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“Anything else?” Tenzin checks as they walk through the town they spent the first half of their trip in.
“Just some fruits for Koda then we can head out,” Lin informs him.
“I’ll get it while you two wait here,” Tenzin heads into the crowded area of the market.
“Okay,” Lin nods, “so Ko, what do you feel like doing when we get to the temple?”
“Ko!” the two year old cheers at the sound of his name.
“Mommy can show you what she and grandpa worked on,” Lin grins at the toddler.
“Pa!” Hakoda echoes.
“Excuse me miss are you okay?” a gentleman Lin figures is a few years older than her and likely some kind of nobility based on his robes.
“Yes,” Lin nods.
“That's good to know,” the man considers , “you look like someone who I would like to know.”
“Uh huh?” Lin shoots him a disinterested look.
“I could take you out for dinner and dancing, show you a good time,” the man offers.
“I’m not interested,” Lin shakes her head
“I can make this worth your while. You’ll never have to work another day in your life. I will take care of you,” the man insists
“No thanks,” Lin shakes her head.
“Nu tans,” Hakoda repeats, drawing the man’s attention.
“Your nephew is adorable,” he smiles at Hakoda.
"This is my son," Lin clarifies.
"Well," the man considers, "I'll take care of both of you."
"We are spoken for," Lin shrugs him off.
“I can treat you better,” he insists.
“Honey, is he bothering you?” Tenzin asks from behind the man.
“Well buddy,” the man turns around to face Tenzin and when he realises he is looking at Tenzin’s chest, he changes his mind, “yeah, I think I’m going to go.”
“How don’t you get annoyed?” Tenzin grumbles as they watch the man walk away.
“It doesn't matter T,” Lin shrugs.
“And what was the proposition this time?” Tenzin wonders.
“Nothing big, just offered to take care of Hakoda and I,” Lin replies nonchalantly.
“He what?!” Tenzin turns red. Lin never realized it, when men flirted with her, or chose to completely ignore it. But Tenzin really wanted to drop the pacifism whenever he had to witness such a scene. He comes particularly close this time when he sees his son is involved.
“They don't matter,” Lin cups his cheek, “I’m in love with you and only you.”
“Mama!” Hakoda tries to get her attention.
“And I love you too,” Lin kisses his forehead.
“But-,” Tenzin tries.
“Their attention is irrelevant,” Lin stops them from walking, “when women flirt with you, does it matter?”
“They don't flirt with me,” Tenzin decides, “why would they matter when I’m with you? I’m pretty sure most of them are afraid of you.”
“When we get to the temple just pay attention,” Lin suggests.
“Fine," Tenzin huffs , "the nerve of that man, trying to take my family."
"He could try all he wants, it wouldn't change a thing," Lin reminds him.
"I mean seriously my wife and my son? The audacity," Tenzin grumbles.
"I love you and only you, Tenzin. It doesn't matter what those men offer me because they aren't you," Lin cups his cheek.
“I love you too,” Tenzin leans into her touch.
“Remember to change on the way, I feel like they will pull you into meetings right away,” Lin figures.
“That’s true,” Tenzin nods.
...
"Master Tenzin, welcome to the Western Air Temple," the abbot greets the airbender when he jumps off Oogi with his family's bags on his back and in hand.
"Thank you," Tenzin nods.
"We can head in now if you'd like," the abbot offers.
"Oh, Lin is actually feeding our son at the moment and I would prefer to wait for them," Tenzin informs the abbot who gives him a strange look before nodding. They only have to wait a few minutes before Lin slides down Oogi's leg with Hakoda in her arms. When she allows Hakoda to stand he rushes over to his father almost immediately.
"Daddy," Hakoda reaches up towards his father.
"Of course Ko," Tenzin lifts him into his free arm.
"Welcome Master Beifong," the abbot nods to the metal bender.
"Thank you," Lin offers a small smile before taking the bag out of Tenzin's hand.
"We weren't aware that your family was accompanying you so I apologise in advance about the lack of an extra bed for your son. We should be able to remedy it this evening," the abbot informs the family.
"No, that's fine," Lin shakes her head.
"No I insist," the abbot shakes his head, "we will have one in your room after dinner or would you prefer we set up one of the adjoining rooms?"
