As Bolin donned his uniform, he had to admit he looked pretty handsome. There would definitely be plenty of girls ogling him tonight. But then he realized for the first time that he really only cared about one person having his eyes on him. The teen had absolutely and positively fallen head over heels for the general and being back home made him see that.

While he appreciated the compliments he got from everyone on his new look of, not only the uniform, but a more slender frame from a smaller diet, Bolin couldn't wait to hear what Iroh had to say.

The men on the island sat, waiting for the girls to finish up with their lengthy rituals of getting dolled up. When Iroh arrived, Bolin had to resist his impulse to hug him which was a good thing because the look on the general's face was one of business.

He asked Tenzin for a private conversation and they exited the living space.

Mako crossed his arms, "I wonder what's going on."

"Oh!" the earth-bender jumped up, "I think it's because of those things we fought."

"What things?" Korra asked, walking into the room.

"It was these big, scary, black creature thingies. It was totally not fun, but I got 'em."

Mako raised an eyebrow after shaking off the shock of seeing Korra in a blue, formfitting kimono, "There must be more of them then?"

Bolin sighed, half depressed about this new threat and then half at the awareness that Iroh had not gotten all hot and bothered by his uniform when seeing him. Slouching back, he could see his boyfriend and Tenzin, through the doorway, talking with worried eyes. The teen wondered if tonight would actually be as fun as he originally thought it would be and if the general would even stay in Republic City past tomorrow because of all this.

Looking back into the living room, the loneliness he felt starting to bubble up in his chest grew when Bolin saw his brother and Korra holding hands and staring into one another's eyes. They had entirely forgotten about their troubles and it made the earth-bender remember his last couple nights where Iroh and he had been in a blissful haze of love. He hoped that the general hadn't been acting so relaxed for the teen's sake in those last days.

His thoughts were thankfully cut off as the two men reentered the room. They still had on reserved faces, but the air felt much lighter. Bolin stood up, knocking Pabu out of his lap, and fixed his uniform, wanting Iroh to notice him. A gentle hand was placed on his shoulder by the general.

The man's face looked uncertain as he looked the other up and down.

"What?" Bolin asked.

"It doesn't…a uniform doesn't look good on you."

"Well, it is a bit restricting, but…"

The teen wasn't sure where Iroh was headed with this conversation. His uniform looked fine…was he trying to make a sexual innuendo about him looking better naked?…because it was not working. Bolin looked up from his outfit to see the others idly standing there, watching their interactions.

Oh…Iroh was finding it hard to converse freely with the others around. Now that he thought about it, the two of them had never really talked to each other when they weren't alone.

Bolin frowned at this, but salvaged the failing discussion by pouting, "Don't be such a meany pants. You're just jealous I'll get more girls tonight."

Iroh gave a low chuckle as he was reassured that the night would not be so awkward.

"Shall we get going then?" Asami smiled as she glided in with Pema, Ikki and Jinora.

They were all dressed up similar to Korra, with their own flowing kimonos. Mako and Tenzin were two lucky guys as they led their women toward the festival.

Bolin and Iroh ambled on from a good distance behind.

"I should have worn one of those kimonos," the teen mused.

The general laughed, "Why would you want to wear a female's clothing?"

"Then, we would have looked like a cute couple, like them. Not two manly military guys."

Iroh reached out and held his love's hand, "I think we look much cuter than any other couple because you are ridiculously adorable…and besides I don't think you can pull off a kimono."

Bolin playfully stuck out his tongue, "I can so work one of those! When we get to the festival, I'll find a vendor."

"Please, no," he begged.

Giving the general's hand a squeeze, the teen whispered, "I didn't say I'd wear it in public."

Iroh grew red in the face as he shot a glance at everyone else way ahead of them, "Well, then I guess it would be fine."

The group of them arrived just as the festival started to get underway. They walked through the crowded square to get to a large table that was set up just for them. Iroh's father, grandfather, and uncle were already seated and drinking tea. The general introduced everyone to his family and after a few discussions at the table, they were well-acquainted.

"We should go dancing," Korra suggested to her boyfriend.

He was slightly reluctant, but got up anyway.

Bolin shyly looked over to the general, knowing that there was a ten percent chance that they would end up dancing together.

