The winter semester is finally over, and I can finally get to work on fan projects again! WOOT! This semester in particular was busy and kept me too occupied for much else than school work and social stuff.
Anyways, that means I can finally get this up. I'll be posting two chapters in a row to make up for the long absence, and I'm hoping they'll be worth the long wait :-). Also, want to wish everyone a happy holiday season, and hope all those out there dealing with classes reading this got through the semester decently!
Enjoy!
XoXoXoXoXoX
When the skybison bound group finally arrived in the Southern Water Tribe compound, they couldn't wait to disembark from Oogi and stretch. A few White Lotus officials came by to greet them, with Bumi and Eska in their company. While Mako was preoccupied in his thoughts and Tenzin and Kya were busy greeting their brother Bumi, Korra pulled Asami and Bolin off to the side for a quick, private chat.
"Korra—something up? Why aren't ya including Mako in the fold?" Bolin asked after the Avatar halted them a distance from everyone else in her old training arena.
Korra looked around before she answered. "Tarrlok told me Tahno is here in the Southern Water Tribe—that Amon discovered him at Kanani's place. The reason I don't want Mako to know, Bo, is—Tarrlok said that Tahno is aware of something that I really need to know that Koh told him about, and—Tarrlok's theory was that info...might be about getting Mako's bending back."
"Why would Tahno come all the way down here if he had that kind of info on him?" Bolin exclaimed. "Why not stay and just tell us—if that's what it is?"
"I'm guessing he was in a hurry to get in some practice with his bending forms—Tarrlok told me that's what Tahno's been up to lately—that he probably went with Kanani because she was the one he first learned how to bend from," Korra replied. "But a part of me is thinking he also split because of the whole deal between me, Mako and him. He left before either of us could tell him it was over between me and Mako after he left the Spirit Oasis." She looked between the two, and then to see if it was still just the three of them. When she noticed the coast was still clear, she added, "That's why I want to confront him before Mako finds out he's here—to see if what he knows is about that...or not, and confront him about it so he can tell Mako about it—if that's what it is—and cut down on any possible drama in the process."
Korra looked to the earthbender. "Bo—I want you to take Eska and go with Tenzin and Kya to my sifu's place and keep an eye on Mako." She then directed her attention towards Miss Sato. "Asami, I want to stop by my parents place and see them quick, and then go get Naga—and I want you to come with me. And Bo—don't mention this to Mako, but...Asami's also got his scarf. I want to surprise him with it when the timing's right."
"Where's his scarf been this whole time?" Bolin asked her.
"It was in my wardrobe," Asami spoke. "Mako must've left it there when those two borrowed a few garments from it before my father's demonstration."
"Bo—do you know the way to Kanani's place?" Korra asked him.
"I think I remember the way," Bolin replied.
"Good," Korra said. "Some time after it gets dark—bring Mako over that way. If Tahno knows anything about getting Mako's bending back, he can tell him then after we've had a chance to speak with him about it—and we can get this little reunion out of the way."
"Korra, are you sure you're gonna be comfortable with this—my bro and him, and the possibility of the two of them getting together?" Bolin asked her.
Korra looked at him uncertainly, and then nodded firmly. "I've had a lot of time to think it over, and—I know that's what he wants, and I've learned to accept that."
Bolin shrugged. "If you're gonna be okay with it—"
"I will be," Korra confirmed.
"Then okay—I'll wait a while, get in some time with Pabu and Eska, and then bring bro over there," Bolin stated.
"Remember—don't tell him anything, and keep an eye on him," Korra told him.
"Will do." Bolin smiled. He looked over towards where his brother was distracted then. "Think you guys could take my luggage over to your parents place for me? It'll save me from having to make the trip by foot with it."
"Don't worry, Bo—I'll make sure to keep it with mine when we head out," Asami assured him.
"Thanks," Bolin told her.
"Okay, we'll meet up later," Korra turned to Asami. "Let's get going. I want to visit with my parents and spend some time with Naga before we head to Tahno's mom's place." While Korra led Asami off by the hand, Bolin headed back to the place where Kya and Tenzin were holding their conversation with Bumi, and where Mako and Eska were waiting around, looking distracted.
Eska perked up upon the young earthbender's approach, looking towards him with a small smile forming on her lips. "I was wondering where you might've gone off to. Your brother hasn't exactly been much of a conversationalist since you guys got here."
