Author's Note: I've decided this is most likely where I'm going to dump all of my Bolin and Mako angst LOL. We find more about what's going on in the city. To be clear the focus of this story is what's happening to Bolin and not romantic drama although there may be some. Also Bolin may seem a bit OOC here but who acts like their normal chipper self when they're sick? Thanks to everyone who reviewed! It made me feel like this isn't total crap… xD
~~~GW~~~
Chapter 2: Blistered Red
The next day came, the sun filling the loft with its warm rays as Bolin lay sleeping in bed. His fever hadn't diminished in the night despite Mako applying cold rags to his clammy skin and he'd tossed and turned all night long until the blankets on his bed were a twisted mess. To make matters worse his shivering hadn't slacked off and Mako had to direct him to the bucket he'd placed beside the bed as Bolin emptied his stomach several times throughout the night. His breath rasped wetly in his throat and sweat poured off of him, dampening the sheets beneath his body. When he did finally stir in rare moments of awareness it only served to worry Mako more. His thoughts weren't lucid and he often confused Mako for someone else, forgetting where he was at and what was happening.
Mako sighed, lost in thoughts of his brother as he stirred the pot of soup he was boiling. Beside him the radio fizzed with a murmur of noise that he was only partially paying attention to. Outside of the window snow flurries drifted lazily towards the ground and he could feel the cold seeping in from the window panes. Briefly he made a mental note to throw more blankets over Bolin before a man's voice drew his attention back to the radio.
"As the population increases and people grow more cramped in the city it's natural for diseases and illnesses to spread. I keep pressing, the sewage systems need to be improved on! Water's fine with the help of waterbending technology but who cares about sewage huh?" Some man vented, his voice cutting in and out from static.
"Ah yes, there's reportedly been that sickness spreading through the lower areas of town. Doctors aren't sure what is it but they're cautioning people to be aware…" The interviewer piped up.
"Right as I'm saying the more people crowded together the easier it is for illnesses to be passed on! Sewage and trash filled streets cause disease to spread and the whole thing is just unsanitary! That's what the council needs to be focusing on at the moment instead of trying to appease these unhappy nonbenders! Really, who cares who can bend when disease is threatening the population-benders and nonbenders alike?" The man demanded and the radio host cleared his throat.
"Yes well said, you heard that folks! We should all stick together and deal with the issues this city has together! Doctors caution to wash your hands and-" Mako's brow furrowed in thought, mulling over what he'd just heard as an advertisement for some soap brand crackled over the air. He hesitated, stirring the pot of soup mindlessly. He…was taking care of Bolin right? They'd escaped that level of filth and poverty…right?
"Oy, you just not feel like showing up to practice today or should I call it quits on you two?" A gruff voice suddenly demanded from the attic stairs and Mako jumped, sloshing soup dangerously close to the burner of the stove as he whirled around. The grizzled face of Toza glared at him as the older man rested a hand on the floor and hoisted himself through the hole in the floor. "Nngh I'm getting' too old to be clambering up here for your sorry selves!" He grumbled and Mako mentally face palmed himself.
"The practice! I completely forgot Toza, I meant to tell you!" He sighed and the old man harrumphed before glancing around the small room.
"Where's yer brother? It's not like you two ta miss a practice." The older trainer asked, a tiny hint of concern in his gruff voice. Mako's gaze flickered up towards the loft and Toza's followed.
"He's sick." Mako muttered.
"Sick?"
"Yeah, it's pretty bad. Did um…did Korra stop by for practice?" He asked absently and Toza shook his head, both of them listening as a wet cough sounded from upstairs.
"Nope, she told me to tell ya she has some Air training or something."
"Oh…listen Toza, I gotta go find her. Do you…" Mako hesitated, scratching at the back of his head, eyes trained on the floor. He didn't expect help from anyone, he was so used to having to do without and he wasn't quite sure if the grumpy older man would be willing or not. "Do you mind keeping an eye on Bolin while I'm gone?" He finally asked and Toza snorted, pointedly staring at the wall as he scowled in mock irritation.
"Yer brother's sick and ya run off ta find a girl?" He asked, lofting a bushy eyebrow at the younger boy.
"She can heal with her waterbending, I've seen it." Mako supplied and Toza grunted.
