As the morning light started to shine into his room Bolin somehow managed to wake up and touch something warm.
"Pabu I thought I told you that have to sleep in your little bed." but as he opened his eyes he saw Pabu was currently sitting near the window.
"Wait if you're here then..." he flipped over the covers and saw that laying in the bed next to him in a dark pair of pajamas was Eska. He barely contained his shock before quickly looking down and confirming that he was still wearing pants.
"Okay so why is Eska sleeping in my bed." as he pondered this he was surprised at how peaceful she looked. In the last few days he'd come to realize that she wasn't as terrifying. Sure she could still be the person who would freeze him in a block of ice if he got a bit to friendly with the maids but she'd also sit with him as he thawed out and talk to him.
In fact lately she'd been coming to him at random times of the day and simply talking to him. It had been rather awkward at first but after the ball got rolling it became rather nice.
But that does beg the question of why she's here right now. I should probably wake her or something.
But as he stared down at her sleeping form he found that he was rather content. In the past when he'd tried to do this with Opal she'd always wake up and then immediately leave the bed to start the day.
So for the next few minutes he watched as she silently laid there. She sifted in her sleep and a few strands of hair drifted in front of her face and he gently moved them back. As soon as he did her eyes shot open.
"Morning" he said meekly as for a few moments he wasn't sure what was going to happen.
She quickly looked around. "This isn't my chambers."
"Yeah this is my room. I was kind of wondering why your were here."
"I was finishing up so business late last night and was heading to my chambers when I wanted to speak with you, But as I entered your room I saw how soundly you were sleeping and I didn't want to wake you. So I simply joined you."
"Oh, well that's nice but since it's morning let's start the day." he said trying to get up but she quickly pulled him back down. "That can wait a few more minutes, right now there is something important I need to tell you."
He took a deep breath as he readied himself. "Okay what is it?"
"Your teammates will be arriving tomorrow or I suppose it would be today. Anyway we've set up a place for you to train. After breakfast we'll go to meet them."
His heart swelled at the thought of seeing his team and focusing on winning the tournament.
"Great! then what are we waiting for let's go now!"
In his excitement he was already halfway down the hall before Eska caught up with him. For the first time since coming here Bolin decided to fix the breakfast and much to Eskas surprise she found his food to be extremely good.
"You really are an excellent chef Bolin."
"Yeah well I do have a big appetite. But if you like it so much maybe I could make us dinner sometime."
"You'd really be willing to make us a dinner for just the two of us?"
"Of course I would. Dinner is always better with two people." in his zeal he failed to notice her faint smile as she cleaned her plate. Or how she said "Yes it is better with just two" to herself.
Once fed she led let them to a newly constructed arena near the training grounds. The moment he stepped inside the Icey building he could hear the sounds of Luko's screams as bursts of fire let up the arena followed by gusts of wind to blow them out.
"Lin for the last time you need to be carful! This entire place is made out of ice!"
"I can't help it! We're only a few days away from winning the tournament and being grand champions! Do you have any idea of how many fans we'll have once we win?"
"Even if we win I doubt you'll have any fans."
"Oh she's got you there Luko."
Before they could start up Bolin came into view. "Alright everyone I know you're excited but we need to knock that off and get to training."
"Captain! It's about time we hear from you. Honestly when we didn't hear from you after that game we got worried. Then out of nowhere we hear the tournament's been moved up here and that you're already here."
"Yeah what's the deal with that?"
It was then that the team took notice of who was standing next to him. Eska took one look at the team before speaking.
"It is a pleasure to meet you all. I truly hope you achieve victory."
"Uh Bolin why is one of the chiefs of the Northern water tribe standing next to you?"
"Because I am also the sponsor for your team."
"What!?" they all said starring at her and then to Bolin who only nodded.
"But don't let the fact that I've given you all the money you could possibly have desired worry you. I simply want you to do your best and show the world your strength. Now Bolin I'll leave you to train for I have other business to attend to. Although I will hold you to that dinner date tonight."
"Don't worry knowing how our training sessions go I'll work up an appetite and wind up going overboard on cooking."
She quickly left and Bolin expected to start training but as he turned around he saw the confused looks on his teams faces.
"What?"
"Dude, did I hear that wrong or did one of the leaders of an entire nation just tell our captain that they had a dinner date?"
"Lin for once your not crazy. The only thing that doesn't add up is why?"
"Alright guys listen up. Yes Eska is the leader of a nation but she's also kind of my ex-girlfriend."
"What!? But you never said anything like that before!"
"It... was a different time. It happened right before the whole spirit invasion thing. Anyways let's not worry about that and let's just focus on training alright?" As Lin and Luko shrugged and headed back to training Tela pulled him aside for a moment.
"Look Bolin I know there's something your not telling us so spill. I mean come on I know you wouldn't just abandon us and come up here."
Bolin knew how determined Tela could be and he needed to tell someone about this.
And wait a minute... Eska probably won't be stopping them from making a call.
"Alright listen up. In truth Eska kind of abducted me so that she could marry me and start a family."
Tela nearly screamd in shock but Bolin quickly clamped her mouth. "Yes I know it's very shocking but please calm down. I know it's going to sound strange but i'm not really a prisoner here. I mean yeah I can't leave the city but I'm not confiend to my room anymore. That and Eska isn't as bad as everyone thinks."
Having pried her hand free Tela asked a question Bolin had tried to bury in the back of his mind. "And what about Opal?"
"She's still in the western air temple and we haven't talked in weeks so she probably still thinks I'm in the city."
"Bolin please tell me you haven't been cheating on Opal."
"No of course not! We sleep in separate rooms and only see each other a couple times a day."
Bolin could see that she was still suspicious and as he actually thought about he wasn't that turned off at the idea of being here.
Sure it's a nice place and Eska is actually pretty nice when you take the time to know her. In fact she always seems to make time out of her no doubt busy schedule just to hang out.
"Look I just need you to get some kind of message to her as soon as you can alright."
She quickly nodded before looking for any perceived surveillance.
During practice Bolin for the first time in what feelt like weeks got to fully use his earthbending and unload some of his tension. The other's soon joined in as they each took turns trying to wear him down and push him out of the ring but each time he would hunker down and turn the tables sending pillars to block the flames and air while at the same time constructing walls to block the flow of water.
When the sun finally started to set and all four of them were tired and sweaty Bolin called it a day. "Alright everyone that was a pretty good match not let's call it a night and get some sleep. Wait I never asked where you were staying."
"Oh well we're actually staying in one of the top hotels. Luko here has already gotten addicted to room service."
"Hey they told is everything was free so I'm going to use it as much as I like."
"Alright you three just calm down and get some rest we'll meet up again tomorrow."
As he walked out he hoped that that Tela would get the message out but as he thought about he felt a knot form in his stomach for some reason.
When he arrived back at the place he found Eksa waiting for him in the kitchen.
"Eska I thought I was cooking dinner?"
"You are but I thought I'd stay and see your culinary skills in action. And perhaps maybe help you for you do seem rather tired."
"Alright grab a apron and let's get started."
She quickly let her normal robes drop the floor as she put on the apron. Bolin out of instinct turned away before he remember she wore something underneath. He turned back and was taken back by how good she looked in her current attire.
She caught him staring and smiled as she picked up a knife. "Is there something the matter Bolin."
"No it's just you look pretty good like that."
"Well then maybe in the future you'll get to see more of it."