Everyone welcome to my series of short Bopal stories! Here I'll explore their relationship through snippets, AU's, one shots, etc. Other characters may make appearances, but the stories will all focus on Bopal/the Bopal family. Enjoy!

This chapter takes place right after the end of Book 3.

Bolin sighed as he stared up at the night sky. The full moon was bright tonight, and with the combined light from Republic City's skyline, it blotted out most of the stars. It reminded him of when he and Mako were little; they would sometimes sneak out to the park at night and watch the stars, making up stories about the constellations. Of course, it was hard to see the stars in the city, but every once in a while they could make out a few.

Not that Mako was currently here to watch with him. He had taken the night shift, again. It had been almost two weeks since he'd spent a night back at Air Temple Island, and two weeks since Asami had dived back into Future Industries. Two weeks since Korra had gone back to the South Pole. He was once again alone.

He felt bad for wanting everyone back together. He knew Korra needed time to recover, he knew Asami had a company to run, and he knew the city needed Mako's protection. His worries about himself — his future, his new abilities — seemed so trivial in comparison. Why burden them with his problems?

"Hey Bolin!" He almost jumped out of his skin at the call. Opal stood behind him, wearing her airbender training uniform and cradling Pabu in her arms.

"Oh, hey, Opal," Bolin sighed weakly as he caught his breath. Pabu perked up at the sound of his master's voice; he leapt from Opal's arms and scrambled up Bolin's shoulder to give him an affectionate lick. "Hello to you too, Pabu."

"What are you doing out here?" Opal asked.

"Oh, just thinking. Looking at the stars."

"Mind if I join you?"

Bolin blushed. "Oh, uh, yeah, come on over!"

Opal settled down next to Bolin and looked up at the moon. "You know, I never saw much of the night sky back at home. Mom always had the guards close up the domes after sunset, so all you ever saw at night was metal. Every once in a while she'd take us outside to look for shooting stars, and Captain Kuvira let me and the twins sneak up sometimes. But I couldn't just look out my window or sit in my yard and look at the moon. It's so pretty and open."

Bolin glanced at the airbender's face. Her bright green eyes were wide and soaking up the view. "How have you been? I mean… Republic City and Air Temple Island are really different from Zaofu. And being away from your family… That's gotta be tough."

Opal gave him a sad smile. "Well, yeah. I've never been away from them before, and I've only left Zaofu a few times. Everything is so different out here. And it gets a little lonely sometimes. But the airbenders and acolytes are all so wonderful. They're like a second family."

Bolin nodded with a grin. "Well that part's good, at least. You've got all these new people in the same boat as you, and they know exactly what you're going through. That counts for something." He looked back up at the moon as those thoughts filtered in his mind. 'They know exactly what you're going through. Not like me.'

"Bolin, what are you thinking about? You look sad all of the sudden."

"What, me? Sad? Nah! Are you kidding? I'm always happy! Happy, happy…" Opal was giving him that look again. "Okay… I was thinking how nice it'd be to have people to talk to about that kind of stuff. My friends are all busy doing important things, but I… I've got nothing. Plus, now I'm the only one in the world who can do this." He clenched and turned his fist, and a nearby rock turned a glowing orange and started to melt.

Opal jumped a little in surprise, and the rock immediately stopped glowing. "Oh man, I'm sorry!" Bolin exclaimed.

"No, no, don't be sorry!" Opal waved her hands frantically. "It just surprised me, that's all!" Bolin looked hesitantly between her and the rock before clenching his fist again, and the rock started to glow, fainter this time.

"I think it's really cool that you can do that," Opal said shyly. Her eyes flickered in the dim light of the molten rock. "Think about it: you have the chance to reform a whole style of bending." Bolin stroked his chin; he hadn't thought of it that way. "And you know…" Opal scooted a little closer. "My Grandma Toph developed metalbending all by herself. And look at where that led! Sure, you're not the first lavabender, but you still get a new chance to make something amazing!"

Bolin stared off across the bay in thought. "Hmm… yeah… I'll be like Toph Beifong! Wow!" His bright smile only stayed on a few seconds before it slowly faded. "Still wish my friends were around. I know they're busy though."

There was a moment of silence before Opal clung to Bolin's arm and rested her head against his shoulder. "Well, they may not be around as much anymore, but that doesn't mean they've forgotten about you. Besides," she flashed him a bashful smile, "You have me." She scratched Pabu's ear. "You have Pabu. And you and Mako have a whole new side of your family to catch up with! I think you'll be just fine."

Bolin's face lit up at her words, and he sighed while laying his head on top of hers. "Thanks, Opal. I needed that."

"Anytime."

They sat under the moon a while longer until the fire ferret started nibbling Bolin's fingers. "Oh, Pabu's hungry," He stood up and stretched, then held out his hand. "Shall we go inside, My Lady?"

"Yes, let's!" Opal giggled, letting herself be pulled to her feet.

As they headed back inside, Bolin coughed. "So… Opal… since you're still new here, I think it would serve you well to take a tour of this fair city. Would you do me the honor of accompanying me tomorrow to Narook's Seaweed Noodlery for some fine dining?"

She linked arms with him and nodded. "I think I can squeeze in time for that."

Thanks for reading! Reviews are appreciated!