"Don't think it works on something like this…" He muttered before pursing his lips. "I reckon I could be bothered to pop in once and a while…" He relented grudgingly, peering at Mako to see if the boy was laughing at him. Instead he was met with an incredibly grateful expression and with a start the older man awkwardly fumed, grumbling to himself in agitation.
"Thanks Toza, I swear once Bolin's better I'll scrub the whole gym or something!" Mako grinned, dashing up the ladder to grab his coat and scarf. He ducked into their bedroom, shrugging on his long jacket and twining his beloved red scarf around his throat to ward off the cold outside. Mako paused, bending over Bolin and adjusting the cool cloth on his brother's head with affectionate care.
"Bolin, hey Bolin." He whispered and the younger boy mumbled before turning over, Pabu curled tightly by his side.
"Mmm?" Bolin slurred, blinking open his normally vibrant green eyes.
"Listen Bolin, I'm stepping out for a bit but I'll be back as soon as I can. Toza is here if you need anything, alright?" Mako informed him, worried his brother would retort and demand he stay there. To his surprise though Bolin simply nodded tiredly and rolled back over in bed.
"Mm a'right dad…" He sighed and Mako felt his breath catch painfully in his throat. He swallowed down the thick lump and ruffled Bolin's hair before tugging his scarf up around his mouth in an attempt to hide his emotions.
"Get some rest bro." He called behind him before clattering hurriedly down the ladder. If Toza noticed the upset look on his face he didn't say anything.
Mako meandered his way down the street, hands shoved deep in his pockets, a scowl on his face and a basket looped around one muscular arm. He'd trekked all the way to the Air temple only to find Korra had been called away with something to do with the city and wasn't even there. With a look of concern at his explanation a very pregnant Pema had insisted on fixing him a basket with food and some herbs for tea. He'd thanked her honestly and she'd bid him goodbye, wishing Bolin well and promising to tell Korra that it was important that she come see them.
With a disgruntled sigh he picked up his pace, seeking out the drab little herbal remedy shop that squatted on the corner.
"Oh Mako, how are you?" A woman hailed him from a food stand and Mako sent her a vague wave in return.
"Just fine Mrs. Mahya, how's your husband?"
"Oh much better now that he's resting his back!" The woman smiled, dimples appearing at the corner of her mouth as she chortled and waved her hand in the air. "Say where's Bolin? Normally he's trailing you like a lost puppy!" She beamed and Mako sighed.
"He's sick ma'am, I was just picking him up some medicine…" He replied and worry immediately creased the woman's round face.
"Oh dear! He hasn't got what's going around has he?" She asked anxiously and Mako shrugged silently. "Well I'll tell you what…let me just wrap up some of his favorite buns for you to take back to him-" She began, already picking a generous portion of the steaming buns off of the heating rack and placing them in a bundle.
"Oh no, I have to buy him medicine Mrs. Mahya, there's no way-"
"A gift! It's a gift! For him to feel better! Sick people need to eat good food to recover faster!" She waved his objections off, folding the top of the brown paper bag over so the buns wouldn't spill out. "Besides he fixed the broken wheel on my cart the other day. If it wasn't for him I wouldn't have been able to take my wares home and goodness knows they would've been stolen! Just don't let my husband know!" She smiled and winked at him and he thanked her, knowing it meant money lost out of her pocket. It was a rarity for someone on the street to give away free food of any sort and her kindness did not go unappreciated. He felt a leap of pride in him at how fond everyone was of his little brother. Briefly a wry grin twisted the corners of his mouth upwards as he tucked the bag of buns into the basket on his arm and made his way to the remedy shop.
His good mood didn't last long though as he eyed the prices scrawled in neat, thin handwriting underneath the bins of herbs. He supposed Pema's herbal teas would have to do the job as he jangled what little change he had left in his pocket. Silently he thanked the pregnant woman again before sighing and leaving the shop.
When he made it back to the training room Toza was just finishing up with one of the Probending teams and hailed him over as the team was packing up their equipment. Mako drifted over, impatient to get back to his brother.
"How's Bolin?"
"Eh, boy was sleeping last couple of times I checked." The older man replied as the Probending team called goodbye. Toza waved them off impatiently before eyeing Mako up and down. "Where's the healer girl?" He asked gruffly, hiding his concern behind a façade of callousness. Mako scowled and hefted the basket in his gloved hand.
