Asami was woken by the light of the new morning shining through the window of the brother's apartment. She sat up from the sofa she had spent the night on, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. She looked down to the crumpled form of Korra, who was currently snoring loud enough to drown out the noise of the morning traffic on the road outside. Asami smiled. She still found it amusing how much like a child Korra was, even when she didn't realize it. She wiped the line of drool from the side of Korra's mouth, accidentally waking her at the same time. Korra snorted, her eyes snapping open and her body juddering with the slight shock of being woken.
"Whu… what's happening?" Korra said, her voice heavy. Asami leaned down and pecked Korra on the cheek.
"Nothing, sweetie. You just had something on your face, so I wiped it off." Asami said, smiling down at the young Avatar.
"Thanks, babe." Korra said, rubbing her eyes, "What time is it?". Asami reached over to the coffee table for her phone, clicking it on.
"9:30." She said, busying herself with the various emails and messages she had missed overnight. Korra groaned.
"On a Saturday?! What's wrong with you, how can you be awake this early?" Korra said, rolling over to face the back of the sofa seat, taking the blanket they had been under with her.
Asami stood up and stretched, clicking her back in the process. She heard Korra shudder under the blanket. Korra never had liked it when Asami clicked any of her joints, said it made her feel 'all weird and gooey'. Asami picked up Korra's hoodie from the floor, pulling it over her bra and shorts to keep her warm due to Korra's claim over the blanket. She made her way over to the kitchen and began to make coffee for the two of them. As it began to brew, she looked out over the mess the five of them had left the apartment in the night before. Clothes we strewn on the floor, various wallets, phones, keys and other knick-knacks were on every surface available. Asami opened a cupboard and pulled out two mugs, putting sugar in one and milk in the other. She poured coffee into both and gave them a quick stir. As the spoon she was using touched the counter, she felt a pair of muscular arms wrap around her, followed very swiftly with a kiss to her neck. Korra settled her head on Asami's shoulder.
"I'm cold." Korra said, her pout just within Asami's line-of-sight. Asami giggled and turned around to face Korra, planting a long kiss on her lips. Korra's kept her eyes shut even after the kiss broke, smiling to herself. "OK, I'm good."
"Good. Coffee?" Asami said, raising the sugared coffee to Korra's lips for her.
Korra's smile broadened as she took the mug from her girlfriend, sipping at it as she moved back over to the living room. She pulled on a pair of pajama bottoms, then delved into her bag and pulled out a packet of cigarettes, removing one from the packet and placing it between her lips as she rummaged around for her lighter. She stopped dead, realizing what she was doing in who's presence. Her fears were confirmed when Asami gave an unconvincing cough. Korra knew that cough. It was Asami's 'I'm right here and rather annoyed at you' cough. Korra had never been on the receiving end of that cough. She turned slowly, taking the cigarette from her mouth as she went. The sight she was greeted with was completely unexpected. Asami standing over her, mug in one hand and a lighter in the other, a small smile on her face. Korra's mouth dropped slightly.
"You left it in your hoodie." Asami said, reaching over to the now open pack of cigarettes and taking on for herself. Korra didn't speak. She didn't even move; in case it was some kind of trap. She turned her head very slowly to face Asami, who was now pulling a pair of tracksuit bottoms on and grabbing her shoes. After pulling on both shoes, Asami turned to face Korra. "Come on, then. Don't forget your coffee."
"This is some kind of trap." Korra said, raising a finger. "You hate smoking. You told me yourself, you hate it with a passion."
"My DAD hates smoking, so I say that in front of him or other people so I don't get in trouble. But I do manage to sneak one, every so often. And seeing as I'm not seeing him till tomorrow, I think I'm safe."
Korra waited for a second, processing the information, before leaping to her feet, pulling on Asami's sweater and her boots, before grabbing Asami's hand and leading her to the roof. Asami was giggling all the way up, telling Korra to clam down. They only stopped when they had got to the roof. Korra very quickly lit her cigarette, taking in the smoke with a deep breath, exhaling it soon after. Asami began to light her own. Korra picked up both mugs and placed them on the small garden table the boys had brought up to the roof when they moved in. She looped her arm around Asami's waist and pulled her in, so they were side-by-side, looking out over the city.
"You're not supposed to smoke." Korra said, a hint of disbelief still in her voice. "You're a good girl, a brainiac, an honor student, a high-society lady. You're supposed to be clean cut and well-behaved, not smoking. Or drinking in clubs, for that matter." Asami chuckled at Korra.
"Well, you're supposed to be the link between our world and that of the spirits. Surely you need to be as clean and pure as it gets." Asami said, raising an eyebrow to Korra. Korra pouted slightly.
"No fair. You can't bring up the Avatar thing, that's not allowed." Korra said, sulking slightly before taking another drag of her cigarette.
"Says who?!" Asami demanded.
"Says me!" Korra replied. "And I'm the Avatar, so what I say, goes."
"Oh, yeah? And what do you say, O mighty Avatar?"
Korra turned her head slightly and began planting kisses up Asami's neck.
