Summary: Bolin is on leave for a couple of nights and he needs to cut loose. Maybe things will get a bit rocky!
She would be waiting for him at the train station. He knew it, with his brother and Asami too. They'd all be there, they'd said so in their last letter. He'd waited for months to finally get his leave for a few days and now that he was in his seat, he couldn't believe it! Finally away from waking up at the crack of dawn - if he'd slept at all - finally away from the drills given from and to him, finally away from the battlefied. But best of all, he'd get to see their faces, talk to them and hear their voices. If he was lucky, and he was, he might get to take a picture or two, and bring those back to replace the outdated ones he kept in his rucksack. Needless to say, Bolin was excited.
The simple act of getting to the proper sation had been a drag to say the least. A ride in an army satomobile, a hike through some forest - or maybe it was a swamp - to end with a bus ride where he nearly missed his stop trying to stay awake. Then he had to deal with the damn office of travels. Who would've thought it could take up to three passports - one indicating his status as one of Kuvira's soldiers, one for his status as citizen of Republic City and a third one from Earth Kingdom - to get from some backwater Earth Kingdom camp to Republic City?
The train ride hadn't been such a cakewalk either. It was several days from his point of departure to his destination. Which was why he could only stay a coulple of days - or why he got to come at all if he wanted to look at it from an optimistic point of view - any other camp would've been too far for regular leave. Not only was the ride long, each cart was jam packed of travellers; luckily for him, his cart was occupied by soldiers so he didn't have to worry about someone stealing his stuff. Apart from the time their train got jumped some time after its second stop. Some militia who thought they could handle almost an entire battalion of trained soldier desperately wanting to get home. Pfft as if, he thought to himself, bitting his lower lip .
At this very moment though, Bolin was resting his head against the window, his entire body sore and tired from the trip. When they crossed the borders a few ways back, he had perked up somewhat, but he knew better than to tire himself the entire way home by fidgeting and just being overly happy. So he took a nap.
He jerked awake when the train suddenly stopped, nearly sending him flying off his seat. He got up, glancing out the window quickly. Eyebrows furrowed in confusion, he walked towards the locomotive. This was why he hated being one of the ranking officers, but in all honesty he would have went anyway. He noticed the train hadn't entirely stopped when he stepped outside, but its speed had considerably been reduced. He made his way to his destination and talked with the crew. After a quick explanation that the furnace had cracked and wasn't heating things fast enough, Bolin took some time to think about things.
"Damn," he muttered, taking off his jacket.
They were standing at the railway station with other families and friends, all waiting for the arrival of some troops. The three of them had been sitting on a bench for the majority of the afternoon, knowing only that the train was supposed to arrive today. This very morning, actually; the train had been late and they couldn't do anything about it but wait. At least, they figured, it was a nice day and Bolin wouldn't be greeted by thunderclouds and rain.
The other people had some interesting things to say, at least. Many of them had wanted to talk with Team Avatar, every member there famous in their own right. Conversations and small games kept them from the boredom and anxiety of waiting, for the most part.
All three felt at least some degree of anxiety at the prospect of seeing Bolin. For Mako, it was the first time the brothers had been separated for more than a day or two's time, and even the more-than-frequent letters he sent and received couldn't calm down his mother henning instincts; pure and simple he had hated being apart from Bolin.
Asami, for her part, had been mostly happy for Bolin. The letters she received and sent could usually be boiled down to banter and recounting of recent events on their part. She had missed her best friend and ex-assistant - which was sometimes what she called him in her letters to tease him - and couldn't wait to hang out with him again.
Korra had also missed Bolin, but she deduced after a while that her sentiment was different than her friends'. The letters only made her want to talk to him more, to see him again. In written form it was so easy; the two told each other funny or important things happening, they doodled in the margins and even sometimes incluided some kind of game after the letter. Like the others, she got to see Bolin's handwriting get exponentially better, and she found it made her truly happy to be part of that experience. She longed to see him, to hang out and have fun, to prank Mako. She had missed Bolin.
They looked up from whatever they were doing when someone shouted. Standing up, they saw in the distance the train approaching, leaving behind it the deserts and plains of the Earth Kingdom. It made a black stream of smoke as it came closer, burning some more coal for the final hundreds of meters.
Around them people approached the platform, crowding it excessively. Although they were packed like sardines the station was deathly quiet, everyone waiting to see if their loved one would be stepping off the train. The beat up green and grey locomotive slowed down in preparation to make its final stop. The last thirty meters or so took agonizingly long, the breaks screeching loudly.
Finally, the train stopped and for a moment everyone held their breath. The doors creaked open, people from all over the Earth Kingdom all but pouring out, shouting names of people - friends, families or sweethearts - and the people already there standing on the tip of their feet, shouting more names and looking around. This was it, the three thought. The anticipation was killing them as they waited, and waited. Slowly, the number of people dwindled, a few families leaving at a time. Still no sight of Bolin.
"Where is he?" Mako muttered under his breath, his voice shaky from ill conceiled worry.
