Note: The characters of 'Arak' and 'Ikun' are from Slacktension's story "No Church in The Wild" and they belong to her. I'm just going to mention them briefly (both men) because I love that story with all of my very being about how the brothers grew up on streets, and in my mind, that was how their life was.

It's my mind, so deal with it! Lol

*Starts thinking of that story. Hyperventilates* AHHHH!

So anyway, yes, if you have read that Too Amazing For Life story, then you know what I am talking about, and if you haven't, well, then, I can't even look at you. D:

So, please enjoy, and tell me what you think! :)

Warning: Spoilers from Season 2 episode 1 "Rebel Spirit"!

If you do not want spoilers, then please wait to read! I don't want to disappoint anyone!

Desna and Eska weren't known for showing much sympathy- or, any emotions, rather, besides the dull, grim-faced lull of boredom, and the unamused, uncaring, stoic exterior that tended to shy people away from the young Prince and Princess.

Even the Avatar herself, although living a life away from her icy cousins, declared them to 'smell like a grandma's attic' and creep her out like the 'Southern Rube' that she apparently was.

Mako was never really one to give people the benefit of the doubt, for the paranoias of surviving on the street and protecting his little brother, had caused him to take most people with a grain of salt until further judgement. But seeing the twins with his own eyes, he had to agree with his girlfriend.

Bolin, however, was another story put together. One that almost caused the littlest sensations of 'pity' and 'amusement' and -dare they even consider- 'fun' to cross their minds.

But, of course, they'd never let anyone know that.

The twins were used to switching on people; for no one could barely tell them apart as it was, and life gave them little opportunity for petty enjoyments that suited other poor 'uncultured' souls.

From the time they were about five years old, they had played little tricks on their mother and father; Eska undoing her hair, and pulling the pieces into Desna's nearly identical locks. A little swipe of purple powder above the eyes, and who could tell the difference?

It was pathetic, really, how their own father, Chief of the Northern Water Tribe, was so preoccupied with his people and the ways of the Spirits, that he didn't care enough to do a double take when addressing his children.

Oh, how many times had he really taken Eska hunting with him instead? Or how many days could they count that Desna had snuck into the Healing sessions in his sister's hair pieces, eyes feeling sticky with glitter, just to watch the talented women and girls practice their skills?

They were royalty, and they knew they could probably get anything they wanted just by asking, but really, what would be the fun in that?

So when-what was that oblivious Earthbender's name again? All the city dwellers looked alike- Bolin had seemed to try to establish a 'bond' with Eska and had asked her 'out' in the evening hours with nothing but a foolish smile and stuttering words, they decided they wanted to have a little more fun.

Little did the Princess know, her brother's motivations for this scandal were a little less caused by wanting to mess with the poor boy, and a little more having to do with his own amusement in this newcomer.

But some things were best kept secret, even from his twin. And what Eska and Bolin didn't know, wouldn't hurt them.

Or, so, the Ice Prince had assumed.

Perhaps, their days of switching had met their end.

Yet, when they had switched that night, Desna's hair done back with the pieces, the purple blooming above his eyes, Bolin had took him without question.

Oh, yes, this feeling definitely was amusement.

This would be a memorable night, indeed.

Mako had found his little brother in his room the next morning; curled up facing the wall, and familiar sounds of crying coming from the younger boy.

When Bolin had not returned back to where they were staying until late last night, it had began to worry the older brother, understandably. Korra had told him she had seen Bolin off with Eska earlier that night, the two seeming to be having a nice evening.

As much as Mako had wanted to be happy for his brother, something just didn't feel right, and his assumptions were proven true when the next morning Bolin had mumbled with teary eyes for him to go away.

"Bo...Hey, what's wrong, bud?" Mako had sat down quietly and put his hand on Bolin's shoulder. Bolin just stiffened and curled against the wall more.

Mako sighed, trying to get his brother to talk. "So, Korra tells me you that and Eska went out last night."

Nothing.

"Did something happen?" he asked softly,"Did she hurt you, Bo?"

Still nothing. Mako puffed a breath of air from his lips, slowly, with a pop.

"C'mon, buddy," he shook Bolin's shoulder, "Help me out here. I can't help you if you don't talk to me."

Bolin mumbled something against the pillow.

"What was that?" Mako gently took Bolin's shoulders, and lifted him up to face him. The Firebender's face softened when he saw the puffy eyes and pain written on the Earthbender's face.

"I said it wasn't her." he replied softly.

"Who, then? What happened?"

A few silent seconds drifted between them, Bolin digging his fingers into his knees.

"Bo..."

"Remember Arak and Ikun from when we were little?"

Mako blinked, not understanding where this was going. "I try not to...but yes. Honestly, I hoped you wouldn't remember them. Those guys were nothing but trouble."

"I remember lots of stuff from when were little." Bolin said, and Mako's face briefly flashed with guilt.

"Okay, but what about them? How are they relevant?"

