Takes place during Day of the Colossus/The Last Stand. Opal watches Bolin go off to battle, but she needs to tell him those three special words.

"No, Opal. I don't think it's a good idea."

"I'm going!" Opal exclaimed. "You guys need more airbenders. I want to help!"

"That was a really bad fall you took. I was so worried about you." Bolin's eyes were large and bright in the dimly lit hallway of Future Industries.

"I'm fine, Bolin. I'm completely fine." Her obnoxious headache protested, but she ignored it. "I'm not going to sit around here while Kuvira destroys the city. I'm not going to let her hurt my friends anymore!"

"Well I'm not going to let her hurt you anymore!" He was so serious, his eyebrows furrowed just so and his jaw clenched. Opal was startled. "She already shot you out of the sky once. I won't let it happen again."

Opal grimaced, remembering what had happened not even an hour ago. Her vision had been blinded in purple as Kuvira fired her spirit weapon. There was falling, pain, and darkness. She remembered briefly waking up on the ground, Bolin calling her name, and his brilliant green eyes widened in concern and fear. He scooped her up in his arms, and when she woke up again, he was carrying her through the doors of Future Industries.

She opened her mouth to offer a retort but was stopped by her mother's voice. "Listen to him, Opal," Suyin said as she came up behind them. "You got hurt once already, and we need to be at 100% to take down that suit. We need you to stay here."

Opal glanced between the two of them, Bolin with a worried frown and Suyin looking stern and hard as metal. Finally she threw her hands in the air. "Fine! I'll stay here!" She shoved her way past her mother as she fought the tears in her eyes. She hated being here, she hated being treated like she was as fragile as paper while her family and boyfriend were off to get themselves killed.

Her resolve didn't last long. After she cooled down, she went right back to pleading to go. She begged her mother, Lin, even Tenzin, but they all agreed she should stay and recover. It was an intense struggle to keep her face straight as she hugged her aunt, mother, and brothers as they prepared to leave.

"We'll be back as soon as we can," said Su, placing a kiss on her daughter's forehead.

"I still think I can help," Opal tried one last time, even though she knew at this point it was futile.

"No, you're still injured," answered Lin. She was firm and assertive. The look in her eyes told Opal there was no more room for debate. "We don't want you passing out in the middle of battle. If you think you're well enough to do something, help the other airbenders here who can't fight."

The airbenders from the last attack were spread out in a few rooms. Some were raring to go again, but others had sprains and broken bones and couldn't fight. She glanced over into the next room where Kai and Ryu were running around with bandages to at least a dozen airbenders lying in chairs and on desks. She was needed here.

"Okay. Be safe." With one final goodbye, her family left through the tower's big double doors.

She watched as the able-bodied airbenders headed out with Tenzin and his children. She saw Korra and Mako, and—oh please, no— Bolin following behind them. Her chest and throat tightened at the thought of him going off to face Kuvira again without her. She knew from the briefing in Asami's workroom that Bolin and Mako had one of the more dangerous missions: turn off the spirit vine core that powered the suit. Baatar Jr. said it was a matter of pulling switches, but she knew it wouldn't be so easy. If anything went wrong… well, they had already seen what would happen.

Opal ducked into a room as she saw Bolin glance around anxiously. She knew he was looking for her, and hiding from him broke her heart. Biting her lip she peaked around the door; he looked so sad when he didn't see her. She wanted to run over and grab him, but she knew that if she tried to see him off, she'd never let go. Looking visibly deflated, he finally headed out the door with Mako and Korra.

'He's going to come back,' she told herself. 'He's like a boomerang; he always makes his way back.' But in her head the purple light flashed over and over again. It had come so close to taking him so many times in the past two days alone; this didn't include when they rescued Zhu Li, or when Varrick blew up his research on his and Bolin's train. He couldn't stay lucky forever.

