AN: This was meant to just be a one shot little deal when I wrote the rap verses a few years ago but it's blossomed into an all out story, as most things do. Please enjoy and don't forget to comment!

The streets were packed today and nothing made her feel better than draining out the silence. She put on her teal headphones and chose a playlist on her phone, knowing that the day would melt away into verses and bridges instead of loud partial conversations and traffic. It was quite a walk from a training center to her tiny apartment, but the music made it go by faster.

Korra was halfway home when the music took her away and she had to hold herself back from dancing as she walked. So instead of dancing she sang along, the sun gleaming downtown and people all around to hear her.

"He in love with a ghetto girl. He said he wanna piece like Metta World. Pat pat on the kitty cat - he don't mess with them... regulars. He tryna kick it like a ninja. He tryna stick it like syringes. He don't ever play the benches, so I'mma let him touch it if he playin with some inches."

She couldn't hold herself back and her arms started to move around her, letting the rhythm go through her. As the song changed she smiled and did the same thing, over and over; singing while dancing with her arms.

Turning the key to her apartment she slid her headphones off and let them hang around her neck. She found that it was already open. With an eyebrow raised she opened the door and looked around, finding a familiar pair of green eyes.

"Oh, hey Bo." She said as she picked around in her pocket to turn off her music while kicking the door closed behind her.

"Hey! Sorry for dropping in before you got home." He said with a smile from the small futon.

"No it's fine, I trained for an extra hour so it's not on you." She slipped off her boots and looked at the table to see a steaming pot of tea he had gotten himself.

"Oh I could use some of that." She laughed and came over, flopping her body down next to him and letting all the air out of her lungs. For a second she forgot about the tea, Bolin, and even what day it was, losing all track of thought in the comfort of sitting down at home. She smiled with her eyes closed and hummed softly, feeling so comfortable.

"Korra?" Bolin asked an unknowable time later.

"Sorry," she sat up and rested her arms on her knees. "Just a bit tired."

"You shouldn't push yourself so hard." He lectured her while pouring her a cup of tea. He handed it to her and continued. "You've been doing this more and more. It's like you're punishing your body or something. It's not healthy."

She scoffed and almost tipped her tea over.

"Bolin, its training. I'm supposed to push my body." She looked down and had a soft, sad smile. "I'm the Avatar. It's all in the contract." She sipped her tea before saying anything else and sunk back into the couch, savoring the earthy flavor on her pallet while her back realigned itself.

Bolin wanted to tell her how wrong she was, with her knuckles bleeding through the wraps and her muscles around her neck clearly stiff, but he decided not to press the issue. The last thing he wanted to do was get into an argument he knew he would lose. Instead he shook his head and held his own cup. His fingers ran along the edge of the small cup just as gingerly as he was trying to bring up a new topic.

"Do you remember that we have plans tonight?"

He glanced over and Korra's face was stone. She had forgotten and now, reminded, was regretful of her agreement.

"Yes." She said softly and took a long sip, wishing the tea was something much stronger.

"If you don't want to go-"

"I don't. You know I don't." She said, a little curt. She put her cup down just a bit too hard and exhaled loudly. "Every time I see him I get so angry. He makes me crazy." She said and looked down.

"You don't even know Mako that well. I don't understand why you're so against meeting him and actually talking to him. You know... Like a person?" He said and gestured too much, dripping tea over his fingers and onto the floor.

"Look, I know he's your brother but you two seem to be total opposites." She was softer now and helped him clean up the mess he had made. "When I am around you, I'm calm. You're sweet and with just the right amount of pep. But him…" She paused, her hand over the napkin, trying to find the right words. She huffed and grabbed the rag, cleaning up the rest of the mess with vigor. "When I see him and his smug face and his stupid hair I just want to punch him!"

She stood up quickly and took the dirty cups, pot, and napkins to the small kitchen. She came up short on her return to the futon and saw Bolin's face. Pain was evident and she was struck with guilt. Before she could apologize he spoke a little forcefully.

