Xian and Kim Beifong sat across each other on the train bound for Republic City. The former was buried in the book reading everything about biology and chemistry, while the latter was deep in thoughts trying to solve the crossword puzzle. Kim looked at her older brother and shook her head. Xian is such a nerd, she thought. Ever since their childhood, the siblings have been total opposites. Kim is competitive and compulsively neat, while Xian was quiet and resilient.
"Hey Xian, do you know what's another word for cork?" Kim asked. "Seven-letter word, first letter P, third letter E, and ends with M."
"Think, Kim," he lazily answered as he hid his smirk behind his book.
"Come on Xi," Kim snapped. "It's the last effing word before I complete this puzzle!"
Xian smirked again. He kept quiet as he waited for Kim's growl. He really like provoking his sister since he knows that not being able to complete either a puzzle or a Sudoku, Kim loses it and becomes cranky. He heard it now, Kim's low growl and he chuckled.
"Phellem," he said.
Kim let out a hmp! and then scribbled the word Xian said. She smiled at her small accomplishment and peered at her brother. "What time is mom picking us up?"
"She's not," he said. "Dad is."
Kim groaned in protest. Right. Kim was never close to her father; both of them are not actually. Ever since Tenzin and Lin's divorce eleven years ago, both she and Xian have grown cold towards their father; especially after witnessing Tenzin's marriage to Pema, a woman sixteen years younger than him. Kim never enjoyed her father's company and she bluntly shows it, while Xian, out of respect, hides his real feelings pretty well.
"And why is that?" Kim demanded.
"Mom's busy," he snapped. "And mind you, I don't want to commute."
"So because of your indolence, we get to spend time with Dad and his…" Kim thought of a proper word to address Pema. "…floozy?"
"You are so bitter," Xian said. "It was eleven years ago. Geez, Kim...real mature."
Kim scoffed and slumped back to her chair. It was a good thing they were in a private compartment and no one witnessed her slight tantrum. "Don't act as if you're okay with it, Xian. I know you."
"I may not like her but at least I'm trying," he said. "You should too. Pema's been acting nice to us anyways."
"I'm not talking to them," she declared.
"No one's forcing you," he snapped.
Kim folded her puzzle sheet and crossed her legs. She looked out the window and the sky scrapers of Republic City were slowly coming to view. Great, she thought. There's roughly less than an hour before the train comes to a stop and they'll meet their father.
Tenzin waited at the station casually greeting some civilians and eagerly hoping the time will fly faster. He's been in the station for already an hour. Ever since he got Xian's phone call a week before, informing him of their arrival from Gaoling, he immediately planned things to do during their stay. He did notice the slight disdain and awkwardness in Xian's voice when he mentioned Pema's name.
"Hello, Councilman Tenzin speaking."
"Dad," came Xian's voice over the phone. "Um, Kim and I are planning to visit."
"Wow Xian, what a surprise," Tenzin exclaimed cheerfully.
"Yeah, so I called mom to pick us up but she said she's busy on that day," Xian said in an awkward tone. "Can you pick us up instead?"
"Sure, Xian. I'll ask Pema to make us some lunch," he replied.
"Oh," Xian sounded disappointed. "Okay, sure. See you in a week." Xian immediately hung up and did not bother to wait for Tenzin to respond.
Shaking his head, Tenzin cleared his mind of the memory of Xian's phone call and waited. A few minutes later, he spotted Xian's well-gelled hair, gold-trimmed green coat and black pinstriped pants. Xian was too formal just like him. He waved and his son smiled at him. Xian pushed their loaded baggage cart and greeted his father as he reached him. "Hey, Dad."
"Xian," Tenzin said as he pulled him in a hug. "I miss you. Where's your sister?" Xian looked behind him and scanned for Kim's face.
"She went to the bath-wait, there she is," Xian said while pointing at Kim who was wearing a white tunic, straight-cut pants, and black flats. "Over here," Xian waved.
Kim approached them and kept her face blank. Tenzin immediately pulled her in a tight hug and kissed the crown of her head. "Kim, honey, I missed you so much," Tenzin said to which Kim simply nodded. She did not even reciprocate Tenzin's hug and ignored her father's greeting.
"Are you dropping us off at mom's apartment or at the headquarters?" Kim asked.
"Kim," Xian scolded. "We'll be having lunch on the island."
