Chapter Text
Wu straddled Mako and kissed him until he was out of breath. Mako was panting underneath him, both of them bucking into each other underneath the sheets. It was early, and Wu felt safe, here, in bed with Mako. It was quiet and peaceful. Wu could feel the fact that they were alone, that this wasn’t a hotel, but a standalone building—a house, a home. And they weren’t in bustling Harmony Park or the gilded Upper Ring—they were on a beautiful island with greenspace and the ocean all around them.
“Wu… Are you sure this is okay…?” Mako asked in a breathy voice. Wu could hear the worry behind the words. It was about to drive Wu bonkers. It was almost enough to kill the mood. Couldn’t Mako just trust that Wu wanted this right now? Wu had just about had enough of Mako’s tiptoeing and constant seeking of reassurance that he wasn’t taking advantage of Wu or something.
But then, maybe it was Wu who was taking advantage. Using Mako to distract him from the unpleasantness of yesterday . Was he using Mako? LIke he used to use women to hide who he was and distract him from the painful longing he had felt whenever he had looked at Mako?
Wu pulled away and sat up, studying Mako’s face to figure out if he wanted this or not. Mako’s face was a challenge to read right now. He was flushed, but frowning. There was heat in his eyes, but his brows were furrowed in worry. He was hard beneath Wu, but every part of his body was tense, like he was in fight-or-flight mode.
“I’m sure,” Wu said softly. “But it sounds like you aren’t. So let’s not.” He climbed off Mako and out of bed and walked toward the dresser where he had put his clothes away yesterday. He picked something simple, loungewear—loose pants and a tunic with a high collar. He may have pulled his pants on in a jerky, slightly frustrated manner.
“Wu?” Mako’s voice was quiet and unsure.
“It’s fine,” Wu said to Mako’s unspoken question. And it was fine. Wu didn’t want sex if Mako didn’t want it. Of course, Wu was a little annoyed because he was pretty sure that the only reason Mako didn’t want sex was because Mako thought Wu shouldn’t want sex right now, and that was some bizarre, circular logic that Wu didn’t currently have the brainpower to process.
Mako didn't respond, though. In Wu’s peripheral vision, he saw Mako swing his legs over the edge of the bed and sit for a moment. Then Wu heard Mako sigh softly before collecting his own clothes from last night. Mako pulled his own pants on and just stood silently as he watched Wu get dressed.
Wu had been in a great mood when he had woken up this morning, safely nestled in Mako’s arms, tucked into Mako’s chest. It had been dark out, and everything felt still. Mako’s arm had rested on him, and his breath had been slow and reliably steady. Mako’s face had been relaxed in a way Wu rarely got to see—no scowls or smirk or angry brows or worry lines. Just closed eyes and a slightly parted mouth.
Something about it made Wu feel reverent, and he hadn’t dared to move or try to wake Mako. All Wu could do was hold still and stare at Mako’s face in awe. Anything else would have been blasphemous.
Now, though, Wu was feeling off balance as he tugged his shirt on and fastened the stays on the neck and down the center of his chest.
It was a shirt reserved for sleeping and lounging. It wasn’t the same shirt he’d been wearing the night before last (he’d handed it over to the police. It was evidence, and he didn’t want it anymore so they could keep it), but it was exactly the same as the other shirt. The same color, the same fabric, the same cut and fit.
He looked down at his sleeve, and for a moment, it was like he could almost see the spots of blood that had stained the other shirt. He almost jumped in surprise. Everything that happened yesterday, the unpleasantness, it washed over him in a terrifying rush. The cold steel on his neck, the blood splatter, the screaming and yelling, the fear—
“Whoa, hey.” Mako’s hands were on Wu’s shoulders, suddenly. When had Mako walked over here? The edges of Wu’s vision were blurred slightly and he could hear his pulse hammering in his head. Wu’s stomach lurched and he was dizzy. Wu realized, belatedly, that his breaths were coming in fast and sharp.
“You’re safe,” Mako turned Wu around to face him, but it was hard to focus on anything in particular. “Wu, I’m here, breathe slower, deeper.” Wu tried, but his chest felt too tight to fill his lungs.
“It’s okay, it’ll pass,” Mako said, gripping Wu’s shoulders firmly. And even though every part of Wu’s body was screaming that something dreadful was happening, Mako’s words cut past it all. Wu managed to suck in a deep breath and hold it there for a few seconds, then let it out slowly. In, hold, out. After a few deep breaths, his heart stopped racing and his vision was clear again.
Without a word, Wu threw himself into Mako’s chest, breathing in Mako’s scent.
Mako said nothing, just held Wu gently.
“Sorry,” Wu said after a moment.
“Wha—” Mako pulled back and looked at Wu. “Wu, you have nothing to be sorry for.” Mako furrowed his brows. “I’m sorry. I should’ve just—”
“I don't know why I…” Wu averted his eyes. This was ridiculous. He felt stupid. He hadn’t even gotten hurt. Mako must have thought Wu was weak and pathetic to crumble into such a mess like that. Compared to all the things Mako had been through, Wu’s experience was nothing!
Mako had almost died, multiple times, he’d been through danger and strife through all his time with Team Avatar. And he never panicked. Mako had been through much more horrifying ordeals than yesterday’s unpleasantness, but here he was, patiently talking Wu through a panic attack as if—
“It’s okay. You’re allowed to be scared, you don’t have to—” Mako let out a frustrated sigh. “It was scary. You don’t have to act like it wasn’t, not for me. Okay?”
“...Okay,” Wu said carefully.
“Sorry, I should’ve just kept my mouth shut.” Mako’s hand found its way to Wu’s face as he brushed aside a stray curl of hair. The motion was familiar and grounding. “If you want, we can still—”
“No,” Wu said with a small laugh. “I’m suddenly not in the mood.”
Wu could see the conflict churning through Mako’s head as he stared silently. What was Mako thinking right now? What was he going to hold back?
“Breakfast,” Mako said finally. “Then shower. Everyone else on the island will be waking up soon, I’m sure Pema will come and try to feed us, but I kind of feel like cooking.”
Wu nodded quietly, watching as Mako got dressed. He followed Mako into the kitchen and watched as Mako started pulling out ingredients for a quick, simple breakfast. Pema and Tenzin must have stocked the small kitchen for them.
It was familiar, watching Mako make breakfast. He used to do that before, back when Mako worked for him, when they had lived in the Four Elements. Mako’d had this weird aversion to ordering room service for breakfast. Wu used to think it was strange. Now he knew it was simply because Mako liked cooking breakfast.
And Wu liked watching. It was a comfort, this familiar feeling. Wu’s stomach fluttered with affection as he thought back to the days when he just had a crush on Mako. Not that Wu wanted to go back to those days, obviously— Wu and Mako were together now, and he wouldn’t trade that for anything—but Wu liked to reminisce.
Mako had been such an enigma back then, and Wu had conjured up countless fantasies about what Mako might be like if he had ever returned Wu’s feelings. Most of those fantasies had been dead wrong—in a good way. Mako was more tender and affectionate and gentle than Wu ever would have guessed.
“Wu?” Mako said gently. He had finished plating up breakfast for Wu. As always, it looked and smelled delicious, in a simple sort of way. Mako had a way of making amazing meals even when using the most basic ingredients. Barley, eggs and root vegetables, steaming hot and seasoned with something aromatic.
“Looks good,” Wu said softly. “Reminds me of when you used to make breakfast, you know… before, at the hotel.”
Mako blinked owlishly, as if he’d forgotten all about that. It must have been mundane for Mako. He’d been cooking since he was a child. But Wu had never done any cooking, and he hadn't had many chances to watch someone cook.
“Don't have as many fancy ingredients right now,” Mako said after a moment. “Hopefully it lives up to your expectations.” There was a hint of teasing in his voice and Wu bit back a smile.
