Mako slept only two hours that night. He was completely exhausted: mentally, physically, and emotionally. That was probably the only reason he slept at all.
He regretted his words to Bolin. Bo was the only family he had left, and Mako couldn't bear to lose him. He knew that was what had pushed him off the cliff, but in the end all responsibility was his. He should have waited until they had both recovered from the meeting to talk with Bolin.
Not that 'talk' was the right word. He hadn't listened to what his brother was really trying to say. And that was what had haunted him all night. He had been the one to drive his brother away, not Amon.
Mako had heard the door close and had almost gone after Bolin; would have, if he didn't have so much pride. Mako had known his brother wouldn't be in any danger. Bo may be a lot of things, but he wasn't stupid. He probably just went to the gym.
Mako wished he had also. Climbing the rope or dodging mock attacks was better than pacing the floor of their room. The night mares about the revelation and their parent's deaths were fresh from his restless sleep, and even punching that cheep potato sack was better than being alone with them.
Mako threw open the door of his dark cave of gloom and regret about four o'clock in the morning. It reverberated against the wall too loudly and caused the 'neighbor' below them to start yelling. Mako wasn't paying attention though. Bolin still wasn't home, and the gym had officially closed at one. Even if he had been hungry and went for food, he was long overdue.
Mako began pacing the floor in the living room now; not that there was much deference. He remembered his brother's words clearly. "As long as I can remember, you have been taking care of me. I always appreciated it, but I'm not a little kid anymore, Mako." Bolin had been right. He needed to let him grow up. He was not a little kid anymore. He was a responsible-
Bolin is not responsible. You of all people should know that. If he was, do you think he would have been captured by Amon?
Mako moaned. It was true. But he had to let his brother live his own life regardless.
And if he no longer has a life to live do you think it matters?
The picture of his brother's dead body lying in an alley burned itself into his mind. Mako snarled. He would do anything to keep that from happening.
He grabbed his jacket and realized his scarf was missing. How had he forgotten to get it back from Korra? Why had he let her use it in the first place?
Because you are insanely in love with her.
That was not true. Him and Korra? Together? Like that? The whole idea was ludicrous.
I know, but I'm bored. And thinking about her is a lot better than thinking about dead people.
Getting back to the scarf, the 'why' didn't matter now: he had, and now she had it. He would ask her to help him find Bolin again, and get it back then.
Because you just enjoy being with her.
The walk to the bridge was calming and helped him ignore that little voice in his head; he couldn't believe he was being so irrational lately. What was wrong with him?
Mako didn't care to answer that question as he stood before Korra's door. He usually didn't hesitate, especially when something serious was going on, but something about this didn't feel right. Why was he depending on her so much all of a sudden? Realizing this bothered him greatly. He had never relied on anyone but Bolin before. He trusted her far too much, but there was no way as he could stop. There was something about her that demanded belief. Not only in her, but in Hope and all those other things he had only half-way believed before. The whole city sensed it. He could feel the change in simply walking down the streets at night.
The only thing wrong with this new world was Amon.
It could never be perfect anyway. People are not perfect. It would be peaceful, but there would still be those doing evil things. There always is, even when Avatar Angg was alive.
Mako absently wondered if Korra ever felt inferior to the previous Avatar. But why would she? That was not like her. Still, he followed the thought because inferior was how he felt when he thought of his father. He would have kept Bolin from doing all the stupid things he had done under Mako's supervision.
Have you ever thought perhaps that was how your brother felt?
No, he hadn't.
Well maybe it's time you did, huh?
Mako sighed. It was true, he hadn't been thinking of how his brother felt, but only about his brother's safety. That was what had meant the most.
Your dad didn't think so.
That was what had meant the most in those early years, anyway. Now that they were over, he couldn't change his habits. Sometimes it seemed his Dad been mistaken, and it had gotten him killed. Mako couldn't let that happen to Bolin. He would do anything to avoid that.
Which is why we are out at four A.M. going to out to visit your 'all knowing' Avatar?
Korra wasn't exactly 'all knowing', he admitted, in fact she was far from it. But she was the only good friend he had right now. Not that she was his like that or anything.
Right, and that's why you let her wear your precious scarf.
That little incident had only happened because Bolin had been in danger. He would get it back tonight, and let the embarrassing events of the past be buried. Besides, she was Bolin's girl anyway. Mako couldn't hurt his brother by stilling the girl he wanted; not that Mako thought of her like that anyway.
That was what he was telling himself as he stood in front of her door at four o'clock in the morning waiting for her to open up.
That one is too obvious; I refuse to take the bait.
"Who is it?" Korra asked groggily from the other side.
