Author's Notes: I do not own Avatar!

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Chapter Three

~P~

While the initial idea of beginning a Pro-Bending team was appealing to the three, it quickly proved to be a difficult arrangement. Much to their shared displeasure, the only slot that Toza could get them in for them to practice was early in the morning, time that Mako was meant to spend working and Bolin in school. And while this immediately didn't check in well with the Firebender, with a little convincing from both Korra and Bolin, he agreed to on the condition that his brother would put in extra hours for studying so that he wouldn't fall behind in his education.

Korra was grateful for the introduction of Pro-Bending in her life, as it provided a distraction from the growing non-bender violence in the city and her duties as the Avatar that she should have been fulfilling to protect people. She would stare at newspaper articles citing Equalist rallies or other disturbing progresses for hours, her mind racing with her responsibilities, and sometimes, Mako would catch her and remind her of the dangers that would befall them all if she were to reveal her secret. And while she knew he was right, that the riots and hatred mixed with her revealing would just transcend into an all-out war for her capture overnight, making the city even more hazardous, she couldn't help but feel selfish and guilty.

But with the Pro-Bending competition now in her sights and the determination to win driving her forward, she no longer had the time to dwell on the city's collective issues. Most of her days were filled with waking up just as early as she normally would and training for a few hours before the more experienced teams made their ways to the arena. She would still pay visits to Tahno and her other clients later in the evening, though, much to Mako's chagrin.

Days passed normally and Korra was ecstatic for the impending tournament – it was only a few more weeks before it would begin, and the Fire Ferrets – the name of their new team – were improving each and every day. Their chances of winning the championship pot were growing every time they practiced.

But, as usual, luck was rarely on their side. Bolin became ill and missed a small handful of practices and the medication he required cost a pretty Yuan that put a considerable dent in their wallets. On top of that, financial issues began to catch up with them. With Mako working less than usual, not as much money was earned and so their lifestyles began to suffer because of it. Though they were hardly scraping up food from a dumpster, there was a noticeable decline in the quantity and quality of the food they ate and they never had the extra spending money they once did. It was frustrating for them all, because before Korra's agreement to start a Pro-Bending team, things had been pleasantly stable within their household, but now they were wavering once again, and it only added more stress onto Mako, even though it was meant to bring him peace of mind.

The Firebender began to become more wired than before – he never was half-assed about things he did, and that was no different with their starting a Pro-Bending team. He drilled his brother and Korra about keeping focussed when training, pushed himself to the extreme and utilized every second of practice that they got, and the Avatar came to realization that he was even more caught up in winning the tournament than she was. She was a bit annoyed that he just doubled his load of stress instead of lessening it, but Korra knew that that was just how Mako was – a protector, a worker – and even when he was handed a favourable situation, he still exerted himself to the brink. It was just in his nature, in his upbringing.

But as their finances depleted and their situation became more and more desperate, Mako came to a decision that he had long since promised himself he would only resort to if no other option presented itself. He hated what he had to do, and he knew that both of them would disapprove as he did of Korra's prostitution, but if it meant stabilizing their lifestyles again, he was more than willing to do it. He would not allow the three of them to be forced back into a life of just barely getting by.

The Firebender decided that the next practice they had, was when he would tell them. So when Monday morning approached, so did the time for Mako to admit his decision.

"With how things are going now," Mako spoke up, punching a bag with brutal force, "we're not going to have enough money to pay the rent on the apartment for this month." As his statement sunk in, he sent a short collection of shots with growing intensity at the punching bag before him – even the mere thought of transcending back into a life on the street angered him, pushed him to the brink of desperation.

Korra stopped the sparring session she was having with Bolin and stared at Mako, a lump forming in her throat that prevented her from speaking. She knew that he was worrying about their money situation, but it was unlike him to bring it up in conversation, for he normally liked to deal with it by himself without their interference. There was only one reason why Mako ever willingly spoke about monetary problems, and though she wanted to deny it, she knew what it was, what he was going to say to them, and it made her heart clench in her chest and her palms grow clammy.

