i'm a chickadee in love with the sky
"So, O-Opal," Bolin stammered, swallowing nervously. Opal bit back a smile.
They were standing in the tiny gazebo in ZaFou, and Opal was all too aware of how Bolin didn't need to accompany her home even if Suyin had offered, nor had Bolin's excuse of wanting to give metalbending another shot his actual reason for coming back to the city. Opal was stopping by before going back to Republic City to resume training as an airbender, and Bolin was going to go back with her to help take care of business he had left there.
"So," she echoed, smiling sweetly.
"I, uh," Bolin was tripping over his words now, face burning with embarrassment. "I was just wondering, well. What are we, exactly?"
Opal's smile faded; that wasn't what she had been expecting. "Oh..." she trailed off. "Well, what do you think we are?" Opal couldn't say she hadn't thought about their budding friendship - relationship, whatever you wanted to call it - over the time they had been apart. Although goofy and a little insecure, Bolin was a sweet guy and Opal was definitely open to spending more time with him, but she wanted to know were he stood before speaking. She may not have been an earthbender, but she was a BeiFong: she knew how to wait, and listen.
Bolin looked thoroughly relieved and nervous at the same time. "I - I think," Bolin said slowly, "that we're starting to get to know each other. Not very well, not yet, but we're getting there." He shot her a smile, his voice growing alongside his confidence. "I think that we have a lot of potential. I like you a lot Opal, and I think you like me too. We don't have to rush into anything and I'd be happy to take it slow. But would you like to go on a date with me?"
A pause. "Nothing serious," he added hastily. "Something light. Fun. A mover, maybe? Republic City has lots of great movers." He winced, chuckling. "Just ignore the Nuktuk movers. Don't ask."
Opal smiled widely, giggling softly. "I won't. But as to your first question... I'd love to go on a date with you Bolin. Especially now I have to know what these Nuktuk movers are."
"Yes!" Bolin exclaimed, pumping his fist into the air. He seemed to realize Opal was still watching him, an amused expression on her face. He quickly tried to regain his composure. "Er, great. That's great Opal!"
She leaned up and pecked him quickly on the cheek, setting his face aflame. "Just let me know the time and place," she requested, walking away and trying to hide the furious blush growing on her own cheeks.
Yes, whatever they were was completely fine.