Either use the word prompt, the sentence prompt or combine both to contribute.
[As the question came up: All prompts can be used in a 'Modern AU' and similar scenarios, too.]
Text version of the prompts are below.
August 28 - Earthquake
"I've had enough of this place. Let's travel the world together."
August 29 - Lazy
"Lin finally had a reason to wear the dress she had bought. But Tenzin always said that her uniform suited her best."
August 30 - Stargazing
"Aang and Tenzin had found other airbenders. They weren't the last."
August 31 - Gaoling / Nobility
"She really had forgotten to take off the necklace. So much for keeping it a secret."
September 1 - Satomobiles
"All he wanted to do was to pull her under his cape to keep her safe."
September 2 - Soulmate / Earthly Tether
"You are my past, my present, my future."
September 3 - Heartbeat
"We are never sad, cause we are not allowed to be."
September 4 - Campfire
"Lin never realized it, when men flirted with her, or chose to completely ignore it. But Tenzin really wanted to drop the pacifism whenever he had to witness such a scene."
September 5 - Free Day / Wildcard
Linzin Kids
AO3 Collection for contributions
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the
Organization for Transformative Works
Note: 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 ‘liberties’ 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 – 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 father’s main advisory council and security. It was fine – 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 -.
“Stop frowning, Tenzin.” His mother whispered to him, leaning at his side. “You know Bumi underwent the same thing.”
Oho but no, Bumi did not.
The thought made Tenzin frown deeper.
Avatar Aang and Master Katara’s 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 father’s 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 – Tenzin, the airbender.
The master airbender, his father would proudly introduce him – 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 – 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 – where, coincidentally, was where they were a few miles in.
“Why do we keep going back here?” 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. “They don’t seem interested in meeting up with us anyway.” He was referring to the highborn family of the area.
Katara paused in the knitting she was working on. “Your father was almost betrothed to their daughter.”
This information took Tenzin aback. They all grew up hearing their parents’ 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. “What happened?” He eyed the gates with the winged boar insignia the loomed nearer.
“Your father was going around at that time, seeking for support to campaign against the tyranny of the Fire Lord.” His mother tucked her yarn and work in progress in a weathered pouch. “It 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.”
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.
“And then?” Tenzin prodded urgently as the gates opened and the satomobile crept slowly into the grounds of the Beifong family.
“Aang 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 father’s earthbending teacher.”
Tenzin’s eyebrows raised.
He had grown up to tales of his father’s bending masters. Only the blind earthbending master Toph, who became the world’s 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 grandmother’s 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 Lin’s 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 wife’s 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.
“Lord Beifong is in bad shape; he has been since the fire that broke out in the estate last year.” Aang finally shared.
Katara gasped in dismay, gripping Aang’s arm tightly. “And Lady Beifong?”
“She’s doing the best she could. She is…coping.”
“And their grandchildren?”
Aang shrugged weakly, stating he had not seen the grandchildren of the Beifongs yet.
“Is this why they are now considering the proposal…?” 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. “I had hoped it would be a joyous occasion, but this is what we’re dealt with.”
---
Tenzin clutched the warm teacup, looking into the dark tea in contemplation with what he had learned so far.
He sat at his parents’ 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 father’s 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 – Tenzin tried to recall of portraits in the hallway – it must have been a long time ago as all of the portraits and photographs were quite dated.
Oddly enough, grandchildren (Toph’s 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 – running off on her own was unbecoming of a Beifong Lady.
Words were said. Lord Lao Beifong’s 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 Lin’s 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 Suyin’s 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 – 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 Beifong’s 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.
---
“…Introduce you to my granddaughter.”
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 – 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 –.
SLAP!
Lin looked at him aghast.
His parents and her grandmother faced them in alarm.
Lin stood up. “Excuse me, everyone, grandmother, may I be excused?” Without waiting for a response, she bowed and rapidly made her way out of the room.
“I-I-I,” Tenzin stammered, dazed. “I apologize I don’t know what came over me.” He motioned to follow. “I need to find Lin.” 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 Lin’s name to Tenzin.
---
“Wait, Lin – I’m sorry – wait!” Tenzin managed to grab her arm when she turned at the end of the corridor.
