Rare Earth Element

Chapter 13- Avalanche

”Your heart is so broken Bo,” Irulan added, reaching a hand to touch his cheek. “It pains me to see you this way; all crying and snot comin' out your nose. All the things that compromise you.” Judging by the warming trend that seemed to breeze through her cold, chrome irises, Bolin could tell she was being sincere. A flashback of the two of them sitting by a small fire created with Mako's bending after a night of stealing food from trash cans made him smile. She was generous, even then, offering what ever bit of food that was still fresh from the bakeries or markets to him, before eating it herself.

Bolin tried to plan his words, but knew that the truth was going to hit her in the face like a crowbar...luckily she'd know how to bend the truth so it wouldn't hurt her too badly.

”I went to the arena to give Korra some flowers; because we won the championship and all…and I saw her kissing my brother. Mind you, my brother’s been dating Asami Sato,” he continued turning his eyes away, fighting more tears. A mere mention of the scene was a turn in the knife, cutting him, tearing, him; reducing the strong Earthbender to sediments and saltwater.

“What?” said Irulan with an extremely knitted brow. ”Wait…hold on, speaking of flowers; did you by chance get the bouquet I sent you?” she asked, tapping herself on her left breast for emphasis.

Sniffing, Bolin, used his napkin to once again wipe his face. Irulan's eyes were flashing with confusion, a perplexed look crossing his own.

”What flowers…what bouquet?” Bolin asked slowly, fearfully. A suspicious look raced though Irulan's eyes, a gleam emanating from them.

” Bolin, I sent you an arrangement with lots of oceanlillies, rosaffils, irisviolets, and white tigerlillies,” Irulan counted off. “It was very costly, but for you, money is no object.” Bolin’s jaw dropped; he felt like such an ass.

'Shit...'

”Was there a note?” asked Bolin, cringing.

”Yeah…I drew a fleur de lys on the card, hoping you’d remember me,” Irulan answered. “You didn’t receive them?”

”Dammit…dammit…dammit…” Bolin winced, grabbing her hand , placing an apologetic kiss on it. Irulan, rendered confused, asked him a silent question.

”Those were the flowers…I gave to Korra,” Bolin revealed slowly, through clenched teeth.”Lani, I’m so sorry!”