A/N – I am back with the last introductory chapter! After this, we'll be skipping to about a year after the Equalist Revolution (basically, a few days before Mako and Korra's anniversary).

This chapter is basically going to be Noatak's turn to bond with the Korra and her friends. Mako being the first person to talk to him is intentional. Their friendship will probably be a bit more serious, but Noatak's bonding time with Korra and Asami will definitely be more lighthearted and humorous. I think they'll be able to bring him and his brother out of their shells and not be so serious all the time. Bolin, Iroh (obviously), and the air family will also get lines in and will have bigger roles in future.

Also, huge thanks to HarmonyBenderFreak and another guest user for the reviews! I'm glad you both like the story. :D

"It's almost impossible to imagine how different things would be if I had stayed. If I had been there for him. Maybe things wouldn't be so fucked up for everyone now," Noatak held his head, partly out of regret, as well as a lingering headache.

"You had a choice. You made the wrong one. You're human," Mako knew what it was like to make bad choices. He had a few under his belt, as did everyone.

"I'm also a big brother. I was all he had, and I left him and my mother alone. He shouldn't have to deal with the consequences.

"I know what it's like to feel alone. When my parents died, I was terrified. Bolin and I had nowhere to go. It's okay to feel scared," Mako's voice was soft and comforting.

"I'm sorry to hear that. I had my parents. I had my parents and my brother, and I ran away. I had become a coward, and I didn't even realize it."

"Did you really have your parents?"

Noatak raised his eyebrow in confusion.

"You had a tyrannical overlord 'muahahaha revenge' kind of guy for a father," Mako waved his arms around and twisted his young, handsome features into a comically evil expression, earning a ghost of a smile and a light chuckle from Noatak.

"Your point being?"

"When my parents were alive, they showed me and Bolin nothing but love and compassion, like good parents should. Your mother was helpless, and your father was a prick, no offense. My point is, I was able to remember my parents with love," he reached up to his neck and clung to his father's red scarf. "You remembered yours with bitterness, and that's where all of this hatred came from."

"I see what you mean, but my father is not to blame for the Equalist Revolution or what I did to the Avatar. That's on me."

"You're right, that is on you. What you did was not justified, but it's understandable. You were alone for most of your life, and your hatred for bending was normal. Bending had caused the problems in your life, and it was almost a curse to you. You spent your life alone to think about that hatred and let it grow."

"Understandable or not, the Equalist Revolution still happened. It still hurt many people. It hurt Avatar Korra."

"But you truly believed that it was right."

"I did, but-"

"Trust me, it's extremely hard to forgive you. Along with Bolin, I love Korra more than anything."

"I can tell," Noatak smiled softly. Love was a beautiful thing that he hadn't seen much of in his life.

"You hurt her, and it's taking everything not to forgive you. But she showed me that it's possible, and now I know that we can officially call you our Zuko," Mako smiled brightly.

"I've made my mistakes, but I trust you won't make the same. You're a responsible kid. Take care of your brother, Mako."

His amber eyes glowing, he nodded, "I will."

"Since when were you so good at reading people?" Noatak teased.

"I have my ways."

"Pema, where did Mako go? Oh there you are, I was-" Korra suddenly appeared at the door and fell silent.

"Here we go again," Mako sighed.

"ASAMI, AMON IS AWAKE!" she squealed. She ran across the room and threw her arms around him, similar to his brother, only this time nearly knocking him off the other side of the bed.

He held her close and sat back up with a look of both warmth and confusion. "It's Noatak. And you seem pretty happy to see me."

She tightened her grip around his neck and smiled, "Noatak. And of course I'm happy to see you."

Mako laughed, "Once she's in cuddle mode, there's no stopping her."

"You should know that more than anyone," Asami winked at Mako, both his and Korra's faces turning a deep shade of red.

Suddenly, Korra stood up and punched Noatak in the arm.

"Well, that was fast," he was even more confused.

"That's what you get for scaring the shit out of me. I thought you would never wake up!" Korra pouted.

"Well, I apologize."

"Apology accepted," she promptly snuggled up in his lap once more.

"For everything," he smiled warmly at her and then looked up at Asami and Mako. "Whether it matters or not, I'm sorry for all I did."

"Funny, your brother said the same thing. Of course it matters," Asami giggled before joining Korra in his lap.

"Was that Korra yelling?" Tarrlok appeared at the door confused, along with Bolin and General Iroh. His expression softened at the sight before him. "Ah, so it's your turn to be cuddled to death," he sighed before sitting in the chair next to Mako's.

Noatak just sighed.

"It's about time you woke up!" Bolin beamed in his usual cheerful mood.

"These two were a jittery mess, they were so worried," Iroh added, both of them joining the hug fest without hesitation.

Feeling Iroh's arms wrapped around her, Asami's eyes snapped open, her cheeks turning a not-so-subtle red. This earned quiet snickers from Korra, Mako, and Tarrlok, prompting both Asami and Iroh to turn their red faces away.

Suddenly, Korra grabbed both Mako and Tarrlok by the hands and dragged them into the group hug. "You're missing out on the cuddles."

"It's okay, Mako will get more than cuddles later," Asami stuck her tongue out at Korra.

"ASAMI!" Korra and Mako shouted simultaneously, feeling heat rush to their cheeks.

"That's what you get for laughing at me," she once again winked.

A/N – Finally, the serious chapters are over, and we can get to the hilarity and Makorra fluff! Mako and Noatak having their bro talk was the last really serious moment you'll see in this story. I know this chapter was a little bit short, and I was going to bring the air babies in, but I decided to add them in later. I had to end this chapter with a group hug, though. IT HAD TO BE DONE. Also, I added a little more Irosami in this too. I won't really focus on their relationship as much, at least not as much as the Makorra relationship, but after the time skip in the next chapter, they will already be a couple.

From the next chapter on, we will be focusing on the Makorra anniversary, and we'll get to see the entire Krew help both Korra and Mako prepare for their big day. This is where it will be getting all Tales of Ba Sing Se-ish, and the title will start making more sense. xD Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and make sure to post reviews and leave any feedback you feel will help improve the story. Thanks for reading! xoxo –Vanisha