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“Just a little longer…”
Like saying that was going to help. It was his head was on fire. Actually, his whole body hurt, but at this moment, his head was what felt the worst.
The thing is, he wasn’t sure if he was in the position to complain. He knew the process was going to hurt. His father told him about the pain multiple times leading up to today. What he didn’t tell him was the fact that he would have wished to be born without feelings.
But in the end it’s okay. In the end, it was much more than some elaborate decoration. Today, Tenzin was getting his airbending mater tattoos. For this, he was willing to plaster a brave face.
“You holding up, bud?”
“I’m good.”
Tenzin’s not sure how long he’s waited for this day. All he knew was that it was here, and he was ready, no matter what excruciating, writhing-on-the-floor pain he had to go through.
“One more little bit, and it’ll be over.”
“Really Dad, I’m fine.”
Maybe the pain is soothing itself a little, considering it’s his own father that’s giving him the tattoos. “Aaaand… done!” Removing the needle from his son’s head, Aang, took a step back, taking in his youngest son’s newest addition to his body.
“Dad, are you… crying?”
“Huh? Oh no, I uh, it’s just this room. It’s beyond dusty.”
“Right…”
“Okay then. Go see your mother. She’ll help the redness go down.”
“Alright, then.” Leaving the room, Tenzin abruptly stopped at the doorway.
“Oh, and Dad?”
“Yes?”
“…Thank you.”
“It was no problem at all, Tenzin.”
And out the door he went. He couldn’t wait to see what Lin thought of the tattoos….