(SPOILERS FOR SEASON 4 OF KORRA, Bolin/Mako sick fic-takes place once Bolin returns to the others in Republic City/Air Temple Island)
UPDATED I have made a few changes...I'm editing as I go lol...NOTE I fixed duplicate chapter 9 so now chapter 8 is where it should be, in case you read it was were confused by the missing section! xoxo
Mako paced to and from the heavy metal doors nervously. Korra fidgeted nervously in her seat. Lin Bei Fong tapped her toe impatiently. Tenzin sat perfectly still, as did Jinora at his side. The tension in the room was almost audible, like a violin string that had been stretched to its limit and forced to vibrate. Asami cleared her throat from the corner, a delicate little noise that pierced the harsh silence and only added to the awkwardness. Prince Wu, who of course insisted on being there, leaned dramatically from his chair onto the table, like this was the most bored he had ever been in his life.
"WHAT IS TAKING SO LONG!?" Lin finally snapped, slamming her hands on the large table in front of her, her metal armour clanging loudly. Everyone except Tenzin jumped.
"I don't know, but this is getting ridiculous," said Korra. "Does the president know we have better things to do than wait around for him all day?"
Tenzin spoke calmly, as usual. "Now Korra, Varrick and Bolin have been gone for so long, and have crucial evidence and details for the President. We must be patient as they tell him everything they know. Only then can we form a plan to fight back against Kuvira together." Tenzin's settled manner only served to irritate Korra and Lin more, and they each let out an exasperated sigh.
Mako went back to pacing.
It had been so long since he had seen his brother, and their last parting had been an angry one. Mako remembered yelling, and the hurt look on Bolin's face. Hearing that his brother was back, after narrowly escaping an explosion, and saving the lives of refugees, and putting himself in so much danger, only made Mako want to hold his brother in his arms even more, and never let go. He had no idea how close he had come to losing him. Mako was just glad he was back, but the President had seqestered Bolin and Varrick away as soon as they returned, in order to keep any information about Kuvira spreading to anyone before him. Mako just wanted to see him. Just...see that he was okay.
After what seemed like another eternity, Korra stood up. She had been so much more steady in her antics of late, trying not to fly off the handle, but old habits die hard and she could still be impatient. "That's it. I'm going to go get them."
"Korra, no," said Jinora.
"No, I am so going. President Time-Waster is starting to annoy me!"
"I'll go with you," said Mako sternly.
Tenzin opened his mouth to protest, but Lin jumped up. "Me too," she said in her I-will-not-be-argued-with-voice.
"If you're all going I'm going!" cried Wu.
"NO! You stay here!" groaned Mako. The last thing he wanted was to watch the spoiled prince at a time like this. Tenzin tried to interject as the others argued, when suddenly the metal doors to the meeting room creaked open. Everyone stopped. Mako looked desperately as the bright light from the hallway illuminated the shape of Varrick, standing arms akimbo and grinning insanely with a raised eyebrow. He swanned in pompously. The President followed behind him.
Then there he was.
Bolin shuffled into the room. He looked a little skinnier that before, and he was still wearing his dirty uniform from Kuvira's army, but he was there. Everyone crowded around him. Mako was frozen in time, just watching.
"Bolin!" cried Korra, hugging him tightly. "I missed you!"
"I missed you too," he said smiling. He didn't seem as exuberant as usual. Asami hugged him too, and Tenzin shook his hand.
"Welcome back," said Tenzin.
"Thanks," said Bolin, rubbing his neck. He turned to Mako. Their eyes met, and then Bolin turned his-they were still bright green and beautiful, if not with bags under them-to the ground. He shuffled towards Mako. Mako wanted so much to embrace his brother, but something stopped him. Maybe it was the room full of people, or Prince Wu grinning at him stupidly, or the fact that Bolin looked so tired that too much physical contact might crush him.
"Listen, I..." Bolin's voice trembled and trailed off. "I'm really so-"
"No," Mako interrupted. "I'm the one who shou-"
"Can we get this stupid meeting over with now?" groaned Wu loudly. Mako was about to round on him, but President Raiko coughed pointedly. "Yes, if we can proceed?" he said in an irritable tone. Both Korra and Lin shot him a look and went to protest his time-wasting hypocrisy, but Tenzin ushered them to their seats quickly. Bolin walked, slowly and with heavy feet, to a seat at the large oak table and sat down. Mako noticed he seemed stiff.
Mako went to sit next to Bolin, but Wu grabbed him.
"Hey, welcome back to your brother and all but you still get to sit by me, you lucky bodyguard, you!"
"Yeah, lucky," Mako sighed Bolin smiled weakly and Mako resigned. He sat next to the prince, but stared intently at his brother across the table.
Bolin sat in between Korra and Jinora. He spoke a little to Korra, let out a laugh that sounded hollow at something she said. When Korra turned to talk to Asami, Bolin looked down at the fine, dark wood, and was silent. His shoulders slumped, his eyes were unfocused, and he looked sullen. Mako wanted to say something but the President began addressing the group. Mako listened half-heartedly as he watched his brother closely. Mako had never known Bolin to be so...quiet. And down-trodden. The feelings of concern mixed with feelings of joy that he was home, safe, and feelings of longing to take Bolin in his arms. Bolin let out a faint shudder. The President addressed him, and he seemed to come back to himself slightly. He answered the Presidents question coherently enough. Mako raised an eyebrow.
Maybe he was just tired.