status complete
background Book 1, AU
notice IT'S SO HARD WRITING ABOUT A CHARACTER WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO USE THEIR NAME. UGH. In other words, Dorky Dork continues to be astounded by Mysterious Girl. Also, Fire Ferrets cameo! And Mama Bolin, because I love role reversal (let me know if you spot the Lion King 2 reference). This is the second and concluding chapter of this little project. I won't rule out a third chapter following immediately after this one, but for now the plan is to stop here. Thank you for reading, and hope you like dorky Mako as much as I do.

II.

Mako didn't believe in luck.

When had luck ever been gracious with him anyway for him to believe in it? He had been orphaned at the age of eight, left alone to fend for himself and his baby brother. He had been forced to sleep in damp alleys and eat out of dumpsters. He had turned to a life of crime working for the Triple Threats, all of it to make sure that Bolin would grow up safe and happy.

Luck hadn't really been a factor so far in his life. Everything Mako had achieved, everything he had done, it was all his own work. He had sweat, cried, and bled to get where he was now; a professional pro-bender making an honest living in Republic City.

It wasn't perfect, and it definitely wasn't something he could see himself doing in the long run, but it was clean, fulfilling, and, most importantly, safe. Sure, having Hasook on his team was a sizeable downside, but if it meant a semi-standard income that was perfectly legal and allowed him to keep an eye on Bolin simultaneously, he wasn't going to complain.

Luck hadn't brought him where he was today, so it could go jump off Harmony Tower while the Fire Ferrets triumphed in yet another pro-bending match.

He was running late for said match though.

In his defense, there were a thousand and seven things one needed to take care of before a match — like making sure the team's stats were delivered to Shiro Shinobi — and since he was the most responsible member in his team, Mako usually took it upon himself to see those things done.

He really needed to have a talk with Hasook soon.

Mako quickened his pace as he took a shortcut to the player room through the west wing of the arena. It was a good thing that he had a natural affinity towards navigation, as well as the fact that living in the attic of the arena had allowed him to get very acquainted with its ins and outs — literally. He was just passing the gym when he heard Toza's reprimanding voice.

Curiously — mostly because he and Bolin had been on the receiving end of the old man's lectures one times too many in the past — Mako paused on his way and peeked inside the gym to see Toza pointing an accusing finger at a girl.

Not, not a girl. That girl.

Mako didn't believe in luck. But he figured that this was as good a time as any to start.

She looked exactly like she had the other day, with the same innocent look plastered on her face, even though she was obviously trespassing. She didn't look like she was handling being scolded by Toza, but then, who did?

It was a split-second decision to step in and rescue her when Toza started threatening to call security.

"Hey, it's you," he called out, making both people in the gym turn to look at him, standing awkwardly at the entrance.

Her eyes lit up when she recognized him. "Hey!"

"You know this one, Mako?" Toza grumbled, eyeing her mistrustfully.

"Yeah, don't worry, Toza. She's with me," he said quickly, beckoning her to join him.

"Yep. I'm with him," she chimed in happily, toeing away from the grumpy coach.

"Whatever. Just get outta here," Toza dismissed them, returning to his earth disks, and Mako quickly ushered her away from the gym.

"What are you doing here?" he asked when they were at a safe distance. There was a small, childish part of him that was hoping that maybe she had been looking for him.

"Well, I wanted to see a pro-bending match. Though I guess I got lost. This place is huge!"

"Oh." Now, that made more sense. "Well, what seat do you got? I can tell you how to get there."

She smiled sheepishly, tugging at one of her ponytails. "Yeah, about that… I kind of sneaked in."

In hindsight, he probably should have seen that coming. The gym wasn't exactly positioned near the main hall. And definitely not somewhere anyone could just walk in.

So, it was the second time he had met this girl and he could already see a pattern. She was running from the cops the other day, and now she had obviously snuck inside the arena illegally. His best course of action would be to actually call security. After all, if they allowed one person to sneak in, what was stopping the rest of them from doing the same?

But… what where the actual chances that he had run into her twice in as many days in a city of millions?

"Don't worry," he said instead. "I can get you a seat."

Her face lit up, and Mako knew he had made the right call. "Really? That would be great!"

"Just follow me."

He led her through a few corridors that brought them to the main hallway leading to the player room in no time.

