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“Some things I will never understand about you, Councilman Tenzin.” The words fall from Tyro Fei’s mouth colored with the fragrance of potent wine.
Tenzin, for his part, takes a breath, a mini meditation in and of itself. He gestures for Pema to keep Kya company as he readies for another row with the pigheaded man.
“Look, Director Fei.” He sighs, judging the shifting of the other man’s feet, judging the alcohol clutched tightly in his hand, judging a lot of things. He is who he is after all. But this. Now? No. “Tonight is not the night for these discussions. We’re celebrating, leave the stances for Monday and enjoy yourself, old friend.”
He gets two steps, can even see the laugh on Pema’s lips at whatever his sister has said, before the man is calling him back. If only things were that easy.
Another mini meditation and he’s turning around, trying to smooth the annoyance in his mind.
“Tyro, I must insist we discuss-“
“We do have different views. I agree.” The usually pompous man seems to stumble over his words almost as if they are nearly too respectful than he’s used to giving. With a vocabulary of dismissals and fear-mongering lies? Well, his words shock Tenzin in their own way.
“And?”
The shoe-
“We all agree our main goal is for this city to prosper. Regardless of all else.” At this he shifts his eyes from the far wall, back to Tenzin’s in a far too earnest look. The kind of earnestness that makes you feel like you stole a bully’s candy, justified but icky nonetheless. The airbender has always been a sucker for compassion.
Tenzin’s silence seems to crash more anxiety on to the man. Usual agitation is replaced with hand shuffling anxiety. His hands clasp and fiddle with the glass of spirits he’s been far too liberally nursing all night.
Does the shoe drop or not?
Tyro isn’t doing anything major, a few minor adjustments, really. But adjustments seen all the same. Lin marks the anxiety in him from across the room. Marks everything really. The exits are counted, room surveyed, Kya surveyed (a few times), down to quick check ins on the other members of their group for the evening, eyes on her men, eyes on the clock. An event in her honor is an event she would like nothing more than to end.
It’s as Lin stands there, scanning the room (and her wife), that two sets of eyes take notice. Both meet her calculating presence with affection. An unfortunate truth that Tenzin is thrown into as Tyro throws his hand over his shoulder. The move so desperate Tenzin can’t help but akin it to a drown man.
“I just need a few tips, okay? Just an idea or two, a favorite drink, anything.”
Maybe he’s just as much a fool as his siblings say because for a second there he genuinely believed the man had lost it. Tyro’s policies and morals, or lack there of, had been the closest Tenzin thought he’d get to fully seeing the disintegration of the human mind.
“I’m sorry, what?”
“I know you and Lin are a thing of the past. Flameo, I wouldn’t blame you if it wasn’t.” Tyro tries for a nudge but Tenzin’s stiffened form has no give, “Look, just help two old friends out. You’re the perfect person to ask.”
“I assure you, I am not.” Short. Curt. Flat.
"It’s not like you’re together anymore, Tenzin. All I’m asking for is some tips, maybe a quick introduction. There might be time before the ceremony.” He looks like a nervous chicken as he searches the walls for a timepiece.
“I’ve got a few.”
The voice is far too familiar. Tenzin’s heard it throughout his entire life. Heard it yell, heard it laugh. Heard it just a few hours ago being far too comfortable at sharing exactly what she thought of Lin in her formal attire. Tenzin tries not to think about it. It’s not clear if it’s from the words spoken or the laughter his discomfort had brought to his wife and sister. Probably a mix.
Definitely a mix.
“Kya.” She winks at him as he clears his throat, shifts back a step, shoots his gaze to Lin’s now secured corner. He tries to beg through eye contact, through distance, to intervene. He’s take a break up level destruction if it got him away from the sharp gaze of his sister and Tyro’s now attempt at false confidence. With a meditative breath he counts to-
“You’re Tenzin’s sister, right?”
Kya’s eyes no longer burn at the words, but Tenzin’s certainly does. I wrong once known, should be fixed. It’s a notion their parents had instilled in them since Before he can step in, Kya is smirking. Her own eyes following the man’s sporadic gaze.
Kya follows his gaze, almost laughing aloud at the hungry gaze he undoubtedly hoped was inconspicuous. Lin was right to send her here, she’ll give her that. It’ll also be fun to tease her later, let her get in at least one “I told you so” before breaking the truth. Another moth drawn to her wife’s light.