Iroh picked himself up and made an excuse, "Didn't you want to find that vendor, Bolin?"

"Oh, yeah."

The teen jumped up and followed the other through the masses of celebrating people. Iroh led them far from anyone they knew.

Bolin cocked his head at the man, "The vendors are over there, not this way."

"Wouldn't you like to dance first?" he asked, bowing.

Blushing, the earth-bender realized that the general had lied to get him alone, "We gonna make-out, too?"

Iroh put his arms around the other, smirking, "Maybe."

They danced around, getting plenty of looks, but with the dim lights, no one could see who they were with certainty. It didn't take long until they were sharing kisses during a slower song. Not wishing to take any more risk, after the song ended they headed over to the vendors.

Iroh paid for something he didn't even get to see, but by how small the bag was he knew he'd like it. They headed back to the reserved table to get three sets of cocked eyebrows from the elder fire-benders sitting there.

Bolin looked to his lover in questioning as they sat down.

Iroh sighed, "Is there something wrong?"

Mako and Korra chose to return at this moment, so everyone was now present.

Zuko spoke up to the inquiry posed, "Must I remind you that all three of us have very good eyesight."

The general turned red, "…well…"

Bolin remained quite clueless.

Then, Uncle Iroh laughed gaining everyone's attention.

"The general's such a twit like you two," he jabbed playfully at his nephews.

Everyone watched the interaction with interest. It wasn't often that the fire nation royalty would talk so casually.

"I think this is a matter that should be discussed later and in a private setting," Iroh's father said, harshly.

"Yes, please," the general meekly agreed.

"That's no fun," Uncle Iroh pouted, "I'm sure the others at the table would love to hear all the juicy details."

The girls leaned in, suckers to some good gossip.

"What's going on?" Korra asked.

Zuko gave a confused look, "It is clearly obvious, so I don't understand why we are wasting our time with such frivolous conversations."

The water-bender huffed.

Uncle Iroh smirked and sat forward to speak directly to her, "Haven't you noticed anything about your friend Bolin?"

Korra was puzzled, but Mako sneered, "You mean how he hasn't hit on any girls so far?"

The old man didn't say anything more as he took a sip of tea. Mako, Korra and Asami looked over to Bolin with wide grins.

"What?" the earth-bender inquired.

"You have a girlfriend," Asami plainly stated.

Bolin's cheeks burned as looked away. This was a tight spot. There was no way he could lie now, but… They were expecting a "girl" friend, not the man sitting beside him.

The table grew quiet and Bolin was a few seconds away from glaring down the old man who had out-ed him, but then there was a hand on his underneath the table. He didn't need to look down to know those smooth, thin fingers were the general's.

Then, in a very hushed tone, that no one else could hear, the man whispered, "You can say whatever you like. I won't be offended."

That was definitely a weight off of his shoulders.

Bolin sighed, "Alright, alright. I'm going out with someone. Now, don't ask any more questions tonight."

Everyone respected his wishes, but it didn't stop them from talking. They all bet on who it might be and what she was like. Iroh couldn't help but laugh at all their musings because not a single one of them was anything like him.

On their way back to the Air Temple, Iroh and Bolin decided to walk ahead of everybody this time.

"It's gonna be hard to get through breakfast tomorrow morning," Bolin frowned.

"They really don't know you, do they?" the general spoke, softly.

"What do you mean?"

"They're imagining you with women, Bo…It's just that…you've changed so much over the past month."

Bolin put his hands on his hips, "Well, they better get used to the new and improved Bolin because I never want to go back to the way it was. I'm so happy here…with you. Even if you have to leave to lead the UF, I know you'll always be thinking of me…I have that effect on people."

"Bo…" Iroh said longingly as he stopped walking.

The teen stopped with him underneath one of the tall street lights. It helped Bolin dimly see the tears that slowly trickled down the others face.

"Please, don't cry, Iroh."

"I can't help it. I don't want to ever have to leave you alone."

"I know, but once I get the training, I can join you wherever you go."

"But I-"

Bolin had heard enough as he interrupted the man with a sweet kiss. When he pulled back, Iroh was wearing a small smile.

"You're right…I shouldn't worry."

The earth-bender beamed, "Right."

"…but you do realize everyone is staring at us now."

"Crap," Bolin groaned.