Enjoy.

He stood in front of a mirror as she corrected his jacket and bowtie. Zhao was quite enjoying it too. He needed help with the clothes anyways. It was not just a simple robe from his day. The suit had many buttons and the bowtie confused him still, at least that is what he told the Avatar. Korra had showed him multiple times and he really just asked her to show him again. Korra later asked if he was doing it on purpose. The wicked smirk on his face answered her question. He received a slap on his chest and a glare before she laughed.

"Alright tough guy, I think you look suitable for this birthday party."

"Just suitable?" he grinned, "I think I will steal the show with my smart looks."

"What can I say? My efforts made you this way."

Zhao leaned in, inches from her face, "Who is a bit conceited now?"

Korra took a step back, clearing her throat. A slight blush came to her cheeks, "Well, I think it's time to go. I would hate to be late to my own party, even if I did not want it."

"I'm positive that you could ditch the party minutes into it and no one would care. It's your party." He said, offering up his arm to escort her.

She denied him, "One moment. I need to see someone before I go in. Then you can escort me, if you'd like."

"Of course, Korra."

She gave him a nod before leaving his quarters and headed down the hall. She hurried into the nursery, giving the servant a nod. The servant, a woman in her sixties called Gin-ju, smiled as she moved out of the way.

"He is all ready for tonight, Avatar Korra. The King will be by shortly to take him."

"Wu's personally taking him? Did he say why?"

"I'm sorry Avatar, I do not ask the King personal questions." She bowed.

Korra frowned walking to the crib, "Alright."

The boy was sitting in his crib trying to chew on his shoe. When the shadow of his mother covered his face, he looked up and smiled. His chubby arms went up in the air, wanting to be held.

"Aren't you looking handsome today?" she said, granting his wish.

"He's beginning to take after you, Avatar. Every day, I see a bit of you in his face."

Korra sighed, "I'm surprised the secret has lasted as long as it has."

"I have kept it a secret since I was told about my special job, Avatar. I assure you, if it does come out, it will not be because of me."

Korra was about to thank her when a knock on the door was heard. Wu walked in with a strut and his goofy grin on his face.

"There you are, Korra darling." He said, putting a hand on Korra's shoulder.

Korra's brow furrowed forward before she flicked her fingers at his hand, "You say that like you're surprised."

"Not surprised. Our son has a charm like no other. People flock to him and his cute chubby cheeks!" he said holding his arms out.

"I hope you didn't get your father's brains." Korra told the boy before reluctantly handing Lok over, "You are still keeping this a secret, right? I'm not going to walk out there and suddenly have reporters in my face asking why, are we?"

"Of course not Korra. I made a deal and I tend to keep it. I know the railroad was a bit of a bump in the road, but this will not get out."

The Avatar decided against arguing and kept her mouth shut. She gave the prince a kiss on the head before announcing her leave. She ran into Zhao in the hall. She grabbed his arm and pulled him to the main feasting hall. The firebender had to stop her from just walking in.

"You've spent all day teaching me to behave and treat this with formality. I'm not going to let you ignore your own advice."

"You know, for a shadow, you talk too much."

"It would be almost impossible to provoke you if I were silent." He grinned for a moment, "What's making you rush off anyways?"

Korra raised a brow, "You are really asking me how I feel?"

"I am. I have stumped you greatly." His face inched closer.

She blinked for a moment, "You have. I don't know what to say."

Mako coughed to get their attention, "Are you two ready to be announced?"

The duo looked over before each taking a step back. Zhao offered his arm again, speaking out loud.

"I am beginning to dislike him."

"He grows on you after a while."

"I can hear you both, you know." Mako said, crossing his arms in front of him.

"We're ready." Zhao said.

Korra mouthed her apologies to her old friend before they were announced to the room.

The night was moderately pleasant. Most of the nobles wished her a happy birthday before quickly moving on. The stigma of killing someone in jail and later befriending the very person that tried to take the Earth Kingdom for herself, stuck with Korra and the people were a bit forced to grit their teeth in her presence. The representatives of the council also greeted her rather hastily before moving on.

