"Spirits," Korra said around a mouthful of pork bun as she sat down. "This must be what heaven tastes like."

Mako grinned at her, setting his own lunch down across the table from her. It was already the middle of the afternoon and this was the first time they'd gotten a chance to sit down and eat since they met at Air Temple Island this morning.

The park was loud and bright, but it was a welcome contrast from the cooped, colorless council rooms she'd spent all day in. She'd spent all day running from one meeting to another, Mako tracking doggedly along beside her.

When he'd first accepted her offer to join the White Lotus, Korra wondered if they were going to be able to make this work. Their relationship, already complicated by all the baggage of the past, was delicate. They both agreed that him joining the White Lotus was a good move, at least their jobs didn't clash now. Not often anyways. Still, she knew that he considered part of his job protecting her—she wished she could say she'd always return the favor—and Korra had expected him to try to step in in situations that might jeopardize her safety.

They'd clashed a couple of times, but so far they were making it work. He had her back, just like he'd promised. Getting to know this older, more mature Mako was strange and a little exciting.

They ate in silence for a few minutes, but as Korra's stomach filled with food, the need to shove that food in her face lessened.

"Sorry you have to wear the uniform today," she said.

Mako shrugged. "It's not that bad. I'd rather wear the uniform than be you today."

"Don't remind me," Korra said, leaning her head against her hand. "It's times like these that I really miss Aang." She sighed. "He must have sat through countless council meetings. I don't feel like I'm making any real contribution."

Mako put down his chopsticks. "That's not true and you know it."

"Yeah," Korra said. "They certainly listen when I yell for them stop arguing."

"If the Avatar yelled for me to shut up, I'd do it in a hurry."

Korra gave him a look.

"Hey, you don't yell, you say it very nicely when we argue." Mako took a sip of his drink. "You're watching and listening, that's good, Korra. Just because you don't have something to say on every single topic doesn't mean you're doing a bad job."

"Yeah, I know," Korra said. She shoved her hair back from her face. "I just wish I had answers."

"You're the Avatar, Korra, not a prophet. I know you're frustrated," he said, "but—"

"I know, I know. People shouldn't expect me to be the answer to their every problem." She reached out, ruffling his hair, laughing as he jerked away and glared at her.

"Korra!"

"Have I ever told you how much I appreciate you?" she asked.

Still glaring, he tried to fix the mess she'd made of his hair. "Yes, many times." Finally, he gave up, shooting her one last death look before smiling at her. "Doesn't mean I don't love hearing it again."

"Here," she said, leaning forward again. "Let me help you." Gently she brushed the hair back, out of his eyes. He'd always had gorgeous eyes. She returned his hair to a slightly more civilized state, not quite as polished as it had been, but still decent enough that people wouldn't talk too much. Probably. "There," she said, but she didn't sit back down. "That's better."

"Thanks," he said, staring up at her. Then he stiffened his eyes focusing on something over her shoulder. His mouth hardened.

"What?"

"Raiko's coming," he said.

"Ugh," she said. "Can't he leave me alone for ten minutes?"

"Sit and eat your lunch," Mako said. "I've got this."

"No, I'll—"

"If that's what you want," Mako said. "But as the Avatar's bodyguard, I could probably dissuade him."

"Nicely?"

"I'm always nice, Korra," he said. "You're the one who puts people in body casts."

"That was one time! And it was my first day in the city." She huffed. "Fine, bodyguard, see if you can dissuade him."

Mako stood. As he crossed behind her to meet Raiko, she hurriedly started stuffing the rest of her food in her mouth. If he was going to pull them back into meetings early, she wanted to at least have eaten most of her lunch.

"I need to talk to Korra," Raiko said.

"I'm sorry, Mr. President," Mako replied. "But Avatar Korra is busy right now."

Korra couldn't help herself, she glanced over her shoulder. Mako was so tall that all she could see was Raiko's right arm peeking out on the other side of Mako's broad back.

"She's right there, Mako," Raiko said. "I can see her with my own eyes. I just need a minute."

"Sorry, the Avatar is busy at the moment. You'll have wait until she's done."

Mako shifted, giving Korra just a glimpse of Raiko's frustrated face.

"Listen, Mako, I don't care if you are Ko—" He stopped, clearing his throat and straightening his tie. "I don't care if you are dating the Avatar, you have no right to keep me from conducting official business with her."

"I apologize for the inconvenience, sir," Mako said, his voice dead calm.

Korra ducked back around, wondering if Raiko knew enough to be worried by that voice.

"But as the Avatar's bodyguard," he drew out the word—Korra bit the inside of her cheek. Spirits, they abused that word. They both knew he was so much more than that, but it did get him into places that he couldn't go as just Mako the boyfriend. "It is my job to make sure that she isn't bothered while she is busy. You are free to wait here, but you'll have to wait until she's done."

There was a strangled noise from the president.

"I wouldn't do that, sir," Mako said. "I'd hate to have to remove you from the premises."

Korra choked on her noodles, resisting the urge to turn around. He was having too much fun with this. Really, she knew she should just get up and see what Raiko wanted.

"I should have you fired," Raiko said.

"I don't work for you, sir."

Korra sighed, but before she could say anything, Raiko harrumphed.

"Fine. If you would ask Avatar Korra to come speak with me before the next meeting, I would appreciate it."

"I can do that."

Several minutes passed before Mako finally returned to his seat.

Korra burst out in quiet giggles. "You really shouldn't have done that."

"I didn't see you stepping in," he retorted, picking his chopsticks back up.

"Well, maybe now he'll respect the fact that even the Avatar deserves to eat in peace."

"Probably not," he said. "If his past behavior is any indication, I doubt me crossing my arms and looking grim will make him think twice next time. But it was really fun standing in his way."

"We probably shouldn't pull that again," she said.

Mako pouted. "What's the point of being your bodyguard if I don't get to thwart insufferable politicians?"

"I don't think bodyguard is quite the right word," Korra said, reaching out to take his hand. The skin was still red and glassy in places, but not nearly as angry as it had been a few months ago. "Thank you." And she could see in his eyes that he knew she wasn't just thanking him for driving off Raiko.

My first contribution to Makorra week. I almost didn't so I could completely focus on my book and A Hundred Ways, but I realized that I don't know if we'll ever have another Makorra week again, so what the heck. I'll do it. Time to go write some more for A Hundred Ways (my 100 Makorra Themes project), I hope y'all enjoy.

P.S. Everything you'll find her is going to fit in with the canon that I've developed for A Hundred Ways (minus the AU and spec fic), so if you want more, head to my page and check that out.