Previously posted on my tumblr (elementalavatars) for Makorra Week 2013.
Rated K. Fluff! Yay!
The box feels heavy in his hand, the shiny packaging hard on his eyes.
This was a stupid idea. He should have waited until they were completely alone, should have picked a different day, maybe even waited a little longer to make sure it was absolutely perfect, but every glance between them, every little smile she sends his way, confirms that he doesn't want to wait any longer.
Mako leans against the door frame and watches as his brother tears through the packaging on his gift, enthusiastically throwing out guesses as to what it might be up until the second he lays eyes on the actual present. He laughs as Bolin throws himself across the floor to hug the grinning Avatar, pulling her into a tight embrace before releasing her and turning to muster up his own gift for the ebony haired heiress sitting beside her. Korra catches Mako's eye and smiles again before standing and crossing over to him.
"What are you doing over here?" She pulls his empty hand into her own, their fingers interlacing like it's second nature. She glances down at the shimmering silver package in his hand and he feels a slight blush spread across his face. Two years of dating, one year of living together; it's strange to think that this gift is the culmination of only a few "real" dates, too many fights, and countless nights spent together, but it makes him smile.
"I just had to get something from my room." He lifts the little box, before she lets go of his hand, one hand reaching out for the gift, the other moving to her hip. His eyebrows quirk up and he plants a joking smirk across his face, hoping it masks his nerves. "What makes you so sure it's for you?"
"Well that is my name written on the tag." He rolls his eyes and hands her the package. As she pulls the paper apart, he scans the room, thankful that Bolin and Asami are preoccupied playing with Pabu. His eyes flash back to her as the paper falls to the floor and she takes the lid off of the little box. His heart is pounding and his hands feel sweaty. He definitely should have waited until they were alone.
"Mako…this is…" Her eyes are wide as she picks up the necklace and allows the box to fall to the floor. Her thumb rubs over the cool stone in her palm, the red fabric band dangling over her hand. He looks down at the silvery stone, the water element insignia shallowly carved into the circular surface, and immediately feels the need to fill the silence between them as she stares at the necklace, her mouth hanging open.
"Uh, the stone is from the Eastern Air Temple. Tenzin gave it to me and Bolin helped me shape it. And, um, that's the water symbol, because you're from the water tribe…" He swallows nervously as she runs the red fabric through her fingers.
"Is this from…" Her eyes dart from the strip of fabric to his neck and a blush rises to his already warm face.
"Oh, I…" His hands move to fiddle with the scarf around his neck before he pulls an end out, the little stitches barely visible. He's suddenly a bit self-conscious of his ability to sew so well and he's sure his face is as red as his scarf. "Well, it was from the fire nation and it was my mother's before she gave it to my dad and just…I wanted to give a part of it you."
A smile breaks across her face and he feels relief and the inklings of joy rushing through him.
"So all four elements are represented." Her eyes meet his and he sees his answer. He nods and smiles brightly. He reaches for the necklace and she turns in front of him, pulling her hair up. His hands shake as he ties the knot behind her neck and he kisses the skin just above the knot when he finishes.
"You realize you could have just asked me to marry you, right? You didn't have to go through all this trouble. But it's beautiful, thank you." She drops her hair and turns, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"Well, you are the Avatar. And I've always been a bit of an idiot when it comes to you." His hands find her waist and he pulls her flush against him.
"Both are true." The teasing tone in her voice makes him want to kiss her, so he draws back slightly before surging forward. He kisses her full on the mouth, unable to stop himself, despite the set of matching green eyes he feels watching them. His lips leave hers and he pulls her further into his arms, smiling against her hair, thoughts of forever with her dancing in his head.