Work Text:
“Okay, is this actually a good idea?” Tango asks warrily.
“Why wouldn’t it be?” Grian questions. “I’m an expert sky bison flier.”
Jimmy, Tango, Grian, Scar, and Mumbo are standing within the sky bison stables next to Grian’s companion, Maui. This is the ninth day since Jimmy and Tango arrived at the Western Air Temples, meeting up with Grian, Scar, and Mumbo for the first time since the trio left the Listeners’ base a few months ago. Scar could have gone back to Ba Sing Se, but after learning about what happened to Martyn there, Grian and Mumbo insisted Scar come stay with them. Navigating the Air Temple has proven interesting for Scar and his wheelchair, but accessible ramps have been added on the stairs so he can move around on his own.
Tango narrows his eyes at Grian skeptically. Jimmy can tell that he doesn’t believe Grian’s words, especially when it is immediately followed with a snort from Scar. Curiosity holds onto Jimmy too tightly. Learning to fly a sky bison could end up being a spirit-send for the Ranchers’ travels after the Air Temple, too, allowing them to fly around the world rather than walk.
“Oh, yeah, he’s greeeeaaat. You’ll be totally safe.” Mumbo grins and holds two thumbs up.
“Very reassuring. Thanks, Mumbo,” Tango groans.
Grian crosses his arms over his chest. “Guys, I got my license and everything! You have nothing to be worried about. C’mon. Don’t you trust me?”
Tango stares at Grian, silent for a few seconds before finally saying, “No.”
Grian shrugs. “Fair. Tim?” He turns to face Jimmy, who has been silently observing for the past several minutes. “Do you want to come?”
Tango and Jimmy share a look. Tango’s views on this venture are very clear, but Jimmy can’t help himself. He’s always wanted to know what it’s like to ride a sky bison and this is the perfect opportunity. Besides, he’s the avatar. If they get close to dying, he’ll just jump into the avatar state and save them.
“I’m going.” Jimmy says this more to Tango than Grian. “You don’t have to come if you don’t want to.” He smiles and rests a hand on Tango’s shoulder.
The firebender facepalms, running his hand down his face. Taking a deep breath, he nods. “I’m coming, too.”
Jimmy grins widely and wraps his arms around Tango’s shoulder, pulling him into a hug. When they separate, the nerves are clear on Tango’s face, but it’s rare for the Ranchers to do something separately. Except for when Jimmy’s training. That’s when Tango sequesters himself in the second bedroom turned into his “invention room” and works on the Connectificator. The air nomads do not approve of the noises and smoke that comes from the invention room, but they tolerate it because of Jimmy. There are perks that come with being the avatar’s Rancher.
Grian leaps up with a gust of wind that ruffles the others’ hair and clothes, landing on Maui’s head. He grabs the reins and gestures to the others to join him, grinning with a hint of something mischievous flashing behind his eyes.
“Hold onto me.” Jimmy wraps his arm tightly around Tango’s back and side while Tango does the same around Jimmy. The airbending avatar performs a similar move to Grian, pushing them into the air with a strong gust of wind so they land safely within the saddle on Maui’s back.
Tango leans over the side to look at Mumbo and Scar. “Are you two coming?”
Mumbo and Scar share a look before shaking their heads. Scar grins. “We don’t want to take the fun away from you guys. Now go on, you three.” He makes a shooing motion with his hands.
With a flick of the reins, Grian guides Maui out of the stables and into the soft wind blowing waves around them. Jimmy closes his eyes and inhales deeply. It reminds him of the days he and Tango would sit in front of the Ranch to enjoy the sweet, quiet moments before the daily chaos ensued. Turning his head to the side, Jimmy notices Tango’s death grip on the side of the saddle.
Jimmy reaches over to take his Rancher’s free hand. “It’s going to be okay, Tango. You trust me, right?”
Tango exhales sharply. “Of course I trust you, Jimmy. It’s him I don’t trust,” he murmurs, tilting his head to point at Grian.
“I can hear you,” Grian calls over his shoulder. “Don’t worry. You’ll be perfectly safe. Like I said, I have my license to fly Maui and everything. It’ll be fun! Mumbo and Scar always love flying with me.” Maui stops moving on a flat platform looking out over a deep, beautiful valley. “Ready?” And, without waiting for a reply, Grian flicks the reins and shouts, “Yip-yip!”
Maui takes off into the sky with a gust of wind. Jimmy’s stomach lurches like when he rode a rollercoaster the one year a traveling carnival set up in their town. Tango shrieks and his hold on Jimmy’s hand becomes a vise that Jimmy knows he wouldn’t be able to break out of on his own. Looking over, Tango’s fiery locks have extended out past his head, floating into the air currents behind them like a long trail. Jimmy laughs even after they level out slightly below the clouds while Tango hyperventilates.
“Are you okay, Tango?” Jimmy asks when he manages to calm the giggling emanating from his throat.
Tango opens his mouth to answer, but Grian gives them no time to rest before leaning down to whisper something in Maui’s ear. Oh no.
The sky bison leans his head down and they begin a dramatic descent to the river at the bottom of the valley. Tango and Jimmy’s shrieks of terror and excitement become near silence over the rushing of wind all around them. Jimmy can feel every molecule of air flying past them as it dances on his face, through his hair, pulling the moisture from his eyes, and tugging at every part of him. Until suddenly Maui switches direction to drag them higher into the sky once again, twirling around in a spiral heading upwards.
Their bodies become weightless. Jimmy’s legs leave the safety of the saddle; the only thing keeping him connected to it is his hold on the edge and his grip on Tango’s hand. Glancing over, Jimmy can clearly see an impressive mixture of glee and fear tugging at the corners of Tango’s lips and being called out of him in shrieks that will certainly leave him voiceless after this.
When they reach the clouds, Maui flies straight through one of the lower ones, drenching the three humans in the moisture locked into it. Upon leveling out above the cloud, Maui does a barrel roll, leaving Jimmy and Tango dangling helplessly for a split second.
All it takes is that half a second for Tango’s grip to finally loosen on the saddle and Jimmy. Jimmy watches him fall in slow motion. For a moment, his eyes flash white and he closes his fist, pushing Tango back into the saddle with a strategic gust of wind before they level out once again. Panting like they’d just run a marathon, the Ranchers’ eyes meet and they laugh hysterically.
Grian, seemingly having noticed Tango nearly fall to his potential death (though, clearly Jimmy would never have let that happen), guides Maui back to the ground. The instant the sky bison’s feet are stable, Tango launches himself off and wobbly sprints to a nearby bush, promptly releasing his lunch into the foliage. Jimmy follows closely after and rubs Tango’s back comfortingly.
“Sooo… how was it?” Mumbo asks as he and Scar approach.
“An experience,” Tango answers, wiping his lips with a handkerchief Jimmy hands him. “One I’m grateful for, but don’t think I will be repeating.”
“It reminded me of a rollercoaster,” Jimmy adds as they turn to face the others, walking away from the vomit bush.
Scar nods and gestures to Jimmy with an open hand. “Exactly! Like the ones they have at those theme parks! I love theme parks. You know, I wanted to be a designer for theme parks.”
“And now you get a Grian to take you on those rides on Maui,” Mumbo chuckles. “Though, I do believe Grian is more dangerous.”
Everyone laughs, including Grian. Man knew what he was doing.
It’s decided that Jimmy and Tango will not get a sky bison to aid in their travels. Honestly not because of this experience, but because of the Watchers. They would be too easy to track. Going on foot will be safer. But they can always turn back to this fun experience with Grian and Maui.