Officer Mako x Reader

Chapter 51: We're Keeping Score

(Ugh. Class and work start back up tomorrow, so I cannot promise frequent posts, but maybe I can promise some piping hot tea next time. My life has been so borrrringgg lately. I feel like I've turned a new leaf🤧🍃

I do have a question, though. I have some furniture to order that I know my hot coworker will put together for me. I was going to make him, but I am loving my peace right now and girlbossing on my own. Should I still make him put it together? I do effin hate tools🤔 )

Anyways, enjoy my dearies. The saucy chapters will make a return I swear. We just gotta get through a few more plot points lmaooo. Te amo mucho 💚

-A

[Republic City Hospital] - 9th floor

"Are you done?" you asked Mudo when Siros finally left the room, ignoring how fond he was of your temper, "Or can I ask about my brother?"
"Hmm. By all means, dollface, ask away," Mudo chuckled weakly,
"What...What happened to him in there?" you asked curiously,
"Same thing that happens to all of us when you're deprived of good food, good rest, and good company–
"No not that," you scoffed in annoyance, "The flying thing. When Shah went in there, he was normal. Or...as normal as he could be. But...when he got out–
"Broke out," Mudo corrected you sharply,
"Right. When he broke out. He was...off," you sighed as you paced the room,
"Hasn't he always been that way?" Mudo questioned hoarsely, "One bad day from making everyone his worst enemy?"
"I mean, sure. But–he couldn't fucking...fly!"
"If that's the answer you're after, you're going to have to ask Shah yourself. Even Viper couldn't believe it when his ass hovered off the ground–
"I can't ask him," you hissed back, "I haven't seen him since Ba Sing Se, and even if I knew where Shah was, there's no way in hell Mako would let me near him,"
"He'll find you, don't worry," Mudo scoffed in annoyance,
"Huh?"
"Ugh, are we done with the questions, or do I have to keep fighting off these painkillers?"
"Not until you tell me what you meant by that. How do you know Shah's going to find me?"
"Easy. He wasn't all too thrilled to learn that you were discharged from this place by two cops. Seems to me like he has some unfinished business, despite Viper's warning,"
"Damn it. Why did Viper–
"It's like I said, dollface," Mudo sighed deeply, "Viper spares no expense when it comes to you. He shot Shah, and he'll shoot him again if has to,"


[Ba Sing Se] – Ucheto's

"Alright. His dance is over," Shah breathed as he stood abruptly with his fists clenched,
"Shah, whatever you do, be civil," 93 pleaded, "Believe me, you do not want to be on Hatir's bad side,"
"I have no choice but to be somewhat civil since you took my knife," Shah snapped after downing another shot of whiskey, "And I don't know if you know this 93, but I'm on everyone's bad side,"
"Looks like our dance is over," Hatir smirked at Kuvira when he spotted Shah hovering a few feet away,
"And your life possibly," Kuvira teased,
"Ahh. Not a chance. But I admire a few empty threats here and there," Hatir chuckled until his face grew serious, "I'll be watching your training closely, by the way. Maybe one day I can recruit you to a ring that actually matters around here," he bowed lightly before placing another kiss on Kuvira's hand,
"Hatir, is it?" Shah asked when he pulled Kuvira to his side and studied the smug grin on the man's face,
"That's right," Hatir grinned with a hand outstretched for Shah to take,
"Good to know," Shah nodded, ignoring Hatir's hand, "Quick question: do you like having lips? Or hands? Or a beating heart?"
"Shah–
"Hmph. It's fine, Kuvira," Hatir chuckled before returning his gaze to Shah, "Like I said, it's an honor to be threatened by the man who put a bullet in an airbender for the fun of it. I'm curious. Weren't you just the least bit worried he'd redirect it and send it flying back at you?"
"Wouldn't have mattered. I had two guns and a full clip in each," Shah answered flatly, "Plus, I've been shot before. Also, for the fun of it, if we're keeping score, but...it doesn't look like you have,"
"Hm. I assure you what I've endured is far worse than the damage of a few measly bullets," Hatir smirked, "Consider your peace of mind lucky Kuvira won't endure the same,"
"I'm not worried about her," Shah breathed calmly, staring Hatir down just like he had done Viper a thousand times before,
"Good to know," Hatir smiled, "Kuvira, thank you for the dance. And Shah? A pleasure...hope to see you around,"
"You will," Shah replied sternly, waiting patiently until Hatir returned to his table,
"Do you have to do that?" Kuvira chuckled, pulling Shah back into her arms, "It was just a dance,"
"To you and 93, maybe. But I've seen that look before,"
"Care to fill me in on this...look? Or are you always this paranoid?" Kuvira asked softly, pulling Shah's glare away from Hatir with a gentle hand on his cheek,
"That depends. Have I ever been wrong since you met me?" he asked with a soft smile,
"Well...no– but not everyone is out to get me," Kuvira argued, "Sure, he was a dick at first, but he was just– messing with me. Rohai warned me he was like that, and I kept my cool. You should do the same. Now can we get back to our dinner? Please?" she begged with tenderness in her eyes,
"Hmph. Of course,"

