Opening Note: THANK YOU FOR ALL BEING PATIENT. I'M SORRY FOR THE LONG DELAY. I FINALLY FOUND THE WILL TO WRITE AGAIN! THANK YOU FOR ALL THE POSITIVE FEEDBACK AND SUPPORT! I REALLY LOVE YOU ALL :3
Chapter 5: COUNTDOWN-4 Days Part 1: Simple Understandings
Bolin smiled as he looked at the window, seeing the dark shadow outline of his brother about a few feet away coming towards their guest home. "It's him! Oh I knew it would end well! I bet those two are not allowing to keep their paws from one another this minute!"
"You're such a hopeless romantic aren't you?" Asami stated as she gave him a peck on the cheek.
Bolin gave her a toothy grin. "You know it. I have been waiting for these two to go out for like ever! I just can't wait until I get to call their "make out sessions", so sweet that they'll give me a toothache! "
Master Katara chuckled at the earthbender's reaction to the whole lover's drama. "You know, young man, you remind me so much of my brother. "
"What? Oh no! Please! I can never be compared to the amazing Sokka! He was personally my favorite in Team Avatar. I guess I just like non benders." He said as he winked at Asami. "Oh wait. I'm didn't mean I liked Sokka this way. I just meant-"
Katara and Asami giggled. "We know. You are just fond of non benders."
Before Bolin could get in a word, the door was open to reveal a puffy eyed Mako who was clearly trembling from either from the cold or from what appeared to be from crying.
The tired looking firebender closed the door behind him slowly as he stared at the doorway.
"Mako?" Master Katara gently called out as she stood up.
Bolin walked up to his brother and gently pat his shoulder, nervous as to how'd he respond. "Bro? What happened?"
Mako slowly turned and then whispered. "It's over…"
"What?" Asami and Bolin blurted out in shocked confusion while Master Katara raised her eyebrows as she waited for the young firebender to continue.
"I blew it. Everything. We met…argued…I kissed her…She kissed me back…punched me…and told me she was still going to marry that guy." Mako lightly announced as she leaned back at the door. "I lost my temper and basically…and I said something beyond cruel to her. I threw…one her most personal thoughts and threw it back at her face. I…I didn't mean too. It slipped… I made her cry…I tried to take it back…She said no and ran away from me. It's over now…Completely over. I screwed things up. And now…Our friendship is over. I think she-she-"
Before Mako could finish, his breath began to shutter as a throat felt as he had a huge lump on his throat. He then shot up muttered. "….I think she truly hates me now. "
Those last words lingered in the air, before he made it into his bedroom and slammed the door shut in front of the three, who were beyond heartbroken at the whole situation.
"What are we going to do?" Asami asked tore her gaze away from Mako's door to Bolin's sad gaze.
"Just give him and Korra some time and space. It's the only thing they want at the moment but more importantly, what they really need right now. " Katara said as she looked at Mako's bedroom door as she pretended to not hear the muffled soft sobs that came out of there.
Location: Southern Water Tribe- Korra's Room
3 days later after the fight. (4 more days until the wedding.)
Korra slumped at her wooly tigerseal chair and began to sigh heavily as she began recalling how awfully hectic these last three days have been. She desperately wanted to get away from the whole marriage festivities to have at least a one hour relaxing period. For the past three days, the young waterbender was attacked by many of her female servants as well as elderly female White Lotus Council Women about the major details of the wedding. Like what kind of ice decorations were going to be created or whether or not they should hire a modern watertribe musical band to perform at the wedding or stick with their usual musicians in the southern water tribe. There was also the matter of how many guests would be attending the wedding and where to seat them all and as well as to what kind of food they will be serving. All in all, minor specifics that were getting on the Avatar's last nerve.
Just when Korra thought these seemingly trivial details couldn't get any worse, then came major and most crucial issue of the entire wedding: Appearances.
For some unknown reason, all the women in the White Lotus Council attempted to tell exactly what they wanted to wear and tried to instruct the make up artists and hair stylists what they wanted. However, Korra put her foot down as she heard the ridiculousness of the situation and without hesitation she announced the only opinions and advice she will listen to and obey was the ones beside her. One being Master Katara since she loved her like if she were her own flesh and blood grandmother. The other woman whose opinion mattered most of all was Senna, her mother.