"Hey, you know I can always get a few new people," she blurted out then, walking closer to the Firebender along with the Earthbender at her side. "We'd have enough money in a short amount—"

Mako knew what she was implying, and turning around with a scowl, he interrupted her. "Not a chance, Korra. I already know what I'm going to do." He was already preparing himself for the anger and worry of the two that were going to be directed to him – this wasn't the first time he had decided to do something so dangerous for the sake of some Yuans.

"Then you already know what we're going to say," Bolin interjected, crossing his arms and frowning at his brother.

"It's the same old song and dance, Bo," he sighed, raising his arm to wipe some sweat off his brow. "And just like every time before this, I'm not going to let either of you stop me. This is my decision."

"You're such a hypocrite," Korra accused, jabbing her finger out at him. "You tell me constantly how you hate what I do but then you tell us we have no right getting upset when you go off with your stupid gang involvement? Just like with me, it hurts us, too, Mako." Her face softened then, pleading with him. Mako had to look away – it was the same face he gave her when he was begging her not to go off to another arrangement with Tahno or the like, and just like Korra's stubborn self, he never listened or relented.

"You two, it'll just be this last time. We really need the money, and I'm not willing to see us out on the streets again just because I don't do this," he exhaled, walking away from the pair and grabbing a bottle of water, sipping from it.

Korra crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes at him. "That's what you said last time, and the time before that... when will it end, Mako? All... all you end up doing is getting hurt so badly, and it's so difficult for us to watch. And have you even thought about how this will affect your Pro-Bending, if you get hurt?"

Mako scoffed, suddenly embittered and ignored her last question, only addressing the first few words. "Like you selling yourself is any better, Korra? That's difficult for us to watch, too, and yet you never stop. This isn't up for discussion – I'm just informing you of the choice I've made."

Korra went to defend his statement against her, but bit her lip when she realized that he was right. Wanting to get the last word in, though, she turned to him, hands on her hips, and yelled, "Do whatever you want then, Mako! See if I care! I won't be the one healing your stupid broken arm this time around!" And at that, she stomped off from the group, unwilling to deal with Mako's stubbornness.

Mako blinked in Korra's direction, but just as he was about to walk off after her, Bolin placed a hand on his shoulder and shook his head. "Nothing you say is going to make her less upset," he whispered. "You've made your decision, and no matter how you word it she's still going to be angry with you."

Mako sighed, hanging his head in defeat. He knew his brother was correct – it was like every time he went off, it didn't matter what she said to him to try to comfort him that she would be okay, he was still always bitter and irritated. "She needs to learn," he huffed then, trying to cover up his own annoyance at the situation. "We're not kids anymore and she's not always as persuasive as she thinks she is. Some things in life just need to be done the hard way – she knows that, so why does she always oppose me when I say I'm going to do this?"

Bolin squeezed his brother's arm affectionately before removing it. "You need to learn, too, then, big bro. You know why – you know it's because she cares and just wants to see us safe and happy. And you getting involved with the triads does not spell out 'safety' to any of us, clearly."

"It's what needs to happen!" Mako threw his arms out, exasperated by the subject. "I'm not letting her sell herself anymore than she has to, and you need to stay in school! I know it's risky, but... but I do it because I care, too!"

"I know, Mako, I know," Bolin nodded his head sadly, before walking away from his brother and towards the gym exit. "We should probably start to head out. The next team will be coming in soon. See ya in the change rooms."

The Firebender waved absentmindedly at his brother, his mind overflowing with anxiety towards his impending triad work that night. Collecting his things together, he proceeded to follow his brother's course to the male change room, where he barely paid the Earthbender any mind, far too distracted by his thoughts to.

