Day 2 - That thing you always do.

Bolin has always been a huggy person. This can sometimes be inconvenient.

It didn't take long after meeting him for Opal to learn that Bolin was a very affectionate person. Not that she minded, of course. In fact she found him more attractive because of it. He made no secret of how he felt when they were together, which was more often than not these days. He loved to cuddle up next to her while she read; he would hold her hand as they walked the city streets. His face would light up every time he saw her, and the brightness of his smile warmed her to her core. His kisses were either short and sweet or long and passionate, but there were plenty of both.

Then there were his hugs. Bolin gave the best hugs. He hugged everyone and everything. He was just so warm and strong, Opal felt so safe in his arms.

Usually. His timing could be better.

Actually, it could be a lot better.

She could probably do without his surprise hugs. He had a habit of hugging her when he saw her, even if she didn't see him first. Opal lost track of the amount of spilled tea cups that resulted from this, as well as the pastries lost mere inches from her mouth. A few times he had startled her so bad she almost airbended him into a wall (and one time she actually did, for which she apologized profusely). He'd tackle her out of seemingly thin air, and the poor boy tended to forget his own strength. Every other time Opal had images of cracked ribs and broken spines zip through her head, and she felt like her lungs would pop like balloons.

Opal loved Bolin, she really did, but she couldn't help but snap at him sometimes about it. He would get the saddest look on his face, as if he were a wounded panda-puppy. Usually what followed was a discussion that was very similar every time.

"I thought you loved my hugs?"

"I do love your hugs. I just want to be prepared for them!"

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that. I love you!"

"I love you too. Please don't be sad."

"I-I'm not sad."

Sigh. "Come here."

Then she'd open her arms, and Bolin would come in for a hug, much gentler this time, and all was forgiven. He would try afterward to be better, to let her know he was coming, but after awhile he'd forget and the surprise hugs would continue.

Of course Bolin was never trying to be manipulative in those discussions. The thought had probably never crossed his mind. He was just so genuinely hurt, and she couldn't stand the idea of him thinking she didn't love him, even for a second. Those hugs were his own little "I love you's," and in his mind rejecting them was like rejecting him. So Opal put up with the surprise hugs and made sure to check around for him before drinking hot tea.

But then…there were those times. Those times when everything seemed to go wrong, where life seemed too dark, too hard, too gloomy. Days where training had been especially rough or frustrating, days where she fought with her mother over the radio, days where she remembered Kuvira and how absolutely destroyed everything was. Those cold days where everything just seemed too much for any one person to handle. She would find somewhere off by herself and try to meditate on her worries. Unfortunately, meditation had never been her strong suit, and soon she'd be filled with nothing but sorrow and heartbreak, trapped with her own thoughts.

Then two familiar muscular arms would appear and wrap around her, not too tightly, but not too loose, and would pull her close to his warm chest where she could hear his strong heartbeat. She never knew how Bolin knew she needed him, even when she didn't realize it herself, or how he always found her. But those surprise hugs brought her back, grounding her like nothing else did. He'd lean his chin on her head or her shoulder, and she'd instantly relax. He never said anything; his hug communicated for him. "It's okay. It's okay to be sad. No matter what, I still love you. I'm right here for you."

She'd let herself get swallowed by those arms. Any tears she had would fall freely, but the weight on her heart felt lighter.

Turns out she liked those surprise hugs after all.

Thanks for reading! Reviews are appreciated!