One Week Later

...

Another swipe of the ink glided atop smoothed-over parchment paper, and a slight crinkle as the sheet gets deftly placed atop the seemingly never-ending stack, deems her work done for the day. A sigh escapes her and whispers through the empty office of the Future Industries Factory; the bitter smell of oil and paint from the endless line of cars that wafts up like the wind, always used to soothe her, and now she can't help but associate that smell with loss.

Yesterday, the buzzing voices and flashing lights of the press had swarmed her like a hive of bees on her way to work. The microphone that had been shoved in her face, had been neatly hooked up to the sound waves of Republic City Radio for all to hear.

Asami had known they would find her sooner or later. She just had hoped to have had a better chance to mentally prepare herself before they cornered her in like prey.

The young reporter, his slicked-back hair and beady eyes had locked gazes with her, daring her to make the first move. When she didn't, his question set the domino effect of questions tumbling down like a dam that had burst.

Miss Sato, would you like to share any feelings you have regarding your new romantic relationship with the Avatar?

She had swallowed, and had told them that there had been nothing to share. Korra and her were happy together, and that was that.

Yes, but, Miss Sato! A woman comes out of nowhere, her pencil gripped in her hands like a murder weapon, When did you and the Avatar start having feelings for the same sex? How do you think this relationship is going to affect your future in terms of children? Are you looking to adopt?

At that comment, Asami feels her cheeks heat up. She knows what they want. They want juice. They want details they can twist to make herself and Korra into their own image until there is nothing left of her original self, but her own name. They want labels and facts. She can see it now; she and Korra's faces taking up the front covers of magazines, logos plastered to their smiles. If Avatar Korra can come out, then so can you! the headlines will state, children's hands clenched around the print like a religious token. No, as motivating as that may be, she will not let Korra's legacy be morphed into that. Korra has fought harder, and has endured so much more than to be brought down by their immature gossip.

Yet, Asami holds her tongue. She backtracks down a side street, their pandemonium fallowing her only a few steps behind. She takes a deep breath and leans against a wall, sagging with relief. But then the voices start up again, This way! She's down here!

Asami freezes at the dead end, their lights flashing from around the corner. Another man comes into the alleyway, his pen and notebook at the ready.

He yells her name, and two more show up in a pack- three, four. She searches for a way out, contemplating jumping the fence. But it's bordered with bared wire, and she'll risk cutting up her hands.

Two more show up, pop! Pop! their lights blinding her.

What's wrong with you people?! Leave me alone!

That's it, one man purrs, pointing his camera at an angle, look afraid, pose nice and pretty.

Asami wants to kick him where it hurts, and would give him a piece of his mind, if not for everyone else. She gives them all a final look of disgust, before lunging for the fence wires.

She'll never forget the next few sentences that comes out the reporter's mouth for as long as she lives.

Miss Sato, how would you say you are dealing with your father's demise? Resent events would greatly cause a lot of stress for you. Would you say that there is any correlation between coping with your father's death and advancing on Avatar Korra?

Asami would later try to justify her actions following these accusations thrown at her. But she would have to be able to recall all her actions clearly, when she had been blinded by red tainting her vision, a fieriness taking hold of her like no other, and the adrenaline pumping through her veins. Asami will recall, however, lunging at the man with her fists barred, knuckles stained red. Her memory won't allow her to forget the police arriving moments later, their shouts and muscles breaking apart the forming riot. Mako's arm pulling her off the man and out of the middle of the crowed, her voice growing hoarse with her shouts of How dare you?! My father gave his life to protect this City! Korra and I are in love! How fucking dare you?!

But, then, she would have to admit she having done wrong, and Asami isn't ready to go down that road yet. Not when the man's lawyer arrives at her house the following night; a restraining order and papers for a lawsuit handed to her shaking hands.

Now, the fallowing morning, she's in the Police Station, where Cheif BeiFong had all but dragged her into her office.