"He is my brother. He's all I have Korra. And he's not a jerk! He's really nice. He's a really good person. Everything you see is a front. Although, he doesn't have the wonderful hair I have"- He smirked and ran a hand through his thick hair- "Everything he does is to keep up his rep. If those guys knew the real him, he'd be destroyed in a minute!"

Bolin stood and came to her, placing his hands on her shoulders.

"He thinks he needs to take care of me and this brings in a lot of money."

She paused and exhaled a laugh this time as she swatted away his hands.

"You do need to be taken care of." She smiled at his reaction but put a finger on his lips to stop his rebuttal.

"I will go. For you."

"Really?" He asked, his eyes shining.

"Yes, really. Just be ready to carry me out of there if I start swinging." She said and ruffled his hair. He laughed and tried to straighten out his hair. She headed to take a shower and change.

"Wear something cute!" He laughed.

She peaked around the corner of her room.

"Very funny!"

An hour or so later and the sun was setting, letting the city light up with that classic artificial orange glow. The ride across town felt longer than physically possible, considering the light traffic. By the time they reached the southwest side, the sun was already hiding behind tall buildings and abandoned offices, just peaking over the horizon for the last time. They got out of the car and watched until it was gone. As the tail lights faded back toward uptown, Bolin turned and the crunch of gravel beneath his feet made Korra turn her head.

"This way." He called after her.

"Hey!" She yelled, running to catch up with him. "Why did we take an Uber if we had to walk?"

"Because if anyone knew where it goes down who isn't supposed to know, it would be shut down real quick."

Korra scrunched her nose.

"I knew he was an ass but I didn't know was into that."

"He's clean. But not everyone is." He said curtly, tired of her insults. Korra responded with a nod and shoved her hands in her pockets.

Quite a few city blocks later, deep in the industrial park, Bolin stopped without warning and looked to his right. There was a single rusted door against a pale warehouse with a faded white light above it. It seemed abounded, like all the rest around them.

"There." He said and looked to her. "Okay, I know you are here for me but hear me out. When we get in there look forward and don't make eye contact on the way down."

"Down?"

"Yeah, it's in the basement. Until we get down there, be quiet, keep your eyes forward, and keep moving. Everyone you'll pass either wants to pick a fight, sell you something, or try and sell you."

"Um… this is really seedy."

"I know it seems that way but I promise, what Mako does is legal and innocent. Don't worry though!" He said in a more cheerful tone. "You'll be with me so it might not be so bad."

He took a deep breath and looked to her to see if okay.

"Bo, who do you think you're dealing with here?"

He laughed and shook his head.

"Someone who is ready to kick ass and ask questions later."

They both laughed a little softer and shared a small moment before heading to the door. Bolin paused outside and knocked an odd pattern. The door cracked after a few moments. A pair of russet eyes with a leather worn face looked from Korra to Bolin.

"Hey Hau. She's with me. No trouble, just visiting Mako."

The man, Hau, looked at the pair skeptical before widening the door suddenly.

"Before someone sees." He ordered in a gruff voice. They entered the doorway and Korra whispered thanks as Bolin headed straight into the darkness. He navigated through the hushed groups of people so easily that Korra lost him in the dim light. She tried to head forward but was lost quickly. She paused and looked from side to side, straining to see him. A rough hand grabbed her wrist and she jumped to the defense, those emerald eyes stopping her fist short of meeting his jaw. They exchanged a silent conversation. Bolin decided to lead her and she was happy to oblige. He lead her in the opposite direction she had been going, leading her where the impossibly dim light no longer existed, just darkness.

Korra felt the floor under her shoes witch between rough concrete to a slick floor. Painted or maybe even waxed, she couldn't tell. Either way, it was a path less traveled. The groups behind her faded away and all she could hear were their steps and their breathing. Just as she was about to ask where they were, she heard the scraping of a calloused hand on a metal door. With a squeaky turn of a knob a wall of light hit her and she was blinded, pulled into the light and door shut behind them.

As her eyes tried to adjust he let go of her wrist. Bolin let out a breath she wasn't aware he was holding and the blinding light tuned down to a dull fog. She looked around and realized they were standing at the top of a metal staircase, a bass line pulsing through her shoes and an electric energy in the air. She was instantly excited and tried to excuse it to her adventurous nature and not seeing a real freestyle, let alone with Mako as the headliner.

