'Thank the spirits. It's finally over,' Korra sighs exhausted laying her head on the table. 'Never again will we ever go shopping with Asami. Never again.'

Asami gasps at her remark. 'After all that I did for you, this is how I repay me?' she huffs, crossing her arms. 'Bitch, shut up. You weren't the one who was being dressed into almost every dress in the damn boutique like a glorified barbie doll.' Korra retorts glaring at the raven-haired woman. 'Not to forget that you've been dragging us around the entire mall, going in and out every clothing boutique just to look for one wedding dress.' Remora adds.

'Well at least I got us help and we got the perfect dress which I paid with my money, by the way,' Asami replies sassily. 'You're welcome.'

Korra mouths what Asami said sarcastically. Asami huffs and folds her arms to her chest. Remora rolls her eyes and shakes her head at how immature those two are. 'Since y'all are complaining,' Asami says.

'Korra was the one complaining like a bitch. Not me.' Remora points at Korra.

'Eat a dick, Remora.'

'I would if you had one.'

'Can you two not right now.' Asami sighs exasperatedly. Remora simply shrugs and slurps on her slushy nonchalantly. 'As I was saying,' she continues. 'why not go out later tonight. Maybe we can hang out at your workplace and hopefully get some drinks on the house.' She looks at Remora suggestively.

'Can't. It's my night off and I have a gig later in the evening.' Remora tells her.

'And after all that walking and shopping today, what I need is to be in a tub, soaking in hot bubbly water, champagne in one hand, a novel in the and her handsome fiancé giving her a back rub. And if the mood is just right; we can take it to the next level in the bedroom.' Korra adds.

'T.M.I, Korra,' Remora grimaces her face in disgust. 'last thing I want is having vivid images of you and your mans having sex like I'm watching hentai on Porn-hub.'

'Sorry not sorry.' She shrugs to which Remora responds by rolling her eyes. 'What time does the gig end then. I can pick you and Korra,' Asami throws Korra a look that says, you're coming. No discussion. 'up and we can go to the club you work at or just pick any other club to go to.'

'Can't. I got plans afterwards.'

'What do you have possibly planned that's keeping you occupied today!' Asami whines with a pout.

'I'm meeting up with Mako.'

Korra and Asami both stare at her astonished at what she told them. 'Mako asked you out on a date?' Korra exclaims. 'First off, it's not a date,' Remora lids her eyes at her sister.

'Girl, if a guy asks you to hang out at a particular place at a specific time for those particular reasons then it's a date.' Asami tells her.

Remora rolls her eyes but continues, 'Second, he said he wants us to spend some quality time together and get to know each better.'

'I'm surprised you decided to give Mako a chance. What changed your mind?' Asami asks wiggling her eyebrows. 'He seems like an okay guy and he means well. So, I tolerate him,' Remora shrugs.

'I'm more surprised that Mako even considered going on dates again.' Korra comments.

'For the last time, it's not a date. And he kinda owes me for saving his ass from being bored to death by his blind date when I first met him.'

'Blind date?' Korra cocks an eyebrow.

'Apparently, his friend hooked him on a blind date with some bimbo who couldn't stop talking. Felt bad for him, so I decided to help him out and scare the bitch away.' She shrugs. 'What did you do?' Korra asks sternly. 'Relax, all I did was just throw shade at her and that was enough to chase her away,' Remora rolls her eyes. 'besides, she wasn't a threat nor worth my energy.'

'Now that I think about it when was the last time he ever went on a date or even had a girlfriend after you and me, Asami?' Korra asks. Remora chokes on her drink and shoots a look of disbelief at the raven haired, who's cheeks are redder than her lipstick. 'You? And Mako?' Remora exclaims still in shock. 'How?!'

'It was a long time ago!' She retorts.

