Archive of Our Own

Bolin shivered, pulling his jacket tighter around himself. Of all the days for a sudden blizzard... of course it'd be the one Bolin would be on the city's outskirts. He didn't even have anything to show for his efforts. The Earth Empire soldiers spotted in this area had turned tail as soon as they'd seen Bolin and Wei coming.

Wei. Bolin's unwilling companion for this mission was trudging through the fallen snow with grim determination. The younger man was probably even less prepared for the sudden turn of the weather than Bolin. A flimsy green shawl hung from his trembling shoulders. His feet, clad only in thin heeled, slipper-like shoes (something about being able to sense the earth more clearly) were drowning in the thick, fluffy blanket of freshly fallen snow. Bolin could see his ankles flushed scarlet with cold where his fine trousers rode up a little with every step he took.

The Beifongs hadn't had the luxury of having many clothes to pick from, what with being kidnapped from their home and all.

Yep. Kidnapped... and Bolin had... kinda helped put them in that situation. Great.
He could understand why Wei had looked like a man condemned, face pinched and shoulders slumped when he'd been told he's partnered with Bolin. Even Wing had given his twin a consolatory pat on the back, muttering something, a wry smirk tugging at his lips.

Another merciless gust of frigid wind slammed against Bolin's back. They were still leagues away from any populated areas, stuck in the outskirts of a mostly evacuated city. Little to no hope of getting to a warm place before nightfall. And the snow covered roads were much too perilous for cars to traverse them.
The oncoming night promised even more snow and an even more drastic fall of temperature.

Bolin sighed. Even that small movement added to his frozen trembling. - Wei! - he chocked out, trying to keep the shiver out of his voice.

His companion spun around on his heel, his cheeks and nose dusted with a raw pinkish hue by the harsh wind. - Wh...what?- a trembling jolt jumped through the metalbender's body, his hair long since swept out of its usual carefully combed state, snowflakes peppered along messily wavy locks.

- We won't be able to get back before it gets dark. - Bolin sounded out, slowly approaching the metalbender.

Wei's body sagged a little, eyes downcast. - I know. But what else can we do? - he seemed to be trying to be making himself smaller, as if that would make the shawl warm him up better.

Bolin pursed his lips, looking around. His eyes locked onto a nearby house. The city had been fully evacuated not long before the battle, thank Spirits, so all homes should be empty. -We could bunk up in there and keep moving when the storm dies down. -

Wei sniffed sceptically, cocking his head. It was fascinating to watch the cogs turn inside his head. He opened his mouth. Then closed it. Finally, he simply nodded and followed Bolin down towards the house.

Hopefuly, the owners had left a spare key somewhere accessible. Bolin checked under the welcome mat, behind the flowerpot of long withered tulips, inside a knocked over shoe.
Nothing. He huffed in frustration.

- What're you doing? - Wei's quiet voice queried from behind him.

- Trying to find a spare key or something. - Bolin explained, weighing their other options. - I don't really wanna break a window or knock the door in, you know. - people still lived here, after all. The two of them were already planning on abusing the ungranted hospitality of strangers. Property damage was a last resort, if even that.

A surprisingly small hand patted Bolin's shoulder. He hadn't ever really noticed how small those hands were. Even through the fabric of his jacket, he could feel how frozen Wei's deft fingers were. - move over, big guy. - the metalbender nudged him out of the way, before kneeling in front of the keyhole.

Wei lifted his hand, twitching his reddened fingers. Bolin crossed his arms, trying to figure out what exactly his companion was trying to do. Everything became a little more clear when Wei rotated his hand as if he were turning a key and the lock responded by clicking open.

Smiling smugly, Wei rose and pushed the door open. Bolin's eyes skipped between the smaller man and the empty doorway. Sure, metalbenders lockpicking with no tools wasn't exactly unheard of, but Bolin's days amongs the triad members had taught him well enough that the skill was incredibly hard to obtain.

- It's not broken, if that's what you're worried about. I know what I'm doing. - Wei crossed his arms looking off to the side.

Bolin realised that his silence might be misconstrued as judgement. - No, no; I believe you. - he quickly ammended, waving his hands a little. - You, uh, you do that often?-

Laughing, Wei stepped into the house. - Only to collect blackmail on my siblings. Secrets are very hard to hide in my family. Which only makes them even more fun to dig up. -

- Oh yeah? - Bolin chirped, following Wei in and sighing in relief. Of course, the house wasn't heated, what with the piping and powerlines of the city completely obliberated by the battle. But even just having walls to block out the wind felt like a blessing. He turned to lock the door. True to Wei's word, the lock still worked just fine. - Secrets like what?-

He turned around and almost jumped out of his skin. Wei was closer to him than he expected, what little light streaked in through the window colouring silver specks in his moss-green eyes. - Wouldn't you like to know?- he purred before spinning on his toes and hopping further into the building.