"But, Chief, I-"

"No, 'buts' Asami, you broke the law," Lin's words are stern but her features betray her anger, "You physically assaulted a man in broad daylight, and broke his arm. And you did lot more by witness accounts," she throws the file on the top of her desk, rubbing her temples. "That reporter and his family are pressing charges."

Asami can feel the anger in her seeping out through every pore in her body. "I was being harassed! They chased me down two whole blocks, and were taking pictures!" She spits, "You should have heard what they were saying to me. I only acted in self defense!"

"Asami-"

"Please, Lin," Yes, she's aware she's begging now, but this is her future that's at stake, "You've known me for years. Can't you do something? I mean, this is going to effect my company! They-they can't take away my money! I only did what I had to."

"You let your emotions get the better of you. You're lucky no one else got hurt. Things could have been a lot uglier," Said Police Chief pinches the bridge of her nose, and takes a long time to exhale. When she opens her eyes, they are softer. "I'll see what I can do."

"R-really?"

Lin nods, "No promises."

Asami relaxes slightly, "Thank you,"

Lin gives another nod, but Asami can see the ghost of a smile on her lips.

Just as Asami is ready to push open the door, Lin calls her once more.

Asami turns around. "Yes, Chief?"

"I would have done the same thing, if I'd been in your shoes," Asami can't say for sure, but she thinks she hears pride in the women's voice.

"Now, go get some rest."

.

.

.

But she can do anything but rest.

She turns down the hall, and goes right to Mako. She lunges for his desk and practically drags him into the hallway by his collar.

.

"Asami, I do want to help you, but this isn't as easy as you think. There were witnesses," he tries to explain.

She throws up her hands, "So you won't do anything to help? I can't believe this, I can loose my job!"

"And I can loose my job!" he counters back. After a moment, he takes a deep breath. "I'm sorry, Asami..." He puts a hand on her shoulder. "Don't you think that I would help, if I could?"

She understands that's she's acting like a child, but the fear is getting to her. "I just don't know what to do..."

"We'll think of something," Mako gives her a small smile.


She doesn't know who, or what she's looking for, or frankly, what she's expecting to find, when her footsteps take her to the Air Temple Island later that evening. It'a not like Korra is there at the moment; her meeting doesn't end for another two hours.

Asami just wants someone to talk to. Or maybe, just to listen to anything that can take her mind off of her own troubles.

Maybe help Pema take care of the kids, help her cook, or something...

Whatever. She doesn't really care.

What she finds is Bolin, splayed out on his back in the grass under one of the many abundant trees, nearly fading into the earth beneath him. To a passerby, he would seem asleep, but she can clearly see his green eyes uncharacteristically boring wholes into the leaves above him, an unnatural grim frown on his face that she knows is out of place.

He looks a bit better than when she saw him last week after he collapsed. His face is a little less pale, and the shadows under his eyes have become less taunt, but she can tell he is still far from his usual self. And, she knows, a person with the flu, should not be outside.

She feels a bit guilty. She's been so busy with her own job, and Korra, that she hasn't gotten a chance to catch up and see how he was doing.

Walking over, she sits down beside him without a word, taking care not to crush the dandelions that take home in the fuzz of grass by the tree's roots.

The wind rolls by across the courtyard, as if the great Avatar Aang himself were making his love known and caressing them in comfort. She sighs, breathing in the quiet and glancing at her friend; his face still and distant, and her brows furrow in concern. For the billionth time in her life, she wishes she had a younger sibling.

She rips up a few blades of grass, and lets them fall on his face.

"You look happy." she states sarcastically, as his nose scrunches up, face twisting, and the grass falls from his cheeks with a pout, "Is this some new kind of meditation exercise, because I'm pretty sure you're doing it wrong."

His eyes flick to her now, and his lips curl up slightly, "Hey, Asami," he says quietly, "Sorry, had a bad day. Was just thinking."

"How are you feeling?" she asks.

