*'Yuan' is money if that confuses anyone. I think they mention it only twice in season one.

**Edited August 9th.

Chapter 2

Bags slung over their shoulders the three benders walked into the luxurious main lobby of the Onsen Island Hotel. The massive pillars held aloft a dome of stained glass picturing the four seasons in all their variable glory. The marble floors, leather chairs, and oak front counter were among the most lavish things any of them had ever seen in their entire lives.

"May I help you, Madam?"

Korra was snapped out of her trance by the very well dressed concierge behind the tall counter. "Oh, yes." Fishing in her pocket she procured the slip of paper Tenzin had given her with the details of their reservation. The man behind the counter adjusted his glasses and read as a smile crossed his face.

"Avatar Korra! What a pleasure it is to meet you and your guests. We've been expecting you." He said, overtly polite as he waved a young man over to carry their bags. "Please take the young Avatar and company's bags to chalet number seven." He turned back to the trio. "I'm sure you have endured a rather long trip, so if you would follow Phillip here he will escort you to your room where you may change and enjoy everything Onsen Island has to offer." He pulled a pamphlet out from behind the counter and handed it to Korra. "And here is a brochure of our services, events, meals, and around the clock pools."

"Thank you." Said Korra, turning to follow their bell hop.

"Oh! One more thing." The trio turned back to the counter. "It appears you have been given reservations to one of our premium pools. Which one would you like?"

"What are my options?" Korra asked.

"Male and female separate, or co-ed?"

Korra looked at the brothers who had suddenly turned a light shade of pink. "It's your birthday, Korra. You decide." Said Mako.

Korra pondered for a moment. "Aww, what the hell. Co-ed please."

It took every ounce of composure the boys had to remain impassive. Mako did a slightly better job of it than Bolin.

"Very well, Avatar Korra." He handed her three golden pieces of paper. "Here are your passes, and enjoy your stay at Onsen Island Resort."

The trio barely explored their chalet before Korra departed into the restroom to change into her swim garments while the boys changed in the main room. Exiting the bathroom with her nose in the brochure, Korra said, "It looks like the pool is only about a hundred meters from here, and there's a club on the grounds that opens later tonight! I haven't danced in forever, and it says it has an open...bar." She lowered the brochure to look at her two team mates. She had seen them in swimwear before, but they had been slightly more modest with shirts on as well as trunks. Today they were sporting forest green and maroon swim trunks with no shirts to be seen. She smirked wickedly until she realized they were staring at her just as much in her navy blue bikini.

It had been expensive, but yuan be damned she looked good in it.

She cleared her throat and gestured with her hand. "Eyes are up here gentlemen." When the brothers realized they had been caught staring they fumbled to look elsewhere. Korra chuckled. "Alright, lets go see what this Premium pool is all about."

What they were all about, apparently, was complete and total nudity.

Towels slung over their arms, the trio stared wide eyed at the hot spring, complete with bare skin of every gender, shape, color, and size adorning it.

"Now I see why they had gender separate springs." Bolin said in a whisper.

Both brothers suddenly felt very self conscious. Mako cleared his throat. "Ya know, Korra, if your not comfortable with this sort of ...environment, I'm sure we could call the front desk and-"

"No."

"No?" Both brothers said together.

"You only live once, right?" Korra said placing her towel over a lounge chair before removing her top with her back to the boys and draping it over the chair as well.

Both brothers suddenly had a slight nosebleed. Bolin whispered to his brother. "Technically Avatar's live many many times, but I'm not going to argue." Mako smirked.

Bending over at the waist she stripped off her bottoms as well and tossed them into her pile before walking casually in the water. It wasn't until she was submerged to her collar bones did she let out a sigh of relief. That was a bold move, even for her. But she couldn't stand to look like a chicken-duck in front of her teammates.

Sadly the male portion of the fire ferrets were not quite as bold as she. Lowering themselves into the water before stripping off their trunks and tossing them over their shoulders with a wet slap as they hit the stone walkway.

All the important parts under the water, she still had to hide a blush at seeing Mako's bare chest and a good portion of his abs. He had always been built more for speed and his lean torso showed as much. Bolin, much to her surprise, was even better built than his brother. At first she thought him a bit stocky, but now seeing him in nearly full form revealed a sea of large, well toned muscles. She didn't dare look further south. Not yet anyway.

After a few moments, the awkwardness melted away to simple relaxation. After all, everyone else was naked, and there were people in much less shape than they in the pool. If they could be comfortable, then why couldn't the Fire Ferrets?

As the trio leaned back against the stone wall their silence was interrupted by a waiter's soft voice. "Excuse me, but could I interest your party with some refreshments?"