Shaking his head in bewilderment, Bolin followed again. - Hey, you brought it up! I'm just curious. - Wei laughed again and Bolin was stricken by how pleasant the sound was. -You can't just leave a man hanging like that! I thought I was gonna get some juicy gossip...-

His complaints seemed to have melted Wei's heart. - ok, let's see...- The metalbender tapped his finger to his chin as if thinking. - Wing loves cheesy romance novels. He keeps several under his bed and I'm pretty sure he's trying his hand at writing one of his own. He won't let me read it though... -

Bolin couldn't help bursting out laughing. -Awwww, that's so cute!- He didn't know Wing that well, but the image of the guy who was so excited to throw himself into the heat of battle having a love for cheesy romances was deeply amusing.

His laughter egged Wei on. - Huan talks to his statues when he thinks no one is looking... but that's just Huan being Huan. - he leant against the wall, contemplating. - Opal still sleeps with her stuffed air bison. Pretty sure she named her actual bison after little old Juicy Sr. -

- Wait, she had a stuffed air bison before she became an airbender?- Bolin made sure between his laughs. - she never told me that!-

- Yeah! She did. This huge stuffie! I swear, there was a time when it was bigger than me. Wing and I would always try and steal it, but it was lierally impossible to hide. -

It was easy to envision a huge fluffy air bison toy practically squishing a tiny, kid Wei. Adorable.
Speaking of adorable, adult Wei was that as well. Bolin hadn't ever paid attention to how Wei's smile could light up a room, dusky lips forming into a crooked little half-moon, the faint dimples forming in his cheeks, the subtle creasing of his twinkling eyes.

Bolin didn't want that smile to dissappear. -Oh! Do you have any dirt on Baatar Jr and Kuvira? - he asked, feeling a little spiteful towards the two detained dictators. - You know, something really embarrassing? So when I see Kuvira next time she won't be that scary. -

Wei's smile grew a little sharper, almost predatory. - Well, since it's for a good cause... Baatar Jr has a passion for the Tsungi horn and Kuvira loves bubble baths. She sings during them too. She's not half bad, actually. - he shook the melting snow out of his hair.

- Really?- Bolin wheezed, voice squeaky with laughter.

- I only know this because her and Opal got into a massive fight over Kuvira stealing her bubbly soap.- Wei added, pointy canines flashing from behind delicate lips. - oh you should've seen it! Kuvira had this huge hot pink towel on her head, and everything! -

Bolin bent in half, roaring with laughter. He did his best to visualise the Great Uniter covered in bubbles and with a pink towel on her head, her face twisted by a that trademark scowl, arguing over bubbly soap. - Spirits! That's priceless! -

He wiped tears of laughter from his eyes and glanced at Wei. The metalbender was chuckling as well, hand over his mouth, though that did little to muffle the silvery sound of his giggle.

Bolin wondered how he hadn't noticed just how bewilderingly pretty Wei was earlier. All of a sudden, he realised he didn't know anything about the metalbender. For most of Bolin's interactions with the Beifong family, Wei had been aloof and fiery, offering only waspish remarks here and there.
That haughtiness seemed to have been swept away by the cold wind, revealing pretty flushed cheeks and an enchating smile.

It only struck Bolin now, just how close he had gotten to Wei, almost backing the smaller man into the wall. Wei had to crane his neck to make eye contact. Bolin wetted his suddenly dried lips with his tongue. - And you? - he asked lowly, as if someone else were to hear him speak. - You got any secrets for me to dig up?-

Wei's laughter faded into a sharp breath. - Just one. - He ducked his head, snow speckled eyelashes shielding his now downcast gaze. -But you're gonna have to work harder for it than just asking. -

He brushed past Bolin, marching purposefully into what appeared to be the house's lounge. Bolin blinked. Suddenly, he realised he was freezing. The wind was still howling outside, louder than before, as if the lack of Wei's laughter had made the weather worse.

