3. Buy her flowers. Buy her chocolate. Buy her a teddy bear, because that's what every romantic comedy has taught you. Take her out to a nice restaurant where neither of you feel comfortable and spend the whole night clearing your throat and tugging at your tie. Feel like your actions are more suited to a proposal than the simple confession of something you've always known.

….

"Uhh here" He said, hand raised behind his head in an awkward position as he handed her the bouquet of flowers with a lopsided grin

"Mako" She smiled, saying his name in a tone which suggested 'you shouldn't have'

This was how love went, right? He'd never had too much experience with it. From what knowledge he had gathered over the years, he thought it went like this. He was supposed to give her flowers, chocolate, teddy bears, little things to show his affection for her. They were supposed to go out to fancy restaurants and hold hands while walking together, he was supposed to tell her he loved her.

He told her of the reservation he had made at Kwongs Cuisine, she smiled at his thoughtfulness. Her smile warmed his heart and made his stomach do flips, yes, this was certainly how love went. Tonight he planned to tell her of his feelings toward her, then everything would be official, just how love worked.

She looked stunning in her silky blue dress, her hair let down for the occasion. He had worn his best clothes even though the made him feel uncomfortable. He pulled her chair out for her, following the protocol he had picked up over the years, and sat down.

He tugged at his tie, it was stiff against his neck and made him feel as though he was suffocating. He strongly wished he had worn his scarf, the red material was soft and yielding, holding a lifetime of love from his parents.

Korra looked around awkwardly, smiling politely as he caught her eye and then looking back at her meal. He cleared his throat as he tried to think of something to say.

He looked around at all the other couples in the restaurant, they were all older than them, wedding rings caught the light from the many candle lit. He was beginning to think he had this whole 'love' thing wrong

He was beginning to feel like his actions were more suited to a proposal than the simple confession of something you've always known.

He cleared his throat again, wondering how he should tell her. Coming right out with it after so little conversation would startle her, and so he waited.

They became more relaxed as time went on, finding topics to chat and laugh about.

She mocked him and he teased her, their playful banter dissolving the walls they had made. Conversation flowed as easily as water and as they left the restaurant entangled his fingers with hers

"Tonight was fun" She smiled, her cerulean eyes bright

"I'm glad you enjoyed yourself" He gave a crooked grin, his nerves made his voice sound huskier, he wondered what she thought of the effect

The scent of her perfume drew him in closer and soon she was the only being in existence

The music that was their night swelled and hit a big crescendo

He realised as he pulled back and lost himself in her eyes, this was love. Love wasn't measured by tangible tokens of affection or by how often you sat in uncomfortable restaurants, what they had was love and he was sure of it.

He leant over and whispers his realisation in her ear, her eyes widening as she answered him with a passionate kiss.