Don't hate me for this chapter. :)
Zhao watched the interaction between the Earth King and the Avatar very closely. There was something the two were hiding as they spoke and while he had a small interest as to what it was, he would not trouble the Avatar for it.
A couple of days had passed before King Wu could see them and unlike their meeting with the Fire Lord, this one was a bit more personal. He and Korra were brought into the private quarters of the King. A tall, grumpy man stood in the background, watching with an annoyed look on his face.
"Korra, baby doll," Wu said, clicking his tongue and pointing at her with both hands, "What can I do for you, you wonderful woman of power?"
Korra flared her nose, not enjoying the man's flirting, "I just wanted to ask about the rail line to Chongsheng. It's not complete like you promised it would be."
A large grin formed on the King's face, "Of course it was. My council said it was completed and that your requested aid had made it."
"Um, no," Korra crossed her arms, "It was not. I just came from there and had to finish the long tunnel under the mountain."
The King's look changed from fun to business, "You aren't kidding?"
"No, I am not and I'm beginning to feel like my side of our bargain was never completed."
Wu turned to the grumpy man, "Mako, can you tell the council to meet me later?"
"Of course." The man answered, giving Zhao a dirty look.
"That's my Mako! Getting things done."
Mako whined before leaving. The King would then turn his attention to Zhao.
"And who is this, Korra? Some new boyfriend?"
Korra gagged, "No. He's my new shadow."
"Your shadow?"
"Nevermind. I will explain later." She waved, "You really didn't know that this rail line was unfinished?"
"You know me Korra. Between Republic City and my council, I don't leave the palace often." Wu's head dropped in shame, "I should take Mako's advice and tell them where they can stick their expensive boots."
Zhao leaned down to mutter to the Avatar, "He seems quite the spoiled king."
Korra chuckled before responding to Wu, "We all told you when you took the throne. You had to run the country, not just party."
"Oh, speaking of parties Korra." Wu waved his hands, "It occurred to me that your birthday was a few weeks ago. How does the sound of a ball in your honor sound? You know, for all you have done for myself and of course, our strong Mako."
"It's fine," Korra held her hands up, "I don't need another party. My last one was good enough."
Zhao laughed, remembering the look on Korra's face after she came back from the Spirit World. While she did not say much about it, he knew something embarrassing happened. The former General probably told stories.
"Honestly Wu, I just want to see him and get this rail line completed." Korra said with a sigh.
Mako had just walked in, "The council will meet with you, your Majesty. Is there anything else I can do for you?"
"Oh yes, can you get a birthday party started for our friend? Also, if it is okay with you Korra, I would like to send Mako to oversee the completion of the rail line."
The Avatar felt like jumping in the air with joy, "Of course I don't mind if he oversees it."
"Good. I just want to make sure this is completed. Now, let me lead you to him."
Korra paused, "Hold on. Zhao, you should stay here and do not destroy anything or anyone. I mean it."
The firebender hummed, "Fine. Whoever 'him' is better be worth my staying here alone."
Mako answered, "It will, unless you want to see a woman cry."
He received a nasty look from Korra, causing Zhao to laugh.
"You better go alone then, woman." Zhao snickered, "I wouldn't want to clean those tears away for you."
Korra growled as she followed Wu, "I hate him."
He rushed through the halls after shouting orders about some birthday party the King wanted. Mako knew she would still be in the certain room. The former detective of Republic City knew that she liked to stay in that room for hours. He actually counted this, her second time coming to the palace and she had stayed there most of the time.
He was listening to Wu talk about an upcoming festival when Korra had entered the room. She spoke about wanting land to use as for a town. Wu had gracefully agreed, except he knew his council would disagree until the King had security for the throne.
"I would gladly give you some land," he started, "But my hands are tied. I cannot accept unless you help me."
"Alright, what can I help you with then?"
"I need an heir."
Korra seemed to blink at that answer forever. Mako pinched his nose, knowing full well what Wu was asking for.
"Come again?"
"I need an heir, Korra. The council will not work with me until I have one."
Korra held a hand up to stop him, "I get that but what do you want me to do? Find some orphan for you?"
Mako cringed at the King's answer, "Not really what I had in mind. You see, for some reason the women here are not thrilled about, well you know, and technically, you are considered to be from well off families, considering your father and your cousins are Chieftains."
"Stop!" Korra shouted. Mako had only seen her that red a few times before, but this… he felt embarrassed for her.
"You want me to," she swallowed the thought harshly, "To- I can't believe I'm even considering this. Have you tried a concubine at least?"