Lin shrugged him off. “How dare you!” She gritted out, each word hard with controlled anger. “Just because I look like this,” She waved a hand in the direction of her scarred cheek. “I don’t fit the mold of the perfect debutant your parents might wish for you – you don’t have the right to -!”
“Lin, I’m sorry – and it’s… it’s me!” He placed his hand on his chest. “Tenzin, from the beach.”
“No, you’re not.” Lin stared at him.
“I’m Tenzin – from Ember Island, don’t you remember me?” He plodded on, almost desperately. Didn’t their encounter mean anything to her like it did for him?
“No, you’re not him.” Lin shook her head frantically. “Were you hired by grandmother? Suyin? This isn’t a funny joke.” Her voice rose a pitch with each sentence.
What.
Then it clicked.
Damn – his hair.
Maybe Bumi was right – his personality came with his hair.
“No, Lin, it really is me – I – I’m a master bender now.” 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 couldn’t be…could it?
He did sound and look like the Tenzin she met last year…
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 escape…
“Excuse me, Lady Lin? It’s his feeding time.”
Lin froze, almost regretting her instruction to the governess that she could interrupt whatever Lin was doing at any time. She swallowed thickly, ignoring Tenzin’s 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.
“Hello, dear, are you hungry now?” 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.
“Sweetie,” Katara started cautiously. “Not to be anything but – don’t forget about propriety, don’t act too...familiar with them.” 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.
“I think I’ve done more than enough to be familiar with Lin, mother.” The airbender tickled the nose of the child, to the outraged gasp of Lady Beifong and the widened eyes of his mother.
“Ah-CHWOOOOSH!”
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 Katara’s children all grew up hearing their parents’ epic love story. This was mainly why they had wanted the same for themselves.
The eldest, Bumi eloped with his childhood sweetheart, the Fire Nation’s 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.
-------------
Note: And that's the end~. Love it or hate it - let me know!
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the
Organization for Transformative Works
It didn’t take long for what started as a peaceful dinner to turn into the most tumultuous evening they had seen in a long time. An Earthquake- of a magnitude high enough to have the skyscrapers of Republic City fall like dominoes one after the other.
The earth below Yue Bay was relentless too, creating a tsunami that flooded the docks of Republic City and the of knees of Avatar’s Aangs statue. All in all, Republic City wouldn’t suffer anything more than a few reparations and a minor flood, but Air Temple Island was going to go under if not for the efforts of the power team of two.
On Korra’s beckoning, everyone- the Krew, the airbenders, acolytes, Tenzin, Lin, Bumi, Kya along with all the children had gathered for a simple feast to celebrate absolutely nothing. It had just been a long time since everyone was in the same room together. And as any luck could have predicted, there always is trouble of some sort when this group got together. This time, it was a natural calamity.
Efforts of evacuation were led by their very own Chief of Police. Since the sky bisons had sensed the earthquake, they’d all flown away to safety- a sign that even if one person had made note of, they’d be better prepared. So, it was up to the airbenders to fly everyone to safety in Republic City. It just was so unfortunate that the sheer number of people present there made an efficient evacuation so difficult.
All of its consequences would fall into the hands of Lin Beifong if they made it out of this one alive.
The Island had cracked from its very centre and Korra, Bolin and Lin were the only earthbenders there. Utter stupidity had resulted in Bolin landing up being one of the first persons to be evacuated, with Opal flying him away. Kya and Korra were doing their best to prevent the violent waves of the Bay from engulfing the entire Island. Therefore, the task of holding the Island from crumbling under them had fallen onto Lin alone.
That woman had tremendous strength. Despite that, as luck would have it, she was yet to be tested. While the gaps of the cracks in the ground were under Lin’s control as they spread through the diameters of the island, something that nothing could’ve prepared her for had occurred. One large crack, that could fit the entire dormitory ran vertically downwards, into the water.
Lin groaned as her muscles ached from holding everything together. Everyone had finally been evacuated but then she spotted him. Why was he still on the Island? He should be with his kids.
“Tenzin! Leave!” She yelled; the strain patently audible in her voice.
“Lin, it’s over. There’s nothing we can do.” Tenzin floated on his airscooter beside his former lover.
