Asami sighed as she walked into Kwong's and saw Mako sitting at the table waiting for her. They'd spoken in passing, but this was the first time they'd really seen each other in months. Asami had been busy, both with finishing the glider suits for Tenzin and the airbenders and with helping Kuvira finish the final repairs needed for Ba Sing Se.

Asami had spent more than half her time there, doing whatever was necessary to support Kuvira and the others. But now, Ba Sing Se was stable and they were able to take a breather. Kuvira had begun traveling to a few states and provinces spread throughout the Earth Kingdom to give them support whenever she was requested. That had left Asami in Republic City, pouring her energy into the city infrastructure. There was a lot of work to be done.

"Hey," Mako offered her a tight lipped smile when he saw her, and he motioned for her to sit down across from him. "Haven't seen you in a while."

Asami smiled as best she could and sat down. I haven't seen you either. "I've been pretty busy at work. But…I'm always around. Given how our last actual conversation went, I…I wasn't sure you wanted to see me."

"I could say the same." Mako shrugged one shoulder, pointedly looking into his glass of water. "I didn't even know you were still in the city, since you've been going back and forth so much. What happened to that?"

"Kuvira has been traveling through the Earth Kingdom lately, so she hasn't had time for any extended visits." Asami could feel the way Mako was looking at her. There was a question in his eyes and a frown on his face. "If you're going to ask about our relationship, we're doing really well. I care about her a lot."

Asami loved Kuvira. She saw no reason to hide that, especially not from Mako. He could think what he wanted about it, it wouldn't change her mind.

"I…of course." Mako was blinking at her with wide eyes, and she knew he was trying to recover. "What's she been doing? I mean Ba Sing Se is fine. Shouldn't she just go home?"

"The hardships in the Earth Kindgom aren't just isolated to Ba Sing Se, Mako." Asami ran one finger over the brim of her glass, trying to keep her voice steady. She didn't want to argue with him again, but she didn't know why he couldn't understand what was truly going on. "The entire Earth Kingdom was devastated by what the Red Lotus did. It took them long enough to find an heir, didn't it? Besides, Prince Wu isn't ready to take the throne, and Kuvira is the only thing keeping the stability she brought in place." Asami sighed tiredly and looked at Mako. "As far as what she's been doing, other than helping people, I'm not really privy to the details. And if I were, I doubt I'd be able to share them." Or that I'd want to. She could tell that Mako wasn't a fan of the answer and she shrugged. "Kuvira is doing her job, Mako. Simple as that."

"Yeah." Mako nodded after hesitating. "Me too. I've been asked to be Prince Wu's bodyguard. Requested by him specifically. At least until he's able to be crowned as king anyway. I figured if Ba Sing Se was fine, that they would just crown him and get it over with. But I guess not. It would help, especially with someone in place to govern the Earth Kingdom. At least I would think so."

"You're not wrong," Asami agreed and smiled a bit to ease the tension. "I think Kuvira would agree with you as well. But it has to be the right somebody. The Earth Queen's assassination may have thrown the kingdom into chaos, but her reign didn't do much to help either. Kuvira isn't just fixing the damage left by her death, it's the damage from her life too. She was beyond corrupt, and right now I think Kuvira is continuing to work to make sure the kingdom is strong enough for whenever Wu is crowned."

She hesitated for a moment, wanting to find the right words to convey what she knew had to be going through Kuvira's mind. They'd talked about it enough. "It wouldn't make much sense for Kuvira to fix a once-corrupted kingdom and then hand it back to a king who is only going to repeat those same mistakes that caused this mess in the first place."

"I don't think Wu would do that." Mako was frowning when he continued. "I mean, I think he knows more about the politics than Kuvira would. Especially since he was going to the university here. He's not going to be some big-headed egotistical monarch, right? That has to count for something."

