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Tradition 1: Mako - 4, Bolin - 2
The first time Mako had come across the concept of Mother’s day, he probably might’ve been four years old. Everyone had been asked to make a card for their mothers and while he wasn't the most artistic kid out there, he thought he’d made a pretty decent card and had actually been excited to give it to her.
At least until Bolin had run into him and proceeded to insistently grab at the paper with wide, curious eyes and muddy hands. And ripped it into two. He felt like crying because he had worked so hard on it and now his brother had torn it and one half of it was muddy and he was sure that mom won't like it now and he didn't know how to fix it.
She had just come into the room and Mako panicked as he tried to hide it because in no way could he show it to her. It wasn't a suitable gift to his mother. He couldn't give it to her.
But Bolin had to ruin it again by toddling towards her and giving the muddy, torn piece of paper to her with a huge smile on his face, babbling in his excited baby talk and she was listening to him with a tiny smile on her face, a fond look in her eyes.
“And what are you hiding Mako?” she’d turned to him and he immediately looked down and shook his head because he couldn't give her that. He would rather make another one and give it to her late than give this one to her because it had to be perfect. He cannot give her anything that was not perfect.
But she was looking at him expectantly and he just couldn't not give the torn card and disappoint her. It would be much worse than giving her the torn up card. So he shyly presented her whatever remained of the card and hoped that she wouldn't mind how it looked.
He waited in anticipation as she took in the card before pulling him into a hug, cooing as she pressed a kiss on his forehead. “It is beautiful Mako. I love it. Thank you” she’d praised and he positively beamed at the praise. She liked it!
“And yes Bolin, I love you too. What you did was also pretty” she laughed as she hoisted up Bolin to her level and pressed kisses all over his face until he was a giggling mess.
“Now, bath time boys. Get into the showers.”
Tradition 2: Mako - 9, Bolin - 7
It had become some sort of a tradition for them that the two of them would make cards together for their mother. Until it wasn't.
It hadn't even been a few months since the death of their parents when mother’s day had rolled around. They had made a card for someone who couldn't ever receive it, just out of pure nostalgia. When they’d finished the card, they had held onto each other and cried because they wouldn't be able to give it to her this time.
There was a moment when they contemplated placing it on the grave of their mother along with a bunch of flowers but decided against it. The card went into the box their mother had used to store their previous cards, as did the cards they made in the future. All in the name of tradition.
But there was another tradition they’d started to follow along with it. Visiting the graves and sitting there the whole day, just talking and spending time with her, even if she wasn't physically there. They would imagine her smile and warm hugs, maybe a scolding or two, roughhouse around the place playfully till evening set in.
It was mentally taxing, yes. But it was so worth it when they cuddled together in the night, small whispers traded between each other. Maybe, this was the only time he would be actually willing to share memories about their parents. And maybe someday, he would be willing to do it more willingly.
Tradition 3: Mako - 13, Bolin - 11
This time Bolin had been the one to start the new tradition. After completing their usual ritual, right before they were to turn in, Bolin had come up to him and… what in the world was that supposed to be?
“I… I um… I just wanted to say thank you and… happy mother’s day Mako" he shuffled nervously as he gave him… something.
"What is that supposed to be?"
"I learnt to make a candle! And carve wax! Isn't it amazing??!!" Bolin asked excitedly before gushing about his experiences while Mako looked at the proffered candle in bewilderment.
"It's uh… nice. Yeah super nice. It looks really good-"
"It doesn't look good. You don't actually like it, do you?" Bolin deflated.
"No Bo, it is really amazing! Yeah, it might not look the best but it's the thought that counts! Who knows? Maybe you will be an expert someday!" Mako encouraged with a genuine smile as he pulled Bolin into a tight hug.
“Thank you bro.”
Tradition 4: Mako - 16, Bolin - 14
Three traditions turned into four and this time, it was Mako who brought it about. Cooking. They really didn't have the luxury to cook when they were on the streets. Now though… they have their own place. They could actually afford something to cook. So mother’s day had also become a day to experiment with cooking, another thing the brothers did together instead of taking turns.
They tried to replicate things they’ve tasted, recipes of their mother or any street vendor they’d come across. It was all about fun and bonding. This time, their nostalgia was tied with the memory of helping their mother in the kitchen. Now that they actually had a kitchen, there was no reason not to take advantage of it, really.