“Get the Avatar and Kya-“
“I gave Korra my glider to take Kya. They were the last ones to leave and they’re going to control the waters from the city’s shore until we leave.”
"Think about your family, Tenzin. I need you to leave while I'm still holding this together for you!" Her voice was hoarse from fatigue.
"I'm not leaving without you. You're my family too. Either you come with me or I wait until you're ready to leave."
He could be just as stubborn as her, and she hated that.
Well, now that she was literally trapped on a catastrophe ridden island with her ex-boyfriend, she decided to make the most of it.
“Tenzin, can you still make the air bubble? Big enough for the both of us?” She asked him as she gestured downwards at the newest crack she couldn’t quite do much about.
“Lin it’s over. We need to leave.” Tenzin moaned.
“Make the bubble and take me under, I’ll need to breathe below the water and the hold the Island from there until this Earthquake passes.” Lin instructs, ignoring his pleas.
Tenzin sighed in defeat and did as she asked. He led them under the water, Lin’s eyes shut still making contact with the trunk of the Island from in between it. And as she pulled, the gap got narrow- narrow enough to hold just the two of them. They’d have to keep this going until the Earth stopped shaking and then they could climb up from under and work on fixing the damages.
They floated there in silence with Lin focused as ever. Tenzin’s task wasn’t nearly as straining as hers, so he observed the way in which she concentrated her total prowess. It wasn’t until Lin realized that he was now staring at her did she scowl at him angrily.
“What?” Tenzin finally broke the silence.
She rolled her eyes at him instead of responding.
“Are you mad at me? You know I didn’t cause an Earthquake, right? That’s more your area of expertise.” He tried easing the tension.
“I am mad at you because you were about to give up back there.”
“Lin, what are you holding on for? It’s called a natural disaster for a reason.” He shrugged.
“This your home, where you grew up, where you lived- all your things, your legacy, it’s Air Temple Island.” She looked at him as if he was stupid for not knowing this in the first place.
“None of that matters anymore.” He spoke gravely.
Lin scoffed a laugh, “That’s rich coming from you.”
“The buildings are ruined, my study my things, dad’s things- they’re all destroyed up there. I thought it all mattered- like there was some profound rationale to these things, but there isn’t. All it took was one Earthquake.”
Lin didn’t respond at first. Obviously, if he was feeling numb from the loss, it all did matter. Then she decided to humor him,
“What matters then, Tenzin?”
“You.” He looked up at her, eyes grim and focused.
“Cut the garbage, Tenzin.“ She shook her head.
“Really. You were all that ever mattered. We let circumstances, our legacy and everything outside our little bubble break us.” He looked around in their actual airbubble and offered her a sad smile. He continued, “And for what? So that I could have airbenders? They showed up anyway, didn’t they? We could’ve been together, married, not married, kids, no kids, benders or not. We could live in the city or here, we could’ve travelled the world if it weren’t for the fucking legacy. It wasn’t even our legacy; it was our parents’. Our only responsibility was to carry this legacy forward, not become their legacies.”
He paused when he noticed Lin’s face turn paler. She was tired. She had been holding this massive piece of land they call an island together for almost an hour now. Not only that, but she was also mentally holding it together while was having his little meltdown. He sighed internally. He always did this to her. No wonder she felt like she didn’t need an outlet.
“Lin, you don’t look so good-“ He moved closer to her.
“Thanks Tenzin but I figured that out when you left me for someone fifteen years younger.” She snapped.
Ouch. But warranted, he decided.
Ignoring that, he continued, “Lin you can’t keep holding on. We don’t know when the tremors will stop. You're in pain.”
“Tenzin!” She seethed, “I’m not sure you understand, but if I let go now, the entire Island goes under, broken into thousands of fragments. You’re right, it is done for but if I keep holding on, you’ll at least be able to salvage something compared to nothing. If I let go, we won't make it. I'm sorry I brought you in here but you should've left when I asked you to. I don't have it in me to fight you right now. So please, let me keep you alive.”
“Let go, Lin.” Still carefully supporting the bubble he moved even closer to where Lin was standing and softly kissed her forehead.
“Get away-“ She jerked under him, scared she might accidentally lose control of the Earth.