“Mako, are you suggesting I’m high maintenance?” Wu said with fake outrage. He got exactly the reaction he'd been hoping for as Mako snorted out a laugh, complete with an eye roll.
“Eat,” Mako said, not actually answering Wu’s question. Wu didn't try to hide his smile now. Mako ordering Wu to eat was ironic, considering Mako was more likely to skip meals between the two of them.
Speaking of which…
“Where’s your plate?” Wu asked with a raised eyebrow. Busted, Wu thought as Mako’s cheeks tinged pink.
“Like I said, I'm sure Pema is going to feed us. I'll eat then,” Mako said defensively.
Wu thought about arguing more, but he could tell it would get them nowhere. He dropped it and dug into his food. It was delicious, just as Wu expected, even without all the upscale ingredients Mako used to have access to at the Four Elements.
Mako tidied up his mess left behind from cooking—he was so neat; Wu had always noticed and admired how organized Mako was, keeping all his ingredients and measuring tools and utensils lined up in an orderly fashion, cleaning as he went, washing up quickly when he was done. Mako made some tea for both of them, sipping his as he stood by the stove, watching Wu eat.
Wu noticed the sounds of birds chirping outside, which was yet another sign they were out of the city. Not that there were no birds in the city, but the sound of traffic often drowned out the pleasant chirps.
There was something domestic about all of it. It was almost strange, considering the chaos from yesterday. It made Wu’s heart ache with affection and longing and wishing this could be his everyday life.
Ever since their first night together back in Gaoling last year, being with Mako had been full of confusing ups and downs. Not that things were ever bad, but it always surprised Wu when his emotions would careen out of control. He loved Mako and when they got together in secret, when he had Mako all to himself, he felt like he was floating on air. But he missed Mako when they were apart, and sometimes it was painful. And he always had this nagging feeling that there were things Mako wanted to say but wouldn't. And this morning he was frustrated with Mako one second, then desperately burying himself in Mako’s arms the next.
Wu tried to tell himself things seemed difficult at the moment because of yesterday's unpleasantness. But… something felt off. Like he and Mako were out of sync. Wu didn't like it.
There was a soft knocking on the door and Mako’s relaxed posture tensed up immediately as he switched back into bodyguard-mode.
“It’s just Pema,” the voice on the other side of the door said softly. Mako relaxed and let her in. “Oh, it smells good in here, I should have known you’d whip up something good, I’m not sure why I bothered to come here and offer you breakfast!” Pema said brightly, her green eyes glinting in the morning sun.
“Mako didn’t eat,” Wu said accusingly. “He fed me and insisted he would be fine.”
“Well that won’t do at all,” Pema said, and Wu smirked at Mako in victory. Mako scowled in annoyance but Wu would take it if he would eat something.
Pema did feed Mako, returning from the main part of the island with a steaming plate of tofu and rice. Wu rested his chin on his hand as he fondly watched Mako eating. Wu was struck with a sudden, irrational desire to cook something for Mako. That was insane, of course, because Wu didn’t know the first thing about cooking. Maybe Pema could teach him and he could surprise Mako someday… Wouldn't that be something?
“Did you two have everything you needed last night? Plenty of blankets, pillows? Was the bed comfortable enough?” Pema asked after she was satisfied that Mako was going to finish his meal.
“Perfect,” Wu answered honestly. “Thank you for seeing to everything, really.”
“I was worried!” she said with a laugh. “I mean, compared to your usual accommodations we must look very plain!”
“Honestly, after everything, I’m just grateful to have a safehouse… It’s plenty, thank you, Pema. I, uh…” Wu’s insides churned. He felt awkward and his face was threatening to redden as he thought about the fact that Pema knew about them. “I appreciate you being so… um… Understanding. And your… discretion. I don’t mean to be so… uh… I just—”
Pema’s face was soft and kind. “Of course. We’re more than happy to help. Thank you for trusting us,” Pema said. “I know that must have been difficult.”
“Oh, uh. I don’t know about difficult, I just never meant for, uh… so many other people to… know…” Wu’s face was burning by now. He must be as red as a fire lily.
“You’re very brave, you know,” she said to Wu. He wasn’t so sure about that, and his face must have shown it. “I mean it. You were incredible during the evacuation; you protected everyone without hesitation; you’re fighting for the rights of your people to elect their own leaders. That takes a lot of courage.”
Wu felt a rush of affection for this woman, so kind and motherly, and it left him wishing for his own mother. He's not sure what she would think, if she knew what Wu was… he's not sure he'd ever have the courage to tell her or his father. He couldn't remember his parents, but given that they too were Ba Sing Se natives, he suspected they wouldn't have positive things to say about Wu being with a man.
The Air Nation though… Korra had been right. Pema was accepting without question. And he wasn't sure if Pema was right, because Wu didn't think of himself as being brave, but he appreciated her kind words all the same.
Their conversation was cut short by Opal knocking on the door.
“Good morning,” she said with a bright smile. “I know you’re probably still eating, but Detective Jiang and Hiroka just arrived on the island. They said they had some updates, whenever you’re ready for them.”
Wu sucked in a breath and gave Mako a wary glance out of the corner of his eye. Mako reached out as if to touch him, but let his hand fall and crossed his arms instead. Wu was conflicted, because he would love to have Mako’s reassuring touch right now, but Pema was right there and he just wasn’t sure about any displays of affection in front of her. Wu was grateful Mako gave him space in Pema’s presence.
Wu wasn’t looking forward to seeing Jiang again. He had been irate and short yesterday when he was taking Wu’s statement, and Wu didn’t want to go through more harsh questioning. His panic attack this morning was too fresh in his mind.
But, as Pema opened the door to let them in, Wu noticed something different about him here and now. He looked awkward and uncomfortable, keeping his head down and avoiding eye contact with Pema.
“Hello, Detective,” Pema said, and was Wu imagining it, or was there a hint of wryness in her voice?
Wait, didn’t Korra say something about him getting kicked off the island? That was right. Though Mako insisted he left on his own, not that he was kicked out. Wu guessed that he felt awkward seeing Pema either way.
“Uh, hello. Ma’am,” Jiang said awkwardly with a nod.
Pema stepped aside to let them in, and Jiang didn’t say another word until she left them to discuss the case.
Mako had the good sense to shut the bedroom door before they had entered—he would likely concoct a story about sleeping on the sofa in the main room, but it’d be better if they didn’t have to broach the only-one-bed subject at all.
“You’ve got updates on the case?” Mako said, getting right down to brass tacks.
“Yeah. They did find an unusual substance in the pitcher, along with Ya-Ting’s fingerprints.” Jiang said when he sat down. “There was definitely premeditation.”
“And we found something in Ya-Ting’s history,” Hiroka said, casually leaning against the wall by the door. She had her hands in her pockets and a focused look on her face.
“It’s nothing that would have raised flags on a background check,” Jiang clarified. “But she attended school with a woman who would eventually go on to work with Dr. Sheng as an assistant. It’s not clear at this point if Ya-Ting knew her well or not, but…”
“One scenario we’re exploring is not so much that Ya-Ting had a connection to her, but that she was targeted because she worked for you.”
“If this classmate decided to seek her out, use Dr. Sheng’s technology on her, and force her hand… Well, that would make this an Earth Empire conspiracy.”
Wu’s blood ran cold. He didn’t like that at all. Wu was aware this was a possibility, but to hear Ya-Ting might have been targeted…
Wu looked at Mako. What if…
No. It couldn’t happen. No one would be able to get to Mako… right? No, of course not. Mako knew what to watch out for. If Ya-Ting had been brainwashed, she was probably caught off guard. Mako wouldn’t be caught off guard.
Still, the thought made Wu sick.
