Day 3 - Petsitting/Babysitting

Bolin's in charge of Naga while Korra's in a meeting.

"I can't believe Korra is letting you petsit Naga," Opal mused as they walked through the park. Bolin let Naga chase birds around the statue of Korra as the two watched from afar.

"Why not? I'm great with animals!" Bolin looked scandalized. "I've kept Pabu alive and happy for almost ten years, and even Juicy likes me! At least, I think he likes me."

Juicy's favorite thing to do with Bolin was trap him under his two front paws and sit on him like a mother turtle duck. Opal counted that as a sign of affection, but maybe it was just because she found it so funny. "I didn't mean it like that, Bo. I'm not questioning your ability to take care of her. I'm just surprised at Korra. Naga is like her baby. I wouldn't think she'd trust her with anyone."

"You'd think. But you know, the two if us really bonded when I was rescued from the Equalists and she carried me to safety. Then she saved me again when Asami's dad captured us and I was tied to General Iroh. She's such a good dog. We've been buds ever since." He placed his hand over his heart and watched Naga with a fond smile. Most people would find it odd to feel nostalgic about being captured by revolutionist groups, but Bolin was an odd person.

"Besides," Bolin added, "I've petsit Naga before, and we had a great time! I even turned her into a mover star! Right, Roh-Tan?" Naga just ignored him and continued her game.

"Yeah, how did Korra feel about that?"

Bolin stopped walking as his brow furrowed. "Um… I don't actually know. We were super busy with Harmonic Convergence when she came back, and I don't know if it ever registered with her. And I don't think she's actually seen any of my movers, so…"

Just then Naga came bounding over with a log in her mouth. She dropped it at their feet, panting happily.

"I think she wants to play fetch," said Opal.

Bolin reached down to pick it up, but wheezed as he did. "Okay, I'm not sure how far I can throw this." He gave it a shot anyway and heaved it into the air. It landed only a few feet away. Naga didn't even go after it; she just stared at him disappointed. "Okay, okay. How about this?" He clenched his fists and thrust them above his head. A rocky pillar shot the log high in the sky, and Naga chased after it towards Korra's statue.

"Good idea, Bolin," Opal mused. Bolin positively beamed at the compliment and did it again. Another pillar appeared just as Naga reached the log and tossed it again. She barked and continued after it.

A few more minutes of their game passed before Bolin smirked. "Hey, I've got another idea that'll make this even more fun for us."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yup! Have you ever actually taken a ride on a polar bear dog?"

Korra grumbled as she made her way through Avatar Korra Park. She still thought it was weird having a park named after her, but at the moment all she wanted was to find Naga and forget the awful and frustrating meeting she'd just had with President Raiko. She had been pulled away by some last minute complaint by their Commander in Chief, but luckily Bolin had been around to watch Naga for her. She could always trust Bolin with Naga. There was no one better suited—

ZOOM! A white blur zipped passed her as she crested a hill. Her eyes widened in amusement. Bolin and Opal were riding Naga around the park. Bolin was earthbending pillars as they ran, shooting a log into the air that Naga was chasing. Bolin was trying to keep his balance on the saddle as he brought up the pillars and pushed them back down while Opal had herself wrapped around his torso, screaming as they jumped and swerved without warning.

Bolin's last pillar didn't toss the log quite high enough. Naga leapt high in the air, the wood clutched in her jaws, before all three of them landed in the river with a big SPLASH!

Korra jogged over and smirked at them. Naga stood in the middle of the water happily gnawing on her prize. Bolin and Opal sat shivering on her back and dripping wet. Korra laughed when Naga saw her and came over to greet her. "So, I take it you guys had fun?"

Bolin blinked in surprise at her appearance and chuckled nervously. "Oh, hey there, Korra! We were just… you know…making sure Naga got her exercise. Right Opal?"

Opal, who had been completely silent since they landed, burst into a fit of giggles. "Again!" she cried. "Let's do that again!"

Thanks for reading! Reviews are appreciated!