Here! Have a WIP I won't finish any time soon but still enjoyed rereading through.
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“Man, the rain sure is coming down, huh?” Bolin stated as he stared through one of the many windows of the probending arena.
“It’s really picked up since I came over for practice, the wind too.” Korra propped her arm up on Bolin’s shoulder, joining him in watching the rain pelting against the glass. They only stood for a moment before Mako interrupted the silence as he walked by.
“You two going to stare at nothing all day, or are you going to help?” Korra rolled her eyes and Bolin just smiled apologetically to her and shrugged. With the winds suddenly picking up, many of the windows were being blown open. Rain quickly soaking the floors. So they had been tasked with locking all the windows that could be opened. Or rather, the boys had.
Mako told her to go home and Bolin wished her a good day but Korra felt bad for leaving them to do all the work themselves. Even if it is their job. They told her that she didn't have to help, Mako insisted they had it covered but she refused. They’re teammates after all. The Fire Ferrets worked together, even off the arena.
It was actually a little fun, if she was honest. Not so much the menial task, though it was hardly work. It was mostly just the three of them, walking along the halls and talking about whatever. Korra never really got days off, what with being the avatar and all. She didn't hate or resent that but it was nice to just do nothing once in a while.
Fire skimmed the floor in front of them, steaming away a puddle that had gathered there. Mako kicked along the floor casually yet careful not to actually burn anything. He abruptly stopped when the window in front of him slammed open, just missing him. With a sigh he grabbed the window’s edge but paused to look outside. Bolin stepped up to lean against his back and Korra followed suit.
“You should leave.” Mako said bluntly, leaning back against them to push them out of the way. “The waves are only going to get worse.” Korra took note of just how harshly the wave crashed as Mako shut and latched the window. Korra gave a snort and rested her hand on her hip.
“I'm the avatar and my native element is water. I think I can handle a few choppy waves.” She boasted confidently.
“That sounds like something a waterbender would say right before she drowns.” Mako looked over his shoulder with a teasing smirk. Scrunching up her nose, Korra stuck out her tongue. She didn't admit that he may have a point but judging by his soft laugh, she didn't need to. Korra sighed and pouted, she really didn't want to head back yet.
“Oh!” Bolin was suddenly shifting his feet excitedly. “What if you stay here?” He turned and beamed at Korra. “There is a phone in the back, you can call the temple and tell them you're staying the night and then you won't have to worry about crossing the waves.” Korra hadn't been worried about traversing the waters but she didn't bother to dispute it. Instead her smile widened to match Bolin’s.
“I have access to the concession snacks and Mako is gonna make noodles tonight. He can easily make extra.”
“I can, hm?”
“Then we can stay up and tell stories. Oh, and share secrets! And when we go to bed you can sleep on my bed and I can sleep on Mako’s.”
“Sounds good to me!” Korra laughed, amused by Bolin’s infectious excitement. “Lets go!” Bolin immediately grabbed her wrist and they raced down the hall. Mako’s call about not agreeing to his bed being stolen were promptly ignored.
What started out as Korra excitedly but politely asking for permission to stay the night, had quickly changed to frustratingly shouting her plans to stay, no question. The storm was interfering with the connection, making Tenzin’s words a jumbled mess. She's sure it was hardly different on his side.
“I said-” Korra shouted slowly, drawing out each word “-I’m staying at the gym tonight!” They waited a moment before Tenzin’s voice crackled through the static.
“I - think - good idea - better - stayed-” Korra stared hard at the radio before glancing back to Bolin.
“Sounds like he said okay to me.” He said with a shrug and she nodded her head in agreement.
“Thanks Tenzin, see you tomorrow!” With that, Korra switched off the radio and grinned wildly to Bolin. “So what next?”
“Bolin and I get back to work.” Mako’s voice cut in, startling them both. He was leaning against the doorway looking a cross between amused and annoyed. “I finished the windows but we still have a job to do, you know.”
“Right.” Bolin chuckled as he scratched the back of his head, cheeks a little red. Mako shook his head before walking away. “Sorry, fun will commence once the chores are done.”
“No sweat, I can help if you want.” Korra offered.
“Aw thanks, but you don't have to.”
“Sure I don't have too but I want to. Plus with my help you'll get done twice as fast.”
“Well if you put it that way.” Bolin laughed as they made their way out, through the hall and to the gym. There Mako was leaning on a broom, listening to Toza. Whatever was said must have been funny because a moment later Mako actually chuckled. Korra stood in mild fascination, it's not like she’s never seen Mako in a good mood or never heard him laugh. It just wasn't often, rare even.
“You two are really close to Toza, aren't you.” She asked, turning to Bolin. In all honesty, Korra never paid the man much thought. He was just this presence that came and went in the background of their training sessions. Bolin smiled softly,
“Toza was the one who got us off the streets.” Bolin was just met with a quiet ‘oh’. Ever since the whole “revelation” and Mako sharing a small bit of their past, Bolin had been much more open about it. Orphaned, homelessness, gangs and every other hardship she could imagine. Korra couldn't deny her heart broke for her friends at every new thing she learned.
“Yeah, long story short I may have messed up and got us in trouble with the Threats.” Bolin laughed at the memory. “But it turned out fine in the end because Toza not only stood up for us but offered us a place to stay here.”
“How old were you?”
“I think I had just turned fourteen? Yeah … yeah, cause Mako turned sixteen a couple months after we started staying here.” Korra just quietly nodded as she listened. In her head she wanted to yell at the injustice of it all. Eight to fifteen was such a long time for two kids to be on their own. She's sure if she asked, Bolin would accept a hug. But instead she praised the old man that she was determined to pay better attention to in the future.
“He must be a great man to take in two kids and stand up to the triad.”
“Toza also taught us all the rules of pro-bending, being a pro himself. After everything he’s done for us, he’s basically family. Right, Mako.” Korra turned to see Mako had been sweeping his way past them.
“Sure.” Mako snorted with a cocky grin, an unusual sight out of the ring. “Like the grumpy uncle we never wanted.” The tile below Mako’s feet shifted, causing him to stumble back and nearly bringing him down.
“I ain't so old I can't hear you being a smartass, brat.” Toza called over to them before he continued moving the training equipment.
