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It's in those moments, those silly little inconsequential moments that he's absolutely certain he wants to spend the rest of his life with her. He's terrified of marrying her.

There's a part of her that will always belong to the world, a part of her that will never be just his. He's scared that part is to large, that she'll wake up one morning and say Republic City isn't enough, he isn't enough, and walk out of his life just as quickly as she barged in.

He's not sure his heart can take it while there's a nagging voice that whispers everyone he depends on leaves anyway and why should she be any different.

That voice is drowned out by her promises to stay forever and her soft murmurs of love.

He asks the waterbenders at work what the engagement customs are for the Water Tribes. They clap him on the back and make comments of how he's going to make an honest woman out of the Avatar and how spouses are still within the law. He laughs with them and inwardly groans.

The majority say that Water Tribe women prefer traditional engagement necklaces and offer carving lessons. He asks why it has to be carved; can't he buy her a nice one? They laugh and explain how it shows his devotion to her and his dedication; unconfirmed engagements have been called off when the bridegroom decides the bride isn't worth the trouble. Few say she'll prefer the new fade of Republic City: a ring. He's already looked at those and scoffed: Korra would lose it or break it or laugh at it.

He buys a stone and chain after work. He breaks the stone in half with his first attempts. He buys two more the next day. One breaks as he carves the other he throws against the wall in frustration.

He asks one of his Water Tribe coworkers from help the next day. Onartok is only too happy to help.

After their shift ends they purchase a handful of cheap stones and a spar incase he breaks the good one.

They sit down to begin. Onartok shows him how he's holding the knife wrong and making to aggressive of cuts. This is the difference between waterbending and firebending, he thinks.

Once they've practiced cuts and techniques for curves Onartok asks him what he wants to carve. He hadn't thought that far ahead.

His first idea is something to do with the elements: she's the Avatar, it only seems fitting. He immediately talks himself out of the idea saying it's too obvious. He paces muttering different ideas out loud while Onartok watches and critiques each one based on difficulty.

"How about when you knew you love her?" Onartok offered. Mako laughs without admitting her necklace wouldn't be decent for public view.

They go through all possible suggestions: where they first met (he's not carving the Arena), their first date (wasn't great), first kiss (again he's not carving the Arena and he'd rather not have a constant reminder that he'd kissed her while still having a girlfriend), and any and all other ideas.

With his head in his hands he finally remembers something. When he'd fallen asleep with her under the tree in the park it was the best sleep he'd had until she started living with him. Remembering he should have known then that she was his one.

He begins work on a tree complete with Naga at the base. Two practice stones and a close call on the real one later it's finished. He thanks Onartok profusely and shows it off at work once he's finished. Everyone tells him she'll love it.

He intends to give it to her tonight. He imagines she'll be home looking over something from the Council. He'll make her dinner (seaweed noodles) and as he hands her a honeyed moon peach cake he's going to make he'll also give her the necklace. Words that he's not sure of and every time he tried to rehearse he feels like he's going to vomit will follow. She'll say yes and kiss him and he'll put the necklace on her and kiss where he ties it around her neck.

He forgets that with Korra nothing goes as planned.

He comes home to what he assumes is an empty house. Bolin is off somewhere based on the hastily scribbled note Mako sees on the table by the door. Korra, however, isn't immediately found. Dejected he goes to their room to change before making dinner. He guesses she'll be home for it.

He should have looked harder for Korra. She's lying on their bed, propped on pillows. Her left hand is teasing her left nipple to the perfect hardened state for him to suck and bite while her right hand traces her lower lips in a very enticing manner.

"I got lonely waiting for you," she tells him with a hungry smile.

He's instantly hard. He's not sure how fast he managed to get out of his clothes but he's pretty sure he burned something. He claims her mouth hungrily, pouring all his love for her into the kiss.

When he finally comes up for air (he doesn't want to) he gently grabs her right hand and deliberately sucks each one of her fingers. He loves her flavor as much as the surprised gasps she makes.

She bucks slightly as he rubs himself against her center. She's wet and ready and he's impatient now. He sinks into her with relief; she hooks her legs around his hips pulling him closer.

He's slow until she moans to go faster. He wants this to last forever because in this moment she's only his.

He torments her. When she's close he slows and she keens and it's the best sound in the world. She pleads for him to go harder with her words and her inner muscles that grip him with agonizingly amazing warmth and forceful ripples. Finally he can't hold out longer and his thrust become frenzied and forceful. She cries out his name as she scratches his back. He moans her's as he shudders within her.

He ignores the pain in his back as she curls up on his chest. He's almost asleep when she mutters something about cleaning up his clothes and gets out of bed. He enjoys the view of her bent over.

She slowly stands. "What's this?" she asks as she turns to face him. She's holding the necklace he made for her and suddenly he needs water and air because his mouth is dry and he can't breathe.

He sits up and rubs his hand over the back of his neck, looking anywhere but her eyes. "It's a…well…I had a plan and-" he murmurs wanting nothing more than to crawl away.

"Yes," she interrupts his futile rambling.

He's not sure she understands. "Korra-"

"I know what it is and my answer is still yes," she's smiling so big it lights up the room. He feels lighter than air and is sure he flies out of bed but then he has his arms around her and their spinning and he's sure he won't be able to be as close to her as he wants to be in this instant.

She's laughing as he kisses where he's tied the necklace around her neck.


A/N: Thanks to everyone that has reviewed and favorited and alerted this story!

100 reviews maybe? It will make my day.