Korra was growing a coffee addiction.
Or rather, an addiction to a certain coffee shop with a certain bartender.
That Tuesday afternoon, Korra walked through the Starbucks door, not even bothering to check if it was Tahno behind the register (she already knew he worked Tuesdays anyway).
"Hey, you," Tahno greeted as Korra plumped her backpack and books on a table near the register.
"What's up?" Korra tossed back.
The two weren't exactly friends; in fact, Korra didn't know what they were. It had become sort of habitual through the past months for Korra to hang out with Tahno during his breaks from work on Tuesday afternoons. The girl found the Starbucks a good place to study for a couple of hours, and Tahno was actually pretty good company.
Plus, he was a wiz when it came to English assignments. Which was great with midterms coming closer.
"So," Tahno started as he slid in the seat across from Korra when his break came around, "How was your thanksgiving break?"
Korra shrugged. "My dad managed not to kill my uncle, so I'd say pretty normal."
Tahno smirked. "You have to love family problems."
The girl nodded sarcastically. "Oh yeah. Tons of fun." Korra arched an eyebrow, studying Tahno. "How about you?"
The cocky guy leaned back in his seat, blowing out a puff of air. "Where do I start. For starters, my drunk cousin tried to hump the turkey."
Korra's eyes widened. "…I think you can stop there."
The two laughed, and Korra couldn't help but think how nice it was to hang out with someone who wasn't demanding some sort of relationship status from her. Things were slightly awkward with Mako and Iroh, and it was refreshing to hang out with someone who didn't know about tizzy her love life was in.
"Oh, I heard that apparently the basketball team got into the championship." Tahno gave Korra a smile. "Congratulations."
Korra grinned back at the boy. "Thanks. We're totally going to kick those Bats' butts."
Tahno raised his eyebrows. "You guys are versing the Galahandar Bats?"
The girl nodded. "We're gonna show them how to play some real basketball," she emphasized by punching her right hand into her left palm.
Tahno looked at her, amused. "Well, I'd love to see that," he responded. "When's the game?"
"Two weeks from now."
"Good luck, then," he said as he stood up. "My break's over. I'll see you tomorrow?"
Korra pouted. "For what?"
"The study session?"
"Oh, right." The blue-eyed girl had almost forgotten the study session she had with Tahno for the English test on Shakespearean language. "See you then!" She waved off.
"You guys wanna hang out?" Bolin asked as the trio left the gym after an extremely optimistic practice (everyone was looking forward to meeting the Bats on the court).
Korra shrugged. "I kind of promised Asami we'd have dinner together, but I think she'd be okay with you two joining in."
Mako, on the other hand, shook his head. "I have to work, Bolin."
The green-eyed boy pouted, obviously saddened by that. But a second later, it seemed like a thought hit his head as he perked up. "Hey, Korra, didn't you say you wanted to give boxing a try some time?"
Mako noticeably stiffened as Korra glanced at her friend, confused. "Yeah, why?"
"The gym Mako works at offers boxing. In fact-" and here, Bolin got a mischievous glint in his eye, "- Mako is an assistant boxing instructor himself." The boy smirked, knowing what was going to come next.
The blue-eyed girl looked at Mako, excited. "Seriously?! That's so cool!"
Mako shrugged one shoulder, uncomfortable. "It's really not that big of a deal."
"You've got to teach me." Korra pouted at the guy, trying to pull a puppy face. "Please?"
The amber-eyed boy sighed, giving in. "Stop by Saturday, I guess. I'll text you the address."
As Korra cheered, Bolin noticed how Mako slipped a small smile at her happiness, despite how much he was trying not to show it.
It was so awkward around Iroh. Korra couldn't take it.
"Could you please take table seven?" he asked, formal, as Korra tied her apron around her waist.
"Sure," Korra said quietly, not looking up.
As she heard the door close, signaling Iroh's absence, the girl let out a sigh. This had to stop.
So she confidently walked out the door, where she saw Iroh's back turned to her. He was apparently talking to Amon, using a lot of gestures with his hands.
Korra strode towards him, tapping him on the shoulder-
Amon bumped into Iroh as someone behind him bumped into him-
And just as Iroh was turning, he was toppled into Korra….and their lips met by complete and utter accident.
Korra's eyes were as wide as moons as she stared back into Iroh's. After a heartbeat, he pulled away, stepping back a little more than he needed to.
