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English
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Part 3 of Anytime He Holds My Hand
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Published:
2025-08-12
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3,711
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1/1
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The Good Old Days

Summary:

Before heading out to Gaoling with the rest of Team Avatar to help with the first election, Mako reluctantly accompanies Wu to get smoothies.

Notes:

I wanted to write a little Wuko smoothie date-not-date, and this was the result!

Thanks to Badgermolebender for beta reading!

(See the end of the work for more notes.)

Work Text:

 

“You and me, teaming up again—just like the good old days! Let’s celebrate with a smoothie!” Wu said with a bright smile as he threw his arm around Mako’s shoulders. It was infuriatingly familiar—the feel of his slender arms, the smell of his cologne, the sound of his voice—Wu had always been prone to getting into Mako’s personal space since day one of Mako's stint as Wu’s bodyguard. 

Mako hunched in on himself slightly as he attempted to keep his face impassive. He didn’t push Wu away just yet, though he was very close to doing so. He felt like he did a pretty good job of keeping the irritation off of his face, though the sigh that escaped his throat was less discreet. But Wu, self-absorbed to the extreme, paid little mind to Mako’s reaction and continued talking, totally oblivious to Mako’s mood.

“I heard about this little smoothie cafe that opened up soon after the war was over, and I’ve been dying to try it!” Wu blathered on as he strode forward, giving Mako no choice but to walk along—unless he wanted to yank himself out of Wu’s grasp. He could do that, and tell Wu to just keep his hands to himself for once in their professional relationship. But things weren’t professional anymore, were they? 

Mako didn’t work for Wu now—Wu had a new retinue of Earth Army guards managing his security since he’d taken the throne. But Mako didn’t exactly feel like friendship was the word to describe whatever was going on with him and Wu. Sure, Wu tried to force it, but no matter how many times he called Mako buddy or pal, Mako refused to return the sentiment.

“—too bad the Little Ba Sing Se Mall was damaged so badly during the invasion! The smoothies there were amazing, though I’m not sure I’d want to go back any time soon! Besides, this new place is supposed to be more upscale—nicer ingredients, more unique flavor combinations, that sort of thing.” Wu continued as they neared the end of the hall. 

Instinctively, Mako looked side to side, then over his shoulder. (Would he ever stop looking over his shoulder for danger? Would he always stay hyper-aware of his surroundings as if he would be jumped at any moment by a mugger or one of his old triad contacts or one of the many enemies he’d made during his time on Team Avatar?) But there was no danger behind him—just Korra and Asami.

Of course, he happened to look over his shoulder at the exact moment their lips met in an affectionate kiss. He craned his neck longer than he should have, and only snapped it forward when Asami pulled away and turned toward the end of the hall.

He shoved down the hollow, aching, regret that started to heat up in his chest and forced himself to look forward. He wasn’t jealous of them—at least not in the sense that he wished he could be with either of them—but he had a nostalgic sort of longing for a time when he hadn’t been alone.

He was okay with being alone, with being single, but it brought up some unpleasant feelings because Mako knew exactly why he was alone. He only had himself to blame—he’d fucked up tremendously and hurt them both. He was just lucky they were still willing to be friends with him. 

“You okay there, buddy? Did I lose you?” Wu asked Mako, snapping him out of his gloom.

“Uh. No. You were talking about, uh… Smoothies?” Mako replied, trying to save face. He really should pay better attention to people talking to him, instead of scanning the environment around him for threats and getting swept up in his envious longing and regret for the relationships he’d left behind years ago.

“Yes! I’m so excited to try this new place, and I even heard they have fruits all the way from the Fire Nation islands! So, you’ll let me buy you a smoothie?” Wu tightened his grip on Mako’s shoulders, almost making Mako lose his balance— spirits, did Wu always have to hang off him like a leech-a-pillar clinging to its host?

“Okay, okay,” Mako said, finally pulling Wu’s arm off of himself. “Yeah, I’ll go. But I have to get back to work in a couple of hours.”

“Oh no! A couple of hours?” Wu glanced at Mako with a theatrically distraught look on his face. “I wish we had all day! Ugh, remember when we just hung out and did whatever we wanted, all day, every day? Oh, that was the life!”  

Mako bit his tongue and chose not to point out that they always did whatever Wu wanted, not whatever they both wanted. Wu continued speaking, totally ignorant of Mako’s annoyance.

“That’s okay, we’ll make the most of it! And you’re coming back to Gaoling in a couple of days, though we’ll be busy while we’re there, with the election and everything. But I’m so excited to be back with you and the rest of team Avatar!” Wu continued on, barely pausing to take a breath as they stepped outside of city hall. The Earth Army guards flanked the entrance and gave Mako a stoic nod as he and Wu exited. Mako took a moment to size them up again—he’d already done so when Wu first arrived, but it never hurt to be extra vigilant. 

