I've decided to have a masterpost with both tags and links. Figured maybe there is merit in organizing them here in tumblr for ease of searching and navigation. Will be doing a lot of cross-posting from Ao3 in the next few days as well.
--
Lin/Tenzin pairing
Adversity
Multi-chapter, work in progress, AU, pre-LoK,
Latest status: up to Chapter 15 uploaded in A03
Blurb: Lin and Tenzin are both at the height of their respective careers â she with the Metalbending Police and he with the Air Nation. Questions about their future begin to arise and things come to a head when Lin responded to an emergency call. Would her job take them from each other forever? Eventual happy ending. Alternatively: The one where Lin and Tenzin had to go through adversity like Linâs dangerous job, a near-death experience, temporary separation and memory loss, unplanned pregnancy and Tenzinâs responsibilities before they end up with a family.
Tumblr chapters 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5
Ao3 link | Â Ff.net link
Contentment
One-shot, completed, AU, pre-LoK
Blurb: Ever since she made it to Chief of Police, she found that she was able to take more control of her schedule. Nonetheless, quiet Friday nights at home like these were rare. Alternatively:
The one where Chief Lin Beifong and her last airbender spend a typical night at home.
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Ao3 link  |  Ff.net link
The Airbenderâs Wife
Multi-chapter after Contentment, work in progress, LoK AU
Latest status: up to Chapter 12 uploaded in A03
Blurb: Korra arrives in Republic City to reside at Air Temple Island to begin her Airbending training.
As excited as she was to leave the compound in the South Pole, she was wary of living with her Airbending Master and his mysterious wife. The airbenderâs wife, who, Korra realized, she has never met before. Alternatively: The one where Tenzin throws caution to the wind and chooses Lin over repopulating the Air Nation.
Tumblr chapters: Â 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5
Ao3 link | Ff.net link
The Right Beifong
One-shot, completed, post-LoK AU
Blurb: For all the bad blood between them, there was no one else that the Beifong sisters would trust with their secrets but each other.
One might argue that guilt may have motivated Suyinâs actions. Lin learned not to question it, not when a secret has remained undetected for more than a decade. Who knew that it would all unravel in a hospital room in Republic City. Lin Beifong was expected to mother an airbender. What if she did give birth to an airbending Beifong?
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Ao3 link | Ff.net link
Harmony Tower
One-shot, completed, pre-LoK
Prompt/headcanon: What if and why does Lin smoke?
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Grey Eyes
Two-shot, completed, pre-LoK AU
Prompt/headcanon: What if there was a secret airbending child and what if Tenzin learns about it after the break-up
Blurb: He broke up with her then she destroyed part of the island.
He regretted it but she had already left.
He tried to look for her but she managed to evade him.More than a year later, by chance, he was drawn to a baby picture in Chief Toph Beifongâs billfold.
Alternatively, Tenzin finds out about his airbending daughter in the Earth Kingdom.
Tumblr parts: 1 | 2
Ao3 link
Respite
One-shot, completed, end season 3 AU
Prompt/headcanon: Soft/protective Lin taking care of Tenzin after heâs hurt post-Red Lotus encounter (Married AU)
Blurb: Chief Beifong had seen a lot of blood and death in the years that she had been serving in the force. She was no stranger to injury as well (sheâs a Beifong, no one would have expected any different).However, nothing could have prepared her to see her pacifist husband bruised, bloodied, battered and at the brink of death.
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Ao3 link
Blended
One-shot, completed, Modern AU, now a multi-chapter, WIP
Latest status: up to Chapter 3 uploaded in A03
Blurb: Republic City was known to be a melting pot of cultures.
This was where people go to for new beginnings and to search for happy endings.
People were relatively more open-minded here compared to other cities or nations.
However, not everyoneâs road to happiness is straightforward - Lin Beifong in particular believes that, by now, true happiness for her is elusive.
A modern AU with no bending where Lin finds herself with three kids, where Tenzin is Mr Big Shot CEO, where Mako is an overprotective son, where Ikki endears herself to Lin, where Bumi is the cool meddling godfather/uncle and where Pema is out of the picture.
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Ao3 link
Parapraxis
One-shot, completed, pre-LOK AU
Blurb: Parapraxis: a lapse of memory or mental error, such as a slip of the tongue or misplacement of an object, which, in psychoanalytic theory, is due to unconscious associations and motives; commonly called a âfreudian slip.â | Alternatively, the one where a wrong title and a wrong name were said in different occasions and Lin could not complain about the outcome in the end.
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Ao3 link
Untitled Thwarting Fate
WIP, pre-LOK AU
Overview: Linzin endgame AU
Latest status: up to Chapter 5 uploaded in A03
1 of 3 (or 4?) chapters (or more, if I decide to post them in chunks)
I really havenât thought this out (shrugs and looks around shiftily)Pre-canon AU (prior to Book 1)
Blurb:Â All her life, Lin Beifong had been trying to go the path that she thought was right. All his life, Tenzin had been trying to go the path that he thought is expected of him. Trying being the operative word. Â --- Alternatively, the one where it started pretty much the same but with Pema's illness, the Red Lotus being active, and Lin Beifong going a detour in her career - everything changes.
Tumblr parts: 1 | 2
Ao3 link
Homecoming
One-shot, completed, pre-LOK AU
Blurb: After travelling to the different Air Temples, Tenzin arrived back at Republic City to a surprise that he did not expect.
Ao3 link
Bubble Bath
One-shot, completed, pre-LOK AU
Blurb: Lin sank into the bathtub, sighing as the warm water relaxed her tired muscles.It had been a long week and it was only Wednesday
Lin Beifong had a long and busy week at work. At least, she is able to pride herself in not forgetting any important occasion at that time. ...Or did she?
Ao3 link
Pretense
One-shot, completed, pre-LOK AU
Blurb:Â As far as the Earth Kingdom is concerned, Lin Beifong is in a relationship with the son of the Avatar .No, not that one.
Alternatively, the one where Lin engages in a mutually benefitting arrangement with the son of Aang.
Blurb: Alternatively, the one where Lin Beifongâs happiness started on the night of what was supposed to be her wedding: an encounter with Bumi during his brotherâs nuptials that turned into something more.
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Ao3 link
Arranged Legacy
One-shot, completed, pre-LOK AU
Blurb: By some ill-conceived agreement, the eldest of Toph Beifong and the eldest of Aang were arranged to be married. Neither wanted to but they felt that they had to. Could they find companionship with each other? Could they rise above their circumstance and prove once an for all that they were worthy of their parentsâ legacies? | Alternatively, see Lin and Bumi come together and make the best of their situation - and maybe create their own legacy.
Submitted as part of the 2021 Avatar Pro-Shipping Rare Pair Challenge
Ao3 link
Discretion
One-shot, completed, post-LOK AU
Blurb: Bumi watched the teenagers pair off during Varrick's wedding.
Observers might think he was turning melancholic but he wasn't.
After all, under the cloak of the night, he also had someone to pair off with.
Ao3 link
===
Tags
Generic
·    toccatina's fanfics: all fics, regardless of status or pairing
·    toccatina wip: fics which are not yet complete
·    toccatina completed: completed stories, includes one-shots
·    toccatina draft: just a draft, open-ended
·    writing prompts maybe: usually a post inspired by a prompt/message/another post
Specific
·    linzin fanfic: Lin/Tenzin stories
·    linumi fanfic: Lin/Bumi II stories
·    toccatina airbender: posts for Airbenderâs wife
·    toccatina adversity: posts for Adversity
-Â #toccatina untitled: posts for that untitled Linzin story
======
On an unrelated note:
Iâve created a ko-fi acct, feel free to drop by if you would like to donate.
I'm kind of back. As shared - life and death happened. And so I figured that I might as well let my drafts see the light of day. Unedited, unbeta-ed (is that a word?). Because why not? I'm still up in the linzin fandom (does it still exist? Are there still folks reading these things? Any recommendations for new fics that I missed in the past years??) Hope you're all doing well.
Linzin Drabble â a concept not well-thought of but I feel like I wanted to write something out.
Iâm still alive; life (and death) got in the way. But whenever I feel like I need to create something, I go back to this fandom.
---
You only see color when you meet and know your soulmate. Lin saw color too early. Tenzin saw it too late.
It was a funny thing â colors.
She never understood how It was supposed to be.
Children were supposed to see the world in shades of grey until the moment they meet their soulmate â the one person whose soul resonated with theirs. A single touch, a single glance, and the world would bloom.
This usually happens post adolescence, sometimes even all the way into someoneâs adulthood.
But not Lin Beifong. She has seen color since she was four.
They whispered freak behind her back.
Toph Beifong sighed, unsure how to raise a child who seems to have broken some sacred rule in the universe.
Being a child of a blind metalbender was enough to warrant attention.
What more being a child who sees colors?
The metalbender decided to send off her child to Gaoling.
With that, Lin learned to keep it to herself.
To pretend the world was muted.
To pretend that the sky was not blue, and the metal she bent did not shine as silver as her motherâs uniform.
She had learned to lie before she learned to trust.
She learned to hide before she learned what it all meant.
That seeing color early meant only one thing: your soulmate was already in your life.
---
He didnât know any better.
Tenzin grew up waiting.
Waiting for the moment the world would shift.
Waiting for the soulmate the spirits had promised him.
Waiting for a love that encompassed all â like his parentsâ.
Waiting for the colors he had never seen before.
He imagined them often: what blue might look like, what red might mean, what green might smell like.
He wondered if she was alive (already born?).
If she was close.
If she was looking for him too.
He wondered if he would recognize her by the way the air changed.
---
Pema claimed she was his soulmate.
The air acolyte said she saw colors.
She said it happened when she met him.
She said it softly, hopefully, like a prayer she wanted him to believe.
And he tried. Truly, he did.
But on the day of their wedding, he asked her to pass him the ceremonial golden goblet.
She placed it in his hand.
He looked down.
The goblet shown dark pewter.
Not gold.
Not even close.
And in that moment â quiet yet devastating â he knew.
---
He wondered.
He had heard the stories, albeit rare ones.
Of people who saw color burst into existence while others remained unchanged.
Of soulmates who never aligned, of timing that was cruel.
Maybe that was what happened with Pema.
Maybe she saw him and her world bloomed. Maybe she believed it so deeply that it manifested.
