"Korra?" A voice spoke up, full of concern. "Are you okay?"

Korra took a deep breath as she struggled to wipe away any emotion from her face.

Bolin looked down at her where she sat on the edge of the cliff. The sun had risen higher in the sky. It must be around noon. Korra had last track of time. She had been too busy chasing thoughts around in her mind.

"Hey, Bo!" Korra forced a smile as she looked up at the two bothers approaching her.

Mako gave a weak smile and a small wave. He didn't say anything, instead he just walked over and sat next to Korra on her right.

"What are you doing out here?" Bolin asked as he lowered himself to sit on her other side.

"Just admiring the view, I suppose." Korra looked out at Republic City.

The people were slowing starting to go back to their every day routines. What other choice did they have? In a week or two, the Council would be holding trials for Asami and Tarrlok. Until then, there wasn't much for the citizens to worry about. The battle was over.

Nothing had been decided yet about Amon. Whenever Tenzin tried to sit down with Korra and Amon to discuss the events of the past few weeks, Korra chicken out and came up with an excuse.

"And you're okay?" Bolin asked again.

Korra could feel him and Mako watching her.

"Uh huh." She replied, nodding her head for emphasis.

"Well, Amon doesn't seem to think so." Bolin muttered under his breath.

Korra's eyes snapped to glare at Bolin.

Bolin glanced at her sideways, waiting for a reply. He was pouting, trying to guilt Korra into spilling her guts.

"Well, maybe Amon worries too much." Korra replied. She crossed her arms and glared at the city before them.

"We all worry about you." Mako said, his voice soft.

Korra refused to reply. She refused to even look at him.

"Korra, " Bolin pleaded. "You haven't been the same. You don't laugh. You hardly smile. What happened?"

The breeze blew across the bay. Its cold touch sent goosebumps racing across Korra's flesh.

"I don't want to talk about it." Korra mumbled.

"Is it Amon? Did he do something to you?" Bolin asked, anger leaking from his voice.

Korra felt Mako tense next to her, waiting for her answer.

"No!" Korra turned to Bolin, shocked he would even think something like that.

"It's just-" Bolin's cheeks flushed. He wouldn't make eye contact with her.

"What?"

"He's so much older than you." Bolin's nose crinkled up as if he seemed repulsed by the idea.

Mako remained silent.

"Ha!" Korra laughed. She had been worried he was going to comment on something else, anything else, that was wrong with Amon and Korra's relationship.

"You're worried about the age difference?" Korra smiled at Bolin.

"Yeah." Bolin stuck his bottom lip out in defense.

"Twelve years isn't a huge deal, Bo." Korra responded.

"Twelve years is a long time." Bolin voice was low. His face serious.

Korra looked away. She knew this would be brought up sooner or later. She, herself had avoided the age issue. But in reality, it didn't bother her. Amon was her soulmate. Age was just a number. They were both adults so it shouldn't matter to any one else.

"I love him, Bolin." Korra glanced back at her friend, hoping to make him understand.

"He use to terrify you." Mako said under his breath. He lifted his hand, holding a small flame. His eyes watched the flickering blaze.

"He was under the influence of a very strong spirit." Korra whispered.

"He still had the power to make his own choices." Bolin's voice hardened.

"And he did. He chose me."

…

"Tenzin? May I have a word with you?" Amon asked. He stood just outside the opened door to Tenzin's office.

The airbender looked up in surprise.

Papers scattered the desk in front of him. Shelves full of scrolls and books covered the wall behind him.

"Of course. Please, have a seat." Tenzin motioned to one of the two chairs resting on the opposite side of the desk.

Amon closed the door behind him. He then lowered himself in the seat slightly further away from Tenzin.

Tenzin's eyes followed his every move. Amon couldn't tell if the airbender didn't trust him or if he was simply curious. They hadn't talked much. They hardly knew one another.

"I want to speak to you about the Council and how they will sentence me."

…

"Look, Korra." Bolin sighed. "I didn't come out here to argue with you about Amon."

