Chapter 2: Thoughts

Mako kicked a small stone, watching it bounce and skip down the empty street. At three in the morning, the area surrounding the pro-pending arena was practically deserted. Only the occasional factory worker or drunkard would wander by. Even though he'd never admit it to anyone, Mako enjoyed his walks alone back to the attic. Growing up on the bustling streets of Republic City had taught him to appreciate the rare quiet moments in his life. Moments like these allowed him to focus on whatever was bothering him.

The temperature dropped a few degrees as a colder wind blew in from the bay. Mako jammed his hands into his coat pockets. With his chin tucked into his red scarf, he made his way to the arena, trying desperately to think about anything other than Korra.

Korra reached the gazebo overlooking the water and sat down immediately. She was exhausted. She crossed her legs and took a deep breath, inhaling through her nose and out through her mouth. She counted her heartbeats and relaxed her muscles, one by one.

"Ok, Tenzin. Let's hope this works."

Korra was not a natural meditator, but she knew several tricks that would help her calm down. To let her mind wander, she envisioned each troublesome thought passing through her mind as a leaf in the wind, flowing away gently. The leaf sailed high into the air and hitched a ride on the passing breeze. All of Korra's fears and worries were on that leaf. Once this imaginary vessel had sailed away, Korra could finally relax. She pictured herself lying on the beach, letting the waves lap at her bare toes. The water would reach her feet, and then recede. Each time it returned, it grew bolder. The waves grew braver, traveling higher with each visit. Soon the fire bender was kissing her knees, which she urged apart subconsciously. Mako looked up at her with a devilish grin, and the sight of him with his shirt off, sun sparkling off his toned—wait, what?

Korra's eyes snapped open, and her cheeks flushed in a combination of embarrassment and arousal. Her emotions got the better of her for a moment, her mind flashing white with frustration.

"Oh, sprits damn it!"

She lashed her fist out, which connected with one of the wooden supports of the gazebo, producing a soft 'thwok.' Korra winced in pain. Ignoring the throbbing ache in her hand, she stretched out on the wooden platform, head resting on her forearms.

"You suck at this, Korra. Just go to sleep," she scolded herself, yawning. "Just go to sleep."

Her bad luck seemed to finally run out, as she finally felt the familiar tug of drowsiness, dragging her into a dream world of dancing lemurs and shirtless fire bender boys.

Bolin opened his eyes, roused by small flame floating in the middle of the room. In a sleep addled daze, he began to thrash around in an attempt to stand. He only succeeded in crashing face first onto the floor, still wrapped in a cocoon of his own cot linens.

"Ah! Mako, get up! We're being robbed by fire bender burglars!"

The flame went out.

"Bolin, it's me, stop freaking out!" the older brother whispered sharply.

Bolin's face remained still for a brief moment, as if the gears in his head were resetting. Recognition dawned on him, and he smiled.

"Jeez Mako, do you really have to sneak in here all creepy like, with your hand on fire?" he grunted, rolling and twisting his way out of his sheets. "I was about to take you down."

Bolin couldn't see his brother, but he could hear the chuckle in his voice.

"Yeah, you really had the cot scared."

Bolin rolled back up onto his cot, ignoring his brother's teasing remark. He grabbed the small clock on the floor next to him and squinted at it, his eyes adjusting to the darkness around him.

"What were you doing up anyway?" he asked. "Your shift ended two hours ago. It's 4 o'clock."

Mako hesitated, and then admitted in a slightly defeated tone. "I couldn't sleep."

Bolin didn't miss a beat. "Girl problems?"

Mako snapped back, incredulousness apparent in his voice. "No! Well, yeah, but… How did you know?"

Bolin spoke with conviction and a little haughtiness, "There's only one thing that can ruffle my older brother's feathers. Girls."

"That's not true, Bo."

"Uh yeah," he quipped, "it is."

"You don't even know what you're taking about. I get upset over all sorts of things."

"Hmm." Bolin scratched his chin, dubious. "Remember when you flipped that table at Shin's place?"

"Your point?"

"Who was he with?"

"Bolin, what are you trying to say?"

Bolin drew out his words in mock annoyance. "Mako, who was he with?"

"This is stupid."

"Answer the question."

"No."

"Yes."

"No!"

"Yes!"

"Fine."

"Ah ha! Who was it?"

Mako sighed in defeat. "Sumiko."

Bolin smirked, arrogance dripping off of his words. "I believe I've made my point."

Mako threw his hands up into the air. "Okay, Okay! Girls may sometimes throw me for a loop."

Bolin laughed. "Sometimes?"

Mako glared at his sibling. "Are you done?"

"Yes, I believe I am. Now tell me, who is this girl?"

Mako fell onto his own cot. His pillow muffled his voice. "I don't think you want to know."

Bolin looked over at his brother. "It's Korra, isn't it?"

Mako just kept his face buried. "You're too good at this, Bo."

Bolin shrugged. "I guess I've had practice over the years at trying to figure out whatever you weren't telling me."

Mako picked his head up. "Ouch."

"I'm just making a point. Anyway," he asked, "what did Korra do to get you all in a tizzy?"

"She didn't do anything. I asked her out the other day. I'm not sure why."

"Well, it's about time. As much as I hate to say it, Korra's had googley eyes for you ever since the second she met you."

Mako stared up at the ceiling, unable to look at his brother. "You're… you're not mad?"

Bolin forced a scoff. "Nah, just a little jealous. I mean, Korra is pretty spectacular."

Mako smiled dreamily. "Yeah, she is."

"I'm sure your date will go fine. And hey, you don't even have to worry about being confident. She'll handle that part for you."