'Okay, hold up. If Mako dated Asami, how did he end up with you?' Remora turns to Korra. 'Well, Asami was his first girlfriend but things didn't work out between them and we ended together, but then things didn't work out between us and we broke up,' Korra explains. 'We were teenagers who found themselves in a very confusing and complicated love triangle.'

Remora furrows her eyebrows. Something didn't really add up from what Korra is telling her. As much as she wants to find out more about his previous relationship with her sister and her best friend and how "complicated" it was, she knows better to snoop around behind his back. She'd rather hear it from him since it's his story to tell even though Korra and Asami are involved. Besides, she and Mako are not that close to be that open with each other. Not yet at least.

'Okay, so you two are okay with me hanging around your ex?' She asks. 'Last thing I need is either of you getting on my dick about it.'

'Of course, we don't. We're happy in the relationships we're in.' Korra assures her with a smile. 'It's just a surprise since he told us he'd rather focus on work than relationships. Not that I'm complaining.'

'Besides, seeing how you two managed to hit it off, I'm sure he's interested in you.' Asami says with a teasing smirk.

Remora rolls her eyes but can't help but smile at the possibility of Mako being interested in her.

•~*~•

Mako arrives at Avatar Korra Park. He checks the time on his phone. 7:57 PM it reads. Remora should be around here somewhere; he thinks looking around the park for any sign of the white haired. As he's surveying the area, he sees people crowded by the statue of Korra as well as music playing. Curious, he walks over towards the direction of the crowd. He moves past few people to get to the front to have a closer look.

By the time he's close enough to see, he finds Remora there, dressed in a pair of high waist cargo pants. A black long-sleeved high neck crop exposing her flat lower abdomen and the intricate tribal tattoos at the side of her waist. A pair of black ankle-high heeled boots. Her hair hanging loose under the black baseball cap she's wearing; singing and dancing to the music.

'Whoa,' he says breath taken. He continues watching her, completely mesmerised by her voice and the way she's moving her body to the beat as if she's in sync with the song. Not to forget she's glowing with confidence in what she does. This girl is full of surprises, he watches her every move and listens to every word and tone she makes.

The crowd applauds by the time her performance comes to an end. She bows and smiles, saying her thanks before gathering her things. As the people start to disperse and go their separate direction, Mako walks over to her. She looks up and smiles the moment she sees him. 'You made it.' She says.

'I did ask you, out didn't I?' He replies returning the smile to which she giggles.

•~*~•

'Since when did you know how to sing and dance like that?' Mako asks playfully nudging her. 'It's a talent I discovered when I was twelve and groomed it since,' She tells him. 'Never really showed it off to anyone.'

'How come?'

'Wasn't really a fan of being the centre of attention.'

'Well you certainly were the centre of everyone's attention back there. You were amazing there.'

'Psh! It's nothing.'

'I'm serious. I mean, did you see how many people saw you?'

'The audience wasn't nearly as big as the audience I usually get at The Boulder.'

Mako looks at her with utter surprise. 'You also perform at The Boulder? Get out of town.' He exclaims amazed. 'I do a few gigs with Wu here and there.' She shrugs once again like it's nothing.

'Wu? As in Wu Steele, former Prince and heir to the Former Earth Kingdom?'

'You know him?'

'Yeah, I was his bodyguard nine years ago before he decided to step down.'

Remora's eyebrows go up with surprise. 'You were his bodyguard?'

'Yeah. Initially I was supposed to be his bodyguard up until his coronation. But then Kuvira's dictatorship came into play and I was stuck with him until we took down Kuvira only for him to abolish the monarch. And that's how the Earth Republics were created.'

'How was it being a bodyguard to royalty?'

'I'd bang my head against the wall of my apartment after spending one whole day with him.'

Remora laughs at his choice of words. 'Was he really that unbearable to deal with?' She asks amused. 'I don't really enjoy working with spoiled and entitled brats,' he shrugs. 'it takes a lot of energy putting up with them on a daily basis.'

