Author's Notes: Despite the fandom overusing the fancy ball scenario, I will use it once again. Sorry if it bums you out. Small part in there is song fic, using part of a song from Wicked because it inspired this chapter and I needed to put it in.

Before the United Forces planned to head out, General Iroh and Commander Bumi were going to attend the debut party for the newly renovated Sato Industries. The others, including Bolin, had also been invited.

The earth-bender was always excited for parties and free food and music. He never felt too out of place in higher class situations and the fact that Iroh would be there thrilled him even more.

Over the next few days, as Bolin trained with the UF soldiers, he hinted as much as possible to the general to try and see if he had a date. Iroh didn't seem to care much, which disappointed the teen. He had hoped the man would have asked to go with him…not as a romantic date or anything. No. But they were friends, the best of friends lately and Bolin wouldn't have as much fun at the party without his company.

As they sat on a bench in the park one day before the debut party, they ate their lunch. Bolin had not nagged the general about dates and whatnot for two days, so he decided to bring up the topic.

"So, have you found a date for the ball yet?"

Iroh mulled over the question, "…I might have one."

The earth-bender got a little too excited for his own good, "Who is it?"

"Ms. Sato asked me the other day," he said with disinterest, "Can we talk about something else?"

If Bolin hadn't been such a nice guy, he would have dropped it to save his feelings, but he questioned.

"You're not getting off that easy, dude. You like her or something?"

"She is a fine lady. Now, can we drop it?" he said, slightly annoyed.

"Oh…sorry."

Bolin looked away, sadly. Iroh liked Asami…well, fuck. This always happened to him. He fell in love and he was too much of a goody-goody to tell them how he felt because it might hurt someone else.

"We should get going," Iroh spoke with a normal tone.

As they walked back, the teen didn't try to hold the other's hand like he had the last time they were here. It wouldn't give him the same warm, bubbly feeling. The man liked someone else…it would just bother him.

When Bolin arrived back at Air Temple Island, Mako instantly saw that something was up and dragged his brother off to the side after dinner.

"What's wrong, Bo?"

"What do you mean?" he tried to play it off.

"Come on. You haven't smiled and you barely ate your food."

Bolin sat down on his bed and sighed, "I got turned down by someone."

"You asked someone to the ball, didn't you?" he guessed.

"Yeah…being me sucks, dude."

Mako joined his brother on the bed, "You're amazing, bro and it's gonna take a while for someone to appreciate you."

"I'll get old and wrinkly before it happens."

The fire-bender put an arm around Bolin, "It'll happen…and I know that you'll be happy. Don't worry about it and have fun at the party."

The night of the party came all too quickly. Despite Mako having the opportunity of a lovely time with Korra, he stayed close to his brother. Mako desperately wanted to never see the teen cry the way he had when he saw the kiss with Korra.

They were all sitting at a table when Asami's entrance was announced. Bolin thought he only had a little crush on the general, but when the man was walking down the stairs arm in arm with someone else it hurt so badly. He looked down at the table and played with his silverware.

Mako noticed and placed a hand on the teen's shoulder.

As the pair moved onto the dance floor, Bolin thought about everything he had been through in the last weeks.

Hands touch, eyes meet, sudden silence, sudden heat hearts leap in a giddy whirl.

How nice it felt when they were together.

He could be that boy, but I'm not that girl.

How it thought they could maybe be together.

Don't wish, don't start, wishing only wounds the heart.

Despite the fact he had no high status or no beauty.

I wasn't born for the rose and the pearl.

But there were more suitable matches for the general. Maybe Asami wouldn't be the one, but she was the epitome of his future, who that man would marry and who would give him the perfect family.

There's a girl I know, he loves her so. I'm not that girl.

Before the couple ended the dance, Bolin got up and walked out. He didn't want to be here anymore. He wanted to be alone.

He sat on the cold steps outside the hall. The darkness prompted the teen's eyes to well up with tears. The sound of footsteps could be heard and Bolin saw the shadow of someone behind him.

"Go away right now, Mako," he said, somberly.

"It's not Mako," the man spoke.

The earth-bender grew stiff. He knew that voice too well and it was the last person he wanted to see.

"Well, go away still."

Iroh sighed as he stepped down and then sat on the step next to the teen. Bolin turned his face away.

"You were jealous," he stated, flatly, "I'm sorry…for doing that."

The earth-bender was red in the face. Had he really been that obvious?...yeah, he had doted a lot on the general, but he was flirty with many people.

"Hey," Iroh called, softly as he grabbed the teen's chin and pulled his face over.

Bolin was shocked to see such a worried look on the man's face. And then the face got closer as Iroh started to lean in. But before their lips met, Mako came running out onto the stairs.

"Bo?" he called, causing the general to jerk backward before the younger man saw what was going on.

Mako came racing down moments later.

"You okay?" he asked and then gave a confused and annoyed look to Iroh, "You can go back inside."

Not wanting to overstep, the man got up.

"Wait," Bolin said, getting up as well, "Mako, I'm fine now. Go back to the party and be with Korra."

"But…" Mako was even more confused that his brother would choose the comforting of someone else besides him.

"I'm okay, really."

Putting a hand on his hip, Mako started back up the stairs, "You come get me, if you need me."

As soon as his brother went back inside, Bolin turned and hauled Iroh into a tight hug. The general chuckled and put his arms around the other.

Music could be heard from inside as the band started back up.

"Would you like to dance, Bo?" he asked softly into the teen's ear.

"I'd love to," he spoke muffled against the other's chest.

They swayed gently in their spot on the stairs. Bolin was having a hard time processing everything. So, Iroh didn't like Asami? That was good news and it made him happy. So much so that he started to cry a bit…just a bit.

When the song ended, the teen prayed that the general wouldn't pull away…and he didn't. They danced there for a long time and Bolin couldn't be happier.

"Do you want to go back inside?" Iroh asked.

The teen shook his head.

"You're right. It's getting late. How about I take you home?"

He shook his head again.

The general checked his watch, "In about fifteen minutes everyone is going to be leaving and we will hardly be alone."

Bolin groaned, "Alright, we'll go home, then."

They separated and walked down the street to get into the back seats of a Sato-mobile. There was a driver in the front seat and Iroh spoke to him.

"To the dock across the Air Temple Island."

"Yes, sir."

As they headed down the streets, Bolin snuggled into the man's arms, content.

The ride on the late night ferry was quiet and they found themselves dancing once more to nonexistent music.

"Do you want me to walk you up?" Iroh asked, politely once they arrived at the island.

"No, that's okay…I really had a good time," he rushed out, blushing.

The general smiled, "I'm sorry it started out that way, though. It won't happen again."

"Does this mean you're my boyfriend?"

Iroh chuckled, "I suppose it does."

Bolin grinned and hugged the man. As he moved back, he gazed longingly at the other's lips. Smiling, the general leaned over and kissed the teen. Bolin melted into the touch.

He was so glad that Iroh hadn't chosen someone else.