But he knew better.
He had always known.
---
She knew.
Lin had known the truth long before he did.
She had seen color from her first memory â a play date on an island, although a short-lived one. She barely had time to get acquainted with the other children when a horn bellowed throughout the island and her mother hurriedly pulled her and her sister to a safe room. And, she supposed, their playmates were pulled to another.
She was not immediately aware that something has changed while they stayed in the dull greyness of the saferoom. It was only when they were back to their city house did Lin see the greenness of her sisterâs eyes.
Sitting in Gaoling, she wondered which of the children they were supposed to play with was her soulmate. As months turned into years, this wonder slowly ebbed into a dull ache.
Until her mother deemed it safe for her sister and herself to return to Republic City.
The day she met Tenzin, her world sharpened.
As if everything she had seen was only a sketch and he was the ink that defined it.
She had looked at him and felt the universe settle.
She panicked.
Because she had already lived a life where she did not fit the rules. She did not want to draft him into that chaos. Not when he was already being groomed to take over his fatherâs mantle.
She did not want to be the reason he questioned everything he believed.
She kept quiet and stoic, waiting for him to acknowledge her.
---
Lin.
He saw her first as their family alighted into the island.
The way she stood â solid, unyielding and sharp as the metal she grew up bending.
The way her eyes turned away from him whether their paths crossed, as if looking at him hurt.
He felt the strange flicker in his chest the first time they met. The strange flicker of his view, a peek into colors that quickly faded back into grey.
He told himself it meant nothing.
He extended his hand to her. She gave a tight nod.
He told himself he was not disappointed.
He lied.
---
The aftermath brought calmness.
After the war with Kuvira, Republic City rebuilt. The Air Nation expanded. The Avatar headed to the Spirit World.
Life moved forward.
Lin's colors never changed.
--
Tenzin had been living his life in greyscale.
Literally and figuratively.
He lived with purpose, with duty, with loyalty.
But never with color.
Until the day after Kuvira's surrender.
He was walking through the rubble of the city, tired, grieving and relieved when he saw Lin across what used to be the city center, barking orders at the metalbenders.
And finally (finally) his world shifted.
Not exploded.
Shifted - like the dawn slowly creeping, lens snapping into focus.
Tenzin inhaled sharply, because, for the first time, he saw color.
And he knew.
He had always known.
But now he saw.
---
"Lin."
The way he said her name made her freeze.
She saw it then - how he blinked, how his breath hitched, the way he looked at her, like seeing her for the first time.
She knew what that meant.
She always knew what it meant.
Her chest ached, she had longed for this moment a lifetime ago.
But today, it was like a wound reopening.
Why now.
"I can see color."
He said it softly, like an apology. Like it was a truth that he should have spoken about decades ago.
She swallowed hard. "You're late," she whispered.
He closed his eyes. "I know."
---
"You let me think I was wrong."
"You weren't wrong."
She hated how fast he said it.
She hated how much she needed to hear it.
"Why didn't you say anything?"
"Because I was afraid of what it meant. To you, to me, to us, to the Air Nation," he whispered. "To everything."
She stared back at him. "You were afraid," she repeated. "And I was alone."
The words hit him harder than any metal cable ever could.
---
He will never know the feeling.
He will never know the despair she felt when her world of color flickered to grey as she battled P'li, knowing that for a brief moment she lost him to the Red Lotus.
He will never know the -.
---
A violent surge of spiritual energy suddenly rippled across the city ruins.
The world vibrated. The colors bended, twisted, and warped.
The glow of the Spirit World turned bright.
Lin felt a punch to her chest, Tenzin felt a gale push him.
"We need to go."
---
The Spirits were not gentle.
The spirits gathered around them.
"You carry a bond unspoken. A thread stretched thin by time."
Lin stiffened, frowning at the spirit.
"You came because your bond is unstable, unbalanced and unfulfilled." The spirit trilled.
"What does that mean?"
"It means," The spirit continued. "That soulmates who deny their connection disrupt the flow of color, of energy, of harmony." The spirit drifted closer.
It addressed Lin. "You saw color too early, because your soul recognized his before your mind could."
Lin swallowed hard.
"And you," it turned to Tenzin. "Saw color too late because you refused to look."
Tenzin's breath shook.
"You're two halves of a whole, but you have lived as fractions."
Lin looked at Tenzin.
Tenzin looked at Lin.
And, for the first time, neither looked away.
----
Note: this was a stream of consciousness kind of thing. unedited, un-beta'ed. So please forgive the possible incoherence but I do hope you enjoyed some part of it. Let me know what you think
Linzin drabble. I know I said I was back..then I wasn't. Haven't updated in a while so trying to write short ones first before delving back. Hope there are still Linzin readers out there~. Stay safe all.
------
Lin sucked in her breath as the sting of the antiseptic bit through her wound. She dabbed a few more times before wrapping the bandage tightly. It would be infinitely better if she had gone to the nearby hospital. On the other hand, she was not in the mood to be gawked at.
The sun had set and Republic City, while still chaotic, was safe from Equalists at last. Not that she had any hand in this. Lin exhaled as she gingerly moved to put the first aid kit back into the cabinet.
Once she was rescued from the makeshift jail that Amon had placed her in, Saikhan sought her out and asked for a subordinate to bring her to the nearest medical facility. He also spoke about turning over authority to her once she was up to it. She declined and scoffed. A non-bender leading the metalbending police was both impractical and ludicrous. Hence, she made an escape to go home as soon as Saikhan and the officer were distracted.
Lin knew Bumi and his fleet had arrived as the backup that Iroh had requested. She did not want to see them in this state; she wanted to make herself scarce. She had not yet fully come to terms with what she had endured. She hated this feeling. It was like something was pulled out of her soul and all that was left was a hollowness that she could not describe. And that was on top of the actual physical pain.
Said pain made itself aware, and Lin winced as she made her way to her couch, finding that going to her bedroom required energy she did not have.
Lin closed her eyes as she leaned back, angling for a comfortable position. If the rumors were to be believed, the Avatar was also victimized by Amon, albeit she had released her airbending. You win some, you lose some.
"Lin?" A familiar voice broke her reverie.
Her eyes opened wide and she swore. "What theâ"
Tenzin caught her in a hug and she shouted in pain as she shoved him.
"Sorry, sorry!" He apologized quickly, palms up in surrender.
"What on earth? Why are you here? How did you even here in?" Lin bombarded the airbender with questions as he stood in the middle of her living room, a place he had not set foot in more than a decade.
He sheepishly brought up a key.
"You idiot! Why did you keep that key?" She recognized the house key she had given him years ago.
"For emergencies like this. You're obviously not fine, but thank Agni you're alive, Lin," Tenzin quickly placed his hands (and key) in his pockets.
Lin waved him off. "What are you even doing here? I would expect that you would be busy with your family and the Air Nation."
His eyes went narrow with concern. "The last I saw you, you were jumping off the airship for my family. I never knew for sure what happened after. But now I see it's true, isn't it?"
Lin shrugged, avoiding what he was asking. "What's true?"
"You didn't sense me from earlier. What did Amon do to you?"
She looked away from his scrutiny. "Nothing I can't handle."
"You don't have to handle it alone."
"Can you even hear yourself? I don't need your pity."
"This isn't pity."
"Look. I'm just tired. In case you missed the memo, it's been a long week with me losing my job and my bending..."
"Come with me to Air Temple Island."
"Are you out of your mind?"
"I could look after you better there."
"No. You've got your hands full with the Avatar."
"We're going to the South Pole. Mother canâ"
"No, Tenzin. It's over for me."
The finality in Lin's voice worried the airbender. "Mother wouldâ," He tried again.
"I'll be fine. I promise I'll take myself to the doctor. But for now..." Lin's voice faltered, the painkillers she took earlier started to take effect.
"You have to eat."
"I'll eat later. Just go and leave your key here. I should have taken that away from you years ago." Her eyes felt heavy and they drooped closed.
Tenzin looked around. The unit looked both familiar and alien to him. He went around preparing for Lin, checking her medicine cabinet and finding some food. He would ensure she was cared for, even if from a distance.
As Lin slept, the moonlight cast long shadows across her apartment. Tenzin moved with quiet efficiency, familiar with the space yet deeply aware of how much had changed. He found some vegetables in the fridge and started to prepare a simple soup, hoping she would at least take a few sips when she woke up.
He could not help but think back to their younger days, how fierce and unstoppable Lin had always been. Seeing her like thisâwounded, exhausted, and stripped of her bendingâwas a gut punch. It was clear she needed help, but Lin being Lin, would resist it at every turn.
He set about making Lin's apartment a little more comfortable. He found some spare blankets and made up the couch into a cozy bed. He placed a glass of water and some pain relief medicine within Lin's reach.
Just as he was finishing up, Lin stirred. Her eyes fluttered open, and she took in the sight of Tenzin still in her home.
âI told you to leave,â she mumbled, voice thick with sleep and pain.
âI'm just making sure youâre okay,â Tenzin said softly.
Lin huffed but didnât have the energy to argue. She attempted to sit up, grimacing as pain flared in her side.
âHere,â Tenzin said, moving to help her. âEat something. You need your strength.â
She reluctantly accepted the bowl of soup, taking small sips. The warmth of the broth seemed to ease some of the tension in her body.
âWhatâs the plan now?â she asked, her voice gaining a bit more strength.
âBumi is organizing the cleanup in the city,â Tenzin replied. âThe Equalists may be down, but thereâs still a lot of work to do.â
âAnd the Avatar?â
âKorraâs regaining her strength. Sheâs been through a lot too.â
Lin nodded, taking in the information. âI need to get back out there. I canât sit around while everyone else is working to keep the city in order.â
Tenzin placed a hand on her shoulder. âYou will, Lin. But first, you need to heal.â
She looked at him, a mixture of frustration and gratitude in her eyes. âI hate this.â
âI know,â he said softly, helping her settle into her couch and taking the soup bowl back.
Lin sighed, a deep weariness settling over her. âJust for tonight, Iâll rest. But tomorrow, Iâm getting back out there.â
Tenzin smiled gently. âThatâs all I ask.â He knew that Lin's quick acquiesence was largely due to both the medicine and the pain she was in.