"He'll be there," Asami replied, putting a hand on his shoulder, probably stopping him from running into the crowd.
Korra hoped she was right. Not that she doubted Bolin, but life sometimes had a knack for getting in the way. She looked around, noticing only a few people were left besides them; mostly some people still waiting and some waiting to board the next train, she figured.
The few remaining soldiers exited the train, two of them waiting by the door. One was carrying an extra coat that looked too big for him or his friend. They were talking animatedly, one foot still on the step from the train. She looked at Mako and Asami, an eyebrow raised incredulously. A shrug and a shake of a head was her answer.
"Thanks for holding onto my jacket!" said Bolin's voice from inside, muffled by the cart.
Mako and Korra dashed forward, with Asami making her way there a bit more calmly, but esctatic nonetheless. They stopped a few steps from the two soldiers, waiting for Bolin to make his way out.
The door to the washroom inside slid open, revealing their friend. He stepped out, onto the platform, his back straight and his strides purposeful. Korra couldn't deny she was somewhat disappointed he wasn't in full uniform with his hair done and everything; instead he was wearing his undershirt, which was singed at places and he was covered in dark smudges, his was was a mess too. He looked up at them, his eyes lighting up at the sight of his friends. Immediately his stance loosened; his back arched slightly in his confident and open posture, he no longer stood on his heels but rather on the balls of his feet and his hands relaxed. Though in Korra's opinion the biggest change had been in his face. He lost his polite smile to his usual goofy grin, his eyebrows arching happily over his peridot-emerald eyes that were now shining instead of guarded.
He made quick work of the remaining few feet, opening his hands for a hug that was instantly taken by Mako.
"'S good to see you bro," Bolin said into his brother's shoulder.
"They better be taking care of you over there," Mako replied, mother-henning already.
Bolin chuckled, taking a small step back. "You better not be overworking yourself again. At least tell me you don't sleep under your desk anymore?"
Now it was Mako's turn to chuckle. He shook his head. "No, none of that, I swear."
He glanced over his brother's shoulder to get a look at the rest of his welcoming party. He smiled, taking a couple of steps around Mako, opening his arms again. He hugged Asami first, careful not to stain her outfit - though she didn't seem to care much and hugged him tightly - letting her ruffle his hair like she did sometimes.
"It's good to finally see you," she told him, smiling.
"Same here," he breathed out, giving a small nod.
He didn't have time to say anything else; Korra cut his airflow with a bear hug, like the ones he used to give. Only, she didn't lift him off the ground. He hugged her back, with just as much fervor, lifting her off the ground.
"I missed you," Korra breathed out after a while.
He put her down. "Missed you too."
She punched his shoulder lightly. "I can't believe it! It's the first time we see each other in forever and you don't even dress up! Look at you!" she teased, poking at the singed spots on him, and ruffling his hair further. He let her, chuckling quietly.
"Sorry. Furnace broke down, I was the only one able to heat up the coal," he started to explain and went on to retell the entire trip.
The airbending family had been ecstatic to see him again. Meelo had reclaimed his place on Bolin's shoulders briefly before he was tackled into a hug by Ikki, Kai and an embarrassed Jinora. The first thing he'd done afterwards was picking up Kai, commenting on how much he'd grown. She couldn't help the pang of jealousy; picking her up wasn't the first thing he did when he saw her. She squashed it down guiltily and brought him under their favourite moon peach tree. There they talked and ate, killing the last few hours of the afternoon before supper.
Pema had made an enormous meal, consisting mostly of food Bolin liked, with many dumplings and southern water tribe food. He'd frozen momentarily at the sight of so much food - and the prospect of choosing what he was going to eat for once - and jolingly asked Mako what he should start with. It worked, and he ate his small meal quietly to the confusion of the others. He gave many thanks for the amazing food the sat there until everyone else was also done.
Korra made the effort - although he'd been quieter, it wasn't such an arduous task - to strike up a conversation with him. Her first question was about army food.
"It's not that bad," he shrugged. "It's just not three stars-level. Every meal has all the nutrients you need and it's free."
"Speaking of free food," she said, snapping her fingers as she remembered something. "There's this place downtown I think you'd like, it's a hotspot for music, dancing and fun!"
"I don't get how that has to do with free food?" he replied, puzzled.
"Food'll be on me!" She nudged his shoulder. "'S the least I can do to welcome you back!"
"I guess," he sais hesitantly. He'd really wanted to just relax, but she seemed so into it he couldn't bring himself to say no.
"Alright! I'll swing by your room later to pick you up," she explained as she stood to help with the dishes.
There was a knock and the door slid open. In Korra stepped, wearing not her usual water tribe clothing but her outfit for the night: dark brown pants that ended in knee high boots, a white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled covered by a burgundy waistcoat. Bolin took one look and had to sit down.
"I thought this was casual," he said from the bed. He'd been wearing his "casual" outfight which consisted of trousers and a dress shirt.
"It is," she deadpanned. "We'll be dancing."
She gave him a once over, pulling him onto his feet. She went to his bag and started rummaging. Obviously not finding what she'd been looking for, she sighed and went to his closet. She pulled out a pair of dancing shoes and suspenders.
