Chapter 7

KPOV

I thought about Mako the whole ride back to Air Temple Island. He looked weird when he said we'd be friends. Did I say something? Was it the hug? Maybe I just freaked him out. I hung my head letting the cool air brush over me. "Nice going Korra," I whispered to myself

BPOV

"The avatar will be yours as promised," I heard Mako mutter in the other room. I knew what he did of course. It was kind of hard to hide. At first Mako didn't want me mixed up in all this, but Amon had promised an eventual fortune and we needed the money.

I could see the strain on his face after he hung up. He sat on the couch and put his head in his hands. "Bro I know it's hard-"

"No you don't!" he snapped. "You don't get it at all Bolin!" He sighed and hung his head. "I think I like her Bo and I don't want to see her hurt." My eyes widened at this. He had delivered many people to Amon, but he had never had this hard of a time with it, and now I know why.

"So what are you going to do?" I asked quietly.

"I won't let you get hurt," he began staring at his hands. He looked up at me, eyes burning. "But I can't let her get hurt either."

"But how will you manage that?" I said skeptically.

He sighed, "I don't know yet."

MPOV

Bolin was looking at me with a worried expression. "Maybe you should tell her…" he ventured.

"Be serious Bolin," I mutter getting up and starting to pace.

"I am being serious," he cried, throwing his hands in the air. I ignore him and continue pacing. A wall of earth suddenly forms in front of me, making me skid to a halt. "Stop pacing, it's making me nervous."

"What do I do Bo?" I asked, turning to my little brother with pleading eyes. He looked shocked. I had never asked his advice before. He looked at the ground for a second.

"Don't work for Amon anymore," he said, looking back up at me. "Look at what it's doing to you Mako!" I let out a humorless laugh.

"Others will come for her if I fail."

"And you can protect her," he said confidently. I hesitated. "I got a job at Kwong's cuisine. You don't have to do this anymore." I looked at him in shock. "Let me help out for once, I'm not a little kid anymore."

I sighed and shook my head. "I don't know…I'll look for another job, but it won't be easy to get away from Amon."

"Just tell him you, like resign or something," Bolin said, putting his hand on his chin in confusion. I shook my head again.

"It's not that easy. I know too much. They won't just let me walk away." I sat again, feeling dejected. Bolin sat beside me and put his arm around me like he used to when we were kids.

"Let's take things slow," he offered. "There's an opening at Narook's. Maybe he'll give you a job. Then we can figure out how to protect ourselves against Amon."

"And Korra," I added.

Bolin smirked, "I want to get to know Korra if she's getting you this fired up, Mr. Cool under fire."

"What is with everyone and the nick names?" I groan. He ignored me.

"So let's go visit her tomorrow," Bolin said excitedly.

I rolled my eyes. "I just saw her today."

"All the better!" he said jumping up and heading towards our bedroom. "Out of sight, out of mind!

KPOV

"Okay Korra let's try the gates one more time." Tenzin sent a gust of air through the gates making them spin. I took a deep breath and aligned myself before lightly stepping into the swirling maze. Spiritually anticipating each gate, made my way through. When I stepped out applause rung out from behind me. I turned in surprise to see-

"Bolin?" I asked, confused.

"Hey Korra!" Bolin said, rushing forward and giving me a hug. I stiffened and then relaxed, laughing as he twirled me around. Over his shoulder I saw Mako looking stoic, as always. Finally, after a death stare from Tenzin, he set me down.

"You're…friendly." I said, lightly poking Bolin's shoulder.

"I'm always this friendly around a pretty girl," he smirked. I ducked my head, blushing and stole a glance at Mako. He was glowering at Bolin. I guess Bolin saw him too because he backed off.

"We just came to see how you were doing Korra," Mako said, smiling at me. My cheeks, already red from Bolin's comment, reddened even more. Why does this boy have such an effect on me?

MPOV

Korra was impossibly graceful during her training. She looked so focused I had almost told Bolin to turn around and not bother her. But of course he gets her attention, through the most attention grabbing ways known to man: clapping. She turned in surprise, which quickly turned to shock as Bolin lifted her off the ground in a giant bear hug.

The old trainer was glaring at Bolin, but he set her down soon enough. She was still giggling. I zoned out staring at her. Her eyes got me every time. So playful and full of life and the bluest blue I had ever seen. Bolin's voice snapped me out of my trance. "I'm always this nice around a pretty girl." I glared at him. Usually Bo's flirting didn't bother me but this time…this time it made my blood boil. Besides, she wasn't just pretty. She was beautiful.

"We just came to see how you were doing Korra," I said smiling despite myself. She blushed and looked away. I mentally face palmed. That freaked her out. You so freaked her out. You Idiot! I silently chastised myself.

"Why don't you introduce us?" The old master suggested from behind Korra.

"Oh-of course. Mako and Bolin this is my teacher Tenzin, Tenzin my friends Mako and Bolin."

"Pleasure," I said with a forced smile.

"Why don't you two join us for lunch, my wife Pema should be done by now."

"Oh we couldn't-" I began.

"We'd love to!" Bolin interrupted. I swear he thinks with his stomach. I rolled my eyes but followed Tenzin inside the air temple.

BPOV

The lunch started off really awkward. Mako was almost like a block of ice and the conversation was forced. Then Korra stepped in and started making jokes about Mako. He acted huffy, but warmed up, and he can be really charming when he wants to. The afternoon ended up being fun. Korra was way cooler than I thought she'd be. I could see why Mako liked her.

As the afternoon became evening Mako, being the polite one, made us say goodbye and Korra saw us off at the dock. I gave her a hug goodbye and pretended to walk on the ship. As soon as their focus was off me I peeked around the corner to spy.

"Today was fun, thanks for visiting," Korra said, smiling up at Mako. He smiled back and then looked away, rubbing the back of his neck in that awkward way he does.

"We'll come visit you again soon," he said.

"I'd like that." Then much to my surprise he enveloped her in a hug. She stood frozen for a second before relaxing into his embrace. She was blushing like crazy when they broke apart. He gave one last wave before getting onto the ship. Unfortunately he noticed me.

"Bolin!" he cried angrily. I decided not to play innocent.

"Bro, you are in love. I've never seen you act like this." He rolled his eyes but nodded.

"Yeah, I think I am, and that's why there's no way in hell Amon's going to hurt her." I didn't say anything, just looked at him. "I'm going to Amon tonight," he continued. "I'm going to tell him the deals off."