Korra was meditating in a room, and Mako was beside her, watching over her body as her spirit traveled in the Spirit World. Unalaq walks in.
"So Mako," Unalaq asked, "When is your wedding?"
"Wedding?! I-I-uh… definitely not so soon," Mako stammered sheepishly. He didn't realize that he was already blushing.
"My niece is already 17, and you're a year older than her, am I right?"
"Yup."
"Did you know that the marrying age for Water Tribe women is 16?"
"What?" Mako was taken aback, his cheeks turning cherry red. Unalaq laughed.
"You know, the Avatar falls in love with only one person in each life, and one person alone," Unalaq explained, "Just as the Avatar mastered the four elements a thousand times in a thousand lifetimes, the Avatar also finds his or her soulmate a thousand times in a thousand lifetimes. The Avatar's soulmate may ignore, deny or suppress any feelings for the Avatar, or may be in love with someone else. But in spite of that, he or she eventually finds himself or herself drawn towards the Avatar, because they are meant to be. Fate has an uncanny ability to bring soulmates together.
"Each soulmate that the Avatar finds has qualities that complement and balance the Avatar's own qualities. The Avatar's soulmate in each life helps bring out the best in the Avatar, while the Avatar in turn exerts a positive influence on that soulmate.
"For example, Avatar Kuruk was an arrogant, irresponsible Avatar before he met the love of his life, Ummi. Ummi was the reason why Avatar Kuruk decided to settle down and change his ways. Avatar Roku overcame his fear of rejection when he decided to court Ta Min.
"Avatar Aang lost his hope with the annihilation of his people. Katara lost her childhood when a Fire Nation soldier killed her mother. Katara gave Aang hope; Aang gave Katara her childhood.
"And I used to hear complaints from the White Lotus that Korra really lacks restraint."
Mako chuckled. "I couldn't agree more."
"But lately, according to Tenzin, Korra is becoming more careful, and he thinks that it's because of your influence on her. My niece told me all the times you prevented her from rushing into stupid situations. It seems that you serve as Korra's voice of reason."
Mako couldn't deny that he was flattered by Unalaq's compliment.
"And I'm sure that my niece has made a difference in your life in one way or another, and I hope you wouldn't mind telling me about it."
Mako reflected for a moment.
"As someone who grew up on the streets, I did everything I could to survive and protect my little brother," Mako stated, "I believed that I'm the only one who could help my little brother and me, and help from other people always comes with a cost in one form or another. I was basically a street rat who was always ignored.
"When I first met Korra, I thought she was another crazy fangirl of Bolin. We barely knew each other back then, and yet she went out of her way to help me find my brother and rescue him when he went missing.
"And for some reason, I felt drawn towards Korra, and I tried to ignore it, because I was dating someone else back then. But when Korra was kidnapped, I couldn't stand the thought of never seeing her again. That's when I realized how much I love her. And Korra is the bravest, most loyal, and most selfless person I have ever known."
Mako gazed at Korra and remembered the moment after a probending match when Korra suddenly confessed, "Look, I really like you and I think we are meant for each other!"
"Korra's right. We really are meant for each other," Mako said, smiling while putting an arm around his girlfriend.