He wanted to tell her she was not alone. But that left a bitter taste in his mouth. After all, he did leave her alone for several years. She might not readily believe him this time.
Tenzin watched Lin's restless sleep. Regret washed over him. The memories of their time together resurfaced, each moment tinged with joy and eventual heartache. Breaking up with Lin had seemed the right thing to do for both their futures, but now, standing in her apartment, it felt more like a mistake.
Morning light began to creep into the room. Lin stirred again, her eyes fluttering open, meeting Tenzin's worried gaze. "You're still here?" she murmured, her voice groggy.
He nodded. "Couldn't leave you like this."
Lin attempted to sit up, grimacing as pain shot through her side. "You look like you haven't slept at all."
"Didn't feel right to sleep while you were in pain," Tenzin admitted. "Do you remember anything from last night?"
"Bits and pieces," Lin replied, her voice stronger now. "You made more soup?"
Tenzin handed her the bowl, watching as she took careful sips. "I wanted to do something, anything, to help."
Lin's eyes softened slightly. "I never thought I'd see the day you'd play nurse."
"Desperate times," he said with a small smile. "Lin, I know you don't want to hear this, but I'm sorry. For everything. For leaving you, for not being there when you needed me."
Lin looked away, her jaw tightening. "What's done is done, Tenzin."
"But it doesn't have to be," Tenzin said, stepping closer. "We can start again. Not as what we were, but as what we can be now."
Lin's silence was heavy.
"Don't you think we can move forward?" Tenzin pressed.
Lin sighed, her expression hardening. "No, Tenzin. We can't. Too much has happened. You can't just walk back into my life and expect things to be the same."
Tenzin's heart sank. "I know I've hurt you, Lin. But I want to make it right. I want to be there for you."
"You weren't there when it mattered," Lin retorted sharply. "And now, you can't just erase the past with a few words."
"Then what can I do?" Tenzin asked, his voice tinged with desperation.
Lin's eyes softened slightly, but her resolve remained firm. "You can start by respecting my space. I'm not ready to forgive, and I don't know if I ever will be."
Tenzin nodded slowly, accepting her words. "I'll respect that. But I'll still be here if you ever change your mind."
Lin looked away, a mixture of emotions flickering across her face. "Just leave the key and go, Tenzin."
Reopening my ask box for Linzin (or Linumi) prompts --
Tina | toccatina in ao3 and ko-fi | Creativity outlet | Linzin feels (#linzin fanfic)Â Currently ATLA/LOK fangirl | Multi-shipper
Trying to warm up some writing muscles đȘ I know there are on-going stories but hoping to limber up with some one-shots first to see if I can still write. đ€ and hopefully there are still folks out there who enjoy linzin (or linumi) content
Trying to write again to loosen up writer's block - check it out here:
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the
Organization for Transformative Works
Let me know what you think.
Am currently starting to revisit my drafts for my other WIPs. Here's hoping I get some time, strength, inspiration and the motivation to get back to the writing groove.
WIP
Pre-Canon AU
Lin x Tenzin
Rating: Eventual M
To the Linzin week 2021 organizers: Is it fine to post a WIP - a serialized contribution? Will post it in AO3 as well once completed âđœ
Read part 1 here.
Lin was looking forward to a quiet soak in the bath. She figured it was late at night enough that Tenzin would have retired to bed.
Upon opening the door, smoke wafted to her face. Something smelled⊠burned, she thought while coughing.
âLin, is that you?â Tenzinâs voice came from the balcony.
âWhat happened?â Lin fanned away the smoke as she to him.
Tenzin was slouched on the outdoor chair, bottle of beer in hand. âI attempted to cook.â Tenzinâs face was pinched.
âAw, you were supposed to have a dinner date?â She leaned on the doorway. âScared the poor girl away?â
There was a strange look on the airbenderâs face. âNoâŠshe didnât show up.â
âIâm sorry.â She said and realized she was sincere about it. She pointed to him and waved to the still dissipating smoke. âDidnât think to use airbending?â
âOh.â Tenzinâs eyebrows furrowed. âTo be honest, I wasnât thinking straight.â Then he took a swig off the beer bottle.
Ah, it was that kind of night.
By all appearances, the airbender was a stickler for air nomad tradition. However, his parents both agreed to raised him and his siblings in a more liberal way. This resulted in the siblings to adapt any practices of their parentsâ heritage into the quickly modernizing society.
And that includes the occasional alcoholic drink for this airbending master.
âHow was work? A little bit late, isnât it?â
âTerrible.â Lin slumped into the opposite garden chair and grabbed the bottle off Tenzinâs hand. âOne of the detectives mucked up the paperwork. His sergeant and I had to work double time to meet the deadline for the indictment.â She took a gulp from the bottle before giving it back.
There was a relief in his expression that puzzled her.
âThatâs grea- terrible indeed.â
She rolled her eyes. âSarcasm still does not suit you, airhead.â
Tenzin continued to punctuate the otherwise quiet night air with comments about his day and questions about Linâs.
They took turns from the bottle until Tenzin finished the last swallow. âThis is nice.â
âHmmm?â
âWe havenât had this long a conversation since... I donât remember when.â
Huh.
Tenzin gestured to get more beer and she nodded.
She sat back, scratching her arm as she thought.
That was sad, in reality.
But nice. No expectations. Reverting to their old habits, their old patterns to before they became a couple.
She squinted.
That had been so long ago.
âSay, do you want to go up?â Tenzin held two bottles of bear, cold with icy condensation at its surface.
âI donât see why not.â Lin stretched, took one bottle of beer then followed Tenzin to the rooftop.
There was no actual furniture on the rooftop, but there were some wooden crates that they had fashions into makeshift seats and tables.
Pulling up a crate, Lin remembered why they selected this apartment.
It was not in the more glamorous districts in the city. It was quite close to the suburbs, to be honest. That was something they both liked to have maybe in the future, a quaint quiet home in the suburbs. Until then, this is the closest they could get.
And well, they took it on because the apartment unit was at the top floor with easy access to the rooftop.
Tenzin settled little ways to the side, about two crates away from her.
She popped open both of their bottles.
âThere isnât a lot of stars tonight.â
A glance at Tenzin revealed he was observing the sky.
Lin simply shrugged. She knew him well enough to know that a Tenzin who has had alcohol is a talkative Tenzin.
âWe were discussing about oral tradition earlier in class. One of the students shared about the Earth Kingdom superstition that you can actually use the stars to find your soulmate.â Tenzin hunched on his knees, picking at the label of the bottle. âDo you believe any of that?â
âBelieve what?â She decided to humor him.
âSoulmates.â He replied quietly, not meeting her gaze.
âSoulmatesâŠâ Lin took a gulp of beer first, considering her words. âCanât say I do.â
The airbender now turned to her. In his haste, his almost full bottle had liquid swished on the floor. âWhy not?â
âI mean, look at people we grew up with,â Lin grimaced, using her fingers to count. âUncle Sokka didnât really settle down, did he? Was his soulmate the moon spirit? We can never know.â She took a tip and pointed out another finger. âMy mom â we donât even have to explain that further -.â
âBut doesnât the thought of someone out there to be with you sound, well, reassuring?â
âNot really. Sounds like a load of excuses not to put effort into a relationship since you knew from the get-go, youâre for each other.â
âSo, you really donât believe in soulmates?â Tenzin asked slowly.
âPffft no, of course not. Soulmates? Oh, come on.â Lin decided a change in topic was needed as the current conversation was about to get maudlin.
 ---
He tore off the label of the bottle.
But, I do.
 ***
As with any of their annual vacations, aside from a day or two spent with the entire group, everyone was pretty much left to their own devices.
This made their farce a bit easier to pull off.
Tenzin decided early on to spend most of the time in their room. Lin was barely there anyway so it work.
Tock-tock-tock.
âI know youâre in there.â
Knowing that his brother will not leave until he acknowledged him, Tenzin opened the door.
Bumi entered without waiting to be invited in, hands behind his back. He made a face on the papers sprawled on the table and most of the other surfaces in the cabin room. âCome now, Tenzin â thereâs a reason why itâs a vacation.â
âI need to get this done.â It was a weak argument, and he knew it.
Bumi knew it.
âWeâve seen more of Lin than you in the past few days. So that means you havenât had a lot of couple time either.â
âWe see each other all the time.â Tenzin prevaricated. Technically, they did occasionally cross paths at work.
 ---
Bumi rolled his eyes. âSure â at work, eh? Well, if I canât bring you out to the party â Iâll bring it here until to agree to get out.â He brought out his ammunition. âUncle Sokkaâs personal brew!â
Tenzin struggled to catch the tall suspicious (yet unfortunately familiar) bottle.
âIâm not drinking, Bumi.â
âOh yes, you are.â He swiped the papers off the couch and plunked himself on it.
He did not really have any other agenda other than to get Tenzin relaxed enough to join them for tonightâs excursion.
Bumi grinned as his baby brother finally popped open his bottle.
 ---
But, whoo boy, a Tipsy Tenzin was a Talkative Tenzin.
 ---
âYouâve broken up for that long?! Spirits, Tenzin! Why didnât you think to tell me or anyone?
âLook, I knew you were proposing to Izumi this week. We didnât want to take that away from you.â
âStill.â Bumi pondered a bit. Maybe his brother needs a wingman now? âDo you want me to bring you over with boys, when weâre over at Republic City? We can introduce you or better yet, we can go around town now and -.â
âNo, thank you, Bumi.â
âDonât you still live together?â
âYes.â
Are you stupid? âHow is that going for you?â
âItâs fine. Weâre now glorified roommates. It still gives me privacy from our parents, you know. And a bit of a sanctuary. And itâs fine. We do our own thing and itâs fine.â
âBro, you said itâs fine too many times.â
âLinâs totally fine with it.â A beat. âSheâs a big girl, she can take care of herself. Itâs not like sheâd like to move back to their old house either.â
Bumi frowned but agreed.âTo be fair â no one asked us about our relationship so we havenât been lying.â
âYes, youâve been omitting the truth. I see youâre fitting really well in city hall, councilman.â Bumi patted him on the back.
 ---
Clunk.
âOh, Iâm sorry â did I wake you?â
The whiff of air that wafted towards him smelt of smoke, sweat, the odd smell of old alcohol, and something distinctly Lin.