"I couldn't find her, she's busy with city business." He brushed it off and Toza hummed to himself in thought.
"Hm well anyways, tell the kid to hurry up and get better. If you two have ta drop out of the matches then I'm out an investment!" Toza spat, somehow managing to appear both offended and worried all in one go. Mako suppressed a smile at the old man's disgruntled care and made his way towards the steep set of stairs leading up to the attic the two brothers shared.
"Will do Toza." He called over his shoulder. The loft was quiet as he mounted the stairs and emerged on the landing, setting the basket on the table squatting in front of the couch. With a frown Mako shed his coat and threw it across the arm of the chair, rekindling the dying fire in the stove to warm the attic. With apprehension he scaled the ladder to their bedroom and quietly crept his way over to his brother's bed. Bolin lay unnaturally still, face a pale pallor, a flush of red fever tingeing his round cheeks and button nose. Mako pressed the back of his hand to his younger brother's cheek before checking his forehead. If anything he seemed hotter since he'd left. Bolin's eyes slowly blinked open, the pupils a dull dark color so opposite from their normally snappish bright green color.
"Mmm hey Mako have you seen Pabu? I can't find Pabu…" Bolin murmured sleepily and Mako glanced down at the fire ferret curled snugly against his brother's side.
"Bolin, he's right here…" He began when his brother interrupted him again.
"Did you have to work for the Triads today?"
"What?" Mako asked confused, crouching close to the bed.
"That's why you left…" Bolin whispered, eyes gradually sliding shut again and Mako stared hard at his brother. Work for the Triads?
"Bolin I-" He cut off, thoughts milling about. He hadn't worked crunching numbers for the Triple Threats in several years now. Bolin knew that. He'd specifically forbid the earthbender from having any dealings with them... That was it. That was the kicker. Mako suddenly rose to his feet, throwing the covers back from Bolin's shivering form. He seized his brother under the armpits and hauled him upright in bed, slinging his arm around his shoulders and pulling the shorter boy's weight onto his frame. Bolin made a noise of objection, opening his eyes again and blinking in confusion as he sagged against Mako in support.
"Come on Bo, we're gonna take a shower." Mako informed him firmly, lips pressed into a thin line.
"I don't wanna, I wanna sleep-" Bolin whined, allowing himself to be dragged towards the ladder despite his objections. "'M tired Mako, I don't feel well…"
"I know Bo, I know. A nice shower will make you feel better. Trust me." Mako soothed, carefully navigating their way down the ladder with some difficulty and then the stairs. He hauled his brother towards the showers where they usually washed up after practice and once there he allowed the younger boy to slump on a bench. Mako twisted the knob in one of the showers, turning the water on at full blast and stripping Bolin down to his boxers despite his weak protests. Mako took a deep breath and then abruptly shoved Bolin into the shower.
The reaction was instantaneous as the frigid water came in contact with his skin. He howled, clutching at Mako's sleeves, eyes snapping wide open as he tried to leap out from underneath the ice cold spray. Mako gritted his teeth, pressing Bolin back into the water, his sleeves quickly becoming soaked as the two struggled.
"We've got to bring your fever down Bo! Trust me!" Mako yelled over Bolin's shouting. The younger brother clawed at him, shivering and shaking pitifully as his hair slicked against the side of his head and hung in limp locks down his neck.
"Mako! Mako! Stop! It's too cold!" He pleaded desperately and Mako felt a pang of guilt twist in his gut.
"I know Bo, the cold will bring your fever down. Just stay in!" He growled, shoving the other boy back into the shower once again. By now his whole front was soaked, his heavy winter clothes thirstily wicking up the cold water and turning a dark shade of color. Bolin seemed to grow tired, what strength he'd summoned to try and force his way out of the shower quickly drained from him and he looked up at Mako with trembling lips. Mako was shocked to see tears beading in his brother's eyes before abruptly spilling over in thick fat drops. Bolin sniffled, scrubbing at his face as he slid to the floor of the shower. His skin had blanched an even paler color at the icy touch of the water and his frame trembled with shakes, teeth chattering so badly he could hardly talk.
