Summary: The equalists bring their attack on republic city
Bolin was in the process of chasing down Meelo and the steam bun the child had stolen from his plate, when out of the corner of his eye he saw that Korra was finally starting to wake up.
"Hey there tough girl", he spoke softly while opening her door completely before entering. "How are you holding up?"
"Better, now that I got some rest", she said with a yawn. "Nothing like being stuck in a metal box to appreciate your own bed".
"Is that what Tarrlok was keeping you in? Where was he hiding you anyway?"
"Some tiny house up in the mountains", Korra answered. "Probably was planning to keep me there until he could figure out what to do with me. Can't believe it was actually a good thing that Amon showed up. Don't know how I would've escaped otherwise. What happened with you guys?"
Her mention of Amon made Bolin want to ask for more information about her escape, but realized it probably wasn't a story she wanted to talk about more than what was necessary, so he decided to fill her in on what he and the rest of team avatar had been doing.
"Lin was the one who got us all out of jail. After that we met up with Tenzin to track you down, since Tarrlok was telling everyone that you were taken by equalists after an ambush or something. Didn't put it together that he was the one who had you until after we tore through an equalist base to search for you, but at least Lin was able to find her missing officers."
"Yeah. Tarrlok bloodbended me when I went to city hall to get him to let you guys out of jail. Then he put me in a truck and drove off."
"That's what the little guy with the weird hat and voice said. Then he used bloodbending on all of us until we passed out. When we woke up he was gone." Bolin gave Korra a look after saying that, in the hopes it showed that he understood how awful the experience must have been for her, especially going through it alone. "Anyway, we all hopped on Oogi, then we heard Naga howling a little while later, looked down, and saw you."
"Sounds like you didn't have a fun day either", she responded, giving him a sympathetic smile. "Are you doing okay?"
'I feel like I should be the one asking you that, considering you had to escape from Tarrlok and Amon"
"I'm fine Bo, really". It felt like she was trying to reassure him, but then Korra seemed to feel awkward. "I was also asking because I noticed things between you and Mako seemed...uncomfortable, and I wanted to know if you two had patched things up yet?"
"Yeah, we worked it out. Never really thought of prison as a therapeutic place to talk out your issues. Wish you could've seen the look on his face when I told him I already knew about everything that happened during the tournament."
Watching a smile appear on Korra's face was something Bolin didn't think he would ever get tired of. She expressed her own relief that he was on good terms with Mako again, as well as that she was honest with him before, but the second part of what she said gave him a pang of guilt.
It wasn't something he'd really thought too much about, since it had only got in his head while talking with Mako, and searching for Korra hadn't really given Bolin time to dwell until they got her back to air temple island.
"Look, there's something that I wanted to tell you about." He wasn't really sure how to go about this, but he looked away from her in the hopes that any expression from her wouldn't be able to cause him to slip up.
"Before I went to meet you after the quarterfinal match, I talked with Mako in the locker room. I wasn't really sure how you felt about me, and Mako was worried about me getting my heart broken, but it felt like he was jealous too. I asked him to stay out of it, because I told him I hadn't felt this way about a girl before, but also because I knew you had a thing for him, and I figured you'd choose him over me if he wasn't already with Asami. Anyway, I wanted to tell you because I kinda felt guilty, since we're supposed to be honest and everything but I wasn't, and also because some stupid part of me feels like a second choice, since I messed up things for you with Mako, and I know that sounds weird, but I feel confused and I-"
He was cut off by Korra, who decided to respond to his worries by wrapping her arms around his neck and yanked him towards her, meeting his lips with her own.
For a few moments, Bolin was unresponsive. He just took her in, the way she smelled, the way she felt, it was all...perfect. But the somewhat smart part of himself felt the need to give advice. Kiss her back, you idiot.
Bolin pulled Korra close, with one arm around her waist and the other just below her neck. He leaned into her embrace, and as he felt fingers run through his hair, Bolin swore he felt Korra's tongue move across his teeth, which sent an energy throughout his body that he had never felt before.
He had kissed girls before, but nowhere close to this. He felt unsure of what to do next, but considering he hadn't been pushed away or slapped yet, it was a safe bet that he should keep doing what he had been doing. Bolin never wanted this moment to end, because this was definitely the greatest day of his life.
