"I'm heading to the Northern Air Temple with Tenzin and the other airbenders in the morning."

Bolin sputtered, nearly choking on the tea he was drinking. "What? Opal, we just got back to Zaofu. What about rebuilding your city? What about us?" He stared incredulously across the table as Opal ducked her head away from his gaze, her brow furrowing under the hurt in his voice.

"Bolin, I know you were excited to start a life together. But I'm an airbender. I love my family but they can handle this without me. Rebuilding the Northern Temple took a backseat to keeping order in the Earth Kingdom, and now it is time to salvage what we can and restore an important cultural landmark for the Air Nation." She struggled to keep the resolve in her rehearsed speech.

"I'll talk to Tenzin. He'll understand that…"

"Bolin, stop. I volunteered to go. I've lived my whole live in Zaofu surrounded by earthbenders and rocks and metal. That's not who I am anymore. I need to be free to find my own identity."

"I'll come with you! I can help, I'm sure you guys need earthbenders to…"

His voice faltered as Opal locked eyes with him. In those pale green eyes was a combination of steadfast resolve and overwhelming sadness. She didn't have to say it, he already knew. But she said it anyways. He deserved closure, at the very least.

"I'm sorry. You will always have a special place in my heart, but I can't give you what you want. Goodbye, Bolin."

I'm sorry

You will always have a special place in my heart,

But I can't give you what you want.

Goodbye, Bolin.

Those words continued to ring in his head even as Bolin hammered away at the sheets of platinum that would soon be used to rebuild the iconic petaled domes of Zaofu. It had been three weeks since Opal flew away, leaving him grounded and lost. He was happy for her, but after all he had been through, he was looking forward to a simple, undramatic life with the woman he loved. The enthusiastic optimist he used to be seemed like a distant memory. The only thing that kept him going was throwing himself into helping the Beifongs in any way he could. He caused them so much grief and had played a hand in destroying their home, helping to rebuild it was the least he felt he could do to make up for his blunders.

The loud, reverberating sound of a metal gong being struck snapped Bolin out of his trance. He hadn't even noticed the sun slowly creeping towards the horizon. The young earthbender straightened and arched his back, reaching his arms above his head and lacing his fingers together in a supple stretch. A light groan escaped his lips as his joints cracked, beads of sweat from working in the harsh sunlight rolling off his tensed muscles. As he savored the relief of a good stretch, he began to feel as though he were being watched. He quickly put his arms down, suddenly very conscious of his exposed body. He glanced around nervously, trying to find the source of his discomfort when he locked eyes with a waving, grinning Wei Beifong. He relaxed slightly and halfheartedly returned the smile and wave.

"Why so jumpy, dude?" Bolin heard the voice behind him half a second before feeling a soft bundle thwack the back of his head. Managing to catch the towel before it hit the ground, Bolin turned to see Wing smirking at him. Bolin gave a weak smile and threw a playful punch in his direction.

"Oh you know, just keeping my guard up in case of, you know, bears or whatever" He mumbled an attempt at humor before busying himself wiping the sweat from his brow. Upon lowering the towel he noticed Wing and Wei had sidled closer, practically flanking him and each wearing a playful smirk. He couldn't help but feel like a koala sheep being stalked by two hungry wolfbats. The twins tended to give off that kind of vibe when they were together.

Bolin was taken by surprise as Wei slung an arm around his shoulder. "Hey man, we noticed you've been pretty down lately. Everything ok?"

"Yeah, I'm alright. Just, long work hours, I'm pretty tired…"

"You're not a very good liar, Bolin." Wing piped up. "We know you're still bummed about Opal leaving."

"Yeah, I guess…" Bolin resigned.

"Why don't you come out to the Power Disc arena tonight after dinner? We have a surprise for you." Wei's voice oozed mischief as he ruffled Bolin's hair.

Bolin gulped nervously. Or was it excitedly? Something about how Wei had said the word "surprise" stirred something in him that was both familiar and not.

"Uhh, you guys remember I don't metalbend right? I don't think I'd be a very good Power Disc player." Bolin stammered, hoping he could pull off the rising blush in his face as being due to his inability to metalbend.

"Oh don't worry." Wing said, slinging his arm around Bolin's other shoulder to mirror his twin. He leaned in slightly, his breath warm in Bolin's ear. "You'll do just fine." His tone turned from brotherly joshing to a sultry, raspy whisper. Oh fuck. Bolin thought, his face flushing a bright red as he felt something stir in his pants. Ok gotta get out of here Bolin, let's go!

"ALRIGHT sounds good guys I will see you then ok bye!" He stammered, ducking out from Wing and Wei's arms and half power-walking, half shuffling off towards the Beifong estate.

Wing and Wei locked eyes and grinned mischievously. "You saw that half-chub he was trying to hide right?" "Of course, how could he think he could hide a monster like that? This is going to be fun…"