This was ridiculous.
Of all the days Wu could have gotten himself captured, it had to be today and it had to be because Mako hadn't followed him to the bathroom. The logical part of his brain knew that if he'd been with Wu, he might be dead now. Another logical part of his brain realized that whoever had done this had probably been banking on him being distracted by Korra.
But seriously, could he not have just this one day?
He'd stuck to Wu like sticky sap. Figuratively wiped the guy's ass, keeping him happy, making sure he was safe. Was it too much to ask for just one moment to reconnect with—an old friend?
Yes, of course it was. They were searching a train because the pampered, self-centered little wanker couldn't stay in his room for a few hours.
And on top of that Korra was pissed at him. What right did she have to be pissed at him? He wrote her. Every week for a year, he wrote her. Did she expect him to just be okay with how she ignored him? That was so like Korra. Just barge right on ahead, with no consideration of the past or the future.
For all he knew, she hadn't sensed Wu's spiritual energy and was just going with her gut feeling, like always.
"How do you know for sure that he's here?" Mako asked as they searched yet another compartment. This was the third one. They were running out of train.
Korra shrugged. "I don't. But I had a feeling, okay?"
"And I'm just supposed to trust your Avatar feelings?" The minute he said it, he knows he's gone too far. But Mako wasn't not sure he cared. After three years, maybe he was done worrying about what will offend her.
Korra whirled, stopping Mako short. She's angry, but he didn't see her.
He saw a different girl. A girl with her hair pulled back, who won't look anyone in the eye.
That girl was not Korra. This was Korra, eyes flashing, not afraid to glare up at him. Calling him out, even when he's not sure she had the right to anymore.
"You wouldn't have to if you had guarded the prince like you were supposed to."
People around them are looking up from their tea and their newspapers, none of them recognizing the girl in dark blue with the short hair. But Mako recognizes her as he rises up to meet her.
"Oh, so it's my fault Wu disappeared?" he demands, following Korra and Asami into the luggage compartment
Korra turns on him again, leaning forward. "It's certainly not mine!"
Mako's eyes meet hers and for a moment, they aren't on the train moving from one car to another. They are in front of the pro-bending arena. She feels it too; he can tell by the way she hesitates, mouth half open.
Then Asami shushes them.
But the moment happened. This is their dance. They've taken the first steps. It might be a long buried routine, but a part of them has fallen into sync once again.
Mako only wonders if maybe they'll have the patience to see the dance to the end this time.