This wasn't the first time that Mako had taken a short-term job with the triads to provide extra money for their small family. He had done so multiple times when they were younger, when they needed it more than ever just to survive. He still remembered the first time, how he was only eleven and how he had broken his arm in the incident.

And so his brother's disappointment and Korra's anger was something he was used to when regarding the situation. Korra disapproved of his involvement as much as he did about her prostitution, always so vehement in her yelling at him, trying to convince him otherwise. It was for the same reasons, too – he more than usual came back battered and bruised from his "work" and Korra would have to be the one to attend to the horrible gashes and sickening wounds. He was always silent when she healed him, rarely ever expressing the discomfort and pain cast over him, because it would just give her another reason to tell him 'I told you so'.

In recent years, he had pretty much given it up, much to the Avatar and his brother's pleasure, because even though he didn't openly admit it to the other two, it was dangerous work that he didn't enjoy one bit. He didn't like attacking innocent people or defending turf for fearful mafia bosses. And because he managed to snag a stable job, their income had become steadier and the need to participate in such unlawful activities fizzled out. And, something Mako kept to himself, if he could prevent the hurt that both is brother and the woman he loved went through, then it was more than worth it to stop.

But sometimes, certain situations arose, such as their current predicament, and those were times that Mako had to resort back to doing such dangerous work, because he'd be damned if he watched Korra get passed around anymore than she already was.

Running a hand through his freshly-washed hair and sighing, Mako exited the change room and began to wander off to leave the arena so he could arrive at work. But as his luck would have had it, just as he walked past the female change room, Korra stepped out, and the pair stared at each other. Her face was bright red, and he could think of several reasons as to why. Struggling to find his voice, Mako rasped out, "Korra, I—"

"Save it," she waved her hand at him before scooting away from him, completing dismissing the stunned Firebender.

Blinking at her retreating form, he simply scowled to himself and continued stalking off. "If she wants to be that way, fine then," he grumbled to himself quietly. He knew this was far from the truth, however, and that he wanted nothing more than for her to see it from the same perspective as him. Or in the very least, allow him to give her the comfort that she constantly provided him with.

~P~

When Mako returned home later that evening, Korra made sure to make a show of letting him know she wasn't speaking to him. She stuck her nose up in the air and crossed her arms and harrumphed around when he tried to speak with her, barely allowing him to get a word in. If he was going to be so negligent about his own wellbeing, then for once, she wasn't going to allow herself to care, either.

But when the Firebender only gave her a saddened look and left late that night for his assigned task, she couldn't help but feel his eyes burrow into her and leave her feeling guilty over how she was acting. When the door clicked, signalling his leaving, she felt panicked, not just because of the unknown of how and when he would return, but about how she had treated him prior.

Despite Bolin's urging for her to get some rest and her promises from earlier in the day that she would not care about what happened to the man, she stayed up, pacing nervously, her heart slamming against her ribcage frantically and her breath hitched. It felt like days of agonizing waiting before she heard the familiar clunking of the door early that next morning.

Eyes widening, she leapt up and stood close to the door, and a few seconds later, an exhausted Mako stepped through it, huffing heavily. Korra peered closely at him, inspecting him for any injuries that she could repair – he wasn't limping, which was a good sign. However, his arms were covered in deep cuts, bruises, and burns and there was an expression of distress on his angular features and he was breathing noisily, as though the wind had been knocked out of him and he was trying to regain it.

"Mako," she murmured, and when he looked up she blinked at him. His left cheek was purple and there was a cut slashed into the flesh there, and his forehead was dabbled with scratches and burns of varying degrees. Though he was in better shape than usual when he came back from triad involvement, he was still in a state of considerable pain. Before he could speak, she launched herself at him and wrapped her arms around his neck tightly, biting back the flood of tears in the corner of her eyes. She had gotten herself worked up as she waited for him, thinking of all the dire situations he could be in, only worsening her anxiety in the process, and now it was all coming back to her in the form of waterworks.

