"Hello." Tenzin smiled as Lin and Bolin stepped onto the dock, "It's just the two of you today?"
"Yeah, Mako's got a job in the station cafeteria, so while we're stuffing our faces, he's stuck washing dishes. But the good news is I got us both tickets to the probending match tonight."
"Oh really? Are you sure you'll be able to make it in time?" Tenzin tried to act like he didn't detest the notion of wasting time in that ridiculous stadium watching a mockery of the bending art, but his frown gave him away.
"Yeah!" Bolin was clearly too excited to notice anything amiss, "Mako's gonna head straight there after he gets off and meet me by the front gate."
"Well, I hope the two of you have a good time." The elder man wished good him fortune with forced politeness.
"We will."..."So...what are we standing around here for?" he rocked back and forth on his heels while clapping his hands together lightly, a habit that showed itself when there was heavy tension in the air.
"Go help Pema with supper, Son." She didn't give him the answer that he wanted, but he didn't need to be told twice.
"Yeah, sure thing!" the teenager literally jumped at the chance to help in the kitchen where he may be able to sneak a few bites of fruit pie.
"So," the airbender stroked his beard, "it's been a few weeks now, how's everything coming along?"
"Slowly, but all things considering, not bad. He almost killed us all the other day..."
...
"Hello everybody!" Bolin burst through the door in one of his 'grand entrances' and was quickly tackled by two airbenders. Of course he was too rooted for them to cause any damage, but since he was such a nice guy he fell backwards anyway, "Errr...they're too...strong...can't get...free." The girls giggled as he mockingly struggled to free himself. Meelo, only three-years-old but a little troublemaker none the less, decided to climb on his head and pull his nose, "Ouch!"
"Meelo, behave yourself." The boy's mother scolded lightly as she detached him from his cousin's face, "Where's your mother, Bolin?"
"She's still talking with your husband." A new voice answered. Bolin strained to get a look at the new person. It was a woman near the window who looked an awful lot like Pema. Which reminded him...
"Do you need any help with the food?" He asked eagerly as his stomach rumbled.
"Well I was just about to stir the soup."
"I'll do it!" Bolin lightly pushed the girls off his stomach, "Can I do a taste-test?"
"A small taste-test."
"Deal!" he practically ran to the kitchen to get a spoonful (or three) of soup.
"Pema." a barely audible whisper came, "Is that Tenzin's son?"
"WHY DOES EVERYBODY THINK THAT!?" Bolin yelled from the kitchen. This had been happening since he moved into the overload cell. Mr. Sato was the first to make that mistake, and it was a mistake that happened more often than you'd think it would. Whenever he was introduced everyone's first thought was 'he's from her last relationship, and that was with Master Tenzin!'. The general belief was that his mom had kept him secret to avoid scandal or something like that. One reporter even had the nerve to ask if Tenzin's disappointment in an earthbending son had been the cause of the big breakup. It was nuts, "I'm ADOPTED!"
"Sorry, my mistake!" Pema's guest called back with wide-eyed and embarrassed amazement. After her blush had faded a little she turned back to the hostess, and made sure to layer her words with a sweet tone, "So what brings the Beifongs here today?" Translation: (What are those people doing in your home, then?)
"They're here to enjoy supper, Ming." (Leave it alone, Ming.)
"I wonder what those two are discussing out there?" (I'm concerned. You shouldn't leave your husband alone with his ex-fiancee.)
"Just some boring adult stuff, that's why they sent me in here to help with the food." Bolin answered as he reentered the room, "Mom probably wants me outta the way so she can complain about Mako without interruption. He nearly blew us up while he was practicing lightningbending."
"He did what?!"
"It was an accident, he was off by that much," He held up his hand, putting a forefinger an inch away from his thumb, " and BOOM! Oh, manners, sorry. I'm Bolin Beifong." the hand extended towards the stranger was taken with slight hesitance, as if she thought it might hurt her before realizing the idea was just silly.
"Oh, a polite young man." Lin Beifong's son actually had some decency, who knew?, "I'm Pema's sister, Ming."
"Where's your brother, Bolin?"
"He's got a job now."
"Oh, is that right? Doing what?"
"So Bolin," Ming broke in, "your mom and Tenzin are close again?"
"Ming!" Why didn't she ask her husband to cancel the family meal while her over-protective big sister was on the island? She'd better lay Ming's fears to rest before Lin came in, or there would be a significant chance of a little bloodshed. It was all a matter of honor and Lin was a very proud woman, "There is nothing going on between Tenzin and Lin. They're just friends."