He didn’t oblige, though. He gathered his thoughts within a slow blink and then opened his newly determined eyes. Once again, he moved close to her, this time though, he kissed her mouth.
“Let go, Lin.” He whispered against her lips, not just referring to her bending the earth.
“I can’t.” She responded painfully as Tenzin once again pressed his lips on hers.
“Why not? Don't you trust me?” He briefly opened his eyes to glance at Lin’s closed eyelids.
“No.” She opened her eyes to smirk against his lips.
However, Lin’s body was weakening and so was her resolve to hold the Island, especially with Tenzin’s blessing to let go. Her arm let go, exceedingly slightly, making the crack they were currently inside a little wider.
“You don’t have a choice here, Chief Beifong. You’re a powerful bender, but you’re human and you’re tired. You’re not going to be able to hold off much longer.” Again, hinting at the earthquake that made their hearts thump louder. Tenzin captured her lips again when he felt the area around them widen further.
“Tenzin, stop!” Lin panted against him. “If I let go, it’s over. The land breaks into tiny pieces, the buildings, the trees, your home, everything falls. Air Temple Island will cease to exist. And so might we.”
“I’m counting on it.” Tenzin bends a little to kiss her neck leading up to her ear.
“All you hold dear with collapse.” She warns once again, now convinced to let go since the tremors looked like they were nowhere close to stopping. She choked back a few tears. Her job was to keep Tenzin safe, and here she was sending him to his death with her.
“I will carry you if you collapse, Lin. I really want to hold you. You’re all I hold dear.” He smiled against her lips. His hands were now trembling from not being able to hold her after having kissed her for the first time in over a decade. He wouldn't have welcomed his end in any other way if not with Lin in his arms.
“Tenzin.” Lin shivered.
“You need to trust me, Lin. I will spend the rest of my life making this right. If you let go of this, I promise I will never let go of you.” He pressed his forehead against hers. She wanted to believe him. They probably wouldn’t even make out of this alive and he spoke as if they would. He felt her chuckle softly. Worth the gamble, she thought.
She let go.
In the distance, from a tall building in Republic City everybody was eagerly watching the Island being held together. Korra had explained to everyone what was going on before she left. They so badly wanted to reach Lin and Tenzin to help them, but they couldn’t.
After a long time, the Island finally fell. Everything they once called theirs being devoured by voracious waters. Nothing could’ve survived it. It was a grand demolition.
“Tenzin..” Pema choked out.
“We need to find them!” Bumi called out from the back, choking back his tears.
Korra watched the Island intently, a tear rolling down her cheek.
“I’m sorry.” She turned around to look at the now broken family.
All the way to the bottom of the back of Avatar Aang’s statue a little bubble floated by. They supported themselves on the stone and helped each other up. Of course, the tremors finally only stopped once she let go, just their luck.
Lin hugged herself, the cold water had penetrated her armor and she was shivering. Her limbs were like jelly, and she was all around exhausted.
“So, when do we start rebuilding?” Lin asked the wet airbender beside her.
“We don’t.”
She eyed him suspiciously.
“It wasn’t just the adrenaline from the death trap we were just in that was talking. I meant every word I said. You’re all that has ever mattered to me, Lin.” He turned around in his seat to face her.
“Tenzin! You have a wife- and kids, Rohan- he’s only-" She was silenced with yet another kiss. This time, they could use their hands. Tenzin placed his hand at the back of her neck to hold her firmly against him while Lin placed an awkward hand on his arm.
“I’ve had enough of this place. Let’s travel the world together.” He quickly says when he lets go.
“But your family! We’re both responsible for a lot of people.” Lin was shocked.
“We didn’t ask for these responsibilities, Lin. Everything was decided for us. And for once, I want to make my own decisions. I want to be with you, Lin. Far away from all this.” He looks deep into her eyes.
Lin seemed to consider his words. She studied him.
“Besides, we couldn’t have been expected to make out of that alive. Life has given us a second chance. Let’s take it and get out of here while we can.” He continued.
“So, we fake our own deaths and live a peaceful life in the middle of nowhere? You know they’re going to come looking for us if they don’t find a body.” Lin almost laughed.
