So, this was written a little while ago for the "30 Day Broh Challenge". I decided it was decent enough to post here...

Onwards.

The Beginning

When Bolin first met Iroh, he didn't think much of Iroh other than the fact that they needed to work together in the battle against Amon. That, and the twinge of anger he felt when Iroh brought up metal bending, which was something he had never been able to do. Luckily, Naga came to their rescue.

After the battle was when Bolin started to realize Iroh was a decent guy, in fact, he was a great guy, but it wasn't until Bolin ran into Iroh at the docks when he really started to get to know Iroh.

"Oh, hey there, General... sir," Bolin smiled, setting his hand at his brow in a makeshift salute. Iroh turned to look at him, his eyebrows raised in surprise.

"Oh, Bolin..." Iroh said softly, Bolin's name was said with a slight question to it so Bolin nodded slightly, continuing to smile.

"What are you doing out all alone on a nice night like this? If you're looking for ladies, you sure are in the wrong place, sir," Bolin began informally. He added on a "sir" as if he were attempting to express formality. He obviously respected Iroh.

"I'm- I am not," Iroh scoffed with a deep blush, "Looking for ladies." Iroh had crossed his arms over his chest defensively. If Bolin hadn't seen the blush on Iroh's face, he would've thought that Iroh was being condescending.

"Oh?" Bolin responded, raising his eyebrows as if he didn't believe Iroh, which only caused the general to become even more so flustered, which Bolin found to be the cutest thing. This stopped Bolin's thoughts right in their path. He could already feel the blush crawling onto his cheeks.

"So what are you really out here for then, sir?" Bolin asked without dropping the respectful term. Iroh didn't mind it really; he was used to it for the most part. Iroh turned back toward Bolin.

"Getting some fresh air," he answered after a short pause. His eyes moved back toward the sea with a sort of look of longing, and Bolin wondered why. However, he did not raise the question. They weren't close. It would probably be considered prying.

"Well, then you're doing just the same as me, sir," Bolin responded. He sighed as he thought of why he had wanted to get some fresh air. He laughed slightly and scratched the back of his head, "Mako and I got into a fight actually... so I was just trying to clear my head, but instead I'm just as upset as before. Funny, huh?" Bolin didn't know why he was saying this, but he did anyway. There wasn't really any taking it back to begin with.

"What did you fight about?" Iroh asked carefully. He looked slightly concerned for Bolin. Though he wasn't too surprised that Bolin was confiding in him. Sometimes his men did as well. Iroh had even been invited to a couple of weddings.

"Oh... uh, him and Korra actually," Bolin responded, almost bashfully, "It was stupid now that I think about it."

"It's not stupid if it hurts your feelings, Bolin," Iroh told him after a moment if consideration. Bolin turned bright red in shock. He really hadn't expected much of a response from Iroh.

"Oh, uh, thank you, sir," Bolin said with a nervous smile. Iroh nodded slightly, a small smile appearing on his lips. Bolin's eyes widened in something very near awe. The general's smile was beautiful. It was all Bolin could think when he saw it. A strange feeling was twisting in his heart then. He recognized it, vaguely...

"Well, then," Bolin straightened, "I better head on home now, sir. See you." He waved slightly.

"Good night," Iroh replied, still smiling ever so slightly. Bolin hurried off, his heart already beginning to pound in his chest. He couldn't let himself feel that way, not again. Not yet, at least, it still felt like his heart wasn't fully prepared from the last time when it was broken by Korra... and Mako. He still felt a little betrayed too, but they were together now... Bolin guessed it was alright. It didn't matter what he thought of it anyway. Besides, he had Pabu.

Iroh could not have helped the small smile he had on his face after talking to Bolin. Bolin was very innocent. It was refreshing to Iroh. Bolin was even a little bit cute. However, Iroh didn't have the time to be interested. He wasn't going to be in Republic City for much longer, and it would be cruel to himself to become emotionally invested in a straight (by all intents and purposes) guy.

By the time Bolin had returned home, he was in the middle of his epiphany about Iroh and THAT HE IS A MAN. Bolin had been very secure in his belief that he had eyes only for the ladies. But apparently not. It was a strange feeling really. The internal conflict that had grown within him wasn't all that heated, like it was sort of okay. Maybe it was just Iroh, or that he was attracted more to a person for who they were more than anything else. However, he didn't know Iroh that well... which was similar to how it had been with Korra, but...

Bolin wasn't sure about how he felt about it really. All he knew was that he was really tired, and he still didn't feel like talking to Mako.

.

Iroh's day began with yet another delay before his ship arrived in the harbor. Apparently they had stayed in one of the ports a few days too long. He was more than a little frustrated by this because he was running out of things to do. That was until he finally decided to go watch a pro-bending match.

He was amazed by the sight of Bolin and his team, the Fire Ferrets. Even though they lost, Iroh was still amazed. He didn't know Bolin was a pro-bender. He was lucky enough to catch Bolin at the end of the match.

"You were really good out there," Iroh told Bolin, forgetting himself for a moment and smiling widely. Bolin turned bright red in response.

"But we lost?" Bolin responded, furrowing his eyebrows. Iroh blushed slightly in embarrassment.

"Well, you did great," Iroh insisted softly. Bolin grinned.

"Thanks, I guess," Bolin reached up to twist his stray hair. Iroh shifted slightly, not sure what else to say.

"Do you want to come with me to Narook's? It's literally the best place to get noodles," Bolin asked. His eyes widened slightly before he added, "Sir." Iroh almost laughed at this.

"You don't have to call me 'sir'," Iroh replied, running a hand through his hair, "And sure." He wondered if Bolin was just being friendly... Iroh kind of hoped so. It might be nice to be Bolin's friend. His heart warmed at Bolin's gleeful smile.

They walked through the streets of Republic City together, their conversation mostly filled with Bolin's idle chatter. He was constantly amazed by how witty yet silly Bolin was. His smile was practically made of pure joy. Iroh could barely stop himself from sliding down the slippery slope toward falling for Bolin. Even as a little crush, it filled out the edges of his lonely heart. Iroh couldn't help his feelings as much as he felt he should not have them.

Bolin was supposed to be a friend.

In Narook's Seaweed Noodlery, Bolin was blessed with various beautiful and emotionally stirring sounds from a very particular party who was becoming immersed in the perfection of the noodles. Bolin was having a slight amount of difficulty even paying attention to his own food. It didn't even seem like Iroh noticed that he was having this effect on Bolin. Mostly because Pabu was helping Bolin along with his food.

They talked some more once they were full, and most of the conversation ended up being about how good the noodles were at this shop. Iroh seemed very glad that Bolin had introduced him to it. Bolin couldn't help but feel giddy.

"When are you leaving?" Bolin asked, finally gathering the courage to ask. He selfishly hoped it wouldn't be too soon, but it was more than likely the case.

"Two weeks, at worst," Iroh answered thoughtfully. Bolin smiled slightly because that seemed like enough time to become great pals with the general, which was really all he could hope for at the time.

"We should hang out some more then," Bolin smiled. Iroh nodded slowly.

"Sure," he agreed without much thought. It was a beginning.

Your thoughts are appreciated.

~Minatu