Makorra

These events transpired after the Avatar Korra had learned to energybend from Avatar Aang.

Chapter One: Finding One and Losing Another

Korra woke up in her room. It felt much colder than her room on Air Temple Island.

"Oh right. We're in the South Pole, it's always cold here." Korra muttered to herself as she got out of bed. "Well, everywhere Mako isn't." Mako confessing his feelings excited Korra but it made her worry about how Bolin would feel about her, since he used to really like her too. Asami caused her anxiety too. What if she hated her because she took Mako from her?

Korra sighed and left the bedroom.

She passed Bolin on her way into the kitchen. It seemed like he was always hungry, and it was probably because he almost always is.

"Mornin' Korra!" said Bolin enthusiastically.

"Oh hey Bo." replied Korra, with apprehension in her voice.

"So," started Bolin, "you and Mako huh?"

"Yeah. Me and Mako. I really hope you don't hate me for dating, or being with or whatever it is that I'm doing with your brother, I know it probably isn't what you'd want to see" tried Korra.

"No, no, no. Don't apologize to me. You're my friend and Mako's my brother, if you guys are happy together then I'm happy for both of you."

"Thanks Bo, that means a lot to me, really."

"But I bet Asami will be a whole different story."

"Yeah, I guess Mako and I will have to-" started Korra.

"Talk to her?" interrupted Mako, "I should probably talk to her alone, or at least with you out of sight, I don't want to make it any harder on her than it needs to be." As he had walked in he put his arm around Korra and she looked up at him. Mako's face was so soft right now; much different than the hardened street kid look he usually wore. Korra reached up and touched his cheek. Mako moved his face and kissed her hand lightly, making Korra blush.

"Well I'm starving" said Bolin quickly as he hurried toward the kitchen.

"You hungry?" Mako whispered in Korra's ear.

"Mhm," replied Korra gently.

As they entered the kitchen from the hall Mako removed his arm from Korra's back but she held it gently in place, hoping Mako would understand her silent entreaty. He looked down and saw her worried face and left his arm there. Korra pulled two of the chairs together so he could hold her all breakfast. Korra had her bending restored but her faith was still weary, she didn't want to lose something that significant ever again, and now that Mako was in that category, along with Naga and her parents, as well as Tenzin's family. And Bolin she thought, he's Mako's only family so she lumped him in too.

After breakfast Korra's mother, Senna, asked to speak with her alone, for a minute. Senna led her daughter into a side room and asked, "Do you think you're moving a bit fast Korra? You only started dating last night."

"Mom, I don't even know if we are dating," said Korra, "I mean Mako still needs to talk with Asami and-"

"And nothing young lady. You can call it what you want but you two are most definitely 'together', don't try and deny it" reprimanded Senna.

"I guess you're right mom" apologized Korra, "and I know it looks fast, but that's just because I feel like if I don't act now… I might not get another chance" finished Korra nervously.

"Korra, if he's the one, you won't need another chance," said Senna sweetly.

Before Korra could reply, Mako hugged her from behind and said, ever so softly to her, "If I can have one chance, I promise to do the best I possibly can with it."

Seeing the genuinely loving look on Mako's face Senna left the room saying "Make good decisions, both of you."

Mako and Korra both blushed as they looked in each other's eyes. As Mako moved around her Korra said "Don't mind my mom, I'm sure she didn't mean anything by it."

"Yes I did!" yelled Senna over the sound of running water.

"Bye mom, bye dad" said Korra as she hugged her parents goodbye.

"See you soon" replied Tonraq.

"Write me when you get back" said Senna, "I expect every detail, and if I feel you're leaving something out I'll write Tenzin and have Ikki and Jinora follow you everywhere and then they'll write me every detail."

"Don't worry mom, I won't leave anything important out" assured Korra.

And with that, Korra walked toward the sky bison Mako was riding. She waterbended a ramp for herself and took Mako's offered hand as she climbed into the saddle and sat next to him. Bolin sat on the right hand side, opposite his brother while Tenzin sat on his bison's head. Lin Beifong, as well as Pema and Tenzin's children rode on another bison piloted by an Air Acolyte.