"He never really was, plus—he's probably distracted by something," Bolin told her. "Oh—I can't wait to introduce you to Pabu! He's gonna warm right up to you. He's a real people person."
Eska's smile grew more defined. "I'm sure I'll enjoy his company." She put some emphasis on his, giving an indication of what exactly she meant when she took his hand. He quickly looked down at his hand with hers now clasping it with alarm, and then turned his surprised emerald gaze to meet with hers. They quickly broke it when Tenzin and Kya finished their conversation with their elder brother and turned their attention to the trio of youths still waiting there.
"Did Korra and Asami head off?" Kya noticed the two's absence.
"Korra wanted to visit with her parents, and took Asami with her," Bolin replied.
"We won't wait for them then," Tenzin replied. "The day grows short, so why don't we all get going before it gets too dark?"
The response to that were a few nods and a quick climb back up on the skybison's back.
XoXoX
Several feet away from the preoccupied young waterbender, who was vigilantly working on his bending forms with little success and lots of frustration, Noatak stood by, doing as the Moon Spirit instructed and observing the icy-eyed young man's exasperating predicament in silence. At one point the young man dropped the water he'd been working with for an instant to aggressively look around—as if expecting the culprit to his frustrations to be some silent nearby observer.
To validate that theory, the young man shouted to nobody in particular, "If there's somebody out there watching me—take it elsewhere! I'm trying to get something accomplished here—and I can't do that while somebody's standing out there spying on me!"
His icy blues crossed paths with Noatak's current location, but didn't remain locked there—moving past him and elsewhere as if the young man hadn't even acknowledged his existence. After turning a few more times in search of his imagined or genuinely sensed spies—the pale waterbender gave up the venture and continued his lesson where he left off, with no more success than previously.
Up till that point the young man needn't have worried about anyone being there to witness his failures and half successes with his task—besides Noatak's presence anyways. A short time later, however—probably a half hour after the icy-eyed waterbender resumed his session once he gave up seeking out an unseen intruder upon his privacy—he gained an actual curious observer who tried to remain inconspicuous when she came by to spy on his activities.
Tenzin's young airbending daughter, Jinora, happened upon his location—taking to the top of an icy outcropping with the grace of one with her bending art and watching him from that vantage point as the waterbender continued to screw up his maneuvers. Noatak figured the young airbender had overheard the waterbender's constant groans out of frustration, and came to investigate as a result.
The waterbending young man probably would've remained oblivious to this true spy on his privacy if the young airbender hadn't let slip the mat she'd carried in hand with her. Jinora came very close to being found out, escaping in the nick of time before the young man had a chance to halt his actions and investigate where she previously was. Noatak noticed the increased annoyance crossing the young man's face as he searched around again for an actual intrusion.
"I heard that!" He shouted as his head darted to and fro. "I know somebody's out there, damn it—so you might as well step out and show yourselves right now!" The young airbender was long gone by the time the waterbender began searching the premises for her whereabouts—but that didn't stop the young man from pursuing her location. His icy blues darted from the outcropping where Jinora previously was, roaming the landscape around him afterwards.
But then—he halted when his eyes reached one spot. It was in the direct path of where Noatak was standing, no more than several feet from where that young man—the former Wolfbats waterbender, Tahno—was currently standing. The former Equalist leader froze, eyes connecting perceivably up with those icy-blues staring back at him. When the young man's expression shifted uncertainly, Noatak figured he'd been found out, that the young man—by some extraordinary yet inconceivable happenstance—could actually see him standing there. Noatak continued to stare back perplexingly at the waterbender as those icy-blues remained glued to him.
But then—after a pause—Tahno shrugged his shoulders and his eyes drifted elsewhere in search of something. An intruder or something else—the former Equalist leader couldn't reckon what exactly. But whatever it was the waterbender gave it up quickly, because shortly afterwards he ceased his efforts and went back to practicing his forms.
And, for a time—Noatak continued to watch.
XoXoX
Kya was looking forward to seeing her niece again, and was certain Jinora was excited to see her return—along with her father and the rest of the party. And she wasn't wrong. As soon as she, Tenzin, her uncle Bumi, Bolin, Eska, and Mako arrived and knocked on the door, Jinora was practically jumping on her. Kya was one of the few people or things Jinora got that excited over, and while the rest of the party was heading indoors, she pulled her niece off to the side to get in her personal greeting.
