Chapter Title: Happy Birthday (alternitevely titled The Origins of the Red Scarf).
Pairings/Characters: Some cute Bolin/Mako brother-ness.
Word Count: exactly 400 (almost so long I didn't post it).
Setting: Back when Mako and Bolin lived on the streets.
Note: People seem to think Mako's scarf is really special. i don't know if I agree with that, but if it does have to have some profound meaning, it should be because of something like this.
"Happy Birthday!"
Now, this normally happy expression was entirely lost on Mako. Really, Bolin should learn not to sneak up on his brother, as Mako very nearly burnt the well-meaning ten-year old.
Once he got over the initial worry that he was being attacked, Mako's next surprise was the medium sized package in his brother's hands. Now, from the "happy birthday" said not moments before, one could rightly assume that today was Mako's birthday (his twelth, to be exact) and so a package would not be that unusual.
Except it was.
Because, when you live on the streets, it's hard to come by enough money to buy presents for trivial things such as birthdays. The most Mako had ever spent on his brothers birthday since they had been living on the streets was five Yuan, and he could only assume the little presents his brother got him cost less than that. And nothing that large could cost less than ten Yuan.
Plus it was wrapped. Granted, in plain brown paper, but it. Was. Wrapped.
"Well, open it!" Bolin nudged. For a second Mako didn't want to. Maybe if he didn't, he could return it… But then he decided that it wouldn't hurt to at least see what it was. He unwrapped it, making sure not to rip the paper in hopes of saving it and using it one Bolin's birthday in a few months. Inside was a red scarf. Now, Mako was no expert, but it was a nice scarf.
"Ho-how much did this cost?" he stuttered. Bolin frowned, "Twenty Yuan, including the wrapping paper." Mako was pretty sure his mouth was hanging open. "How did you afford this?"
"I've been saving up for a few months." Bolin smiled, proud of himself. Suddenly, his face looked worried. "Do you like it?"
No, Mako wanted to say, even though that wasn't true. Maybe then Bolin could (would) take it back and get something nice for himself. But seeing his brothers expectant face, he wrapped the scarf around his neck and smiled. "I love it."
Bolin fce broke into a grin. "Good! It's red, see, 'cause you're a firebender! And the lady said it would last a while, and now you'll have something to keep you warm, and –" his brother continued to talk, and Mako nodded his head along and smiled.
Maybe just this once, Mako could be a little selfish.