She shot up so fast, she nearly dropped Pabu in the fountain.

Her heart was pounding with fear and shame, her body breaking out into a cold sweat.

"Wait, wait, wait, wait!" Bolin said frantically stepping closer to her. "I just want to talk."

She didn't say anything. Instead, she turned and ran. Ran as hard as she could away from the person who threatened her heart and soul.

"Aylin! Wait!"

She picked up her speed but she skidded to a stop when a wall of earth shot up from the ground.

Stunned, she turned around to see Bolin a few feet away from her, his face apologetic.

"I'm sorry. I was trying to get you to..."

She bolted again before he could talk but another wall of earth blocked her path. She stopped because she was trapped and she had nowhere else to go.

That didn't mean she had to look at him.

"I'm sorry but I have to talk to you."

She said nothing but winced at the heartbreak in his voice.

She didn't want to talk to him. She just wanted to be left alone.

"Look, I'm really sorry but I'm so confused and you're the only person who can tell me what's going on."

She said nothing, instead she curled her fists tightly trying desperately to calm her racing heart.

"Please talk to me, Aylin." Bolin said softly. She could feel his heat and scent wafting towards her, causing a small, almost faint fluttering feeling in her stomach to return.

"You should leave." She said, refusing to turn around and break.

She was so close to breaking. She wanted to run to him, hug him, breathe him and enjoy his strength.

But she couldn't.

"I will but only if you tell me what's going on with you." He said and before she could react, he had grabbed her arm firmly and she knew that he wasn't going to leave without an explanation.

But spirits, she could feel his warmth seep into her skin and warm her like a furnace.

"Talk to me."

"I can't." Her voice cracked and she closed her eyes to stop the tears from falling.

"Why not?"

"I just can't."

"Aylin..." He begged and she knew she was going to tell him. She just knew. She couldn't resist him no matter how hard she fought against the attraction she felt towards Bolin.

"Bolin, please. You have to leave." She begged, voice shaky with emotion.

She heard rather than saw him walk in front of her before placing his hands on her shoulders.

"Tell me." He begged quietly, softly. He was encouraging her to tell him. Oh spirits, she couldn't do this anymore.

She had missed him like a thirsty woman.

She broke down, crumpling to the ground and burst out crying,and Bolin was right there. Like a strong rock for her to lean on as he kneeled with her and pulled her to him and she clung to him desperately. She felt his arms wrap around her tightly and for the first time, she felt alive.

She was staring into the pond, her arms wrapped around her legs as Bolin sat beside her, playing with Pabu.

"That's...wow. I really don't know what to say about that."

She sighed. She had told him everything about Princess Yue, her dream and everything else that had to do with the moon. She had spent two hours talking non stop while Bolin listened quietly. She was expecting him to run away.

But he didn't. He listened as he played idly with Pabu and watched Nyla swim around.

"This is some freaky stuff."

She smiled in spite of herself. "Yeah but now you know why I did those things. I'm sorry for hurting."

"Nah, that's okay. You weren't yourself. I know you wouldn't hurt me."

She turned her head away from him, blushing.

"How can you say that after everything I told you?" She asked, turning to look at him.

He sighed, suddenly nervous and a light dusting of red tinged his upper cheeks.

"Because I really like you. A lot. My feelings haven't changed for you. Instead, they just got deeper." He said shyly, looking at her with a determined yet shy gaze.

"Bolin..." Her throat suddenly got thick with emotion and she stopped talking. He still liked her?

"I know you're scared. I am, too but I know we can work it out."

She said nothing as her heart raced with anticipation and fear. Was there even a chance...? The memory of his horror and shocked face filled her mind.

No, she couldn't. Just because he knew and accepted her didn't mean it wouldn't happen again.

"I can't, Bolin. I like you. I really do but it's only a matter of time before..." She stopped and she knew that he was talking about the time she had bloodbent him.

"I know. But I can't stay away from you anymore. You're one of a kind, Aylin." He said firmly as he placed his hand on her arm.

"I know you like me. I mean, who can resist me in all my glory!" He exclaimd happily and she giggled.

He looked down at her and smiled and she felt that fluttering again, stronger than before.

"I can help you."

He couldn't. But she was so tired of running from him and her feelings. It was exhausting and she needed Bolin.

He was her anchor, her light. He was part of her life now and she couldn't imagine her life without him.

She could resist. She would resist if it meant keeping Bolin in her life. She could hide somewhere safe when the moon spirit came and fight to be with Bolin.

It was a matter of timing. Bolin would understand.

"So, what do you say?" Bolin said, smiling hopefully holding out his hand for her.

She made her choice. She placed her hand in his and he lifted her up.

"Okay."

He smiled and before she could react, he leaned in and kissed her. It was only a peck but it was more than enough to send her heart racing and her body to heat up.

She was blushing madly and Bolin was smiling sheepishly at her.

"Sorry." He said.

She shook her head and smiled. "It's okay."

"Oh, good. I thought you were about to water whip me."

They laughed, clutching their stomachs.

"Come on, I'll drop you off home." Bolin offered as Pabu jumped onto Aylin's shoulders.

"I'll be fine."

"A lovely lady such as yourself shouldn't walk alone in the dark. Scary stuff can happen."

She smiled and nodded.

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