Author's note: For the full of effect of Mako's early years with Bolin listen to Whispering Winds by James Horner that score always breaks me. There is some Makorra hints in here.

Age 8

All of his innocent is now gone all of the joy and happiness he had felt even a month ago is gone burned to a crisp along with the bodies of his murdered parents now he must be an adult and care for his 6 year old brother. Their family was not rich and their murder was quickly put on the back burner, to stay together the brothers must take to the streets. Mako isn't sure if this is the right choose for Bolin, his cute looks almost assures him that he will be adopted but Bolin wants to stay with him. " We're brothers we will do this together just like mom and dad would want us to be.'' So that ends the debate they will survive or die together.

Age 9 He has bruises all over his body but he has fought off the 3 other street kids that wanted their steal the spot Mako had found for them and the fire he had made for Bolin. He has stayed strong for his brother but now he is the verge of breaking down in tears. They are camped in the park that is near the statue of Avatar Aang and when he looks up at the statue he breaks but only after Bolin is asleep "Mom and dad said the avatar helps people why won't you help us!?" He yells at the cold unfeeling stone "aren't we good enough aren't we worth saving?!"he yells again with tears flowing down his checks on to his father's scarf. He cries silently into it. "Mom Dad I'm trying so hard but it's its just too hard I can't do it anymore please come back please."He is only comforted with the cold winter air and silence, his tears and sobs are the only noise but he makes a promise himself. He will never cry again and he will never hope again.

Age 10 He has become a good pick pocketer and thief sometimes his brother will join him but he wants to keep Bolin out of any criminal acts as much as he can. He is also pinched for the first time and his eyes looking the police camera they are scared and lonely all he wants is his parents back but he knows they will not come. He is let go since he tells the cops nothing and they got nothing and all he gets is the beginning of a rap sheet. "Get out of here street rat." The cop who books him says when he is done with Mako and he does into the uncaring streets.

Age 12 He is getting noticed by the gangs for his smarts and skills as a firebender. He and his brother have been running numbers for the Triads and now he is being noticed by the capos. Viper pulls him over one day and says "Zolt wants to see ya kid". Mako doesn't argue how can he? He knows about Zolt and how he is the biggest gangster in the city and the gang is the only ones who are willing to give him and his brother jobs.

When he meets Zolt the man isn't the monster he imaged instead the man is in his early forty's and almost looks fatherly towards him. "So you must be this Mako kid I have heard so much about". It was NOT a question "yes sir"Mako replies weakly "well kid you must be wondering why you are here and the answer is simple.I need an heir to my empire and you might just be the one Mako."He gives the boy a sly smile knowing Mako has no choice but to accept what he is offering him.

Age 13 Zolt is now teaching him how to lighting bend while he knew he also had the talent to do so since his mother was a strong firebender but still For the first time he is beginning to harness his power. His brother think it's cool but Mako is under no illusion about why Zolt is teaching him. Zolt is eyeing as him a potential protégée and he feels sick about it what would his parents think about this.

Age 15 No longer is he just running numbers now he is acting like an enforcer, he burns down business at night that refuse to give the gang protection money and shocks some bookmakers that refuse to pay a street tax. He does this while trying to stay away from Zolt a much as he can. He knows the man wants to make Mako his heir but he can't allow that. His parents would never forgive him if did become a true gangster. His only comfort is the fact that Bolin has remined innocent and away from the gang life.

Age 16 He is arrested by the police again but now his rapsteet has more serious crimes. No longer is he just a street kid running numbers or selling stolen goods for a gang. Now Mako is providing security and muscle. His glaze into the police camera is reflects this, no longer are his eyes innocent and terrified they angry, wary, and untrusting. He is a boy without hope and if not for his brother would have given his soul to the streets and become Zolt's protegee. He is a boy that is condemned like so many streets kids barring a miracle and Mako doesn't believe in them.

Age 17 His brother in all of his innocent and habit of doing stupid things might just have given them a chance to save themselves. Somehow Bolin managed to convince the old bro bending legend Toza to not only teach them how to pro bend but he lets them stay at the arena. Maybe they do have a chance after all.

For the first time in years he is able to visit the graves of his parents. "Mom dad I'm sorry it has taken so long for me to visit but I did it. I got us through the streets well Bolin helped too." He says while a small smile. "I hope you two are proud we aren't there yet but maybe we can make something of ourselves. Please keep watching out for us".

Age 18 He is no longer on the street but still he labors, his job at the plant doesn't pay much and Hasook stinks as a water bender and it doesn't shock him when he is a no show and with it any chance of the winnings that can change the lives of him and his brother yet something happens. This crazy girl busts in their locker room like she belongs there, he does his best to ignore her it is only later that he realizes the truth. "You're the avatar and I'm an idiot"he says with a sigh."Both are true." she says with an amused smirk on her face and he knows she isn't going to go away. He knows she will change his life.

At first he views her as a naïve pest even when she becomes their water bender he sees her little more as a pest than a teammate especially when his brother develops a crush on her. That all changes when she volunteers to help him find his missing brother. He finds that is kind,funny,loyal,and brave and after they save Bolin he can't get her out of his mind. Since then whenever he is around her his heart begins to race and he see how truly beautiful she is,how blue her eyes are. He could look in them forever and never get bored.

Even when he meets Asami and all that she is willing to offer him. The conform, the riches, her love his heart still can't let go of Korra not when he is around her every day not when she is helping them in practice everyday. The teasing,the flirting he can't stop it, he is at his happiest with her even if he denies it. He can't help falling for her despite what his head is telling him and the reason is very simple.

She has given him hope and he breaks that promise to never hope.

Age 21

Even after all the chaos that Kuvira's invasion had caused he was happy to see their graves were still in their places and on the anniversary of their murder the loyal son returned as he always did. "Mom Dad I'm sorry I have been here the last few years but I was stuck being this so called king Wu's bodyguard''. He said with a sigh while he had come to see Wu as a friend he could not say they were the happiest years of his life. "But I'm back and I'm not planning on missing any more visits." He had a small smile on his face while he Republic City was his home he also knew that Korra saw him as her lieutenant and would call him to be at her side soon enough. "Last time I was here I came alone but I wasn't you see I was with this amazing girl and well I was living again not just surviving and I guess just living made me forgot about you two please forgive me." He wanted to show her the graves of his mother and father when she asked where they were when they were dating but Mako wanted to waited until things were more serious but because of their break up that had to wait.

"I'm guessing I'm that amazing girl." Korra says behind him as she approaches where he is sitting. He nods and she sits next to him. "Hi I'm Korra it's nice to met you two and let me tell you two you have an amazing son. Sure he can be rude and a jerk but he isn't so bad once you get to know him. He's actually rather dorky and sweet once you become a person he cares about oh and he is loyal when he isn't trying to please everyone".

Mako winches but she gives him a sweet smile and wraps her arms around him "But there is no once else I would rather have with me and I know Bolin would say the same". A gentle wind embraces the two of them,it Feels like a warm hug. "I know that is them Mako I think are saying they love you and are proud of you." Mako learns into her embrace and for the first time in years he feels peace.