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Lin was leaning against the wooden railing of the main house at the Air Temple Island as she smoked her cigarette, trying to keep her thoughts from running and let the stress out.
She and Kya just announced their relationship to the waterbender's family. They've been dating for almost a year now in a secret but decided to tell them now, that all of the crazy stuff in Republic City stopped happening and the city was finally stabilized. It just felt right.
Everyone took it well, Bumi was cheering for them as well as the kids. Pema was just smiling and constantly looking between Kya, Lin, and Tenzin, waiting for some type of reaction from her husband.
Tenzin's reaction wasn't the worst but it certainly wasn't what anyone expected. He seemed to process everything for a while but when he finally spoke up he said that he's happy for them but it was a weird and awkward situation, it caused Kya to snap and storm out, telling Lin that she needs some time alone to not blow up on her too over something small.
Lin heard light footsteps approaching her, it was Tenzin. She didn't feel like talking to him but he was already too close for her to run away. He leaned back at the railing and didn't look at her for a while, allowing himself to gather his thoughts.
„I'm sorry, I didn't mean-” Tenzin was cut off
„Cut it, we both know what you meant” Lin snapped.
„I think I worded it wrong... Will you please let me explain?” the airbender pleaded.
„Explain, then” Lin put out her cigarette and threw it away before turning to Tenzin.
„I'm truly happy for you two. I know both of you well and both of you are amazing women. I know you make each other happy and after giving it a second thought you complete each other, like a puzzle” Tenzin started. „What I meant by saying that you and Kya dating each other could be awkward or weird was that after what we used to be I just couldn't wrap my mind around it”
Lin huffed at his words and crossed her arms. She was about to say something when Tenzin's hand gesture stopped her. She sighed and raised an eyebrow at him.
„I might need a while to adjust to all of it because it isn't a casual situation and I don't want you and Kya to think that I have something against you two being in love while I don't. I support both of you and if you love each other then I can't do anything but be happy about it” Tenzin explained.
„While everything sounds right... You don't know me anymore, Tenzin. You know the person I was over twenty years ago” Lin corrected him.
„Well, about that...” Tenzin sighed. „I feel like you dating Kya is an opportunity for us to maybe become friends again? I'd like to get to know the person you are now” he smirked.
They weren't on exactly bad terms anymore but they both were aware of the fact that their friendship was not as strong as it used to be before they became a couple.
Lin had to admit that the idea of not only having a wonderful woman to love but also a good friend that still held the title of the best listener of her problems sounded great.
„It wouldn't be the worst thing in the world” Lin rolled her eyes, faking the annoyance. Tenzin saw right through it, maybe she hadn't changed so much after all. „And about earlier, I get it now but you should be talking to Kya, not me”
„No, I know what I'm doing” Tenzin replied calmly. „Also, I wanted to apologize for how I handled everything all those years ago. It was very immature for someone who was over thirty and I wish we could have ended up on better terms. Now that I'm looking back to it, I was the true problem there and I'm sorry for making you hurt so much” he added.
Lin looked over the airbender in front of her. He changed so much from the last time she examined his face like that. He had more wrinkles between his eyebrows and underneath his eyes. His beard had some strikes of gray and was longer than he used to keep it but the thing that she noticed that changed the most was the message he was sending with his eyes. His eyes used to be filled with excitement and love whenever he looked at her but now, all they gave her was comforting energy that was way different than before.
Lin used to feel safe and loved around him but now, it was only the safe part left. He still had this soothing effect on her but it was so different and made her feel even better than at the times she thought it was impossible.
„We had our differences and we both messed up back then but I think I can accept your apology,” the earthbender said.
„So, friends?” Tenzin asked with a grin, opening his arms.
„Friends” Lin scoffed but closed the space between and allowed Tenzin to trap her in a hug that again, didn't give her the butterflies she used to feel but the familiar comfort.
They and other people used to say that they were each other's soulmates but the second their constant fights started happening they both stopped believing in that statement. Now, the whole conversation made them both question that maybe they were soulmates, after all, just platonic ones.