The younger teen glared at her older brother, "Terrific." Tenzin led them out of the train station and brought them where Oogi, his sky bison, was. Kim showed her displeasure again and earned herself a little scolding from Xian. Kim can't seem to fathom how Xian can stand their father. She was silent during the trip and let Xian do the small talks with Tenzin. When they reached the island they were met by their three younger siblings.
"Xian!" Ikki and Jinora exclaimed as they ran and hugged him. Although Kim and Xian hated Pema, both of them are sweet and caring for their younger siblings.
"What, no hug for me?" Kim pouted. The two young girls rushed to Kim and gave her small pecks on the cheek which Kim gladly reciprocated. "Wait, where's Meelo?"
"He's in the kitchen with mom," Jinora answered.
"Do you have something for us?" Ikki asked.
Kim smiled. "Maybe."
Ikki gasped and said, "What is it? Can I see it now?"
"Later," Xian joined in their bickering. "After lunch. Care to lead the way, girls?"
Ikki and Jinora grabbed Xian's hands and tugged him with them. Kim, on the other hand, was stopped by Tenzin after he ordered some acolytes to bring their things to their respective rooms. "A word Kim?" Tenzin led her to the meditating pavilion and motioned her to sit on the marble stairs.
"What is it?" Kim asked as she sat.
"Kim, are you still mad at me?" Tenzin asked softly. "I noticed you were so quiet while we were flying. You still seem cold to me. Tell me, is there something wrong."
"Dad…" Kim began. "I-I was just a little tired and…"her voice trailed off. Tenzin can see that she's somehow irritated by his questions.
"It's okay, Kim," Tenzin sighed. "I just want to make sure you're okay. You know you have this talent of making me worry right away. I care and I love you, sweetie. You know that."
"I know," she said. "I'm sorry. I'll try to act more normal." Tenzin nodded. "Dad, can we go now?"
He sighed and nodded again. "Let's go eat lunch." He draped an arm around Kim's shoulder as they walked towards the dining hall.
"Hey, where have you two been?" Xian asked them as they walked in the dining room and he fed himself with a spoonful of rice.
"We just talked," Kim said as she scanned the room for Pema. "Proper seats," she said as she shooed Xian from her seat at the table and planted a kiss on Meelo's forehead. "Move you dufus," she snapped at her older brother. Xian scowled as he transferred to the seat next to Tenzin.
"Prick," he snapped at his sister.
"Git," she snapped back and stuck out her tongue at him.
"Children, please behave," Tenzin's amused voice scolded them.
"She started it," Xian said in a sing-song voice and started mimicking Kim. "I'm Kim, I'm so neat and tidy and I like to eat where everyone has their own assigned colour-coded seats. Duuh!"
"Screw you," Kim shot back at him.
"What does screw mean, daddy?" Meelo asked from his seat. Xian snorted a laugh as Tenzin glared at Kim.
"It's like a metal nail that has thread on its shaft," Tenzin explained. "Finish your meal."
They ate quietly for a few minutes until a voice that appeared to be sickeningly sweet and annoying to both Beifong teens sounded from behind them. "Hey, Kim and Xian." Pema entered the dining hall and sat to Tenzin's left at the table after giving him a quick peck on the cheek.
"Where have you been, dear?" Tenzin asked.
"Uhh… I just gave some instructions about the garden to some ladies," Pema said. "Have you met that new acolyte?"
"Which one?"
"Jin," Pema answered. "I think that was her name. Anyway…" Xian and Kim continued to eat as Pema's voice was shut and the children's bickering drowned. They randomly answered their siblings' childish questions and constantly notice Pema's stares at Kim. Kim looked over at Xian who just shrugged his shoulders.
After lunch, Xian and Kim handed their gifts to their siblings. Jinora got a new pre-teen romance novel and an earth science book from Kim and Xian, respectively. Ikki got a pair of shoes from Kim and an Earth Kingdom doll from Xian. After the teenagers handed Meelo their miniature motorcycle and rattan ball for air ball, Kim immediately dragged Xian to a nearby cliff.
"Did you see the way Pema looked at me?" Kim asked.
"No," Xian lied.
Kim rolled her eyes and said, "Oh come on. It was like she was…fucking me with her eyes."
"Are you suggesting that she's a lesbonym?" Xian asked in sarcasm and Kim gave him a 'you-said-it' look.
"It's lesbian," Kim corrected. "Well?"
"Look, Kim," Xian held her shoulder. "She has four kids with Dad which means she had at least four sex sessions with the man."
"Thanks for the image Xi," Kim grimaced. "Now I can't stop thinking about it... now I need to go look at some wounds."