She shooed everyone of the White Lotus council women except for Master Katara, out of the dressing room. All that was left was her mother, her former master, and her servants and stylists.
Immediately, the annoyed avatar flat out told her mother and Katara she had no idea what she wanted to wear in her wedding day and if they could please choose something for her. After about three hours of dressing up in watertribe dress robes, Korra didn't like any of the dresses and told everyone to postpone this makeover business until tomorrow. She did afterall have two days until the wedding. With that being said, she left the ladies dressing room and went to her new bedroom in her new home; The Watertribe Palace.
She looked up at her ice blue ceiling and closed her eyes. She tried to convince herself that Mako had nothing to do with her constant indecisions of the wedding. To her chagrin, she knew it was a pitiful attempt because ever since their encounter four days ago, all she could think was jealous firebender and the night after the confrontation. That same night after the heated argument, Korra cried endlessly all night until she was exhausted. She fell into a deep dreamless sleep for practically most of the day and as she woke up late afternoon, the young avatar found herself no longer feeling sadness.
Instead utter and complete anger took over her for the next to days. She was completely outraged with Mako for ruining everything. She was accepting all the changes that were happening in her life until ironically, he decided to show up unexpectedly in her life again a year later. How was it her fault that she was dragged into a betrothed marriage?
Korra sighed as she began recalling all the painful things they said to one another on the night they argued. But the one that struck out was the one were Mako used her personal feeling about the avatar against her. Despite the firebender expressing it impulsively after she told him they couldn't be together, the fact he used her secret against her was something unforgivable for Korra. She was already the type of person to not trust people so easily, and she thought Mako would always be sensitive towards her secret no matter what.
Clearly, she was wrong.
"Avatar Princess Korra!"
Korra slightly groaned at how utterly ridiculous that title she was granted sounded. Sometimes she felt like the White Lotus elders created these embarrassing titles on purpose to humiliate her. She glanced at the closed door. She prayed it wasn't another one of those old and crazy White Lotus Wolfbats.
"Yes, Kuma and Suma?" The waterbender responded kindly to her twin servants.
"There's someone here. Wishing to see you."
Suddenly Korra froze and her mind went slightly blank for a second, then dread began to fill her.
'No. Please not him. I don't want to see him. Not now…maybe not ever.'
Korra sighed in relief as the door opened, revealing Haku, cracking a small smirk.
"Oh Haku! Thank Avatar Aang it's you." She said as she chuckled slightly.
Haku raised his eyebrows with a humorous suspicious look on his face as he sat beside Korra. "Oh? Thanking Avatar Aang now, are we? Who ever you didn't want to see, must be someone either really bad or annoying huh?"
The soon to be bride could not help but give out an exasperated sigh as she brushed her bangs back with her left hand. "You have no idea..."
"I see. That bad huh?"
"Well, not evil bad like Amon or Yakone but rather annoying bad. You know the kind that has the tendency to be harsh whenever they have a temper." Korra confessed as she exhaled a long breath of air that made her brown bangs rustle around her face for a few moments as Haku gave his future wife a sympathetic smile.
"Whoa. Sorry Korra. Now who is the unlucky man or woman who had brought upon themselves the misfortune of pissing you off, oh so much? Hmm?" He asked as he leaned in closer to the waterbender to comb some strands of uneven hair, neatly back in it's place.
"Those old crazy wolfbats known as the White Lotus." Korra calmly lied as her future husband and then blinked while adding thoughtfully. " With the exception of Master Katara of course!""
Haku give out a full out booming laugh which Korra couldn't help but notice was contagious and she joined him in the laughter.
"I hear you. The White Lotus men have been no better. They have been trailing my every move and every detail of what I furs I should wear, what kind of warrior face paint should I have on, or my personal favorite: How should I act and What to do for honeymoon ritual after our marriage ceremony."
He wiggled his eyebrows playfully at Korra, who was turning red and was flustering around in her chair. "Oh shut up."
"Admit it Korra. You know you can't resist my Northern Watertribe charm."
Haku merely winked at her playfully which earned him an eye roll from Korra, followed by the shaking of her head.
"You know, for the most brave and seriously skilled fighter in the Northern Watertribe, you sure have a somewhat upbeat and overly flirty side to you huh? I would have never guess since you kinda came off as very nice yet stoic. " Korra pointed out while brushing her bangs back as she glanced at her fiancé's face and those harsh wounds in his attractive face.