"I've heard rumors about Prince Wu, Mako. You're right, he wouldn't use his position to steal money from his people or hold power over them. But he would use it to do nothing. He'd appease his own laziness and let the kingdom crumble because he doesn't want to do any real work." She put her hands under her chin and tilted her head at Mako. "Besides, Kuvira has made no political plays here. She's not looking to rule the Earth Kingdom. She's fixing it, and you haven't seen it like I have, or like Bolin has. It's still broken, Mako. Can you honestly tell me that Wu could put it back together?"

"It's his job," Mako objected. "One he's not getting the chance to complete. He's supposed to be in the one in charge. But the other world leaders won't crown him and he's been quarantined here to Republic City. They say it isn't safe for him anywhere else. But it's been perfectly safe for Kuvira, hasn't it?"

Because fires, bandits, and would-be assassins are safe. Kuvira had dealt with all of the problems in stride. Asami sighed. Kuvira hadn't been safe at all. Of course they're keeping Wu here.

"That's because Kuvira's been trained to fight, Mako. She was one of Su's guards, after all. She's done the work to prepare the city for Wu. All she's done is help people and give them stability and safety. No one else has done that."

"Why doesn't she let Wu? Hell, Asami, if Kuvira came out and said she supported Wu's coronation, I'm sure that people would get on board with the idea. That would let Wu fix his own kingdom. Why is Kuvira acting like the weight has to be on her shoulders? She's in this for the glory—you know she is."

Asami sat back in her seat, feeling as if she'd just been slapped.

"I don't know that, Mako. And don't you dare pretend that you do. You don't know Kuvira. You know nothing about her or the work she's doing." She could feel her hands gripping the table harshly, making her knuckles hurt. "Is that what this is about? You didn't want to reconnect with me, did you? You just wanted to bring me here and try to get information on Kuvira. You wanted me to make her stand down!"

"Look," Mako held his hands up defensively and sighed. "She's a guard from Zaofu, Asami. She doesn't know what the hell she's doing. All I'm saying is that there has to be something in it for her. If not, then why haven't you talked her into stepping back? There are people who are trained to do this stuff. I don't want to fight about this, I just can't help but wonder."

"What about me, Mako? Do you think I'm after something too?" Asami crossed her arms, not about to let him back out of the conversation. "Do you still think that I'm naïve and am letting my feelings for Kuvira cloud my judgement?" She didn't give him time to respond before she surged forward. "Everything that Kuvira has done has helped people. She's saved lives and rebuilt a fallen kingdom. When Wu is ready, I'm sure she'll gladly give him the throne. But right now Kuvira is the one running things, and you and your prince and everyone else is just going to have to deal with that. Because Kuvira is doing the best she can. She started with nothing but a handful of people from Zaofu and now she has the support she needs to actually get things done. The Earth Kingdom needs repaired, Mako. All of it."

"You really think she's doing a good job, don't you?" Mako raised his eyebrows, and Asami couldn't tell if he was impressed or surprised. "Why are you—why do you care about her so much?"

With a soft exhale, Asami smiled slightly and looked Mako straight in the face. Because I've finally found someone who loves me equally. "Because I'm in love with her, Mako. I know her. I trust her...and I love her."

"You really do, huh?" Mako's voice had softened though his expression hadn't changed. "Is that why you keep supporting and supplying her? To earn points with your girlfriend? What's in it for you?"

With a sardonic laugh, Asami shook her head and closed her eyes.

"Is that what you think? Do you…" A wave of sadness washed over her at his words. "Do you really think so little of me that you think I'd be that kind of person? That I would put other people's lives and futures at stake to make my girlfriend happy?" Heat was burning in the back of her eyes at the thought. She was so angry and so devastated at how far apart she really felt from him and from the life she'd had before. "I'm trying to help people, Mako. I'm working with Kuivra to fix what the Red Lotus did. I need to fix something. Because spirits know I couldn't fix…" She stopped for a moment and swallowed the thick lump in her throat. They didn't need to bring Korra into the conversation. It would only make it worse. "I have to help and…it breaks my heart that you would think I'm only helping to benefit myself."