"Wow. How can you navigate around this place so easily?"

Mako shrugged. "I spend most of my time around here."

"Wait." She stopped, looking at him closely, as if noticing his uniform for the first time. "You're a pro-bender!"

"Uh… yeah?" he said, looking down at himself as if to point out the obvious.

"Wait, the old guy called you Mako. As in, the Fire Ferrets' Mako?"

Mako scratched the back of his head. It was always awkward for him when he met a fan. Especially one that had ran him over with her polar bear-dog a few days prior — and who had the most gorgeous eyes he had ever seen.

"Yeah. That would be me."

"Oh, man, now I feel even worse for knocking you over!" she said apologetically. "I've heard you play on the radio. Your team's really great."

"Thanks. We're trying to do our best."

"Well, you're doing it. Man, I'd love to watch you play."

He raised an eyebrow as the kept walking. "Who do you think is playing tonight?"

She gaped. "No way."

"What, did you think I was in uniform for fun?"

"I didn't... Spirits, this is great!"

Mako chuckled and pushed open the door to the player room, allowing her to walk in. Bolin was scratching Pabu's ear and Hasook was restlessly tapping his foot on the floor. Typical. His brother perked up when he entered.

"Mako! Where have you been? The already rang the second bell! Oh," he paused, taking in his company. Mako could swear that he was leering. "Never mind. We can forfeit the match. Hasook, flag Shinobi. Mako's found a girlfr—"

"Shut up, Bolin," he said hastily, his ears burning. When he looked back at her, she seemed completely unperturbed by his brother's antics. She was already at the railing, staring in awe at the arena.

"Man, this is awesome!" she exclaimed, and Bolin slid up to her, hands on his hips.

"Yep. Best seats in the house. Name's Bolin, by the way."

Mako didn't catch her response because he was busy putting on his helmet, and by the time he was ready, the third bell rang. The metal platform slid up and the Fire Ferrets boarded it quickly.

"Good luck!" she called out, and he gave her a smile that made Bolin clap him so hard in the back that he almost took a dive.

Mako was still busy berating Hasook about nearly costing them the match when he heard her voice and realized that she was still there.

"That was amazing!" she exclaimed as they finally reached the player room. Ignoring his lecture — as always — Hasook left without a backwards glance and Bolin quickly followed, claiming he really had to use the bathroom.

"You liked it?" he asked sheepishly.

He swore her grin almost blinded him. "If I liked it? Man, you guys were incredible! Especially you, Mr. Hat Trick!"

"Yeah, well, it was a team effort, really."

She shook her head. "No, no, no. You don't have to be modest. You slayed. I mean, I've been immersed in bending my whole life and I've never seen anything like this. It was like a whole new style. A—mazing!"

"Well, I could, uh... I could teach you a few tricks. If you want to, I mean."

She leaned back, obviously surprised by his offer, and Mako mentally cringed because it sounded like he was coming on to her. Since when did he indulge his fans this way? She kept looking at him strangely, and he wanted the floor to swallow him whole. He had totally overstepped, hadn't he?

"I mean, I wasn't trying to imply anything! You don't have to accept! I was just—uh..."

To his surprise, she laughed. "No, I wasn't thinking that. It's just... You saved me from gym dude, then gave me a free pass in one of the best spots to watch a pro-bending match, and now you're offering to teach me pro-bending tricks. And all that for someone who ran you over with her polar bear-dog."

Well, when she put it like that, it did sound ridiculous. But at least she didn't think he was weird?

"Look, I told you, that was—"

"SHE DID WHAT?!"

Mako ran a palm over his face as Bolin slammed the door to the player room and came up to them, dramatically patting him down as if to make sure everything was in the right place.

"Quit it!" he said, swatting his brother's hands away while his cheeks flushed a bright pink.

"You could have been hurt! Did you slip a disk? Catch a fever? Get a hangnail?"

"Bolin!"

His little brother placed his hands on his waist and looked at him in disapproval. "Well, excuse me if I'm worried about my big brother when he gets ran over by a stampede!"

"Hey, it was an accident!" she intervened, and Bolin pointed an accusatory finger at her.

"And you! How could you let a polar bear-dog run him over?" At that, his brow furrowed, and he turned to Mako. "Wait, what is a polar bear-dog?"

