A/N: Thanks very much to IrishDreamer4 for favoriting, subscribing, and reviewing the last chapter.
2. If happy is her, I'm happy for you
The announcement takes him by surprise.
"Asami and I are dating," Korra declares.
It's been a month since they defeated Kuvira — two weeks since Varrick and Zhu Li's wedding, two weeks since Korra and Asami left for their vacation in the spirit world — and a day since they came back from said vacation, practically joined at the hip.
They're gathered at Kwong's Cuisine (Asami's treat) for a catch-up over dinner, just the four of them — just like old times. Except this time the loved-up couple in Team Avatar isn't him and Asami, or him and Korra — it's Korra and Asami, and damn if he saw that coming.
Bolin's eyes bug out and he stares at the two girls, who are smiling brightly, holding hands on the table, and clearly nervous about how the news is going to be received.
"What — what?…but — I…" Bolin shifts a loaded glance in his direction, but he keeps his face impassive. "Aren't you both — I mean…"
Asami's eyes have narrowed into chips of green ice, whereas Korra seems to deflate. Bolin notices, and hastily corrects course.
"Not like that!" he exclaims earnestly. "I don't have problem with — that. I just…this is — I didn't expect this," he finishes weakly. Again, another side glance. "But I'm happy for you guys! Er, girls. Er…" He gulps, and abruptly stands up. "You know what? I just realised I forgot to customise my order. I'll be right back!" With yet another meaningful look towards him, his brother hastens away.
Bolin really needs to learn subtlety. And tact.
"That's not the reaction I was hoping for," Korra mumbles, her voice sounding small.
"Don't mind Bolin," he comes to his brother's defence. "He means it when he says he's happy for you. He just doesn't know how to react."
"Why?" Asami's voice is flinty. "Just because we're both girls?"
"That's not why —" He groans. "I promise, Bolin doesn't have a problem with people dating whomever they want to. Neither do I." They'd seen plenty of same-sex couples growing up on the streets.
"Then what the hell was that reaction?" Asami demands. Her hand is still gripping Korra's protectively; she seems almost to be shielding the Water Tribe woman from the censure of the world.
He sighs. "Bolin's not sure how to react because he thinks I still have feelings for Korra." No need to mention that it's the truth.
Some of the coldness leaves Asami's expression, and she observes him quizzically. "And…do you?"
Both girls are looking at him intently; Korra seems almost apprehensive, as if she senses the words he hasn't said.
I'll always love you.
He has to tread carefully.
"Look — I dated both of you, so this situation is a bit…awkward. It's not always going to be, but you gotta give us some time to get used to it."
Korra and Asami exchange glances, then look back at him, contemplating.
"So…you're okay with this?" Korra ventures.
That's a loaded question if he ever heard one.
"Korra, Asami…" He meets both their gazes directly. "I care for you both a lot," he says sincerely. "You're my best friends, and I just want you to be happy. We all know that me dating the two of you just ended up hurting all of us — but at least I can honestly say that you both make terrific girlfriends, and I'm sure you'll be great together."
He smiles warmly at them, and Korra brightens, the uncertainty lifting. Asami looks relieved, and grateful.
Bolin magically reappears and takes his seat. "Well!" he says cheerily, "Customisation all done. Hope the food comes quickly, I'm starving!"
Korra chuckles, easing the lingering tension. "Bolin, it's all good."
"It is?" Bolin glances between the three of them, from Korra to Asami to him. "Great! Of course it's good!"
The earthbender relaxes in his seat; but he feels the knee nudging him under the table, a solid presence of sympathy and brotherly concern. He nudges back, giving his younger brother permission to celebrate.
It's fine, Bo. We'll talk later.
"Sooo," says Bolin, more at ease now. He gestures at the girls' still-interlocked hands. "How did it happen?"
He clamps down on his emotions as Korra begins to explain how she discovered her feelings for Asami. He will not give her any reason to doubt that he's happy for her.
As the meal goes on, Korra chatters boisterously, naturally, her initial uncertainty forgotten as she becomes confident in her friends' support for her new relationship. Asami, for the most part, is also comfortable, cool and composed as she normally is. But every so often, she meets his eyes with a question — and every time, he smiles gently and shakes his head reassuringly, until she nods in acknowledgement and understanding.
They're obviously happy together, and he is happy for them.
He's just not happy himself.
A/N: I'm quite enjoying writing short little snippets. They're easy to write and I can focus on just the single thought/event/theme, which I think makes the writing more focused and impactful. I'm averaging one a day at the moment (don't expect it to last though).