179 AG
"You do know Mako's going to be there right?" Korra caught Asami's eyes from the rear view mirror or her airship and simply nodded. "You've not spoken to him in what… five years? You sure you two are going to be okay?"
"He's been busy Asami. If anything, you've not caught up much with him either. And you two live in the same city!"
At Korra's outburst, Asami gave her that single raised eyebrow look. "Calm down Avatar. I'm not trying to pick a fight with you. I'm just trying to prepare you mentally for when you do meet him."
Korra gave a huff and sank deeper into her passenger seat. This all started when Asami and her returned from their year-long holiday into the spirit world. It hadn't felt that long while they were in there; time seemingly compressed to mere seconds. So much so that when they finally exited the spirit world, Korra was sure it had only been a month at most.
Mako and Bolin had been furious –well, Mako more than his brother. Bolin had just shrugged it off as a 'girl thing' and went about updating them about his return to the movers. Mako on the other hand…
"First you didn't write to either of us, and then you just disappeared again without a word? How am I supposed to have your back if I don't even know where you are?"
Korra had wanted to clarify that she did in fact write to Asami during her recovery phase a year before but that was beside the point. "Look, I'm the Avatar. I don't need you or anyone else to watch my every move! I can take care of myself!"
That probably wasn't their best conversation. From then on, Mako had stopped coming to any of their Team Avatar gatherings as long as Korra was there. If Bolin hadn't shared news about his brother, Korra wouldn't have known that Mako had returned to the Republic City police force following the dissolution of the Earth Kingdom monarchy.
The only thing she knew about the fall of the monarch was the sudden request for peacekeeping duties for the Avatar. Together with Tenzin, Korra worked out a way for the new air benders to take part in calming the anarchy happening in the former Earth Empire as it transit into independent republics of their own. Just as Republic City was plagued by triads, the various new Earth Kingdom republics were also facing underworld turmoil.
So for the next four years, Korra had chosen to stay away from Republic city – not out of choice – and kept correspondence only with Asami and Bolin on the occasion.
"I'm just glad there will be many others around to distract me," muttered Korra; arms crossed over her chest. "From what Bolin told us, I don't think Senior Detective Mako has the time to come anyway."
Korra almost missed Asami's smirk but she caught her friend's laughing eyes in the mirror and started to relax a little.
"I'm sorry. I guess I'm just a little nervous." Korra fiddled with her fingers. Even at 26, Korra still found public appearances a little challenging, especially when she wasn't the main focus. At least when it's official Avatar business, Korra could just switch her mind into work gear and forget about the nitty gritty parts like being nice and polite.
"Just remember; you're here to see the first batch of air bending masters. It's going to be an amazing ceremony, I just know it," reminded Asami, readying the air craft for landing.
Korra couldn't agree more. These were the first air benders outside of Avatar Aang's immediate family to be anointed as masters. It couldn't be a more momentous moment for the world.
/ / / /
What in the world was Korra wearing? Every time she turned, Mako would catch a glimpse of that smooth expanse of tanned skin, stopping just on top of her tailbone. Not that he needed much to imagine everything else that was covered by the body hugging material. A dress of that allure ought to be banned.
Asami definitely had chosen the outfit for Korra. Sure, a dress like that would look great on Asami but on Korra…
It was enticing.
Mako pressed the heel of his palm onto closed eyes, lest his mind played tricks on him. He should be happy to see Korra again –as reminded over and over by Bolin – and if he had an ounce of self-respect, he should apologise to her for how he handled her the last time they spoke.
They weren't enemies and if anything, Korra and Asami were the only friends and family that he had apart from Bolin. To be honest, seeing how close those three were, Mako felt a slight twinge of jealousy. He knew of their occasional meet ups of course but Mako never had the time, nor the interest back then to join in. If he had lost Korra's friendship forever, it was his own fault. Then it would be official – Mako would be the only person to have broken up and unfriended the Avatar and still be alive.