"I'm…" Mako hesitated and looked away before he sighed a moment later. "I'm sorry, Asami. I know you've been working a lot…Lin told me about the glider suits and all that. I just figured…well after everything that happened with Varrick I didn't think you'd risk your company to do anything like this. But then you were making all those deliveries for her…I thought maybe she was using you or something."

Kuvira would never do that.

"I don't want to lose you, Mako. I want you in my life and I care about you. But…" She chewed on her bottom lip and pushed back the frustrated tears. "I'm a big girl, Mako. If it turns out months from now that you were right, then you can say you told me so. But Kuvira hasn't asked me for anything. I know she feels guilty when I offer her more help. And right now, I know that she's the one good thing I have in my life, while everything else is so out of balance. She loves me. I know she does."

Asami stopped for a moment, putting her arm out and extending it toward him. "I'd like to have my friend back too. Someone I thought I could always go to for support."

Mako smiled faintly, reaching across the table and taking her hand.

"Okay. I'm sorry. I just…I guess I just don't fully understand the situation. Most of what I hear is from Lin and Wu anyway. That's unless Bolin writes, which isn't often."

"Well then next time I see Bolin, I'll tell him to write you more." Asami promised. "And…you can talk to me, just maybe try a different and less…accusatory…approach." She smiled and winked at him, and he nodded.

"When are you going back?" He was clearly nervous about asking the question, considering everything. "I mean you seemed to go all the time for a while…I know you said she was moving around, but do you still…I don't know…visit?"

Asami blushed a bit and quickly picked up the menu to cover her face until it passed.

"I do," She eventually said, recomposing herself. "I mean it's not as often as I'd like, but I think we'll be meeting up again soon. Her birthday is in two weeks, and that's probably when I'll see her. I hope so, at least. We haven't talked about it."

"I bet that'll be nice then," Mako gave her a faint smile, "I hope you enjoy it. Really."

"Thank you," Asami smiled, sighing a little. "I guess we should actually order something to eat, don't you?"

"Yeah." Mako nodded once. "I'm starving."

Asami turned the menu over in her hands and raised her eyebrow, hoping the rest of their time together would go a lot smoother. But the worst seemed to be out of the way, and she was thankful for it.

Kuvira leaned her head back against the wall of the dimly lit room, waiting for the call to connect on Asami's end. She hoped it would go through, especially considering it had been at least three weeks since she'd been somewhere that had a telephone. Kuvira still received letters, but she always enjoyed hearing Asami's voice.

"Hello?" Kuvira smiled when Asami picked up the phone, happy to hear her once again.

"Hello, Asami." Kuvira chuckled.

"Kuvira," her name came out as a breath of air, and she could hear the relief in Asami's voice, mingled with something else. "I didn't know if you'd ever get to call me again, with as much as you've been moving."

"Me either. I've missed you."

"I've missed you too." Asami said with a soft exhale as Kuvira could hear her sitting down. "How are you? How's everything going? I…I really wish you were here." Kuvira couldn't help but note the frustration in Asami's voice as she finished.

"Everything is about the same," Kuvira admitted with a sigh, now worried about the tone of frustration she'd heard from Asami. "I got in a fight with some bandits this morning…that's been the highlight of my week, until now. How are you?"

"A fight? Are you okay? Did they hurt you?" The speed with which Asami asked and the panic in her voice only made Kuvira laugh. Her concern was touching, and it warmed some deeper part of Kuvira.

"I'm fine," She promised. "I would have told you if I wasn't. But you didn't answer my question, how are you?"

Asami sighed again, more tiredly than before. "Been better. Just had one of my best friends accuse me of helping you and the Earth Kingdom for my own gain. Basically erasing anything good I've ever done as nothing more than beneficial to my own cause and my company. So that…wasn't fun. He apologized…but it still hurt."

