CHAPTER 3: Party Crashers
Mako awoke to the sound of a quiet snore. He scrunched his face up, trying to get his bearings. Observing the bright rays of slanted sunlight spilling through the skylight, Mako could tell it was early morning. Why was he so stiff though? What was he doing on the couch? And what was squeezing him so tightly?
Mako's eyes widened when he looked down and realized what was firmly attached to his midsection. Korra's face was squashed against his ribcage, her arms wrapped tightly around her waist. Her mouth was agape, with an impressive puddle of drool next to it. Not sure of what to do, Mako just sat and stared at the Avatar's face. He did not understand how she looked so cute, no matter what she did. The spittle soaked into his jacket should have disgusted him, but he only found it endearing. A loose strand of hair dangled in front of her face. Mako squinted at it in annoyance. It was ruining an otherwise perfect image.
A fist slammed on the door. Mako would have launched himself into the ceiling, had it not been for the girl glued to his body.
Oh crap, he thought to himself. If Bolin finds me like this I'll never hear the end of it!
Mako inched his way to the edge of the couch and tried to extricate himself from Korra's grasp.
Another series of knocks rang out.
"Just a minute!"
Korra had a vice-like grip on Mako, much to his dismay.
"Damn, it Korra!" he whispered. "I'm trying to safe both our reputations!"
With a grunt, he pried her arms apart perhaps a little too violently, accidentally dropping her to the floor. The fall seemed to rouse her, albeit only slightly.
"Whah? Whah's goin' on?"
"Just stay here. Please."
Mako trotted over to the door, reaching for the handle.
"Bolin, how many times to I have to remind you to bring your keys with you to—"
Mako swung the door open and quickly shut his mouth. Tenzin stood before him, as well as his three children.
Meelo's eyes lit up when he saw the firebender.
"Mako!" he shouted, jumping up at him with blast of air.
Mako's eyes widened.
"Meelo, oh no not… oof!"
The boy had airbended himself up into Mako's arms, latching himself firmly. Mako shifted the child onto his shoulders and looked at the councilman.
"Tenzin. Morning."
"Good morning, Mako. I presume everything went okay?"
"Oh, uh, yes. Korra's fine. She's still sleeping, actually. Do you want me to go wake her up?"
Tenzin stroked his beard, adopting a pensive look.
"No, I don't think you should."
Mako stared at Tenzin quizzically, wondering why a small smile had crept onto the usually stern man's face.
"Mako, I have a council meeting to attend this morning. Would you mind watching the kids for a while? I have no doubt you can handle them. You've already handled yourself well enough with Korra. But, may I ask, why is she on the floor?"
Mako tried to stammer out an answer, but his mind had blanked. He just shook his head up and down, gulping. Luckily, Ikki saved the day.
"Hi Mako it's me Ikki you're cute why is a wet spot on your shirt do you drool why is Korra on the floor?"
Jinora rolled her eyes, and grabbed Ikki by her collar, reining her back in.
Tenzin resumed. "No matter. I suspect this surprise visit will suffice as punishment. Let us hope Korra learns from his irresponsible behavior."
Mako just nodded. The sudden motion caused Meelo to grab the teenager's hair.
"Ha ha! Mako, yip yip!"
Tenzin kneeled down to Ikki, placing his large hand on her small shoulder.
"Ikki, Korra said that she'd teach you some watertribe hairstyles today, if you wanted."
Ikki gasped and jumped up and down, clapping excitedly.
"What really that's so cool she's going to make me so pretty I can't wait I can't wait I can't wait."
Tenzin straitened up. "Kids, Dad will be back in a few hours. Go say hi to Korra for me."
"Bye daddy!"
Tenzin turned on his heels, and headed down the stairs.
Mako rubbed his forehead. What had just happened?
"Yip yip!"
After being callously dumped on the floor, Korra had climbed back onto the couch. Her head was pounding. Everything was too bright. She needed to brush her teeth and comb her hair. Even the slightest movements caused her head to throb even more painfully. However, one positive thought did cross her mind. This was one morning where Mako's silence would be appreciated.
"KORRA!"
Meelo charged into the room, followed by Ikki and Jinora. Korra's ears rang in protest, and she did her best to cover them.
"Oh, what the Spirits—uh, hey guys? What are you… what are you doing here?"
Meelo scrambled up onto Korra's head. She winced in pain when his small feet poked into her stomach and breasts. Ikki sprinted over to her.
"Tenzin said we could stay here for the morning isn't that great YAY!"
Meelo began to gnaw on Korra's head.
"Ow! What is it with you and biting things, kid?"
Ikki didn't let up. "So can you do my hair can you can you pleasepleaseplease?"
Korra's eyes watered at the cacophony of sounds assaulting her very-hung-over brain.
Mako rounded the corner, and Korra's shot him a look of discomfort and helplessness.
"Mako. Save me."
Mako stood there for a moment, thoroughly enjoying Korra's predicament. He couldn't help but admire Tenzin's handiwork. It really was the perfect punishment. Once Mako had his fill, he walked over and quickly diffused the situation.
"Guys, would you like to play hide-and-go-seek?"
All three kids stared at him.
Mako closed his eyes and began counting in an overly loud voice.
"Thirty. Twenty-nine. Twenty-eight…"
Ikki and Meeko ran off in different directions, giggling. Jinora picked at her nails, acting disinterested. When she thought no one was looking, she tiptoed off to find herself a hiding place.
Mako peeked open one eye to look at Korra, who was mouthing thank you at him.
Finished counting, Mako began to stomp around the attic, looking for the kids. The poorly muffled giggles spilling out of their kitchen cupboard gave them away pretty quickly, but he feigned ignorance.
"You can't hide forever guys!"
Korra leaned back in the couch and moaned.
"I thought Tenzin was going to kill me. But this is worse. So much worse."
Mako chuckled, thoroughly entertained by Korra's regretful attitude.
"Maybe you should be grateful that I got you out of that bar when I did. You didn't look like you were planning on stopping anytime soon."
Korra squinted, trying to clear the fog from her head. She was still for a moment, and then she snapped her fingers.
"Damn Bolin! Why'd he have to go and challenge me to something like that?"
"That's what I thought when I saw you so hammered."
Korra stood slowly, wincing when a beam of sunlight caught her eyes momentarily.
"What else happened last night?"
Mako smiled again. "You don't remember?"
Korra glared at him. "I remember bits a pieces, firebender. Help me fill in the gaps."
Mako began. "Well, I dragged you—literally—from the bar and practically had to carry you here. Then, I called Tenzin to let him know you were all right. And then… you went to sleep."
Korra looked at him dubiously. "I went to sleep? Are you sure that's all?"
Mako glanced down at his hands for a moment. Did she really not remember or was she just playing mind games with him? He sighed. He might as well go with the truth.
"No. You sort of got mad at me, or sad… or both. And then we uh, hugged. And cuddled. And then you went to sleep. I promise."
Korra's mind went off spinning like a top. They cuddled? Spirits! She might as hell have proposed to him! Besides, its not like her feelings for him were ever reciprocated. Her thinly veiled attempts at flirtation always backfired. She didn't feel so well. Korra's dubious look was replaced with one of mortification. Mako watched as her cheeks went from normal, to rosy red, to a pale green. She grabbed her stomach, gave Mako one more horrified look, and promptly vomited all over the floor.