"It's so good to see you again too," Kya took the young airbender up in a crushing embrace. Jinora pulled just as close, clinging to her aunt until the time came to part.
"Aunt Kya, are they still searching for Tahno?" Jinora asked her aunt as they walked away from Gran-Gran's homey abode.
Kya looked at her niece. "Why do you ask Jinora?"
Jinora didn't explain; she took her aunt's hand and whisked her off. It took all Kya could muster to keep her balance as she kept up with her niece's fast pace. She took a moment to catch her breath when they came to a stop. Kya noticed they were standing behind an icy outcropping, and that Jinora was peeking around the bend of it at something. Kya snuck up beside her niece.
"So—why did we just run a marathon?" Kya inquired softly. Jinora pointed towards something.
"Look over there," Jinora told her, voice low. Kya did, noticing the figure of a young man standing out there in the distance, practicing his bending forms in the shades of dusk under the rise of a three quarter moon. He was maneuvering the water in choppy arcs, and when he turned to face them, Kya recognized him immediately.
"You need to do it like this," Kya stepped out of hiding, demonstrating her point to the newly startled young man when she raised her own water column to show him what she meant. His water plummeted to the ground in the process, producing a large splash as it impacted. She kept up her demonstration a moment longer before letting her own water sink back to the ground.
"Have you been having trouble with your forms, Tahno?" Kya asked as she stepped in to help him clear the water from his coat. He shrugged her off.
"I can handle it myself," Tahno stated, eradicating the moisture from his coat. "What are you doing here?"
"Jinora brought me out here. I was paying her and the family a visit," Kya replied. "So, Tahno—have you been having difficulty with relearning your forms, or has something been making it more difficult for you to use them?"
"I've got the basics down, but for some reason the more complex moves aren't coming smoothly to me," Tahno explained. "I think my back injury might've affected it or something."
"Do you mind if I take a look at it?" Kya asked him.
"Not out here," Tahno stated.
"We can take it indoors." Kya suggested. "I just want to be certain whether that's the cause or if it's something else. I can determine that by checking it."
Tahno shrugged, sighing. "My mom's place is nearby," he conceded. "Let's make it quick. I want to get back to practicing."
"We can do that," Kya assured him. He led the way.
Once they were indoors, Tahno threw his coat on a bench by the central fire pit before stripping his shirt from his shoulders and taking a seat. Kya came in and investigated the scar where the stab wound once was prevalent, fingering the nerves around the injury. She brought her healing water up to help relieve some of his muscular tension.
"It looks fine, I don't think it's the culprit of the troubles you've been having lately with your forms," Kya informed him. "Have you been feeling troubled lately? It could be a result of emotional issues."
"I've been fine," Tahno insisted irritably. "The only thing that's been frustrating me is that I'm not having any luck with my more complicated forms."
"Are you certain about that?" Kya asked him.
"Yeah, I'm certain."
"Where did you get those scars all over your chest?" Jinora bothered to ask. Tahno looked at her.
"I got them during an incident," he replied, leaving it at that. "So, how's it looking?"
"It looks like it's healed up nicely," Kya informed him.
"Can I put my shirt back on now?" Tahno inquired.
"Yes."
"Thank you." He briskly threw his shirt back on, rebuttoning it quickly before reaching for his coat. He got to his feet and showed them to the door. "Can you promise not to tell anyone where I'm at? I'd rather not have anyone else know I'm here right now."
Kya looked at him uncertainly, but nodded. "I won't say anything." As an added thought, "Oh—if you ever need help with your forms, I can help you with them."
"Thanks," Tahno opened the door and stepped out. He locked it up once the other two were outdoors. "I'm going back to practice. I'll...think about what you suggested. Later." He walked off, leaving them standing by the doorway.
Kya and her niece walked a distance in silence before Jinora grabbed her aunt's arm to halt her. "Are you really not going to tell anyone he's here? Weren't Mako and Korra and them looking for him or something?"
"I promised I wouldn't," Kya informed her. "But that doesn't mean you can't."
"You want me to tell them?" Jinora asked.
