Disclaimer: I do not own Legend of Korra; ideas, characters, nada.

So this is my breaking back into the fanfiction world. I haven't written in a while, so be kind ok? But, in your kindness, let me know what you think. Thanks!

Perfume: Prolouge

"So what am I supposed to do, pee on him?"

Korra blinked a few times before attempting to focus on Bolin's bright green eyes, chin precariously balanced on her fist. The bar was dimly lit and hazy with smoke from one-too-many cigarettes making it hard to see or breathe; Korra paused every few minutes to cough from the inhaled smoke. A slow, raspy jazz tune leaked out of an old gramaphone in the corner, hardly making enough noise to cover the bustle of the bars drunken patrons. She grinned as Bolin's face, contorted in confusion, blossomed into one of pure joy at the thought of his brother being urinated on by a girl.

"Korra, Korra...thas not what I mean at all," He slurred with a flourish of his hand, "I mean, you have to take what's yours! If you think she's in the way, then get her out of the way! You have to use force. That's the only way - it's the earthbender way!"

"Your logic," Korra began, leaning in towards the younger Fire Ferret brother, "Your logic is...is...what's the word?" Her brow furrowed in concentration and Bolin's face molded to match. "There is most definitely a word, a word that I am looking for. What...what is it?"

The noise of the bar flowed seamlessly over the drunken silence between the two, sneaking into their ears and erasing any ideas either had held. Their drunken grins returned, and they clinked their glasses together in a toast.

"Being smart it Mako's thing anyways," Bolin chuckled, "To peeing on the ones we love!"

"To peeing on – wait," Korra lowered her glass, "I said nothing about love."

Korra stumbled down the street, arm slung around Bolin's neck and his arm around her waist. The night was sweetly heavy with the stars hiding in the city lights. The sounds of motorists in the distance melded with the quiet murmur of the moving current of night pedestrians. It was calm night in Republic City, but Korra felt off kilter all the same, whether it had to do with the mention of love or the fact that she was out late and due for a lecture from Tenzin was unsure. But all the same, she didn't feel good in any respect.

"Bolin, you know Tenzin is going to kill me when I get back, right? Because I just, you know...want to say good byes and all. Like, I need to write a will - you can have Naga. So, yeah."

Bolin laughed heartily, squeezing her slightly, "I'll protect you Korra, don't you worry about it – I am pretty strong you know!"

It was Korra's turn to laugh, "Bolin...oh Bolin you're fantastic but you're forgetting, I'm the Avatar. You don't get to protect me, I protect you," Her laughter faded away, mouth setting into a grim line, "And everyone else in the city." Bolin looked down at her curiously, but chose not to press the point. Instead they clumsily made their way in silence towards the Pro-Bending Arena.

"But it's okay you know," Korra stared blankly ahead, face still set in grim stone, shocking her human crutch out of silence, "Like I said, I'm the Avatar. I'm not scared you know."

"I know," Bolin said carefully, unsure of what to say mixing with the sensation of oncoming neasuea.

The view from the window seat was breathtaking at its worst. The city lights glittered prettily before fading into the dark waters of the bay. The sweet, night air blew in from the window, laced with a salty, cold breeze from the black waters of Yue Bay - and Mako felt at ease. He took a deep breath, inhaling the intoxicating perfume of the night; it reminded him of someone. Someone crazy and unattainable and mysterious and sweet and obvious...like the night.

He looked back out into the bay, eyes settling on the island that rose from the horizon. She lived there. She slept, ate, practiced, studies, laughed, cried...she lived there. But then again, she lived every where she went...no...she was the life of everywhere. Energy rolled off of her shoulders and poured from every deep laugh. Her smile was more contagious than the deadliest illness and better medicine than any doctor could prescribe. The way she bounded into a room caused it to stop; and most of the time it was just her magnetism that stopped everyone in their tracks (the exception being when her entrance was preceded by the destruction of property). He found himself so drawn in to her waters that he was under threat of drowning.

Which is why, when the troublesome two crashed through the door, he rushed down stairs.

He heard them before he saw them. His heart stopped for a moment when her strong laugh chimed in with his brothers own hearty chuckle.

"Mako!" His brother called jubilantly, "You should've been with us tonight. Korra and I, we had so much fun!" They laughed boisterously, making their clumsy way to the couch. Mako just stood at the foot of the ladder and watched as Korra, draped around Bolin, laughed girlishly at something he had just said. She didn't even seem to know he was there. She just collapsed on top of Bolin, muttering some drunken story to the boy on which she was sat a top.

Mako shook his head, moving from the ladder to the kitchen to fill cups of water for his brother and guest. Pabu curled around his ankles affectionately as he stood in front of the sink with the glasses, water running but filling neither glass. He simply listed to Korra and and his brother babble back and forth. It was nonsensical, and even in the dim, moonlit apartment he could see it consisted more of hand motions and laughter than words, but the way they spoke said more that their slurred speech could attempt to articulate. Mako shook his head and filled the cups pressing his chin against Pabu, who had jumped up on his shoulder in an attempt to comfort him.

The sweet night air was beginning to make Mako feel sick, the kind of sick from eating to much candy. And the way her voice lingered in the air and the way Bolin coaxed a laugh from her and the way he knew she smelled like the night...it was too much.

Mako turned on his heel and slammed the two half-empty cups of water on the table before spinning right back around and climbing up the ladder. He was angry, furious even. He felt as if he could burn the city to the ground, and maybe he should, he thought. After all, if he burned the city down, he wouldn't have to deal with the tournament, with poverty, with...her. It would all be better if he let the flames take it all; and once it was all over, they could take him as well.

Because, he wasn't supposed to feel like this. Not for Korra anyways.

Prolouge: Done and done. The rest is to come.

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