“Is the RCPD still looking for Amon and Tarrlok?” Tenzin raised an eyebrow.
“Touche.”
“Besides, Yue Bay has a way of making things vanish. It's like she's looking out for us. You know, right over there,” He points at the now placid water in the distance, “there used to be an Island where I lived my whole life. Now, there’s nothing.” He smiled at her.
“Are you ever going to come back to visit your kids, then? Let them know you’re alive and that you abandoned them?” With the way he carelessly joked about it, he seemed a little precarious and guilt could do the trick.
“Maybe.”
Guilt failed. She had never seen him so detached. Either he didn’t detect the sarcasm in her voice, or he chose to ignore it- but his decision was made. He stood his ground like he never had. Impressed, she offered him half a smile.
“Well, with no responsibilities, you’ll have enough time to meditate over it.”
“So you and me then? New and improved. Us against the world?” Tenzin grabbed her hand.
“Sure. Let’s leave before I change my mind. I might start missing my paperwork if you keep talking.” She rolled her eyes playfully.
And so, they sought out, flying to any shore other than Republic City’s on the airscooter over the serene bay, getting disguises and then seeking their new life out together.
Nothing was planned after all.
Just two vagabonds.
“You’re the Earthquake in my heart.” Tenzin squeezed her hand as they walked the empty street somewhere on the Earth Kingdom.
“You’re going to give me an Earthquake in my head if you don’t stop hitting on me. Besides, it’s too soon.” Lin rolled her eyes but didn’t withdraw her hand from his.
Maybe it was too soon to joke about earthquakes. Or too soon to expect her to fall back in love even though he never fell out of it begin with. But he’d wait. All he had was time now.
Día 6 (02/09/2021): "Soulmate — Tu eres mi pasado, mi presente, mi futuro".
Day 6 (09/02/2021): "Soulmate — You are my past, my present, my future".
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the
Organization for Transformative Works
Read [ Día 6: Soulmate ] from the story Momentos - [Linzin Week 2021] by Mari_Sweet16 (Mari Balzaretti♡) with 3 reads...
I know the challenge ended over a month ago, but I admit that I cannot leave this alone. I want to finish this, although I took more time, but hey, the important thing is to bring Linzin material.
I have had a couple of situations that have prevented me (and more now that I have resumed studying), but I will do my best, also, I love how cheesy I have become doing this ♥
I only have 3 left to do, encouragement that you can.
I hope to have the next one soon, I love you, Mari ♥
Español:
Sé que el reto terminó hace más de un mes, pero admito que no puedo dejar esto abandonado. Quiero terminar esto, aunque me tomé más tiempo, pero bueno, lo importante es traer material Linzin.
He tenido un par de situaciones que me lo han impedido (y más ahora que retomé el estudio), pero haré lo posible, además, amo lo cursi que me he puesto haciendo esto♥
Solo me quedan 3 por hacer, ánimos que se puede.
Espero tener el siguiente pronto, los quiero, Mari♥
After this account was started back in February (the plan was to start out with a Valentine's day event... look out for it instead in 2022) this years Linzin Week can finally be announced:
Linzin Week 2021 will be held from August 28 - September 05.
Each day will be assigned to two prompts: One theme and one 'plotbunny'.
The prompts for Day 1 - Day 8 will be announced this weekend.
The prompt for Day 9, September 05 will be: Free day | Linzin kids.
While we offer prompts and hope they will be used and shared on the specific day, we appreciate any new Linzin content and hope that everybody will just enjoy this event, without feeling pressured by restrictions. So on the last day we can share everything that didn't fit to the offered themes.
Late contributions will still be shared afterwards. The tags will likely be checked like twice a week until early October, but tagging this account in your post or other ways of contacting this account are also valid options.
@beifongweeks offered to host the Linzin week on their Twitter, so the twitter announcement will follow shortly and also soon be linked in here as well.
Tag your contributions on tumblr or twitter with either #Linzin2021 or #Linzin2021R18, so they can be found and shared accordingly.
Note: This is very loosely linked to the prompt. Hope you accept this short and humble contribution to Linzin week. 🙇🏽♂️
You may read also on A03.
https://archiveofourown.org/works/33584422
---
Little did he know that the moment they locked eyes on the sky bison, everything was about to change.
