Maybe it's the terse tone of Billy's voice, or maybe it's the unnatural quiet coming from Steph and Korra. Whatever it is, Atka whimpers and doesn't take the tension well, and Korra quickly turns to press a comforting kiss to his head before closing the distance and settling by Billy's side, resting a hand on his free shoulder. She gives it a squeeze, and gives Steph a brief look of solidarity.

They can't really fix the situation, but they can make sure that Billy isn't alone.

"I don't think that's how it works," she says softly, swallowing thickly. "Even if we figure out how to stop the city from taking people away, it's... a part of life for people to eventually separate. No one stays together for eternity. Life's a cycle, you know? But we can still make most of the time that we get with one another. And, I know not everyone believes in reincarnation here, but I do. I think the strongest friendships last multiple lifetimes."