Sorry this chapter's kind of short... We're getting close to catching up with what I've already got written, so be prepared. I'm working on it as fast as I can!
Korra takes off her protective helmet and shakes out her now-sweaty hair. They've been practicing for at least an hour, and it's been quite the athletic adventure. Most of their practice has been Mako trying to explain better combat techniques, and Bolin being a bit of a show-off.
"Great practice, guys," she says with a smile, still running on the endorphin-high.
Bolin returns her smile with a grin of his own and responds, "You were fantastic; that whip move you've got is gonna do some serious damage."
"You need to work on condensing your movements more. In a real fight, there won't be so much time," Mako instructs.
"Like that Titus buffoon in my waterbending class," Korra remarks. "He's got some power, but he looks like he's escaped from a circus for all the acrobatics he pulls."
"Exactly," Mako confirms. "And Bo, you need to work on your accuracy. Flinging discs as hard as you can doesn't count for much if you don't hit anything."
Korra mocks, "Maybe they'll be really intimidated by your strength!" and she flexes her own rather strong biceps, and playfully shoves Bolin. He nudges her back, and she pokes him in the ribs.
Bolin doesn't seem to notice that his brother has already packed up the nets and left the gym as he strikes a mock-defensive pose and taunts, "oh, so that's how it is?"
"Yeah, show me what you've got, Earthboy," she jeers playfully. She makes to poke him again, but Bolin anticipates, and dropping his shoulder, picks Korra up and slings her over his shoulder. She smacks him on the back, and calls out, "hey, put me down!" but she's laughing too hard and Bolin has no intention of doing that at all.
Instead he tosses her on the nearby practice mats, falling on top of her, only slightly by accident, and she slaps at him playfully.
His features fade to serious though, and Korra sees through her breathless giggles that he is staring intently at her face. Her eyes widen in a rush of anxiety. Is he about to do what I think he is? She's never been kissed before, and while she likes Bolin, she's not sure what that means. And she certainly doesn't know how to kiss. Torn between curiosity and embarrassment, Korra decides her best option is to hold still and see what Bolin actually does.
Bolin's not sure where this is going either, but he's certain he wants to kiss her. His gaze darts between the Korra's slightly parted lips and her ocean blue eyes, trying to gauge her reaction. He bends his neck towards her slowly, and suddenly Korra's body decides her plan to sit still is ridiculous. Closing her eyes tight, her hands reach up and drag Bolin's face to hers.
Korra's unexpected force closed the gap between their mouths almost instantly. Korra's stomach flips, sending a delightful shiver down her spine. Bolin smiles through the kiss, pleased that he's having this effect on her. Confident now, he drags his fingertips along her side as he moves his lips against hers. Korra works a hand into Bolin's thick curls, and wraps the other around his back. Her mind is screaming, but she tries to ignore it as best as she can. She wants one more moment just to feel, this pleasant tingling sensation in her lips and on her skin where Bolin's warmth sinks into her.
Finally, she can't help it. She's in over her head, and she figures Bolin might be too. Better stop this before things get really awkward. She unwraps her arms from his torso and gently pushes back on his shoulders.
"I—Well, that was unexpected," Korra manages.
Bolin swallows visibly. "Good unexpected?" he asks quietly, sitting back on his heels on the mat.
"Oh, definitely," Korra breathes. A huge smile creeps across Bolin's features, and he tries to not grin like an idiot.
They sit in silence for a moment, unsure what to do or say next. Bolin looks up from under his long, dark eyelashes, searching Korra's face for a sign of what to do. She draws in a breath as if to speak, but promptly closes it again and lets out a sigh.
"So, do you maybe want to go out with me?" Bolin ventures. There's no use denying it now, and he can tell Korra's not so sure what just happened. He better take control, do something.
She just stares at him for a moment, biting her lip. "That sounds … great," she says, and before she can second-guess herself, she leans forward and pecks him on the cheek. She checks his face for his reaction, and she sees a hint of color rising. Then she jumps up, grabs her bag, and mutters something about needing a shower before practically running out of the gym.