Chapter Text
“Sure. Why not?”
Tenzin blinked. Did he hear her properly? A few sips of one or two glasses of wine encouraged him to ask Lin for a dance. To be frank, he expected at least a cackle of disbelief, a slap to the face, or a hard scowl to be his answer.
Not the relaxed and submissive answer that Lin gave him.
Lin tilted her head back, lips connected to the glass and sweet rice wine flowing down her throat.
Fierce and loving eyes of a lifetime connected back with his. Her tongue darted across the bottom of her lip catching a stray drop of liquor. The heat in Tenzin’s face elevated and a curiosity hovered in his eyes.
“Well? Are we dancing or not?”
The once subtle pink of her cheeks deepened—a mix of blush and booze. Calmly, Tenzin immediately extended his hand out, heart soaring when a warm and silky soft palm slipped into his. Most had no idea that Lin actually has the silkiest hands in all of the lands.
In their school days, the skin of Lin’s fingers cracked so badly from the winter freeze and constant hand-washing. Of course, his mother was around to heal her skin. Eventually, the problem caught on to him. Katara gave them both a tiny bottle of cream to remedy the issue, and recommended they reapply after washing their hands.
On one particularly freezing school day, Tenzin forgot his. Lin squeezed a dollop of it into her palms and massaged it into his hands, white cream melting and sticking between their hands. Smaller fingers rubbed through his knuckles, almost interweaving together while the lotion melted into their skin.
Tenzin is sure that was the moment he caught feelings for her.
Decades later, Lin continues this personal ritual, regardless of the season. Lin’s hand slowly tightening around his thrust Tenzin to the past and he allowed his brain to linger there, rather than stay rooted in the present. Had he really forgotten this tiny detail?
Tenzin gently pulled Lin into his arms as easily as a soft ocean current lures seashells into the deeper depths. With his first love now standing in his protection, Tenzin swore he heard a gasp when his arm slipped around her waist. He was still aware enough to not sweep a kiss to Lin’s hand as he used to in their youth.
Lin snaked a hand up his shoulder and behind his neck. “Don’t step on my foot,” she murmured. “And don’t drop me either.”
“Never.” Their words were contained within inches of each other, never to escape to anyone nearby.
A sweet piano melody drifted across the dancefloor, and the lantern lights dimmed. Their eyes locked and nostalgia filled their gazes, erasing the wrinkles around Tenzin’s eyes and Lin’s gray hair. This was the song they first danced to when they were once Korra’s age. For a moment, they were no longer Chief Beifong and Master Tenzin; but instead, two friends with a deepening love living in an era where it was them against the world.
Tenzin took a step back, Lin following him. Several steps and spins later, Tenzin waltzed Lin to the center of the dancefloor. Their bodies fell into harmonious sways and spirals, despites years of separation and no more dancing. Listening to each other came as easily and naturally as their own bending. Lin did not step on his foot, and Tenzin did not spin her too quickly.
Lin’s shoulders relaxed and the lights danced in her eyes. Slowly, her corners of her lips grew upward. It did not take long for the airbender to mirror the earthbender’s.
With both so lost in their own music, they failed to notice how they gathered the attention of the other guests.
The music began to pick up in tempo, and suddenly, both giggled. His eyes flickered down to Lin’s lips, then averted back to jade. Tenzin tightened his arm around Lin's waist. With a graceful spin, Tenzin dipped Lin effortlessly, eyes never breaking away from hers.
He leaned forward an inch, their breaths meeting halfway. The piano sings the last of its song, and following its flow, Tenzin straightens Lin without any rush. Inches before she stood properly, Tenzin lowered his head and Lin tilted her face upward until their lips pressed together.
Gasp! Flash! Shatter! Whistle!
Immediately, the spell is broken and the former couple separate.
The collective gasps, whispers, murmurs, and whistles around them is a blur. Time slows down, yet neither airbender and earthbender can tear their guilty eyes away from each other. Hearts raced and drummed uncontrollably against their wishes.
A movement at the edge of Lin’s peripheral vision coaxes her to look, and all she can feel is the flame raging in another pair of green eyes.
And now, the shorter woman is standing before Lin.
Slap!
“How dare you kiss my husband!”