Therefore, when he learnt how close Korra had gotten to Asami over the years, he had been secretly glad. Women were safe, they would probably not break her heart. And judging by the way those two moved and touched each other; he wouldn't be surprised if they were… lovers? Perhaps, at one point. But right now, Korra and Asami looked like they cared deeply for each other; their eyes bearing none of the quiet intensity Mako seem to recognize after studying people in love for so long. Like the way Lin sometimes looked at Tenzin or how Kai often glances guiltily at Jinora. And don't even get him started on his brother and Opal.
Almost on cue, Bolin came rushing towards him with that lovestruck look on his face –one that had been a constant feature ever since they've arrived at the Northern Air Temple.
"Come on Mako, let's take a seat. I want to be close to the front so Opal can see me." Tugging at his sleeves, Bolin literally forced him into a chair, two rows from the front.
"Do I really have to sit –" His eyes travelled up at the shadow cast upon him; the infectious smile of the blue-eyed woman greeting him.
"Is this seat taken?" Not that she was asking permission. Settling her derriere comfortably, Korra then gestured for Asami to sit next to her.
"Korra…"
"Mako."
"KORRA!" A burly mass of Bolin clambered all over Mako as he tried to give Korra a hug over his brother. "I've not seen you in like… forever! How's the Earth republics doing? Varrick's been trying to install mover halls in those cities but those triads keep burning them down!
Anyway my do you look like a mover star! Love the hair!"
Mako peered over to Korra and noticed how long her hair was now. The last time he remembered, her hair had been chopped albeit haphazardly and had grown in the same wild manner as its owner. But now, her hair flowed past her shoulders, curling slightly at the ends where Asami no doubt had performed her magic.
"Gee, thanks Bolin! You're looking suave as ever too."
His brother managed another one of his puppy-eyed grin. "My Opal's becoming an air bending master today! I'm sooooo excited! We've been planning a short trip maybe into the spirit world 'cause she's a spiritual master now and all and then we're going to move back to –"
"Enough Bolin. The ceremony's about to start," grumbled Mako, shoving his brother back into his seat. Next to him, the two women were giggling.
"It's his big day too. I think he's entitled to be a little hyperexcited," whispered Korra, leaning casually towards his ear; her body pressed lightly against his arm. For a moment, Mako couldn't think of anything else except the warm curves separated by that flimsy cloth. He'd seen her in nothing but her undergarments before and judging from the open back of her dress, Mako was certain she wasn't wearing anything underneath at all.
Gritting his teeth, Mako pulled away slightly and tried to focus only on the air benders, paying as much attention to the attractiveness of Bumi and how he was the epitome of sexy at the moment, instead of the bombshell seated next to him.
/ / / /
Korra was having the time of her life. Watching Bumi and Tenzin demonstrate some ancient fire nation dance steps had sparked her and Bolin to join in and make up some of their own crazy moves. Their antics had sent the whole air temple into a laughing frenzy and soon Korra had danced with Bumi, Tenzin, Kai and even Baatar Senior –who was an impeccable dancer by the way – before finally slumping down on a chair and calling it quits.
"That was… entertaining." Asami passed her a glass of water and leaned against a pillar as she took a sip out of hers. "You've not danced with Mako yet."
Immediately, Korra's head snapped up. "Have you?"
"Not as in sync as you and Bolin but yeah we did." Asami put down her drink and cocked her head to the dance floor. "He really wants to talk to you. Think your feet can take one more dance?"
Korra tried to protest; her face scrunching up when the upbeat tune took a slow turn for a ballad. But at Asami's insistence, Korra found herself walking towards Mako; her fingers twiddling and her heart pounding. Why did this moment remind her of that time she tried to confess her feelings to Mako in the probending locker room?
"Care for a dance?" Her question came out calmer than she expected.
The man in question ran a hand through his hair –perhaps just as nervously – before forcing a smile as he looked up into her eyes. "I would love to."
Allowing his hand to slip around her waist, Korra tried to retain a stoic expression as they moved across the floor, in tune to the nostalgic melody of old air nomad songs.
"How have you been?" The sensual tilt of his voice was still there –that same depth that had shouted at her, laughed with her and professed his love for her…
"Everything's been good Mako. The world is at peace. I'm happy."