Fortunately, they seemed focused and serious about their job, so Mako let himself relax a little. (Not completely, of course. Bodyguard or not, Mako never could quite shake off those suspicious instincts that had allowed him to survive and protect Bolin through the worst of their years on the streets.)

Wu stopped at the curb. He had a valet driving him around while he was in Republic City. Mako had taken time to scrutinize the driver as well, when he’d arrived at the courthouse for Kuvira’s trial. He seemed legitimate too, but Mako knew he could never be too careful.

“What’s up, big guy?” Wu asked, blinking. But before Mako could answer, Wu’s lips spread into an impossibly wide grin as his eyes widened in excitement. “Ooooh, I get it. You’re looking out for danger! Always on guard, my big, tough guy! You could relax a little, you know! My guards have got the situation under control…” Wu’s sentence trailed off, as if he wasn’t sure he was finished talking. His grin fell into a firm line as he glanced around suspiciously. “...Right?” He asked, blinking at Mako with a hint of anxiety behind his eyes.

Well, fuck. Mako didn’t mean to scare Wu into thinking there was immediate danger or that his Army guards weren’t good enough—anyone who knew Mako well knew that he was just wired that way from his childhood. But Mako never really divulged all the details of his upbringing to Wu; he’d never really talked about the triads, the sleeping on the streets, the mugging—

“Right, everything’s fine, don’t worry,” Mako said in his most reassuring voice possible. “Just, uh. You know. Force of habit.” Mako shrugged his shoulders, then made a conscious effort to relax some of the tension in his body by putting his hand on his hip. He was sure he looked stupid, like he was making a fake show of being casual or something, but Wu’s face lit up into another smile, so it must have worked.

“Okay! Well, looks like the car is here, let’s get a move-on!” Wu said as he shuffled toward the car, pulling Mako along behind him.

Mako held back a sigh, letting Wu pull him into the car. It was just a couple of hours, Mako figured he could deal with Wu’s company for that long.

 

 

Mako always sort of felt ill-at-ease when he found himself in the upper-class parts of the city. Like an imposter. He wasn’t born to this life, even before things had hit rock bottom. Mom and Dad had made a modest living, as far as Mako could tell, so he’d been a part of the lower class for as long as he had been alive. Adding the fact that he’d lived in abject poverty for several years, he just didn’t feel right when he was around wealthy people—no matter how he tried to hide it. 

Asami had been his first foray into the ultra-rich lifestyle, but she also had this rough-and-tumble side to her that made Mako feel less like he had been dating an heiress and more like he’d been dating another athlete. (Asami would have been a kick-ass pro-bender if she’d had bending of any type.) The fancy parties and upscale dining and hob-knobbing with the elite had felt like an optional bonus to being on her arm. 

She’d also taken great care to make sure Mako didn’t feel out of place. After their first date, when it had been abundantly clear he was a manatee-whale out of water, she used to prep him for whatever party they’d go to—making sure he knew all the names of the important people they’d encounter, ensuring he felt comfortable and confident in whatever clothes she’d buy him, introducing him to everyone who was anyone as if they should have been embarrassed to not know who Mako was instead of the other way around. There had been a lot of good things about his relationship with Asami, but he especially appreciated that she’d never once made him feel less-than.

Unlike Asami and her sharp attention to detail, Wu never seemed to notice that Mako wasn’t a part of this world, simply dragging him through it all with no forethought or care to Mako’s discomfort. Which would have been fine when Mako had been his bodyguard—if Wu had ever actually treated Mako like a bodyguard. Security officers were supposed to blend into the background, keep mostly out of sight and out of the way so as to focus solely on their charge’s safety. 

Unfortunately, Wu had never treated Mako like a real security officer. Instead, he treated Mako like some kind of prop. Yanking him around, hanging off him, always keeping him close by, no matter the setting. And Mako hated feeling the eyes of all the elite snobs on him and Wu, especially when Wu obliviously made an idiot out of himself—which was usually about half the time, give or take.

But Wu had never noticed the way Mako stuck out, the way he didn't belong in the middle of a charity gala or a dinner party or the Upper Ring Club or wherever Wu dragged him. He never introduced Mako to anyone, he just chatted up Mako with no regard for the confused look on the faces of the other rich party-goers. He never asked Mako if he’d like to sit with him, he just tugged on Mako’s arm until he sat—even if the event planners hadn’t accounted for Mako taking up an extra seat. He never paid any mind to the odd looks he received when he treated Mako like a friend instead of an employee.

