[ Oh. Whoops. He returns Korra's hug without any pause, grip just about as tight as her own, and when Doll climbs up to his shoulder, Bolin reflexively moves back so he can stroke her head. Good dragon. Best dragon. One of very few people who are allowed to mess with the duckbutt hair. Pabu winds his way up through Bolin's shirt and makes a beeline for Mako in the meantime, taking the route that best allows him to wind his way around Korra's ankles. And maybe stopping to give Rizhao a quick sniff for manners' sake first. ]

Noted. Definitely won't. [ Times about a hundred. He gives Rizhao a look, which morphs into a mild wince, which morphs again into shooting a glance at Mako, which morphs into another wince. Subtle warfare indeed. Buuut he deserves it. ] Sorry about that, by the way. I wasn't really thinking about if you guys would be worried when I was packing? Actually kind of planned on getting back yesterday, too, but time really got away from me there. And John was around for the first day, if that helps at all? Not sure if that helps.

[ Bolin tries smiling like guys who get back from fun impromptu camping trips are likely supposed to do, which falls flatter than he'd like even though he's definitely glad to be back in family company again. Could be because he just realized he never actually thought about how he'd go about this part of the conversation while he was in the woods, though. Who doesn't like winging it.

He swallows. ]

So... so hey! Uh. Got some news. [ spoilers it's all bad and also 1am so yo throw me towards anything that makes no sense ]