19. Game
"It's just a game, Mako, come play with us!"
"No," The Firebender sighed for what felt like the fiftieth time, "I don't play games, Korra."
"That's not what you said last time," The Avatar purred, chuckling with Bolin as Mako went red, "I'm sorry, Mako, come on; I'll stop once you play with us."
"Why would I want to play some game meant for five year olds?"
"Because it's fun," His brother broke in, exasperated, "Bro, we all need a break, some time to chill out and have fun. Please?" He started pulling the puppy eyes; Korra mimicking him on Mako's other side. He sighed and slowly nodded, wincing at the cheers and the hands that encircled his arms and pulled.
"This is not going to end well."
20. Perfect
"She's perfect," He breathed, watching in awe as tiny fingers wrapped around his own. He tore his eyes away from the small bundle in his arms to his wife as she laid back on the bed, fighting against exhaustion, her eyes flickering shut. He walked back toward her and seated himself beside her body, careful not to hurt her; her tan fingers slowly lifted and brushed across their child's sleeping face, caressing the soft skin.
"She is indeed," She breathed with a smile, leaning her head against his shoulder with a sigh, "She's ours."
"Yeah," He smiled, pressing a kiss to her forehead, "Mine and yours, Korra, our little girl. I love you." He breathed into her hair, and she laughed lightly.
"Mine and yours, Mako, ours; I love you too."
21. Believe
"You have to believe me, my name is Mako, I'm your friend, your boyfriend! Korra, please, it's me!" The girl said nothing, just glared and slashed the air with the knife one more time, forcing Mako back. Her eyes flashed green again and Mako's heart stopped.
"You're still... She's still diseased!" He yelled over his shoulder, hearing the White Lotus shift behind him, the metal of their weapons and the elements they wield echoing around the room as they moved with their owners. He turned back to the Avatar, watching as she frowned, her eyes flickering back to their normal blue; she pressed a hand to her forehead and groaned, looking up and meeting Mako's eyes.
"Mako? What's going on? I, I was ju-" Her sentence was cut off by a sharp cry of pain, and her eyes again began to flicker, "What's going on?" She screamed and Mako rushed forward, catching her as she collapsed.
"Korra, Korra, listen; you've been infected with... with something, that is changing you, taking you over. Korra, you have to fight it, you have to believe in yourself, and fight it, please," He watched with frustration as tears poured down Korra's face, as her eyes tangled between green and blue, until she passed out, her lids sliding shut. He swore softly and placed her back on the bed, brushing away her sweat-soaked hair, smoothing out her brow, "Believe, Korra, fight this thing."