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[arclightning]

MAKO'S INBOX

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[arclightning]

Wait one second

IM SORRY MAKO

[shiro2hero]

[That is… an unusually long silence from Mako.]

[He has some concerns.]

Sure?

Is everything okay?

THIS IS AMAZING

[arclightning]

[ He can't tell Shiro he doesn't know where his own brother is living. He can't let Shiro know how neglectful he's been, that he doesn't even know that: Shiro, who is so desperately missing his own people, Shiro, who would never lose track of them like that. Guilt stings like acid in his belly. ]

Checking on that right now. He's fine. Don't worry. You can just drop it at the Raccoon Room.

[shiro2hero]

Are you sure? If there's anything I can do...

[You are doing him a hecking concern here, Mako.]

I believe you that he's fine, but I'm concerned about you.

[arclightning]

Don't be. I'm fine, I just need to make sure Bo's not living in some run-down back alley shack.

[shiro2hero]

Would he do that?

[arclightning]

Wish I could tell you no, but if he was living in some swanky apartment, believe me, I'd've seen it.

[shiro2hero]

Do you know where he hangs out, aside from the Racoon Room?

I can check around, if that would help.

[arclightning]

No. That's the problem. I don't know. He's my brother, Shiro. I should know this.

[shiro2hero]

It's hard to know things people keep from us.

I

I should have known a lot of things about my teammates, the people closest to me. But they kept it from me. There was no way TO know.

[arclightning]

So how did you find out? Only after the fact? How do you keep track of people if they aren't going to keep you updated?

[shiro2hero]

Only after the fact, yeah. I caught Keith sneaking out once, and that's how it came out.

You just keep trying. Checking in with them. I know it's not a great consolation, believe me. I wish it were different.

[arclightning]

No, I get it. Stuff like this doesn't have an easy answer.

I guess I just didn't expect it from Bolin again. Kind of thought he'd learned his lesson.

[shiro2hero]

Again?

What happened before?

[arclightning]

It's a long story. He and I went down some pretty different paths. That time, it was partially my fault.

[shiro2hero]

So it's hard not to blame yourself again, isn't it?

[arclightning]

Especially when it's probably partially my fault this time, too.

[shiro2hero]

Why would it be your fault this time?

[arclightning]

Because he's my brother! I'm supposed to be looking out for him!

[arclightning]

[ Ugh no don't yell at Shiro he didn't do this. Mako groans. ]

[arclightning]

Sorry.

He's avoiding my questions. Something's definitely up. Thanks for helping me figure this out. I owe you one.

[shiro2hero]

It's okay. This kind of news is rough. I get it.

[They may not be blood related, but - finding out your adopted sibling bailed on you, handling things on his own instead of asking for help...]

You don't owe me anything, Mako. You never have. And I


It's hard not to blame yourself when family does this. But we can't keep tabs on them their whole lives. It's just not possible. We

Just have to be there for them.

[arclightning]

[ Shiro is right. Of course Shiro is right: Shiro is right about most things, it seems like, is the kind of person who seems pretty good at having awful things happen to him and actually learning from them, using that knowledge to move forward. Mako curses quietly, already picking himself up to go find Bolin if Bo won't tell him where he is, but. ]

What if they're not letting you? What happens then? I know he has to grow up and live on his own. I want him to do that and have his own life but he doesn't think things through.

[shiro2hero]

[Oh Mako. If only you knew how much he hasn't learned from his own shit.]

I don't know

I wish I knew, Mako, but - I don't. I've tried everything I can think of. Talking to them, being around. If they don't talk to you back... there's not really anything you can do to force it.

[arclightning]

I know I do the same thing, I'm not

I get it. Thinking you have to do things alone. I'm trying to stop. That.

Just didn't expect it from Bolin.