Before Pema could lay another slap, Lin feels herself being pulled back and blocked by red and yellow robes. She is staring at the back of a blue tattoo.
“Dear, it’s all my fault,” Tenzin insists gently, reaching out to Pema. “Let’s not make a scene.”
Pema’s glare deepened, nostrils flaring and eyes becoming glass. “Step aside, Tenzin.”
“No.”
What on earth happened? How did that happen? He couldn’t have drunk that much wine to accidentally fall on his suppressed and totally non-existent feelings. But it must have been the alcohol. And the music and lights! Yes, it created this ambiance that sent him back in time. Of course, that’s the answer!
His body and mind couldn’t tell the difference between past and present. And he acted the way he would have as a teenager.
But…it would be a lie if he said that he never yearned to kiss Lin again.
Tenzin released a groan.
He wandered the streets of Republic City, draping his cape close around his arms to block the night chill. His breathing slowed to amplify the warmth within his body and spread it to his limbs. Tension collected and filled his skull, the ache pulsing and pushing beyond the limits of his bone. Memories, emotions, and thoughts chaotically waged war.
And his wandering led him to the only other place he could call “home.”
Knock. Knock.
“Go home, Tenzin.”
Tenzin rested his forehead against the door. “I can’t.”
“Why not?” Her voice demanded from the opposite side. “We basically just had an affair in front of your wife.”
“No we didn’t. It was only a kiss.”
The floor shook and metal creaked around him. “Only?!”
“Lin, please let me in.” Was that desperation cracking his voice? Or yearning? Tenzin couldn’t tell anymore. He swallowed the lump in his throat. “She kicked me out.”
“Off your island?” The door opened a crack, the door chain stretched right below vulnerable eyes. “And you let her?” With silence as her answer, Lin clicked her tongue. “She truly made you soft…Can you even get your dick up at this point?”
Tenzin pressed closer to the small opening of refuge and comfort that Lin opened. “Lin, please! Just let me in. I will handle her after tonight. I just need a place to stay for the night.”
He could see her biting her lip, her eyes now avoiding his. “I can’t,” she said softly.
“Why not? I promise nothing will happen.”
“You know what they say,” Lin uttered with a firmness in her voice. “You let a stray in once and they never leave.”
“I’m not a stray. I’m your friend.”
“Yeah, right.”
“I won’t bother you at all. You won’t even know I’m here.”
“Are you kidding me? I’ll hear you snoring from the other side of the door!”
“Lin, please, please. Just this one time.”
“Go and beg on your knees to Pema.”
Lin is ready to slam the door in his face and deny everything that Tenzin represents. But he manages to squeeze his hand partially through the gap and lightly grip the door. Lin freezes. The ice cracks in her eyes and Tenzin can see her face softening, even if just a glimpse.
“Please, Lin…”
He knows Lin is facing her own internal battles now, though he can feel her heart radiating in her eyes. Mentally, he prepares himself in case she still chooses to reject him and break his fingers for trespassing.
But then silky fingertips tenderly covers his knuckles, and Tenzin feels heaven’s gate opening.
Tenzin released his grip and Lin wove her fingertips awkwardly with his. If she opened the door an inch more, his thumb could stroke and reassure her with all the promises he could keep into her skin.
Lin sighs exasperatedly, bowing her head low. She pulls her touch away from his, and the door chain slides off the lock.
Just like that, Lin welcomes him home.
"Hurry up and get your ass in here before someone sees and makes this worse."
He stepped in without missing a beat. Gratitude filled his heart and held hands with the love he never surrendered for Lin.
When he laid eyes on Lin, a new wave of heat rolled through his body. Lin already slipped out of her formal attire. A champagne silk robe draped and wrapped around curves he worshipped. He noticed the outline of her nipples through the fabric and forced his gaze somewhere else. The heat simmered and only intensified within him, reminding him of urges that were all too familiar whenever he was in her presence.
Lin tightened her robe and crossed her arms protectively over her chest. She cleared her throat.
“Thank you,” Tenzin managed weakly, slipping out of his shoes and leaving them neatly beside Lin’s.
A small hum.
“You kinda came in at the wrong time. I was about to shower.” She turned away and gestured at the open space of her home. “Make yourself as uncomfortable as possible. I’m sure you’ll find some tea in my cupboard somewhere and honey. You can sleep in the guest room. I’ll change the sheets after I shower.”