"Twice." Mako spoke up, souring Korra's already disgusted look, "They both ran away after looking at him."
"You both actually tried that?"
The king interrupted Mako's comeback, "I cannot help you until then, Korra. But if it helps any, I can protect your image. I will not announce you as the mother and only my own personally picked, trusted servants will know. And our big guy, Mako."
Mako gave the Avatar a sympathetic look as she seemed greatly conflicted. He knew that Wu had her cornered too. There was no way President Raiko would help her. They both had a fight over weapons and spirit matter, not to mention Korra's time in jail.
Korra seemed to let out a long, aggravated sigh, "On one condition, since I seem to be lending you my body for a few months; I get to come see the child."
"That'-"
"I'm not done." Korra interrupted, her brow furrowed forward, "Anytime, not when you want me to come and if the poor child happens to bend, I want to train it." She paused again to gather her thoughts, "For sure, no funny business! I don't really want to spend any more time with you than I have to."
Mako slapped his forehead.
The months afterward were just as awkward for him. Mako couldn't look at Korra without trying to hide a laugh. Of course, she shamefully laughed along and had told him that there was a reason the noblewomen of the Earth Kingdom refused him. She claimed it was the worst forty-five seconds of her life.
At a certain point, she had left Ba Sing Se to look over the building of Chongsheng. Rumors spread through the Earth Kingdom of a child conceived with some woman (left to the imaginations of the people). The king's staff was handpicked by him to look over the coming child with complete secrecy, lest they wanted the wrath of an angry Avatar; one with a past of ending lives. Then the news of the mother passing after childbirth was announced. The Earth Kingdom grieved for a bit. Korra had stayed in the King's family quarters for five months before heading to the Northern water Tribe.
Sure enough, Mako walked in on Korra holding the toddler's arms as the boy worked on his walking. She was laughing and trying to get him to dance with her. To Mako, it looked like bouncing, but he wasn't going to ruin the moment.
"Hey Mako. Can you believe how big Lok has become?" she smiled as he walked over.
"He's grown for sure." Mako said softly, still watching them, "You and Wu lucked out with his green eyes, you know. Can you imagine how the world would react if they found out?"
Korra seemed to shrug him off as Lok stood on his own, "Aren't you a strong boy, Lok."
Mako rubbed the back of his neck before sighing, "So, that firebender. Is he was last one from the Spirit World?"
Korra turned, to look at him, "He is."
"You two aren't-"
With a raised brow, Korra laughed, "Please Mako. Give me some credit." She sighed as he returned his own raised brow, "No, he's impossible. It is a constant back and forth minds fight."
Mako sighed with relief, "So, do you have any plans besides kidnapping me to do the King's dirty work?"
The Avatar laughed once more, "One, I'm not kidnapping you and no, I do not have any plans."
He stuffed his hands into his pockets, "Well, there's this new jazz hall in the city. I thought that if you have some time tonight, that I could take you out? Not on a date of course."
Korra chuckled, "Of course. Alright, I don't see why not, but I need to find a babysitter for my shadow. He might burn something down."
"Just bring him then. Maybe he'll find a woman to disappear with."
Korra gagged, "Any woman what stays with him will either be crazy or so alone."
"At least you can make sure he stays out of trouble and besides, aren't you supposed to be helping him adjust to the times?"
The Avatar at this time had picked Lok up and begun to blow raspberries on his stomach. The boy laughed, trying to push her away.
"You are right. I suppose it will do us both some good to go out tonight." She answered with a small hand in her eye and the other hooking her nose.
The firebender nodded with a smile on his face, "I'll leave you two to play."
Zhao found that he kind of liked the new Earth King. The man was not the brightest and always enjoyed the idea of getting fitted for new clothing. Wu didn't even mind ordering several sets for the man. The King's guard, naturally, were quite annoyed with their antics and the former admiral made sure to keep them busy with simple orders of carrying bags around for their King.
"For acting as Korra's shadow, you are quite commanding, Zhao." Wu said as they walked back into his wing of the palace.
"Years of service, my King," Zhao smirked, "And I was naturally gifted with it."
"Well, if your time with Korra becomes boring," Wu started, trying to put his arm around the taller man's neck, "I might have a place here for you to work. I like having strong benders around me."
"It would-"
"Oh no. Don't you dare charm him, Zhao." The Avatar interrupted as she came into the hall, "Sorry Wu, but until I can trust him with not causing trouble, he won't be working for any head of government."
