Set between "Civil Wars: Part 1" and "Part 2."

"On your back."

"On my back?" Bolin gulps as Eska advances. "But you're a waterbender! A little puddle shouldn't scare you!"

"Boyfriend, your pleas amuse me. Now carry me."

Resistance is futile. Bolin kneels to allow Eska an easier path onto his back. The unwanted image of Korra mounting Naga flashes before his eyes. Then Eska knees him in the side while she clambers up, and all he can focus on is his throbbing ribs. He supposes she doesn't mean to hurt him… well, not much anyway. So he suppresses a wince, wrapping his arms around his girlfriend's legs.

Desna watches impassively from the street. He has already sidestepped the puddle and waits for his sister on the other side, examining her mount with a vague distaste knitted through his brows. Bolin shivers under his look, his knees groaning while he stands.

"You may walk us through the puddle," Eska says, clutching Bolin's neck too tight for his comfort. He ignores the pinch and steps forward. The top of his boots rise above the water in the road. Was Eska really surprised that the Southern Water Tribe collected a bit of water in its streets?

Crossing the pool takes Bolin half the time that Eska took mounting him. But arguing with her would have quadrupled that time. So Bolin walks until he stands several paces away from the offending puddle. His shoulders ache. He scans the ground— dry. "Hope you enjoyed your ride!"

Before he can bend to let her slide off, Eska laughs mirthlessly. The sound crawls down Bolin's spine. "What do you mean 'enjoyed'?"

"I— uh— There's no more water in the road and—"

"It seems that you're under the impression that this ride is over. Onward, my uncultured buffalo deer."

Bolin is sweating now, something he never thought possible in the cold of the South Pole. "This is not how I pictured I'd be spending my Saturday night," he chuckles nervously, flinching as Eska tugs on his shirt collar.

"Faster, my feeble turtle duck," she commands.

Bolin is suddenly very glad that Mako is not here to see him like this. Reduced to a steed. He can practically hear Mako's groan of dismay in his head… Or is that the sound of his knees giving out?

Eska digs her heels into his stomach and Bolin grits his teeth. "Yes, my… scary ice princess."

When Eska suggests that he also carry Desna on his front, koala otter style, Bolin reminds himself for the sixtieth time that evening that he needs to break up with her soon. Then when he imagines telling Eska no, he decides that giving the twins a ride around the village doesn't sound so bad.