Chapter 2: Cuts and Bruises
A month had passed since that fateful night when Bolin and Mako came over for dinner. They visited again a few times, but they always managed to find their way home this time. Jinora felt as though she could breathe easily now. She had kept the book in her room and would read it from time to time. The book had some errors, and she felt it was her duty to correct the faulty manuscript so that no one else would be fooled. Propped up in her bed, she reread the first chapter, making sure to jot in minor changes and notes in her scrawly handwriting. Some sentences she removed completely, others she added in. Men weren't scary. Bolin proved that. She sighed, tucking the book away into a crevice in her bed. It was time she had some practice.
She ambled down the hall (her mother did not enjoy when there was bending indoors) and out towards the stables. Jinora didn't have many friends since the only people she met regularly were family and other monks. One companion she always found to be true was Oogi. The flying bison let out a deep rumble, chewing contentedly on his meal of hay. Jinora turned on her heel; she would return at a later time. The flying bison was never fun when it ate. Taking her glider from the stables, she took a few light-padded sprints before taking to the air. She zipped and looped in the sky, a smile on her face as the warm sun shone in the clear blue sky. Feeling a bit like a daredevil, she plunged down toward the ground, pulling up a few mere centimeters from the cobblestoned floor. A light, bubbly laugh erupted from her, and she soared freely amongst the clouds. Jinora spotted Korra training along with her father and decided to join in. She swooped side to side leisurely before almost touching down with her small feet.
"Whoa."
Jinora's eyes popped out of her head, snapping up to see Mako and Bolin seated under a shady tree. Bolin was leaning forward, jaw dropped by her entrance, green eyes watching every move she made. He was leaning forward, crouching in anticipation for her graceful landing. Now Jinora was all about composure, her very essence depended on it. But when she loses her composure, she's a goner. Instead of landing simply on her feet, she tripped and scraped her face against the unforgiving ground. Her daring stunts had given her extra speed while she was gliding, forcing her to skid on the ground for at least ten feet before lying limp.
"Jinora!"
Sturdy arms propped her up, but smelled nothing like her father. Her father smelled like lotus leaves and leechy juice and ink. This one smelled of dust, ash, and...dried blood? Her arms stung and she could feel an abnormal throbbing in the back of her head.
"Jinora!" Jinora opened her eyes dreamily, lips parted slightly as her heart hammered in her chest. Mako held her in his arms, golden eyes wide with fright. They softened as he set her down on the floor, one arm still hung loosely around her. He shushed he with a low crooning sound, using his index finger to wipe at her face. It was only then that she realized she was crying. Her realization made it worse, breaking her down into muffled bawls as she dug her face into Mako's chest. "I'll take her," Tenzin offered with a low voice. Mako gave her up willingly, and she gripped her father's clothes tightly and let out another sob. As Tenzin walked away from the scene, Jinora looked up to see Bolin looking heartbroken at her, green eyes glistening lightly. Something inside told her to tell him that it was okay. She wasn't sure why, but it told her to. So she waved one shaking hand feebly. I'll be okay. Bolin received the message, wiping his face with the back of his hand and nodding. He grinned cheekily at her and picked up her broken glider, waving back wildly with his other hand. His smile convinced Jinora that she would be okay.
Later that night, Tenzin convinced himself that he was the reason Jinora's sobs had stopped so quickly.
Oh my goodness hello those who read this story! It's an honor to be writing to you all, and that you ship Bolinora as hard as I do. If anything, you can thank my friend who convinced me to write this after complaining that not many people write about this ship. "If no one writes about it, why don't you just do it yourself?"
Yeah, he's the best. Shout out to my two reviewers haha. You two made me feel so popular! Anyway, because of you guys that added this to their favorites, I'm posting up two! So...please review because it rhymes with two and the fate of the world rests on you! ...And because this thing is super duper short.