"Alright, Korra, your winnings are…" Mako pushes a small pile of gold coins her way. "50 yuan. Don't go too crazy with it," he shoots her a cheeky grin as Bolin plunks himself down on the floor next to Mako, lounging out lazily.

"Why's our pile bigger?" Bolin asks, poking the stack nonchalantly.

"Because there's two of us," Mako replies patiently.

"I gotcha. Nice job, Korra! We wouldn't have beaten that Firebender without you," Bolin shoots back, enthusiasm doubled by the sight of the coins.

As Korra drags the coins closer to her, a wave of guilt wracks her. Tenzin pays for anything she wants. Why would she need money?

"Thanks, Bolin. You guys should take this, though." She slides the coins back over the floor, and Mako shakes his head.

"No way, Korra. You earned it, fair and square." Mako scoops them into his hand and dumps them into a simple cloth coin bag, placing it firmly in front of her.

"I can't take it!"

"You can and you will. I insist," Mako's strong tone implies it wasn't up for debate, but she pushes them back in his direction. He takes a steadying breath; he's getting annoyed.

"Korra, please. Don't make this difficult."

"You let me on your team. Consider it a thank you for letting me join."

"Just take it," Bolin shrugs, popping a grape in his mouth. "I'm gonna go grab some food if you two are going to bicker."

Silence greets his words, and he shrugs again, leaping to his feet and leaving the room promptly.

"Korra," Mako sighs impatiently, "It's your money. If it makes you feel better, you can buy me dinner tomorrow."

"Dinner? Even if all three of us got a lavish meal downtown, it'd still only be 30 yuan or so. C'mon. Just take the money."

Mako stands, brushing off his coat, and shakes his head. "I won't, Korra. Stop being stubborn."

"I'm being stubborn?"

He nods, and she is in his face in a second, finger jabbing into his chest.

"You're being stubborn! You're the one who won't take the damn money."

He crosses his arms, refusing to give in, staring at her complacently. Korra huffs in aggravation, hands on her hips, the bag's string looped carelessly around a finger.

Mako's not going to give in, and it frustrated Korra. Stupid Mako won't just take the money because of his pride.

"Look," she says softly, mollifying her tone. "I'll treat you a day here soon, alright? I just don't like it when we argue."

His eyebrows rise in surprise, and his arms uncross.

"Alright."

"You remember last time we fought?"

His head turns to the side. Of course he does. He had kissed her, and she hadn't been expecting it.

"Yeah."

Korra stands on her toes, wishing fervently she was taller, and turns his face toward hers gently, pressing her lips to his.

He lingers for a second as if in disbelief, but she stays. She vaguely feels his hands rise, and suddenly his hands are tangled in her hair, kissing her with a desperation she doesn't know he could possibly hold.

Korra's mouth parts, and his tongue dips in, and she's so distracted in the heat of the moment that she almost forgets.

She leans into him, feeling the lines of his body press against hers. Yes. That's what she needs, and slowly, she deposites the cloth bag into his coat pocket.

When he finally pushes away from her, she takes in his swollen lips graced with the slightest of smiles, and he pulls her in for a tight hug.

"Thank you," he says quietly.

It's not until later in the day that he discovers the coin purse.

This time, he smiles and keeps it there.