He acts much more surprised and afraid at her question, than he should be.

"W-what do you mean?" he sputters.

"Your flu," She replies. "Didn't you go see a doctor? You should be resting, you know."

Something that Asami can't identify passes across his eyes, before he turns to her with a smile- albeit, a stained one at that.

He waves his hand in the air. "Oh, that. Yeah, I'm feeling better. Medicine helps a lot and...stuff." The words fall flat on his tongue. He takes a breath a covers it up by directing the conversation back to her.

"So, Miss Sato, bad day, too, huh?"

She looks down in her lap. "How much did you hear?"

"Enough," he says gently. Then. "Did you really break his arm?"

She whips around to glare at him, and he gulps. "No! I mean...I didn't mean to! They- he...they were harassing me!"

She feels a hand on her shoulder, "The press can tend to get really annoying. I'm sorry they did that to you."

"They..." the lump in her throat starts to hurt. Great, she going to start crying now? "They asked if I was only using Korra as a way to cope with my father's death," she says quietly. "How can they be so cruel?" The tears fall down her cheeks against her will. "They're pressing charges. I could go to court."

Bolin doesn't say anything for a moment. "If it helps, you can't let them get the better of you. They're just trying to rile you up; I mean, that what the press does. The people who know and love you know the truth. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks."

"I care what they think." She turns away.

"Well...you shouldn't." He tries. "I don't."

"You were a Mover Star," she counters.

"Yeah, but..." he tries to choose his words carefully. "The loved Nuktuk, not me. They didn't care about Bolin. It was all gossip and autographs for them. None of it really mattered, you know?"

She lets that sink in for a moment, then takes a deep breath. She tries to be the cheerful one for once, because Bolin of all people deserves it, and she's tired of being bitter.

"So," she turns to him, "You said you had a bad day, too. Your turn. Talk. " She shoves his shoulder, furrowing her brows when he winces. She remembers the bruises on his arms.

"Hey, those bruises still bothering you?"

"Huh?"

She raises a brow.

"I...I mean, no, they're fine."

"Bolin."

"They're fine, Asami." His voice is sharper this time. It's the closest to snapping at her he's ever come to. Asami's hit a nerve, and she dives deeper.

"So, what did the doctor say about them? Why they kept appearing?"

"I just need to eat more protein or something," he shrugs, not meeting her eyes, "An all-veggie diet may be suitable for the Airbenders, but an earthbender like me needs real food!" he beams.

Asami narrows her eyes. "You're sure?"

"Yep!"

"Really."

"Yes." He swallows thickly,"really, Asami,"

She looks at him for a moment, trying to decide weather to call him out on this or not.

"You're a bad liar, Bolin," she states, because tough love is needed when something clearly is wrong with his health. He turns his eyes away-his heavy, so-very-tired looking eyes away and down at the ground.

They sit in silence for a few minutes.

Then, something flies out of Asami's lips before she can even process the words. "I've been thinking of visiting Kuvira,"

Bolin's eyes go wide, but he doesn't yell or anything. "You know..it's funny." his voice is quiet, "I've been thinking that, too. Korra mentioned it the other day."

"Really?"

"Really."

Asami urges him to continue. "I mean, after all this woman did to me-to you- and the whole City...I should want nothing more to do with her. But...I get where she's coming from, Asami. I really do- I wish I didn't...I mean...but trying to help out the poor people, the homeless, like Mako and I were- like Kuvira was- it blinded me. I realize that now," a grimace etches itself onto his features, making him look older, "She used a weak spot to get me to stay with her all those years and it blinded me from her true intentions. And now..." he takes a deep breath. "I just need answers, you know?"

She nods. "Me, too. But, let me just say...from...personal experience," she winces at the bile in her voice, "sometimes, once you know all the answers, all the reasons why...it makes it harder in the end."

Bolin understands the unsaid words. "You visit him yet?"

