#weilin

I actually don't ship Bopal at all- it's one of the few ships I'd actually classify as a NOTP. Which is a shame, because Bolin and Opal are both, like, in my top 5 favourite Avatar characters and I actually find some of their interactions both fascinating and endearing.

(Also, full disclosure, I was a Bopal disliker way before I was a Weilin truther. I've often asked myself if I'm just being too busy fujoshing out to appreciate the adjacent het ship, but I genuinely just cannot get into Bopal no matter how much I try.)

It's frustrating to be a Bopal disliker AND an Opal enjoyer because most anti- Bopal takes are very much "Poor Bolin is just a baby boy (21 year old man in the army btw) and Opal doesn't deserve him and she was being mean/emotionally abusive because she didn't like that he was helping the fascist dictator." and not "this ship kinda feels like a hostage situation on all sides, including the audience's". As much as I understand that the awkwardness is the appeal of the ship, it doesn't really feel like cutesy, romantic stumbling and more like forcefully trying to fit two puzzle pieces together.

(seriously are the writers holding them both at gunpoint...)

Mind you, this is just my interpretation, and if you enjoy Bopal, more power to you, they can be adorable and interesting- I adore both characters, so seeing them genuinely happy with each other in fanart and stuff is nice. Even if I am firmly a platonic Bolin and Opal believer.

I'm actually currently writing a post-Bopal breakup Weilin fic, and it's just one of the ways I can see Bolin getting over Opal and developing feelings on Wei.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/53256886/chapters/134771209

The most canon adjacent vision I have is Opal and Bolin simply. Not getting back together after he rescues the Beifongs. I've said this before, but even if you ship Bopal, reducing Opal's very rightful anger at Bolin for helping Kuvira to "how do I get my angry gf back" is a huge undercutting of what Opal is going through this season, as well as Bolin's redemption arc. Bolin was shown understanding the weight of his and the Empire's actions just an episode before, but once he gets back to Republic City "I've fucked up so bad and betrayed so many people I cared for and endorsed so much harm to so many people" becomes "Yea I fucked up, but why don't we have a picnic, babe?".

And, frankly, wouldn't it be more meaningful for Bolin to help rescue the Beifongs without Opal essentially going "I'll only get back with you if you help me save my family from the fucking nazi prison."??? Like, again, cheapening Bolin's arc, and also, vaguely concerned for Opal, who is already distressed about No One caring about her family's peril, dangling herself as a prize to get help from Anyone.

He's super duper physically affectionate, but in a lowkey way, same as a cat would be. He likes to sprawl over Bolin's lap or stomach when they're cuddling, just going for maximum surface contact. He bumps his head against Bolin just like a cat expecting pets.