'Well, he's not all that bad,' she shrugs. 'Sure, he can be a pain in the ass half the times, but he means well. He's kinda the little brother I wish I had.'

'Huh? Is that right?'

'I wouldn't have cared enough to bring him up if he isn't that relevant to me.'

'Point taken.' Mako chuckles.

They continue chatting for the rest of the journey until it starts to get a little chilly to which Mako notices. 'Here,' he takes off his jacket. 'You do know that I come from one of the coldest places on Earth,' she states amused watching him put on his jacket around her shoulders. 'the weather here is nothing compared to the South. Besides the cold never bothers me.'

'I know,' he answers. 'but I ain't letting you freeze on my watch.' He rolls up the sleeves on her.

'My! Oh my! What a gentleman you are,' she replies as the resume their walk. 'So where are you taking me?'

'If I tell you then it wouldn't be a surprise.' He smirks.

'You're not planning on kidnapping me, are you?'

Mako looks at her, placing his hand on his chest and feigning offense. 'You honestly think that I have the balls to kidnap one of my best friends' sister,' he says. 'I'm hurt. Really, really hurt.'

'That never stopped anyone.' She points out with a nonchalant shrug. He chuckles. 'That's true. But I have no intentions of kidnapping you,' Mako replies until they stop. 'we're here.'

There before them is a ginormous tower that's probably as tall as the statue of Avatar Aang. 'Whoa!' Remora exclaims staring at the tower in awe. 'Come on.' He says leading her inside.

•~*~•

'What is this place?' she asks him as they waited in the elevator.

'This,' he says. 'is Harmony Tower,' he tells her. 'one of the best attractions in the City. Bolin, Korra and I used to come here to enjoy the view of the City during our teens before we got caught up with our jobs and careers.'

'What about Asami?'

'At the time she was already the acting C.E.O of Future Industries so we didn't see much of her nor did she have any free time to come hang with the Krew.'

'The Krew?'

'A name Bolin came up with when we became Team Avatar.' Mako rolls his eyes.

Ding!

The elevator doors open. Mako and Remora walk out and make their way to the balcony. 'Whoa!' Remora says breathlessly at the view. There before them is the view of the City, from the tall buildings, the ginormous plazas to the roads and streets, in its glory with the lights illuminating the night and adding to its beauty. 'Beautiful isn't it?' Mako says standing beside her.

'Yeah,' she replies completely mesmerised by the view. 'I've seen views similar to this back at the south but this,' she lets out a breathless laugh. 'this is...this is amazing. I'm definitely coming here whenever I want to think or just enjoy the view.'

'You enjoy sightseeing?'

'I guess you can say that,' she replies. 'I've always had a liking for seeing beautiful views of anything back home. It kinda distracts me from having to think about things I don't wanna think about.'

'Like what?'

'I'd rather not say.' She answers reluctantly.

She's doing it again, Mako mentally notes, watching her expression slowly falter bit by bit.

It's clear that something is bothering her and that's what's worrying him. He asked her out so they can get to know each other whilst enjoying each other's company. He wants her to feel comfortable enough to talk to be about anything without her worrying about being judged by anyone especially him. It doesn't have to be in depth or deep; just enough for her to lift whatever weight she's carrying on her shoulders.

Slowly, he puts his hand on top of her, causing her to look from the view to him. 'You can talk to me,' he tells her. 'you don't have to tell me your whole backstory, just the parts you feel like you want to talk about. I won't judge.

'I want you to have a good time with me. And if we're going to be getting to know each other better, you should at least feel comfortable enough to share a little about yourself.'

Remora looks to the side with a contemplative look on her face. Mako waits patiently until she looks at him with a small smile on her face. 'Alright, what do you want to know?' She asks. 'Why your demeanour faltered a bit when you talked about home for starters.' He replies. Remora looks back at the view and says, 'I wasn't always happy back home. Well, not as happy as I deserve to be if that makes sense. Especially after my parents died.'