Her eyes crinkle. "It's what she would have wanted. And besides, they're right by each other now. Just how they should be. Korra comes with me sometimes,"

And just like that, they are back to the comfortable silence.

"How are you and Korra doing, by the way? I mean, have you gotten a chance to talk to her about the whole 'Press Thing'?"

She shakes her head, "Not yet. She's been really busy la-Bolin!"

He flinches. "What? What is it-?"

"Your nose is bleeding!" And, spirits, is it ever bleeding. Bolin hastily puts his fingers to his nostrils, and his hand come back coated in sticky red.

"Shit-!" He curses, before tilting his head back and pinching his nose. And it not like normal blood either; it coming fast and relentless, dripping down over his chapped lips and down his chin.

Asami's eyes widen and she digs into her purse. Her hands grip a handkerchief. It's wrinkled, and covered in a bit of oil, but it will have to do. She shoves it at Bolin, who gladly cradles it around his nose.

"Tilt your head back more," She instructs, "Come on,"she gets to her feet and moves to help him up,"let's go get Pema-"

"No!" The strangled word is filled with so much fear and fierceness, that Asami jumps. "I'm fine," but no matter how hard he presses, it does nothing to stop the blood.

"Bolin, you're not fine. Let's just go into the temple to get some help. Come on, you're getting blood everywhere," she grabs his elbow.

And Asami sees something pass across his face again- some internal struggle. He knows he won't be able to go on the ferry alone, back to the city and get to his apartment by himself. But whatever he's hiding, it's making him doubt letting her help.

"Bolin," Her voice is an order this time. Not up for an argument- almost motherly-like.

The internal fuse goes out. "Okay..."

Asami can't help but wonder why the word sounds like a surrender.


The first time Mako sees her, she's leaning against the wall by the coffee filters, absent-mindedly swirling her spoon around in her drink.

Normally, he wouldn't hesitate in his busy routine to get to his desk. He's used to ignoring nearly all of his colleges by now; even after working here for four years, he's still thought as the rookie, the only firebender, and the ex-triad street kid with the bad eyebrows and bad attitude to match.

No one ever says it, but he's also Lin's favorite.

Today, though, he stops before turning the corner, namely because A) It wasn't even eight o'clock yet and he's always the first one here B) That was his breakfast she was heating up and C) Damn, she was hot, and who the hell is she?

So, like a lost idiot, he stops in the middle of the doorway, and stares, opened-mouthed. He's not sure how long he's doing this-totally unprofessional- but he must have tuned everything else out, because her gaze lifts up from her coffee cup, and meets his. Her eyes are a amber, like little flames crackling in them, perfectly round on her pale, smooth face.

She opens her mouth, her white teeth parting beneath cherry lips. "Oh, hello. Good morning, my name is Amara,"

She holds out her hand- the one not holding the coffee- and, he guesses he's supposed to shake it? Maybe...? His brain still somehow isn't processing enough to make his limbs move.

As if by some miracle, a hand from behind him comes to rest on his shoulder. Cheif Beifong stands beside him and crosses her arms.

"Oh, good, you're here," she addresses him. Lin's presence is like flicking on a switch, and breaks him out of his spell. He shakes his head, and clears his throat. To his credit, it's not even eight in the morning yet, and he hasn't had his coffee yet. Or his breakfast that she seems to find interest in. He finds himself not really caring. She can eat his breakfast if she wants. He just wants to know her name. Wait...she said her name already, right?

It's like he's drunk without having had a damn sip.

"Amara, this is Detective Mako."

"Mako," Lin says his name like she trying not to sink him into the ground like the idiot that he is, "this is Amara," she puts her hand on Amara's shoulder, and the young lady smiles.

Mako likes how she smiles.

She holds out her hand once more, and this time, he eagerly accepts. He shakes, and the hold on her hand a little too long before letting go.