"Here," she said, thrusting the items in his hands. "Belt off, shoes off and put these on instead."
He did as she instructed, deciding to roll his sleeves to match her, to her approval. He took his travel mirror from his pack and looked at himself. He snapped the suspenders self-consciously, wondering why they looked like waiters that had just finished their shifts. Maybe it was a new trend, he told himself, after all they change every few months - sometimes weeks - and he was gone for almost two years in the army.
"So I take it this is a jazz place?" he asked, noticing her boots had similar soles to his.
"You'll see," she avoided answering, a playful smile on her face. "Now let's go! We'll be late!" she said, practically pushing him towards his door, out the building and onto the ferry.
They got stopped several times on their way to their destination - Bolin heard Korra call it a mix between a tavern and a dancing hall, a club. It was to be expected, being who they were, but it served to irk Korra somewhat and unsettle Bolin. He still enjoyed the attention, but the questions didn't always sit right with him.
Despite their multiple stops, both voluntarily and not - Korra had insisted on making him taste a desert from a specific vendor on their way - the duo arrived in downtown Republic City. Where the party always was, Bolin remembered Shady Shin telling him as a way to memorize the layout of the city.
The tall buildings made way for the shorter, stouter ones that housed drinks ranging from cactus juice to absinthe, amongsg other things. A few dance halls popped up here and there, but Korra bypassed them all, leading Bolin by the hand towards a specific one he couldn't yet identify.
He noticed that, as they approached, a pecular sound could be heard. Korra had started humming along pleasantly, slowing her step to a leisurely stroll that allowed Bolin to drink in the sounds and the sights and the smells of his native city. Spirits he'd missed this, normal noise, not just drills or the sound of pounding feet or that of mechas roving around or even fighting.
The building they were heading for was the loudest on the street, yet somehow managed to be the least obnoxious. The building itself was plain, the polar opposite of the surrounding flamboyant establishments, making it ironically stand out. Many satomobiles were parked in front of it, some people conversing while leaning against them.
Korra pulled open the door, quickening the tempo of her steps to match the song's. The music was what threw Bolin in for a loop the most. The beat was quick - like the jazz or rockabilly he used to listen to - but the music ressembled the blues and some country. It was an odd mix that made him sway to its melody. He couldn't wait to dance with Korra.
They made their way to the edge of the dance floor. He could feel thr beat in his bone and the bass in his gut, but seeing the other dancers made him hesitate. He recognized the moves from swing dancing, but was a bit reluctant to join in. Until he felt Korra's hand gently tug on his own.
"Ready?" She asked, her eyes flitting here and there before landing on him. She was smiling and he could detect the same vibe he felt when they were getting in sync in the arena.
He sighed, but grinned back. "Let's do this," he answered, squeezing her hand a bit.
Taking his invitation, she led him onto the floor. She deftly placed her left hand in his right one, moving her right one to his hip, letting him settle his left hand on her shoulder. As the previous song ended and was replaced by an easy beat, the two swayed in rythm. Everybody waited for the song to be put on. After a few clicks and whirrs, the beat suddenly stopped, replaced by energetic drumming and a funky bass. Some guitars started playing, adding to the melody.
"Been workin' so hard, I'm punchin' my card," came the singer's voice.
Korra took a step forward, gently pushing him backwards to get started. She led him into the dance, at the beginning with easy steps, adding a twirl every so often.
He saw other couples dancing; the steps they were taking or the manoeuvres they made. It wasn't long before he wanted to do the same and cut loose. Bolin caught her staring at him, her cheeks starting to flush a bit.
"What?" she asked over the music.
"What do you think we show them how it's done?"
She nodded once, pushing herself off a bit. They bent their legs, swing them at the knees in time with the music. Their free hands waving and snapping to the beat energetically. Standing back up at the pause in the song, he grabbed her by the hips, winked and lifted her above his head. He swung her back down, between his legs, then, springing herself back up she told him to bend over.
Korra pushed his head down and rolled on his back, doing a side flip, taking his left hand in her right one as she did so. They got back into doing small steps, throwing more elaborate flips and jumps in for fun.
"Loose, footloose! Kick off your sunday shoes!" The singer belted out, his voice thick, as if daring them to do even more.
"Turn around," he ordered, smiling.
She did, and saw his hands between her legs. Smirking, she bent down to grab them, and on the crescendo of the final chorus Bolin flipped. He held onto one of her hands and when she landed he twirled her and they ended together. His arm wrapped around her shoulder, her arm around his waist; their heaving chests barely touching with each gasp of breath; almost nose to nose, they could see the heat in the other's eyes.
"Uh, K-" he was cut off by her lips gently pecking the corner of his mouth.
"I missed you," she breathed out. "Waddya say we get outta here?"
He smiled, an eyebrow raised. "One more?" He asked.
She laughed, but pulled his head down to kiss him. He made a surprised noise, but gladly kissed her back.
"That... Was amazing," he said, flustered but happy. "But I meant dancing."