Pema and Bolin for the character ask!
Thank you so much for asking, anon!
PEMA:
Sexuality Headcanon: maybe vaguely Kyoshian (sapphic), but nothing I’m particular about. She pursued and married Tenzin for spiritual and political reasons (in fact, that’s why she gave Korra such bad advice: she assumed the Avatar also meant ‘destined soulmate’ rather than ‘teenage crush’ when she referred to Mako) rather than romantic, but over time did fall in love with him.
Gender Headcanon: transwoman - thanks to a combination of Earth Kingdom and Water Tribe medical knowledge, she was able to medically transition when she came to Air Temple Island.
A ship I have with said character: there aren’t many options here, really. Tenzin, half for the drama and half because they’re sweet.
A BROTP I have with said character: Lin! Give me that relationship arc from Lin hating Pema and Pema accepting this, to strange and awkward and giving getting along their best shot, to Lin coming over to the Island to complain for half an hour while Pema makes tea, and scolding Lin with what is definitely not hidden laughter for saying Tenzin had a big... heart.
A NOTP I have with said character: Tarrlok? Tarrlok is my NOTP with everyone. But then, I love Pema as a politically savvy and ruthless woman, so I could see her manipulating him (”beating him at his own game”). Maybe Iroh II.
A random headcanon: she came from an impoverished, unhappy household in the Earth Kingdom desert. When she was fourteen, she ran away to become an Air Acolyte. Having food left over to give to others, water nearby, and a happy, loving family was everything she ever wanted, and she got it.
General Opinion over said character: I love her, so so much, but that’s probably because I have such an extensive headcanon about her and her backstory. If I went with just what we see in the show, I wouldn’t be as fond of her, if I were fond of her at all. That said, if I see one more person blaming her for Tenzin’s choices I will blow a gasket.
BOLIN:
Sexuality Headcanon: I don’t really have a set headcanon there? He likes girls, an he knows that boys can be very pretty, and he probably had difficulty telling Desna and Eska apart, but thought they were both intimidating and attractive.
Gender Headcanon: he’s a boy, and he loves dresses because they’re swishy. I don’t have a firm headcanon as to how cis he is.
A ship I have with said character: Opal! Opal, Opal, Opal! The two sweetest characters on the whole show, making each other happy. Rags to riches romance, each others’ reality check, still supporting each other in their dreaming.
A BROTP I have with said character: ...the Krew as a whole? I love his relationship with all three of them individually so much, and he’s just made for group dynamics, he’s so joyous and intense and supportive!
A NOTP I have with said character: Eska. There are about five hundred ways that was unhealthy, especially with the power balance, and the fact there was a lot going on there that he didn’t give informed consent to. I do think, though, that after a few years, when Eska’s unlearned and processed some of what she picked up growing up with her father, and Bolin’s learned a very hard lesson (thank you, Kuvira) about boundaries and exploitation, they can become friends.
A random headcanon: look, I don’t think ‘Bolin is autistic’ even counts as a headcanon so much as it does a common sense. He flaps onscreen when he meets Toph. I repeat that: he. Flaps. His. Hands. Onscreen.
General Opinion over said character: the day he realizes, I mean truly deeply comprehends, how powerful he is, every bad guy in the world is done for. Especially if they hurt a kid, or someone Bolin cares about. He is a naive, endearing, idealistic sweetheart, but he is also one heck of a force of nature.