In spite of all of that, Wu couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off about the brainwashing theory. She hadn’t looked anything like the people who’d undergone the procedure in Gaoling. They looked dead inside. Ya-Ting looked very much alive.
Of course, the implication in the other scenario was that Ya-Ting actually had been plotting against Wu for some time, that the entire thing was premeditated and that she had some kind of motivation to attack him. And that didn’t sit right with Wu either!
She’d had years of impeccable service in the Earth Kingdom Army, and he had felt like he’d known her fairly well—she had always been polite and cordial and respectful. She hadn’t served under Kuvira; she had served in Ba Sing Se to protect and serve the people in the aftermath of the Red Lotus Revolution.
What on earth could have happened to negate all that, and motivate her to attack?
“President Moon would like to discuss the details of collaborating with law enforcement in the Earth Kingdom to see if we can ascertain the location of this assistant. Anything outside United Republic borders is out of jurisdiction so we’ll need to come to some kind of official agreement.”
“You want to bring the president here?” Mako asked with a frown. “We’re trying to keep this place quiet.’
“No, I think bringing Wu to City Hall makes more sense. Should be simple to get him off the island quietly. More simple than getting the president to the island.” Jiang said.
They discussed the security logistics, and Wu felt anxious, but he knew he’d be safe with Mako. Mako would get them there easily, quietly and safely. They’d meet with the president and then Mako would get him back to the island safely.
“Jiang didn’t seem to like being here,” Wu said softly as they got ready to leave. “What’s his story, anyway? You don’t talk about him much.”
“Not much reason to talk about him. I mean, he’s just a coworker. He’s a good detective but he’s been… different since the invasion….”
“Oh? What happened? Did he get hurt?”
“He lost his family.” Mako said softly. “He had a husband and two children. He got separated from them during the evacuation and… Well. They didn’t make it out.”
Wu’s heart lurched. He hadn’t realized… Jiang had a husband and he lost him? And children? Spirits. That was… horrible.
Wu hadn’t realized that Jiang was… like Wu. But… He had been married to a man, and together long enough to have children? And openly, given that Mako spoke about it freely. Wu knew that things were different, better, in Republic City. Avatar Aang had ensured the laws of the United Republic explicitly allowed same sex marriage. But he also knew things weren’t perfect.
How much had he loved his husband, to face adversity to be with him and raise children with him? How much had it hurt when they died?
And how hard was it for him to keep living on, knowing they were gone?
“We should have made the evacuation mandatory sooner,” Wu choked out.
Mako furrowed his brows. “We made it mandatory the second it was clear it was necessary. No one knew an invasion was imminent until we got that intel from Zhu Li.” He looked at Wu as if he were being absurd.
“We knew she was working on the weapon, we should have—”
“Woah, hey, nothing was your fault,” Mako was suddenly at Wu’s side, his hand gently clasping Wu’s shoulder. “You got the evacuation going smoothly. We did as much as we could.”
Wu didn’t feel that way, suddenly. He now personally knew a man whose life had been irrevocably destroyed because of Wu’s weakness—because he was too weak to stop Kuvira’s coup, because he didn’t even suggest making the evacuation mandatory, because he didn’t get people out fast enough…
“Hey, Wu, honey. I see you spiraling.” Mako stood in front of Wu, holding Wu’s face in both his hands. “None of that. Stop it. Blaming yourself is pointless.”
Wu looked up into Mako’s amber eyes, warm and safe, and took a deep breath. Intellectually, Wu knew that, of course. But it didn’t stop the guilt from flooding his chest.
And it also didn’t stop a frightening image from plastering itself in Wu’s mind. Mako, fighting a war, inside Kuvira’s weapon, destroying the corrupted spirit vines powering the thing—bending lighting and enduring a painful burn as he held true, determined to destroy it, no matter the cost to his own safety, his health, his life.
Mako had survived, sure. But he almost hadn’t. He’d almost died in the same invasion that took Jiang’s family. And Wu had always regretted that he never told Mako how he felt before all of that. Wu knew Mako could have died. But for some reason, it hadn’t struck him like it was now.
If Mako had died, how would Wu have coped? Especially considering he hadn’t dared voice his feelings out loud. No one else had knownwhat Mako meant to him. He would have had to temper his grieving, be upset a normal amount, as one would from losing a friend and employee. Wu would have had to pretend like his heart hadn’t been ripped to shreds.
If Mako died, Wu wasn’t sure how he’d go on.
The trip to City Hall was quiet and uneventful. Mako took great care in the preparations to bring Wu back into the city, this time traveling with Tenzin on his bison, instead. Wu didn’t particularly care for the idea of being in an enclosed space with Tenzin, considering Wu was a little mortified that Tenzin knew about Wu’s relationship with Mako, and thus Wu’s… proclivities.
But the ride was mostly quiet and peaceful, and Tenzin’s presence at the reins was barely noticeable. Wu held onto the saddle wall tightly as the wind blew through his hair. He’d barely had a chance to fix it this morning, and it had already been a mess of curls after the chaos of yesterday. Mako pointed out it would be easier to keep his presence in the city undetected if he didn’t look quite like his public image. So the curls stayed. Which was fine with Wu. He’d learned by now, after a year of Mako running his fingers through Wu’s curls, that Mako liked his hair this way.
Tenzin landed Oogie in an unassuming spot near some spirit wilds, and Asami met them there to drive them the rest of the way in her satomobile. She waited in the car while the others met them inside. Bolin and Opal hung back by the door while Korra joined Wu at the meeting table.
Jiang, Hiroka and Chief Beifong had beaten them there—Wu still felt small in Lin’s presence and uncomfortable knowing that she knew. But he at least felt physically safe, with Mako hovering just behind him.
Jiang, as the lead Detective, went over all the details of his and Hiroka’s investigation thus far, to ensure President Moon and Lin were fully briefed and everyone was on the same page.
“At this point, the thing that makes the most sense is to coordinate with law enforcement in the Earth Kingdom. Discovering holdouts from the empire, raids on their hideouts, looking for the technology.” Jiang said authoritatively, once everyone was seated and discussions around the investigation had begun.
“I’ll gladly approve sharing of intel, evidence, testimony, and anything else they’ve already uncovered,” Wu said eagerly. “But law enforcement in all fifty-five states have been working on uncovering Empire holdouts. Guan, Sheng and Kuvira have provided intel on key players who are in the wind. Since last year, they’ve discovered a few holdouts, but nothing and no one as organized or great in numbers as Guan’s troops. And no evidence of brainwashing tech. So far, Dr. Sheng’s work seems to be completely isolated.”
“We should concentrate efforts in Ba Sing Se,” Lin added. “Work backward from the last few places you traveled. Ya-Ting couldn’t have been brainwashed for long.”
“We still don't know that she was brainwashed,” Wu pointed out. “We don't have evidence.”
“We have reasonable suspicion. That’s plenty to get started.” Jiang said.
“Alright, what specific steps do you propose law enforcement in Ba Sing Se take?” Wu asked carefully. “What more should be done that they aren’t already doing?”
“Well for one thing, they should be more aggressive.” Jiang frowned and narrowed his eyes. “There should be searches and shakedowns, something to smoke out any Empire loyalists—”
“I'm not interested in additional surveillance and searches on the people of the Earth Kingdom.” Wu interrupted Jiang, feeling suddenly bold and brash in the face of the suggestion. That felt far too much like something Auntie would do.
“The whole point is to gather more evidence,” Jiang said argumentatively.
“Right now, the Empire loyalists are the most likely suspects in this plot against you. I find it highly unlikely that your guard would simply attack out of nowhere. She had an impeccable record.” Lin says pointedly. “You'd be an idiot not to take further steps to find where the empire loyalists could be hiding out—”
“Wu has a point, you know,” Korra said, placing her hand on the table and standing from her seat next to Wu and President Moon. “We can’t trample over people's rights just for a chance to smoke out empire loyalists!”
