Love is in the Air (Bolin x Fem! Reader)
mind you, this was written in the trenches of 2023 and I refuse to edit it even if it is the cringiest thing ever but I'm reposting it here 1. because there's not enough Bolin content and 2. Tumblr is a lot less judgemental than Wattpad.
The rumbling of the airship came to a halt as it docked in Republic City. The bay door creaked open, shedding light on me and the cargo inside the hold. The crew began unloading the cargo and I slipped out while they were distracted. The streets were bustling even at the late evening hour. One street was blocked off, it was lined with red pop up canopies selling street food. I began roaming around the stalls, getting a few strange stares, I mean it's not everyday you see a 12 year old roaming the city streets at night, but I didn't pay attention to them, what caught my interest was the large golden building at the end of the road. It glimmered under the city lights. I felt drawn to it, like it was something that I was meant to see my entire life. I recognised it after a few minutes of staring. "C'MON MAKO! We don't wanna miss the match!" I turned to the voice and saw a boy with jet black hair and emerald green eyes that looked around my age, dragging an older boy, that beared some resemblance to him, by the forearm towards the building.
"Shh, keep quiet Bolin. We're on the run remember. We can't let... them... find us."
I had so many questions, for later though. I slipped into the stadium and took my seat in a "free seat". The match began and the crowd went wild at every move. I had always been a pro bending lover, ever since I first listened to a radio. My face lit up at the teams and moves and everything. One of the earthbenders knocked the other flat and I cheered alongside the boy next to me.
"KNOCK HIM DEAD!" I yelled.
"You're really into this!" The boy yelled over the cheering.
"Yeah! I love probending!" I replied just as excited.
"Me too! I would love to be in that arena! Knocking people with rocks left and right!" I tensed, realising he was an earthbender.
"You're an earthbender?" "Yeah! You?" "Non-bender." "Oh... that's still cool though! You can still do so much!" He said, assuming I was upset with being a non-bender.
"Thanks!" The team we were cheering on won and cheered loudly. We headed outside the stadium ranting about the match and how cool it was.
"I know right! That earthbender girl was awesome! I'm Bolin by the way."
"I'm Y/n."
The older boy that was with Bolin looked at me with narrow eyes and then back to Bolin.
"C'mon Bolin don't talk to strangers." He said taking another glance at me.
"But Mako-"
"C'mon Bo." Bolin began to follow his older brother while waving goodbye to me. I roamed around the street markets for a bit and stumbled across a water tribe noodle place. There was a poster on the front door detailing that they were hiring, perfect. I went in, asked about the job and they pretty much gave it to me on the spot. They led me to the back and I put on an apron and took over the cash register. The bell above the door dinged as someone walked in.
"Welcome, how can I help you-" I looked up to see the boy I met before. "Bolin!"
"Hi Y/n! I didn't expect to see you working here."
"Well I do now." We both laughed. "Now how can I help you?"
My first day in the big city had so far been great. This was my life now. ...
I have known Bolin for 3 years now and his brother doesn't hate me anymore so that's good. I may have developed a tiny crush on Bolin, JUST A SMALL ONE! But everytime we hang out or he even just talks to me, I feel like something is flying around in my stomach.
I finished my shift at the noodle shop and headed to the pro bending arena to watch his game. I maneuvered my way through the crowd and up to the box where the teams prepare. On my way I passed the gym where Bolin had just entered an put his arm around a random girl.
"It's okay Toza, she's with me."
"Oh whatever, just get out of my gym!"
He walked out with the girl and I decided to scare him a bit. I lightly tapped him on the shoulder which caused him to shriek.
"I still got it." I chuckled to myself.
"It's just you. Good one, Y/n."
"I know I'm amazing."
We headed up to the box and the girl immediately rushed to the railing and gawked at the huge stadium.
"It's pretty great isn't it." I said to her while Mako and Bolin were arguing about something. "I'm Y/n by the way."
"Korra."
"Ok we're up!" Bolin called to us.
"Good luck, not that you'll need it." I said back. The elevator descended and Korra and I cheered for them as they were announced. The match began and Hasook wen t flying over the edge, I never liked him anyway.
"Let's just hope that the fabulous bending brothers can hold out!" Shiro announced over the loudspeaker.
"C'mon Bolin..." I mumbled. The brothers were knocked back into zone 3 and had lost the round.
"Round 1 goes to the Golden Temple Tiger-dillos!" The ref called the play. The second round started and they were immediately pushed back into zone 2.
"C'MON!" Korra and I both yelled in unison. The team knocked the Tiger-dillos into zone 3 winning the second round.
"Tensions are still high as we move into the 3rd and final round!"
