It starts off in dreams. Bolin thinks it's flashbacks, but they never happened. But—he wishes it did. The constant linger and want surfaces up at night; when everything Bolin hides in the day creeps out. It's his little secret. He doesn't want it to be a secret though…

The way she laughs. The way her eyes instantly light up when she's excited. The way she says his name. The way she flicks her long hair over her shoulder. It's intoxicating, but exhilaratingly sweet. He can't help but allow himself to grin when she lets out the most minuscule hint of a smile. He can't help himself.

And now, she's standing in front of him. But she doesn't have a pretty beam on her face like usual. She's frowning. With her delicate, pale skin, light green eyes and black hair framing her face, she looks like an angel—an angry one at that. Her lips are moving, but Bolin can't help but tune out her words involuntarily and stare at her mouth. She's so lovely.

And then her angry expression is contorted into a look of pure rage and white-hot fury. She's flailing all over the place and screaming. Bolin tries to get words out of his mouth but nothing seems to be coming out. She's crying and feverish but at the same time beautiful and attractive.

It's like his greatest dream and worst nightmare, combined into one.


Bolin wakes up with a start, arms floundering and gasping for air. It's dark, but quiet. Then it comes back in sporadic flashes. She's smiling, laughing, screaming and crying all at the same time. His thoughts are muddled and he can't think straight; only visions of her came to his mind.

A tentative knock is heard. Bolin struggles to gather himself and take a deep breath. "C-come in," he manages.

And Asami is standing there, looking flustered but as lovely as ever. Her slight frame leans up against the doorway and a concerned expression is rooted on her face. "I—I heard you talking from down the hall. I was worried," Asami said. "I thought I'd come and check up on you. Are you okay?"

"Uh, yeah. I'm fine." Somehow, Bolin is aware that Asami can see through his diaphanous lie. "Um, what exactly was I talking about?"

"Oh." A pink tint comes to Asami's otherwise pale cheeks. "Well, it was a bit garbled and I couldn't really make it out. I didn't hear much, trust me."

He supplied a slight smile.

"I think I should go…sleep tight." Asami smiles one last time before turning out the door to leave.

"Thanks for checking up on me," he says under his breath, after she's long gone. "I really needed it."


And then, he's sleeping again, thrashing around and crying out. Asami's angry and frenetic again. But this time Bolin realizes: she's crying because of him.