"Hold it. You think my mom is going behind closed doors...with Tenzin?!" Bolin let out a loud belly laugh, soon he was holding his aching sides and joined in by the children. Pema almost giggled herself, he always did have such infectious laughter, "First off, my mom's not that subtle. Secondly, she doesn't like to share. Thirdly, she wouldn't do anything that might land her with three more kids. And fourthly, I know she's got her faults... she's hardheaded, short-tempered, proud, overconfident, prone to violence, and I think she tore the pages with the words forgiveness and mercy out of her dictionary. But," He took a step closer and pointed a finger at her. "she's all about loyalty and she wouldn't take anything or anybody that's already spoken for."
Ming stared. Pema stared. Every jaw in the room dropped. And as the silence filled the house, Bolin's defense faded while his manners, namely 'respect your elders' came rushing back. "So you don't have to worry about your sister's marriage, Ma'am." he added nervously.
"What the fu-"
"Lin!" Tenzin scolded, covering his nearest child's ears.
"-flameo" she growled at her friend, "is going on here?" They'd came into the house to find very lifelike statues of their relatives. Tenzin's family was found gaping at Bolin who had 'cowsheep entering a butcher shop' look about him.
"Mom, everyone thinks Tenzin's my dad, do I look like an airbender to you?"
"No." she crossed her arms, "You act like one."
"Oh, that explains-hey!" That line was below the belt in the Beifong family. He glared at her while she observed the room. With the scene, the presence of Tenzin's sister-in-law and Bolin's question, Lin was able to piece together what had happened here.
"Look's like it's your turn airhead." She looked his way and smirked, he knew what she was talking about.
...
"I don't need you to fight my battles for me, Kid." The meal had been an awkward situation to say the least and Bolin couldn't have been happier to get away...until he realized that once they got off the ferry he was in for it and without any protection.
"I know, but she was-"
"Looking out for her sister, but I don't need you to look after me. You can't change what people think. If anyone has a problem, they can take it up with me and if they don't, it doesn't matter. You and Pema know that I'm not pining over Tenzin, that's enough."
"Yeah...I guess...it's just that she made me so mad."
"Is alright, kid," she shoved him playfully, "But don't let it happen again."
"I won't." He smiled a guilty smile, "To tell the truth, I thought you'd wanna deck her."
"I've dealt with people like her since I turned sixteen, Kid. Even my in-laws were the same way. If I was in the same room with Tenzin, they were making fuss, but they didn't have the backbone to say it to my face until the day after his funeral, when Tenzin came to his grave with me. I found out a lot about myself that day. Apparently, I didn't want kids because I was afraid they'd turn out to be airbenders."
"Wow," that made Ming's accusation look polite, "what'd you say back?" There was a pause, one any parent would recognize. The hypocrite pause, caused by admitting that you've told your child not to do something that you did quite often your day.
"I knocked all five of their asses to the ground. Got arrested for aggravated assault."
"In a cemetery?!" He suddenly got horrible images of demolished headstones and uprooted graves. Disgusting!, "And you're getting on to me?"
"It was a special case. And don't give me that, the airhead was swinging punches right there with me. I just took all the blame."
"Really?"
"What judge would believe that a jellyboned pacifist like Tenzin would get into a fistfight?"
"Oh, man." If it'd made Tenzin mad enough to brawl in a graveyard, it must've been justified. Soon they came upon the arena and Bolin immediately spotted his brother, "See ya later, Mom." he said dashing off.
"Come home as soon as the matches are over!" Lin called after his retreating form.
"We will! Hey, Mako, have fun at work?" Bolin asked with a crooked grin. Mako looked like he'd been put through the wringer, with the wet shirt to prove it.
"About as much fun as you have when you're at work."
"So...not exactly fun, but it could be worse?" He guessed optimistically.
"Let's go." Mako pushed him forward suddenly.
"What's the rush?" the younger brother asked as he was moved along.
"I just wanna make sure we get good seats."
"And the Victory goes to the White Falls Wolfbats again, Folks, by an amazing knockout! Our next match-"
"Hey, is that Ash?" Two Toed Ping asked Shady Shin after he caught sight of a red scarf in the audience below.
"I don't see him. And if he knows what's good for him, he'll make sure I never see him again." Viper growled from his spot beside Shin.
"Naw, he's right there." Ping produced a pair of opera glasses from his pocket and took a closer look, "Yep, that's him alright. He cleans up real good."
