Rated T for Tahno

A Gift

Bolin was glaring at Korra rubbing at his arm. "What'd you have to do that for?" he whined. Pabu chattered indignantly too.

"For not giving me a heads up!" Korra scowled at him.

"Wh-"

"Why didn't you tell me it was his birthday?" she groaned.

"I-I because...because. I thought you knew. Isn't it your job to know? Being his...girlfriend and all," he added awkwardly slightly coughing. It was still a little weird thinking of Korra and Mako as together.

"I- I mean- it's not like you just go up to a person and just ask these things," Korra retorted, blushing.

"Why not? When's your birthday Korra?" Bolin asked her easily.

"That's irrelevant," she said blushing and turning her head away, pulling her collar up slightly.

"Hey, Korra," an Ikki suddenly whizzed up on an air scooter. "Daddy says he wants you to be home by sunset today. "

"Why?" Korra asked suspiciously. She knew perfectly why. They had been around for a few of her birthdays, and sent her letters otherwise, so they were well aware of the date.

"Oh, because, I should go," she clamped her hands over her mouth and flew away, giggling.

"Who trusts Ikki with a secret?" Korra laughed to herself, and bit her tongue.

"What secret?" Bolin asked Korra, intrigued.

Idea! "Ikki! Come here."

Sure enough the girl came back. "Yeah Korra?"

"Get your sister," Korra ordered her.

Ikki immediately pouted. "Why?" Why didn't Korra ever entrust her with anything. Was she still upset over the Mako incident? Then the Asami incident...

"Please Ikki?" Korra gave her a what she hoped was a winning smile.

Ikki sighed and said, "Well since it is your-"

"Your what?" Bolin asked.

"Ikki," Korra said with clenched teeth. "Please."

"Right, I don't want to give it aw- wait. Somethings not-"

"Give what away?" Bolin tried again, growing persistent, and curious.

But Korra just ignored him. "IKKI!"

"Jinora!" Ikki frantically called and whizzed off to find her sister, lest Korra unleash the wrath of the Avatar State on her. Why was she so insistent on shutting her up anyway?

"What aren't you telling me Korra?" Bolin asked. Korra was glad at that moment that Bolin was naive enough not to figure it out. She didn't want them to know. One she forgot Mako's birthday (or didn't know due to a lack of knowledge). And she didn't want them to get her anything. Really it was just her birthday. No big deal. Back at the South Pole her family and Katara would make all her favorite foods, and they would just sing some songs and give her some new clothes and that was it. Her pair of arm bands were from Katara, and the one on her arm was from her mother. Her father had made her those boots. On her sixteenth birthday was the only one where she had a huge feast dedicated to her, and she was sure that it was by Katara's insistence and influence.

"You needed me Korra?" Jinora asked. The air siblings sure were fast.

"Um...It's Mako's birthday today. So I was hoping…"

"Say no more. What did you get him?"

"Any, uh, advice?" Korra grinned sheepishly, yet there was despair in her voice.

Jinora sighed and shook her head. "Korra, he's your boyfriend! Honestly, where's the romance?"

"I know…"

"Well, I have to go do something now… Seriously, you are lucky Korra, to have your birthday on the same day as your boyfriend's."

"Jinora!"

"Oh I wasn't to mention your birthday to you today," Jinora said in frustration.

"What is with you people and your tendency to blurt things out!" Korra shouted, very frustrated. "Even Ikki didn't say anything!"

"It's your birthday too Korra?" Bolin asked. He looked very irritated. "What a pair!" he exclaimed, throwing his arms in the air. "Ridiculous!"

"Don't tell anything to Mako," she pleaded.

"Are you kidding me?" he stomped out. "Come on Pabu."

"Ugh!" Korra held her face in her hands and groaned.

"Well I'll just go then now," Jinora comprehended the situation at last, and quickly exited the room leaving Korra on her own.

And thus began her hunt.

"Ow!" Bolin was rubbing his arm again, this time glaring at Mako. "What'd you do that for?" Bolin asked exasperatedly.

