MakoxReader - Find Yourself (7)

Cool fingers fluttered along your brow, dragging you out of the depths of your slumber. You groaned as each bruise was freshly felt while you regained consciousness, the only soothed part on your body was your forehead where the fingers continued their ministrations. You opened your eyes to see Pema standing over you. A quick glance around told you someone had brought you back to your room on Air Temple Island. 

“Pema?” Your voice was scratchy and dry from disuse.

“Oh you’re awake! Here, drink some water.” Pema’s cool fingers abandoned your forehead to hold a glass to your cracked lips. You drank the water greedily, relishing the refreshing feel of it in your body. 

“Thank you.” You laid back, exhausted from just the small motion. “What happened?”

Pema sighed as she set the glass back down. “Do you remember what you were doing?”

You shut your eyes for a moment. “I was guarding the rear of the tunnel.” A memory of mecha suits swarming you flashed across your mind. “The mecha suits came, and I couldn’t fight them off.” Your eyes opened. “It gets a little fuzzy after that.” 

“We found you in the tunnel after the battle, completely unconscious and covered in rubble.” Pema smoothed your hair back from your forehead, frowning as she spoke. “There were mecha suits all around you; it was definitely one heck of a fight.”

“Did I stop them all? Was everyone ok?”

“A few got through but Wu took care of them.”

You blinked. “Wu? With what?”

“His singing.” Pema laughed at your shocked face. “He sang to the badger moles and they stopped the soldiers.” 

“That guy…man, he’s crazy but so useful in a bind.” 

“Certainly.” Pema studied your face for a moment. “(First), you had us really worried. You could’ve died.”

Her mothering voice came out, and suddenly you felt extremely guilty for making her worry. “I know, I’m sorry Pema. I didn’t want to worry you.”

“Well you can make it up to me by never doing anything so foolish again!” She huffed, scowling as a few tears pricked the corners of her eyes. In an instant her demeanor changed from scolding to relief as she pressed you into a tight hug. “Thank you so much for protecting us so bravely in the tunnel.”

You hugged her back, ignoring your bruises. “Of course Pema.” 

Sitting back Pema wiped her eyes and smiled. “Well then, I think I’ll let you get some rest now.” 

“Wait! Everyone else? Are they ok?”

“Everyone’s a little banged up but recovering. Taking down that giant mecha suit took a lot out of them. Now rest (First), I’m sure you’ll see them soon.” 

And with that Pema quietly left your room, leaving you alone with your worries and injuries 

——————————

‘Soon’ actually turned into not seeing anyone for a week as you were kept firmly on bed rest. You tried not to feel upset or forgotten, you knew they had not just a city but an empire to deal with in the aftermath, but a week of basically solitary confinement to your bed was making you go crazy. Asami visited a few times when working in her father's factory got to be too much. The two of you had become rather close, and she had quickly deduced your feelings for Mako and put your concerns about her and Korra to rest. But even with visits from Asami you felt prisoner to the room you were confined to. 

After a week was up you decided to take matters into your own hands and escape outside to find a quiet place in the gardens. 

After hobbling to your favorite courtyard you began a slow lap around, allowing your body to relax in the sunlight and your mind drift. 

“(First), what are you doing out here, you should still be in bed!” A voice interrupted your quiet musings and you turned to find Asami watching you with concern. “Pema said you need more time to recover from…”

Her voice trailed off as she scanned your bandages and bruises, making you chuckle. ”Getting my ass kicked by mecha suits?" 

Your bluntness startled a laugh out of her. “Well, I wouldn't have put it quite like that, but essentially yes.”

"Asami, nothing's broken or damaged beyond repair. I'm perfectly fine to be walking around. And if I spend any more time in hospital beds I will go insane." 

She had stopped protesting but had snuck close enough to help support you as you continued your slow walk. You smiled and allowed her help because, honestly, everything was still very sore. You couldn't tell where one bruise ended and the other began, and the bruises Asami suffered were harder to heal than yours. You had heard about what happened with her father and knew she must be hurting too, if in a less visible way. So you allowed her arm to support you and showed your own support with a gentle squeeze of her hand. 

Your progress around the air temple was slow but anything was better than the somber silence of yet another hospital bed. As the two of you walked you talked about inconsequential things, keeping the topics light rather than reflecting on the war. 

Suddenly a group of figures appeared across the courtyard you had been meandering around, one catching your eye immediately. His familiar gait was unmistakeable, although slightly off by some unseen injury. Your hand immediately gripped Asami's arm tighter, struggling to restrain yourself from doing something foolish in your injured state. 

Asami held a secret smile in as she steered you towards the just arrived group that had yet to notice you. Your previously relaxed steps were now hurried as you almost dragged Asami along. Her sudden ringing laugh at your behavior caught the attention of the small party and when golden eyes caught yours and filled with relief you abandoned Asami all together. 

You ran the last few steps to him and threw yourself into his arms, mindless of your injuries or his. He let out a small groan as you pinned his injured arm to him, but his good arm only held you tighter as if he didn't ever want to let go. You groaned as he pressed into your own bruises but refused to move. You hadn't realized exactly how worried you had been until you saw him. 

Suddenly feeling the bandages beneath your body you leaned back from him and looked at his wrapped arm. 

“You promised you would be safe.” You scolded him with a mock glare. 

“I could say the same to you; you’re covered from top to bottom!” His eyes took stock of your collection of bruises. 

“Pema told me what you did. You thought it was a good idea to electrocute highly explosive vines while you were still in the room?!” You whacked Mako’s good shoulder lightly and he winced. “What part of that sounds safe?” 

“I didn't do it alone, which is more than you can say.” He argued defensively. “You thought it was a good idea to fight a squadron of Kuvira’s mecha suits by yourself?”