"What?" Viper ripped the glasses out of the firebender's hands and found that, yes, the little brat that ran out on them was enjoying the probending matches, "And with Beifong's boy?!"
"Boys, you can address this matter after the match." The boss intervened, "Wouldn't want those boys to run into trouble on their way home."
"It's the Tigerdillos, who were saved by the buzzer! That's it for the festivities folks, make sure to come back next week-"
"It's so awesome! How lucky can you get? You're tittering over the edge of the platform, the buzzer rings and then you fall in."
"Yeah, let's get outta here," Mako leaped from his seat," I got the morning shift tomorrow."
"Hey, you okay? You seem kinda...jumpy."
"I'm fine." Sure he was, just fine...great even. Yeah, right. And from the polarbear puppy pout, Mako was sure Bolin didn't believe that either. "The last time I kept information away from you, it backfired." he reasoned, "Alright. My old bosses are here. They rigged a couple of the matches."
"Huh? Well, let's go call Mom." he turned towards the phone booth.
"No, Bro." Mako grabbed his arm, "She won't be able to prove anything. Lightning Bolt Zolt always makes sure of that."
"But, she can do something. This is Lin Beifong we're talking about, no crook could ever outmatch her."
"Yeah? Did you think that about Toph Beifong too?" It didn't take a second for him to regret that one, man, being a big brother was hard work, "Look, I'm sorry, but you have to promise me not to tell your mom."
"Mako-"
"Just promise." Another staring contest begun, finally Bolin crossed his arms.
"Okay, okay, I promise not to tell."...
"And the Fire Ferrets take the championship by a knockout! And the crowd goes wild." Somewhere along the way back, Bolin had decided that'd it'd be awesome if they made their own probending team. Mako, however wasn't so sure.
"Come on, the Fire Ferrets?"
"It's perfect. Pabu could be our mascot."
"And is he gonna waterbend too?"
"Well, no. But, hey, plenty of waterbenders in the city." he stopped dead in his tracks, "Hold on, my shoe has a hole in it. Let me just-" He used his brother as a leaning pole to take the useless things off his feet.
"They following us?" Mako whispered as Bolin busied himself with the second shoe.
"I feel three of them.", just because people were there didn't mean they were being followed, "But I don't know long they've been there."
"That's them alright. Just keep cool, when I say, chuck a rock and run for home."
"Gotcha." Bolin winked, "Alright, let's be off. So what were we talking about?" he asked as they started walking.
"You were going on about some half-baked probending id-now!" Mako threw two firebombs while Bolin kicked a boulder and they ran for it. Turn the corner, go down four blocks, make a left and they were home. That's all they had to do.
"Mako, down!" Bolin tripped Mako as a waterwhip lashed out. He made a barrier, but the firebender circled around them and kicked a stream off fire. The younger brother picked the older one up and headed to the alleyway.
"You idiot, they were trying to get us here!" Mako yelled from inside the tent Bolin made, "No witnesses!"
"What was I supposed to, let him burn your face off?" The tent crumbled courtesy of another earthbender. A punch to the ground sent the attackers back a few feet, long enough for Bolin to make another tent, but this time he dug in his fingers to keep it together.
"Let me outta here." this was all his fault, and Mako couldn't let his little brother get hurt, "They only want me."
"The hell I will!" It was getting hot in there, the triad's ash-maker was going to cook them if they didn't think of something fast, "I know, I'll tunnel!" he let go of the tent, "Nope, bad idea." he decided as a wall almost came down on them, "Think of something!"
"I'm trying! You're the champ, what's wrong with you?!"
"Yeah, and in a ring I might stand a chance!" In a ring, there would've been no surprises, and he wouldn't have to worry about his brother, "Please let this work."
"What?" Mako didn't get a reply as Bolin dropped to his and pounded the ground softly. Their shelter crumbled, but Bolin stayed still to shake the earth. The opposing waterbender fell to the ground, but came up with a vengeance. The young earthbender stopped whatever he was doing to fight Viper off. Mako blocked fire from Ping as he tried to step in, then leg swiped him. Three moves later, Viper was out cold. His back hit the side rail of the dumpster, hard, and now he was laying in the alley
"We can take 'em." Bolin boasted, two against two.
"Overconfidence has killed many men." Lightning Bolt Zolt came out of the shadows.
"Look, I'm the one you want, leave my brother alone." the firebending brother moved out in front of Bolin.
"What?!" Bolin shoved himself in front of Mako. "No, don't leave his brother alone."