There was an awkward moment of silence as Mako hesitated again. He cleared his throat. "Kor-"
"Tenzin! It's four o'clock! In the morning!" The door opened a fraction as she whined and Mako heard a loud thwack before Korra moaned. "Stupid door. And don't tell me air benders get up the early to train and are glad about it! Because I-"
"Korra," Mako tried again.
Her eyes shot open wide. "Ma-mako. Uh, hi." It was then he noticed her third ponytail sticking up in several odd ways. He resisted rolling his eyes.
"Have you seen Bolin?" Mako asked dryly. He hoped that she had. If his brother was safe, then he could go back home and pace the floor until Bolin decided to come back.
"Huh?" She stared like Pabu whenever he was told anything intelligent. He simply waited for her answer. Her eyes lit up as a warning bell that her mind had caught up. "Oh, yeah! He's asleep over there," she said jerking a thumb diagonally to the left. Mako relaxed a little, Bolin was safe, but he also started to sweat. It was one of the awkward moments he really hoped she was just half asleep. She blushed crazily, just like everything else about her, and said, "Oh, um…I mean, like- he's in the next room. He asked if he could stay. Something about a disagreement you guys had? Anyway, he didn't want to fall out the window again; I don't understand that part, but whatever. I thought it was okay, so I told him I'd ask Tezin and he said Bolin could stay and-"
Mako threw up his hands. "I get it. So, can I talk to him?" He blurted out. He didn't know why he asked, this was his brother after all, but for some reason he did. She smiled and motioned him on to the next room. When he shifted to leave, he caught a glance of something on her arm. "Um…," the tips of his ears burned as he asked that, "is that my name?"
Her eyes were as big as dumplings. "Um," she mumbled, her blush returning, "That's my reminder to give you back your scarf." She reached around and picked it up. "Here."
"Umph." Mako hissed as she stuffed it in his arms, she had practically punched him, causing him to lose his breath. "Thanks." He really wasn't that thankful.
She nodded and slammed the door in his face.
He sighed. She was weird.
After living with Bolin you are seriously thinking that?
Bolin was different. He was guy weird, Kora was girl weird; and there was a big gap between the two.
Ah, finally something the great Mako doesn't understand.
He knocked on the guestroom door. "Hey Bo, I know you're in there. We need to talk." There was no answer except for the ear-splitting snoring oozing out from under the door. Mako smiled. No wonder he hadn't been able to sleep tonight. It was amazing the things you grew accustomed to and could not live without.
Mako tried the door; after all, it was just his brother. It was open. Closing the door back again, he walked forward and sat on the edge of Bolin's bed.
"Hey." Still there was no response, but he could almost see the smile on his brother's face. This was a game Bo had played when they were younger, Mako had almost forgotten about it. "I just came to say I was sorry. You're right. I have been bossy. I thought I was taking care of you, though, I promise. When you were taken by Amon, it scared me crazy. I can't loose you too, Bolin. That's why I was so upset. So if you'll forgive me…" Mako trailed off.
This was the part where Bolin sat up and smiled that of course he was forgiven. He waited. It didn't happen.
Mako sighed. "Fine. I'll take you to the hero movie." This was also a game. It used to be he could bribe his little brother with dumplings (or whatever food Bolin happened to be craving at the moment), but now they were older it took more to 'buy him off'. That term irritated Mako, but as Bolin said, "If you're really sorry, you'll prove it". Right now they didn't have the money, and whatever they did have had to go to the entrance fee for the tournament. They both knew this; however Mako had learned that sometimes it was best to play along anyway.
Bolin sat up and rubbed his eyes. "Korra? What are you doing here?"
…Because sometimes things like this happened. "I would like to know the same thing."
Bolin screamed.
Like a girl.
Mako conceded the point and ducked the chunk of earth flying at his head. "Fine, if you don't want to see the movie that bad, we can just go home."
His brother grinned. "Hey, if you're buying, I think I can stomach it."
"Yeah, I thought so." He frowned. "Seriously, what are you doing at Korra's house?"
"Um, I didn't want to fall out the window again and I knew she wouldn't mind, sooo-"
"You conned her into letting you crash here?" Mako stated bluntly.
"Not exactly," Bolin said innocently.
"Uh, huh."
"Now what was this about a movie? Because if it's what I think it is, I KNEW YOU WERE HOLDING OUT ON ME! You were going to let me pick the movie for you to take Korra to and let me be the third wheel! I knew something was going on when I saw you're name on her arm, GIRLFRIEND-STILLER! How could you NOT TELL M-" Mako stuffed part of his scarf into Bolin's mouth.
"There is nothing, I repeat, nothing going on between the Avatar and I. Why would there be? I know you like her, I do not. So don't worry." When his brother had quit squirming, he let go. "It was you I was offering to take to the movie."