"Do you, um..." Bolin bit his lip and looked away, voice quiet, "Do you remember how they were...? Like...how t-they felt for each other?"

Mako flinched slightly, images flashing though his mind accompanied with cactus-juice and beer in dark corners of the Head Quarters. Girls in short robes gaining kisses and rough touches from men with beady, blood- shot eyes, putrid breath, and gropey hands, tangling legs underneath tables until sunrise. The dirty, worn couch in the center of the room; its stained pillows memorizing the shape of Arak and Ikun's muscled bodies, both men's, and how their lips always met in the dead of night, dazed in a drunken stupor by morning.

Mako's voice was rough, "Yeah. I do. Unfortunately."

"D-did you ever think..." Bolin closed his eyes, face sad, and grim, "I mean, that they were- were gross? Or weird? Or anything like that? Because they liked each other?

Bolin face was still turned away, and Mako's worry began to gnaw at his insides.

"...I mean..." Mako chose his words carefully, sensing for some reason that this response was going to be crucial, "Not really? They were odd guys in and off themselves without each other, and I kinda tried to stay away from everyone for your sake, but...no, not really. I didn't think their relationship was that odd. When we were really little, I was scared because I didn't understand, but as I got older, I didn't really think much of it," He said, trying to shrug, "They liked each other and did their own thing, and who was I to judge? They were happy, so what did I care? People are all different, but I guess that's what makes us unique."

Bolin seems to think this over for a minute, biting his bottom lip.

"What if I'm different?" he whispers.

"What?"

"W-what if I'm different?" he squeezes his eyes tighter, "What if I feel the-the same way they did?"

Bolin opens his eyes to find Mako looking at him.

"I wasn't on a date with Eska last night- I only thought I was."

"Thought you were?" Mako's eyes are wide.

Bolin nods, letting out a shaky sigh, "I don't know what's wrong with me." he whispers, " They-they switched places on me, thought I wouldn't notice 'cause they look so similar, or that I was too stupid to figure it out or whatever. I kept feeling like something was off about her. I mean, I haven't known them for a while, and they are not very emotional to say the least, but I just couldn't put my finger on it. A-and then..."

Mako held his breath.

"We kissed."

"Oh, Bo..." Mako went to put his arm around Bolin's shoulder, but he shrugged it off.

A bitter, self-deprecating laugh left Bolin's lips, "Isn't that hilarious?" he spoke bitterly, "I finally get my first kiss, and it's with a guy, and I was too stupid to notice until afterward!"

Mako's eyes were flickering, "It wasn't your fault, Bolin. I'm gonna make them pay for hurting you."

"Of course it was my fault!" he exclaimed, hands fisted, "They used me! They thought I was just their stupid little toy to play with that they could laugh at!" then his voice drops to nearly a whisper, "But you know what? The whole time I thought he was Eska, I thought about how beautiful she was and how I wanted to make her mine...And then after he kissed me, I just realized. I realized right before he told me, and I freaked out. I freaked out, Mako. I yelled and screamed at him, and cried like a freak and ran all the way here...But now that I think about it...A part of me doesn't care if they were using me or not. A part of me actually liked that kiss. Liked...him..." he says, looking at Mako now, who's eyebrows are furrowed in concern, "And I don't know what that means. I'm so confused." the tears start coming now, Bolin griping his head, "I-I just feel like...How do I know which one I really liked? I feel like a freak. A freak, Mako."

"Oh, Bo...Bolin, no, come here," Mako gets him in his arms, head buried in his shoulder, "It's okay to be confused...It's means you're human, okay? There is nothing wrong with you, understand? Nothing, nothing, nothing."

Bolin whimpers, "But I think I really do like him, Mako...I kinda wanna see him again...Tell me you don't hate me..."

Mako sucks in a breath, "Bo, look at me..." Mako's fingers lift Bolin's face to him, "No matter what, we're brothers forever. You think after all these years, how you feel about a guy would change how I feel about you? It doesn't change a thing about how much I love you. You're my little brother, always. Even if you like Eska, or Desna, or-or Hasook for all I care!" Bolin winces, "But not really Hasook; he's a jerk. Friggin' Hasook." Mako mutters, and smiles when Bolin starts to chuckle.

"You just never gave the guy a chance; he was nice once you got to know him..."

"He never showed up enough to get to know, Bo." Mako says, "Anyway, the point is that I love you for everything you are, even if you like guys. It doesn't change a thing, got it? There might be some people who give you a hard time about it, but they don't matter, okay? All that matters is me."

"And Korra and Asami."

"Right. Only the people who love you." He looks right into Bolin's eyes, trying to make him see, "Do you understand? 'Sides, if anyone ever did say anything to you, I'd punch 'em out."

Bolin smiles, wiping away his tears. He buries his head against Mako's shoulder once more, "You're the best big brother in the world..."

Mako chuckles and kisses Bolin's hair, "Only 'cause I have you, little bro..."