And now that Mako wasn't a bodyguard any more, now that Wu had decided Mako was his best friend, (ugh, Mako really wished that Wu would at least drop the word ‘best’ from his new title for Mako) it was even worse. Because now Mako couldn't even pretend he was just keeping close to keep Wu safe. He was just Wu’s ‘buddy’—nevermind the mismatch of their titles or economic class or outward appearance.

Wu dragged Mako by the arm into an upscale, modern smoothie cafe, ordered a smoothie for himself, pestered Mako until he picked one for himself, then dragged them to a two-person table. Mako bit back another sigh, resigning himself to two hours of Wu’s company in a place where he simply didn't belong. Just like ‘the good old days’. 

It went without saying that Mako did not consider his time working for Wu as ‘the good old days’. If he had to name a point in time that he’d personally call the good old days, it wouldn’t be any time from the last fourteen years, that’s for sure. The good old days for Mako were when he was young—a child. Back when he had been safe, back when he hadn’t had to worry about surviving the dangers on the streets or the risks of working with the triads or where his and Bolin’s next meals were coming from. Back when he still had Mom and Dad taking care of him, back before that awful night that changed everything—

“You don’t like the blend?” Wu asked Mako from across the table, pulling him from his thoughts. Wu had a deadly serious look on his face. Leave it to Wu to treat something as pointless as a smoothie flavor with the utmost gravity.

“It’s fine,” Mako said, taking another sip. He liked it just fine, he wasn’t sure why Wu thought otherwise. Or why Wu even cared. Mako picked the blend, if he didn’t like it, it was his own problem.

“You sure? You’re frownier than usual. We can just toss that one and order you another if that one doesn't tickle your fancy!”

“I like it just fine,” Mako insisted. “Besides, even if I didn’t, I wouldn’t just get another one and put this one to waste.” Mako resisted the urge to accuse Wu of being thoughtless and wasteful. People like Wu—people who always had more than enough—never thought twice about throwing away food or any other items they no longer wanted.

“But if you don’t like it—”

“Look, I know this might surprise you, Your Majesty,” Mako said as he felt some irritation taking hold. “But not everyone just throws something away when they don’t like it. Especially food.” Mako took a long gulp of his smoothie, just for demonstration that he had no interest in getting another one.

Wu set down his smoothie, leaned back in his chair and jutted out his lower lip slightly in a pout (oh, how Mako had not missed that stupid pout). “You don’t have to be so snippy about it,” Wu said. “I was just asking. I just wanted to treat you to something you like!”

Mako deflated a little as something resembling guilt washed over him. Yeah, he probably didn’t need to talk to Wu like that. It was just maddening how out of touch Wu was! He’d always been wasteful in a way that made Mako cringe up inside as it dredged up memories. Watching food get tossed away, where it would eventually end up in the trash, where Mako used to have to scrounge to find something edible for his growing brother—

Not that Wu knew any of that. 

“Sorry. It’s good, really. I promise.” Mako took another drink, this time to demonstrate to Wu that he actually liked the smoothie.

Wu didn’t look satisfied with Mako’s answer.

“Well, if you like the smoothie, then something else must be bothering you,” Wu said as he casually fiddled with one of his cuff links. “You look upset! Is everything okay with work? Your brother?”

“Work’s fine,” Mako said with a shrug. “So is Bolin. Everything’s fine.”

“Or—oh no, is it girl problems? Korra told me you were great with everything between her and Asami, but I certainly wouldn’t blame you if you were having trouble with the news of your exes getting together, I mean, that’s got to be weird—”

“What? No!” Mako said, though he was aware his voice was more defensive than he meant it to be. “No. It’s not weird. I mean, it was at first, but I’m good now. It’s just—” Mako cut himself off, because Wu was treating him to a smoothie and the last thing he wanted to do completely sour the mood with his list of ways Wu irritated him.

“It’s just what?” Wu asked as he leaned forward.

“Nothing,” Mako lied. Wu furrowed his brow and frowned. 

“Did I do something wrong?” Wu asked with a timidity that Mako rarely saw. Wu was always so overconfident and expressive, it definitely felt weird to see him shrink in on himself. “Please just tell me what I did! I know I'm a King now, but that doesn't matter! You’re my best friend, I wanna know if I upset you!”

Wu’s frantic pleading wore down Mako’s defenses a little bit, though Wu calling Mako his best friend made Mako want to cringe up and crawl away. Spirits help him if his best friend was Wu of all people. Still, if they were kind-of-sort-of friends now, maybe he should just tell Wu what was annoying him, at least at the moment. Wu did ask, after all.

