( he's obviously on the line. his breathing is faint but audible, but he's just. not talking. for a stretch of time that goes well beyond awkward. she probably knows him well enough to know that he's rubbing his temples to stave off the onslaught of a headache. his voice is soft when he speaks, but it's the low sort of tone that's obviously being maintained to stave off anger. )

Why didn't you just tell me? How exactly did you think I was going to take it, Korra?

( because he's thought about it. he really has. and the only thing he can come up with is that she was afraid of what he'd say, or that he'd judge her, or that he'd hate it. and he's decided that that hurts way worse than anything else she could have done. )

I love you and Asami more than just about anything. I want you to be happy. But I ( ohhh the volume is going up on his voice, he's almost yelling now. ) also don't want — ( he makes a noise of pure frustration, glutted on that anger. ) a repeat of the last three years! Do you have any idea how hard it was, just — letting you go off and suffer alone?! Just — agh, forget about the kissing, any of that! You're my best friend! You're supposed to be able to trust me!