Chapter Text
“Mako. Hey, Mako!”
A set of fingers snapped loudly in front of his face, bringing the firebender to blink out of his trance and focus on the impatient boy sitting across from him.
“There he is.” Wu released an exasperated breath, but it took him only an extra moment to regain his composure. He lifted up two pieces of fabric, waved them energetically in front of himself. “What one do you like? I’ve got this nice deep green that adds just the right accent to my suit, or this snazzy yellow one with polka dots that I think is a great symbol of my personality.”
Mako couldn’t prevent the furrowing of his brows, questioning how their conversation had managed to make its way to Wu’s fashion. He ran his tongue across his front teeth and glanced back out the window of the train where the lower ring of Ba Sing Se was zooming past. It looked much better than the last time he had been there, that was certain. Perhaps Kuvira’s efforts had done a little bit of good. Not that he’d so readily admit it after all the chaos she had caused.
“Helloooo? What’s the point of you if I can’t get your opinion on my fashion choices?”
“I think you’re asking the wrong guy, Wu.” His gaze shifted to look at him. “I grew up on the streets, remember?” Observing the two cravats in Wu’s hands, however, Mako proceeded with an answer. “Well, the yellow one looks like moldy cheese, so I’d go with the green.”
The prince—or king, at this point, though his title was unclear with his intention to demolish the monarchy—glanced back and forth between his two choices with lips pursed in deep thought. He then ended up shrugging and tossing the mossy green garment aside. “Eh. I like the polka dots. Snazzy.”
A pathetic look crossed Mako’s face. “Why would you even ask me if you aren’t going to listen?”
“I was just asking for your opinion.” Wu fussed with wrapping the cravat around his neck. “That didn’t mean I was actually going to agree with it.”
Seeing that he was having troubles (as was a normality even with dressing himself), Mako sighed gently and knelt on the floor in front of him to help. He tied off the decorative piece securely yet comfortably, worked on adjusting the collar of Wu’s shirt neatly around it. The cravat actually accented his emerald suit quite nicely, though that was something Mako was much too proud to announce aloud.
And he wasn’t even sure if it was more the accessory or the person himself that looked… decent.
Wu sat obediently still while his bodyguard adjusted various aspects of his outfit, leaning back in his seat with a content smile on his face. “For the meeting—I was thinking—we could get the help of the secret police to start forming separate states.”
Mako halted in the middle of refastening a button on Wu’s coat. “The ‘secret police’? You mean the Dai Li?” A slight nod of affirmation was all he had to receive before his eyes narrowed and his mouth went dry. “Wu, I’m not sure that’s such a good idea. You know their history, don’t you?”
“If you’re talking about what happened way back during the days of Avatar Aang, then—”
“No, it’s not just that.” Mako placed a hand on the king’s knee to push himself up, gaze meeting the green of his. “They imprisoned airbenders when your great-aunt ruled, conspired against the king before her… Do you really think they’re fit to help in separating the kingdom? I doubt they even agree with your idea.”
Wu’s lips formed a pout, and he folded his arms loosely across his chest. “Gee, thanks for your vote of confidence.”
“My confidence in you has nothing to do with it; you know I don’t doubt you.” He frowned, though there was a gentleness in his gaze. “It’s my distrust of them. Wu, they’re known to be ruthless and manipulative. I just don’t want them taking advantage—”
“Of what? Me?”
“Well—” The words were broken by hesitation. “Yes. Look, I’m not saying you can’t handle yourself—”
“It sure sounds like it.” Wu’s nose wrinkled. “My great-aunt ordered them to make an army of airbenders for her—which was borderline insane, I know—and they just carried out those orders. It wasn’t their idea. That just proves their loyalty to who’s in charge. And, FYI, that’s me now.”
Mako brushed a hand across his forehead as he sat haphazardly back in his seat. “That doesn’t mean they didn’t agree with her.”
“Whether or not they agreed is moot. They did as they were asked and will do the same for me.” The king had slid down into a sulking pose. When he spoke again, he flourished his wrist with a touch of gusto. “Besides who wouldn’t like my idea? You said so yourself how brilliant it is.”
Turning away to hide the irritation on his face, Mako only managed to murmur a “You’d be surprised” that went unheard. The conversation had been dropped, and no sooner was Wu pressing his face to the window of the train with excitement as they entered the upper ring. Mako ignored the childlike action. Rather, he ignored the entirety of the outside world beyond the train. Last time he had been there hadn’t been the greatest of visits.