Mako frowns. 'What happened?' he asks carefully, hoping that he's not treading too far for her comfort. 'They were murdered right in front of me. I was around four at the time,' she explains, her expression hardening bit by bit. 'I guess you can say when they died that night, a part of me died along with them and it's all I've been thinking about since then.

'I'm so sorry,' he says gently squeezing her hand. 'I can imagine how traumatising it must have been for you.'

'I've had worse.' She replies with a ragged laugh.

Mako can't help but feel confused by her statement. Did something worse happen after her parents died, he wonders but immediately dismisses the thought knowing that it's not his place to ask her. Not yet at least. After all, he did say that she doesn't have to tell him everything and he's going to stay true to his word.

'Well, at least someone took you in after your parents passed,' He says, deciding to do his part of the bargain. 'my brother Bolin and I didn't have anyone when our parents were killed when I was eight.'

She looks at him. 'What happened to your parents?'

'They were killed by a Triad. He was a firebender. He killed them just because they couldn't give him a couple of yuans,' he tells her. 'We never met any of our relatives both from our mother's and father's side so it was either we went to an orphanage and get separate when we got adopted or live on the streets.'

'And seeing that you both needed each other, you opted for the second option?' She asks even though it's not a question. 'Yeah, pretty much,' he answers regardless. 'I had to do what I could so we could survive since I'm the oldest. Even if it meant hurting people.'

'I'm sorry,' she replies, not knowing what else to say. 'Don't be,' he gently bumps his shoulder with his playfully. 'it was rough but eventually things got better bit by bit. Bolin and I got taken in by a former pro-bender and got a place to stay at the pro-bending arena. We even formed our own pro-bending team and competed in the Pro-Bending Championship. I started working for the Republic City and managed to save up some money to find our own space. Bolin started his career as an actor and living the best life with his wife and kids.'

'Wait, your younger brother got married before you?' Remora lets out a laugh. 'Doesn't that hurt your older sibling pride or something?'

Mako chuckles and says, 'Well, not really. I haven't really been bent on looking for relationships –'

'After Korra and Asami?' she finishes, startling him. 'How did you find out about Asami?' he asks surprised.

'Korra told me when we went shopping earlier today.'

Figures, he thinks letting out an internal sigh. 'I didn't take you to be the playboy type.' She says. 'I wouldn't call myself a playboy even it seems that way,' he looks away rubbing the nape of his neck feeling guilty and embarrassed. This was the last thing he needed. Her finding out about the dumb shit he did as a teenager and getting a bad impression based on that. 'I was at the stage where I didn't know what I really wanted.' He tells her. 'Relax dude. I'm not judging you,' She bumps her shoulder against his, the same way he did. 'You wanted us to get to know each other with no judgements and you are no exception.'

'Sorry,' he let out a sheepish laugh. 'I kinda got worried of you getting the wrong impression of me. I mean, you really are a cool person and I enjoy talking to you. I just don't want you to run off because I did dumb and stupid things in the past.'

'Well, fair enough I would have lost all respect for you for playing my sister but after getting to know you, you seem like an okay person.' She tells him. 'and as long as she doesn't hold it against you then I have no reason to punch your teeth out.'

Mako laughs, 'You really care about her, huh?' he says. 'Of course, I do,' she looks at him. 'Korra and I may have our differences and she may annoy the shit outta me with how reckless and brash she may be sometimes but that doesn't make me love her any less.

'And believe it or not, just as flowers don't choose where they bloom, you can't choose your family. Blood is thicker than water.' She replies.

'Look at you being so wise and shit.' Mako says playfully nudging her shoulder. 'Most of this wisdom comes from past experiences.' She shrugs. 'And it's those experiences that made me who I am today.'

'Whatever those experiences are, they transformed you into an amazing woman.' He tells her.

They both share a smile before looking back at the view of the city, enjoying each other's company.