---
Feeling the tremors.
It had crept up to him, unnoticed and maybe a bit unwanted.
The more frequent interactions, brought about by the Avatar’s unwitting adventures, threw him and caught him unawares.
It had been easy for them to go back to old times where they worked fluidly and effectively. They always did work well at a professional capacity.
Don’t get him wrong, Chief Beifong had always been efficient and unbiased in her work and dealings with the council, whether or not it was in dealing with him and the Air Nation constituents. It was him, Tenzin, that was mortifyingly awkward at best and downright unbearable at his worst. Which was understandable, one of his siblings would quip, since he was the one who brought this upon them anyway.
It became easier as time passed but it was only after Korra’s arrival did any interaction became remotely comfortable.
It must have been the long late nights they had spent poring over the documents that would help put Equalists and their sympathizers in jail but he could not help himself.
And so he asked, one dinner time at city hall, as they pored over the documents, the rest of the councilmen a couple of tables away, what changed with them.
Chief Beifong raised an eyebrow. “Well, I figured that once I saw your wife give birth to your son – nothing could be more uncomfortable than that.”
He had laughed at that and offered her his share of spring rolls.
But deep inside he thought that it was Lin jumping off the airship for his family that changed everything.
As always, airbender that he is, he did not say anything.
---
At the epicenter.
There was a light tapping on his forehead.
Very gentle. Very familiar. And yet…
Good. It meant he wasn’t dead yet.
Or did it?
He remembered Zaheer and his henchmen taking turns at him.
He remembered with horror as Asami and Bolin arrived in the trap set by the Red Lotus.
He vaguely recall leaning over on Lin.
But that’s impossible. Lin couldn’t have been there…
The tapping on his arrow stopped.
“Don’t die on me.” A raspy voice whispered. “There are still things unsaid.”
Lin.
He struggled to open his eyes. Everything felt heavy.
Something creaked open. A door maybe.
“Chief,” An unfamiliar voice spoke from that direction. “It’s time for your procedure.”
Procedure? What kind of procedure? He wanted to ask, he wanted to respond but it was so tiring and it was so painful…and he let the sweet unconsciousness come over him.
The next day (or so he had been informed), he finally got clearance to get up from his bed. And so he did, at the dead of the night to avoid any stares or questions. He gingerly leaned on the staff that Jinora had given him.
He had to see her.
He needed to see she was fine.
He heard the complete story from one of Suyin’s guards, after much prodding and prying. He learned about how Zaheer was subdued, he learned about the demise of the Red Lotus’ waterbender and he learned about how the Beifong sisters tag teamed the combustion bender. Su had dropped by earlier and was mostly unscathed.
What worried him was how he evaded his questions about Lin’s well-being.
And so now, he gently pushed the door to Lin Beifong’s room open.
Nothing could have prepared him for what he saw.
He knew Lin was in close contact most of the attacks of the combustion bender. And he knew she had fought with firebenders in all her years at the force but… he supposed the combustion bender was a different kind of intensity.
Lin was covered in bindings and gauze that he recognized as the type that Kya and his mother would use for burns. How bad would it have to be for the heat to penetrate the metal… would the metal have stuck to her skin?
He could not imagine how much that might have hurt and yet…
He distinctly recalled Lin sitting by his bedside…
Awkwardly, he hobbled over to the chair beside her.
He groaned in relief as he sat down.
“Airhead?”
Tenzin twisted to face the bed, one green eye peering at him from the dark.
“I’m sorry, did I wake you?”
“No, not really, it’s all might unpleasant.” Lin attempted to shake her head then grimaced. “No good sleeping position, unless I ask them to up the anesthesia.”
He simply nodded.
“Is there something you wanted to talk about?” Lin’s soft yet sardonic voice cut through the silence that fell between them.
“Uh,” Tenzin searched his head for anything. “No?”
“Really. I would have thought there was something for you to hop over to my room at the dead of the night. And I’m sure it wasn’t for the same reason you used to do so back in the day.”
“Wha-what-Lin -no!” He sputtered in embarrassment, thankful for the dark so that his reddening countenance does not catch her attention.
Lin started to laugh but was interrupted by a moan of pain.
