Time Runs Slow (Part 2)
There are always bumps in the road, but they've got a handful of shining moments to hold on to when things get rough. Because love is made of the little things. Makorra friendship/romance. Thirty 100-word (or less) drabbles. Not in chronological order.
11. cold
Korra's never been really cold before, having lived with glacial ice as a companion for seventeen years. Besides, she's always had her parka to keep her warm. This kind of cold is a different type, insidious and striking at her heart. It's a cold fear that grips her and makes her steer clear of the shadows.
As they pass under a shaded awning, Korra shivers slightly, remembering a cord snaking out from the darkness and yanking her to the ground. Warmth settles around her neck out of nowhere, and she closes her eyes and burrows into Mako's scarf, feeling safe.
12. silence
It's quiet without Bolin. Out of nowhere, a bread crumb flies at Mako. Mako brushes it away, directing a glare towards Korra.
"Korra, stop playing with your food," he grumbles.
Korra makes her pouty face while she rests her cheek against one hand. Her other hand flicks another crumb at Mako.
"Korra…" he warns.
"Deal with it," she says good-naturedly. It has become a catchphrase of theirs.
He doesn't know what possesses him to fling a pea at her with his spoon—it's an uncharacteristic move on his part and stuns both of them.
Korra isn't fazed for long. "Bring it," she challenges.
13. flower
"Well?" Korra asks expectantly, hands on her hips as they study her. "Oh, please, don't act like you've never seen me in a dress before."
Bolin answers first. "You look great, Korra," he grins, wiggling his eyebrows and sidling up to her with his bowtie in a move so Bolin it makes her laugh.
Mako shrugs. "What Bolin said," he says. Korra shoots Bolin a look—you're kidding me. Bolin shrugs. He shoves Mako forward, hissing out of the corner of his mouth, "Just do it already!" Before Korra can comprehend things, a white rose is thrust in her face.
14. rain
"No, Korra."
"Come on, Mako, it's not like you've never been hit by water before."
The sky outside is gray and overcast. Mako can hear the raindrops as they hit the street. Plop plop.
"Why, Korra?" wonders Mako.
"I want to take a walk," she answers stubbornly.
"In the rain?"
"We'll bring an umbrella," she replies, rolling her eyes.
They stumble back to the apartment half-wet. Mako shakes the water out of his hair and attempts to wring out his scarf, which is sopping wet.
"This is all your fault," he grumbles.
Korra laughs and waterbends it dry for him.
15. dark
They must be stealthy, Korra reminds herself when tempted to light a flame. Bolin covers their rear while Mako heads their trio. They'd spent a good ten minutes arguing about it, Korra pointing to herself, repeating, "I'm the Avatar, I've got more weapons in my arsenal, I should go first." Mako had refused.
"Mako?" Korra asks tentatively, having lost sight of him.
"Here," he calls. She reaches out slowly, fingers brushing against cloth before gripping it. Mako's gloved hand reaches up and removes her fingers from his shoulder. He squeezes them gently. Korra thanks the darkness for disguising her blush.
16. fade
"Mako, I can take care of myself! I can do this. You don't have to act like…like I'm—" Korra whirls around, only to run into Mako's chest. Within seconds his mouth is on hers, hands cupping her face as he tries to make her understand why he worries.
When Mako finally pulls away, Korra's cheeks are flushed, something Mako finds endearing. He keeps his face close to hers, staring in her eyes so that she'll know he's being sincere. "Korra, when are you going to understand that I care about you?"
Everything around them fades away after that.
17. autumn
"Pabu, come back!" The golden leaves crunch underfoot as a pair of booted feet stomp by. The red fire ferret being pursued scurries nimbly up the trunk of a tree.
"Don't make me come up there," threatens a brown-haired Water Tribe girl.
Pabu squeaks in reply, as if laughing.
The branch breaks. Korra squawks and leaps out of the way, landing on her bottom. Autumn leaves spiral downwards, settling in her hair.
Laughter sounds from behind her. Korra glares. "It's not funny—your stupid ferret did this."
Mako grins and bends down to pick the leaves out of Korra's hair.
18. champagne
Tonight isn't about him or her; it's about them and a job well done. Bolin waltzes by with a cup of sparkling liquid and declares, "You have to have some of the champagne, guys! It's great."
Korra quickly drags Mako over to the table covered by a white tablecloth and pours them each a glass. The drink slides down his throat, leaving a fizzy trail and settling into a warm, comfortable mass in the pit of his stomach. His ears prick up at the sound of music. Korra glances at him. Mako offers up a hand. "Care for a dance?"
19. sparkle
He watches her adjust Naga's straps, feeling lonely because he knows Bolin would have a heyday out here. But Bolin's in Republic City, and Mako prays that maybe with Korra gone (for now) Amon won't try anything drastic, if only because Amon wants to have the Avatar watching if he wins.
Korra turns to him, and he doesn't know how, but he's aware that she senses his turmoil.
They go for a ride on Naga. He leans back on his hands and watches the ice sparkle, Korra's blue parka serving as a focal point at the corner of his eye.
20. bright
Mako walks up the stairs to find Korra and Bolin hard at work scrubbing the floor. They've put up new curtains, which have been thrown back to let in the sunshine. An ornate lamp has taken up residence by the window.
His jaw drops. "What are you doing?"
Korra stands up with a smug grin, wiping at her brow with a rag in hand.
"Bolin and I have been cleaning up the place," she answers easily. "We got you a new lamp." She pats the lighting fixture.
"And cake!" chirps Bolin, revealing a confection topped with lit candles. "Happy birthday!"
A/N: Thanks to all who read and reviewed last chapter! Here are the next ones, 11-20. I'll post the last ten on Saturday after episode 5 (oh gosh I'm so excited! XD) Once again, leave constructive criticism/feedback/your thoughts, and let me know which one was your favorite. :)