She had her hand on the rail and started to take it step by step, no cues needed from Bolin. At the bottom, feet firmly planted, an enormous amount of people packed the basement. The bodies were uncountable but they all made sure the stairs were clear of people. She looked around and met eyes with some of the people, not feeling ostracized or like prey, but welcomed. They were all just as excited and she felt good deep in the basement on the southwest side.

Bolin checked his watch as he came to her side.

"It's almost 9. We should go up front."

"Why can't I stay back here?"

"Korra, I'm his support. If he can't see me, he'll worry. If I can't see you, I'll worry."

She rolled her eyes and clicked her tongue.

"Yeah, wouldn't want dearest brother to worry." She sneered and looked away from him. He ignored her and walked through the crowd towards the other side of the endless sea, Korra in tow despite her attitude. With a few bumps and light pushes they made it to the front. It wasn't what she was expecting; not for Mako. There was a meager stage just a bit nicer than a folding buffet table, outshined by the speakers and subwoofers on each side, and a nice MC setup with very new equipment.

Bolin unzipped his hoodie and Korra took hers off, tying it around her waist. With so many bodies packed so tight, describing the scene as warm was an understatement; the walls were dripping with condensation. He looked over to her and rolled his eyes.

"You wore that shirt? Out of everything you had, you chose that one?"

She looked down and shrugged.

"I love this top. You know I only wear like 4 shirts a season at best. Besides, this top is super comfortable and airy, unlike that sweater shirt combo you have going on over there." She poked his chest and he wanted to laugh but he was serious.

"Yeah, well, this isn't a dance troupe. You plus Mako plus a crop top plus his 'attitude', as you say, just spells a huge fight."

"He wouldn't dare start shit with me in front of all these people." She said, stone faced.

"Just-" Bolin sighed, aggravated "-just don't give him a reason alright? Behave oh mighty Avatar."

"Sure thing Dad." She smiled and looked toward the stage. Bolin had his mouth open, ready to retort but he shut is mouth, knowing it was no use. The MC stepped onto the stage and everyone started cheering.

"Alright people, Listen up! We have a unique situation tonight." He paused for effect as Mako came onto the stage, strutting like a peacock. His ripped black jeans, his spiked hair, the red scarf tied around his thigh, even the triangle tag around his neck irritated Korra instantly. She crossed her arms, her bracelet digging into her skin. Bolin put a hand on her shoulder to silently remind her that she was there for him, not Mako.

"The King has no challenger." The MC continued. Mako held the mice to his lips and smiled.

"He 'got sick'". He air quoted. "Guess I keep my title. Unless someone here wants to challenge me?" He looked to the crowd. Some yelled encouragement, some offered to challenge though they lacked the skill, just wanting a moment in the spotlight.

"Anyone? Anyone with a gram of talent is welcome up here only to be horribly defeated." He smiled and mocked the crowd.

Korra grit her teeth, like a puma ready to pounce. He really was too much. His laughter echoed in her mind and was spinning into typhoon of negative emotions.

"Come on guys! You all came here to have a good time, right? So someone get up here!" He yelled and motioned with his arm. She couldn't take it.

"I'll take you on." She said loudly without thinking and a hush fell over the crowd. Mako looked down to her, recognizing her from somewhere he couldn't place. He lost his strut for a moment but quickly regained his composure.

"Korra, no!" Bolin whispered desperately.

"Okay. Ever done this before?" Mako asked.

"I learn fast." She said with a poker face as she climbed up to the stage, Bolin running a hand down his face.

"Alright, let's get her a mic and get started!"

The crowd roared as he handed her a mic. He waited for them to settle before he nodded to the MC. The beat was slow to her. Armature even. She smiled at how easy this would be.

"Ladies first?"

"Oh no, Home-Field. Why don't you go?" She smirked and although he was taken aback at her cavalier attitude and nickname, he took a few seconds to feel out the beat and let his mind wonder.

