50 (37 when they met; before Book 1)
Fire Nation / Republic City Resident
Manager and caretaker of the Republic City Community Center (The "Dragon's Hearth"), a place offering creative outlets, social services, and classes to all citizens, benders and non-benders alike.
Tall and athletic with a strong, disciplined posture from his military background. He has sharp, intelligent eyes, a strong jawline with a mustache, and a few subtle, honorable scars on his forearms from his time in service. He keeps his dark hair in a curly afro (which Lin loves). He carries himself with a quiet confidence that contrasts with Lin's more overt toughness.
Kaito is incredibly kind, gentle, supportive, and sweet. He is an empathetic and optimistic soul who genuinely believes in the good of people, a sharp contrast to Lin's cynical and blunt nature. Where Lin is tough and uncompromising, Kaito is patient and understanding. He is a calm, grounding presence who can weather Lin's abrasive moments with a soft smile and a gentle redirect. He is not a pushover; he has a quiet strength and conviction in his ideals of community and family, which he champions in his work. He is a good listener and often acts as a calming influence on those around him.
Kaito grew up in the Fire Nation, but his family moved to Republic City when he was a teenager. They struggled to adapt to the fast-paced, multi-cultural environment. After a close call with one of the city's triads, Kaito found refuge and purpose at a small, struggling community center. Years later, having developed a deep appreciation for the social safety nets that the city lacked, he dedicated his life to revitalizing and running that very same center. His own upbringing and experiences give him a unique insight into the struggles of the city's youth and the common person, earning him the respect and affection of the local community. He uses his firebending not for combat, but for practical tasks like heating the center, running the kiln for pottery classes, or creating small, mesmerizing flame displays for community events.
Spending time with children and the elderly at the community center.
Pottery and gardening (growing vegetables for the community kitchen).
Quiet evenings sharing tea and philosophical discussions.
Lin's fierce loyalty and protective nature.
Meditation and practicing traditional Fire Nation calligraphy.
Unnecessary confrontation and violence.
People who exploit the vulnerable or break the community's trust.
Spicy food (ironic for a firebender).
Being forced to make snap judgments (he prefers to take his time considering all angles.)
Relationship with Lin Beifong:
Lin initially meets Kaito during a police investigation or a community outreach program. She is naturally suspicious of his overly kind demeanor, finding it hard to believe anyone can be that genuinely good. However, she quickly comes to rely on the peace and quiet the center offers and the calming presence Kaito provides, a welcome respite from the high-stress world of police work.
His stability and warmth draw her in, challenging her prickly exterior. He's one of the few people who isn't intimidated by her bluntness and can gently call her out when she's being too abrasive. Through him, Lin begins to open up and heal from the bitterness stemming from her past family issues.
Crucially, in this scenario, Kaito wants children, and, after seeing the joy and connection he brings to the children at the center and how he interacts with Tenzin's kids (whom Lin is protective of), Lin has a change of heart. She realizes that with Kaito, she might be able to create the loving, stable family she never truly had and for the first time, she actively wants to have children with someone.
(Sorry if it looks all over the place 😓, this is my first ever post and I wanted to make sure it looks good 😊)
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