"What do you think you're doing!?"
Never mind. He and Korra instinctively pulled away from each other at the sound of Tenzin's shouting. He opened his eyes for a moment to look at her, and saw the expression on her face matched his own: an nervous grin, with cheeks blushing from the past few moments. But the redness on his face increased as he felt himself being lifted off the bed by a hand grabbing his shirt collar.
"What the- Oh come on!"
Tenzin didn't seem to acknowledge his objection as he carried him out of the room and away from Korra. "Unbelievable! The city's under attack and you can't be left alone for five minutes without...oogies!"
Bolin figured it was best to stay quiet and not ask what "oogies" meant, but then he heard Pema's voice coming from the kitchen.
"Tenzin? What's going on?"
The man simply responded by yelling "teenagers!", and the sounds he heard from the room they were heading toward gave Bolin an ironic sinking feeling as he realized he was about to be a spectacle.
The quick look he had around the room before he closed his eyes confirmed this. Lin had an amused smile, and Mako had his face in his palm. Asami seemed to be stifling laughter, while Jinora and Ikki were squealing in delight at the romance occurring in their home. Meelo looked confused by what was happening, but Pema was the only one who seemed to take pity on Bolin, giving him a sympathetic smile at his humiliation.
Tenzin then released his grip, allowing Bolin to fall on the floor unceremoniously. He felt no need to get up, instead enjoying the feeling of the cool floor against his face. Maybe if I don't move, they'll think I died of embarrassment and leave me alone.
Then he heard Lin speak up. "Gotta say Tenzin, this reminds me a lot of when my mom caught you sneaking into our house as a kid."
Bolin felt a little bit of hope. Maybe the focus of the room wasn't on him anymore. Jinora and Ikki seemed eager for details, but Tenzin was probably not willing to do so. Pema however, seemed intrigued by hearing about her husband's childhood antics. "Oh, really?"
Lin ignored Tenzin's objections and continued talking. "Yeah, one time he tried to forge a note from his parents saying he could stay the night, but forgot my mom can't read. And he also tried to use an air scooter so she couldn't 'see' him, but she was still able to hear him so that didn't work either. And once he actually-"
"Enough!" Tenzin was clearly tired of Lin's storytelling. "We need to focus, so would someone please go get Korra so can tell us what happened with Tarrlok? And not you!"
Bolin wasn't looking at the man, but it was pretty obvious to him that he was the one who wasn't supposed to go fetch Korra. Asami volunteered instead, and the rest of them sat down at the table while the acolytes brought food for the avatar. Her and Asami entered a few moments later, Korra sharing his reluctance to make eye contact with anyone.
(-)
After Korra sat down to eat, the atmosphere in the room seemed to calm down. She told everyone about her encounter and escape from both Tarrlok and Amon. Korra then revealed that Tarrlok was actually the son of Yakone. Lin then explained to everyone too young to know who she was talking about that Yakone was a mob boss that controlled Republic city decades ago that could bloodbend without a full moon, just as Tarrlok had done to all of them. Tenzin seemed more troubled though by Amon, with his boldness in attacking a council member and taking them prisoner.
After breakfast was finished, Asami watched Bolin and Korra quickly leave the room in separate directions, probably to avoid any additional embarrassment. Pema was about to do the dishes, but a hard kick from the baby in her stomach had Tenzin fussing over her, saying she should go lie down, so Asami offered to help with cleaning up, and Mako volunteered as well. After a few minutes of cleaning though, Bolin walked back into the room holding a teapot.
"Hey Mako, could you heat this up? Korra's almost out of tea." His older brother obliged, placing his hand on the teapot until steam was rising from it and boiling water could be heard. Bolin seemed like he was about to leave, but noticed Asami was staring at him with a skeptical look that was meant to be teasing, but unsure if Mako was being serious or not with his demeanor.
"What?" Bolin then held the teapot higher to emphasise his point. "I'm just making her tea!"
"Okay", Mako responded with a tone that sounded somewhat parental. "But if you're gone too long we'll send Tenzin after you."
Bolin's cheeks turned red once again at the warning, and he quickly exited to escape further scolding, leaving Asami laughing and Mako rolling his eyes.
"It's not funny", he told her with a lighthearted tone that contradicted what he was saying. "I can't take him anywhere nice."
