Chapter One

"Hey, new guy! The avatar wants to see you. Again." One of the cops, Mako had trouble remembering his name, informed him with a scowl set permanently on his face. His eyelids were half-closed, either from drowsiness or irritation, the firebender couldn't tell.

Mako stood up from his desk, eager to see the fiery waterbender girl but did his best to hide it. Even though they practically had a girlfriend-boyfriend relationship, he wasn't too big on the labels. He didn't want to be the center of the police office's gossip. Especially not if Chief Beifong was his boss.

He walked out of the door and saw someone wearing a blue parka, sitting across the bench. His heart did an involuntary leap but his face showed none of this. He remained impassive, as if the sight of Korra didn't bother him- which is quite the opposite. Whenever Mako caught sight of her, he would tense up immediately and clench his fists instinctively, as if he was about to fight. Well, if it's Korra you're talking about then it actually might feel like a fight. He could never predict what was going on in that head of hers.

However, he never felt like this when he was still with Asami. She was, most of the time, an open book but Korra was nothing near that. She was more of a challenge.

The avatar turn her head to his direction and locked her eyes on Mako. A smile found its way to her lips and she waved at him like a child. Her electric blue eyes brightened up and firebender's mouth twitched. Why did she have to be so damn cute?

"Hey!" Korra ran to him with a small paper bag in one of her hands. She was livelier than usual and a bit too happy.

"You know, Chief Beifong's not too delighted with your frequent visits here." Mako sighed, keeping both hands in his pockets. The avatar did one of her signature pouts and he resisted the urge to pat her head, like a puppy.

"You could just say it if you didn't want me here, geez. No need to blame the old hag..."

With that, Mako laughed. She was so blatant about everything, it was amusing to him. He always kept things to himself instead of blurting it out like how she always does. They're quite the opposites but still somehow managed to make it work.

"It's not that. I just-" He was saying but Korra cut him off by bringing the brown bag right under his nose. He blinked twice before focusing on the bag. He tilted his head sidewards, gesturing the avatar to explain what it was.

"I brought you lunch!" Korra exclaimed with a proud smirk playing across her features. She probably made it herself and was convinced that it was good enough to bring to him.

"Really? I'm surprised there wasn't any reports about fire down the White Lotus compounds..." He joked, earning a punch on the shoulder from her. "...Kidding, of course." He added as he rubbed his bicep.

Mako took the bag and inspected its contents. There, he saw the hot and fluffy dumplings, Bolin's favorite.

"Even if you won't admit it, it's your favorite too." Korra narrowed her eyes, a smirk playing on her lips. She was right. Every time they would pass by the dumpling shop back in Republic City, he would always buy a bag, claiming that it was for his brother. But the avatar believed otherwise, she knew that it was his favorite as well.

The firebender took one out and brought it to his nose. It smelled heavenly. Before taking a bite, he offered it to Korra first but she gestured him to go on ahead. When he did, his eyes widened. It was actually delicious. All the different flavors overwhelmed his taste buds and he reached down the bag for another one.

"Wow, this is really good..." Mako commented while chewing on his second dumpling. Korra chuckled at the hungry beast and actually felt tall beside the giant now that he complimented her.

"Well, Pema helped. But I did all the work!" The avatar credited while still keeping the spotlight to herself. Her ego was too inflated and for some reason, it never seemed to irk him.

"Hey, listen," He swallowed before continuing hesitantly. "There's this thing tonight, I don't know if you heard of it, but..." His palm was starting to sweat and the room temperature suddenly felt like a hundred degrees. He was focusing on a floor tile but he could feel her gaze on him and it wasn't doing him any good. How do you ask the avatar out to the Southern Watertribe Festival without sounding like a complete idiot?

"I-I was wondering...maybe if you're free... we, uhm, we could... I don't know, go to the festival together?" He finally got it out and he felt sick to his stomach. No, that wasn't playing it cool at all. He wanted to smack himself across the face but Korra's laughter interrupted his thoughts.

The light and sweet sound rang in his head. Her laugh was the opposite of her usual demeanor.

"What?" He almost pouted. It was hard to get those words out and her, laughing, wasn't exactly reassuring him nor making him feel comfortable.

"Oh, Mako..." She struggled to keep a straight face. She was bent over now, hugging her stomach. Mako started to feel weird looks focusing on them but the avatar didn't seem to notice or, rather, didn't seem to care.

"Korra..." The firebender grumbled, wanting an explanation.

When she finally sobered up, she looked at him with widespread grin. "You already asked me this morning, before you left. You stammered and said the exact same thing." At the last word, she felt like laughing again and she did.

"Oh..." He replied lamely but he could feel his cheeks burning up. Well, that was embarrassing.

I was thinking of doing another chapter where they were actually at the festival... I dunno, should I?