Hello! This is a short AU that I couldn't get out of my head after seeing this post on tumblr by pumpkinsdean titled 'oddly specific aus i need'. I can't link it here, but both pumkinsdean and their post can be easily googled!
The prompt: 'sorry i set the fire alarm in our building off again for the forty-eighth time i was trying to cook' AU
Summary: Mako is sick and tired of his neighbor, Korra, who's attempts at cooking have led to forty-eight straight fire alarm building evacuation. Finally reaching his limit, Mako angrily takes it upon himself to teach her how to cook in the form of nightly lessons at his apartment.
This will be a short fic, probably only a few chapters or so. I hope you guys enjoy! Reviews and favs are appreciated! Thanks!
Beep beep beep beep beep.
"No…" Mako groaned, burying his face further into his pillow.
BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP.
"ARGH, you have got to be kidding me!" Mako yelled, sitting up and hurling his pillow against the wall opposite his bed. He groggily climbed out and headed for the door. Flinging it open, he stumbled across his living room and left his apartment, not bothering to lock the door behind him.
BEEEEEEEP BEEEEEEP BEEEEEEEP!
Mako trudged down the hall and to the stairs that led down two floors to the lobby. On the second flight of stairs, the door to the first floor opened and a woman with glossy black hair and pink pajamas stepped out.
They locked eyes. Mako's nostrils flared.
"Asami, don't tell me –"
"Yes, Mako, it was her doing again, but please don't blame her, she's just trying to –"
"This is the forty-eight time she's done this," Mako snapped, waving his arms around wildly. "Of course I'm blaming her, why wouldn't I?"
Asami smirked. "You've been keeping count?"
"Y-yes, I have, because she is so god damn annoying," Mako grunted. "Asami, you're her best friend, tell her to stop!"
"I've tried suggesting it, but she's really determined," Asami shrugged, heading downstairs. Mako followed behind her. "Please don't be angry with her. Keep your temper in check."
If anyone knew about his temper, it was Asami. She and Mako had dated two years ago; they'd both met each other after moving into the same apartment building. Now, they were simply good friends.
Mako had kept his mouth shut during the previous forty-seven incidents, as a favor to Asami, but this was the last straw. He'd reached his limit.
Asami opened the door to the lobby. The lights were dimmed and it was deserted. Everyone who lived in the building was already outside. While making their way to the apartment building's door, three firemen walked into the lobby and ambled upstairs. While there was probably no real threat, it was mandatory for them to check the smoke and carbon dioxide levels in the building.
A crowd of people stood outside in the street, shivering in the cool autumn air. Mako wished he had brought a jacket. Or some shoes.
Scanning the crowd, his brows furrowed when he spotted the short, muscled girl, leaning against the side of the fire truck. Mako snarled.
"No, don't –!" Asami cried, but Mako was already pushing past his neighbors and stomping over to the direct cause of so many sleepless nights –
"Heeey, Mako," Korra said, trying to sound as cool and relaxed as possible. It backfired, however, when she started coughing violently.
She was wearing a blue tank top and black athletic shorts and was absolutely covered from head to toe in soot. Mako started to feel sorry for her, but then realized that it was her own damn fault.
"I am sick of this," Mako stated, stepping up to Korra and glaring down at her. Korra blinked, taken aback. "This is the forty-eighth time –"
"You're keeping count?"
"– that you've set of the fire alarm, Korra! This is the forty-eighth time that I've gotten out of bed at some ungodly hour because you can't get your shit together and learn how to cook a proper meal!"
Korra huffed and crossed her arms. "How do you know this fire alarm is my fault this time, Captain Crankypants?"
Mako's eyed shifted downward, and Korra followed his gaze to her soot-covered clothes and skin. "Oh…" She shrugged. "Look, I'm trying my best, okay? It was just an accident! I put the fire out quickly – no one was hurt!"
"That's not the point!" Mako yelled, his hands pulling at his snarled hair. Korra arched an eyebrow. "You're a nuisance to everyone in this building, don't you understand that?"
"I don't do this on purpose," Korra snarled, standing on tip-toes with her fists clenched. "Stop being such a jerk!"
"I'm not a jerk! I'm just a man who wants to get some sleep, but I can't because my neighbor keeps blowing stuff up in her kitchen at two in the morning!"
Korra pursed her lips. "It's actually three in the morning, just saying…"
"ARGH!" Mako seethed, turning and kicking the fire truck beside them. "Ow, ow, ow!"
"That's what you get for kicking big metal trucks," Korra smirked, watching as he hopped painfully on one foot.
"You're infuriating!"
"No, you're infuriating!"
They both glared at each other – cerulean clashing with amber. Finally, Mako sighed.
"Look, just… stop. Stop trying to cook your own meals. You're a disturbance to everyone in this building."
"Everyone here has been really nice about it," Korra countered. "They all understand that accidents happen. You're the only one that's getting their knickers in a twist here."
"I don't wear knickers," Mako said, taking the figure-of-speech rather literally.
"Fine, boxers then, Korra muttered, eyeing his blue and white stripped undergarments.
"Eyes up here, Korra," Mako snapped, and Korra looked up with a blush.
"You're not going to stop with the whole 'Master Chef' charade?" He asked slowly.
Korra shook her head. "Nope."
"Fine then," he sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I can't believe I'm about to do this…"
"…Do what?"
"I'm going to teach you how to cook," Mako stated. "We start tomorrow night."