"Oh, wow," Amara muses, "So, you're the 'famous Mako' I've heard off." Her smile is smug, and she eyes him up and down like she's sizing him up. He dares a glace at Lin, and her eyes tell him he's on his own in for this. Lin's had enough of him lamenting his female woes and sorrows in the middle of the night over cold coffee and dumplings. Apparently, she thinks he hasn't learned his lesson yet. "It's very nice to meet you,"

"Amara just moved here last mouth from the Fire Nation." Mako hears the pride in Lin's voice, "She worked on the force there for two years and graduated from 'Gau Xin Criminal Institute' at seventeen." Lin explains. Mako wonders why Lin's explaining this to him, but making an effort to to look at Amara as she talks, standing at a certain angle. "She's going to be your partner for the next few patrols. I think you'll learn a lot from each other." Mako catches a little knowing glint in Lin's eye.

Amara stands tall, just maybe an inch or so above Lin. Her posture says confidence and I know what I'm doing but Mako can see the little flush in her cheeks.

Amara clears her throat, and brushes her raven-black hair behind her left ear. Mako can't help but notice a little device nesting in her eardrum. Oh...

"Well, we're happy to have you," he grins, "Welcome to Republic City, and the Police Force." There. That sounds human enough. He's sure to earn points for that, right?

"So," Lin begins, "Amara, Mako is going to show you around and debrief you on the latest case. I have some more calls to make. If you need me, I'll be in my office."

And just like that, Lin leaves him unguarded in a battlefield. She probably locked the door so he won't barge in.

"So." He tries, "I think I should show you your work space before anyone else shows up,"

Amara puts her hands on her hips. "Lead the way, detective,"


The next evening

...

Bolin sighed, rubbing his face as he looked at his reflection. Maybe it was just the bathroom lighting that made him look pale, but at this point everything felt like it had to be a symptom. Like the way the room felt like it was spinning, or the bruises on his upper arm. He had barley had a chance to come up with some kind of excuse for Asami and Pema yesterday when his nose had started bleeding.

He was starting to think that hosting a party at his place to show just how healthy and not- sick and completely- fine he was, was starting to back fire.

Bolin splashed his face with water to try to chase away those thoughts. He'd been to the doctor, got his drugs. There wasn't any point in continuing to worry himself silly. He didn't start chemo until next week...so why worry until then, right? He finished washing his hands and headed back into his small apartment kitchen. The comfortable sounds of conversation floated back to him from where his friends were gathered, joining him for dinner.

"Did you fall in?" Opal teased as Bolin scooped up to her side.

"Had to make sure I looked my best for you," he said, trying to muster a playful tone as his girlfriend's arm snaked around his waist. She squeezed him close and then paused, her hand moving to his hipbone. Bolin scooted from her grasp, calling something about dumplings as he hurried over to the heaping tray of his favorite snack. He'd lost weight—something his doctor told him was to be expected—and the last thing he needed was for Opal to notice his thinning waistline.

He could feel eyes on him as he moved through his friends, Opal's questioning gaze and, increasingly, Mako's as well. Asami seemed to be eyeing him since yesterday, (he had made her promise not to tell anyone what had happened) and, although Korra kept hovering, he told himself it was because she just liked hanging around him.

Eventually it was late enough for Bolin to shoo his guests away without seemingly impolite. At the door Asami and Korra offered him big hugs and thanked him for the fun time. Opal hovered in the doorway, throwing more-than-obvious hints about staying the night, (any other time Bolin would have gladly accepted her offer) but Bolin deflected her with mumbled assurances that he had something-or-other early in the morning and, yawn, he was so tired (he was damn exhausted, actually) and needed his beauty rest.

Opal scowled for so long that Bolin though she would just make him let her stay, before eventually, she too was gone. As he closed his front door, Bolin was hit with a wave of dizziness. He hesitated, clinging to the door frame as he waited for it to pass.

"Bro, are you alright?"

Bolin jumped, stumbling slightly as he turned to see his brother hovering in the hall.

