Linzin Week 2021: Day 3 - Stargazing (part 2)
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 ✌🏽 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, tonight’s 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. “We can’t resolve this in one night, can we?” There was resignation on her expression.
Tenzin ran a hand on his face. “No, we can’t.”
“What do we do now?” 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. “We can’t continue like this.”
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.
“Maybe we should -.”
“You’re right.” He interrupted, causing Lin to look up at him. “We can’t go on like this. I agree - we should break up.”
“Break up?” Lin was taken aback. “What are you – that wasn’t what I -.”
Tenzin backpedaled. “That wasn’t what you were going to suggest?”
“No!” Lin worked her mouth, opening and closing. She was at a loss for words. She decided to sit down. “I was going to say take a break, get back to it later, just not…” She gestured her hands to the food on the table. “Now. Let’s have dinner first.” She pinched the bridge of her nose. “But, Tenzin, really, be honest – is that what you think? How long have you been thinking… Do you think we should break up?”
---
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 city’s artificial light does not obscure the view of the nighttime sky.
The earthbender chewed her food contemplatively. It would be shame to move out, wouldn’t it?
---
City hall
“Good afternoon, Captain! Councilman Tenzin is in his office right now.” 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.
“Tenzin!” She leaned on the desk and Tenzin could see the vein on her forehead.
“Good afternoon to you too, Captain Beifong.” He played dumb to prolong the inevitable.
“You know why I’m here.” Lin rolled her eyes. “Would 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?”
“Listen Lin – .”
“No, you listen. Why didn’t you tell them we’re done? That we’ve broken up?”
“I can’t, okay? They’re both so pleased for us. I’m looking for a good timing.”
Lin scoffed. “Is there ever a good timing to break up?”
“Well.” Tenzin scratched his beard.
“Don’t – answer that!”
“And I can’t disappoint Dad right now.”
“Of course, that’s the reason. After all that’s exactly why we -.” Lin cleared her throat and Tenzin could see how she visibly tried to control herself. “Well, alright then. As long as we’re on the same page.”
---
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 – 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 – 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 – heck, even one bed (“Not gonna matter, airhead, we’re barely home at the same time anyway.”).
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 – his mind added nastily.
The crumpled note in his hand said: “Roommate – I’ll be out late. Don’t wait up.”
Roommate. He almost sneered. That’s what they’ve been reduced to.
TBC