This fic is also on my tumblr blog where my username is Kuno-chan and my blog name is Dragoness Ramblings.

Disclaimer: Legend of Korra belongs to Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko

There are many gifts in this world that are beautiful, but need you to rearrange your world for.

The Baby

She had missed snuggling her face into his bare chest.

She'd missed cuddling with him after they made love and the way he seemed to enjoy her fingers tracing the ink on his skin. She'd missed feeling his chest against her back and he seemed to miss it just as much as they rolled over this way and that. She'd missed the way his voice rumbled in her ear as he told her he loved her and rocked her the way he and only he could ever do.

A couple weeks had passed and when the opportunity had finally arisen, they gladly took it and tore into each other with love and vigor. The way he softly bit her told her how much he had longed to make her his again. She found that she couldn't keep her fingernails out of his back and that told her how much she had long to make him hers again. Of course, it wasn't like that had exactly changed, but after the past almost three months they really needed to gear up their sex life again.

It was almost the Winter Solstice now and things had fallen into routine. In the morning, Jinora would get up and do a brief exercise from her book. She'd found that starting the day off with a little bit of peace helped her start a momentum of that while she was at school. Kai would pick her up, they'd go to school together and meet up at lunch. The day would be spent talking to Kumi like normal again thanks to all of that and she could even be generally cordial with Meng Meng though she was sure they'd never be friends. At least until she changed her attitude. After school she could actually go out and do things. Ride around with Kai on his bike, go to the mall, hang out with her friends. Was it great or was it pathetic that it was like a dream?

Part of her didn't want to believe it, but as the days wore on she kind of had to. What sealed the deal, she had to admit, was finally having the time and general approval of her mother to go over to Kai's apartment while Mako and Bolin were at work. There was a somewhat silent agreement there. Her mother knew better and her approval was kind of surreal.

"You're beginning to get kind of antsy around the house," said her mother after Jinora had awkwardly explained why she was a little jumpy lately. "It's fine. Go ahead. I trust you."

Jinora blinked.

"Really?"

"Am I a grandmother yet?"

"Well... no."

"Do you think I will be in the next year?"

"...no."

"Are you going to make sure I'm not going to be one in the next year?"

"Of course," said Jinora. "I've been doing that for the past nine months."

"Then it's fine with me. Go on," said her mother and went back to reading her book.

Jinora blinked again, turned around, looked around to see if she would spot a camera then turned back to her mother who just continued to read nonplussed.

"Mom?"

"Yes?"

"How can you just be so okay with this?" asked Jinora. "Most parents would be absolutely against it and I kind of expected you to be like that at least a little. You're really okay with this?"

"Well, sweetheart," said her mother, resting her book on the dining table. "If this was going to be your first time around the block then I would probably be a lot more concerned and even maybe forbidding, but it's as you said. You've been doing this for the past nine months. I don't think me asking you to stop cold turkey would do anything for your health... I can, er, tell that you miss him. What would happen if I forbade you from having sex for the time being?"

"I might go up a wall," said Jinora automatically, her cheeks getting hot when she realized how fast she'd said that.

"Then there we go. It kind of does nobody any good and I don't exactly see the harm in it as long as you continue to stay safe... you are being safe, right? And you know I trust Kai, but he's clean? No romances before you? Correct?"

"Of course, we're each other's first."

"Then that's that. What's done is done. I can't undo it and I think you've made a good choice. I'm okay with it," said her mother, flipping pages in her book.

"...what about Dad? He's... okay with this?" asked Jinora. She found that very hard to believe.

Her mother looked up at her again as if she was trying to hide a smile.

"Honey, there are certain things we can't share with your father. Don't get me wrong. I'm glad you've made up with him and all, but Jinora... your father isn't an idiot. You and Kai had the entire house to yourselves for two and half days. I'm sure he has some kind of idea, but I don't think he cares to entertain it in any way, shape or form and he never will even if and when you get married. He's happier turning a blind eye. Forcing himself to completely lack awareness in that department as long as I don't object." Now she smiled. "Let's not distress him. He's happier having convinced himself that the opposite is true."