He smiled while closing his dark midnight blue eyes. "I can be stoic at times but that's only on political business and war affairs usually. But I do have a light hearted side to me too. I actually wanted to tease you because rumor has it, you are just so fun to tease and you easily blush with certain topics. "
Korra raised her eyebrows and smirked. " Oh Really? And who would this inside source be?"
Haku shrugged as he hopelessly failed at not trying to grace Korra with a mischievous smirk.
"Come on, Princey! Spill it."
"No can do." He started as he laughed as he began to criss cross his heart. "Northern Watertribe Warrior's Honor. A man does not reveal the secrets that were entrusted to him."
Korra snorted while crossing her arms as Haku chuckled and continued. "Although…"
He got closer to Korra and leaned in to her ear. "I am not suggesting or implying in anyway, that two airbender girls had anything to do with this."
Korra blinked and then grumbled. "Jinora and Ikki…When I get my hands on those two, I'll take them down and disinvite them to the wedding and make sure they don't eat any ice cream wedding cake and- "
The Northern tribe prince place a finger on her lips. "Oh no. We can't have our Avatar Princess murdering our snow flake girls now, right? They had it all planned out. They were going to toss and spread snow flakes all around the entire wedding area with their graceful airbending . They were so excited and told me they have been practicing three hours a day on their little performance. How hurt will they'll be when they find out their ideal and past life grandfather was going to take them away from their-"
"ACK! Alright, Alright. Enough with the guilt trip. I'll forgive them only because I want to you to stop blabbing! Hmmf." Korra crossed her arms and scowled as Haku laughed.
"I can see why those girls have so much fun teasing with you. You're so easily roused. " The Northern Tribe Warrior noted as Korra through a fur pillow at his face as her response.
"See what I mean?"
"Oh shut up. No one asked you."
The two laughed for a moment until their laughter began to lightly drift away from their breaths. For a moment Korra looked at Haku and smiled. For the last three days Korra has noted a lot of things about her future husband.
Although he did lived up to be the formal, polite, and strong man that everyone painted him to be, he did have his somewhat of a playful side to her surprise. She honestly thought due to his appearance, his personality would be both kind yet stoic. Just like her father. As much as she loved her father, the last thing she wanted was to marry someone exactly like her father due to obvious reasons. She also feared that this whole polite and formal persona of his was an act, since she became slightly distrusting towards Northern Water Tribe men ever since the whole Yakone and Amon incident. Yet, to her surprise, Haku was not only nice but he was also witty and to her surprise, a real charmer. Not like a "charmer" like her acquaintance Tahno from Republic City but he had this ability to be flirty without coming off as a creep, sleaze, or a fake. Charming in an enchanting kind of way.
She also found out about his insecurities about his looks, which she found out yesterday when she overheard him discussing this with his best friend in his room before she announced herself before entering about three days ago a day after her fight with Mako.
Although he wasn't a bender, he certainly was built like a tall muscular earthbender. He had the same olive skin tone as hers and held the same traditional attire and typical watertribe signature pony tail style yet he had distinct traits that made him definitely from the Northerntribe instead of Southern. His eyes were a beautiful deep ocean blue instead of the periwinkle or ice blue eyes we are so used to in the Southern Watertribe. His hair was also ebony instead of the chocolate brown that everyone in the Southern Watertribe inherited and tied in a small wolf's pony tail. But apart from that, his square strong jaw line and semi large pointed nose, complimented his face very evenly. He was very indeed beyond stunning attractive yet he did not see it himself.
The scars on his face made Haku very insecure and insensitive about his appearance. He felt the three slash marks made him too intimidating and disliked the fact most adults where uneasy around him. His best friend, assured Haku it was nothing to worry about and that everyone respected and admired the person he was rather than his looks.
In that moment, Korra found herself slightly drawn to Haku. She knew what it was like to have so many people, especially adults treat you a certain way because of appearances or in her case, her Avatar title. She found herself actually finding Haku interesting rather than the just her nice royal future husband. She remained quiet pondering all of this while his friend asked him to tell him the story of how he got the warrior scars again. Rather than expecting a shout of rejection, Haku laughed and obliged to his friend's request.