"Technically, he was already staying here before we moved in", Asami pointed out. "Oh, relax. It could've been a lot worse."
Mako appeared ready to ask how, but stopped before saying anything, probably not wanting to hear about different scenarios of his little brother being caught with his girlfriend, deciding to grumble to himself instead.
"Looks like you'll have to get used to him growing up", Asami told him, to which Mako immediately responded "He didn't look very grown up when Tenzin was dangling him off the ground by his shirt."
"No", Asami admitted, "but he did yesterday when we were tracking down Korra."
Mako seemed to agree with that point. "I didn't expect that from him."
"Me neither. Guess he's not your baby brother anymore, huh?"
She said that with a teasing nature returning, hoping she didn't accidentally upset him. Fortunately she saw a smile creep onto his face. "Knock it off."
"Okay, don't get all momma turtleduck on me."
Mako was focused on finishing the dishes, so he was not expecting Asami to put her arms around his neck and plant a kiss on his cheek. The affection was not unwelcomed though, as he seemed to relax, and the look he gave her made Asami's heart flutter, and what she said next just felt natural.
"I love you."
He seemed surprised by what she just told him, but that disappeared quickly. "I love you too."
(-)
Bolin had been spending all of his time after breakfast trying to avoid Tenzin, so when he saw the man walking towards Lin out in the courtyard, he acted out of desperation and dove behind a nearby wall to stay unnoticed.
It seemed to work though as Tenzin seemed to focus on Lin, although he seemed to be a stuttering mess, feeling awkward about asking his ex-girlfriend to look after his family while he was going into the city to meet the council. It was unnecessary though, as she had no problem making sure they stayed safe. Pema seemed to take advantage of the situation, saying she needed an extra pair of hands, handing her Meelo and asking if she would give him a bath. Lin shouted that this wasn't what she agreed to, but Tenzin was already flying off on Oogi.
"Maybe I should offer to help. I do kinda owe her for taking the attention away from me before."
"I gotta poo! Really bad!"
"Nope. Not dealing with that", Bolin thought to himself as he decided to stay hidden, while Lin walked away with Meelo dangling from a metal cable, too disgusted to even hold the child with her hands anymore.
(-)
Korra was in the middle of a pai sho game with Asami when they heard the sounds of explosions. The two girls ran outside to see Mako and Bolin standing alongside Lin, all of them looking at the equalist airships descending on Republic city.
"We need to go help Tenzin", Korra spoke up.
"There should be a boat at the docks that can take you into the city", Lin responded, showing no interest in trying to stop them.
Team avatar ran down to the dock and were about to cast off when they saw Meelo, Jinora, and Ikki run up to them, begging to come along.
"No way", Korra told them.
"Why not?", Ikki whined.
"Because do you have any idea what your dad would do to us if we took you into the city right now?"
This seemed to be a good enough reason for them to stay behind, but Korra couldn't help feeling bad seeing how dejected they looked. Fortunately Bolin went to reassure them, stepping back onto the dock and dropping on one knee to get closer to their height.
"Look, the four of us can handle helping your dad on our own. What he needs for you is to stay here and protect your mom and the island, okay?"
"But chief Beifong is already here, and so are white lotus guards!", Jinora argued.
"True, but I bet they could use the help of three of the best airbenders in the world."
The children perked up at the praise, but then Jinora pointed out "We're the only airbenders in the world besides our dad".
"Doesn't make what I said any less true. But speaking of your dad please don't tell him I said any of this."
"Why not?", Meelo asked.
"Because I'm kinda on thin ice with him already, and if you do have to do any protecting and he finds out I told you that you should help, he'll probably throw me off the island. With a tornado."
"Will you take us out for ice cream if we don't say anything?"
"Ikki!", Korra interjected, upset at the little girl's attempt to extort Bolin, who didn't seem bothered by it at all.
"Deal", Bolin agreed as he got back on the boat so they could finally head to Republic city.
Once they arrived, Asami noticed nearby that her car was wrapped around a street pole, and Korra explained that after Tarrlok arrested them she tried to drive the car to the police station to get them out of jail, but it was her first time driving, so it didn't go well.
Bolin told her she did well considering the circumstances, but was concerned about the parking tickets. Mako burned them, saying the police had bigger problems to worry about. Or at least he hoped so.