Soon a gong was rung, signaling everyone of dinner. Plates and drinks were served as they began to take their seats. Zhao and Korra sat to the left of the Earth King with the prince in his own chair in between his parents. Mako stood off the back behind the King, keeping his ever vigilant watch of the room. Before everyone ate, Wu stood holding up his drink.

"Attention everyone," he began, "Before we eat our lovely meal, cooked by the finest chiefs in the world, I would like to say this: Happy Thirtieth Birthday, Avatar Korra. I know that our relationship has been strange since we have met nine years ago, but think of this party for you not only as a birthday party, but a thank you from my heart, the prince's heart and the rest of Ba Sing Se."

He clapped once before sitting down. Everyone else joined in before someone shouted for the Avatar to speak. Korra waved it down but suddenly shot up from her seat as her shadow pinched her rear.

She gave him a glare before nervously speaking, "Well, thank you, your Majesty."

Korra fixed her dress before continuing, "I guess that I would like to say thank you to the rest of our guests, oh and the people that set this up. It's a bit of a surprise, really. I was not expecting one."

Zhao sat to her left, leaning on the table with an arm propping his head up. There was a large grin, informing Korra that he was laughing in the inside at her nervousness.

"Um," she paused, thinking about what else to say, "I… also have to thank you. You helped me with relocating people whom were stuck in the Spirit World to a place in this world where all of the new technology won't fright them." She paused again, swallowing hard, "I also send my congratulations and condolences. I... missed the birth of your heir and the death of Prince Lok's mother."

She grinded her teeth before finishing, "Thank you everyone. It means so much. I won't keep us from our meal though."

Another round of applause went around the room before they started to eat. Zhao leaned to Korra, speaking low.

"That was… graceful of you."

Korra's nose scrunched as she shoved a bit of food in her mouth. He really did not have to tell her about how her speech was disastrous. She glanced behind the King, noticing Mako's concerned look. Korra gave him a reassuring smile before continuing to work on her meal. The meal continued to go smoothly until a bit of food was tossed at her face. She glanced to the right to see Lok laughing at her. The infant continued to keep the Avatar's attention on him, which Korra could not help but fall for. She was careful with what she said though.

After their meal was completed, music and dancing began. For the most part, Korra stood to the side watching everyone enjoy their time. What she was enjoying in the least, was that Zhao was dancing with some of the other women. She grinned at the thought of telling Iroh about it too. Maybe taunt it in front of Lord Zuko too, she thought. He had come a long way in the past few months. Besides the taunting and harassment, but she couldn't be choosey.

The firebender did eventually find her in the crowd. He was slightly drunk but nevertheless happy.

"You, Avatar Korra, do not have a drink in your hand." He slurred.

"And you have horrible breath at the moment." She said leaning away from him.

"The Earth Kingdom has never been known for good drinks."

"Apparently not, yet you drink them."

He shrugged. Korra laughed as he almost tripped over his own feet.

"Why don't we get you back to your room?"

"Lead the way Avatar."

She chuckled, helping him finish his drink before taking him back to his room. They stumbled in before Korra stood him up and began to undo his jacket. He tried to stand, but put a hand up to hold himself up, now standing a bit above her. She laughed as the last button became undone.

Suddenly, she was pushed back into the wall.

"Zhao, what are you doing?" She asked as he put a hand to her chin to look at her. He turned her head left to right, continuing to inspect her.

"You are beautiful. Not many women give me their attention like you have lately."

"You were stuck in the Spirit World for about eighty years. Of course you had no women looking at you and I am supposed to look after you."

"How about letting someone look after you tonight?"

She chuckled softly, "Zhao, you're drunker than a pi-"

Her statement was interrupted by his lips crashing into hers. She tried to fight it appalled that he was kissing her but eventually gave into it. It became a stubborn fight for dominance between the two before Korra somehow found herself on the bed underneath him. She flicked her hands at the door. The sound of the lock clicking shut was not heard by either of them.

She woke up, suddenly cold. When she peeked to look, she saw that the blankets had been ripped from the bed. The worst of it was when Zhao came back into the room fully dressed for the day.

"What time is it?" she asked, her voice raspy from lack of use.

"It is about midday. You really should think about getting up. I'm tired of trying to cover for you."

