Selflessness

Despite her distinct lack of domesticity, Korra made Mako's lunch everyday for the first week of his new job as a police officer.

It was never anything fancy, but she was proud of herself. She tried to duplicate the meals she remembered as a child, though results varied. Mako always accepted her meal with a smile, a thanks and a faint blush.

After a week, though, he wasn't sure he could do it anymore.

He knew Korra tried, but he had a feeling she never taste-tested her creations. Or, if she did, had a very different palate.

The other guys at the station teased him as he traded his meal with a boy from the Northern Water Tribe who ate anything.

"Are you ever going to tell your girlfriend you don't like her cooking?"

Mako sighed. "She's so busy but gets up early to make it. I don't want her to think I don't appreciate it."

"Surely she'd want to know if you weren't even eating it."

He shrugged. "I don't mind, as long as she's happy."

"Oh, she's not happy anymore," a voice said behind him.

Mako gulped as his fellow officers looked behind him. Their eyes widened a little before they mumbled excuses and fled the room.

"Korra," Mako greeted her, turned around with a nervous smile. "This is a surprise."

"I had some business with the Chief and thought I'd have lunch with you." She held up a bag with a frown, "I even brought extra sea prunes."

"Um," Mako stalled, glancing down at his traded lunch.

"Why didn't you tell me you didn't like it?" She demanded to know, her voice low.

"It wasn't that I didn't like - "

"Liar! You never ate any of it!" She pointed at the food in front of him. "I put a lot of work into it and you just gave it away!"

"I tried to eat it, I swear."

Korra's eyes narrowed. "It was that bad?"

"No, it wasn't bad, just...not what I'm used to. You made water tribe food, but not just any water tribe food - traditional water tribe food. It's... too bitter for someone who grew up on scraps in the city. I don't know how you even got the stuff to make it." Mako tried to be gentle about breaking it to her, but he could see Korra's face fall and shoulders sag as her anger faded and disappointment took over.

"Katara sent me some things," she muttered. "It's all I know how to make."

"Oh Korra." Mako stood. "I loved that you made lunch for me. I'm sorry I didn't like it." He felt miserable.

"No," she slumped against the table. "I should have asked what kind of food you liked. I just wanted to do something for you. Especially since I hardly get to see you with our busy schedules lately." She touched her forehead to the cool tabletop to hid her blushing cheeks. "I didn't want you to forget about me."

He touched her shoulder and she turned, her cheek still on the table. "You don't have to make food for me for that. I never stop thinking about you," he grinned. "My partners always complain I talk about you too much."

She sat up hesitantly. "Really?"

"Of course!" He sat next to her. "Korra, you know I'm crazy about you, right?"

She nodded, her blush deepening. She still wasn't used to hearing, though.

"And that means I'm crazy about you. You don't have to do try so hard," he ruffled her hair.

She scowled, though couldn't hold it for very long before smiling. "You idiot. I still wish you would have just told me."

He shrugged. "I could see it made you happy. I didn't want to take that away from you."

"Well I'd be happier knowing you actually enjoyed what I was doing for you."

He laughed. "I'm sure you'll think of something else."

She smirked.

"You can count on that."