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The wedding flowed with warmth, and the sight of the happy couple’s smiles brought a flicker of joy to Tenzin. Yet, in the heart of all that celebration, he felt a sharp, nameless ache.. a lump in his throat that refused to subside.
As the night deepened, Pema headed home with the children, leaving him behind. The atmosphere shifted then; it grew quiet. He felt a weight lift from his shoulders, knowing his family was safe, tucked away from the world.
A waiter passed by with a tray of wine.
Tenzin hesitated. Then, he took a glass.
It was his first time tasting wine. It wasn't bad, but that persistent ache? It didn't move an inch.
"I can't believe you're drinking at your age."
Lin stood there, clad in a sharp, formal suit that mirrored her precision. When he first heard of the wedding, he wondered if she’d attend, and if she’d wear a dress. He’d mocked himself for even thinking of it.. then realized he was thinking of her
"I wanted to try it," he replied
He began to feel the light buzz of the alcohol circling his head. Just one glass and he was already there
Lin smiled
He smiled back
She had always possessed a beautiful smile, though she usually kept it barricaded behind her habitual scowl
"I don't think it suits you. You’re an airbender, after all. This goes against your nature."
He answered instinctively, without thinking
"I don’t know what our nature is anymore... It’s not what you imagine."
The lump in his throat expanded. A gnawing discomfort hollowed out his chest. Yes, perhaps that was it.. it wasn’t how he expected it to be... Not this way..
Lin’s voice softened. "Are you alright?"
He looked at her. Just one look
Into those green eyes...
Those green eyes...
Oh...
Resentment flared within him, and tears began to prick at his eyes..Choking back a sob, he looked away
"I need some air."
He walked away but Lin followed
"Lin.. please... I want to be alone."
His voice was sharper than he intended. Her voice called out from behind him but he couldn't bear to face her now.. He quickened his pace, then took flight landing on the ledge of a nearby building.
Tenzin couldn't remember the first time he saw Lin..She had simply always been there, and he had always been there. Aang and Tenzin... Toph, and Lin
But he remembered exactly when he realized he loved her
He was sixteen she was fifteen.. They were arguing the subject long for gotten but she was the one who walked away, leaving him shouting at her back... He was certain she was wrong, so he stayed silent... He wouldn't apologize for something he didn't do. Three days passed in silence...
For three days he felt physically ill... A bodily pain and a restless irritability plagued him...Even his father couldn't stand to be in the same room as him. He just wanted to see Lin.
So he went to her... She was at Toph’s school, asleep on a bench...He smiled seeing her like that peaceful, a far cry from the fiery girl she usually was.. A sudden overwhelming urge to lean down and kiss her cheek took hold of him.
He recoiled in shock at his own thoughts.
After that, they returned to their old rhythm, a game of push and pull they perfected over years without ever naming it until one day he couldn't take it anymore and he kissed her
He was certain his future lay with Lin...He never imagined anyone else... He saw himself with three or four children, hoping they’d all be airbenders to rebuild the nation...
Then he hit the wall of reality
On an ordinary day after years of a relationship he never doubted Lin calmly told him she didn't want children It was non-negotiable They fought the kind of fight that leaves scars
Tenzin returned home seething with rage
That same day Pama came to him and confessed her feelings He looked at her for a long time as she turned red with embarrassment thinking he was shocked But he was calculating Weighing Measuring A wave of nausea hit him from the sheer agony of the moment then he remembered his responsibility
He kiss her..
And the next day
"Lin it’s better if we break up"
A long heavy silence followed He couldn't meet her eyes
"Fine"
Fine That was all she said She walked away without looking back and Tenzin didn't look back either
And they ended Just like that
He married He tried his best to avoid Lin to never cross paths But after Korra arrived that became impossible They eventually found common ground respect Or so he thought
If Lin had taken years to move on Tenzin hadn't allowed himself to think about it at all He was terrified of this of this specific pain
"There you are You’ve been gone an hour I know I know give me space but you look not okay"
He didn't look at her He didn't speak
"Tenzin"
Silence Lin began to wonder if she’d done something
"As far as I know I haven't annoyed you tonight I even thought about calling you one of those names I used to tease you with but I didn't"
He turned to her his scowl deepening so intensely she fell silent in surprise
"Did you know I married Pema to have airbender children And I love them But I did it for the responsibility my father left behind"
The warmth drained from Lin’s face replaced by a strange chill
"Why are you telling me this now"
He burst out his voice cracking
"Because I thought it was the only way!!"
Lin didn't react she only watched him with a look of suspicion and uncertainty He stood up pacing his voice rising with every word
"But suddenly airbenders are appearing everywhere Ordinary people If all it took was opening the Spirit Portals why did I go through all that Why did I sacrifice my future with the woman I love for a nation that could return without me Why do I have to feel this now"
He fell silent realizing he had reopened a wound his and hers.. He knew she was shocked but he truly wanted to weep He held himself together though he lacked the courage to look at her
Lin said nothing Seconds stretched into an eternity
Finally in a faint voice
"I think you should go home"
He lifted his head his gaze one of pure desolation as she began to walk away That look alone was enough to make him move reaching out to catch her hand
"Lin"
She wanted to scream at him He had no right to speak now She turned to face him ready for a fight
But he was crying Tears streamed down his face in silence
He had always been the sensitive one She remembered a time they fought and she’d told him they should go their separate ways She meant a temporary break until tempers cooled but Tenzin thought she was leaving him for good The next day he showed up at her house eyes swollen and dark screaming that things aren't solved this way before breaking down and telling her he loved her
It was the same broken look
She wiped his tears cupping his face with both hands He leaned his head into her palm and closed his eyes
"I hate this I hate how it turned out"
"Tenzin you just"
He shook his head before she could finish He opened his eyes and took her hands in his
"No I have always wanted you Only you If the situation were different if you had told me you didn't want children I would have said no problem Because it wasn't a problem for me It was the nation's problem not mine"
Lin didn't know where this was leading
"Tenzin why are you saying this What do you want me to say"
His voice came out fractured
"Nothing I just want you to know that I love you I truly love you Knowing that everything I did might have been a mistake that I threw away my chance with you it hurts so much If reincarnation exists the way it does for the Avatar I want to die by your side In a next life"
He stopped a lump in his throat He saw Lin’s eyes filling with tears despite the stoic mask she wore
"Lin just be happy alright I’m here if you need anything until a next life"
He wanted to kiss her desperately But lying to Pema and hurting Lin He wouldn't do it.. Not again
Lin pulled him into a hug A second later he held her back with everything he had And her silent tears finally fell against his shoulder
......
After that night Lin resigned from the police force and moved in with her sister A year later she met the Chief of the Guard who eventually became her husband
Tenzin did not attend the dinner they held in place of a wedding Lin was grateful It was said he went on a solo mission But she knew the truth of his condition she had lived through that feeling once herself
The years passed They met on a few occasions their paths rarely crossing
Then Lin passed away at seventy-five suddenly a heart attack A young age for many
Tenzin retreated to one of the temples refusing to see anyone
A year later he followed He was seventy-seven
His eldest daughter was with him when he passed She told everyone his last words were
"Live without regret"
But he had told her about Lin about their story And the very last word he whispered before his eyes closed for good was her name...
Lin..
Then he closed his eyes..
....
"Lin do you believe in soulmates?"
"I don't know probably not"
"For me you're the one"
".. Fine I'll believe in them too"
"My spirits are you actually blushing"
"Shut up!!"