CHAPTER 2: The After Party

Mako couldn't help but apprehensively twiddle his fingers as he entered Tenzin's number into the rotary phone. Korra called out form behind him in a singsong voice.

"Maaako, come over here and shnuggle with me!"

Mako was about to scold Korra for being so… drunk… when the line went through.

"This is Tamorra, of the White Lotus guard. To whom am I speaking to?"

"Hi, uh, I'm Mako. Could I speak to Tenzin please?"

"Councilman Tenzin is busy right now, can I give him a message?"

"Uh sure. Just tell him that Korra is with me. I want to make sure he's not worrying."

There was a moment of silence. The voice returned, with a much more frantic tone.

"Councilman Tenzin will be right with you."

Another moment of silence. Mako turned to look at Korra, who seemed to by trying to get out of the couch. She made it half way out, wobbled, and fell back down into it. Mako had to stifle a laugh. He mentally scolded himself. He was still mad at her.

"Tenzin here. Mako, is Korra alright?" The airbender's stern demeanor was just as apparent through the telephone.

"Yes sir. Korra is safe, but well… sir, she's a little ham—intoxicated. I helped her to the arena; she's wrestling with a couch at the moment. Do you want to come pick her up?"

Mako heard a long sigh, and he could picture Tenzin rubbing his temples on the other end of the line.

"Well, there's no sense in trying to move her right now. I've just tucked the children into bed and I don't want to wake them back up. Is it okay if she spends the night at the arena?"

Mako didn't hesitate. "Yes sir."

"I'll stop by in the morning to check on her. I trust you'll keep her safe for the time being?"

"Of course, sir."

Tenzin's voice sounded especially strained.

"Goodnight, Mako."

"Goodnight, sir."

"Oh, and Mako?

"Sir?"

"Enough with the 'sir' moniker. I've already got my kids to remind me how old I am."

"Yes, uh, Tenzin."

Mako hung up the line and ran his fingers through his jet-black hair. Tenzin just entrusted him with the Avatar's safety, who was drunk. This was some sort of test. It had to be. Mako never got the impression that Tenzin liked him too much. Why did he leave Korra with him? Could this night get any stranger?

"Sneak attack!"

Korra slammed into Mako's back, knocking him off balance. Both benders fell down, a tangle of limbs. Korra clumsily rolled on top of him, pinning his arms down.

"Korra, what are you doing?"

The avatar giggled hysterically. "I'm showing the world that the mighty Mako can be conquered."

Mako didn't speak for a moment. He was too distracted by Korra's warmth, flowing into him at different contact points. He shook his head back and forth rapidly to clear his thoughts and to get the loose strands of her hair out of his face. He placed a foot squarely on Korra's surprisingly hard stomach and pushed. Korra resisted, until she laughed so hard that she let go of Mako's arms. She flipped onto her back, a big grin plastered on her face and an expectant twinkle in her eye.

"Ah, here is the warrior Mako we know and love."

Rather than take the bait, Mako stood up and brushed himself off. Korra dropped her head back down to stare up at the ceiling.

"Aw come one! Why are you so grumpy all the time?"

She grabbed a stray pillow and threw it at his head, or, at least tried to. The fluffy missile sailed past Mako and crashed into a table, sending loose bits of junk flying everywhere.

She continued, "I mean, I'm the freakin' Avatar! I'm supposed to be the serious one. I try to have fun and Tenzin hates me for it. You hate me for it!"

Mako winced and walked over to Korra. He stared into her light blue eyes, which had started to water. How could he tell her how he felt about her? How he couldn't ever talk to her because he felt that his words were unworthy. He managed a weak smile and pulled her to her feet. He placed his hand under her chin and tilted it up so she was looking at him. His adams apple bobbed nervously. He wanted to kiss her so badly. But, he would never forgive himself if he did it while she was like this.

Instead, he spoke. "I do not hate you, Tenzin doesn't either and you know that."

He was disgusted with how robotic his words were around her.

"Then why do you ignore me?"

"I—I have trouble expressing myself."

Korra laughed bitterly, her sweet voice echoing through his head. She caught Mako off guard with a hug. He wasn't sure what to do with his hands. He mentally slapped himself. Bolin was always better with this stuff. His arms hovered for a moment before eventually deciding on the small of her back. Her heat radiated to his palms.

Korra sniffed, and wiped her tears into Mako's jacket. "You smell good. Like leaves."

"Oh well, you smell like booze."

Damn it, why did he have to go and say things like that?"

The failed compliment left her unperturbed, though. She left the embrace, back pedaling to the sofa. Korra unceremoniously crashed down onto the couch and patted the cushion next to her.

"Come here Mako. Come sit with me."

Mako looked at his feet. "I'm not sure that—"

"Come sit here or I'll start throwing things again."

Mako chewed his lip in thought. If he sat with her, at least she'd be firmly planted somewhere. He was seriously worried that she'd fall and smack her head on something.

He sighed, and shambled over to her. "You're really drunk, you know that?"

Korra rolled her eyes. "Thanksh for the heads up."

Mako eased himself into the chair slowly, making sure to keep a foot of distance between himself and the Avatar. His efforts were in vain however, as the moment he settled in Korra swung her legs away from him and rested her head on his arm and shoulder, sighing contently.

"That's better."

As relaxed as she was, Mako was the exact opposite. All of his muscles were tensed, as if he was getting ready to pounce on something. He took several deep breaths, trying not to think about the very pretty, very vulnerable water tribe girl in his lap. Wait, who was he kidding? Korra was any thing but vulnerable. He chuckled softly to himself.

"What?" Korra squinted her eyes at Mako in suspicion.

"Wha—oh, uh, nothing."

"Tell me."

"No."

"Mako, tell me, or I swear to Spirits I'll flip you off of this couch."

"That's exactly what I'm laughing at!"

Korra's blank face was a combined result of alcohol and confusion. She shrugged and buried her head into Mako's jacket.

For a while, the only sound emanating from the attic was the soft, slow, in-and-out breathing of the two teenagers.

Korra broke the silence. "Tenzin doesn't hate you, you know."

Mako tried to play it off. "What? I never said anything."

"I know. But you think it. He doesn't, I swear. I think he likes you, actually. I talk to him about you all the time and he seems genuinely interested in you."

Mako couldn't resist. He grinned and looked down at Korra. "You talk about me all the time?"

Korra opened her mouth to protest, but her current state barred her from any witty retorts. She resorted to a classic.

"Oh, shutup."