All four of them matched in outfits and smiles.
It was strange seeing her airbend, seeing her light and carefree, even if it was for only a moment. With the weight of the world on her shoulders it took a lot of strength to smile. She was so strong, so brave, so selfless. Korra spun out with a gust of wind, and her lips curled up as she landed and bowed for her audience. She laughed as Bolin applauded her. Her grin was beautiful, and with the sun shining down on them, Korra truly glowed.
Asami squeezed Mako's hand. "Wow. She's amazing, isn't she?"
Mako stared at the airbenders. The three kids surrounded Korra, clinging and hugging on the bright yellow fabric of her clothes, proud and inspired and trusting. Korra hugged them back, and from across the way, tangled in the children's arms, she looked at Mako. And she looked at Asami. And she looked at Mako and Asami, hands held tight. And still she smiled, still she was beautiful, still she was happy in spite of everything, in spite of him.
The realization hurt, mostly because he never thought it would happen.
She'd let him go.
After all of his complaining about her jealousy and all the confusion and pain they'd been through, she'd let him go. True, she'd put her feelings aside when they all moved to the island, but she'd still harbored them deep inside. But now? They were gone. He saw it in her eyes.
He didn't want that though. He couldn't let that happen.
Because when he closed his eyes, he still remembered their secret; he still remembered the taste and feel of Korra on his lips, hot and burning like the yellow sun above.
He gently let go of Asami's hand.
"Yeah, she is."
x.x.x.x
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a/n: I DON'T EVEN KNOW. MY EPISODE SEVEN FEELS. AKJSDLF;JAKLSD;