Bromotions Week 2012, Day 1: Alone
Title: in pieces
Word Count: 988
Characters/Pairings: Mako, Bolin, mentions of parents
Timeline/Spoilers: pre-series; episode 3 spoilers
Summary: A cough, a smile, and a look was all he got. And not a single word. The cinema and storybooks had always been far too kind in their renditions.
Notes: Forgive me. My writing is pretty rusty right now. This is way overdone, but here I go anyway.
Happy Bromotions Week! Hopefully my next installment will be a little more uplifting. See you for Day 2!
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He could still feel the sparks licking his palms as he bolted off. He kept going for what felt like an eternity, only diving into the nearest alleyway when his legs finally felt as if they could take no more. Stiffly, the boy sat himself down, attempting to gather his scattered thoughts.
The raw skin of his hands still stung — they seemed to almost simmer. He grit his teeth hard to keep from screaming. Or worse, sobbing. Never had he felt more alone.
"Dad... Mom..."
Two of the most important people in his life were now no more – reduced to ashes and burnt cadavers. How a simple trip to the theatre had ended in such disaster, he could not comprehend. The screams still haunted his hearing...
If only I'd been better...faster...stronger. Maybe... Maybe they'd still be here...
The child buried his head in his knees, attempting to seek solace from his futile ruminations. So focused was he on his inner processes that he failed to fully grasp his surroundings. A small gasp escaped his lips at the soft fabric that enveloped him in warmth. The scarf. His father had lent it to him, but the man himself was only a remnant now. A casualty of the corrupt streets of Republic City. There truly was no justice in this world if, even after handing over all they had, a young couple in the prime of life was still struck down in a burst of flames; by a mugger, a man just like any other, trying to make his own ends meet but couldn't afford to leave behind witnesses. Leaving the son untouched was 'being merciful', as he had put it.
Mako felt his throat tighten. He almost choked at the irony. After robbing him of his parents, his hope, his happiness...leaving behind two orphaned young boys with no family or future was supposed to have been an act of compassion.
He pulled the scarf up over his nose at the sudden chill that overtook him. The child attempted to rub his hands together to keep warm, but he'd forgotten the injuries they'd sustained. The burns marks peppered across his fists had been acquired when he had foolishly tried to extinguish the blaze that had consumed his parents. Droplets leapt up into his eyes almost instantly and did not cease. All of his pain and suffering came pouring out in the form of tears.
When he had collected himself – as much as he could, anyway – he rose and prepared for the worst. How could he possibly face Bolin, his small, innocent, pudgy-faced baby brother, and tell him that their whole world had just come crashing down? Before, they had struggled to get by on meager earnings, living paycheck to paycheck. But there had been love. Love and family and good spirits and simple joys. Now, there was nothing. They had been robbed of so much more than just a few yuans.
It was going to be a long walk home.
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The look on the small boy's face tore Mako apart all over again. He didn't think he could take much more heartbreak.
After relating the tale – skipping over the more gory details – Bolin had dissolved immediately into wracking sobs. Without a moment's hesitation, his arms were his younger brother in an attempt to assuage his wails. He only wished there was a way to assuage their grief.
After calming down a bit, Bolin glanced up at the budding firebender, making to speak. But, the tears welled once more and he was again lost to his sorrows. Mako only squeezed him tighter. "Shhhh, shhhhh. It's okay. We're gonna be okay," he muttered, not quite sure if he was talking to the boy in his lap or to himself.
Some time later, Bolin was finally ready to communicate. "M– Mako?" he hiccuped.
"What is it, little bro?"
A reluctant semblance of a smile crawled up onto Bo's face at the use of his nickname, though it was quickly dampened. "What's gonna happen to us?"
Mako sighed. "I'm not sure, Bo."
"We're alone now, aren't we?"
"No!" the elder brother barked, almost harshly. "Don't say that. Mom and Dad..." – a tremble of the lips – "Mom and Dad may be gone, but we're not alone. Not so long as we have each other. I'm gonna take care of you. Don't you worry about that." (No one would ever hurt them again. He simply would not allow it.)
Bolin brightened somewhat at his older brother's words. Mako ruffled his hair gently, with his now glove-clad hands.
"Uhm, Mako?"
"Hmm?"
"Did... Did Mom and Dad...say anything? You know...before they...before..." A fresh batch of tears threatened to spill.
"Shhh." Mako pulled the scarf up again and averted his eyes. "Yea. They did. Dad...said to tell you just how much they love us. And Mom... She said for you to be a good boy...and that she was so, so proud of you, Bolin."
The little earthbender's cheeks became moist once more, but Mako didn't miss the watery smile that graced his features. It was the same smile their mom once wore.
Inwardly, he was relieved that the boy hadn't thought to question his big brother's story. For, in truth, there were no such last words. There hadn't been time for any. His father had coughed one last time, and his mother had depleted the last of her strength with that shining smile of hers – the kind that even death couldn't claim – and shot a lingering look in his direction before the light in her eyes was cruelly snuffed out. A cough, a smile, and a look was all he got. And not a single word. The cinema and storybooks had always been far too kind in their renditions.
"Mako?" A voice shook him from his thoughts.
"Yea?"
A sniffle. "I love you, big bro."
"I love you back, little bro."
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owaranai
Thanks for reading! Review?
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