"Yip yip" urged Tenzin and the sky bison were off.

Korra was still very tired from the ordeals of late and travelling only made her wearier.

"I'm going to take a nap. Wake me up in an hour or so, please?" Korra mumbled to Mako as she snuggled up into his warm chest.

"Of course" he replied softly.

The boys didn't talk much but when Korra was surely asleep Tenzin said "Mako, remember, you're treading on thin ice, which is dangerous enough without Korra's parents being waterbenders."

Mako too stunned to reply to the comment Tenzin made so nonchalantly.

"I know you're not a bad kid Mako," said Tenzin, noticing that Mako was unable to reply, "but if you let Korra down, you will have two water benders, as well as a master metal bender and air bender each to content with. Not to mention my children and wife."

Recovering from confusion, Mako replied, stuttering "Sir, I can assure you I would never knowingly hurt Korra in any way. She means so much to me… I couldn't bear thinking about anything like this happening to her ever again, much less it actually happening." As he finished, there was a definite choke in his voice than Bolin noticed, though Tenzin might not have noticed it with the wind in his ears.

"I believe you Mako, and as long as I believe that you haven't knowingly hurt Korra, we will bear those thoughts with you" said Tenzin, somewhat less sternly.

"That's right bro, we've got your back, we love Korra too, just not the same way" interjected Bolin.

"Thanks" whispered Mako, as he looked down at Korra who was smiling in her sleep.

When Mako thought at least an hour had passed since Korra fell asleep he leaned down and gently kissed her forehead. Korra's eyes fluttered and her cheeks blushed as she hugged Mako tightly. "You're really warm you know" said Korra softly, not entirely awake yet. "Boys always seem to be warm" she continued.

"Being a fire bender probably helps" suggested Bolin, making Mako and Korra both laugh.

When they stopped for the day in the southern earth kingdom, Korra suggested they go for a walk by the ocean. After convincing Tenzin they wouldn't go far, they departed.

"I wasn't asleep the whole time you know" said Korra as they walked hand in hand down the beach.

"When do you mean, exactly? You napped at least once a day since we left the southern water tribe" responded Mako, with a slightly puzzled look on his face.

Korra sat down in the sand and Mako followed suit, thinking he wouldn't get an answer until he did. She put her head in the curve on his neck and proceeded to do nothing but watch the sun set for the next few minutes.

The kids ran onto the beach, Lin hot in pursuit.

"Why don't we build the sand castle further along" suggested Lin, "then you can surprise Korra with it" finished Lin, who was obviously trying to be loud to assure Mako and Korra that they wouldn't be bothered, for a while at least.

When the sound of Lin's metal suit faded in the distance Korra finally said "You really are warm you know."

"Oh. So you heard Tenzin warning me" said Mako, dejectedly. He turned his head away from Korra's eyes.

"No, I didn't" said Korra, confused, "what did he say about that?"

"Just, as long as I don't mess up with you on purpose I should be safe."

"Ok. That's not bad then."

"I never expected him to say anything like that though; he really caught me off guard."

"This way! This way! This way!" Ikki shrieked as she pulled Bolin towards the secret sand castle.

After another few minutes of silence Korra said, "But I did hear about how you couldn't bear anything happening to me." She could feel Mako's heart beat pick up. "The sunset's really beautiful" offered Korra, trying to get Mako to speak again.

"I hadn't noticed" Mako replied quietly, "I've only been looking at you." Now it was Korra's heart's turn to skip a beat. Mako took Korra's soft hand from the sand and held it in his larger, rougher ones. He had working hands that dealt with fire. Korra's principle element was water, and with all her air bending training her hands lost the earthy edge that they had been harboring. Mako then kissed Korra, very softly, on the mouth, coaxing Korra to respond likewise.

"EEEEEEUUWW!" shrieked Ikki "What are you doing?!"

