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“Tenzin, this is getting ridiculous,” Lin huffs.
“Why can’t things continue the way they are?” Tenzin pleads
“I don’t want to be your dirty little secret,” Lin shakes her head, “I deserve more and won’t settle this time. Not even for you.”
“But my kid-,” Tenzin tries but she cuts him off.
“You really don’t think they already know Tez? I went from visiting once or twice a month to visiting multiple times a week. I sleep here more than at my apartment. Jinora and Ikki pulled me aside last week to tell me they were okay with it,” Lin runs her hand through her hair.
“What? When?” Tenzin looks at her in surprise.
“I don’t know, Thursday maybe. I figured you had a conversation with them,” Lin shrugs.
“It’s just that I um I,” Tenzin struggles to find the words.
“You’re afraid to tell your council,” Lin realises.
“I’m not afraid per se,” Tenzin shifts uncomfortably, “you’ve never cared for the public in our relationship.”
“And I still don’t. I just don’t see why I should pretend like we aren’t together in fear of someone finding out,” Lin counters, “you made all sorts of promises when you weren’t sure if I would take you back.”
“Lin, I love you,” Tenzin professes.
“I love you too but I can’t do this if you are still afraid to love me out loud,” Lin declares, “we are too old to be worrying about what other people think. Especially after it broke us the last time.”
“I just need some time,” Tenzin requests.
“You had eighteen years,” Lin shakes her head, walking around the guest room to collect the few items she had started keeping on the island.
“What are you doing?” Tenzin frowns when he realises what is happening.
“I’ve seen this one before. I’m not reliving it in a few weeks or months when you decide this can’t work again,” Lin’s hand pauses over a drawing Meelo made for her before putting it in her bag as well.
“That’s not fair,” he insists.
“You know what’s not fair? All that time you spent convincing me this would be different. That this was about us and not everybody else’s expectations,” Lin huffs.
“Of course, it is about us Lin, that’s why I don’t get this,” Tenzin sighs.
“You are still tip-toeing about everybody’s feelings except mine,” she tosses her bag over her shoulder, “I think it's time for me to go.”
“Lin I-,” Tenzin tries to reach for her but she sidesteps him and heads into the hallway.
“Please do not follow me and cause a scene,” Lin pauses at the top of the hallway as Tenzin stares after her.
“Did Aunt Lin leave because of us?” Ikki asks quietly.
“Huh? Ikki, why do you think that?” Tenzin frowns.
“Well, we really wanted to go to Gaoling and she seemed a bit uncomfortable when we asked,” Ikki explains, “and I know she isn’t used to spending this much time with kids.”
“No, she left because of me,” Tenzin sighs.
“Then we must help you fix it,” Meelo decides. He had gotten used to the earthbender’s presence and was not amused with his father.
“Right,” Rohan agrees, “I can ask her to come. She will for me.”
“I appreciate your offers but this is something Dad has to figure out,” Tenzin sighs.
…
“Bumi?” Tenzin wonders why his brother was back from the Fire Nation early.
“The kids are worried about you,” Bumi shrugs.
“I see,” Tenzin considers his next words, “Lin broke up with me.”
“Lin was so happy last time I saw both of you together, what did you do?” Bumi looks at his brother very unimpressed.
“She wanted to be public,” Tenzin shares.
“Okay and?” Bumi frowns.
“I’m not sure about it,” Tenzin shifts uncomfortably.
“Excuse me?” Bumi wonders if he heard correctly.
“Look how it tore us apart last time. I didn’t do enough to protect her then and now I worry that anything I do still won’t be enough this time either. What if it spills over into her work press conferences again? They are already blaming her for my divorce no matter how many times I deny it. Spirits, it got so bad even Pema defended her and they still won’t stop harassing her,” Tenzin confesses.
“So you want to pretend like the reason you are so happy isn’t because of her?” Bumi asks, “and this is in hopes of protecting her?”
“Something like that,” Tenzin sighs.
“If Lin survived public backlash after your break up she would survive anything they come with now,” Bumi points out.
“What backlash? Everybody, except Lin and I, was happy,” Tenzin tries to recall. Shortly after the breakup was when the council stopped hounding him about marriage or children, all accepting it was inevitable when he had chosen Pema. Reporters asked for one comment which he gave, requesting Lin be left alone and that they outgrew each other.
