It had been three weeks since they had returned to Republic City. Mako and Korra spent most of their time together on Air Temple Island while Korra was still mastering airbending. Asami had taken over Future Industries in replacement of her father who had been sentenced jail time for Equalist activity and being a part of attacks on the city. But, life wasn't great for all of Team Avatar; it was pretty lonely for Bolin these days. He had Pabu but it just wasn't the same without his brother or friends. Sure he still got to hang out with Korra and Mako but it was tough for Bolin, seeing his brother be with the girl he had fallen for was pretty uncomfortable. He would admit it he still had feelings for Korra and Bolin didn't like feeling second to his brother. Just one time he wanted to be somebody's number one. He got to experience that feeling whenever he was Probending. The screams from the crowd cheering his name, he strongly missed that. It would be months before a new season began, and the arena was still being remodeled after Amon's attack. Bolin sighed as he continued to pet Pabu who was comfortably lounging on his lap. It was evening in Republic City's park when both of their stomachs started rumbling. "How about we go get some grub, alright Pabu?" he asked his fire ferret. Pabu replied with a squee and jumped on Bolin's shoulder, awaiting his master to feed him. They walked to Narook's Noodle Factory where they started to gorge themselves with noodles, that is until a voice interrupted. "You're Bolin, right?" the voice asked. Bolin turned his head and saw a girl staring at him. She was of medium height, chocolate brown eyes, dark messy brown hair that she wore in long side braid, and was dressed dark brown baggy pants and a blue long-sleeved shirt. Bolin got butterflies in his stomach when she asked again and pointed to a poster on the wall, "from the Fire Ferrets?" she asked. Bolin smoothed back his hair and said, "Yes ma'am." "Sorry, I'm new in town and I've heard a lot about your probending team, so when I saw you I had to see if it was really you!" she gushed. "I'm Irka by the way," she raised her hand hoping for him to shake it. Bolin smiled and gave it a friendly shake, "why don't you join me?" he asked politely. Irka instantly dropped down beside him and started throwing a montage of questions at him. He answered every one of them with a smile on his face and humor in his voice, mainly at all the different things she had managed to come up with. When the questions started to decline Pabu had already finished his dinner and was sleeping in the empty bowl. " Aw, he's so cute!" Irka said, " we don't have animals nearly that adorable in the swamps."
"You're from a swamp?"
"Uh huh, born and raised in the Earth Kingdom. That's also where I learned waterbending." Irka went on.
"So why did you move here?" Bolin asked suddenly very curious.
"I needed a change of scenery and I was just employed as a healer here. I was actually one of the best back home…" she trailed off.
"Yeah well, this city can get pretty boring this time of year, even I feel boring." Bolin said.
"Why do you say that? I don't think you're boring, I actually think you're really funny and sweet." Irka responded.
Bolin stared at her, was she trying to hit on him or just simply complimenting him? Either way Bolin's began to feel hot as he felt the blood rush to them. She slurped a mouthful of noodles, not noticing his blush. "Well thanks," he said looking down at the table.
"No problem, Bolin," she answered.
He smiled as he felt the butterflies flutter through his stomach again. Why was it every time she said his name he got that feeling?
It was getting dark out, Irka looked out the open window. "You know I still don't know my way around this city very well, maybe you could show me around?" she offered.
"Of course!" Bolin exclaimed a little too hyper, making Irka snicker at his enthusiasm.
"Alright then," she lied down a few Yuans on the table. "Let's go then!"
Bolin showed Irka many of the bustling areas of Republic City and warned her of some of the more dangerous areas, especially the triads. "They're groups you got to be careful around," Bolin warned.
"I think I could handle them if they ever did decide to cross me." Irka said with an edge to her voice. Bolin threw her a cocky smile, loving her sense of stability.
"So you're a pretty good waterbender then?" he asked.
"One of the best back home, just because I know how to heal doesn't mean I don't know how to hurt." She laughed and added the effect of pounding her fist in her other hand. Bolin couldn't help but laugh, she was so self-assured, he felt butterflies again. "Just promise me you won't go looking for trouble," he said.
"I promise," she agreed.
They walked around a little longer and lost track of time, until they heard the dong that announced it was midnight. Bolin sighed, realizing his misfortune. "You missed the ferry, didn't you?" Irka asked him.
"Yeah but that's alright, I'll figure something out," he sighed again. Irka thought for a second and said, "You're going to stay at my place tonight."
"What?" Bolin asked with a puzzled expression on his face.
"I have an extra bedroom in my apartment, you and Pabu will stay there." She answered, tugging at his arm.
"Wait, Mako will be," he began.
"Your brother will understand, now come on!" she finished for him.
She led him to her apartment and got him to the spare room. In it were a dusty old bed, an old rocking chair, a desk, and a window that had an entire view of the city. "I have some blankets and pillows in my closet." She told him and then left to go fetch them. Pabu was sniffing around the room, trying to gain some kind of scent. All Bolin could think of was Irka and how incredible she was. They hadn't even known each other for more than five hours and yet Bolin couldn't help feeling something towards her. A yearning to be around her, to see her smile, to make her smile, to hear her voice, she wasn't a stranger to him anymore. "Here, this is better," she said as she re-entered the room with a large comforter and two pillows all stacked together. He took them from her and gave her a smile. She chuckled at his awkwardness and began dusting off the bed with her hands. "It can get pretty cold in here so you can just take the quilt off of the sofa in the living room if you need it," she told him as she began making his bed. He stood there immobilized by her, the moonlight shone into the room illuminating her skin, he blushed. When she was finished she turned to him and added, "The bathroom is to your right and my room is to the left. See you in the morning, Bolin." She finished, petting Pabu; who had resorted to resting on one of the pillows. Bolin stifled a 'good night' before she closed the door. Bolin grinned at the closed door; he had never imagined a girl like her existed, she was so kind but so sure of herself and she really seemed to care about him. He took his shoes off and got into the bed with butterflies fluttering through his stomach.