This visit was slowly proving to be very similar.
He’d have to be keeping an extra eye on Wu if the Dai Li were getting involved. The past had done a good job of hatching caution deep within him for the organization. As “loyal” as they seemed to be, Mako had a good idea of the kind of people they were. And he did not think they’d so readily miss an opportunity to manipulate someone who—to be frank—was easily swayed.
It also wasn’t a secret that they had supported Kuvira in her efforts. That made Prince Wu their foe.
Naturally, transportation by the monorail had been a private event. Wu’s status offered him that privilege, leaving only him, Mako, and a few officers sent by Lin as occupants in the train car. It hadn’t even come to a complete stop when Wu bounced up from his seat and strolled along the aisle to reach the door. Mako had been several steps behind until he took note of the stony-faced men waiting expectantly a few yards outside of the train. Then, he was at Wu’s side with a protective hand latched around the bend of his elbow.
“Welcome to Ba Sing Se, King Wu,” a man standing at the front of formation greeted as he offered a courteous bow. He had pale skin, dark hair slicked back, and a piercing blue gaze that created an uncomfortable twist in Mako’s stomach. An introduction didn’t even have to be given for Mako to assume who this stranger was.
“I am Ju-long,” he proceeded once his eyes had resettled on the young ruler. “Leader of the Dai Li. It is an honor to be serving you.”
Wu had initially seemed too obsessed with taking in his surroundings to regard the man before him, but a rough nudge from Mako brought him back to the present. “Yes! We were just talking about you guys. Hello, hello,” he answered. “You came all this way just to greet me. Isn’t that nice, Mako?”
The firebender didn’t once tear his attention away from Ju-long, his expression hard and suspicious as the Dai Li agent regarded him with a glance.
“Mako. He’s your personal bodyguard, I assume?” Ju-long’s thin eyebrows quirked, and a faint smirk was noticeable on the corner of his lips. “I had been under the impression you were only acting as a guard for the young prince while in Republic City. What brings you with him to Ba Sing Se?”
“Decided not to give up the job.” Mako’s words were blunt and uncooperative.
But the Dai Li agent wasn’t fazed by the cool tone. A smile remained present on his face, but the tilt of his head was taken as patronizing by the firebender. “I see. Dedicated to your duty—inspiring. Your arm has healed, then?”
His muscles tensed at the inquiry, and his eyes dipped instinctively to the burned scars laced around his fingers.
“Oh, don’t you worry.” Wu cut into the conversation, pulled his bodyguard into half of a hug. “Good ol’ Mako’s as tough as always.”
Mako noted the smug look on Ju-long’s face, something so subtle that it was clearly meant for only him. Lifting the arm in question, Mako turned his hand and created a large flame within his palm. He let it flicker in front of the agent’s face for several moments.
“Like he said,” he nearly growled as he clenched his fingers into a fist to extinguish the fire, “Don’t worry about it.”
Ju-long held steady despite the vague threat he had been given. He nodded his head as a sign of courtesy, though Mako didn’t buy it for a second. “How nice that you’ve recovered. Where would King Wu be without you?”
That satisfied grin on his face was enough to send a shudder through Mako’s body. He did not like this guy. Not one bit.
“Y’know, we were just discussing that on our way here—is ‘King’ really a fit title for me with where things will be going?” Wu piped in again, seemingly unaware of the tension between the two. Mako was also positive this “discussion” Wu mentioned had just been Wu blabbing endlessly while he pretended to listen; he didn’t even remember that topic. “Maybe… no, get this. What if I was President Wu?” That statement, of course, was said with an extravagant outstretch of his arms.
Ju-long humored him. More so than Mako, at least. The Dai Li agent answered his words with a warm smile, and one that was so warm that Mako wondered if he was even looking at the same person as before. “That can be discussed in detail at our meeting, Your Majesty. But it does not fit someone of your status to stand around the monorail speaking of such things—no matter the title. I wager you’d like to take this to the palace.”
Wu tucked his hands in front of his chest. “Is that even a question? Let’s go while we still have daylight.” He started forward, waved his fingers nonchalantly to beckon Mako.
The Dai Li began to lead the king out of the station. They filed in on all sides of him to create a protective barrier, almost managing to block Mako out had he attached himself to Wu’s side a moment too late. His attention shifted to their leader, and their eyes locked firmly again.
For some reason, Ju-long was particularly interested in Wu’s firebending bodyguard.
But the feeling was mutual—perhaps for similar reasons.