“I forgot how self-absorbed you were back then. ‘Everybody’ was happy with you but that didn’t stop them from going after Lin. They tore into her daily for at least a year after,” Bumi informs him.
“No, they didn’t. The council and White Lotus promised to run interference,” Tenzin insists.
“I am not asking you Tenzin,” Bumi shakes his head, “For every article there was praising you there were at least three bashing her. How selfish she was for holding you back for so long. How she was never worthy to be your wife and that’s why you never married her. How ridiculous she was to think you would stay by her or even truly love her. I’m not sure what interference they attempted to run, if any but they did a shitty job.”
“No, that couldn’t have happened. She was to be left alone. They promised,” Tenzin frowns, still in denial.
“It could and it did. She couldn’t have a press conference at work without being asked to comment on anything happening in your life until maybe two years before Korra came to the city,” Bumi clarifies, “Lin knows what she is up against better than you do. Knowing Linny it has nothing to do with being challenging or whatever you used to tell yourself and more to do with wanting to be free from letting the public impact any aspect of her life. I find it strange that you don’t get it.”
“Is this about me being self-absorbed again?” Tenzin frowns.
“No,” Bumi shakes his head, “I figured you would want to go out and not pretend to be just friends. I don’t expect anything crazy but at least a waltz at a gala and the other little things you used to enjoy doing with and for her when you two were together. Besides, it's only a matter of time before you gaze lovingly at her at a council meeting or press conference and people put two and two together. Actually, knowing you two, it would probably happen when you go out to dinner.”
“That’s where this all started,” Tenzin sighs, “she wanted to go to Kwongs for dinner and I started getting weird about it.”
“Spirits Tenzin,” Bumi groans.
“I have to go,” Tenzin grabs his glider and heads straight to the police station.
…
“Chief asked not to be disturbed,” Lin hears Shung inform somebody outside followed by some shuffling before Tenzin runs into her office.
“Tenzin? What’s wrong? Is somebody hurt?” Lin asks, running through the possibilities of what could have made him this frantic.
“What? No, everybody is fine,” Tenzin answers.
“So why are you running into my office in the middle of the day? You have no business here,” Lin crosses her arms.
“Yes, you are here,” Tenzin counters, slowly approaching her desk.
“Spirits,” Lin grumbles before waving her hand to close the door, “what has gotten into you?”
“Did the press really continue going after you when we broke up?” Tenzin asks quietly, almost afraid of the answer.
“Its the nature of the job,” Lin shrugs.
“I don’t mean about your job. I mean about you as Lin,” Tenzin clarifies.
“You mean about my shortcomings? How I was never worthy of you?” Lin asks, “Yes, Tenzin. They had a lot of thoughts about me. They were apparently waiting until we inevitably broke up to voice them.”
“Why did you never tell me?” Tenzin wonders.
“When? We didn’t speak beyond work for almost twelve years,” Lin reminds him, “and what good would it do?”
“I could have tried to have stopped it,” Tenzin sighs.
“You wouldn’t have wanted to do all of that for an ex,” Lin shakes her head.
“You have never been just an ex Lin,” Tenzin sighs.
“You’re right. There was a time I thought I meant nothing to you,” Lin remembers, “I’m starting to wonder why I thought this would work again.”
“We will,” Tenzin insists, leaning against her desk “there was never a time where you meant nothing to me.”
“Your actions were contradictory,” Lin shrugs, attempting to go back to her work.
“Right here. Right now. I will stand by you as long as you’ll have me,” Tenzin promises.
“Except when it involves publicly acknowledging our relationship in any way?” Lin wonders.
“I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to protect you enough. I did a terrible job at it the last time and I regret that,” Tenzin admits.
“I don’t need protection. I know what I signed up for. I need to know if you will stand by me through it all before I get attached to the idea again,” Lin explains, eyes drifting to the picture of them from a few years earlier when they were once again on good terms but not back together.
“I will, I will,” Tenzin promises, reaching for her hand.
“And when your council calls that inevitable meeting?” Lin wonders.
“I will say you are the love of my life and that’s the end of the discussion,” Tenzin figures.
“Uh huh,” Lin looks at him unsure.
“I am here for you Lin,” Tenzin promises.
“Tenzin,” Lin sighs.