Korra then attempted to douse Ikki with a wave but the little girl air-bent out of reach before a drop could touch her. Lin, along with Jinora, walked up next. Lin shrugged at the couple, silently telling them she did her best to keep Ikki away but her return was inevitable.

Lin then said in a very regal tone "The kids would like it if Miss Korra and her friend would come and see their sand castle."

"Ok, let's go Mako" responded Korra.

When they had walked a way down the shore they found Bolin and Meelo standing guard in front of an earth-gate, no doubt made by either Lin or Bolin.

"Who goes there!" shouted Meelo pointing a stick at Mako and Korra.

"Miss Korra and Mister Mako" replied Lin, still talking regally.

Bolin then opened the earth-gate and Korra gasped as she saw what the group had made. With the help of two earth benders, Tenzin's kids had made a replica of Avatar Aang Memorial Island.

"It's Avatar Aang Memorial Island" said Jinora.

"And that's Korra on the beach!" yelled Ikki, pointing and pulling Korra towards a lifelike, albeit miniature version of herself.

"And who's that with me?" asked Korra politely.

"Your stinky boyfriend!" replied Meelo enthusiastically.

The mini Mako was barely recognizable as human, much less as Mako.

"Oh," said Mako.

"Sorry bro," whispered Bolin, "but they insisted you be a pile of sand."

"Meelo," Korra scolded, "Mako is not stinky."

"Not him," replied Meelo pointing at the real Mako, "the sand one! I farted on him!"

"Oh," Mako repeated.

Mako then told Korra "It's late, we should go back to camp; I'd rather stay on Tenzin's good side than risk his bad side."

"Ok," replied Korra, "I'm getting tired anyway."

"How are you tired?" questioned Mako, "you sleep half the day and then all night, you're as sleepy as Bo is hungry."

"Hey!" called Bolin, a few steps behind them, "what's wrong with being hungry?"

"Nothing Bo, you'd just eat us out of house and home if we fed you every time you said you were hungry" replied Mako.

The three of them walked into camp and were then caught up in various conversations.

Later when most everyone was asleep, Korra said to Mako "To be honest, I don't really sleep all night, I'm too scared to sleep, and I only sleep during the day because I hardly sleep at night."

"Why are you scared?" inquired Mako, "Amon fled and you're surrounded by benders all hours of the day, all of who will fight for your safety. What's left to be scared of?" Mako was concerned for Korra, but confused as well he really couldn't think of anything that should cause Korra fear.

"Well," started Korra, "we don't really know where Amon is still, and some equalists are still at large in the city."

"But they should all be afraid of the Avatar, bender of all four elements, and her new boyfriend."

"I'm also scared of nightmares" whispered Korra "ones where I lose my bending again, or of Asami hating me, or of losing you… to anything or anyone…" As Mako was pondering what to say she went on "But sleeping in the day is easier because I can be in your arms without anyone questioning it and you're warm and make me feel safer. I know I am safe, I really do, but I don't feel it unless I'm with you." If it wasn't for the darkness, Korra would've seen Mako's face as red as his scarf.

Korra then started to cry softly and Mako whispered back "What if I stay with you at night? I'm coming over right now, I'll lie on top of the blankets, and hopefully no one will think... you know." So Mako crawled over with his blankets and wrapped Korra in them and put his arm over her shoulders, her back against his chest.

Bolin gently tapped his brother's arm and woke him. He then said very discreetly, to avoid waking anyone else "Mako, you might want to move over a bit before anyone else wakes up."

"Oh, thanks Bo" replied Mako quickly as he moved his sleeping gear back to where it was originally.

"You didn't, you know, with Korra?" Bolin asked sheepishly.

"Of course not!" snapped Mako, "sorry, bro, I shouldn't have snapped at you, but no, Korra couldn't sleep so..." continued Mako, in a more reserved tone.

"I'm sorry too bro, I just, didn't want you to do something you might regret later" replied Bolin, running his hands through his hair, staring at the ground.

The brother's conversation had started to wake up the rest of the crew and when Korra managed to crawl out from her blankets Mako resumed his position at her side, his left arm around her back, his hand resting on her shoulder.