âNo, I was doing â.â His eyes scanned quickly the bedside table. âSome light reading.â He put up the pamphlet. âYou didnât disturb me.â He saw the clock say it was three in the morning.
âSorry,â Lin was quickly pulling out clothes from her side of the cabinet. âDonât worry â Iâll just take a quick shower and try not make a lot of noise. Iâll head on to bed too.â
Tenzin turned to his side of the bed, unwilling to think of what (or who, he thought distastefully) Lin might have been doing.
Not that she wasnât in the position to do so. Of course, she was well within in her rights to do so.
Maybe telling Bumi wasnât the smartest idea. True, he promised to keep it to himself.
Rather, Tenzin knew Bumi and the rest had gotten back to their accommodations a couple of hours earlier (judging by the racket when they were trudging nearby).
Usually, Bumi would have insisted to see to it that all of their party would have gone home together. But then again, knowing that Lin was now single, he probably did not mind if Lin had gone off on her ownâŠ
The sounds of the shower from the en suite can be heard.
Tenzin pressed his palms to his eyes.
He told Bumi it was fine.
Who was he kidding â it wasnât fine. He wasnât fine.
And, unfortunately, he didnât know what to do about it since only one-half of the broken-up couple did not seem to be fine.
Legend of Korra, Lin/Tenzin, Modern AU, no bending
Blurb: A modern AU with no bending where Lin finds herself with three kids, where Tenzin is Mr Big Shot CEO, where Mako is an overprotective son, where Ikki endears herself to Lin, where Bumi is the cool meddling godfather/uncle and where Pema is out of the picture.
Multi-part, WIP
-----
First part of the chapter here, an excerpt:Â
Tenzin finished sharing his updates on his findings on the shopping mall context of Republic City. He motioned to end the video conference and one by one, the rest of his board members and leadership team dropped from the call.
Except his brother.
âEnough business, how are you? You seem preoccupied.â
Consider the idea of Lin /Bumi badly timed proposals"? (just a humble linumi shipper loving your fanfics)
Note: Here's my belated response to this prompt. It ran away from me again until I struggled to close the story out. Hope you like it!
One-shot
Post-canon AU
Lin x Bumi II
Also on AO3.Â
---
Outside of the military, Bumi was known to be the spontaneous one. The Avatarâs child who was the most likely to get into trouble. Or get into an adventure, as his grinning father would correct. He was the kid who took quickly to throwing fruit pies to the air acolytes. He was the teen who travelled to the next city because there was a Pro-bending competition happening there. As an adult, he was also the one who tried (and succeeded in) applying for the United Forces on a whim.
It was not often that Bumi would plan for anything linked to his personal life.
This was why, on the weeks leading up to that Night (with a capital N), he felt out of his depth. He did what he did best and tried to plan as he would regarding a military campaign.
This was why he thought he was assured of success.
What he did not count on was the extraneous factors, which was their extended family and social circle.
That â and the weather.
---
âBooms -Iâm sorry, itâs not going to work out.â Irohâs voice crackled over the telephone. âThat downpour wouldnât make anything stick long enough to be legible.â
Bumi sighed as he peered at the window of Tenzinâs study. The waves did crash unpleasantly against the edge of Air Temple Island as the rain fell. âWell, we can still move it tomorrow, right? You and the boys are still free?â
âOf course, provided that the weather is better. As for our availability - ,â Whatever Iroh said was lost as the line crackled again as it was wont to do when the weather was poor. Bumi clicked his tongue. Tenzin really needed to have some repairs made in this temple. â- So after that, we can definitely pick it up for you.â
âGreat!â Bumi could care less if they need to adjust the timing a bit â as long as it pushesthrough.
He did not need the details.
---
Or maybe, he should have probed for more details.
The retired commander saw that now as he watched visitors mill around Air Temple Island.
Various air acolytes and airbenders from the different temples now crowd the usually empty courtyard.
How was he to know that it was time for the anniversary of the return of the airbenders? He did not even know there was an identified datefor that.
Or maybe, he would have known had he listened to Tenzinâs lectures.
He scratched his chin, pensively, wondering if this might change anything when something cold and wet lashed at his behind.
âHello, Bumi.â His sister walked over, a water whip formed at her side, grinning as she usually did.
âMother said you shouldnât hit people.â
âMother said a lot of things that you didnât follow.â Kya crossed her arms mockingly. She nodded to the entrance of the residential building where their mother stood, surrounded by her youngest grandchildren.
He understood. They never could begrudge their mother anything, especially now with her waning health.
A sea of green passed in the periphery.
âI see Suyin and her brood are here.â Bumi contemplated briefly if it would have any impact to his plans.
Kya commented. âDid they really have to be always in green?â
âDid you always have to be in blue?â
âTouche.â Kya shrugged. âThough, I needed to be blue to occasionally camouflage in the South Pole if I needed to be stealthy.â
âFor what?â
From afar, they see Katara beckoning Kya forward from where she and Pema stood by the stoop of the house. âIâll go get settled now.â
Bumi excused himself, citing some reason to check on something, which, technically he needed to do.
âTenzin said nothing formal; nothing big. Just a small gathering.â The loud voice of the Avatar grumbled.
The clinking of metal was heard next before Bumi rounded the corner. âAnd yet, everyone is here.â
âChief Beifong!â
âAvatar.â Lin inclined her head in greeting, with blank politeness on her face.
Bumi knew better though â the slight tightening of her jaw and the grip she had on her belt: oh, Lin was irritated.
âWhatâs up?â Korra toyed with the sleeves of her formal wear, obviously uncomfortable.
âHow are your travels?â Bumi interjected, popping beside Lin before she manages any acerbic remark.
âWe are travelling in style! I think I could get used to it.â
âI think you already are.â Asami looked on with amusement.
âYouâre lucky,â Bumi pointed towards where Oogi and the younger bison were flying around. âDad had to travel on a sky bison.â
âMom said it wasnât pleasant.â Lin wrinkled her nose.
âThere! You! Are!â Bolin ran and huffed as he arrived before them, doubling over in the effort. âWing and Wei just found where the food was being prepared, we can sneak off to get some before theâ oh hello Chief Beifong!â
âI did not hear anything.â Lin looked skyward and waved her hand at them.
âBeifong!â Bumi quickly caught up with Lin, who strode off quickly when the teenagers started talking about food. âAre you on duty?â
âYes.â Lin sighed, putting her hand on her hips then stomping, doing a seismic perimeter check. âI know, but I have to.â
âIâll look for you later.â
âAlright. Weâre a bit stretched â Tenzin did not give us the correct numbers of attendees, as usual.â Her forehead crinkled as she concentrated on the perimeter check. âGood thing the Fire Lord sent General Iroh and some of his men to represent their nation.â
âOh, thatâs what he meant.â Bumi murmured to himself.
Lin glanced at him in askance.
âIroh.â Bumi did not want to expound further. Lin had a way of ferreting out the truth from him without seismic sense anyway.
Bumi accompanied her like a silent sentinel as Chief Beifong went about doing check to her team and on the island.
They have finally arrived at the main courtyard where the usually unflappable master airbender was fluttering about like a bright orange butterfly, holding several sheets of paper, which no doubt was the program for the day.
Lin groaned when Tenzin noticed them.
âLin!â
âI better go ahead.â With one final eye-rolling, Lin left Bumiâs side before he could even ask where she will be stationed at the end of the program.
âTrouble in paradise?â
Bumi jumped a bit, startled by Kya once again. âOf course not, my meddling gossipy sister.â
She offered him a drink, which he rightly declined. âWhatâs Tenzin up to?â
The man was now talking rapidly to the chief of police. They were far enough not to hear them but near enough to see what was going on.
âHeâs quite excitable.â The retired military man shrugged. âThank the spirits for Pema, that woman is a saint.â
âYou mean, thank the spirits for Lin,â Kya nodded towards the pair as she took a sip of her drink. âPema was just about ready to rip her hair off these past days. She was looking quite frazzled earlier and after a drink or two, bam! Out tumbled everything - Tenzin was anxious and has been driving her nuts with all the prep for todayâs celebration.â She raised a glass to the earthbender and airbender on the main event area. âBut look over there â just a few words from our dear Chief of Police and the man calms down.â
Bumi could not help but tense up as he observed Lin and Tenzin on the platform.
As Lin continued to converse with his younger brother, Tenzin began to slowly deflate. A smile started to form on the earlier stressed airbenderâs face and the corner of Linâs lips upturned, a ghost of a smile.
âI swear â those two, I wonder how it would have turned out for them had they known this was going to happen anywayâŠâ Kya trails off, as though suddenly realizing who she was talking to. âI mean â hey, theyâre both in happy relationships and itâs perfect and -.â
Bumi swallowed drily, drowning out his sisterâs voice.
He had thought about that occasionally, really. There was nothing to go on and Lin had been upfront about, well, everything so he knew where her heart is.
But, looking at the pair now, at the anniversary of the return of the airbenders, supposedly the pinnacle of all their argumentsâŠ
âBooms â donât do anything stupid.â
Now that snapped him from his maudlin thoughts. âWhy is it that everyone thinks Iâm gonna do something stupid when I keep quiet? Itâs a bit offensive, you know.â
âBumi, I didnât mean -.â
No matter, Bumi was adamant that his Plan pushes through.
Everyone on Air Temple Island (and even those at the edge of Republic City) looked up to see fireworks littering the night sky.
âBEIFONG⊠WILLâŠYOU⊠ohmy sweet - is that a ring??? .. ME.â Suyin squealed as she read what the fireworks were spelling out.
There was a cacophony from the courtyard of Air Temple Island as everyone sought to find which Beifong was being proposed to.
From their perches around the island, Iroh and the UF men whooped in success of their mission tonight â deploying the firework proposal.
âOH-MY-BOLIIIIN!â
All eyes were on Opal who was clutching at a wide-eyed earthbender.
âWhat?!â
Various voices added to the din, shouting different things.
âBolin did you really?!â Mako pointed up to the sky.
âWhat â no I did not. Iâm not marrying â I mean,â Bolin swiftly turned to Opal. âI would like to marry you.â Then he shouted at Su and Baatar Seniorâs direction. âBut not now. One day but not now â I mean, I need to talk to Su and Baat â oh shit Suâs gonna kill me.â
Attention turned to Baatar and Suyin.
