A/N: I know the "Mama" title belongs to Mako but I could totally see Bolin mothering after Korra as well. And also being totally pouty whenever she has to go away.

Rated: K

Day 3 - Prepared

Bolin never likes it when Korra goes away on Avatar business.

She always travels light. Other than folding some clothes and securing the trinkets she'd bought for her parents – a snow globe of the Republic City skyline for her mother, and a figurine of the Pro-Bending Arena for her father – helping Korra pack is relatively effortless.

It's the goodbye for now that's the hard part.

"I still don't get why you have to go," Bolin sulks, clutching a folded stack of Korra's sleeveless shirts, fresh from the laundry, against his chest. As if hijacking her clothing will keep her with him longer.

"Yeah, you do," she insists, gently plucking her shirts from his grasp and stowing them safely in her sack.

"Why you have to go for so long," Bolin corrects. "Eight weeks? Seriously? That's like two months!"

Also the longest she'll ever have been away from him since they met.

"I could be back before then," she says in an effort to comfort him. "Stop pouting!" Korra smacks his arm playfully, but it doesn't cheer up Bolin's mood in the slightest.

He heaves a sad sigh and continues to help her pack.

The day she departs, Bolin thrusts a satchel into her hands. "It's full of things you'll need for your trip! There's some turkey-duck jerky for you and Naga, and I packed you some dried fruits and–"

"I think we have a stowaway," Korra interrupts, smirking as the contents of the bag wiggles in her hands.

A furry red face pokes its head out of the flap, cheeks stuffed full of nuts.

"No! Pabu! Those nuts are for Korra!"

Korra giggles as Bolin struggles to seize his thieving pet fire ferret, and tucks the bag full of travel supplies Bolin has taken such great care to assemble into Naga's saddlebag. The fire ferret leaps out of Bolin's arms and darts under Naga's legs, scampering off towards the island greenhouse.

"He's lucky he got away…" Bolin scowls at the retreating red dot.

Korra pats Naga's backside, prompting the polar bear dog to climb into the ship that will carry them to the South Pole.

"Thank you," she says softly, pecking Bolin on the cheek as she presses herself up against his solid chest.

Bolin envelops her in a tight hug, and drops his face against her neck. "Be careful," he murmurs.

"I will."

"Don't forget about me while you're gone."

"Never."

Bolin captures her lips in a determined kiss, pulling her closer as Korra's hands move around his neck, raking her slender fingers through his dark hair.

Afterwards, she rests her forehead against his and whispers, "I've gotta go. Naga's waiting for me."

With a glum nod, Bolin releases her from his bearlike hug. So it comes as a surprise when she doesn't let go.

He is happy to hold her a while longer, and is already preparing for the moment she'll be back in his arms.