"Hey, careful." Mako reached to steady his brother, but Bolin pulled away and Mako's hand was left hovering uncertainly in the air.

"I'm okay," Bolin said quickly. "Just tired."

"Why don't you go lay down or something," Mako said. "You look tired as hell."

"I'm fine," Bolin said.

"Yeah, you look fine," Mako deadpanned. "You told me you were gonna take it easy. A flu can turn into something worse if you don't rest. Which, clearly you need more of. I don't know why you had a party when you're sick,"

"Mako, I'm fine," Bolin insisted. "Why don't you go home, I'll clean this place up."

"Sure, you will," Mako said, dodging forward as his brother stumbled again. Bolin couldn't help the pained yelp that escaped him when Mako grabbed his elbow, which caused his brother to jerk back.

"Yeah, you sound fine," Mako snapped, making another, gentler grab for Bolin's arm. He had hoped Mako had forgotten about the bruises and what had happened at Meelo's birthday party. But he was Mako, his big brother, so of of course he didn't.

Bolin found himself snapping back to that horrible night, Mako's words filling his ears. But if this is your reason; if you're in pain, then it's definitely my business, too. It's all of our business. We want you healthy. Do you think we can rest easy if you can't?"

Bolin swallowed thickly. He didn't need to feel anymore guilty than he already did.

"Just as accident at practice," Bolin said. He had gotten back his old job as a probending coach, after the wedding and before the symptoms started. He needed a temporary job, and the team actually had held promise. But...he hadn't actually trained his probending team in weeks now, but Mako didn't know that, and Bolin wasn't ready to lose the excuse of his young benders just yet.

Mako narrowed his eyes, but didn't push Bolin for more answers. "Go put something on that," he said, pointing to the arm Bolin was cradling to his chest. "And then go lay down. I'll clean up the kitchen, okay? Call me if you need some help with it."

Bolin simply nodded, unable to say more as another wave of dizziness hit him this time, accompanied by a wave of nausea. As soon as Mako was gone he hurried to the bathroom. He'd only started his chemotherapy drugs a week previously, but already the side-effects were setting in. Knelt on the bathroom floor, he dry-heaved into the toilet, trying his hardest to stay quiet and keep Mako from hearing.

When his empty stomach had finished trying to empty itself, Bolin leaned back against the bathroom wall. He sighed, letting his head loll back. He didn't think he could get back up just yet as the room around him swam, his knees aching from where he'd dropped down over the toilet.

Maybe he could just wait here, he thought. Maybe Mako would finish cleaning the kitchen and then go home, leaving Bolin to crawl his dizzy, miserable self back to bed without anyone hovering over him or questioning if he felt 'okay'.

And maybe Pabu would start flying and Naga would learn to talk.

Bolin clenched and unclenched his fists. Every inch of him ached, from his toe nails to the tips of his hair. Part of him—the part that would never quite forget long nights asleep under makeshift cardboard shelters and piles of old newspapers—wanted his brother to find him. Mako had always known what to do when Bolin was sick; always knew where to go for medicine, always held his brother's ailing body until he felt well enough to drift into a peaceful sleep.

The part of him that wanted nothing more than to be independent and grown, to no longer burden his brother with his poor decisions, pushed that smaller part to the back of his mind. Mako was a rising detective alongside Lin BeiFong and her metalbenders, and he didn't need the distraction of Bolin's illness now. Korra and Asami were in a similar situation, as Asami's expanding business ventures and the pair's ever growing relationship dominated their lives. And Opal…

Bolin draped an arm across his eyes.

Opal was still recovering from the imprisonment of her family under Kuvira (and the role Bolin had played in the woman's plots), and although he knew it was more than irrational, the earthbender couldn't help but think that the emotional strain of a…a cancer-riddled boyfriend might just be too much for her to handle. If she were to leave him now, he didn't know what he would do.