Jinora nodded in agreement. She liked that arrangement.

"So... it's okay?"

Her mother raised her eyebrows now.

"Were you in need of a book on positions, dear? Because there are some great web-"

"That's okay!" Jinora's eyes widened and her voice reached a new shrill height. "I'm going! Bye!"

And she fled.

Now in the full swing of winter, Jinora put on her thickest fleece leggings under her dark fleece skirt. She slipped on a jacket and a hat and used the extra car to drive down to Kai's place. It was a strange feeling that some might not have understood, but the grey sky and the light snow falling as she made her way there excited her. It was more of a feeling that the snow was setting the mood.

When she got to where she was headed, she easily kissed him and the rest was wonderful history.

Here she was now, her finger trailing down to trace the identical tattoos spread liberally over his right and left hips.

"You know...? I kind of love it when it's snowing and we're in bed like this. After we've made love that is."

"Yeah?" he asked, lazily laying the side of his face against her head. "Whyssat?"

"I don't know," she said, attempting to shrug. "Aesthetic I guess? Plus, it means you need to keep me warm."

She felt his arm that she was laying on shift around until his hand had come from behind her head to lift her chin. He raised her head to look at him and smiled then, planted a warm, deep kiss on her lips. For a minute, they just laid there like that, tasting the other contently.

When he pulled back, she felt her lips tug into a grin.

"Like that?" he asked in a husky tone.

"Yeah," she whispered, and took her finger now up to press against his bottom lip. "Just like that... and other ways. I can't stay here all afternoon. You know that... but I could really use a shower before I go. Help me?"

Now, he grinned and pulled his arm out from underneath her. He stood up as she laid there and dipped down to pick her up. Extending her arms out, she wrapped them around his neck and laid her head against his shoulder as he carried her to the bathroom.

Winter was her favorite season for sure.

-:-:-:-

This went on even three months later.

The Winter Solstice had caused Jinora to essentially go broke, but she was happy with all the gifts she'd given and received. Kai himself had given her a book of romantic quotes, each page annotated with his own little thoughts of her and them together and how each quote could or did apply to them. Some of the pages he even had little doodles sprawled around the corners. If they hadn't been at her house surrounded by their families she might have tackled him to the ground.

For that occasion, Jinora thought her mother's idea of inviting Mako, Bolin and Kai over was a brilliant idea. Though Asami, Korra and Opal were out of town visiting their own families, they did call in via video chat to check in on everybody's festivities.

Kai was, to say the least, surprised when Jinora's mother put a large gift box in his lap labeled on the top "From: The Gyatso Family." When he opened it, he pulled out a thick black hoodie with black sherpa lining inside. He looked up, slightly stunned, her father only cleared his throat again and her mother beamed.

"Jinora was telling us how you get so cold in the winter so this should keep you good and warm." Her mother nodded. "The inside's nice and fluffy."

Kai barely knew what to say, but he kept thanking both of her parents. Jinora knew it was partly out of pure surprise. Even her father gave him a curt nod and, Jinora swore, a hint of a smile hidden underneath his beard. Mako had then done the Mako thing to do and turned to her mother, inquiring on where she'd gotten such a good deal on it.

At first, Jinora almost felt a bit embarrassed about the gift she'd gotten Kai. It seemed too impersonal. It was an art program he'd been pining for, but it was still just an art program. Not the personal touched gift he'd gotten her. He dismissed these doubts when he kissed her dead on the mouth and assured her that any gift that gave fuel to his creative fire was a good gift for him.

That was about a week after their first intimate time together in over two months.

The subsequent weeks as winter eventually ended and spring had more or less arrived didn't seem to let up. Jinora finally felt like she was in a publicly acknowledged relationship. It felt normal. Not to say that she didn't love Kai before or that her relationship with him before as far as how they felt about each other had changed at all. Or rather, in any kind of negative manner.

It was just that she hadn't truly appreciated how much her family's cooperation and approval made things easier. Kai seemed to think the same whenever he picked her up for school or to go on dates. He'd greet her parents, get a response of delight from her mother and a very curt nod from her father. Maybe he'd exchange a word or two with her siblings and then they'd be off. He didn't stay in the house long normally, but it was nice to know that this was a rather routine thing that happened often and everybody had gotten used to it.