Wu felt a rush of gratitude that Korra was on the same page as him and was eager to speak up.
“I think we can agree on that. I’m sure law enforcement in the Earth Kingdom can be given authorization to ramp up the investigation without infringing on anyone's rights.” President Moon said calmly. She was a voice of reason, but none of it sat well with Wu.
His heart was torn. On the one hand, he wanted to be safe, obviously. On the other hand, these suggestions to escalate the investigations in Ba Sing Se felt wrong. It felt like something Auntie would do—sending people to smoke out any plots against her, the rights of the people be damned.
And Wu couldn’t shake the feeling that what they were suggesting, that Ya-Ting had been subject to Guan’s technology and brainwashed, was dead wrong. The brainwashing tech was, of course, the most plausible explanation for the attempt on his life. And it was disturbing, to say the least, that anyone could be transformed into a puppet. But…
He had seen people affected by the technology. They were… lifeless. Dead in the eyes. No emotion except when given an order to attack. Ya-Ting hadn't looked like that at any point leading up to that night. She looked completely in control. She looked like herself.
But what did Wu know? Maybe the technology had advanced to be more subtle, less detectable.
The uncertainty was maddening.
Once the meeting was over, Jiang and Hiroka remained at the table. Part of Wu wanted to step over, demand that Jiang rescind his suggestions, or appeal to Hiroka’s more apparently empathetic nature to steer away from that course of action. But Zhu Li, Lin, and Mako were discussing the security situation. He needed to stick close to Mako.
“I don’t think he should return to Ba Sing Se until Captain Kyung is better recovered,” Lin said. “Kya’s done several sessions and she says his prognosis is good, but he’s weak from blood loss and will need time.”
“King Wu can’t stay here indefinitely,” Mako said pointedly. “He’s got a kingdom to govern.”
“Detective Mako,” Zhu Li said, using his full title. “Would you be amenable to traveling to Ba Sing Se and continuing your security assignment for the time being?”
“Of course,” Mako said with certainty.
Wu heard an irritated scoff leave Lin’s mouth. Wu glanced at her; she managed to conceal the irritation threatening to overtake her face, settling on a neutral frown rather than a full scowl.
Conflict of interest, she had insisted, when Wu had demanded Mako for his security. She had conceded because Mako threatened to quit, and under the condition that the rest of Team Avatar join him to minimize the effects of his ‘compromised judgment’. But Wu couldn’t ask the rest of Team Avatar to come with him to Ba Sing Se, it would just be Mako. And if Mako left for Ba Sing Se, who knew how long it would be before he would return to Republic City? To his work, his career?
“I think,” Wu spoke up carefully. “A few more days in Republic City would be reasonable. To give Kyung more time to recover and give the detectives more time to look into things further.”
“And when you do return,” Mako said firmly “I’ll stay on and continue the security assignment.”
Lin’s eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly. “Just you, I’m guessing?”
Mako squared his jaw in something resembling defiance, and said, “yes. Just me.”
Lin was silent for a moment, but ultimately decided not to argue the situation further.
Zhu Li tipped her chin up. “Alright. So you’ll return the King to his safehouse, and Bolin will keep me updated as needed. Is there anything else?”
Wu had a million things he wanted to add, but he wasn't sure how to arrange the words in such a way that anyone would listen. Knowing Ya-Ting may have been targeted simply for working for Wu, and the alternative that she had been planning this a long time were both unsettling scenarios. The investigation in Ba Sing Se being escalated in the name of finding empire loyalists didn't sit well with Wu, but at the same time he wanted it, desperately, for the chance to feel safe. And hearing Mako say without hesitation that he'd return to Ba Sing Se with Wu had been everything Wu ever wanted—but it felt wrong on every level because Mako had never wanted that before, so now it felt like he was doing it for all the wrong reasons.
So, instead of adding anything to conclude the meeting, Wu shook his head no. How very brave, Wu thought sarcastically. That was proof that he wasn't nearly as brave as Pema had insisted this morning.
“Very well. Chief Beifong,” President Moon said with a polite bow. “I’d like to pay a visit to the precinct to discuss the investigation and the Ning case as well. I’m aware it’s less of a priority, but I’d like to be updated and see how the investigations are going myself.”
Beifong agreed to drive her to the precinct, and Zhu Li made her way back to the detectives to discuss the plan, leaving Mako and Wu with Lin. Wu’s cowardice was fully taking hold because he desperately wanted to run and hide rather than stand here in front of her as she frowned at both of them.
She was staring down Mako with narrow eyes, and pursed her lips as if to control herself from speaking. She looked like she was about to tear into Mako for agreeing to go to Ba Sing Se.
Instead, she turned to Wu.
“You need to think long and hard before letting him go back to Ba Sing Se with you.” And she turned on her heel to retrieve Zhu Li and head out the door.
Mako rolled his eyes in her direction as she walked away, but Wu faltered. What Lin was saying… She’d made her feelings clear on the subject of Mako providing Wu security. Conflict of interest. It had been her idea for Wu to bring the rest of Team Avatar onto his security. Wu would love to have Mako in Ba Sing Se with him, but the rest of Team Avatar couldn’t come along…
“Don't listen to her. I'm going with you to Ba Sing Se, until we can make sure you're not in danger.” Mako crossed his arms defiantly.
Wu nodded silently, but some doubt was creeping in… Lin’s terse warning to Wu didn’t seem out of place. It seemed born out of genuine concern. Wu wanted to brush off that concern, to trust Mako and let Mako keep him safe, but…
Wu’s doubts were growing.
When it was finally time to leave, Wu followed Korra and Mako as they headed toward the door. Opal and Bolin were right next to Wu, and President Moon and Chief Beifong followed behind them, discussing their own plans for Zhu Li to check in on the investigation.
Wu looked ahead. Korra and Mako were in an intense discussion, though Wu couldn't hear exactly what it was about. Soon, they’d leave City Hall and be on their way back to Air Temple Island. Mako would do a full security sweep just like he had last night. Wu would be able to relax, just a bit. Let his guard down. Spend the night in Mako’s arms again. Then he’d really feel safe.
Mako and Korra pushed the doors open. It was well into afternoon, by now, and there was some activity on the street in front of City Hall Square. Pedestrians and satomobiles passed by, and the energy of downtown was fast paced and exciting.
They all walked out of City Hall onto the portico. Wu and Team Avatar wouldn’t be crossing the street, they’d be headed off to the side, where Asami’s car was parked in a secluded place to discreetly move Wu to another location. Then they’d then take a bison back to the island.
Without warning, there was an ear shattering noise, a bright flash and a rush of heat all at once. Wu didn't realize what happened, at first. He instinctively covered his head and ears.
Wu wasn’t injured because Bolin had bent a stone wall between Wu and the source of the heat. On the other side, Wu realized there had been an explosion. And Mako and Korra were right in the middle of it, on the other side of the protective barrier Bolin had brought up.
Too much happened at once for Wu to fully process the implications of that, but he was acutely aware Lin was bending the roof above them, keeping it steady.
A sick pit of dread formed in Wu’s stomach. No no no no, Mako, was he…?
“Fuck!” Mako’s voice rang out, much to Wu’s relief.
The heat had dissipated and Bolin lowered the barrier enough to see over. Mako was okay, Wu realized the heat was dissipating because both Korra and Mako were expert firebenders. They simply controlled the heat and dispersed it safely. The real problem was the thing that had exploded was one of the support columns, causing the roof of the portico to buckle. Lin had it held tightly in place while Bolin frantically bent a new column to hold it up.
“Hey!” Korra yelled. Before Wu could fully understand what was happening, Korra started running, aided by her airbending. Wu’s eyes followed her imminent path and saw two people running away—unusual because most of the bystanders nearby were gawking.