"I'm sorry, Mako, it'd been better if you stayed with us. Now it's too late." Time stood still for the boys as the henchmen readied their elements and the first spark appeared from the boss. They shook in fear as they nodded a silent goodbye to each other and got into a stance." SNIKT! Suddenly, Ping's shoulder had a blade sized hole in it, Zolt was slung into the wall by a metal whip and the earthbender dropped to the ground, showing a fair amount of wisdom.
"Mom! Have I ever told you what great timing you have?" Bolin laughed hysterically. He was ignored.
"That's what you were doing." Mako realized, "You were signaling her."
"Um-hum. I was afraid we might be to far away though."
"Chief Beifong. What a pleasant surprise." The boss greeted politely despite the blade inches from his throat, "Your son and his brother attacked my employees."
"They were following us, Mom." Bolin argued to his mother's back.
"They were simply walking to the gambling house, luckily I changed my mind and came after them or who knows what would've happened. Just look at Viper, your son broke his back." a cruel chuckle escaped his lips, "You should be proud, he obviously takes after you."
"No. I would've broke his jaw, too."
"Never the less, I need to get Viper, and now Ping, to a healer. We'll discuss the charges I'm filing against them later."
"Like. Hell."
"Chief, they attacked first, my men were just defending themselves..." Lin pressed the blade lightly against his skin, not enough to make a cut, but enough to get her point across, "but... I do realize that young imaginations can run wild. I'm sure they thought they were in the right. And we wouldn't want Mako to violate his parole, now would we? So, we'll all just forget this incident ever happened. Do we have a deal?" Zolt held out his hand. Lin didn't take it.
"Bolin?" she asked never taking her eyes off the criminal in front of her, "Tell me the truth, who threw the first shot?"
"We did, but they-"
"Deal." she still didn't shake his hand, "Get your men and leave."
"Would you be so kind as to call an ambulance?"
"I'm off duty." She retracted her weapon and turned her back to him.
"Get an ambulance. Then call Shady Shin and tell him to meet us at the hospital." he ordered his last able-bodied henchman, "Keep a close eye on your boys, Chief, there's a lot of dangerous people out there." Lin encased him in earth, extended her blade and growled,
"If you or your lackeys touch my son or Mako again, I'll kill you." It was a simple statement, her even tone and angry glare left no room for doubt.
"I believe you would. Doesn't surprise me, mother badgermole protecting her young. Or was it a wolfbat, that your that renowned mother was supposedly descended from?"
"Let's go." She guided Mako and Bolin in head of her.
"It's a wolfbat..." they heard Zolt behind them, " 'cause I'm blind as a wolfbat and twice as strong." That voice would haunt Bolin's nightmares for weeks. No one spoke a word until they closed the front door.
"Mako, I'm telling you what Bolin's already heard and ignored. When you get into a fight, let them throw the first punch. Then you can claim self-defense." She took off towards her room. Mako went to explain, but Bolin nudged him and mouthed 'no'.
"Why'd you stop me?" Mako demanded after they heard her door shut.
"Look Mako, I've lived here a long time and I know that when she appears calm like that, she's ready to snap. So it's just best if we go to our room now."
"Fine." they trudged up the stairs where a sound caught their ears and they stopped, not convinced that Zolt wasn't climbing through a window or something. When they heard the sound again, they silently agreed to ignore it and follow the plan. Once in their beds, Mako pretended to be asleep while Bolin stared up at the bunk, the memory of the sound pounding in his ears like a drum. After a few minutes of debate, he crept to the sound's origin and knocked on the door.
"Mom, are you alright?"
"Get some sleep, Boy." a cracking reply came. Should he listen or should he...
"Knock, knock." he gave a warning before opening the door. In an instant, his mother's face turned to face the window.
"I told you t-erhem-to go to bed." she sat slumped in her desk chair, her uniform laying haphazardly on the floor.
"Mom, I'm sorry, I know I should've knocked on somebody's door and told them to call the cops but-"
"But what, Boy?!" She stood up, knocking the chair over and finally looked at him, the tears she'd been trying to hide glistened in the moonlight, "I taught you what to do in that situation and you ignored me twice! You almost got yourselves killed, Bolin, because you wanted to handle it by yourselves! And they would've gotten off as free as a lemur kit because you two idiots attacked them first. Damn it, Boy! I almost missed your punch; I barely felt the quake. You almost died tonight!" She pulled him close to her and held him in a tight embrace, "Don't you ever scare me like that again!" more tears spilled down her face, "Please. Please, just listen to me."
"I will, Mom."