"I say," Korra began, "That you are the hottest, sweetest, most intelligent, most amazing girlfriend anyone could ask for. And you're all mine." Korra finished with a kiss to Asami's cheek, before leaning her head on her shoulder. Asami pulled Korra in closer, feeling her warmth against her own body. Asami took a drag from her cigarette, blowing out rings with the smoke.
"Well, if the Avatar says so, then it must be true." Asami said. She reached over Korra's body to the table, picking up her coffee and taking a sip. They spent a moment just enjoying each other's company, no talking or kissing, just standing there, looking out over the vast skyline of Republic City as they smoked.
"So…" Korra said, breaking the silence, "How much of last night do you remember? Cus I can get to leaving the club, then I'm blank."
"Not much." Asami said with a frown, "I think I can remember getting back to the apartment with Bo and Opal, but it's all fuzzy after that." It took a few moments for the girls to realize fully what she had said, before the penny dropped with an almost audible clang. They both looked at one another, mouths gaping with shock.
"You don't think…" Korra started, before her words trailed off into small incomprehensible noises.
"No. Bo and Opal are smarter than that. Aren't they?" Asami said, equally as confused as Korra was.
"They did have a lot to drink last night." Korra said. A second or two past before both of them went running down the stairs, back to the apartment, leaving the two mugs behind. They burst through the front door and scrambled over the various pieces of debris strewn across the floor, before coming to a halt in front of Bolin's room. The door was slightly ajar, leaving a small gap for them to peer through. Korra bent down and slowly looked into the room.
"What do you see?" Asami asked in a whisper, tentatively leaning over her.
"Nothing much." Korra replied, her voice just as quiet as Asami's. "Stacks of comic books, piles of clothes all over the floor, cardboard boxes, old dinner plates. Man, Bo really needs to tidy up in there." Korra paused for a moment as she moved herself around to see more of the room. "Wait, I see the bed! It's…"
"It's what?!" Asami asked, her voice urgent, yet still hushed. Korra moved away from the door and turned to face Asami.
"It's empty." Korra said, disbelief thick in her voice. "There's no-one there. Not even Pabu."
Asami pushed Korra out of the way to get a look for herself. Sure enough, the room was void of all life. Asami stepped back, staring at the door to Bolin's room, her face a picture of confusion.
"If they're not there, where are they?" She wondered aloud.
"Morning, guys."
Korra and Asami both jumped a foot into the air. They turned around to see Opal standing behind them, one of Bolin's old pro-bending shirts hanging from her petite figure. She had a mug of tea in hand and was leaning against the wall of the corridor leading to the living room. Korra and Asami were staring in shock at the figure before them. Opal's expression became one of concern.
"Are you two alright?" She asked. Korra swallowed.
"Yeah, we're fine. We were… we were… um…" Korra stammered out in response. She couldn't come up with a reasonable answer, and Asami was no help. She was simply gaping at Opal, not moving, not making a sound.
"Right… well, Bo's making breakfast if you're hungry." Opal said. "Better hurry up though, or he'll have had your portions before you get there." She turned on the spot and padded back into the living room. Korra and Asami looked at one another.
"How did we not see them?!" Korra asked, shock still rife in her voice.
"I…I don't know." Asami stammered. "We must have completely blanked them on our way back in." The two of them slowly made their way into the living room, turning the corner from the corridor to the main apartment. Sure enough, over the counter from the living room to the kitchen, they saw Bolin, humming to himself as he cooked. He was still in his pajamas, with no shirt on, with Opal perched on the counter beside him, legs crossed as she drank her tea and read a newspaper. Bolin looked up from the stove to see Korra and Asami enter the room.
"Ah! They you are. I was wondering where you had run off to." He said, a smile across his face, "Bacon and eggs?". Both Korra and Asami slowly nodded in unison, still staring at the site before them with uncertainty.
"Oooooooookay, then." Bolin said, slightly creeped out by the staring. He began to plate up bacon and scrambled egg, laying out 4 servings, one slightly larger than the others. No doubt Bolin's, Korra thought to herself. Asami and Korra sat down at the dinner table, while Opal began to lay out cutlery.
"Anyone want a drink?" Opal asked, looking over to Asami and Korra.
"Coffee, please." Korra answered. "Sugar, no milk."
"Orange juice for me." Asami followed up.
"No more orange juice." Bolin's voice rang from the kitchen, his back to the rest of the room. "Mako had it all yesterday. Apple ok with you?"
"Yeah, apple's fine." Asami said. Opal finished with the table and went back into the kitchen. She pecked Bolin on the cheek as she went. Korra looked over to Asami.
"What the fu…" Korra mouthed, making no sound, yet overly elaborating the movement of her mouth for Asami to see. Asami was still gaping, but her mouth was now an open smile.
"So… I'm guessing you two had fun last night, huh?" Asami said, calling through to the kitchen. Bolin's head popped up from behind the counter.
"Oh, yeah!" He said. "The music, the drinks, the dancing. It was awesome! Thanks so much for coming out with us last night, guys. Wouldn't have been the same without you." Opal shook her head as she approached the table with the drinks.