When they stopped for night again, Korra took Mako on another walk. After a while Korra stopped him and looked up anxiously into his amber eyes saying "You weren't there when I woke up."

"Yeah" replied Mako, "Bolin was the first to get up and he woke me up and I backed up a bit. It was his idea; you know to avoid giving anyone the wrong ideas too soon."

"Probably not a bad idea either" mumbled Korra, "I slept much better though. I still had some bad dreams but they weren't as bad."

"What did you dream about?"

"Well, Bolin getting stood up by some girl and other stuff. Being out of lychee juice and Ikki rampaging. Stuff like that."

The two teens sat under a tree in silence, marveling in the presence of the other. Korra sat between Mako's legs, her head resting on his collarbone, her hands on his chest rising and falling with his lungs.

Korra and Mako didn't kiss much around anyone else, for fear of the airbending kids' multitude of questions and comments, but here, alone, Mako kissed Korra's forehead gently. She responded by turning to face him, and taking his face in her smooth hands, kissing him, passionately. They hadn't kissed like this before, for so long, and without any tension or worry. Korra was disappointed when Mako moved his hand from her hips to her lips to stop her.

Mako looked away for a moment before returning to meet Korra's blue eyes.

"What's wrong?" Korra asked quietly, with a look of confusion on her face.

"Nothing," replied Mako quickly, trying to look as happy as could be, "nothing at all. I know you're new to this kinda thing and I just want to take it nice and slow so no one does anything they might regret later." He tried to look positive and reassuring but he didn't think it was going over all that well.

"You regret kissing me?" said Korra, looking hurt.

"No I love it. But I'm thinking about Bolin too. I know he's ok with us dating but I don't think he'd be very happy about us doing anything more than kissing, you know?"

"Oh yeah, I wouldn't want to – don't want to, do anything else."

"That's good, so if I stop kissing you, it's not because I'm unhappy, but because I want you to be happy. Ok?"

"Ok."

"Korra! Mako! Lovebirds!" cried Bolin, crashing through the bushes "Where are you?"

"Over here bro!" Mako hollered back.

"Oh there you are!" said Bolin, running over with a huge grin on his face, trying very hard to contain his obvious excitement.

"What's got you so hyped up Bo?" asked Korra quizzically, her and Mako standing up.

"Tenzin just got a messenger hawk from Beifong and guess what it says! No don't guess I'll just tell you. A patrol boat found a small wrecked boat in Yue Bay and two dead guys floating around in it. And Beifong's pretty sure that Tarrlok and Amon were in the boat when it exploded! Isn't that great!" exclaimed Bolin.

Mako looked at Korra happily, and said "Well now your nightmares might subside, that's good."

Korra didn't say anything but looked stunned.

"Nightmares?" asked Bolin.

"Yeah." responded Korra, "I hadn't been sleeping well for the last couple weeks." She then moved toward Mako and put her head against his chest, still shocked at the news. Mako put his arms around her again and asked "What's wrong Korra? You should be happy."

"I am," Korra replied quietly "but I don't want to get my hopes up just yet."

"That's reasonable," agreed Bolin while Mako nodded, also in agreement.

The trio then walked back to camp, Korra still holding onto Mako, his left arm wrapped around her shoulder. When they arrived, Bolin asked Korra "Would you mind if I talked to Mako alone for a couple minutes?"

"Sure." replied Korra absentmindedly, "I want to talk with Tenzin anyway."

When Bolin and his brother had stepped out of the firelight and back into the trees a few steps Bolin asked "So you and Korra really didn't, you know?"

"No Bo," Mako reassured him, "we definitely just slept. Korra said she wasn't sleeping at night because of her nightmares and slept so much in the day because I could hold her without anyone being bothered by it."

"Ok, I just wanted to be sure," said Bolin, "I really didn't like the thought of that."

"I know Bo, me and Korra were talking a bit about that before you showed up and agreed that we wouldn't want to do anything to make you uncomfortable."

"Oh don't mind me" protested Bolin.

