Hi everyone!

I'm a fan of The Legend of Korra, especially of Mako and Bolin, The Bending Brothers.

This is my very first fanfiction, so I hope you like it. Sorry for any grammatical mistakes. Reviews are welcomed! Enjoy the story!

Disclaimer: I do not own The Legend of Korra!

Between Gifts and Heart's Memory

"How about this? A new red scarf. You said he used to have one, right?"

Bolin hummed at the scarf with slanted eyes as if inspecting every last one red fabric presented in front of him. "This one seems to be perfect gift, but I'm not sure. I don't want him to think that I'm replacing his old scarf. It was our father's."

"Okay. No scarf then." Opal continued to look at other clothes displayed in the shop. "Clothes, maybe?" She looked back at her boyfriend with uncertainty stamped in her words, questioning her own suggestion.

"If we wanna buy him clothes might as well find a police uniform. Have I told you that he sometimes sleeps in his uniform after full day shifts?"

"That's news for me." Opal trailed her eyes off from the fancy boy clothes. "Bolin, may I ask?"

"Sure. Anything."

"What does Mako like? I mean we've been searching for hours and I couldn't help but notice that you somehow don't have any idea either of what gift to give," Opal put her hand on Bolin's shoulder, trying to ease up the tension that her question brought up.

Bolin huffed in response, "You're right, Opal. I'm clueless. I actually have no idea. I do know what he doesn't like, but what he likes is kinda a big puzzle to me too. You know Mako, right? The mysterious brooding firebender."

Opal chuckled a bit before answering, "What did you give him last time? Last year."

"Not much. Just a letter and a souvenir from that one small village in Eastern Earth Kingdom. Kuvira didn't give us any holiday for Parents' Day, y'know. And, well, you could say the same applied to the year before and the 2 years before."

"Figures. So, did he like them? The gifts?"

"Actually, Mako always likes whatever gift I give him."

"Oh!"

"But, I don't know. I feel like I need to give him something special this year. I've never given him quite anything my whole life, while he, on the other hand, has given me everything."

There was a sudden glimpse of sadness in Bolin's eyes. For Opal, she rarely saw the look that her boyfriend was displaying. Bolin had always been a happy go lucky person with big heart. Yet, when it came to Mako, he looked kinda the mix between mature and childlike. There was seriousness in his eyes, a great determination to do something for his older brother, yet there was also traces of childlike hope of longed recognition - as of a child wanting to bring proudness for his parents.

Bolin went back to silence. His eyes dead staring to the floors. "Bolin?"

"Yes, dear?"

"Maybe we should talk first."

"Talk?" Bolin was clearly confused by Opal's sudden request. "About?"

"About Mako, of course. I think the best way for you to find a gift for him is to first take your time remembering him. What is he to you? What does your relationship with him means for you? That's gonna be a start, I guess."

"Well..." Another humming sound trailed off from Bolin's mouth. "I know this topic will probably bring you into some things that you rather forget, ones that you always warn me to not talk about until you're in the mood to talk. But, for what's worth, I guess it's worth the try. But, it's your decision ultimately. I won't push you and we can start looking again for gift."

"Alright. I think you got the point there." Opal then gently dragged Bolin to a cafetaria. If they were about to dive into this talk, better be with some tea or fruit juice.

After ordering drinks, Opal was the one to start, "So, let's begin."

"Your lead. You ask, I answer."

"Okay, then. Bolin, what is Mako to you?"

"My brother?", Bolin was more like asking whether he replied correctly rather than answering. "But you see him more than that, don't you?", Opal continued nevertheless. "Of course! He's the only family I have left. Well, I mean, yeah, there are Grandma Yin and our cousins and aunts and uncles, but they're still not the same for me."

"And why is that?"

"Well, for starters, they weren't there when we suffered. They weren't there for me when I was hungry on the street. They didn't know how it felt." Bolin was suddenly hit by the nature of his answer. "Uhmm, I don't mean to offend you... I just...", but Opal quickly grabbed Bolin's arm, "No, it's okay. You're right. No one was there for you two back then. Not me or Korra and Asami or even Tenzin and his family. No one understands what you two had to go through. And we will never fully understand either." Opal tightened his grip on Bolin, "But that's just the thing that make the bond between you and Mako is the more important. You understand each other. You've seen him in his lowest point and proudest moment and vice versa."