They’re long past the rocks of their early years. Long past the unrequited love that had Kya traveling, running, fleeing. Long past the hurt, long past the fear. After all, he may get to see Lin now. May get to drink her in, may watch the lines of her uniform as she moves, may get a lot of things. But Kya? Kya has Lin. Has her drink cooling Kya’s hand. Her tooth brush beside Kya’s own. They're long past all that, it’s true. However, it doesn’t make the flick of flame light just a bit. The glint of mischief coming to her face as the man continues his movements
Once her rounds lead her back to a visual check in on Kya, she’s quick to notice the tension in the group. If the man sighs at the picture Lin paints with her calculating focus? Well, Kya can’t blame him. (She does.) A long look, unnoticed but vocal is shared between the couple. A tip of Kya’s hand, Lin’s drink moving like a salute of some sort. With a barely contained smile the connection ends. Far too early, thank you very much.
“So, you’ll introduce me?”
That gleam in her eye is dangerous.
“Of course.”
His gratitude is given effortlessly as they make to cross the room. Lin the goal for so many reasons.
“Don’t you already know each other?” Kya tries for friendly as she weaves between tables
“Ah, yes, well,” he dodges a chair he swears wasn’t so far out when Kya had passed it, “It’s not a great look to have her ex do the reintroduction.”
“Ah, you do make a good point.” Kya tips her head in understanding, once they can walk beside each other.
The man begins fiddling with his clothes at the two-thirds mark. Anxiety returning as Lin’s features became clearer, as her attention became nearer.
“Hey,” Kya tries for soothing as she meets his eyes, “You know, it could be worse than Tenzin.”
The mirth that notion brings eases his knotting stomach. Gratefulness doesn’t hesitate to bloom in him as he steadies himself buoyed with the calm Kya’s guiding presence is.
“Somehow I highly doubt that. But I appreciate the thought.”
“Oh no, I know for a fact there’s a worse option.”
With Lin almost in hearing range, Tyro tries not to pause. Tries not to stumble. Tries to listen but focuses on calming his heartbeat. “Really?” A deep breath. “What could be worse?”
“Well,” Kya’s smile takes on a sharper edge, “you could be introduced by her wife.”
“Thanks.” Lin sends a smile to Kya as she grabs the drink pressed into her hand, “What did Fei want with Tenzin?”
“I better be getting paid for all my work, dear.” Kya says lowly, enjoying the swift retreat of her prior companion, “First a waiter and now a secret agent? That’s at least two back rubs worth.” She takes a sip of Lin’s drink smirking at her scoff, “You were right, Tenzin needed some saving.”
“I am always right.” Lin says it so seriously, the only thing belaying her truth is the smirk she covers while she sips. “What was it about?”
Saved by the bell, the announcer calls them to their seats. Kya is quick to pull out Lin’s chair once they find their table. It was a rather easy find as it also housed three small air benders that call them auntie and two adults who are clearly deep into the dreaded new baby exhaustion.
As she moves to sit, Kya’s sure to let her hand graze Lin’s back. The feel of Lin’s blazer soft as it presses into her palm. Her fingers itch to rest on Lin’s slack covered leg, instead she turns, shoots a smile to her brother and Pema, tries to catch Fei’s worried eyes. Focuses on the gulp of drink he takes after accidentally meeting her eye. Leans back in her seat, her shoulder quickly knocking into Lin’s in a practiced move. If she keeps moving she won’t have time to think, to see, to understand.
It’s not often that Kya gets to fulfill her plus one obligations (not from lack of trying). The fear that brings Lin to push people away? The one that tells her Kya being tied to her publicly is all but signing a death sentence? That one’s a son of a bitch. It fights hard, but Kya fights harder. And hearing of this? An award ceremony for Lin, one populated by trusted officers and plenty of prior notice? Kya won the argument far more quickly than she’d thought. She hadn’t even had to bribe Lin with hints and promises of the sleek navy jumpsuit she currently dons.
It’s as Lin’s men take the stage that Kya begins to shake. Just a bit, nothing noticeable, nothing external. But something shakes.
As they talk about Lin’s selflessness? As they lament on how many times Lin has saved them, saved the city, saved a God damn fire ferret? The shake increases. The itch of her fingers beg to touch, beg to steady herself in the knowledge that Lin is still here. That Lin has always come back to her. She forces her gaze away from the next story of her partner’s bravery, another story where she could have lost her.
Her.
Lin.