"Trust him not to get it." Opal whispered to the girls, placing a coffee in front of Korra, and a glass of apple juice before Asami. "I'll tell you about it later."
"Please, spirits, don't." Korra said, shuddering slightly at the thought of what happened after herself and Asami had passed out on the sofa. Opal giggled and took a seat, as Asami took a sip of her juice.
"Opal?" Asami asked. Opal acknowledged Asami's question with a small noise as she took another sip of her tea.
"Please tell me you're wearing underwear."
Opal took a moment before rising from her seat and moving back towards Bolin's room, saying nothing as she left. Both Asami and Korra shuddered with discomfort. Bolin brought the food over to the table, just as Opal returned, now wearing what Korra guessed was a spare pair of Bolin's jogging bottoms. Bolin had really out done himself. Bacon, scrambled eggs, sausages, fried tomatoes, fried mushrooms and toast. All four of them began to eat, both Bolin and Korra wolfing it down as Opal and Asami carefully ate. Within 10 minutes both Bolin and Korra were sitting before empty plates, while the other two girls we still making their way through the layers of food Bolin had prepared for them. Soon enough, though, everyone was finished.
"So," Bolin began, as he started to clear away plates, "what has everyone got planned for today?"
"Well, Korra and I are heading over to Air Temple Island later." Asami said. "Tenzin invited us to lunch."
"Awesome." Bolin said, his words emanating awe. "I wish I could go to Air Temple Island. I bet it's all cool and spiritual, with, like, hovering monks and awesome statues and stuff."
"Well, if you want, I can ask Tenzin if you can come, too." Korra said, leaning back in her chair. Bolin stopped in his tracks, staring at Korra.
"Can you?! That would be awesome! Oh, please do, please, please, pleeeeeeeease!" He said, dramatically dropping to his knees and clasping his hands together before Korra. Korra looked over to Opal.
"You wanna come too? I'm sure they'll be fine with it." She said. Opal squirmed in her seat.
"I dunno. I don't wanna be a pain…" Opal said, averting her gaze and rubbing the back of her neck. Asami leaned over and placed a hand on Opal's free one.
"It'll be fine. Tenzin's really nice, and the kids love meeting new people." Asami said, he voice warm and motherly. Opal looked at Asami, then over to Korra, who was smiling at her.
"Ok, as long as my mom says I can. I'm supposed to be meeting her and my brothers for lunch, but I'll ask if I can bail." Opal said, her smile now mirroring Korra's. Bolin finished clearing the table and took his seat again.
"We could even invite the brood-master general along." Korra said, raising an eyebrow. The rest of the table giggled at her comment.
"Speaking of, where is Mako?" Asami said. "I can't remember him coming home with us."
"Me neither." Opal said, her voice slightly trembling with worry. Bolin leaned back in his chair, placing both hands behind his head.
"Relax. He's probably just waking up in some stranger's bed, trying to find all his stuff and bail. He'll call soon enough." Bolin said. As if on cue, the landline began to ring. Bolin hopped up from his seat and answered it.
"Y'ello… Yes, this is he..." Bolin said, as calm as ever. His next words, however, all began to drip with worry and panic. "What?... Is he OK?... Sure, I'll be down in a bit… Thank you so much for calling…OK, bye." He hung up, staring straight ahead for a few moments, before barreling into his room. The girls looked at one another, confused.
"Bolin? Bo, what's wrong?" Opal called out, leaving her chair and moving towards his room. Bolin then marched out of his room, fully clothed, and began searching the living room for his belongings.
"It's Mako. He was in a strange bed, unfortunately it was a prison cell. He's been arrested." Bolin said, his voice now serious. Korra had never seen him like this. Every ounce of casual fun that made up the majority of Bolin's personality was gone.
"What?!" Asami said, standing as she spoke. "What for?"
"He got in a fight, apparently." Bolin said, now pulling on a pair of trainers. "Some guy swung for him, now he's in a hospital with third degree burns. Why would he do this? He could be kicked out of school, or even sentenced to jail time for this!" His voice was starting to falter, as if he was on the brink of bursting into tears. Korra moved over to Bolin, placing both hands on his shoulders, forcing him to look at her. She looked into his bright green eyes. Only they weren't bright anymore. A combination of tears and stress had very rapidly drained the life and vibrancy from them.
"Bo, you need to calm down." Korra said, her voice calm, yet authorative. "We'll get dressed, go down to the precinct with you and get this sorted out. I'll call Tenzin on the way, see if he can do anything. But if you stress out, things will just get worse." Bolin nodded slowly, his breathing now rapid. No doubt from the adrenaline running round his body, Korra thought.
"We can take my car." Asami said, as she pulled on a pair of pants. Korra swapped he pajama bottoms for jeans, and Opal ran into Bolin's room to get changed. A few minute later, all four of them were running down the hall to the elevator. As soon as they entered, Korra slammed the button for the garage beneath the apartment block. Very nervously, they waited for the elevator to make its descent. Bolin was fidgeting with the zipper on his jacket, only stopped when Opal took his hand. She gave him a weak smile, rubbing his arm with her free hand. As soon as the doors opened, they made a sprint for the car.