A.N. So I didn't get around to finishing this when I thought but hope y'all enjoy this. I also completely abandoned my Wednesday upload day, so I apologize if it's different some days.

Part I Revolution

Chapter Seven

Akira

Akira stared at the radio before her; it would be so easy to reach her mother. All she had to do was pick up the object; it was the first step. Yet she couldn't bring to herself to do it, because it would hurt too much to be disappointed by her again. But she was worried after seeing Kili, and the fear in her eyes was something Akira hadn't seen in ages.

And although her mother infuriated her, and the woman was the most selfish person she had ever met. She had ensured that she had a life filled with people who loved her, like her grandparents. And she never went a day without a bed to sleep on and food in her belly. In the grand scheme of things, her life could have been much worse, and perhaps that was why Akira was reaching out to her. Or maybe it was because of the lessons her grandfather bestowed on her; the importance of forgiveness. But she wouldn't do it to give her mother peace; she did this for her own peace of mind.

Or that's what she told herself. So Akira picked up the forlorn object.

And waited...

And waited...

And waited...

"Akira?"

She sucked in a sharp breath, not expecting the rejection to hurt her that much. "Hi, Yara," Akira said weakly, and as she spoke her heart hardened once more. The young woman had a pleasant conversation, although the majority of it was through Akira's teeth. She promised to catch up with her and Akon as soon as things slowed down in Republic City. After finishing the call, Akira never felt so cold before.

If she showed her an inkling of care, she'd probably feel more afraid for what is going on. But her silence spoke volumes to Akira; it made her feel like the whispers were true. The sympathetic gazes from her mother's coworkers as they said the same thing, the girl was a means of keeping the family name alive.

And since then, Akira vowed should she ever have children they'd never feel the way she felt right now.

Used.

As Akira makes her way to City Hall, she tries to feel excited for what is to come. After all, today was the first day of the now official Republic City Restoration project. President Moon had approved of the plans and the day before they had finally broken down. All that was left was to finalize the timeline, and after a couple of hours, they did just that.

It included numerous arguments and plenty of compromises but, what lay before them was something that would benefit the entirety of the city.

The woman prepared to leave satisfied with their work until Varrick suddenly barged into the room. "You can't keep me away from my wife Bolin, no matter how hard you try! Our love is stronger!" The three women looked toward Varrick unsurprised; it hadn't been the first time he had interrupted. And although Akira found him…eccentric he was also brilliant; he had masterminded the new system of the railways using magnets to power the rails making them more efficient and in the grand scheme of things cheaper.

"Varrick we've talked about interrupting." President Moon said to her husband, although her tone was more tender than angry.

"Yeah I know but this is an emergency! It's for the gala I'm planning for tonight! Do we want an ice sculpture or a flaming centerpiece that explodes? " President Moon looked at her husband just as surprised by the news as Akira and Asami were.

"Varrick dear, we never planned a gala." Zhu Li said avoiding the topic of explosions with expert precision. Varrick threw his arms up in an exasperated gesture before throwing one over his wife's shoulder. "That's why I planed it! As first husband, this is what I do! Besides I already have a bunch of rich friends coming to donate to the cause."

And while the women wanted to argue that it was completely unnecessary, and wildly inappropriate in the current political climate; it was a good investment plan. "I never thought I'd say this…again. But Varrick is right, we could use the exposure." Akira brought up, Asami while reluctant agreed as well. "It also is a good way to get further donations to the few families living in…less than ideal circumstances." Asami said with a sigh, as Varrick threw his arms around the young women in excitement.

"Then it's settled a gala in Republic City… I better go get that red carpet from storage." Varrick quickly kissed Zhu Li before leaving the room with a helpless looking Bolin being dragged by the collar of his shirt."I guess there will be a gala tonight." President Zhu Li said, and a gala there would be.

Asami and Akira left the building both of them talking about the gala that night. "You're welcome to come to the estate and get ready with Korra and I."

"That'd be great Asami!" Akira said, as the girls continued, they spotted Mako leaning against his Satocycle, he was handing the keys to Bolin until he spotted Akira and dropped the keys cursing. Akira headed towards Mako making a quick detour from Asami, who good-naturedly grabbed Bolin by the arm saying she needed to talk to him before shooting a wink at Akira, who blushed fiercely. She started making as many no gestures as she could until she caught Mako looking at her amused.

"Hey." He said his face turning a pink hue, Akira smiled feeling just as awkward

"I…Ugh…Hi," she said lamely, Akira cursed herself for the momentary lack of articulation. It just wasn't like her, but then again around Mako reason usually evaded her. But she couldn't help but be annoyed at the painful awkwardness that now circulated between her and Mako after their second almost kiss. A large part of her wanted to run in the other direction, while another strong urge was to take fistfuls of his stupid light blue detective uniform and kiss him. It was a very strong urge, but Akira has always been fairly good at self-control.

"Heard about this gala tonight… Guess I'll see you there?" Mako asked trying to play it off like nothing but failing miserably, the hope obvious in his face. And Akira wasn't quite sure what came over her, but she ignored every thought in her brain that told her to fight what she felt.