“Let me take you to Kwongs,” Tenzin offers.
“You are just offering because that was why this all started,” Lin shrugs him off.
“I’m offering because it’s your favourite restaurant and I want you to be happy,” Tenzin replies softly, “I’m sorry for not understanding before.”
“I don’t know Tez,” Lin shakes her head.
“Friday would have been our three month anniversary,” Tenzin reminds her.
“I don’t think 60 year olds celebrate things like that,” Lin rolls her eyes, fighting back a smile.
“I celebrate every day we are together,” Tenzin confesses.
“You can’t just flatter your way back into my bed,” Lin looks at him unimpressed.
“I was hoping to give you everything when I proposed but I need you to know how much I value you and this love,” Tenzin pulls a familiar notebook from his cape.
“You said this was some meditation research,” Lin looks at him in confusion but accepts the book. Every night before bed she had watched him giddily scribble into this notebook without fail.
Day 1: I don’t deserve it but you said yes to being my girlfriend again.
Day 2: We had lunch on the island today and it was so nice to be with you again at our favourite place
Day 3: I didn’t get to see you today but I hope you are having a good day.
.
.
Day 9: Lin, you looked so beautiful this morning, my goddess.
.
.
Day 16: I watched you train my boys this morning and it feels so right.
Day 17: You spent the night in the main house last night for the first time in twenty years. Lin, you are back right where you belong.
.
.
Day 23: I think this is my first time in your apartment, and I already feel like I am home.
Day 24: We fell asleep on the roof of your building watching the stars. If only every night could be like this.
.
.
Day 30: With the kids away, I don’t have to sneak into your room and we feel like a normal couple.
Day 31: I made you breakfast, and we were so caught up in our conversation we were almost late to work. This is exactly what I was missing without you. This easy conversation and just hearing more about your day to day.
Day 32: Your favourite pyjamas seem to be my night shirt and you look perfect in it.
Day 33: It might be too soon but I want to ask you to move in.
.
.
Day 42: We are on Ember Island for Izumi’s birthday . It feels nice to be in disguise and free to be a regular couple.
Day 43: Suyin read me the riot act and warned me against breaking your heart again. The truth is, the only reason we would break up is if you realise just how unworthy I am.
Day 44: Kya and Bumi keep teasing me. They asked when the wedding will be. I haven’t told them that I already made a new betrothal necklace. The old one is yours if you want it but this feels like a fresh start so you deserve a new necklace to represent that.
.
.
Day 58: You had a rough day at work. I am glad I was able to rub your feet when you got to the island and help you destress. I feel so lucky to have this chance to be there for you again.
.
.
Day 77: Somehow I fall in love with you more each and every day
.
.
Day 85: Lin, I messed things up and didn’t treasure you the way you deserved. Of course I want to scream from the roof tops that you are mine just as I am irrevocably yours.
“You wrote these every day?” Lin looks at him in surprise.
“Yes,” Tenzin confirms, “I have done a poor job at showing it sometimes but you taking me back was one of the best things to happen to me.”
"What's going to be different this time?” Lin leans back in her chair. She watches as Tenzin considers his next words. He steps around the desk and kneels in front of her. He takes both of her hands in his before taking a deep breath.
“ I love you. As long as there's breath in my lungs I will love you outloud. No one can stop me from loving you. I will be everything I should have been for you the first time around. You are my everything. The fact that you even looked at me again is something I don't think I deserved but I am going to do my best to make sure you never doubt your decision to love me,” Tenzin promises.
" Tenzin,” Lin sighs more at herself than at him.
"One night please," Tenzin pleads before realising how it sounds, “ one dinner. Kwongs, anything you want.”
“And if I want you to get a tattoo that says ‘Property of Lin Beifong’?” Lin teases, already knowing she will give him this chance.
“I’d ask where you would want me to put it,” Tenzin kisses her knuckles.
“When did you have in mind for this dinner?” Lin smiles.
“Whenever you want,” Tenzin offers.
“It’s pretty hard to get a reservation there on short notice,” Lin reminds him.
“I might have begged them to hold a reservation for me every night this week. Take your pick,” Tenzin offers.
“Tomorrow night? Pick me up at 7?” Lin suggests.
“I will be there,” Tenzin grins.