Wu was vaguely aware that Hiroka and Jiang had run outside in response to the commotion, Bolin and Lin were earth bending to reinforce the column, and Zhu Li’s own retinue of city police security had pulled her away from the building. Wu did manage to ascertain that he was uninjured, and no one else appeared injured as well. But his heart was pounding and his vision was hazy.
“Wu?” Mako’s voice cut through his daze as everything came back into focus. “Are you hurt?”
“No,” Wu replied, his voice breathy and frantic. “Wha—”
“Come on,” Mako pulled Wu by his shoulder and quickly led him back to the car, where Asami had gotten out, startled by the explosion.
It was a small explosion, Wu was able to gather, looking at the scene over his shoulder as Mako pulled him away. The column was damaged, and there was a billow of gray smoke floating up into the sky, but City Hall was intact and no one seemed to have been injured.
“Where’s Korra?” Asami asked, worried.
“She saw two people running from the scene. She chased after them. I’m gonna check the car—” Mako pulled Wu over to Asami’s side while he did a sweep of the car. Checking for explosives? Wu’s heart was racing.
Another attempt on his life? It was hard to make sense of it all.
“In,” Mako ordered. Wu obeyed without hesitation. He got into the backseat of the car, and Mako followed, sliding in next to him. Wu was shaking, but he didn’t realize it until Mako reached out and clasped Wu’s hand tightly, steadying it.
“Mako?” Wu asked, feeling his voice shake.
“It doesn’t look like anyone was hurt,” Mako said firmly. “It’s gonna be okay.”
Wu almost threw himself into Mako’s arms, but he had the presence of mind to remember that they were still in public.
“Korra’s coming back,” Asami said suddenly. “I’m gonna—”
“Yeah, go. I’ve got the car,” Mako said to her as she quickly left the vehicle.
Asami rushed over to the commotion, hurrying to Korra’s side. Wu felt dazed as he saw them embrace in the distance.
Mako’s hand was still clutching Wu’s. Wu looked down at Mako’s hand—his scarred hand, the hand that had been permanently damaged by the spirit vine weapon, just before it had exploded and nearly killed him—
Wu was suddenly wracked with a horrifying image in his mind’s eye. Mako, bloody, burned, dead from an explosion. Mako’s eyes, lifeless, from Guan’s brainwashing technology, or from death. It made Wu’s heart rate pick up in anxiety, the lingering smell of the smoke from the explosion weaved itself into his imagination, making him think of burnt flesh.
“Wu, look at me.” Mako’s voice cut through his panic. Wu blinked as Mako gently lifted Wu’s chin with his other hand, two fingers under his chin. “Everyone’s okay, you’re okay.”
Okay? No. Wu wasn’t okay. He might be uninjured, but Wu was far from okay.
Asami returned to them with Lin close behind. Asami slid into the driver's seat.
“Korra’s okay?” Wu asked, his voice raspy and frightened.
“She’s fine. She spotted two earthbenders fleeing the scene, but couldn’t catch up to them. They dropped a couple things, though. I think Lin wants Mako to look.”
Lin held a small book up to Mako through the car window. He rolled the window down and she didn’t give him a chance to speak.
“You need to get out of here. Back to the island, but first—” she handed him the book. “It’s a ledger book, I’m pretty sure. You recognize the code?”
Mako used to do that kind of work for the Triple Threat triad, Wu remembered. Running numbers, he called it. Taking bets and delivering the cash and betting slips to bookies. They kept track of everything using ledger books that were always in code so only the bookie knew the score.
“No,” Mako said after flipping through the pages. “It’s definitely code, seems like it might be pro-bending bets, but…” He ran his finger over the lines of numbers and symbols. “It’s not Triple Threat.”
“Or it is, and they’re using a new code,” Lin said with a sigh. “I’ll get someone at the precinct to work on deciphering it. Get out of here, and don’t let anyone see where you’re headed.”
Mako handed the book back and nodded. Wu used every ounce of self control not to throw himself in Mako’s arms. There’d be time for that later, hopefully, once they made it back to the island safely.
As Asami drove away from the smoke and rubble, and Wu glanced backwards at the smoke, the rubble, the commotion and bystanders…. He squeezed his eyes shut, trying not to think about what could have happened. Unfortunately, with his eyes closed, he was confronted with his overactive imagination plastering one image in his mind.
Mako’s limp body with lifeless eyes, amidst smoke and flames and rubble.
Nightfall came quickly
Mako had taken great care to ensure that Wu wasn’t seen boarding or exiting the sky bison. He took Wu back to the sentry quarters immediately, and Wu looked on with gratitude as Mako thoroughly checked the entire house. They’d received an update from Hiroka over the phone that, yes, someone was working on deciphering the ledgerbook, and that they had identified another clue that had been dropped: a detonator.
Both the First Gentleman and Bolin were able to confirm that the detonator was Earth Empire technology. More evidence that this was a plot by Earth Empire holdouts. Evidence that Jiang was right, that the investigations in Ba Sing Se and the rest of the Earth Kingdom needed to be more aggressive.
It still didn’t sit well with Wu.
But there was nothing that could be done about it now. It was dark out, and Mako and Wu were alone once again. Wu had wasted little time throwing himself into Mako’s arms once they were safe and secure in the sentry quarters. They’d fallen into bed together, Wu straddling Mako and kissing him roughly. Wu’s lingering disappointment from their morning encounter was painfully at the forefront of his mind, and Mako, thankfully, didn’t try to talk Wu out of anything. He simply kissed Wu senseless.
They’d had so much time together in the last two days, only separating for Mako to step away and address security concerns. After a year of fleeting moments and stolen nights in secret, being with Mako nonstop had felt like a gift—a mixed blessing, considering the unpleasantness that had brought them together like this. Wu knew he had to make the most of this time with Mako, because it couldn’t last forever…
There was something easy and familiar, being with Mako so much. After all, he used to spend nearly every day with Mako for two and a half years, but that had abruptly halted when Mako had left him to defend the city from Kuvira’s invasion.
When Mako had nearly died—
Wu brought his hand up to Mako’s neck, gently and secretly pressing his thumb against Mako’s pulse. Proof of life. Though, if Wu thought too hard about it, he was confronted with the reality that life was fragile and easily lost. Mako’s pulse, just beneath the skin of his neck, could stop in a moment. All it would take was a steel knife pressing just hard enough to break the skin, a piece of shrapnel hitting him in just the wrong place, an arc of spirit vine energy hitting his heart— and that pulse would stop forever.
Years ago, Wu used to see Mako as being invincible. But the more time he’d spent with Mako, the more he got to know him, and the more danger he saw Mako face; the more vulnerable he seemed.
“Wu?” Mako said breathily. “You okay to keep going?”
Wu blinked, and realized he’d stopped kissing Mako, getting caught up in his worried thoughts of Mako’s mortality.
“Of course, my big tough guy,” Wu said, hoping to conceal how close he was to spiraling into a panic. “I want you, anything you want, I just want to—”
Mako pushed himself up by his elbows “Get this off me,” he said, tugging at his white undershirt. Wu nodded and eagerly helped Mako yank it up over his head. Wu discarded his own top quickly, making quick work of his pants as well.
“Are you still not up for…?” Last night, Mako hadn’t seemed like he was up for fucking. Wu meant it, he wanted anything Mako wanted right now. Even if it wasn’t fucking, there were so many other delectable things he and Mako could do…
“Here,” Mako nudged Wu off of him and pulled his pants down, pulling out his cock and stroking a few times. “Will you..?”
Wu reached out and gripped Mako’s hardness, firm and tight. “Like this? You want me to use my mouth too?”