Akira placed her arm lightly on his forearm, her fingers lightly brushing his scarred skin. She looked into Mako's eyes and noticed that the amber hue had darkened slightly. Akira's heart stuttered at the way Mako looked at her, it was a way she hadn't been looked at in a while. Seemingly out of character Akira leaned closer into Mako, not enough to be inappropriate but enough overwhelm him.

"I'll see you there!" She said cheerfully disrupting the moment and sauntering off towards Asami leaving a very confused and very intrigued Mako behind her. Akira has decided something then and there, she was done doing what people expected of her. She would no longer be the dutiful daughter; her mother didn't deserve that. She was going to live her life in her way, and perhaps… Perhaps it was time for her to dive in.

"Asami I'm going to need to borrow your radio," Asami smirked at Akira as she looked at Mako's longing face. "Whatever it's for you got it." She said laughing, the girls got into the car and sped off. Akira smiled feeling more content than she had in a while, she had a call to make to her mother; and then…

It was going to be a fun night.

Mako

Mako was having a hard time focusing as of late, he had forgotten that he had promised Bolin could borrow his Satocycle for his date with Opal. Even at work Chief Beifong was beginning to get annoyed with him. She kept mentioning that if he was going to daydream, he could do it on his own time, and he had Akira to blame.

He couldn't get it out of his mind, how soft her skin felt under his hand. How close he was to kissing her, and she had great lips Mako had to admit that. They were full and looked soft to the touch, and her eyes had been so much more than the initial brown he had thought. There was more than a warmth to them but an actual reddish hue to the brown like a ruby was trying to escape. She had grown so much more beautiful the more he got to know her, sure she was stubborn and could drive him insane. But she was kind and thoughtful and one of the smartest people he had ever met, she was fierce and quick.

Mako shook the thoughts from his head as he walked home, he had to get ready for the gala tonight after all Varrick said it wouldn't be a gala without Team Avatar. Within the next few hours, Mako was off to the gala and surprised to find a sleek black car waiting for him. Varrick popped out from a hole in the roof much to Mako's confusion.

"I call it a Li-mousine, after Zhu Li of course! Get in!" Mako shrugs and gets into the vehicle, listening to Varrick and his brother talk about ideas for a mover and other various wild things that Varrick and Bolin usually spoke about. While Mako and Zhu Li spoke quietly to one another, he often felt like he was accompanying two children on a playdate when his brother got with Varrick; but Zhu Li was always excellent company.

"And Mako is in loooooovvveee." Bolin sang, springing Mako from the conversation.

"Not funny Bo." He scowled, looking out the window, now abandoning any interaction.

"You should have been there Varrick, it could be a whole new type of mover. A forbidden romance, the brooding detective, and the beautiful rich girl. From different worlds, but her evil father won't let them stay together!" Bolin expressed; he painted the picture with his hands his other arm wrapped around Varrick as if trying to get him to see it.

"I don't know about that kid but keep that idea on hold," Varrick said thoughtfully before turning to Mako. "So, tell me about this girl." Mako huffed sinking further into his chair not budging. Zhu Li chuckled from the other side of the vehicle from her husband's antics.

"Give it a rest dear." Varrick slid to the other side wrapping his arm around Zhu Li.

"This is important work; besides I want to know about my friend Malo's love life." Mako raised an eyebrow annoyed. "You know my name is Mako." Varrick shrugged.

"Close enough, now give us the details." Mako opened his mouth prepared to say he wasn't in love until Bolin took over.

"Her name is Akira Piandao a Fire Nation beauty. She's got almond-shaped brown eyes, pretty short… Well, now that I think about it she's like really short like shorter than Opal… anyway, she's kind of curvy if I do say so… Black hair with a slight curl, oh, and really clear brown skin like I don't think she has pores…" Bolin was cut off by a withering look from Mako.

"Stop. Talking." Mako said through his teeth. "And I'm not in love with anyone so can we cut it out?" Varrick held his arms up in surrender as him and Bolin continued to laugh lightly teasing the increasingly annoyed Mako.

"If it makes any difference." Started Zhu Li, quiet enough that Varrick and Bolin didn't notice during their teasing. "I think she likes you too." Mako blushed and nodded thanking the President, with that they made it to City Hall and entered the gala.

For starting the event in such a short matter of time it was an elegant affair, Mako had to give it to Varrick it was a high-profile event. Although there were still protestors outside as well as reporters, Zhu Li remained outside answering questions from the reporters; while Bolin and Mako made their way inside. Bolin found Opal quickly along with the other air acolytes, Mako made conversation with Jinora and Kai, until he turned around and saw her. Mako wasn't sure if his mouth dropped or if he was making the most stupid face in the world, but he was in awe by what he saw.

Akira was wearing a black dress that clung to the curves Bolin was talking about earlier, it highlighted her small waist and wider hips. The neckline dipped lower than anything Mako had seen her in before and was just a touch under a modest neckline. Beyond the heart attack, Mako was having from seeing her in that outfit. He realized he had never seen makeup on her before, she had a dark liner that made her eyes shine brighter. All the while enticing him with a mystery, they sparkled with mischief as if beckoning him to learn her secrets. From that, she had a bold red lipstick highlighting the plumpness of her lower lip, while her hair was pinned in curls giving the illusion of a shorter haircut.