"So you wanna play the game - okay with me. I'm the master here - you barely 18. You're just a little pawn for me to use, King Piece here to make you lose. I'll leave you in fractions just to get a reaction - crowd gonna love it and keep it clappin'. And you're gonna thank me for being so kind, to let you leave standing to go unwind - Far away from this waste of time as I erase this waste from the frame of my mind."

He smiled and the crowed loved it, just like he said. Korra's tongue was rubbing the roof of her mouth raw. She knew for a fact that her being a girl ruffled his feathers. As if a girl like her could compare to the challengers he's faced. It's harder to be in the game as a woman. She rolled her eyes and put the mic to her lips.

"You think you gotta put these breasts to the test? Just because you think you're the best of the best? Acting like I gotta drop a dick just to drop the mic, but you spittin' trash more than a sewer pipe. You the best trash in the shit show. You still think you got this game won though. Go sort yourself and check your flow. I came to take your crown so you can blow."

The whistles and cheers what followed were like a drug to Korra. She couldn't help but smile. She was used to cheers from grateful citizens after helping them, but this - this was fun. And a skill she always knew she had but never had a way to use it. Quick wit, natural rhythm, and a snappy attitude made her a formidable opponent and Mako was starting to sweat. Who was this girl? He put the mic back up to rebound from such a surprising blow.

"Shots fired in the dark don't hit that much. Put down the mic and lay down ya guns. You're not hittin' me but you're splitting my sides - acting like you know a thing about spitting any rhymes. I can see it though - the venom in your teeth. You think I'm scared but it's what I seek. Give me what you got and then we'll see who wins in the end, you or the King."

Korra didn't even have to think. She knew what to say like it was an inherent mantra.

"Behind soft skin a wolf's teeth are bared. I bite and don't let go, best be ready - prepare. I'll shred you for fun and let my pack have the rest. I'm a Queen so you know, that's how you address. I'm pretty full of these rhymes - I've had my fill. You seem kinda thirsty, you might wanna chill. Trust me that I'm not scared of you. Trust when I say I got nothing to lose. So spit and scream like a child in tantrum. I'll take the crown and bounce, my clique in tandem."

Mako was struck. With surprise, with admiration, and it made him suddenly so humble. He couldn't hear anyone but her. He couldn't see anyone but her. His face reflected that and he started to speak from the heart, not a word about his rep.

"Let's take a second if you don't mind. I'm starting to feel like you're one of a kind-"

Korra cut him off. She was not going to let him off that easily.

"Best believe there's only me. No copy, no paste. I'm copy written, listen, let me educate. I-N-D-E-P-E-N-D-A-N-T have you heard that's me? I can spit at 220 while you work at 110, I'm double the trouble with no paper and pen. And I'mma work harder than you ever will. I'll be out where you don't dare to spill. I'mma walk away tonight with my head held high." She looked down at her fake crystal bracelet and without a second though ripped it off and threw it at his feet. "Have some ice for that burn, that's only half a dime! And let me tell you right now - let me spill this on ya. I am the holy grail, paid and proud, the one and only - Korra."

She dropped the mic and smiled with a little hop off the stage, walking right past Bolin - Of whom was torn between being impressed, sad for Mako, wanting to stay for him, and wanting to go after her. The crowd was so loud neither of them could talk. Bolin looked up at Mako who was absolutely flabbergasted, holding her bracelet in between his fingers. The brothers' eyes met and Bolin knew where ne needed to be.

He turned and took off after her, searching through the loud mob of people. He caught a glimpse of her heading up the metal staircase and he did his best to part the people to get to her. By the time he reached the top of the stairs he could see her passing Hau into the street light. He ran to the door and saw her heading towards their drop off point, her phone already in hand.

"Korra!"

She turned and had such an odd expression on her face. A mixture of excitement, fury, victory, and smugness twisted her features like he had never seen before.

"Why did you follow me Bolin?"

"Why did you get up on that stage?"

"I don't know! I just wanted to see someone take him down and no one was stepping up to the plate!"

"God, Korra, get a grip! You're turning into an insane person!"

"He makes me that way!"