"I want you to bring Mako out to where Tahno was practicing earlier before we interrupted him," Kya told her. "If I'm guessing correctly, he'll head back to the same spot to resume his practice." She knelt down, speaking more quietly. "From what I've managed to observe of the situation, Mako was devastated when Tahno disappeared. I also think the reason Tahno's having trouble with his forms is because he's emotionally conflicted."
"Because of Mako," Jinora noted brightly.
Kya nodded. "I think those two need to confront each other and work out whatever issues they have with one another. It'll help Tahno gain some success with his forms, and maybe Mako won't be so glum."
"I can do that," Jinora replied. Kya smiled at her.
"Let's head back," Kya told her niece. "I need to speak with your Gran-Gran about something—and I have a few errands I need to run in town as well."
XoXoX
When Bolin's eyes landed on the small furry creature with the ruddy red and white fur outside in the company of Ikki and Meelo, he was suddenly overwhelmed by emotion. He rushed over to scoop up his furry friend, ecstasy oozing off him as he cuddled Pabu close to him. The fire ferret took the abuse, getting in his human companion's face.
"Pabu, buddy—I've missed you so much!" Bolin cooed as the fire ferret's cold wet nose met his. He hugged Pabu tightly before turning to Eska and introducing the two. Pabu warmed up to her immediately, as he did with most people. Eska smiled when he climbed on her shoulders and perched there while investigating her face more closely. Bolin smiled as he watched. "I think he likes you," he told her. She looked his way, her smile more defined.
"I guess," Eska stated as Pabu's nose came in contact with her cheek. She laughed as his whiskers tickled her face.
"Care to go in and join the rest of them?" Bolin offered after noticing it was just the two of them out there. Eska looked around, and then up towards the moon.
When Eska's eyes met back up with his, "I think I would rather stay out here for a bit. It's more comforting under Yue's light." She carefully took Pabu off her shoulder and handed him back to Bolin.
"Do you know if the Moon Spirit's watching us right now?" Bolin asked curiously as he took Pabu.
Eska's darkened powder blue eyes caught the light of the moon. "Yue knows when two people need their privacy." Those moon illuminated powder blues fixated with the earthbender's emerald green eyes before she felt the gravity of their connection drawing her nearer. Without giving him much warning, Eska drew her arms around his broad shoulders and brought her lips to his.
XoXoX
Bolin hadn't given him much time to think it over before he approached Mako and informed him to pack up—that they would be leaving for the South Pole first thing in the morning. Didn't give Mako a chance to protest, or an explanation of why he needed to go with. All Bolin told him was to be ready, and that he couldn't wait to see Pabu again—and that Eska would be meeting them up there when they arrived.
So, the next day Mako had a bag packed so he'd be prepared for the cold weather this time. Just like Bolin stated, Tenzin and his sister Kya got them all gathered together on Oogi's back first thing after breakfast. Their company had included Korra and Asami as well; Mako hadn't been aware of the fact that Korra was back in the city, and the long trip had been awkward as silence was kept up between them the whole time.
They reached the Southern Water Tribe before nightfall, and Mako couldn't wait to plant his feet on solid ground yet again. He hardly noticed his surroundings as they dismounted the skybison's back briefly before getting on Oogi's back again and making the remainder of the trip. He vaguely acknowledged the interior of the Southern Water Tribe compound, but not much else as he was more internally than externally preoccupied. He only took note of the fact that Eska and Bumi joined them in the trip—and Korra and Asami were absent.
While Bolin was busy getting in his reunion with Pabu and was introducing the fire ferret to Eska and Tenzin and his siblings were getting in their family reunion, Mako stood off to the side and absently watched. After a while, he went to a quieter location at the side of the abode to get some fresh air.
He was staring at the surrounding water tribe village for a while under the three quarter moon before he noticed he had company. Jinora was standing beside him, looking forward. She turned her head his way at the same time he did the same towards her.
"You're more withdrawn that usual, I've noticed," Jinora observed. "Is the reason for that because you lost your bending?"
"I guess," Mako shrugged slightly.
She stood there, silent. Mako didn't entertain the notion of conversation by saying anything.
"Do you mind taking a walk with me?" Jinora stole his attention when she abruptly ended the silent spell.
Mako shrugged. "I guess it couldn't hurt anything."
