— Reunions - AU
Shin huffed out a breathy laugh, amused at Bolin’s unrelenting self-conscious awkwardness, persisting even into his work life. “You don’t have to tell me twice; don’t act like I dunno how to lay low, Bo.” Gently, he pulled on Bolin’s shoulder to turn the pair down an alleyway, decidedly darker than the street they had been walking down. “Technically you gotta lay low for a while, too — tell ‘em I led you on some… acrobatic chase through the alleys, jumpin’ all over dumpsters ‘n shit. That’ll get you a raise even if ya didn’t catch me, heheh.” His words, musky from the cigarette after cigarette he smoked on the way to tonight’s meeting, oozed out of his mouth in the smarmy way that could only be too familiar to Bolin.
“Seein’ as alla my hideouts are probably swarming with either too many of my men or, well, too many of your men, we’re both in a bit of a bind, eh?” Shin laughed a hearty chuckle, half-amused at the thought that Bolin was really getting the short end of the stick on this deal. That was Shady Shin for you — things always went his way. He was sure Bolin knew this. “Whaddaya say you just come to my place for the night, take a load off, show up next morning saying you’a, I dunno, fell of a building an’ got a concussion or somethin’.” Shin rubbed Bolin’s shoulder through the coat, attempting to cheer him up and warm him up. At very least, looking on the bright side was something Shin was fairly skilled at.
He smiled warmly at Shin at the idea of having a place to stay while everything died down, hopefully they wouldn’t start looking for him until later tomorrow…after all the search party couldn’t start before 24 hours were up. ”Thanks Shin! That took a weight off my shoulders, it’ll be like the old times.” Green eyes stared up at Shin as he smiled, surveying the older man.
What was it that had attracted Bolin to hanging out with him when younger? Truth they had worked deals together but Bolin could have hung out with different people…something always kept wheeling him back to the Shady Shin. And thinking about it, it might very well be the fact that the man carried himself with the upmost confidence in the world. Not once had the earthbender seen him doubtful or scared…It was always either angry or confident with Shin. He really liked that about him.
“Do you have food there? I’m starving…” he asked unabashed, familiarity taking over and feeling like this was his old friend he was talking to “you know going early in the morning for my job doesn’t leave me much time to eat. Well it really doesn’t leave me much time for anything…” last time he had gone out and even tasted alcohol had been about six months ago. ”What’s your place like, Shin?! I don’t think the police even knows where you live…must be secretive.” his eyes gleamed with excitement at being shown a sign of the Boss that most people never got to see.