Hasook was knocked down and toppled onto Bolin. They were both knocked of the ring and now it was all up to Mako. He teatered over the edge of the ring seemingly trying to tire the other team out, and it worked. He knocked the water and fire-bender out of the ring. Mako continued to deflect the earth-benders attack. The huge dust cloud resulting from the standoff was used to Mako's advantage as he knocked the now blinded player out of the ring, winning the match. Korra and I jumped up and down cheering as the elevator returned up.
"WOO-HOO! YES! One more win and we're in the championship tournament!" He snapped off his helmet and looked at Korra. "So what d'you think? Bolin's got some moves huh."
"What did I think? WHAT DID I THINK! You guys are amazing, you gotta show me some moves."
"Oh definitely, I'm just not sure how my earth-bending translates to your water-bending."
"That's okay, I'm actually an earth-bender."
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to assume, because of your water tribe getup, I thought you were a water-tribe gal."
"No-no you're right, I'm a water-bender and a fire-bender."
Bolin looked confused until Mako spoke up.
"You're the avatar and I'm an idiot."
I looked at Korra with a mixed confused and impress look.
"Holy spirits, you're the avatar!?" I exclaimed.
"The one and only." She snarked.
We headed down to the gym and I sat on a step as I watched Bolin teach Korra some moves. Look I know they just met and Korra seems like an awesome person, but I tend to notice little things, like the way Bolin had his arm around her and the way he flirted with her. It's stupid but I can't help but feel jealous. Mako spoke up and snapped me out of my thoughts.
"I said not bad! I'm gonna turn in, see you upstairs bro!" Mako said turning around and leaving.
"Wait upstairs? You guys live here?"
"Yeah it's not much, but we have some great views!"
I hopped up from my step and started to walk towards the door.
"I'm gonna head out to, I have the morning shift."
"Awww but you're always working!" Bolin complained.
"I'll make it to your match tomorrow don't worry, see you Bolin, nice meeting you Korra!"
I headed to my small studio apartment and got some well need and well deserved shut eye.
The next night
I headed up to the arena and ran into Korra on the way.
"Korra!" I called out to her.
"Hey Y/n! You heading to the match?"
"Hell yeah!"
We walked to the box together and saw Bolin sitting on the bench and Mako leaning against the wall.
"Hey we didn't miss your match did we? You guys look like you lost."
"Might as well have..." Bolin sighed.
"Hasooks a no good no show!" Mako screamed in anger. The ref walked in and informed then they had two minutes to find a sub or they would be disqualified.
"Welp, goodbye championship trophy." I had never seen Bolin so down before, I wanted to do something but Korra interviened.
"I'll fill in for you, I'm a top notch water bender myself you know. "
"Absolutely not, I'd rather forfeit than look like a fool out there." Mako snapped at Korra, I rolled my eyes at his incompetence.
"Wow thanks for the vote of confidence."
The ref walked in again.
"Times up, you in or you out?"
"We're in!"
"We are?"
"Yes!"
"Wait I didn't agree to this!"
I sarcastically patted Mako on the shoulder.
"Have fun."
Korra put her uniform on and they stepped onto the elevator. I leaned over the railing and waited patiently for the match to begin. The bell rung and Korra wasted no time in knocking the opposing player off the SIDE of the ring. I face palmed and a penalty was called.
"She has no idea what she is doing."
Korra was moved back a zone and the match continued. Korra then stepped over the line and it flashed red.
"Oh she REALLY has no idea what she's doing." Another foul was called and she was moved back to zone three. Round 2 began and the entire opposing team focused all their attacks on Korra. She quickly took a different stance and bended two earth-discs to protect herself.
"Oh spirits-"
"FOUL! I think?" The referee called and Shiro announced that she was the avatar. The ref made a final call that she would be allowed to play as long as she only bends water. The round continued and she was knocked off the ring. Mako and Bolin continued to fight the Platypus-bears, a 2 against 3. The platypus-bears one round 2 and now it was time for the 3rd and final round, the round that would decide whether the Fire Ferrets would make it to the championships or not. The Platypus bears had the brothers backed up against the side. Korra kept pushing forward but was not having much luck, being forced to the edge of the ring. Korra yet again took a different stance and began dodging the attacks like a completely different player. It was almost like she was floating, she dodged the attacks flawlessly allowing them to tire themselves out.
"The Platypus bears are all out of juice, but Mako and Bolin are still fresh and juicy!"
The Fire Ferrets bended their respective elements at the opposing team and swept them off their feet. One by one, the Platypus bears were finished, all defeated in the murky water below. The Fire ferrets had won and were now in the Championship tournament. I cheered so loudly to the point where my throat felt dry. The elevator rose and Bolin tackled me into a tight hug.
"WE DID IT! WE ACTUALLY DID IT!" He yelled.
"You really pulled through Korra! Nice work!"
I headed home and flopped onto my my bed. Korra's a nice person, it just hurts seeing Bolin swoon over her.