"How? He didn't ask you personally to get up there. He didn't say 'Hey, I bet I'm a better rapper than the Avatar - That's one thing I've got on her!' And he certainly didn't insult you to make you this furious! Korra… I'm sorry but you're the problem."

She paused and looked up at him from her phone, her eyes filled with both rage and a shade of despair.

"What?" She asked through her teeth.

"You know you are my best friend but you are out of control. You're letting your misdirected anger make all your decisions and you need to stop."

There was a tense silence before she looked back down at her phone and put it in her pocket, walking to the pickup spot. He didn't follower her this time and she was thankful. The ride home was long for a completely different reason. Her thoughts haunted her as well as Bolin's words. An hour later she found herself leaning against the shower wall, the hot water running down her arms as she tried to rinse off the shame crawling all over her skin. That was the one emotion that she felt now. Bolin was right and no part of her wanted to agree, but her emotions were betraying her left and right lately, this was no exception.

As she turned off the water and came out, she wrapped her hair in a towel and threw on an old oversized shirt and some black shorts. She walked to her little living room and let her body sink into the futon, letting the music from her phone drown out the city below. She lay with her eyes closed and eventually the music faded away, her thoughts poking through to the forefront of her mind. She thought of how she was supposed to be supportive of her best friend. How as the Avatar she couldn't let her emotions compromise her or one person control her. She thought of how selfish she had been, not even realizing until now that she might have just put Bolin's - and Mako's - income in jeopardy. All of this manifested in a groan and her body defensively curled into itself, mortified by her own stupidity. Korra wondered if age made things easier or if things would continue to be just more difficult with each year that would pass. All her thoughts were interrupted by a fist beating on her door.

She felt shock and disgust slide through her stomach and slowly got up, leaving her music running the background. Korra's hand reached the door and she sighed, opening it as she closed her eyes; refusing to look at Bolin's expression.

"Bo, I'm sorry. I don't have an excuse or an answer, I'm just sorry."

She waited in the silence for his response but he didn't reply nor accept her apology.

"Bolin, please just forgive me. Tell me what I need to do."

"You could treat me to a rematch."

The voice was low, but not Bolin's. Her eyes snapped open to see Mako standing at her door. The silence that followed as their eyes met was an emotional war for Korra. She had one question in mind and remembering how much she had hurt Bolin, she spoke carefully.

"How did you get my address?"

"After asking nicely, my brother kindly gave it to me on the condition that I tell no one. I understand because I prefer privacy too."

"But I know where you live." She said, a little meek in contrast to her performance earlier.

"Have you told anyone?" He asked with no trace of worry in his voice.

"No, for Bolin's sake."

"That seems to be a running theme tonight." He smiled, genuinely nervous. She noticed and cocked her head a little.

"Mako, why are you here?"

He blinked and she swore she saw a brief blush. She couldn't place a reason for him to blush.

"Bolin didn't know how to check on you without giving you another lecture, so I offered to see how you were doing for him." He averted his eyes to his hand and Korra looked down to see him fiddling with the crystal bracelet she left on the stage.

"I thought that was pretty cool. Witty set-up. I also thought you might like it back." He said and to Korra's surprise he wasn't sarcastic or snarky. If anything he sounded kind. She wondered if Bolin was right about him instead of being biased as she believed him to be. Mako handed her the bracelet and she slipped it back onto her wrist without a word. He didn't look back up at her and although she was confident and sure of herself… he didn't seem so anymore. He seemed off.

"So you came all this way up here to give me back my bracelet and then go home and tell Bo that I'm… however I am?"

"When you put it that way it sounds dumb, but yeah. I guess I did." He laughed a bit and smiled.

She paused and thought everything over quickly. She looked him over and he looked different. His necklace was tucked under his white shirt, his scarf was around his neck and shoulders along with a maroon hoodie he hadn't had before. His nose and ears were red.

"One second." She said and left the door without explanation, heading to her living room window. She looked to the street below and didn't see a car or a taxi waiting for him. She sighed and came back to the doorway.

"Did you actually waste money on a bus to get up here instead of calling me or having Bo send me a text?"

"No, that would be too expensive and too tiresome. I took the train."

"Two trains." She corrected.

"Yeah."