“Whatever you want. But don’t swallow. You can fuck my thighs after—” Mako let out a breathy moan as Wu stroked him once, the skin gliding perfectly in his grasp. Oh, spirits, yes, Wu wanted that. He went to work right away, Slowly stroking, smearing the bead of precome with his thumb all along the underside of his length.
Mako’s hands grasped at the sheets, holding tight for purchase as Wu gradually increased the speed. Wu brought his mouth down, curling his tongue over the head and slicking Mako up with his saliva. Mako gasped out something unintelligible when Wu flicked his tongue just so—one of Wu’s favorite reactions to pull out of Mako.
Wu felt Mako’s cock pulse in arousal—more proof of life.
Wu loved this, all of—he loved watching Mako fall apart at his touch, he loved the way Mako’s face scrunched up as his orgasm built, he loved the way Mako’s hands groped and grabbed at anything nearby to steady himself, he loved the way Mako’s toes curled and flexed when he was close—
“Shit, I’m gonna—” Mako thrust up, and sticky heat coated Wu’s hand as Mako came. Wu stroked him through it, relishing the grunting sounds of pleasure erupting from Mako’s mouth.
Wu slowed his stroking to a leisurely pace as Mako finally came down from his climax, milking every bit of release as Mako’s cock softened in his hand. Mako’s face relaxed after a moment, and he opened his eyes lazily, blinking at the ceiling before looking down at Wu.
“Here—” Mako said, his voice sharp and raspy. He tugged Wu up toward him, and Wu almost forgot his hand was a complete mess; at least until Mako grabbed Wu by the wrist, brought the back of Wu ‘s hand to his mouth, and licked it clean.
Wu was already achingly hard, but the sight of Mako diligently cleaning his own come off of Wu and the feeling of Mako’s tongue dragging across his skin… It was enough to send Wu into a frenzy.
Wu positioned himself back over Mako, straddling his legs. When Mako had finished licking Wu’s hand clean, Wu firmly planted his hands on either side of Mako’s shoulders, dipping down and kissing Mako’s collarbone.
Mako reached down between them, getting a hand around Wu’s cock and rubbing it against Mako’s groin. He smeared his own release onto Wu’s cock, then guided it down further, between his legs. Wu bucked down, and let out a shuddery moan at how tight it was between Mako's thighs—Mako's muscles were gripping Wu's cock just right.
With Mako's come lubricating him, Wu thrust down. The slick friction gave him exactly what he needed to let his own climax start building. Unpleasant thoughts were gone, they had no room in Wu’s mind as pleasure overtook him. Mako had his hands on Wu's hips, and Wu had his face pressed against Mako’s collarbone. It overwhelmed Wu’s senses perfectly.
“Wu, honey,” Mako said in a breathy voice. Wu lifted his head as he slowed his thrusting. He barely had a chance to look into Mako’s eyes before Mako grabbed Wu by the face and pulled him into a kiss. Wu couldn’t quite reciprocate with all his focus on fucking, but he was happy to let Mako have his way with his lips. Mako sucked and nipped at Wu’s lower lip, causing Wu to gasp slightly..
Wu felt his climax building up to the point of no return. The rough pads of Mako’s fingertips on his cheeks and jaw, the feeling of his teeth on Wu’s lower lip, the slick heat where their bodies met, and pressure between Mako’s legs all worked in perfect harmony to send him over the edge. Wu’s thrusting quickened and he had to dip his head down and clench his eyes shut as he was coming between Mako’s legs.
Wu was panting as he came back down from the peak. His breath was sharp and ragged as he relaxed on top of Mako’s body. Wu clutched Mako tightly by the shoulders and nuzzled his cheek into Mako’s chest. He felt Mako’s arms wrap around him in a relaxed embrace, his fingertips dragging lightly along Wu’s spine in a caress.
Wu could hear Mako’s heartbeat, steady and strong. He tried very hard not to let himself think of all the things that could make Mako’s heart stop for good.
The next morning, Wu awoke before Mako again. It was still dark, and Mako still looked just as beautiful as ever. His face was relaxed and his mouth was open and Wu had to bite back a giggle when he noticed a small spot of wetness on the pillow at the corner of Mako’s mouth. Mako drooled in his sleep and something about that was delightfully funny and adorable.
As he stared at Mako, the grin that had grown on Wu’s face slowly fell. Mako looked so vulnerable right now. The thought made Wu’s heart start to race.
Yesterday’s unpleasantness was suddenly fresh in his mind, and Wu was alarmingly wrought with the urge to wake Mako up, to confirm that he was alive and curl up into his arms. He resisted the impulse, allowing himself to be reassured by the soft sound of Mako’s breathing, reverberating with the occasional quiet snore.
Wu’s thoughts darted around as he laid quietly with his sleeping boyfriend. Mostly they lingered on Lin’s warning combined with that terrifying moment right after the explosion where Wu hadn’t been sure if Mako had been caught in the blast…
If Wu had allowed someone else to provide his security, Mako wouldn’t have been anywhere near that blast. The realization was painful and sent a wave of shame through his body.
He had demanded Mako take over his security.
He had begged and guilted Mako into defying Lin’s orders not to do so.
He had put Mako’s career at risk.
And all of that was bad, Wu knew. But it wasn’t life or death.
But now he had to acknowledge that he’d put Mako’s life at risk too.
Lin’s warning kept turning itself over in his mind. You need to think long and hard before letting him go back to Ba Sing Se with you. Wu was thinking about it. He was thinking about it very hard.
Mako rose with the sun, just as the adage went for firebenders. He was so perfect even as he inelegantly sat up and wiped the saliva off of his cheek. Affection bubbled up in Wu’s chest, but he was wracked with the awful realization that he’d made a huge mistake.
Lin had been right.
Wu hung off of Mako the whole morning; they showered together, Wu fastened Mako’s jacket while he got dressed, and he hovered right next to Mako as he made another simple breakfast for him.
“I was thinking about trying to convince Jiang to let me look over that ledgerbook…” Mako said thoughtfully as he plated up breakfast for Wu.
“Hmm,” Wu hummed agreeably, partially listening as his dread built up, realizing this had to end.
“Lin’s just got a couple of beat cops on it, but I’m the only one in the department who actually used bet codes. I bet I could decipher it faster than any of them.” He placed the plate on the small table and sat down with a cup of tea. Wu sat across from Mako and watched him sip his tea.
“Yeah, I’m sure you could,” Wu said absently, picking at his food with his chopsticks.
“I mean, I wouldn’t actually be involved in the investigation,” Mako said, justifying his suggestion. He was likely testing the weight of the argument that he would inevitably have to use if he tried to convince Jiang or Lin to let him have access to evidence.
“Right,” Wu agreed. He was listening, but he was wrought with guilt over pulling Mako into all of this. Clearly Mako’s skills were wasted on guarding Wu; he was meant to investigate, to do his job as detective.
“I’d just be translating. Not drawing any conclusions. Just giving them access to the contents of the book. It’s not even investigating.” Mako said, barely paying attention to Wu’s quiet answers and affirmations.
“You can’t go back to Ba Sing Se with me,” Wu said suddenly, looking up from his plate. Spirits. He hadn’t meant to blurt it out like that, he’d meant to slowly bring up the topic and discuss it carefully.
“What?” Mako jerked his head up from where he was sipping his tea, equal parts confusion and disbelief on his face. “I have to, especially after yesterday. I can’t trust anyone else to protect you.” Mako set his cup down and folded his arms, leaning back in the chair.
“No, this was a mistake. I made a mistake,” Wu lifted his chin and stared up into Mako’s perfect amber eyes.
“Where the fuck is this coming from?” Mako asked, the expletive illustrating his frustrations.
