Day 5 - I'll catch you

Bolin and Opal are on a trip, and they hit a little turbulence.

Three. That was three clouds now that looked like a pidgeon-rabbit. Bolin sighed with boredom. How long had he been on this bison? When they left Republic City the sky had been bright blue, and now it was starting to turn orange with the sunset.

He sat up in Juicy's saddle and crawled over to the edge. "Opal? How long until we reach the village?"

Opal sat at the reigns on Juicy's head. "Hold on a second." She pulled out a map from a pouch tied to the bison's horn. "Um… about another hour. Why, do you need to stop for the bathroom?"

Bolin sighed again, draping himself across the saddle. "No. I'm just bored. It feels like we've been flying forever!"

"We haven't been flying forever, Bolin. It's not my fault you didn't pack anything to entertain yourself."

"You said it was right outside the city! I thought it would be a short trip!"

"I said it was outside Republic City, but I trusted you knew how far it was. And this is a short trip. It's not like we're going to Kyoshi Island."

He grumbled and ran his hand through his hair. "By the time we get there, it'll be after dark."

Opal nodded. "Yes, unfortunately. It'll be too late to visit the new airbender. When we get there, we'll get some dinner and stay at an inn for the night. We'll visit the airbender in the morning."

"Yeah, all right. Hear that Pabu?" Pabu chirped from deep within the nest he made in their luggage tied to the saddle.

As Bolin contemplated what he could do to occupy himself for an hour, an extra strong gust of wind crashed into Juicy's side. Bolin gripped the saddle in surprise as Opal shouted back, "Hang on! Strong air currents ahead!"

"A little late for that warning, don't you think?"

The wind continued to blow as Opal kept Juicy steady. Slowly they rose higher and higher, trying to get away from the turbulence. As they ascended, a terrified squeak reached Bolin's ears. One of their bags had come loose in the jostling winds, and Pabu slipped out of his nest.

"Hang on, Buddy, I gotcha!" Bolin called as he shuffled over to the luggage. Clutching Pabu to his chest, he stuffed the bag in place and retied the knots on the ropes. The fire ferret dug back into his nest with a thankful squeak.

Just then Juicy leaned a little too far to the side. Bolin's arms spun wildly to retain his balance, but it was too late. His legs were suddenly in the air, and he tumbled over the edge.

Screams ripped from his throat as he fell towards the earth. Juicy's furry white body shrunk as he fell further and further. He turned to look at the ground and gulped. He was too high to bend and catch himself. By the time he'd be close enough, it'd be too late.

He couldn't believe this was how he would die; his life flashed before his eyes. He saw his parents and Mako; he saw the streets he grew up on; he saw Shady Shin, Ping, and Lightning Bolt Zolt. He saw Toza and Pabu, and the pro-bending arena. Korra, Asami, the Airbender family, Varrick, Zhu Li, Grandma Yin and their enormous family, Kai, and Opal…

Wait, was that Opal?

A red dot rocketed towards him, wings outstretched. Opal's face soon came into focus. Her light green eyes were wide with panic, but her jaw was clenched in determination. As she got closer, she stretched out her hand. "Bolin! Grab on!" He held up his hand, their fingers mere inches from each other.

Finally they touched, and Opal's grip on his palm was like iron. She pulled herself into him, a ball of air now surrounding them. They started to slow down, but they were still so high; she couldn't land them safely even from here.

Suddenly they heard the deep bellow of a bison. Juicy swooped down in their peripheral. Opal aimed for the saddle, and three…two…one… SMACK! The two landed hard, but safely, onto his back.

The wind was knocked from Bolin's lungs as the world swirled around him. "Bolin?" Opal appeared above him and gently tapped his cheek. "Bolin, are you okay? You scared me half to death!"

"Uh…uh, yeah…" he managed as he slowly sat up. "Just, uh… just a second." He then leaned over the side and vomited. Opal rubbed his back until he finished and slumped against the saddle.

"Feeling better?"

He gulped down air. "Yeah… yeah, I'm okay now." Bolin stared at Opal with awe and wonder. "You saved my life."

She smiled. "Did you think I'd take my earthbending boyfriend thousands of feet in the air without being prepared to catch him?" She pulled him in for a hug and nuzzled his neck. "I'll always be there to catch you, okay?"

He sighed and hugged her back. "Okay. And you know I'll catch you too, right?"

"I never doubted." She grabbed his hand and pulled him over to Juicy's head. "Come on. How about you sit next to me for the rest of the ride?"

Bolin smiled. "Sure! That sounds great. And safe." As they slid into position, he pondered. "So… how far away are we now?"

"Bolin!"

Thanks for reading! Reviews are appreciated!