Apparently, he and his big brother Takuno five years ago, decided to go out an hour before dawn to go sealion-dolphin hunting in order to give this to their mother who happened to adore this particular kind of meat and was craving it recently. His older brother and him found a herd of them and was able to catch a large older male sealion-dolphin. Due to it's large and heavy size, it required the strength of them both to slide and push the animal into their palace. However, a huge snow leopard bear appeared began to encircle the two brothers. Immediately, the brothers dropped the sealion-dolphin and began to make a run for it. Haku apparently noticed that the snow leopard-bear was more interested in pursuing his older brother than the fresh game in front of him. These animals were often said that they were more interested in the thrill of the hunt, and Haku realized all out once his brother, Takuno was going to be his next meal.
Haku couldn't allow the beast to devor his shy and gentle older brother. He loved Takuno too much and the thought of losing him was painful and also, he was destined to one-day rule the people of their tribe. Haku wasn't going to allow that beast to lay a scratch on him. So with great speed of his own, Haku began to grab his hunting spear, and aimed it at the snow leopard-bear to grab his attention away from his brother. At once, the animal began to immediately direct his attention towards Haku and sped to him. In that moment, Haku grabbed his other spear and struck down onto the thin sheet of ice he was standing on. Immediately, the ground began to crack and shatter. However, to his surprise the snow leopard-bear pounced on him before he drowned, and attempted to bite him but Haku held his strong group onto the animals neck to prevent him from biting down at him. Screams of his older brother was heard which distracted Haku for one moment, but it was enough for the animal to use one arm to scratch him deeply in the right side of his face.
Despite the bleeding and his own howls of pain, Haku was able to find an opening in the animal's chest and was able to kick him off away from him and crashing into the icy waters far away from him. After a few seconds of heavy breathing, Haku forced himself to get up to see the broken patches of what was once a whole solid ice ground, scatter into many small and big uneven pieces that constantly moved up and down in the water. Takuno meanwhile grabbed his rope and throw it at his brother and then instructed his little brother to tie it around his waist and grip the ice block. He did so and held onto the ice block while Takuno pulled him to shore.
From there, Takuno carried his wounded brother to the palace while thanking him for saving his life while also apologizing to him that how he wasn't as strong as him despite being the eldest. Haku told his best friend he never blamed his brother for the accident and he would do it again in a heartbeat.
And it was that story and especially those final words, that made Korra decided to get to know her future husband better and to spend some time with him before the wedding.
He was literally, the epitome of every girl's fantasy in a man. Both strong yet kind. Noble yet mellow. Formal yet Witty.
Korra found herself quickly thinking the idea that spending the rest of her life with Haku wouldn't be so bad. Plus he was the most handsome water tribe man she's ever seen. It's wasn't really such a bad deal at all. They got along great and he was making a great effort to get to know her and be incredibly sweet to her. Despite the short amount of time, to her utter surprise, she felt very comfortable with him and was able to come out of her shell with him. Of course she never shared anything as deep as she did with Mako but if things were still going as good as they were, she might find herself telling Haku about her deepest thoughts and desires some time soon in the future.
As Korra got lost in her thoughts, Haku got tilted his head as he gazed at her distant look. Before he could respond, loud voices were heard outside the door.
"No! Please! Come back!"
Instantly, the Avatar's snapped out of her daze and directed her attention to the panicked voices.
"That sounds like Suma and Kuma."
Haku raised his eyebrows at the door. "Wonder what's gotten into them?"
"I dunno but-"
"LEAVE US ALONE, STRANGE TWIN WOMAN!"
"Meelo. It's women. Not Woman. There's more than one."
"Oooooh. Thank you for telling me, beautiful woman."
"Well thank you for bringing me here, kind gentleman."
Before Korra could respond, the door was flew open and revealed a little air bending child whose snot was coming out of his nose yet still held a somewhat triumph look.
"Told ya, I'd find her!" The airbender said smugly as Asami laughed lightly.
"You sure did. Thank you Meelo." She said as she patted his little baldhead.
The little airbender smiled. "No problem. We shall meet again soon, beautiful woman!"
"Asami?" Korra exclaimed as Haku offered her a hand to stand up and walked near the two guests. "What are you doing here?"
Before the airbending child turned, he glanced at Haku and frowned.