"Whatever works is fine thank you," Tenzin answers before Lin and the abbot can continue their back and forth. He knew she hated people going out of their way for her. The family follows the abbot to the dining hall where they are greeted by some of the temple’s acolytes.
“Master Tenzin, we had initially wanted you to join the council and a few of our acolytes for dinner; however we understand if you would prefer sitting with your family,” the abbot informs him.
“Uh, well y-,” Tenzin tries to agree but Lin cuts him off.
“No dear, you came for business. Koda and I will be fine,” Lin shakes her head.
“You sure?” Tenzin checks not wanting to leave them if she is uncomfortable.
“Yes,” Lin nods.
“Lu,” the abbot calls to an acolyte on the other side of the room.
“Hello Masters Tenzin and Beifong,” Lu nods to the group.
“Hi,” the couple nods.
“Well hello to you too,” she smiles at Hakoda who is looking at her strangely.
“Would you be able to make sure Master Beifong and young Hakoda are taken care of during dinner and the meetings?” the abbot requests.
“Of course,” she nods with a smile.
“Oh that-,” Lin begins but her husband beats her to it.
“I would appreciate that,” Tenzin smiles before turning to his family, “I will see you two later.”
“Later,” Lin nods.
“So is there anything I can get you?” Lu asks.
“You really don’t have to," Lin shakes her head.
"Okay, how about I keep you company?" Lu offers, “these dinners can be a little boring.”
"Alright," Lin shrugs before remembering she actually had a question, "tell me something, how long have you lived here?"
"About four years," Lu supplies.
“What do you think of the new structure?” Lin wonders.
“I mean, it's nice and all,” Lu hesitates.
“Be honest with me please, we might have future projects so I need to know what works and what doesn’t,” Lin prompts.
“I guess if it incorporated some of the older, salvageable structures it would be nicer than seeing these buildings abandoned,” Lu shares.
“What do you think they could be repurposed for?” Lin wonders.
“The library was destroyed years ago. A lot of the books here are stored in random boxes throughout the administrative building,” Lu shares.
“A library would be a good start,” Lin nods, “Tenzin would actually love that idea.”
“Ten!” Hakoda cheers at his father’s name.
“How old is he?” Lu wonders.
“Two,” Lin smiles, finding this conversation unforced in contrast to those she usually had with acolytes when visiting the various temples. Dinner actually goes by quickly with Lu as company.
...
"How was dinner?" Tenzin wonders when he finally enters their room that night.
"Good, Lu was good company," Lin shares.
"That's great to hear," Tenzin grins that 'I was right' grin.
"Whatever, did you notice what I was talking about this morning?" Lin checks.
"Lu was not flirting with me," Tenzin frowns.
"She wasn't. But she's not who I was talking about," Lin rolls her eyes.
"Everybody was friendly," Tenzin insists.
"And the men who talk to me are just being friendly," Lin counters sarcastically.
"That guy literally offered to take care of you and our son if you would have him," Tenzin huffs.
"Listen out for offers this week," Lin crosses her arms, “someone might even offer you airbenders.”
"No one is brave enough to proposition me in front of my wife,” Tenzin insists.
“Just promise you'll pay attention. We can put it to rest once and for all,” Lin rolls her eyes.
“I will,” Tenzin promises.
“Good, now it's story time,” Lin points out.
“How is my boy?” Tenzin wonders.
“Playing with his toys,” Lin points to the mat he is sitting on.
“Koda?” Tenzin attempts to get his son’s attention.
“Daddy!” Hakoda walks towards his father.
“Time for your nightly story,” Tenzin lifts his son into his lap.
“What story is it tonight?” Lin wonders.
“I was thinking of the Air Prince and the Metalbending Dame,” Tenzin smirks at his wife.
“Prince huh?” Lin smiles back at him.
“You’re still my Queen,” Tenzin kisses her hand before turning to Hakoda, “there once was a beautiful Dame who was the daughter of the very first Melon Lord….”
…
“How about I take Koda to my classes while you get in a morning run and some bending practice? I know you’ve missed them while we have been on vacation and I think these terrains are better,” Tenzin suggests.
“Sounds good,” Lin smiles. Hakoda was a frequent visitor to Tenzin’s classes when Lin had work and there was no one to watch him so that arrangement was nothing new.
“See you later,” Tenzin kisses her forehead.
“Lunch?” Lin wonders.
“Perfect,” Tenzin nods before walking with Hakoda towards the pavilion.