“I,” a cough, “also need a shower…”
Lin spun around, an eye twitched. Tenzin smiled awkwardly, and Lin rolled her eyes. “You are so damn insufferable…” Glancing at his robes, she pointed at them. “Do you even have anything else to wear other than that?”
He shook his head.
“Fuck’s sake, airhead…”
“Look, Lin. You go ahead and shower first. I can manage with a curtain.”
Lin shot him a look of disbelief. “Who do you think I am? Grandma would roll over in her grave if she heard that I gave a guest a curtain to wear. Of course, I have spare clothes for another man.”
She turned around too quickly to witness the scowl on Tenzin’s face.
A slender leg perched on the edge of the bed, and Lin bowed down to massage a fresh layer of peach blossom cream into her dewy skin. The towel wrapped above her head almost toppled over from gravity, but Lin held it in place. She dug into the tin of cream and massaged it in circular motions over almost every inch of her body.
Lin twirls the cover on and places the container on her dresser. Pulling open a drawer, she scans the array of subtle colors. A cherry blossom pink silk nightgown catches her attention. Lin reaches for it.
For a night like tonight, she’s too lazy to wear long sleeves. A nightgown is easy to put on and take off.
Maneuvering it over the towel carefully, the luxurious satin ripples and cascades perfectly over her body. It sticks lightly to her skin, over the areas with a fresh residue of cream. Settling on the bed, Lin tilts her head and the towel collapses. Fingers comb through damp hair, nails scratching and raising tingles along her scalp.
Then, her arm falls in her lap, and the weight of life pushes down on her shoulders.
“What are you doing, Lin?” she asked quietly. Peering over her shoulder, she catches the distant sound of running water and a haze of steam slipping from beneath the bathroom door. Another sigh. “Why did you let him in?”
She closed her eyes.
“Don’t make any mistakes.”
Knock. Knock. Knock.
“Uggggh. Who the fuck is it now?”
Stomp!
The towel almost fell to the floor and Lin’s heartbeat pierced through her chest.
“Shit.” Lin rose to her feet, condensation lightly outlining her footprint on the floor. She quickly pulled another silk robe over her body, clumsily tying the knot across her abdomen. “I wonder why she’s here…”
One breath in.
One breath out.
The door opened. “Good evening,” Lin greeted tightly.
The shorter woman sniffled, eyes red and slightly puffy. Her head craned in different directions. “Is Tenzin here?”
Lin exhaled heavily, leaning her weight on one leg. “You should be sleeping now, Pema.”
Pema only glared at her. “Is. Tenzin. Here?”
Thank the spirits that Lin’s life was spent mastering the art of poker-face. Her options flashed across her mind and Lin released her breath calmly. “He dropped by for a while.”
“How dare you.”
Lin raised a surrendering hand. “Look, Pema. I didn’t mean for that to happen. Nor did I expect it. I don’t know what came over either of us, but…I wouldn’t have tried to hurt you. I’m sorry.”
Pema's face softened. A small hiccup racked through her. “Do you know where he might be?”
“He—”
A completely wet and shirtless Tenzin walks behind Lin. Only a towel wrapped around his waist. Water drips to the floor.
“Lin, something is wrong with the…”
He freezes the moment he sees his wife.
Pema's nostrils flare and she points an accusatory finger at Lin and Tenzin.
“You-you—!”
Tenzin held the towel in place and awkwardly waddled over. “Pema, this is not what it looks like.”
“Stay with your childhood whore! I don’t want anything to do with you!” she screeched, eyes clenched shut with pain and betrayal. Without looking back, Pema bolted.
“Pema, wait!”
Pema expected Tenzin to run after her, even if he was half-naked. He deserved to, so that the world could see how Tenzin is devoted to her. He would grab her wrists, spin her around and pull her into the tightest hug possible. Despite her struggling against him, he’d wipe her tears with Lin Beifong’s towel, utter comforting words and proclamations of love in her ear as she pounded her fists on his chest. He would beg for her forgiveness and vow to forever remain by her side. Because she’s his soulmate.
The scene would be dramatic and passionate to anyone passing by. They would melt at the sight and be jealous of her love story.
But no one followed her.