Compromise

Korra walked down the marble floored hallway with an upbeat pep in her step. For some reason she woke up today in an optimistic mood. Her tiresome work day was coming to an end and she felt good, productive, finally back to her old self.

Pushing open two heavy double doors she entered the show room of the Water Tribe cultural center. It was a museum and exhibition of ancient artifacts curated from all over the world. Korra, being the chiefs daughter and lead in anthropology, offered knowledgeable insight on findings as well as representation of her culture.

She saw Tenzin entering from the other side and ran over to him gleefully.

"Tenzin!" She exclaimed.

"How have you been Korra?" Tenzin asked, embracing her with a warm hug.

"Great! I...I'm feeling a lot better" She sighed.

Tenzin raised a brow, "I'm glad, I've been hearing you haven't been acting as yourself recently."

Korra paused, looking worried. "Oh you heard." She rubbed her arm shyly, "Tenzin...don't tell my parents"

She looked very embarrassed and uncomfortable with how she'd been behaving. The last thing she needed was her parents finding out about it. The Water Tribe was many great things but also very traditional, they gave her the freedom to leave home but still expected she acted her very best, "Least not to forget her roots".

"I won't," They began to walk through the room, side by side. "I understand your recent relationship wasn't easy...and many people cope in different ways."

"Yeah" Korra sighed, she thought about the little proposal she spoke to Mako about and blushed. "Many different ways...But I am getting better I swear."

"I know," He stroked his long bread, still in thought. "but I still want you to come by, I am always someone you can confide to and I know the kids miss you."

"Thank you and I will, I promise. I miss them too." Korra smiled.

One of the last Sunday tour groups walked into the room promptly ending their brief conversation. They both stood up straight needing to look presentable.

"What a wonderful surprise! Master Tenzin of the air nomads and Korra, the water tribe chiefs daughter!" The tour guide announced.

"Welcome everyone." Tenzin greeted calmly.

"Welcome, I hope you are all enjoying your stay and learning much about our culture." Korra smiled.

She stood close to Tenzin as the tour group snapped pictures and asked questions. Her 'popularity' was always something she had a hard grasp of when she moved to Republic City. Back home being the chiefs daughter didn't make her a celebrity, but in Republic City she spent her early years with White Lotus guards.

They began asking Tenzin questions, mostly curious to ask him about his cultural traditions, religion, why he wore robes and shaved his head in this day and age. If his tattoo's hurt, do air nomads really live so high up in mountains, all questions she'd heard before.

"Why are you called the water tribe?" A woman with short brown hair and rectangular glasses asked.

"Well, the history of my tribe dates back thousands of years. They were sea dwelling people, settling along coast lines and rivers. Later adapted to climate change and now in the North and South where everything is snow and ice. Water Tribe just sort of stuck, Similar to Fire Nation, Earth Kingdom, and Air Nomad...they all originate from tribes living in those respective geographical areas."

"Well said," Tenzin added, "And as ancient as these cultures are...our people have mingled and exchanged goods throughout history. The Air Nomad's and Water Tribe have been allies for many centuries."

Korra smiled at that, Tenzin knew her since she was a child and she really did look to him as a second father. If he didn't already live in Republic City there would be no way her parents would have agreed to let her leave.

Korra looked down and saw some children who looked rather bored of learning about the strict facts and ridge history. She smiled and knelt down beside them,

"Legends also say that the water tribe watched as the moon pushed and pulled the tide and learned how to do it themselves...The moon spirt was a great friend of ours." As the children cooed in excitement Korra giggled, "But, that is just folktales... I think water bending is a skill no one has practiced in a very long time."

She stood up and glanced over at Tenzin deviously, "Unlike air bending..."

The kids quickly crowded around Tenzin demanding he demonstrate earning another laugh from Korra and several parents who fended them off. Tenzin glanced at Korra with a playful but stern look as he apologized to the children. He always gave the best excuses when Korra made this joke, this time being that air bending in the museum "wasn't allowed".