When they drove toward the police station, Korra and the others saw officers being loaded into trucks, with mecha tanks they recognized from the Sato mansion. After Bolin followed Asami's instructions to earthbend a ramp, they all jumped out of the Satomobile, and watched as it crashed into and disabled one of the tanks.
After that, they got to work. Mako took out one of the tanks by redirecting the electricity that was coming through a cable that was shocking him. Bolin and Korra worked together to disable another one, the avatar waterbending nearby snow into its exhaust pipes while he used earthbending to knock it over. Asami took out the equalist foot soldiers with her electric glove, then helped Tenzin to his feet. He thanked her, then used an airblast to send a mecha tank flying onto the roof of the police station.
Korra ran up to him. "Are you alright, Tenzin?"
"I'm fine. And thanks, all of you. Me and the rest of the police force would be heading to Amon if you kids hadn't shown up.
"What's been going on in the city?", Asami asked.
"A coordinated attack. Who knows how long they've been planning this. They've taken out most of the police airships, and sabotaged rescue efforts. To make matters worse, they also abducted the other two council members from their homes, they ambushed me at city hall."
Bolin quickly followed up. "What happened at the police station? Before all this outside, I mean." He clarified his question while gesturing towards the nearby wreckage.
"I tried to send a wire to the united forces, but the lines were cut before the message could be put through. Then smoke started coming through the vents and we had to evacuate. Once we got outside though, there were these equalists waiting to capture us."
"Uh, guys." They turned to Mako, about to ask why he interrupted, but it became clear when they saw air temple island and the equalist airship heading towards it.
"No", Tenzin gasped.
They flew back to his home on Oogi, and his children being there to greet him brought the man clear relief.
"Thank goodness you're alright", he said as his children ran up to hug him. Then he noticed guards picking up and carrying off captured equalists. "What happened here?"
"We beat up the bad guys", Meelo told him while sitting on his shoulders.
"You let them fight, Lin? Do you realize what could have happened? What were you thinking?"
"I was thinking I was toast, until they showed up", Lin shot back. "Relax, they handled themselves well. You should be proud."
After a brief pause, she continued. "You should go see your wife." Sensing his fear, she clarified that Pema was completely fine. Tenzin realized what she was implying, and ran into the house, Bolin and Korra following behind him at a slower pace.
Jinora, Ikki, and Meelo were walking down the hall, telling the couple how they were able to fight off equalists when they heard the sound of a baby crying. The children rushed into the room, and when Bolin and Korra entered behind them and saw a family welcoming it's newest addition. Ikki was busy making introductions, Meelo was excited that he finally had a brother, and Jinora was asking to name the child. Tenzin told her that he and Pema had already decided to name him Rohan.
The blissful moment was interrupted though, as Asami and Mako came in with bad news.
"We've got a problem", the firebender spoke. "We saw equalist airships heading towards the island."
Tenzin calmed his frightened family, then stepped back outside with Lin and team avatar to create a plan.
"So what do we do now?", Korra asked.
"I need to get my family out of the city. I can't let Amon get his hands on my children."
"I'm going with you", Lin told him, not willing to argue. "You're the last airbenders in the world, there's no way I'm letting Amon take away any of your bending."
Tenzin offered his thanks and gratitude, then gave his attention to Korra. "I need you and your friends to leave the island and find a place to hide."
"We're not giving up."
"I'm not asking you to", he replied. "I've sent word to the United Forces, and they'll be here soon with reinforcements, and I'll return once my family's safe.
Korra let out a sigh. "Got it, we need to be patient."
"You're learning well."
Korra lightened up at the praise, giving her mentor a hug goodbye.
Once Tenzin and his family were on Oogi's back, they took off, but two of the equalist airships broke off from the others and started pursuit of the flying bison. The white lotus guards offered to hold off the equalists landing on the island while Korra and everyone else escaped, and Naga was more willing to handle four passengers than she was previously.
While riding down to the shore, Bolin noticed the mustache equalist sliding down the slope towards them, but Naga was able to defeat him by simply smacking him aside with her paw. The polar bear dog then jumped into Yue Bay, with Korra waterbending a bubble so they could breathe while staying hidden underwater.
"So, anyone have good ideas for hiding spots?", Asami asked.