"Are you done staring detective?" Akira asked with a smirk, now with the heels, she was finally at eye level with Mako. He blushed a deep red, not knowing where to look. "I-I….I was definitely staring." Mako said and Akira smiled placing her hand lightly on his arm.

"Good to know." She said slyly before turning away from Mako and leaving him. If he thought his thoughts were plagued by the woman before, his mind was on overdrive now. He couldn't get her out of his mind, how tantalizing and tempting it was. He could imagine himself stealing her away in a corner and kissing her until he got dizzy, but he continued to shake the thought from his mind attempting to remain civil.

"You're doing it again." Mako cursed an apology towards and amused looking Korra, she looked lovely in a navy-blue dress. The two had been accompanying one another while Asami and Akira were talking to a Fire Nation nobleman named Shin. Akira was talking extensively, Mako could tell she was passionate about it because she used her hands. Whenever Mako teased her about it she always said that she needed to feel what she said, and he had to admit it was more convincing.

"Still staring." Korra mumbled into her champagne. Mako rolled his eyes and picked up a champagne flute from one of the passing workers. "She's beautiful." He said softly, Korra turned to him a wide grin on her face.

"I knew it! I knew you had a thing for her." She said wiggling her fingers at her friend, Mako quieted her as Asami had turned with a quizzical look on her face. Korra blew her a kiss and Asami turned back to the man smiling from the interaction. "I knew you liked Akira; I mean Bolin told us about how he found you too practically making out." Mako made a mental note to chew out his younger brother.

"We didn't even kiss…I mean we almost did…twice…Fine I like her, a lot…I haven't felt this way in a really long time. I mean I've had…I mean you know it's not like I haven't seen other girls since you or Asami. But I never wanted someone like this." Korra smirked at Mako.

"I know what you meant. If it helps any, I know for a fact that she has feelings for you…strong feelings." Korra said before Mako could interrogate her for information Asami and Akira returned both looking hopeful. "Looks like we're going to be able to speed rail some of our ideas." Asami said excitedly, Korra looked towards Mako and smiled wide.

"That's great Asami, let's celebrate with a dance," Korra said leading her girlfriend away, she waved back at Akira and Mako before the two disappeared into the crowd, leaving Akira and Mako together. Mako turned towards Akira and opened his mouth to say something but closed it abruptly.

"Something you wanted to say?" Akira teased, Mako made a serious of awkward sounds causing Akira to laugh. She took his hand and raised an eyebrow challenging him, Mako smiled and followed her through the crowd. She led them to the balcony outside and smiled blushing lightly. She and Mako laughed diffusing the awkwardness of their almost kiss and the obvious tension between the two.

"I'm sorry I've been acting so awkward around you the past few days." Mako said rubbing his neck sheepishly."You were acting awkward? I just assumed that was your usual behavior." Akira smirked, Mako mock laughed and stepped closer to her. Akira's face burned and Mako could see the light blush on her cheeks. He wanted to kiss her so bad in that moment, and the way she looked up at him wasn't helping his restraint.

"God, you're beautiful." Mako sighed unable to stop himself from saying it. Akira blushed and turned her face away from him. She was about to say something but Mako stopped her. "Before you say anything let me?" Akira stopped and nodded letting him have his moment, Mako turned away he didn't want to see the protest in her eyes, he just needed to clear the air once and for all.

"I don't really know how to say this so forgive me if I say something stupid… I never have had trouble with girls." Mako winced as the words came out. "Which sounds really conceited now that I've said it," Mako said painfully, he could hear Akira snort at his comment and that encouraged him enough to continue. "I had always found trouble with relationships, it was either we were too different, or too many things happened. Then for so long, I felt like I didn't belong, I felt so stagnant like I was drowning. But then I met you…And yes we disagree and we fight, but I still choose you. I think I will always choose you because you aren't my life raft Akira you swam with me. You make me unafraid, you make me want to dive back in, and if I drown I don't care…I guess what I'm trying to say is I am falling for you Akira; I'm falling for the challenge because you make me better for it."

Mako paused, and after a moment he turned afraid to see her face but knowing it had to be done. His heart dropped painfully because he was met with an empty balcony. Was he too bold? Was it too soon? Had he scared her away with his feelings? Mako was certain that he hadn't imagined it, he had felt that she wanted this too. He felt it every time they were in a room together, like a tether between them that called for them to find one another. Mako wasn't a romantic sort, he was rational and yet she made him believe in things like that.

After a moment Mako recovered from his initial heartbreak and saw something shining on the floor. He grabbed the object and saw it was a Shirshu dart, devoid of its venom. Mako's mind turned as he realized what happened. He was an idiot to leave his back turned to her, he searched frantically calling out Akira's name. He turned back to where they were standing and saw something floating in the bushes. He tore the paper from the bushes and his heart dropped.

We won't be silenced, but she will.

~ The Badgermoles