Unbeknownst to Korra, Mako entered the museum behind the group of tourists and stood watching as they bombarded them with more questions and photos.

A little girl tugged on Korra's sleeve earning her attention, "Are you like a princess!?"

"Oh" Korra blushed, "Well...technically no, a chief is like the king of a tribe but we don't really have a hierarchy similar to the complexities of say, The Fire Nation who..." Korra paused seeing the little girls face twist into an expression that showed she had no idea what she was talking about.

"Yes, I'm a princess." Korra shrugged with a passive laugh.

Mako chuckled and slightly shook his head.

The little girl waved goodbye, telling her mom how excited she was to have met a real life princess. Korra only shrugged with a warm smile on her face.

As the tour group passed to the next room Mako was revealed to be waiting in the background. Korra paused, a bit surprised to see him. They stood staring at one another for a few moments until Tenzin cleared his throat, breaking the silence.

"Master Tenzin," Mako greeted, quickly bowing his head.

"Officer Mako," Tenzin replied, he looked to Korra and said he would be leaving. She hugged him again, noticing the slight question on his face.

"I'll see you soon." Korra said, with an underlying I'll explain everything later.

Tenzin obviously knew Korra's dating history like any other concerned dad would. She'd be sure to fill him in on the 'PG' version of her escapades.

-O-

Korra and Mako walked into her office and the water tribe "princess" felt slightly awkward but grateful he was there. It took him a few days to get back to her so she had her doubts.

As she rounded the corner of her desk Mako stuffed his hands into his pockets, a common gesture he did to hide his nerves.

"I wasn't sure if seeing you here was the best" He began.

Korra began gathering her things, "I'm actually heading out for the night."

She tucked some miscellaneous items into her purse and began tidying her desk.

"Oh well then you're probably tired from working...I can come by another time"

Korra noticed Mako seemed genuinely nervous, obviously what he came to talk about warranted the embarrassment.

She then realized sex was definitely a NSFW topic and they should probably go somewhere else to discuss her proposition.

"I was going to get something to eat, do you want to come along?" She pulled the long strap of her bag over her head, grabbed her keys and headed to the door.

Mako shrugged his shoulders, "Umm, maybe that's not-"

Korra smiled, finding it kind of funny how stiff Mako was, and that was saying a lot when describing him.

"Mako it's just food."

He paused for a moment still deliberating, which earned a small laugh from her.

It didn't have to be a date like she said, it could be what ever they wanted to make of it. Plus, she didn't want it to feel like a secret negotiation, they weren't doing anything shady.

He nodded, "Ok, sure."

They walked out of her office and Mako watched a bit awkwardly as Korra shut and locked her door. Again, being around her was still foreign to him. He could tell she noticed how frigid he was acting but he couldn't help but keep this wall up. Korra had such a way of getting under his skin, he didn't even think she was conscious of it.

"Oh I almost forgot! I have to show you something first!" Korra smiled excitingly.

Mako looked at her as if they should probably get going or risk being seen together. Again almost as if what they were doing was illegal.

Korra rolled her eyes, "It'll only take a second come on!"

They walked into a back room that was freezing cold covered in metal table tops and hardware. Korra walked up to a table and switched on a light. Sitting on a cloth surrounded by tools and debris was a small gold object with red flakes of paint.

"Look, it was found frozen in a cave off the southern coast. I spent all day chipping away at the dirt and ice around it."

"It looks from the Fire Nation." Mako said, now instantly invested.

"It is! It's apparently centuries old! It's a head peace the crowned prince would wear." She mimicked a hairstyle with her hands, "They would put their hair in a bun, slip the jewelry over the top of it, then stick a thin golden rod through that little hole to keep it in place!"

Mako could feel the excitement radiating from Korra's voice.

"As soon as they brought it in I instantly thought of you! You had to see it!" Korra smiled, never taking her eyes off of the artifact.

"Really?" Mako replied looking up at her earnestly.

"Of course," Korra shrugged blushing a little, "I know how much it means to you."