"No, we will mind you Bolin." said Mako seriously, "You're my brother and Korra's friend so if we're ever doing something that bothers you or at least want us to do it elsewhere, just say the word."

"You know Mako; you really are the best big brother ever."

"Don't worry Bo, I know."

As Pema and Lin were occupying the kids, Korra asked Tenzin if he had a moment. They too stepped away from the campsite and Korra told Tenzin about her nightmares.

Tenzin understood but asked "Didn't Bolin tell you the news?" not calling it good or bad news, "With Amon gone we should for sure we should all sleep better."

"I know," replied Korra, but when we get back to Republic city I want to go with Lin and make sure that it really was him in the boat."

"I understand Korra, closure would be best. Is that all you wanted to say?"

"Actually no, I wanted to open with that. Last night… Mako and I slept together." Seeing Tenzin's reddening face she assured him "Not like that, just next to me, with his arm over me, because he makes me feel safe and my dreams weren't near as bad as most nights. He slept on top of the blankets and I was under them; Bolin even saw us this morning and told Mako that he should back off a bit so we wouldn't alarm you."

After a moment of silence, Tenzin said "I believe you Korra" his face much less red.

"Good! Because it's true, you can ask Bolin. But I also wanted to ask if we could do that for the rest of the trip home and possibly once we get home, but just long enough for the nightmares to stop."

"Korra, I believe that once was not harmful but I am apprehensive to allow it again" said Tenzin sternly.

"I know it's not the best plan but I promise to tell you all about my dreams every morning, first thing, and you can decide when enough is enough" pleaded Korra "but at least for the trip home Tenzin. We can sleep in Oogi's saddle with Bolin there too, so the kids wouldn't see."

Tenzin stroked his beard in contemplation and said, cautiously, "For the time being I will permit it, as long as you abide by the conditions you set out."

"Thank you so much! I didn't really expect you to agree! Thank you so much Tenzin!" exclaimed Korra.

"Glad I could be of help, Korra. And thank you for telling me. Your honesty is much appreciated" said Tenzin as they walked back into camp.

The rest of the trip home was as Korra requested, she, Mako and Bolin slept in the saddle behind Oogi and Korra told Tenzin everything in her dreams, not leaving out any detail she could remember.

Once they arrived on Air Temple Island, Mako and Korra set off to find Asami. They found her on a bench by the shore reading one of Jinora's books. Korra went for a quick swim in the water nearby while Mako went to talk to Asami.

"Hey Asami" said Mako nervously as he approached his previous girlfriend "could we talk, for a minute?" he asked timidly.

"Sure Mako, I'm guessing this is about you and Korra."

"Yeah. I know we were really distant when we left for the South Pole and you understood if I wasn't as attracted to you anymore. But while I was there, Korra and I kind of started dating. But I really wanted to make sure you were ok with it. I don't want you to be mad at Korra, you can be mad at me all you like but she's really scared you won't like her anymore."

Throughout Mako's speech Asami sat quietly, looking at Mako's scarf the entire time

"I'm sad that our time together is over but I guess you'll always have like Korra…" Asami replied.

"I guess I you're right. I did really like you though, even love you, and I still do but in a different way now. I liked you and Korra both but it never made sense to me why I like Korra but it did make sense why I liked you. I understand now that I really do love Korra and that I couldn't live without her" continued Mako empathetically.

Asami surprised Mako by saying, "Call Korra in, would you?" and so he shouted for his girlfriend to come over. Korra walked up apprehensively, dripping wet as her nervousness prevented her from remembering to water bend herself dry.

"I wanted to let you know Korra" started Asami quietly, "that even though this isn't what I had planned, I'm ok with it. If it makes you two happy I can be content knowing that. Although I'll look for somewhere else to stay. I have the means so don't worry. I do want us to be able to be friends and we can go for noodles and stuff with Bolin sometimes, you know, to keep up."

"Yeah! That sounds great!" said Korra enthusiastically hugging Asami.

"Thanks for being so understanding" said Mako as he quickly hugged Asami.