A/N: Sorry if this is meh. I tried. Some of these prompts you guys…
Rated: K
History Lesson
History has a bad habit of repeating itself. Witnessing Korra and Mako and their on-again, off-again relationship only proved that to me. It's an endless cycle of arguing and fighting and breaking up only for them to get back together and do it all over again a few weeks later. Every time they're off-again I dare to hope that it'll be for the last time. Not because I'm in love with her or anything.
Okay, yeah I'm definitely still in love with her. Is it such a bad thing that I enjoy all the time Korra spends with me when she and Mako are in fallout mode?
They're together again now, and I find myself practicing a new routine with Pabu out at the meditation pavilion, just the two of us. Alone. At least this way I won't be forced to see Korra and Mako be all lovey dovey. I'm rolling my eyes just thinking about the snuggling and the nose nuzzling and the stupid nicknames!
Yes, a part of me wanted desperately for those silly affections to be directed at me. But it's also just easier to be alone now when I spend so much time wishing things could be the way they used to be. Before it got all complicated and messy. Before anybody got hurt. Back when the three of us could just have fun without all this drama.
So it's a bit of a surprise when Korra approaches. I half expected that she and Mako would be out doing some sickly romantic type thing, like walking arm in arm down by the shore or having a picnic in the park.
"Mako's not here," I say, cutting her off before she gets a chance to speak.
"I can see that," she says, and I can practically hear her rolling her eyes at me. "And anyway, I was looking for you."
"For me?"
"Yeah. Why do you sound so surprised?"
I shrug, feeling guilty for the attitude I've just given her. "Just thought you'd want to be with Mako now that you're on again."
"Mako and I broke up."
"Huh?" My head whips around and I stare at her wide-eyed. They've gone less and less time between each consecutive breakup, but this has got to be the fastest one ever. "But I thought you guys just got back together?"
"We did, but we're not anymore. Never again."
"I'm sure whatever it is can't be that bad." They'll probably even be back together by dinner, I think bitterly.
"No, it's for real this time. As in permanently. Forever. We are never ever getting back together. Period." Korra's hands whip to the sides, as if she's trying to erase her entire relationship with Mako from her memory. But it's funny, because she doesn't look upset about it at all.
"Why not?"
Korra huffs and sits cross-legged next to me. She drops her head on my shoulder and I don't stop myself from resting mine atop hers. "I just don't think Mako is the one for me," she sighs, and when she speaks her breath smells like leechi juice.
"But Mako's great!"
What, am I trying to get them back together?
Yes, I realize. Because Korra loves Mako, and Mako loves Korra, and I love them both. And if being together is what makes them happy then I'll just have to pull up my big boy pants and deal. Even if it hurts me to see them together.
"I realized something today," she whispers, and I strain my ears, attempting to catch every inflection of her voice. "I'm happiest when I'm with you." Korra lays her hand near mine, and her fingers nudge into my palm, inching their way between my fingers until our hands are laced together.
My heart beats faster and I swallow thickly, because Korra is holding my hand and I don't know what to do. This isn't a dream, but it doesn't feel real. "W-what are you saying, Korra?"
Her fingers squeeze mine tightly and refuse to let go when I try to slide my hand gently away. It's not that I don't want to be holding Korra's hand. Spirits, it's the best feeling in the world having her palm against mine, sweaty and callused as it may be. But she was Mako's girlfriend ten seconds ago and I'm not prepared to get my heart ripped out again.
"I love you," she says, "and I want to be with you."
Now I really must be dreaming.
Her hand comes up and cups my face, her eyes growing darker when I don't say anything. I blink repeatedly and shake my head. This obviously isn't happening. This is a dream.
"Bo, this isn't a dream," she laughs.
I said that out loud, didn't I?
"Yeah, you did," she giggles.
"I don't get it. Am I the reason you broke up? Is it my fault?"
"No no no!" she says, cupping my face with both hands now. "Mako and I just weren't right for each other. It had nothing to do with you. Well, except maybe the way I feel about you."
"D-does Mako know? The way you f-feel about me?"
She giggle-snorts and rolls her eyes. "He's actually the one who told me."
"He did?"
"Yeah. He noticed my feelings for you way before I did. But I don't think he's upset. We both agreed – and really, this is the only thing we've ever agreed on – that we'd both be happier just being friends." She nibbles her lip thoughtfully before asking, "Bo, will you go out with me?"
The smile on my face is nearly too large to contain. "Y-yeah! Of course! Definitely! Yes! Absolutely!"
"Okay, okay I get it!" Korra says as I sweep her up into a tight hug.
"This is so great, Korra! I'll take you to Narooks and we'll go to the theater and maybe even back to Harmony Tower since I know you loved that last t–"
I gasp as Korra's lips stop my words. And all my thoughts. I watch her with wide eyes until the fact that Korra is kissing me registers in my brain. My eyes slide shut and the rest of me is soaring. It's just a simple light pressure of her lips against mine, and you'd hardly think that would feel like anything at all. But it's so amazing it makes my heart falter. Like getting goose bumps when you hear a soul-touching piece of music. Or getting struck by lightning.
Or falling in love.
Korra's arms twist around my neck, her body moving closer to me until she's nearly in my lap. We spend a good few minutes just kissing and laughing and holding hands until we finally decide to catch a boat into the city for dinner at Narooks. I teasingly nuzzle her nose just as the ferry is docking and don't even mind the punch in the arm afterwards.
So here's a lesson for you: History repeats itself.
But that doesn't mean we can't get it right every now and then.