Jinora smiled, and then grabbed his hand and led the way. For a twelve-year-old girl, she had a pretty good grip, he observed. They left the constant chatter of company behind and walked into the icy tundra. For it being as chilly as it was outside, the air felt refreshing as it gently caressed his face while they casually walked.
"Is it okay if I ask you about a few things?" Jinora spoke up. Mako looked to her.
"I guess," he answered.
"What was it like to lose your bending?" Jinora asked him.
"It felt like I was being stripped of a part of myself," Mako answered.
"Was it painful?"
Mako shrugged. "Not really. It was more mentally traumatizing than physically painful."
"Do you think you'll ever get it back?"
Mako was silent a moment. "I don't know."
"Do you want it back?"
Mako considered that before answering. "I do miss it. Especially at times like this when it's cold."
"Was it anything like it was for Tahno?"
Mako looked at her startlingly. "Tahno?" He collected his nerves. "Could've been. Each person's experience is different."
"Have you been looking for Tahno?" Jinora unexpectedly asked him.
Mako stared at her peculiarly. "Is there a reason why you're asking these questions, Jinora? Or are you just trying to make conversation?"
"I remember that it was depressing for both Korra and Tahno when they lost their bending," Jinora stated.
"I'm somber, but I'm not depressed," Mako clarified.
"—And I thought you might like to know that Tahno's right over there." Mako stared incredulously at Jinora, and then in the direction she was pointing. Indeed, she was pointing directly towards somebody—who froze up, dropping the water whip he held suspended in midair as he stared directly at the two with wide icy blues when he spotted them there before turning and bolting.
Mako was in too much shock to react, and it was only at Jinora's insistence that he pitched forward and broke out in a chase after the fleeing young man. As the situation registered and his feet picked up the pace, he shouted to the young man he was in pursuit of.
"Hey, Tahno—wait up!"
XoXoX
Korra took Asami by the arm and briskly led the way. Eventually they reached her parents place. Senna and Tonraq greeted the two at the door. Korra got in a big family hug before the four went inside. Senna told them dinner was prepared, that they'd anticipated their daughter's return and had it ready when she would show up. Asami appreciated the familial hospitality, taking to the warmth of Korra's mother's attention, and finding comfort in Korra's father's stories that were told over dinner.
Afterwards, the two parted company with Korra's parents and went to Naga's den. Asami could see the excitement exuding off of Korra in waves in her growing anticipations of seeing her polar bear dog companion again, and saw it fully expressed when she and Naga were finally reunited.
"I missed you so much, girl," Korra was affectionately cooing as she wrapped her arms around Naga's large furry neck. "You don't know how much I've missed your company these past few weeks." Naga made a noise that didn't seem to contradict that statement as Korra pulled away from her neck. Korra got busy saddling up Naga while Asami stood by watching. "Wanna go for a ride?" Korra held out her hand.
"Are we taking Naga over to Kanani's place?" Asami asked.
"I want to go for a casual walk and get reacquainted with Naga before we bother go to looking for Tahno," Korra held out her hand insistently. "I've been running all over creation these past few months; I just want a break, and thought you'd like to join me in taking one." She grabbed Asami's wrist then. "It's a beautiful night, so why don't we kill some time just enjoying it for once—just you and me?"
"If you insist," Asami replied. Korra smiled, helping her up onto Naga's back before joining her. The young Avatar set her polar bear dog companion into a lope, and they cleared her den and ran off across the open tundra. Asami gasped as the wind rushed in her face. Korra shouted joyfully as Naga broke out in a full run. Asami watched the landscape zoom by, catching hints of moonlit ice hills as they passed by them. The night was painted in peaceful hues of blue, grey, white and black—the view absolutely breathtaking.
"How about we get in a half hour of this then head over to confront pretty boy?" Korra suggested, her voice catching with excitement.
"Fine by me!" Asami called back, voice almost lost to the wind. Korra's arms secured themselves around Asami's waist then.
"Let's go for a run then!" Korra shouted enthusiastically. "Naga, go!"
XoXoX
"Damn it, damn it!" Tahno cursed under his breath as he ran at full speed for the sanctuary of his mother's place. He heard feet rushing to catch up to him and familiar shouting coming from behind and he picked up the pace.