Bolin nodded in agreement. "Tell me again, what is Mako to you?"

Bolin sighed before speaking, "He's my brother. More than that, he's the one I look up to, he's my home, he's my protector and guardian, he's my fire, and he's my..." The sudden stop made Opal worry, but she pulled her face from any sign of worry and ask instead, "What's the last part?" Bolin rolled his eyes for a moment, confused on whether he should open this vulnerable part of himself to Opal. But, as open-minded as he always had been, the urge to open up won eventually.

"My only memory."

"Come again?"

"He's my only memory. Everytime I close my eyes and try to remember, I just can't. I only hear their screams, smell the burned furniture in my old house, probably mixed with the smell of cooked meat, and the menacing laugh. I can't remember anything about them. Nothing! When I try to see my mother's eyes, I only see Mako's. When I try to remember my father's night kisses, I only remember how Mako kissed me during those cold nights on the streets. He's all I can remember. The only anchor I have left to my parents." Tears started to emerge out from Bolin's eyes. He looked down, not wanting to let Opal see him.

"That's why I've been doing this for years, Opal. I feel like giving Mako gifts during Parents' Day, Father's Day, and even Mother's Day is the same as giving gifts to my own parents, who is now just a blur memory of black and red."

Opal crossed her free hand - the other one still holding Bolin's hands - to his cheek, slightly erasing his boyfriend's tears. The act brought Bolin to look back up at Opal. "And now that I'm not a child anymore, I just want to give him the best of gifts, so that he will always remember me. I want him to know that I will always be there for him, no matter how life seems to take us into different directions now. And here I am, not even having any clue of what to give."

"Well, last question then. Tell me Bolin, how will you remember Mako?"

"With all my heart. By cherishing our shared memories. By staying by his side."

"And do you think Mako would do just the se as that?"

Bolin was taken aback by the question, "Well, of course."

"Then we've found your problem then."

"Wait, what?" Opal giggled before moving to her explanation, "Bolin, you asked me to help you finding a gift for Mako. The truth is that I will never be of any help at all. You value Mako in your heart and the same goes for him to you. I can't help you find your gift, only your heart can. It doesn't have to be something fancy or expensive or extravagant. As long as it is what your heart deems right, then it is the perfect gift for Mako. A gift that will thread another memory between the two of you that you both will cherish in your hearts."

Bolin was wide-eyed. Opal cheerfully pressed his fingers to remove the remaining traces of tears near Bolin's eyes. "Wow! I... I never thought like that before."

"Well, for starters, you never think. So, it's no surprise for me." Bolin grinned in return to Opal's joke. "Thanks, Opal. For reminding me of what's important."

"Anytime. Now, before we continue our search, let's finish our juices first."

After that, Bolin decided to buy Mako's a crime novel (which he still needed help from Opal to choose between plenty of novels sold in the plaza's bookstore). He then copied a photo of him and Mako - they took it in celebration of Mako's left arm complete recovery - and bought a frame colored in red and white stripes (just like Fire Ferret's tail).

The next day, Bolin practically kidnapped Mako from his office late in the afternoon (he already warned Beifong beforehand) and took him to visit their old attic in the Probending Arena. It was then in their attic when Bolin gave Mako his gifts.

Bolin was surprised by what he saw on Mako's face when he unwrapped the gifts. Bolin was sure that Mako's smile was brighter than the beautiful sunset that illuminates through the glasses of the attic. "What do you know? I'm not a parent yet, but I already end up with one great kid of my own." Bolin pulled Mako into a hug in response. The brothers then decided to have a nostalgia by staying on the arena for the night.

I hope you enjoy the story. Please give your reviews and add me to your favorite. I'm planning on making more, but I'm a university student, so my study comes first ofc. Have a nice day, folks!