âUm no,â Baatar shrugged casually, an arm around his wife. âItâs not our anniversary anytime soon.â
Suyin was still being antsy. âWing! Wei! Did any of you -?â She saw her twins wave up their arms in surrender, wildly shaking their heads as they each held a plate of food. âIf thatâs not youâŠâ
âKuvira and Junior â.â Wei.
âThat is unlikely.â Wing.
âHuan?â Both Wing and Wei asked, everyoneâs heads swiveled to the artistic Beifong.
âExcuse me.â Huan looked very offended, as though it was an insult that someone would be proposing to him in public.
Bumiâs face fell as the Beifongs present began arguing as to who the firework proposal was for and the actual Beifong who the proposal was meant for was nowhere to be seen.
Just then a soft squeal and a sniffle came from Kyaâs side.
Pema was holding to her arm. âNo-no-no â itâs for Lin, donât you see? Thatâs why â Tenzin is leaving me.â Every other word was punctuated with a sniffle. âThatâs why theyâve been talking over plans and thatâs why â I saw them talk to Jinora the other day. Oh-airbenders-Tenzin is -leaaving me.â
âAhem, I have an announcement!â
Now, everyone turned to stare back at the platform where Tenzin stood. Behind him, stood two more people - Lin Beifong stood in his shadows, arms crossed, a guard observing the proceedings, while Jinora stood to the side with a nervous smile, hands at her back.
âOoohhhh!â Pema let out a wail.
âShh, Pema!â
Bumi froze. There have been still some lingering insecurities that were in relation to his brother that would take a long time to tamp down. With the manâs whimpering wife at the side and his own significant other beside said man, it did not take much to wear Bumi down to his insecurities.
âThis has been a long time coming and before anything else,â Tenzin paused at this to throw a significant look at his back. âI would like to say that this is no split second decision, weâve talked about it and well â.â
No way he was going to let Tenzin take over his plan tonight.
âI will be stepping down soon with Jinora as my successor.â
âLinBeifong, will you marry me?â
Two voices rang into the night, clearly silencing any other words that might have been going on.
Bumi did not care for or did not mind what the reactions of the people around them were. He only had eyes for the earthbender who was gaping at him then looking back at the sky then back at him.
He worried the longer it took for Lin to react.
From his side, Pema sagged in relief against her sister-in-law while Jinora and Tenzin stood at the platform, greeting well-wishers.
Lin, meanwhile, was yet to do anything other than stand still.
âOH â we forgot the most eligible Beifong of today!â Bolin stated the obvious, pointing to the sky and back at Chief Beifong on the stage.
âWhat are you doing, go get her.â Kya nudged him from the back.
Bumi ran to the stage, almost tripping on his formal robes. âLin â Iâm so sorry â I didnât think it would be this public â I -.â Lin hated public displays. âI ainât doing this to pressure, I -.â
Lin gripped his arm to stop him from speaking.
The crowd went silent as Suyin could be heard shushing everyone (âQuiet! We need to hear what her answer is!â).
Bumiâs heart sank as Lin pulled away from him.
This is it. The Rejection.
He could only look to the ground, unwilling to face family, friends and even his former colleagues in the UF.
Suddenly there was a rumble on the ground as Lin extended a leg in front of her and she raised her arms slowly with a grunt.
âYES â BUMI â I â WILL â dear Agni â Liiiin is marrying Bumi!â Suâs shrill voice read out the words etched on the courtyard.
Tenzin groaned, mumbling about the destruction of his courtyard.
âShut it, airhead. That courtyard has seen worse when you broke up with -.â
Nope, he did not want to hear about their break-up and so Bumi took Lin in his arms and planted a nice long kiss to seal the deal.
He pulled back and was met with a large grin on Linâs face.
It might not have worked as he expected or planned it to be but at least, he could honestly say that it was -
WIP
Pre-Canon AU
Lin x Tenzin
Rating: Eventual M
To the Linzin week 2021 organizers: Is it fine to post a WIP - a serialized contribution? Will post it in AO3 as well once completed âđœ
Read part 1 here.
Republic City, a couple of months ago
 After another one of their shouting matches, Tenzin gripped the edges of the dining table tightly. Lin, at the other side, stood up as well, breathing heavily.
Their arguments were becoming more frequent in the past few weeks. It started with small things in the household and soon escalated to the more Serious Stuff.
To be honest, Tenzin was no longer quite sure what their argument tonight started with. He watched warily the earthbending drinking water in front of him. Whatever they started with, tonightâs fight ended with both accusing the other of not being as committed to their relationship as the other.
Lin put down her glass of water. âWe canât resolve this in one night, can we?â There was resignation on her expression.
Tenzin ran a hand on his face. âNo, we canât.â
âWhat do we do now?â Lin toyed with the fringes of the tablecloth that his mother had gifted them with as a housewarming present. When they had informed their parents that they will move in together at this quaint apartment at the edge of Republic City, Katara was excited to hear that they were taking their relationship seriously and had immediately turned to sewing them something for the house. âWe canât continue like this.â
He let go of the table, moving backwards to lean on the counter behind him. Tenzin felt tired suddenly. It was as if all the stress from the past weeks dropped on his shoulders.
His father has started to unload more responsibility of the Air Nation to him. Lin, meanwhile, had been promoted recently. Not to mention, the city council had been hounding him to convince his mother to allow a statue to be erected in her honor. Katara hated that.
âMaybe we should -.â
âYouâre right.â He interrupted, causing Lin to look up at him. âWe canât go on like this. I agree - we should break up.â
âBreak up?â Lin was taken aback. âWhat are you â that wasnât what I -.â
Tenzin backpedaled. âThat wasnât what you were going to suggest?â
âNo!â Lin worked her mouth, opening and closing. She was at a loss for words. She decided to sit down. âI was going to say take a break, get back to it later, just notâŠâ She gestured her hands to the food on the table. âNow. Letâs have dinner first.â She pinched the bridge of her nose. âBut, Tenzin, really, be honest â is that what you think? How long have you been thinking⊠Do you think we should break up?â
 ---
Lin worried her lip between her teeth, forcing herself to control her feelings as Tenzin, after saying a few choice words, left the house to cool off.
She wanted to swipe her arm on the different dishes on the table. The night started so innocuous; she had gotten home early to prepare a special dinner for them.
Somehow, it had gone sideways quickly. All their previous arguments were unearthed and until they ended up with a mutual agreement. One that, she hoped, would not bite them in the ass.
It was a shame to let the food go to waste.
Even if her appetite had all but vanished, Lin was not one to throw food away. She piled a little bit of everything on her plate and poured herself a glass of wine. She carried the plate and glass outside to their small balcony. She started eating, balancing the plate and glass on the railing, and was drawn to the stars that were visible from their balcony.
Admittedly, it was one of the things that attracted Tenzin and her to renting out this apartment. It was far enough for their privacy, near enough to be accessible to their workplaces and high enough that the cityâs artificial light does not obscure the view of the nighttime sky.
The earthbender chewed her food contemplatively. It would be shame to move out, wouldnât it?
 ---
City hall
âGood afternoon, Captain! Councilman Tenzin is in his office right now.â Tenzin heard his assistant from the other side before his office doors burst open.
Enter Captain Beifong of RCPD, who strode purposefully in, stopping only when she was right in front of his desk. The doors swung shut behind her.
âTenzin!â She leaned on the desk and Tenzin could see the vein on her forehead.
âGood afternoon to you too, Captain Beifong.â He played dumb to prolong the inevitable.
âYou know why Iâm here.â Lin rolled her eyes. âWould you care to tell me why did I just have lunch with your parents and that they, oh, that they were booking a room for the two for us in the next family getaway?â
âListen Lin â .â
âNo, you listen. Why didnât you tell them weâre done? That weâve broken up?â
âI canât, okay? Theyâre both so pleased for us. Iâm looking for a good timing.â
Lin scoffed. âIs there ever a good timing to break up?â
âWell.â Tenzin scratched his beard.
âDonât â answer that!â
âAnd I canât disappoint Dad right now.â
âOf course, thatâs the reason. After all thatâs exactly why we -.â Lin cleared her throat and Tenzin could see how she visibly tried to control herself. âWell, alright then. As long as weâre on the same page.â
 ---
 Neither one had gone public about it, but it was fairly obvious at their respective workplaces.
Interestingly, no one dared ask about it. It was probably because there were more infinitely important issues that took residence on the news headlines. The Triads were acting up and the construction of the Southern Water Tribe cultural center had finally started. There was also something about Fire Nation colonies in the Earth Kingdom that newly crowned Queen Houting was declaring Earth Kingdom subjects.
The city was preoccupied with other things, his parents were away, and her mother has relinquished her position in both the metalbending academy and the police department.
She had to hand it to Tenzin, now that Lin thought about it â it was a good time to break up.
 ---
They were practical.
They were responsible.
They were the smart ones.
And yet, Tenzin questioned if they were really intelligent â given their decisions as of late.
He lightly fingered the small bright yellow piece of paper that Lin left on their corkboard. It had been their practice to leave notes as needed; sometimes to leave sweet messages or to let the other know where they would be during the day.
The airbender crumpled the paper in his palm.
Now that they have broken up, the corkboard mainly contained reminders for their bills, a grocery list or a chore schedule.
Tenzin snorted.
Yes, they were real smart, deciding to continue sharing a living space with their ex.
Close quarters, close contact â heck, even one bed (âNot gonna matter, airhead, weâre barely home at the same time anyway.â).
He had been revisiting their decision in the past months.
He started to see the little things that he had taken for granted.
And, what he initially thought was a sense of relief was starting to taste like regret.
Meanwhile, Lin, as he saw it was quite able to adjust to their living arrangements.
She was more subdued at home the earlier part of their break-up. But, resilient as she is, she started to go back to normal.
He kicked off his sandals and padded towards the balcony.
Which building, he wondered at the blinking lights, was she in now?
What was she doing right now?
Or who â his mind added nastily.
The crumpled note in his hand said: âRoommate â Iâll be out late. Donât wait up.â
Roommate. He almost sneered. Thatâs what theyâve been reduced to.
Hereâs another one of my late contributions. This was quite fun to write. Hope you enjoy it too.
One-shot, AU
Lin x Tenzin
Note: Set in the same universe as my other stories â Contentment and The Airbenderâs Wife.Â
 You can read this in AO3 as well.