He hadn't been expecting Mako to show up at just that moment with Jinora. He'd been so preoccupied by his practice and the continual sense of eyes on him from elsewhere that he hadn't noticed their approach until they were too close for his liking. Tahno wasn't ready to face Mako, and didn't know when he would be. He put as much strength into his legs as he was capable, trying to outpace the others enough to make it indoors before they caught up.
He came so close to reaching his goal, but when somebody grabbed his hand suddenly from behind he was sent tumbling to the ground—bringing the culprit down along with him. His back impacted with the slush-covered ground, sending a painful spasm through him. He winced at the pain, closing his eyes briefly to deal with it. When he opened them again, they were met with an all too close pair of auburn orbs.
"Damn," Tahno cursed as he was pinned there. "Didn't think you'd find me this quickly."
"Why'd you run off?" Mako asked, his breath warm against the waterbender's face.
"Just now, or before?" Tahno asked.
"Both," Mako clarified.
"I left so my mom could help me practice my bending forms," Tahno informed him. "They've been a little shaky since I got my bending back."
"Is that the only reason?" Mako's breath was getting irritating against the waterbender's face.
"I—might've needed some space." Tahno looked up at him. "Speaking of—could ya get off me, please?"
Mako helped him to his feet. "Why'd you bolt when you saw me?"
"I wasn't ready to face you yet," Tahno dusted the ice off his coat. "I—didn't wanna get in the way of...you and Korra."
"You leaving wouldn't have made a difference either way," Mako brushed the slush off his own coat. He looked at the waterbender gratefully when Tahno made a gesture to help him with that.
"Trouble in paradise?" Tahno lightly jested.
Mako replied straightly serious. "Korra broke it off with me."
"Oh." Tahno fidgeted a few moments. "So—were you looking to talk about it, or...other stuff?"
"Do you think we could take it indoors?" Mako suggested.
Tahno looked around. "Hey—where'd the little airbender, Jinora go?"
Mako shrugged. "Must've gone home. I lost track of her when I was trying to catch up to you."
"Hm." Tahno shrugged his shoulders. "Doesn't bother me much if she's run off." He trekked towards the door of his mother's place, unlocking the door. "Do you remember...what happened the last time I invited you in here, and it was just the two of us alone?"
"I...ahem, yeah—I do." Mako followed him in and Tahno closed the door behind them. When Mako stepped inside, he watched Tahno make a line directly towards the fire pit.
"Might take me a moment to get it started," Tahno informed him. "My mom's out running some errands, and the hubby's pulling an all-nighter. We—should have the place to ourselves for a while at least."
Mako felt something snag at him consciously as he watched the waterbender struggle to achieve a spark. He walked over and came up behind the waterbender. "Tahno, it goes something like this." He took each of Tahno's hands in his, guiding them in striking the two pieces of flint together until a spark was ignited. Tahno looked at him awkwardly as Mako backed off and took a seat by the fire pit.
"Um...thanks." Tahno shifted the logs around until he got the fire roaring. "So, what've you been up to lately?"
"Killing time on Air Temple Island," Mako replied, eyes caught in the flames. "The Northern Water Tribe was getting too cold for me."
"Bending still gone?" Tahno asked.
"Yeah," Mako responded. Silence settled in for a while, the crackling of the fire acting as their natural background music. Mako's eyes drifted from the flames towards the waterbender across the way, observing his face and how the firelight danced off his features.
"So—did you come here specifically looking for me?" Tahno broke the silence, noticing Mako's eyes on him.
Mako shifted his eyes towards the fire again. "I have been looking for you. But—actually...I'm here because Bo dragged me here. I had no clue this was where you ran off to."
"I didn't run off—I just needed a break," Tahno corrected him.
"Yeah, you already mentioned that," Mako said. "Tahno—can we talk?"
"Isn't that what we're doing right now?" Tahno pointed out.
"I mean about deeper matters," Mako replied. " Like what's been going on with you lately, my breakup with Korra, and...other things."
"What's been going on lately with me is that I've been trying to get in some practice with my bending forms, and I've been failing miserably on the higher than basic stuff," Tahno replied.
"Any clue why?" Mako asked him. He saw the waterbender's expression shift a bit before he neutralized it.
"I—I couldn't tell you," Tahno replied, stammering slightly. "So—what about you, Fireboy?"