Korra opened her mouth to speak but Bolin stopped her by raising his hand.

"I know you and Amon love each other. No one is debating that. But I am still worried about you. Girls in love don't walk around scared of their own shadows. What's going on?" Bolin repeated his question from earlier.

Korra couldn't bear to meet either Mako's or Bolin's gaze.

"Do you promise not to judge me?" She asked, her voice only a whisper.

"I promise." Bolin replied.

Korra glanced at Mako. His eyes were filled with an emotion he refused to express as he watched her.

"I promise." Mako sighed. He looked away from her, waiting for her to speak.

Taking a deep breath, Korra began her story. She started with the night Tarrlok kidnapped her, to the night she discovered she was pregnant.

…

"Korra has made it very clear she does not want the Council to make a decision without her." Tenzin used his politician voice, trying to avoid conflict.

"I know." Amon grimaced. "But she can't have a say in this. Her opinion will be clouded with what she thinks of me now instead of focusing on what crimes I have committed, the sins I committed before meeting her."

"I won't deny that you did terrible things against the city, but you also helped save it." Tenzin folded his hands on top of the desk.

A cool breeze floated in from the open window to Amon's right. He glanced out it as a few leaves drifted by.

"Avatar Korra saved the city. She saved me. I did nothing." Amon sighed. He lowered his eyes to look at his hands resting in his lap.

"That is not true." Tenzin argued. "Without you, Korra wouldn't have been able to accomplish what she did. You helped this city."

"Regardless, I still must pay for my sins." Amon looked back at the airbender, waiting for his response.

…

Korra stared at her fists in her lap.

The three friends sat in tense silence.

"Um," Bolin cleared his throat. "Are you going to keep it?"

Korra glared at him, completely shocked he would even ask.

"Because- because, you know they have ways of-"

"Bro," Mako interrupted. "Not the time."

"That thought never even crossed my mind." Korra growled. Her hands wrapped around her stomach as if to protect the growing life.

"I'm sorry." A blush spread across Bolin's face. He shifted his weight from side to side, uncomfortable.

"Korra," Mako placed a hand on her shoulder. She forced herself not to flinch at his touch.

It's okay. He's just trying to comfort you. There is no need to be afraid.

Korra turned her eyes to Mako.

"You know we're here for you. I would kill Tarrlok if I could. I'm sure Bolin feels the same way." Mako glanced back at his brother who nodded eagerly, a blush still lingering on his cheeks.

"But," Mako looked back a Korra. "We can't. Tarrlok will answer for his crimes. Right now we need to focus on you and the baby."

…

"Are you sure about this, Amon?" Tenzin asked, concern evident on the old man's face.

"I'm sure." Amon replied.

"Then it's decided. I will talk to the council myself." Tenzin stood up, signaling the conversation was drawing to an end. "But you will have to tell Korra yourself."

…

Korra sat between the two brothers. She felt safe and comfortable.

It had been a very long time since the three teammates had been able to enjoy each others company.

"So," Bolin dragged out the word as a question.

What?" Korra asked.

"Amon said he'll raise it as his own?" Bolin rubbed the back of his head, ruffling up his hair. He was obviously uneasy talking about Korra and Amon's relationship.

"Yes." Korra smiled, her hand drifted back to rest on her stomach. "Bolin?"

"Hm?" Bolin looked at her. His expression changing from uncomfortable to confused as Korra smiled at him.

"The baby isn't an 'it'. He's a boy."

I really wanted this chapter to focus on the friendship between Bolin, Mako, and Korra. I wasn't able to address it the way I wanted to in HITG. I also didn't get a chance to properly develop Mako the way I wanted to. Hate me if you want, I love Mako's character. He's flawed, he's angry, but it makes him human.

I also decided to address the age gap between Korra and Amon. I neglected that in HITG. Korra is 19 and Amon is 31.

I hope you guys are enjoying the sequel so far! Any feedback is appreciated. :D