"For not telling me it's Korra's birthday!" Mako groaned.
"I just found out! It's not my job, she's your girlfriend," Bolin said a little pointedly.

"She's your friend too."

"She's your girlfriend, I think that ranks a little higher."
"Well, I just finished work, whereas you've been at the island so you surely must have some idea, since Tenzin and them-"

"Just buy her a gift Officer Mako. Now excuse me, I must go shopping." and so Bolin went, Pabu trailing after him.

"Ugh!" he smacked his forehead. Leave it to Korra not to tell him anything. How could he not know her birthday?

And she doesn't know his.

And it's today.

He'd better buy an extra special gift.

"Well, well, well. Looks like you're in a predicament there, Fire Ferret. Or should I say, Officer?" Mako jumped at that voice. Why did everyone have to emphasize the whole Officer bit? He should start emphasizing peoples titles now. Avatar.

"Tahno? What do you want?" Mako asked him gruffly.
"I owe the little girl, for restoring my bending. And I've taken a liking to her as well, I'll admit."

"Get to the point," Mako snapped. And he wasn't sure of this 'liking.'

"Cool it. Now, fortunately for you, I grew up with quite a lot of sisters. And I know what girls like. So you'll need my help," the confidence and arrogance was quite heavy in Tahno's voice, annoying him. He had no clue how Korra could put up with the twit.

"What makes you so sure?" Mako challenged him.

"I know girls."

"You don't know Korra."
"I don't have to," Tahno replied flippantly. Mako looked him over. Tahno was well dressed as usual, with his hair oddly styled, and saw some eyeliner under his eyes. Maybe he did know a thing or two.

"What's in it for you?"

"Amusement? I get to see a flustering boyfriend. Well done on the catch. Of course, if someone gave me a little time..."

"Fine. I can't believe it. But I'm agreeing to let you...tag along," Mako taunted him with those words.

"Don't push it," Tahno scowled.

Mako smirked.-

"Well, well, well, isn't it the Uhvuhtar?" Tahno cooed. He gave Mako directions to which store he had wanted to go, and had left to pick up a gift of his own.

"Hey Tahno," Korra greeted him, barely smiling.

"What are you doing out and about on this fine day?"

"Looking for a present for my boyfriend," Korra grumbled. "It's his birthday."

"You don't say?" Tahno's eyes gleamed as he surreptitiously was looking for said boyfriend. Well, wasn't this an interesting predicament. He couldn't accompany her too, but he's decided to mess with her a little now. He'd make it up with a gift. "Well I have a little advice for you, take a guy's advice," he whispered in her ear and she jumped back, with her jaw dropped.

"Ew Tahno! You-you! Urgh!" she stomped away too embarrassed to retaliate.

Tahno was doubled up in laughter. "See ya later."

"I am not buying her...that. Can we leave this place now?"

Tahno had suggested...lingerie. Mako shuddered. Mako didn't want to even think of what would happen if he had tried to give it to her. Not that he was prude or anything. But he was rather old-fashioned. ANd he didn't know what Korra thought of the, er, subject.

"But it would benefit you as well," Tahno said, raising his eyebrows.
"We don't do any of that stuff!" Mako said. He was looking hard at the ground.

"Huh. Pity." Tahno shook his head.

"I'm leaving! As if you're experienced," Mako added.

"If I was you wouldn't want to know," Tahno told him enigmatically. Mako shook his head, dispelling any images of...anyway. "How about some make-up?"

"Korra and make-up? Do you really think those two words belong near each other? Not that she wouldn't look nice or anything, but…"

"Earrings?"

"Hmm. I don't know if she has ear piercings…" Maybe he should check...

"Then? You are so tricky! And her ears are always uncovered how do you not know?" Honestly, if Korra was Tahno's girlfriend he would know her body a lot better. He kept that to himself.

"You're of water tribe descent, aren't you?" Mako suddenly asked, while walking out of the store.