Lady Lin Beifong and Guest
You are cordially invited to the unveiling of the latest luxury model of the Satomobile.
The next lines were on the event details.
Tenzin flipped the invitation close; he had read enough.
Lady Lin Beifong and guest indeed.
If he did not know any better, he would have thought that the invitation was harmless enough. Just the standard generic invitation a local company was sending out to the influential people of the city.
Unfortunately, he did know better. This was a smarmy way of Hiroshi Sato to remind him how insignificant the airbender was to modern society.
âWell?â Linâs voice cut through his internal monologue that was all about disparaging thoughts on the industrialist. âAre you free on that night?â
âOh, are you asking me to join you?â Tenzin feigned ignorance. âDo you mean to say, Lady Lin â I will be your lowly guest for the night?â
Lin flicked a small pebble to this forehead. âDonât be daft, Tenzin. Of course, youâre my plus one. There was never a doubt about that. So, how about it?â She took back the invitation and envelope from him.
She grabbed the pen that he had on his office desk and was poised to respond to the RSVP.
Tenzin pretended to go through the calendar and the planner his assistant had on this table. Lin flicked another pebble at him, knowing his tactics. Despite being engaged with each other for more than a year, Tenzin still regards Hiroshi Sato as a sore spot in his and Linâs relationship.
He huffed when he confirmed from his calendar that the night of the launch was marked free.
Of course, he had some misgivings. Hiroshi and Lin had dated before they had and had been engaged for longer than they were.
Well, if he, Tenzin, had his way, they would not be engaged for longer than Lin and Sato. He would make sure to seal the deal soonest.
Plock!
âStop with the pebbles, woman. Where are you even getting them? Iâm free to attend the Future Industries gala.â
 ---
Tenzin had to acknowledge that Sato had pulled out all the stops in his latest press event. The venue was spacious and shiny, with overhead lights that sparkled. The food spread and drinks were lavish and decadent. The people were colorful and elegant, reeking of affluence and influence.
However, none of these people held a candle to the Lady Lin Beifong.
All eyes and all cameras were on them when Tenzin softly airbended them down Oogi, assisting Lin to alight as gracefully as she possibly can from the sky bison.
He knew that Lin had several formal dresses in her wardrobe (all part and parcel of being a Beifong lady) but tonightâs dress was one of his favorites. It consisted of a form-fitting silken bodice that tapers off to a flowing tulle skirt. The sleeveless canary yellow top with blue embroidery accentuated her figure and her toned forearms. And, to his chagrin, the slits of shimmering tulle skirt of yellow and sienna highlighted Linâs smooth legs when he bended them down the bison.
While he was proud to arrive with her on his arm, he was feeling a bit awkward now as he stood by while Lin talked shop with a visiting high-ranking detective from Omashu.
The airbender excused himself by offering to get a refill of Linâs drink. He extricated himself and went off to the bar, trying to recall which one was Linâs drink.
ââŠShe looked lovely, didnât she? Resplendent and I bet that gown of hers is worth a fortune.â
âI agree. Such a pity she needed to get transported about with that beast.â
âOh, come on now, darling, thereâs no need to be rude using the term beast.â The speaker paused. âAnd the sky bison didnât add to their overall charm either.â
Tenzin felt his face heat up as the guests from a nearby cocktail table gossiped and tittered.
Another guest piped up. âWell, who knows, maybe Lady Beifong will put in an order for latest satomobile tonight. No doubt she is capable of buying one.â
âIndeed.â A snooty-sounding foreign man agreed. âHowever, we do have to take account of that monk of hers. Donât they have a vow of poverty or arenât they against worldly comforts?â
The first guest, the one who talked about the dress being expensive, spoke up again. âProbably, I mean, he probably only has that one set of formal robes that he wears on every occasion.â
âLady Beifong wouldnât have to stand for all that inconvenience and disgrace had she not broken up with Hiroshi Sato.â
There was a chorus of murmuring agreement.
âWell, until they are wed â it could still changeâŠâ
Tenzin decided he had enough of eavesdropping and selected the brightest fruit punch before hurrying back to Linâs side, keen not to be seen by the snobbish group.
âHereâs your refill, dear.â Tenzin thrust the glass in between them, drawing a startled reaction for both Lin and Sato. âHope it hasnât gotten tedious; Iâm sorry for taking too long.â He stared pointedly at Sato, who took a step back.
âDonât worry about it, Tenzin.â Lin thanked him and took a sip. âHiroshi was just telling me more details about his latest model.â
Sato cleared his throat. âYes, Master Tenzin as I was telling Lin, this model is a little bit more environmental-friendly than the earlier model. The cushions are likewise more comfortable and would offer more protection in the event of an impact.â
Tenzin simply nodded with disinterest, subtly taking Linâs unoccupied arm and hooking it around his. Sato was droning on more features and the airbender decided to tune him out. Until he heardâŠ
ââŠIn fact, let me offer you a large discount, for old timeâs sake.â
âI can afford your satomobile!â
It took Tenzin a few seconds to realize he was the one who blurted out the last statement.
Lin and Sato looked at him oddly, as did four people within hearing radius.
âYes, dear, we know you can.â Lin leaned forward, placing a hand on his chest. âBut this is about the bulk purchase order for Headquarters. The contract made between RCPD and Future Industries has lapsed so we were talking about drafting a new one.â
âWhile Iâm sure you can buy a satomobile,â Sato had the gall to poke his nose into his faux pas. âI donât suppose the Air Nation would be pleased if you bought a fleet for the police department.â
âOf course, I knew that.â Tenzin bit out, then took a swig out of whatever swill he had chosen for his drink. âI was just saying -.â
âOh, Hiroshi â I think thatâs your master of ceremonies calling for you?â Lin suddenly pointed towards the stage, where, true enough, a man in bright blue formal wear was scoping the crowd.
Sato immediately excused himself and asked them to enjoy the libation.
âWhat was that?â Lin untangled her arm from his and turned him so that they were face to face. âDo you really want to purchase a satomobile?â
âDonât you?â Tenzin threw back at her. âYou seemed pretty fascinated by all those add-ons and features -.
âI was being polite.â
But Tenzin continued as though Lin has not spoken. ââAnd then, maybe at least you wonât have to arrive at fancy gatherings on a large hairy beast.â
âIâm fine with Oogi. He grew on me even if, I do agree with mom, that sky bison tends to smell during long trips.â
âOh yes but this satomobile â it has all the works. Itâs fancy, itâs rich, itâs comfortable, and itâs accepted by the upper-class. Not at all shabby, an embarrassment or out of fashion.â
âHold up,â Lin raised a hand and wave the glass of fruit punch. âWhat is this really about? As Iâve said - Iâm fine with Oogi and I barely need to transport myself around the city unless itâs for work.â Â She tilted Tenzinâs chin so he was looking at her. âAre we still talking about satomobiles?â
âOf course.â Tenzin could be stubborn too, and he does have his pride. He did not want his woman to be ashamed of him. He can provide for her, after all.
âOh, Tenzin. Dear.â The earthbenderâs lip quirked up to the side, revealing her amusement, but Tenzin refused to drop his serious countenance. âWell, true â this satomobile might be a bit more comfortable, it might even have more amenities and yes, it is quite showy.â Tenzin shifted uncomfortably. âBut â with Oogi, heâs a beloved sky bison. Iâve known Oogi since I was a child. I trust Oogi with all my heart and I know that Oogi will not let me down. Ever.â
Tenzin did not even think twice and leaned forward to capture a quick kiss on Linâs lips.
She always did know what to say to assuage his doubts.
âThank you.â Tenzin murmured, his forehead on Linâs.
Lin pulled back with her eyebrows raised. âWhy are you saying thanks? Shouldnât Oogi be the one doing so?â
He swallowed Linâs laughter with another kiss.
He did not even mind the sudden camera flash to the side, knowing that this would be part of the double spread in tomorrowâs news feature on the satomobile launch.
Oogi would definitely receive a double helping of the special hay from the Fire Nation tonight.
 ---
Present day.
ââŠAnd that is why, Korra, Iâd rather that you do not accept the satomobile that Tarrlok has sent over.â Tenzin finished his retelling at the Avatar who looked non-plussed.
âOr I could simply say I donât feel right about taking something that luxurious coming from taxpayersâ money â assuming of course that he did charge it to city hall.â Korra drummed her fingers on her cheek. âOr that itâs not right accepting something that expensive since it would be misconstrued as a bribe.â
âHuh.â The airbender blinked at the teenaged avatar. âYouâre right.â
âYep,â Korra grinned, eyes crinkling. âI do read the materials you told me to, even if it was so boring. That constitution and by-laws of Republic City is one snooze fest. But I figured I need to be familiar with it in case Chief decides to land me in jail again.â She added cheekily.
Tenzin stood dumbfounded as Korra excused herself to head on to training.
âOh, by the way, thanks for telling me that story, though honestly, I could do away with your descriptions of Linâs âfigureâ, âtoned forearms, and âsmooth legsâ.â Korra used air-quotes and hurried off with a laugh at the airbending masterâs reddening forehead.
WIP
Pre-Canon AU
Lin x Tenzin
Rating: Eventual M
To the Linzin week 2021 organizers: Is it fine to post a WIP - a serialized contribution? Will post it in AO3 as well once completed âđœ
 I told myself Iâll only post completed one-shots during Linzin Week. That was the plan. However, like some plans, it goes awry. So here I am, posting an incomplete story for Linzin week â which hasnât even touched upon the prompt yet. Donât you worry though â this will be a Linzin happy ending. But without further ado â hereâs my contribution (so far!) for Day 3: Stargazing.Â
------------------------------------
Tenzin did not realize that you could be so close and yet so distant to a person.
With Lin Beifong seated beside him, laughing at the antics of his brother, and his arm draped at the back her chair, Tenzin felt as detached as he could be from the earthbender.
It was time, yet again, for the annual vacation that their extended family took.
His father always emphasized the importance of balance. It simply would not do to be all about work, the government, politics, academics, and various responsibilities. They should always make time for their family and relaxation. Thus, their yearly tradition was born.