- There's a fireplace here! - Wei's voice called from further down the hall. - Think we could start a fire?-

---+

They had been indeed able to get a fire going, using a few newspapers and leftover logs. Wei had stolen a few blankets from a nearby basket and woven some manner of intricate nest on the couch. He seemed to be taking the cold extremely hard, movements sloppy, eyelids droopy, teeth chattering, everpresent shudders wracking his body.

Bolin himself was doing pretty well. The cold of the streets had sunk well into his bones, toughening him up and teaching his body that even just having four walls and a roof was a luxury.
Still, he wasn't unaffected. He held his hands up to the fire, enjoying the heat on his palms.

Wei poked his head out of the mess of blankets to sneeze, hiding his face in the crook of his arm and emerging with a pitiful sniffle.

It was agonisingly difficult to not stare at the metalbender's flushed, tired face. Part of Bolin wanted to coo over the smaller man's strawberry coloured cheeks and the sour pinch of his lips. -You ok?-

Wei sniffled again. - I hate Republic City winter. - he announced, diving back under a blanket.

Arguing his home city's case, Bolin leant over. - Hey, it's not that bad...- he tried recalling winter related memories that didn't involve starving on the streets or Mako tirelessly keeping up a flame so they wouldn't freeze to death. - There's snowball fights and snowmen and sledding. You know, fun snow stuff.-

- I don't know. - Wei gritted out, crossing his arms. - This is the first time I've seen snow in my life. -

The realisation hit Bolin like a ton of bricks. -Oh, crap, you're right! - he smacked himself in the forhead. - It doesn't snow in Zaofu.-

- It does not. I was kinda excited to see it. Opal described it as something magical. - there was an edge of wistfulness to Wei's voice. - It's just cold and wet. -

Now Bolin felt bad. - Well, yeah, it is. But it can be a whole lot of fun, I swear. -

Wei looked at him, scepticism radiating from every pore of his being, the arch of his brows and the curve of his mouth.

- I'm serious! You know what? - Bolin turned climbed along the couch to be right next to Wei. - After this, I'll take you out for a real snow day! We'll take Pabu, his winter coat has just grown in, you've GOTTA feel how floofy he is! Maybe we can get Korra in on it too. She loves the snow. But she always cheats during snowball fight cause, y'know... waterbending. And Tenzin's kids and Kai, i just know that they'd like to come too. And we can make hot chocolate if Pema lets us in the kitchen...-

It would be at least a couple minutes until Bolin caught himself rambling. He snapped his mouth shut and glanced at Wei, expecting him to look annoyed as most people who didn't know Bolin well would often be. But Wei had been watching him intently, resting his head in his hand, with an indulgent smile. For a second the silence hung heavy between them, until Wei finally spoke softly.

- I'd like that. -

Bolin beamed, grabbing Wei's hand. - Great! It's a...- a shiver ran through him. - Why are your hands so cold?! Spirits, it feels like I'm shaking hands with a corpse. -

- Wow. I'm flatered. - Wei responded dryly, only to squeak in surprise as Bolin pulled him close to his chest in a crushing bear hug. His best shot at warming his companion up at the moment. Wei froze up, his face pressed up against Bolin's chest, his voice incredibly muffled. - Whoa. You're a human furnace. Why are you a human furnace? You're so warm. -

- Uh, umm, maybe it's the fire nation genetics?- Bolin awkwardly put his arms around Wei as the smaller man made himself comfier, practically lying on top of the lavabender at this point. - Lightning Bolt Zolt would always say 'our people's blood runs hotter than others' or something like that.- Bolin put on his best Zolt inpression, getting a bemused laugh from Wei. It felt like being gifted a medal. - But Two Toed Ping always got really cold, so I don't know about that.-

- Lightning Bolt Zolt? Two Toed Ping? - Wei snorted, a puff of warm breath against Bolin's neck. It sent a shiver along his spine, one that had nothing to do with the cold.

- Oh, those were the members of the triad back when Mako and I used to... - Bolin frowned, staring up at the ceiling. He usually wasn't shy about disclosing his past amongst the triads, but for some reason, he really didn't want Wei to look at him differently. He scratched the back of his neck. -well, I guess we used to work for them. -

Wei lifted his head out of Bolin's chest, to stare up at him quizzically. Bolin was just starting to worry that he'd said the wrong thing, until Wei asked. - So do all Triad members give themselves stupid nicknames or was it just those two? -

Bolin's laugh curled around a relieved sign. -Yeah, kinda. I think it makes members recognise each other more. -

- Lightning Bolt Zolt I kinda get. But... Two Toed Ping? Really? Do I even want to know where that comes from? -

- Oh it's because he has two additional toes.- Bolin explained helpfully. -One on each foot. -

- Shouldn't he be called Twelve Toed Ping then? - Wei started drumming his fingers against Bolin's collarbone which was... mildly distracting.