"That's good." He twirled her; keeping his eyes glued onto hers. She didn't need to hear his words to know the thoughts swirling in his mind. "Korra…"
"Don't Mako. Not tonight." She had come here for a happy occasion, not have her decisions and actions questioned time and again. But they both knew there would not be another time for their conversation.
"I know things didn't go the way I'd hope the last time we met. And I just wanted to say I'm sorry."
She was sorry too. Four long years, Korra had dedicated her life to rebuilding the former Earth empire cities; Asami being the only one she would catch up with every few months at the launch of a new Sato Industries' innovation in the new cities. Korra even caught Bolin's new movers – her way of keeping up with his progress –but the only one whom she had no contact whatsoever was Mako.
"I heard Lin made you Senior Detective. That's pretty neat." In Korra's terms, that was akin to apology accepted and she knew that Mako realised that as well for his lips curved up slightly.
"Yeah? Youngest in the cohort. Only other person who made it this young was Toph."
Korra couldn't help but smile. She wondered what Chief Lin Beifong had said to Mako when she promoted him. Must have annoyed the hell out of her. But then again, Lin was made chief much younger than her mother so that was another hurdle to beat.
"Will you be returning to Republic city?"
Perhaps it was the ambience or perhaps it was standing this close to him after so long that made her yield slightly to her emotions. Whatever bite she thought she had reserved for him just melted away.
"I don't know Mako. I haven't really thought about it."
As the song died down, Mako and Korra were left standing silently, both still holding hands but staring down at their feet.
"I suppose… it would be nice to have you in the city again. I've –I mean we've missed you Korra." He tucked a non-existent stray hair behind her ear and smiled.
Korra was about to say something stupid when she sensed impatient footsteps marching towards them.
"Sorry to break you love birds up, but I need to talk to you two." Lin Beifong was in a dress, similar to the colours worn by her family in Zao Fu. However, unlike her sister Su, Lin had an almost perpetual frown on her face.
Instantly Mako stiffened beside her; their rekindled emotions filed and tucked away for the moment. Letting go of Korra, he stood at rapt attention, waiting for Lin to continue.
"We've been getting reports of a large number of illegal immigrants trying to cross the borders into Republic city. President Raiko is concerned that these men and women have been smuggled to work in the new factories downtown."
Korra cringed. She had heard stories from Asami of how slums have been popping out around the new spirit portal; home to workers of the new industrial factories built over the ruins after the Kuvira meltdown five years ago.
With President Raiko's executive decision to expand the metropolis rather than rebuild the downtown area, the economic centre itself shifted further away and the spirit portal became an isolated section of the Republic designated for industrial works.
"How can I help, Chief?" asked Korra. Why wasn't she surprised to know her Avatar duties would never get a break?
"I'll get to you in a bit Korra," said Lin before focusing her attention on Mako. "I know you've been working Narcotics kiddo but for this case, I'm going to have to put you to work with Organised Crime. I've got a good lead that these workers are being pumped with illegals to keep them working –no guesses for who."
"The triads," supplied Mako, his expression hardening even more. Korra knew about his past affiliation with the Triple Threats as a child but wasn't sure if what Chief Beifong was about to suggest would be the best solution.
"You will report directly to Lieutenant Soong-Wok from OC. The Triple Threats were small fries Mako. These large scaled movements? It's something we've not seen before. Therefore, I want you and Korra to work on it."
"Me? I'm no detective!" Korra knew how to trail people and kick their butts but to gather evidence and build a case?
Lin gave her a slanted look, silencing her next bout of protests. "Republic city needs you back Korra –not as a detective, but as their Avatar. Whoever is behind these trafficking needs to know that the Avatar is back. Hopefully we'll jolt them into panic, maybe force them to make just that one mistake."
"And then we'll be there to catch them," concluded Mako, saluting Lin as she walked off to join her family. Turning to Korra, he offered a reassuring smile. "I'll be waiting for you Avatar Korra."
Indeed. Guess vacation time was over.
/ / / /
A/N: Hope you liked the chapter! These Makorra scenes will be much darker and thus the rating of M. I've not written much noir but I'll do my best! Also, in this fanfic, I will acknowledge that Korra and Asami were a couple before but hey, young love and experimentation time are over. Mako's back!