"I'm- Korra, I'm so sorry, that was completely an accident-" Her boss was a complete stuttering mess, trying to form coherent apologies. Behind him, Amon stood up silently, getting up from his slight tumble.
Although the blue-eyed girl's mind was in overdrive ('what the fuck just happened?!') she waved it off like it was nothing. "Don't worry about it, I know," she said, walking away seconds later. Leaving him to wonder why she tapped his shoulder in the first place.
The following day, Asami was practically breaking down as the two were talking during chemistry and Korra was trying really hard not to join her.
"We have midterms in three weeks," the raven-haired girl groaned, her head laid on the desk. "And I don't even know half of the information we covered in the first chapter."
Beside her, Korra struggled to find something good about their situation. "Hey now, it isn't all that bad," she started.
Asami looked up at her, eyebrows raised. "Exactly how, sweetie?"
Korra stared back at her for a few seconds before leaning back in her seat and throwing her hands up. "Oh, fuck it. We're failing."
The green-eyed beauty chuckled, sitting up. "I think I'm just going to race this weekend. Who cares about exams." She glanced at her friend.
Korra sighed. "Wish I could say the same. I'm so close to a B in this class- I need to ace this exam."
The bell rang, and Asami stood with Korra as the two packed their bags. "Well, you do have Mako helping you out," she said, and although Korra wasn't sure, she hinted a teasing tone in Asami's voice.
"So, what's your plan for winter break?" The athlete asked Asami as they walked out of the classroom. Even though the break was two weeks from now, Korra couldn't help but fantasize about it. After such a gruesome semester, with only basketball being her relief, the girl needed a break longer than just a couple of days.
"Oh! Thanks for reminding me about that, actually. I was thinking of inviting you guys to my dad's gala."
"Sounds fancy," Korra commented.
"It is. It would be great to have you there, though," Asami added, giving Korra a smile. "I don't want to spend the entire time talking to my dad's sponsors or pretending to be more sophisticated than I am."
Korra smiled. "I think I'd be able to make it."
"I'll give you the date and all when everything's set," Asami assured, reaching her locker.
"Hey, Mako," Korra greeted once she saw the guy.
The figure turned around, slightly surprised when he saw Korra. "Oh, hey. Hold on for a second."
The girl nodded, observing the gym as Mako worked on one last piece of equipment. It was a pretty basic gym, but Korra found herself appreciating that. Some old guys were working out on light weights, but besides that, no one was really around for a Saturday workout.
Once the two headed upstairs to the mats, Mako set up the equipment and put his hands on his hips. "Okay, so how much about boxing do you know?"
"You punch things. Oh, and you keep your hands up to protect your face." She grinned at the amber-eyed boy. "Just my thing."
Mako chuckled, shaking his head. "That's a simpler version, I guess," he said. "Strike a punch, and I'll check your form."
An hour later, Korra was glaring determinedly at the boxing bag in front of her, letting out controlled out punches with Mako watching from the side.
Occasionally, he would toss out comments like "recoil a little more," or "turn your fist a bit". Eventually, he called a break.
Korra glanced at him, breathing heavily. "How was that?"
"Not bad," Mako commented, arms crossed.
"That was a hell of a lot better than 'not bad,'" the blue-eyed girl gloated, grinning.
"Okay, so maybe you are a bit of a natural," the guy admitted, rolling his eyes amusingly.
She helped him put the equipment back, but as Korra turned her back to pick up the last mat, she heard Mako yelp from the supply closet.
"Mako? You okay?" She asked as she dropped the mat and rushed to the closet. When the senior got there, she saw Mako wincing in pain as he tried to move his leg.
Nothing looked wrong to her, so Korra was confused as to why Mako was acting like he was in so much pain. But then, he relaxed for a quick moment before his calf suddenly tightened up again.
Then she got it. He was cramping.
"Stay still," she commanded to Mako as she got down and grabbed his leg. Not waiting for a response, the girl started pressing hard around the muscles in his calf, quietly focusing on this until they seemed relaxed.
"…Thanks," the stoic teenager said once Korra had helped him up to his feet.
"Dr. Korra, at your service," the blue-eyed girl joked. "I've dealt with cramps a lot too."
"You know, Dr. Korra does have a ring to it," Mako commented lightheartedly, nudging Korra.
She smiled. "Well, it is on the career list."
"Being a doctor?"
Korra shrugged. "I don't know. Thinking about it, I guess. Maybe physical therapy or something. Or sports medicine. Around those lines." She chuckled awkwardly. "If I can ever deal with all the chemistry that comes with being in the field."