Which was why Jinora couldn't understand why he was so quiet one spring morning. That dewy Saturday morning, he'd come to pick her up early. They were going to go do some shopping before lunch and then head to a movie in the afternoon. It was just their day.

When he'd picked her up, she hadn't said anything, figuring she should let him drive them on his motorcycle undisturbed. However, once he'd parked it, she leaned on his back and wrapped her arms around him.

"What's wrong, love?" she asked, her chin propped up on his shoulder.

"Hm?" He turned his head in her direction to glance back at her. "Nothing, I'm fine."

"No," she said, bringing her hands up to his chest and holding him against her. "Something's bothering you. You know I can tell. Are you okay?"

She felt him take one of her hands and bring it up to his lips, then move to get off the bike. Standing up now, she frowned worriedly at him.

He almost chuckled, but it was like he couldn't get it out.

"It's nothing, babe," he said, leaning in to kiss her.

"Yes it is," she said as he tenderly kissed her nose. "I know you. You can tell me... is it me?"

"No," he shook his head and sighed. "It's not you."

"Is it Bolin? Something at school?"

"No, no. Nothing like that."

"Is it Mako?"

"Er..." he looked away, hands in his pocket and then turned back to her. "Kind of."

"What's wrong? You guys not see eye to eye this morning...? Is he okay?" she asked, eyebrows raised.

"No, uh..."

"Then what is it?" she asked, putting her arms underneath his jacket and wrapping them around him.

He sighed once.

And then again.

Like he wasn't sure how to tell her. She actually cocked her head to the side, getting scared that he'd gotten into some trouble with Mako perhaps, but she couldn't think for the life of her what that could be that would be so bad.

He finally looked at her.

"Korra's pregnant."

If she'd been drinking something at the moment she probably would have spit it out. As it was, she ended up nearly choking on her own spit.

"W-what?" she asked hoarsely, resisting the urge to cough.

"Korra and Mako are having a baby," he said clearer now.

That was... that was not the answer she thought she'd be hearing. She thought it'd be something about Mako getting on Kai's case about something. That happened between Jinora and her mother sometimes, but... Korra and Mako having a baby? Not what she'd expected to hear.

"Wait, hold on. Wait a second. When did you find this out?" she asked, her eyebrows furrowed. Why hadn't Korra told her?

"This morning when Korra came banging on our door at five in the morning with four of these little stick things-"

"Pregnancy tests?"

"Yep. She came knocking on our door – I had to start getting up anyway- and when I opened it she asked where Mako was and damn near bowled me over when she saw him come to the door. He almost fainted when she showed him the pregnancy tests."

"...and... and Mako's taking it...?" she asked slowly.

"Mako's been trying to put his brain together all morning. I mean, he woke up to that. He's not unhappy I think, but they're both trying to figure out what now? I was going to stay, but he said it was okay. He needed time to think because this kind of... changes things. In a way."

"Okay, so Korra's pregnant. For sure?"

"Well, they're going to go to the doctor's for a positive, but after taking four of those things I'd say it's all but confirmed. I'm just... this just mounted a heap of stress on Mako he didn't need. Korra too."

"But you're worried about Mako."

"A lot. It's just..."

"Just what, love?" she asked, trying to get him to say whatever was on his mind. Obviously, this went deeper than face value.

"Well, for one there's not enough room in the apartment for us all. I mean, yeah. Mako and Korra could move in together in Korra's place, which is what Mako I know would want to do because let's be real. Our apartment's nearly been broken into before on a couple of occasions. Our neighborhoods not one either of them would feel comfortable raising a kid. Or having a baby around at all. We could all move to Korra's apartment, but..."

"But?" she egged him on gently.

"But that just takes the stress from one destination to another..." he said helplessly. "Bolin already told me before I left – we were talking about this see – that he'd be more than willing to find an apartment closer to Opal or just move in with her altogether. The thing is..." he sighed. "The thing is there's still me."

