The next morning Mako stumbled out of his room in his boxers and a white wife beater. He stood at his doorway where he could practically see the whole house and his eyes landed on the bare feet that hung ever so slightly off the end of the couch. He'd gotten up earlier than normal and it was about seven in the morning. He walked a little closer to the couch to get a full view of the sleeping Avatar. The sun was barley up outside with the time change, but the few streaks that were up shown through the window onto the bare skin that peeked between the boxers she wore and the shirt that had ridden up against her back in the night.
Shit he thought how in the hell does anyone expect me to look at that, sleeping on MY couch, in MY clothes, and not want to touch her. He sighed quietly and walked into the kitchen to make breakfast. Normally he made himself something quick and easy and let Bo fend for himself, but today (though he hated to admit it) he wanted to impress Korra and make something special for her to eat since she didn't wake up to breakfast at the Air Temple very often.
He started with Coffee; even he couldn't start the day without it. So to clear his mind and fully wake up, he started a pot of it before he began digging the eggs, cheese and milk out of the fridge. Scrambled eggs, bacon, toast, and grits he thought. It wasn't water tribe food but it was cheap and easy. Besides Korra grew up eating water tribe food, it was time she expanded her taste buds. Mmmm her taste buds his mind ran away with him and again he shook the dark thought away and scowling at the double meaning. See this was such a bad idea!
An hour later around eight Korra came waltzing into the kitchen. "I knew I smelled seal bacon and coffee! What's all the other stuff?"
Mako beamed "Eggs, toast, and grits." He said pointing to each one. "I figured you grew up eating water tribe stuff you might as well try Republic City stuff."
"Two times in 24 hours you flash those teeth at me. Are you getting sick?" She smiled at him and took the plate of food he handed her and carried it around to the bar stool. "This smells fantastic though, and you were right, I am a little sick of the water tribe food. Everyone keeps assuming that's all I'll eat and making a big deal about making it every night. Thank you."
"Wow Korra saying thank you AND that I'm right! See my smiling isn't weird after all is it?" he smirked not showing his teeth.
Korra rolled her eyes and smiled mouth full of eggs. She swallowed and then tried the grits and her eyes opened wide in surprise.
"What?" He said carefully, seeing her expression.
"I have to be honest, I've had grits before and they were nasty. But these are amazing! How did you make them?"
"You probably had them at a restaurant didn't you?" she nodded and he continued. "Yeah see they don't add butter or salt or milk to theirs, so all your getting is nasty hard little pellets of corn. I let mine cook for a while so they soak up some flavor and get softer."
"Do you have more?" She said scraping at the last little bit of them on her plate. He wordlessly held his hand out for her to hand him her plate. She obliged and he plopped two more spoonfuls onto her plate. She smiled like a three year old when he handed it back to her and began to blow on them to cool them off.
"What smells like heaven fell down and into our kitchen!?" Boomed Bolin and he came walking in. He looked over Mako's shoulder from in the kitchen and grabbed a plate, loading it up with the food Mako had made. It was only then that Korra realized that Mako had already had hers cooled off and ready to eat when she walked in. He hadn't bothered to make Bolins plate like he did her own. She smiled to herself and let her mind imagine they were together and that he did this every morning… shit she did it again! Fine! She'll admit it. She likes Mako. He's gorgeous, Sweet when he wants to be, strong… and…with…Asami. That snapped her out of her thoughts and she quickly brought the plate to the sink. Feeling a little embarrassed by her own thoughts and a tad guilty for lusting after her friend's boyfriend, she blushed a little bit.
Mako moved to take the plate from her hand and she snatched it away quickly. "No you cooked. I can at least wash the dishes." She said also feeling guilty for feeling like she was free loading.
"No its okay really, it's just a plate and a fork it'll take me two seconds." He reached for it again.
"Yeah you're right it'll take two seconds for me to wash it and have done something this morning to earn my keep." She walked towards the sink and he moved to stand in front of it, almost walking into her.
"Korra you don't have to earn your keep. Give me the damn plate."
Korra was never good at taking orders and the demand in his voice switched on the stubborn side of her. She grinned, a plan forming in her head. She leaned really close to Mako her face inches from his.
"Or what?" She challenged.
Mako's expression faltered and his breathe caught in his throat. "O-or um y-you'll hhhave to um… um…" He closed his eyes and could smell her and feel her warmth radiating off his skin. "…you'd have to ma-move out." He swallowed hard.
"Oh is that right?" She half whispered half purred.
Mako almost lost it and finally she handed him the plate and backed up with an evil smirk. He tore his eyes away from her to look at the plate. It was clean… she had water bended it clean while she made his heart sky rocket and his breathing stop all together. He looked at her bewildered and flustered while she tossed a smug glance over her shoulder heading to the bathroom.
"I don't think I've ever witnessed something so unbelievable funny in my entire life living with you." Bolin chuckled. "I watched you practically get a boner while she bended soap and water from the sink BEHIND you and washed the plate. She's freaking awesome!" Bolin yelled.
"Thank you! I know!" They heard from the bathroom.
Mako's face turned red and he turned away to wash the other dishes now that Bo was done and the food was gone. "She cheated." He mumbled scrubbing the grits pot and filling the sink with warm water.
"No she used her female charm and you fell for it bro." Bolin said smiling. "Is it okay now though if I go down to the gym? Or will I come back to the apartment destroyed? Or worse!" He said now enthusiastically. "You and Miss Thang getting it on!"
"Oh jeez Bo just go!" Mako groaned.
Bo laughed "Okay! Okay I'm going!" He threw his bad over his shoulder and headed out the door. Mako's eyes trailed over to where steam was rolling out from beneath the bathroom door. He drained the sink of the remaining water and smirked. Now he had a plan….