"I do", Mako spoke up. "There are underground sewer tunnels all over Republic city that we can hide in. Hopefully there's still a tent city near the harbor."
"Tent city?", Korra questioned.
"A place where a lot of homeless people live", Bolin explained. "Mako and I used to spend a lot of time at those before we got into pro bending. I doubt there would be any equalists there, since they're probably focused on taking over the surface, and they won't be able to spot us from their airships."
"I thought most of them lived in the park."
"Some do", Bolin told Korra. "But if you get spotted by the police they'll chase you off. We found it easier to stay underground and avoid the hassle. They're probably all down there now with everything going on in the streets."
"Good thinking, guys", Asami told them as Naga resurfaced near a drainage pipe. They were all about to enter when Korra looked back and saw Air temple island being raided. She must have been staring, because she soon felt a familiar arm around her shoulders.
"Korra", Bolin spoke softly with sympathy clear in his voice. "I'm sorry, but we need to keep moving." She nodded silently in response, as they walked into the tunnel with Mako in front with fire in his hand to light the way.
(-)
"They're gaining on us!", Lin warned.
Tenzin told Oogi to go faster, but she didn't think it would be enough to get away from the equalists, as she saw a net with a rope attached flying towards them. She was able to rip it apart with her metal cable, and grabbed on to the rope attached to it.
She looked back at the others on the bison, and saw terrified faces. Pema and her children had probably learned what Amon was capable of, and were envisioning it happening to them.
Lin pushed away any thought of regret, and of what would've happened if she'd done things differently. Those choices had been made a long time ago, and right now she had a job to do.
"Whatever happens to me", she told them. "Don't turn back and don't slow down." Then she used the rope to swing herself onto one of the airships, ignoring Tenzin's demand to know what she was doing.
She was able to take down one of the airships with metalbending, but was stopped before she could disable the other one by bolas that tied her up, then she was electrocuted into unconsciousness.
When she woke back up, she was on her knees, the rain was pouring, and the first thing she saw was Amon's mask.
"Tell me where the avatar is and I'll let you keep your bending."
"I'm not telling you anything, you monster", Lin snarled.
"Very well". Lin closed her eyes afterwards and prepared herself for what was about to happen.
(-)
After walking for a few minutes, Korra and everyone else had arrived at the tent city. Her and Asami were taking in the scenery when a homeless man she recognized from first arriving in Republic city.
"Well, if it isn't my favorite pro benders coming for a visit!"
The boys were apparently more familiar with the man she was, given how a smile broke out on Mako's face, and Bolin ran toward him as he said "Bushi?"
"You guys know each other?", Korra asked her boyfriend who was in the middle of a hug.
"Know him?", Bolin said as he let the man go. "He taught me and Mako all we know about how to survive on the street! I swear you will never meet a hobo more wise and noble in your entire life!"
"I first met these two when they were about half as tall as they are now." Bushi then gave his attention to the girls. "Now who are these young girls you've brought with you today?"
"Where are my manners?", Bolin said while putting his hand on his forehead. "Bushi, this is Asami, and Avatar Korra."
Asami offered her greetings, while looking relieved that Bolin hadnt used her surname, probably not wanting to associate with her father. Korra was confused though, since the man didn't seem to recognize her.
"Wait, don't you remember me? We shared fish together in the park."
"Oh, that was probably my brother, Dock. So, how can this vagabond be of service to the Avatar?"
Remembering Tenzin's plan, Korra told Bushi what they needed. "We need to contact the United Forces. Is there any way we can send a message here?"
"There sure is." He then pointed to a nearby telegraph. "I can send a wire right over there."
The man then sat down and set up the equipment. "What do you want the message to be?"
Korra paused for a moment. "Tell them equalists have taken over Republic city and we need them to get here as soon as they can."
They soon got a response. "General Iroh says they'll arrive in three days time and he looks forward to taking back the city together."
Notes: Wanted to give some attention to other relationships in the story along with Borra, so I wrote in some Masami and Pemzin, with a sprinkle of Lin and Tenzin's past relationship. Also wanted to give the homeless guy more character, since he reminds me so much of Bushi/Dock/Xu from the painted lady episode in the last airbender, and he was one of my favorite side characters. Hopefully Korra finally being on netflix will get the borra ship the attention it deserves.