Jinora's mouth dropped open slightly as it dawned on her.

"Your afraid you're going to be a burden with the new baby coming along."

"Not afraid. I know. It's not like how you think. I mean, I know Mako loves me and all, but that's the problem. He can't handle work, baby, relationship, home, his general worrying habits and me. It'd be like he's raising two kids. He's already taking work home a lot, but to add me to that? Don't get me wrong. He handles it for the most part. That's just Mako. He handles stress well, but I don't think he can handle anymore on his plate... or that he can even keep doing this all the time. Raava, I'm just- I'm not making any sense."

Kai sighed again, rubbing his face.

"You want to do the same thing like Bolin. Move out and make it easier on Mako. So he can move in with Korra..."

"Yeah... I mean, it's not just that... Mako, well... he deserves this. He deserves to move on with Korra to a life they've been dreaming about for a while. He deserves to go on to the next chapter of his life and raise a family. He's always doing all these things for other people, but Bolin and I both agree that it's time he takes steps for himself. Right now, he's not worried because of the baby exactly. He's worried because he doesn't know what he's going to do about how this will conflict with the rest of his life."

"Okay, okay..." Jinora looked down, nodding, thinking. The obvious came to her. "Then, sweetheart. Why don't you just move in with Bolin? That's easy enough... right?"

"Sounds like it, wouldn't it?" he asked and swallowed hard. "But Bolin doesn't make enough for both me and him. Like, this is what I mean. You have to buy groceries for all the people living in your house. You know who buys groceries in our house?"

"...Mako," she said, starting to understand. "Mako does that."

"Yeah, because that's how he is and most importantly. He makes the most money. Bolin's job at the rec center is great, but it doesn't make a ton. Maybe just enough for him. If he were to move in with Opal then he'd be set, but with me... Jinora... babe, I'm the added weight in any of these situations. Adding me puts a strain on everybody's pockets. Let's be real. I have to eat too. I'd look for another job, but I'll be going to school for a few more months and I don't make that much currently to really make a difference financially. I mean, I could fork over all my earnings, but I need gas money to get around, all our graduation fees and just the general things that come up all year... Sure, I buy you gifts. I take you out, but that's because Mako's always been there to support me. Call it pathetic, but he just understands and he's more than willing to help me out. That's what he's done for years so I guess we're just... used to it because he's basically raised me. I'm used to asking him for money in a pinch I guess..."

He trailed off again, looking guilty. Jinora shook her head at him. She knew that feeling well. To this day, she asked her parents for things and money was no different. Her tutoring gig paid for things like gifts and special occasions, but she always had to save up. If the extra car needed gassing up for a date, Mom and Dad's money was what filled it up. If she desperately needed anything near end of the year after she'd already spent all her money on gifts it was her parents who shelled out the money. That was, of course, just the life of being a high school student more often than not.

"That's not your fault," she told him. "You're only in high school. You can't help that."

He still frowned worriedly.

"I know... just, ugh... Point is, I make enough for the bare minimum. My expenses only and not even that. Just a few of them."

Biting her lip, Jinora didn't exactly know what to say.

It was a strange situation.

What he said was true. By themselves, Mako and Bolin would be fine, but Kai was with them. He had to go somewhere. She was starting to understand that by adding an extra person in the house that took up space, time and money.

"What... what about Korra? She could help-"

"She has college expenses, remember?"

"Asami-"

Now he just looked at her and she knew.

"They're not handouts-"

"They'd have to support me indefinitely. I... Jinora, I can't... I..." he almost seemed pained to think about it. His pride was the problem there. She had to admit that she would feel the same.

In fact, she had felt the same when Asami offered to buy her that dress. Embarrassed. Almost ashamed. She could only imagine how that would make Kai feel if someone had to support him in just about everything. It was different with Mako. Mako had been doing it since Kai was just a kid. Kai was used to that and accepted that because Mako was his guardian. His parent. His mother in most ways.

But having someone else do it? Bolin would be the closest that Kai would let do it for similar reasons, but as Kai had explained, Bolin would be put into a bind as well.