“Are you alright, Lin?” He leaned forward against the bed, wanting to ease her up if needed.
“I’m fine, I just forgot I’m not all there yet.” She weakly waved up her hand, all white and hidden under the gauze.
Tenzin caught it.
She squeezed back.
I’m thankful you’re alive.
I could have lost you.
There were many things he could have told her then.
But, he didn’t.
----
Riding the aftershocks.
No one realized there was anything wrong until they needed the Chief of Police to arrest Kuvira.
In the end, they relied on one of her subordinates who was on the scene, and everyone went about their way.
Nonetheless, the sense of foreboding would not escape Tenzin.
“Su, where did you land?”
“A little way over there.” That was the distracted response as Suyin listened to the police officer tell her about the next steps of Kuvira’s incarceration.
Tenzin felt his blood turn to ice.
He rushed in the direction that Su pointed out.
It was highly unlike Lin not to join them, not at this momentous situation where her expertise would be needed.
The gigantic arm of the colossus lay battered and out of place in the wreckage of the park. Wires and twisted metals littered the perimeter. The ground was upturned, the pavement cracked and trees were uprooted.
The airbender thought it would take long to find the missing earthbender when he spotted a figure, still seemingly trapped within the confines of the metal arm.
“No-no-no-no!” His voice came out choked as he inspected Lin Beifong’s unconscious body. “Lin! Lin!”
Both of her arms were useless, both were at odd limp angles that he could only imagine were a result of being tossed about with great force.
The metal brace around her torso had another curvature beside her.
Tenzin surmised Lin might have secured her sister first before herself.
He bit back a scream of frustration.
The woman was too selfless for her own good.
Ignoring the trickle of blood coming from her lip, Tenzin moved swiftly, searching for a pulse.
It was very faint.
Hold on, Lin. Hold on.
“No. Lin, hold on.” He pulled with all his might as he sought to dislodge Lin from beneath the metal brace. A few more air blades and Lin tumbled from fixture.
He ran. He tried to disregard the almost undiscernible breathes from the woman he carried in his arms.
By some miracle, one of the smaller hospitals in the city remained unscathed by the entire invasion. And by another miracle, Tenzin found himself heading there, possibly by muscle memory alone. When he was younger, he had memorized all routes to all the city’s clinics and hospitals. Having had a girlfriend in the police force made this knowledge very useful.
---
“We will take her from here, Master Tenzin.”
It was just that he did not think that this would come to use decades later in their life.
He would have been hard pressed to tell anyone how much time passed since he was told that the long surgery was completed.
It had not been clear if her arms would go back to normal. All he had cared about that she was alive.
Everything else were just details.
---
There was a shudder from the ground and the light fixtures swayed.
There was an earthquake, possibly brought about by the disturbance that the colossus made. And it was followed by some aftershocks.
The staff of the hospital was mobilized quickly as news came by that some buildings continued to collapse.
The airbender stayed put, sitting in vigil, holding the unconscious earthbender’s hand.
It soon turned to nightfall.
Tenzin had been away for hours and no one had found them or even come to get them.
One of the healers assigned to them, he recognized as the sister of one of the new airbenders, had helped secure them a semi-private room. He was grateful for that. He could not stand anyone gawking at Lin at her vulnerable state.
He just wished she woke up soon.
He leaned back on the uncomfortable hospital chair.
And so, the world continued to turn…
Belatedly, he realized that they were expendable.
Their time has passed.
It was a bitter truth that he had struggled to swallow ever since the first airbender unrelated to his blood line popped up.
To what end were all their fights, the tragedy that was their relationship?
And now, even as the city fell, the city she sought to protect, the city they grew up in – no one cared for her welfare. No one cared to search for her. And, he scoffed, they had all the resources to find her. They just…didn’t.
His hand crept and held her palm, now clean though still scratched and calloused.
He ignored how cold it was. Instead, he focused on her laborious breathing.
“As long as you’re breathing, it’s not over, Lin.”
It’s not over.
We’re not over.
You have to wake up.
His breath caught as two green eyes blinked at him.
He will not fail her. Not again. Not this time.
---
Note: Not my best work but hope it works. Let me know what you think
