Chapter Text
"Would you stop squirming for just a second?" Wei hissed, a roll of gauze in one hand and Bolin's arm in the other, an arm with a rather large burn just below the bicep.
Bolin just giggled in response, clearly enjoying the situation they were in now that the immediate pain had worn off. "Aw, my brave hero, taking such good care of lil ol me," he teased, practically swooning against the younger man before a swab of rubbing alcohol was placed on his burn, causing him to yelp.
"More like your nurse," he grumbled in response, side eying his brother who was grinning at the scene between the two of them. "How'd this happen anyway? All the soldiers we fought against were Earth Benders."
"They used my own lava against me," he replied, sniffling as he clutched his chest for effect. "Pushed me down against the lava wall I made- wait you were there! Didn't you see it?" Bolin turned back to his self proclaimed 'nurse', looking almost offended.
"We were a little busy covering you after you hit the ground," Wing replied, still smirking at the lava bender. "Wei nearly killed the guy who took you down-"
"Wing." The glare on the twin's face was enough to make the other promptly shut his mouth, though that impish grin never left his lips.
Bolin seemed oblivious to any tension between the two but rather dazzled by Wing's comment. "Wait, really? For me? Aw, Wei-" he cooed, attempting to lean against the other man before he was promptly shoved back to his original position.
"What did I say about squirming?" He hissed, though his cheeks had visibly darkened in shade as he began wrapping his arm in gauze. "There, now you're free to squirm all you want," he bemoaned once he was finished, folding his arms only for his patient to promptly envelope him in a hug.
"Thanks man! I don't know what I'd do without you!" Bolin exclaimed, his burn seeming to not have any effect on his ability to show physical affection in the slightest.
Wei huffed, looking elsewhere as he patted the other on the back in return. "I don't know either, Bolin," he replied, knowing full well his brother hadn't stopped smirking since the beginning of their interaction.
With that the earth bender grabbed his jacket and pulled it back on over his chamise then headed out of the tent, leaving the Beifong twins to themselves.
"Shut up."
"I didn't say anything!"
Wei gave his brother a look before packing up the medical supplies their mother had given them. They didn't have a water bender with them so healing with bending wasn't an option. Fortunately this was the first time during the mission that they had to take the kit out. Leave it to Bolin to get injured by his own bending.
"Y'know I think he likes having someone doting on him," Wing went on talking, ignoring the annoyed look the other Beifong gave him.
"Oh yeah?" Wei replied absentmindedly, avoiding his brother's gaze.
Wing hummed affirmingly. "Yeah, especially if it's you."
That made Wei halt what he was doing, his brow furrowing as he turned to his brother. "What the hell are you getting at?" He hissed, blood rushing to his cheeks as his brother grinned, cool as a cucumber, damn him.
Wing just shrugged. "He likes it when you act like you care about him, it's cute," he replied, leaning back with his arms behind his head.
Wei turned away, as if that would make the color on his cheeks go away. "So? He just likes attention, so what," he reasoned, though whether it was to his brother or himself he wasn't sure.
"Yeah, attention from you."
Before Wei could blast his twin through the roof of the tent the tent entryway opened, revealing Mako on the other side, poking his head in cautiously, like he was prepared for rocks to be bended at him.
"Hey, sorry to interrupt but the fire's all set, Bolin's got dinner going," he informed them curtly, glancing between the two of them before ducking back out. Wei felt his face grow even hotter.
Wing seemed unbothered, of course. "Sweet, I'm starved," he exclaimed as he bolted up and stretched before making his way out of the tent without a care in the world. Jerk.
Wei groaned, dropping his head in his hands. This mission was going to be a nightmare.
Dinner, however, was not.
They were all on their second helping of the noodles Bolin had prepared, eating mostly in silence, only the occasional hum and "thanks" could be heard. Normally that would be awkward but right now the food was too good for anyone to care.
Mako was the first to break the silence. "So, how's your arm?" He asked, glancing over at his brother who was swallowing a mouthful of noodles.
"Not too bad, actually, Wei fixed it up pretty good," Bolin replied, giving Wei an appreciative smile before returning to his bowl of noodles. "Should be fine by tomorrow."
"Good, tomorrow we should just be getting through the woods assuming none of Kuvira's old friends show up," Mako explained in his 'officer voice' as Bolin calls it.
Their mission was simple, check in on the villages previously conquered by Kuvira, provide supplies, deal with any Earth Empire loyalists that might still be around. Despite the Empire technically being disbanded a year ago there were still stragglers who clung to Kuvira's cause despite her having abandoned it a long time ago.
"Don't worry Mako, you've got two Beifongs here, they shouldn't be a problem," Wing grinned as he nudged his brother beside him, like their namesake alone was enough to guarantee victory.
Mako simply smiled. "I don't doubt it," he replied, his voice softer than before.
They continued to chat as the fire dwindled down into embers, smoke rising into the sky against the stars as the night went on. After what must have been hours they decided to turn in, all except one.
"You turning in, Bo?" Wei heard Mako ask as he made his way towards his tent. Wei turned to see Bolin still by the fire as he cleaned up from dinner.
"In a minute, just packing up," Bolin responded, giving his brother a quick smile before looking over at Wei.
Wei realized he had been caught and froze, feeling blood rush to his face when he saw Bolin grin. It wasn't a mischievous grin, but something about it still made Wei's stomach flip.
Despite that, Wei spoke. "Need any help?"
Bolin seemed taken aback for a moment before smiling brightly. "Sure! If you don't mind."
He put out the fire and helped pack up any lingering supplies that had been left out, not that there was much. Wei found his eyes wandering to Bolin's hands as he tied a loose bag shut and wondered how those work worn fingertips would feel against his own-
"Thanks for patching me up earlier, by the way," Bolin remarked, looking up from his work to give the other a smile. This one seemed more reserved, almost bashful, a far cry from a boisterous grin he usually wore, and yet it had an even greater effect on Wei.
"I know I was being stupid earlier, but I'm glad you guys were looking out," he added, looking back down at their supplies.
He seemed almost embarrassed, Wei noted. Likely because it was his own bending that burned him, not a fire bender who didn't attack. "You weren't being stupid," Wei interjected, looking down at his own hands as he packed up a bag of dried goods. "You were just trying to protect everyone and slipped up in the process. It happens."
Silence hangs heavy between them for a moment, making the normally confident metal bender second guess every one of his words. Fortunately, it's Bolin who breaks it.
"Yeah, I guess you're right… still, thanks," he replied, and even if Wei weren't looking at him he could probably still feel the warm smile on his face.
It only lasts a moment, however, as Bolin's older brother calls out from his tent. "We got an early morning guys, we should get some sleep," he urged from behind the tarp, reminding Wei of his eldest brother back when he acted like his brother.
"Yeah, yeah," Bolin drawled as he stood, waving a hand as if to brush his brother off. With a yawn he stretches, rubbing his sore shoulder as Wei gets to his feet. "Well, that's my cue, 'night Wei."
He says it casually yet he lingers for a moment before heading towards his tent, like he doesn't want to go to bed so soon despite the late hour. Huh.
"'Night, Bolin."