She clutched her stomach; the thought of losing him made her sick. He'd just come back to her after two and half years. She had promised herself that she would talk things out with him after this was all over, desperately wanting to reconnect, to talk about all they'd missed. She wanted to be wrapped up in his strong arms and stare at his blinding smile and sparkling eyes. She wanted to listen to his jokes and his stories, she wanted to run her fingers through his hair and whisper in his ear to make him release that joyous laugh. She wanted to fly with him high in the sky, or just hold hands with him watching the sunset. She knew things would never be the same as they once were, but she didn't care. She just wanted them to be together, and she couldn't let him be taken away, because she loved…

Opal stood up straight; she had to let him know. She bolted into an empty room, ignoring her headache, and wrenched open the window. Immediately she spotted him on the outskirts of the mission team. Taking a deep breath, she called to him. "Bolin!"

He whipped around in surprise. "Opal?"

Their eyes met, and Opal's chest felt ready to burst.

"I love you!"

Bolin froze in shock for what seemed like forever before the biggest smile she'd ever seen graced his lips. "R-Really?"

"Yes!" she cried. "So you better make it back to me, you got that?"

"Yes! Crystal clear!" He looked like he was about to explode from joy. He frantically shook Mako's shoulders. "Did you hear that?! She loves me! She loves me!" Mako rolled his eyes, but couldn't help his smile as he and Korra dragged Bolin away. "I'll be back! I promise! We'll kick Kuvira's butt in no time!"

Opal grinned. "You better!"

Mako and Korra were finally able to corral him with the rest of the group and disappeared down the street. Opal glanced at the Colossus in the distance, and her throat closed up. She just had to hope now that he'd be okay, that they'd all be okay.

"Opal…" She turned to see Kai smirking in the doorway while holding a stack of blankets. "You finally admitted it, huh?"

Her face scrunched in an embarrassed frown as she stalked past him, grabbing the first few blankets from his load. He just laughed as he followed her down the hallway.

She may have put on a show for Kai, but inside, her heart felt lighter, as though a great burden had been lifted. She loved Bolin. Finally she could say it. She loved him, and he loved her, and they could shout it to the heavens together. She just hoped they would get that chance.

The explosion rocked the tower. Opal watched the sky turn a brilliant pink. The Colossus crumbled.

So did her heart.

Opal could do nothing but stare into the city. Her fellow airbenders went ignored. The world grew cold and dim, as if all the sunshine had been sucked from it. Her friends, her family, Bolin, gone. A sudden vacuum in her chest where her heart used to be was destroying her from the inside out, just like the Colossus. He'd been in there, she knew he'd been in there. She drew into herself, collapsing to her knees and leaning her forehead against the window. She was expecting him to suddenly appear behind her and wrap her in his warm embrace, but she whimpered knowing he wasn't coming.

Just then the tower shook, harder than before, sending everyone into a terrified frenzy. Streams of purple light shot in every direction from the Spirit Wilds. Then the world was enveloped in light, and Opal swore it was the end for them all.

Suddenly, a great beam of yellow-green light shot into the sky, through the clouds, and up into oblivion. Everyone stared in awe, and Opal couldn't help but join them. For reasons she didn't know, for just an instant, Opal felt a twinge of hope that things would be okay.

Wing and Wei were the first of her family to find her. They swooped in and wrapped her in a tight hug, which she eagerly returned. For the most part they were fine (Wing had a sprained wrist and Wei had a limp) and were already talking over each other when asked what happened. Kai ran past them and scooped Jinora up in his arms while Bumi greeted Ikki and Meelo and clapped Tenzin on the back.

Opal kept looking through the crowds of people in the hallway when she finally spotted Suyin. "Mom!" she exclaimed and jumped into her embrace.

"Opal," Suyin breathed as they held each other. Her mother's armor was covered in scratches and dings. "I'm okay, Sweetheart."

Opal choked back a sob before pulling away. "Where's Aunt Lin? She's not hurt, is she?"

"Lin is securing Kuvira on Air Temple Island until we can put her somewhere proper."

She was shocked. "You guys captured her? She's alive?"

Suyin nodded, a conflicted scowl on her face. "Yes. Korra spared her life, and Kuvira surrendered."

Opal felt a mix of emotions too hard to decipher. Was she glad Kuvira was still alive? Was she angry or happy Korra had shown mercy? She didn't know, and right now she didn't want to think about it. The look on her mother's face told her she felt the same. Besides, there was someone much more important to find.