Mako and his brother Bolin being born and raised in Republic City never got the chance to meet and explore their fire or earth cultures. Their parents were wrongfully killed when they were children leaving them to not only fend for themselves, but have limited knowledge about their ancestry.

Planning a trip to the Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom was something they talked about doing together. Obviously plans went awry before they ever got the chance.

"Thank you Korra." Mako said.

Korra shrugged looking away bashfully, "Don't mention it"

They had settled on eating at Narook's for dinner and ordering the one meal they survived on all through college. Mostly because it was filling, cheap, and reminded Korra the most of home.

"My father would kill me if he saw me doing this!"

"You say that every time we eat this." Mako chuckled.

"Well Mako as my family would say, you don't mess with tradition." Korra smiled. "But in this case, it's so good!"

Korra held up her bowl as Mako shook flaming chili pepper flakes onto her green noodles.

"A new take on a traditional recipe." Mako commented.

"Yeah, the fire and water work well together" Korra added. She stirred her noodles pondering that phrase.

Sliding into the booth late at night to pig out on Water Tribe grub instantly brought back great memories for the both of them.

Mako found himself finally starting to relax and the wall beginning to break down.

"Bolin was so drunk!" Korra laughed.

"You can't get drunk off of noodles" Mako replied.

"Oh the way he was playing that night he was drunk off of something" Korra smirked, she slurped up the last of her food then tilted the bowl between her lips to drink the soup.

"How's Bolin by the way? Last I talked to him he and Opal were in Zaofu." She licked her lips then grabbed a napkin to dab her chin.

"Yes, he's still there, visiting her family..then he might tour the Earth Kingdom with them."

Korra's eyes lit up, "You didn't want to go with him?"

"It was bad timing job wise and I've been saving for my own trip. I want everything to be right." Mako replied. He picked up his chop sticks and stirred his soup in silence.

Korra sighed, "Yeah that sounds like you..."

He purposely left out the detail of her being along side him as they used to fantasize about and she wondered if that's also another reason why he didn't go with Bolin and Opal. It would definitely make him feel like the third wheel.

They finished their food and headed out of the restaurant into chilly night air and orange street lights.

Korra looked over her shoulder at Mako unlocking his car beside hers. "So I'll meet you at my house?"

"For what?" He looked up surprised.

"I'm assuming you didn't come to my job to talk about Bolin and reminisce over some noodles?" Korra smirked. She got in her car and turned on the ignition.

"Oh" Mako's face dropped. He completely forgot about the conversation they were supposed to be having. Instantly the nerves set in his stomach again.

"Yeah, meet you there."

He got in his car and followed her out of the parking lot.

During the drive back to her house he repeated what he would say when they arrived. Of course Korra was needing an answer for her little proposal from the other day and he had one for her.

Korra opened her front door to Naga leaping off of the couch and running to her side.

"Hey girl!"

As soon as her dog saw Mako enter the home she immediately ignored Korra's petting and went to jump up at Mako instead.

"Traitor." Korra scoffed.

She took off her shoes at the door and turned on the lights to her living room. She sat down on a floor pillow by her coffee table and Mako sat at one across from her. Naga laid beside him happily wagging her tail as he settled down.

"So, have you decided anything yet?" Korra asked, removing her jacket causally.

"Yeah, I um." He wasn't expecting Korra to flat out ask him this but figured there was no point in easing into the conversation. "I...I want to try this out."

Korra's stomach jumped, "Really?"

"Yes." Mako replied, looking very matter of fact.

"O-Okay that's a good start" Korra remembered what Tahno had said, that Mako would be getting something out of this.

"Can I ask what made up your mind?"

Mako seemed timid to reply. "I agree with you, I don't think I can continue living apart anymore. I can't be your friend and a relationship is complicated...this seems like a middle ground I can settle on."

"That makes sense." Korra replied, half expecting him to say something else. Something cheesy like underneath all that bruiting was a man that still loved her. That he actually had feelings other than sexual. She realized Tahno's hasty advice needed to be taken into account. Don't get too emotional.

