The next month flew by. Ren noticed the fire returning to Korra's eyes, her energy coming back, as she seemed to put the tragedy behind her. He could use some of that energy himself today.

Late in the evening, Ren and Kylie sat side by side on the beach, watching two simple candles float on the water. They lit the candles in memory of their parents, at this same time, every single year.

"Dad would have loved Republic City," Kylie mused aloud. "He was such a nerd. He would have spent all his time marvelling at the tech here."

"And mom would have been one step ahead of him," Ren added. "I bet she'd be some big shot scientist at Future Industries, bossing a bunch of people around. Just like you."

"Probably," Kylie agreed, a tear leaving her eye. "Dad worshiped the ground she walked on. He's where you got your big heart."

Ren wrapped Kylie in a comforting embrace. "And mom is where you got your stubbornness," he joked.

Kylie punched Ren lightly in the arm. "Shut up."

Ren held her tighter, resting his chin on her head. "I miss them," he confessed quietly.

"Me too," Kylie echoed.

They sat like for a minute, until they heard footsteps approaching. Both siblings tensed, but turned to see Korra sitting down beside them, Naga padding along obediently.

"Hey," Korra greeted them awkwardly. "Sorry, I didn't mean to intrude."

"It's fine," Kylie assured her. "We were just paying respects to our folks."

"I figured," Korra said sympathetically. With a wave of her arm, she pushed the candles further out to sea, lighting the darkness with their soft glow. "What were they like? Your parents?"

"They were wonderful," Kylie gushed. "Mom was a genius inventor, dad was a brilliant metallurgist. Dad was a big softie, and mom loved him right back, with everything she had."

"Sounds like you guys had a great childhood," Korra commented enviously.

"It was perfect. For a while," Kylie amended sadly.

Ren hesitated, before finally deciding to share. "We used to live in an Earth Kingdom town. One day, when we were teenagers, a warlord took over the place. He tried to recruit mom and dad to make weapons, but they refused. So he had them executed... right in front of us."

"Spirits," Korra gasped. "I'm so sorry."

"It's alright," Ren dismissed, rubbing the back of his neck uncomfortably. "We survived. Ran away to Republic City. We had some close calls too, but we managed somehow."

Korra nodded, and watched the candles fade into the distance. It made Korra miss her parents too. They were alive, probably looking for her... but she missed them all the same.

Ren wiped a tear from his eye. "I'm going to turn in early. See you two in the morning?"

"Yeah," Kylie agreed. She placed her hand on his shoulder, and gave him a long, knowing look. "Just take it easy, OK?"

"I will," Ren promised, kissing her forehead affectionately. He walked away, heading towards his workshop.

Kylie turned to Korra, offering her a sympathetic smile. "You know, I never thanked you for saving my brother," she admitted. "He means the world to me, and without you, I don't know what I'd do."

"He would have been fine," Korra protested. "Ren would have beat up those thugs anyway. You know what he can do with lava."

"If he had lost his shop, I *know* he would have spiraled," Kylie informed her. "He's more fragile than he lets on."

Korra nodded. "So am I."

Kylie squeezed her hand reassuringly. "Korra, I know you're keeping something from us. I saw how you fought. You're obviously trained... and not just by street toughs."

Korra looked away.

"Just saying, if it ever gets out of hand... let us know? Please?" Kylie implored her. "Don't leave us out to dry."

"I won't," Korra promised. "I swear I would never endanger either of you."