( he knows bolin hates it. and if mako could give him an alternative, he would. he'd do anything for him to have a better life, be around better people. have a chance to grow up and turn out like someone mom and dad could be proud of. mako doesn't really think that's in the cards for him, he's had to do too many things he regrets. but. he's kept bolin more-or-less out of the muck. as best he could. he still has a shot.
he just. sighs. takes one of the dumplings, ripping off little twists of dough to pop into his mouth, pocking the surface of the dumpling like a moon. )
Don't worry about me. I can take whatever he throws at me. I'm already a better firebender than he is.
( bolin's... growing up. he's getting more perceptive. it used to be, mako could tell him some lie and he'd just nod and accept it, but it's getting harder and harder to play around him. he's not... sharp, the way mako is, but he's persistent and good-hearted. this last year especially, mako's having to watch himself more and more. what he says, what he does. and bolin still surprises him sometimes with insights like that. those lessons look hard on you. well. all that means is that he hasn't done a good-enough job of hiding it. )
no subject
he just. sighs. takes one of the dumplings, ripping off little twists of dough to pop into his mouth, pocking the surface of the dumpling like a moon. )
Don't worry about me. I can take whatever he throws at me. I'm already a better firebender than he is.
( bolin's... growing up. he's getting more perceptive. it used to be, mako could tell him some lie and he'd just nod and accept it, but it's getting harder and harder to play around him. he's not... sharp, the way mako is, but he's persistent and good-hearted. this last year especially, mako's having to watch himself more and more. what he says, what he does. and bolin still surprises him sometimes with insights like that. those lessons look hard on you. well. all that means is that he hasn't done a good-enough job of hiding it. )