The Firebender stumbled back, nearly losing his balance when she made contact with him. He took immediate comfort in the warmth she radiated against him, but almost instantaneously afterwards, he was reminded of his multiple bruises when her frame pressed up against them and pushed her away quickly, groaning. She peered at him, but then realizing why he rejected her embrace, she placed her arms around him more delicately, mindful of his wounds. When she could no longer contain her emotions, a few stray tears bubbled over and fell onto his jacket, and she tried her best to keep in the sobs of relief that threatened to escape her throat.

Mako was surprised by her sudden crying, and feeling the immediate need to end it and calm her, he enveloped his sore arms around her and pressed his face into her hair. "Korra, it's okay... I'm okay," he whispered, hoping that his reassuring words and soft tone were bringing her some form of comfort. She simply brought him closer to her, sniffling. There were times when Korra abhorred her feelings for Mako, for they usually got in the way of practicality and made her so vulnerable – now was one of those of the times. But the Avatar could not bring herself to be annoyed with her unstable emotions right then, her relief at seeming him mostly unharmed taking over.

When a significant amount of time passed of just holding each other, the pair separated reluctantly and Mako pulled Korra's hair out of her face and gave a warm smile that completely belied his current condition. "What are you still doing up? Are you going to make a habit of staying up late? Because, honestly, there's no need to."

"You're an idiot," she mumbled in response, ignoring his questions and flushing brightly, before gently taking his hand and leading him over to the sofa, fully intending on healing him. "Lay down," she commanded, and Mako sighed before doing as he was told, folding his gloved hands over his stomach and closing his eyes.

Kneeling down beside him, she Waterbent some water from the tap and a few seconds later, it was gliding over his open cuts and wounds, the skin connecting back together and the purple from his bruises fading to a sickly green. He shifted, uncomfortable and in pain, each time she approached an especially sensitive area, to which she would touch his face and murmur gently at him.

When his arms were healed to Korra's ability, she moved to his face, and with water surrounding her palm, she placed it on his cheek and rubbed her thumb into the ripped skin. She saw him cringe as she alleviated the pain, before leaning into her touch. "You have to stop doing this, Mako," she said suddenly, biting her lip and turning away. "Completely, not just every once in a while. One day... one day you might get killed if you don't." The thought of losing him made her stomach lurch violently and her heart twist.

Mako's eyebrows furrowed then, and he frowned. "Korra, I can't. You, out of all people, know that."

"Didn't you hear me?" she whispered harshly, "if you don't stop, you're just going to keep getting more and more hurt... and I can't watch you do that to yourself. I can't see you like this, all beaten and battered up. Neither can Bolin, Mako."

"It's not like I enjoy this," he huffed, sitting up a little. "And I don't do it often – besides, I got the money we need. It pays well."

"I told you, you idiot, I can always get a few new clients and we'll be fine!" She pressed her thumb hard into his cheek involuntarily and he winced, and she pulled her hand away as if stung by physical contact with him, sighing heavily and allowing the water to fall and soak into the sofa. The pair avoided eye contact with each other for a few seconds before Mako turned to her, mouth set in a hard line.

"Fine, I'll stop. On the condition that you'll stop selling yourself." It was a straightforward request, one he knew she wouldn't take. Korra turned to face him swiftly, blinking incredulously. Before she could speak, he placed his hands on his arms and squeezed them, shaking her a bit. "Please, Korra." His eyes were pleading with her. He had asked her multiple times beforehand to stop, but she always denied him, so why would that time be any different?

"Mako..." she evaded his burning amber eyes, "I-I won't. It's for your two's benefit..."

"Now you understand," he huffed, dropping his hands from her and drawing them to his chest, "why I won't, either."

"Mako!" she glared at him, eyes narrowed.

"No, Korra," he held his hand up so that she wouldn't interrupt him. "What I do is equally as dangerous as being a prostitute. So until you stop, neither will I."