- Uh, if I remember correctly there already was a Twelve Toed Ping. At least that's what Shady Shin told me. But Mako said Shady Shin always lies. -

- Living up to his name, eh? -

- You have no idea! One time, when I was ten, he told me that...-

---+

Bolin soon discovered that Wei was an excellent conversation partner. He seemed to enjoy listening to Bolin's rambles, resting his head against the lavabender's chest and looking up at him curiously. Wei's eyes seemed to glisten in firelight, like a catowl's. But it wasn't weird, not on him. More, comforting.

It had probably been the most Bolin had ever spoken about his and Mako's involvement with the triads. Or about their homelessness. It felt easier to speak here. As if they were in their own little world. And Wei seemed open, if not outright curious.

When Bolin started running out of things to say, he realised he wanted the conversation to keep going. So he started asking Wei questions in turn.

It took a little coaxing, but, soon Wei was opening up. Talking about dancing in his mom's troupe, about his crystal collection, about Power Disk. It was a treat to watch the usually uptight metalbender speak about something so passionately. He seemed content, determined even, to repeat his explanations of various topics, until Bolin grasped the concept completely.

All it took was for Bolin to ask what exactly the term 'igneous rock' meant for him to be met with a tirade of excited ramblings. And then a whole lot of questions about Bolin's lavabending.

- Have you ever looked at the type of obsidian your lavabending leaves behind? -

- Uhh... there are types? -

- Yeah! There are so many different variations of obsidian. Some are super rare! I mean, there are even different types of lava! How do you not know this? -

- I don't know, I don't think about the type of lava. It just.. happens. -

- When we get back to Air Temple Island, can we do some tests? - There were literal stars in Wei's eyes. He was impossible to say no to.

- Of course, Wei. - Bolin laughed. The crackling fireplace laughed along with him. -I'll be your lavabending guinea-pig. - he hazarded reaching up a little, and uncertainly ruffling Wei's hair. Soft, like a baby bird's feathers. Jet black waves curling around Bolin's pale fingers.

The smile Wei gave him was... well, it punched the air right out of Bolin's lungs. Bright as the Northern Star, gleeful and yet tentative.
It felt like that one time Bolin had found a pair of ice skates in a dumpster. They were much to big for him, but it had still been magical to skate across the frozen lake in the park, the moonlight sparkling against the ice.

It took a couple seconds for the conversation to get back on track.

Bolin shared the highlights of his Probending career. Wei shyly admitted to listening to some of the broadcasts, eyes looking away demurely the fireplace painting his cheeks crimson.
Bolin's heart hammered as he did his best to remember what Shiro Shinobi had said about him in those broadcasts. He suddenly regreted being such a 'ladies man' back in the day. He suddenly became very aware of how soft Wei's lips looked. Almost like velvet.

When Wei shuddered a little, still a bit cold, Bolin held him closer. He pulled a blanket over the two of them, rubbing his hand up and down Wei's back in an attempt to warm the smaller man up.
It felt natural to do so, even as the conversation continued.

- Wait, your birthday was last week? And you didn't tell anybody? -

- Mine and Wing's, yeah. And our family knew. We had a small celebration. I don't think anyone felt like partying given the circumstances. - Wei's face crumbled a little. Bolin must've looked visibly upset, because Wei hurried to reassure him. -But it's fine. We'll make up for it when everything's more stable, I'm sure. And this was the first time we got to celebrate our birthday with aunt Lin! She's not exactly a party person, but it was nice to bond with her and all that.-

- I'm sorry. - Bolin blurted out, grabbing Wei's hands. They were warmer than last time, but still slightly chilled.

- For what?- Wei cocked his head, baffled. As if he hadn't had his city invaded, hadn't been poached from his home, hadn't been locked in a wooden cage, hadn't been suddenly dropped smack dab into the frigid winter of Republic City. As if Bolin hadn't been helping Kuvira, the person behind all this, tighten her grip on the kingdom for three whole years.

- For working for Kuvira. For helping her attack your home... for helping her take over the kingdom. For not listening to Opal or Kai or Mako or your mom or anyone else who told me I was being stupid because I was being stupid! So stupid! I'm so sorry I let her capture you and... and... - he trailed off, tears springing to his eyes, blurring his vision.

