16 years, rigorous self-discipline of both the physical and spiritual aspects of bending, and STILL the whole Avatar thing eluded him. It was barely any time at all after Korra's departure to angst it up alone that an ethereal light shown in the distance, and soon after, Korra returned with news that she had achieved the Avatar State, with help from her past life.
And what was more, she could restore the bending of those who had it stolen from them using her new power of Energybending.
...Deux ex Machina, indeed. And here he thought the Avatar would have to work for it.
Still, he didnt complain, and was admittedly impressed with Lin Beifong's bending restoration.
He was heavily relieved when he returned home. The city was in ruins, benders and non-benders alike still wary of each other, and the Bloodbent benders crowded and mobbed to get their bending back once word got out that Korra could restore it.
The Council was convinced things would be alright. Korra and Mako were blinded by themselves and the Restoration. But Bolin could plainly see that the turf wars would start again. Benders would go crazy with their returned abilities. Ruckus would start. Lawlessness and anarchy would return to the streets.
The Triple Threat Triad would be reforged.
And Bolin would have more work to do.
Until then...
"Hey, need a hand with all this?" Bolin asked, giving Asami a strange grin. His voice was the same casual, carefree tone, but Asami saw that his eyes and his smile had changed.
They reflected her own ice-cold eyes and stony, fake, bitter smile.
Strangely enough, it suited Bolin just fine.
Asami glanced around at all the broken remnants of her father's devil work, having thought that she would have to do most of the moving and house-cleaning herself, since Mako and Korra were too busy to help, and most everyone else was too wary of her father's betrayal to really give her a helping hand.
She glanced back at Bolin, whose grin broadend expectantly, and felt a hint of a smile curl at her own lips.
"...Yes."
...Perhaps she could get to know this brother instead. He seemed to have a lot of...potential.
I have a sequel planned, with full-length chapters called 'Titanium'. Look out for it.