Groaning softly, Bolin tried to distract himself from his depressing thoughts. He focused in on the sound of his brother in the kitchen, clanging pots and running water, as he cleaned up the place. Plates clinked as Mako tucked them into cabinets, paper tearing as he wrapped up leftovers for tomorrow. Bolin could hear the firebender rummaging around in the pantry, looking for somewhere to store the food, when the shuffling sounds went silent.

He's probably rearranging my pantry, Bolin thought. While his brother's people-pleasing tended to keep his controlling tendencies at bay around others, when it came to Bolin, Mako was never afraid to step in and take charge, invited or not.

Footsteps started across the house and Bolin sighed. He really didn't feel like a lecture on the state of his food organization right now. Mako marched passed, must have noticed he wasn't in his room, and then his footsteps were outside the bathroom.

He didn't knock, just shoved the door open.

"You could have walked in on my doing anything," Bolin started to mumble, frowning at his brother. Although, the snarky retort died on his lips when he noticed the dark look in his sibling's eyes.

"What is this?" Mako demanded.

"What—"

Bolin's breath left him as Mako held out a familiar bag—it was the same one he'd picked up at the doctor's office last week, the same one filled with the drugs he'd been taking.

The same one he'd been trying desperately to hide from his now-furious looking brother.

"What are these, Bolin?"

"They're nothing—"

"Of course they're not!" Mako shouted. He upended the bag over the counter; a number of small glass jars tumbling out. One rolled to the edge of the counter and fell, landing with a muffled fump on the bathroom rug. "Bolin, where did you get these?"

"That's not really your business," Bolin grumbled, suddenly feeling petulant. Mako's eyes narrowed.

"You got these from Shin, didn't you?"

"…What?"

"These pills, Bolin! You got them from Shady Shin, didn't you? Honestly, Bolin, I can't believe would go to him for something like this. I know you want your team to do well, but this is illegal!"

"What are you talking about?" Bolin asked. His mind was so foggy lately, and Mako yelling at him wasn't helping.

"Drugs, Bolin!" Mako snapped, throwing his hands up. "I'm talking about illegal drugs! You know enhancers are forbidden in the bending arena, not to mention outrageously dangerous! Why would you ever even buy these?"

"You think I bought enhancers?" Bolin gaped up at his brother. "I can't believe you would accuse me of giving my team enhancers!"

"Well, I doubt your giving them to Pabu! And what else would you be doing with enhancers in your apartment?"

"I've never bought enhancers, and you know it!"

"Bolin," steam was nearly coming out of Mako's nose, "I'm staring at them right now!"

"Those aren't enhancers, Mako!"

"Oh, yeah?" Mako put his hands on his hips, "Then, what are they?"

"They're cancer drugs, Mako! I have cancer!"

The silence that followed Bolin's shout was palpable.

"You…what?"

Bolin took a deep, shuddering breath.

"I have cancer, Mako."

"I don't…" Mako hesitated. The bag was still in his hand, clutched in a white-knuckled grip. "You have…cancer?"

Bolin nodded, looking away. He could hear Mako's shallow breaths, the bag crumpling in his hand.

"Since when-I mean, when—?"

"A little over a week ago," Bolin mumbled. He fingered the hem of his sleeve for a moment and then pulled it up, revealing the bruises on his arm. "The day after I collapsed at the birthday party. The bruises started showing up a few weeks ago. I didn't think I'd done anything to cause them, so eventually I went to the doctor about it."

"And he said you had cancer?" Mako whispered.

"Not right away. First he got all serious, and then did a bunch of tests, and even called in a waterbending healer. But eventually yeah, he said it was leukemia."

"B-but..." Mako shook his head, "you told me it was just a flu. You told me you went to the pharmacy to get medicine and were fine. You've lied to me, all this time?" The look of betrayal in Mako's eyes made Bolin hate himself.

"I know. And I'm sorry." Bolin said quietly.

"Leukemia…"

A small, strained sound escaped Mako, and then he was sitting beside Bolin, hands in his hair as he tried to process what he was hearing.