The Avatar could feel a war of emotions running throughout her system, tugging at her heart and confusing her as to what she should have been feeling right then. Despite the fact that there were a million things she could say to him in response, she settled on a simple shaking of her head and, "You—"

"Idiot?" he smiled at her and with that simple gesture, her heart lightened and the situation became a little brighter. Grinning lopsidedly at him, she gathered some new water from the sink faucet and pooled in on his forehead.

"You just have a few burns left," she told him, leaning closely and moving her fingers slightly. Mako simply closed his eyes and allowed her to heal him, taking comfort in the feel of her hands on his skin. The blisters disappeared within a few minutes, and despite the fact that he had been healed for the most part, Korra did not back away from him, instead shifting even closer to him. The Firebender opened his eyes when he felt her weight shift from beside him, and what he was presented with were her bright, blue eyes staring at him, half-lidded and striking.

"Try not to get hurt next time then," she breathed, and he felt her exhalation tickle his cheek. He closed his eyes again and raised a hand, placing it on the back on her head and drawing it nearer to him.

"I promise on my honour," he whispered back, and in response, Korra pressed a kiss to the cheek that had been bruised before. The Firebender revelled in the warmth it brought to his face, and he turned away sheepishly.

"Now, it's your turn to sleep in your own bed tonight," she pulled away from him, immediately missing their close contact. Forcing herself to look beyond her feelings, she stood up and pointed a finger at his bedroom door. "You need some actual sleep in a real bed instead of letting me snooze in there like you have been usually."

"Actually," he smiled devilishly before grabbing her by the hips and pulling her back down, "I think I'll stay right here."

"Mako!" she cried out, surprised by the action. Blushing furiously, she stuttered out, "W-what are you doing?"

"I..." His cheeks began to redden as Korra's had, and his previous confidence faded, "...want to stay here... with you. If that's all right, of course."

Korra's flush intensified, and she blinked uncontrollably at him, her heart rampaging in her chest. "I-I... well, you did buy this couch, so... i-it's not really my call..."

"It's just... I'm not going to be falling asleep immediately, and some company would be nice," he murmured under his breath, pulling his hand through his hair. He smirked again then, "and besides, someone should be watching me – who's to say I'm not going to run off again?"

Korra simply rolled her eyes and swatted his arm lightly, before turning and retrieving a few blankets from a corner. "Here," she handed one to him, "I might not be up for long, but I won't drift that quickly, either." She walked over and flicked the light off then, and the room went black.

Seating herself on the far end on the sofa, she wrapped her blanket around her and pulled it tightly. A long, quiet while spanned between them. She tensed when she felt Mako's arm brush by her foot, and when she turned, she saw his eyes staring at her. She blinked at him, and a few charged, uninterrupted moments passed before she felt his fingers intertwine with hers and pull her close to him. She went ramrod straight as he pressed them together, despite wanting to curl into him and absorb his warmth.

Feeling her stiffness in his arms, he whispered, his hand travelling down the length of her back, "Relax, Korra." And as if that was all it took, Korra gave into her feelings and tiredness and unravelled, bringing her hands up to rest loosely on his arms and placing head on his chest, listening to the methodic rhythm of his heartbeat. Mako, in turn, raised his arms to wrap around Korra's smaller frame, and despite their earlier words about staying up, they easily drifted off together, wrapped in a blanket of shared warmth and comfort.

~P~

Author's Notes: THIS KILLED ME TO WRITE. UGH.

This is a seriously half-assed chapter but for the first half of it, I just wasn't feeling it, so sorry it's so short and weak. DX I wanted to get something out before I left for a few days, though, instead of leaving you all hanging for another week or so (I'll be gone for a bit)! Hopefully I can get more into the next chapter because I really do want to finish this story eventually and get somewhere with it.

But, then again, shameless Makorra fluff has never been a problem with anyone, it seems! XD