Turning Pages
Summary: Korra and Mako are an unlikely couple, yet it doesn't stop them from being together. They bicker, joke, and live through the good and the bad. They do this because in the end, they know it's going to be worth it.
Damage and Repair (Pt. 1 of 2)
The midmorning sun shined above Air Temple Island. Laughter from two distinct people was heard in the courtyard.
"Oh man, Korra. You tell some good jokes," Bolin complimented, a big smile on his face. Korra smiled back and thanked him.
The two were sitting on the steps of the home, enjoying the morning air, when suddenly they felt the ground shake. The two teenagers shared a confused look, wondering who or what was responsible for this occurrence. They felt the ground shake even more, seeming to come closer to the two. Korra stood up, in a battle stance, when Naga came rounding the corner with very hurried strides.
Korra's shoulders slumped, "Naga? You're the one making this fuss? What's wrong?" the young Avatar said, running closer to the animal. Korra placed a soothing hand on the polar bear dog's side, immediately calming said animal.
"Hmm...What's wrong girl?" Korra repeated, inspecting the animal.
Korra found no sign of abuse on the animals' body. Bolin stood up to inspect Naga's face, wondering if anything got in her eyes or mouth. When Bolin checked Naga's mouth, he backed away, eyes full of terror. Bolin didn't back away from Naga's breath, Spirits no, he backed away because he found small red fabric pieces stuck to her teeth; Red fabric that belong to Mako's scarf.
"K-K-Korra!" Bolin spluttered, "I think I know why Naga was freaking out…"
Korra strode to Bolin's side immediately, and caught eye of what the earth bender had found. Korra's eyes doubled in size, and started to move to get the pieces out of the creature's mouth when she heard extremely frustrated yells from a certain firebender rounding the corner Naga came from minutes ago.
Mako appeared, furious, and seemed to be holding something behind his back. Bolin glanced at his older brother, and swore he saw smoke come out of his ears. "Hey, bro! What's up? Is there something behind your- "Bolin attempted to say, but Mako pushed his younger brother aside to talk to Korra. Yea, "talk."
"Hey there, Tough Guy!" Korra greeted, hoping he wouldn't be as mad as he looked, "What brings you here?"
Mako showed what he had been hiding earlier. A very torn, wet, and somewhat tarnished scarf rested in his hands. The ends of the scarf were uneven; teeth marks scattered throughout the remaining fabric. Korra could only smile back with full embarrassment.
"Does this answer your question?"Mako answered back, "I woke up this morning to find that… thing basically eating my scarf!" The firebender exclaimed, pointing at a startled Naga. Korra's brows scrunched up, not liking what her boyfriend was saying.
"Don't call Naga a "thing", Mako," Korra retorted, "and I don't think Naga meant to ruin it." She defended, rubbing the animal behind the ears.
Mako scoffed, "Oh, I think she did. Just look at it?" he shoved the left over pieces onto her face, "See that, Avatar Korra?"
Bolin just stood there, awkwardly tapping his foot into the ground ever so often. He had never witnessed his brother so worked up about an article of clothing, but said article was really special. The earth bender decided that he shouldn't stay any longer, for this issues isn't any of his business. Bolin backed away slowly, at first, then turned a complete 180 and sprinted into the home, hoping the couple wouldn't notice. Bolin felt the ground shake behind him and saw that Naga had done the same. "Good girl! Save yourself before things get ugly!"
The couple didn't notice the sudden emptiness of the courtyard, for they were still arguing.
"Listen Mako, you need to calm down," Korra said nonchalantly, "it's just a stupid scarf. We can always get a new one." Korra didn't know that calling his scarf stupid would bring such nasty events afterwards.
"My scarf is not stupid," Mako barked, "and no, we can't get a new one."
Korra stared at disbelief at the young man in front of her, "Sorry, your scarf isn't stupid. You are!" Korra yelled back, "Listen to you, whining like a spoiled brat. Tell me why we can't get a new one."
Mako felt his hands burn; He wanted to fire bend badly right at that moment, but he knew he can never use his element to hurt anyone on purpose; instead he just relied on words to fight back with.
"Because I don't want a new one! And spoiled? Me? I think you forgot that I grew up on the streets," he bit out, "Not some compound where everything was handed to me on a silver platter! Oh look at me, I'm the Avatar! I can get anything I want!" Korra let out a frustrated yell and stepped closer to Mako, not realizing that her hands were engulfed in her own flames.
"Shut up," Korra spat, "You shut up right now!"
Mako stepped closer, his hands now engulfed in his own flames. "Make me," he threatened.
Korra lost every bit of patience and punched the air, releasing flames at Mako's direction. Dropping the offended scarf, Mako dodged the flames and threw back his own, eyes filled with anger.
They continued for what seemed like an eternity. Flames were shot up into the sky, and the smell of burnt hair filled their noses. Korra and Mako stood facing each other, with much hatred in their eyes. Korra's wolf tail was halfway burnt off, and soot stained her cheeks. Mako stood with his right hand clutching his left arm with much pain; a burn from Korra, one can assume. Mako finally had enough and walked to the pier, where the boats back to Republic City waited.
Korra's eyes followed his movements, not understanding what he was doing.
"Mako, we're not done!" She yelled.
"Hey!" she earthbended a small pebble, barely hitting the back of his head.
"Listen to me! We're not done!" The young girl ran towards the man, furious that he was going to leave just like that.
Mako didn't turn around until he reached the pier. Korra almost caught up to him when he turned, eyes filled with coldness. Korra caught his stare and a shiver went up her spine.
"Mako, what are you doing?" she said weakly, forgetting her anger when she saw him get closer to one of the boats.
"I'm going away." The firebender simply stated.
Korra's breath hitched, "G-going away? Where?"
Mako shrugged his shoulders, "To the City. I need to get away, especially from you. Don't you dare follow me, got that?"
His voice was so...Cold. This wasn't the Mako she knew.
"Mako, we can talk. No more fighting. Just don't go. C'mon, I'm sorry for calling that scarf stupid," she pleaded, but Mako didn't pay attention. Mako got on one of the boats and started it up.
Korra sprinted closer, hoping to change his mind with more pleas and apologies, but Mako still didn't pay attention. It wasn't until the boat started moving was when Mako turned back to his girlfriend.
"Just to let you know, we can't get a scarf like that ever again because it was from my dad." Korra's eyes widened, feeling incredibly stupid for being so inconsiderate.
"But I didn't know..."
Korra had been distracted by this new information that she didn't notice that Mako had already left. Korra sighed, blue eyes in a downcast, and dragged her feet all the way back to the courtyard. There, she found the article of clothing that started this whole mess.
"This is your fault."
Picking the scarf up, Korra eyed it.
A sad smile formed on the Avatar's beautiful face and she stalked off, scarf in hand, and muttering to herself, "I wonder where Pema keeps the sewing kit."
Stay tuned for Part 2!