"Well, me and Korra—our breakup happened the day you left. Right after you left the Spirit Oasis actually," Mako replied.
"It went downhill that fast?" Tahno's eyes widened.
"She claimed she'd been thinking about it since the morning after Hiroshi and his cronies were defeated." Mako concentrated on the fire, recalling their conversation in the Oasis—his and Korra's. "She thinks my affections were drawn elsewhere, torn between her and someone else. And she was right." He looked over at the waterbender. "They were."
"So...what are you gonna do about it?" Tahno looked back at him anxiously. "Try and get things cleared up with me and then try to win her back? You don't have to argue it over with me, Mako—I already told you where I'd agree to stand."
"No, Tahno—I wasn't going to do anything like that," Mako stated. "After spending the past few weeks thinking about it, I've come to realize that things between me and Korra are over—romantically anyways." He forced his eyes towards the fire. "During my time back on Air Temple Island, I did a lot of inner reflecting. Plus—I kept recalling moments I experienced everywhere I went back there." He looked at Tahno before adding, "Moments I spent...with you." Tahno was just staring at him, and Mako sought comfort in the flames again during a brief pause.
"Does it still bug you?" Tahno's inquiry startled him.
Mako looked at him quizzically. "What?"
"The firebending loss bit—the way you keep looking at the fire," Tahno replied, quickly glancing at the fire pit. "Like you told me that one time—when you said you regretted being a firebender. Having second thoughts about that now?"
Mako looked at the fire. "I didn't realize how much my bending was a part of me until I lost it. I'm always cold, and—I guess...I just miss it."
"In a way that's how I felt," Tahno replied. "Not the cold bit, but definitely the feeling like a part of me was lost thing. Water was—is—my life, and it was so hard to adjust to it not being there anymore. You get used to the loss, but you never fully accept it."
"If you're trying to make me feel better about the situation, you're not doing a very good job," Mako remarked.
"No—I'm just trying to prove a point, Mako," Tahno explained. "I'm just saying...I know what it's like—I understand what you're going through right now." He looked at the fire a moment. "Also I was just badly reflecting on a moment I remember us having the night your pops first paid me a visit. You were going on about that sort of thing a moment ago."
"Back to that—" Mako watched hues of orange and amber dance across the waterbender's face. "While I was back on Air Temple Island...I kept being reminded of you—all I could think about was you. I came to a realization I've known subconsciously for a while, but only just fully realized recently." The fire beckoned his eyes back towards it. "The thing is—I want to be your lover, Tahno...that's what I wanted to tell you."
"Do you know what kinds of things that entails?" Tahno questioned him, unexpectedly critical. "The consequences, the cost—the sacrifices? It's the kind of decision that, once you commit to it—you can't turn back. No chances of ever being able to go back to Korra—no chances of repairing the damage and getting your good reputation restored. When you wear the label...you wear it for life. I learned that the hard way."
"Tahno—I know exactly what it entails. I saw what your ex-rivals thought of you during that confrontation with Taki in the alleyway. I know about the kinds of opinions people will form about me if I go public with this—the labels they'll use on me like queer and cocksucker." Mako informed him pointedly. "You know what? I could care less what other people will think of me. I've been called a street rat since I was eight—I think I can handle the ridicule."
"Damn it, I—I just don't want to see you get hurt!" Tahno blurted all of a sudden. Hastily he added, "I became a literal punching bag. I didn't have my bending—and smart aleck thugs used that to their advantage. You haven't got your bending—they'll do the same damn thing to you! Don't you get it Mako?!"
"Then teach me how to defend myself!" Mako exclaimed. "Asami taught you how to defend yourself, and it was effective for you. I saw you in action, and it showed that you'd learned your stuff."
"Mako—are you really certain you want to completely commit yourself to me?" Tahno questioned him seriously.
"Yes—yes Tahno, I'm damn certain!" Mako shot back. "I freaking fell hard for you—I know without a doubt that what I want is to be with you!" The ex-firebender looked at him perplexingly. "Why do you keep questioning me about this? I thought this would be what you'd want!"
"The damn Face Stealer wants us to be together, Mako!" Tahno shouted in return. "I wanted to make damn well certain that you're fricking serious about this—that you fully want it for yourself! This—this isn't a game, and I don't want you waking up someday regretting that you made this decision and then have it all spiral down on both of us! I've already paid a hefty price for what I've done. I-I'm not willing to pay anything more!"