"You need to leave now. This is girl talk time. No boys allowed. "
Haku laughed and merely remained frowning. "Tell you what, I'll leave the girls to talk, if you agree to go penguin sledding with me. "
Meelo's gray eyes lite up at the word penguin sledding and was now admiring the man in front of him in complete awe.
"Let go, Handsome man!"
The little airbender yanked Haku's arm and then began to air bend and glide his way out of the room, leaving the two girls alone.
After a moment of complete awkward silence, Korra decided to break the ice. "So…Nice weather out here huh? I mean if well, you like ice and all."
Asami blinked for a moment and then gave out a charming laugh.
"Yes. I suppose."
The Sato heiress's green eyes sadly narrowed as she softly started, "Korra…I think you know what I want to talk about."
Korra eyes widened and she turned away from her. "I REALLY don't want to talk about Mako right now."
"Well actually I had something else in mind. Sorta. I wanted to talk to you about him, but the real reason I came here was to apologize." Asami stated as she took a step closer to the confused avatar.
"Apologize?" Korra asked in genuine surprise. "For what?"
"Yes. I just have so much to say to you. I feel terrible. I didn't mean for things to get out of hand. I just didn't know-"
"Whoa there. Wait you think-Oh no, Asami! No, no, no. You had nothing to do with this. I'm not angry at you at all. " Korra exclaimed as she held out her arms and slightly waving them.
"How can you say that?" The Sato heiress asked in an uncharacteristically panicky manner. "I mean, if I hadn't kissed Mako, you would have never left for the South Pole and then you wouldn't be part of this betrothal. Now you have to marry a guy who you don't even know and love. Then just when I thought you and Mako had that fight This is all my fault. I'm to blame here."
"Asami…Please stop rambling. Take a deep breath. "
"I'm just-I-I…" The black haired beauty stuttered as her eyes were slightly watering. "I'm so sorry Korra. I feel so terrible."
At that moment, the young avatar was absolutely touched by the Asami's words and realized how time didn't change her. She was still the same compassionate beauty who was always so gentle and forgiving of those around her. Korra reached out to her former best girl friend and embraced her gingerly.
"Oh Asami. You really are the sweetest person alive. "
Asami's eyes widened. " I don't understand. How can you easily forgive me? I ruined everything between you and Mako"
Korra broke from the hug and shook her head.
"The reason I can is because there is nothing to forgive. What happened a year ago had nothing to do with you. Well to be exact, you kissed Mako yes, but I never held it against you or once blamed you. Believe me when I say, you are completely innocent and I'm so sorry that you felt this guilty for the longest time. I should have wrote to you earlier but I thought by now, you and Mako would be a couple."
The Sato heiress began to wipe the tears and stuttered softly. "Y-You're-You're sure? I mean, Are you sure you are not mad at me?"
" One hundred percent sure. I mean, when I walked in to the two of you kissing, I was hurt because Mako was the one who hurt me. Not you. You didn't know Mako and I kiss-"
Korra's lips tightened shut at that part as Asami blinked in surprise at her last sentence.
"Didn't know about what?"
At this point, the young Avatar began to nervously laugh. "Oh, well…It's not big deal really. Just…Well. Mako and I kissed right before I went to face off Amon alone and well that was WAY before you two kissed. "
If Asami Sato didn't feel bad enough for causing the unhappiness of her two beloved friends, it was nothing compared to Korra's confession just now.
"Oh no…Oh no! Now I'm beyond embarrassed and ashamed" Asami groaned as her head felt light headed. "Now it all makes sense now. Why you looked so hurt and why you took off so suddenly out of Republic City!"
"Asami calm down. No that's not entirely the reason. Please calm down."
Korra immediately pulled a nearby chair and made her sit. Asami, who was now lost in her thoughts, began to mutter random words of guilt while her avatar friend tried to her best to grab her friend's attention. About five minutes later and still no success, Korra took a deep breath and lightly clasped her hand's on the Sato girl's face, forcing her to look at her.
"THIS. IS. NOT. YOUR. FAULT. " Korra declared, hoping the slow pronunciation would gain her attention.
Asami blinked and looked at Korra again. "…It's just-"
"No. Asami, I know very well, why I'm angry but it has nothing to do with you. This is a matter between him and me. Case closed. " Korra said as she laughed.
But the Sato heiress was staring at her friend with a hard look. "But what about Mako?"
Korra instantly pulled away from her friend and stood up, walking towards her window.