Tradition 5: Mako - 18, Bolin - 16
This wasn't kind of a tradition per se, just something they learned to get used to when they met with Korra and by extension, her whole family group. Which included Tenzin and his family, her own parents and… technically most of the tribe technically. And they just had to roll on with their traditions.
The two of them had done their own traditions either in advance or in private, not wanting to really have others invade their time to remember their mother, and the others had respected their need for it, so they were definitely more than happy.
Though one thing that really hit them was the fact that this was the first time they were really having any sort of celebration with something that held a semblance of a family and it was… something else. Because the last time they had anything that was even near to this was a decade ago, if not more. Now wasn't that something…
Though if they had shed tears, no one really commented, and they were grateful for that.
Tradition 6: Mako - 19, Bolin - 17
Maybe it was fate, maybe it was just luck. He didn't usually believe in either. But maybe, just this once, he might believe it in. Because this mother’s day, they had actually ended up meeting their dad’s side of the family. Well, not exactly on mother’s day but close enough.
This time, they were pulled into taking part in the traditions of their family, things they had been wondering about ever since they’d ended up on the streets. And finally getting a chance to be an actual part of it was… an experience that they would never forget. Sure, they would be able to continue this now that they’d found their dad’s family but the first time was always special and they will treasure it.
The large family was seated in one room, passing dishes and loudly recollecting childhood tales and tales of the old. Some of them crafted things to be gifted, the others showed it through actions and words.
It was everything the brothers did, but nothing they did at the same time. The family did cards for their mothers, but they didn't store them in a box like a treasure. Maybe Grandma Yin did, or maybe it was just a one time thing. They usually bought crafts from the store, unlike Bolin’s homemade and handcrafted candles. They visited graves but it was just a quick them unlike the two of them, who used to spend hours over there. The family exchanged stories but they didn't really feel the nostalgia that they felt when they exchanged the same stories in the quiet of the night, huddled close to each other. The only thing the family had, and they lacked, was the fact that they had no mother to give things to.
But it was tradition all the same. No matter how they celebrated it, they were still family. Their family. And the brothers were never happier to share traditions.
Tradition 7: Mako 23, Bolin 21
This time… everything was different. They’d been separated for 3 years and there had been a clear break in traditions because it didn't feel the same through letters like it felt when they were together. Doing their personal traditions after a long time… it was a great feeling.
But they had one more tradition to add to their list. Actually giving things to the mother figures in their lives. Pema, Lin, Senna, Grandma Yin, Suyin… over the years they really seemed to have come across women who they could actually look up to. Grandma Yin was family but… maybe they had come to adopt or at least look up to the rest of them as mother figures. And now that they had a chance… they didn't want to let this go.
So they planned. They brought out the old box of cards. They brought out the candles Bolin had made. They got out all the old and new recipes they’d made over the years. Finally, they called over all their friends and let them into the plan.
Each one was assigned a task and they were to execute it perfectly. Or to near perfection. They couldn't mess this up. This was a special day and they were going to make it special their way.
Sure, private traditions were done in private. The brothers weren't really going to miss out on that. They weren't planning to either. It was a part of who they were and it will remain till they part.
But this was one tradition they wanted to do with everyone and they wanted to nail it. They want to show their appreciation and thanks to every single mother figure in their life. And they wanted to do this their way.
The day came around and everyone was at the party. And it was time for their final tradition to come to play. Actually getting to gift mother figures. Something they thought would be a dream but it was becoming a reality.
They weren't doing the cards. That was for their mother and their mother alone. They weren't going to do flowers. That was for both their parents. And cliched. They weren't going to do candles. That was something between the brothers and the brothers alone. The cooking aspect had already come to play. They had gathered there as a family.
The only thing they would be doing was to give them something that they’d made together. Something that would hold sentimental value, but at the same time be practical. And they ended up making rock carvings and painting them. Bolin carved the stuff and Mako coloured them. And depending on the person, it varied from being a keychain to a tablet of painting. And the bonus was that the people they intended to give it to actually liked it. Score! Another tradition done right!
And they finally went to bed with a smile on their faces, finally feeling content.