"And I am fully aware I am Asami's rebound."

"That's not what I want." Korra slumped.

"It's okay, I called Asami and-"

"You called Asami!" Korra exclaimed, "W-Why?! Did you really need some collateral baggage?"

Mako rolled his eyes, ignoring Korra's fit of rage. He knew her well enough to be prepared for this reaction and sat waiting for her to get it all out.

"What is your deal?!" Korra yelled, her face red.

"Yes, I called Asami. Relationship or not I think I should know what happened between you two right? I'm not trying to interfere."

Korra swallowed her pride and huffed, "Fine, what did she tell you?"

"No, tell me what you think happened first." Mako replied sternly.

"Can you for once not treat things like an investigation."

"It's in my nature." Mako replied arrogantly.

Korra sighed, crossing her arms over her chest,

"Asami and I were really great together but there was one thing that we never could really sort out. She wasn't exactly out to her father yet. So we pretty much spent a lot of our time being "best friends". Out in public, back at her house, the only privacy we really had together was when we were at my house or with Tenzin. Everyone around us also had to keep this secret, both being public figures, that was crucial."

Mako nodded.

"At first I was okay with it, I for one know there are still close-minded people in the world. But after the first year of this...this paranoia, I just thought we should tell him. She was an adult she didn't need to live her life in secret anymore. She agreed although was still very nervous." Korra paused, taking a few moments to keep her composure.

"So..we had dinner, and we told him, and he flipped out. I don't even want to repeat what he said or what he called us." Korra's eyes were shaking now.

Naga sensing her owner was distressed went to sit beside Korra and placed her head in her owner's lap.

"The situation just escalated and next thing we know he's threatening to disown her. I couldn't let that happen. I mean as much as I wanted to fight it I knew how much her family means to Asami. Her company is the only thing she has left to her mother's legacy, and if he disowned her she would loose everything. Her inheritance, her company, her home,...everything."

Korra sniffled and Mako looked up to see a few streams of tears running down her face.

"In a perfect world Asami would fight for us, I really wished she could have. But it was better for her to break up with me. I mean it was my idea to do it in the first place. I don't even think she knew her father could be that extreme. There was too much on the line for her to loose. I don't blame her...and I hate feeling angry, but I am..."

Korra wiped her face and took a long breath, looking up at Mako she hoped that was enough of an explanation for him.

He sat closer to her and placed his hand on her knee, "That's what she told me too." He muttered.

"We didn't fight, it wasn't really a bad break up but..." Korra gave a half enthusiastic shrug. "The odds of Hiroshi getting out of the picture isn't anytime soon."

And that man made it very clear he didn't want Asami anywhere near Korra as long as he lived.

"It was hard for her too." Mako added, "She made sure to let me know that."

"Did she ask why you called?" Korra asked, now realizing Asami might know more than what she should.

"I just told her we ran into each other and starting talking. I had questions.."

Korra nodded, "So what are you getting out of this? I'm getting over a break up and you're...?"

"I'm realizing the only person I can be open with is you... I'm not into random flings anymore and I can't get that connection with anyone else."

Korra felt relieved there was some underlying affection in his decision. "Thank you,"

She sat up, slightly disturbing Naga who had fallen asleep beside her. "I guess now we establish some rules."

Korra stood up and went into her kitchen only to return with a couple of opened beer bottles. Handing one to Mako he took it gratefully and drank a long sip.

"How exactly does this work?" He asked.

"We just set boundaries, Tahno was very loose about it-"

"Tahno! Tahno knows about this?" Mako groaned.

"Yeah," Korra cringed, "I don't have many people to talk to okay? It's not like he'll tell anyone."

Mako shrugged, highly doubting her faith in him. "What rules do you have in mind?"

"Hmm, how about...no sleeping in the same bed afterwards"

"What? You expect me to get out of bed after and do what? Sleep on the floor?"

Korra stuttered, "W-well then, no cuddling afterwards! It's weird."

And way too intimate for her.