This year the group elected to spend time in one of the lesser-known Earth Kingdom villages. Sokka had stumbled upon it during one of his trips and had raved about how it was the perfect tourist trap. There were springs, there was a resort, there were bars, there was a shopping center, there were inns and more â there was something for everybody and during the off-season, they were practically guaranteed privacy. The schedule was noted, and arrangements were made.
This year, Tenzin wanted to desperately say pass to the vacation. He tried to get out of it. As expected, he did not have a choice or was at least guilted into attending. He never could say no to his mother after all, who had pointed out the if the Fire Lord or his father (the Avatar) could take a time off, so could he. Additionally, it was rare that all three of her children were at the same place at the same time.
That brings him to that night, where the family sat around for after dinner drinks where they all caught up with what was happening in their respective lives. Contrary to popular belief, Team Avatar did not get to spend as much time as they did when they were younger. The same held true for their children, who each had pursued different paths in their adult life.
The airbender barely participated, opting to listen and offer the occasional reaction. No one thought anything was amiss. Tenzin, of his generation, always was the quiet one. He would occasionally and casually reach out, topping and refilling his glass and Linâs. He would smile weakly at Bumiâs jokes on his expense. All in all, it was business as usual for Vacation Tenzin.
When Fire Lady Mai announced that she was tired, the group slowly disbanded. Each of them went their own way to do whatever they wanted to for the rest of the night. Bumi invited whoever was interested to try out the brewery he saw earlier while others turned in for the night or towards the spa.
Tenzin headed towards the direction of their accommodations when he felt Lin pull at his sleeve.
âHey, Iâd like to join Bumi and the rest â sounds promising.â The earthbender tilted her head at the group who was preparing to leave. âHow about you?â
Tenzin noted that she did not explicitly ask him to join them.
He shook his head no. âI thought Iâll get back to our room.â
Lin shrugged as if saying âsuit yourselfâ. âAlright then, as always, donât wait up!â She went to join the other group.
Bumi caught Tenzinâs eye as Lin explained that the airbender will be heading to bed.
Tenzin looked away, not wanting to dwell on the question in his brotherâs expression.
After all, aside from Lin, no one else was privy to their break-up.
Iâm still trying to play catch up with stuff in my life but thought to say hi to anyone reading my tumblr.Â
I see some Asks that I definitely havenât responded to yet - Iâm so sorry. Iâll eventually get there. But for now --- Iâm trying to respond to some msgs Iâve received and contribute to Linzin week. Because of course, Iâll be contributing to Linzin week.Â
Note:Â Here is my contribution for Day 4: Gaoling / Nobility. I admit - this was a bit of a ramble, a ramble that I rather enjoyed as I tried to put into writing this plot bunny I had in mind. Hope you like it. (unedited as of posting time)
-----
Pairing: Lin/Tenzin
Rating: Teen
One shot, AU
You may also read this in AO3.
Lin scrabbled around the room, lifting objects and crouching under furniture. Apparently, searching for clothes appeared to be challenging if they were strewn haphazardly the night before.
Aha.
She crawled partially under the bed, taking care not to stay on the floor too long, to grab her shorts. Her top and underwear, meanwhile, she snatched from behind the lounge seat.
As she put on her underwear, she mused at how the past days went -her five days of independence in Ember Island.
It definitely was lovely, a nice escape from reality and the pressures of her life. She knew she had to make the most of it. It would not be long before the lackeys of her grandparents would find her.
Lin believed herself stealthy and crafty enough to escape Beifong manor undetected. She was proud to say that she did all that and managed to arrive at Ember Island without bribing anyone. She liked to think that she would have made a good criminal or detective if she were not born into the House of Beifong.
Poor Suyin. Her grandfather was sure to tighten security at home now. There was no way her younger sister would manage to have the same âlibertiesâ she had.
Lin snorted as she tied her hair up.
Not like there was a lot of freedom to begin with.
A groan came from the figure on the bed.
Lin hurried dressing up. It simply would not do to have to have that morning after conversation.
The man continued to slumber on, turning to his side, mouth open with a bit of drool at the corner of his lip.
She smiled at the view while she stuffed her other belongings into her satchel.
As much as she wanted for a repeat of the night before (and earlier that morning) and to run her fingers through his soft brown hair, the earthbender knew that her self-control would be tested. She was bound to end up not leaving at all. And that, she sighed at the memory of the pale wiry arms that were wrapped around her, would be catastrophic. There would have been no way for her to hide her identity if her family descends upon Ember Island.
After one final look, Lin Beifong slipped out of the hostel room of her technically three-night stand. She fled to the inn on the other side of the island to prepare for her trip back home.
It was unlike her to be reckless. But damn Agni, did she need this.
But, of course, her life being her life, her luck being her luck, little did she know that this act of rebelliousness would have its repercussions.
 ---
Tenzin bit his cheek to stop from furiously answering back. They were at the last leg of their diplomatic tour.
Tour.
He scoffed.
More like the Search.
As in the Search for a bride.
Correction â the Search for His Bride.
It was quite tedious, honestly. They have been at it for more than a year now. His father descended from the Air Nomads but this was amount of time on the road was ridiculous.
He did not mind travelling, honestly. He enjoyed it. The feel of the wind while using his glider or the sight of the clouds while on Oogi⊠In fact, the misguided yet hopeful part of him saw to it that he travelled at least monthly to Ember Island, in a bid to recreate the blissful memories of a past vacation (or rather, in a bid to try and meet the earthbender again, though he failed at spotting her every time).
On the other hand, travelling with his parents meant having a retinue composed of his fatherâs main advisory council and security. It was fine â for the most part. Accompanying his father during his diplomatic visits around the world was unique, educational and inspiring.
What he hated was that the advisors tended to barge in at all times of the day, leaving no respite for the family when they were on the road.
Right now, for example, Abbot Yuji was going on about the status of the Northern Air Temple.
His father is the Avatar and the one of two of the last airbenders so it was expected that this was well within the territory.
What was grating was how Abbot Yuji started to describe the temple and the lovely female air acolytes that populated it.
Having an acolyte from your Air Temple married off to the family of the Avatar? Outstanding. Having an acolyte from your Air Temple married to the only single airbender? Priceless.
He was getting frustrated at the blatant -.
âStop frowning, Tenzin.â His mother whispered to him, leaning at his side. âYou know Bumi underwent the same thing.â
Oho but no, Bumi did not.
The thought made Tenzin frown deeper.
 Avatar Aang and Master Kataraâs eldest son had gone ahead years ago and caused a scandal when he eloped in the Fire Nation capital. It was a love match.
Even Kya, the most free-spirited of the siblings, had discarded tradition, gotten engaged them wed to an air acolyte. It was also a love match.
Tenzin wanted the same, except, since apparently he was the only one left of his family bloodline to take over his fatherâs position in the Air Nation, it was close to impossible to form any lasting romantic entanglements.
There was a lot to take up, to get heavily involved in the Air Nation. To be fair, all of the children of the previously last airbender were equally exposed and poised to lead as part of their birthright. However, Bumi went on to be the consort of the Crown Princess of the Fire Nation. Then, just a few years ago, Kya agreed and, together with her wife, settled in the Southern Water Tribe to take up the mantle as the chosen heir of the late Chief, their Uncle Sokka.
That left him â Tenzin, the airbender.
The master airbender, his father would proudly introduce him â all shaved and tattooed. Despite the ceremony being a few months old, it all still felt fresh to him. It certainly felt odd to him to be shaven and so Tenzin had taken it upon himself to grow out a beard.
Anyone who would marry him would be part of the most powerful dynasties to date. His currently unmarried state was not due to the lack of prospects. And yet for some reason, his parents still saw it fit to keep going back to Gaoling.
Gaoling â which was the only city-state in the entire Earth Kingdom that had their nobles shun the Avatar and his family when they dropped by to visit last year.
Gaoling â where, coincidentally, was where they were a few miles in.
âWhy do we keep going back here?â Tenzin turned to his mother once his father made his routine exit of the satomobile. Aang would usually leave the vehicle and go ahead of the convoy, using his glider to reach their destination earlier. âThey donât seem interested in meeting up with us anyway.â He was referring to the highborn family of the area.
Katara paused in the knitting she was working on. âYour father was almost betrothed to their daughter.â
This information took Tenzin aback. They all grew up hearing their parentsâ epic love story. This was mainly why they had wanted the same for themselves. So, to hear that it was almost a different story was surprising.
Tenzin shook his head. âWhat happened?â He eyed the gates with the winged boar insignia the loomed nearer.
âYour father was going around at that time, seeking for support to campaign against the tyranny of the Fire Lord.â His mother tucked her yarn and work in progress in a weathered pouch. âIt did not help his case that he had abandoned his role for years on, resulting in the Air Nomads being wiped out. There was a bit of bargaining and one of the conditions of Lao Beifong was to have the Beifong heiress wed Aang.â
Tenzin vaguely noted that the rest of their convoy turned left to the town proper while only their vehicle urged on forward.
The gong sounded from outside of the satomobile, announcing their arrival at the large ominous gate of Beifong estate.
âAnd then?â Tenzin prodded urgently as the gates opened and the satomobile crept slowly into the grounds of the Beifong family.
âAang was weighing his options then when the younger Lady Beifong refused adamantly. We were turned away that same moment from the estate. In an unexpected turn of events, Toph Beifong saw it fit to defy her family and joined us. She became your fatherâs earthbending teacher.â
Tenzinâs eyebrows raised.
He had grown up to tales of his fatherâs bending masters. Only the blind earthbending master Toph, who became the worldâs first metalbender, remained a bit of a mystery to him. For one thing, aside from the Monk Gyatso, he never met her. He only learned now that she has a surname.
There was a sense of anticipation now.
Maybe they will get to meet her in a few minutes?
Tenzin looked out the window. They were now parking in front of what looked to be a sprawling mansion. They have certainly made it further than they did in the last non-visit, where the guards did not even open the gates for them.
The metalbender was the stuff of legend. After having established a metalbending academy, Tenzin can find no trace of what happened to Toph Beifong.
So much was his anticipation that Tenzin did not notice the somber expression of his mother.
 ---
Lin sat in front of the dresser in her bedroom, silently watching as her grandmotherâs maid finished tucking her thick black hair into a bun and placing the last strand of beads coiled around it. After ascertaining that she did not need any further help, the maid made herself scarce, stating she will be back once Lady Beifong called for Lady Linâs attendance.