…
“I’ve got you,” Tenzin promises as he helps Lin down from the saddle.
As they walk towards the restaurant, a few people take notice of them but think nothing of it. Somewhere along the way, Tenzin intertwines their fingers and Lin relaxes even more. When they finally make it to the restaurant, he drops her hand which Lin mistakes for hesitance but he does it to open the door for her. Once inside, Lin feels his hand slide across her lower back before resting on her hip. At that move, whispers start to flood the restaurant.
“We don't have to do this if it's too much,” Lin resigns herself to the possibility.
“You’ve waited too patiently for this, I won’t let some whispers ruin it,” Tenzin promises.
“If you’re sure,” Lin tries to believe him.
“I am,” Tenzin reassures her before pressing a kiss to her temple which finally puts Lin at ease and sends the room into a tizzy.
“Master Tenzin, Chief Beifong, your original table is ready but we also have a more private booth available if you don't mind waiting for a few minutes while we reset it,” the hostess offers.
“That would be nice, thank you,” Lin agrees.
“Thank you,” Tenzin nods to the hostess before following Lin to the couch in the waiting area.
They sit in a companionable silence, not wanting their conversations overhead and reported in the Times. Happy for the no camera policy, Tenzin rests his hand on her thigh and traces calming circles as they wait. As promised, it only takes a few minutes for the other table to be prepared. The waiters pass by often, clearly observing the two, but also do a good job running interference with nosy customers or reporters.
“What’s on your mind my love?” Tenzin asks when he notices Lin contemplating her words.
“The kids want to visit Gaoling,” Lin shares softly.
“That would be nice,” Tenzin agrees before asking, “do you have any particular time in mind?”
“Maybe for the Autumn Festival,” Lin suggests, “they wanted to learn more about where my family is from and I think it's the nicest time to be in Gaoling.”
“Is something wrong?” Tenzin rubs his thumb across her knuckles.
“Are you sure that isn’t me overstepping?” Lin checks.
“No, of course not,” Tenzin tries to convince her, “they are naturally curious. They always wanted to know about the places our parents visited. Gaoling stood out to them because it is important to you and you are important to them.”
“I’m just their father’s girlfriend,” Lin shrugs.
“You are so much more than that my love,” Tenzin presses a kiss to her knuckles, “to them and to me. To them, you are the woman who would do anything to protect them and you have been doing that since they met you. You are Meelo’s hero, Rohan’s bending master, the only person who can get Ikki to slow down and Jinora’s confidant. My children adore you almost as much as I adore you. You mattered to them long before I could win you back. I’m sure they enjoy hearing the embarrassing stories from us growing up together. ”
…
“Master Tenzin,” the Head Acolyte knocks on the office door, “I hope we aren’t interrupting.”
“Is it urgent Nala?” Tenzin asks, barely looking up from the papers Lin was helping him with.
“Not really,” the White Lotus sentry accompanying her responds, glancing at Lin who looks all too comfortable in Tenzin’s chair.
“This is my personal time Toru,” Tenzin frowns.
“Chief Beifong, do you mind giving us a moment?” Nala asks sweetly though Lin sees right through it.
“Anything you can say to me you can say in front of Lin,” Tenzin responds.
“Very well,” Nala takes a deep breath, “there have been some concerns about whatever is going on here.”
“Meaning?” Tenzin crosses his arms.
“Well, this situation of yours with the Chief,” Toru clarifies looking awkwardly between the couple.
“I am going to stop you right there,” Lin starts though Tenzin rests a hand on her shoulder, silently requesting that she stop. She takes it as a sign that her fears were about to be validated, though the next words out his mouth remind her of why she thought this would work.
“My relationship with my soulmate is none of your concern. I suggest you two abandon this argument early so we can still have a civil working relationship. Lin is not going anywhere, and quite frankly, I don’t care who has a problem with our relationship. I don’t know if you came here on your own volition or at the behest of the council, but I will be putting this to rest once and for all tomorrow in the meeting. Now if you don’t mind, I promised my lady a quiet evening at home and this discussion is getting in the way of that,” Tenzin gestures towards the door, leaving no room for argument with the two.
“Your soulmate, huh?” Lin smiles at him, amused, heart still racing at his declarations.
“You are my soulmate, the love of my life and my life changing adventure in every lifetime,” Tenzin smiles back.