“I don't like it when you casually talk about throwing away food,” Mako confessed before he could talk himself out of it. He hoped that would be the end of this particular topic, but the confusion on Wu's face made it clear Mako was going to have to elaborate. Great.

“Uhhh. Can I ask…. Why?” Wu said with even more timidity. Something about Wu’s increasing meekness was unnerving to Mako. It was like Wu expected Mako to scream at him or hit him or something. And that sent a wave of guilt through Mako’s body. He would never hurt Wu. (Outside of the brief but unsuccessful attempt to teach Wu to defend himself.)

Mako sighed. “Just… Most of us don't throw away food for no good reason like that. Most of us can't afford to.”

Understanding spread over Wu’s face, as if he’d never really considered that some people couldn’t afford things and it was just now dawning on him. 

“Oh… You know, if Beifong isn't paying you enough, I could always grease the wheels for you! Pull some strings, work some of my political clout—”

“I make plenty of money now,” Mako interrupted before Wu could keep going with that particular idea. The last thing Mako wanted was Wu harassing his boss into getting him a raise. He’d never hear the end of it, not from the chief and not from the other detectives.

“But… you didn't used to…” Wu correctly surmised. “You were, uh… What was the phrase you used? Dirt poor?” 

“Yeah.” Mako shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “I definitely wasn't throwing any food away back then. The opposite.”

Wu blinked. “What's the opposite of throwing food away?”

Mako wanted to run away, suddenly. Hide. He didn't want to tell Wu about all the unsavory things he did to feed himself and his brother. But he’d once given Wu a hard time about not knowing anything about Mako because he’d never thought to ask. Now Wu was asking. So Mako probably had to tell. 

He wasn't sure why he felt weird about it. If he freaked Wu out, then maybe he’d stop annoying Mako so much. Maybe he’d decide he didn't actually want someone like Mako as a friend. Mako should be jumping at the chance to scare Wu away. So why was he so nervous?

Mako averted his eyes and searched for the right words. Ever since Wu had stayed with Mako’s family, he knew a little about Mako’s history—namely, that Mako’s parents had died when he was young. He didn’t, however, know all the details about living on the streets, or about joining the triads.

“You okay there, buddy?” Wu asked after Mako was silent for an abnormal amount of time. 

“Yeah, just…” Mako fiddled with the straw of his smoothie as he pondered what words would best explain his history. “You know, I was, uh… Homeless. For a while.”

Wu’s eyebrows drew up, though he looked more concerned than surprised. “I sort of knew that…” Wu said quietly—Mako was surprised Wu was capable of speaking quietly, if he was being honest—though his volume picked up as he continued. “I mean, I pieced it together! Little things you said, little things your grandma said, little things your cousin and your uncle said…”

“Yeah. Well. I was homeless. And taking care of my brother. We did what we had to do to survive, and it wasn’t always pretty. We ate whatever we could.” Mako set his cup down and crossed his arms, not wanting to elaborate further. Dumpster diving wasn’t polite conversation for the quaint smoothie cafe Wu had chosen for this little outing. 

Wu was silent for a moment, sipping his smoothie until it made a loud slurp as he finished it off. Mako was holding his breath, and couldn’t bring himself to exhale just yet as he waited for Wu’s reaction.

“Well, finish your smoothie, big guy!” Wu said, his voice pitching up into something more bright and energetic. “Say, did you really have to get back to work? Maybe you could play hooky! It’ll be all business once we’re in Gaoling, so we should do something fun! Catch a mover! I heard there’s a new theater that just opened in Harmony Park!”

Mako exhaled. Well, at least Wu didn’t pressure him for more details. And encouraging Mako to skip work for a day of fun was exactly how Wu had always acted, so he wasn’t treating Mako any differently. 

And, if he was being totally honest with himself, he didn’t actually have to get back to work right away. He was off duty, it was just that he had a habit of working off-the-clock to wrap up and perfect his reports.

“Fine,” Mako said before he could stop himself. At least if they went to a mover, Wu would be mostly quiet.

“Yes, yes, yes!” Wu said, pumping his fist in the air. “Just like the good old days!”

Mako resisted the urge to sigh and finished his smoothie instead. No, it wasn’t like the good old days for Mako. But Wu’s good old days—when he didn’t have any real responsibilities and he could just luxuriate away all day, every day—weren’t the worst days for Mako, if he stepped back and looked at his entire life.

“Sure,” Mako conceded. “Just like the good old days.”

 

 

Notes:

Hope you enjoyed this little oneshot!

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