You smiled angelically up at him. “So we both made risky choices.”

“Sounds like us.” He smiled back at you as you looked him over top to bottom. 

“But you're ok?” 

“Yes.” 

“Thank goodness.” You breathed a sigh of relief.  

“And you?” 

You shrugged and shot him a crooked smile. “I’ve had much worse.”

“I believe that.” He smiled and leaned in to rest your foreheads against each other. “I was so worried (First).”

Tears of relief sprang to the corners of your eyes but you blinked them back. “Me too, Mako.”  

When you leaned back you realized everyone else had already gone inside. “I guess we should go join everyone.” 

Mako nodded and offered you his arm for support, which you gladly accepted. And if you leaned on him a little more heavily than you needed to just to reassure yourself he was really alright, well he certainly didn’t complain. 

—————————

Republic City was slowly but surely rebuilding itself in the aftermath, and after the exhausting battle you were certainly not the only person excited for the wedding of Varrick and Zhu Li as a well-deserved break. The ceremony was beautiful, nothing less than you expected of the genius inventor and his intelligent bride. Even Bolin did a great job officiating (with Pabu’s adorable assistance).

While the reception was in full swing you found yourself seated on a bench on the outskirts, enjoying a quiet breather while watching the festivities continue. 

“Hey you.” Looking over your shoulder you saw Mako walk up to join you.

“Hey yourself. Don’t you clean up nice?” You gave Mako the slow once over in his new suit. 

“I could say the same to you.” His eyes traveled over you appreciatively. “What are you doing out here? Already tired of dancing?” 

You shrugged and turned back to watch the party. “Still not a huge fan of crowds of strangers. Years of training are hard to overcome. Even though I’m working on it sometimes I feel like I need to watch everyone around me.”

You could see Mako nod with understanding from the corner of your eye. “Wu was looking for you. He wanted to sweep you off your feet with a particularly seductive dance apparently.” 

You smiled. “Well for the safety of my toes I think I’ll remain here a little longer then.” Mako settled on the bench next to you before continuing.

“He also told me he’s going to step down as ruler of the Earth Kingdom and set up an elected government instead.”

“Really?” You glanced at Mako to see if he was joking but his face was serious. You turned back to watch Wu twirling Opal around the dance floor, barely avoiding collisions with other couples on the floor. You chuckled as you shook your head. “He manages to surprise me more and more every time.” 

“Yeah, who knew he’d be such a decent guy sometimes.” Mako’s voice was amused as he watched Wu accidentally knock into Bolin who was trying to steal Opal back. 

You hesitated. “Does this mean you’ll be staying here? In Republic City?” 

“Yup. Once Wu is settled I’ll be free of my private bodyguard duties.”

“Will you return to the force?” You tried to keep the hope out of your voice but from the smile on his face you figured you failed.

“That’s the plan.” He turned his golden eyes to stare at you. “Have you decided what you want to do yet?”

“I’ll be going back to the police as well.” 

His golden eyes seemed to light up. “That’s great (First).”

“Thanks Mako.” 

“So you don’t mind if I hang around?” Mako teased.

“Not at all. You still owe me dinner.” You bumped your shoulder playfully against his. 

“Is that so?”

You nodded, smiling up into his eyes. You suddenly realized how close you were, your faces almost touching when you both turned to look at each other. 

“Well how about tomorrow night?” You could’ve sworn his eyes dipped to your lips for a moment.

“Will any restaurants even be open yet?” 

He shrugged. “If not I’ll make you some turnip noodles.” This time it was your eyes that dipped for a moment.  

“Sounds good. So it this… a date?” 

“Do you want it to be?” 

You swallowed before nodding slowly. “I would like that.”

“Me too.” 

“So it’s a date.” Your voice was barely a whisper as you leaned closer. 

“Yes.” And suddenly his lips were on yours.

It was like fire and ice and everything you had hoped it would be. You could feel his smile as your lips worked together, and your own smile answered.

Pulling back he pressed a kiss to your cheek. “Think you could manage the crowd for one more dance.”

“If I’m with you, definitely.” 

You accepted Mako’s hand as he stood and pulled you up from the bench with him. With your arm tucked in his and your head on his shoulder you headed back, smiling at Korra as she passed to find her own moment of solitude. 

You chuckled as you watched Tenzin follow Korra, before turning back to the dance floor. Asami sat at the edge of the dance floor, relaxing at a table. 

“Give me one moment.” You pulled yourself away from Mako to drift over to Asami. “Hey Asami, enjoying the party?” 

“It’s a lovely reception, but I’m afraid I danced one too many times with Wu and I’m all danced out now.” 

“I understand. Well if you need a break I just saw Korra head out for some air, looking rather lonely. And Tenzin followed her out so she may need some rescuing of her own.” You sent Asami a conspiratorial wink as she smiled back at you. “After all, someone should warn Tenzin Varrick wants to steal an air bending suit to jump off the tower.” 

“You’re right (First). We can’t have that.” Asami chuckled as she stood and smoothed her dress. “And you seem to have a certain someone waiting patiently for you.” 

You looked over your shoulder to see Mako watching you at the edge of the dance floor. You smiled and blew him a kiss before turning back to Asami. 

“Well it looks like we both have things to do. We’ll catch up later.” With a smile you both went your separate ways. 

“What was that about?”

“I’ll tell you later, but for now may I have this dance, sir?” 

Mako smiled. “Aren’t you supposed to let me ask?” 

“Absolutely, but I got tired of waiting.” You bounced up to peck him on the lips, before tugging him to the dance floor. And as the music swelled you allowed yourself to get lost in feeling of Mako’s arms around you and his smile filling your vision as the rest of the world fell away.