A Legend of Korra Snapfic
Moustache Riding
By
Joshua Trujillo
Mako walked his way through the grass on the hill, the dew covering his boots in a fine wet layer. The man sitting in the wheelchair at the top of the hill didn't seem to be paying him any attention. Perhaps that was just as well. The bulk of the hospital building rose behind the man and Mako could see the young nurse that stood outside, waiting to take the man back to his room or, at this time, breakfast. She giggled as Mako winked at her.
"Ran?"
The man in the chair turned and his eyes softened as the young policeman stepped up to him. Ran wore a simple, light blue shift that came down to his knees over tan pants. Someone, probably Korra, had gotten him a pair of lion-turtle slippers.
"Mako," he smiled. "Any news?"
"Not much more than when I last visited you," Mako smiled back. "Any news from the doctors?"
"After more exams, they said that my spine was only bruised," the man called Ran said. "I suppose it's true since I can wiggle my toes. Getting in and out of bed is still a major hassle."
"You should let the interns help, you know?"
"Ran Tzu isn't my name, Mako."
"Have your memories-?"
"No," a breeze fluttered the bangs out of his eyes. "They're still a jumble. Doctor Li said that they may never come back. From the looks you give me sometimes, I tend to think that's a good thing."
"What-"
"Oh Mako," Ran chuckled. "I've seen the way you look at me sometimes, like I'm a dangerous weapon waiting to go off. The couple times that Korra's come up here. I thank her for her visits, but she acts like she's afraid of me too."
So, Mako thought. It showed. Well, nothing for it. We just have to be more careful in the future.
Mako set his hand on the handle of Ran's chair as both of them looked down the verdant hillside toward the bay. The city was in the way a little bit, but they could both see Avatar Aang's statue out in the bay, the Wind Temple beyond. Republic City glowed golden in the morning light. Even from this distance, Mako thought he could see the stadium where it was being rebuilt. Memories of his own made him shake his head.
"Mako," Ran said at last. "What if my memories never return? What good am I then?"
Mako thought for a moment. Ran looked up at him.
"I don't know, Ran," he replied. "But you'll at least be healthy by then and there's plenty you can do."
A storm cloud passed over Ran's face as he turned his face back to the bay.
"I could do more if I were a Bender."
Mako shook his head again. He couldn't talk to the man when he got like this. It only led to misery on Ran's part and Mako could see that the man almost regretted not being a Bender, even though that would be something entirely out of his hands. He'd even talked to Korra if there would be a way to instill bending into a person using the Avatar state. She didn't know. A noise came into the clear morning that stopped Mako and made both of them look up. High in the sky, one of the new aeroplanes being tested by Asami was gliding by. And a thought struck him.
"Ran," he said softly. "You may not be a bender, but there are things that I would just bet you're uniquely qualified to do."
Ran wrinkled his forehead and gave Mako a questioning look. Mako smirked at the man and gave him a winning smile.
"I have an idea!" Mako said with a thumbs up. "But for now, just get well!"
Ran gave him a smile and nodded as the other man turned to go. Mako stopped as something else struck him. He turned back toward the man.
"By the way," he called back. "You look a lot better without the moustache!"