Her eyes burn. Her fingers itch. Her heart hurts.
If she can’t touch, she can at least look. Lin, for her part, is doing her best to hide her own discomfort. Kya can see it in the tightness of her jaw, can just about feel the tapping of her foot.
A quick slide and their shoes are pressed together side by side. A comfort, a presence, a calm. Kya takes a deep breath, doing her best not to laugh as she sees Lin do the same. Two tap from Lin’s foot, and she’s walking away. Her steps, though paced in her usual stride, take Lin far too quickly from Kya’s reach.
She’s fine with it. Completely fine. Kya’s glass just slipped out of her hand a little louder than intended, she’s calm. The distance between them? The forty feet that separates them, the forty feet that mimics those recounted by Lin’s men? Those explaining a near death story, a heroic act, a-.
A blast of air from Tenzin has her regaining her bearings.
With a discreet nod his way, Kya is quick to re-train her gaze on Lin’s stoic form. She tries to focus on Lin’s outfit, runs her eyes over the flowing green of Lin’s blouse. It brings out her eyes in a way that had Kya, herself, bribing the younger woman to wear. Besides, an aqua massage isn’t nearly as one-sided as she leads Lin to believe.
Kya takes some comfort upon noticing the concealed metal on Lin’s cuffs. Ever prepared. Her breathing returns to her control as she’s pulled form her thoughts, laughter of the room ringing out. Zoning back in, she watches as Lin’s second in command continued pulling laughs from the crowd (and even a few long-suffering look from a slightly more relaxed Lin).
“All of that to say, though Chief has so cruelly promised grunt work to any of us who dare talk her up on this stage.” A laugh runs through the room, only skipping the rookies and their nervous glances, “So, to save ourselves paperwork Hell, we have invited a very special guest to do what we are too terrified to do.”
Swift yellow robes weave through the audience. Kya’s heart skips before she recognizes him, recognizes safety. Lin, for her part, catches the movement sooner. Scans the room from her vantage point, stages offer some perks at least.
Meelo finds his feet on the stage quickly. His knees wavering once he feels the multitude of eyes on him. Air takes a bit too long to join his lungs, he gulps as he fights to control his anxious tremors. Meelo’s gaze meets his mother’s, worrying his lip at the comfort he finds there.
He opens his mouth but no sound comes out.
“Don’t worry,” Lin shoots him a smile, holding her arm out to the boy as he leans into her legs, “I can’t make you do grunt work.” The laugh it brings the audience works like a charm; Soon the boy is ready, hands fidgeting with the microphone, accidentally letting a few loud bumps ring out.
“I-” A look of panic hits his face as Lin shifts to move, his hand reaching out on reflex to grip Lin’s pant-leg.
Essentially trapped, Lin sends a faux suffering look their table’s direction. Pema can do nothing but grin, pride in her eyes. Tenzin, himself, replays the moments that brought them here on loop. The fear, the sacrifice, the-. Kya’s own mind mimics her brother’s. Her mind flashes with images of bank heists and bombs, assaulted by thoughts of blood, of danger, of pain.
“Aun- Chief- Uh, This lady is my hero.” Meelo’s stumbled words cut through the sibling’s torment. The need to encourage and support the young boy overclouding their thoughts.
“My dad says this medal is rare and that it goes to someone who shows excep- ex-“
“Exceptional!” Jinora’s voice rings out, laughter on its tail
“That!” Meelo grins, “Someone who shows ex- excep- what Jinora said- courage and bravery.”
Kya can’t help but stare at the image before her. Eyes fixed on the grip her nephew has on her wife. Heart warming at the comfort Meelo finds in her side. She knows that comfort well.
“Oh, and that they had to almost die for it!”
That , Kya decides, should have gone unsaid.
The shaking restarts. Ice begins to melt in her glass. The distance is much much too far.
“She did it to save us, my sisters and parents.” Meelo keeps his gaze upward, locked on his Aunt Lin, “She took down a whole airship for us, I know she would’ve gotten the second one too if they, uh-”
Kya’s eyes burn as she listens. Her sharp gaze piercing the side of Tenzin’s face, intensifying the glare once he meets her eyes. She takes some joy in the gulp her ire forces upon him. After Kya’s mouthed “Later,” Tenzin is quick to snap his attention back to the stage.
Hearts crush as the child’s voice and eyes fill with tears.
“You are my hero.”