"Y-you h-hate m-me!" He sobbed and Mako startled at the uncharacteristic behavior his sibling was showing.
"No Bo I'm taking care of you. You've got a fever and it has to come down or things will get worse!" He stressed, his hand resting firmly on Bolin's bare shoulder. "I know it's cold but it's only for a minute."
"No I hate you back!" Bolin shouted in reply and the two lapsed into silence as Bolin pouted shivering dejectedly. After a minute Mako turned off the water and immediately bundled his brother up in a swath of thick towels. He'd probably hear it later from Toza about how many he was using up but at the moment he really didn't care. He was drying a sullen Bolin off when he noticed the redness. With alarm he pulled the towel away and examined the flushed skin on his brother's torso with unease.
"Bo did you do something to your chest?" He asked seriously, brushing a finger over the raised skin. Sluggishly his brother shook his head no, eyes threatening to close again as his head dipped dangerously low. "Hey stay awake on me just a little longer." Mako instructed, peering closely at his skin. The flesh was an angry red in color, raised up in swollen patches that mottled the skin across his chest and up towards his armpits. It inched its way up his neck a bit and trailed across one arm in splotches. A rash. Bolin had developed a rash of some kind. He realized, brow furrowing in thought. With anxiety building in his chest Mako quickly finished toweling his brother off and helped him dress in warm night clothes. The two struggled their way back upstairs with Mako supporting a majority of the earthbender's weight and Mako let him rest on the couch while he brewed a cup of tea using the herbs Pema had given him.
The shock of the cold shower seemed to have brought the dangerously raging fever down a notch, at least temporarily. Bolin lay curled up on the couch in a pile of blankets, still shivering violently as his eyelids drooped heavily and his head bobbed downwards towards his chest. Mako set about reheating the soup he'd prepared earlier, determined to get some sustenance into his sickly brother. While it was heating he poured a mug of the tea and sat on the table in front of Bo, pressing the hot cup into his brother's hands. Bolin accepted the cup with a wan smile, seeming more alert as he sipped tentatively at the steaming brew before immediately crinkling his nose in distaste.
"Ugh…" He started but Mako scowled and pushed the cup back towards him.
"Don't even start little bro! It's good for you, drink up!" Mako insisted firmly, leaving no room for arguments. Mako rummaged in the basket of food and pulled out the brown bag of buns. "Oh Mrs. Mahya gave me some of your favorite buns on the house. She says to hurry and get well." Mako grinned, unfolding the bag and setting it on the table.
"That was nice of her!" Bolin smiled, eagerly digging into the bag and chomping into one of the rolls with some of his usual vigor. He managed to down one and some soup, pouting childishly when Mako made him finish off the bitter tasting tea. While he was busy eating Mako went up to the loft and stripped the sheets damp with fevered sweat off of Bolin's bed. He hesitated before pulling the clean blankets off of his own bed and remaking Bolin's with them, bundling the dirty sheets up for washing later. When he climbed back down the ladder Bolin was already nodding off to sleep on the couch. He hoisted his brother back up to the bedroom and tucked him adamantly in, piling just about every blanket they had on top of him. When that was done he finally flopped down on the couch with a sigh and allowed his eyes to close for a brief moment. Abruptly he realized that the front of his clothes was still wet from the fight in the shower and there was a pile of sheets and another pile of wet towels waiting for him. With a huff of irritation he decided he might as well do a bit of laundry and heaved himself off of the couch.
The shower's warmth soothed the ache from his muscles and Mako rotated his shoulder with a noise of appreciation, vaguely reflecting on how much Bolin had grown over the years. It was just about all he could do to heft the stocky boy over his shoulder and haul him up and down the ladder. His stature was quickly becoming one of a well-practiced earthbender, the once painfully skinny frame filling out with muscles earned from hefting and shifting massive chunks of earth about. Mako himself was much more lithe, his weight distributed along a taller frame that allowed him to excel at his cool under fire style of fighting. With a wry smile he realized Bolin really was growing up even if he still acted childish at times.