Republic City Hospital - lobby

"How in the hell are we going to find her?" Jay asked, following closely behind Mako,
"I found her once, I'll find her again–
"What if she's not injured? There's no way she checked in with that lunatic. She wouldn't even give Hinning her name,"
"I said I'll find her," Mako hissed,
"How?" Jay snapped, snatching Mako's shoulder to keep him from marching ahead, "We don't even know the name of the guy who broke in,"
"We don't need to," Mako breathed before making his way to the front desk where a young receptionist was lost in her paperwork, "Hi miss, is...Siros around?"
"Who's asking?" she replied without looking up,
"Two officers," Mako nodded, holding up his badge,
"Oh, he's not in trouble, is he?"
"No miss, we're looking for a friend of ours, and I believe he might know where she is,"
"I'll page him right away,"

Ucheto's

"You're still glaring," Kuvira teased as she sipped her wine and nibbled at her salad,
"What all did he say to you?" Shah asked without taking his eyes from Hatir,
"Not much. We mostly talked about you," Kuvira chuckled,
"Anything else that might've stuck out?" Shah questioned,
"Other than the fact that he'll be watching me train? Not really,"
"He's watching your training?"
"Did you forget where we are? They watch our every move," Kuvira sighed, "Why else would 93 be at our private dinner?"
"Apologies, Captain, it is strictly protocol," 93 reassured her softly,
"93 if you're going to be a table away, I would prefer that table to be silent,"
"As you wish," 93 nodded,
"Now what's with you?" Kuvira asked Shah, studying his tense body language,
"Nothing. I just– I don't like him,"
"You don't like anyone–
"I like 93,"
"Fine. You like one Dai Li agent out of the thousands in Ba Sing Se,"
"And I also found the one out of the thousands that I'm going to cripple–
"You're not even going to be here come tomorrow morning, so threatening him is pointless–
"Did you ever think that me leaving you here is the hardest decision I've had to make?" Shah blurted quickly,
"I–
"Rohai told me to forget you exist," Shah snapped frustratedly, "I refused, and I nearly paid my life for it,"
"Shah I–
"Look. I know you made a deal with him about me, but I know you, Kuvira," Shah said softly, cupping her face gently in his hand, "Sooner or later, you'll piss someone off, and next thing I know, I'm spending the next fifteen years searching for you in those tunnels as punishment,"
"That won't happen,"
"You don't know that," Shah breathed defeatedly, "I don't know that; not even 93 knows that," he sighed deeply, "Now, I ask this over every jealous bone I had in my body tonight," he chuckled lightly, "What all did Hatir say?"


[Republic City Hospital] - lobby

"Mako?" Siros called, "I was wondering when you two would show up. After last time, I didn't think she'd be here alone,"
"Oh, she shouldn't be," Jay breathed,
"Damn. I would've called you had I known. I-I swear–
"It's fine Siros, just– where is she?" Mako finally asked,
"Up on nine. I'll take you there,"
"Thank you," Mako breathed in relief, "She not– she's not hurt, is she?"
"No, quite the opposite, actually. She shot the guy she came with. Nearly put a bullet through his lung,"
"See. And you wanted me to get rid of my guns," Mako teased, shoving Jay into the elevator,
"Fine. Maybe having guns taped around your house did come in handy,"

9th floor

"She's in there. G3," Siros pointed to the room down the hall, "Probably in there still tearing the guy a new one–
"G3. Got it," Mako nodded before he took off into a full sprint,
"Thanks, Siros," Jay chuckled,
"Thank god," Mako breathed when he barged into the room and pulled you into his arms, "You're okay,"
"Mako?"
"I'm so sorry I yelled. If I hadn't stormed out, I could've stopped h–Mudo?" Mako questioned when he spotted the man in the hospital bed behind you,
"Well, as I live and breathe, another one of Viper's prodigies," Mudo chuckled,
"You broke into my house? Who the fuck let you out of prison!?"
"Wait. You know this guy?" Jay asked when he slipped into the room,
"Unfortunately," Mako scoffed angrily,
"Aww. Don't say it like that. We had some good times Mako," Mudo teased,
"Using me as collateral while a rival gang held me hostage is not exactly what I consider a good time,"
"You made it out,"
"Through the sewer!"
"And their leader was arrested. His other lackeys fled the city. Viper praised you for weeks," Mudo reminded him,
"I also puked my guts out for weeks on account of that smell. It was everywhere,"
"Well, we're even now. Your little damsel here settled the score," Mudo huffed,
"I don't think so. You broke into my house and attempted to kidnap my girlfriend? I'm not letting you out of my sight until I say we're even. Got that?" Mako hissed,
"You know Viper's gonna come looking for me," Mudo smirked, "I shouldn't have to remind you that nobody misses check-in–
"Too bad he's not gonna find you,"
"Mako–
"Not now," he scolded you softly, his arm still grasped tightly around your waist, "Jay, ask Siros when this con man is set to be released,"
"Back to old nicknames, are we?" Mudo grinned slyly,
"Quiet. As of right now, you work for me," Mako informed him sternly, "For free, I might add,"
"Ugh. What else could you pay me with on a pig's salary?" Mudo scoffed,
"He said quiet," you snapped at Mudo, "Or did that bullet make you hard of hearing?"
"Apologies dollface," Mudo chuckled, "Definitely wouldn't want to piss you off again,"
"Yeah? Practice on keeping your mouth shut then,"
"Hmph. Yes ma'am,"