A/N: Thanks to Irish Dreamer4 for reviewing, and to BrightWatcher for subscribing. I'd love to hear from you too!

By the way, has anyone noticed the theme for the chapter headings? ;)

3. I'll smile to hide the truth, but I know I was happier with you

Bolin doesn't believe him.

"You know," the earthbending brother says, "it's okay to vent a little. It probably isn't the easiest thing in the world to accept that your two ex-girlfriends are dating each other."

He sighs and rubs his temples. He really doesn't want to discuss this.

"Bolin, I'm not dating them anymore. They're free to do whatever they want."

"I know that and you know that, but that doesn't necessarily mean you're okay with it."

"I am okay with it." But the words echo hollowly, and he convinces himself that the pain is due to his throbbing arm (stupid spirit vines) and not the emptiness of his heart.

Bolin knows anyway. He latches on to him.

"Bo, I'm really okay…"

"Shut up, Mako. No, you're not. The gals aren't here, you don't have to smile and pretend."

His brother's steady support fills some of the void, and he gives in, melting into the hug, trying to forget the image of Korra's and Asami's intertwined hands, forget that it wasn't his fair skin matched with Korra's dark complexion.

He's made it through the restaurant, but in the safety of his apartment and Bolin's compassionate understanding, he lets the smile fall. Bolin has grown up a great deal, and for once, he lets himself be the weak one leaning on his brother's strength, as solid and unwavering as the earth he bends.

"I wanted — I hoped — I'd get another chance," he admits.

"I know."

"I still love her, Bo."

"I know."

"It's stupid."

"No, it's not." Bolin releases him, but keeps a hand on his shoulder. "That's the thing about you, bro — when you love someone, you devote everything to them. That doesn't just go away when the other person moves on. It's not stupid to still have feelings. Although…you do need to be better about expressing them."

He winces, inadvertently reminded that he lost his chance to do so.

"I was going to tell Korra."

Bolin blinks in surprise. "When?"

"At the wedding. We talked, she thanked me for taking down the Colossus, and I almost said it." Dammit, I should've just said it.

Bolin's expression turns sympathetic. "Why didn't you?"

He groans in frustration. "I don't know. I guess I thought it was too soon, and I didn't want to rock the boat after everything we'd just been through. I thought there'd be a better time."

"I'm not sure there ever is a right time for something like this."

He laughs without humour. "Well, now is definitely not the right time. She's happy with Asami. I'm not gonna ruin that by saying anything."

"I don't know, bro." Bolin sounds doubtful. "Whether or not she and Asami work out, I think Korra still deserves to know how you feel. Remember what happened the last time you couldn't admit you liked her?"

"This is different, Bo."

"How?"

"This time the only one getting hurt is me."

"Yeah…I'm not so sure if that's true."

He peers quizzically at his brother. "What are you talking about?"

"Look," Bolin says patiently, "you could be right, and Korra and Asami might really belong together and get married and live happily ever after. In that case, sure — you not saying anything doesn't affect them at all, just hurts you — not that that's better. But what if Korra still has feelings for you too? If she's moving on because she thinks you don't feel the same, that's not fair on her or Asami. And what if Korra finds out later after she and Asami have been together for a while, and they break up because Korra still loves you? That's wasted time, and that hurts you, Korra, and Asami — again."

"Stop it, Bolin." He can't afford to think that way; it'll only bring more pain. "Korra doesn't feel that way about me anymore."

"Yes, she might not — but how do you know? Even if she doesn't, you owe it to her and Asami to be honest with them."

"I was honest. I think they're good together. I want them to be happy."

Bolin gives him a sad look. "And what about you?"

He hesitates. "I…don't matter."

"What are you talking about? Of course you matter!" Bolin explodes. "You deserve to be happy too — whether that's with Korra or someone else."

"Bolin, drop it. Please."

Bolin subsides, though his expression remains troubled and disbelieving.

He sighs wearily. "Maybe it's for the best. Maybe I'm just not cut out for romance. Honestly speaking," he adds hurriedly as Bolin opens his mouth to protest. "I cared for Asami. I loved Korra. But I wasn't a good boyfriend to either of them. They both deserve better than me."

"You wanna know what I think?"

He raises an eyebrow, knowing Bolin is going to tell him regardless.

"I think it doesn't matter what mistakes you made in the past. What matters is that you learn from them, you make amends, and you move on."

He mulls over the words, almost surprised (but not really) that they came from his goofy little brother. Bolin might be tactless and still a little naive, but he really has matured.

The small smile he gives the younger man is both grateful and wry. "When did you get so wise?"

"Probably around the time I realised following Kuvira was a huge mistake," Bolin says candidly. "I had a lot to make up for with that."

"Well, you did that."

Bolin returns the smile, but his green eyes still show concern. "Are you gonna be okay?"

"Yeah, I'll get there."

After all, he's used to being on his own.