He sniffled.
And then sobbed . Then sniffled again.
Then sobbed. And sobbed.
And sobbed.
And sobbed.
And sobbed.
And...

- Hey, hey... don't cry. I forgive you. - Wei cupped Bolin's face between his hands. - It's ok. I forgive you. - he repeated, using his thumbs to wipe away Bolin's tears. - I forgave you the moment you rescued us. I swear, you were the best thing I'd seen in days. It was like the sun had come out. -

- That was you? - Bolin asked timidly. He'd been asking himself which twin it was that he'd caught first. The one who had gently patted his cheek with an oddly enchanting smile. That gesture Bolin hadn't been able to stop thinking about.

- If you're talking about the awkward pat on the face, then yep. That was me. - Wei sighed, running his thumbs under Bolin's eyes, swiping away at the last of the tears. - Look, I'm not gonna tell you that you weren't being stupid, because you were. But... your heart was in the right place. And Kuvira took advantage of that. -

Bolin sniffled, which probably wasn't very attractive, but then again, why was he even worrying about whether he was attractive to Wei? - Thanks. - he managed to squeak out. There was so much more he wanted to say, but his mouth filled with cotton, willing him silent and fuzzy.

- Anytime. - Wei murmured, his hands sliding from Bolin's cheeks to his shoulders. The silence lay thickly over them for a second, before Wei cleared his throat awkwardly. -We should... maybe we should get some sleep. -

- yep, yep. Sleep. Sleep is good. - Bolin agreed, worry creeping along his ribs. Does this mean Wei's gonna move away and go sleep somewhere else? Bolin didn't really want Wei to move away. The guy was just so comfy to cuddle, that's all!

Expression unreadable, Wei wiggled where he sat, straddling Bolin's hips. - Should I move...? -

- You know... sharing body heat with another person is the best way to keep warm. - Bolin lilted, hands unconsciously wandering to Wei's thighs, as if to hold him there.

- that sounds plausible. - Wei answered, copying Bolin's cautious tone, as if he were tentatively tiptoeing around a subject.

After an achingly long couple seconds, Wei lay his head back down on Bolin's chest. Bolin's heart soared with as much excitement as when he'd won his first Probending match. He pulled the blanket further over them, pulling Wei closer with one arm firmly slung over his waist.

It was surprisingly easy to fall asleep with his head against the couch's armrest, with another person on top of him, in a stranger's house that they'd broken into. But the fireplace was crackling so nicely, the snowstorm was howling outside and Wei's weight felt more like a comfy weighted blanket.
The metalbender's hands seemed to unconsciously fist into Bolin's jacket, his breaths evening out into cute little puffs of warm breath.
He looked so peaceful and cozy and... perfect.

...Bolin should probably stop creepily watching his ex-girlfriend's younger brother while he sleeps.
He closed his eyes and leant his head back, content to drift away.

---+

At first Bolin wasn't sure what had woken him up.
But there it was again. A featherlight touch against his cheek, soft fingertips slowly traversing the distance from his nose to the corner of his mouth.

- You're so... nice. - Wei was whispering, barely audible, barely breaching the sleepy haze of Bolin's groggy mind.

Bolin wasn't sure why he pretended to be asleep. Perhaps it was curiosity, perhaps it was simple vanity that wanted to hear what Wei had to say about him. Bolin's days playing Nuktuk had honed his acting skills enough for him to 'play dead' near perfectly.

- I wish you weren't so nice. - Wei continued, and now his voice was wavering a little. He trailed his finger along Bolin's bottom lip. - It would be so much easier to not be in love with you if you weren't. -

At that, Bolin couldn't keep his composure. His eyes snapped open, probably wide as saucers. - What did you just say?-

Of course, the first thing he was met with was Wei, who immediately jerked backwards with a startled, mortified 'oh!'. Bolin watched the light of the dying fireplace flicker in the whites of his eyes as they widened in horror at the realisation of what he'd just done.

- I'm... I'm so sorry.. - Wei's words started pouring, as rapidly as the snowflakes fell outside. - You weren't supposed to.... I didn't mean to... -

Bolin said nothing, much too stunned to speak. He simply tightened and loosened his grip on the blanket over and over, undecided.

- I should... I should go... go somewhere... else.- Wei stuttered out, hurriedly backing off the couch. His feet hit the ground softly, yet it was the loudest sound Bolin had ever heard. Wei scurried towards the hallway, he was almost through the door before Bolin's brain caught up.

