Time Runs Slow (Part 3)

21. doubt

She's not sure if she can do this. Amon has beaten her before—this time, there will be no mercy. Even though she has mastered her spirituality and bending, she's still scared.

"Korra."

In an instant she's in Mako's arms, breathing him in. It's selfish, but she thinks the world could spare her just this moment, since she's going in there to save it, after all.

He tucks her under his chin. "We'll be watching if anything happens." She nods, hating herself for squeezing him tighter, but she needs him close. "I believe in you," he murmurs into her hair.

22. balloons

"What do you get an Airbender kid for his birthday?" wonders Mako.

Bolin shrugs. "We'll think of something."

In the end, they scrounge up enough money to get Meelo a toy car and a bunch of balloons. Meelo takes a liking to them instantly, grabbing the car while squealing "Vroom vroom!" The balloons fascinate him even more, and when he accidentally lets go and they fly up in the air, he simply airbends himself upwards to catch them.

Pema treats them to dinner, and the whole table guffaws when one of the balloons finally pops in an unsuspecting Meelo's face.

23. lantern

The flame peeps through the design in the rice paper, casting shadows on the sidewalk. Bolin is out with a girl ("He's all grown up!" exclaims Korra) and Mako and Korra have decided to see the sights.

Just as they've settled down in the park to talk, Gommu, the bush man, peers from behind his leaves.

"That's a pretty light you've got there," he notes.

Korra offers a spot on their blanket. They spend the rest of the night searching out constellations while listening to Gommu recount stories of old, of treasures stolen, loves lost and found, and battles won.

24. mask

"It's fun because you get to spook all the little children," explains Bolin, detailing the masked festival that takes place every year.

"That's awful!" snorts Korra, punching him in the arm, although she admits she'd probably have a kick out of it.

Mako rolls his eyes. "Honestly, you two, grow up a little."

Korra looks at Bolin before picking up her mask. She slides it onto her face and assumes a deep voice. "Guess who I am? 'Guys, no having fun. Guys, go practice. Excuse me while I go make out with Asami—'"

"Korra!" flushes Mako.

Bolin cracks up.

25. pebbles

He lets the pebble fly, watching as it glances off the pond's surface. Korra eyes him, attempting to mimic his movements. Her pebble sinks immediately. Mako smirks.

Korra sighs, frustrated. She picks up another pebble and tries again. No luck.

"Here." He moves behind her, positioning her flush against him, taking her hand in his as he angles her wrist. He helps her release the pebble at the right moment with a sharp flick.

He doesn't want to let go, but he does, watching the pebble skip. It's like everything else they do—things work better when they work together.

26. gravity

Maybe this is the end. He braces himself as the cliff falls away in a blur.

Something rams into his side. When he regains consciousness, blue eyes pore over him, concerned.

"Bolin?" he coughs, struggling to sit up.

Korra pushes him back down. "Safe," she answers.

He closes his eyes in relief.

The air whooshes out of his lungs as she tackles him. "Don't ever do that again!" she scolds, burrowing into his chest. He lifts a hand to pat her head hesitantly. "If I hadn't dived after you—"

"I can't really fight gravity," he says weakly, touched at her concern.

He can almost feel her rolling her eyes. "But you can stop falling off of cliffs."

27. apologies

A cool breeze blows over the bay. He considers that maybe he should have chased after her. He rubs at his temples, utterly convinced that she won't apologize, because she's hot-tempered and stubborn like that.

He spins around when he hears a cough.

"Uh…hey, Mako. Didn't think I'd see you up here." Korra's never been a good liar. A pause, then: "I'm sorry."

He walks over and stops in front of her. "You can make up for it at practice," he tells her. And even though she can't see, he smiles, because they both know things are fixed between them.

28. snapshot

A blinding flash emerges from the end of the black contraption Korra holds in her hands. Mako brings a hand up to cover his face. Ever since Bolin brought back the camera, Korra has busied herself with snapping pictures of everything.

The picture slides out and Korra holds it up, inspecting it before handing it to Bolin and Mako. In the image, Mako has a puzzled, almost annoyed expression. His outstretched hand partially obscures his face.

Mako grimaces. "That's an awful picture—"
Click. Korra grins from behind the camera. "Not as bad as this one," she declares brightly.

29. missing

"Don't panic," Bolin tells him from the couch.

It's weird because Mako's the older one. Normally, he's the one instructing Bolin to think things through and calm down, but for some reason his chest is tight. It's gone, he panics, and he shouldn't be this worked up over an inanimate object but he is. Meanwhile, Bolin sits calmly on the couch.

Mako's eyes narrow. "I bet you have something to do with this."

Bolin shrugs, downing another dumpling. "It'll turn up."

Right when Mako's lost all hope, Korra turns up with it in hand. "I heard you were missing this?"

30. horizon

"I think I'd like to see the world," declares Bolin, watching the sky.

Korra shifts. "That's what Aang did: traveled the world while learning his Avatar duties." She turns to Mako. "What about you?"

He watches the skyline of Republic City, a sight as familiar as the back of his hand. "Traveling would be nice. I could use a change," he decides.

Korra nods, expecting his answer all along. "Then it's settled," she says. "When this is over, I'm borrowing Oogi from Tenzin and we're going to fly around the world."

They watch the sun rise over Yue Bay peacefully.

A/N: So I realize after this week's episode that some of the drabbles might not be accurate (mostly the "mask" one) but here they are anyway! Am I the only one who died after this week's episode? SPOILER ALERT DON'T READ PAST THIS POINT UNLESS YOU'D LIKE TO HEAR ME RAMBLING AND SPEWING THOUGHTS AND GENERALLY SPAZZING. I REPEAT, SPOILERS. OKAY? OKAY.
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So, I freaked out when Korra got that look on her face after Pema's advice. And it did turn out to be a mess. Though I felt a certain guilty pleasure that we got the Makorra kiss, although I was hoping it was going to come later and there would be this awesome gradual build-up, but I guess the tension got to be too much XD. I felt bad for Bolin, but just the way he handled it and how he got over it so quickly (yeah he got soup-drunk, but by the end of the episode he was just...back to jolly old Bolin) further solidified my leaning towards Makorra. I love love-hate relationships, especially where they drive each other crazy and...AHHHHH.

So, if you've stuck with me this far-what did you guys think of the episode? (just respond in your review). I want to hear everyone else's thoughts, though I've already read a bunch of opinions on tumblr. :)