In other words, he'd constantly have to be asking for money here and there. Expenses he couldn't even really foresee at the moment, but life had surely taught him were coming whether he knew about them or not. Then there was still the unspoken factor that they were surely still trying to figure out how they were going to cover hispossible college expenses. No doubt Mako was hard at work with him on that. If people started moving around, bills were going to be different prices. Probably higher because they'd all surely be moving to nicer, safer neighborhoods with higher priced rent. With all of that and Kai being a fourth year student with all kinds of expenses and trying to get into college? There would probably be no college for Kai unless he suddenly got all kinds of scholarships.

And she loved her boyfriend, but that wasn't going to happen with so many other students around the area doing the same. She had to admit, even herself. Scholarships were hard to get unless they were really narrowed down and she always likened them to lottery tickets. Just with more work.

It wasn't that they couldn't do it. That they couldn't support Kai.

That was not the problem.

But they could honestly barely support him that was the issue.

And when you could only barely support someone, something was going to have to give. In this case, Jinora feared that it was going to be Kai's future. She could clearly see why Mako's worries were being shared between Bolin and Kai. That was a scary thought for a single parent when everything you'd done was to help your kid make something of their future. Better than what you had. And Mako had bent over backwards twice over to make sure Kai had everything he needed growing up.

Kai himself probably felt the same. He didn't want everything Mako had done to go to waste. He didn't want to feel-

Jinora almost wanted to cry.

He just didn't want to feel like a failure.

Of course, none of this was Korra's fault, but Jinora would definitely have to make a call that night. No doubt, Korra was beating herself up about it at least a little despite Mako's constant assurances that this was something they did together. Jinora knew and had no doubt that her best friend would be keeping her baby. Korra and Mako had talked about having children before and a family life they'd both dreamed of. Mako had grown up with really only Bolin to be said as family after his parent's murder and Korra had grown up somewhat isolated due to being the Southern Water Tribe chief's daughter. Jinora had an idea of what that felt like seeing as her own father used to be a city councilman albeit retired nowadays and contently teaching at the university. Unlike Korra, however, she'd always had siblings to stave off the loneliness. That all being said, they wanted a baby, but probably hadn't planned on having one anytime soon. Regardless, Jinora knew both Korra and Mako and she couldn't see them doing anything else but keeping their baby. It was probably the one thing that didn't really have to be said.

While they would certainly get it straightened out and be more excited about a new life coming into the world, at the moment, this was a serious wrench having been thrown into several lives.

If there was one thing she hated though it had to be the look on Kai's face as he kept looking at her, looking away then back at her.

He didn't know what to do.

She hated the fact that he looked so lost. He looked so lost and she couldn't help least, not in a way that was feasible or a way that he'd even agree to.

She kept turning all the information in her brain, turning and turning and trying to figure out what to say to him. It would do no use to say "it would all work out" when she had no idea how. The last thing she wanted to do was patronize him or make him feel small about his situation.

"Hey, let's just go," he said, flashing her a weak smile. "I'm sure it's all going to work out."

No. Don't do that, she thought at him. Don't do that just to make me more comfortable.

As he pulled her hand and began walking with her, she couldn't completely give it a grasp. No, she had to think of something. Anything for him.

He put himself through so many emotional rings for her and had jumped through hoops because love had told him to. He'd had faith in her love for him the same way she had in his love. They'd get through it all and that included each other's personal obstacles together. It'd gotten them through so much, but here she was unable to help the person she'd given all that love to?

He'd been her support.

Now, she racked her brain for any kind of solution, begging Raava to help her help him.

You're going to be okay, she thought as she squeezed his hand rather tightly.

And then all at once it struck her like lightning.

She pulled on his hand now and stopped, pulling him back to look at her. He frowned at her, puzzled, but she only looked him in the eye with determination.

"You can move in with me."

His eyes widened and he sputtered.

"W-what? No! Jinora-"

"Don't start. Kai, my family would be more than willing and you know that-"

"Your dad doesn't like me that much," he said incredulously. "Or can't even really say he likes me. Just kindly tolerates me. I can't even be sarcastic about it. Your dad would not be okay in any way, shape or form about me – your boyfriend – moving in to your house. Where you sleep."