“Lin was right,” Wu said, his voice straining into something regretful and desperate. “You can’t do this, I’m sorry—”
“What are you talking about?” Mako frowned, irritation taking over. He stood up defiantly, looking down at Wu with a stubborn set of his jaw “I told you not to listen to Lin. Of course I can do this, yesterday proves that. Yesterday proves I need to do this—”
“No… Yesterday proves that you can’t—that I can’t… I couldn't take it if…” Wu stood up and moved closer to Mako, carefully placing a hand on his bicep. “Mako what if you got hurt? or worse? I would never forgive myself…”
“That’s not fair,” Mako said, pulling out of Wu’s grasp. “I didn't get hurt! And even if I had… It wouldn’t be your fault! I made the choice to protect you!”
“Did you, though? You wouldn’t have put your foot down with Lin and threatened to quit if I hadn’t been hysterically begging you.” Wu was inches away from Mako, but it felt like there was a vast sea between them, suddenly. A lump formed in Wu’s throat.
“This is ridiculous.” Mako ran his fingers through his hair in a frantic motion, his voice dipping lower into a rough, frustrated pitch. “When I worked for you before, you didn’t even give me a choice, you practically tried to force me to go back with you! And now you’re not even going to let me? Don’t you want me back in Ba Sing Se?”
“Of course, I want you there,” Wu said desperately. Tears threatened to erupt from his eyes. “I’ve always wanted you in Ba Sing Se with me! But not like this!”
“Well there’s no other way I can go! I wish I could just go to be with you, be there for you like a boyfriend, but I can’t! Because you,” Mako pointed an accusing index finger at Wu, “don’t want anyone to know about us!”
Mako’s eyes grew wide, as though he were surprised at the words from his own mouth. Wu’s insides seized up, every part of him wanting to retreat. He blinked back the tears that had been threatening to undo him.
“That came out wrong. I wasn't saying…” Mako’s voice softened and his face fell as he dropped his hand. “I didn't mean it like that…”
Lin was definitely right. Wu had made a mistake, demanding Mako as a bodyguard. It was too much stress, too much strain. It was already pushing their relationship to the brink.
Wu had been living in a fantasy world, thinking his relationship with Mako was perfect. Mako loved him and was understanding and patient and never pressed Wu to take their relationship further than Wu was willing to go. Wu didn’t want the world to know, he didn’t want to face the consequences of coming out, and he’d felt eternally grateful that Mako would wait as long as Wu needed. Indefinitely. Wu had thought Mako was happy to keep their relationship a secret. He never said anything to make Wu believe otherwise.
But now Wu realized that Mako didn’t want to hide. How many times had Wu watched Mako hold words back, censor himself? Was this what Mako had always decided not to say? That he wished Wu would stop hiding their relationship? How long had Mako been feeling that way, and simply didn’t say a word?
“I think you did mean it like that,” Wu said, surprised at how steady his voice was right now. “I don't want anyone to know about us… and that means… you do?”
“No, of course not, I—” Mako averted his eyes, blinking rapidly, folding his arms tightly over his chest.
“You're lying,” Wu said. It wasn't an accusation. It was a simple statement of fact.
Mako stayed silent and continued to avoid eye contact. Wu could see the thoughts churning, and it made him want to reach out and shake Mako, to yell at him to just say what he was thinking!
“How long have you felt that way?” Wu asked when Mako didn't speak for a few agonizing seconds.
Mako had no response to that, it seemed. He kept his distance, stared at Wu and then at the floor. The silence between them was deafening.
“I'm gonna go to the precinct,” Mako said suddenly.
“What?” Wu asked, Mako’s non-sequitur throwing him off balance. “We’re supposed to stay on the island —”
“You're supposed to stay on the island.” Mako said pointedly.
“But—”
“I’m going to try to look at the ledger book.” Mako picked up his tea mug and carried it to the sink, dumping it out. “I'm sure I can convince someone at the station to let me look at it and try to help decipher it…”
“Mako, why are you—”
“I’ll get an update on Captain Kyung, if I can. Once he’s cleared to work again you can go home.”
“Mako, you’re being—”
“We should go tell the others. They’ll keep you safe while I’m gone.” Mako was ignoring everything Wu was saying. Pretending like Wu wasn’t even talking. It was cold and cruel in a way that felt very unlike Mako. Mako started walking toward the door.
“Mako, stop.” Wu grabbed him by the forearm. Mako’s scars were rough and raised against Wu’s fingertips, and Wu fought the urge to grip him too tightly.
Mako stopped in his tracks. “Wu, please let me go,” Mako said softly, timidly, as if Wu actually had the physical strength to restrain Mako. The quiet plea was enough to make Wu relax his hand. Mako pulled his arm away and left the safehouse.
Wu followed him, a few steps behind. Korra and Asami were sitting on some benches at the bison landing area; Korra was playing a game with Naga, using her earthbending to bend up targets for Naga to pounce on. They were a little too distant for Wu to hear what they were saying, but he could hear the melodic sound of Asami’s voice drift through the air. She must have said something funny, because Korra’s boisterous laugh rang out right after.
Mako was unmoved by their laughter as he strode toward them with focus and determination. Wu followed at a distance, feeling powerless and small.
“Hey guys, what’s—” Korra started to greet them, but cut herself off when she sensed the tension radiating off of both of them. Great. Not only was Mako trying to run away from him, but now Wu would have to deal with Korra and Asami asking him questions.
“Where’s Bo?” Mako asked, looking around and finding no one but Korra, Asami and Naga.
“He and Opal are at the dormitories,” Asami said coolly, matching Mako’s businesslike tone. “Should one of us go get them? What’s going on?”
“I need to go to the precinct,” Mako lied. Need was a stretch, wasn’t it?
Korra and Asami both raised an eyebrow and glanced at one another in response to Mako’s terse answer. Then they both looked at Wu and Wu found himself unable to meet their eyeline. “Why?” Korra asked, crossing her arms.
“I’m gonna try to work on deciphering the ledgerbook they found at the scene. You both okay to stick with Wu while I’m gone?” Mako said, all business.
“Uh, of course, but—”
“Great, thanks.” Mako took a step forward, as if to leave, but he hesitated. He turned to Wu, finally making eye contact. “I’ll be back before dark, okay?”
No, it was not okay, but Wu nodded quietly anyway. Mako turned and walked away. No kiss, no I love you, not even a small touch to reassure Wu that they’d be okay.
As Mako briskly walked away toward the ferry boarding dock, Wu felt uncomfortably awkward and exposed in front of Korra and Asami.
“I’m just gonna…” Wu jerked a thumb backwards toward the house. “Uh. You know.” Throw myself in bed and cry probably wasn't something he should say out loud. He quickly turned to go back.
“You grab Bolin and Opal, I'll stay with him,” Wu heard Korra say to Asami behind him. “Hey, Wu, wait up!”
Wu didn't wait up or slow down. Korra could catch up if she wanted to talk to him. He just wanted to… He wasn’t sure what he wanted right now.
“Wu!” Korra was at his side in an instant, which shouldn’t have surprised Wu. She was the Avatar, the Spirit Bridge, the Master of All Four Elements. As if she couldn’t keep up with Wu’s brisk walk.
“Okay, what was that about?” Korra said, grasping his arm and forcing him to stop. “Something’s wrong, obviously.”
Wu felt his stomach churning. He did not want to talk to Korra about this. Mako was sick of hiding. Korra would fully understand that sentiment. She had never really approved of Wu keeping his relationship with Mako a secret… Keeping his sexuality a secret. And right now, Wu didn’t want to have to justify himself, not to stubborn, strong-willed Korra.
“Korra, please don’t take this the wrong way but… I really don’t want to talk about it.” Wu could feel the lump in his throat as he spoke, and was acutely, embarrassingly aware that he sounded like he was on the verge of crying.