"Bolin…why didn't you tell me?" Bolin shrugged, their shoulders brushing. "Bolin."

"I don't know," Bolin mumbled. His head fell back against the wall. "I just…I was in denial...and I didn't want you to worry, I guess."

"You didn't—Bolin! What did you think would happen when I—" Mako cut off for a moment with a growl, "when I noticed you were sick? Did you think I would just ignore it and not worry?"

"Maybe. I don't know."

"And what about Opal, were you not going to tell her either? Or Korra? Or…or anyone?"

"I guess not," Bolin said. He hadn't necessarily thought it out quite that far. Mostly he was concerned with Mako not knowing. Keeping everyone else in the dark had been a byproduct of that goal rather than an intentional motive of its own.

"How long did you think you could keep this a secret? What did you think would happen if you got too sick, or if you—dammit Bolin!"

"I'm sorry," Bolin whispered. He reached for the fallen pill bottle, turning it over in his hands. Mako sat still, his face pressed into his hands. Silence filled the space between them.

Eventually Mako looked up, and when he did his eyes were red.

"So…leukemia?" he whispered. "That's like…blood cancer, right?" Bolin nodded.

"Acute Lymphoblastic leukemia," Bolin said. "It's in the, uh, white blood cells in my bones. Or something. Apparently, it's unusual for someone my age to get it- it's usually seen in kids. And old people."

"Kids…" Mako frowned. "It's in your bones?"

"Well, bone marrow," Bolin corrected. "I don't remember all the specifics; the doctor told me a lot of stuff."

"When is your next doctor's appointment?" Mako asked. "I'll go with you."

"You don't have to do that," Bolin said, but the fierce, frightened look his brother gave him had the words fading on his tongue. He swallowed and looked away. "Thanks. I…thanks."

"Yeah," Mako whispered. He plucked at the invisible scarf around his neck as silence fell again. It was just starting to get uncomfortable when Mako blurted, "How curable is it?"

He looked startled by his own question, and like he couldn't decide if he needed to know the answer or if he was horrified that he's asked in the first place.

"The doctor..."Bolin rubbed a hand across his face,"He thinks I have a good shot. I…he caught it early, and he said I'm young and healthy and stuff."

"That-that's good," Mako said, blinking hard.

The whole conversation was surreal. This morning he was perusing police files with Amara and wondering if he would have time to stop at the market for fruit on his way home. Yesterday morning he was leading Amara around the office building, making small talk when no one was listening.

Now…

"I'm so sorry, Bolin," he said, his voice hitching. "I should have noticed."

"How could you?" Bolin asked, offering a smile he hoped was supportive. Mako shook his head.

"No, I should have. I should have said something about you looking tired, or how you were feeling, or asked about you having those appointments of yours. I just—I don't know. I just assumed if something was wrong I would know, or you would at least tell me, or-or something. And I should have! And I just—" Mako cut off with a pained sound as he buried his hands in his hair. "Dammit, Bolin," he whispered, "I should have known."

"Mako." Bolin shook his brother's shoulder. "Mako, look at me." The firebender's face was damp with tears when he met his sibling's gaze. Bolin's own eyes were burning, his heart pounding as he finally faced the conversation he'd been dreading for weeks. "I—" his voice cracked, "It's going to be okay."

Mako's response was to pull him into a hug. The siblings clung to one another on the cramped bathroom floor, pill bottles strewn about them as the tears broke free. They huddled together for what felt like hours, mumbling apologies and assurances around bouts of painful sobs. Eventually there were no more tears to shed. They sat together quietly, Bolin tucked up against Mako's side.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner."

"Don't worry about it." Mako gripped his brother's arm. "We're going to get through this, Bolin, you'll see."

"Just like we always do?" Bolin whispered.

"Just like we always do."


Soooooooooooo...what do you guys think? :') Feels broken yet? Please review!