"What's their to talk about? I'm sure he told you everything of what happened a few days ago. Forget it. I don't want to see him or discuss him right now."
Asami sighed. "Korra, I know he hurt you. Far too many times, but don't you think that you two should talk this out by now? I mean I'm sorry for butting in, but I know he's truly sorry Korra."
"Mako isn't sorry. He told me how he really felt. He always was such an honest guy. " A bitter laugh escaped the young Avatar's mouth. "Besides, I don't want you to apologize for him or for his mistake. I really don't want to talk to him or even look at him. Why should I?"
"Korra…He's like really messed up now. He's been mopping around the house for four days straight. He hasn't eaten or gotten out of his room and I know he's been crying for you. When he wakes up, he rambles on and on to himself about what a jerk he's been to you. Bolin and I even heard him moan your name in agony when he's sleeping. I don't know in full detail what he said to you, but I know whatever it is, he truly is sorry. "
A huge knot began to form in Korra's stomach as she heard all of this. She cursed herself for feeling pity for her former friend and object of her affection. She wanted to punch herself for wanting to go right now to find him and comfort him. And that's exactly why, Korra stayed silent and still as Asami watched her carefully at her reaction. Regardless in what state Mako's in, Korra knew better as to easily give in to him so easily. Sure it was a matter of pride talking and taking over her thoughts, but right now it was remembering the painful night of how he confessed his love for her and how deeply his words hurt her when she rejected him.
"If he was truly sorry….than why hasn't he come and apologized to me yet?" Korra finally muttered as she began to head towards the door. Asami was speechless while the avatar turned to her and gave an empty laugh. "That's Mako for you. All talk. No action."
"Korra…"
"I'm sorry Asami but I have to go get Prince Haku now. We have to go meal tasting now, please excuse me. Feel free to stay here as long as you like. In fact, you and I can have a sleep over if you want. Just tell Kuma and Suma when you see them okay? See you later tonight. Well, I must be going."
Before Asami could say anything, Korra rushed out of the room, not wanting to talk or think about if Mako was truly sorry for what he said.
MEANWHILE
Location: Southern Water Tribe-Guest House
"That is it!" Bolin announced as he angrily yanked the blanket under his older brother, who was groaning as he glared at him. "I understand mopping around for a day or two. But, THREE. WHOLE. DAYS? This is just ridiculous!"
Mako hissed something intangible at his younger brother, whom was now taking off the blanket from his face, gave him a huffy expression. Mako, who hadn't shaved in three days and looked like so haggard he resembled a beaten and broken man in his late thirties. He was beginning to sprout stubble, wore huge dark brown bags under his blood shot puffy red eyes from lack of irregular sleep, and his hair was smothered in tangles and was almost practically dripping grease. He rolled over to the other side away from Bolin.
"Go Away." He muttered under his pillow.
Bolin frowned. "No. Mako, look at yourself! You're a mess!"
"Who cares?" The firebender mumbled as he lazily stretched. "It's not like I have to impress Korra now that she's getting mar-"
Then right there, Mako felt that stab of pain and couldn't bring himself to finish that sentence.
"Point is Bo…It's over. I really screwed this up big time. "
"No you didn't!"
"Yes…I did. There's just no point anymore."
The earthbender shook his head as he began to give out an empty laugh. "Wow…Mako. I just realized something…"
Mako noticed the change in his voice and turned slightly to face him. He no longer held the goofy grin he normally did. Instead, he had his rare unforgiving look. This alarmed and slightly annoyed Mako for some reason.
"And what would that be, Bo?"
"That you're a hypocrite."
The firebender shot up now giving his brother his full attention. His younger brother never disrespected him or was known to ever call him names. It came off as almost a shock to Mako, that Bolin was not only giving him a glare but now insulting him in clearly one of his most depressed states. It just didn't make sense to him but it surely made him angry.
"What did you say?" He glowered as Bolin then pointed his finger about three inches away from Mako's face.
"After everything you told Korra that night a few days ago. The reason you got so upset with her, was because she was "giving in" to the White Lotus and going through with this arranged marriage. You basically called her out for giving up so easily and what is it that you're doing now? Huh? You have done nothing but mop around for three days, telling me over and over that's you've given up and it's over!"
Mako's eyes widened as he stared at his younger brother with a dumbfounded look.