Korra didn’t flinch away, and she held eye contact with Wu for an awkward few seconds. He could almost see her calculating thoughts as she surmised whether she could press Wu further and get more information out of him. He wasn’t sure what he would do if she didn’t drop the subject. Bursting into tears felt likely, but he also sort of felt like yelling, which was an ugly feeling that he didn’t like at all. It reminded him too much of Auntie.
“Fine,” Korra said finally. She glanced to her side, and Wu saw Asami approaching with Bolin and Opal following close behind. “You know what, I’m gonna check in with Asami. Don’t go inside yet.” She flitted away, aided by a rush of air pressing her forward, as if she were gliding instead of walking. Wu let his shoulders slump and stepped over to the cliff ledge, leaning up against the chest-high fencing and looking out over Yue Bay. The pro-bending arena shimmered in the daylight, the city was a beautiful picture with the intermingling of spirit vines and buildings illuminated by the portal.
Wu heard the ferry horn indicating its departure, Wu craned his neck to see it making way, slowly but steadily, out of the docking area and toward the city. And after a few moments, he saw, much to his surprise, Korra gliding out onto the water, using her waterbending, to catch up to the ferry.
Asami almost startled him with how quietly she approached. She appeared at his side and leaned with her back against the fencing.
“Korra’s going to go with Mako. Bolin, Opal and I are staying here with you. Is that alright?” She said, her voice much more gentle and soft-spoken than Korra's.
“Of course,” Wu said half-heartedly.
“You sure?” Asami asked carefully. “You were very adamant about Mako providing your security, and it seemed like he left very quickly.”
“I, uhm… Well…” Wu faltered, because he didn’t want to talk about it. But Asami was being gentle and considerate, not pushing for him to share. Just quietly waiting for him to speak. “I wish he would have stayed. But I feel safe with you guys, so it’s okay.”
Asami hummed softly as she pursed her lips, brows furrowing slightly in thought. Wu still felt like things were tepid between him and Asami. They’d certainly improved over the last four months, but Wu still felt a lingering awkwardness. Wu and Korra had an easy rapport now, the natural result of Korra’s big personality. He hadn’t quite gotten there with Asami yet. He still felt like she was gathering information about him, putting pieces together before determining if he was worthy to be a true friend.
“It’s obvious you two had a… disagreement,” Asami said generously. “A fight, even? Not to stick my nose where it doesn’t belong, but if anyone understands a fight with Mako, Korra and I do. We’re kind of experts.”
Wu looked at her warily. Asami was level headed and patient. She might actually… understand.
“I decided I don’t want him to come back to Ba Sing Se.” Wu spoke carefully while averting his eyes. “He was… upset.”
Wu fixed his eyes on the light from the portal, something to ground him. He didn’t want to have to ask for advice on this—Mako and Wu had never had problems talking things out before.
“And instead of working through it and talking about it… He ran away.” Asami said, assessing the situation perfectly.
“Yeah, well. It’s not just that…” Wu wrung his hands together nervously. “He said something… Something that he’d been thinking for a while, I'm pretty sure, but never told me. Something he hasn’t exactly been… honest about…” Wu said as vaguely as possible. He didn’t want to get into it all, to pour his heart out.
“Ah,” Asami said with confidence. “Classic Mako. I’m definitely the expert on Mako being dishonest.”
Wu felt his stomach drop painfully. Yes, Mako had lied to Asami. It was kind of awful, realizing that yes, Asami might have some insight here. Awful because Wu thought he was different. That Mako wouldn’t hurt him the way he’d hurt Korra and Asami.
Not that their current situation was exactly the same. Mako wasn’t in love with someone else. He was just unhappy that Wu wasn’t ready to come out. That was something they could talk through. It wasn’t the end of a relationship. But they hadn’t been able to talk it through, because Mako had failed to say anything about his feelings. So Wu hadn’t known.
“You know, Wu…” Asami brought her thumb and finger to her chin in thought. “Something about Mako… He’s never been the most in touch with his feelings. Mako’s problem isn’t that he’s trying to be dishonest. It’s that he isn’t honest with himself. If something is too much for him to process or deal with, he just… represses it.”
“He’s unhappy,” Wu blurted out. “How can I make sure he’s happy if he won’t tell me when he’s unhappy?”
“I honestly don’t know,” Asami said sympathetically. “But you two have been through a lot in the last couple of days. Tensions are high. When he comes back tonight, you’ll both have had time to collect your thoughts. Then you can talk it through.”
Yes, Asami was right. Mako had trouble with his own feelings sometimes. He just needed a little space to work through it. It would be okay.
But… there were really only two outcomes of talking it through once he got back. Either they’d go public with their relationship, or they wouldn’t. Not much room for compromise, at least not beyond the compromise they’d already come to, with Team Avatar, Lin, Tenzin and Pema already knowing.
“Hey,” Asami put a gentle hand on his shoulder. “I don’t know what he’s been holding back from you, but I know you two will work through it.”
“Maybe…” Wu said warily.
Asami was quiet for a moment. More thinking. She reminded him of Mako in that way, always taking time before speaking.
“You know what? I think I know exactly what you need,” she said with a smirk.
“What?” Wu asked, tipping his head in curiosity.
“You need to hit something.”
Wu balked at that. Okay, he and Asami clearly didn’t know each other well enough if she thought the solution to all this was for Wu to hit something.
“Uh, I don’t think so,” he said nervously. “I mean, that’s definitely not my thing. I’m not much of a fighter.”
Asami zeroed in on him with a laser focus he hadn’t seen before. “Have you ever tried to learn? To fight, to defend yourself?”
“Mako tried to teach me self defense, once. After you all rescued me from the train.” Wu huffed an embarrassed laugh at the memory of how weak he was against Mako. “Trust me, I’m not cut out for all that.”
“Mako tried to teach you self defense?” she said, laughter bubbling out of her mouth with the words. “No wonder you think you’re not cut out for it. Mako’s a terrible teacher.”
“Hey, now!” Wu said, instinctively coming to Mako’s defense. “He’s not a bad teacher! He’s taught me plenty of things—uh.” Wu cut himself off, because most of the things Mako had taught him were of an… intimate nature.
Asami’s laughter was full blown now, and Wu wasn’t sure if it was at Mako’s expense or if she had caught Wu’s meaning, but his face flushed all the same.
“Come on. I’m going to really teach you how to defend yourself and throw a punch. Trust me. I’ve been taking self defense classes since I was a little kid.” She smirked at him and tipped her head toward the open space in front of the safehouse.
“But I—”
“No arguments,” she said authoritatively. “You’ll feel better after you hit something, and you’ll feel more empowered if you can have a few tricks up your sleeve to protect yourself if things get dicey.”
Wu eyed her warily. “Okay,” he conceded. Not because he believed her, but because it seemed like more work to argue with her.
“You can practice on Bolin. He’s a great sparring partner.”
“I don’t want to hit Bolin!” Wu said, scandalized.
“We’ll use blocking pads, don’t worry. Hey—” She faced him head on, gripping both his shoulders and locking eyes with him and not giving him a chance to shy away. “You and Mako are going to be fine. Let him have his space. Korra will talk some sense into him too,” she added with a wink.
Wu jutted his lip out into an indignant pout. He wasn’t sure if he liked the idea of Mako’s exes collaborating to try and repair Mako and Wu’s relationship. That was weird, right? Although Wu supposed being friends with his boyfriend’s exes who were also dating each other was probably weird by several metrics, so maybe it wasn’t so bad.
Asami waved Bolin over and Wu swallowed hard. He didn’t think hitting anyone or anything would help him at all, but Asami had a point about defending himself. If he wasn’t going to let Mako return to Ba Sing Se, they’d both feel better, probably, if Wu stood a chance to fight back.
Maybe Asami was right about Mako too. Still, Wu had an awful sinking feeling that something was about to break between him and Mako, one way or another.