She paused and calculated in her head.

"You walked 4 miles to get on the orange line, switched to the red at Roosevelt, got off at Bryn Mawr and walked here? That's like… two hours of travel! You had to have left right after I did."

He sighed and looked down again.

"Look, are you okay or not? I need to let Bolin know."

She mulled over her answer. She wanted him to leave because she thought me might be crazy, doing all of that just to make his brother happy. No one took travel like that unless they were going to work or a tourist. She wasn't sure about his motivation but she took a chance anyway.

"Come in."

He looked up at her, confused.

"It's cold outside and I have tea."

He nodded and she stepped aside to make room. He was courteous enough to take off his shoes without being asked and hung his hoodie on the hooks by the door.

"You can sit. I'll make some." She said heading to the kitchen. He called to her form the door.

"It's not that cold outside…" He smiled, trying to be less of a burden. She rolled her eyes.

"It's November and you just walked all that way toward a lakefront wind that has rubbed your nose and ears raw as winter. Just let me make you some damn tea."

He held up his hands in defense and nodded again. He walked over to her small futon and sat, finding it was very comfortable and the music was ever-changing from the phone on the small table.

Korra came back with a steaming pot and two cups.

"That was fast."

She sat the tray down on the table and shrugged, pouring herself a cup as she sat next to him.

"I have a good stove."

He poured himself a cup but was still suspicious.

"A stove that can boil water in less than a minute?"

She nodded and took a sip. He put down his cup and looked straight in the eye. He opened up his hand and from his glove covered palm, a bright yellow flame grew.

"I can make the next pot faster."

She smiled and put down her cup, copying him with an even larger flame.

"Wanna bet?"

His fire died off softly and he looked from the flame in her hand to her face, smudged with a grin. She let it die quickly with a flick of her wrist and picked her cup back up.

"Sorry… I just assumed you were a waterbender."

"Oh I am." She twirled her finger and the tea in her cup did a little dance. "And a firebender. And an earthbender. I can bend air too."

He took a second and everything hit him in the head at once.

"You're the Avatar… and I'm an Idiot."

"Both are true." She laughed and dropped her finger, the water dropping back into the cup as she took a long sip.

"That's how I recognized you! From the news last week!" He paused and shook his head. "You look so different with your hair down."

She wasn't sure how to take that comment but it gave her butterflies anyway. She was a bit unsettled at her own emotions. She didn't understand how she could go from hating Mako to sharing a pot of tea with him in just a few hours.

"Well I guess a rematch against the Avatar isn't that fair." She said softly.

"That's not an Avatar skill."

"Well, this Avatar says otherwise." She drank the last of her tea, the clink of her cup against the table the only sound to fill the silence. She folded her hands into her lap and Mako looked up at the towel. He pointed and made a small remark.

"That's a good look too."

She huffed and ripped the towel off her head, coming through her wet hair with her fingers while scent of coconut filled the air.

"I didn't mean… Did I do something? You seem pissed off, at me in particular."

She dropped her hands into the towel in her lap and gave him a harsh look, chewing on the inside of her cheek to hold herself back.

"I don't know."

"What do you mean you don't know?!"

She took a quick breath and let everything out without thinking.

"I have been friends with Bolin for over a year and during that every time I saw you and your stupid swagger I've thought you needed a kick in the teeth. And to top things off, you haven't even noticed me around Bolin or at all until I kicked your ass at your own game tonight and then you had the nerve to come over here unannounced just to have a huge revelation about who I am. So yeah, I'm a little pissed off." She finished and the silence rang in her ears along with her heartbeat.

Mako wasn't sure what to say.

"Bolin always had girls around him. I never see their faces because A) I'm not interested in his love life and B) I keep to myself."

"Oh my god, are you really that dense? It's been me the whole time! Only me! I'm good at disguising myself because I have to be! I don't get the luxury of walking around in daylight without it! I don't need paparazzi in my face each time I step out of this tiny apartment!"

"Okay, so I'm not the most observant," he raised his hands in defense, "but I came over here not only for Bolin. I wanted to meet you, as a person rather than a competitor."