"Kai, think about it," she pleaded "You'd have a place to stay. You could stay in the guest room! Wouldn't have to worry about dinner or groceries because my mom would insist cooking for you and you know that she really, really likes you! You could help around the house maybe. Wouldn't have to worry about rent or food or anything like that! And the most important part is that the stress would be off Mako and Bolin!"

"But what about your family's stress!?" he almost looked like he was going to move away from her, but she squeezed his hand ever tighter and pulled him closer again. "I can't... Jinora, I can't do that. You know that."

Seeing the near panicked and horrified look in his eyes, Jinora sighed.

"Listen to me," she said, putting a hand on his cheek. "I love you and I want you to be okay. More than okay. I also know that you love Mako and Bolin and want them to be okay the same way I want you to be. This solution would take the strain off of them. Especially Mako. You know why? Because he can trust that you're with good people who will be more than happy to have you around. As for my family, we're already a family of six so adding one more person won't hurt us... you know that. We're... we're well off enough that it won't put a burden on our pockets. Think about it. It'd be the exact same situation you're in now except it's in a safer neighborhood and you're with us instead of them. That's it. You'd still pay for your own stuff just like now because buying a bit more groceries won't be a problem at all."

He started to shake his head now.

"Jinora, no," he said, sounding nearly paralyzed. "No, I can't."

Jinora looked him straight in the eye and took his other hand now. She took a deep breath.

"Look at me."

Hesitantly, he did so.

"Do you love me?"

He raised his eyebrows slightly.

"More than my own sight," he said quietly.

"Do you trust me?"

He sighed now.

"With every drop of my heart."

"Then please. Swallow your pride. Or at least put it aside and accept this. You want me to be your family one day, don't you?"

"Of course," he breathed, pressing his forehead against hers. "Of course I do."

"Then family helps one another. You're already my family as far as I'm concerned and you have been for a long time now. My love... please let me help you. I'm not going to hurt you and I know that you're not going to hurt me. This isn't charity or pity. This is because I love you."

His eyes had closed as she'd been talking, but now they opened and looked in hers. With comfort and a grudging, but content resignation. A million thoughts were probably going through his mind. Including the fact that if the situations were somehow reversed that he would beg her to take the same solution.

She was asking him to be brave.

Put aside his pride and his fear to let her show him how loved he was.

For a few moments, he was a quiet. Quiet and nervous it seemed, but he finally swallowed hard and stood up more straight now. He looked away from her, but looked right back with no delay this time.

"Okay..." he said with a shaky breath. "Okay... I'll talk to Mako and try to convince him. See what he says."

"And I'll talk to my parents. I'm sure that my mother will advocate for you. No doubt my dad's going to have something to say against it, but he's not heartless. He'll understand once I explain."

Gently, Jinora leaned up to kiss him. He put her hands on her waist and kissed her sweetly right back.

Sighing, he smiled faintly and stared at her.

"What did I ever do to deserve you?"

"Well..." she said, taking his hand and beginning to walk with him. "For starters, you worry about the right things. The things that matter. Call me strange, but I guess I find that endearing."

You thought.

You thought.

I know exactly what you thought.

I've been very excited to start getting to this point, but yes. The whole 'makorra is important to the plot' thing is starting to come around. I can't explain it fully exactly, but I think it's pretty obvious that this had to effect Mako. Plus, there's a lot of mirroring with my canon world and this took a lot of weaving to get there. In the next couple chapters, certain things will most likely become glaringly obvious.

Can't go int things too much so there's not much to say here except thank you for sticking with this story so far and for so long! I have all the appreciation in the world for you guys.

Another thing I'd like to mention is that my next generation fic, The Book of War, is getting more off the ground and I'd love it if you guys check it out. As of me posting this, it's one review shy of thirty ^_^

But again, thank you guys. This fic really changed a lot for me and you guys being so into it and giving it support helped it do just that.

As always, I love it when you guys drop those reviews! They really keep me motivated, keep me going and really keep me writing the story! Thank you for reading! Tune in for the next chapter!