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24. The diamonds on the water are falling from the sun

The glass disc has set beautifully.

He retrieves it from the annealing kiln and holds it up to the window to examine it. Sunlight fills the translucent azure circle, bringing to mind the image of diamonds sparkling on water in the morning sun.

Satisfied with the colour, he traces his thumb over the grooves he carved — the most intricate work he's ever done. It had taken hours for him to draw those lines with a fine glass-shaping knife — but the result is well worth it. Gently curving waves flow gracefully from the crescent moon hugging the left arc of the circle, and the small hole near the top of the disc is perfectly shaped, not too big, not too small.

He dips his hand into his pocket for the white ribbon he purchased yesterday and threads it through the hole. With deft fingers he ties the knot, making sure that the ribbon ends are evenly matched. He holds a ribbon end with each hand and lifts up the new necklace, smiling softly at the thought of Korra's reaction when he gives it to her.

After she gave him the scarf, he'd felt like he had to do something equally thoughtful for her own birthday in the autumn. An offhand remark from Ikki about how a new dress Korra had worn needed a necklace to complete the look had inspired him, and he'd set about making this pendant, believing it to be the perfect way to return Korra's gift and demonstrate his glassmaking skills to the curious Avatar.

He carefully wraps the necklace in a soft white cloth and slides the precious trinket into his pocket. Feeling decidedly cheery, he strolls out of the glass workshop — calling out casual goodbyes to the other glassmakers he's become familiar with — and rides his Satobike to the café where he meets Asami every Friday.

Asami is already there; she waves cheerfully at him as he enters. There's a small shopping bag on her side of the table; as soon as they've ordered, she pulls out a jeweller's box from the bag and opens it to show him.

"What do you think of this?" she asks. Nestled on the velvet in the box is a shimmering red stone — some kind of gem, he assumes — hanging from a fine golden chain. It is gorgeous — chic, elegant, and probably expensive.

"It's pretty," he notes. "It'll look great on you."

"It's not for me. I'm giving it to Korra for her birthday. Do you think she'll like it?"

His smile freezes on his face.

"I know it isn't blue, but I figured she might want a different colour, for a change — especially if she has to go to some Fire Nation official event in an Avatar capacity, you know?"

Asami doesn't know, is all he can think. He can't imagine that Asami would be asking for his opinion on a gift for her girlfriend if she knew he and Korra have admitted that they both still love each other — regardless of the fact that they've decided not to pursue anything.

"Mako?" Asami is staring at him, her brow furrowed.

He snaps back to the situation and forces himself to nod. "I think it'll look great on Korra too," he assures her. "I'm sure she'll like it, especially if you're the one giving it to her."

Asami smiles radiantly as she slips the box back into its bag. "What about you?"

He's caught off guard. "What?"

"Have you figured out what you're giving Korra yet?"

He unconsciously pats the glass pendant through his pocket. "Uh…still thinking."

"Well, you might want to think a little faster," Asami says lightly. "Korra's leaving for Omashu next week. It's such a shame she won't be able to be here for her actual birthday." She sighs, before perking up again. "Do you need any help finding a present?"

"I'm…sure I can come up with something," he hedges.

The rest of lunch proceeds as normal — though if Asami notices that he's somewhat more subdued than usual, she doesn't comment.

When he gets back to his apartment, he unwraps the glass pendant on his bedside table and stares at it, thinking hard.

It is beautiful — honestly, his best glasswork yet — and he knows Korra would love it. But knowing that Asami — Korra's girlfriend — is also giving her a necklace…it suddenly doesn't seem appropriate. And now he recalls, also, the custom in the Water Tribes of carving betrothal necklaces — and he realises he can't give this to Korra. It would be far too intimate a present; with the current dynamic between them, it would be crossing a line that shouldn't be crossed.

With a crestfallen sigh, he rewraps the necklace. He opens his drawer, places the small bundle inside, and shuts it with a finality that echoes in his heart.

Korra is a diamond, but she is Asami's diamond, and he will watch her shine from a respectable distance.

A/N: Lyric is from 'Diamonds on the Water' by Enya. I chose this song not so much for the lyrics, but for the overall feel of the music. Also, Korra really is like a luxurious, unattainable gem for Mako right now - sort of like the kind of thing a street orphan like him could only dream of having, if that makes sense. Contrast with Asami, who was born into privilege and is used to the finer things in life...so yeah, that's why I think the diamond metaphor works.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Please note I will be doing once-weekly updates on Wednesday until further notice. I'm just getting back into the groove of writing this story and I'm trying to regain a decent amount of chapters to stay ahead of posting. When I deem that I am sufficiently ahead, I will return to twice-weekly updates. Thank you all for your understanding and for sticking with this story, it means a lot :)