"Exactly what it sounds like," Mako barked, and at the same time she said, "She's my best friend."

"O—kay," Bolin said slowly. "This is getting weird. Too weird. Even for me."

She sighed in exasperation. "Look, it really was an accident. I'm new to the city and there were some cops chasing me—"

"You're a criminal?" Bolin gaped and Mako groaned. Really. Given all the things they used to do for the Triple Threats, Bolin calling someone else a criminal was just rich.

"No! It was a misunderstanding! I'm the Avatar!"

Both boys stared at her. And kept staring. Of course, Mako thought. Of fucking course.

Lady Luck didn't just hate him. She also liked to pummel him.

"I'm an idiot," he murmured to himself, while Bolin yelped in excitement.

"Spirits, this is so cool! The Avatar is in our player room! And she ran my brother over with her polar bear-dog! This is amazing!" Bolin exclaimed, going to the lockers in favor of removing his uniform.

Really not the way Mako had thought his day would go.

"About that," she said, turning back to him. "It all happened so fast that day, and I didn't really get to honor my promise."

Mako raised an eyebrow at her in confusion. "What promise?"

"Well, I still owe you dinner."

"Oh." He was pretty sure he was blushing again. It wasn't like he was holding her to it. Spirits, until an hour ago, he wasn't even sure he would ever see her again. But, as luck would have it, here she was. And, judging by her expression, she seemed pretty adamant on not letting this go.

And who was Mako to refuse the Avatar?

"Okay, then."

She seemed almost surprised. "Okay?"

"Yeah, just give me a minute to change, then we can go."

"Oh, alright. Uh, maybe he...?" She gestured towards Bolin, who was back in his regular clothes, and Mako's heart did a funny thing.

"Hey, Bo, do you want to join us for dinner?" Mako asked.

"And third-wheel on your first date? I don't think so!"

"It's not a date!" they yelled simultaneously, blushing beet red and pointedly avoiding each other's eyes.

"Uh-uh, if you say so, lovebirds. I'll go ahead and get us a table at Narook's. Don't be late!"

With that, he exited the player room, leaving the two of them alone. With a tiny nod towards the exit, she excused herself to give him privacy. Quickly, Mako changed out of his uniform, stuffing his gear into his locker before following after her.

She was leaning against the wall when he stepped out.

"Hey," he said. "Sorry about my brother. He's kind of... excitable."

"No problem," she said as they started walking towards the exit. "So, what's Narook's?"

"It's Bolin's favorite place to eat. It serves Southern Water Tribe food." He stole a glance at her outfit then, and suddenly felt very self-conscious. "I mean, we could go somewhere else, if you don't feel like it."

"No, it's fine. I haven't had seaweed noodles in a while actually. Or five-flavor soup. I've been on a strictly vegetarian diet lately. Air Temple Island rules."

He shot her a surprised look. "You're staying there?"

"Yeah, I arrived from the South Pole a few days ago. Tenzin is teaching me airbending. But he and the White Lotus don't really want me roaming around the city, since I sort of got arrested on that first day. So, I'm supposed to stay on the island where they can keep an eye on me." Her face scrunched up in thought. "Although, I guess, technically they're not that good at it, since I kind of sneaked out under their noses."

Mako only understood half of what she was saying, but that made her all the more fascinating in his eyes. She really was something else, this girl. He had only known her for a miniscule amount of time, but he could see that she was a hurricane. Prone to draw you in and turn your life upside down when you least expected it. There was so much for him to learn about her. And he found himself wanting to learn it all.

Safer to start from the basics, though.

"So... the Avatar, huh."

She smiled bashfully. "Yeah."

"That's cool."

"Yeah," she said slowly, as if she had only just realized it herself. "I guess it kinda is."

Mako offered her a smile of his own. "You know, you never told me your name."

"Really?" she said as they stepped out of the arena and into the brightly-lit city. "It's Korra."

"Korra," he repeated, testing the syllables in his mouth, the way its foreign taste seemed to roll off his tongue like water.

"I like it," he decided, and Korra laughed, allowing him to lead her through Republic City's streets.

I like you, he thought but didn't say. Strangely, the warm look in her eyes when they met his told him she wasn't too far-off herself.