- Wait! -

Wei didn't wait. But Bolin practically ran towards him, planting his hands on his shoulders and spinning him around.

- No, no... I'm sorry, just... just... I'm sorry. I won't do it again. I... - Wei tried to back out again, but Bolin gently caught him by the elbows. It was easy to keep the smaller man locked in place, despite Wei's distressed thrashing. What wasn't easy was organising Bolin's own thoughts, especially as Wei kept babbling unfinished apologies and excuses.

- I thought you didn't like me. - Bolin finally chocked out, his face hotter than the now dying fire had ever been.

Wei stilled, lifting his head, face slack with shock. Tears pearling at the corners of his wide eyes. - What? - he croaked, as a single tear trickled down his olive cheek.

Taking a deep breath, Bolin tried to order his thoughts. It was way to early for him to be doing this. - I mean, you've barely talked to me the whole time we've known each other. You hit me with two metal plates when we first sparred. -

- And you smacked me with a pebble. - Wei shot back, almost petulantly, pulling a sad little laugh from Bolin.

- You seemed so upset when Opal invited me over to tell you guys about us dating. And you looked so mad when you got paired with me this morning. I guess just... thought you didn't want anythings to do with me. -

- No, no, Bolin.... I... - Wei cut himself off. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, before trying again. - Bolin, I like you. I like you so much. -

- Then... why?- Bolin felt like he already knew. Even he wasn't that stupid. But he needed to hear it from Wei.

- Because I fell in love with you. Years ago. - Wei looked down at their feet. They had both discarded their snow-covered shoes. Wei's bare feet right beside Bolins green socks. - And I hated how it makes me feel. - he added quietly, refusing eye contact. - I hated that it made me jealous of my own sister and that it made me so... - he shook his head. - I promise, I'll get over it. I'll get over you. It'll be fine. I won't... -

Bolin couldn't move. His breathed in slowly, as if that could also slow down his racing thought. Wei was shaking beneath his hands. Wei was promising that he'll force himself to stop being in love.
Wei was just as scared as Bolin was. Wei was kind and fun and playful and all wry laughter and warm smiles and firelight and warmth.
Wei was in love with Bolin.

Wei fully crying now, tears falling freely down his face. - Bolin... can you let me go now? I'll go sleep in one of the bedrooms... I.. I'll...-

Bolin kissed him.

The burning saltiness of Wei's tears struck him first. Wei's lips were just as soft as Bolin had thought them to be. Pliant but firm, it took Bolin but a second to decide that he adored this. He closed his eyes, enjoying the simple sensation fizzling along his lip.
He tentatively let go of Wei's arms, fearing that the other man would bolt as soon as he was freed.

Wei didn't bolt. Clumped together lashes fluttered closed against Bolin's cheeks. Hands settled on his shoulders. Bolin wrapped his arms around Wei's waist, pulling him close. Wei sobbed quietly into the kiss when Bolin gently nosed at his tearstained cheekbone. One of his quivering hands rose to gently card through Bolin's hair.

It wasn't certain which of them ended the kiss, both of them clung to it with what little remenants of oxygen they had left in their lungs.

Wei stared up at Bolin, eyes almost popping out of their sockets. - Wha.. uh. What. - he stuttered, clinging onto Bolin for dear life.

- Did you ever think that maybe... I wouldn't want you to get over me? - Bolin asked slowly.

Wei blinked slowly, tears still trickling down his cheek.

Bolin continued, leaning his forhead against Wei's. - I never noticed how... lovely you are. - he ran his thumb in circles along Wei's hip bone, hoping to be soothing. - I think that I could.... you know...-

- oh, I don't think I know. - Wei answered, grinning for the first time.

Huffing a displeased laugh, Bolin finished his sentence. - I think that I could be in love with you too.-

It was impossible to tell how long they just stood there, clutching at each other. When Wei shivered again, Bolin chuckled.

- C'mon, back to bed, cutie. It's warm there. - he cooed, taking the initiative and tugging Wei along.

Wei let himself be led, but scoffed. - Calling it a bed is a little generous. - Bolin rolled his eyes.

- Couch. Back to couch.-

Practically collapsing onto the bed, Bolin pulled Wei down along with him. Wei landed on top of him with a little 'oof' but immediately snuggled closer, pulling the blankets around them.

Bolin hazarded pressing a kiss to Wei's forhead. The metalbender stilled for a second, before mumbling a tiny. - I love you. -

And Bolin had never been happier to answer in kind.

- I love you too. -