Korra made to cover herself in front of the stranger, but then thought better of it. He had probably seen so much nudity he was immune to it by now. "Ummm. I kind of left all my yuan in the room."

The waiter waved his hand dismissively. "No worries, for the premium pools the beverages are included."

"Oh." Mako chimed in. "Do you have plum sake?"

"Yes, Sir."

"I'll have a tall one then." He ordered like he'd had it every day of his life.

"Make it two." Said Bolin.

"Three, please." Korra added.

"Coming right up." The man said, and hurried off. "What's plum sake?" Korra asked Mako.

"Fantastic, is what it is." Mako said, quite a bit more relaxed than he was a few moments ago. "It's wine made from rice, fermented, and plum juice is added at the end for sweetness. It hits you hard though, so pace yourself."

"Listen to the pro." Bolin said, rolling his eyes.

Mako scowled at the jab. "Last I checked, you weren't able to hold your noodles after having a few yourself." An awkward silence suddenly hit the trio as Mako regretted his statement.

For a moment, every heart in the group hurt a bit.

"Oh my God! Are you the Fire Ferrets?" Said a very busty, shameless, blonde standing near them in waist deep water.

Both men, heart ache forgotten, had to physically force themselves to look her in the face. Which was a difficult task. By their sheer size it was difficult for Korra to even look her in the face considering they were right at eye level with the group.

"Ummm. Yes."

"I. Am. Such a huge fan!"

'Clearly.' Korra thought spitefully.

"Names Bolin."

"Mako."

"Korra." She added, trying not to sound annoyed. Why was she suddenly feeling so irritable?

"I watched you guys beat the Borque-u-pines last season. Fantastic!" She jumped up and down with excitement. Korra could see the pain the guys were in to keep their eyes up. "I'm Sheila, by the way." She held out her hand to each one of them, which they shook politely. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to intrude on your vacation. But thank you for humoring a fan."

"Well we always appreciate good fans."

"Yeah. The game would be a lot less exciting without you guys." Bolin added giving his trademark smile.

The blonde tittered. "Oh you two are so sweet. I'll leave you alone, but thank you again. Toodles." She winked at the brothers before she turned and splashed away to her giddy party.

There was a long silence as the brothers watched the blonde bounce away. Korra felt the need to break their concentration.

"Nice tits." She said quietly.

The brothers, caught red handed, sank down slightly lower into the blue water. "She seemed friendly." Bolin muttered.

Leaning back triumphantly, Korra let her hands slick through the grainy texture of the pools floor. Pulling up a hand full she found it to be salt. Without saying a word, she scooped up some more and stared working it into her arms and shoulders.

"What's that?" Mako asked, trying to change the subject.

"Its mineral salts. It feels great and gets dead skin off. Good for your complexion." She said as she tried to apply some to a part of her back that was just out of reach.

"Need a hand?" Mako asked.

Korra considered it a moment, but then considered having some male attention after Blondie's interruption might be a good thing. "That would be nice. Thank you." Scooting forward in the hot water the elder brother took up residence behind her and began working the sediment into her skin. "Mmmn. Just there." She said, sinking slightly lower into the pool.

Were either of them to glance over at the Earth bender in their party they would see a pinch of melancholy on Bolin's face. Leaning back onto the rocks, the younger brother closed his eyes in a fleeting attempt to block the scene.

Back when Korra and him had gone on a date his heart had practically glowed with joy at seeing her so happy. To see the look on her face when he took her to the lookout tower. The look on the patrons of the tavern when she out belched him. He smirked, thinking of that one.

But then to feel the chest crushing feeling when he saw Korra kissing his brother a few short hours later, he could not describe in words. Bolin had fled the scene to drown his sorrows in noodles and alcohol. He didn't remember much of that morning other than the nausea and heartache.

She hadn't actually said it, but Bolin felt he had somehow relegated himself in the friend-zone and his brother was...something else.

The trio remained this way for a few minutes until the waiter approached with a wooden tray of drinks. "Three plum sake's for the Avatar Party." He said as he lowered the floating tray into the water while placing three towels on the nearby bench. "I will be over at the counter. If you need anything more, just wave."

"Thank you."

"You are most welcome, Miss Avatar."

"Thanks." She said kindly before pouring herself a small glass of the magenta liquid and taking a sip. "Wow, Mako. This is delicious. Good choice."

"Like I said, pace yourself." Said the eldest brother as he did the same and downed one shot cleanly.

Glaring over at Mako, Bolin filled his small cup and drank the contents before refilling it again.

XOXOXOX

Third chapter done, and I need to get up for work in five hours. Input is appreciated.

Reviews=Brutal Love