"Alright, Kim," Xian said. "You know what? Give it a rest. I'll look into it. I did notice her enthusiasm when she talked about that new acolyte Jin."
"You know what, maybe we just hate her so much," Kim finally gave up her suspicions. "I'm just going to ignore her for a couple of days." Kim left her brother and headed towards her room praying she won't need to meet the woman they were just talking about earlier.
When evening came, the teenage siblings were thrilled to see Lin when she joined them for dinner. As soon as she stepped off the ferry, both Kim and Xian engulfed her in a tight hug. "Mom, I missed you," Kim said as she pulled away. Lin cupped each of their faces and planted firm kisses on both their cheeks.
"I missed you both so much," Lin said as looked both of her kids from head to foot. "You grew up so much."
"Mom it was only six months," Xian blushed as Lin playfully hit his right arm. Tenzin arrived shortly and landed next to them. He draped an arm around Xian and smiled at Lin.
"Hello, Lin," he said as both their kids gave each other meaningful looks and smirks.
"Tenzin," she acknowledged stiffly. "Thanks for picking up the kids."
"No problem," he said softly. "Shall we have dinner?" Lin nodded as Kim wrapped an arm around her waist and rested her head on Lin's shoulder and followed Tenzin and Xian to the dining hall. Lin and the teenagers caught up with each other.
"So do you have any plans while you're here in the city?" Lin asked her children. Xian cleared his throat and smiled uncomfortably at his mother.
"Well, I've been thinking about it lately, mom—
"Don't do it!" Kim yelled at him. "I'm telling you."
"Shh, Kim let your brother finish," Lin said.
"I-I was thinking about joining your force," Xian declared and breathed out a large amount of air.
"Are you insane?" Lin asked flabbergasted.
"Told you," Kim muttered as Lin rose from her seat.
"Xian, you know my job's something that's really dangerous," Lin said. She looked at her son whose face is now overcome by sadness and humiliation. "The answer's no."
"But I already told dad—
"You knew about this?" Lin turned to Tenzin.
"A little," the older man replied. "He mentioned it to me and why not? He's a good metalbender Lin and you taught him yourself."
Lin sat down and massaged the bridge of her nose. "What made you think about this, Xi?"
"It was Kim's idea actually," Xian told her mother to which her sister buried her face in her hands muttering 'Now you're making me look like a bad guy.' Lin fell silent as she listened to Xian. "And then I realized, maybe I should. I mean…I kind of like being here in Republic City and I love metalbending."
Lin buried her face in palms, "Xian, you're Tenzin. You're twinkle toes…you're gentle. I mean look at you, your hands are soft," Kim snorted. "You…are you sure about this?"
Xian nodded. "Mom, please, I need your approval."
"Let him mom," Kim snapped at her mother which earned herself a glare both from her parents. "He won't be your baby boy all the time."
"Alright," Lin gave in but raised a finger at her son. "But if you hurt yourself just once, you'll stop."
"Mom, it's part of the training and of the job," Xian pointed out. "It's like you're making a doctor stop saving lives or…or an airbender stop airbending."
"Let him Lin," Tenzin said and squeezed her hand. "Our little boy's already a man." Lin looked at Tenzin and then at Xian.
"Oh honey," Lin removed her hand from Tenzin's grip which somehow disappointed the airbender. "Just promise me you won't do something stupid."
"Thanks mom," Xian rose from his seat as he motioned for Kim to follow him outside and let their parents talk. When they were outside, Kim motioned Xian to look at their parents talk about recent laws to be passed.
"They're meant for each other, you know," she told Xian.
"I know," her brother replied and draped an arm on her shoulder and she rested her head on his. "Tell you what, why don't we make dad jealous?"
Kim looked at her brother, "What do you mean?"
"Dad clearly still likes mom. Can't you feel the sexual tension around them?"
"What's your plan?" Kim asked.
"I say we set mom up on a date and see what dad's reaction is," he smirked slyly as he waggled his eyebrows.
"Who's the guy?"
"What do you say about the police captain?" Xian asked her.
"Saikhan?" Kim thought at what Xian suggested. "He's a bit young for mom."
"Pema's a bit young for dad," Xian pointed out.
"Okay, deal," Kim offered her hand and Xian took it and shook it.
"Deal, then." Xian grinned. "Want to do our deal handshake?"
A/N: So what do you think guys? Reviews are so much welcome. Just so we're clear, Kim and Xian aren't twins. Kim is 18 and Xian's 19.