Deer Country IC Inbox

[pabugotmoves]

Huh? Oh-- You've reached Bolin!
Yeah, I'm a pretty busy guy but leave me a message and I'll beep you back

Comments

[arclightning]

[ There is so much there.

So much that Mako has to pick through: Bolin was afraid, apparently, of getting told to leave. Why? Because it would make him think about the first time? Because he hates to be told no? Valid, both, but Mako doesn't think it's enough.

That he didn't tell Mako because he didn't want to—what, be a burden on them? Because he wanted to make his own choices? "Find his own way" even if that way leads him to a hole in an alley and a bed made out of curtains after Mako worked so fucking hard to get him something better—

He doesn't understand, and that more than anything scares him. He should understand. He should know Bolin better than anyone.

Clearly, he doesn't. Finally, he makes a rough little noise in his throat, trying to pull words from the tangle of questions in his head. ]

So you were just going to stay here and freeze. It's almost winter, Bolin. We don't even know what that's like here.

[pabugotmoves]

[The real answers are the slightly more depressing: he knows what it's like to be without a home and doesn't want to put other people in that situation by taking theirs, and he doesn't want to go back to his brother- who he knows would take him back in- because he wants Mako and Wu to focus on their life together and Bolin doesn't want to get in the way of that.

Which is what he really doesn't want to be forced into admitting. The last thing he wants Mako to take away here is that it's him having a relationship that is the problem. Because he knows Mako will read that and it isn't a rabbit hole Bolin wants to go down.

He knows Mako will take this as a personal failing either way, but he can at least try to guide them towards a softer landing.]

I wont freeze. And besides, I think I'm only going to be here another week. Maybe two, tops. Worst case, I'll get a hotel. I just want to find a home that isn't waiting for it's people to come back.

[arclightning]

How am I suppposed to trust that, Bolin?

[ The words come out sharp and short, faster than Mako means them to, but he doesn't take them back, crossing his arms over his chest as his shoulders hunch up. ]

You didn't even tell me you were here!

[pabugotmoves]

Because I didn't want you to know!

[He flaps back, matching the energy like for like.]

I knew you'd freak out and I just needed a little more time. What was I going to say, huh? Oh hey Mako no big deal but just so you know I'm apparently incapable doing something as simple as finding a place to live- no! And anyway, I like my hole so just-- just back off!

[He'll regret this in about thirty seconds but right now the anger feels valid and better than guilt.]

[arclightning]

[ Mako grits his teeth against a rush of anger, too much and too quick fo the situation but he's sleepless and flaking away, losing himself, and everything is intense. ]

It's a hole! In the ground! You can't seriously want to live like this!

[pabugotmoves]

Maybe I DO!

Argh- Mako you're so!!

[Fuck it. Let's fight. Bolin points at his brother before balling his fists with frustration- shifting to the side to get out of the way. He swipes through the air, opening the stone door with a slam. A rush of cold and dust invade down the steps but he doesn't care.]

Get out of my hole!

[arclightning]

Fine!

[ Mako snaps, and reaches out to grab Bolin's arm as he stomps for the door. He's not just going to leave Bolin in this stupid hole to freeze to death if he can help it. ]

[pabugotmoves]

[HAHAHA NOPE he noodles away from the grab immediately, backing up a few steps out of Mako's reach. Light on his feet, you see. Never went away. Bolin looks scandalized before pointing to the door again. How dare you.]

Out!

[arclightning]

[ Mako rounds on him, his face pulled into a very mighty scowl indeed. Prepare yourself for Big Brother voice. ]

Bolin, we're leaving. We'll talk about this inside.

[pabugotmoves]

[Yeah! Well!! Prepare yourself for bratty little brother gremlin!!

It's instinct to to just submit to Mako's force but he's committed to being hopped up and mad now so here we are.

Mako rounds and Bolin squares up to him, fists balled. Try to fireman carry and he'll scream like a banshee.]

No, you're leaving, Mako. We're not talking about anything, I told you to get out so get out!

[arclightning]

I'm not going to leave you in a hole!

[ And it's more than just a hole, and Mako knows that, somewhere, but his anger is a physical thing, a fire burning a hole in his belly, leaking even to Zuko, puffed and angry on his shoulders. It's entirely illogical, the idea that if he leaves Bolin here he'll walk away and come back to find him frozen, that he's a failure of a brother and a person for letting this happen at all, but Mako isn't using logic right now. He's hurt and he's angry and he's corrupted far beyond things like common sense. ]

[pabugotmoves]

[Which is all completely fair and totally valid. Bolin knows that's how Mako will be feeling but man this is getting stupid and he feels like it will come to blows soon if they don't stop. Neither one of them is willing to budge, which is rare, because usually Bolin just caves to his brother's will.

Not this time.

It's not even for a good reason, just bravado and wounded pride masking embarrassment.]

I will throw you out of this hole, so help me,

[It's a growl. The earth under them tenses as he grabs a hold of it, ready to pull and humming with energy. Mako, he will open the ceiling and boost you up into the club through the floorboards if you do not get the fuck out right now.]

[arclightning]

[ Mako feels the rumble and the shift under his own feet, trained after a lifetime of fighting beside Bolin, and he knows what's coming. He knows this is only going to get worse, that Bolin really means this, that he's stuck on this stupid, stubborn thing like he was with the train, and Mako—

Mako snarls at him, and Zuko trills in something like quiet disapproval as Mako whirls. ]

Fine! Making your own choices worked out so well for you last time but fine. Stay here and freeze.

[ Low blow, yes, but Mako's anger is tipping over and smoke is pouring off his skin, filling the space and hazing the light, and he has to go—go do something before he does something stupid in here. He doesn't give Bolin a chance to respond before whirling on his heel and storming right back up those steps. ]