Chapter Five - Yearning
It wasn't until Jinora had landed outside of the dining hall that she fully realised the extent of her hunger and exhaustion. She hauled her weary body laboriously up the steps and made her way sleepily to the kitchens, obeying the loud demands of her growling stomach. Fuelled by her hunger, she barged ungracefully in to the kitchens, making a beeline straight for the pantry, grabbing a bowl on her way. She was so focused on her mission to ransack the pantry that she was completely oblivious to the other person sitting at the kitchen table. It wasn't until she had stacked her arms full with food to eat that she heard a hesitant but inquisitive voice from the table behind the pantry door.
"Jinora?" The light tenor voice questioned her softly. Caught off guard, Jinora span around abruptly, dropping the wooden bowl and some of the food that she had gathered in surprise.
"B...Bolin?" Jinora cried in alarm. She was not at all prepared for anyone to see her in the current state she was in, yet alone him. Her face started to blush an unflattering shade of deep red as she hastily picked up the items that she had dropped.
"What are you doing here? I mean, why are up so late? Shouldn't you be in bed by now? I mean you don't have to be in bed, you are an adult and stuff, but..." She awkwardly trailed off realising that her usually eloquent conversation skills had been diminished by her exhaustion accompanied by his presence. Jinora flushed an even deeper red as she finished her sentence, looking at the ground to hide her face and shuffling her small feet nervously. Bolin gave a hearty chuckle at her flustered state and looked at her with an expression of unvoiced understanding, lighting up his warm face.
"Why don't you sit and eat with me?" Bolin suggested brightly, open-handedly gesturing at the vacant wooden seat in front of him. Jinora gave him a small smile of gratitude and walked to the seat that he had allocated her, placing the food she had collected in front of her with a gentle thud. She was thankful that Bolin had not taken offense to any rambling she had done and for understanding that she was on edge. Jinora started quickly placing food in the deep bowl in front of her and proceeded to eat it ferociously, leaving all semblances of her usual, graceful self behind to be replaced with what looked like the focus of a ravenous moose-lion eating its last meal. For the second time today, Jinora found herself shoving as much food as she could physically fit in to her mouth. Bolin watched her uncharacteristic behaviour with amused interest. She didn't seem to notice his attention and continued to wolf down the food. When he was around her, he felt like he was sixteen again. The way that they could spend time together in comfortable silence was a refreshing change compared to time he had spent with other women of his age. With other women, it was like silence was a sin and it soon became awkward to be around them when the conversation ran dry. With Jinora however, he could peacefully enjoy her presence without having to force a single word. Not that he needed to say anything; Jinora was too preoccupied devouring any food she came across. Bolin didn't think he could ever be bored with her. He drank in her features time and time again, appreciating her as though she were a priceless work of art. He was dragged out of his train of thought by the unceremonious clatter of Jinora's now empty bowl and her golden brown eyes locking with his in an expectant stare.
"Bolin, why are you staring at me?" She asked with an air of self consciousness.
'Because you are the most beautiful woman on the planet,' He thought to himself loudly. His reply was a bit more modest.
"I was just thinking about how much you've grown since I met you," He answered in a half truth. "You're not ten years old anymore. You've developed in to this beautiful, intelligent young woman. I was just thinking about how much I have enjoyed spending the time with you." He finished off quietly. Jinora blushed at his honest compliments. At this rate, she felt like it would be less effort for her face if she just kept a permanent blush on while she was around Bolin. He gave Jinora one of his trade mark crooked smiles as her eyes met his briefly.
"Oh, by the way, how did your test go?" Bolin added after a second of comfortable silence had passed.
"So far, pretty good. I passed my Airbending exam, now I just need to pass the meditation section. It goes for twenty four hours, hence my raid of the pantry." She added with a slight laugh. Reminding herself of the meditation, she looked at the rickety old clock hanging from the wall.
Twenty to Twelve
"Ten minutes left," She thought out loud. Bolin coined on quickly to what she was talking about and looked to the clock to verify her statement. Bolin watched as Jinora stood up from her chair, emitting a soft scraping sound as she moved to clear the table, blowing her long hair out of her tired eyes. Bolin watched her body longingly as she swiftly cleared the table, the curves of her body becoming accentuated temptingly as she leaned over to wash her bowl in the sink. He was internally battling his overwhelming urge to walk over, hold her from behind, brush her chocolate brown hair out of the way and tenderly kiss her neck. If he was a weaker man, he may have done so. He stopped himself by the reminder of the silent promise he had made. 'Stupid promise,' He internally cursed as Jinora dried the plate and placed it back in to its spot. As she finished up, Jinora dried her hands off on the towel next to the sink, turning back and facing Bolin when she had finished. He stood and slowly approached her, stopping about ten inches from where she stood.
"The next time I see you, you'll be a master Air bender." Bolin marvelled, looking down into her rich brown eyes. She smiled at him gently. "I can't wait to see your awesome tattoos," He added childishly. "They're going to look great on you."
"You know they have to shave my hair off to tattoo me, right?" Jinora asked, raising an eyebrow at him.
"It doesn't matter. Your hair isn't what makes you beautiful," Bolin remarked tenderly looking deep into her rich brown eyes. Her expression softened considerably, her eyes glowing with adoration for him. He knew exactly what to say to her to make her feel special. She desperately wanted to tell him how she felt, wanted to feel his lips pressing gently against her own; but instead of indulging in her want of him, Jinora tore her eyes away from him, looking behind him at the clock again.
Quarter to Twelve
"Bolin, I have to go," Jinora breathed softly at him, her eyes returning to her look of adoration which was now added to with sadness.
"I know," Bolin replied quietly, reaching out and placing his rough hand on her delicate cheek. He gently pulled her in to him, feeling her arms wrap around his torso. He planted a long, poignant kiss gently on the top of her head as she snuggled in to him. They unwillingly broke apart smiling ruefully at each other.
"Good luck Jinora," Bolin said encouragingly, letting his hand leave her face.
"Thanks Bo," she replied smilingly. "I have to go now; I'll see you after I'm finished." She completed her sentence and before another word could be spoken, she was gone. He sighed wistfully in her direction. Knowing that the next time he saw her, she would be an Airbending master.
Jinora quickly exited the kitchen and made her way briskly down the hall. After making a quick visit to the bathroom, she gracefully made her way down the stairs and down to the pavilion where the panel of acolytes and her father awaited.
AN: Hey guys, I hope you are enjoying reading this story so far. I have really loved writing it. Unfortunately it is going to be a bit of a wait for the next chapter since I will be sitting exams and will not have access to my computer. Hang in there though. I will post another chapter as soon as I can. Please review, I love hearing what you have to say. I should also probably mention that I do not own The Legend Of Korra or the characters.
Hazelehm