Someone's voice interrupted his thoughts, the muffled calls drifting into the shower room as whoever it was entered the gym shouting at what was probably the top of their lungs. With a growl of irritation Mako hurriedly toweled off, yanking on a pair of pants and stomping his way towards the door. If they kept it up they'd wake Bolin up and his brother really needed his sleep. No one should be in the gym anyways, all of the Probending practices had ended for the day. He wrenched open the door and rounded the corner sharply, clearly prepared to fuss at whoever was causing all of that racket when he abruptly felt someone bounce off of his bare chest. Cold fingers pressed against his flesh and his mouth fell open in surprise as the person gave a shocked shout before stumbling back.
"Hey watch where you're going!" A very familiar brazen voice snapped at him and suddenly Korra was standing there, eyes wide, mouth opened in a mirror image of his expression. She was still clothed in heavy winter clothes from traipsing around outside and the two stared at one another in stunned silence before a blush abruptly lit up her face as her eyes fell on Mako's bare chest. His own face immediately flushed and hurriedly he took a quick step back and tugged his shirt on over his head.
"Korra." He said, his voice muffled by the fabric. "What are you doing here?" He asked and she blinked before clenching her hands into fists.
"Pema said you came looking for me? She said it was important…" She replied, lofting an eyebrow at him as she rested her hands on her hips. Mako blinked and then looked down at her with understanding.
"Oh, yeah listen…can your waterbending help with sicknesses?" He asked, cutting straight to the point in his normal brisk manner. Korra's eyes widened and she bit her bottom lip between her teeth.
"Um no I don't think so. It just works with wounds and stuff, I think illness needs to take its course and everything…" There was a long moment of silence as Mako sighed, his shoulders sagging at the disappointment. A worried look came across her face and she glanced around them. "Why? Who's sick? Where's Bolin?" She demanded anxiously, brow furrowing in nervousness.
"He's sleeping upstairs, he hasn't been feeling well lately…" Mako muttered, toweling his wet hair off with one hand.
"What? Really? Is he alright?" Korra pressed uneasily and Mako shrugged.
"He should be alright, I'll take care of him." He responded gruffly and Korra frowned before pressing a finger to her chin.
"What about the match next week? Is he going to be okay to fight in it?"
"Who knows?" Mako snapped, suddenly feeling irritated and tired.
"Well sor-rrry mister grumpy pants, geez I was just curious!" Korra snipped back with a scowl. "Anyways can I see him? I mean can I help in any way?" She implored worriedly and Mako sighed before glancing down at her. She had a pout on her face, lip poked out slightly as she stared up at him with wide blue eyes. Finally he relented.
"Well it's kinda gross or whatever, but I could use help with the laundry." He replied gruffly, rubbing at the back of his neck and half expecting her to change her mind and leave.
"Oh please have you seen Meelo's clothes after a mud bath?" Korra countered with a teasing grin and Mako rolled his eyes before shrugging.
"Fair enough." He surrendered. He was hesitant to admit it but doing laundry was a lot easier when you had a waterbender helping you. Korra twisted the water out of the wet clothes and carefully maneuvered the bubble so that it fell harmlessly back into the wash tub. Mako shook out a blanket and then neatly folded it into a square before adding it to the finished pile. They spoke awkwardly at first before gradually warming into idle chatter. She told him about what had her busy all day and how frustrated she was starting to get with the police and Mako told her how Bolin had been faring and about Pema and visiting the island.
"I'm sorry I can't help Bolin." Korra suddenly spoke up, eyes focused on emptying the tub of water. Mako looked over at her and shrugged.
"If it's not something you can do then it's not something you can do." He waved it off, hoisting the pile of clean laundry up on his shoulder. "I'll take care of him like I always do. You may be the Avatar but that doesn't make you all powerful." He teased, the shy hint of a smirk flickering across his mouth. She returned it with a punch to the arm and he acted like it had hurt even though it really actually had.
The two of them made their way up to the living space the boys shared and Korra insisted on peeking in on Bolin who was sleeping heavily in his bed. She brushed that funny stray lock of hair off of his forehead and patted his arm in a comforting way.
"I'll come visit you when you're awake Bolin." She whispered quietly, trying not to wake him. His chest rose and fell in rapid breaths and she frowned in worry at the shallow breathing. "Hurry and get well!" She instructed seriously, giving Pabu a brief scratch behind his ears as he chirruped in greeting. Downstairs she folded her arms protectively over her chest and avoided Mako's sharp gaze. "So…if he gets worse what are you going to do?" She asked softly and Mako pursed his lips, tugging his scarf up over his mouth in an attempt to hide his frown. He didn't meet her eyes either. This was none of her concern the way he saw it.