After her run and a shower, Lin finds herself looking for ways to occupy her time before lunch. She eventually settles on examining the structures to see which ones could handle renovations. She attaches her cables to the cliff side before lowering herself down slowly to get a better look at things. About half an hour into she finds herself near the kitchen where she spots a few small cracks. Nothing of grave concern but it definitely warranted her stopping to seal them.
“So you and Beifong have been getting along,” Lin hears as she patches the first crack.
“I guess,” a voice Lin recognises as belonging to Lu answers.
“What is she like?” another asks
“How are things with her and Master Tenzin?”
“What do you talk about?”
“Not much to say there,” Lu brushes off the question.
“The last three dinners and nothing of note?”
“Nope,” Lu insists. When Lin thinks about it though, there were actually one and two things she let slip in their conversation that could have easily become temple gossip.
“You know something!”
“Come on ladies, there’s nothing to tell. I’m heading up to the dining hall so I will see you later,” Lu leaves the room which prompts Lin to follow her so they can have a chat. She started doing her due diligence the minute the idea popped into her head but she still needed a few answers.
“Lu,” Lin calls from her position but the acolyte only looks around in confusion.
“Must've been someone else,” Lu shrugs before continuing her walk.
“Lu,” Lin calls again, this time swinging onto the walkway.
“Oh, Master Beifong,” Lu turns to face her.
“Call me Lin,” Lin requests.
“Ok. How can I help you Lin?” Lu asks
“Just want to have a quick chat,” Lin begins.
…
Tenzin’s class is fairly uneventful even with Hakoda at his side for most of it. He is ready to head to lunch when an acolyte stops him.
“Master Tenzin, your class was great,” she bows slightly.
“Thank you,” he nods, scooping up Hakoda and his toy train.
“You are very good with him,” she looks at him with something Tenzin doesn’t want to place.
“He’s a good boy,” Tenzin looks at those same jade eyes he could never say no to.
“I’m sure he would like some siblings to play with,” she smiles.
“One day,” Tenzin shrugs.
“Could be sooner than you’d think,” she suggests.
“Eh, that’s kind of personal,” Tenzin shifts uncomfortably.
“There are multiple ways to solve a problem,” she points out.
“I’m actually late for lunch with my wife and he’s going to be hungry soon so I’m going to go,” Tenzin walks away finally seeing what Lin meant and understanding why she didn’t react much.
...
“Hi dear,” Tenzin kisses her temple after another long set of evening meetings.
“I wanted to run something by you,” Lin informs her husband
“What’s up?” Tenzin asks.
“Well you know how we talked about getting one of the acolytes to help look after Koda?” Lin checks.
“Well yes, but you weren’t a fan of anyone I suggested,” Tenzin remembers .
“I would like for Lu to take care of him if she is willing to relocate,” Lin shares.
“Really?” Tenzin checks.
“It's been a couple days but I don't know T, she’s different and I think she would be a good fit,” Lin shrugs.
“I trust your judgement,” Tenzin decides knowing Lin wouldn’t have entered into this lightly.
“I spoke with Erin and she raved about Lu,” Lin adds. Erin was about twenty five years older than the couple and had babysat them as children. As a result , Erin was someone Lin held in high regard and trusted her completely.
“Sounds good,” Tenzin agrees.
“How was class?” Lin wonders.
"You were right," Tenzin sighs.
"Uh huh," Lin looks up with an 'I told you so look'.
"How long have you noticed?" Tenzin wonders.
"A few years," Lin shrugs.
"And it doesn't bother you?" He checks.
"Not really," Lin shakes her head, “not anymore.”
“Anymore?” Tenzin asks.
“Of course I didn't always like it, it played on my insecurities at the time. But then I used to see the way you would look at me after and knew they didn't matter. After a while, I didn't even have to see the look and everything they tried was just background noise,” Lin answers.
“Background noise,” Tenzin considers, “okay, I’ll give blocking it out a try.”
“Good,” Lin smiles, “now kiss me.”
“Where is Ko?” Tenzin checks.
“Lu is watching him for a few hours at my request,” Lin shares.
“You planned this,” Tenzin suggests.
“Of course,” Lin slides into his lap.
“Just like in my stories,” Tenzin kisses the side of her neck.
“My plans for you are not for children’s ears,” Lin runs her thumb across his bottom lip.