She sat up, "Midday? Why didn't you wake me? We were going to leave today."

Zhao laughed wickedly, "It's almost a sin to wake a woman from her slumber, especially if she is naked."

"You're a pervert."

"And you were mine for the night, though I should give you some credit. You fight back rather well in bed."

His comment earned him receiving all of the pillows on the bed thrown at him. He continued to laugh as she got up to pick up her dress from the night before and ran into the washroom.

"You should be happy. I brought you lunch and tea."

Korra peeked out from the washroom, flashing a smile, "You brought me food?"

"I did."

"Maybe you do have a heart after all."

He grinned as he picked the pillows up. His own bag was already packed for their new trip. He soon heard her return from the washroom. A look of worry was on her face.

"How am I supposed to get to my quarters without everyone else knowing?"

"You don't. I'm sure they know. Your jealous friend has already given me a death look."

Korra's eyes widen, "He knows?"

"He does. You should have really taken him to bed. He's infatuated with you."

Korra took a dumpling, biting into it. She sighed as she thought about how she was going to explain this, especially since she was not the drunk one.

"I'm well aware. We used to date years ago." she then paused, "So, what does last night make us?"

"Anything you want, Avatar. I am your shadow after all."

Korra hummed in thought, "This isn't going to become a reoccurring thing, is it?"

"With the way you purred last night, I don't see you ever wanting anyone else."

He again, had to dodge a thrown object.

"I did not purr!"

Zhao continued his attack, "Oh but you did. You may beat me in a spar at anytime, but a fight in bed, you lost to me."

Korra threw up her hand, "Alright, you can stop."

"Do not deny it, Avatar. You were finally controlled and you enjoyed it."

"Fine! I'll admit it. It's better than what I've had recently."

"And that was?"

"Nothing." She laughed as his grin changed into a disappointed frown, "Oh come on Zhao, don't give me that look. You can't tell me that you are hurt from that after all the evil comments you have given me."

Zhao stepped closer before taking her chin in his hand. He would look at her sternly before grinning.

"Now who feels foolish?"

"You are evil, truly evil."

"And you are a woman who cares too much about what others think about you. So much to the point that it interferes with your actions. You are hiding something; something between you and the King. I will not further inquire as I have my own assumptions on what it may be and you asked me not to, but it is known and possibly not just me."

Korra sighed, shrinking from his hold, "You are right. There is something between King Wu and I but I will not speak of it now. We are leaving Ba Sing Se today and I need to go pack."

He let go so she could finish eating and leave.

She walked into her quarters to find a fuming Mako sitting on her bed. He was dressed in a uniform of the Earth Kingdom, ready to come with them. All of her things were already packed, much to her relief.

"I thought you said the two of you were not a thing?"

"We're not."

"Didn't sound like it last night."

She opened her mouth to retort his comment, but stopped and went with something calmer, "Doesn't matter what he and I do. It's not like it is any of your business."

"It is now that I'm tagging along."

"It's not going to happen again."

Mako shook his head, "Whatever. By the sounds of it, I won't be surprised if I have to hear it every night that I'm with you… and him!"

"Wow, thanks Mako. I sense such trust from you."

Mako threw his hands up, "I don't get why you are even letting him work with you. Wasn't he some criminal or something like that in the past?"

"He was an Admiral of the Fire Nation," she corrected, "Not that you were not at some point in time a part of a triad."

"That's," Mako paused, growling at her statement, "I have since made up for it."

"And he will too."

Mako grunted, crossing his arms, "Fine. I won't bother you much longer. I have our train to prepare. It's like I run this country."

Korra shook her head as he left. She started to change into her long sleeved tunic when Mako reappeared.

"You should really fix your hair. I know you and Kuvira are best friends now, but that doesn't mean you need to look like her."

"Kuvira and I are not best friends. It just so happened that her cell was across the hall from mine and we both enjoyed playing card games together."

"I heard stories that you metalbended your cell bars open so you could sit with her in her cell."

"I think it is still none of your business."

"And I think that you're crazy... and lonely."

Korra whirled around, her tunic swinging open as she forgot to tie it close, "Piss off Mako."

He shut the door, leaving her in her room staring at the mirror.