Chapter 11
The two brothers were in another one of the rooms in the temple, just down a few hallways.
Mako stared back at his brother, not bothering to hide his emotions – or his impatience – as he pressed Bolin for more information.
"So she slept with TAHNO last night? That's where she fucking ran off to? Are you kidding me?"
He felt the heat in his hands now, but ignored the small blaze that flickered out from his fists. He clenched his jaw, shaking his head from a mix of feelings. Pangs of relief, knowing that she had been safe at least, quickly turned to rage and jealousy that it had to be with him. Did she sleep in his bed? Did he try anything? Did he take advantage of her? Knowing Tahno, that slimy, lecherous piece of shit…
"Yeah, I know, I know, I said the same thing. But anyway, what I was telling you, was that we went back with the basket this morning and then we got there and he's all 'blehhhh' and then Korra and I are all 'ahhhhh', and then we run him back here and Korra tried her 'whishoooo' water healing stuff, but then he was still just all 'blahhhhhhh' and so she got Katara and then she was all 'wooooowooowoooo' and then he was like 'blahhhh..?' and now he's just recovering but he's okay because we brought him back here."
Mako, who had previously been sitting down lazily - clearly not entertained by his brother's storytelling and fading in and out of listening - now perked up in his seat upon hearing the ending, and narrowed his eyes curiously.
"He's here?"
Bolin rolled his eyes, disappointed that his brother seemed to be so inept at listening to him.
"Yeah, I'm pretty sure that I just said that."
Mako stood up slowly from the seat, kicking the stool aside as he rose and heading for the door.
Bolin eyed him carefully as he moved, then shifted his own positioning to block his brother.
"Uh, where are you going?"
Mako scoffed in response.
"I really don't think that's a good idea…" Bolin warned, trying to dissuade Mako.
He shot his brother a glare, indicating that he should move out of the way.
Bolin obliged hesitantly, only out of respect for his older brother, and watched as he strode purposefully out of the room.
Fuck.
Mako strode through the halls of the temple, his pace quick and clearly indicating his worsening temper. He went from door to door, peeking inside the doors left ajar and quietly opening the ones that had been shut.
Why are there so many goddamn rooms here?
Mako groaned, finding his way towards the end of the hallway. He spun around another corner, and found himself in the main living room of the temple. He cursed under his breath and walked through the open space, setting off for another hallway.
"Mako!"
A smooth, feminine voice sounded from behind him.
Mako turned around towards the voice, recognizing it immediately. The tall, dark-haired, pale-skinned woman looked to him with cheery eyes, her hazel eyes meeting his ginger ones, and he became uncomfortably aware of how tense he was. He pulled her into his arms, shoving Tahno aside for the moment.
"Good afternoon,"
Her silky voice spoke from his chest, a small giggle escaping her as she planted a gentle kiss on his lips. Mako stared at her for a blurred second before responding with the faintest hint of a smile.
"Hey," he responded shortly.
She pulled away slightly, her eyes shooting him a look of concern.
"Is everything okay? You sound...upset."
Mako gave her a partial grin, attempting to reassure her.
"I'm fine."
Asami rolled her eyes, resolving to continue this later, since he clearly didn't want to discuss whatever it was now.
"Everyone's been acting weird today..although it's justified with Korra going missing last night and then whatever happened with that mysterious guy she and Bolin brought back."
Tahno drew away, his eyes now locking onto hers. "...Mysterious guy?"
Asami cocked her head slightly, intrigued to have peaked his interest.
"Yeah, that injured guy that your brother and Korra back. He's staying here until he gets better, he's back over in the Men's dormitories in one of the quieter halls."
Mako planted a kiss on her lips before taking off the way he had came, exclaiming his thanks to her as he left.
Tahno sat in his room, gazing out the window, lost in the outside world. He was mesmerized by the ocean in the distance, the azure waves crashing violently against the earth. His hand tingled, as he remembered the power he once had. He yearned for his bending, every second, but he had learned to push those thoughts aside. Lusting over the past wasn't going to change his current situation. Keeping his thoughts rooted in memories only made him more miserable. He had to let them go. Move on. Carry on with his life.
But he couldn't.
The heavy footsteps sounding from outside his door alerted him, and Tahno immediately turned in their direction, just in time to watch the door slammed open and to see the firebender walk in.
Great.
12/31/2017