"Mom, did you see Bolin? I mean, is he…"

Suyin gave a warm smile and turned the airbender towards an open door down the hallway. "He's right in there."

Opal sprinted to the doorway and searched frantically. Past the few other airbenders in the room, she saw Team Avatar huddled in the far corner by the window. Mako was laid out on a makeshift cot as he faded in and out of consciousness. Korra looked a little roughed up, but otherwise she was fine. She sat against the window; water glowing blue in her hands as she worked to heal Mako's chest and arm. Opal almost shouted in horror at the state of his injury and struggled to look away. Asami was next to Korra slumped against the glass looking hollow. Mascera tear tracks ran down her cheeks. Opal wondered why she was upset when all her friends were alive, but stopped when she saw the older girl clutching a pair of broken glasses to her chest. She knew who Asami had lost. She'd give her condolences later. Her eyes were drawn to Bolin, who sat with his back to her, talking softly to Mako to keep him awake. It was too good to be true. He was there, right there! And he was alive!

Mako was somehow lucid enough to make eye contact with her and gave a small grin. He tapped his brother's arm with his good hand and pointed at her. Bolin turned around to meet Opal's gaze, and it was like the sun came out; everything was bright and warm. Her heart thudded in her chest, and she couldn't help the smile on her face.

Bolin scrambled ungracefully to his feet with his arms out. "Opal!" he cried. She took a moment to take him in. He was covered in dirt smudges, and his clothes had tears and runs. His gelled hair was stuck up in odd angles. There was a large bruise near his temple with a bit of dried blood. He was hunched over slightly like his ribs were bothering him. He looked so exhausted, but his eyes were bright and his smile wide. He never looked more handsome.

"Bolin!" she exclaimed, tears stinging her eyes as she ran forward and straight into his arms.

He hissed as he held her gently. "Careful! Kinda sore."

She eased up on the hug, but buried her face in his shoulder. "I saw the suit explode. I thought you were… you were dead."

He chuckled. "I promised I'd come back, didn't I?"

Opal just sobbed and hugged him tighter.

He slowly pulled her back, looking nervous. "Opal… what you said before… Did, uh… You didn't just say that, did you? You actually meant it, right? Or maybe I don't remember correctly, and I hit my head harder than I thought…"

Opal placed her hands on either side of his head and pulled him in for a deep kiss. He immediately returned it, and Opal felt like she was floating. When she finally broke it, Bolin had a dopey smile on his face. She giggled, but forced him to look her in the eye. "I absolutely meant it. I love you, Bolin. I love you so much, and I will say it as many times as it takes."

Bolin smirked. "Well, maybe it could stand repeating."

Opal gave him another kiss. "I love you." She kissed him again. "I love you." She hugged him and whispered in his ear, "I love you."

Bolin's shoulders shook with laughter and tears as he answered, "I love you too." The world shrunk down to just the two of them as they held each other close.

For just a moment. A cough interrupted them. Korra and Mako each gave a knowing smirk at the couple. Even Asami looked at them with mild interest.

"What?" Bolin asked innocently.

"Oh, nothing." Korra's smile widened. "Just enjoying the show."

The pair blushed bright red. Bolin stammered as he tried to say something in their defense, but there was nothing to defend. Opal grinned and pulled him back. "Let them watch." And she kissed him again.

Just a quick note, everyone, that on tumblr July 11-17 is Bopal Week 2016! You don't have to have a tumblr to participate; if anyone wants to create something, you can let me know and I'll post a link on my tumblr to your piece, that way more people can see it. The themes are:

Day 1 - Milestones

Day 2 - That thing you always do

Day 3 - Petsitting/Babysitting

Day 4 - Birthday

Day 5 - I'll catch you

Day 6 - Song Day (base it on a song you think represents a part of their relationship)

Day 7 - Now or Never

I'm personally not doing fanfics for all of them (some will be drawings), so I may put all my written entrees here in Lives and Times as opposed to their own separate fanfic. We'll see. Check out the themes, my art, and everything Bopal Week on my tumblr, theorangestar.

Thanks for reading! Reviews are appreciated!