She arrived a few minutes later, ‘the royal kids’, as they had been affectionately dubbed, tailing after her. Mako hurriedly stood up and bowed. Korra laughed, but curtseyed back as she was supposed to. “Alright, guys, time for you to take off.” She addressed the kids. “Awww, really?” Meelo crossed his arms. “You’re no fun.” “Guys, leave her alone.” Jinora shot Korra a cheeky glance, which she returned with a warning glare. “I’m sure Korra and Mako have plenty of activities to do without us.” Ikki’s eyes widened and she giggled as Jinora led the younger children back towards the palace. “Kids, amiright?” She joked. The way she laughed and moved so effortlessly with so much grace had Mako mesmerised, and it took a sharp nudge from Bolin for him to form a response. “Ah, yeah.” He managed, only just remembering to put on an air of respectability. Korra looked unconvinced, raising an eyebrow at him, but didn’t comment as they started to wander the gardens in companionable silence. “So, Prince Mako…” She started, joking tone of her voice putting him immediately on edge. “Despite your horrifyingly misogynistic reason for arriving, how are you enjoying it down here?”  “Oh, ah, it’s uhm, lovely.” He managed, choosing to ignore the first comment. “How nice for you to have grown up here.” Korra let out a laugh. “Maybe it seems that way, but it’s not as good when you aren’t allowed to leave without your father making a whole production out of it.” She rolled her eyes, then paused. “But I suppose you’d know about that too, being royalty yourself.”  “Oh, sure, absolutely.” Mako agreed, gesturing towards Bolin, who quickly put on a serious face. “I can never go anywhere without Bolin tailing me.” Korra waved at him with a teasing grin before turning back to Mako. “Parents, huh? They’re so overprotective.” She paused for a moment. “Wanna sneak out?” Mako looked across at her blankly. “Right now? But what about…” He gestured vaguely towards Bolin. Korra paused for a moment, furrowing her brow as she thought, and god, wasn’t she just beautiful? She sized Bolin up once more, and he waved awkwardly. “He can come with us, as long as he doesn’t blab to my father. Make him swear to secrecy.” She grinned, and Mako knew he couldn’t resist doing what she said, even if he wanted to.