"Oooh. Haha, It's really funny, actually, I, uh, had this dream and-"
"Bo, save it," Mako said softly. "It's cool."
"So, what movie are we going to see?" he asked, already back to normal. It was times like these Mako remembered why he loved his brother so much.
"Whichever one you want, I don't care. But we'll have to do it after the championships-"
"Why? We have the money." Bolin cut in seemingly confused.
Right, now he's beyond weird. Insane may be the word you're looking for.
Mako tried to shove the thought aside. It did not want to budge. "Um, Bo, if you'll recall, we're broke."
He grinned in the way that meant he was about to prove 'big brother' wrong. "Not necessarily," the 'not' was emphasized for dramatic affect. From his sleeve he pulled a four inch thick stack of cash, neatly tied in the middle. "Amon didn't search us too thoroughly. I managed to keep a hold of this." Bolin was obviously proud of his feat, Mako was also.
"Tha- that's enough for the entrance fee and-" he stammered. Mako had never seen so much cash in his life, much less in his brother's hands.
"-And a movie; of my choice. So let's go!"
Mako laughed. For the first time in a long time, he truly laughed. Their problems were solved. They had money, they could enter the finals, win, and become famous. Bolin would get the Avatar as a date, and Mako would watch his brother's happiness quietly. For the first time, he no longer felt burdened with finding way to feed them. They could live a real life and not take out a loan to buy groceries.
He got that from the Triple Triads. It could be stolen. If you use it, both of you could be arrested. It could ruin both of you. What would you're dad think he knew you had let Bolin do something stupid and be thrown in prison?
"Before we start celebrating too much, is it honest?" He moaned.
Bolin stared at him. "You don't trust me? Really? Of course it's honest! This is what Zolt was paying me for hanging around."
"It's not that, Bo," Mako jumped in quickly before this started another fight. "Did Zolt get it honest?"
It was Bolin's turn to moan. "Maaako…"
"I'm just doing this to protect you. I can't let you get thrown in jail because Zolt was crooked," he pointed out reasonably.
"Look, Zolt's rings were gone. I think he sold them for the cash he needed for extra muscle. That's honest," his brother argued.
He had a point…
…But if it's stolen, he could still go to jail, even if he didn't think it was. Just being associated with the Triad is dangerous. You of all people should know.
Bolin had argued that Mako made all of the decisions for him. That he was bossy. He didn't want to continue making his little brother feel that way. He didn't want to be that way.
But what if he makes a mistake? This is serious. And you are responsible for him. It will be your fault as well if anything is wrong with the money.
That was true. It was his responsibility to step in and lead his brother in the right direction.
But shouldn't you trust him to make his own decisions and to make the right ones?
Wasn't that little voice in his head just against this?
Hey, my job is just to inform you of what you don't want to admit.
Either way it had a point. He should urge Bolin in the right direction, but without giving it away. That's what Kora said Tenzin did wasn't it? As an air bender and Council member, he should be an authority this stuff.
Back to the all knowing Avatar again, I see.
He ignored that. "In the end; it's your money, your decision. But think it over. You could go to jail for this," Mako sighed.
Bolin nodded solemnly. "I get it." There was a peaceful silence between them with the sound of the ocean in the distance. Finally Bolin asked, "Can we still go to the movie? It might help me think."
"If you pay," he smiled.
"This was your 'I'm sorry' treat, remember? How did I get dragged into paying for it?" Mako was forever amazed at how his brother could go from monk to clown in a span of milliseconds.
"I spent most of my earnings on information about your disappearance. So, again, if you want to wait until after the championship…" He trailed off, locking the trap in position.
Bolin took the bait. "Fine! But when we're all rich and famous, you have to pay me back!"
Part of this non-bossy stuff is letting him think that, the Voice reminded him before he could correct his brother.
So instead, Mako put on a smirk and replied, "If we ever become rich and famous, I'll buy you a theater."
"Hey, Mako," Bolin was back to Monk again, "are we cool?"
Mako paused a minute. This was one of the rare, special moments that only showed up once. He tilted the edges of his lips up a smidgen. "You accepted my apology gift, so, yeah, I think we're cool."
"Good, because I ran out of comfort-dumplings two hours ago."
Mako rolled his eyes to heaven. Bolin started laughing. In the peaceful, unassuming night he laughed again himself.
In the next room, Korra laughed with them.
A/N: Wow this was long! I'm tired! Anyway, I haven't seen the last episode yet… You saw the last few minutes. Okay, fine, but I've been putting it off in case it might mess up my creative juices. They asked what I thought about it at the end, and I might just have to employ that, :). Did they not know how dangerous that was? Thanks. Anyway, review? PLEASE?