"This is what Korra was talking about. You said that she told you that the reason she didn't come back to Republic City was because you did nothing. That you didn't go and get her. In other words, you didn't fight for her! And now look what you're doing. Instead of trying to prove her wrong, you're only proving that what she said was right! That you're giving up! She's going to think that she isn't worth fighting for! Do you want that? Do you want her to truly to believe that? "
Bolin now grabbed his brother's collar with a now softer yet still determined look.
"Where's the Mako I know? The one who never gave up? The one who always took care of me no matter what? The big brother who always fought for our survival? The one who I looked up too all my life and love so much. The one who was more than just my brother but was and is like a father to me! The one who never, ever gave up on protecting for the ones he loved! Where's that Mako?"
Mako could only stare at Bolin, who unclasped his collared, as he breathed heavily.
The earthbender still wore his head low as he whispered. " You know…It took me a while to get over Korra. I mean I did like her differently once. Not saying I still like her that way. No. I have grown to love her as a sister because I realized we had more of a buddy/siblings relationship. I didn't know what love was until I fell hard for Asami. Anyway, my point is during the rebellion, I would secretly observe you two. The way Korra looked at you and talked about you and the way you cared for her and looked at her, I just knew."
"Knew what?" Mako asked slowly as felt his body tensed at as he awaited his brother's answer.
Bolin paused and gave began to give off a small smile. "That you two were meant for each other…"
The earthbender then gave his brother a stern look " But if you just plan to do nothing…nothing at all….then you truly didn't deserve her from the start Mako."
The firebender was took a moment to take in everything what his brother said. He was torn between anger but mostly felt pain by all the true points Bolin pointed out. He knew how much Bolin liked Korra when he met her and it hadn't occurred to him how his little brother was emotionally suffering during the whole Equalist rebellion about a year and a half ago. He felt even worse then he did before. Then Mako found himself in pure disbelief on how utterly stupid he's been acting for the past couple of days and realized that wallowing in self-pity wasn't going to get Korra. If he truly loved her, he had to do something. He was so sick of doing nothing and accepting things.
"You're right Bo. Everything you said just now is true. Far. I let her down too many times. But I won't make the same mistake this time.. I lost her once and I won't lose her again. "
Mako slowly stood up and then walked up to Bolin and hugged him. Since when did you become so wise, little bro?"
Bolin grinned. "Eh, I have my moments. Sorry I was a little rough on you bro. I just had to snap you out of your sulky phase. Good to have you back!"
Mako gave out a weak chuckle. "Well it certainly worked. How is it that you always know what to say to people who are down? "
"It's a gift." Bolin gloated as he smiled. "Now, go get your girl."
Mako nodded as he headed towards the door but was instantly held by Bolin.
"Bo? What are you doing?" He asked as Bolin let go of his hand.
Bolin laughed. "Hate to break it to you, Bro. But I think you should wait on getting Korra this instant."
"Why?"
"As your wing man and your adorable and favorite little brother, I'm only telling you this because I love you. Mako, you stink. Take a shower. I don't think you bathed since the fight you had with Korra. Plus, You're kinda lacking in the looks department which is something I won't tolerate. Afterall, we have a "Fabulous Bending Brothers" title to protect! Now I'm pretty Korra doesn't like it stinky men so…"
Mako blushed instantly as he cut his brother off. "Oh…Yeah well…I'll just go do that now. "
"And THEN get your girl." Bolin added as he walked out of the room, booming with laughter.
Ending note:
Okay, I know there is Makorra interaction in this chapter, but the next part will have A LOT of the Makorra goodness and corny drama. I promise! 3
I just wanted to chapter to focus on the relationship between Haku and Korra, Asami and Korra, and Bolin and Mako.
As for Haku's brother. Okay. I realized a few chapters ago I updated the wrong version. His name is supposed to be Takuno. Not Taku. XD Epic fail on my part.
Okay So this is gonna a two part chapter as I stated earlier. I'm sorry once again for not updating this story as much as I used too. Like I stated in my earlier not, I am going through a lot of personal stuff in my life and I had writer's block because of it
But now I'm back and will force myself to finish this before Septemeber. CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!
Ps: Season Finale of Korra! OMG Makorra was endgame. XD Hahaha I love how they get together but in this story they don't! XD Sorry Mako. You MUST SUFFAH! :D