"I'm not asking you to sacrifice anything more!" Mako shouted. "I'll be the one who'll be making all the sacrifices. And you know what—I'll be happy to do it! It's because I love you that I don't want you to pay the price anymore, and you'll be gaining me in the process instead of losing something!"
"Prove to me that you're willing to commit to this completely then!" Tahno challenged.
"I'll take you up on that!" Mako confidently retorted. He got to his feet, took steady, determined steps in the waterbender's direction, and took a firm grip on his lips. While he was wrestling with the waterbender's lips, his hands were shucking his jacket from his shoulders and then were running up under his shirt.
As Mako's fingers were running down the line of the waterbender's shirt buttons, he spoke between oral breaks, "I want to make love to you—and I don't care—if your mother—were to walk in—and see us doing it. I need you—to help me make up—for the heat I can't make myself—by creating friction that'll—cause my body heat—to rise. I...need...you...inside...me...so...you can show me...how...a...real pro...bends...now—that you have...your...bending...back."
After the last button was severed from the hole it was slipped into, Mako slid the shirt from Tahno's shoulders and stripped it off him. Mako moved away from the waterbender's lips and trailed down to his neck, planting kisses on the skin along the way. Tahno crooked his neck instinctively to give Mako better access, allowing him several moments of pleasuring him before he drew Mako away by the shoulders. Before Mako could protest Tahno leaned in and crashed his lips down on the ex-firebender's mouth. He kept a firm grip on Mako's shoulders as he delved further into the ex-firebender's mouth with his tongue. And then, unexpectedly—Tahno pulled apart from him, and pinned Mako down on the floor.
"So—you want me to show you how a real pro bends, eh?" Tahno purred in Mako's ear. With one hand pressing Mako down by the chest, the other roamed downward, his fingers slipping through the loop of the fabric of the ex-firebender's trousers and the undergarment beneath, tickling the skin underneath. "I'll show you just what I'm capable of." He unlooped his fingers from the fabric and then twitched his fingers with a particular motion, a smile forming when he saw a blissful expression cross Mako's face.
"Let's take this to my bedroom," Tahno offered Mako his hand to help him to his feet, picking up his shirt in the process. "I'll give you the best private lesson you've ever experienced."
XoXoX
Her lips tasted so sweet as they exchanged motion with one another. At first Bolin had been so caught by surprise he hadn't been able to react, and the exchange had started out stiff. But as the idea registered in his brain and the sensation became ever so real, he sunk into it desperately, wrapping his arms around her waist.
Pabu had perched on the young earthbender's shoulder just before Eska made her move, and was currently nestled at the curve behind Bolin's neck, holding on securely while his human companion was momentarily preoccupied. And the fire ferret would have comfortably perched there while his earthbender companion sunk deeper into the passionate throes of the exchange, but—
"I think Pabu's gonna fall off." A voice tore the two apart from each other in a hurry, and almost literally made that claim truth. Bolin was grabbing for his fire ferret all while he was working on composing himself for this intruder. Eska was blushing bright as Bolin's eyes landed on Tenzin's eldest standing there watching them.
"He was fine until you said something about it," Bolin informed Jinora with a note of irritation. "So, Jinora—was there something you wanted?"
"No—just wanted to warn you that Pabu was gonna fall." Jinora turned and walked towards the entryway to her Gran-Gran's abode. Bolin sighed as he watched the young airbender leave a moment, and then returned his attention to his female companion. Eska was still a bright shade of rouge.
"I should probably go and check on Mako. Korra told me to keep an eye on him; there's somewhere I'm supposed to take him in a bit," Bolin told Eska as he took her hand and led her in the direction Jinora went.
Jinora did a quick turn, stopping in place. "Um—Mako's not here right now."
"Huh?" Bolin stared at the airbender confoundedly. "When did Mako take off—and where'd he head? Do you know?"
"Mako looked lonely and bored, so I took him over to see Tahno," Jinora answered. "He's at Tahno's mother's place right now. I let them be after they headed inside."
"That might...throw a wrench in Korra's plan," Bolin stated. "Um...Eska—care to take a little walk with me?"
"Um...sure," Eska's face had cleared of the rouge. Jinora watched them leave.