"I'll just borrow some money to take him to a doctor. It can come out of our share of the winnings from the next match." He told her, not liking how unsure he sounded even to his own ears. She screwed her face up in a look of contemplation and gestured her hand vaguely in the air.
"Um, I'm sure if I ask Tenzin…Air Acolytes are known for their charity-" She bit off the words immediately, realizing her mistake about the time Mako stiffened. His face darkened and he scowled at her, all of the boyish charm he'd been showing earlier gone.
"Thanks for the offer Korra but we're not your own personal pity party!" He snapped in aggravation. "If you want to get that warm tingling feeling inside go adopt an orphan or rescue a Hedgecat or something." He growled and she shrank back, planting her hands angrily on her hips.
"You know what I mean! Look I'm just trying to help!" She retorted in irritation and he rolled his eyes. Suddenly he just felt extremely tired. He felt much older than his age as if the past couple of years of being overly mature and living on the streets were abruptly catching up with him.
"Maybe if you'd ever had to work for your money you wouldn't give it away so freely." He scowled.
"Maybe if you weren't so hardheaded you two would be better off!" Korra snapped back and Mako's firebender temper flared.
"We got where we are from being so hardheaded! You don't know anything Korra! You've always been given everything!" He shouted back, slicing his hand angrily through the air. The two of them took a deep breath as a round of coughing sounded from upstairs and Mako's angry face immediately melted into one of concern. The two stood in awkward silence for a moment, listening quietly until the coughs had subsided.
"I think you should go Korra." Mako abruptly stated and her eyes flickered up to him in surprise.
"Right…" She hesitated, grasping her arm with one hand. "Um tell Bolin I came by?" She wavered and he nodded his head sharply, not quite meeting her eyes. With an awkward little half wave she descended the stairs leaving Mako alone in the dim room. He hesitated, gnawing at his lower lip in thought. A torn feeling welled up inside of him and with a sigh he ran his hand agitatedly through his hair.
Korra dragged her feet across the smooth gym floor and mentally berated herself. She hadn't meant to say anything offensive to him! How was she supposed to know that was such a touchy subject? She glowered, clenching her hands into tight fists.
"Korra!" His voice suddenly hailed her back and she froze, turning slightly to look back towards the stairs. He stood halfway down, the glow from the room above shining on his face and arms, his head peeking down from the hole in the floor. "I'm sorry." He said so abruptly that she blinked and almost missed it. They both hesitated and he sighed. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be rude. I'm just….worried." He admitted and she smiled slightly.
"Oh…I'm sorry too, I didn't mean to imply…"
"It's fine. Come by and see Bolin again? It would cheer him up." He offered and she smiled, shooting him an affirmative thumbs up. Feeling a bit better Mako climbed back up the stairs and shook his head. He didn't need the added stress of Korra being mad at him on top of Bolin being sick. His feelings could take the back burner that Bolin's health couldn't. He scowled in thought, sending a controlled burst of fire into the stove for added heat. The chill crept into the room with determination and he threw himself tiredly down on the couch. He allowed his head to lull back against the cushion and silently he ran some figures through his head. This month's rent was coming up, they had groceries they needed to buy, Pema's herbs would only last for so long…speaking of which he should probably make Bolin drink some more tea-oh! They also had the fee for the gym but were they going to be able to continue Probending or should he call it quits? Then again if he had to borrow money for a doctor's bill they would have to play but if Bolin couldn't they'd have to forfeit with a player short…
Mako groaned, grinding the palms of his hands into his eyes and wished not for the first time that someone would just appear and tell him everything he needed to do. He could always inquire at the power plant for another shift of work but then Bolin would be here alone. Korra was busy with her duties as the Avatar and Toza had work to do. The thoughts circulated in his head in a constant stream or worry flowing around and around and around and after some time he eventually fell into a restless sleep.
~~~GW~~~
Author's Note: Take the time to review? Pwease? Lol. Asdf when did this get so long? Also to anyone thinking "God Mako is such a jerk" then you've missed the entire point, just saying.