"Yes..." Tahno said slowly, not sure what this was leading up to. "And you really shouldn't just assume, just because I am a waterbender."

So Tahno was produced by a pair of firebenders, Mako snorted, earning him a puzzled look. "Well what are would they give a girl? The men."

Tahno smiled. Should he? Those are only for betrothal, but Mako didn't need to know yet. "Well, you could carve her a necklace?" he said this slowly.

"Carve her a necklace in two hours?" he balked.

"Or… well you're a firebender. Figure something out! I can't come up with everything!" Tahno crossed his arms.

Mako sighed, pressing his fingers to his temple. He was going to ask Korra to massage his head after this ordeal.

Korra began pacing frantically. She didn't know what to get him. At least she had gotten a handsome amount of money after the downfall of Amon. Though she had spent a lot of it already on her friends and family, she had a bit left. "She suddenly spotted Lin, with an armful of flowers and some gift bags.

"Lin?" she called out slightly incredulous.

"Oh! Um, hello, young avatar, I must- be on my way now, take care now…Honestly, should've been informed of two birthdays ahead of time."

Oh, so she had a gift for Mako too then? Well, Jinora must have been efficient. Wait. She wanted advice.

"Lin!" But it was no use. The metalbender had left the scene. Korra's shoulder's slumped. What was she to do? She kicked a rock and it had hit a shop. A shop with water tribe garb.

She had a sudden bout of inspiration, and quickly dashed into the shop.

"Flowers?"

"Check."

"Chocolate?"

"Check."

"Gift?"

"Check."

"Card?"

"Um…" Mako quickly checked his card to see if the ink had dried. "Check." Mako beamed. He was ready.

"Well then. You are in a good shape then," Tahno said. Very good shape indeed. He had to fight hard to suppress his smirk.

"So what did you get her?" Mako asked him.

"This," he opened a velvet box with a silver bracelet that had a teardrop shape in the middle.

"That's actually really nice," Mako's eyes widened.

"It is, isn't it."

Meelo suddenly appeared before them. "Hello, follow me now," he commanded them, and sat on an air scooter, looking at the guys expectantly.

"You heard that bald thing," Tahno said. "Get a move on."

"Asami," Korra said slightly nervous. "I really don't want this...stuff on my face. I won't look good. I'll look ridiculous."

"Nonsense! You look beautiful. And let down your hair…" Asami purred, making Korra up.

"Now put this on," Asami handed her a dress, that was absolutely gorgeous. It was a dark blue, it was long and flowing, and had an asymmetrical covering on top.

"Wow… It's beautiful."

"Consider it a gift."

"Thank you…you didn't have-"

"Don't be silly. Oh, and you'll need these," Asami held up the matching shoes. Korra quickly looked at the shoes and was relieved that there were no heels. Though she may be a fully realized Avatar, Korra wasn't sure how she could handle heels. Luckily, it seems that Asami has thought of everything.

"Happy Birthday Korra and Mako!" everyone had said as the two entered from opposite sides. They were in the courtyard, which was decorated with lanterns everywhere, with touches of the water tribe, and of the fire nation. It was spectacular.

"Thank you!" the two said, still in awe. They had not been expecting this.

"Mom! Dad! What are you doing here?" Korra was delighted to see her parents. They seemed kind of out of place in Republic City, but nontheless they were all thrilled.

"We decided to give you a surprise dear. Tenzin thought you deserved something nice, after all that trouble," Senna explained, ad Korra hugged her parents. She saw Tenzin and beamed.

"Thank you Tenzin. Really, you didn't have to-"

"Of course we did. You're our family Korra," he smiled at her.

Korra smiled, and exchanged pleasantries with an odd assortment of people, including Lin, Gommu, even Iroh. Then she finally found her way to her beloved, who was clearly trying to make his way to her as well.

"Don't you look beautiful, happy birthday," Mako told Korra a bit pointedly, as soon as he saw her, his jaw dropping.