Mako smiled. "I'll help you with chem if you promise me free check-ups," he joked, to which Korra said without a heartbeat, "deal."
The two of them laughed, and Korra asked, "What do you want to do after college?"
The boy scratched the back of his neck, sitting next to Korra once they got to a bench in the outdoor part of the gym. "Well, I'm thinking something law-related-"
"I know," Korra said abruptly, cursing herself seconds later. Mako was looking at her, befuddled. "You told me during our- um, when we hung out that one time. At the movie theater."
"Oh. Right." Mako coughed awkwardly.
"…So, you were saying?"
Mako glanced up, focusing his eyes on the clouds. "I want to…I don't know. Help the kids like me somehow. The people on the streets. Keep them safe and all."
"You could be a cop."
Mako glanced at Korra. "A cop?" Somehow, Korra could tell the career never registered to Mako before.
She nodded, her blue eyes holding his amber. "You'll be keeping the streets safe and everything, and knowing you, you'll get promoted within the first week."
He chuckled, looking down. "I don't think so," Mako muttered.
Korra didn't realize it when she said, "Well, you should. I actually think you're pretty amazing, Cool Guy, and I don't find a lot of things 'amazing'."
Mako glanced at her in surprise, and Korra felt her face heat up.
"Um- I'm going to go now," she dismissed ungracefully, and got up. Walking away, the girl cursed herself a million times for saying something so obviously high-school-lover like.
"Iroh, we need to talk."
Iroh turned around from his position in the employee room. "What about?"
Korra glared at him. "Seriously?"
The guy bit his lip. "Okay, so maybe there are some things we should clear up."
"Yeah," Korra chuckled. "I can't stand how…awkward we are now. I liked it better before all this happened." She lay a hand on his shoulder. "Can we go back to that? To being comfortable with each other?"
Iroh smiled at her. "I don't see why not."
The girl grinned back, turning to grab her apron. "So, what tables do I have today?"
"Your usuals, and…mine too?"
"What." Korra turned around, facing a very sheepish-looking guy. "Iroh."
"I kind of have to run errands tonight," Iroh excused, "could you cover my shift? Please? I would definitely owe you a lot."
Korra's eyes narrowed. "I fucking hate you."
"…So that's a yes?"
"Don't make me change my mind, military boy," Korra tossed back, rolling her eyes.
"Thanks, Kor," Iroh said as he headed out, grinning at her.
It felt good to be back to normal with Iroh, Korra thought as she grabbed a notepad and pen.
But…wasn't Mako the only person who ever called her Kor? It was weird to have Iroh say it…
After the last practice of the week that Friday, Korra was just about ready to head back to her car when Coach Tenzin called her over.
"What's up, Coach?" Korra asked when she had jogged over.
"As you know, Korra, I am very glad that you have joined our team, and it has been a pleasure to have such a good player with us this year…" Coach Tenzin seemed a bit nervous, almost like he was about to ask Korra for something.
"Coach…?" Korra arched an eyebrow, waiting for him to get to the point.
"It seems like you are a very responsible person, and I know there is a lot on your plate with the championship tournament coming up and midterms," Tenzin started. "But…you see, on Sunday I need someone to babysit my kids, and I already called all of my previous babysitters but they all have plans." He looked at her desperately. "Would you consider doing me this big favor? I would still pay you and all."
"I'd love to," Korra said. "And you really don't have to pay me. Consider it as a thank-you for letting me join the team in the first place. I know a lot of coaches who wouldn't even think about letting a girl on their team."
"Thank you," Tenzin smiled, noticeably relieved.
As she walked back to her car, Korra saw Bolin walk up to her. "What did coach want with you?" he asked when he got close enough.
"He asked if I could babysit his kids, and I said yes," Korra stated casually. Bolin suddenly sucked his breath in, causing Korra to glance up.
"You just made a deal with death. Those kids are the spawn of satan. Or at least, the boy is."
"I'm sure it isn't that bad," Korra laughed, laying a reassuring hand on Bolin's shoulder. "I'll see you Monday!"
He looked uneasy, but said bye to her anyway.
next chapter will be the championship! Who's rooting for the Ferrets? ;)
Mako got the most votes, but I was kind of tired of only writing about mako and iroh, so I threw in some Tahno and Asami time too. Iroh came in second and...nobody really voted for anyone else.
VOTING RULES RECAP!
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