A/N: Thank you to regular suspects Ardnessela, BlackDragonMaster, BrightWatcher, AsahixMe, Guest, Sharpe, IrishDreamer4, Tertius711, devilfiredog18, CrazyPhenom, and to new reviewer Goku275!

Time check: Spring, 176 AG (22 months post-Book 4)

32. Knowing me, knowing you, it's the best I can do

He breaks up with Zoya as gently as he can.

He'd agonised for days over how to do it, what would be too much or too little, whether she would appreciate the gesture of a date or not — and finally he decided simple honesty was the best policy, and asked to meet her in the park after forewarning her that he wanted to talk about something she probably wouldn't like.

The warning was probably a good idea. When he approaches Zoya in the park she's frowning, having obviously done some thinking and arrived at an inkling of what he wants to discuss. She is sorely disappointed, but not completely blindsided when he tells her — as sincerely and apologetically as possible — that he thinks it's time to end their relationship. He can tell she is hurt, but she does not burst into tears or rant and rage.

She asks him, softly, "Why?"

"Because you deserve better," he says simply. "You're amazing. You're sweet, supportive, funny, loving, and a wonderful listener…and you deserve better."

She scoffs incredulously. "Really? 'It's not you, it's me'? Come on, Mako."

"I know its cliché, but I'm not just saying that to be a noble self-sacrificing idiot," he insists. "I know who I am and what I'm capable of giving you in a relationship — and it isn't as much as you give me. I care for you, Zoya — but I can't love you. And that isn't fair to either of us, to stay together when this relationship can't go anywhere."

That was ultimately what had clinched his decision. Things with Zoya had been good — great, even — as they were, but he knows that they wouldn't progress any further. Not when he has never gotten his heart back from Korra.

His candid admission is what makes Zoya's eyes fill, tears blurring amber. Her voice, though, is remarkably steady. "You really can't try?"

His face is earnest and anguished as he responds. "I have been. Agni, Zoya, I've been trying to make myself love you. Things would be so much simpler — easier — if I could. I want to…but I just…I can't." He sighs, averting his eyes, staring at the grass. "If I were being selfish, I'd carry on with this, with us — status quo — and just never take things any further."

He could, truly — he was comfortable with Zoya as his girlfriend, comfortable with maintaining what they had for months or years on end. But he remembers Iroh, pensive and regretful, never dating anyone because he knew from the start it would inevitably end.

Much as he enjoys being with Zoya, he cannot justify keeping her in a relationship with no future.

"I won't do that to you, Zoya," he says resolutely, lifting his face back to hers. "Please try to understand — I never meant to hurt you. I wanted to try — I honestly did. But it isn't working for me, and I don't want to hurt you more down the road, when I can't give you what you want. This is the best decision I can make under the circumstances."

Hesitantly, he reaches out to cup her cheek, before rethinking the gesture and settling for placing his hand on her shoulder instead. "You're an incredible woman, Zoya. And one day you'll find a man who is prepared to love you the way he should. I'm so sorry I couldn't be that man."

"Me too." Zoya carefully clasps his hand in hers and moves it off her shoulder, disentangling her fingers quickly once that's done. She inhales tremulously and meets his gaze, quietly sad. "Goodbye, Mako."

She steps back and starts to walk away.

"Zoya?" he ventures, and she pauses, glancing back at him. "I meant what I said. Any guy would be lucky to have you. I was lucky to have you."

Her brow furrows. "Is this the part where you say you still wanna be friends?"

He winces. He does still want to be friends with Zoya, but he's not sure that'll work.

"If you're able to…I would like that. But I understand if you don't want to."

She stares at him, her normally expressive eyes now closed and pained. "I'll…think about it. But I'm gonna need time, Mako."

"Take all the time you need. When — if — you want to talk again, I'll be here."

She doesn't say anything, just nods once. She turns and walks up the path without looking back.

He, on the other hand, watches her go, his mind swirling with sorrow, regret, guilt. This was necessary, but that doesn't make it any less painful.

He strides down the opposite path, intending to head to the nearby bar.

He really needs a drink.

A/N: Don't worry - this is not the last you'll see of Zoya. Though it may be a while before she pops back in, I have plans for her.

Lyric is from the classic 'Knowing Me, Knowing You' by ABBA.

WEEKEND UPDATE! You read that right, I will be posting Chapter 33 this Saturday (Friday, for some of you) for three reasons: 1) I have a decent buffer and can spare one chapter for a weekend update; 2) It follows on almost immediately after this one; 3) I think y'all are really going to like it, and I can't wait a week to post it.

Please note, though, that this is a special occasion, and won't be a regular occurrence. This weekend aside, I will still be sticking to once-a-week because that's what I can commit to long-term (and this story is long-term).

So! See you this weekend!