They both paused and Bolin's words echoed earlier in her head. The significance of realizing everyone is just a person. She exhaled through her nose and dropped her shields, trying her very best to let go of her anger though still stubborn. She held her hand out to him, the same one adorned with the bracelet.

"Korra." She said simply, trying to start over. He took her hand after a moment and gave it one strong shake.

"Mako." She let go and let her hand relax back in her lap feeling a bit better. He copied her and leaned back. It was silent between them but it wasn't tense, just contemplative. He spoke suddenly without a prompt.

"So where does an Avatar learn how to freestyle?"

She exhaled through her nose, a laugh this time. She pointed to her phone that had been cycling through so many different genres and artists that he couldn't have kept up if he had tried.

"I love music and this little apartment gives me solitude and time. It's fun."

"Yeah, it is." He smiled and crossed his arms. "You lost me a lot of points tonight."

"Oh, yeah, I was thinking about that." She grimaced. "Are you and Bolin gonna be okay?"

"Yeah. It'll be rough under there for a while, but I have cash stashed away so we'll be fine until I can recover." He said with a small smirk at his thoughts. "Do you dance?"

The question confused her, especially at the tail end of an important solution.

"The 1M top. That's a studio right?" He added.

She nodded, following his train of thought.

"Yeah. I'm obviously not in Korea so I'm not part of 1M but they are my favorite."

"Where do you go?"

"A studio downtown. I'm usually in a hat and pony tail as a disguise, along with other things."

There was a small silence where her comfort was fading, feeling like an open book for him. She wanted to even the scales.

"Do you ever get recognized?" She asked softly.

"No. I dress nice, go out only in the early morning for errands, and keep my head down. How about you? Ever been caught?"

"Nah. Once you hide your hair and your face… you're just another girl." She said. It sounded sad but she rebounded quickly. "It's great. Having Bolin helps. People think we're a couple and no one really investigates a seemingly normal everyday couple."

Mako raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, so you and him…?" He trailed off, not knowing which word wouldn't sound rude.

"No!" She raised her voice, almost appalled. "No, that's - there's nothing between us. Just a really strong friendship. He's sweet and awesome but we're just friends."

"Oh, okay." He felt relieved for some reason.

"What about you? Girls love bad boys." She jabbed his arm with her finger and he laughed.

"Well they would be disappointed. I'm not very interesting besides the underground."

She furrowed her brow and wondered why he would say that. She looked to the tea pot, now cold and was happy for a change in subject.

"Do you still want to make that second pot?"

"No, Bolin probably thinks you've killed me by now." He said casually and stood. He walked towards the door and she followed, phone in hand.

"So what are you gonna tell him?" Her eyes were glued to her phone, messing with the screen while her ears were alert for his response.

"That you're fine and that he should have told me a lot of things about you." He slipped on his shoes and grabbed his hoodie. "Maybe have him tell me a little more."

"Well…" she said and sighed, looking up from her phone."Maybe I'll do the same."

"Maybe instead of a rematch I can treat you to dinner?"

She knew she was blushing but it wasn't something she could control; her mind and body were in shock at the casual tone of his voice despite the words. Since getting to the city she had never been offered a date nor informed on the social protocols in accepting or rejecting said offer. Her hesitation let him continue to speak while he slipped on his hoodie.

"Maybe tomorrow night? Fong's? 7?"

She smiled and even let out a laugh.

"You can afford Fong's but you take the L across town?"

"I'm thrifty. I save my money for the right things."

She nodded and continued to smile.

"I get out of my studio around 6 so 7 works for me. I'll meet you there."

"Okay, I'll see you tomorrow." He said with a smile and opened the door.

"By the way," she interrupted him leaving, "there's a-" she looked back down to her phone "red Lincoln outside for you. Plate X2 7042. Have a safe trip home, my treat."

He let a confused laugh escape his lips as he stepped over the threshold and turned back to her.

"Are you always like this?"

"You can tell me after tomorrow. By Mako."

She shut the door in his face so she could remember his stupid confused face that hinted at another smile. He stood at her door for a second, wondering what he had just gotten himself into, before turning and walking towards the elevator.