[ Wu laughs again, soft against his shoulder, more glad than Mako can probably know that Mako doesn't pull away. Wu needs this, maybe as much as Mako does. He's only been here for a few days, but he's scared and worried and alone, and Mako is here, and Wu needs to know that Mako wants him here, too. ] Yeah? I guess... had to learn. King stuff, you know.
Yeah, I don't think this is king stuff. [ Let him be impressed at you, Wu, it doesn't happen very often. Not unless he's really earned it, like right now. He tugs his legs up onto the couch, too, tugging Wu closer still until they're sort of half on top of each other. Would he do this outside this month? Probably not. Is he questioning it right now? Nope. ] This is—I don't know. You stuff.
Me stuff, huh? [ Wu snorts another laugh, giddy from the touch, the hug, from the conversation, as intense as it was. It was nice, telling Mako all that. All the things he's been working through for months. He trusts Mako with them, and it feels like a weight has been lifted. ] Well-- thanks. I meant it. I want you to feel okay. Even if not now, then eventually.
[ That again. Mako lets out a small puff of breath, damp and a little too warm—the fever has him running hotter than usual—and curls his fingers into Wu's jacket again. ] Why do you care about it?
[ Mako lets out a small, frustrated noise. He hates having to explain these questions, feels like Wu can see right through him. ] Why do you want me to be okay? Really.
[ It hurts a little, that Mako would have to ask him that. Wu thought it was obvious, that Mako knew that Wu cares about him. Maybe Deerington has made Mako question that.
Wu doesn't want to let go of him. He's too warm and comforting. And maybe it'll be easier for Mako if Wu doesn't look him in the eyes when he says this. ] Because you're my friend, and I want you to be happy.
[ It's not that Mako doesn't think they're friends. It's just that Mako doesn't think he's doing anything for Wu anymore. Protecting him, yes, but he doesn't really get why that translates to this patience.
Nobody, he is realizing, really asks him how he feels about things. Nobody presses like that, nobody gives him the words that they use. This is maybe a first, and Mako doesn't know how to take all that.
He pulls Wu closer with a quiet sound in his throat, pressing his head into the top of Wu's head. ]
[ That's almost too much for Wu. The raw emotion in Mako's voice wracks through him and Wu's breath hitches.
The last few days have been a lot. They've been painful, scary, terrifying. He was fighting for his country; he was captured, by Mako himself, and Bolin; he woke up in a strange place with strange people where terrible things happen; he learned that Mako had died, had been murdered.
It bubbles up into his throat and behind his eyes and his breath hitches. He holds Mako closer, fingers curling in the back of Mako's sweater, hiding his face in Mako's shoulder as hot tears prick his eyes. ]
[ A surprising number of people have cried around Mako since he got here, but the last time Wu cried in front of him was on the throne in Little Ba Sing Se, dramatic and heartbroken at his life being ripped away from him. Again, Mako realizes now.
This is a little different. A lot different, actually: Wu's tears are quieter now, and Mako kind of doesn't blame him for any of this. This is a heavy conversation in a heavy place, and there's no way out that they have under their own power.
He wraps his other arm around Wu, pulling him in like he does for Bolin, holding him as tight as he can. ]
[ At least Wu has Mako, and Mako is holding him close and opened up to him and Wu was able to say some things out loud that he's never said out loud before.
He holds on tight to Mako's waist and lets himself cry. It gives him a headache and makes his face hot and his nose runny, but the relief spreading through his chest is worth it.
Finally, the crying eases, and he pulls back a little with a laugh ] I got your shirt wet.
[ Mako surprises himself by laughing a little, after spending all that time just kind of letting Wu cry it out. ] That's fine. Laundry's a lot easier here. You seen the washing machines yet?
Washing machines? [ Wu laughs, dabbing at his eyes with the cuff of his suit. ] Whole machines to wash clothes? That's handy. I suppose I'll have to make do, doing it myself.
Have you ever washed clothes before? [ It could sound mean but right now it just kind of sounds soft and a little amused, especially with the smile on Mako's face. ] I can show you how to use it.
Nope. Add that to the list of life skills I missed out on. [ Wu laughs ] Washing clothes, cooking, fighting, cleaning... [ He shakes his head ] I'll figure it out. I suppose there's a time for everything.
Mako. [ Wu levels him with a Look that is probably less effective because of his red-rimmed eyes ] Why would I have cleaned? I pay people to do that for me!
[ No, no, that's fair, Mako snorts a bit and shakes his head. ] Well, you better figure it out quick, this house is huge. I can teach you how to use your dishwasher. It's a machine that does it for you.
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Wu doesn't want to let go of him. He's too warm and comforting. And maybe it'll be easier for Mako if Wu doesn't look him in the eyes when he says this. ] Because you're my friend, and I want you to be happy.
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Nobody, he is realizing, really asks him how he feels about things. Nobody presses like that, nobody gives him the words that they use. This is maybe a first, and Mako doesn't know how to take all that.
He pulls Wu closer with a quiet sound in his throat, pressing his head into the top of Wu's head. ]
Thank you.
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The last few days have been a lot. They've been painful, scary, terrifying. He was fighting for his country; he was captured, by Mako himself, and Bolin; he woke up in a strange place with strange people where terrible things happen; he learned that Mako had died, had been murdered.
It bubbles up into his throat and behind his eyes and his breath hitches. He holds Mako closer, fingers curling in the back of Mako's sweater, hiding his face in Mako's shoulder as hot tears prick his eyes. ]
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This is a little different. A lot different, actually: Wu's tears are quieter now, and Mako kind of doesn't blame him for any of this. This is a heavy conversation in a heavy place, and there's no way out that they have under their own power.
He wraps his other arm around Wu, pulling him in like he does for Bolin, holding him as tight as he can. ]
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He holds on tight to Mako's waist and lets himself cry. It gives him a headache and makes his face hot and his nose runny, but the relief spreading through his chest is worth it.
Finally, the crying eases, and he pulls back a little with a laugh ] I got your shirt wet.
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[ A small beat, during which Mako lifts both his head and one eyebrow. ]
Have you... never cleaned anything?
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