"Thank you. Happy Birthday to you too. Oh, and this?" Korra gestured at herself. "Courtesy of Asami."

"Don't be ridiculous Korra," Asami who had just joined them waved her hand, herself in a lovely dark red gown, with one sleeve that had silk roses on it.

"Korra!" Bolin called. "Dinnertime. Then Presents!"

"Shall we go then?" Mako offered his elbow, and Korra took it.

After dinner, and cutting Pema's delicious cake, it was the time that Korra and Mako dreaded.

Presents.

Korra received all of hers first save for Mako's, in which it included a glider (from Tenzin and the family), a dagger (Iroh), metal cuffs (Lin, who would teach her metalbending), a bracelet made out of bottle caps (Gommu), A pair of slippers and a dozen cupcakes (Bolin), a beautiful teardrop bracelet from Tahno, and an assortment of gifts.

Mako got presents as well (including from Tahno), and he got a new belt from his brother, and a picture of them, Korra, Mako, Bolin, and Asami. Asami got him a gold watch and Korra's face fell a little, wondering if her present was decent enough.

"This...is for you," Korra handed him his present. "Open it." He smiled at her, and began to unwrap her present. "And thanks for telling me it was your birthday," Korra said slightly frowning.

"Thanks for telling me it's yours," Mako retorted, while he opened the box and took out the contents. There was a card inside that had simply said, something to remember me by when I'm not there. Happy Birthday Mr. Hat Trick. Love, Korra.

He took out a pair of half gloves. They were beautiful! They were made of dark brown leather and had a little fur on the edge. "They're awesome Korra. Thank you," he smiiled at her and kissed her, to an audience of awws.

"And this is for you," he told her, as he passed her flowers, chocolates, and a card, which she had to juggle around for a moment. "Here," he said softly and went behind her, brushing aside her hair and fastening a necklace around her neck. The ribbon was a dark blue, as Tahno had suggested, and at the last minute he found metal and had used his firebending to engrave fire and water circling around each other in a yin-yang fashion. He was quite satisfied with his handiwork actually, and Tahno made a snide remark that Mako should just go into the jewelry business, so he threw a bit of left over metal at Tahno's head, still bitter from the whole lingerie business. He fastened it tightly and everyone gasped. Including Korra. "You don't like it?" Mako's face fell. Then Senna squealed. Why did her mother squeal?

What was going on.

"It's very nice, Mako," Korra said patiently. "Really it's the most lovely thing I've ever seen, thank you, but… Are you sure? I know we've been going out for quite a while, I mean I'm okay with it but you, uh."

"Huh?" Mako was puzzled. "It's just a necklace. One that I made, but…"
"When should I set the date?" Senna squealed.

"Date?" Mako sounded horrified. He realized then what he gave Korra. "TAHNO!" Mako bellowed.

Tahno then made a run for it laughing. "I'll marry her if you don't want her," Tahno called out as he was running.

"What, don't be- Of course I'll marry her but-"

"What?" A collective gasp was heard once more.

"A year from now, Senna," Mako smirked, satisfied with Korra's face.

"You call that a proposal?" Korra teased, crossing her arms.

"I'll do it right, closer to the time," Mako assured her and he walked back to her. Shooting Tahno a glare, said waterbender now with his jaw dropped. Clearly he had no idea that things were going to go this way. "What do you say? It has been quite a while. Don't keep me waiting."
"I should," she said determinedly. "I should just keep you waiting until the day of the wedding. Whether I show up or not. That'll keep you on your toes."

"Trust me Korra. You'll keep me on my toes either way. What do you say?"

"We would still be young but...Hey, why not. As I recall saying, I think we're meant to be together."

"I love you Korra," he wrapped his arms around her.

"I love you Mako," and the couple kissed once more, a little surprised, but excited as well for the future to come.

And this, my friends, is the beginning of a new fluffy Fic.

Stay tuned for Korra and wedding planning.

It will be it's own multi-chapter story. So you won't find it here.

Wink.

Reviews would be very lovely.