"I'm sorry." There was a pang of guilt that went through Kuvira's chest and she wished there was something she could do. "I know that's not why you do this, Asami. Was that the Mako you said you were having lunch with in your letter?"

"Yeah, the ex-boyfriend who…well, he means well but he can never keep his foot out of his mouth." Asami paused for a beat and took a deep breath. "I don't think he's too happy that I sent his brother your way. And now he's the personal bodyguard of Prince Wu, so he's accusing you of needing to step down and hand control of the Earth Kingdom back over to Wu. Even though Wu is far from ready to handle that responsibility, if any of the things I've heard about him are true." Her voice tapered off and fell quieter as she continued. "Mako was kind of the last friend I had left here and now…I just want to see you again."

Kuvira's heart ached at the quiet pain she heard in Asami's voice. I wish I could help her.

"I know. I want to see you too, Asami. We need to work something out. Soon would be nice, but I know we're both busy."

Considering how much she travelled, Kuvira considered it a small miracle whenever she was able to call Asami, let alone see her. Still, she knew a visit would be good for both of them.

"You just have to give me a day, Kuvira. Give me a day and I'll be there. Give me a week and I'll stay for the whole week. The next time you're free just tell me and I'll come, because I'm…I swear, I'm suffocating here. I love this city and I have so much work to do, but that can't be all I have." Kuvira heard Asami sniffle, and she winched a bit at knowing how upset she was.

"I'm okay," Asami laughed slightly a few moments later as if she knew what was going through Kuvira's mind. "Really. I'm just…tired. And I've had a long day, but I meant what I said. You tell me when to come and I'll be there."

"Well…" Kuvira let out a long breath, opening her eyes and looking up at the ceiling. "I know you wanted to visit on my birthday. That's in two weeks. Why don't you come then? I'll make time, Asami. Whatever I have to do, I'll work around it. I just need you here. Okay?"

There was a long pause that followed, and Kuvira wondered for a moment if she'd lost the connection. However, Asami's voice eventually returned, though it sounded much different.

"Does that mean I get to show you the birthday gift I bought?" There was a seductive tone in her voice that made Kuvira's throat go dry. "Because I think you're going to like it."

Kuvira smirked, running her tongue across her teeth and managing to chuckle.

"Ms. Sato, I do believe you're going to be the death of me."

"Don't die on me yet, Captain." Asami teased. "We've got a birthday to celebrate."

"I'll call you again when I can, and let you know where I'll be then." Kuvira promised. It was a promise she didn't know if she'd be able to keep, considering how hard it was to find a telephone in some of the more rural places. But for Asami, she'd try. "I can't wait to see you. I always have trouble fitting what I want to say in a letter."

Asami made a pleasant noise of contentment and seemed to have relaxed.

"Just tell me you love me, and that'll keep me sane until I see you again."

"More than anything." Kuvira smiled. "You're my first thought in the morning and my last thought at night. Of course I love you, Asami."

"I love you too, Kuvira. I'll see you soon. Be careful out there, please."

"I always am, Asami. Are you going to bed soon?"

"Well," Asami laughed softly. "I was going to take a shower first."

Kuvira hummed, pressing against the inside of her cheek with her tongue.

"I should probably let you do that, huh?" She chuckled, deciding it was innocent enough for now.

"Two weeks." Asami replied simply. "Just two more weeks. Goodnight, Kuvira."

"Goodnight."

Kuvira was still smiling when she hung up after a few moments, and she pushed herself up from her seat and out of the stuffy room she'd been sitting in. It was hot, but it was bearable, and she made her way down the hall and into the room she'd been loaned to sleep in. She laid down with a light huff, folding her arms behind her head and looking up at the ceiling before she yawned.

"Just two weeks." She told herself after a few minutes, closing her eyes and smiling. "I can handle that."