Lin blinked once at her reflection on the dresser mirror.
Twice.
She did not feel like herself.
She tilted her head.
She did not look like herself either.
If she were to be honest, the last time she truly felt like herself was the reprieve she had during her stolen time in Ember Island.
Breathing deeply, she reached for a tissue. Methodically, the young woman wiped off one side of her face, then the other.
She blinked again as the angry red marks on her cheek became visible.
 ---
A touch of his wife on his arm and Avatar Aang knew what she was asking.
It was unusual for none of the Beifongs to be standing in attendance to welcome their visitors.
Aang tucked his wifeâs arm into his and patted it. He nodded to his son to follow.
Various household staff bowed to them as Aang led them deeper into the manor. Tenzin looked around curiously, keeping himself within hearing distance of his parents.
âLord Beifong is in bad shape; he has been since the fire that broke out in the estate last year.â Aang finally shared.
Katara gasped in dismay, gripping Aangâs arm tightly. âAnd Lady Beifong?â
âSheâs doing the best she could. She isâŠcoping.â
âAnd their grandchildren?â
Aang shrugged weakly, stating he had not seen the grandchildren of the Beifongs yet.
âIs this why they are now considering the proposalâŠ?â Katara trailed off, tossing a quick glance at their son who was seemed to be preoccupied by the framed portraits they were passing.
The Avatar nodded. âI had hoped it would be a joyous occasion, but this is what weâre dealt with.â
 ---
Tenzin clutched the warm teacup, looking into the dark tea in contemplation with what he had learned so far.
He sat at his parentsâ side at the formal tearoom of the Beifongs, a silent participant and observer. Across them, Lady Poppy Beifong sat demurely, seemingly fragile and with the graceful bearing of someone born into the nobility. The airbender found it hard to believe that this woman gave birth to his fatherâs tough earthbending master.
Pleasantries were exchanged at the beginning and a stream of maids served them tea and an assortment of light snacks. His father shared about the different festivals across the nations that they had attended recently while his mother told stories about the flora they encountered during their trips. Even he was called upon to talk about the developments across the reconstruction of the Air Temples. Lady Beifong calmly spoke about the renovations in their estate, to revive the areas that the fire had touched.
After some obscure statements that were traded among the other people in the room, Tenzin was struck by the realization.
Toph Beifong was dead.
For how long â Tenzin tried to recall of portraits in the hallway â it must have been a long time ago as all of the portraits and photographs were quite dated.
Oddly enough, grandchildren (Tophâs children?) were mentioned and yet there were no photographs of them.
 ---
Lin tapped her fingers somewhat nervously on the armrests. She tried to get engrossed in the book she was reading, but her mind was not into it.
A few rooms down, her future was being decided, so much for being a young woman of independent means.
 As expected, upon her return from Ember Island, Lin received the scolding of her life. Never mind that she was already in the twenties â running off on her own was unbecoming of a Beifong Lady.
Words were said. Lord Lao Beifongâs word was final and his granddaughter had no other recourse but to continue to submit to the duties of the Beifong heiress. The families that depended on their lands for a living were part of her responsibility. Both the Beifongs and their staff flourished under Linâs attention. Lao was pleased with the profitability of their produce and in turn, with Lin. At least, until it became a Problem.
Once it became apparent, Lord and Lady Beifong cut down the number of their staff and security, locking once again the Beifong gates, unwelcome to any visitors. It was during this period when the Avatar and family had passed by for a diplomatic visit the year prior.
It was also in this situation, a few months later, did fire strike in the household. With the limited staff, it took a long time to get the fire under control. By then, her grandfather, who had been at the indoor arboretum at the time, had inhaled much of the smoke.
Lin and her sister had sought to pry open the gates of the arboretum that had gotten tighter during the fire. In a miscalculated move, metal shrapnel that Suyin fashioned out of her practice cables flew from her grasp and hit Lin as they both struggled to release their grandfather. Despite the blood dripping to her chin and Suyinâs teary apologies, Lin did not pause and endured the pain while working on metalbending the gates open.
They did succeed though Lord Beifong was not the same presence as he used to be.
Once assured that her grandfather would live, Lin endured one of the longest nights of her life.
 Since then, changes as to how the household was run were made. Since then, Lin took it upon herself to manage the estate as penance. After all, if it were not for her situation, her reckless behavior, there would have been adequate support in the estate to prevent the fire from spreading.
Bringing herself back to the present, Lin stopped her woolgathering as the knock on the door signaled that her presence was wanted by her grandmother and her visitors.
With one last look, Lady Lin stood to meet with her prospective in-laws.
 ---
Tenzin waited in tense silence with his parents.
He knew the drill â they had done this song and dance numerous times with other noble families around the different nations. Discussions about potential courtships between him and the daughter, eliciting information about familial expectations and loyalties⊠Nonetheless, not a single marital agreement came about.
One word from him and his parents would cease and back off from the negotiation or pursuing the potential bride.
Today, however, sitting in the opulent tearoom in the Earth Kingdom while waiting for Lady Beifong and her granddaughter, felt different. There was something in the air, a history that seemed to tie the two families. Or at least, the Avatar and his earthbending master (who, Tenzin learned had quietly passed during the birth of her second daughter).
Click-click-clack-click-click-clack.
Lady Beifongâs shoes echoed at the corridor, followed by a softer set of steps.
The door slid open.
 ---
Lin kept her head bowed as she greeted the family of the Avatar.
A Beifong lady keeps her eyes averted. So, she did.
A Beifong lady keeps silent until spoken to. So, she did.
She sat down beside her grandmother, hands crossed on her lap, vaguely paying attention to the discussion.
That was why she was surprised to feel a cool hand touching her scarred cheek.
 ---
ââŠIntroduce you to my granddaughter.â
 Everything paused for Tenzin when Lady Beifong stepped aside to present the younger Lady Beifong.
 He caught sight of her face.
Her eyes. He will never forget those eyes.
 He went through the motions next, his body on autopilot as his mind brought up memories he frequently revisited.
 Those eyes which crinkled in laughter when he dropped her in the sea.
Those eyes whose pupils dilated in the dark as he gripped her thighs high.
Those eyes which rested on his without judgment while he whispered his fears of not being a good enough bender for his parents.
 Lin now sat before him, where he now found it easy to observe her.
Her face â her porcelain skin was slashed --- who could have done this, what could have happened?
He was barely aware of what he was doing, he reached out gingerly to touch â.
SLAP!
Lin looked at him aghast.
His parents and her grandmother faced them in alarm.
Lin stood up. âExcuse me, everyone, grandmother, may I be excused?â Without waiting for a response, she bowed and rapidly made her way out of the room.
âI-I-I,â Tenzin stammered, dazed. âI apologize I donât know what came over me.â He motioned to follow. âI need to find Lin.â He bowed and went out as well.
 ---
It took them a few more minutes to recover from what happened.
And it took them several more to realize that they never did mention yet Linâs name to Tenzin.
 ---
âWait, Lin â Iâm sorry â wait!â Tenzin managed to grab her arm when she turned at the end of the corridor.
Lin shrugged him off. âHow dare you!â She gritted out, each word hard with controlled anger. âJust because I look like this,â She waved a hand in the direction of her scarred cheek. âI donât fit the mold of the perfect debutant your parents might wish for you â you donât have the right to -!â
âLin, Iâm sorry â and itâs⊠itâs me!â He placed his hand on his chest. âTenzin, from the beach.â
âNo, youâre not.â Lin stared at him.
âIâm Tenzin â from Ember Island, donât you remember me?â He plodded on, almost desperately. Didnât their encounter mean anything to her like it did for him?
âNo, youâre not him.â Lin shook her head frantically. âWere you hired by grandmother? Suyin? This isnât a funny joke.â Her voice rose a pitch with each sentence.
What.
Then it clicked.
Damn â his hair.
Maybe Bumi was right â his personality came with his hair.
âNo, Lin, it really is me â I â Iâm a master bender now.â He raised his hands up, showing the tips of the tattooed arrows.
 ---
Lin took a step back, finally taking in the man who was her potential betrothed.
It couldnât beâŠcould it?
He did sound and look like the Tenzin she met last yearâŠ
Then it clicked that it was him.
How could she not have recognized him when she had retreated to thinking about their time in Ember Island as an escapeâŠ
 âExcuse me, Lady Lin? Itâs his feeding time.â
Lin froze, almost regretting her instruction to the governess that she could interrupt whatever Lin was doing at any time. She swallowed thickly, ignoring Tenzinâs dumbfounded expression and plastered a smile on her face.
She turned to the governess who had been looking for her and reached out her arms to take the precious bundle for her.
âHello, dear, are you hungry now?â Lin Beifong nuzzled the baby in her arms.
 ---
Footsteps clattered nearer to where they stood.
Lady Beifong, Master Katara and Avatar Aang came to a halt as they rounded the corner.
Lin, Tenzin and even the baby turned to face the new arrivals.
Tenzin leaned forward, gravitating towards the child, who blinked back at him with bright grey eyes.
âSweetie,â Katara started cautiously. âNot to be anything but â donât forget about propriety, donât act too...familiar with them.â Her eyes darted towards the Beifongs and their staff, likely worried that any action might be turned against him and he would not escape the situation unscathed.
âI think Iâve done more than enough to be familiar with Lin, mother.â The airbender tickled the nose of the child, to the outraged gasp of Lady Beifong and the widened eyes of his mother.
âAh-CHWOOOOSH!â
Silence fell on the group.
The baby giggled as he rubbed his nose.
Lin and Tenzin shared a look of awe.
 Of all their trips to Gaoling, Avatar Aang could claim that this was his favorite.
The day he met his airbending grandson.
 ---
Avatar Aang and Master Kataraâs children all grew up hearing their parentsâ epic love story. This was mainly why they had wanted the same for themselves.
The eldest, Bumi eloped with his childhood sweetheart, the Fire Nationâs Crown Princess Izumi. It was a love match.
Their only daughter Kya married her air acolyte wife in a simple Southern Water Tribe ceremony. It was also a love match.
Their youngest child, Tenzin wed the mother of his child, Lady Lin Beifong of Gaoling. It was, as everyone concluded, also a love match.
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Note: And that's the end~. Love it or hate it - let me know!
