"Do you really think this is a good idea?" Mako asks, his eyes darting back inside as he steps out the window onto the porch. He carries two cups of tea with him. He stands yet leans against the building next to where his brother is seated on the ground.
"Yeah, why wouldn't it be?" Bolin takes the tea that Mako held out for him and sends him a nod before taking a sip. He quickly spits it out when his face turns red from its unbearable heat. He blows on the tea's surface to try to cool it off.
"Really?" Mako asks once more, not paying any attention to his brother's actions or question, only caring about Bolin's response.
"Mako… is something wrong?" Bolin stands up and begins to assess his brother. Mako squirms under Bolin's full attention. "Seriously, what is it Mako, you can tell me anything, you always could…" He pouts slightly when Mako lacks to react. "What's different now?"
"Have you…" Mako starts then squints his eyes shut. Am I really asking this? "Have you noticed how Korra's… acted… tonight?" He turns his head before opening his eyes to plead Bolin to respond.
But Bolin looks shocked, his eyes are wide and his mouth is slightly agape. There is silence for only a moment, but it feels like an eternity to Mako.
"What?" Bolin lets the syllable drop. Mako releases the breath he realizes he'd been holding.
"Never mind Bo," Mako turns his attention to the view in front of him, focusing faraway on Air Temple Island.
"No, Mako, please." Bolin's face clouds in worry, but Mako doesn't see it.
"No really, just forget I said anything."
Once again there is silence between them, but not in either of their heads.
Is Korra… is Korra jealous of Keiki? Mako knows he shouldn't be thinking about this, but he can't help it, it's been plaguing him all evening. The little things she kept doing and saying, little hints of jealousy that sometimes clouded her tone. Does she… does she want Bolin? He looks at his brother who is now gazing off in the distance as well. Mako shakes his head and slouches against the wall. He lets himself slide to a sit on the floor. Maybe she's just jealous that she's no longer the focus of everyone's attention. After all, Keiki's all I've been talking about today…and we haven't paid much attention to Korra, definitely much less than normally. He lets the evening play back through his head and sighs.
Bolin does not hear his brother's sigh, however, because he is lost in his brother's earlier words, "Have you noticed how Korra's acted tonight?" Was she not normal? She was snippy and hoity toity as usual, sassy as ever… but… Mako's right. His eyes widen as he remembers. She was looking for an excuse for me… why would she do that? Why wouldn't she just say I had hit on her… unless... His brow furrows, and his lips purse slightly as he tries to decipher what this means. Does this mean she's happy for me… that I finally have stopped pining for her and found someone? Is she… is she trying to make sure I stay happy… because I've stopped pining for her? Or… Bolin's jaw slacks suddenly, Oh my spirits… is she… is she pining for me? His attention snaps to Mako who is now more relaxed but still troubled. Oh my spirits, that's what Mako meant… she's pining for me isn't she. Although he can't help it, his lips turn up into a smile. The girl he's always wanted finally wants him back. And in this moment, he doesn't realize just how damned timing can be.
Sorry it's so short! Bah! This last little bit I needed to make a lot of decisions in... I even had to ask for advice on so this is how it'll be and a big chunk will be in chapter a couple chapters up... that I haven't written yet...
I just wanted to get this out because I'm going to be very slammed this weak and I'm not sure I'll get anything out for a while...
Also, I may end up combining the short chapters that are related, but for now it'll be like this, please just deal with it for now... I apologize that it's a little misleading to have a new chapter and then be disappointed that it's so short...
Anyway... yeah... Bolin... I love him though...
