Dance Away Your Worries

"C'mon, Bolin!" Opal laughed, pulling the brawny earthbender onto the polished floor where couples had already paired off. Tahno's band was hot and the sway was certainly in swing. Varrick and Zhu Li were sliding gracefully over the floor, as happy as a newly married couple could be. Huan had his usual demeanor of 'whatever', but let the grinning Ikki swing his arms from left to right as she skipped in place.

Bolin kept up, but flailed around a few times, unfamilar with Opal's moves. She was laughing though, and he gave a breathless smile as he panted. He hadn't fallen yet, so luck was on his side.

The music shifted from the fast pace to a slower, steady beat. Bolin thought he recognized it from somewhere, but the name of it was blanking in his mind.

"It feels good to just relax," Opal sighed, stepping in close to Bolin.

He took her in his arms, holding her gently, almost cradling her to his chest. "I've been thinking," he began. The airbender looked up at her boyfriend, still smiling but with her head tilted in consideration.

"What's on your mind?"

"Well… so many things have been changing," Bolin said, the words coming easier as he spoke. "We've had some time to clean up Republic City, but there's a long way to go. The Earth Kingdom's back together for the time being, the spirits appearing in our world and just… it's a lot to take in!" He sighed. Opal had never seen him quite this serious, except when they had returned to Zaofu.

"I've given it some serious thought, and I've decided something," Bolin's dark eyebrows furrowed as he met her quizzical stare.

"Opal, I love you, but I don't want to marry you yet."

The airbender's mouth opened in surprise, but no sound came out.

"Just hear me out," Bolin pleaded, oblivious to Opal's shocked expression. "I've really thought about this. I mean, Tenzin and Pema are a great couple with their four kids, your parents are clearly in love with each other, and what with Varrick and Zhu Li tying the knot… I can't even guess how long they were together before this," he shook his head.

"Anyway, Varrick wants me to star in another Nuktuk mover, and you're going to be busy helping the Air Nomads with patrolling… I don't want to lose what we have, but I don't want you to feel like I'm holding you back."

His bright green eyes, open and honest, gave her a patent fire-ferret begging look, one she was certain he had learned from Pabu. "I never want you to be unhappy. So, if we do get married, it'll be when you are ready and not a moment sooner. Is… is that-"

Opal's arms flew around Bolin and the last word came slightly strangled. "-okay?"

"You idiot," she smiled, eyes bright in the lights from the party lanterns. "How long were you waiting to tell me this?"

"Ever since we returned from Zaofu," Bolin admitted, his eyes softening. "Opal, I almost lost Mako in the battle… I almost lost you," He shivered, remembering how fragile she had looked when he ran to her, laying unconscious from a blast from Kuvira's weapon.

"And… I almost lost you before, from my own clumsy attempts at dating," he laughed sadly, thinking of his well-intentioned but naive attempt at a date which had her yelling rather justifiable things at him. "I don't want to rush into what we have and risk losing our relationship… again, um, yes, again. That is exactly what I mean," Bolin blushed.

Opal's hand came up and his eyes followed her fingers, watching as they reached out to twirl around the stray bang in the middle of Bolin's forehead, tweaking it slightly as she leaned against him. "I think it's a good idea," she whispered as they embraced closer, swaying in time with the music.

"Taking our time sounds fine with me."

Bolin's smile broaded as he breathed a deep sigh of contentment, letting her rest her head against his shoulder.