The pause those words create is only interrupted by the shuffle of bureaucrats on stage. An open box is held out in Meelo’s direction. The medal of valor catching the light. With a gust of wind he raises himself to Lin’s level, placing the ribbon around her neck with shaking hands.
Lin’s eyes gleam. No tears allowed to fall.
The family’s eyes gleam. Tears free, quiet, discreet.
With a round of applause, Meelo is sent back to the table pride painted on his face. Unfortunately, Lin is forced to remain. Handshakes and pictures forced and formal. By the time she finally is released, she’s met with two red faced siblings, three curled up children, and one barely awake sister-in-law.
“Ready?”
The air is nice this far above the bay. Tenzin’s favorite air bison floats calmly through the clear night’s sky. Children lay sleeping, sprawled out around the saddle bed. Tenzin and Pema sit calmly, legs stretched out in the calming breeze.
Kya shifts, sliding her body against Lin’s side as she feels her shiver in the cold.
“Cold?”
“Not at all.” Lin replies, arm pulling Kya closer as she keeps her eyes on the stars
A few more moments pass in tranquility before Kya’s straightening, tension radiating.
“So, no one here thought to tell me my wife has a death wish?”
“Kya.” Lin sighs
“Don’t ‘Kya’ me.” She grumbles, “I left them with clear instructions not to let you get hurt.”
“What’s airhead gonna do that I can’t?”
“Hush!” Kya interrupts Lin, eyes sharp and focused on her brother, “I’m waiting, Tenzi.”
“I- She- I-”
“And no one thought to mention it?”
“You were there when I got my bending back. What did you think happened?”
“What did I think happened? What did I think happened?” Kya whisper-shouts careful of little sleeping ears, “I thought, Lin , that you knew you were important enough to stay alive.”
“Well.” And Lin flaming shrugs.
Shrugs !
Pema all but cringes, watches in concern as Lin’s shrug breeds pure protective rage in Kya. She joins her husband in meditation, grateful for the quiet isolation it provides. Minutes pass before a splash of water hits Tenzin’s shoulder, the water (and its after spray) pulling the couple from their meditation.
Their re-entrance is quiet, met with quiet, and met with wind.
“I think Fei has a drug problem. I have my men looking into it.”
Tenzin’s nod is interrupted by Kya’s laugh.
“Seriously?”
“He seemed a bit off with you both earlier. The disappearing act when you both came close to the security patrol. What was he talking to you about Tenzin? Anything worth noting.”
His cough is an answer; Pema’s laugh is another.
“This is no laughing matter. We lost five people this month from the PondShine epidemic alone.” Lin’s eyes don’t leave the stars, these rides have always been her favorite. The quiet of the night, the beauty of the stars, the feel of the wind? It’s a comfort, has been ever since Uncle Aang took them around as children.
“He was shifty all night. I could see him flush red randomly, also. There might be a new strain-”
Sensing the tension heighten, Kya throws out “You’re the only drug he wants” in good humor. Pema joins in on her laugh, free and open in the quiet night.
“What?” Simple. Blatant. Lin.
“He certainly has his sights on something addictive.” Kya finishes with a side hug, Lin’s skin cool in her embrace.
Pema can’t hold back her laughter. Confusion blooming in Lin as she glances between the women, she finds her gaze landing on an uncomfortable Tenzin.
“Tenzin. Spill.”
Before Tenzin can finish fully explaining the Fei situation, Lin is threatening to perform a high dive into the bay. Shivering at the thought of his eyes on her in any capacity, Lin wants to scrub herself clean.
Once the laughter has eased and the calm resettled, Kya tells the story. Dramatic, hands waving, words flowing, Lin can’t help the love that fills her as she watches her wife.
The room is dark, hours of sleep having found them swiftly after dragging themselves to bed. Lin’s eyes open slowly, a memory coming to the surface and pulling her from her dreams.
“I finally figured it out.”
“Hm?” Is the only reply Kya can muster, head burrowing further in the blankets, foot only halfway in the conscious world
A yawn takes over Lin, her body relaxing further as the nagging question finally has an answer.
“That weird meeting last week.” She answers, voice trailing off as the cool side of the pillow calls to her, no doubt in her mind that Kya had returned to sleep
“Mhm.” Another shuffle, a blanket tugged, “What about it?”
“I unknowingly went on a date with Fei.”
The bed creeks as Kya shoots up. Glasses of water on their nightstands begin shifting, rising, boiling.
“You what?!”