destiny her way

The pockets of Bolin’s only suit were filled to capacity with small party snacks he’d been snatching up from the large platters that had been passed around all night (liberating the food, as he liked to think of it). After all, there was more than enough for everyone, and nobody seemed particularly hungry; surely not more hungry than he was.

Tarrlok certainly knew how to throw a party - the atmosphere was cheerful and bustling with conversation. He’d invited all the richest and most powerful people of the city - not that Bolin cared about that, of course. No, he was only interested in one person at the party - the guest of honor, in fact.

When Mako’s new girlfriend, the very friendly Asami Sato, took Bolin to the richest district in Republic City for a suit, the young earthbender had made it very explicit that it needed two things: green fabric and flair. A certain type of flair that hopefully would catch the eye of his new friend, the Avatar.

Korra, however, was nowhere to be found, Bolin quickly noticed. All the guests were busy in some way; Tenzin and his family were always busy, Mako and Asami were caught up in laughter by the rice wine (Bolin lingered on this sight a few seconds longer; it had been so long since his brother laughed that way). Even Tarrlok was grandstanding in front of the press - only the guest of honor was not present in the building.

He wondered if it had anything to do with the uncomfortable press conference that had just occurred; it didn’t seem to go the way Korra wanted it to, and even before that, Korra just hadn’t seemed herself. Bolin couldn’t put his finger on it, but something was definitely off. Come to think of it, Korra didn’t seem like the type to fully enjoy a party in her honor - maybe she’d just stepped outside.

Bolin did the same, grabbing a few fresh dumplings from a silver tray nearby (Korra wouldn’t want one that had been in his pocket, and besides, that was for he and Mako to snack on later without spending all their savings). The outside air was a little cool, starkly contrasting with the heat of so many people inside the party. It wasn’t long before he spotted his friend standing alone near the stairs.

They were enjoying themselves. As she'd gotten ready for that evening, put on that beautiful dress they'd given her, let Ikki and Jinora brush her hair before Pema had stepped in to actually get the job done passably well, there'd been nothing to say she couldn't. While she didn't exactly need to be the center of attention, wasn't that exactly what being the Avatar meant?

But then the press conference had unfolded, and she saw it all for what it was. Rather than appreciated, she felt used.

She wasn't sure what was worse. That it had all played out that way, with the press flashing their camera bulbs and people crowding in at every side, practically salivating over the prospect of the Mighty Awesome Avatar hitting the streets in their defense, or that afterward no one even gave her a second glance. It left a sour taste in her mouth, that was all she knew. Suddenly, the glittering lights and the beautiful city skyline weren't enough to douse those embers of homesickness settled so deeply in her spirit.

Before she could get too lost in that reverie, however, she heard that familiar voice. Leave it to Bolin to still see her; he'd always seen her, before he'd known she was the universe incarnate, before he'd seen what she could do. Before she could give him anything or do anything for him, he'd seen her.

That meant something.

It was worth at least a smile in return. Not nearly as wide as his own but strong enough, holding even when she took a few of those dumplings and idly rolled them in her palm. "Guess I'm doing it wrong, huh? Too bad partying's not something they teach back at the Avatar Academy." She pinched a piece off of one of his offerings, popping it in her mouth and giving it a chew and swallow before she pointed out, "What about you?"

“Choose wisely, Avatar.”

Oh, and you'll need this.

Saying goodbye to summer with Korra and the girls. I think it somehow developed into a “Wish You Were Here”kind of postcard thing, but I’m okay with that.

But then again, this was Korra after all. 

At the sound of her voice, sounding hesitant and questionable, Mako whipped his head back around, craning it up over the avatar’s shoulder.

Stairs. Why had he forgotten the stairs?

The government issued satocycles were extraordinary pieces of machinery. Installed with a stable frame to keep the rider in place, they were some of the best bikes an officer could own. All of the bikes came installed with multi-terrain wheels and they were extremely adaptable. Mako had driven it on grass, rocks, asphalt, even the slippery snow covered streets. But for some reason, Mako was doubting very much it’s ability to climb the steep, uneven stairscases that inhabited Air Temple Island. 

Guess they’d have to find out.

“Korra, let me steer.” It came out as more of a demand than he had been expecting, but his heart was hammering again and he needed to be in control of the bike. He reached his arms under her’s once again, resting his chin on her shoulder. Of course, Korra being who she was, refused to let go of the handlebars. It’d have to work. Fingers squeezed down on the brakes gently, slowing them just enough so that when they took the first step, nothing too drastic would happen. 

“Just.. hold on tight, alright?”

So for once, without any hesitation at all, Korra was actually doing as she was told.

Then again, there was just a hint of rebellion in her still. If the trick was really just easing off on the gas, decelerating to take the steps head on, that was something she could do. Really, he was going to relegate her to a ride-along again when all that was required was a softer hand? She could have a softer hand! She'd show him she could have a softer hand.

Uh oh. Her softer hand also meant battling his for a grip of control again, and in doing so, turned those handlebars. Just a little, a smidgeon, a teensy tiny bit, barely noticeable--except that with the jolt of the latest step it sent them veering toward the side of the staircase, bike now parallel to every bump it was forced to take. They were looking at either tipping over and falling down half a flight of stairs with the satocycle on top of them...

I Makorra’d…

Suddenly, it dawned on him. Korra was just excited to try the ice cream, of course! It was her first time, after all, and Bolin had been equally excited his first time.

He rubbed the back of his neck and an embarrassed smile appeared on his face, along with a hint of red in his cheeks. “Right, sorry about that, Korra. We’ll order right now to make up for it!” He scratched out the note he’d been writing to the girl and simply signed his name on the sheet, shrugging as he handed the paper back to her. “Sorry! It’s her first time trying ice cream, I’m sure you understand!”

The girl simply stomped off, clearly fuming as she shot Korra looks that would almost certainly be accompanied by a stream of fire if she were a firebender. Luckily, she did not appear to be.

Bolin turned his attention back towards Korra immediately, apparently oblivious to the war going on right in front of him. “Let’s go!” He led her to the counter and was unable to resist ordering a double scoop - both strawberry. After Korra made her selection, he paid for both of their orders with some of his dwindling pocket money (ever since the arena was shut down, he lost his source of income, but he still had some savings).

After a return to the table, he watched Korra excitedly to see her reaction while picking away at his own. It was delicious and sweet as always, especially after being in the heat earlier in the day.

Or maybe it was. Because when that girl huffed off, it was all-too-natural to stick her tongue out at the retreating fan, smugness rolling off of her in droves. It didn't take a genius to figure out that Korra liked winning, but this time it was just a little more than that. Knowing that Bo had chosen her company after all, it made her feel--well, whatever it was, it was good.

More than anything, she liked being wanted.

If there was one person who made her feel like that, it was Bo. Always, no matter the time or the place. Even there in the little ice cream parlor as she waffled in her indecision for just a minute or two more, before finally following his suit and ordering the exact same thing. After all, why take a chance when strawberry was sure to be a good thing? She wasn't even sure she'd had strawberries before! It made sense to kill two birds with one stone.

And boy, was it worth it! He wouldn't even need to ask with how her face practically lit up within one bite. When he did, it was all she could do to remember to swallow before that enthusiasm bubbled out. "Thisissooooodelicious," somehow made it past the spoon as it continued to shovel more in her mouth. It was actually probably a wonder how she even managed to taste the stuff at all with how fast she was inhaling it.