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Lin was throwing rocks into the ocean at the beach on the Air Temple Island after she ran off from the little reunion of Tenzin and his siblings. It wasn't that she didn't like them, she truly did, they just could get very overwhelming. She noticed that it was getting cold but she didn't plan on going back anytime soon.
She felt herself shiver at the cold of Tenzin's air scooter being blown away once he stopped beside her.
„Sorry” the airbender mumbled.
„It's ok. Are you alright?” Lin asked noticing some change in Tenzin's usual soft expression.
„It's Kya and Bumi. They're... Mean” Tenzin looked away from Lin whose jade green eyes seemed to pierce through his soul.
„What did those two say?” Lin raised her eyebrow.
„That I- they said many things”
„Come on, I have time” Lin sat down and patted the sand next to her.
Tenzin sighed and sat next to his friend. They were sitting in comfortable silence before he spoke up. „First of all, they were making fun of how I look without hair”
Lin furrowed her eyebrows and looked at Tenzin surprised.
„What?”
„You don't look bad” Lin rolled her eyes. „I mean, I don't like the fact that I can't mess up your perfect hair anymore but aside from that the baldness fits you” she chuckled.
„Thanks...”
„Something else?” Lin asked.
„I- they- it's dumb, I'm sorry” Tenzin trailed off.
„It's not dumb but whatever. If you don't want to talk, I won't make you” Lin shrugged and started playing with some sand while Tenzin was thinking if he should say anything more.
„Why are they so annoying?” Tenzin sighed.
„They're jealous” Lin stated. „You are your dad's little airbender, the future leader of the Air Nation, and they... They're just themselves, they're not the airbenders your parents wanted them to be. I understand why they are mad at it but taking it out on you is annoying. They should say it to your father” she explained.
„But dad is amazing” Tenzin argued.
„I don't say he isn't. You just get special treatment”
„Special treatment? What are you even talking about?” the airbender questioned as he got back to his feet.
„It's something Kya and Bumi should talk to you about, not me. What else did they say?” Lin stood up.
„It's embarrassing” Tenzin blushed.
„I fell face-first onto the sand last week because my mom thought it would be funny to make me trip. Don't tell me something is embarrassing unless you experienced that” Lin reasoned.
Tenzin chuckled at the memory of Lin trying to get the sand out of her mouth. When he went quiet, he looked at the calm ocean before them and took a deep breath before speaking. „They were making fun of me because I've never kissed a girl and Kya kissed multiple”
„What are they? Twelve?” Lin chuckled.
„And you're laughing” Tenzin rolled his eyes. He really hoped to get some comfort from Lin.
„I'm not laughing at you. It's just ridiculous they'd give you a bad time about something like this” the earthbender explained.
„But that's the point!” Tenzin groaned. „I'm seventeen and I've never even hugged a girl in that way, don't even mention kissing. How am I supposed to restore a whole nation by having kids if I can't get a girl to hang out with me!? I'd have to date and marry one to do it all and I-”
„I'm hanging out with you, don't I?” Lin cut him off.
„I- but you're different” Tenzin sighed.
„I'm a girl so what makes it different?” the earthbender questioned.
„You're... You” Tenzin shrugged.
„I still don't un- If I kiss you right here, right now. Will you shut up?” Lin snapped.
„What?”
„Yes or no, it's a simple answer” Lin rolled her eyes.
„I- I mean, I would but-” Tenzin cut off when Lin took a step closer.
„So it is a yes?”
„I guess...” Tenzin shrugged.
Lin sighed and cupped Tenzin's face in her hands, pulling him in for a soft kiss that lasted a little bit too long than both of them expected.
„Will you shut up now?” Lin asked after she pulled away.
Tenzin stood dumbstruck for a moment before he even managed to take a breath. „I- wha- what?” he stuttered out finally.
„You've kissed a girl, you can shut up now” Lin rolled her eyes.
„Did you just... Kiss me?” Tenzin asked.
„Yes and I won't be doing that again” Lin pointed her finger at the airbender.
„Ok,” Tenzin said, still slightly shocked. „But your lips, they're-” he was cut off again.
„No” Lin almost yelled. „We're not doing that. Just to clarify, it was only to make you stop whining”
„Alright. Whatever you say” Tenzin shrugged.
„We can also pretend that we're dating...” Lin said, faking the annoyance.
„Yeah, sure” Tenzin chuckled. He wasn't sure if she was being serious or just trying to confess her feelings to him without actually doing it but he was happy no matter the choice.
„But it's just to prank Bumi and Kya”
„Whatever you say” Tenzin chuckled. „Are we going back?” he offered.
„Yes,” Lin answered simply and started walking up the island.
After Tenzin caught up to her, he caught her hand and intertwined his fingers with hers. Lin slightly jumped away from his touch but quickly relaxed and tightened her fingers around his hand as they walked back to his house.