The Earth King sighed, "I was looking forward to having two strong firebenders around."
She glanced at Zhao, "I will consider it, but for now, I need to borrow him."
The night was brisk with cold as the odd trio walked into the jazz club. Mako and Korra had smiled as they entered, remembering how similar the clubs in Republic City were like. The large stage held a band. The fast paced music filled the hall and the dancers kept to the beat on the floor before the stage. Both of the men were in black suits with bowties, while Korra was left to wear a green dress. She fought to wear her hair in its normal bun.
"You both call this music?" Zhao spoke up after a moment of looking around.
"Is he always like this?" Mako asked.
Korra growled softly, "Always."
"Well Avatar," Zhao smiled, "Am I at least allowed to drink by the bar or should I stay sober and enjoy watching you both make a fool of yourselves?"
"Go right ahead, Zhao. Drink to your heart's delight. Just don't be a Flame-head and burn anything."
Mako chuckled softly as the two glared at each other, "Maybe I will go buy the first round. Hopefully that will ease the tension here."
The hot tempered benders nodded in a rare agreement as they followed him. He ordered them all a honey wine, in which Zhao had to comment.
"Aren't you a sweet man."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Mako asked, slightly confused, "Never mind, you were referring to the wine."
"Where did you find this man?"
Korra smirked, "Fighting arena. It's a long story."
Mako slammed down his drink before holding his hand out to Korra, "Would you care to dance? Of course, if you can remember how to."
Korra scoffed as she took his hand, "Of course I can."
Maybe not, she later thought. The dancing seemed to have changed in the last ten years since she last went out. She was watching younger couples toss and swing each other around as the band roared its music. When she and Mako tried, they were not in sync to keep up. In the back of her mind, she knew Zhao was laughing at them.
"You'd think they would play a flashback to our younger days." Korra muttered as the music slowed.
"Just admit it Korra, we're getting old."
The Avatar scoffed before thoroughly thinking it through, "You're correct. We are old now."
They both laughed as the song ended. A woman headed onto the stage, taking the microphone. She would begin to sing with her raspy yet stunning voice. Mako nodded his head towards the other man they brought.
"You better get him dancing. He looks like he needs it."
Korra frowned as they took their break. She would walk over to Zhao, who was on his second drink, and offer her hand.
"Come on, Lost Man. Let's get you on that floor."
Zhao shook his head, "I do not dance."
"You will now, Hotman. Come on. I think you will like it."
Zhao grumbled as he let her take him to the floor. She carefully fixed his bow tie before placing the firebender's left hand in the right spot along her waist.
"Go any lower and I will maim you." She threatened, placing her left hand on his shoulder, "Just follow me for a moment and then you will have to take the lead."
The once proud man nodded as he followed her steps. Korra had to remind him a few times to look up, giving him an encouraging smile. He looked into her blues eyes and for a moment returned his own smile.
"Do you do this often, Korra?" the former admiral asked.
"Not as much as I did years ago." She said placing her head on his chest before laughing, "Hey, you called me Korra."
"That is your name, right?"
"It is, but that was the first time you didn't call me Avatar."
"I can go back to calling you Avatar." He grinned.
"No, it's pleasant for a change." She said calmly.
"Then I am glad you like it."
They continued their dance into the next song. From where he was, Mako watched them with a broken heart. He was beginning to realize his mistake of letting them dance together for a few songs. He swallowed down another round of rice liquor before rubbing his forehead. The bartender seemed to sense his distress and poured him another.
"You lost your broad it seems."
"Yeah, lost her to a man she said she loathed."
The bartender glanced back at the couple, "Isn't she the Avatar? She looks like her."
Mako gulped his next round down before answering, "She is."
"That's rough, pal."
"Tell me about it." He said leaning back against the bar.
When the song ended, the couple came back laughing over something. Korra gave Mako a light nudge in the chest.
"What's bugging you?"
Mako frowned further, "It's nothing, really."
"Yeah, sure," Korra grinned, "Come on. I can tell when you don't want to talk."
Zhao had by this time, walked to the bar behind Korra. Mako's eyes followed him, telling the Avatar all she needed to know.
She pinched the bridge of her nose, "You can't be doing this now, Mako. This was supposed to be a fun night out without jealous feelings."
"You're right," he said softly before smiling, "It was my fault for recommending him for a dance or two."
The awkward moment between them did not last long as the band started playing an older song. Korra smiled as she grabbed Mako's hand.
"Here's our throwback song," she grinned, "Care to dance, old man?"
"It would not be a night without a shimmy dance."