Mako nodded his head in agreement, "Okay, no sex in public."

"How do you define public?" Korra tilted her head knowing that was subjective and directed at her keen interest in doing just that.

"Not in a house," Mako replied.

"No! That's not fair!"

"Korra we're not teenagers anymore, we both have homes and privacy." Mako took another drink and settled more comfortably on the floor pillow.

"Yeah we're not teens but that doesn't mean we have to be boring." Korra huffed.

"I work in an office-"

"With a door" Korra interrupted.

"I'm like three rooms down from Bei-Fong."

"She's never noticed before!" Korra pointed out making Mako swallow his next excuse.

While he was interning at the police station there were a few times him and Korra fooled around in places they shouldn't. Surprisingly they got away with it almost every single time.

Mako hummed.

"Fine if you want that then no pet names!" Korra retaliated.

"Now that one is not fair, I can't help that." It took a lot of focus not to call her anything other than 'Korra' the last time they had sex.

"You'll have to try," Korra replied smugly.

"What do you consider a pet name?" Mako asked, flipping the question like she did to him.

"' 'Good girl'..." She mocked. "Last time I checked, I wasn't a dog."

"That rule isn't for comfort its punishment," Mako replied.

"So is yours." Korra added.

"Fine," Mako rubbed his temple, "We can have sex in public as long as it's very discreet."

Korra smirked, "And you can call me whatever you want...see compromise." She paused and pondered for a moment.

"Hmm, no dates between us...it should be strictly meeting to have sex."

"Then what was tonight?" Mako asked.

"Not a date...a civil meeting," Korra replied knowing very well Mako wasn't buying that.

"Okay I guess you could call it a date, the only reason I invited you was because you were acting all stiff and awkward. I just wanted you to relax."

"Okay, then we'll have civil meetings whenever we need to hash something out." Mako replied.

"I can agree to that."

Mako stood and took Korra's empty bottle along with his to the kitchen trash and brought back two fresh ones.

"We should be allowed to date another people." Korra said as he sat down again.

"Makes sense, but if it becomes something serious this little arrangement would have to stop, I don't see anyone who'd be into it."

"True," Korra rubbed her arm, "Oh, this is pretty self explanatory but we shouldn't tell anyone we're doing this."

"Agreed."

"Anything else you're concerned about?" Korra asked.

"This might be a very personal question, but are you on any...medication?"

"Oh" Korra fidgeted a bit, "Not really."

Mako looked genuinely surprised.

"The odds of me getting pregnant with Asami was incredibly low obviously so don't give me that face!"

"Okay sorry that was a dumb question, I'll make sure to get more condoms."

Korra set her bottle down on her coffee table and moved closer to Mako. "Okay so its set"

She outstretched her arm waiting for a hand shake solidifying their deal.

Mako sat up and set down his bottle, "Sounds good." He took her hand and shook it firmly.

They sat there shaking hands in silence for a few seconds. Now that everything was sorted out there was only one thing left to do now.

The air grew stiff with tension as they both suddenly wanted to solidify their deal in a more physical way, but neither was confident enough to act first.

Korra noticed Mako's subtle glances and took that as a sign to go for it. She was far more of an eager person than he was.

She leaned forward and kissed him, throwing almost her entire body weight against his chest.

Mako immediately pushed against her lips, fitting his between hers effortlessly.

Her fingers were already at his collar shirt trying horribly to unbutton the small latches. Clicking her teeth in frustration she moved her hand to his hips and unbuckled his pants instead.

Mako picked her up and laid her down on the sofa, maneuvering her thighs apart so that he could fit between. His face found the bend of her neck and he began kissing and sucking her skin.

Korra groaned and arched her back, pushing her chest against his. As her eyes fluttered she caught the gaze of two large blue eyes staring back at her.

"Wait..wait"

Mako stopped and looked down at Korra hoping she wasn't having second thoughts.

"I'm adding another rule."

Mako looked over to see her dog sitting up right observing their intertwined bodies innocently.

"Not in front of Naga." Korra cringed.