Chapter 2: The Locker Room
For Korra, the best part about Pro-Bending Games was getting to use the showers. They were so much nicer than the ones on Air Temple Island. The water was hotter, the stalls were bigger, and she didn't have to worry about Ikki and Jinora (or, forbid, Meelo) walking in on her. The steam somehow eased the soreness in her muscles and made the bruises of the match seem like a distant memory. The only complication was getting dressed, since she shared a dressing area with Mako and Bolin. Bolin she wasn't worried about—he tended to keep to himself while getting dressed, and besides, he knows what would happen if Korra ever caught him peeking. Mako, on the other hand, had a little trouble keeping his hands to himself. Not that she minded, most of the time—he was her boyfriend, after all—but a girl needs some time to herself once in a while.
Exiting the shower, Korra wrapped herself in her towel and tip-toed into the dressing area, looking both ways for her boyfriend before making a break for her cubby. Bolin, already dressed, was sitting in the corner celebrating with Pabu, but she didn't see Mako. This unnerved her slightly, but she reached to take off her towel anyway.
"Hey, beautiful," came Mako's voice from behind her.
Korra shrieked, but quickly regained her composure as Mako walked toward her in nothing but his towel, his hair dripping wet. She tried not to let his overwhelming attractiveness affect her judgment.
Mako backed Korra into a corner and leaned in for a kiss. Korra moved her head slightly and Mako wound up kissing her ear, but he didn't let that faze him. He moved his lips down her neck and touched his lips ever-so-lightly to her collarbone, and she tried to fight the chills—she really did! But she let out an involuntary sigh which Mako took as further encouragement.
His hands worked their way to the bottom of her towel and his long (sexy, Korra couldn't help but think) fingers began to roam, trailing over her butt and sending more chills down her spine.
"So are you ready to celebrate tonight?" Mako whispered seductively while nibbling softly on Korra's earlobe.
Be strong, Korra, be strong. "Well," she began, "I know I told you I thought I'd be ready tonight, but…"
Mako immediately stopped his incessant nibbling. "But what?"
"But I just don't…think…I'm ready for that, you know?" Korra finished weakly.
Mako took a step back. "Oh?"
Korra crossed her arms in front of her defensively. "Yeah…plus Tenzin wants me to get more in touch with my spiritual side, and…you know…he's kind of…pushing the whole abstinence thing on me. He thinks it'll help." This was true, it just wasn't the reason she didn't want to sleep with him. To tell the truth, Mako had just gotten to be too intense for her. She didn't know how Asami had tolerated it for so long—unless, of course, she was less principled than Korra, which was a distinct possibility.
Mako took another step back. "Oh." This time, it wasn't a question.
Jeez, Korra, just SAY it. Quit making excuses. You're the damn AVATAR—if you can't even talk to your own boyfriend, how do you expect to be able to do ANYTHING? Okay…3, 2, 1.
"I think we should…take a break." Good job, Korra.
Mako, despite his powers of observation, looked extremely taken aback. "Are…are you breaking up with me?" He looked more than taken aback—he actually looked hurt.
"No, not really…I just…I want to focus on my Avatar training right now. But maybe we can start back up again, after I master Airbending?" She looked at him imploringly, hoping to see some understanding in his golden eyes, but all she saw was hurt.
Rather than answer, Mako turned away and began walking back toward his cubby. He stopped and, glancing over his shoulder, said, "You were great out there today. Good job."
Korra stared down at the ground, suddenly feeling guilty after receiving his compliment. She decided to try to cajole him again. "You're going to the after-party, right? I mean…we won, after all. You have to come. You're the captain."
Mako didn't stop walking this time. "I think I'd rather spend the night by myself," he said darkly. With that, he dressed slowly, waited until both his teammates had gone, and then left the locker room by himself, fully intending to spend the evening alone wallowing in his sorrow. That's not exactly how it worked out.
