A/N: Originally, I wasn't planning on uploading this here, but I got a great reaction to it on deviantart, so why not try it here? Please critique it ^-^ I really want to get better at writing. Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy!
Seeing his parents killed right in front of him had left him feeling empty. He longed for his mother's lullabies and his father's piggy back rides. He longed for the comfort of being loved. Everyday it became harder and harder to provide for himself and Bolin. They were running out of yuans they got for their allowances, and Mako had to start working in any store that would take someone his age. It was hard to leave Bolin in alleys by himself. Everyday at Narook's Seeweed Noodlery where he cleaned floors, he thought about his brother alone, getting hurt, and it killed him. He couldn't lose him, too.
He was always relieved when he came back and saw Bolin eagerly waiting for dinner. He sat down and handed whatever food he managed to scrape up that day to Bolin and his brother ate as quickly as possible. Mako relaxed and closed his eyes, tired from the days work. He felt a cool breeze and heard his brother's teeth chatter. Mako took off the scarf he always wore, the last object his father ever gave to him, and wrapped it around Bolin's neck. Bolin hugged it close to him and then looked at his brother with his big green eyes.
"When are mommy and daddy coming back? I want to go home."
This question hit him by surprise. This question had popped up through many conversations and Mako never knew how to answer it. He always responded with the same answer, "I'm pretty sure just a few more weeks now."
But more recently Bolin was catching on.
"You keep saying a few more weeks…. But they still aren't back!"
Mako couldn't lie to his brother forever. So he spilled it out.
"Bolin… Mom and dad… they… they…" He choked back his sobs. "Mom and dad aren't coming back."
Bolin gave him a confused look. "But, they wouldn't leave us…."
"Bolin, Mommy and Daddy were hurt, very badly hurt, by a mean firebender." He kept himself from crying for his younger brother. "They…. They d.. they d-d-d…. they are with Grandma and Grandpa now. They're in the spirit world, watching over us right now."
Bolin starting shaking his head, he couldn't accept it. He thought about no more of his mom's stories and no more of his dad's bear hugs. No more mom and dad. Tears started streaming down his face and he hugged his brother and cried into the crook in his neck.
"They can't be gone, Mako! They just can't!"
Mako rubbed Bolin's back like his mom used to when he fell practicing earthbending.
"I want them back, Mako." He sniffed and looked up at his big brother.
"I do too, Bo."