A/N: See, it's on time today! (same day it's supposed to be, at least)

Thank you so much to Sharpe, Guest, Black Dragon Master, AsahixMe, Raider, devilfiredog18, StevenBodner, and FireLordAziz for reviewing! And Raider, is it true that getting 700 reviews qualifies this story for a TV Tropes page? I would absolutely LOVE a TV Tropes page! Tropers, please feel free to make one - and alert me when it's up!

Time check: Summer, 177 AG (2 years and 11 months post-Book 4)

63. Sweet, unspoken promises I'll always sing for June

He spots them entirely by chance.

He's buying lunch from the sandwich vendor who sets up his food van outside RCPD HQ every Monday and Wednesday when he catches sight of Juno strolling out of a side entrance of the building. Believing her to be taking her lunch break, just as he is, he lifts an arm and prepares to call out to her — but snaps his mouth shut when he sees Asami waiting with a paper bag by the roadside.

As he watches, Juno saunters cheerfully towards Asami, smiling. He doesn't hear what is said, but the nature of their relationship is abundantly clear in the quick but tender peck Juno bestows on Asami's cheek as she takes the paper bag from the younger woman.

He ducks behind the food van to avoid being seen, meeting the sandwich vendor's sceptical stare with a sheepish expression. The vendor snorts dismissively, clearly unwilling to expend the energy to understand a detective's bizarre behaviour. The vendor wordlessly hands over his sandwich — which he accepts absently — before turning back to the magazine he'd previously been thumbing through.

He remains hidden, peering around the van while Juno and Asami chit-chat. The more he observes them, the more certain he is that Juno is Asami's mystery woman.

Presently, Juno turns to go back inside the station, and Asami departs in the opposite direction. When the coast is clear, he straightens, giving one last apologetic glance to the vendor — who doesn't notice, engrossed as he is in his magazine — and marching back inside.

He's barely two metres down the corridor when he is yanked behind a pillar. He lets out an undignified yelp and nearly drops his sandwich before he registers just who has assaulted him.

Juno stands with arms crossed and eyebrows raised. Her grey eyes are stern, but also vaguely amused.

Busted. "Uh…hey, Juno."

"Hey, Mako," she returns in exactly the same tone. "Mind telling me why you were spying on me from behind the sandwich van?"

"I wasn't spying," he defends. "I just…happened to notice — and I didn't want you to notice that I'd noticed…"

How on earth had she noticed, anyway? He'd been at least twenty feet away from her and he's pretty good at being stealthy.

In response, Juno lifts her foot and he realises that part of her sole has been left uncovered by her otherwise regulation footwear.

Seismic sense, he realises. That explains a lot, actually.

"So," Juno continues casually, putting her foot back down, "see anything interesting?"

He falters. "I, er…I guess so."

"And?"

He waves a hand vaguely. "I mean, we knew Asami's been seeing someone for the past three months, and we knew it was a she — but we didn't know it was you."

"Naturally."

"I didn't know you were…"

"And why would you?" Juno arches an eyebrow. "It's not exactly looked upon favourably in the police force, so I don't advertise it."

That much is true; RCPD has a policy of tolerance, but rules only go so far to curb personal prejudices. Juno wouldn't be fired for being lesbian, but she would draw negative attention and discrimination if people knew. She certainly wouldn't have made it to Sergeant, First Class, if she'd been open about her sexuality.

"Juno, Asami is not exactly low-profile," he points out. "How are you gonna keep this quiet?"

Juno shrugs. "We've managed so far."

"Yeah, but…" He is suddenly concerned. Asami does not have the best track record when it comes to partners giving her what she needs; if Juno's need to keep things private comes into conflict with Asami's life in the spotlight, he worries that Asami will be burned again. "Juno, are you…serious about Asami?"

Juno hums. "It's a bit early to tell. But…I suppose I can see potential."

"So, if it does get serious…" He's trying to be delicate, but he's not very good at this. He coughs. "What I mean is, if Asami wants to, er, take the relationship to the next level — how is that gonna work, if you don't want to tell anyone?"

Juno laughs. "Mako, I am not actively hiding the fact that I like women. I simply don't go blabbing about it unnecessarily. If it comes out, it comes out. And who knows?" Juno shrugs. "Maybe Asami will turn out to be the one I go public for." She narrows her eyes at him. "That being said, I trust you'll be discreet about what you saw today, especially to our colleagues."

"Of course." Lin won't care, and neither will Xien or Minsu — but the fewer people who know, the less chance of any rumour spreading.

"Thanks. If Asami wants to tell Korra and Bolin now that you know, I don't mind — but let her make that decision, all right?"

He nods, and she pivots to return to their bullpen.

"Juno."

She pauses and turns back to him, gaze questioning.

"Be good to Asami," he pleads. "She's been through a lot, especially in the romance department. Just…don't break her heart."

Juno looks thoughtful, and nods. "Don't worry, I'll take good care of it."

She walks away, and he takes a moment to assess how well his colleague fits with Asami. Juno is steady, assertive, and full of common sense — and unlike Asami's previous partners, Juno is keenly perceptive, able to pick up on nuances he or Korra might have missed.

The more he thinks about it, the more he realises they actually do suit each other. They are both competent, independent women with successful careers. They both know exactly who they are and what they're looking for in a relationship. And they complement each other: Asami is elegant and poised, but also unafraid to get her hands dirty; Juno is down-to-earth and street smart, but fully capable of withstanding the scrutiny of the press. Where Asami is cool and collected, Juno is candid and outspoken. Where Juno is dedicated and grounded, Asami is innovative and visionary.

Yep, he decides, they're a good match. He smiles lightly to himself as he walks back to the bullpen, unwrapping his sandwich as he does so.

He can trust Juno with Asami.

A/N: And so Asami's mystery woman is revealed. Not gonna lie, I did contemplate pairing her with Mai Lee - but I felt it would be a bit much to have Asami end up with someone who's so intimately connected to yet another ex. Could you imagine the awkwardness with Iroh if she starts dating his sister? Also, I feel like the best thing for Asami is to be with someone who's not involved in the Team Avatar (and friends) drama - get like a fresh start away from all the history, y'know? And it didn't feel right to pair Asami with a random character we've never seen before - she deserves a well-crafted love interest who has a role in the story besides just being a love interest for Mako's friend. So, Juno it is - and I think it works quite well. What about y'all?

Song today is 'Blue June' by Wild Rivers. The June theme is obviously a reference to Juno - and if you look at the lyric for chapter 56, where Asami first mentions seeing someone - that line ALSO contains the word 'June'. I couldn't explain it then because that would have ruined the surprise - but I already had it planned.

See y'all next week!